| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07953766B2 |
Generation of attribute listings for unique identification of data subsets
Techniques to generate data models for an item master having a number of items. Each item is associated with a number of attributes and each attribute is associated with a set of values. In one method, the items in the item master are initially classified into a number of pagesets, with each pageset being defined by a unique combination of values for a first set of (classification) attributes. For each pageset, a second set of (selectable) attributes is determined to uniquely identify the items in the pageset. The selectable attributes may be selected from a list of candidate attributes, which may include mandatory attributes designated to be used as selectable attributes and optional attributes that may be selected for use. Data models are generated for each pageset based in part on the selectable attributes, and include a set of tables descriptive of the items in the pageset. |
| US07953764B2 |
Techniques for automatically provisioning a database over a wide area network
Techniques for provisioning databases for users on a wide area network such as the Internet include a first party managing one or more database systems. Second parties subscribe to database services supported by the database systems managed by the first party. The first party provides, over a network, to database applications controlled by the second parties, access to the database services to which the second parties are subscribed. The database systems may use database appliances hosting both database process(es), and non-database process(es) tailored to the needs of the database process(es). A user is therefore able to obtain database resources from an Internet Database Service Provider (IDSP) without the user incurring the full costs of database administrator(s), dedicated database equipment facilit(ies), or even dedicated database device(s), depending on usage. Meanwhile, the IDSP incurs minimum staffing loads because of various self-service tools Costing model and automatic billing features are also described. |
| US07953760B2 |
Computing system and method to implicitly commit unsaved data for a world wide web application
The invention is a computing system comprising a World Wide Web application with a user interactive record field. The record field receives a record field entry. The application receives a context change request. Responsive to the context change request, the application dynamically transmits the record field entry to a server for storage in a database. |
| US07953755B2 |
Semantic relational database
A semantic relational database has a phrase registry data store of definitions and data handlers that syntactically traverse sentences and report word phrases of relationships defined by the sentences. In some aspects, the database has a sentence data structure in which a sentence refers to another sentence by containing a sentence phrase definition for the other sentence. In other aspects, the database has a sub-sentence data structure that stores sentences as sub-sentences having syntax types specified by a syntax type data structure. A modified relationship is obtained by one sub-sentence being designated to modify another sub-sentence of the same sentence. |
| US07953754B2 |
Method and system for finding the focus of a document
A method and apparatus for identifying the focus of a document, in a natural language processing application, the natural language processing application comprising a hierarchical concept tree having a plurality of nodes, each node being associated with a term, the method comprising the steps of: mapping an input document to nodes in a concept tree to determine a number of occurrences of a term in the input document which also occur at a node in the concept tree; weighting each node in the concept tree, depending on the determined number of occurrences of the term in the input document and a determined value assigned to each node in the concept tree; traversing the concept tree to identify a heaviest weighted path, in dependence on the weighting of each node in the concept tree; and determining the focus of the input document by identifying a node having the heaviest weight along the most heavily-weighted path. |
| US07953753B2 |
Newsmaker verification and commenting method and system
An on-line article comprising instances of newsmakers is provided by an Internet connected news server or news aggregator server and the names of the newsmakers are automatically identified by a newsmaker verification and commenting module. The article is displayed to a reader on an Internet connected client computer. The instances of the newsmakers in the article are emphasized such that they stand out in the article. The reader initiates a verification process by indicating that he is a newsmaker. The newsmaker verification and commenting module is in communication with a verification database and the identity of the reader is verified as the newsmaker through a series of questions and answers. After verification, comments provided by the reader are stored by the newsmaker verification and commenting module. The comments and article are published such that the comments are displayed conspicuously with the article on any client computer accessing the article. |
| US07953750B1 |
Systems and methods for storing and searching data in a customer center environment
Systems and methods for storing data in a customer center environment are provided. In this regard, a representative method comprises: generating data from workforce applications, at least one of the workforce applications including at least one of forecasting, scheduling, recording, and monitoring functionalities; and storing the data from the at least one of the workforce applications in a storage area network (SAN), the SAN being operable to connect the at least one of the workforce applications to computer storage devices. The method can further include keeping recorded contacts in a long term storage device such as the SAN or an operational data store (ODS) and transparently searching in both the ODS and the SAN simultaneously. With a concept of moving data on to a file system SAN which is cheaper as compared to a database technology such as ODS, the method facilitates predictable performance from the ODS and easier manageability with constant cost from SAN. |
| US07953749B2 |
Providing the timing of the last committed change to a row in a database table
Processing a database statement received from a database client, which requests information about the timing of a last committed change to a row in a database table, comprises retrieving a logical time value that represents a commit time associated with the row and providing the value to the client. In one embodiment, providing the logical time value to the client is enabled by database infrastructure in which a virtual column is used to temporarily “store” the value so that the value can be manipulated as if the value resided in a column of the row. Performance of operations that involve the virtual column are processed similar to real columns, as if data was actually logically stored in the virtual column. For example, the virtual column can be used in condition clauses of database statements for concurrency control. |
| US07953743B2 |
Associative database scanning and information retrieval
A method and device are disclosed for an associative and approximate, analog or digital scanning of databases that allows for the asynchronous accessing of data from a mass storage medium. The invention includes providing dedicated analog and digital circuitry and decision logic at the mass storage medium level for determining a key identifying the data of interest, continuously comparing the key to a signal generated from a reading of the data from the mass storage medium with an approximate or exact matching circuit to determine a pattern match, determining a correlation value between the key and the data as it is read in a continuous fashion, and determining a match based upon a preselected threshold value for the correlation value. The pattern matching technique eliminates any need to compare data based on its intrinsic structure or value, and instead is based on an analog or digital pattern. The key and data may be either analog or digital. This device and method may be provided as part of a stand-alone computer system, embodied in a network attached storage device, or can otherwise be provided as part of a computer LAN or WAN. |
| US07953735B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method and program
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program in which a content piece matching preference information of a user or a content piece similar to a specified content piece can be searched for with a smaller amount of computation and can be provided to the user. Each of items of metadata (such as title, artist name, genre, review text, tempo, beat, and rhythm) of music is classified into any of cluster layers (first to n-th layers), and is classified (clustering) into a plurality of clusters provided in the cluster layers into which actual information of each of the items is classified. Then, instead of the metadata, cluster information including cluster IDs (such as CL11 in FIG. 2) of the clusters into which actual information of each of the items of metadata is classified is compiled in a database as information indicating the features of music. The present invention can be applied to a homepage server for recommending a purchase of content such as music data, a video recorder for recommending a recording reservation of a television program, and the like. |
| US07953734B2 |
System and method for providing SPI extensions for content management system
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for providing extensions to a Service Provider Interface (SPI) in a content management system. These mechanisms and methods for providing extensions to a Service Provider Interface (SPI) in a content management system can enable embodiments to integrate one or more of a plurality of content repositories into a virtual content repository (VCR) by mapping requests to access content received via a common Application Programming Interface (API) to at least one JSR-170 compliant repository and at least one SPI compliant repository. The ability of embodiments to provide so integrate disparate content repositories can enable one or more of navigation, CRUD operations (create, read, update, delete), versioning, workflows, and searching operations to operate on a plurality of repositories as though the plurality of repositories were one repository. |
| US07953726B2 |
Generated predicates from materialized result
Processing a multiple table query includes: determining if any tables in the query require materialization; for each table in the query that requires materialization, deriving at least one join predicate on a join column; determining if any tables earlier in a join sequence for the query has same join predicates; and applying the at least one derived join predicate to an earlier table in the join sequence, if there is at least one table earlier in the join sequence that has the same join predicate. This significantly reduces the number of rows that are joined before arriving at the final result. |
| US07953706B2 |
System and method for storing redundant information
A method and system for reducing storage requirements and speeding up storage operations by reducing the storage of redundant data includes receiving a request that identifies one or more data objects to which to apply a storage operation. For each data object, the storage system determines if the data object contains data that matches another data object to which the storage operation was previously applied. If the data objects do not match, then the storage system performs the storage operation in a usual manner. However, if the data objects do match, then the storage system may avoid performing the storage operation. |
| US07953704B2 |
Systems and methods for a snapshot of data
In one embodiment, a user or client device is connected to a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. According to one embodiment, the system stores and updates metadata, including a governance list, for each of the files and directories. The governance list provides a representation of the snapshots which govern a file or directory and its descendants. |
| US07953703B2 |
Creation of highly available pseudo-clone standby servers for rapid failover provisioning
Near clones for a set of targeted computing systems are provided by evaluating different configurations of the targeted computing systems including lists of installed hardware components and installed software components; determining a subset of components in common among the different configurations; determining an initial pseudo-clone configuration including the subset of components and excluding components which are not in common among the different target hardware configurations; for each of the targeted computing systems, producing a finish-out workflow of installation steps and components to be installed into an incompletely configured computer system according to the pseudo-clone configuration to produce an operational clone system; and outputting the pseudo-clone configuration and the workflow to a provisioning management system for subsequent realization of a pseudo-clone backup computing system and further subsequent realization of one or more operational clone systems. |
| US07953702B2 |
Document administration apparatus, and recording medium in which document administration program is stored
A document administration apparatus, includes a sharing request receiving portion configured to receive a request of sharing a document stored in a first box among boxes which are divided storing areas, a box information receiving portion configured to receive box information on one or more second boxes each correlated with each user sharing the document to which the sharing request is made, a shortcut creating portion configured to create a shortcut to all of the second boxes represented by the box information received by the box information receiving portion, the shortcut including link information to the document stored in the first box, and a link portion configured to process an access to the shortcut created by the shortcut creating portion by replacing the access with an access to the document which is a linked destination written in the shortcut. |
| US07953699B2 |
System for the processing of information between remotely located healthcare entities
Systems and methods for reconciling healthcare data between multiple distributed computing nodes that enable an individual node, a topic object, or an intelligent agent to determine synchronization with other nodes, comprising sending source node data to a payload generator, the source node data including difference data, an encapsulated topic object, or intelligent agent communications, generating a payload including the source node data and destination attributes, and sending the payload to a destination node, topic object, or destination intelligent agent, and using the source node data to update destination node data according to destination node, topic object, or destination intelligent agent requirements. |
| US07953697B2 |
System and method for collaborative information development
A system and associated method for collaboratively developing information. An information delivery system for information regarding rapidly evolving software products builds an initial information set and a vocabulary. The initial information set is released for annotations on the information set by contributing users. The vocabulary defines a group of terms and respectively associated confidence level that can be used in describing annotations. An access control list may be employed in authenticating contributing users in accessing the information delivery system to assure reliability of annotations. A reliable annotation having a confidence level satisfying a threshold confidence level is integrated with the information set according to an approval by a content owner. |
| US07953695B2 |
System and method for integrated data mart defining start schema model processing business contact data from multiple contact channels
Disclosed is a data collection and analysis system that is capable of extracting data from various disparate sources, i.e., contact channels, storing the data and analyzing the data to show trends in the business operation. The data is stored in a data model that uses a star schema approach to providing a unified data source. Analyzed data can be made available to users on a nearly real time basis that allows the users to view trends in business operation and plan accordingly. |
| US07953693B2 |
Method and apparatus for ontology-based classification of media content
A method and apparatus for ontology-based classification of media content are provided. With the method and apparatus, initial confidence values of classifiers in a hierarchical classification structure are modified based on relationships between classifiers. A confidence value for a classifier is boosted by a boosting factor based on a correspondence between the confidence value and confidence values of ancestor classifiers in the hierarchical classification structure. A confidence value for a classifier is modified by a confusion factor based on a correspondence between the confidence value of the classifier and the confidence values of mutually exclusive classifiers in the hierarchical classification structure. In this way, a more accurate representation of the actual confidence that media content falls within the classification associated with the classifier is obtained. From this improved classification mechanism, indices for media content may be generated for use in accessing the media content at a later time. |
| US07953692B2 |
Predicting candidates using information sources
Embodiments are configured to provide one or more candidates based in part on an input. In an embodiment, a system includes a prediction engine which can be configured to provide one or more ranked candidates using one or more configurable data sources and/or candidate providers. Each data source can be configured to include a candidate provider to predict and return predicted candidates. The prediction engine can use a predicted candidate to rank and return a ranked candidate to a user interface, process, or other application. In one embodiment, a computing device can include and use a prediction engine which can use a customized ranking component to rank and return ranked candidates based in part on a query type. The customized ranking component can use predicted candidates provided by one or more data sources and/or candidate providers when making a ranking determination. |
| US07953691B2 |
Performance evaluating apparatus, performance evaluating method, and program
A performance evaluating apparatus for a rule is provided, which is capable of evaluating a business value of a rule applied to the operation and management of an information system through autonomous control. The performance evaluating apparatus for a rule collects, respectively be fore activation processing that is prescribed by a rule and after completion of the execution of the processing, a rule execution history and a system state information indicating a state of a monitored information system that is necessary for calculation of the business value. The business value is calculated from the collected system state information and rule execution history by a given calculation formula. |
| US07953689B2 |
Combined feature creation to increase data mining signal in hybrid datasets
Embodiments of the invention may be used to produce a data mining signal by generating hybrid dataset representing data related to tools used during a semiconductor fabrication process. By selectively combining similar processes, the data mining signal strength of each tool used to perform the steps of the fabrication process may be increased. A combined process variable may be used to represent the group of tools and processes, collectively. A set of rules may be composed to determine which processes used in the semiconductor fabrication process should be combined in the hybrid dataset. |
| US07953680B2 |
Computer program product for excluding variations attributable to equipment used in semiconductor wafer manufacturing from split analysis procedures
Excluding variations attributable to equipment from split analysis is performed by identifying dependent variables related to at least one of the split analysis or an experiment to be performed. A test is performed to ascertain whether or not a variation attributable to equipment exists with respect to any of the identified dependent variables. If such a variation exists, a target data set and a training data set are constructed. A signature is identified for the variation. A statistical model is selected based upon the identified signature. The selected statistical model is constructed using the training data set to generate a statistical output. The target data set is joined with the statistical output. The identified dependent variables in the target data set are adjusted using the statistical output. The target data set including the adjusted identified dependent variables is loaded to an application for performing split analysis. |
| US07953677B2 |
Computer-implemented method, computer program and system for analyzing data records by generalizations on redundant attributes
A computer implemented method and system for analysing a first set of data records where each data record comprises attribute values for one or more attributes, by expanding the first set of data records into a second set of data records by creating for at least one of the attributes of the first set of data records at least two redundant attributes with corresponding redundant attribute values, assigning different generalization rules to the at least two redundant attributes, and performing a generalization of the second set of data records by means of an attribute-oriented induction (AOI)-algorithm. |
| US07953675B2 |
Tensor voting in N dimensional spaces
A tensor voting scheme which can be used in an arbitrary number N of dimensions, up to several hundreds. The voting scheme can operate on unorganized point inputs, which can be oriented or unoriented, and estimate the intrinsic dimensionality at each point. Moreover it can estimate the tangent and normal space of a manifold passing through each point based solely on local operations. |
| US07953674B2 |
Fuzzing system and method for exhaustive security fuzzing within an SQL server
Systems and methods that incorporate fuzzing capabilities within an SQL server to facilitate penetration testing. A fuzzing component associated with the SQL server provides an entry point for accessing the fuzzing system to update explicit user specified parameters associated with SQL, wherein the server's in depth knowledge regarding semantics of the language code (e.g., manner of parsing) can be employed to determine vulnerabilities thereof. |
| US07953673B2 |
Multiple interest matchmaking in personal business networks
The present invention can increase the odds of choosing the right people for a team by considering their “rate of interest/knowledge” in multiple topics. Given a known contacts network, represented by nodes interconnected by links, several different sub-networks are identified within it, corresponding to different topics or areas of expertise required to a specific project. For each sub-network, there will be nodes with an associated grade, based on that person's knowledge/interest for the topic related to that sub-network. As such, each node/person receives a grade for each topic. Using these grades, a weight of each link between the nodes is calculated. This process is performed for every node for each topic and associated grade. After that, a superposition of all sub-networks is made and a multiple interest network is yielded. |
| US07953672B2 |
Process and architecture for structuring facilities revenue bond financings
A process and architecture may be implemented to structure ESFRB financing or refinancing for Municipal Facilities operation, construction and/or renovation to improve economic and business terms for involved or interested parties, including without limitation, a Municipal Entity which owns, for example, water/sewer facilities, airports, seaports, bus and train transit systems, toll roads and bridges, parking lots and/or energy plants. |
| US07953671B2 |
Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactions
A system and method for facilitating electronic transactions using an intelligent instrument is disclosed. An authorization server enables users to obtain authorization credentials through the use of the intelligent instrument by issuing a challenge to an intelligent token of the intelligent instrument. The intelligent token generates a challenge response and transmits the challenge response to the authorization server, which assembles credentials including a key for the electronic transaction upon validating the response. The authorization server sends the assembled credentials to the intelligent instrument and the intelligent instrument transmits the assembled credentials to the authorization server during a subsequent transaction. The authorization server validates the assembled credentials and provides authorization for the transaction in response to the validating the assembled credentials. |
| US07953668B2 |
Method and apparatus for reserving digital rights
The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for reserving a set of requested rights. In one example, the digital rights data associated with digital content information is found in a remaining rights file using a license index. A portion of the digital rights data is subsequently reserved. A determination is made as to whether a content download associated with the digital content information is successful. If the content download is unsuccessful, then the reserved portion of the digital rights data is cancelled. Alternatively, if the content download is successful, then the remaining rights file is updated to reflect a use of the portion of the digital rights data. |
| US07953661B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining personal qualified dividend income and generating information statements thereof
Personal qualified dividend income (QDI) is calculated for one or more investors for mutual fund dividend distributions made to accounts of the investors from one or more mutual funds. Personal QDI information may be automatically generated and provided to investors. A similar process may be performed for brokerage accounts that hold individual stocks. |
| US07953659B2 |
Multiple loan payment option sales tool
A multiple option loan presentation apparatus and method allows a loan agent to communicate a non-traditional loan product to a customer. Non-traditional mortgage products such as pick-a-payment loans allow a borrower to exchange lower payments during an initial period for higher payments layer in an amortization period. Some borrowers do not want to accepting the risk associated with adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) for increases in interest rates, but are still desirous of options for reduced monthly payments. Combining fixed rate loans with an option for interest-only or minimum payments allows this flexibility, but places a premium on being able to graphically depict the implications of these choices. Thereby, the borrower can make an informed decision and the loan agent is able to more quickly conclude the transaction. In particular, the minimum payments constraints and changes in amounts can be made more intuitive. |
| US07953658B2 |
Systems and methods for processing credit card transactions that exceed a credit limit
A method, system, and computer are disclosed for managing a financial transaction associated with a financial account, wherein the transaction would cause an outstanding balance of the financial account to exceed a credit limit. The method comprises determining a merchant type for a merchant which is a party to the transaction. A merchant credit risk associated with the determined merchant type is determined. The merchant credit risk is compared to a threshold value defining an acceptable credit risk. The transaction is approved based on the comparison of the merchant credit risk with the threshold value. |
| US07953656B2 |
Displaying market data
A system for generating a display of at least one side of a market includes a computer system having one or more computers. The displayed side of the market includes one or more offers from one or more market participants. Each offer includes an offered price and an offered quantity. The computer system receives market data reflecting the one or more offers and generates a display of the received market data. The display includes a price axis, a quantity axis, and one or more offer bars. Each offer bar represents one or more offers including equal offered prices. Placement of an offer bar along the price axis represents the equal offered prices for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. The height of an offer bar relative to the quantity axis represents the aggregate offered quantity for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. |
| US07953654B2 |
Integration of gift card services for mobile devices and social networking services
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for social networking services integrated with gift card services. In general, a profile of a member of a social networking service may be presented with one or more merchant credit services for prepaid merchant account credit, data characterizing a request to provide a credit service from the merchant credit services and a mobile phone number associated with an intended recipient of the first credit service may be received, and a message may be caused to be sent to the mobile phone number, where the message characterizes provision of the first credit service to the intended recipient. Interest in the credit service may be tracked and associated with a loyalty indicator associated with the member. |
| US07953651B2 |
Validating updated business rules
A computer-implemented method for validating updated business rules. A first set of documents utilized to validate a first set of business rules is provided. A second set of business rules generated from an update of the first set of business rules is received. Each business rule includes input parameters. A second set of documents is received. A template file includes the input parameters and corresponding path expressions. An augmented set of documents includes the first and second sets of documents. The second set of business rules is automatically semantically validated against the augmented set of documents. The semantic validation includes executing the second set of business rules with each document of the augmented set. The executing includes binding, via the path expressions, the input parameters to values included in a document of the augmented set. |
| US07953650B2 |
Medical diagnostic system acquisition and financing method and apparatus
The present technique is associated with financial analysis of a transaction for medical resources. The technique allows a client to interact with a remote financial analysis system via a network interface, and to enter and transmit client data associated with a desired transaction to the financial analysis system for a transaction analysis. Accordingly, the client receives multiple transaction options tailored to the desired transaction and the client data. |
| US07953643B2 |
Automated sales support method
A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization. |
| US07953630B2 |
Marketing systems and methods
The present invention relates to real-time, automated marketing programs implementing one or more program rules matrix modules that calculate benefits to customers based on one or more customer identifier(s), one or more merchant identifier(s) and one or more customer behavior(s). In one embodiment, program rules matrix modules implement Points Multiplier Program(s) that award benefits in an accelerated fashion, based upon one or more qualifying customer identifier(s), merchant identifier(s), and customer behavior(s). Marketing programs are implemented using a host controller that communicates with a plurality of remote transaction systems to provide real-time, individualized, automated awards and sophisticated multi-variable analysis of transaction data. Another aspect of the present invention relates to systems and methods implementing a plurality of marketing programs, offered by a plurality of merchants or merchant groups, upon presentation of a qualifying identifier, such as a (single) transaction card. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides methods and systems enabling a “single-swipe” transaction, wherein data is selectively packeted and transmitted to one or more institutions following a single electronic reading of a transaction card. |
| US07953627B2 |
Identifying industry segments with highest potential for new customers or new spending for current customers
A method and system are used to identify industry segments with highest potential for new customers or new spending for current customers. This includes receiving data, segregated into each of a plurality of industries, relating to a number of small businesses, cost of goods sold for each of the small businesses, and percentage of cost of goods sold that is spent on raw materials and inventory for each of the small businesses. Capturing data, segregated into each of the plurality of industries, relating to average amount charged per current card member, percentage of the current card members charging the raw materials and the inventory, percentage of card member penetration, and total estimated charging for the current card members. Determining which of the plurality of industries or segments of the plurality of the industries are available for a highest potential for new card members or that are available for a greatest amount of incremental increased charging by the current card members. Communicating with the current card members in each of the plurality of industries or segments and receiving data therefrom based on one or more of the previous steps. Communicating with internal and external sources to capture additional industry-specific charging data. Receiving data relating to industry reports and census data. Generating ranked data sets based on the previous steps. |
| US07953621B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying agent activity exceptions
Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling a workforce. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: collecting an agent activity of a first class and an agent activity of a second class; and displaying the agent activity of the first class and the agent activity of the second class along the same timeline axis. The agent activities are collected from a contact center data source. The second class is different from the first class. Both activities are associated with the same agent. Each activity is derived from a different virtual data source. |
| US07953619B2 |
Business process diagram visualization using timeline-based heat maps
System and method for displaying information regarding a business process. A diagram of the business process may be displayed on a display. The diagram may include a plurality of icons connected by lines, where each of the icons represents a respective step in the business process and the lines indicate flow paths between the steps. Historical data regarding the business process may be received. The historical data may be analyzed to determine information regarding steps and/or flow paths in the business process. Graphical indications associated with one or more icons and/or lines in the diagram may be displayed. The graphical indications may visually indicate characteristics of corresponding steps and/or flow paths in the business process. For example, the graphical indications may indicate lengths of time, costs, or other characteristics associated with various ones of the steps. The graphical indications may indicate path traversals of ones of the flow paths. |
| US07953617B2 |
Golf course time management system
A system is provided for tracking and visually displaying golf reservations in a computer-implemented environment. The system provides a display with a grid or array of times arranged according to golf hole numbers. A reservation designator, by its location on the grid, identifies a start time and start hole, and includes an identifier to identify one or more golfers corresponding to a reservation. The duration of the game associated with reservation designator is estimated based upon golf course parameters. The reservation designator thus visually indicates a predicted location of the players corresponding to a golf game reservation. Additionally, the system may provide for tracking and sales of green fees and merchandise. |
| US07953615B2 |
System and method of administering, tracking and managing of claims processing
A system and method of administering, tracking and managing of claims processing. |
| US07953609B2 |
Disease and case management system
Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system that addresses the need for an online disease based and case based management of medical care. An online disease and case management system is provided. The information of the patients is retrieved from multiple information sources. The patient information is used to identify one of a disease condition in a patient population and a patient with a disease condition. Further, the patients are enrolled. The enrolled patients are educated about the disease condition for self monitoring of the disease condition. The status of the self monitored disease condition is recorded in a disease log. Visits to a provider are scheduled for medical treatment of the enrolled patients. The enrolled patients are monitored for medical progress based on the medical treatment provided. Further, the disease and case management of medical care are evaluated and reported based on clinical and financial outcomes. |
| US07953608B2 |
System and method for orchestrating clinical collaboration sessions
A system and associated methods for orchestrating a collaboration session are disclosed. One method involves orchestrating a collaboration session between a requesting clinician and another clinician where information is exchanged electronically. According to the method, requests for collaboration sessions are received by a computer system from the requesting clinician, with a given request related to a piece of patient-focused clinical data. Each request is analyzed to build a roster of potentially available clinicians for collaboration. A collaboration session is then facilitated between the requesting clinician and one or more of the potentially available clinicians on the roster. |
| US07953605B2 |
Method and apparatus for audio encoding and decoding using wideband psychoacoustic modeling and bandwidth extension
A novel bandwidth extension technique allows information to be encoded and decoded using a fractal self similarity model or an accurate spectral replacement model, or both. Also a multi-band temporal amplitude coding technique, useful as an enhancement to any coding/decoding technique, helps with accurate reconstruction of the temporal envelope and employs a utility filterbank. A perceptual coder using a comodulation masking release model, operating typically with more conventional perceptual coders, makes the perceptual model more accurate and hence increases the efficiency of the overall perceptual coder. |
| US07953603B2 |
Load balancing based upon speech processing specific factors
A machine readable storage can include a set of instructions for load balancing. The storage can include a plug-in receptor of a load balancer. The plug-in receptor can be compliant with a known industry standard and can be is associated with a two or more load balancing algorithms. The load balancer can utilize selected ones of the load balancing algorithms to determine which of two or more voice servers are to handle incoming speech processing requests. Selected ones of the load balancing algorithms can include a speech utilization algorithm. The speech utilization algorithm can calculate a speech utilization score for at least one of the voice servers based upon speech processing specific factors. |
| US07953598B2 |
Grammar weighting voice recognition information
A device receives a voice recognition statistic from a voice recognition application and applies a grammar improvement rule based on the voice recognition statistic. The device also automatically adjusts a weight of the voice recognition statistic based on the grammar improvement rule, and outputs the weight adjusted voice recognition statistic for use in the voice recognition application. |
| US07953593B2 |
Method and system for extending keyword searching to syntactically and semantically annotated data
Methods and systems for extending keyword searching techniques to syntactically and semantically annotated data are provided. Example embodiments provide a Syntactic Query Engine (“SQE”) that parses, indexes, and stores a data set as an enhanced document index with document terms as well as information pertaining to the grammatical roles of the terms and ontological and other semantic information. In one embodiment, the enhanced document index is a form of term-clause index, that indexes terms and syntactic and semantic annotations at the clause level. The enhanced document index permits the use of a traditional keyword search engine to process relationship queries as well as to process standard document level keyword searches. In one embodiment, the SQE comprises a Query Processor, a Data Set Preprocessor, a Keyword Search Engine, a Data Set Indexer, an Enhanced Natural Language Parser (“ENLP”), a data set repository, and, in some embodiments, a user interface or an application programming interface. |
| US07953591B2 |
Automatically identifying unique language independent keys correlated with appropriate text strings of various locales by key search
A method, system and computer program product for automatically identifying unique language independent keys. A “key search” is performed which searches for various language independent keys in a properties file associated with a value or text string entered in a first locale. A second locale is suggested to narrow the number of language independent keys displayed in connection with the value entered in the first locale. Upon receiving the value for the second locale, another key search is performed, where this key search is performed on the language independent keys displayed in connection with the first value entered in association with the first locale. A unique language independent key may be identified based on this subsequent key search. By performing key searches and suggesting a second locale to narrow the number of language independent keys, the time in identifying a unique language independent key is reduced and efficiency is improved. |
| US07953590B2 |
Using separate recording channels for speech-to-speech translation systems
A system and method for speech-to-speech translation using a translation system includes designating separate input channels for each of a plurality of speakers. In response to speech from a first channel in a first language, the speech from the first channel is translated to a second language, and in response to speech from the second channel in a second language, the speech from the second channel is translated to the first language. Translating the speech from the first channel and translating the speech from the second channel are performed concurrently. |
| US07953589B1 |
Methods and systems for proxy voting
One embodiment of the present invention relates to electronic voting methods and systems that help simplify the management of institutional proxies. In one example, the methods and systems manage the process of meeting notifications, voting, tracking, mailing, reporting, record maintenance and/or vote disclosure rules enacted by the SEC. In one specific example, this may be done for thousands of publicly traded securities custodied at various banks, brokers and global custodians. In another example, a system (and corresponding method) may be provided for integrating, organizing and displaying (e.g., via a website) information in a language of preference for each user of the system. The information may comprise meeting, agenda and/or ballot information and the users of the system/method may be voting entities empowered to cast votes via the system. |
| US07953586B2 |
Method and system for designing bottom hole assembly configuration
A method and system for designing bottom hole assembly configuration. The system and method include modeling the bottom hole assembly by dividing complicated BHA configurations into independent modules and segments. Modules are bounded by two stabilizers where segments are bounded by bottom hole assembly components. A recursive process is used to derive solutions for each of the segments and modules. Only two unknowns (and two non-linear equations) are left when the recursive process reaches to the bit. The two unknowns are then solved by iteration. |
| US07953584B2 |
Method for optimal lift gas allocation
A method is disclosed for optimal lift gas allocation, comprising: optimally allocating lift gas under a total lift gas constraint or a total produced gas constraint, the allocating step including distributing lift gas among all gas lifted wells in a network so as to maximize a liquid or oil rate at a sink. |
| US07953580B2 |
Method and a system relating to network management
The present invention relates to a method for network management comprising configuration of control protocols between network elements in a network represented through a current, static, network element object model comprising a number of managed objects with attributes and instances and representing resources. It comprises the steps of: transforming the current network element object model to a machine readable and executable formal network element object model; identifying configuration tasks needed for the configuration of the relevant control protocols; modelling a formal configuration task model using information about the configuration tasks and the formal network element object model; building a formal configuration workflow model using the formal network element object model and the formal configuration task model, said formal configuration workflow model defining the relationships between different configuration tasks required for performing or completing a number of given actions or to achieve a number of given goals. |
| US07953577B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved fault detection in power generation equipment
A method and apparatus for detecting faults in power plant equipment is discloses using sensor confidence and an improved method of identifying the normal operating range of the power generation equipment as measured by those sensors. A confidence is assigned to a sensor in proportion to the residue associated with that sensor. If the sensor has high residue, a small confidence is assigned to the sensor. If a sensor has a low residue, a high confidence is assigned to that sensor, and appropriate weighting of that sensor with other sensors is provided. A feature space trajectory (FST) method is used to model the normal operating range curve distribution of power generation equipment characteristics. Such an FST method is illustratively used in conjunction with a minimum spanning tree (MST) method to identify a plurality of nodes and to then connect those with line segments that approximate a curve. |
| US07953576B2 |
Apparatus to predict fan wear-out and impending failure and method of manufacturing the same
An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure and a method of manufacturing the same. One embodiment provides for (1) a lookup table containing expected fan speeds at given duty cycles; and (2) a processor for comparing a measured fan speed at a given duty cycle with an expected fan speed at the given duty cycle, the processor generating a predicted fan wear-out and impending failure. |
| US07953575B2 |
Electrical submersible pump rotation sensing using an XY vibration sensor
When an electrical submersible pump motor runs, rotary vibrations occur in the same direction as the rotation of the motor. This vibration can be detected by an XY vibration sensor. Depending on the rotation direction, the vibration along the X-axis will be out of phase +90 degrees or −90 degrees with the vibration in the Y-axis. To determine the rotation direction, the vibration sensor measures a vibration of an ESP pump in two axes, recording first and second vibration signals. Next, whether the first signal either leads or lags the second signal is determined by, for example, comparing correlations of the first and second signal with the second signal shifted by plus and minus one-fourth of the period of rotation. Then a direction of a rotation of the electrical submersible pump can be determined responsive to the determination of whether the first signal either leads or lags the second signal. |
| US07953570B2 |
Method for continuous analysis of the transmission quality in fieldbus networks
A method is disclosed for continuous analysis of the transmission quality in fieldbus networks in automation systems with a plurality of fieldbus participants, which communicate with one another over the fieldbus network. Directly measurable logical and physical bus parameters are recorded from the line signal transmitted over the fieldbus network, and are stored with a predefinable retrospectivity. Operational parameters are derived from the measured bus parameters, these being weighted and the weighted bus parameters being linked together to form the operational parameter. The quantitative weighting of a bus parameter is functionally determined by at least one other bus parameter. |
| US07953568B2 |
Flow meter and method for detecting a cable fault in a cabling of the flow meter
A method for detecting a cable fault in a cabling of a flow meter is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The method includes testing one or more first pickoff wires and one or more second pickoff wires of the cabling for pickoff open wire faults. The method further includes testing the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires for pickoff connection orientation faults if no pickoff open wire faults are determined in the first pickoff wires and the second pickoff wires. The method further includes testing one or more driver wires of the cabling for driver open wire faults. The method further includes testing the driver wires for a driver connection orientation fault if no driver open wire faults are determined in the driver wires. |
| US07953564B2 |
Coriolis mode processing techniques
Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid. |
| US07953563B2 |
Determining effects of turbine blades on fluid motion
Disclosed is a technique for simulating wind interaction with wind turbines. A turbine blade is divided into radial sections. The effect that each of these radial sections has on the velocities in Eulerian computational cells they overlap is determined. The effect is determined using Lagrangian techniques such that the calculations need not include wind components in the radial direction. A force on each radial section of turbine blade is determined. This force depends on the axial and azimuthal components of the fluid flow in the computational cell and the geometric properties of the turbine blade. The force on the turbine blade is fed back to effect the fluid flow in the computational cell for the next time step. |
| US07953561B2 |
Resonance test system
An apparatus (10) for applying at least one load to a specimen (12) according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise a mass (18). An actuator (20) mounted to the specimen (12) and operatively associated with the mass (18) moves the mass (18) along a linear displacement path (22) that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the specimen (12). A control system (26) operatively associated with the actuator (20) operates the actuator (20) to reciprocate the mass (18) along the linear displacement path (22) at a reciprocating frequency, the reciprocating frequency being about equal to a resonance frequency of the specimen (12) in a test configuration. |
| US07953560B2 |
Method for measuring doctor blade geometric deviations
A method for measuring geometric deviations of a doctor blade using an apparatus, including initializing the apparatus, mounting the doctor blade to a doctor blade holding device, illuminating the doctor blade with light, positioning a first portion of the doctor blade at an optical axis of a camera, obtaining a first image signal from the camera that corresponds to the first portion of the doctor blade, generating a first doctor blade geometry value associated with the first image signal, and determining if a first geometric deviation of the doctor blade is within acceptable tolerance using the first doctor blade geometry value. |
| US07953559B2 |
Systems and methods for maintaining load histories
Methods and systems for constructing a load history database for a structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that may include detecting a measurable parameter on the structure utilizing a sensor positioned on the structure and determining a value of external loads acting upon the structure based on the detected parameter. Further, the method may include evaluating the value of the external loads against a pre-established factor. Based on the evaluation, the value of the external loads are selectively stored in the load history database. |
| US07953557B2 |
Crystal of a cytochrome-ligand complex and methods of use
The teachings relates to the three-dimensional structure of a crystal of a cytochrome protein complexed with a ligand. The three-dimensional structure of four cytochrome P450 2A6-ligand complexes are disclosed. Cytochrome P450 2A6-ligand crystal structures, wherein the ligand is an inhibitor molecule, are useful for providing structural information that may be integrated into drug screening and drug design processes. Thus, the teachings also relate to methods for utilizing a crystal structure of a cytochrome P450 2A6-ligand complex for identifying, designing, selecting, or testing inhibitors of the cytochrome protein. Such inhibitors are useful as therapeutics for the treatment or modulation of i) diseases; ii) disease symptoms; or iii) the effect of other physiological events mediated by the cytochrome. |
| US07953554B2 |
Signal thresholding apparatus, systems, and methods
In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may include selecting a plurality of signal thresholds T(i)=i*(TMAX/N) for i=2 to N comprising a positive integer greater than one. TMAX may be equal to AMAX/R, where AMAX=a maximum peak amplitude of a signal, such as an acoustic borehole signal, and R=a root-mean-square amplitude of the signal. Applying the plurality of signal thresholds T(i) to the signal to determine a corresponding plurality of peak amplitudes A(i) and signal travel times for selected ones of the plurality of signal thresholds T(i) may also be included. |
| US07953552B2 |
GPS navigation code system
A GPS navigation code device has GPS features and easy address retrieval means built in, enabling a driver to retrieve and request directions to an address without taking his eyes off the road. The user pre-programs the GPS navigation code device with a plurality of addressees or points of interest and assigns unique navigation codes for each. The navigation code is entered using keyboard or recorded speech pattern. The processor in the GPS navigation code device records address, navigation code and speech pattern in three linked databases. While driving, the user presses a special address search mode key and inputs the unique navigation code by keyboard or speech pattern. The GPS navigation code device displays the address and the user accepts the displayed address by pressing special key. The GPS navigation code device then calculates and displays directions to the address, and provides additional guidance by speech on a turn-by-turn basis. |
| US07953550B1 |
Center pivot irrigation system position sensing system
A system and method for determining a position of a center pivot irrigation system includes positioning a tower unit on the rotatable arm of the irrigation system, determining a distance between the arm's rotation center and the tower unit, calculating coordinates of the tower unit along a path of the tower unit as the arm rotates, and associating an action of the irrigation system with coordinates of the tower unit location that correspond to the position of the arm where the action is to occur. Optionally, the action of the irrigation system and the coordinates of the location of the tower unit are downloaded to a remote unit located adjacent to the irrigation system. Optionally, current location coordinates of the tower unit are determined using a GPS receiver at the tower unit. Optionally, the current location coordinates are transmitted from the tower unit to the remote unit. Optionally, the current location coordinates are compared to the coordinates of the location of the action. If a substantial match of the current location coordinates with the location coordinates associated with an action is detected, the action may be initiated by the remote unit through controls of the irrigation system. |
| US07953545B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing traffic information using schedule registration information
A method for providing traffic information includes registering a schedule containing the request details of a request for traffic information, receiving real-time traffic data for a time duration in advance of a traffic information provision time, and creating traffic information using the real-time traffic data at the traffic information provision time, and providing the traffic information. A related apparatus is also provided. The traffic information providing method and apparatus reduces an initial waiting duration for the provision of real-time traffic information. |
| US07953539B2 |
Torque split strategy for a belt alternator starter (BAS) hybrid
A torque control system may include a first module that determines an internal combustion engine (ICE) torque command and an electric machine (EM) torque command based on a propulsion torque request. The torque control system may also include a second module that delays the EM torque command based on a dynamic torque response of the ICE. |
| US07953536B2 |
Inertial sensor software architecture security method
A method and apparatus is provided for validating a plurality of data, comprising transmitting one or more first values for a variable from a first source of values to a first processor, transmitting one or more second values for the variable from a second source of values to the first processor, transmitting one or more third values for the variable from the first source of values for to the second processor, transmitting one or more fourth values for the variable from the second source to the first processor, comparing the one or more first values for the variable with the one or more third values for the variable, comparing the one or more second values for the variable with the one or more third values for the variable, and comparing the one or more second values for the variable with the one or more fourth values for the variable. |
| US07953527B2 |
Method for the diagnosis of, and control device for controlling a motor vehicle
A method for diagnosing a motor vehicle and a control device for controlling a motor vehicle, a plurality of characteristic values, which are used for controlling the motor vehicle, being adapted. The adapted characteristic values are compared in each case to a threshold value, and an error message is generated if the adapted characteristic value goes beyond the threshold value. Normalized characteristic values are formed by a normalization, and a possibly faulty component of the motor vehicle is identified by a joint observation of a plurality of normalized characteristic values. |
| US07953526B2 |
Robotic vehicle controller
A control system is provided for automatically moving a machine along a desired path. The machine uses a “learn and follow” system in which the machine is first operated in a manual mode along a desired path. The control system learns the desired path and then operates the machine in a robotic mode to follow the desired path without operator control. If the machine moves away from the desired path when in the robotic mode, the location of the machine is corrected using GPS location signals. |
| US07953522B2 |
Vehicle seats
A vehicle seat has a seat cushion having a seating region. A first seating sensor is disposed at a central portion of the seating region and can detect a first seating position of an occupant. A second seating sensor is disposed at a peripheral portion of the seating region and can detect a second seating position of the occupant. |
| US07953518B2 |
Energy cost reduction and ad delivery
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates managing energy consumption with an energy sink device in order to reduce energy costs. An energy sink device can consume a portion of energy. An interface component can receive a portion of data related to at least one of a real time energy rate or a user presence. An energy manager can dynamically control the energy sink device for efficient consumption of the portion of energy for reduced energy costs based at least in part upon the evaluation of the portion of received data. The energy manager can leverage the real time energy rate and the user presence in order to employ at least one of a power on the energy sink device, a power off the energy sink device, or an adjust a setting for the energy sink device. |
| US07953516B2 |
Actuator and robot
An actuator and a robot are capable of properly adjusting the compliance of the motions of links in response to external forces according to an environment or application. The actuator sets a drive command angular velocity on the basis of a desired motor angular velocity, which is the resultant angular velocity of a desired link angular velocity and a desired driven angular velocity. The component of the desired link angular velocity included in a resultant desired velocity imparts stiffness to the motion of a link, while the component of the desired driven angular velocity included in the resultant desired velocity imparts flexibility to the motion of the link. Thus, the balance between the stiffness and the flexibility of the motion of the link is adjusted by adjusting the resultant ratio between the desired link angular velocity and the desired driven angular velocity. |
| US07953507B2 |
Method and system for intelligent automated reticle managment
A method, system, and program storage device for implementing the method of controlling a manufacturing system, wherein the method comprises providing a plurality of workpieces to be processed on a processing tool, the plurality of workpieces located at processing stations prior to the processing tool, determining auxiliary equipment allocation needs for the processing tool based on characteristics associated with the plurality of workpieces prior to the workpieces arriving at the processing tool, and sending auxiliary equipment to the processing tool based on the allocation needs prior to the workpieces arriving at the processing tool. According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing tool comprises a photolithographic system, the auxiliary equipment comprises a reticle, and the plurality of workpieces comprise semiconductor substrates. |
| US07953506B2 |
Skin design process
A method of designing a virtual model for the manufacture of a blended body structure having two or more constituent elements, the method comprising the step of defining a parameterised, theoretical procedural skin from which two or more datum skins are generated, each datum skin defining a production outline of an airframe structure constituent element. The use of a procedural model with embedded parameterisation and associativity to derive the datum skins reduces the time taken to produce the datum skins and enables feature modifications to be incorporated into models quickly and consistently. |
| US07953504B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting an audio track based upon audio excerpts
Methods, devices, systems and data structures are provided for selecting an audio track on a digital audio player. A user of a digital media player is able to select a desired audio track by listening to excerpts of various tracks until the desired track is identified. One exemplary technique for selecting a desired audio track accessible by a media player, for example, begins by sequentially providing a number of audio excerpts to the user, with each audio excerpt corresponding to a recognizable portion of an audio track. When the user hears an excerpt of a desired track, an indication is provided and the media player plays the desired audio track. The excerpt may be of any duration and may incorporate any portion of the audio track that is likely to be recognizable by the user. |
| US07953500B2 |
RF diathermy and faradic muscle stimulation treatment
An RF diathermy coil assembly, including a generally elastically deformable patient conforming garment and a conductive coil secured to the garment. The conductive coil having a woven wire construction such that the coil can deform as the garment elastically deforms. The RF diathermy coil assembly can be used for wound healing in conjunction with muscle stimulation. |
| US07953498B1 |
Resorbable anchor arrangements for implantable devices and methods of making and using
An implantable device includes a device body and at least one anchoring unit configured and arranged for anchoring the device body in a patient upon implantation. The anchoring unit includes a resorbable material that resorbs into the patient over a period of time after implantation. |
| US07953497B1 |
Insertion stylet
A stylet is provided which has improved stiffness and buckling strength and can be easily manufactured at low cost. The stylet is comprised of a covering and a core, each of which have different mechanical properties. In one embodiment, the stylet is comprised of an outer tube and an inner rod with a circular cross-section, wherein the rod is inserted inside the tube. The tube can be made from a material which is more resistant to permanent deformation than the inner rod. The inner rod is made from a stiffer material which provides buckling strength. The combination of the stylet and associated stimulation lead may be used to make multiple insertions into body tissue. |
| US07953495B2 |
Lead-implant coupling device
A lead coupling device adapted for coupling to a lead and methods for using the coupling devices are provided. The coupling device includes a housing assembly having a proximal opening and a distal opening. The coupling device also has a lead receiving channel that is disposed between the two openings to receive a lead therethrough. Various electronics components may also included in the coupling device that enable operations such as sensing, delivery of electrical energy and wireless communication between the coupling device and an external device. |
| US07953492B2 |
System and method for annotating and compressing waveform data
Waveforms are digitally sampled and compressed for storage in memory. The compression of the data includes generating a truncated entropy encoding map and using the values within the map to obtain good compression. An encoder further sub-selects values to be encoded and values to remain unencoded to provide an overall compression of the data. |
| US07953490B1 |
Methods and apparatus for cochlear implant signal processing
A cochlear implant processing strategy increases speech clarity and provides higher temporal performance. The strategy determines the power spectral component within each channel, and dynamically selects or de-selects the channels through which a stimulation pulse is provided as a function of whether the spectral power of the channel is high or low. “High” and “low” are estimated relative to a selected spectral power, for example. The selected spectral power can be estimated by signal average or mean, or by other criteria. Once a selection of the channels to stimulate has been made, the system can decide that only those channels are stimulated, and stimulation is removed from the other channels. The selected channels are the ones on which the spectral power is above the mean of all the available channels. Fewer channels are stimulated at any time and the contrast of the stimulation is enhanced. Also, the temporal resolution increases as the number of channels that must be stimulated on a given frame decreases. This way, the channels which are presented to the patient are fewer in number and contain more temporal information. |
| US07953488B2 |
Pre-qualification of an alternate sensing configuration
Multiple sensing configurations may be qualified based on one induced tachyarrhythmia, e.g., ventricular fibrillation, or other qualification event during an implantation procedure. Each sensing configuration comprises a different combination of two or more electrodes used for sensing electrical signals of the heart of the patient. In some examples, an implantable medical device or other device generates qualification information for each sensing configuration, which may indicate whether the sensing configuration is qualified for subsequent cardiac event detection based on an accuracy of the cardiac event detection for the sensing configuration during the qualification event. One of the qualified configurations may initially be selected as a primary sensing configuration for subsequent cardiac event detection. Switching to an alternate sensing configuration, e.g., upon identification of any sensing integrity condition of the primary sensing configuration, may be expedited by the previous collection of qualification data for at least one other sensing configuration. |
| US07953484B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy using heart sounds
A cardiac rhythm management system provides for assessment of cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony based on heart sound morphology and optimization of pacing parameters based on the effect of pacing on the cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony assessment. A degree of cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony is measured by the time delay between tricuspid valve closure and mitral valve closure and/or the time delay between pulmonary valve closure and aortic valve closure. A cardiac resynchronization therapy is optimized by determining therapy parameters to provide an approximately minimum degree of cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony by cardiac pacing. |
| US07953483B2 |
Detection of ventricular tachycardia in an active implantable medical device having an AAI operating mode
An active implantable medical device, such as a pacemaker, cardioverter and/ or defibrillator of AAI or AAI/DDD type, with detection of ventricular tachycardiae. This device senses spontaneous ventricular and atrial events; delivers atrial pacing pulses; and is able to apply, after delivery of an atrial pacing pulse, concurrently with sensing ventricular events, a refractory period (PR) and a safety window (FS) of predetermined durations; and determining the beginning of a spontaneous ventricular cycle in response to sensing of a ventricular event out of the safety window (R0, R1, R2, R3). It further includes detecting ventricular tachycardiae in response to sensing of ventricular events occurring both within and out of the safety window, conditioned notably by the detection of a sequence of events including, between two consecutive atrial pacing pulses (A1, A2; A2, A3), one ventricular event occurring within the safety window (r1; r2) and one subsequent ventricular event occurring out of the safety window (R1, R2). |
| US07953476B2 |
Discrimination of supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia events
A method and system for discrimination of supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia events. Morphological features points are extracted from normal sinus rhythm (NSR) complexes and used to generate a NSR template. A numerical convolution is performed using the NSR template and the feature points for each sensed NSR to give a NSR filter output. Using a plurality of NSR complexes, a median NSR filter output template is determined, where the median NSR filter output template has a median value for each value in the NSR filter output. The median NSR filter output template is then used during a tachycardia event to distinguish tachycardia events as either ventricular tachycardia events or supraventricular tachycardia events. |
| US07953472B2 |
Method and apparatus for treatment of discogenic pain
A method of treating discogenic back pain in a patient includes the steps of acquiring an image of at least a portion of the patient's spine, locating the spinal disc causing the back pain, and identifying a treatment volume encompassing at least a portion of the spinal disc. The method further includes prescribing a radiation dose to be delivered to the treatment volume, providing a radiation therapy machine, positioning the patient in the radiation therapy machine, programming the radiation therapy machine to deliver the radiation dose to the treatment volume, and delivering the radiation dose to the treatment volume. |
| US07953469B2 |
System and method for real-time localization for gated MR imaging
A system and method for MR imaging is disclosed that includes displaying a series of MR images of an ROI in real-time and localizing a slice within the ROI. The method also includes using a parallel imaging technique to acquire gated MR data from the localized slice and reconstructing a prescribed fixed number of gated MR images of the localized slice. |
| US07953468B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging using technique of positioning multi-slabs to be imaged
A magnetic resonance imaging system is provided for obtaining MR images by scanning a region of the object previously located on an object's positioning image. The system comprises a displaying unit, inputting unit, approximating unit, and locating unit. The displaying unit displays a plurality of tomographic images of the object as the positioning image, each of the tomographic images including an indication of a target of interest thereon. The inputting unit enables information about a running state of the target in a direction along the target to be supplied toward each of the tomographic images. The approximating unit calculates three-dimensionally an approximated curve indicating the running state of the target in the direction on the basis of the supplied information about the running state. The locating unit locates the region substantially perpendicular to the approximated curve. |
| US07953462B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing an adaptively responsive flexible display device
An apparatus and method for providing an adaptively responsive flexible display device is disclosed. The flexible display device is adaptively responsive to bending and/or motion. Information may be retrieved over a communications network based on the bending and/or motion of the flexible display device. |
| US07953461B2 |
Mobile terminal and speaker
A speaker includes a protector (67) which protects a speaker main body, a speaker opening (54) formed in one side surface of the speaker main body, a speaker sound hole (55) formed in the protector, and a cushion member (52) arranged on the protector. The speaker is attached to a rear side case (21) such that the speaker opening opposes a housing sound hole (21a) formed in the side surface of the rear side case (21) of a mobile telephone. Hence, a cavity (50) communicating with the housing sound hole is formed between the protector of the speaker and the major surface of the rear side case. With this structure, a distance from the speaker opening which outputs a sound generated by the speaker main body to the housing sound hole becomes shorter than in the conventional case, and the cavity can be utilized as an acoustic transfer space. Even when the mobile telephone is made thin, an increase in acoustic resistance can be suppressed, and deterioration in characteristics of a speaker output sound can be decreased. |
| US07953457B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption for mobile devices using broadcast-to-unicast message conversion
Methods and apparatus for use in reducing power consumption in battery-powered mobile communication devices in wireless local area networks (WLANs) are described. In one illustrative example, a mobile device in a WLAN is configured to normally refrain from receiving broadcast messages so that it may remain in a low power mode of operation. A network server is configured to convert broadcast messages into unicast messages for receipt by the mobile device only if the message or protocol type of the broadcast message is one in which the mobile device needs to process. As the mobile device is still configured to receive unicast messages, it will receive and decode such a unicast message and process the broadcast information within it accordingly. Advantageously, battery power is conserved at the mobile device. |
| US07953454B2 |
Wireless hands-free system with silent user signaling
Wireless hands-free system with silent user signaling. Silent alerting capability is provided for any hands-free device that relies on a short-range, wireless connection to interface to a terminal. The silent alerting action can be provided by any non-audible signaling mechanism, for example a vibrator or a light. A hands-free device establishes the short-range wireless connection with the communication terminal in question. When an alert message, such as for an incoming call, is received over the short-range wireless connection, the silent alerting action is produced in response to the alert message. The invention can find use in any wireless hands-free device, for example, a “Bluetooth” headset. |
| US07953451B2 |
Method of an apparatus for handling messages in a mobile communications environment
A method and system of transferring messages from a message source to a mobile station in a cellular system comprises assigning to each message a priority characteristic before the message is transmitted to mobile station. The message is then transmitted together with the assigned priority characteristic, depending on the priority characteristic. The priority characteristic is examined at the mobile station and the message is processed at the mobile station depending on the priority characteristic. |
| US07953450B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing restrictions on long distance calls from a wireless communication device
Methods and apparatus for providing restrictions on long distance calls from wireless communication devices. The wireless devices are preferably combined voice and data communication devices. In one illustrative example, each wireless device receives and stores long distance call restriction information which is pushed from a private computer network through the wireless network. During typical operation, a wireless device determines whether call attempts from the wireless device are restricted by the long distance call restriction information. If a call attempt is restricted by the long distance call restriction information, the wireless device restricts the call attempt from the wireless device and provides for a call restriction alert indication (e.g. an alert tone or visual text). If a call attempt is not restricted by the long distance call restriction information, the wireless device allows the call attempt from the wireless device. Advantageously, control over long distance calls may be established on a per-user basis in the private home network. |
| US07953449B2 |
Portable radiotelephone for automatically dialing a central voice-activated dialing system
A portable radiotelephone can be shifted between a first condition wherein the radiotelephone does not receive or transmit voice communications by radiotelephone transmissions over radiotelephone channels and a second condition wherein the radiotelephone receives and transmits voice communications by radiotelephone transmissions over radiotelephone channels. The radiotelephone automatically calls a central voice-activated phone dialing system remote from the portable radiotelephone in response to producing the second condition in the radiotelephone. The radiotelephone includes a switch for producing the first and second conditions. |
| US07953441B2 |
Hand held mobile communication device and method for managing printed documents
A hand held mobile communication device includes a housing, a scanner disposed on one surface of the housing and a display provided on an opposed surface of the housing, whereby an image being scanned by the scanner is displayed on the display. A second housing may be provided and attached to the first housing with a hinge that enables 360 degree rotation of one housing relative to another. The device is employable for managing printed documents by scanning them with the scanner, viewing scanned documents on the display and transmitting the documents in a digital format to a remote location. A second display is also provided on an outer surface of the second housing. The device includes a camera for capturing still images and another camera for capturing video. Operating keys are employed and provide for one step operation of various features of the device. |
| US07953435B2 |
Method and system for a mobile architecture that supports a cellular or wireless network and broadcast utilizing an integrated single chip cellular and broadcast silicon solution
In an RF communication system, aspects for supporting cellular or wireless network and broadcast utilizing an integrated single chip cellular and broadcast silicon solution may comprise processing cellular frequency signals and video signals. The processing may be executed by cellular processing modules and video processing modules. The processing of the cellular signals may occur independently of the processing of the video signals. The cellular signals may be received from one or more of: global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and/or high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) systems. The video signals may be associated with video frequency band services, and may be received, for example, from a digital video system. |
| US07953434B2 |
Communications apparatus and method, storage medium, as well as program
The present invention relates to a communications apparatus and method, a storage medium and a program that make it possible for the user to select a device to be made a communications partner more quickly and reliably. The searcher device 21 performs a search so as to detect only one device. If the response message from the searchee device 32 is obtained by the searcher device 21, on the display section of the searcher device 21 is displayed a selection screen for selecting whether or not to make the searchee device 32 a communications partner. If the searchee device 32 is not selected as a communications partner, the searcher device 21 performs another search so as to detect two devices. If the searchee device 31 and the searchee device 32 are detected in the second search, the searcher device 21 excludes the searchee device 32, which was not selected as a communications partner in the previous search, and displays a selection screen for selecting whether or not to perform communications with the searchee device 31. The present invention is applicable to various kinds of communications apparatuses, such as personal computers, PDAs, mobile phones and the like. |
| US07953431B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and message display method therein
A method is provided for displaying a message in a mobile communication terminal. According to one example, the method includes the steps of receiving a first message, displaying the first message on a first display of the terminal, and displaying a message preparation window on a second display of the terminal simultaneously with the display of the first message. Since the terminal user can prepare a response text message to a received text message while viewing the received text message, the preparation of the response text message can be more conveniently achieved. |
| US07953425B2 |
Universal event/data recorder system
A universal event/data recorder system provides a common bridge between various event/data recorders found on mobile assets. The universal event/data recorder system includes an onboard segment that is capable of interfacing with any manufacturer's event/data recorder device. Additionally, the universal event/data recorder system also includes a remote segment for accessing, analyzing and reviewing data collected from any of a plurality of event/data recorders. The universal event/data recorder system may allow accessing data from various event/data recorders using any of a number of communication means including the Internet and a wireless communication network. |
| US07953424B2 |
Apparatus and method for improving paging performance while simultaneously operating in different types of communication networks
A system and method of improving wireless communications between a wireless communication device and both a first network supporting voice and data services and a second network supporting packet data services. The method comprises providing the WCD with a primary transceiver and a secondary receiver for conducting wireless communications in both a simultaneous-mode and a hybrid-mode; performing simultaneous-mode-to-hybrid-mode and hybrid-mode-to-simultaneous-mode transitions based on a performance metric; and evaluating the performance metric to determine whether to perform the mode transitions. In the simultaneous-mode, the primary transceiver conducts wireless communications in the second network and the secondary receiver conducts wireless communications in the first network. In the hybrid-mode, the primary transceiver use is time multiplexed during all of the first and second networks communications combinations. When the metric measures below a threshold, the WCD reverts from one mode to another mode at paging slot wake-ups. |
| US07953423B2 |
Messaging in an unlicensed mobile access telecommunications system
Techniques for performing messaging between mobile stations (MSs) and UMA network controllers (UNCs) in an unlicensed mobile access network (UMAN). URR (UMA radio resource) messages are exchanged between an MS and one or more UNCs to perform various operations associated with UMAN. The MS may access the UMAN via a wireless access point (AP) that is communicatively coupled to the UNC via an IP network. The URR messages are sent between MSs and UNCs using an Up interface comprising a set of layered protocols over an underlying IP transport. |
| US07953422B2 |
Shared image database with geographic navigation
There is disclosed a method and device for operating an image database shared by a plurality of users. In an embodiment, each image captured by a user and stored in a shared image database is associating with the geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was captured. A search engine for the image database is configured to accept geographic coordinates as a search criterion for locating at least one captured image stored in the shared image database. The images having location coordinates within a predefined range of geographic coordinates is displayed to the user. |
| US07953420B2 |
Hybrid locating method and system for locating a mobile terminal in a wireless communications network
A method for enabling a subscriber terminal to remotely access terminal equipment, the terminal equipment storing identification data of the subscriber terminal, and the subscriber terminal being subscribed to a communication network and to a remote access service, wherein the method includes: receiving a request for authentication from the terminal equipment, the request for authentication including identification data of the subscriber terminal; receiving a request for access to the terminal equipment from the subscriber terminal; authenticating the subscriber terminal based on information from the communications network; forwarding the request for authentication from the terminal equipment to the subscriber terminal upon authenticating the subscriber terminal, the subscriber terminal processing the request for authentication to authenticate the terminal equipment; receiving an authentication notification from the subscriber terminal; forwarding the authentication notification from the subscriber terminal to the terminal equipment, the terminal equipment processing the authentication notification to authenticate said subscriber terminal; receiving an authentication notification from the terminal equipment; and enabling the subscriber terminal to remotely access the terminal equipment upon receiving the authentication notification from the terminal equipment. |
| US07953415B2 |
Method and system for wireless number portability
A method and system for providing improved wireless number portability. This invention allows the mobile switching center (MSC) to use a separate database to store the number portability information gathered earlier through sending NPreq messages to the number portability database (NPDB) and various strategies for refreshing or updating the internal database. The invention enables the MSC to use the separate database to check whether a portable number is ported and what the associated location routing number (LRN) if it is ported, so that the MSC does not need to send NPreq messages to the NPDB many times for the same ported number. This invention may apply to any number of switching systems, including CDMA, GSM and UMTS mobile switching systems. |
| US07953414B2 |
Method and system for mobile communications
When a network pages the temporary user mobile identifier of a mobile station, the mobile station sends a response to the network. Next, the network checks the authenticity of the user using a ciphering key, corresponding to the temporary user mobile identifier and a random number. If the temporary user mobile identifier is authenticated, a normal incoming call acceptance procedure is executed. If the mobile station is authenticated although the temporary user mobile identifier is wrong, the network reassigns a new temporary user mobile identifier to the mobile station and stops the current communication. In communication, the network and the mobile station mutually notify encipherment-onset time and negotiate about encipherment manner with each other. In addition, diversity handover is commenced upon a call attempt. Furthermore, if a branch replacement is necessary, the current branch is replaced by new branches capable of executing the diversity handover. Additionally, when a new call occurs to or from the mobile station capable of treating a plurality of calls simultaneously, the mobile station uses the same branch structure and the same communication frequency band for all of calls. Additionally, when a new call occurs to or from the mobile station capable of treating a plurality of calls simultaneously, a branch structure and a communication frequency band, which can continue all of the calls, are selected and used. Therefore, the mobile communications system is suitable for transmission of various sorts of data in accordance with the development of multimedia. |
| US07953412B2 |
System and method for performing handover in a wireless mobile communication system
A system and method for performing handover in a wireless mobile communication system are provided. In a Mobile Station (MS)-initiated scanning method of an (MS) in a wireless mobile communication system having at least two frequency bands with different central frequencies, the MS receives from a serving Base Station (BS) a mobile neighbor advertisement message including information about available radio resources of the neighbor BSs, transmits a new scanning request message to the serving BS, if the MS determines to measure Carrier-to-Interference and Noise Ratios (CINRs) of pilot signals from the serving BS and the neighbor BS, receives from the serving BS a response message for the scanning request message, including information about a BS which has reserved radio resources for a predetermined one of the at least two frequency bands, and measures the CINRs of the pilot signals in the predetermined frequency band. |
| US07953411B1 |
Virtual soft hand over in OFDM and OFDMA wireless communication network
Efficient hand over mechanisms for OFDM and OFDMA wireless communication systems to operate a mobile subscriber station to transmit and receive a frame with only one base station while monitoring communications with adjacent base stations. |
| US07953406B2 |
Access point
An access point diagnosis unit 201 controls a radio access terminal portion 213 included in the access point 100, to execute a test of connection with the access point 100. A switch within the access point selectively connects the radio access terminal portion 213, with any of an antenna and radio reception parts of the own access point 100. In accordance with a failing part, the failure information which contains the failing part and/or a failure content is transmitted from the radio access terminal portion 213 to the radio access terminal 108 (1) along a first path tracing the radio reception part connected by the switch, etc. of the access point 100, or (2) along a second path tracing the antenna connected by the switch and the other access point 101. |
| US07953397B2 |
Method for informing a subscriber of a mobile telephony network about missed calls
A method for informing a subscriber of a mobile telephony network about incoming calls while the mobile telephone of the subscriber is switched off or is not connected to the mobile telephony network. The notification takes place via the mobile telephone of the subscriber as soon as the mobile telephone has re-registered itself in the mobile radio network, and the message including at least the call number of the missed caller. In the event of a calling line identification restriction (CLIR) from the caller, a message is automatically produced and sent to the caller, by which means the caller is prompted, by a dialogue, to temporarily release the call number transmission for the call, such that the call number of the caller can be communicated to the subscriber. |
| US07953396B2 |
Reducing latency in push to talk services
A method of processing user speech data for transmission to a participant or participants in a Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC) session over a cellular telephone network. The method comprises, detecting an initial period of silence in the initial talk burst of the session, and removing that period of silence from the speech data prior to replaying of the speech data to the or each other participant. These signal processing steps may be carried out at one of the initiating terminal, the receiving terminal, or the IMS core. |
| US07953389B2 |
Method and system for wireless intrusion detection, prevention and security management
A method and system for wireless intrusion detection, prevention and security management. The method and system provides autonomous wireless intrusion detection and prevention, with minimal or no operator intervention. The method and system includes a smart wireless radio frequency (RF) antenna subsystem with an adaptive RF beamformer for adaptively and dynamically positioning RF null in a wireless RF transmission beam pattern to block one more rouge wireless network devices from accessing a wireless network such as aboard a military ship. |
| US07953381B2 |
Radio receiving apparatus for vehicle
A radio receiving apparatus for a vehicle includes a radio receiver, a control circuit, a storage device, a manual switch. The radio receiver receives a radio broadcast signal at a predetermined reception frequency. The control circuit records sound information contained in the received broadcast signal on the storage device and plays back the recorded sound information from a predetermined playback position. The manual switch is used to manually change the reception frequency. The control circuit automatically changes the reception frequency when a predetermined condition is met. The control circuit determines whether the reception frequency is changed manually or automatically. When the reception frequency is manually changed, the control circuit sets the playback position to a position corresponding to when the change of the reception frequency is completed. |
| US07953379B2 |
Method and system for calibrating quadrature modulators
A calibration method for reducing modulation errors in a telecommunication transmitter apparatus includes providing a plurality of pairs of test signals; the test signals of each pair are substantially in quadrature to each other, and the pairs of test signals are at least in part different with all the pairs of test signals that have a substantially equal energy. A plurality of modulated signals are generated, with each modulated signal that is generated by modulating a corresponding pair of test signals. A plurality of transformed signals are calculated, each one corresponding to the square of a corresponding modulated signal in the frequency domain. A plurality of partial error indicators are calculated, each one as a function of the modulus of a corresponding transformed signal. The partial error indicators are indicative of the modulation errors associated with the modulated signals. A compensation for counterbalancing the modulation errors is calculated according to a combination of the partial error indicators and an indication of the compensation is stored for the application of the compensation to each further pair of operative signals during operation of the telecommunication transmitter apparatus. |
| US07953377B2 |
WCDMA transmit architecture
Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) transmit architecture. A baseband digital processing module operates cooperatively with an analog signal processing module to effectuate highly adjustable and highly accurate gain adjustment in accordance with transmitter processing within a communication device. The gain adjustment and/or gain control is partitioned between the digital and analog domains by employing two cooperatively operating digital and analog modules, respectively. Gain adjustment in the analog domain is performed in a relatively more coarse fashion that in the digital domain. If desired, gain adjustment in each of the analog and digital domains is performed across a range of discrete steps. The discrete steps in the analog domain are larger than the discrete steps in the digital domain. Also, the discrete steps in the digital domain may be interposed between two successive discrete steps in the analog domain. |
| US07953367B2 |
System and method for efficient frequency use in a hybrid multi-spot satellite broadcasting system
System and method for use in a hybrid multispot satellite broadcasting system comprising at least one satellite (S; S1; S2) for multibeam broadcasting of beams in respective frequency bandwidths (F1; F2; F3), the system further comprising a plurality of terrestrial repeater (R1; R2; R3) for receiving, processing and re-transmitting said beams in a frequency bandwidth which is different from that of the bandwidth of the beam received. Each terrestrial repeater (R1; R2; R3) re-uses for terrestrial re-transmission a combination of bandwidths corresponding to different beams broadcast from said satellite to different beams. |
| US07953362B2 |
Image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and lubricant applicator
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor and a lubricant applicator. The photoconductor carries a toner image formed by developing an electrostatic latent image with a toner. The lubricant applicator applies a solid lubricant to a surface of the photoconductor, and includes a brush roller, a holder, a pressing member, and a protrusion. The holder holds the solid lubricant. The brush roller scrapes off the solid lubricant from the holder and applies the scraped solid lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor. The pressing member has an ellipse shape and presses the solid lubricant toward the brush roller via the holder. The protrusion is disposed on the holder and contacts an inner circumferential surface of the pressing member at two positions provided in both end portions of the pressing member in a direction of a minor axis of the ellipse formed by the pressing member to support the pressing member. |
| US07953361B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
The fixing device includes a fixing unit, a pressure unit that comes into pressure-contact with the fixing unit to form a nip, and control guides. The fixing unit includes a heat roller. The pressure unit includes a pressure belt, and a pressure pad. The pressure pad is attached to a holder and pressed by a spring through a stay, thereby bringing the pressure belt into pressure-contact with the heat roller. The control guides on both sides of the pressure pad control deformation of the pressure pad in an axial direction of the heat roller to make a nip shape uniform. |
| US07953360B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus having same
A fixing apparatus includes a pair of fixing members composed of a fixing roller and a pressure roller that make pressure-contact with each other; an external heating belt for heating a surface of the fixing roller externally; and first and second external heating rollers having a heat source, for allowing the external heating belt to be suspended in a tensioned state. A sum of stiffnesses of the first and second external heating rollers is greater than or equal to a stiffness of the fixing roller. |
| US07953351B2 |
Developer supply case and image forming apparatus
A developer supply case which is detachably attachable to an inserted portion of an image forming apparatus body includes a case body which stores a developer in its inside; an engaging portion which causes an inserting load W when engaged with an engaged portion provided in the image forming apparatus at completion of insertion of the developer supply case into the inserted portion; and a load causing portion which is provided so as to abut part of the inserted portion in insertion of the developer supply case into the inserted portion and causes an inserting load P1 before the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, wherein the inserting load W and the inserting load P1 satisfy the following relation: P1≧W. |
| US07953348B2 |
Fusing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A fusing device of an image forming apparatus which applies principles of leverage, and an image forming apparatus containing such a device. The fusing device includes a fusing unit having a heating roller and a pressure roller facing each other and which rotate together, a cover which opens and closes the fusing unit, and a pressure and release unit, one end of which is rotatably fixed to a rotating shaft, the pressure and release unit containing a member having a pressuring unit which pressures the pressure roller towards the heating roller when the cover opens and shuts, and a pressured part, which is farther from the rotating shaft than the pressuring part and which receives pressure from the cover. |
| US07953346B2 |
Developing cartridge, image forming apparatus, and method of mounting/separating developing cartridge on/from image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus having a developing cartridge includes a lower main body, and a developing cartridge installed in the lower main body and including a photosensitive medium. An upper main body may be separably installed on an upper side of the lower main body and includes an upper pressing member to press the developing cartridge downward. A lower pressing member, installed in the lower main body, is positioned to press the developing cartridge upward. In the case where a rotation axis of the photosensitive medium of the developing cartridge is set as a rotation center, a moment of force is applied to the developing cartridge by the upper pressing member and an opposing moment of force being is applied to the developing cartridge by the lower pressing member in the opposite direction. |
| US07953345B2 |
Image forming device facilitating replacement of belt unit
An image forming device includes, a main casing, a drawer unit, and a transfer unit. The main casing has a first frame formed with a first opening and a second frame formed with a second opening. The main casing has a first inner space in communication with the first opening and the second opening. The drawer unit is movable between a first position and a second position. The drawer unit is accommodated in the first inner space when the drawer unit is in the first position. The drawer unit is partially drawn out from the first inner space through the first opening when the drawer unit is in the second position. When the drawer unit is moved to the second position, a mounting space is formed for allowing the first transfer unit to be mounted in the second inner space. |
| US07953344B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image quality maintaining method
A technique is provided that enables maintaining an appropriate level of image quality even under conditions that the quantity of residual toner increases in an image forming apparatus in which a lubricant is supplied to a cleaning target part from which a residual toner is removed by a cleaning member. In timing when a toner image carried on an image carrier reaches a predetermined transfer position, reaching failure information indicating that a sheet to which the toner image should be transferred does not reach the predetermined transfer position is acquired. In the case where the reaching failure information is acquired, an electric field that is opposite to an electric field generated when transferring the toner image on the image carrier to the sheet is generated between the image carrier and the transfer member. |
| US07953343B2 |
Air guide mechanism and image forming apparatus
An air guide mechanism includes a box unit that incorporates a heating element therein; an air fan unit that is disposed within the box unit; and a guide unit that is disposed on a side of the box unit, wherein the guide unit guides the air to a portion of a round area formed due to the rotation of the vane portion from a first direction having an acute angle with respect to an inclination direction of the vane portion corresponding to the portion of the round area, and to an area, which is at least another portion of the round area and in which the first direction intersects at a non-acute angle with an inclination direction of the vane portion, from a second direction having a smaller angle than the non-acute angle. |
| US07953341B2 |
Automatic document feeder, image reading system including same, and image forming apparatus including same
An automatic document feeder, included in an image reading system that can be included in an image forming apparatus, is configured to transfer an original document to an image reader included in the image reading system, and includes a first drive unit configured to include a first motor to drive the document separation and feed unit, a second drive unit configured to include a second motor to drive the document conveyance unit, a third drive unit configured to include a third motor to drive the document discharging unit, where at least two motors of the first, second, and third motors disposed in a substantially in-line arrangement, and a cooling member configured to supply a coolant to the at least two motors disposed in a substantially in-line arrangement, to the first, second, and third motors, in that order. |
| US07953337B2 |
Image forming device and method of initializing the same
An image forming device equipped with a heater for fusing toner on a recording medium. A first memory stores an initialization program and a control program. A second memory is provided for reading the control program. The initialization program stored in the first memory is configured to drive the heater before the control program is copied from the first memory to the second memory. |
| US07953335B2 |
Image forming apparatus and tandem image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a photoconductive drum or belt supporting a toner image, a transfer member transferring the toner image onto a recording medium, a transportation device transporting the recording medium to between the photoconductor and the transfer member, a charger charging a surface of the transfer member to the anti-polarity of the electric charge of the toner image, a rotation drive unit rotating the transfer member to the same direction of the recording medium transportation, a contacting/removing unit that contacts the transfer member to the image supported member for printing and removes the transfer member from the image supported member when not printing, and a drive force transferring/blocking unit that transfers the drive force from the rotation drive unit to the transfer member before print starting-up and blocking the drive force during printing. |
| US07953323B2 |
Time multiplexed space switch
The present invention provides an optical time multiplexed space switch including a pulsed laser source, and means for producing from the laser source a plurality of wavelengths of pulsed radiation including means for providing permutable multi-wavelength pulse sequences from said multi-wavelength source and means for translating the input data pulses into the multi-wavelength pulse sequence. Each data pulse is subsequently guided through a wavelength selective structure, which may contain delay lines. In the case of time-slot interchange, the pulses are recombined in an interchanged sequence. In the case of tributary space switching different wavelength pulses are switched to generally different outputs and combine with pulses originating from different inputs. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the means for providing permutable multi-wavelength pulse sequences from the pulsed source, means are provided for the permutation of the multi-wavelength data pulse sequence in reconfigurable wavelength selective structures. |
| US07953317B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes a driven ring, a follower provided on the driven ring, a rotational transfer ring including a circumferential groove having no axial-direction component and a rotational transfer groove including an axial-direction component, a guide ring, and a cam groove formed on the guide ring for guiding the driven ring via the follower. Rotation of the driven ring is prevented when the follower is engaged in the circumferential groove so that the driven ring is held at a non-photographing position. When the follower is engaged in the rotational transfer groove, the driven ring is moved along the cam groove between the non-photographing position and a ready-to-photograph position. Opposed wall surfaces in the circumferential groove determine a position of the follower when the driven ring moves between the non-photographing position and the ready-to-photograph position. The range of the cam groove, that is used to move the driven ring between the ready-to-photograph position and the non-photographing position of the guide ring, includes an axial-direction component. |
| US07953309B2 |
Optical fiber and production method thereof
An optical fiber, which has a zero-material dispersion wavelength equal to or greater than 2 μm, and a high nonlinear susceptibility χ3 equal to or greater than 1×10−12 esu, and uses tellurite glass having sufficient thermal stability for processing into a low loss fiber, employs a PCF structure or HF structure having strong confinement into a core region. This enables light to propagate at a low loss. The size and geometry of air holes formed in the core region, and the spacing between adjacent air holes make it possible to control the zero dispersion wavelength within an optical telecommunication window (1.2-1.7 μm), and to achieve large nonlinearity with a nonlinear coefficient γ equal to or greater than 500 W−1 km−1. |
| US07953307B2 |
Optical waveguide having bistable transmission states suitable for optical logic circuits
An optical circuit comprises a bistable optical waveguide having first and second transmission states, and is more transmissive to light of a given wavelength in the second state than in the first state. First and second light sources emit light of first and second wavelengths, respectively, and are coupled to the waveguide at one end. Selectively transmitting a sufficient amount of light of the first wavelength through the waveguide switches the waveguide into the second state. Selectively transmitting a sufficient amount of light of the second wavelength through the waveguide switches it back to the first state. A sensing light source at the other end of the waveguide transmits a sensing light signal through the waveguide in the opposite propagation direction to that of light of the first and second wavelengths. A sensor detects the amount of the sensing light signal transmitted through the waveguide. |
| US07953304B2 |
Superconducting power cable capable of quench detection and quench detection system using the same
Disclosed is a superconducting power cable capable of quench detection, and a quench detection system using the superconducting power cable. The superconducting power cable capable of quench detection includes a former; a superconducting conductor layer composed of a superconducting wire and surrounding the former; a conductor layer quench detection coil interposed between the former and the superconducting conductor layer and surrounding the former; an insulating layer surrounding the superconducting conductor layer; and a shielding layer surrounding the insulating layer. This superconducting power cable may detect quench generated during its operation in real time. |
| US07953301B2 |
Apparatus and method for searching for 3-dimensional shapes
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for searching for 3-dimensional shapes. The apparatus includes, an input means, an acquisition module, a storage means, a comparison and search module, an output means, and control means. The input means receives 3-dimensional image data. The acquisition module acquires a 2-dimensional image data group about the shape of an object represented by the 3-dimensional image data. The comparison and search module compares the respective data of the acquired 2-dimensional image data group with the respective data of the 2-dimensional image data groups that are previously stored in the storage means, and searches for 3-dimensional image data. The control means controls the modules and the means. |
| US07953300B2 |
Image apparatus and captured image recording method
An imaging apparatus that records, on a recording medium, a moving image captured using a solid-state imaging device as stream data, is disclosed. The apparatus includes: an image encoding section that encodes data of the captured moving image with a unit of an image group being a sequence of images of a fixed number of frames; an input detection section that detects a recording stop request to stop recording of the stream data including the moving image data being an encoding result of the image encoding section onto the recording medium; and a recording control section that controls a recording operation of the stream data onto the recording medium such that, when the recording stop request is detected by the input detection section, the image group located immediately before the image group including an image captured at the time of detection is the last image group. |
| US07953299B2 |
Image searching apparatus, control method thereof, program, and storage medium
An image searching apparatus which searches for an image that is similar to a query image from among a plurality of images is provided. The apparatus derives a color similarity that denotes a degree of similarity and a luminance similarity that denotes a degree of similarity between the query image and each of the images to be compared with. Then, the apparatus transforms the luminance similarity of each of the grayscale images to be compared with and the query image into an integrated similarity that is integrated in accordance with a correspondence between the color similarity and the luminance similarity of each of the color images to be compared with, and outputs the images to be compared in order by similarity, using the color similarity of the color images to be compared and the integrated similarity of the grayscale images to be compared. |
| US07953298B2 |
Image magnification device, image magnification method and computer readable medium storing an image magnification program
A high-definition magnified image is obtained by simple computation. A magnified image is obtained by obtaining a deteriorated image on the basis of an input original image, determining enhancement filters used for individual small areas of the original image using the deteriorated image at least, performing a filtering process by applying the filters thus determined to the individual small areas to achieve enhancement, and interpolating the image for magnification. |
| US07953293B2 |
Field sequence detector, method and video device
A field sequence detector determines the field sequence of a series of fields of video by assessing the vertical frequency content of hypothetical de-interlaced images. Hypothetical images are formed from a currently processed field and an adjacent (e.g. previous or next) field. If the vertical frequency content is relatively high (e.g. above ½ the Nyquist frequency for the image), the hypothetical image is assessed to be formed of improperly interlaced fields, belonging to different frames. If the frequency content is relatively low, the hypothetical image is assessed to be properly assembled from fields of the same frame. The field sequence in the series of fields may be detected from the assessed frequency content for several of said series of fields. Known field sequence, such as 3:2 pull-down, 2:2 pull down, and more generally m:n:l:k pull-down sequences. |
| US07953289B2 |
Image processing apparatus, display device, and image processing method
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a storage module, a calculator, a converter, and a filter. The storage module stores a filter coefficient corresponding to a first feature value indicating an image structure of a first pixel block of a predetermined size comprising a plurality of pixels. The calculator calculates a second feature value indicating an image structure of a second pixel block comprising a target pixel to be processed and pixels surrounding the target pixel in an input image. The second pixel block is larger than the first pixel block. The converter converts the second feature value to the first feature value indicating the image structure corresponding to the first pixel block with the target pixel at the center. The filter performs filtering on the first pixel block with the target pixel at the center using the filter coefficient. |
| US07953287B2 |
Image blurring
A method of blurring an image includes acquiring two images of nominally a same scene taken at a different light exposure levels. At least one region of one of the images includes pixels having saturated intensity values. For at least one of the saturated pixels, values are extrapolated from the other image. At least a portion of a third image is blurred and re-scaled including pixels having the extrapolated values. |
| US07953280B2 |
Anomalous change detection in imagery
A distribution-based anomaly detection platform is described that identifies a non-flat background that is specified in terms of the distribution of the data. A resampling approach is also disclosed employing scrambled resampling of the original data with one class specified by the data and the other by the explicit distribution, and solving using binary classification. |
| US07953278B2 |
Face recognition method and apparatus
A face recognition that is robust to external illumination variations is provided. The face recognition apparatus includes a face localizer extracting a predetermined number of feature points from a facial region extracted from an input image, a Gabor filter unit applying a set of Gabor filters with a plurality of orientations and frequencies to each of the facial feature points in order to obtain filter responses and generates a one-dimensional (1-D) vector consisting of the filter responses, a training data set storage storing the 1-D vector when the gaber-filtered 1-D vector is obtained from a training image, and a binary classifier generating a binary determination criterion using the stored 1-D vector, applying the binary determination criterion to the 1-D vector when the gaber-filtered 1-D vector is obtained from an image to be recognized and determining the identity of the image to be recognized. |
| US07953277B2 |
Background separated images for print and on-line use
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. An image formation system provides lighting of a product to facilitate acquiring images that can be automatically processed to generate high resolution item-only images free of quality defects and imaging artifacts. Image processing programs accurately detect an outline of an item in a set of digital images taken using the image formation system and automatically store processed images in an image library. The images in the library may be repurposed for print, sales display, transmission to a user, on-line customer support, and the like. A user display configured with an adaptable user interface facilitates user interaction with images in the library. |
| US07953275B1 |
Image shader for digital image modification
The present disclosure includes systems and methods relating to an image shader for use in digital image modification. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes accessing color data associated with a variation of a master digital image, accessing illumination data associated with the master digital image, identifying one or more heuristically determined render parameters associated with the variation of the master digital image, and adjusting the color data using the illumination data and the render parameters to produce a photorealistic representation of the variation of the master digital image. |
| US07953271B2 |
Enhanced object reconstruction
Processing images includes projecting an infra-red pattern onto a three-dimensional object and producing a first image, a second image, and a third image of the three-dimensional object while the pattern is projected on the three-dimensional object. The first image and the second image include the three-dimensional object and the pattern. The first image and the second image are produced by capturing at a first camera and a second camera, respectively, light filtered through an infra-red filter. The third image includes the three-dimensional object but not the pattern. Processing the images also includes establishing a first-pair correspondence between a portion of pixels in the first image and a portion of pixels in the second image. Processing the images further includes constructing, based on the first-pair correspondence and the third image, a two-dimensional image that depicts a three-dimensional construction of the three-dimensional object. |
| US07953266B2 |
Robust vessel tree modeling
A method for extracting a local center-axis representation of a vessel, includes: placing first and second seed points in an image that includes the vessel, wherein the first and second seed points are placed near a beginning and an end of a centerline of the vessel; representing the image as a discrete graph having nodes and edges, wherein the first seed point is a source node and the second seed point is a goal node; and finding a minimum-cost path between the first and second seed points by computing a cost of edges between the first and second seed points, wherein the cost of each edge is reciprocal to a vesselness measure of the edge. |
| US07953262B2 |
Vascular image extraction and labeling system and method
A technique for producing a three-dimensional segmented image of blood vessels and automatically labeling the blood vessels. A scanned image of the head is obtained and an algorithm is used to segment the blood vessel image data from the image data of other tissues in the image. An algorithm is used to partition the blood vessel image data into sub-volumes that are then used to designate the root ends and the endpoints of major arteries. An algorithm is used to identify a seed-point voxel in one of the blood vessels within one of the sub-volume of the partition. Other voxels are then coded based on their geodesic distance from the seed-point voxel. An algorithm is used to identify endpoints of the arteries. This algorithm may also be used in the other sub-volumes to locate the starting points and endpoints of other blood vessels. One sub-volume is further sub-divided into left and right, anterior, medial, and posterior zones. Based on their location in one of these zones, the voxels corresponding to the endpoints of the blood vessels are labeled. Starting from these endpoints, the artery segments are tracked back to their starting points using an algorithm that simultaneously labels all of the blood vessel voxels along the path with a corresponding anatomical label identifying the blood vessel to which it belongs. |
| US07953259B2 |
Apparatus and method for obtaining images using a prism
An improved apparatus and method for obtaining images through a prism are provided. In an embodiment, a thin fingerprint prism wedge, with a geometry designed to minimize foreshortening and maximize contrast, is provided in an optical path between an optical sensor and an object to be imaged. In some embodiments, the apparatus operates on the principle of internal surface reflections instead of total internal reflection (TIR). |
| US07953249B2 |
Fractal Skr-method for evaluating image quality
This invention provides an improved method for evaluating the quality of images using a test Skr-matrix system. The index k refers to the fractal level in an Skr-matrix, having matrices themselves as elements. The index r≦k refers to the Kronecker sub-level to which a typical internal sum structure is present. Skr-matrices can be explained in terms of cognition numbers, basic components, eigenvalues and sine-like eigenvectors. Skr-matrices also form vector spaces in which matrix distances can be properly calculated. The image Skr-quality parameters are derived from an intermediate quasi-Skr-matrix and its best-Skr-approximation in relation to a theoretical reference Skr-matrix. Useful applications are in the field of analogue and digital cameras, scanners, vision sensors, monitors, printers, spectrophotometers, infrared cameras, copying machines, TV-screens, GPS screens, X-rays, Gamma rays, Laser rays, or every other component in the image production and image handling field. |
| US07953246B1 |
systems and methods for motion recognition with minimum delay
Techniques for performing motion recognition with minimum delay are disclosed. A processing unit is provided to receive motion signals from at least one motion sensing device, where the motion signal describes motions made by a user. The processing unit is configured to access a set of prototypes included in a motion recognizer to generate corresponding recognition signals from the motion signals in response to the motion recognizer without considering one or more of the prototypes completely in the motion recognizer. Movements of at least one of the objects in a virtual interactive environment is responsive to the recognition signals such that feedback from the motions to control the one of the objects is immediate and substantially correct no matter how much of the motion signals have been received. |
| US07953244B2 |
System integrating machine vision, interactive module and rehabilitation equipment
A system integrating machine vision, interactive module and rehabilitation equipment primarily comprises a rehabilitation equipment, at least one image-capture device for continuously capturing images of specific limbs or a trunk of a user operating the rehabilitation equipment so as to generate digital image data, and a machine vision recognition unit for processing the digital image data into characteristic image data that can be analyzed and applied by a host computer belonging to the machine vision recognition unit. Then, the host computer can transform the characteristic image data into direction signals and velocity signals with respect to movements of the user's limbs and trunk and afterward output the signals to an interactive module. |
| US07953242B2 |
Image display apparatus
A speaker mounting region looks smaller as viewed from the front side. An image display apparatus comprises a frame forming portion located at the lower part of a front frame, a rectangular sound emitting unit formed in a horizontal direction of the frame forming portion, first and second walls to have a horn shape for the sound emitting unit, a third wall which continues to the front side of the lower second wall and is tilted and retreated while being bent as it goes downwards, and a remote control signals receiving window, supporting portions, speaker devices mounted on the supporting portions, and a substrate having a remote control circuit mounted thereon. |
| US07953239B2 |
High output sub-woofer
A speaker system with an enclosure having at least six sides. At least two active transducers are mounted inside the enclosure. Each active transducer is oriented to project from one of the sides. At least four passive radiators are mounted inside the enclosure. Each passive radiator is oriented to project from one of the sides. The number of active transducers and passive radiators equals the number of sides on the enclosure. |
| US07953237B2 |
Method for operating a hearing aid device system for the binaural supply of a user
In a hearing aid device system with a hearing aid device which can be worn on or in the left ear of a user and a hearing aid device which can be worn on or in the right ear of the user for the binaural supply of the user, the aim is to reduce feedback tendency. To this end, it is proposed to transmit audio signals resulting from the microphone signals of the hearing aid devices in a crosswise fashion between the hearing aid devices and thus to emit an acoustic signal recorded by the microphone of a hearing aid device, after the signal processing and amplification, by means of the receiver of the respective other hearing aid device. In this way, the distance between each receiver and microphone, between which a feedback path exists, is essentially increased for the relevant audio signals. |
| US07953234B2 |
Audio signal output circuit and electronic apparatus outputting audio signal
A digital audio-signal output circuit is provided, which is capable of outputting an audio signal without generating pop noise. In suppressing pop noise, the audio signal output circuit requires no analog circuit nor mute control signal for external peripheral devices. Upon receipt of a digital input audio signal having an AC component superposed on a reference voltage VREF, the circuit selects one of a pulse-density-modulated audio signal derived from the input audio signal and a transition signal that smoothly varies between zero volt and the reference voltage, and provides the selected signal to speakers. |
| US07953233B2 |
Synchronous detection and calibration system and method for differential acoustic sensors
A synchronous detection and calibration system is provided for expedient calibration of differential acoustic sensors in a manufacturing and testing environment. By processing a series of sequentially received tones, respective portions of a system using differential acoustic sensors are tuned for optimum individual operation, following which corresponding control data are generated and stored for use in selecting among predetermined calibration vectors which establish and maintain optimum system operation. |
| US07953231B2 |
Audio output apparatus and audio processing system
According to one embodiment, an audio output apparatus, includes: a receiver configured to receiver audio information from an audio processor; an output module configured to output the received audio information; a cable configured to connect between the output module and the receiver to communicate the audio information; a tension detector configured to detect whether tension of greater than or equal to a threshold value is applied to the cable; a determination module configured to determine, when the tension detector detects tension of greater than or equal to the threshold value, a control command to be executed by the audio processor; and a transmitter configured to transmit the determined control command to the audio processor. |
| US07953228B2 |
Automatic audio systems for fire detection and diagnosis, and crew and person locating during fires
A system and method that use audio feedback from a region being monitored can provide location information pertaining to fire or individuals in the region. Units of a public address system can each be equipped with a microphone. Audio from the microphones can be processed at a common location, such as an alarm control panel. The audio can provide fire profiles as well as information as to individuals in the region being monitored. |
| US07953224B2 |
MPEG-4 encryption enabling transcoding without decryption
A method and system for encrypting a video compressed with MPEG-4 FGS compression with minimal overhead is provided. The encryption system encrypts the video into independently encrypted segments that can be either a video packet or a video block. When the encryption system encrypts based on video packets, it encrypts the data to ensure that the encrypted data does not emulate any video packet delimiting markers. When the encryption system encrypts based on video blocks, it encrypts the coded bitstream for each video block independently, from the most significant bitplane to the least significant bitplane, using either a stream or a block cipher. After all the video blocks are independently encrypted, the encryption system partitions the encrypted data into video packets and adds a buffering bit, if necessary, to prevent emulation of video packet delimiting markers. The encryption system may generate an initialization vector for each independently encrypted segment. |
| US07953221B2 |
Method for processing multiple operations
In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method capable of processing a variety of different operations. A method according to one embodiment may include loading configuration data from a shared memory unit into a hardware configuration register, the hardware configuration register located within circuitry included within a hardware accelerator unit. The method may also include issuing a command set from a microengine to the hardware accelerator unit having the circuitry. The method may additionally include receiving the command set at the circuitry from the microengine, the command set configured to allow for the processing of a variety of different operations. The method may further include processing an appropriate operation based upon the configuration data loaded into the hardware configuration register. Of course, many alternatives, variations and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US07953220B2 |
Network switching device
A method of controlling a network switching device is provided. Perform a mode-process including setting the determination-operation mode of a target switching block to a determination-operation mode that is different from the determination-operation mode of the first switching block while the first switching block is handling the switching-determination process. The target switching block is one switching block selected from the second switching blocks. Then, perform a switchover process including starting the switching-determination process using the target switching block instead of the first switching block, after completion of the process of setting the determination-operation mode of the target switching block. |
| US07953218B2 |
System and method for enhanced origination services for toll free telephone calls
Enhanced Origination Services (EOS) for Toll Free (TF) telephone calls consists of uploading instructions to the SMS/800 National Database, which instructions are subsequently downloaded by Signal Control Points (SCPs) in the United States for the routing of TF telephone calls. When a caller dials a TF number, a communication switching device queries the SCP serving the caller's LATA and routes the call according to the EOS instructions for that TF number. EOS instructions route the call to a POTS number in the originating LATA using an IntraLATA Carrier Identification Code. The POTS number is connected to a private gateway, which utilizes the Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) of the POTS number to perform a translation function, which may replace the received DNIS with the DNIS of the originally dialed TF number. The call is routed over the private network using the private network owner's database for routing instructions for the specific TF number. The call is routed through a dedicated connection to a facilities-based carrier or called party or through a switched connection to an egress SSP or local CO. |
| US07953211B2 |
Automated ringback update system
A method for customizing a communications network, including receiving, at a ringback update system, information regarding a machine recognizable feature associated with a printed matter located on an article, where the information is obtained with a feature recognition unit. The feature recognition unit is associated with or resides in or on a communications station associated with a called party, and further the information regarding a machine recognizable feature is transmitted from the feature recognition unit or from a communications station associated with the feature recognition unit. In addition, the method includes accessing, with the ringback update system, a storage device containing at least one announcement, downloading the announcement in response to receiving the information regarding a recognition of a machine recognizable feature and replacing a call signal with at least a portion of the at least one announcement. |
| US07953204B2 |
Radiation treatment planning and delivery for moving targets in the heart
Method and systems are disclosed for radiating a moving target inside a heart. The method includes acquiring sequential volumetric representations of an area of the heart and defining a target tissue region and/or a radiation sensitive structure region in 3D for a first of the representations. The target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region are identified for another of the representations by an analysis of the area of the heart from the first representation and the other representation. Radiation beams to the target tissue region are fired in response to the identified target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region from the other representation. |
| US07953200B2 |
Phase jump sequencer architecture
A method for controlling an output phase of a phase interpolator, by forming an M bit control word, designating N bits of the control word as a fractional number portion, designating M-N bits of the control word as a whole number portion, adjusting a phase jump of the phase interpolator at a designated clock cycle by a first number of phases as designated by the whole number portion plus a second number of phases as designated by the fractional number portion. The designated clock cycle can be identified by numbering clock cycles with a count value from counter having a repeating period of 2N, and for each clock cycle identified by a multiple of the count value of 2k within the repeating period, where k is a bit-wise position within the fractional number portion having a value of 0≦k≦N-1, the second number of phases can equal a binary value of the fractional number portion at the kth position, for any k. |
| US07953197B2 |
Radio communication base station apparatus, radio communication mobile station apparatus, and radio communication method in multi-carrier communication
There is provided a mobile station device capable of effectively performing interference suppression symbol synthesis while suppressing the lowering of the transfer rate when using the repetition technique in multi-carrier communication. In the mobile station device (100), when the interference level exceeds a threshold value, a switching control unit (110) controls a switch (109) to connect a P/S unit (106) to a weight multiplication unit (113) and controls a switch (111) to connect a channel estimation unit (108) to a weight calculation unit (112). The weight calculation unit (112) calculates an interference suppression weight based on MMSE from a pilot symbol and a channel estimation value. The weight multiplication unit (113) multiplies a data symbol by the interference suppression weight. A synthesis unit (114) synthesizes the data symbol multiplied by the interference suppression weight in repetition unit. |
| US07953194B2 |
Handling video transition errors in video on demand streams
A system, method, and apparatus for handling transition errors is presented herein. The transition errors include handling unreported time base discontinuities during trick mode transition, miscalculated time stamps during trick mode transition, erroneous sequence end codes, and unreported broken group of picture transmission. Unreported time base discontinuities are detected by comparing the program clock reference (PCR) value of the data packet to the system time clock (STC). If the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the STC is set to the PCR value. Miscalculated time stamps are detected by examining the difference in PTS values between temporally adjacent data packets. If the difference is not within a margin of error from predetermined value, the PTS is disabled. Unreported broken groups of pictures are handled by skipping the first two B-frames of the first group of pictures following a trick mode transition. Erroneous sequence end codes are detected by determining whether a packet containing a sequence end code is associated with a time base change. If the packet is not associated with a time base change, the sequence end code is disregarded. |
| US07953192B2 |
Receiver with fast gain control and digital signal processing unit with transient signal compensation
Embodiments of the present general inventive concept relate to a transient signal compensator for apparatuses such as a transceiver or receiver used in a wire/wireless communication and/or a digital signal processor that may be used in the receiver and methods thereof. In one embodiment, a receiver can include an amplifier to amplify a received signal, a digital filter to filter a digital signal corresponding to an output signal of the amplifier, where the digital filter is configured to replace a corresponding value (e.g., stored in a memory) for the digital filter with a gain compensated value during a predetermined delay time after a gain of the amplifier is changed (e.g., from a first gain g1 to a different second gain g2). The gain compensated value to compensate for a transient signal (e.g., related to the change from the first gain g1 to the second gain g2). |
| US07953191B2 |
Gain control method and device for a bursty data frame reception system
The gain control method for the RF and IF amplification stages of a bursty data frame reception system enables, following a step for evaluating the received signal strength, the gain adjustment step of the RF amplification stage to be temporarily deferred until a frame structure symbol is received, during which the gain adjustment step of the IF amplification stage takes place simultaneously with that of the RF gain, while retaining an overall gain linearly dependent on the input signal strength. The corresponding device comprises a control element 46 which generates the control signal for the RF and IF gain amplifiers |
| US07953189B2 |
Receiver and receiving method
When a correlation judging circuit judges that the correlation degree between r pulses in a reception signal and a generated substantially the same template as the r pulses is small, a pulse number adjusting circuit outputs a pulse number signal representing s pulses in place of the r pulses, and a template generating circuit generates the substantially the same template as the s pulses, whereby the correlation judging circuit judges the correlation degree between the r pulses in the reception signal and the generated substantially the same template as the s pulses. Accordingly, even when a confronted transmitter changes the number of pulses contained in a reception signal, synchronization capture of the reception signal can be established. |
| US07953188B2 |
Method and system for rate>1 SFBC/STBC using hybrid maximum likelihood (ML)/minimum mean squared error (MMSE) estimation
Aspects of a method and system for rate>1 SFBC and/or STBC using hybrid maximum likelihood (ML)/minimum mean squared error (MMSE) estimation are presented. Aspects of an exemplary system may enable rate 5/4 coding in diversity communication systems that utilize SFBC and/or STBC. A transmitting station may utilize SFBC or STBC to generate and/or concurrently transmit a plurality of signals symbols, which are encoded to enable rate 5/4 transmission. A receiving station may decode rate 5/4 encoded signals utilizing a hybrid decoding method. The hybrid decoding method may result from application of a plurality of decoding methods when decoding the rate 5/4 encoded signals. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the hybrid method may utilize ML/MMSE estimation in combination with zero forcing (ZF) interference cancellation. The combination may be referred to as hybrid ML/MMSE estimation. |
| US07953185B2 |
Receiving unit of vehicle communication system
A vehicle communication system has a receiving unit on a vehicle side for inputting a demodulated analog signal to determination units based on a received radio signal from a key unit. Then, one of the two determination units outputs a high-check signal that takes a high value when the analog signal is greater than a high threshold and the other determination unit outputs a low-check signal that takes a low value when the analog signal is smaller than a low threshold. Then, a sync. signal generator successively defines a determination period based on the high and low check signals. Then, a binary level of the analog signal is determined by a level determination unit based on the check signals, along with an estimation and a correction of an indefinite signal when the signal level cannot be determined based on a coding rule and the determination by the determination units. |
| US07953181B2 |
MIMO transmitting apparatus and MIMO transmitting method
A MIMO transmitting apparatus wherein a low power consumption and a high performance can be achieved by taking the influence of variation in communication distance into account. In this apparatus, a low power consumption design part (701) selectively decides, based on the distance from the other end of communication, whether to perform a pre-coding. When deciding to perform the pre-coding, the low power consumption design part (701) instructs a modulating part (702) to perform a low-order QAM modulation, while instructing a pre-coding part (703) to perform a pre-coding. When instructed to perform a low-order QAM modulation, the modulating part (702) uses a low-order QAM modulation scheme to modulate an input information bit sequence. When instructed to perform a pre-coding, the pre-coding part (703) uses a pre-coding matrix to pre-process the input information bit sequence. |
| US07953180B2 |
Transmission power control method and transmission apparatus
Even when there is limit placed upon transmission power control time, the transmission power control method enables accurate control transmission power. The transmission power control method includes: a first measuring step of measuring, in a symbol interval before a symbol interval where mode of the power amplifier changes, output power of the power amplifier before mode changes; a first setting step of setting target power of the power amplifier after mode changes based on a measurement result obtained in the first measuring step and a transmission power control signal; a second measuring step of measuring, in the symbol interval where mode of the power amplifier changes, output power of the power amplifier after mode changes, the output power being controlled using the target power set in the first setting step; and a second step of setting corrected target power based on a measurement result obtained in the second measuring step. |
| US07953179B2 |
Peak suppressing OFDM transmitter
Communication equipment transmits signals of an OFDM system while effectively suppressing peaks in the transmission. OFDM signals are formed and peaks of the OFDM signals are suppressed. The OFDM signals of which the peaks are suppressed are converted into intermediate-frequency signals, and peaks of the intermediate-frequency signals are suppressed. Additionally, the intermediate-frequency signals of which the peaks are suppressed are synthesized and the signals having been synthesized are amplified. The peaks of the OFDM signals are suppressed with the synthesized value of the absolute values of the OFDM signals as an estimated peak value, and the peaks of the intermediate-frequency signals are suppressed with the absolute value of the result of synthesizing the intermediate-frequency signals as an estimated peak value. |
| US07953175B2 |
USB system with spread spectrum EMI reduction
A method for applying spread spectrum noise reduction techniques to USB specifically USB2.0 communications systems includes the step of generating a base (seed) frequency for the USB system, modulating the base (seed) frequency with a spread spectrum (SS) characteristic, and utilizing (as-is, not modified) the existing ASIC that multiplying the now modulated base (seed) frequency to generate the USB standard frequency signaling rate of 480 MHz with the SS characteristic within the USB standard specification for frequency deviation. |
| US07953169B2 |
Transmitting spread signal in communication system
The present invention provides for transmitting a spread signal in a mobile communication system. The present invention includes spreading a signal using a plurality of spreading codes, wherein the plurality of spreading codes have a spreading factor, multiplexing the spread signal by code division multiplexing, transmitting the multiplexed signal via a plurality of neighboring frequency resources of one OFDM symbol of a first antenna set, and transmitting the same multiplexed signal via a plurality of neighboring frequency resources of one OFDM symbol of a second antenna set. |
| US07953167B2 |
Communications apparatus and communications system using multicarrier transmission mode
A communications system for communications by a multicarrier transmission mode between a plurality of communications apparatuses (10, 20) wherein an overall frequency band assigned to the communications system is divided into a plurality of frequency bands each having a constant bandwidth (for example band 1 to band 4) and a specific band (for example band 1) among these divided bands is used to transmit used frequency band information and thereby determine the assignment of the remaining bands (band 2 to band 4) to be used between said communications apparatuses. Here, the specific band is defined as a main band for transmitting control channel information including said used frequency band information and also data channel information. The main band may also be added with an extension band for transmitting further data channel information. Further, the main band and extension band can be changed in the frequency band used along with time or can be changed in the number thereof. Both of the main band and the extension bands are preferably used by multiplexing by some of communications apparatuses. |
| US07953161B2 |
System and method for overlap transforming and deblocking
Presented herein are inverse quantization and transform system(s) and method(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for deblocking. The method comprises reconstructing a macroblock, said macroblock comprising four blocks; and completing deblocking of a first one of the four blocks, with blocks from three neighboring blocks. |
| US07953149B2 |
Signal compressing system
A multi-scanner scans a signal according to several different patterns. A scanning pattern selector determines which scanning pattern produced the most efficient coding result, for example, for runlength coding, and outputs a coded signal, coded most efficiently, and a selection signal which identifies the scanning pattern found to be most efficient. |
| US07953143B2 |
Systems and methods for deriving parameters for impulse noise detectors
A system is described that comprises a frequency domain impulse noise detector configured to monitor received discrete multi-tone (DMT) symbols for impulse noise, a Reed Solomon (RS) decoder with erasure and erasure correction capability for performing error correction on received DMT symbols, and an optimization module configured to adjust parameters associated with the impulse noise detector, the optimization module configured to adjust values for βpivot, βc, and a ratio (m/M), wherein M is a number of monitored tones, m is a number of slicer error samples that must exceed a decision threshold for a symbol to be flagged as corrupted, and βpivot and βc are values associated with a monotonic function of a ratio of a statistical parameter of disruptive noise to a statistical parameter of nominal noise. |
| US07953141B2 |
Interference reduction receiver
An interference reduction receiver is disclosed. The interference reduction receiver includes a weight generating unit for obtaining weights by multiplying a signal correlation matrix of an input signal and a channel response vector. The input signal is despread at two or more predetermined timings, the despread signals are multiplied by the weights, the weight-multiplied signals are added, and an original signal is obtained. |
| US07953136B2 |
Transmission circuit and system for the same
According to the present invention, there is provided a transmission circuit transmitting a power signal using frequency hopping system from an antenna connected to the transmission circuit through a transmission path, the transmission circuit including: a controller outputting an amplitude set value for each hopping frequency of the power signal before being transmitted according to power level of the power signal at the antenna; a pre-driver controlling the amplitude of the power signal before being transmitted for each hopping frequency according to the amplitude set value; and a power amplifier outputting the power signal to the transmission path according to the signal output from the pre-driver. |
| US07953135B2 |
Vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode (VCSEL) with enhanced emitting efficiency
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode (VCSEL) is disclosed, which reduces the light scattering by the step formed at the interface between the dielectric DBR and the semiconductor that reflects the mesa shape of the tunnel junction. The dielectric DBR of the invention includes a plurality of first films with relatively smaller refractive index and a plurality of second films with relatively larger refractive index. These first and second films are alternately stacked to each other to cause the periodic structure of the refractive indices. The VCSEL of the invention, different from the conventional device, provides the dielectric film with relatively larger refractive index that directly comes in contact with the semiconductor to set the node of the optical standing wave at the interface between the dielectric DBR and the semiconductor. |
| US07953134B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a substrate, a first cladding layer over the substrate, an active region on the first cladding layer, and a second cladding layer on the active region, wherein the active region includes a first type barrier layer that is doped and a second type barrier layer that is undoped, the first type barrier layer being closer to the first cladding layer than the second type barrier layer. |
| US07953133B2 |
Light emitting and lasing semiconductor devices and methods
A two terminal semiconductor device for producing light emission in response to electrical signals, includes: a terminal-less semiconductor base region disposed between a semiconductor emitter region and a semiconductor collector region having a tunnel junction adjacent the base region; the base region having a region therein exhibiting quantum size effects; an emitter terminal and a collector terminal respectively coupled with the emitter region and the collector region; whereby application of the electrical signals with respect to the emitter and collector terminals, causes light emission from the base region. Application of the electrical signals is operative to reverse bias the tunnel junction. Holes generated at the tunnel junction recombine in the base region with electrons flowing into the base region, resulting in the light emission. The region exhibiting quantum size effects is operative to aid recombination. |
| US07953132B2 |
Laser driver circuit and laser display
A laser driver circuit comprising a current supply circuit for supplying a laser diode with a current is provided. The current supply circuit comprises a voltage-to-current converter circuit, a current output line for outputting the current generated by the voltage-to-current converter circuit, a current supply line connected to the laser diode, a ground line connected to the ground, and a current path switch for selectively connecting either the current supply line or the ground line to the current output line. The laser driver circuit further comprises a current output prevention circuit for preventing the voltage-to-current converter circuit from generating the current by disconnecting the voltage input line using a voltage input switch so that the voltage is not input to the voltage-to-current converter circuit, when the current output line and the ground line are connected by the current path switch. |
| US07953130B2 |
Pulse laser apparatus, terahertz measuring apparatus, and terahertz tomographic apparatus
A pulse laser apparatus includes a laser configured to generate a pulse of a laser beam, a fiber amplifier, and a pulse compressor. The fiber amplifier includes a rare-earth doped fiber that exhibits normal dispersion at a wavelength of the laser beam generated from the laser. The pulse laser apparatus further includes a unit configured to give a loss to energy portions in a wavelength region corresponding to a zero-dispersion wavelength of the rare-earth doped fiber and/or a wavelength region longer than the zero-dispersion wavelength within a wavelength spectrum of the laser beam having been chirped in the fiber amplifier. |
| US07953125B2 |
Enhanced CMTS for reliability, availability, and serviceability
A Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) is partitioned into Line Cards, I/O Cards, and a midplane to provide enhanced Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability. Each I/O Card provides a cabling interface for coupling an assigned Line Card to other portions of a Hybrid-Fiber-Coax Network. A plurality of RF signals is coupled via connectors between each Line Card and a corresponding I/O Card, via the midplane. This permits a Line Card to be removed for servicing without requiring recabling of the corresponding I/O Card. Preferably, a rectangular-multi-pin collinear connector-cascade (Line Card jack, midplane double-plug, and I/O Card jack) is used to couple the plurality of RF signals. The connector-cascade is configured with protective RF ground pins adjacent and surrounding each of a plurality of RF signal pins. This approach permits each Line Card to be removed or inserted in a single action, without attention to individual RF interconnects, yet meets all system RF requirements while using relatively inexpensive connectors. The I/O Cards preferably include a distributed backup bus that permits one of the Line Cards in the CMTS to serve as a designated backup. The backup bus enables assignment of the designated backup Line Card to the I/O Card associated with a failing Line Card, without requiring recabling of any I/O Card. In conjunction with a signal processing architecture that permits dynamically programmable channel assignments, the backup bus facilitates rapid and fully automated failover. The Line Cards are preferably further partitioned into easily replaceable sections, including IF-to-RF and signal processing modules. |
| US07953124B2 |
Mobile station, base station, communication system, and communication method
A scrambler performs IQ multiplexing of output signals from a spreader and a distributor in order to generate a complex signal (I signal and Q signal), amplitude coefficients βcc(I) and βcc(Q) are determined in accordance with signal powers on I axis and Q axis. |
| US07953121B2 |
Method and system for synchronizing transport streams of multiple transponders for area critical applications
Disclosed is a transport stream synchronizing system for synchronizing transport streams output from a plurality of transponders and decoded by a plurality of tuners. The transport stream synchronizing system comprises a tuner selector operable to select one transport stream out of a plurality of transport streams decoded by the plurality of tuners, a transport packet synchronizer operable receive the transport stream selected by the tuner selector, and synchronize the received transport stream; and a transport packet arbiter and router operable to receive a synchronized transport stream from the selected tuner, and route the received synchronized transport stream to a predetermined destination. |
| US07953118B2 |
Synchronizing media streams across multiple devices
Aspects of the present invention are directed at establishing a multimedia network session in which the transmission of media streams is synchronized. In one embodiment, a method is provided for synchronizing incoming audio and video streams. The method includes establishing a communication channel between a first computing device that is receiving an incoming audio stream with the second computing device that is receiving an incoming video stream. Once the communication channel is established, the current network conditions that describe attributes of the incoming audio stream are obtained by the first computing device. Then, the delay in the incoming audio stream is calculated. When the delay is known, the method causes the incoming video stream to be delayed to match the delay in the incoming audio stream. |
| US07953116B2 |
Intelligent access within a document package
The invention features a method and apparatus for receiving a data package, the data package being digital data embedding a plurality of documents and a manifest that includes one or more pairs of identifiers. Each pair comprises an alias-source identifier and an alias-destination identifier, and each alias-destination identifier points to a dynamic content resource within the data package. A target identifier is received in a request to perform an operation with the target identifier as an operand and, if the target identifier matches any of the alias-source identifiers in the one or more pairs of identifiers, the alias-destination identifier paired with the matching alias-source identifier is used instead of the target identifier in performing the operation. |
| US07953114B2 |
System and method for achieving accelerated throughput
Systems and methods for transporting data between two endpoints over an encoded channel are disclosed. Data transmission units (data units) from the source network are received at an encoding component logically located between the endpoints. These first data units are subdivided into second data units and are transmitted to the destination network over the transport network. Also transmitted are encoded or extra second data units that allow the original first data units to be recreated even if some of the second data units are lost. These encoded second data units may be merely copies of the second data units transmitted, parity second data units, or second data units which have been encoded using erasure correcting coding. At the receiving endpoint, the second data units are received and are used to recreate the original first data units. |
| US07953113B2 |
Method and apparatus for adaptive bandwidth control with user settings
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code to receive a user input defining settings at an application layer to form a set of received settings. An adaptive bandwidth control process is executed using the received settings to identify a transmission rate for transmitting data packets across a network. The data packets are transmitted across the network using the identified transmission rate. |
| US07953110B1 |
TCP/IP tunneling protocol for link 16
A method and system are provided for executing a protocol for tunneling of transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) packets over a tactical link. The tunneling protocol includes interfacing to a host software on a node of a tactical network using a TAP interface; breaking up ethernet packets from the TAP interface into J16.0 messages that include payload data from the ethernet packet and header information that uniquely identifies the J16.0 message for deterministic reassembly of the ethernet packet from the stream of J16.0 messages in which it is included. The J16.0 messages may be transmitted using a fighter data link over a tactical network link. At the destination node of the link, the J16.0 messages may be reassembled into ethernet packets, allowing the tactical network to be implemented as virtual private network having (internet protocol) IP addresses for each node. |
| US07953107B2 |
Method and system for using services within a communication network
A system and a method for the use of services within at least one communication network with internet mechanisms and at least one automation system, as well as a service access unit to connect an automation system to a communication network. A system is proposed for the improved use of services within at least one communication network with internet mechanisms and at least one automation system, with components of the automation system being coupled together by a conventional field bus, with a service access unit being provided to connect the conventional field bus to the communication network, with the service access unit being provided as client for the services provided in the communication network and with the service access unit having a transformation unit, provided to adapt a first communication protocol of the services to a second communication protocol of the field bus. |
| US07953105B2 |
Communication apparatus enabling temporal coexistence of systems
A coexistence controller which performs management and control of time division for coexistence, is provided in a power line communication modem which has a function as a QoS controller for a QoS type communication system and a power line communication modem for a best-effort type communication system. In the QoS type communication system, by controlling allocation of a communication band in accordance with priorities given to the communication systems by cooperation of the coexistence controller and the QoS controller, the power line communication systems having different schemes can coexist. |
| US07953102B2 |
System and method for generic data mapping between wireless component applications and application data sources
An application gateway is configured to facilitate message communication between an application executing on a wireless device and a backend server. The application gateway comprises a message interface, a backend connector and a transformer. The message interface facilitates communication between the wireless device and the application gateway in a compact format. The backend connector facilitates communication between the application gateway and the backend server using a schema-based internal format. The transformer translates data between the compact format and the internal format. The transformer further includes a transformer mapping document for correlating elements in the compact format with elements in the internal format. |
| US07953099B1 |
Fully integrated joined line records
A method, system, and medium are provided for routing a call through telecommunications relay services while maintaining desired call information. The present invention includes routing calls through the telecommunications relay services system using a variety of signaling protocols while maintaining call information. A method of integrating line information into a telephone signal is provided. The method includes receiving line information in a packet header and parsing the header to extract the line record information. The parsed information is converted into a set-up message in Integrated Services Digital Network protocol. The method also determines if a specific telephony carrier is identified in the parsed header. If a specific telephone carrier is identified, the signal is directed to the identified carrier along with the set-up message. |
| US07953095B2 |
Transmission system and transmission method
Provided is a transmission system with increased degree of freedom in a lane configuration, which corrects disalignment of data sequences in respective channels due to differences in arrival time, thereby freely changing a number of lanes. The transmission system includes: a transmitter; a relay; and a receiver, the transmitter inputting data to be transmitted to the receiver, the relay transmitting the data transmitted by the transmitter to the receiver, the receiver receiving the data transmitted by the relay. The transmitter inserts into the data sequences channel information indicating a channel to which the data sequence is to be output. The relay corrects, based on the channel information, disalignment in an order of arrival of the data sequences received via a plurality of channels, the disalignment being generated by the differences in arrival time of the data sequences among the channels. |
| US07953094B1 |
Systems and methods for order preserving data
A data processing system includes an input circuit, a plurality of processing paths and an output circuit. The input circuit receives blocks of data on a plurality of data streams and distributes the blocks of data to the plurality of processing paths. The plurality of processing paths receive and process the distributed blocks of data. The output circuit selectively queues and dequeues the processed blocks of data based on a determined maximum differential delay among each of the processing paths and transmits the processed blocks of data. |
| US07953093B2 |
TCP/IP reordering
A method for a receiver to perform processing of incoming data segments transmitted over a network by a transmitter in accordance with a transport protocol. The segments incorporate sequence values indicative of a transmission order of the segments. The method consists of receiving the data segments over the network in a reception order. Then, for each segment received in the reception order, the sequence values of the received segment and of the segments received earlier in the reception order are compared in order to assign the received segment a classification identity as an in-order or out-of-order segment.The method further includes writing the segments, in a writing order that is substantially identical to the reception order, to respective locations in an output buffer responsive to the classification identity of each segment, so that the segments in the output buffer are arranged in the transmission order. |
| US07953090B2 |
Method of making a router act as a relay proxy
The present invention is to provide a method of making a router act as a relay proxy, which is applied to a network system comprising a server of an Internet service provider, at least a router, the Internet and at least two network devices, wherein the router and network devices are connected with the server through the Internet respectively. The method comprises the steps of designating the router as a relay proxy when the router receives and accepts a relay request from the server, and directing the network devices to connect to the router designated as a relay proxy respectively when the server attempts to connect the network devices which enables the network devices to communicate and proceed data access with each other through the relay proxy. Thus, the data access with each other of said network devices may be accomplished through said relay proxy instead of said server. |
| US07953081B2 |
Mobile communication control method, mobile communication system, routing device, management device, and program
When a mobile terminal (10a) moves from an access network (21a) to another access network (21c), the unique information on destination of the mobile terminal (10a) in an access router (20c) is transferred as alternate information from an access router (20a) to a home agent (30a). The access router (20c) transfers the unique information on destination of the mobile terminal (10a) in the access router (20a) as original information to the home agent (30a) and at the same time transfers the unique information on destination of the mobile terminal (10a) in the access router (20c) as alternate information to the home agent (30a). Using these data, the home agent (30a) builds security association for the mobile terminal (10a) between the access router (20c) and the home agent (30a). |
| US07953080B2 |
Method of receiving audio/video services, corresponding terminal and system
The invention relates to a method, a device and a system for the discovery of services according to a services entry point discovery protocol, that improves the discovery of audio/video services, in particular when several entry points, or access points, offering different services or different conditions for transmitting services can be offered to a user. |
| US07953078B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and program
The address of an image processing apparatus is set as the network address of an external network of an information processing apparatus, a network address different from the address of the image processing apparatus is set as the network address of a local network, and an address different from these network addresses is distributed to another information processing apparatus. |
| US07953077B2 |
Network processor with single interface supporting tree search engine and CAM
A method and system for identifying a data structure associated with a packet of data. A processor internal to a packet processor may extract one or more fields in a packet header field of a received packet of data to generate a search key. The internal processor may then be configured to select which table, e.g., routing table, quality of service table, filter table, needs to be accessed using the search key in order to process the received packet of data. A determination may then be made by the internal processor as to whether a CAM or a hash table and a Patricia Tree are used to identify the data structure associated with the received packet of data. Based on table definitions in a register, the internal processor may make such a determination. |
| US07953073B2 |
Communications module interface
A communications module including an electrical interface for operatively connecting the communications module to an electric device is disclosed. The electric interface enables data communication between the communications module and the electric device in either a serial mode or parallel mode. The communications module includes: one or more electrical connectors arranged in the electric interface, a Dual Port RAM is connected to the electrical interface for providing parallel transfer of data through the electrical interface, and a control unit connected to at least one of the one or more electrical connectors, wherein the control unit is adapted to determine the value of one or more signals applied on the at least one of the one or more electrical connectors and enable either serial or parallel data communication through the electrical interface depending on the value of the one or more signals. |
| US07953072B2 |
Method and system for ending-call anchoring of circuit switched domain
The present invention discloses a method and a system for call termination anchoring of CS (Circuit Switching) domain, the method including the following steps: when a call coming from CS domain network reaches the mobile switch center in the home circuit switched domain of a voice call continuity subscriber, the mobile switch center sends a LOCREQ message to a home location register to query a location; Step 2, the home location register directly sends a message to the voice call continuity application server to request routing information; and Step 3, the voice call continuity application server returns IP multimedia subsystem routing number information associated with the voice call continuity application server to the home location register to make the call can be anchored to the voice call continuity application server. The present invention realizes call termination anchoring for a VCC subscriber in the circuit domain without intelligent network services. |
| US07953071B2 |
Outlet with analog signal adapter, a method for use thereof and a network using said outlet
An outlet for a LAN, containing an integrated adapter that converts digital data to and from analog video signals, allowing the use of analog video units in a digital data network or telephone line-based data networking system, eliminating the need for digital video units or external adapter. The outlet may include a hub for connecting an analog video signal via an adapter, and retaining the data network connection. In such an environment, the data networking circuitry as well as the analog video adapters are integrated into a telephone outlet, providing for regular telephone service, analog video connectivity, and data networking as well. In such a configuration, the outlet would have a standard telephone jack, an analog video jack and at least one data networking jack. Such outlet can be used to retrofit existing LAN and telephone wiring, and original equipment in new installations. |
| US07953070B1 |
Client configuration download for VPN voice gateways
In one embodiment, a communication device 204 includes a voice communication module 152 to effect packet-switched voice communications over an untrusted network 140; a secure communication module 228 to create a secured pathway 258 with a selected remote secure communication module 124; and a VPN topology client 232 to contact a VPN topology server 240 to receive VPN topology information 236 that enables the secure communication module to create the secured pathway with the selected remote secure communication module. The VPN topology information includes IP addresses associated with remote secure communication modules, with each of the IP addresses having a corresponding range of node addresses serviced by the respective secure communication module. |
| US07953069B2 |
Device and method for estimating audiovisual quality impairment in packet networks
An audio and/or visual transmission quality device estimates transmission quality as perceived by a user based on observation and processing of objective metrics. The device preferably includes a primary integrator to generate an instantaneous estimate of user annoyance based on occurrence of frame loss events in a received signal. The device further preferably includes secondary integrators to process the instantaneous estimate of user annoyance in selected time intervals and generate a plurality of time-varying estimates of user annoyance valid over the selected time intervals. The device may further include a plurality of scaling modules to scale the plurality of time-varying estimates and generate a corresponding plurality of estimates of transmission quality as perceived by the user. The device may further include a modulation network to modify a sensitivity of the primary integrator to the occurrence of frame loss events in the received signal. |
| US07953068B2 |
Exchange protocol for combinational multimedia services
A method of transporting image or video information between end user terminals via a packet switched network whilst a circuit switched connection is established between the end users includes establishing a circuit switched connection between a plurality of end user terminals for carrying voice traffic. The method also includes using the. Message Session Relay Protocol (MSRP) to encapsulate image or video information transmitted between end user terminals via a packet switched network, where MSRP related traffic is routed between said end user terminals via one or more MSRP enabled nodes. Additionally, the method includes installing service policies into the or at least one MSRP node from a session initiation protocol (SIP) application server (AS) located in the control-plane of an IMS network and checking multimedia service requests against the installed policies to control end user terminal access to certain packet based services. |
| US07953065B2 |
Point to multipoint device for communication with a plurality of telecommunications units
A point to multipoint device for use in a wireless network to provide wireless communication with a plurality of telecommunications units is described, for communication from the point to multipoint device to the telecommunications units, the point to multipoint device being operable to employ multiple sets of beams, at any point in time one set being used. The point to multipoint device comprises beam set generation logic for generating the multiple sets of beams arranged into one or more groups, each group comprising one beam from each set. Within each group the beams of that group are orthogonal with respect to each other, and each beam within each set is generated randomly with respect to other beams in that set. An interface is provided for receiving a synchronization signal issued to all point to multipoint devices in the wireless network. |
| US07953064B2 |
Buffer status reporting
A system is proposed to provide buffer status reporting in a mobile telecommunications environment, particularly applicable to 3GPP networks, which allows the base station to perform Quality of Service aware uplink resource allocation. The system uses two types of buffer status reports—Absolute Buffer Status Reports and Relative Buffer Status Reports. Absolute Buffer Status Reports are sent at application start up or when the buffer level is above or below set threshold values. Otherwise Relative Buffer Status Reports are sent, which encode the present buffer level in terms of the difference from the last transmitted Absolute Buffer Status Report. |
| US07953056B2 |
Polling method compliant to bluetooth protocol for increasing transfer efficiency and system thereof
A polling method compliant to Bluetooth protocol is utilized for increasing transfer efficiency. In a Bluetooth piconet, a master queries each slave to determine the slaves supporting a predetermined protocol. The master determines a predetermined address as the instruction of the predetermined protocol. When the master sends a polling packet with the predetermined address to the supporting slaves, the supporting slaves can respond in sequence. In this way, even if the supporting slaves increase, the master only has to send one single polling packet for all the supporting slaves responding, increasing the transfer efficiency. |
| US07953052B2 |
Inter-technology handoff method in an IP-based wireless communication system
A handoff method in a communication system where BSs providing different radio access interfaces to an MS are connected to an IP-based network through routers. A handoff from a first BS to a second BS is decided for an MS that receives IP service data from the first BS and an L2 connection is established between the MS and the second BS. During the L2 connection establishment, movement of the MS in the IP network is detected. Handoff negotiations are conducted between the first and second BSs by IP signaling. If the handoff is available according to the negotiations, mobility management control is performed considering movement of the MS. The IP service data is transmitted to the MS in a network path reset to the second BS by the mobility management control and an L2 connection is released between the MS and the first BS. |
| US07953051B1 |
Relay transmission method and apparatus
A relay transmission method and apparatus are provided. The method includes: configuring a subframe of a Time Division Duplex (TDD) relay frame for a subframe of relay link (S201), where the configuring the subframe of the TDD relay frame for the subframe of relay link includes: configuring a downlink (DL) subframe of the TDD relay frame for a DL subframe of relay link, and/or configuring the DL subframe of the TDD relay frame for an uplink (UL) subframe of relay link, and/or configuring a UL subframe of the TDD relay frame for the UL subframe of relay link; and performing relay transmission according to the subframe of relay link (S202). When data is transmitted, a subframe that can be used for relay link transmission is configured, data transmission performed by using relay link complies with inherent constraints of a TDD frame structure in the prior art. |
| US07953045B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A control method for a mobile terminal which connects to a router linked to an external network through at least one interface, including receiving a router advertisement message from the router through a first interface, determining whether prefix information of the received router advertisement message is identical with prefix information of a preset internet protocol (IP) configuration reuse group including the first interface, and generating an IP configuration of the first interface when the two prefix information are identical. Accordingly, at the time of a vertical handover, continuity of the A/V session can be maintained without having to use mobile IP technology. |
| US07953044B2 |
Method, component and system for network-based handover
A method for handover in a network is provided. The method includes receiving a first message from a first access network device associated with a mobile node (MN) associated with a first access router. A second message is sent to a second access router associated with a second access network device to initiate handover. A third message in response to the second message is received to establish a tunnel between the first access router and the second access router for handover. Packets designated to the MN are forwarded from the first access router to the second access router through the tunnel. |
| US07953042B2 |
Handover method and apparatus between different systems
A method and apparatus performs handover from an OFDM-based E-UMTS system to a CDMA-based UMTS system. A UE in communication with a PDN via the E-UMTS system, measures signal strength of the UMTS system, and sends a measurement report message indicating the measured signal strength to the E-UMTS system. A radio access network (E-RAN) of the E-UMTS system, determines whether to perform handover from the E-UMTS system to the UMTS system based on the measured signal strength. If the handover is to be performed, a core network (E-CN) of the E-UMTS system generates a PDP context and an MM context for the UE in response to a handover request from the E-RAN. The E-CN sets up a data tunnel for the UE to a GGSN of the UMTS system using the PDP/MM context. After setting up the data tunnel, the E-CN sends to the UE a handover command message including information on a radio bearer (RB) to be used by the UE to access the UMTS system. The UE accesses the UMTS system using the RB information. After accessing the UMTS system, the UE forwards user data for the UE via a data transmission path composed of the E-CN, the data tunnel, a SGSN, and a RAN of the UMTS system, between the PDN and the UE. |
| US07953041B2 |
Method for optimizing a wireless distribution system
A method for configuring a wireless distribution system is provided. In the method, a target node starts a building procedure and begins to broadcast a building information. A joining node starts a scanning procedure for scanning all channels available and locks one channel used by the target node. The joining node sends a connect request signal and a channel assign request to the target node. The target node selects one link and one channel available for the joining node for communication, and sends a channel reset signal to the joining node. The MAC address of the joining node is added into an internal table of the target node. After the joining node has received the channel reset signal, the MAC address of the target node is stored into an internal table of the joining node, and the designated link channel is configured. |
| US07953038B2 |
Method and system for environment configuration by a device based on auto-discovery of local resources and generating preference information for those resources
Methods and systems for environment configuration by a device based on auto-discovery of local resources and generating preference information for those resources are disclosed and may include discovering available networked resources utilizing a wireless mobile communication device (WMCD). Wireless communication may be established with one or more of the available networked resources utilizing the WMCD, which may then configure the resources according to user preferences. The user preferences may be stored internal or external to the WMCD, and may be modified based on subsequent changes to the configuring of the resources. The WMCD may communicate with the resources utilizing one or more of a plurality of wireless protocols, which may comprise cellular, WLAN, near-field communication, Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification. The WMCD may auto-discover as well as determine and authenticate access privileges for the resources, which may comprise devices for adjusting a user's local environment. |
| US07953036B2 |
System for registration of communication devices
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile Voice over IP (VoIP) communication device (MVCD) having a controller element to register with a VoIP call processing system by way of a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) access point operating in a cluster of WiFi access points each having cell coverage area, and re-register with the VoIP call processing system by way of the WiFi access point in response to receiving a re-registration request upon expiration of a timer having a period determined from one or more behavioral attributes of the MVCD. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US07953034B2 |
Terminal distribution control for point-to-multipoint service in wireless communication system
A method for controlling a user equipment (UE) capable of receiving a point-to-multipoint service in a wireless communication system comprises receiving a point-to-multipoint service and performing a cell reselection in response to completion of the receiving of the point-to-multipoint service. The cell reselection is performed among multiple frequencies. The cell reselection may be performed in response to signaling from the network. The cell reselection may be performed regardless of whether cell reselection criteria are satisfied. The cell reselection criteria may comprise at least one of a cell reselection reference value between frequencies and a cell reselection reference value within a frequency. The cell reselection criteria may be embodied in frequency layer dispersion (FLD) information. Alternatively, the cell reselection criteria may be embodied in frequency lay convergence (FLC) information. |
| US07953031B2 |
Apparatus and methods for performing wireless communication and detection
Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling an apparatus having a wireless module mounted thereon to detect an access point while saving power consumption in a battery. An apparatus according to the present invention preferably has a system main body, a cover which covers a surface of the system main body, an antenna disposed to the cover, a lid sensor which detects that the cover is opened from the system main body and outputs a lid event signal, a wireless module which is connected with the antenna and detects an access point upon receiving a power, and a power supply module. This power supply module supplies the power to the wireless module in response to output of the lid event signal from the lid sensor. As a result, even if this portable computer is in an OFF state, the power is supplied to the wireless module when the cover is opened, thereby detecting an access point. |
| US07953030B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling power consumption of stations on a CSMA/CA-based wireless LAN
A method and apparatus controls power consumption of stations having a hierarchical structure when the stations transmit and receive a wireless signal to and from one another on a CSMA/CA wireless LAN. The controlling involves extracting information on frame transmission speed and transmission period information on first and second layers of the hierarchical structure from the wireless signal; determining a power-controlled period for each of the first and second layers based on the extracted information; and reducing the power consumption of the first and second layers by switching a current mode of the first and second layers to a predetermined mode for the power-controlled period if a reception address included in the extracted information is not identical to an address of the station. |
| US07953025B2 |
Load estimation using scheduled uplink power
A method for providing load reference data in a CDMA system comprises measuring of received total wideband power and of received scheduled enhanced uplink power. State variables are selected corresponding to cell power quantities and measurement functions are selected corresponding to the measured received total wideband power and the measured received scheduled enhanced uplink power. A probability distribution for a first power quantity—related to the selected state variables—is estimated. A conditional probability distribution of a noise floor measure is computed based on the estimated probability distribution for the first power quantity. Load reference data is provided based on the computed conditional probability distribution of the noise floor measure. In a preferred embodiment, the first power quantity is a measure of the difference between received total wideband power and received scheduled enhanced uplink power. The load reference data can be used in e.g. enhanced uplink scheduling or admission control. |
| US07953023B2 |
Adaptive partitioning of traffic without additional probe traffic
A method is disclosed for adaptively and intelligently partitioning traffic among a plurality of communications channels, without injecting probe traffic into any of the channels. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a source node transmits traffic to a receiving node via K communications channels in accordance with partition coefficients α1, . . . , αK, and the source node receives information regarding the quality of service (QoS) provided by each of the communications channels. The source node adjusts the values of the partition coefficients α1, . . . , αK adaptively based on: the current channel QoS information, prior channel QoS information, the prior values of α1, . . . , αK, and a measure of channel independence for one or more pairs of communications channels. |
| US07953017B2 |
Application specific service ping packet
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: creating the application specific service ping packing including a special packet identification field that identifies the application specific service ping packet as a special packet, and including an application identification field that identifies an application to which the application specific service ping packet corresponds; modifying a deep packet inspection engine to recognize the application specific service ping packet; sending the application specific service ping packet through a deep packet inspection element; identifying the application specific service ping packet as a special packet; determining that the application specific service ping packet can be mapped to a specific application; identifying the specific application; setting an application for processing to the specific application; and performing known application processing based on the set specific application. |
| US07953015B2 |
Method for ensuring reliability in network
A method for ensuring reliability in a network is disclosed, including: distributing, based on service flow, services to multiple home functions entities of the coupled function entity, where the multiple home function entities have identical functional characteristics in the network; taking over, by a first home function entity operating normally, work of a second home function entity to be switched if determining to switch between the multiple home function entities. Through the method, if one or more of the multiple home function entities is in failure, other home function entities may take over work of the function entities in failure, which ensures the continuity of data flows of services and prevents the services from being interrupted, greatly improves reliability and load balancing ability of end-to-end QoS architecture. Furthermore. There is no limitation on network architecture and the method is applicable to networks with any scales. |
| US07953012B2 |
Monitoring arrangements, having communication establishment information changed from initial communication establishment information
This present invention simplifies the installation work, the initialization, the operation confirmation, and the test run work of a monitor terminal in a field site that monitors a monitor object. Communication information and management information, such as a telephone number used to communicate with a communication terminal in a field site at test run time, are integrated. For example, the common values (default values) are set in the communication terminal, which will communicate with a monitoring apparatus, as communication information (IP address, user ID, password) to allow the monitoring apparatus to communicate with the communication terminal by setting only the telephone number of the communication terminal in the monitoring apparatus. During a test run, the monitoring apparatus performs operation to change the communication information and the management information in the communication terminal to the information suitable for a production run. |
| US07953004B2 |
Minimizing effects of packet delay variation in time-division multiplexing pseudowire services
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related node for outputting packets from a playout buffer in a node in a packet-switched network including one or more of the following: configuring a Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) pseudowire terminating at the node; receiving a plurality of fixed-length packets transmitted over the TDM pseudowire; adding the plurality of fixed-length packets to the playout buffer such that the playout buffer reaches a current fill level; inserting at least one dummy packet into the playout buffer, wherein a total length of the at least one dummy packet is equal to a target fill level of the playout buffer minus the current fill level and the target fill level represents a minimum fill level required before output of packets from the playout buffer; and outputting the plurality of fixed-length packets and the at least one dummy packet from the playout buffer. |
| US07953003B2 |
Requesting permission from a base station to send packets queued at a mobile station according to its transmission delay
A method of operating a communication station including queuing data units, estimating the transmission delay of at least one of the data units in the queue, and if the estimated transmission delay exceeds a threshold, requesting permission to transmit at least one data unit. |
| US07953002B2 |
Buffer management and flow control mechanism including packet-based dynamic thresholding
A network device for processing data includes at least one ingress module for performing switching functions on incoming data, a memory management unit for storing the incoming data and at least one egress module for transmitting the incoming data to at least one egress port. The at least one ingress module is configured to determine a priority for the incoming data, where that priority is mapped to a discrete number of priority groups and where the priority groups are determined on a per-port basis and provide guaranteed delivery or best throughput, and flow of data through the network device is controlled on a basis of at least one of the priority groups and assigned priorities. |
| US07953000B2 |
Mechanism to improve preemption behavior of resource reservations
A technique is provided for one or more network nodes to deterministically select data flows to preempt. In particular, each node employs a set of predefined rules which instructs the node as to which existing data flow should be preempted in order to admit a new high-priority data flow. The rules are precisely defined and are common to all nodes configured in accordance with the present invention. Illustratively, a network node not only selects a data flow to preempt, but additionally may identify other “fate sharing” data flows that may be preempted. As used herein, a group of data flows has a fate-sharing relationship if the application instance(s) containing the data flows functions adequately only when all the fate-shared flows are operational. In a first illustrative embodiment, after a data flow in a fate-sharing group is preempted, network nodes may safely tear down the group's remaining data flows. In a second illustrative embodiment, when a data flow is preempted, all its fate-shared data flows are marked as being “at risk.” Because the at-risk flows are not immediately torn down, it is less likely that resources allocated for the at-risk flows may be freed then subsequently used to establish relatively lower-priority data flows instead of relatively higher-priority data flows. |
| US07952990B1 |
Low complexity channel estimation for orthogonal frequency division modulation systems
Methods and systems for communication include receiving a signal across a channel, the signal indicative of a preamble and multiple data symbols, determining first channel estimate information of the channel based on the received preamble, using the first channel estimate information to demodulate a data symbol from the multiple data symbols as received, determining a constellation point based on the demodulated data symbol to produce a decoded data symbol, determining second channel estimate information based on the demodulated data symbol and the decoded data symbol, and using the second channel estimate information to demodulate an additional data symbol from the multiple data symbols as received. |
| US07952989B2 |
Permuting slots to logical distributed resource units
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a method may comprise sending, by a sending wireless station in a wireless network, data to a receiving wireless station, the data being sent via at least one logical distributed resource unit (LDRU), the LDRU including slots included in at least one physical resource unit (PRU), each of the slots included in the at least one PRU being associated with a different orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) symbol and a different OFDMA subcarrier. |
| US07952987B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving a signal in a communication system
A signal transmission apparatus in a communication system, includes: a first IFFT unit for generating a first signal by performing inverse fast Fourier transform on a first communication service signal corresponding to a first communication scheme; a first CP inserter for generating a second signal by inserting a first cyclic prefix having a length corresponding to the first communication scheme into the first signal; a second IFFT unit for generating a third signal by performing inverse fast Fourier transform on a second communication service signal corresponding to a second communication scheme; a second cyclic prefix inserter for generating a fourth signal by inserting a second cyclic prefix having a length corresponding to the second communication scheme into the third signal; and a transmission unit for multiplexing the second signal and the fourth signal and transmitting the multiplexed signals. |
| US07952986B2 |
Reverse optical mastering for data storage disk replicas
A data storage master disk and method of making a data storage master disk. The data storage disk master is for use in a data storage disk replication process. The data storage disk molding processes produces replica disks having a surface relief pattern with replica lands and replica grooves. The method includes providing a master substrate. The master substrate is at least partially covered with a layer of photosensitive material. A surface relief pattern having master lands and master grooves is recorded in the data storage disk master, including the steps of exposing and developing the photosensitive material is controlled to form master grooves extending down to a substrate interface between the master substrate and the layer of photosensitive material, such that the width of the master grooves at the substrate interface corresponds to a desired width of the replica lands. |
| US07952985B2 |
Recording medium, its manufacturing method, mother disc for recording medium, and its manufacturing method
A recording medium is provided and includes; a substrate having a first area formed with a first groove and a second area formed with a second groove, at least one information layer provided on the substrate, and a protecting layer provided on the information layer. Predetermined binary information has previously been recorded on the first groove and the first groove is shallower or narrower than the second groove. |
| US07952983B2 |
Driver unit
A driving apparatus (100c) is provided with: a base portion (110); a stage portion (130) on which a driven object (12) is mounted and which can be displaced; an elastic portion (120) which connects the base portion and the stage portion and which has elasticity to displace the stage portion in one direction (Y axis); and a first applying device (161, 162, 22) for applying, to the base portion, an excitation force for displacing the stage portion such that the stage portion is resonated in the one direction at a resonance frequency determined by the stage portion and the elastic portion. |
| US07952978B2 |
Optical control device, optical information recording/reproducing device, optical information recording medium and optical head control method
An optical controller includes a light source for emitting light, an object lens for condensing light emitted from the light source, a light detection unit for receiving light reflected on an optical information recording medium and outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of the light, and a laser control unit for controlling the amount of the light emitted from the light source to the information recording surface on which information is to be recorded or reproduced, based on the recording state of an information recording surface disposed closer to the object lens than an information recording surface on which the information is to be recorded or reproduced. |
| US07952977B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus
A diffracting portion is disposed in an optical path between a light source and an optical disc. The diffracting portion diffracts the reflected light from recording layers of the optical disc toward a light receiving portion. The diffracting portion includes a first diffraction region having a first diffraction efficiency and a second diffraction region having a second diffraction efficiency lower than the first diffraction efficiency. The first diffraction region includes a FES diffracting portion and first to fourth TES diffracting portions. The second diffraction region includes fifth and sixth TES diffracting portions. First-order diffraction lights from the non-light-collecting recording layer enter on the fifth and the sixth TES diffracting portions, and are diffracted toward the light receiving portion by the fifth and the sixth TES diffracting portions. |
| US07952975B2 |
Optical reproduction device, optical recording/reproduction device, and optical reproduction method
There is provided an optical reproduction device that reproduces a hologram that is recorded on an optical recording medium by interference between a signal light and a reference light coaxial to the signal light. The device has: a coherent light source; a light distribution unit distributing light from the light source, to a signal light optical path and a reference light optical path; a spatial light modulator that includes a signal light region and a reference light region, a spatial light modulator, a first irradiation optical system spatially separating light distributed to the reference light optical path and light distributed to the signal light optical path, making optical axes of both lights coincide, and irradiating the both lights onto the spatial light modulator; and a second irradiation optical system irradiating reference light onto the optical recording medium as reading light, and reproducing the hologram. |
| US07952971B2 |
Recording/reproducing method suitable for recording/reproducing AV data on/from disc, recorder and reproducer for the method, information recording disc and information processing system
The present invention relates to a method for recording an AV file using an information recording disk in which data is recorded/reproduced by sectors. The recording method includes the steps of determining whether or not input data is AV data; detecting a defective sector existing in an assigned data recording area; when the input data is AV data while a defective sector is detected in the data recording area, allocating a defective extent including the defective sector; recording AV data in continuous sectors while skipping the defective extent; and allocating an area of continuous sectors where on the AV data is recorded as one AV extent. |
| US07952966B2 |
Tracking apparatus for optical information reproduction apparatus
A tracking apparatus for an optical information reproduction apparatus includes the following: a photoelectric detector (1) in which a far-field pattern of a light spot converged on a recording medium is formed across a divided light-receiving cell; an arithmetic unit (2) for outputting at least a pair of arithmetic signals from the output of the photoelectric detector (1); a phase comparator (4) for detecting a phase difference between the output signals of the arithmetic unit (2); an absolute value detector (8) for detecting an absolute value of the output signal of the phase comparator (4); a level detector (9) for generating a signal that indicates whether or not a convergence position of the light spot is located off an information track by detecting a predetermined number of times or more the output signal of the absolute value detector (8) has become larger than a predetermined value; a sensitivity detector (10) for detecting and outputting the sensitivity of the level detector (9) by observing the output signal of the level detector (9); and a controller (11) for adjusting the detection conditions of the level detector (9) so that the output of the sensitivity detector (10) is a predetermined value. |
| US07952964B2 |
Method and apparatus to detect land/groove switch position in seek mode, and optical disk drive using the same
A land/groove switch position detecting method includes measuring information about a land/groove switch generation timing of a disc, using a first signal having a frequency that varies in proportion to a rotation speed of the disk in a normal playback mode, and a second signal having a predetermined frequency higher than the frequency of the first signal, and calculating a predicted land/groove switch generation position in the seek mode, using the information about the land/groove switch generation timing. |
| US07952957B2 |
Circuit for generating read and signal and circuit for generating internal clock using the same
A circuit for generating a read end signal includes a clock transferring unit which receives a clock signal, a write/read status signal and an all bank precharge signal and outputs a delayed clock signal, a read signal detecting unit which receives a read pulse signal and the delayed clock signal and generates a read detection signal having a pulse width corresponding to a certain clock, and a read end signal generating unit which receives a first signal, the delayed clock signal and the read detection signal and generates a read end signal. |
| US07952956B2 |
Variable resistance memory device and system
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of variable resistance memory cells divided into first and second areas. An I/O circuit is configured to access the memory cell array under the control of control logic so as to access the first or second area in response to an external command. The I/O circuit accesses the first area using a memory cell unit and the second area using a page unit. |
| US07952955B2 |
Semiconductor memory
A semiconductor memory is provided which includes a word line coupled to a transistor of a memory cell; a word driver configured to activate the word line; a first resistance portion configured to couple the word line to a low-level voltage line in accordance with an activation of the word line and to decouple the coupling after a first period in an activation period of the word line elapses; a second resistance portion configured to couple the word line to a high-level voltage line in a second period in the activation period; and a third resistance portion configured to couple the word line to the low-level voltage line in the second period, a resistance of the third resistance portion being higher than a resistance of the first resistance portion, wherein a high-level voltage of the word line in the second period is lower than that of the high-level voltage line. |
| US07952954B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit for generating row main signal and controlling method thereof
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a row main signal generation section configured to provide a row main signal serving as a driving reference for a plurality of row-series circuit units in response to a bank active signal, wherein activation timing of the row main signal is controlled by a test mode signal. |
| US07952949B2 |
Electronic circuit that comprises a memory matrix and method of reading for bitline noise compensation
Data is read from a memory matrix (10) with a plurality of bit lines (12). A differential sense amplifier (14) receives a signal derived from a first one of the bit lines (12) on a first input. The differential sense amplifier (14) receives a reference signal from a reference output of a reference circuit (15) to a second input. A second one of the bit lines (12), which is adjacent to the first one of the bit lines (12), is coupled to the reference circuit (15), so that a bit line signal value on the second one of the bit lines (12) affects a reference signal value on the reference output, at least partly reproducing an effect of crosstalk of the bit line signal value (12) on the second one of the bit lines (12) on a bit line signal value on the first one of the bit lines (12). |
| US07952948B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes non-inversion repeaters that non-invert data and output the inverted data; and inversion repeaters that invert data and output the inverted data. The non-inversion repeaters or the inversion repeaters are arranged on a first data line and a second data line at a predetermined distance, respectively, which are parallel with each other and the most adjacent to each other and the non-inversion repeater or the inversion repeater is arranged at first positions corresponding to the first data line and the second data line, respectively. The non-inversion repeaters are arranged on one of the first data line and the second data line while the inversion repeaters are arranged on the other first data line and the second data line, at second positions except for the first arrangement positions of positions corresponding to the first data line and the second data line, respectively. |
| US07952947B2 |
Sense amplifier for controlling flip error and driving method thereof
A sense amplifier and a driving method is described for resolving a flip failure occurrence where the voltage applied across the bit line is within an acceptable threshold range when the data is delivered to the data bus. The driving method includes disconnecting a bit line from a sense amplifying circuit according to a bit line select control signal after performing a read operation according to a read request. Then, connecting the sense amplifying circuit to a data bus according to a column select control signal after the bit line is disconnected from the sense amplifying circuit and deactivating an output terminal of the sense amplifier circuit that is disconnected from the bit line and connected to the data bus during a restore section synchronized to a command following the read command. Finally, delivering the data on the bit line to the output terminal of the sense amplifying circuit to update the output terminal of the sense amplifying circuit by connecting the sense amplifying circuit to to the bit line according to the bit line select control signal. |
| US07952946B2 |
No-disturb bit line write for improving speed of eDRAM
A method of operating a memory circuit includes providing the memory circuit. The memory circuit includes a memory cell; a word line connected to the memory cell; a first local bit line and a second local bit line connected to the memory cell; and a first global bit line and a second global bit line coupled to the first and the second local bit lines, respectively. The method further includes starting an equalization to equalize voltages on the first and the second local bit lines; stopping the equalization; and after the step of starting the equalization and before the step of stopping the equalization, writing values from the first and the second global bit lines to the first and the second local bit lines. |
| US07952940B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes: an input pad set configured to receive an external input signal and a reference voltage; an input buffer set configured to detect and transmit the input signal to an internal circuit of the semiconductor memory device by comparing the input signal with the reference voltage; and a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate the reference voltage to supply the reference voltage to the input pad set and the input buffer set during a test operation, the reference voltage generation circuit being deactivated after the semiconductor memory device is packaged. |
| US07952937B2 |
Wordline driver for a non-volatile memory device, a non-volatile memory device and method
A wordline driver, for a non-volatile memory device, comprises a wordline driver output, a first power source, adapted to provide an erase level voltage for erasing portions of the non-volatile memory device, a second power source, adapted to provide read and program level voltages for reading and programming portions of the non-volatile memory device and first switching means, including an isolation transistor, adapted to connect the wordline driver output to a one of the first and second power sources dependent upon an operating mode of the wordline driver. The wordline driver further comprises a programmable switch controller for providing a variable control signal to a control electrode of the isolation transistor. The programmable switch controller is arranged to set the variable control signal to a value dependent upon the operating parameters of the non-volatile memory device and such that the endurance of the isolation transistor is maximised. |
| US07952929B2 |
Source side asymmetrical precharge programming scheme
A method for programming NAND flash cells to minimize program stress while allowing for random page programming operations. The method includes asymmetrically precharging a NAND string from a positively biased source line while the bitline is decoupled from the NAND string, followed by the application of a programming voltage to the selected memory cell, and then followed by the application of bitline data. After asymmetrical precharging and application of the programming voltage, all the selected memory cells will be set to a program inhibit state as they will be decoupled from the other memory cells in their respective NAND strings, and their channels will be locally boosted to a voltage effective for inhibiting programming. A VSS biased bitline will discharge the locally boosted channel to VSS, thereby allowing programming of the selected memory cell to occur. A VDD biased bitline will have no effect on the precharged NAND string, thereby maintaining a program inhibited state of that selected memory cell. |
| US07952926B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having assist gate
In this AG-AND type flash memory, a layered bit line configuration where a memory array is divided into a plurality of sub blocks, new main bit lines are allocated so as to correspond to each sub block, and a main bit line is selectively connected to a global bit line in an upper layer via a switch is adopted, so that charge sharing write-in is carried out between two main bit lines. Accordingly, write-in of data into the flash memory can be carried out with low power consumption, and the threshold voltage can be controlled with precision. |
| US07952925B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having protection function for each memory block
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array constituted by a plurality of memory blocks, an interface, a write circuit, and a read circuit. A protect flag is written in the memory block. The readout protect flag can be output to an external device through the interface. When a write command is input from the interface, the write circuit executes the write command when the protect flag in the selected memory block has a first value and does not execute the write command when the protect flag has a second value. |
| US07952918B2 |
Method of operating a magnetoresistive RAM
A magnetoresistive random access memory (RAM) may include a plurality of variable resistance devices, a plurality of read bitlines electrically connected to respective variable resistance devices, and a plurality of write bitlines alternating with the read bitlines. The magnetoresistive RAM may be configured to apply a first write current through a first write bitline adjacent to a first variable resistance device when writing a first data to the first variable resistance device, and apply a first inhibition current through a second write bitline adjacent to a second variable resistance device, the second variable resistance device being adjacent to the first write bitline, and between the first write bitline and the second write bitline, and the first write current and the first inhibition current flowing in a same direction. |
| US07952917B2 |
Variable write and read methods for resistive random access memory
Variable write and read methods for resistance random access memory (RRAM) are disclosed. The methods include initializing a write sequence and verifying the resistance state of the RRAM cell. If a write pulse is needed, then two or more write pulses are applied through the RRAM cell to write the desired data state to the RRAM cell. Each subsequent write pulse has substantially the same or greater write pulse duration. Subsequent write pulses are applied to the RRAM cell until the RRAM cell is in the desired data state or until a predetermined number of write pulses have been applied to the RRAM cell. A read method is also disclosed where subsequent read pulses are applied through the RRAM cell until the read is successful or until a predetermined number of read pulses have been applied to the RRAM cell. |
| US07952915B2 |
Core-rotating element of ferromagnetic dot and information memory element using the core of ferromagnetic dot
A novel element capable of simply controlling an in-plane rotational motion of a core (a rising spot of a magnetization) generated in the center of a ferromagnetic dot made by forming a ferromagnetic material into a nanosized disk shape is provided. In addition, a binary information memory element using a core, including a ferromagnetic dot, made of a disk-shaped ferromagnetic material, with a magnetic structure of a magnetic vortex structure, and a current supplier for supplying an alternating current with a predetermined alternating current in the radial direction of the ferromagnetic dot is provided. In the case where the frequency of the current resonates with the intrinsic frequency of the ferromagnetic dot, it is possible to rotate the core in the plane of the dot. Since the core leaks a magnetic field, a microscopic actuator such as a motor can be obtained by using this element. Furthermore, supplying a current having a density not less than a predetermined value reverses the core. This allows the expression of binary information. |
| US07952914B2 |
Memory devices including multi-bit memory cells having magnetic and resistive memory elements and related methods
An integrated circuit memory device may include an integrated circuit substrate, and a multi-bit memory cell on the integrated circuit substrate. The multi-bit memory cell may be configured to store a first bit of data by changing a first characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell and to store a second bit of data by changing a second characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell. Moreover, the first and second characteristics may be different. Related methods are also discussed. |
| US07952910B2 |
Memory device with split power switch
A memory device having a split power switch is provided to improve the writeability of static random access memory (SRAM) cells without adversely compromising their stability. For example, various split power switch circuits are used to permit the voltage or current of a power supply line connected with one side of an SRAM cell to drop during write operations. This drop weakens one side of the SRAM cell and reduces the drive-fight between transistors of the SRAM cell and external write circuitry. As a result, the minimum voltage for writing new logic states into the SRAM cell is reduced to permit overall lower operating voltages for the SRAM cell and related circuitry. By continuing to maintain a second side of the SRAM cell at the reference voltage or current, the SRAM cell can successfully switch to a newly written logic state. |
| US07952904B2 |
Three-dimensional memory-based three-dimensional memory module
Three-dimensional-memory-based three-dimensional memory module (3D2-M2) is a three-dimensional memory module (3D-MM) comprising a plurality of three-dimensional mask-programmable memory (3D-mM) chips. It is an ultra-low-cost, ultra-large-capacity and small-form-factor memory module. By further incorporating a usage-control (UC) block, 3D2-M2 enables a pricing model more acceptable to consumers, i.e. the hardware is sold at a low initial selling price (ISP) and the user only pays for the selected usage(s). |
| US07952903B2 |
Multimedia three-dimensional memory module (M3DMM) system
Multimedia three-dimensional memory module (M3DMM) is an ideal storage for pre-recorded multimedia library (PML). Among all semiconductor storage technologies, (3D)2-MM (i.e. three-dimensional memory-based M3DMM), particularly mask-programmable (3D)2-MM, has the largest storage capacity and is the only one that can store a pre-recorded movie library (PmL) at a reasonable price. |
| US07952901B2 |
Content addressable memory
A content addressable memory (CAM) is disclosed. The CAM has first and second CAM cells in which each adjacent CAM cell is rotated 180° relative to its neighbor, which provides a compact physical arrangement having overall matched CAM array cell and RAM array cell row heights. Further, an interleaved set scheme can be applied to the CAM cells to provide reduced routing of compare signals and reduced parasitic capacitance. |
| US07952898B2 |
Forward converter transformer saturation prevention
A control circuit for use in a power converter in one aspect limits the magnetic flux in a transformer. Controlled current sources produce a first current that is proportional to an input voltage of the power converter and a second current that is proportional to a reset voltage of the transformer. An integrating capacitor is charged with the first current and discharged with the second current, where a voltage on the capacitor is representative of the magnetic flux in the transformer. A logic circuit is adapted to turn off the switch when the voltage on the integrating capacitor is greater than or equal to a first threshold voltage, and to allow the switch to turn on and off in accordance with a pulse width modulation signal after a delay time that begins when the integrating capacitor discharges to a second threshold voltage. |
| US07952892B2 |
DC converters with constant and variable duty ratio switching
A DC converter comprises a half bridge supply circuit and one or more flyback or forward converter output circuits, and optionally also an LLC converter whose control can determine a common variable switching frequency. The half bridge supply circuit produces a 50% duty output alternating between two input voltages, such as zero and a voltage Vin. In each flyback or forward converter output circuit, a switch connects a transformer primary to the half bridge supply circuit output in a PWM controlled manner to regulate a respective flyback or forward converter DC output which is produced by the converter output circuit, with a duty ratio less than 50% whereby switching losses are reduced. Soft switching is further facilitated by the half bridge supply circuit having two transistors controlled in a complementary manner. |
| US07952891B2 |
Anti-electromagnetic interference shielding device
An anti-electromagnetic interference (anti-EMI) shielding device for fastening to a PC board is disclosed. The anti-EMI shielding device includes a frame having an upper lid closed onto an open top thereof, the frame including a plurality of side walls sequentially connected to one another to enclose a space therein and having a receiving hole formed on one of the side walls at a predetermined position; a connector including an annular ring portion, a body portion, and a tubular portion following the body portion, the annular ring portion being located at a front end of the connector for engaging with the receiving hole on the side wall of the frame; and a sealing structure forming a 360-degree sealing between the frame and the connector to effectively prevent electromagnetic wave from leaking out of and entering into the shielding device. |
| US07952890B2 |
Interlocking EMI shield
An electromagnetic interference shield system is provided. Each EMI shield may include a frame providing the structure around the electronic device components to be shielded, and a cover operative to be placed over the frame to prevent electromagnetic radiation from passing over the frame. Each frame may be coupled to a circuit board, and enclose electronic components in need of shielding. Each cover may be coupled to its corresponding frame using at least one snap that extends from the periphery of the cover towards the frame and circuit board. To minimize the space taken by the EMI shields, the snaps of adjacent covers may be offset or staggered so that opposing snaps engage voids left between snaps of the opposing cover, thus reducing the space needed between adjacent EMI shields by up to the width of a snap. |
| US07952883B2 |
Electronic apparatus and in-rack electronic apparatus
A first swinging member is connected to a rack mount unit for swinging movement around a first horizontal axis. A second swinging member is connected to a rack for swinging movement around a second horizontal axis. The second swinging member is coupled to the first swinging member around a third horizontal axis extending in parallel with the first horizontal axis. The rack mount unit is pulled out forward from the rack along a horizontal plane. The first horizontal axis follows the forward movement of the rack mount unit. The second horizontal axis is prevented from moving, since the second horizontal axis is connected to the rack. The first and second swinging members expand around the third horizontal axis. The holding members of the first and second swinging members hold a wire on the first and second swinging members. The wire is thus prevented from tangling. |
| US07952881B2 |
Thermal-electrical assembly for a portable communication device
A thermal-electrical assembly (200) provides with improved heat sinking, electrical shielding and electrical grounding. The thermal-electrical assembly is configured using a shield (202) having a windowed aperture (204), a pliable frame (206) formed of thermally and electrically conductive material having contours (210) that fit within and are retained by the windowed aperture, and a thermal insert (208) formed to fit within the pliable frame. The combination of pliable frame 206 and thermal insert (208) close off the shield (202) while providing contact areas for dissipating heat from heat generating circuitry or components. Communication devices, such as portable radios having tight space constraints, can incorporate the thermal-electrical assembly (200) to minimize electrical emissions while maximizing heat dissipation. |
| US07952880B2 |
Graphics card and heat dissipation method thereof
A graphics card includes a graphics processing unit (GPU), a heat dissipation fin, an electric cooling module and a thermoelectric generator. The electric cooling module has a cold side and a hot side. The cold side contacts the GPU, and the hot side contacts the heat dissipation fin. The thermoelectric generator contacts the heat dissipation fin and is electrically connected to the electric cooling module. Furthermore, a method for dissipating the heat of the graphics card is also disclosed herein. |
| US07952879B1 |
System and apparatus for efficient heat removal from heat-generating electronic modules
This document describes apparatus and methods for a self-contained assembly having an encapsulated electronic module coupled to a heat removal device by a thermally conductive substance. In an illustrative example, the module includes at least one heat dissipating device thermally coupled by internal members to selected portions of a housing. The module housing includes a flat top surface with a perimeter adjoined to side surfaces. In one example, the heat removal device includes a cavity interior surface with an upper surface to match the module top surface, and side walls that match at least 50% by area of the selected portions of the module side surfaces. The cavity interior surface may receive at least 50% of the housing surface area. The matched portion of the cavity side surfaces may be at least 33% by area of the portion of the cavity upper surface that matches the module top surface. |
| US07952877B2 |
Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a connector electrically connecting a sub-board to a main board, a heat producing component mounted on the sub-board, a heat pipe opposed to the heat producing component, a pressing member, and fixing members. The pressing member includes a main part opposed to the heat pipe, and a plurality of fixing parts extending from the main part and being located closer to the connector than the main part is. The plurality of fixing members fix the fixing parts of the pressing member to the sub-board, and fix the sub-board to support members at positions that are closer to the connector than the main part is. |
| US07952858B2 |
Multi-staged hinge assembly and portable electrical device comprising the same
A multi-staged hinge assembly and a portable electrical device comprising the multi-staged hinge assembly are provided. The multi-staged hinge assembly utilizes a non-circular spindle to associate with a plurality of movable elements disposed thereon. One of the body portions of the portable electrical device automatically tilts at an angle after the body portion slides by the multi-staged hinge assembly. The user could further adjust the angle to meet the demands of various situations. |
| US07952855B2 |
Subsea switchgear apparatus
A subsea switchgear apparatus including a frame, at least one electrical power inlet mounted to the frame, at least one electrical power outlet mounted to the frame, a distribution chamber mounted to the frame, and at least one canister mounted to the frame. The at least one canister includes a chamber accommodating at least one high voltage circuit breaker. Electrical connections are arranged in the distribution chamber for electrically connecting a respective circuit breaker of a canister to an associated power inlet and power outlet of the switchgear apparatus. The chamber of the respective canister is separated from the distribution chamber by a pressure barrier. |
| US07952850B1 |
Systems and methods for an electronic demotivator having a recovery switch
An electronic demotivator demotivates a human by passing current via electrodes in tissue or spaced from tissue by a gap. The demotivator includes first and second energy sources, a power supply, and a switch. The first source couples to a first circuit for transferring energy through tissue. The switch conducts after an activation voltage exists. The first circuit includes the switch and first and second electrodes. Coupling causes a first voltage to be divided among the switch and the gap. If the activation voltage does not exist by coupling, the supply increases the energy of the second source for activation. By activation, the second source becomes part of a second circuit for transferring energy from the second source through tissue. The second circuit includes the switch and first and third electrodes to recover when coupling does not lead to ionizing air in the gap. |
| US07952848B2 |
Incorporating electrostatic protection into miniature connectors
Electrostatic discharge protection, also known as ESD protection, is provided in the form of a discrete array with a voltage variable material (VVM) or a VVM device. The array is fabricated with a common electrode for connection to ground, and one or more electrodes configured for connection to an electrical component. The electrical component is a connector attached to an electrical circuit containing devices subject to damage by ESD events. The array is placed into a pocket or space on the connector and is held in place mechanically by spring force or by soldering to leads or electrodes of the connector. The array may be soldered to a ground connection or held in place by pressure, such as from a spring or from an outer housing or shell. In some embodiments, the array is removable from the component without affecting component circuits other than removal of ESD protection. |
| US07952847B2 |
Lightning protection device
The present invention relates to a lightning protection device, comprises: a front cover member; a first insulation member; an electric conduction pin; a second insulation member; a connector, a through hole is longitudinally installed in the connector; a gas tube installed in the through hole; a top cover; and a grounding base having a base hole for accommodating the connector and is contact with the top cover, a screw hole is installed at one end of the base hole for fastening a locking member. The mentioned lightning protection device has advantages of utilizing less components, reducing volume and lowering production cost. |
| US07952845B2 |
V-band radio frequency electrostatic discharge protection circuit
A V-band radio frequency (RF) electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit uses meander inductors and diodes connecting in series to provide ESD protection. When operated in low frequency, the static electricity input from a RF pad may discharge to ground or to a voltage VDD through the meander inductor and the diode, so that a core circuit is not damaged by ESD. When operated in high frequency, the high frequency stray effect of the core circuit is substantially reduced due to impedance isolation generated by the meander inductors. Therefore, a low-noised amplifier (LNA) can receive an accurate high frequency input signal. |
| US07952843B2 |
Arc detection circuit
An arc detector comprising a voltage generator for detecting a voltage and an integrator for integrating said voltage with respect to time and generating an output signal corresponding to said integration. The arc detector also includes a discharge controller for controlling said output signal of said integrator, an amplifier for amplifying said output signal from said integrator and outputting an amplified signal; and a comparator for comparing said amplified output signal to a reference voltage and generating a detection signal based on said comparison. |
| US07952842B2 |
Circuit interrupter
A circuit breaker includes separable contacts; a load conductor; a neutral conductor; and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. An arc fault trip circuit cooperates with the operating mechanism and trips open the separable contacts responsive to detection of an arc fault condition associated with current flowing through the separable contacts. A ground fault trip circuit cooperates with the operating mechanism and is structured to trip open the separable contacts responsive to detection of a ground fault condition associated with current flowing through the separable contacts, the load conductor and the neutral conductor. The arc fault trip circuit includes an integration capacitor, and the ground fault trip circuit includes an output to the integration capacitor. |
| US07952841B2 |
Device for detecting malfunctions by manipulation of an internal voltage supply
A device for determining an interference with a regulated voltage provided by a control loop with a unit for monitoring a control variable of the control loop and a unit for generating a notification signal if the control variable or a change in the time of the control variable is beyond a tolerance range around a normal value. |
| US07952839B2 |
Magnetoresistive element including an antiferromagnetic layer disposed away from a detection surface
An MR element includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, a spacer layer disposed between the first and second ferromagnetic layers; and an antiferromagnetic layer disposed on a side of the first ferromagnetic layer farther from the spacer layer. The antiferromagnetic layer is disposed away from a detection surface. The first ferromagnetic layer includes: a first portion having an end face located in the detection surface and a rear end opposite to the end face; and a second portion located away from the detection surface and connected to the rear end of the first portion. The first portion has a first surface touching the spacer layer, and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and that does not touch the antiferromagnetic layer. The second portion has a third surface touching the antiferromagnetic layer, and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface. The distance between the first surface and the second surface is smaller than the distance between the third surface and an imaginary plane including the first surface. |
| US07952838B2 |
Read head for magnetic storage system
A read head for a rotating magnetic storage system including concentric tracks is disclosed. The read head comprises a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor that reads information from a read track of the magnetic storage medium. First and second shields have a length greater than two tracks in a track width direction and define a gap therebetween, wherein the MR sensor is arranged in the gap. Inner magnetic portions of the first and second shields are spaced a first distance from the read track. Outer magnetic portions of the first and second shields are spaced a second distance from adjacent tracks to the read track, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance. |
| US07952829B2 |
Detecting contact between a slider and a data storage medium without a separate contact-detection voltage source
A circuit includes a slider, a data storage medium and a contact detection circuit electrically coupled to the slider and to the data storage medium. The contact detection circuit is configured to sense an electrical current indicative of contact between the slider and the data storage medium and responsively provide a contact detection output. The electrical current is produced without the application of a separate voltage between the slider and the data storage medium. |
| US07952827B2 |
Heat-assisted magnetic recording method using eddy current and head for heat-assisted magnetic recording
A heat-assisted magnetic head that can efficiently and locally heat a magnetic recording medium. The head includes a heating coil element, and a write head element for writing data signals by generating a signal magnetic field, and a read head element for reading data signals by sensing the signal magnetic field. The heating coil element comprises a main heating magnetic pole layer, an auxiliary heating magnetic pole layer, and a heating coil layer for generating a magnetic flux in the main heating magnetic pole layer and the auxiliary heating magnetic pole layer and passing through at least between the main heating magnetic pole layer and the auxiliary heating magnetic pole layer. The read head element, heating coil element, and the write head element are stacked in this order from an element-formed surface of a substrate. |
| US07952826B2 |
Method operating hard disk drive on the basis of predicted defect using hierarchical clustering and curve fit
A method of operating a hard disk drive (HDD) on the basis of a predicted new defect in a disk associated with the HDD is disclosed. The method includes detecting defects in a magnetic surface of the disk, defining a plurality of clusters by grouping the detected defects using a hierarchical clustering algorithm, calculating a curve fit for each one of the plurality of clusters, predicting a new defect likely to occur in the magnetic surface of the disk on the basis of the calculated curve fit; and writing data to the disk on the basis of the new defect prediction. |
| US07952823B2 |
Method for transmitting digital audio and video information
A method for digital information including at least one of digital video information and digital audio information to a transmission path. The method includes compressing the digital video information by a first compression method, bit compressing the digital audio information by a second compression method which is different from the first compression method, and adding error-detection information to both the digital video information and the digital audio information. |
| US07952815B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes an imaging optical system having front and rear optical elements with a spring installed therebetween; a reference barrel which includes a forward-facing limit surface and a rearward-facing limit surface; a first position control mechanism which includes a first rotational member and a first limit member, and varies a position of the front optical element in the optical axis direction relative to the reference barrel; and a second position control mechanism which includes a second rotational member and a second limit member, and varies a position of the rear optical element in the optical axis direction relative to the reference barrel. The first limit member is brought into contact with the rearward-facing limit surface by a forward biasing force of the spring while the second limit member is brought into contact with the forward-facing limit surface by a rearward biasing force of the spring. |
| US07952805B2 |
Solar control film
A transparent solar control film may have a single or multiple layer core that includes at least one layer of an orientated thermoplastic polymer material. Infrared radiation absorbing nanoparticles that preferentially absorb at least about 100 times more infrared radiation than visible radiation may be dispersed within the at least one layer of an oriented thermoplastic polymer layer. The transparent solar control film may have a haze value of less than about 5 percent. |
| US07952800B2 |
Variable power relay optical system and microscope equipped therewith
A variable power relay optical system comprising: a variable power lens performing zooming a secondary image based on light from a primary image; and a rear group forming the secondary image based on the light passing through the variable power lens; the variable power lens consisting of, in order from the primary image side, a first group having positive power, a second group having negative power, a third group having positive power, and a fourth group having positive power, upon zooming from a high magnification end to a low magnification end, the fourth group being moved to the secondary image side, and a distance between the first group and the second group increasing, positions of the primary image and the secondary image, an entrance pupil of the variable power relay optical system, a pupil of the variable power lens, and an exit pupil of the variable power relay optical system being substantially kept constant, and the pupil of the variable power lens being disposed to the secondary image side of the last surface of the variable power lens. |
| US07952797B2 |
Reflective optical element and EUV lithography appliance
A reflective optical element and an EUV lithography appliance containing one such element are provided, the appliance displaying a low propensity to contamination. The reflective optical element has a protective layer system consisting of at least one layer. The optical characteristics of the protective layer system are between those of a spacer and an absorber, or correspond to those of a spacer. The selection of a material with the smallest possible imaginary part and a real part which is as close to 1 as possible in terms of the refractive index leads to a plateau-type reflectivity course according to the thickness of the protective layer system between two thicknesses d1 and d2. The thickness of the protective layer system is selected in such a way that it is less than d2. |
| US07952794B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus including: two substrates at least one of which is transparent; and display particles that are sealed between the substrates in a powder state so that by generating an electric field between the substrates, the display particles are moved to display an image; wherein, of contact surfaces with the display particles in a gap between the substrates, both of the surfaces on the substrate sides have oxide layers of the same metal, and the display particles include positively chargeable display particles and negatively chargeable display particles, and both of the positively chargeable display particles and the negatively chargeable display particles have structures obtained by successively forming oxide layers of the same metal as that of the metal oxide layers possessed by the surfaces on the substrate sides and organic layers on the surfaces of base particles that contain at least a resin and a colorant. |
| US07952791B2 |
Electrophoretic particle, electrophoretic particle dispersion liquid, image display medium, and image display device
Disclosed is an electrophoretic particle comprising a polymer component on a surface thereof which polymer component is a copolymer obtained from materials comprising at least a monomer component represented by a following general formula (I): wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and a monomer component represented by a following general formula (II): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R1, represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group whose carbon number is 1 to 4, n represents a natural number, and x represents an integer of 1 to 3. |
| US07952789B2 |
MEMS devices with multi-component sacrificial layers
Methods of forming a protective coating on one or more surfaces of a microelectromechanical device are disclosed comprising the steps of forming a composite layer of a sacrificial material and a protective material, and selectively etching the sacrificial material to form a protective coating. The protective coatings of the invention preferably improve one or more aspects of the performance of the microelectromechanical devices in which they are incorporated. Also disclosed are microelectromechanical devices formed by methods of the invention, and visual display devices incorporating such devices. |
| US07952788B2 |
Method and device for selective adjustment of hysteresis window
The width and location of a hysteresis window of an interferometric modulator may be altered by adjusting various physical characteristics of the interferometric modulator. Thus, depending on the particular application for which the interferometric modulators are manufactured, the width and location of the hysteresis window may be altered. For example, in some applications, reducing the power required to operate an array of interferometric modulators may be an important consideration. In other applications, the speed of the interferometric modulators may be of more importance, where the speed of an interferometric modulator, as used herein, refers to the speed of actuating and relaxing the moveable mirror. In other applications, the cost and ease of manufacturing may be of most importance. Systems and methods are introduced that allow selection of a width and location of a hysteresis window by adjusting various physical characteristics. |
| US07952784B2 |
Method and device for emitting mixed light colors
In order to avoid firstly decidedly periodic loading of an output-buffered constant current power supply unit (17) and secondly physiological loading as a result of only intermittently appearing primary colors (R, G, B) when activating mixed light color loci, primary color light sources (11R, 11G, 11B) are energized in pulse-width-modulated fashion periodically in a temporally offset manner, but in addition in each instance, in time-parallel fashion with respect thereto, also those primary color light sources of further primary color light sources (11R, 11G, 11B) whose primary colors in the cyclic activation are not being energized at that time are likewise energized in a pulse-width-modulated manner (FIG. 2). If, in addition, white light light sources (11W) are intended to be used, they are expediently in each case energized simultaneously with one of the primary color light sources (11R, 11G, 11B) and the other two of these primary color light sources, on the other hand, are energized in a temporally offset manner simultaneously in pairs. |
| US07952782B2 |
Observing device and method to observe a three-dimensional flow field
An observing device for observing a flow field in a detection space is provided. The observing device includes a light source generating a light beam, a light-deflecting device deflecting the light beam, and a light sheet-generating component receiving the light beam deflected by the light-deflecting device and generating a light sheet in the detection space corresponding to the deflected light beam. |
| US07952779B2 |
Stabilizing oscillation amplitude of torsion oscillator at predetermined frequency
A control method of stabilizing the oscillation amplitude of a torsion oscillator is described. The method includes the steps of: driving a torsion oscillator at a predetermined frequency with a drive energy level by a control module to generate a scanning angle of the incident light beam, wherein the drive energy level is associated with the predetermined frequency; comparing the scanning angle corresponding to the drive energy level with a designate scanning angle by the control module; and adjusting the drive energy level based on the comparison result until the scanning angle of the torsion oscillator is equal to the designate scanning angle. |
| US07952777B2 |
Three-dimensional video display apparatus
In a three-dimensional video display apparatus, accommodation and convergence among physiological characteristics of eyes are abandoned, thereby resulting in generation of unnatural three-dimensional video. For example, even when eyes are moved, a screen is not changed, and a cardboard effect and/or a miniature garden effect may be caused, so that the eyes may be greatly fatigued. Light emission sources 1R, 1G, and 1I, holograms 3R, 3G, and 3I, and a transparent display component 4 are provided, and a plurality of reflectors 6 are formed in the display component 4 so as to be positioned at intersections in a space lattice. Lights 2R, 2G, and 2I emitted from the light emission sources 1R, 1G, and 1I are incident on the holograms 3R, 3G, and 3I, respectively, and a plurality of diffracted converging lights 5G, 5B, and 5I are generated through the holograms 3R, 3G, and 3I, respectively, and each focused on light focusing points near the plurality of reflectors 6, and the diffracted converging lights 5G, 5B, and 5I are each reflected by the plurality of reflectors 6, and emitted to the outside through an emission surface 7s of the display component 4. |
| US07952776B2 |
Hologram reading apparatus, hologram reading method, hologram recording apparatus and hologram recording method
A hologram reading apparatus includes: a unit for holding a hologram recording medium in which data page is recorded by irradiating as a single beam both reference light and signal light modulated by a spatial light modulator including a first pixel area for modulating the reference light and a second pixel area for modulating the signal light, a direction of an arrangement period of pixels in the first pixel area being different from that in the second pixel area; a Fourier transform lens subjecting reproduction light to a Fourier transformation; a filter disposed shielding the reference light at a first spatial frequency band and transmitting the signal light at a second spatial frequency band; and a unit for receiving the reproduction light and reading the data page modulated to the signal light included in the reproduction light. |
| US07952773B2 |
Image formation device and support body
An image formation device is provided with an image formation section, an image acquisition section, a paper supply cassette and a support body. The image formation section forms images at a recording medium and is supported at a base surface. The image acquisition section is disposed at an upper side of the image formation section. The paper supply cassette is disposed at a lower side of the image formation section and can be drawn out to a near side. The support body supports the image acquisition section at the base surface and forms a cassette cavity which is capable of accommodating a far side of the paper supply cassette. |
| US07952772B2 |
Photonic crystal fiber sensor
Apparatus and method for chemical and biological agent sensing. An example sensing apparatus includes a resonator having a resonance frequency. The resonator includes a coil of a photonic crystal fiber. The photonic crystal fiber has a solid region configured to guide a substantially single optical mode of light having, a cladding surrounding an exterior of the solid region, and at least one hollow core within the cladding. The cladding contains at least one hollow core. The photonic crystal fiber is configured to introduce a fluid that may contain an analyte to the hollow core. The photonic crystal fiber is configured so that the light interacts with the fluid. The resonator is configured to produce a resonance signal centered at the resonance frequency. A predetermined change in the resonance signal indicates a presence of a quantity of the analyte in the fluid. |
| US07952771B2 |
Image data processing device, image display device, driving video data generating method and computer program product
This image data processing device DP1 is equipped with a frame video data acquiring unit 40 and driving video data generator 50. The frame video data acquiring unit 40 acquires first frame video data FR(N) that shows first original images, as well as second frame video data FR(N+1) that show second original images that are displayed following the first original images. The driving video data generator 50 generates first through fourth driving video data DFI1(N), DFI2(N), DFI1(N+1), DFI2(N+1) that respectively show first through fourth driving images to be sequentially displayed on the image display device. First and second driving video data DFI1(N), DFI2(N) are generated based on first frame video data FR(N). Third and fourth driving video data DFI1(N+1), DFI2(N+1) are generated based on second frame video data FR(N+1). The color of the pixel in a part of the second driving image constitutes the complementary color of the color of the corresponding pixel in the first driving image. The color of the pixel in a part of the third driving image constitutes the complementary color of the color of the corresponding pixel to the fourth driving image. |
| US07952770B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes: a reading table having a transparent plate having an exposed area which constitutes a part of an outer surface of the table exposed to the exterior, and on which a document with an image thereon is placed; a document holding member movable relative to the table and between a closed and an open position, and thus holding the document and covering the plate; a scanning device disposed on a side of the plate opposite to the side on which the document is placed on the plate, the scanning device being reciprocated in a direction along the plate; an image reading device mounted in the scanning device and including a light source, the reading device emitting light from the light source toward the document on the plate, and receiving the reflected light from the document, to read the image thereby; a control unit controlling reading by the reading device, and a reciprocating movement of the scanning device; a reference member disposed within the exposed area, and used as a reference when an amount of the light emitted from the light source is adjusted; and an external-light detector determining whether external light is entering the table, based on at least one value obtained as a result of reading the reference member. |
| US07952769B2 |
Systems and methods for image processing coding/decoding
An image processing system includes a coding device configured to code input image data, and a decoding device configured to decode the coded input image data, wherein, if coding and decoding are repeated on the input image data, the image quality of an image corresponding to the input image data is deteriorated. The decoding device includes an input section inputting quantized data in which the input image data is quantized; and a decoding section dequantizing the quantized data that is input by the input section and converting a dequantized value obtained as a result of the quantization into a value in the vicinity of the boundary of a quantization threshold value within a range corresponding to the dequantized value when the quantization is performed. |
| US07952763B2 |
Smoothly changing gray levels in color transforms
Systems and methods, including computer software products, for processing gray colors in a conversion between color spaces involve identifying a non-pure gray color value in a color space that represents a substantially gray color. The methods further include converting the non-pure gray color value to a corresponding pure gray color value in the color space. The methods also include determining a first difference vector between the non-pure gray color value and the corresponding pure gray color value. The methods further include determining a distance between the corresponding pure gray color value and a selected color value. The corresponding pure gray color value represents a nearest pure gray color value to the selected color value. The methods also includes determining a correction factor based on the first difference vector and the distance and applying the correction factor to the selected color value to produce a corrected color value. |
| US07952760B2 |
Color management system that enables dynamic balancing of performance with flexibility
A method and system for allowing a computer system platform the ability to intervene in the content workflow and perform additional color management based upon the content state and any color management policies in place is provided. Profile data from a source is converted to an intermediate color space upon entry into the platform at a choke point. In response to the current color content, profile data, and/or policy controls of the platform, color management input can be managed to change color management data immediately, change color management data at a later point, and/or ignore color management data. |
| US07952757B2 |
Production of color conversion profile for printing
A system is configured to calculate an evaluation index of sample ink amount data from a color difference evaluation index and an image quality evaluation index and create a profile on the basis of a sample with a high rating value. When the image quality evaluation index is predicted, the image quality evaluation index corresponding to any sample ink amount data is estimated based on a profile produced on the basis on actual evaluation. A printer driver is configured to create a plurality of profiles by using different indices in this system and to perform color conversion by using the plurality of profiles. The plurality of profiles are appropriately selected according to the user's needs, printing conditions, and type of printing object image. |
| US07952756B1 |
Methods and systems for encoding over-range color values using in-range values
A method includes receiving an input file comprising input color values in a first color space. The at least one input color value includes an over-range color value in the first color space. The method also includes encoding the input color values including encoding each over-range color value as an in-range color value in the first color space to generate encoded input color values. The method further includes creating an output file that includes the encoded color values and an indicator. The indicator indicates that the output file includes encoded color values. |
| US07952755B2 |
Ink-jet recording device, image processing device and image processing method, for performing sharpness processing of image
Color processing is performed for each image data, so as to switch generating methods for black data to perform appropriate sharpness processing regarding image data wherein sharpness of printing results is important and image data wherein gradation of the image is important. A recording device is provided, wherein by performing such processing, black images such as characters or lines maintain sharpness or clarity, and picture images can be formed as high quality images. |
| US07952750B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
There is provided an image processing apparatus configured to generate code information represented by a dot array and attach the code information on an image. The image processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine one pattern from among a plurality of patterns wherein locations to attach the code information differ from each other, and an attaching unit configured to attach the code information on a location corresponding to the pattern determined by the determination unit. |
| US07952749B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and printing system
An apparatus capable processing form data including a variable region acquires image data to be inserted into the variable region of the form data. The apparatus calculates a scaling rate between the acquired image data prior to being scaled for insertion into the variable region and corresponding image data that has been scaled for insertion into the variable region. The apparatus determines image data to be check-printed based on the calculated scaling rate and generates print data for check-printing the image data to be check-printed in a condition in which the image data to be check-printed has been scaled for insertion into the variable region. |
| US07952744B2 |
Controlling a configuration of an image forming apparatus
A method and system for printing documents based on Java commands. A Java printer receives page layout requests and converts the requests into a rasterized image which is transferred to a recording medium. Page layout can be interactively modified. The Java printer also monitors print requests and is configurable using a World Wide Web interface. |
| US07952742B2 |
Information processing apparatus for processing print data, method thereof and media in storage of control program of executing such method
A method in an information processing apparatus of transmitting print data to a printing apparatus that is caused to print is disclosed. The method includes a transmitting process of transmitting, to the printing apparatus, identification information for specifying print data; and an obtaining process of obtaining update information of print data, corresponding with the relevant identification information, being present inside the printing apparatus. And, the transmitting process transmits difference data between the print data corresponding with the update information that the obtaining process has obtained and print data that are intended to be transmitted. |
| US07952738B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method of installing an application therein, and program installing an application therein
Provided is an image processing apparatus, comprising a first function-judging unit of judging the function used by an installed application, a second function-judging unit of judging the functions available in the device, and a control unit of terminating and/or eliminating the function unused by the installed application, based on the results obtained in the first function-judging unit and the second function-judging unit when the application is installed. |
| US07952736B2 |
Received document input and output device and input and output method of received document
A received document input and output device connected to a network and using a plurality of communication protocols, the document input and output device communicating documents in various data forms with a plurality of information devices, includes a storing part configured to store the documents received via a communication part; a printing part configured to print the documents; a setting part configured to set management information; and a periodic implementation part configured to control the parts processing the document based on the management information and an output of a clock part configured to count day and time. |
| US07952732B2 |
Image processing apparatus
A digital multi-function peripheral appends, according to the predetermined specific image information appending conditions, the image data which meets the appending conditions with the specific image information in a form which is set in accordance with the appending conditions when image data which is read at an image reading portion or image data which is externally entered via a FAX modem or communication portion is used for image formation at a printing portion. It is set so that the specific image information is appended to high secrecy image data. When trying to copy the printed image in which the specific image information is embedded, the copy machine which has detected the specific image information will not output the copied image or output a copy sheet having thereon characters such as “Copy Prohibited”. |
| US07952729B2 |
Measuring instrument for determining the actual condition of wheel sets
A measuring instrument has a first section for rolling a wheelset under lateral guidance of the wheelset into a measurement section with an auxiliary rail for supporting the wheelset on the outer edges of its wheels and a third section for rolling out the wheelset into the railway track, with the first and third section of the measuring instrument also designed as track panels and for which the optical beam devices under the measurement section are intended. The first and third section of the measuring instrument are flexibly embedded in the ballast of the superstructure of the railway track, while at least one of the optical beam devices is mounted vibration-free on the formation of the railway track in a pre-determined position in relation to the measurement section of the measuring instrument with no contact to the other parts of the measuring instrument. |
| US07952723B2 |
Optical coherence tomography apparatus
An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a light source for generating a low-coherent light beam, which is split into a probe light beam toward the object and a reference light beam toward a reference optical path. The probe light beam is swept one-dimensionally at a predetermined frequency. An interference light beam is produced by interference between the probe light beam from the object and the reference light beam that has traveled along the reference optical path. The interference light beam is re-swept in the same direction and at the same frequency as the probe light beam. A two-dimensional image-capturing device detects the re-swept interference light beam at a frame rate corresponding to the light beam sweeping frequency and produces a video signal, which is processed to provide reflection intensity information of an interior of an object to be measured. Since the two-dimensional image-capturing means is employed and interference information is obtained using low-speed beam sweeping and re-sweeping means, a scanning optical system can be straightforwardly constructed. |
| US07952718B2 |
High resolution optical coherence tomography based imaging for intraluminal and interstitial use implemented with a reduced form factor
Mechanically robust minimal form factor OCT probes suitable for medical applications such as needle biopsy, intraluminal and intravascular imaging are achieved in part by employing compound lenses with some or all of the optical elements, including an optical fiber, to be thermally fused in tandem. To achieve a desired working distance without increasing a diameter of the optics assembly, a spacer can be disposed between the optical fiber and focusing optics. The compound lens configuration can achieve higher transverse resolution compared to a single lens at a desired working distance without increasing the probe diameter. In exemplary needle biopsy embodiments, the optical assembly is encapsulated in a glass housing or metal-like housing with a glass window, which is then selectively passed through a hollow needle. Esophageal imaging embodiments are combined with a balloon catheter. Circumferential and three-dimensional spiral scanning can be achieved in each embodiment. |
| US07952717B2 |
Temperature measuring apparatus and temperature measuring method
A temperature measuring apparatus includes a light source, a first splitter, a second splitter, a reference beam reflector, an optical path length adjuster, a reference beam transmitting member, a first to an nth measuring beam transmitting member and a photodetector. The temperature measuring apparatus further includes a controller that stores, as initial peak position data, positions of interference peaks respectively measured in advance by irradiating the first to the nth measuring beam onto the first to the nth measurement point of the temperature measurement object, and compares the initial peak position data to positions of interference peaks respectively measured during a temperature measurement to thereby estimate a temperature at each of the first to the nth measurement point. |
| US07952714B2 |
Apparatus for detection of the accuracy of format of a web of corrugated cardboard
An apparatus for detection of the accuracy of format of a web of corrugated cardboard moved in a conveying direction comprises a light source which emits a light band to the surface of the web of corrugated cardboard in a direction crosswise of the conveying direction and at an angle to the web of corrugated cardboard. A measuring camera detects the different light intensities of the light reflected by the plane portions and the profiled patterns of the web of corrugated cardboard. This electronic image in the camera is evaluated by an evaluation device for determining the distance of the profiled patterns from each other. |
| US07952713B2 |
Bonding agent sticking inspection apparatus, mounting apparatus, and method of manufacturing electrical component
A bonding agent sticking inspection apparatus includes a photographing section, a movement section, and a control section. The photographing section photographs an image of a substrate. The image includes a sticking expected range indicating a range in which a bonding agent should be positioned. The control section controls the photographing section and the movement section, sets an inspection region having a width equal to the pitch between electrodes in an entire edge part in a direction in which the electrodes are arranged in a peripheral edge part of the sticking expected range in the image, detects a ratio of a nicked part of the bonding agent to the inspection region, and judges whether or not an abnormality is present in the bonding agent on the basis of a comparison between the ratio of the nicked part and a threshold set in advance. |
| US07952712B2 |
Method for detecting equatorial plane
To provide a method for detecting the equatorial plane, capable of detecting directly an equatorial plane that has the optical axis as the axis thereof, in a spherical optically uniaxial crystal. The method for detecting the equatorial plane as set forth in a first form of the present invention is a method for detecting an equatorial plane of a spherical member made from a single crystal of an optically uniaxial crystal having birefringence, comprising: a step for causing light to be incident on the spherical member through a polarizer; and a step for observing the isogyre that is structured by the light that is emitted from the spherical member through an analyzer that has a cross-nicol relationship with the polarizer; wherein the isogyre is an isogyre that is observed when the oscillating direction of the polarizer or the analyzer is near to parallel with the optical axis of the spherical member. |
| US07952708B2 |
High throughput measurement system
A substrate processing system includes a processing module to process a substrate, a factory interface module configured to accommodate at least one cassette for holding the substrate, a spectrographic monitoring system positioned in or adjoining the factory interface module, and a substrate handler to transfer the substrate between the at least one cassette, the spectrographic monitoring system and the processing module. |
| US07952692B2 |
Method and apparatus for determination of analyte concentration
A method and system are presented for use in determination of the concentration of an analyte in a subject's medium. The medium is irradiated with at least two radiation components to produce detectable radiation responses of the medium thereto. These at least two radiation components are selected to have different mean wavelengths and such that the spectral bandwidth of at least one of said at least two radiation components is characterized by relatively high variability of the extinction coefficient of the analyte of interest across said spectral bandwidth. This enables analysis of data indicative of detected radiation responses of the medium to said at least two radiation components and determination of the concentration of said analyte. |
| US07952689B2 |
Method and arrangement for performing triggering and timing of triggering
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for performing triggering and for determining a triggering moment. In the solution, a unipolar electrical pulse of a detector (106, 118) is converted between the detector (106, 118) and a first amplifier (108, 120) succeeding the detector into at least one bipolar electrical oscillation. The bipolar electrical oscillation is amplified with at least one amplifier (108, 120) and triggering is performed at a zero level between the extreme values of the bipolar electrical oscillation. In addition, a triggering moment is determined, at which the amplified bipolar electrical oscillation crosses the zero level between its extreme values. |
| US07952687B2 |
Measuring device
The invention relates to measuring device, particularly a distance measuring device for contactlessly measuring distance, comprising a housing (12) made of at least one first material and with at least one electronic component (56), which is arranged inside an interior (48) of the housing (12), as well as with a second material that at least partially surrounds the housing (48). The invention provides that the second material also seals at least one opening (63) of the housing interior (48). The invention also relates to a method for producing a measuring device of the aforementioned type during which the second material is provided as a sealing element that seals at least one opening of the housing interior. |
| US07952686B2 |
Stage apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A stage apparatus that includes a stage and moves the stage in at least a first direction. The stage apparatus also includes a plurality of holding units fixed on the stage to extend in the first direction, in which the first direction is a longitudinal direction. Each of the holding units includes a first portion. A second portion is arranged between the first portion and the stage and a third portion is arranged between the second portion and the stage. The first portion includes a holding surface to hold an object. A length of the second portion in the first direction is less than a length of the first portion in the first direction, and the length of the second portion in the first direction is less than a length of the third portion in the first direction. Ends of the second portion are determined by two slits extending from both ends of the holding units in the first direction towards a central portion of the holding units, and the first portion is connected to the third portion at only one point via the second portion. |
| US07952685B2 |
Illuminator for a lithographic apparatus and method
An illuminator for a lithographic apparatus, the illuminator including an illumination mode defining element and a plurality of polarization modifiers, the polarization modifiers being moveable into or out of partial intersection with a radiation beam having an angular and spatial distribution as governed by an illumination mode defining element. |
| US07952677B2 |
Array substrate for in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate lines on a substrate including a display region and a non-display region at a periphery of the display region; a plurality of common lines in the display region and parallel to the gate line, an end of each of the common lines disposed in the non-display region; a plurality of gate link lines each connected to an end of each of the gate lines and disposed in the non-display region; a gate insulating layer on the gate lines, the common lines and the gate link lines; a plurality of data lines on the gate insulating layer and crossing the gate lines to define a plurality of pixel regions in the display region; a first auxiliary common line on the gate insulating layer and in the non-display region, the first auxiliary common line crossing the gate link lines; a passivation layer on the data lines and the first auxiliary common line, the passivation layer including a first contact hole exposing the end of each of the common lines and a second contact hole exposing a portion of the first auxiliary common line; and a second auxiliary common line on the passivation layer and overlapping the first auxiliary common line, the second auxiliary common line electrically connected to the first auxiliary common line through the second contact hole and each of the common lines though the first contact hole, wherein the second auxiliary common line has substantially the same shape as the first auxiliary common line. |
| US07952676B2 |
Connection structures capable of reducing distortion of signal
Provided is a connection structure capable of reducing the distortion of a signal. The connection structure includes a first interconnection layer including a plurality of signal lines configured to transmit an operating signal generated by a driver to a receiver; a second interconnection layer including at least one ground line configured to connect the driver and ground terminals of the receiver; and an insulating layer interposed between the first and second interconnection layers to electrically insulate the signal lines from the ground line. |
| US07952670B2 |
Liquid crystal display comprising a semiconductor layer integrally formed and including a crossover portion, a TFT portion, and a connection portion and manufacturing method for the same
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display that includes a gate electrode and line formed on a transparent insulating substrate, a gate insulating film covering the gate electrode and line, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating film, a source electrode, a source line, and a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor layer, and a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode. The semiconductor layer is integrally formed of three portions which are a crossover portion of the source line and the drain line, a TFT portion, and a connecting portion connecting the crossover portion to the TFT portion. A part of the crossover portion on the connecting portion side and the whole connecting portion are covered by the source electrode and the source line. |
| US07952664B2 |
Array substrate for a reflective liquid crystal display device with asymmetric curved profiles and manufacturing method for the same
An array substrate of a reflective liquid crystal display device including gate and data lines on the substrate, a thin film transistor adjacent to where a gate line and a data line cross over each other, wherein the thin film transistor has a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a passivation layer with an uneven surface having curved profiles that are asymmetric over the thin film transistor, and an opaque conductive pixel electrode having a reflective surface with curved profiles that are asymmetric on the passivation layer. |
| US07952663B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a transflective liquid crystal display device having a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the two substrates and a reflective region and a transmissive region in each pixel; the second substrate has a pixel electrode to drive the liquid crystal layer and a common electrode; the reflective region of the second substrate is formed with an in-cell polarizer between the pixel electrode and common electrode and the reflector. In this invention, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is set greater in the reflective region than in the transmissive region. The difference in the liquid crystal layer thickness between the reflective region and the transmissive region is provided by forming a step in the first substrate or the second substrate. |
| US07952662B2 |
Transflective display device
A transflective display device capable of suppressing white balance from shifting to yellow includes filters of R, G, B, and Y, and a region corresponding to a reflective member in the Y filter is covered with a BM. Therefore, filters used in the reflective display are limited to three colors of R, G, and B, and thereby white balance can be prevented from shifting to yellow. |
| US07952658B2 |
IPS LCD device having a wider viewing angle
An in-plane-switching-mode (IPS) LCD device includes a TFT substrate and a CF substrate sandwiching therebetween an LC layer, and a pair of polarizing films sandwiching therebetween the substrates and the LC layer. Each polarizing film has a polarization layer and a protective layer. An optical compensation layer having a birefringence is disposed between the light-emitting-side polarizing film and to the CF substrate. The optical compensation layer has an in-plane retardation of N1 satisfying the following relationship: 83.050−0.810×D1≦N1≦228.090−0.74D1 in the range of 0 |
| US07952652B2 |
Thin film transistor liquid crystal display
In a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), a connection is formed between the gate line and the common electrode line with TFTs. During scanning in one frame, a high voltage signal is applied to the pixels in a next row before the next row is turned on, i.e., a black image is inserted in the normal white mode. When the pixels in one row are in operation and the pixels in the next row are not turned on, a black image data is inserted into the next row. A high voltage is applied before the pixels in a row of the TFT-LCD are turned on, so that a black image is inserted and tailing of motion picture can be alleviated. |
| US07952648B2 |
Broadcast reception module and broadcast device using the same
A broadcast module includes a receiver for selecting the signal of a specific channel from the signals of a plurality of channels under control of a controller; a demodulator connected to the output of the receiver; a detector for detecting the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal selected by the receiver; and a comparator for comparing the signal-to-noise ratio detected by the detector with a predetermined level. The broadcast module can reduce the time required to specify a viewable channel. |
| US07952644B2 |
Adaptive de-interlacer and method thereof
An adaptive de-interlacer can convert an interlaced video signal into a progressive video signal, and comprises a motion detector, an intra-field interpolator, an inter-field interpolator, a motion aliasing artifact detector and a blending unit. The motion detector generates an alpha value for each interpolated pixel in a current field of the interlaced video signal based on successive fields of the interlaced video signal. The intra-field interpolator outputs an intra-field interpolated pixel based on the current field, and the inter-field interpolator also outputs an inter-field interpolated pixel based on the successive fields. Afterward, the motion aliasing artifact detector detects whether the interpolated pixel is located in a motion aliasing area. The blending unit receives and mixes the intra-field interpolated pixel and inter-field interpolated pixel based on the alpha value from the motion detector and the detection result from the motion aliasing artifact detector so as to determine the interpolated pixel. |
| US07952642B2 |
Display system adaptable to changes in video signals and method thereof
A display system adaptable to changes in video signals and a method thereof display a video signal, which has a first display aspect ratio, in a display system, which has a second display aspect ratio. The display system includes a receiving unit for receiving the video signal, a detecting unit for detecting the first display aspect ratio of the video signal and a comparing unit for comparing the first display aspect ratio with the second display aspect ratio according to the first display aspect ratio detected by the detecting unit, and determining whether at least one covering structure is enabled in the display system so as to show the video signal corresponding to the display system. |
| US07952641B2 |
Sensor for imaging inside equipment
A system for monitoring performance of a machine for detection of visible signs of failure, the system including: a machine enclosure housing a plurality of machine parts; a visual conduit for providing a view of an interior of the machine; an interface to the machine configured to receive images from the visual conduit; and a repair network for linking the interface to a monitoring center that provides for the repair of problems with the machine. |
| US07952638B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer readable storage medium for acquiring state information from a photographing apparatus
An information processing apparatus that acquires, from a photographing apparatus that photographs a subject and records image data obtained as a result of the photographing, state information indicating a present state of the photographing apparatus includes: a state acquiring unit that acquires the state information from the photographing apparatus on a real time basis; a data acquiring unit that acquires image data recorded in the photographing apparatus; a recording control unit that causes an accumulating unit that accumulates the image data acquired by the data acquiring unit to record the image data; and a presenting unit that presents the state information acquired by the state acquiring unit on a real time basis. |
| US07952637B2 |
Display apparatus and method for display backlight control thereof
A display apparatus in which a long-time depression of a button for predetermined operations is discriminated, and a light-intensity of a display apparatus is modulated to a maximum or minimum intensity when a long-time depression is identified. This allows for setting a light intensity of a display apparatus by a simple operation. |
| US07952632B2 |
Image recording device and method
A camera device for recording an image comprises an image sensor having a plurality of light-sensitive image cells. The image cells can be selectively addressed in order to read their image signal values. The device also has a plurality of memory cells for storing identification codes, with an identification code being assigned to each image cell. The image cells and the memory cells are coupled to one another such that, when an image signal value is read from an image cell, the assigned identification code can also be read. |
| US07952627B2 |
Solid-state image capturing apparatus and electric information device
A solid-state image capturing apparatus is provided, and, in a pixel of a 3TR structure, the solid-state image capturing apparatus increases the reset electric potential of the signal charge accumulation section upon a reset operation so that an electric potential difference between the signal voltage and the reset voltage upon transferring of a signal charge is sufficiently secured, a complete transferring of the signal charge is easily performed from the photoelectric conversion element to the signal charge accumulation section, and a stable condition is provided. |
| US07952624B2 |
Image pickup device having a color filter for dividing incident light into multiple color components and image processing system using the same
In a multilayer film filter formed of inorganic dielectric materials, a spacer layer has different thicknesses to form a plurality of color-transmissive filter elements having multiple different spectral characteristics on an image sensor. |
| US07952623B2 |
Solid state imaging device and image pickup apparatus
A solid state imaging device comprises: a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on the semiconductor substrate in a row direction and a column direction substantially perpendicular to the row direction, wherein said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are divided to first and second groups, when positions of the photoelectric conversion elements of the second group are considered as reference positions, the photoelectric conversion elements of the first group are disposed at positions shifted in a given direction from the reference positions in such a manner that each of the photoelectric conversion elements of the first group adjoins the each of the photoelectric conversion elements of the second group, spectral filters are respectively provided upwardly of light receiving surfaces of the photoelectric conversion elements of the first group, the spectral filters comprising three or more kinds of spectral filters respectively transmitting different color components, and luminance filters are respectively provided upwardly of light receiving surfaces of the photoelectric conversion elements of the second group, the luminance filters each having a spectral characteristic correlated with luminance component of the light. |
| US07952617B2 |
Automatic image quality adjustment according to brightness of subject
The image processing device performs image processing using image data generated by an image generating device, and image generation record information associated with the image data where the image generation record information includes at least operating information about the image generating device at the time of generation of the image data. A picture quality adjuster is able, when the image generation record information includes subject brightness information relating to the brightness of a subject at the time of generation of the image data, to adjust the picture quality of the image data using the subject brightness level derived from the subject brightness information. |
| US07952615B2 |
Apparatus for digital image stabilization using object tracking and method thereof
Apparatus for digital image stabilization using object tracking includes an image signal processing unit that outputs a first digital image obtained under a first exposure value condition and a plurality of second digital images obtained under a second exposure value condition. The apparatus also includes a shaky hand compensating unit that compensates for motion in comparative second digital images relative to a reference second digital image by tracking an object in either a binary image or a reverse binary image of a respective second digital image that has the most objects (i.e., in the binary or reverse image). The compensating unit then generates a shaky hand compensated image by overlapping the motion-compensated images with the reference image. The apparatus further includes an image property correcting unit that corrects a property of the shaky hand compensated image based on a property of the first digital image. |
| US07952613B2 |
Image blur correcting unit, image blur correcting device, image pickup apparatus and portable equipment
In the image blur correcting unit, one end of a flexible board is connected to a sensor board included in a holding module, and the portion of the flexible board that extends at least first from the sensor board extends outwardly from the holding module in a direction oblique to both first and second directions. That is, the flexible board is extended from the vicinity of an axis point which swings least while the holding module is swinging. |
| US07952611B1 |
Method and apparatus to provide improved image quality in a camera
A method and apparatus for providing improved images utilizing acceleration data is described. In one embodiment, the method utilizes the accelerometer data to time the taking of the image to minimize motion effects. |
| US07952610B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, storage medium, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a calculation unit and a conversion unit. A shot of an image displayed on a display under evaluation is taken, and first and second areas are defined in a resultant captured image. The calculation unit performs a calculation such that a pixel value of a pixel in the first area is compared with a pixel value of a pixel in the second area, and the size of an image of a pixel of the display on the captured image, and the angle of the first area with respect to the image of the pixel of the display on the captured image are determined from the comparison result. The conversion unit converts data of the captured image of the display into data of each pixel of the display, based on the size of the image of the pixel and the angle of the first area. |
| US07952607B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient presentation of content over a network to a visually impaired user
Methods and apparatus are provided for efficient presentation of content over a network to a visually impaired user. Requests for content from a visually impaired user are processed by observing behavior of the user in connection with the requests; determining if the observed behavior constitutes a behavior pattern; and generating one or more rules based on the observed behavior that dynamically restructure content presented on at least one web page such that previously selected portions of the content is presented to the visually impaired user prior to other portions of the content. If one or more rules associated with a visually impaired user are applicable to requested content, wherein the rules are based on previously observed behavior of the user; and the requested content is restructured based on the one or more applicable rules such that previously selected portions of the content is presented to the visually impaired user prior to other portions of the content. |
| US07952606B2 |
Apparatus for providing omnidirectional stereo image with single camera
An apparatus for providing an omnidirectional stereo image with a single camera includes a first reflector reflecting a first omnidirectional view viewed from a first viewpoint, a second reflector positioned to be coaxial with and separated from the first reflector to reflect a second omnidirectional view viewed from a second viewpoint, a third reflector positioned to be coaxial with the first and second reflectors to reflect the second omnidirectional view reflected by the second reflector, wherein the second and third reflectors have a folded structure satisfying a single viewpoint constraint, and an image sensor positioned to be coaxial with the first, second and third reflectors to capture an omnidirectional stereo image containing the first omnidirectional view reflected by the first reflector and the second omnidirectional view reflected by the third reflector, and output the captured omnidirectional stereo image, wherein shapes of the first, second, and third reflectors and a relative positional relationship between the first, second, third reflectors and the image sensor satisfy the single viewpoint constraint for the first viewpoint and for the second viewpoint. The apparatus provides a high three-dimensional recovery resolution, accomplishes compactness, and facilitates search of corresponding points in two images. |
| US07952605B2 |
Light scanning unit assembly, electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the same, and method of adjusting scanning line skew
A light scanning unit assembly, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the light scanning unit assembly, and a method of adjusting a scanning line skew. The light scanning unit assembly includes a frame, a primary light scanning unit and at least one secondary light scanning unit each being mounted to the frame to scan a corresponding beam, and a skew adjuster to adjust a scanning line skew of the at least one secondary light scanning unit to equal a scanning line skew of the primary light scanning unit. In the light scanning unit assembly, the skew adjuster includes at least one side to project out from at least one side of the at least one secondary light scanning unit, at least one adjusting screw to connect the at least one side projection with the frame, and at least one elastic member interposed between the at least one side projection and the frame. The scanning line skew adjustment method includes mounting the primary and the at least one secondary light scanning units on the frame and manipulating the at least one skew adjuster such that a scanning line skew of the at least one secondary light scanning unit is equal to a scanning line skew of the primary light scanning unit. The skew adjustment operation includes adjusting the scanning line skew of the at least one secondary light scanning unit to coincide with the scanning line skew of the primary light scanning unit by rotating the at least one adjusting screw. |
| US07952604B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus capable of shortening first copy time to thereby reduce wait time before execution of a print job and prolonging the service life of a scanner motor at the same time. An image forming apparatus that forms a latent image on a photosensitive drum in response to a copy start instruction signal. A scanner motor drives a rotating polygonal mirror that scans the photosensitive drum by reflecting light, for rotation. A counter counts the number of times of start of the motor. A control circuit causes the scanner motor to be started up before the signal is generated, if the count of the counter is less than a predetermined value, and to cause the scanner motor to be started up upon generation of the signal, if the count of the counter is not less than the predetermined value. |
| US07952603B2 |
Diode-laser marker with one-axis scanning mirror mounted on a translatable carriage
Apparatus for marking a bitmap image on tape includes a source of a modulatable laser-beam. The beam is directed to an oscillating mirror on a carriage translatable across the width direction of the tape. The oscillating mirror directs the beam to a focusing lens mounted on the carriage. The focusing lens is arranged to focus the beam to a focal-spot on the tape. As the carriage is translated, the focal-spot is swept reciprocally in a wave-like path across the tape. Modulation of the beam is arranged such that pixels of a plurality of rows of the bitmap image are printed in one traverse of the carriage. The tape is advanced incrementally and repeated traverses of the carriage are made to complete printing of the bitmap image. |
| US07952601B2 |
Lens array, exposure head, and image forming apparatus
An exposure head includes: a lens array in which lenses are disposed in a first direction; and a light-emitting element substrate on which light-emitting elements that emit light to be focused by the lenses are disposed. Length L1 of the lenses in the first direction and length L2 of the lenses in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction have a relation represented by an expression 1 |
| US07952597B2 |
Image display device
There is provided an image display device which can control image retention-preventing means in a static image displaying part, according to a change with the passage of time in a luminance difference. The drive of the image retention-preventing means is cancelled when accumulated elapsed-time during which the luminance difference is returned to approximately an original value elapses. |
| US07952594B2 |
Information processing method, information processing apparatus, and image sensing apparatus
The position and orientation of the viewpoint of an observer (100) are acquired. The position and orientation of a stylus (120) are acquired. A list image is laid out near the position of the stylus (120). An image of a virtual space after laying out the list image, which is seen in accordance with the position and orientation of the viewpoint, generated. The generated image is output to the display screen of an HMD (110). |
| US07952593B2 |
Method and apparatus of image morphing by edges mapping and computer accessible storage medium thereof
An image morphing method is suitable for generating an intermediate image sequence. First, a control point CP={(pi,qi)}i=1 . . . N is specified and marked in a source image Is({right arrow over (x)}) and a destination image Id({right arrow over (x)}′). Next, an edge gradient parameter (Ise({right arrow over (x)}), Ide({right arrow over (x)}′) is computed according to the source image Is({right arrow over (x)}) and the destination image Id({right arrow over (x)}′). Next, a total objective function E(Df,Db) is computed according to the above-mentioned control point CP and edge gradient parameter (Ise({right arrow over (x)}), Ide({right arrow over (x)}′)). The above-mentioned intermediate image sequence is generated by using the total objective function E(Df,Db). The present invention utilizes the edge gradients of the source image Is({right arrow over (x)}) and the destination image Id({right arrow over (x)}′) to enhance the constraint of image morphing. Thus, the image morphing effect is promoted. |
| US07952592B2 |
System and method for view-dependent cutout geometry for importance-driven volume rendering
A method for creating a cutout surface for volume rendering includes providing a digitized medical image volume comprising a plurality of intensities corresponding to a 3-dimensional grid of points, identifying a surface of interest in said image volume, representing said surface-of-interest by a polygonal mesh, extracting a set of curves on said surface-of-interest where a cutout surface will intersect, extending a vector defined on one of said curves toward a viewing point, and sweeping said extended vector along said curve to create said cutout surface. |
| US07952590B2 |
Texturing a translucent surface
A computer-implemented method for texturing a modeled surface includes receiving an albedo map corresponding to light scattering under uniform incident diffuse light. The method includes determining, using the albedo map, a local scattering parameter for a multipole bidirectional scattering surface reflectance distribution function (BSSRDF). The method includes texturing a modeled surface using the BSSRDF and the local scattering parameter. |
| US07952588B2 |
Graphics processing unit with extended vertex cache
Techniques are described for processing computerized images with a graphics processing unit (GPU) using an extended vertex cache. The techniques include creating an extended vertex cache coupled to a GPU pipeline to reduce an amount of data passing through the GPU pipeline. The GPU pipeline receives an image geometry for an image, and stores attributes for vertices within the image geometry in the extended vertex cache. The GPU pipeline only passes vertex coordinates that identify the vertices and vertex cache index values that indicate storage locations of the attributes for each of the vertices in the extended vertex cache to other processing stages along the GPU pipeline. The techniques described herein defer the setup of attribute gradients to just before attribute interpolation in the GPU pipeline. The vertex attributes may be retrieved from the extended vertex cache for attribute gradient setup just before attribute interpolation in the GPU pipeline. |
| US07952571B2 |
Hand-held electronic device with multiple input mode thumbwheel
A thumbwheel input device oriented on an incline and comprising a wheel such that a first input is generated by rotation of the wheel about its axis, and a holder also having an axis of rotation and a portion thereon to receive the wheel whereby a second input is generated by rotation of the holder about the second axis. |
| US07952569B2 |
System and method of switching between multiple viewing modes in a multi-head computer system
The present technique provides a system and method for automatically switching a computer system between multiple display profiles in response to a system event, such as a hardware event. The present technique detects the system event, identifies the hardware configuration of the computer system, and automatically reconfigures the computer system to accommodate the hardware configuration in real-time. The system event may be a physical rotation of a display between landscape and portrait orientations or between viewing and writing orientations. The system event also may be a physical docking or undocking of a first computing device with a second device in a variety of mounting positions. Any suitable sensor, switch, or hardware/software detection mechanism may be used for the foregoing event detection. |
| US07952568B2 |
Surface acoustic wave touch panel, electrooptical device, and electronic apparatus having spacers between first and second touch panel substrates
A touch panel includes a first touch panel substrate; a second touch panel substrate disposed opposite the first touch panel substrate; at least one surface acoustic wave generator that generates a surface acoustic wave propagating across a surface of the second touch panel substrate facing the first touch panel substrate in a predetermined direction; at least one surface acoustic wave sensor that senses the surface acoustic wave generated by the surface acoustic wave generator; a position detector that detects a position where the first touch panel substrate is pressed according to the waveform of the surface acoustic wave sensed by the surface acoustic wave sensor; and spacers disposed between the first and second touch panel substrates along a path where the surface acoustic wave propagates from the surface acoustic wave generator to the surface acoustic wave sensor. |
| US07952565B2 |
Display device and method of controlling touch detection unit
A display device may include a display panel, a plurality of pixels that are disposed on the display panel, a plurality of sensing units that are disposed on the display panel to generate sensing signals based on touch of the display panel, a sensing signal processor that receives the sensing signals and performs predetermined signal processes to generate sensing data, and a touch detection unit. The touch detection unit may include a first controller that determines, based on the sensing data from the sensing signal process, whether or not there is a touch occurrence of the sensing units and whether or not the sensing signal is in an appropriate state. The touch detection unit may also include a second controller that determines the touch occurrence and touch positions on the sensing units based on the sensing data and controls the sensing signals to be in the desired range. |
| US07952562B2 |
Notebook computer having keyboard decoding in palmrest
A portable information handling system, user interface components thereof, and methods of user control interface and assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment a keyboard assembly, including a large plurality of contacts for a keyboard matrix, connects directly to a palmrest assembly. The palmrest assembly includes a keyboard controller, which decodes keystrokes and then passes the decoded keystrokes to, e.g., an I/O controller on the motherboard of the portable information handling system. This results in greatly improved layout and usage of the motherboard routing spaces, improved reliability, and simplified assembly. |
| US07952559B2 |
Haptic feedback using rotary harmonic moving mass
A haptic device comprises an actuator and a mass. The actuator has a shaft. The actuator is elastically coupled to the mass and/or a base. |
| US07952551B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus including same
An electro-optical device includes a transistor, a data line, a pixel-potential-side capacitor electrode, a relay layer, an output line, a first and a second scanning line. The transistor includes a first and a second gate electrode. The data line is connected to the transistor via a first contact hole. The relay layer is formed from the same film as the data line, and connected to the pixel-potential-side capacitor electrode via a second contact hole. The output line is formed from the same film as the data line and allows the scan signal from a driving circuit to pass therethrough. The first scanning line is formed from the same film as the first gate electrode and connected to the output line via a third contact hole. The third contact hole is opened in the same process of opening the first contact hole. The second scanning line is formed from the same film as the second gate electrode and connected to the output line via a fourth contact hole. The fourth contact hole includes a first opening opened in the same process of opening the first contact hole and a second opening opened in the same process of opening the second contact hole. The first and the second opening overlap each other. |
| US07952549B2 |
Field sequential display apparatus that reduces color breakup and method thereof
A field sequential display apparatus and an image display method thereof are provided. A field sequential display apparatus includes: a color-coordinate conversion unit which analyses image state information of a plurality of input image signals of primary colors representing one image and converts the input image signals of primary colors into image signals of primary colors and at least one image signal of specific colors by using the image state information; a display panel displaying the converted image signals; and a light source driving unit which sequentially drives light sources corresponding to colors of the converted image signals. Accordingly, color breakup can be prevented, and image quality can be improved. |
| US07952547B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate. A plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines are disposed on the first substrate to define a plurality of pixel regions. A plurality of common line groups is disposed on the first substrate, and each of the common line groups includes a plurality of common lines parallel to the scan lines. And, at least, a voltage regulator is electrically connected to one of the common line groups, wherein the voltage regulator can stabilize the pixel voltage to decrease the flicker of the liquid crystal display. |
| US07952542B2 |
Image display device and electronic appliance
An image display device includes: a pixel array part formed of first to fourth scanning lines arranged in rows, signal lines arranged in columns, pixel circuits in a matrix connected to the scanning lines and signal lines, and a plurality of power source lines which supplies first to third potentials necessary for the operations of pixel circuit; a signal part which supplies a video signal to the signal lines; and a scanner part which supplies a control signal to the first to fourth scanning lines, and in turn scans the pixel circuit for every row, wherein the pixel circuits include a sampling transistor, a drive transistor, first to third switching transistors, a pixel capacitance, and a light emitting device, and a channel length of the drive transistor is made longer than a channel length of the switching transistors to suppress fluctuations in threshold voltage. |
| US07952540B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display device includes a display area including pixels coupled to scan, light emission control, and data lines; a scan driver electrically coupled to the display area through the scan and light emission control lines; a data driver electrically coupled to the display area through the data lines; an optical sensor for generating a sensor signal corresponding to an ambient light brightness; a first luminance control unit for outputting a first luminance control signal (Vc1) for controlling a gamma-corrected gray level voltage of a data signal in accordance with the sensor signal; a second luminance control unit for outputting a second luminance control signal (Vc2) for controlling a width of a light emission control signal in accordance with data of one frame; and a comparator/selector for comparing the first and second luminance control signals to output one of them into the data driver or the scan driver. |
| US07952538B2 |
Plasma display apparatus and method of driving the same
A plasma display apparatus and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel including an address electrode, a control board, and a data driver. The control board converts a video signal input from the outside into a differential signal, and transmits the differential signal, wherein the differential signal includes a first signal and a second signal being an inverted signal of the first signal and has a frequency of 200 MHz or more. The data driver receives the differential signal, restores the video signal from the differential signal, and supplies the restored video signal to the address electrode of the plasma display panel. |
| US07952535B2 |
Electronic visual jockey file
A digital camera has output ports that are connectable by cables to an HDTV television. The camera generates a slide show viewable on the television screen. The slide show involves a sequence of images stored on the camera and audio stored on the camera. The slide show is supplied to the television in the form of an HDTV resolution video stream and an accompanying audio stream. A user selects one of a plurality of scenarios for the slide show. The particular scenario determines how identified images will be presented. Using camera buttons, the user can stop and start the slide show and can move a pointer on the television screen. A standard EVJ file that defines the slide show in accordance with a scenario is generated by the camera. The file can be played on any rendering device that supports the EVJ functionality so as to recreate the slide show. |
| US07952533B2 |
Antenna element and frequency reconfiguration array antenna using the antenna element
A frequency reconfiguration array antenna includes a metal plate and a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna element includes a plurality of radiators and at least one switch for connecting the radiators, and a gain of at least one frequency bandwidth from among the plurality of frequency bandwidths reconfigured by the antenna elements is higher than gains of other frequency bandwidths. |
| US07952531B2 |
Planar circularly polarized antennas
A planar circularly polarized antenna comprises at least one coplanar waveguide feed line and a plurality of driven loops electrically connected to the feed line, wherein the driven loops and the feed line are substantially coplanar. At least one of the plurality of driven loops may be of a size different from at least another one of the plurality of driven loops and at least one of the plurality of driven loops may have a resonant frequency different from at least another one of the plurality of driven loops. |
| US07952529B2 |
Dual band antenna
An antenna set on a circuit board is provided. The circuit board includes a signal transmitting unit and a grounding unit. The antenna includes a conductive supporting portion, a radiator and a grounding portion. The radiator operating in a first frequency band includes a feeding branch coupled to the signal transmitting unit for receiving a feeding signal. The grounding portion is connected to the radiator through the conductive supporting portion. The grounding portion includes a slot cavity and a grounding branch. The slot cavity is extended from a top surface of the grounding portion into the interior of the grounding portion. The grounding branch is coupled to the grounding unit. A resonant cavity is formed between the radiator and the slot cavity. The resonance of the resonant cavity operates in a second frequency band. |
| US07952524B2 |
Method and system for positioning mobile units based on angle measurements
A method and system for positioning mobile units using angle measurements taken by neighboring mobile units is disclosed. A selected mobile unit and mobile units in the vicinity of the selected mobile unit are selectively instructed to measure and report information related to the position of the selected mobile unit. The reported information is used to compute a position of the selected mobile unit. |
| US07952523B2 |
Method and apparatus for passively locating radar emissions from rotating transmitters
Systems and methods are presented for passive location of transmitters in which two or more receivers time stamp received signals from target transmitters and the time stamped data for each target signal of interest is isolated to identify a peak power time of arrival for the signal at each transmitter from which differential scan observation values are derived, and for each signal of interest a line of position curve is computed based on the differential scan observation value and corresponding receiver locations, and for each signal of interest an estimated target transmitter location is determined based on an intersection of two corresponding line of position curves. |
| US07952516B2 |
System and method for coherent frequency switching in DDS architectures
The present invention is directed to an integrated circuit device that includes a primary signal synthesizer configured to generate a free-running first digital frequency signal and at least one secondary signal synthesizer disposed in parallel with the primary signal synthesizer and configured to generate a free-running at least one second digital frequency signal. A switch element includes a first switch input coupled to the primary signal synthesizer and at least one second switch input coupled to the at least one secondary signal synthesizer. The switch element is configured to select a switch output that provides either the free-running first digital frequency signal or the free-running at least one second digital frequency signal based on a switch control input. |
| US07952514B2 |
Energy storage unit for a radar level gauge system
A radar level gauge system comprising power management circuitry for regulating operating power to be used by a microwave unit and a processing circuitry of the radar level gauge system. The power management circuitry comprises a DC-DC converter having an input terminal connected to the interface, an output terminal connected to the microwave unit and the processing circuitry, and a reference terminal connected to an electrical reference point, wherein a first voltage level at the input terminal and a second voltage level at the output terminal relates to a reference voltage level at the electrical reference point. The power management circuitry further comprises an energy storage capacitor connected between the input and output terminals of the DC-DC converter. According to this design, the capacitance of the power management circuitry gets reduced due to that the capacitance is originating from a series capacitance. |
| US07952511B1 |
Method and apparatus for the detection of objects using electromagnetic wave attenuation patterns
A method for detecting an object, comprising the steps of defining expected characteristics of scattered electromagnetic radiation to be received at a receiver; attenuating at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation received at the receiver by a presence of an object within a path of electromagnetic information; and detecting the attenuation to indicate a presence of the object. The object may be a low radar profile object, such as a stealth aircraft. The electromagnetic radiation is preferably microwave, but may also be radio frequency or infrared. By using triangulation and other geometric techniques, distance and position of the object may be computed. |
| US07952509B2 |
Successive approximation A/D converter
A successive approximation A/D conversion circuit for simultaneously sampling N channels of analog signals and for A/D converting the sampled analog signals, includes: N capacitive main DACs; a resistive sub DAC; N comparators; and a successive approximation control circuit, wherein the successive approximation control circuit determines high-order bit values of A/D conversion results of the N channels of analog signals by controlling the N capacitive main DACs and the N comparators, and determines low-order bit values of the A/D conversion results of the N channels of analog signals by controlling the resistive sub DAC and the N comparators. |
| US07952508B2 |
Noise-shaped scrambler for reduced out-of-band common-mode interference
Class-D amplifiers have evolved from using binary pulse-width modulation (PWM) modulators to three-level PWM modulators. Three-level PWM drivers for audio applications offer the benefits of eliminating costly elements at the output of an audio system. However, they also introduce increased common-mode interference. Three-level PWM generates three states, but one state has two interchangeable representations which can be scrambled in order to shape the common-mode output spectrum. |
| US07952505B2 |
Semiconductor device and input selection control method
A semiconductor device includes: input terminals identified by channel numbers and configured to receive analog signals; analog input pads identified by pad numbers and connected with whole or part of the input terminals; a data holding section configured to hold a data of the input terminals; a channel designating section configured to generate a channel designation signal to designate one of the channel numbers; and a channel translating section configured to translate the channel number indicated by the channel designation signal into a specific one of the pad numbers based on the held data. An A/D converting section is configured to convert the analog signal inputted from the analog input pad corresponding to the specific pad number into a digital signal. |
| US07952502B2 |
Imbalance and distortion cancellation for composite analog to digital converter (ADC)
Imbalance and distortion cancellation for composite analog to digital converter (ADC). Such an ‘ADC’ is implemented using two or more ADCs may be employed for sampling (e.g., quantizing, digitizing, etc.) of an analog (e.g., continuous time) signal in accordance with generating a digital (e.g., discrete time) signal. Using at least two ADCs allows for the accommodation and sampling of various signals having a much broader dynamic range without suffering degradation in signal to noise ratio (SNR). Generally, the signal provided via at least one of the paths corresponding to at least one of the respective ADCs is scaled (e.g., attenuated), so that the various ADCs effectively sample signals of different magnitudes. The ADCs may respectively correspond to different magnitude and/or power levels (e.g., high power, lower power, any intermediary power level, etc.). Various implementations of compensation may be performed along the various paths corresponding to the respective ADCs. |
| US07952495B1 |
Data entry device and method
A method and device for entering data is provided wherein the pressing of up to two combinations of proximate keys on a keypad concurrently sends a signal or signals from the keypad to a processor. The processor receives the signal or signals and identifies a character, symbol, or function associated with the signal or signals and reports the same. In one embodiment, the keypad used for entering the data has a configuration of three columns and four rows. A method of identifying a character, symbol, or function comprises comparing the signal or signals to a data set of associated characters, symbols, or functions wherein the data set is mapped to said signal or signals with a modified Braille cell. |
| US07952494B2 |
Map display apparatus
A map in a navigation apparatus is displayed on a screen with its orientation aligned with an orientation of a facility map that is distributed in a facility when a vehicle having the navigation apparatus is traveling in a facility area that has pre-memorized guide information. When the vehicle is traveling in a meandering section of a road, a rough direction is oriented upward in the map that is displayed on the screen. Furthermore, the map is displayed with an entrance direction, which is determined as a direction at a time of entering an area outside of the road such as a parking or the like, oriented upward under a circumstance that the vehicle is constantly turning its direction. |
| US07952492B2 |
Landing assistance device and method for aircraft
A landing assistance device and method for an aircraft according to the invention, based on the landing procedure rules attached to the runway, a lower threshold and an upper threshold of total energy acceptable for the aircraft are determined and the current total energy of the latter is compared with the thresholds. |
| US07952491B2 |
Optical traffic control system with burst mode light emitter
Various approaches for a traffic control preemption system that includes a receiver, a light emitter, and control circuitry. The receiver includes a photodetector and circuitry that produces a number of electrical pulses in response to each detected light pulse. For each detected light pulse the number of electrical pulses represents a level of radiant power of the light pulse, and a threshold number of electrical pulses and an activation frequency at which the threshold number of electrical pulses is repeated activates preemption. The control circuitry is coupled to the light emitter and controls the light emitter to emit bursts of light pulses. Each burst includes at least two light pulses and a frequency of light pulses in each burst and a frequency of the bursts cause the receiver to produce at least the threshold number of electrical pulses at the activation frequency and activate the preemption. |
| US07952489B1 |
Vehicle communication system and method of use
Described is a vehicle communication system. The system includes a display installed in, or on, a first vehicle such that the display is viewable by persons in other vehicles or pedestrians proximate the first vehicle. The display is communicatively linked to one or more vehicle systems or a vehicle controller area network whereby based on activation, engagement or utilization of a vehicle system, the display automatically displays a message associated with the activation, engagement or activation of the vehicle system. For example, if a driver of the vehicle applies the brakes, a “STOPPING” message is displayed. Messages may be pre-programmed into the system or custom created and entered by a user. The display may also be used to advertise, alert passersby to an emergency or otherwise communicate with persons in other vehicles or pedestrians. |
| US07952487B2 |
Device charging
A system may include a battery powered device and a cable used to charge the battery powered device. The cable may include a first connector to connect to the battery powered device and a second connector to connect to a power source. The cable may also includes a flexible portion located between the first connector and the second connector. The flexible portion may include an inner portion that includes an electrical conductor and an outer portion that includes a transparent or translucent material. The cable may further include at least one light source and circuitry to activate the light source based on a charge status of the battery powered device. The activated light source may illuminate at least a portion of the cable. |
| US07952486B2 |
Liquid crystal display device provided with a gas detector, gas detector and method for manufacturing a gas detector
A liquid crystal display device with a substrate and a gas detector. The substrate has a pixel array area and an electrical connection area. The pixel array area has a plurality of pixels. The electrical connection area has a plurality of bond pads positioned on the surface of the substrate to address the plurality of pixels in the pixel array area. The gas detector is positioned within the electrical connection area. The gas detector is arranged to detect the presence of a specified gas. |
| US07952481B2 |
Systems and methods for RFID security
An RFID system includes an RFID tag, an RFID reader, and a server. The RFID tag communicates to the server via encrypted information. The information may be encrypted with synchronized encryption keys. In this manner, the reader need not decrypt the information from the RFID tag. The effectiveness of malicious readers is thereby reduced, resulting in improved RFID tag security. |
| US07952480B1 |
RFID tag filtering and monitoring
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system that tracks tags in real-time based on EPC codes and on other priority codes written into transponder memory fields of the tags. As an example, a priority code may be written into a memory of an RFID transponder identifying a high-value item or a small high-value item that is likely to be stolen. Based on the use of this priority code, those items can be preferentially tracked as opposed to items of low value or size such that they are unlikely to be stolen. Such use of priority codes and local filtering alleviates the need to go back to large centralized databases associating unique numbers with other parameters and potentially the history of the item. |
| US07952479B2 |
Container
The present invention relates to a container, especially for moisture-sensitive goods, with a container body formed by a wall and a bottom of the container, and a container cover which can be opened and closed. The container has a layer, preferably containing a desiccant, which extends over at least a part of the body and a transponder which is arranged between body and layer. |
| US07952477B2 |
Door lock assembly
A door lock assembly having a housing; a lock sub-assembly which includes, among other members, a bolt and a bolt safety; a user interface member; a secondary electrochemical cell and/or capacitor; and an inertia charger and/or solar cell. |
| US07952476B1 |
Mobile security system
A mobile security system is described herein. A detector communicates with a mobile device if an event has occurred. The event may be various types of events, such as fire or motion. Once the mobile device receives the communication of the event occurrence, the mobile device may, among others, sound an alarm or communicate with a central monitoring system to notify emergency services of the occurrence. The mobile device may also communicate with another communication device, such as another cell phone or a computer, using various forms of communication. The detector may be an integral part of the mobile device, i.e. fixed part of the mobile device, or may be detachable. The detector may also be wholly separate. |
| US07952475B2 |
Communication system for monitoring the health status of a patient, communication device, sensor device and method
A communication system for monitoring the health status of a patient includes a communication device and a sensor device, the communication device comprising a first communication interface for communication with the sensor device and comprising a second communication interface for communication with a health care center, the communication device being able to generate a warning message upon failure of either the first communication interface or the second communication interface, wherein the generation of a warning message is prevented if the failure of the first communication interface begins and ends during a first time interval and/or the generation of a warning message is prevented if the failure of the second communication interface begins and ends during a third time interval and/or the communication device comprises a detection device for detecting a critical or non-critical health status, and the generation of a warning message is prevented if both the duration of failure of the second communication interface is shorter than a second time interval and a non-critical health status is detected. |
| US07952472B2 |
In-vehicle device and vehicular combined control system
A vehicular combined control system has functions of a smart entry system and a TPMS. A smart ECU turns on the output of a voltage signal terminal intermittently or in response to a given trigger. When the output of the voltage signal terminal turns on, a RF receiver section receives information from a portable device regardless of the ON/OFF state of an ignition switch to transmit the information to the smart ECU. When the ignition switch is ON and the output of the voltage signal terminal turns off, the RF receiver section receives information from tire sensors to transmit the information to a TPMS microcomputer. |
| US07952471B2 |
Generator control apparatus having alarm issuing unit
There is provided a generator control apparatus that includes a generating condition detector, an alarm issuing unit, and an alarm controller. The generating condition detector detects an operating condition of the generator for use in a vehicle. The alarm issuing unit is configured to issue alarm to a driver of the vehicle about an abnormal operating condition of the generator when the generating condition detector detects the evidence that the generator is running under an abnormal condition, and to stop to issue alarm to the driver when the generating condition detector detects the evidence that the generator is running in a normal condition. |
| US07952469B2 |
Collision detection device and method of manufacturing the same
A collision detection device is provided with a load detection member 2 for detecting a collision load in a collision, and a mold member 3 which is molded to be integral with the load detection member 2. The mold member 3 covers at least the surface of a collision side of the load detection member 2, to absorb at least a part of impact energy in the collision by a resilient deformation of the mold member 3. Thus, the collision detection device is substantially resistant to an impact in the collision, while being simply manufactured. |
| US07952463B2 |
Vehicle security system
A vehicle security system includes a screen for displaying a message, a fingerprint reader provided to the screen to detect a fingerprint of a driver touching the screen with a finger, a switch having a first state for allowing engine start of a vehicle and a second state for prohibiting the engine start, and a controller for keeping the switch in the second state until receiving the fingerprint from the reader and for changing the switch to the first state upon receiving the fingerprint from the reader. The reader can detect the fingerprint of the driver without being noticed by the driver, because the message leads the driver to unquestioningly touch the screen with the finger. Even if the vehicle is stolen by the driver, the driver is identified by the detected fingerprint so that a chance of catching the driver can be increased. |
| US07952460B2 |
Manufacturing of an electronic circuit having an inductance
An electronic circuit has an inductor. The inductor comprises a first number of electrically conductive tracks (108, . . . ) in, or on, a substrate (105). The tracks are separated from one another. The inductor comprises a second number of electrically conductive wires (120, . . . ). The ends of each wire contacts two different ones of the tracks. Among the first number of tracks there is at least a specific track that is electrically isolated from the wires upon the wires having been connected. Such an inductor can be made using a standardized track configuration on a substrate, and selectively skipping one or more tracks in order to determine the inductance. |
| US07952459B2 |
Micromagnetic device and method of forming the same
A micromagnetic device including a substrate, and a magnetic core layer formed over the substrate from a magnetic alloy. The magnetic alloy includes iron, cobalt and phosphorous. A content of the cobalt is in a range of 1.8 to 4.5 atomic percent. A content of the phosphorus is in a range of 20.1 to 30 atomic percent. A content of the iron is substantially a remaining proportion of the magnetic alloy. |
| US07952456B2 |
Ignition coil for an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to an ignition coil for an internal combustion engine. Said ignition coil comprises a primary coil base (2) carrying a primary winding (1) and having an especially cylindrical shape, a low voltage connection area (10) for connecting the primary winding (1) to a low voltage, a secondary winding (3) inductively coupled to the primary winding (1) and disposed on an especially cylindrical secondary coil base (4), for providing a high voltage for the spark plug of the internal combustion engine. The primary coil base (2) and the secondary coil base (4) are mounted concentric to one another. The ignition coil also comprises a high-voltage connection area (5) in which the secondary winding (3) contacts the spark plug. The aim of the invention is to improve the ignition coil of the aforementioned type with respect to its electromagnetic compatibility. For this purpose, an electrically conducting layer (16) which has a substantially cylindrical shape and mechanical damping properties is provided inside an annular space defined by the outer winding of the two windings (1, 3). Said layer is configured as a sandwich structure and consists of at least two partial layers (16a, 16b) with an interposed intermediate layer (17). |
| US07952455B2 |
Magnetic device
A magnetic device having a housing with a front wall. A first magnet assembly includes a north and south pole and a second magnet assembly also includes a north and south pole. The magnet assemblies are pivotally mounted in the housing and pivotal between a first position in which the north pole of the first magnet assembly and the south pole of the second magnet assembly face each other and are positioned adjacent the front wall of the housing, and a second position in which the north pole of the first magnet assembly and the south pole of the second magnet assembly face each other and are retracted from the front wall. An actuator pivots the magnet assemblies between their first and second positions while a spring urges the magnet assemblies toward the second position. |
| US07952453B2 |
Structure design for minimizing on-chip interconnect inductance
A semiconductor device comprising a signal line and ground line is disclosed. The signal line comprises an opening and at least a portion of the ground line is in the opening in the signal line. |
| US07952451B2 |
High-pass filter
The invention relates to a high-pass filter comprising a signal line with several capacitors connected in series as well as a ground line, wherein several inductors are connected between the signal line and the ground line. In order to configure the high-pass filter as a coaxial construction it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the signal line form an inner conductor and the ground line an outer conductor of a coaxial conductor, between which an insulation layer is arranged, and that the inductors be designed as discrete components which are arranged at a distance to one another and between which at least one impedor is connected. |
| US07952442B2 |
Integrated circuit package having inductance loop formed from same-pin-to-same-bonding-pad structure
An integrated circuit package includes an inductance loop formed from a connection of bonding wires and one or more input/output (I/O) package pins. In one embodiment, the inductance loop is formed from a first wire which connects a bonding pad on the integrated circuit chip to an I/O pin of the package and a second wire which connects the same bonding pad to the same pin. By forming the inductor loop within the limits of the integrated circuit package, a substantial reduction in space requirements is realized, which, in turn, promotes miniaturization. |
| US07952437B2 |
Quality of phase lock and loss of lock detector
A systems and methods for providing phase lock conditions detection, such as a quality of phase lock and loss of lock detection, are described herein. One exemplary method comprises detecting an output frequency, comparing the output frequency with a first reference signal, providing a first signal and a second signal as a function of the output frequency and first reference signal comparison, receiving a predetermined threshold from a second reference signal, monitoring a deviation of the first and second signals from the predetermined threshold, generating a third signal as a function of the deviation, comparing the third signal to a window threshold wherein the window threshold is set based on a predetermined loop variable, generating a fourth signal a function of the third signal and the window threshold comparison, and providing an alarm based on the fourth signal. |
| US07952424B2 |
Differential charge pump with common mode control
Charge pump for providing an output current for charging and discharging a filter in accordance with an input signal, said charge pump comprising a first current source connectable with the input signal for driving the current source and adapted to providing a first current equal to a constant current Io plus a variable current Δx, said variable current Δx being directly proportional to the input signal, a second current source connectable with the input signal for driving the current source and adapted to providing a second current equal to the constant current Io minus said variable current Δx, and an output for providing the output current, wherein said output is connected to both the first and second current source in such a way, that the output current is equal to a difference between the first and second current. |
| US07952423B2 |
Process/design methodology to enable high performance logic and analog circuits using a single process
A method for improving analog circuits performance using a circuit design using forward bias and a modified mixed-signal process is presented. A circuit consisting plurality of NMOS and PMOS transistors is defined. The body terminal of the NMOS transistors are coupled to a first voltage source and the body terminal of the PMOS transistors are coupled a second voltage source. Transistors in the circuit are selectively biased by applying the first voltage source to the body terminal of each selected NMOS transistor and applying the second voltage source to the body terminal of each selected PMOS transistor. In one embodiment, the first voltage source and the second voltage source are modifiable to provide forward and reverse bias to the body terminal of the transistors. |
| US07952419B1 |
Bootstrapped switch circuit
A bootstrapped switch circuit can include a switch transistor, having a drain configured as an input terminal to receive an input signal, and a voltage-controlled voltage source, configured to provide predetermined constant voltages between a gate and a source of the switch transistor in response to a control signal received at a control terminal. The predetermined constant voltages can include a first predetermined constant voltage to turn on the switch transistor and pass the input signal to the source and a second predetermined constant voltage to turn off the switch transistor. The first and second predetermined constant voltages can be independent of the magnitude of a signal passed to the source of the switch transistor based on the input signal at the drain. |
| US07952416B2 |
Logarithmic temperature compensation for detectors
The intercept of a logarithmic amplifier is temperature stabilized by generating a signal having the form H log H where H is a function of temperature such as T/T0. The first H factor is cancelled, thereby generating a correction signal having the form Y log H. The cancellation may be implemented with a transconductance cell having a hyperbolic tangent function. The H log H function may be generated by a pair of junctions biased by one temperature-stable current and one temperature-dependent current. The pair of junctions and the transconductance cell may be coupled together in a translinear loop. A user-accessible terminal may allow adjustment of the correction signal for different operating frequencies. |
| US07952415B2 |
Level shift circuit and display device having the same
A level shift circuit includes a level shifter, the level shifter configured to receive input signals and generate level-shifted signals by level-shifting the input signals, an output buffer that includes a first sourcing circuit and a first sinking circuit, the first sourcing circuit and the first sinking circuit being connected in series between a first power and a second power, a first buffer coupled between the level shifter and the output buffer, the first buffer configured to buffer the level-shifted signals and provide a first driving signal to the first sourcing circuit, and a second buffer coupled between the level shifter and the output buffer, the second buffer configured to buffer the level-shifted signals and provide a second driving signal to the first sinking circuit. |
| US07952414B2 |
Phase clock generator
Disclosed is a phase clock generator. The phase clock generator can include transistors and a buffer. The transistors are connected between a power line and a grounding line and are provided in a form of a 4×N matrix to receive a plurality of phase-delayed signals through their gate terminals. Four transistors can form a unit column between the power line and the grounding line. From ground line to power line, the first two transistors of the unit column provide a pair of NMOS transistors, and the second two transistors provide a pair of PMOS transistors. The buffer is connected to a line, which is provided between the pair of the NMOS transistors and the pair of the PMOS transistors forming the unit column, to transmit a clock signal. |
| US07952412B2 |
Audio device using AC power clock reference
A clock generating apparatus for use in an electronic device, such as a radio or other audio device, which generates a clock signal based on an AC input signal received, for example, from a wall outlet. The clock generating apparatus detects and monitors the frequency of the AC input signal and automatically adjusts the clock signal based on the detected frequency of the AC input signal. |
| US07952404B2 |
Apparatus and method for modeling coarse stepsize delay element and delay locked loop using same
A reference circuit and method for mitigating switching jitter and delay-locked loop (DLL) using same are provided. The reference circuit and method determine a number of steps of a fine delay line (FDL) that are equivalent to a step of a coarse delay line (CDL). Switching jitter of the DLL is reduced since the delay of the step of the CDL that is switched when on an underflow or overflow condition of the FDL is detected is equivalent to the delay of the provided number of steps of the FDL. |
| US07952402B2 |
Power-up control for very low-power systems
A power-on-reset (POR) circuit may comprise a first circuit powered by a first supply voltage and configured to generate a second supply voltage based on the first supply voltage, the second supply voltage having a nominal value lower than a nominal value of the first supply voltage. The POR circuit may also include a second circuit powered by the second supply voltage and configured to generate a POR signal. The second circuit may be configured to assert the POR signal when the second supply voltage reaches a value that is sufficiently high for the second circuit to become operational, keep the POR signal asserted until the first supply voltage reaches a second value that is higher than the nominal value of the second supply voltage by a specified difference voltage value, and deassert the POR signal once the first supply voltage reaches the second value. |
| US07952396B1 |
AWG having arbitrary factor interpolator and fixed frequency DAC sampling clock
An AWG includes a waveform memory providing a digital waveform signal at a sample rate and an arbitrary factor interpolator (AFI) coupled to receive the digital waveform signal or a processed digital waveform signal. A complex mixer for carrier modulation is coupled to the AFI which outputs a complex band pass signal. A DAC is coupled to an output of the complex mixer for receiving the complex band pass signal to provide an analog output signal. A fixed frequency sample clock clocks the DAC to provide a fixed DAC sample rate. The DAC provides a data clock signal to a sample request controller that generates a sample request signal that is coupled to the waveform memory for requesting the digital waveform signal from the waveform memory. The interpolated digital signal is sampled at the fixed DAC sample rate independent of the sample rate of digital waveform signal. |
| US07952394B2 |
Signal receiver circuit capable of improving area and power efficiency in semiconductor integrated circuits
A signal receiver circuit includes a first level detector for offset-controlling a first output node in response to a pair of first reference signals. A second level detector offset-controls a second output node in response to a pair of second reference signals. |
| US07952393B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes an enable signal generating unit for generating an enable signal in response to an active signal and an internal voltage driving unit driven by the active signal and the enable signal, wherein the internal voltage driving unit drives an internal voltage by comparing the internal voltage and a reference voltage and then generating first and second driving signals, and wherein the enable signal generating unit receives the second driving signal and then determines enablement of the enable signal. |
| US07952389B2 |
Level shift circuit
A level shift circuit insusceptible to mistaken operations at the time of disengagement of a standby state is disclosed. The level shift circuit includes a level converter circuit 5, a barrier gate circuit 2 and a holding circuit (MMP1, MMP2). The level converter circuit converts a signal level of a circuit operating in a VDD1 system to a signal level of a VDD2 system. The barrier gate circuit is responsive to a standby signal (STBY) to fix input signals (AB, AAB) of the level converter circuit 5 at a LOW level. The holding circuit holds an output of the level converter circuit 5 at a constant voltage when the input signals (AB, AAB) are at the LOW level (FIG. 1). |
| US07952387B1 |
Securing memory based IP in FPGAs
A memory initialization file and one or more design files associated with configuring an IC are identified. The memory initialization file is encrypted using one or more encryption algorithms. A configuration bit stream is generated by compiling and assembling the encrypted memory initialization file and the one or more design files. During the programming phase, the configuration bit stream is received at the IC, decoded and logic design and content of encrypted memory initialization file are loaded into the respective logic elements and memory arrays of the IC. The IC then transitions into a user phase where the contents of the encrypted memory initialization file in the memory arrays are decrypted and validated at the on-chip memory within the IC to ensure that the integrity of the content is maintained. Upon successful verification of the integrity of the content, the content within the on-chip memory is available for processing. |
| US07952385B2 |
Temperature variance nullification in an inrush current suppression circuit
The temperature dependence of an inrush current suppression circuit comprising a MOSFET having an input terminal coupled to a direct current input voltage can a transistor electrically coupled to the MOSFET can be reduced by matching the temperature coefficient of a transistor to a component electrically coupled to the transistor. |
| US07952382B2 |
Impedance calibration circuit, semiconductor memory device with the impedance calibration circuit and layout method of internal resistance in the impedance calibration circuit
An impedance calibration circuit for impedance matching between a semiconductor memory device and an external device includes a driving circuit and a comparing circuit. The driving circuit has a plurality of internal resistances, with one or more of the internal resistances being a variable resistance. The driving circuit compares the impedance of the internal resistances to the input/output impedance of the external device in order to provide a calibration voltage. The comparing circuit compares the calibration voltage to a reference voltage and provides a code signal for calibrating the impedance corresponding to output data with the input/output impedance of the external device. The impedance calibration circuit calibrates an impedance mismatch between the impedance calibration circuit and a data input/output driver by adjusting the impedance of the impedance calibration circuit through the variable resistance. |
| US07952371B2 |
Integrated circuit device having ground open detection circuit
An integrated circuit device includes a chip having a power supply terminal, a ground terminal, an input terminal, and an internal circuit formed therein. The chip comprises: a unidirectional device disposed between the input terminal and the ground terminal and directed from the ground terminal to the input terminal; and a ground open detection circuit including a first transistor having the gate connected to the input terminal and the source and the drain connected between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, a second transistor having the gate connected to the ground terminal and the source and the drain connected between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, and a comparator for comparing potentials of nodes respectively between drains of the first and second transistors and the power supply terminal, and for outputting a ground open detection signal. |
| US07952370B2 |
On-chip detection of power supply vulnerabilities
On-chip sensor to detect power supply vulnerabilities. The on-chip sensor employs a sensitive delay chain and an insensitive delay chain to detect power supply undershoots and overshoots without requiring external off-chip components. Undershoots and overshoots outside a user-defined threshold are detected. The undershoots and overshoots are indicated by a relative difference in phase of the two delay chains. The two delay chains are programmable to detect various frequencies. |
| US07952368B1 |
Apparatus and method for measuring diode chip
An apparatus and a method for measuring a diode chip are provided. The diode chip is placed on a thermal conductive element. The apparatus measures an instant starting current and a first temperature, which is associated with the instant starting current, of the thermal conductive element. After the diode chip operates, the apparatus adjusts the temperature of the thermal conductive element to a second temperature, such that the current of the diode chip is adjusted to be equal to the instant starting current. The apparatus calculates a property of the diode chip according to a real power of the diode chip and a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. |
| US07952359B2 |
Test apparatus having bidirectional differential interface
First and second resistors are provided between a first input/output terminal and a power supply terminal, and between a second input/output terminal and the power supply terminal, respectively. Third and fourth resistors are connected to the second and first input/output terminals, respectively. First and second current-switching switches couple either the first input/output terminal side or the second input/output terminal side with a first current source and a second current source, respectively, according to the value of pattern data. A level shift circuit shifts the electric potentials at the second terminals of the third and forth resistors by a predetermined level. A comparator circuit compares the electric potentials at the second terminals of the third and fourth resistors level-shifted by the level shift circuit with those at the second terminals of the fourth and third resistors, respectively, and generates first and second comparison signals according to the comparison results. |
| US07952358B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determination of a formation resistivity property using eccentered measurements
Multi-component induction measurements are made using a resistivity logging tool in an anistropic earth formation. The X-signal (quadrature) is insensitive to borehole eccentricity. A subset of the multi-component measurements are inverted to first determine horizontal resistivities. Using the determined horizontal resistivities and another subset of the multi-component measurements, the vertical resistivities are obtained. Results of using the in-phase signals are comparable to those obtained using multifrequency focusing of quadrature signals. |
| US07952354B2 |
System and method for fast MR imaging of metabolites at selective excitation frequencies
A system and method are provided for imaging multiple substances, such as contrast agents and metabolites in vivo, with selective excitation frequencies. A first substance is excited with a frequency selective pulse, then a second substance is excited with another frequency selective pulse. The signals resulting from these pulses are acquired in an order reversed from the order in which the pulses were applied. In some embodiments, more than two substances may be imaged. The system and method thus provide for quick and efficient utilization of the magnetization of multiple substances for spectral-spatial imaging. |
| US07952353B2 |
Method and apparatus for field map estimation
A method for estimating values of a field map to generate a magnetic resonance display image with species separation is provided. A set of MR images is acquired based on an applied magnetic resonance excitation. A set of feasible field map values for each pixel in a field map are determined from the set of MR images. Estimated values of the field map for each pixel are chosen from the set of feasible field map values using a combinatorial optimization algorithm that includes a smoothness constraint. The combinatorial optimization algorithm includes iteratively communicating, between neighboring pixels in the field map, sum-product belief messages that include likelihoods for feasible field map values. Field map values are fixed to most likely field map values if the pixel satisfies the smoothness constraint with its neighboring pixels. A magnetic resonance display image with species separation is generated using the estimated field map. |
| US07952352B2 |
Method of locally measuring mobility of protic solvent in sample, instrument of locally measuring mobility of protic solvent in sample, measuring instrument locally measuring behavior of protic solvent in sample based on magnetic
An instrument locally measuring mobility of a protic solvent in a sample 115 based on the gradient magnetic field NMR method has a sample stage 116 on which the sample 115 is placed, a magnet 113 applying a static magnetic field to the sample 115, a G coil 151 and a G coil 153 applying a gradient magnetic field to the sample 115, a small-sized RF coil 114 smaller in size than the G coil 151 applying an oscillating magnetic field for excitation and acquiring an NMR signal corresponded to the oscillating magnetic field for excitation and the gradient magnetic field; a pulse control unit 108 allowing application of the gradient magnetic field and oscillating magnetic field for excitation to be executed according to a predetermined pulse sequence; and an operation unit 130 calculating the mobility at the specific position of the G coil 151, based on information of the NMR signals acquired corresponding to different gradient magnetic fields. |
| US07952344B2 |
Frequency characteristic measuring apparatus
A frequency characteristic measuring apparatus measures a device under test in which the frequency of an input signal and the frequency of an output signal differ from each other, simplifying the configuration of a tracking generator and peripheral circuits associated with the tracking generator, and simultaneously measuring the characteristics of the input signal and the output signal of the device under test. A spectrum analyzer has mixers, local oscillators and IF sections as first and second measuring units for measuring frequency characteristics of two input signals by performing frequency sweep in correspondence with a first or second frequency range, a mixer and an oscillator as a tracking generator section which operates by being linked to the frequency sweep operation in the first measuring unit, and a section which generates a trigger signal designating measurement start timing. |
| US07952343B2 |
Current measurement circuit and method
Apparatus (1) and corresponding method for measuring a current (10) in which a charge integrating circuit (2) integrates charge from the current to be measured (10) and applies a resulting change in voltage to a comparator circuit (4) that compares the input voltage (12) with a threshold voltage level (Vthreshoid) and provides an output (14) responsive thereto to a logic circuit (6) that generates a feedback signal (16) dependent upon the comparator output (14) and provides the feedback signal (16) to the charge integrating circuit (2) that integrates charge from the received feedback signal (16) in opposition to the integrating of the charge from the current to be measured (10). The logic circuit (6) generates an output signal (18), based upon the comparator circuit output (14) and dependent upon the level of the current to be measured (10), for example a pulse (50) of a width (TOUT) dependent upon the level of the current (10). A converter circuit (8) may convert the output signal (18) to digital output data (20). |
| US07952339B2 |
Semiconductor circuit
A synchronous rectifying drive type semiconductor circuit wherein voltages between drains and sources of power switching elements are detected, temporarily held and compared with a reference voltage. First control signals are generated for turning on the power switching elements depending on comparison result and dead times for the power switching elements are minimized by ORing first control signals and second control signals inputted at input terminals. The first control signals cause the power switching elements to be in “on” state for a constant time until the second control signals as “on” control signals arrive at the input terminals, and then the first control signals as “on” control signals are terminated before the second control signals as “off” signals arrive at the input terminals, thereby swiftly turning off the power switching elements by the second control signals arriving at the input terminals. |
| US07952334B2 |
DC-DC converter
A DC-DC converter includes a series circuit of a switch element Q1 and a switch element Q2 connected to a DC power source, a series circuit of a primary winding P1 of a transformer and a capacitor connected in parallel with one of the switch elements, a rectifying-smoothing circuit of a voltage generated by a secondary winding (S1, S2) of the transformer, a controller to alternately turn on/off the switch elements according to an output of the rectifying-smoothing circuit, first and second timing detectors to detect ON/OFF states of the switch elements, and an ON time storing part to operate in response to a detection signal from the second timing detector and store an ON time of the switch element Q1 based on an OFF time of the switch element Q2. The controller turns on the switch element Q2 only during the stored ON time. |
| US07952330B2 |
Secondary battery protection circuit, battery pack and thermosensitive protection switch device
A protection circuit is provided for protecting a secondary battery from overcharging and excessive discharge current by a simple circuit. The protection circuit is provided with a connection terminal (T3) for connecting the secondary battery (6); a connection terminal (T1) for connecting a charging device for charging the secondary battery (6) and/or a load device driven by a discharge current from the secondary battery (6); a bimetal switch (SW1) that is provided between the connection terminals (T1, T3) and turned off in the case of exceeding a specified temperature set beforehand; a heater (R2) for heating the bimetal switch (SW1); and an integrated circuit (IC1) for turning the bimetal switch (SW1) off by causing the heater (R2) to generate heat if a voltage applied to the connection terminal (T3) by the secondary battery (6) exceeds a preset reference voltage. |
| US07952326B2 |
Method and system for battery protection employing over-discharge control
A method and system for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack configured to be interfaced with a power tool includes a housing, a cell, a controller, and a circuit. The circuit is operable to enable the controller to operate when the voltage supplied by the cell to the controller is below an operating voltage threshold of the controller. |
| US07952319B2 |
Street light mounted network-controlled charge transfer device for electric vehicles
A network-controlled charge transfer device for transferring charge between a local power grid and an electric vehicle is mounted to a street light. The charge transfer device includes the following: an electrical receptacle to receive an electrical connector for connection to the electric vehicle; an electric power line that couples the power grid to the electrical receptacle through a wiring box; a control device to switch the receptacle on and off; a current measuring device to measure current flowing through the electric power line; and a controller to operate the control device and to monitor output from the current measuring device. |
| US07952314B2 |
Electronic control device of an electrical drive system with redundant disconnection device
In normal mode, a central unit of an electronic control device receives desired and actual values for determining desired current values which are transmitted to an electronic drive unit. The central unit of the electronic drive unit receives the desired current values for determining drive signals for circuit breakers. In monitoring mode, the central unit of the electronic control device checks whether an connected electric motor is in a safe state. If not, the control device transmits disconnection signals to a disconnection device and to the drive unit. The central unit of the electronic control device generates checking information for the drive unit. In the monitoring mode, the central unit of the drive unit checks whether a disconnection signal is transmitted to the central unit and whether the checking information is correct. |
| US07952313B2 |
Motor control apparatus
A motor control apparatus includes: an electric motor having an outer rotor and an inner rotor which can alter mutual relative phases; a phase alternation device which alters the relative phase; a phase position sensor which detects a phase position with respect to the relative phase; and a fail-decision control unit which sets the relative phase as a maximum value or a minimum value (that is, a most forcing phase and a most weakening phase) in a phase variable area of the phase alternation device in accordance with a rotation number of the electric motor when the phase position sensor does not work. |
| US07952312B2 |
Closure panel control apparatus
A controller computes a pinching amount of an object caused by a window glass. The controller estimates a prior pinching amount of the object caused by the window glass before the controller computes the pinching amount of the object. The controller confirms occurrence of the pinching of the object based on the computed pinching amount and the estimated prior pinching amount of the object. |
| US07952309B2 |
Rotating electrical machine control device
A rotating electrical machine control device includes an inverter; a resolver; a unit; a three-phase/two-phase modulation switching unit; and a motor control unit that switches to a two-phase modulation in a specific region where an electric noise given to the resolver by a rotating electrical machine is large, even in a region where the modulation ratio is smaller than the three-phase/two-phase modulation switching boundary. |
| US07952305B2 |
Reverse drive control for a motorcycle
A vehicle comprising a rotatable wheel (e.g., three rotatable wheels), a forward drive mechanism including a forward drive motor (e.g., an internal combustion engine), and a reverse drive mechanism. The reverse drive mechanism includes a reverse drive motor (e.g., an electric motor) adapted to move the chassis in the rearward direction, and a reverse drive control programmed to inhibit operation of the reverse drive mechanism when the forward drive motor is off. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a battery for operating the reverse drive motor, and the reverse drive control is programmed to inhibit operation of the motor when a characteristic of the battery (e.g., an output voltage) falls below a threshold. The vehicle can further include a temperature sensor for the reverse drive motor. In this embodiment, the reverse drive control is programmed to inhibit operation of the reverse drive motor when the temperature of the motor exceeds a threshold. |
| US07952304B2 |
Radiation system
Radiation systems, including apparatuses and methods, for providing multiple independent RF electron accelerators with RF power from a single RF generator. The radiation systems may be employed in radiation treatment systems for treating subject objects by irradiating them from different directions and in inspection systems for producing images of the contents of a container or other volume in multiple planes using RF electron accelerators that receive RF electromagnetic power from a single RF generator. The radiation systems include RF drive subsystems each having a 3 dB directional coupler connected between an RF generator and RF electron accelerators. Each 3 dB directional coupler divides RF electromagnetic power received from the RF generator into equal or unequal portions for delivery to respective RF electron accelerators. |
| US07952303B2 |
Electronic ballast for a gas discharge lamp with controlled filament heating during dimming
An electronic ballast has control circuitry to operate a gas discharge lamp in both full and dimmed illumination modes. The electronic ballast also includes a full power circuit having a power control coupled to the dimming controller output to receive the dimming controller signal, a filament heating circuit having a heating input coupled to a reduced power circuit to receive a reduced power signal and a heating output that can couple to the filaments of one or more lamps. When the full power circuit receives the dimming controller signal, via the power control, and the dimming controller signal is not in the dimming request range (i.e. the full illumination mode has been selected), the full power circuit generates a full power signal capable of driving/operating the lamp(s) in the full illumination mode. When the reduced power signal is present, the filament heating circuit generates and provides a filament heating signal to the filaments, via the heating output. |
| US07952299B2 |
Control circuit and method for self-exciting capacitor charging circuit
A first voltage comparator makes a comparison between a first detection voltage that occurs at one terminal of a first resistor and a predetermined first threshold voltage. A second voltage comparator compares a second detection voltage that occurs at one terminal of a second resistor with a predetermined second threshold voltage. A logic unit generates a switching signal, the level of which is switched according to the output signals of the first voltage comparator and the second voltage comparator, and outputs the switching signal thus generated to the gate of a switching transistor. After a predetermined period of time elapses after the switching signal is switched to the level which turns off the switching transistor, an automatic restart circuit forcibly switches the switching signal to a level which switches the switching transistor to the ON state. |
| US07952290B2 |
Current-regulated light emitting device for vehicle use
A current-regulated light emitting device for vehicle use includes a light emitting unit and a current limiting unit. The current limiting unit includes first and second switches and first and second bias units. The first switch is for making and breaking an electrical circuit between the light emitting unit and an electric power source. The first bias unit is for causing the first switch to conduct so as to activate the light emitting unit when the first bias unit receives a drive voltage from the electric power source. The second bias unit is for causing the second switch to conduct when amount of current flowing through the first switch exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby turning off the first switch to interrupt current flow through the light emitting unit. |
| US07952289B2 |
UV lamp system and associated method with improved magnetron control
An ultraviolet lamp system for irradiating a substrate includes a magnetron and a memory physically attached to the magnetron. An electrodeless lamp is configured to emit ultraviolet light when excited by microwave energy generated from the magnetron. Main control circuitry is operable to read and write operational data associated with the magnetron to the memory. The ultraviolet lamp system is operated by generating microwave energy from the magnetron. A plasma within an electrodeless lamp is excited with the microwave energy to emit ultraviolet light. Operational data associated with the magnetron is tracked and written to the memory associated with the magnetron. |
| US07952279B2 |
Light emitting display device, plasma display device and phosphor particles
A fluorescence particle 17 according to the present invention is used for a light emitting display device and is made of a fluorescent material. The fluorescent material has at least one element 18 selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ca, Ba, Sr and Y. Within a range 17a from the surface 17s of the fluorescence particle through a depth of 20 nm, the at least one element 18 has a local maximum of its concentration profile in the depth direction. |
| US07952277B2 |
Plasma display panel
A PDP is proposed which has high emission efficiency and which can decrease address discharge voltage. In a column direction of at least one of transparent electrodes, which perform sustain discharge via respective discharge gaps of a pair of row electrodes and constituting a row electrode pair, is set to 150 μm or less, and partial pressure of xenon in discharge gas sealed in a discharge space is set to 6.67 kPa or more. A width of a scan electrode, which is one row electrode of each of the row electrode pair facing the column electrode and to which scan pulse is applied, is wider than a width of the other row electrode of the pair to which discharge sustain voltage is applied. |
| US07952274B2 |
Dial module and process for manufacturing the same, LED display element, display module, movement module, connector module and meter employing the same
The dial module includes: a sheet-shaped dial having a design part on a surface of the dial; a sheet-shaped light source fixed to a back surface of the dial for illuminating the design part; and a flexible printed circuit fixed to a back surface of the light source. The dial module thus constructed enables to reduce the number of components, to facilitate assembly of a meter which employs the dial module therein, to improve the productivity, and to reduce the cost. |
| US07952272B2 |
Electroluminescence element having metal particles dispersed in light scattering layer
In an EL element including a light emitting layer sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes, of light emitted therefrom, light totally reflected at a light emitting layer interface is not taken out, so there is a problem in that light emission efficiency reduces. Therefore, a light scattering layer in which metal particles are dispersed is provided between an electrode and the light emitting layer. According to such a structure, the light from the light emitting layer can be scattered by the metal particles and taken out, thereby improving the light emission efficiency. When plasmon is excited in the metal particles, light confined in the light emitting layer or each layer adjacent thereto can be used, thereby improving light use efficiency. |
| US07952266B2 |
White phosphor, light emission device including the same, and display device
A white phosphor, and a light emission device including the white phosphor, and a display device including the white phosphor, the white phosphor including 40 to 45 parts by weight of a blue phosphor selected from the group consisting of ZnS:(Ag,Cl), ZnS:(Ag,Al), ZnS:(Ag,Al,Cl), and combinations thereof; 30 to 40 parts by weight of a green phosphor selected from the group consisting of ZnS:(Cu,Al), ZnS:(Cu,Au,Al), and combinations thereof; and 20 to 25 parts by weight of a red phosphor selected from the group consisting of Y2O3:Eu, Y2O3:(Eu,Tb), Y2O2S:Eu, Y2O2S:(Eu,Tb), and combinations thereof. The white phosphor shows a color temperature of from 12,000K and 14,000K. |
| US07952265B2 |
Electron-emitting device and image display apparatus
An electron-emitting device, comprising:a pair of device electrodes formed on an insulating substrate; and a conductive film formed to connect the device electrodes and having an electron-emitting portion, wherein the conductive film has a thickness of 3 nm to 50 nm and is made of precious metal and oxide of base metal, a percentage of the base metal among metals contained in the conductive film is 30 mol % or more, and the conductive film has a concentration gradient of the oxide of the base metal in a thickness direction. |
| US07952261B2 |
Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications
Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed. |
| US07952256B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer fabrication method, and ultrasonic endoscope
An ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention includes: two or more ultrasonic transducer cells, each of which has a lower electrode, a first insulating layer placed on the lower electrode, a cavity placed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer placed on the cavity, and an upper electrode placed above the second insulating layer; channels which communicate the cavities with each other; the second insulating layer placed on the channels; holes formed in the second insulating layer placed on the channels; and sealing portions which seal the holes, where that part of the sealing portions which enters the channels is the same in cross-sectional shape as the holes. |
| US07952254B2 |
Stator of outer rotor type motor
A stator of an outer rotor type motor is provided. The stator may include a helical core having stacked layers formed by winding a single metal sheet having a predetermined shape in a helical direction, a base and teeth that protrude from the base. The stator may also include an insulator made of electrical insulation material that surrounds the helical core, recesses formed in the base of the helical core that reduce stress due to the winding of the single metal sheet and disposed under the teeth, and auxiliary recesses formed in a bottom of the recesses. |
| US07952253B2 |
Stator laminations for rotary actuator
A rotary actuator includes an outer enclosure having an inner diameter surrounding a hollow interior. A stack of stator laminations, each having a stator diameter greater than the inner diameter of the outer enclosure when in an unflexed state, are also included in the rotary actuator. Each of the stator laminations is configured to flex into a shape so as to be positionable within the outer enclosure and substantially conform to the inner diameter. The stator lamination thus forms a line-to-line fit with at least a portion of the outer enclosure to form an interface having a desirable reluctance. |
| US07952251B2 |
Systems and methods for shielding an electric machine
A method for reducing leakage currents in an electric machine is described. The method includes positioning a plurality of leakage current shields between windings and teeth of a stator, and coupling at least one of the plurality of leakage current shields to a reference point, wherein an electric potential at the reference point is not earth ground. |
| US07952250B2 |
Rotary electric machine with coil member and method of manufacturing coil member
In a rotary electric machine, a field coil member includes a first edgewise coil composed of a plurality of coaxially layered convolutions. The coaxially layered convolutions are wound around the outer periphery of the first pole core. The field coil member includes a second edgewise coil composed of a plurality of coaxially layered convolutions. The coaxially layered convolutions are wound around the outer periphery of the second pole core. The field coil member includes a link portion connecting between the first edgewise coil and the second edgewise coil in series. One of the first and second edgewise coils has one coil end extending therefrom to cross over the link portion at a crossover portion thereof. The crossover portion between the one coil end and the link portion is arranged to be non-overlapped with the convolutions of the one of the first and second edgewise coils. |
| US07952242B2 |
Rotary electric machine integrated with control device
A rotary electric machine integrated with a control device includes stator current switching circuit sections, each of which has a switching element disposed on a heat sink; a field current switching circuit section; a control circuit section which controls the stator current switching circuit sections and the field current switching circuit section; and a case which contains the stator current switching circuit sections and has suction holes each for a cooling air inflow, the heat sinks of three phases for the stator current switching circuit sections being disposed in a circumferential direction of the rotary electric machine. In the rotary electric machine, of the suction holes of the case, an area of the suction hole for the heat sink of the phase disposed in the midst is set to be larger than an area of the suction hole of other phase. |
| US07952241B2 |
Cooling fan built into rotor
A cooling fan includes a fan ring to be attached to an end surface of a rotor core near the outer circumference thereof, and a plurality of fins connected to the fan ring. The fan ring has positioning leg portions provided on an end surface thereof facing a thrust direction. The fan ring is positioned in relation to the rotor core through insertion of the positioning leg portions into core slots of the rotor core. The fan ring has wire accommodation recesses which are formed on the end surface of the fan ring facing the thrust direction and communicate with the core slots. |
| US07952240B2 |
Rotary electric machine
A rotary electric machine having a stator including a coil; and a cooling unit that cools a coil end of the coil, which projects in an axial direction of the stator, wherein the cooling unit includes: an outer periphery cooling portion that is disposed along an outer peripheral surface of the coil end and includes a plurality of injection holes that inject a cooling medium onto the outer peripheral surface; and an end surface cooling portion that is disposed along an axial end surface of the coil end and includes a plurality of injection holes that inject the cooling medium onto the axial end surface. |
| US07952234B2 |
Power supply circuit, power supply control circuit and power supply control method
A plurality of DC-DC converters are cascade-connected via a plurality of control signal lines which are used in common for start sequence control and stop sequence control. Each of the plurality of DC-DC converters is constituted including a sequence control circuit which commences a start operation along with activation of a control signal line on a previous stage side and activates a control signal line on a subsequent stage side along with completion of the start operation, and commences a stop operation along with deactivation of the control signal line on the subsequent stage side and deactivates the control signal line on the previous stage side along with completion of the stop operation. |
| US07952233B2 |
Lavatory system
A lavatory system having at least one wash station and at least one electrically operated fixture is disclosed. The lavatory system includes a control system for operating the at least one electrically operated fixture and a power supply system for powering the at least one electrically operated fixture. According to one embodiment, the power supply system includes a plurality of power sources and a switch device. The plurality of power sources are electrically coupled to each other and configured to provide an output voltage for powering the at least one fixture. The electrical coupling of the power sources is selectively adjustable between a first arrangement in which the power sources are electrically coupled to each other in parallel and a second arrangement in which the power sources are electrically coupled to each other in series. The first switch device configured to adjust the electrical coupling of the power sources between the first arrangement and the second arrangement. |
| US07952232B2 |
Wind turbine energy storage and frequency control
Commands are generated for controlling a state of charge of an energy storage device coupled between an energy source and an auxiliary load. Commands are also generated for providing from the energy storage device to the auxiliary load and for using power from the energy storage device for controlling a DC link voltage, energy source torque, grid side power flow, or combinations thereof. Commands may also be generated to provide frequency compatible power to auxiliary loads of the energy source. |
| US07952228B2 |
Power supply apparatus and electronic apparatus
A plurality of primary power supplies convert a primary power supply voltage into intermediate voltages. Secondary power supplies convert the intermediate voltages converted by the primary power supplies into supply voltages and output the same. A timing adjuster is inputted thereto plural sorts of power converted into the intermediate voltages from the plural primary power supplies to perform timing adjustment to absorb a difference in start timing between the plural primary power supplies, and causes the secondary power supplies to output the supply voltages. When the power is supplied from the plural power supplies to the load elements, stable power can be supplied to the load elements even if a difference in start time generates between the plural power supplies. |
| US07952221B2 |
Enhanced DC electric main engine start system
A starting system for aircraft engines employs power from multiple power sources. Each engine is started with a starter motor that is driven by the same multiple power sources which collectively provide starting power. As engine speed increases during each starting cycle a voltage boost is progressively provided by a boost converter. The starting system allows use of voltages higher than output voltage of the power sources while allowing the power sources to remain connected to a main aircraft power distribution bus. |
| US07952219B2 |
Hydroelectric pumped-storage
Hydroelectric pumped-storage includes monitoring electrical demand on a system over time. If the monitored demand exceeds a predetermined first value, fluid is allowed to flow substantially under the influence of gravity from a first aquifer to a second aquifer. Kinetic energy from the flowing fluid is converted into electrical energy. If the monitored demand drops below a predetermined second value, fluid from the second aquifer is moved to the first aquifer. |
| US07952217B2 |
Wind turbine, a method for controlling a wind turbine and use thereof
The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a rotor including one or more pitchable blades, registration means for registering an idling power producing situation of the wind turbine in relation to a utility grid, detection means for detecting edgewise oscillations in one or more of the blades, and control means for controlling the pitch angle of one or more of the blades. The control means is adapted for changing the pitch angle of one or more of the blades when the registration means registers that the wind turbine is operating in an idling power producing situation and the detection means detects edgewise oscillations in one or more of the blades, hereby damping or eliminating the edgewise oscillations. The invention further relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine and use hereof. |
| US07952204B2 |
Semiconductor die packages with multiple integrated substrates, systems using the same, and methods using the same
An exemplary semiconductor die package is disclosed having one or more semiconductor dice disposed on a first substrate, one or more packaged electrical components disposed on a second substrate that is electrical coupled to the first substrate, and an electrically insulating material disposed over portions of the substrates. The first substrate may hold power-handling devices and may be specially constructed to dissipation heat and to facilitate fast and inexpensive manufacturing. The second substrate may hold packaged components of control circuitry for the power-handling devices, and may be specially constructed to enable fast and inexpensive wiring design and fast and inexpensive component assembly. The first substrate may be used with different designs of the second substrate. |
| US07952203B2 |
Methods of forming C4 round dimple metal stud bumps for fine pitch packaging applications and structures formed thereby
Methods of forming microelectronic device structures are described. Those methods may include forming a passivation layer on a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises an array of conductive structures, forming a first via in the passivation layer, forming a second via in the passivation layer that exposes at least one of the conductive structures in the array, and wherein the second via is formed within the first via space to form a step via, and forming a conductive material in the step via, wherein a round dimple is formed in the conductive material. |
| US07952202B2 |
Method of embedding passive component within via
A method of forming a device associated with a via includes forming an opening or via, and forming at least a pair of conducting paths within the via. Also disclosed is a via having at pair of conducting paths therein. |
| US07952200B2 |
Semiconductor device including a copolymer layer
A semiconductor device including a chip including an integrated circuit, a conductive layer, a copolymer layer and metal elements. The conductive layer is disposed over the chip and electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. The copolymer is disposed on the conductive layer. The metal elements are electrically coupled to the conductive layer via through-connects in the copolymer layer. |
| US07952196B1 |
Affordable high performance high frequency multichip module fabrication and apparatus
An interconnect assembly for use in high frequency applications includes an interconnect structure, a plurality of electronic die disposed on the interconnect structure, and an encapsulant at least partially surrounding the plurality of electronic die. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of layers. The interconnect assembly further includes a thermal management layer disposed within a portion of the encapsulant and proximate to the plurality of electronic die and a controlled impedance interconnect connected to the interconnect structure and extending to a peripheral surface of the interconnect assembly. |
| US07952194B2 |
Silicon interposer-based hybrid voltage regulator system for VLSI devices
A voltage regulation module and system for an integrated circuit die. The voltage regulation module includes an interposer situated in a stack between a substrate and the integrated circuit die. The interposer includes a hybrid array of voltage regulation elements for receiving voltage from the power supply and for down-converting the voltage from the power supply into a regulated voltage supplied to the integrated circuit die. The hybrid array of voltage regulation elements includes both high-bandwidth linear regulation elements for providing voltage regulation to areas on the integrated circuit die that intermittently demand relatively high current levels, and low-bandwidth switching regulator elements that are highly power efficient. |
| US07952193B2 |
Method and apparatus for deploying a liquid metal thermal interface for chip cooling
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for chip cooling. One embodiment of an inventive method for bonding a liquid metal to an interface surface (e.g., a surface of an integrated circuit chip or an opposing surface of a heat sink) includes applying an adhesive to the interface surface. A metal film is then bonded to the adhesive, thereby easily adapting the interface surface for bonding to the liquid metal. |
| US07952192B2 |
Melting temperature adjustable metal thermal interface materials and packaged semiconductors including thereof
A melting temperature adjustable metal thermal interface material (TIM) and a packaged semiconductor including thereof are provided. The metal TIM includes about 20-98 wt % of In, about 0.03-4 wt % of Ga, and at least one element of Bi, Sn, Ag and Zn. The metal TIM has an initial melting temperature between about 60-144° C. |