Document Document Title
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.
US07952186B2 Semiconductor package land grid array substrate and plurality of first and second electrodes
A semiconductor package includes a bare chip which has a plurality of external electrodes, a land grid array substrate having an edge, a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a first portion apart from the edge and a second portion adjacent to the edge. The first portion of the first surface mounts the bare chip and is covered with a resin to seal the bare chip with the resin. The first portion of the first surface and the second surface includes a non-sealed region which is not covered with the resin. A plurality of first electrodes are arranged on the non-sealed region and connected to the external electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are arranged on the second surface and connected to the external electrodes.
US07952185B2 Semiconductor device with hollow structure
A device comprising a chip, which is held in casting compound and on which a hollow structure is arranged is disclosed.
US07952183B2 High capacity memory with stacked layers
A element group includes a plurality of semiconductor elements stacked in a step-like shape on a wiring board. The semiconductor elements are electrically connect to connection pads of the wiring board through metal wires. Among the plural semiconductor elements stacked in a step-like shape, the uppermost semiconductor element has a thickness larger than that of the semiconductor element immediately below it.
US07952176B2 Integrated circuit packaging system and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes providing an integrated circuit having an active side and a non-active side; forming a channel through the integrated circuit; forming an indent, having a flange and an indent side, from a peripheral region of the non-active side; and forming a conformal interconnect, having an offset segment, a sloped segment, and a flange segment, under the indent.
US07952165B2 Heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) with self-aligned sub-lithographic metal-semiconductor alloy base contacts
A heterojunction bipolar transistor structure with self-aligned sub-lithographic extrinsic base region including a self-aligned metal-semiconductor alloy and self-aligned metal contacts made to the base is disclosed. The lateral dimension of the extrinsic base region is defined by the footprint of a sacrificial spacer, and its thickness is controlled by selective epitaxy. A self-aligned semiconductor-metal alloy and self-aligned metal contacts are made to the extrinsic base using a method compatible with conventional silicon processing.
US07952163B2 Nonvolatile memory devices that use resistance materials and internal electrodes, and related methods and processing systems
A nonvolatile memory device, a method of fabricating the nonvolatile memory device and a processing system including the nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device may include a plurality of internal electrodes that extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a face of a substrate, a plurality of first external electrodes that extend substantially in parallel with the face of the substrate, and a plurality of second external electrodes that also extend substantially in parallel with the face of the substrate. Each first external electrode is on a first side of a respective one of the internal electrodes, and each second external electrode is on a second side of a respective one of the internal electrodes. These devices also include a plurality of variable resistors that contact the internal electrodes, the first external electrodes and the second external electrodes.
US07952160B2 Packaged voltage regulator and inductor array
Inductors packaged with a voltage regulator for an integrated circuit within the same package are deposited to a sufficient thickness to reduce resistance and improve the quality factor. Furthermore, the voltage regulator switches currents through the inductors at a relatively high frequency such that the overall size and inductances of the inductors may be reduced. As a consequence, integrating both the integrated circuits including a voltage regulator and associated inductor array in a single package is facilitated. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07952156B2 Photoelectric conversion device and solid-state imaging device
A photoelectric conversion device comprising a photo-electric conversion part including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a photoelectric conversion layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein light is made incident from an upper part of the second electrode layer into the photoelectric conversion layer; the photoelectric conversion layer generates a charge containing an electron and a hole corresponding to the incident light from the upper part of the second electrode layer; and the first electrode layer works as an electrode for extracting the hole.
US07952144B2 Integration of a sense FET into a discrete power MOSFET
A semiconductor device includes a main field effect transistor (FET) and one or more sense FETs, and a common gate pad. The main FET and the one or more sense FETs are formed in a common substrate. The main FET and each of the sense FETs include a source terminal, a gate terminal and a drain terminal. The common gate pad connects the gate terminals of the main FET and the one or more sense FETs. An electrical isolation is disposed between the gate terminals of the main FET and the one or more sense FETs. Embodiments of this invention may be applied to both N-channel and P-channel MOSFET devices.
US07952143B2 Semiconductor device having IGBT and diode
A semiconductor device in which both an IGBT element region and a diode element region exist in the same semiconductor substrate includes a low lifetime region, which is formed in at least a part of a drift layer within the diode element region and shortens the lifetime of holes. A mean value of the lifetime of holes in the drift layer that includes the low lifetime region is shorter within the IGBT element region than within the diode element region.
US07952142B2 Variable width offset spacers for mixed signal and system on chip devices
MOSFET gate structures comprising multiple width offset spacers are provided. A first and a second gate structure are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A pair of first offset spacers are formed adjacent either side of the first gate structure. Each of the first offset spacers comprises a first silicon oxide layer with a first dielectric layer overlying. A pair of second offset spacers are formed adjacent either side of the second gate structure. Each of the second offset spacers comprises a second silicon oxide layer with a second dielectric layer overlying. Ion implanted doped regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent the first and second offset spacers respectively to form a first and second MOSFET device. A maximum width of each of the first offset spacers is different from that of the second offset spacers. The first silicon oxide layer is thinner than the second silicon oxide layer.
US07952141B2 Shield contacts in a shielded gate MOSFET
A semiconductor structure comprises an active region comprising trenches extending into a semiconductor region. Each trench includes a shield electrode and a gate electrode. The semiconductor structure also comprises a shield contact region adjacent to the active region. The shield contact region comprises at least one contact trench extending into the semiconductor region. The shield electrode from at least one of the trenches in the active region extends along a length of the contact trench. The semiconductor structure also comprises an interconnect layer extending over the active region and the shield contact region. In the active region the interconnect layer is isolated from the gate electrode in each trench by a dielectric layer and contacts mesa surfaces of the semiconductor region adjacent to the trenches. In the shield contact region the interconnect layer contacts the shield electrode and the mesa surfaces of the semiconductor region adjacent to the contact trench.
US07952140B2 Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices having multiple channel transistors and semiconductor devices fabricated thereby
In methods of fabricating a semiconductor device having multiple channel transistors and semiconductor devices fabricated thereby, the semiconductor device includes an isolation region disposed within a semiconductor substrate and defining a first region. A plurality of semiconductor pillars self-aligned with the first region and spaced apart from each other are disposed within the first region, and each of the semiconductor pillars has at least one recessed region therein. At least one gate structure may be disposed across the recessed regions, which crosses the semiconductor pillars and extends onto the isolation region.
US07952139B2 Enhancing Schottky breakdown voltage (BV) without affecting an integrated MOSFET-Schottky device layout
This invention discloses a semiconductor power device that includes an active cell area having a plurality of power transistor cells. Each of said power transistor cells has a planar Schottky diode that includes a Schottky junction barrier metal covering areas above gaps between separated body regions between two adjacent power transistor cells. The separated body regions further provide a function of adjusting a leakage current of said Schottky diode in each of said power transistor cells. Each of the planar Schottky diodes further includes a Shannon implant region disposed in a gap between the separated body regions of two adjacent power transistor cells for further adjusting a leakage current of said Schottky diode. Each of the power transistor cells further includes heavy body doped regions in the separated body regions next to source regions surrounding said Schottky diode forming a junction barrier Schottky (JBS) pocket region.
US07952137B2 Trench semiconductor device and method of making the same
A trench semiconductor device and a method of making the same are provided. The trench semiconductor device includes a trench MOS device and a trench ESD protection device. The trench ESD protection device is electrically connected between the gate electrode and source electrode of the trench MOS device so as to provide ESD protection. The fabrication of the ESD protection device is integrated into the process of the trench MOS device, and therefore no extra mask is required to define the doped regions of the trench ESD protection device. Consequently, the trench semiconductor device is advantageous for its simplified manufacturing process and low cost.
US07952136B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor storage apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor storage apparatus including: a substrate; a columnar semiconductor disposed perpendicular to the substrate; a charge storage laminated film disposed around the columnar semiconductor; a first conductor layer that is in contact with the charge storage laminated film and that has a first end portion having a first end face; a second conductor layer that is in contact with the charge storage laminated film, that is separated from the first conductor layer and that has a second end portion having a second end face; a first contact plug disposed on the first end face; and a second contact plug disposed on the second end face.
US07952133B2 Flash memory and method for manufacturing the same
Provided are a flash memory and a method for manufacturing the same. The flash memory includes a semiconductor substrate having a device isolation region and an active region; a stacked gate on the semiconductor substrate; an insulation layer covering the semiconductor substrate and the stacked gate; a drain contact penetrating the insulation layer on one side of the stacked gate; and a source line penetrating the insulation layer on an opposite side of the stacked gate.
US07952132B2 Semiconductor memory device including a stacked gate having a charge storage layer and a control gate, and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a source region, a drain region, a channel region, a charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode. The source region and drain region are formed separately from each other in a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The channel region is formed in the semiconductor substrate and located between the source region and the drain region. The charge storage layer is formed on the channel region with a first insulating film interposed therebetween. The control gate electrode is formed on the charge storage layer with a second insulating film interposed therebetween. The control gate has an upper corner portion rounded with a radius of curvature of 5 nm or more.
US07952127B2 Storage node of stack capacitor and fabrication method thereof
A storage node structure includes a substrate having thereon a conductive block region; an etching stop layer covering the conductive block region; a conductive layer penetrating the etching stop layer and electrically connecting the conductive block region; an annular shaped conductive spacer on sidewall of the conductive layer, wherein the annular shaped conductive spacer is disposed on the etching stop layer and wherein the annular shaped conductive spacer and the conductive layer constitute a storage node pedestal; and an upper node portion stacked on the storage node pedestal.
US07952124B2 Image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor and manufacturing method thereof are provided. An insulating layer having a wiring can be provided on a semiconductor substrate. A barrier wiring can be provided in the insulating layer between the wiring of a unit pixel and an adjacent wiring of an adjacent pixel. A device isolating pattern can be provided on the barrier wiring, and a lower electrode can be provided on the insulating layer and the wiring. A photodiode can be provided on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode can be provided on the photodiode.
US07952123B2 Thin film transistor substrate and display device
A thin-film transistor substrate in which an aluminum alloy film composing a source/drain wiring is directly connected with a transparent electrode. The thin-film transistor substrate includes a gate wiring, and source wiring and drain wiring, the gate wiring and the source and drain wiring being arranged orthogonally to each other. The single-layer aluminum alloy film composing the gate wiring and the single-layer aluminum alloy film composing the source wiring and the drain wiring are the same in composition. Furthermore, display devices can be mounted with the above thin-film transistor substrates.
US07952121B2 Image sensor and sensor unit
An image sensor includes a charge storage portion for storing and transferring signal charges, a first electrode for forming an electric field storing the signal charges in the charge storage portion, a charge increasing portion for increasing the signal charges stored in the charge storage portion and a second electrode for forming another electric field increasing the signal charges in the charge increasing portion, wherein the quantity of the signal charges storable in the charge storage portion is not less than the quantity of the signal charges storable in the charge increasing portion.
US07952119B2 Semiconductor device and associated layout having three or more linear-shaped gate electrode level conductive segments of both equal length and equal pitch
A restricted layout region includes a diffusion level layout that includes a number of diffusion region layout shapes to be formed within a portion of a substrate of a semiconductor device. The diffusion region layout shapes define at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region. The restricted layout region includes a gate electrode level layout defined to pattern conductive features within a gate electrode level above the portion of the substrate. The gate electrode level layout includes rectangular-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Some of the rectangular-shaped layout features form gate electrodes of respective PMOS transistor devices, and some of the rectangular-shaped layout features form gate electrodes of respective NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the restricted layout region of the semiconductor device.
US07952112B2 RGB thermal isolation substrate
A submount for red, green, and blue LEDs is described where the submount has thermally isolated trenches and/or holes in the submount so that the high heat generated by the green/blue AlInGaN LEDs is not conducted to the red AlInGaP LEDs. The submount contains conductors to interconnect the LEDs in a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, the AlInGaP LEDs are recessed in the submount so all LEDs have the same light exit plane. The submount may be used for LEDs generating other colors, such as yellow, amber, orange, and cyan.
US07952106B2 Light emitting diode device having uniform current distribution and method for forming the same
A semiconductor is disclosed. The semiconductor may include a transparent layer having a first surface. The semiconductor may further include a first doped layer formed over the first surface of the transparent layer. The first doped layer may have a plurality of first-type metal electrodes formed thereon. The semiconductor may further include a second doped layer formed over the first surface of the transparent layer. The second doped layer may have a plurality of second-type metal electrodes formed thereon. The semiconductor may also include an active layer formed over the first surface of the transparent layer and disposed between the first doped layer and the second doped layer. The first-type metal electrodes and the second-type metal electrodes may be alternately arranged and the distances between each first-type metal electrode and its adjacent second-type metal electrodes may be substantially equal.
US07952105B2 Light-emitting display device having improved efficiency
A light-emissive device includes a substrate having a first electrode formed on the substrate. A colloidal light-emitting layer comprising inorganic, light-emissive particles is formed over the first electrode. A second electrode is formed over the light-emitting layer. At least one of the first and second electrodes is transparent. The transparent electrode preferably has a refractive index substantially equal to or greater than the refractive index of the colloidal light-emitting layer. Finally, a light-scattering layer is formed on a side of the transparent electrode opposite the colloidal light-emitting layer.
US07952103B2 EL display device and method for manufacturing the same
An EL display device comprising pixels, each of the pixels comprises an EL element and a TFT, and a counter substrate. The counter substrate is provided with a light shielding film disposed in an area covering at least a space between two pixels and color filters having one of three different colors.
US07952102B2 Display device and manufacturing method thereof
In a display device which forms thin film transistors on a substrate, the thin film transistor includes an n-type thin film transistor and a p-type thin film transistor, a gate electrode of one thin film transistor out of the n-type thin film transistor and the p-type thin film transistor forms a metal layer made of a material different from the gate electrode on a gate-insulation-film side thereof, and an LDD layer is formed over a semiconductor layer of at least one of the n-type thin film transistor and the p-type thin film transistor.
US07952100B2 Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device in which damages of an element such as a transistor are reduced even when physical force such as bending is externally applied to generate stress in the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor film including a channel formation region and an impurity region, which is provided over a substrate, a first conductive film provided over the channel formation region with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween, a first interlayer insulating film provided to cover the first conductive film, a second conductive film provided over the first interlayer insulating film so as to overlap with at least part of the impurity region, a second interlayer insulating film provided over the second conductive film, and a third conductive film provided over the second interlayer insulating film so as to be electrically connected to the impurity region through an opening.
US07952097B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A method for improving the reliability and yield of a thin film transistor by controlling the crystallinity thereof. The method comprises the steps of forming a gate electrode on an island amorphous silicon film, injecting an impurity using the gate electrode as a mask, forming a coating film containing at least one of nickel, iron, cobalt, platinum and palladium so that it adheres to parts of the impurity regions, and annealing it at a temperature lower than the crystallization temperature of pure amorphous silicon to advance the crystallization starting therefrom and to crystallize the impurity regions and channel forming region.
US07952089B2 Composite material and light emitting element
An object of the invention is to provide a composite material with which a light emitting element can be manufactured to have superior heat resistance, and another is to have durability high enough to be driven stably for a long time. Another object is to provide a composite material with which a light emitting element can be manufactured to achieve both objects. Still another object is to provide a composite material with which a light emitting element can be manufactured to achieve the above objects and to have little increase in power consumption. One feature of a composite material of the invention which can achieve the above objects is to comprise an organic-inorganic hybrid material in which an organic group is covalently bonded to silicon in a skeleton composed of siloxane bonds, and a material which is capable of accepting or donating electrons from or to the organic group.
US07952087B2 Phase change device with offset contact
A programmable resistance memory combines multiple cells into a block that includes one or more shared electrodes. The shared electrode configuration provides additional thermal isolation for the active region of each memory cell, thereby reducing the current required to program each memory cell.
US07952085B2 Surface inspection apparatus and method thereof
The invention provides a surface inspection apparatus and a method for inspecting the surface of a sample that are capable of inspecting discriminatingly between the scratch of various configuration and the adhered foreign object that occur on the surface of a work target when the work target (for example, an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate) is subjected to polishing process such as CMP or grinding process in semiconductor manufacturing process or magnetic head manufacturing process.
US07952084B2 Radiation source and lithographic apparatus
A radiation source is configured to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation. The radiation source includes a plasma formation site located at a position in which a fuel is contacted by a beam of radiation to form a plasma, a collector constructed and arranged to collect extreme ultraviolet radiation formed at the plasma formation site and form an extreme ultraviolet radiation beam, and a contamination barrier. The contamination barrier includes a plurality of foils at least partially located between the plasma formation site and the collector, and a rotatable base operatively connected to the plurality of foils. The rotatable base is configured to allow the beam of radiation to pass through the contamination barrier to the plasma formation site.
US07952083B2 Ion beam system and machining method
An ion beam system includes a sample stage which holds a sample, an ion source which generates an ion beam so that the ion beam is extracted from the ion source along an extraction axis, an irradiation optical system having an irradiation axis along which the ion beam is irradiated toward the sample held on the sample stage, and a charged particle beam observation system for observing a surface of the sample which is machined by the irradiated ion beam. The extraction axis along which the ion beam is extracted from the ion source and the irradiation axis along which the sample is irradiated are inclined with respect to one another.
US07952074B2 Method and apparatus for inspecting integrated circuit pattern
A circuit pattern inspection method and an apparatus therefore, in which the whole of a portion to be inspected of a sample to be inspected is made to be in a predetermined changed state, the portion to be inspected is irradiated with an image-forming high-density electron beam while scanning the electron beam, secondary charged particles are detected at a portion irradiated with the electron beam after a predetermined period of time from an instance when the electron beam is irradiated, an image is formed on the basis of the thus detected secondary charged particle signal, and the portion to be inspected is inspected by using the thus formed image.
US07952071B2 Apparatus and method for inspecting sample surface
Provided is a defect inspection apparatus and an inspection (or evaluation) method with highly improved accuracy, which would not be provided by the prior art, in the defect inspection apparatus used in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device.Provided is a method for inspecting a sample surface with a projection type electron beam inspection apparatus, comprising the steps of: forming such an irradiation area on the sample surface by an electron beam generated from an electron gun 21 that has approximately a circular or elliptical shape of a size larger than a pattern on the sample surface; irradiating the electron beam substantially onto a center of the pattern on the sample surface; and forming an image on an electron detection plane of a detector from secondary electrons emanating from the sample surface in response to the irradiation of the electron beam for inspecting the sample surface.
US07952069B2 Mass spectrometer and mass spectrometry method
A mass spectrometer includes an ionization chamber, a temperature control unit which controls the temperature in the ionization chamber to vaporize a sample in at least one of solid and liquid state in the ionization chamber, an introduction unit which introduces the sample into the ionization chamber, an ion supply unit which supplies ions to the ionization chamber to ionize, in the ionization chamber, the sample vaporized in the ionization chamber, and a mass analyzer which measures the mass of the molecules of the ionized sample.
US07952062B2 Dynamically configurable multiple wavelength photodetector array for optical storage applications
A photodetector integrated circuit (PDIC) capable of being used with at least two different types of optical discs includes a photodetector (PD) array and a switch matrix. The PD array includes a center channel PD and a side channel PD electrically isolated from the center channel PD. The switch matrix, which includes a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, can be selectively configured in a plurality of different switch configurations. The side channel PD includes a plurality of electrically isolated PD sections. Each electrically isolated PD section of the side channel PD is adapted to detect light and provide an electrical output signal, indicative of the light detected by the PD section, to a different one of the inputs of the switch matrix. The switch matrix is adapted to combine the electrical output signals provided by the electrically isolated PD sections of the side channel PD in a plurality of different manners, in dependence on which of the plurality of different switch configurations is selected.
US07952061B2 Electromagnetic device with integral/non-linear component
An optical antenna assembly including multiple optical antenna elements, each of the optical antenna elements are arranged in a regular pattern and carried by a supporting body. The regular pattern of the plurality of optical antenna elements is nonuniform. Certain ones of the optical antenna elements are configured to respond to the one or more waves of light.
US07952060B2 Pixel circuit having flip-flop with inverter and feedback transistor, electro-optical device having said pixel circuit, and electronic apparatus having said electro-optical device
A pixel circuit includes a pixel electrode, a pixel transistor of a first conduction type, and a flip-flop. The pixel transistor has a control node connected to a scanning line, a first node connected to a data line, and a second node. The flip-flop has an inverter and a feedback transistor of a second conduction type opposite to the first conduction type. The inverter has an input node connected to the second node of the pixel transistor, and an output node connected to the pixel electrode. The feedback transistor is controlled to be turned on or off in accordance with an output of the inverter for supplying a high-level power source voltage or a low-level power source voltage to a common connection point of the second node of the pixel transistor and the input node of the inverter, in the ON state.
US07952057B2 Reflective surface for solar energy collector
Concentrating solar collector systems that utilize a concentrating reflector to direct incident solar radiation to a solar receiver are described. In one aspect, the reflective surface is arranged to direct light to the receiver in a non-imaging manner in which the solar rays reflected from the opposing edges of the reflective surface are generally directed towards a central portion of the solar receiver. Rays reflected from selected central portions of the reflective surface are directed closer to the edges of the receiver than the solar rays reflected from the edges of the reflective surface. The described reflectors are generally intended for use in solar collector systems that track movements of the sun along at least one axis.
US07952055B2 Methods and apparatus for deploying control surfaces sequentially
Methods and apparatus for deploying control surfaces generally comprise a fin deployment system for projectiles. The fin deployment system is used to control the timing of the control surface deployment. In one embodiment, the deployment system comprises a clip that is configured to react the biasing force of one control surface against another in order to maintain the control surfaces in a non-deployed state until at least one control surface is able to overcome the retention force of the clip, thus beginning a chain reaction in which all of the control surfaces deploy sequentially.
US07952054B2 Heating element
There is disclosed a heating element 10 comprising: at least a heat-resistant base member 1; a conductive layer 3 having a heater pattern 3a formed on the heat-resistant base member; a protection layer 4 with an insulating property formed on the conductive layer; and a corrosion-resistant layer 4p that is an oxide having an oxygen amount of stoichiometric ratio or less formed on the protection layer. There can be provided a heating element in which a corrosion-resistant layer whose resistivity or hardness is controlled is formed on a protection layer and through which the corrosive gas is difficult to be transmitted even under an environment of a high temperature and a corrosive gas and by which degradation due to corrosion of a conductive layer, particularly, a power-supply-terminal portion can be avoided and additionally which can fulfill a high function as an electrostatic chuck even when having a chuck pattern and which has a long operation life and is capable of being produced at a low cost.
US07952053B2 Mirrored styling iron
A device for enhancing vision for a hair curling iron for conventional curling iron of the general type having clamping members, two heating members, two bases and two styling members wherein the improvement comprises a mirror element attached to one of the bases. In another embodiment, a styling iron comprising an upper body having inner and outer surfaces, an upper cover attached to the upper body, a heating element between the upper cover and the inner surface, a lower body operationally attached to the upper body, the lower body having inner and outer surfaces, a lower cover attached to the lower body, a second heating element between the lower cover and the inner surface of the lower body, and a mirror attached to the outer surface of the upper body. Moreover, the styling iron may further comprise an insulating element between the heating element and the mirror.
US07952051B2 Electronic polarity reversing switch for a multi-process welding power source
A system and method, in certain embodiments, sets an output polarity based on a selected process. The system and method may be used to operate a variety of equipment, such as welders, cutters, tools and so forth. In some embodiments, the system and method may include receiving an input signal and configuring circuitry to output power with a given polarity based on the input signal.
US07952049B2 Method for multi-step temperature control of a substrate
A method of changing the temperature of a substrate during processing of the substrate includes providing the substrate on a substrate holder, the substrate holder including a temperature controlled substrate support for supporting the substrate, a temperature controlled base support for supporting the substrate support and a thermal insulator interposed between the temperature controlled substrate support and the temperature controlled base support. The method further includes setting the temperature of the base support to a first base temperature corresponding to a first processing temperature of said substrate, setting the substrate support to a first support temperature corresponding to said first processing temperature of said substrate, setting the temperature of the base support to a second base temperature corresponding to a second processing temperature of said substrate, and setting the substrate support to a second support temperature corresponding to said second processing temperature of said substrate.
US07952047B2 Feedback enhanced plasma spray tool
An improved automatic feedback control scheme enhances plasma spraying of powdered material through reduction of process variability and providing better ability to engineer coating structure. The present inventors discovered that controlling centroid position of the spatial distribution along with other output parameters, such as particle temperature, particle velocity, and molten mass flux rate, vastly increases control over the sprayed coating structure, including vertical and horizontal cracks, voids, and porosity. It also allows improved control over graded layers or compositionally varying layers of material, reduces variations, including variation in coating thickness, and allows increasing deposition rate. Various measurement and system control schemes are provided.
US07952045B2 Material piece scooping device
A material piece scooping device, which extracts a material piece from a surface of an object to be scooped by cutting electric discharges between an electric discharge electrode and the object to be scooped, includes a rotation drive section 40, an arm portion 30 driven by the rotation drive section to rotate around a rotational axis X, an electrode holder 20 supported by the arm portion, and an electric discharge electrode 10 detachably mounted on the electrode holder. A sliding section for sliding the arm portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis and an arm length adjusting section for adjusting a length of the arm portion from the rotational axis thereof are provided, so as to adjust a trajectory of the electric discharge electrode as the arm portion rotates. The material piece can be scooped from the object along a line of the trajectory gnawing into the object.
US07952044B2 Rocker switch and actuator subassembly therefor
An actuator subassembly is provided for a rocker switch including a housing, a plunger and a number of contact elements. The actuator subassembly includes an operating member movably coupled to the rocker switch housing at or about an opening, and including at least one projection which extends into a cavity of the housing. A sub-actuator is removably coupled to such projection and includes a shaped portion, a number of contacting portions and a depth. The shaped portion cooperates with a plunger to provide a plurality of operating characteristics of the operating member, including a plurality of positions thereof. Each contacting portion contacts a corresponding one of the contact elements when the operating member is disposed in a corresponding one of the positions. When the actuator subassembly is coupled to the housing, the depth of the sub-actuator occupies less than one-third of the width of the cavity.
US07952040B2 Inhibitor switch and manufacturing method thereof
An inhibitor switch for detecting a shift position of a select lever is provided with: a terminal block fixed in a transmission case of an automatic transmission; a contact plate provided in the terminal block; an operating portion configured to cooperatively move with the select lever and to move along the contact plate; a movable contact formed on the operating portion and configured to slide on the contact plate to form an electric circuit according to a contact position between the contact plate and the movable contact; at least one disconnecting portion formed in the contact plate and cut at a plurality of positions after the contact plate is provided in the terminal block for interrupting electrical conduction; and at least one set of a plurality of disconnecting holes for cutting the disconnecting portion and formed in the terminal block by primary molding. The disconnecting holes respectively correspond to the plurality of positions at which the disconnecting portion is cut. The plurality of disconnecting holes are sealed by secondary molding after the disconnecting portion is cut.
US07952038B1 Two-stage switch apparatus
A two-stage switch apparatus includes: a PCB including first and second electrodes; a conductive dome disposed on the PCB; an insulating film covering a surface of the conductive dome on a side opposite to the PCB, and third and fourth electrodes above the conductive dome; and a button actuator provided over a side of the insulating film, which is opposite the PCB. The button actuator includes a conductive elastic body protruding to the side of the insulating film at positions corresponding to both the third and fourth electrodes. An analog portion is formed by the conductive elastic body, the third electrode and the fourth electrode, when the conductive elastic body contacts both the third and fourth electrodes. A digital portion is formed by the conductive dome and the second electrode, when the button actuator is pressed and the conductive dome is indented.
US07952027B2 Cable management system
A device for managing a plurality of cables in a multi-cable environment includes a stationary member having a plurality of stationary channel portions. At least one movable member is movably secured to the stationary member. The at least one movable member has a plurality of movable channel portions corresponding in number and general configuration to the plurality of stationary channel portions. A plurality of indicia-bearing areas are provided, corresponding in number, and adjacent, to the plurality of stationary channel portions. The at least one moveable member is moveable between a cable placement position in which cables can be placed in the respective stationary channel portions, and a cable retaining position in which the cables are secured in channels formed by the cooperation of the stationary channel portions and the movable channel portions.
US07952024B2 U-turn bus bar
A U-turn bus bar comprises a body portion constituting a linear essential part formed of a conductive plate member, having an overall thickness (t) and an overall width (2b); at least a terminal portion expanded in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion; and a connection hole formed at one end of the body portion. The body portion includes a U-turn bend formed by bending the body portion into a U-turn shape.
US07952017B2 Multifocal light concentrator for a device for the conversion of radiation, and in particular for the conversion of solar radiation into electrical, thermal or chemical energy
A light concentrator is described, for a device for the conversion of solar radiation into electrical, thermal or chemical energy, capable of conveying the radiation towards a surface of the conversion device. The concentrator comprises at least one portion of Fresnel lens of rotational symmetry, one face of which has a plurality of crests disposed concentrically about a center so as to form a segmented transverse profile of the portion of Fresnel lens. The profile is formed in such a manner that the focal distance of the Fresnel lens is variable in dependence on the radial distance from the center of the lens. The variation of the focal distance is determined such that, when the Fresnel lens is illuminated by polychromatic radiation, the superposition of the distributions of irradiance, produced by the lens at the individual wavelengths constituting the spectrum of the incident radiation, generates a substantially uniform distribution of polychromatic irradiance on the conversion device.
US07952016B2 Photovoltaic module comprising a terminal box attached to the rear surface
This invention provides a photovoltaic module for preventing insulation failure between an outer frame and connection leads. The photovoltaic module comprises: a photovoltaic submodule including a plurality of solar cells interposed between two light-transmitting substrates through the intermediary of an encapsulant and the connection leads extending from an edge between light-transmitting substrates and outputting generated electric currents; a terminal box attached near an edge of the photovoltaic submodule and housing connected parts between the connection leads and cables for outputting the electric currents to the outside; and an outer frame fitting over peripheral edges of the photovoltaic submodule. A side, of the light-receiving side light-transmitting substrate, from which the connection leads are pulled out, is made large so as to extend outward further than the other light-transmitting substrate. The connection leads are led out from the edge between the two light-transmitting substrates to be guided into the terminal box.
US07952015B2 Pb-Te-compounds doped with tin-antimony-tellurides for thermoelectric generators or peltier arrangements
The invention relates to a thermoelectrically active p- or n-conductive semiconductor material constituted by a compound of the general formula (I) (PbTe)1−x(Sn2±ySb2±zTe5)x  (I) with 0.0001≦x≦0.5, 0≦y<2 and 0≦z<2, wherein 0 to 10% by weight of the compound may be replaced by other metals or metal compounds, wherein the semiconductor material has a Seebeck coefficient of at least |S|≧60 μV/K at a temperature of 25° C. and electrical conductivity of at least 150 S/cm and power factor of at least 5 μW/(cm·K2), further relates to a process for the preparation of such semiconductor materials, as well as to generators and Peltier arrangements containing them.
US07952014B2 Digital guitar system
A digital guitar system and method includes a digital guitar and a digital guitar interface device, and a method of converting a conventional guitar into a digital guitar. The guitar is adapted to generate analog audio signals, convert those signals into digital signals, format the digital signals according to a digital communication protocol, and to output the formatted signals. The guitar may include a novel multi-signal guitar pickup that generates some of the analog audio signals. The guitar is further adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals. The interface device is adapted to receive digital signals, convert those signals into analog signals, and output the analog signals.
US07952013B2 Contents reproducer and reproduction method for selecting content to be reproduced based on a moving tempo and tempo informaiton for the content
Content is selected on the basis of changes of a walking tempo. The walking tempo is detected (S5). In a state determination process (S7), it is determined whether the walking tempo tends to increase, be constant, or decrease. A walking tempo corrective coefficient is calculated on the basis of the determined result and a corrective walking tempo is calculated with the walking tempo corrective coefficient (S9). It is determined whether or not music is changed on the basis of the corrective walking tempo rather than the actually detected walking tempo (S11). When music is changed, relevant music content is searched. Controls are performed in such a manner that when the walking tempo is decreasing, the foregoing state is kept for a while, when the walking tempo is increasing, music is quickly selected according to the increase of the walking tempo, and when the walking tempo is stable, music is not selected.
US07952012B2 Adjusting a variable tempo of an audio file independent of a global tempo using a digital audio workstation
A computer implemented method allows a DAW to adjust a variable tempo of an audio file independent of a global tempo. The method includes causing the display of a musical arrangement having a global tempo. The musical arrangement includes an audio file having a variable tempo which is independent of the global tempo. The method includes adjusting the variable tempo of the audio file, wherein the variable tempo begins at an initial tempo and adjusts to an end tempo over a set length of time. The method can also include outputting the audio file having the variable tempo in response to a command to play the musical arrangement.
US07952010B2 Structure of a key
A keyboard device has a plurality of keys, each key having a support base where one end of each key is supported and is arranged to allow for movement, and a plate that hides the surface of the base. The keys are created with ultrasonic welding once the base and the plate merge. Thus, it is possible to weld while merging the base and the plate together, because the base and the plate are connected by ultrasonic welding. Compared to pasting the two together using traditional adhesives, it is possible to have the base securely bound to the plate. It is then possible to have performers use the device for an extended period of time. The result is the ability to curb the chances of the base and the plate becoming loose.
US07952007B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH544603
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH544603. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH544603, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH544603 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH544603.
US07952005B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH677070
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH677070. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH677070, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH677070 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH677070.
US07952004B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH127588
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH127588. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH127588, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH127588 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH127588.
US07952003B1 Maize variety PHEDV
A novel maize variety designated PHEDV and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHEDV with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHEDV through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHEDV or a trait conversion of PHEDV with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHEDV, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHEDV and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US07952000B1 Soybean cultivar S07-02JR407076
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar S07-02JR407076 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar S07-02JR407076 and its progeny, and methods of making S07-02JR407076.
US07951995B2 Soybean event 3560.4.3.5 and compositions and methods for the identification and detection thereof
Compositions and methods related to transgenic glyphosate/ALS inhibitor-tolerant soybean plants are provided. Specifically, soybean plants having a 3560.4.3.5 event which imparts tolerance to glyphosate and at least one ALS-inhibiting herbicide are provided. The soybean plant harboring the 3560.4.3.5 event at the recited chromosomal location comprises genomic/transgene junctions having at least the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 and/or 11. The characterization of the genomic insertion site of the 3560.4.3.5 event provides for an enhanced breeding efficiency and enables the use of molecular markers to track the transgene insert in the breeding populations and progeny thereof. Various methods and compositions for the identification, detection, and use of the soybean 3560.4.3.5 events are provided.
US07951994B2 Desaturase enzymes
We describe transgenic cells transformed with nucleic acid molecules which encode enzymes with desaturase activity and the use of these cells and enzymes in biocatalysis.
US07951990B2 Method and means for determining fitness in plants
The present invention provides methods and means for determining parent inbred plant lines with good combining ability, for determining good combinations of parent inbred plant lines capable of yielding hybrid lines with high heterosis, and further for determining the agronomical performance of different plant lines, which can be performed in vitro by determining the electron flow in the mitochondria under control and stress conditions.
US07951985B2 Production of aromatics from methane
In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions effective to convert the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons. The reaction zone is contained within a reactor and the reactor or an internal component of the reactor has at least one surface that is chemically exposed to the feed and is formed from a refractory material that exhibits a carbon uptake (mass of carbon absorbed per unit of exposed metal surface area) of less than 25 g/m2 when exposed to mixture of 50 vol % methane and 50 vol % H2 at 900° C. for 168 hours.
US07951980B2 Process and apparatus for the recovery of ethylene glycol in the production of polyethylene terephthalate
A method and apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethylene glycol in a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) production process, in which water accumulating in the esterification reaction is mixed with a process fluid containing 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (MDO). The mixing is carried out in a tank arranged upstream of a rectification column. Through the increase in the water content in the fluid, a shift in the reaction equilibrium takes place and consequently a cleavage of the 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane present into ethylene glycol and acetaldehyde takes place. Following the cleavage reaction, the mixture is fed from the tank into a rectification column, whereby the ethylene glycol produced from the cleavage reaction is returned to the PET production process.
US07951977B2 Process for producing hexahydrofurofuranol derivative
The present invention provides; a process for producing a compound (IV) comprising a step of reacting a compound (I) with a compound (II) in the presence of an optionally substituted cyclic secondary amine to obtain a compound (III) and a step of sequentially or simultaneously eliminating R1 and R2 from the compound (III), and then cyclizing the R1- and R2-eliminated compound to obtain the compound represented by the formula (IV); a process for producing a high purity compound (IV); an intermediate thereof; and a process for producing an intermediate.
US07951968B2 Metal-containing compound and use thereof
A compound having two or more thiol groups and an atom selected from metal atoms in a molecule, a polythiol composition containing such a compound, a polymerizable composition containing such a polythiol composition, a resin obtained by polymerization of such a polymerizable composition, and an optical component obtained from such a resin are provided. The polymerizable composition can be a raw material for a resin having high transparency, good heat resistance and mechanical strength required for optical components such as plastic lenses and the like, while attaining a high refractive index (nd) exceeding 1.7.
US07951967B2 Method and apparatus for preparing fatty acid alkyl ester using fatty acid
A method and an apparatus for preparing fatty acid alkyl ester for bio-diesels are disclosed, wherein fatty acid, specifically fatty acid distillate reacts with alcohol, without a catalyst. The method does not require the purification process of the catalyst and glycerin, and has the superior conversion ratio of fatty acid. The method for preparing fatty acid alkyl ester for bio-diesel fuels comprises the step of esterifying fatty acid raw material with alcohol, under a temperature of 200 to 350° C. and a pressure of atmospheric pressure to 10 bar. The apparatus for preparing fatty acid alkyl ester for bio-diesel fuels, comprises: the first reactor for esterifying fatty acid raw material with alcohol under a temperature of 200° C. to 350° C. and a pressure of atmospheric pressure to 10 bar and for converting 80 to 90% of total fatty acid into fatty acid alkyl ester; and the second reactor for converting remaining fatty acid unconverted at the first reactor into fatty acid alkyl ester.
US07951964B2 Fluorine-containing boronic acid ester compound and method for producing the same
A fluorine-containing boronic acid ester compound (R1: a linear or branched divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atom, m: 1 to 5, and n: 3 to 7) having a low melting point is produced by reacting a 3,5-dihalogeno fluorine-containing phenol derivative with a dialkoxyborane The fluorine-containing boronic acid ester compound is highly soluble in organic solvents and has a low melting point. The fluorine-containing boronic acid ester compound can suitably be used as a starting material for the production of conjugated polymer materials or as a curing agent for elastomeric polymer materials.
US07951962B2 Organic semiconductor compound, organic semiconductor thin film, organic semiconductor coating liquid, organic thin film transistor, methods for producing bis(benzo[4,5] thieno)[2,3-B:3′2′-E][1,4]dithin and bis(benzo [4,5]thieno)[2,3-B:2′3′-E][1,4]dithiin
An organic semiconductor compound is represented by a general formula 1: wherein A and B each are an aromatic ring with a conjugated electron system and X and Y each are DR2, ER or G in which D denotes any of C, Si, Ge and Sn, E denotes any of N, P, As and Bi, G denotes any of O, S, Se and Te and R denotes any of H, an alkyl group and an aryl group.
US07951961B2 Enantioselective synthesis of pyrrolidines substituted with flavones, and intermediates thereof
The present invention relates to an enantioselective synthesis of (+)-trans enantiomer of pyrrolidines substituted with flavones, represented by Formula 1 or salts thereof, which are inhibitors of cyclin dependant kinases and can be used for treatment of proliferative disorders such as cancer wherein Ar has the meaning as indicated in the claims.
US07951937B2 Process for purification of trichlorogalactosucrose based on direct extraction in organic solvent from reaction mixture followed by evaporative removal of solvent
A process of azeotropic removal of dimethylformamide, abbreviated as DMF, from a process stream containing DMF requiring its removal, is described wherein the said Process Stream being obtained in a process for preparation of 4,1′,6′ trichlorogalactosucrose, abbreviated as TGS, or TGS-6-ester including TGS-6-acetate or TGS-6-benzoate, comprising steps of (a) evaporation of the said process stream under reduced pressure to a concentrate to effect removal of a part of DMF azeotropically, (b) diluting the concentrate obtained at the end of step (a.) of this claim with water, preferably to about 5 to 10 times the volume of the said concentrate, and (c) repeating the cycles of evaporation under reduced pressure and dilution with water for more number of times until content of DMF in the concentrated mass is reduced to 0.5% or less of the concentrate.
US07951933B2 CD38 splice variants and uses thereof
The invention provides for a substantially purified polypeptide referred to herein as CD38JL that is a CD38 splice variant comprised of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof. The invention also provides methods for treating preventing and diagnosing disorders associated with expression of CD38JL.
US07951932B2 Probe, probe set, probe carrier, and testing method
A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 3 and mutated sequences thereof.
US07951928B2 Gene encoding a protein and preventive/remedy for neurodegenerative diseases such as polyglutamine diseases by utilizing the same
To provide a novel protein that can be a preventive/remedy in neurodegenerative diseases such as polyglutamine diseases based on the finding obtained by revealing the relationship between transcriptional dysfunction and neuronal death. Disclosed is a protein that is one of the following proteins (a) and (b). (a) A protein including an amino acid sequence represented by any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3. (b) A protein including an amino acid sequence in which one to several amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence of (a), the protein having a dominant negative effect on a transcriptional activation factor YAP.
US07951927B2 Reconstructed human mariner transposon capable of stable gene transfer into chromosomes in vertebrates
The present invention refers to a gene transfer system for stably introducing nucleic acid(s) into the DNA of a cell by using a member of the human mariner transposases. The invention further refers to this transposase and to transposons used in the inventive gene transfer system, comprising a nucleic acid sequence with flanking repeats (IRs and/or IR/DRs). Furthermore, applications of this gene transfer system are also disclosed such as gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, gene discovery (including genome mapping), mobilization of genes, library screening, or functional analysis of genomes in vivo and in vitro. Finally, pharmaceutical compositions and kits are also encompassed.
US07951925B2 Methods and compositions for gene inactivation
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for inactivating CCR-5 genes, using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) comprising a zinc finger protein and a cleavage domain or cleavage half-domain. Polynucleotides encoding ZFNs, vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding ZFNs, such as adenovirus (Ad) vectors, and cells comprising polynucleotides encoding ZFNs and/or cells comprising ZFNs are also provided.
US07951920B2 Conjugate of an antibody against CCR5 and an antifusogenic peptide
The current invention is related to a conjugate comprising one or more antifusogenic peptides and an anti-CCR5 antibody (mAb CCR5) characterized in that one to eight antifusogenic peptides are each conjugated to one terminus of the heavy and/or light chains of the anti-CCR5 antibody and to the pharmaceutical use of the conjugate.
US07951918B2 Stabilized polypeptide compositions
The invention is based, at least in part, on the development of stabilized binding molecules that consist of or comprise a stabilized scFv and methods for making such stabilized molecules.
US07951912B2 Poly-β-peptides from functionalized β-lactam monomers and antibacterial compositions containing same
Disclosed is a method of making β-polypeptides. The method includes polymerizing β-lactam-containing monomers in the presence of a base initiator and a co-initiator which is not a metal-containing molecule to yield the product β-polypeptides. Specifically disclosed are methods wherein the base initiator is potassium t-butoxide, lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LiN(TMS)2), potassium bis(trimethyl-silyl)amide, and sodium ethoxide, and the reaction is carried out in a solvent such as chloroform, dichloromethane, dimethylsulfoxide, or tetrahydrofuran.
US07951909B2 Immunogenic peptide composition comprising a promiscuous helper T cell epitope and an N-terminal fragment of Aβ1-42 peptide
The present invention relates to a composition comprising a peptide immunogen useful for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. More particularly, the peptide immunogen comprises a main functional/regulatory site, an N-terminal fragment of Amyloid β (Aβ) peptide linked to a helper T cell epitope (Th) having multiple class II MHC binding motifs. The peptide immunogen elicits a site-directed immune response against the main functional/regulatory site of the Aβ peptide and generate antibodies, which are highly cross-reactive to the soluble Aβ1-42 peptide and the amyloid plaques formed in the brain of Alzheimer's Disease patients. The antibodies elicited being cross reactive to the soluble Aβ1-42 peptide, promote fibril disaggregation and inhibit fibrillar aggregation leading to immunoneutralization of the “soluble Aβ-derived toxins”; and being cross-reactive to the amyloid plaques, accelerate the clearance of these plaques from the brain. Thus, the composition of the invention comprising the peptide immunogen is useful for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.
US07951907B2 Circovirus sequences associated with piglet weight loss disease (PWD)
The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection is further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccines, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.
US07951906B2 Compounds capable of interacting with a cell-surface fibroblast growth factor receptor
The present invention relates to a method for modulating the interaction between at least two proteins, wherein at least one of the two proteins is a functional cell-surface receptor and the other protein is the receptor ligand. The invention features a binding site of said functional cell-surface receptor on the receptor ligand and discloses a series of amino acid sequences, which are part of the structure of said binding site and/or involved in the interaction between the receptor and the ligand. Moreover, the present invention features methods for molecular design and screening of a candidate compound capable of modulating the interaction between the functional cell-surface receptor and receptor ligand through the described binding site, and provides a screening assay for identification of such a compound. The invention further describes an antibody capable of binding to the above binding site and/or to an epitope comprising an amino acid sequence essential for executing the receptor ligand interaction through said binding site. The invention also concerns a variety of uses of the disclosed methods, peptide sequences and antibodies. The invention in preferred embodiments concerns the binding site of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) on FGFR ligands, compounds capable of modulating the receptor ligand interaction through said binding site, and antibody capable of recognition of said binding site.
US07951899B2 Enzyme-catalyzed polycarbonate and polycarbonate ester synthesis
An enzymatic process for preparing aliphatic polycarbonates via terpolymerization or transesterification using a dialkyl carbonate, an aliphatic diester, and an aliphatic diol or triol reactant. A catalyst having an enzyme capable of catalyzing an ester hydrolysis reaction in an aqueous environment is subsequently added to the reaction mixture. Next, polymerization of the reaction proceeds for an allotted time at a temperature ≦100° C. Finally, the copolymer is isolated from an the catalyst via filtration.
US07951898B2 Biodegradable polyketal polymers and methods for their formation and use
The present invention relates to biodegradable biocompatible polyketals, methods for their preparation, and methods for treating animals by administration of biodegradable biocompatible polyketals. In one aspect, a method for forming the biodegradable biocompatible polyketals comprises combining a glycol-specific oxidizing agent with a polysaccharide to form an aldehyde intermediate, which is combined with a reducing agent to form the biodegradable biocompatible polyketal. The resultant biodegradable biocompatible polyketals can be chemically modified to incorporate additional hydrophilic moieties. A method for treating animals includes the administration of the biodegradable biocompatible polyketal in which biologically active compounds or diagnostic labels can be disposed. The present invention also relates to chiral polyketals, methods for their preparation, and methods for use in chromatographic applications, specifically in chiral separations. A method for forming the chiral polyketals comprises combining a glycol-specific oxidizing agent with a polysaccharide to form an aldehyde intermediate, which is combined with a suitable reagent to form the chiral polyketal. A method for use in chiral separations includes the incorporation of the chiral polyketals in the mobile phase during a chromatographic separation, or into chiral stationary phases such as gels. The present invention further relates to chiral polyketals as a source for chiral compounds, and methods for generating such chiral compounds.
US07951892B1 Doped polysilanes, compositions containing the same, methods for making the same, and films formed therefrom
Doped polysilanes, inks containing the same, and methods for their preparation and use are disclosed. The doped polysilane generally has the formula H-[AaHb(DRx)m]q-[(AcHdR1e)n]p—H, where each instance of A is independently Si or Ge, and D is B, P, As or Sb. In preferred embodiments, R is H, -AfHf+1R2f, alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, and R1 is independently H, halogen, aryl or substituted aryl. In one aspect, the method of making a doped poly(aryl)silane generally includes the steps of combining a doped silane of the formula AaHb+2(DRx)m (optionally further including a silane of the formula AcHd+2R1e) with a catalyst of the formula R4wR5yMXz (or an immobilized derivative thereof) to form a doped poly(aryl)silane, then removing the metal M. In another aspect, the method of making a doped polysilane includes the steps of halogenating a doped polyarylsilane, and reducing the doped halopolysilane with a metal hydride to form the doped polysilane. The synthesis of semiconductor inks via dehydrocoupling of doped silanes and/or germanes allows for tuning of the ink properties (e.g., viscosity, boiling point, surface tension and dopant level or concentration) and for deposition of doped silicon films or islands by spincoating, inkjetting, dropcasting, etc., with or without the use of UV irradiation.
US07951879B2 Hydroxy ester pre-extended epoxy-terminated viscosifiers and method for producing the same
Embodiments relate to viscosifiers that are terminated polymers that have functional terminal groups. The polymers being pre-extended by polyepoxides and being reacted to give polymers that are terminated by other functional groups. The viscosifiers have a low content in educts or educt descendants that deteriorate the properties of compositions and considerably reduce or even exclude the formation of high-molecular addition products so that the products obtained have low viscosity and good storage stability.
US07951877B2 Process for the production of vinyl compound
A process, advantageous in producibility, for the production of a vinyl compound containing very small amounts of ionic impurities and hydrolysable halogens, which is capable of curing by means of heat and/or light and giving a cured product having excellent dielectric characteristics and heat resistance, which process can efficiently remove a generated salt and comprises reacting a non-protonic polar solvent solution of a specific bifunctional phenylene ether oligomer with a vinylbenzyl halide in the presence of an alkoxide of an alkali metal, wherein the thus-obtained reaction solution is acidified with a specific amount of an acidic substance, then a salt generated is removed, an alkali substance containing a specific amount of an alkali metal is added to the thus-obtained solution, then a salt generated is removed, and the thus-obtained solution is mixed with water or a water-alcohol mixed solution, to precipitate a solid.
US07951876B2 Multi-functional polymers
A multi-functional polymer defined by the formula (Q-R¦n—Z—P2—Y where (Q-R)n is a functionality cluster, Q is a functional group, R is a multi-valent organic group, P2 is a long-chain polymer, n is an integer from about 2 to about 10, Y is a proton, a weak functional group, or a selective functional group, and Z is a branch point where the functionality clusters join the long-chain polymer.
US07951875B2 Low molecular weight hydrogenated nitrile rubber
The present invention relates to hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art.
US07951874B2 Non-conjugated polymeric perarylated boranes, use thereof as organically semiconductor transmitters and/or transport materials, methods for producing same and uses thereof
A K type of copolyarylborane: wherein hydrogen atoms are bonded to the ends; Arn represents at least one of Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3; each of Ar1 and Ar2 represents an arylene radical; Ar3 represents an heteroaromatic arylene radical; Ar1 has a π electron density of no less than that of benzene; Ar2 is capable of hole transport; Ar3 has a π electron density of no greater than that of benzene and less than that of Ar1; x, y, and z respectively represent the molar parts of Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3; each of x, y, and z is in the range of 0-1, and x+y+z=1; and R represents an aryl radical. This K type of copolyarylborane may be of use for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic solar cells, organic photodetectors, and organic field-effect transistors.
US07951873B2 Linear low density polymer blends and articles made therefrom
This invention relates to blends of linear low density polyethylene copolymers with other linear low density polyethylenes or very low density, low density, medium density, high density, and differentiated polyethylenes. The invention also includes articles produced from the linear low density polyethylene and polyethylene blends described.
US07951872B2 Heterogeneous polymer blend with continuous elastomeric phase and process of making the same
A heterogeneous polymer blend comprises a dispersed phase comprising a thermoplastic first polymer having a crystallinity of at least 30% and a continuous phase comprising a second polymer different from the first polymer. The second polymer has a crystallinity of less than 20% and is at least partially cross-linked.
US07951869B2 2K waterborne isocyanate free coating system and methods thereof
The present system is a waterborne coating composition comprising a low VOC (<50 g/l) acrylic epoxy coating which is capable of high build coating formation (>12 mils) without foaming. The coating composition may be made, stored and transported as a two-part composition, where each part is a pourable liquid. The waterborne acrylic epoxy composition cures under ambient condition to give tenacious adhesion to a variety substrates. The coating system, described herein, is designed as an ambient cure system, but may also be cured at elevated temperatures. The two component emulsion composition is useful for coating applications. One component is an emulsion comprised of a blend of a hydroxy functional acrylic polymer co-reactant, suitable additives, pigments and epoxy resin The second component is a waterborne amine hardener for curing or crosslinking the first component.
US07951864B2 Nanocomposites of polymers with dispersed nanotubes
The present invention provides polymer nanocomposites with dispersed nanotubes and methods of making same. The polymer may be a polyether. For example, the present invention provides an effective method to successfully disperse single walled nanotubes (SWNTs) into both Polyethylenoxide (PEO) and its low molecular weight analog polyethylene glycol (PEG) with hydrodynamic percolation at about 0.09 wt % and an electrical percolation at about 0.03 wt % SWNTs at room temperature, and the resulting nanocomposites. The method may include providing a surfactant. Most notably the present inventors achieved a decrease in the melting point of the polymer and a retardation of polymer crystallization due to the presence of the nanotubes.
US07951860B2 Polymer composite materials and methods for producing the same
Polymer composite materials having improved gas barrier properties are generally disclosed, along with process of making the same. The polymer composite materials can include phosphonate particles, oxide particles, and combinations thereof. For example, the particles can be metal phosphonate particles, synthetic oxide particles, or combinations thereof.
US07951857B2 Water-in-oil bitumen dispersion and methods for producing paving compositions from same
The present invention relates to bituminous compositions suitable for use in paving applications containing water-in-oil bitumen dispersion of paving grade bitumen such as penetration-graded, viscosity-graded and/or penetration-graded varieties that is substantially free of volatile solvents and made by controlling temperature-dependent interfacial rheology through the use of selected surfactants. The invention paving compositions are suitable for use in the construction of load-bearing, high-traffic pavements at a temperature range lower than that required for conventional hot-mix bituminous paving compositions, yet with similar or superior compaction to densities property and at least equal cure rate.
US07951853B2 Polymer-based antimicrobial agents, methods of making said agents, and products incorporating said agents
The present invention relates to antimicrobial agents, methods for the production of these agents, and the use of these agents. The antimicrobial agent of the present invention includes a water-soluble polymer and oligodynamic metal ions which interact with counter-ions of the polymer such that the metal ions are bound to corresponding counter-ions. The water-soluble polymer controls a sustained release of the metal ions. The oligodynamic metal ions preferably include small size metal particles (e.g., nano-sized silver particles) that interact to the water-soluble polymer as well as metal ions derived from one or more water-soluble oligodynamic metal compositions (e.g., metal sulfates and/or metal nitrates). The agent may also include one or more acids, including organic acids (such as sulfates, carboxylic acids, amines, hydroxyls, nitrates, and phosphates) and/or non-organic acids (such as boric acid and dioctylborate).
US07951848B2 Aqueous dispersions of partially hydrophobic silicas
Aqueous dispersions of partly hydrophobic silica exhibit a smooth change in viscosity with pH over a wide pH range, without gelling or exhibiting local maxima. The dispersions have numerous uses, including use in O/W Pickering emulsions.
US07951847B2 Nutrient compositions and methods for enhanced effectiveness of the immune system
Provided are methods of treating HIV patients by administering to the patient a nutrient composition and at least one anti-retrovial drug. The method results in an increase in the patient's CD4+ cell count by at least 25% during a treatment period. The nutrient composition includes alpha lipoic acid; acetyl L-carnitine; N-acetyl-cysteine; zinc; selenium; vitamin C; bioflavinoid complex; vitamin E; one or more antioxidants selected from co-enzyme Q10 and glutathione; and one or more vitamins or minerals selected from beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum.
US07951843B2 Amide linked modulators of γ-secretase
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I as shown below, wherein the definitions of A, R1 R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are provided in the specification. Compounds of Formula I are useful for the treatment of diseases associated with γ-secretase activity, including Alzheimer's disease.
US07951841B2 Retinal derivatives and methods for the use thereof for the treatment of visual disorders
Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinal derivatives as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided.
US07951837B2 Crystalline forms of duloxetine free base
The present invention is concerned with duloxetine free base in crystalline form, and also novel polymorphic forms thereof.
US07951836B2 Substituted phenyl methanone derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, X, n, and m are as defined herein and to pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to methods for treating neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
US07951832B2 Pyrazole derivatives as kinase inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds having the general structure I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein X is a six-member ring selected from phenyl, pyridine, or pyrimidine; Y is H, an alkenyl, a substituted alkenyl, or alkynyl, and R is H or alkyl. Pharmaceutical compositions for treating various disorders such as cancers, the compositions including compound I are also provided.
US07951831B2 Use of inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase to synergize activity of COX and 5-LOX inhibitors
The invention relates to methods, compositions, and uses of those compositions for making medicaments, for potentiating the beneficial effects of inhibitors of COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX, and reducing adverse effects, by also administering inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase (“sEH”), with or without also administering one or more cis-epoxyeicosantrienoic acids. The invention further relates to the use of inhibitors of sEH as analgesics and to methods and compositions of epoxides of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, optionally with an inhibitor of sEH, to reduce pain or inflammation or both.
US07951826B2 Pyrrolidine derivatives as histamine H3 receptor antagonists
The present invention discloses novel compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which have histamine-H3 receptor antagonist or inverse agonist activity, as well as methods and intermediates for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I) as well as methods of using them to treat obesity, cognitive deficiencies, narcolepsy, and other histamine H3 receptor-related diseases.
US07951822B2 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran derivatives
The object is to provide a novel LXRβ agonist that is useful as a preventative and/or therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis; arteriosclerosis such as those resulting from diabetes; dyslipidemia; hypercholesterolemia; lipid-related diseases; inflammatory diseases that are caused by inflammatory cytokines; skin diseases such as allergic skin diseases; diabetes; or Alzheimer's disease. The solving means is a 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran derivative represented by the following general formula (1) or salt thereof, or their solvate.
US07951821B2 N-[phenyl(piperidin-2-yl)methyl]benzamide derivatives, preparation thereof, and use thereof in therapy
This invention discloses and claims a compound of general formula (I) in which R1 represents either a hydrogen atom, or an optionally substituted alkyl group, or a cycloalkylalkyl group, or an optionally substituted phenylalkyl group, or an alkenyl group, X represents a hydrogen atom or one or more substituents chosen from halogen atoms and trifluoromethyl, alkyl and alkoxy groups, R2 represents one or more substituents chosen from halogen atoms, optionally substituted alkoxy and optionally substituted amino. The compounds of this invention exhibit therapeutic utility.
US07951817B2 Pyridomorphinans, pyridazinomorphinans and use thereof
Compounds represented by the formula:wherein R is C1-6 alkyl; C4-6 cycloalkylalkyl; or C3-6 alkenyl; R′ is H or C1-6 alkyl; X is H or OH; Y is alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl or aroyl; and Z is CH or N; provided that X is H, when Z is CH and R is C4 cycloalkylalkyl or C4 alkenyl; prodrugs thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are provided. Compounds of the above formula are useful as analgesics for treating pain; as immunomodulators, to modulate the behavioral effects of drugs of abuse and to modulate the development of tolerance and dependence to μ agonists.
US07951815B2 Substituted 1,4,8-triazaspiro [4,5]decan-2-one compounds
Novel 1,4,8-triazaspiro[4,5]decan-2-one compounds corresponding to formula I processes for the preparation thereof, related methods of treatment and pharmaceutical formulations containing such compounds.
US07951812B2 Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as antifolates
The present invention is directed to antifolate compounds having the structure wherein: X is CHR9 or NR9; Y1, Y2, and Y3 independently are O or S; V1 and V2 independently are O, S, or NZ; Z is H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, or alkaryl; R1 and R2 independently are H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, or alkaryl; R3 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, hydroxyl, or halo; and R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 independently are H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, acyl, —C(O)-alkyl, —C(O)-alkenyl, or —C(O)—alkynyl; as well as pharmaceutically acceptable esters, amides, salts, solvates, and prodrugs thereof. The compounds are useful in pharmaceutical compositions and in methods of treating multiple conditions, including abnormal cell proliferation, inflammatory diseases, asthma, and arthritis.
US07951811B2 Pyrrolo[2,3-D]pyrimidine derivatives substituted with a cyclic amino group
[PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED]An object of the present invention is to provide an antagonist against CRF receptors and/or an agonist for δ receptors which is effective as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diseases in which CRF is considered to be involved, such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, eating disorder, hypertension, gastrointestinal diseases, drug dependence, cerebral infarction, cerebral ischemia, cerebral edema, cephalic external wound, inflammation, immunity-related diseases, alopecia, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders, epilepsy, dermatitides, schizophrenia, pain, etc.[SOLUTION]A pyrrolopyrimidine or pyrrolopyridine derivative substituted with a cyclic amino group represented by the following a [I] has a high affinity for CRF receptors and/or δ receptors, and is effective against diseases in which CRF is considered to be involved.
US07951808B2 Imidazole compounds
Imidazole compounds, compositions, and methods of using them in leukocyte recruitment inhibition, in modulating H4 receptor expression, and in treating conditions such as inflammation, H4 receptor-mediated conditions, and related conditions.
US07951806B2 Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 inhibitor
The present invention relates to an inhibitor of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition that has an inhibitory action on PAI-1 activity and is useful in the prevention and treatment of various diseases whose onset is associated with PAI-1 activity. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a novel compound having PAI-1 inhibitory activity represented by the following general formula (I), and a salt thereof. Each symbol is defined as those in the specification.