| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08005245B2 |
Sound image localization apparatus
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound image localization apparatus which can localize a sound image with ease correctly for many listeners.Herein disclosed is a sound image localization apparatus, in which a directional band information storage unit 11 is adapted to store therein directional bands in advance calculated for respective directions, a control filter computing unit 12 is adapted to read a directional band corresponding to a target position information from a directional band information storage unit 11 upon receiving target position information, calculate a control filter coefficient in such a manner that the maximum value of a sensation level for which masking is taken into consideration is matched with the directional band thus read, output the control filter coefficient to a sound image localization processing unit 13. Upon receiving the control filter coefficient from the control filter computing unit 12, the sound image localization processing unit 13 is adapted to convolve the control filter coefficient thus received to an inputted sound source signal, carry out sound image localization processing on the sound source signal, and output a sound signal whose sound image has been localized as a sound image localization signal to a sound reproducing device, not shown, such as, for example, headphones, a speaker, and/or the like. |
| US08005242B2 |
Alternative sensing circuit for MEMS microphone and sensing method thereof
An alternative sensing circuit for a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone and a sensing method thereof are provided. The sensing circuit reads out output signals of an MEMS electret microphone or an MEMS condenser microphone. In considering different operating requirements of the different MEMS microphones, for example, low power consumption for the MEMS electret condenser microphone or high sensitivity for the MEMS condenser microphone, the manner of using two kinds of MEMS microphone sensing components in one circuit can significantly increase the flexibility of using the MEMS microphone and can be applied to the application or design of a condenser sensing component. |
| US08005235B2 |
Multi-chamber noise control system
A noise control system is operable within a box-like structure provided by the dual bulkhead plenum of the vehicle dashboard positioned within the transfer path along which the noise is being transmitted from the source of the generated noise to the receiver of the noise in the passenger compartment of an automobile. The plenum is divided into discrete chambers into each of which is provided a counter noise generating apparatus to create a counteracting noise offsetting the noise generated at the source. The acoustic resonance of the chambers amplifies the noise control energy. The geometry of the individual chambers can be varied to optimize the packaging and sound control or shaping strategy. The sound energy permitted to pass through the plenum to the driver's side of the passenger compartment can be tuned to be different than the noise received in the passenger's side. |
| US08005232B2 |
Method for assisting a user of a hearing system and corresponding hearing system
The hearing system comprises at least one request-receiving unit for receiving requests for assistance from a user of said hearing system and an assistance unit operationally connected to said request-receiving unit adapted to carrying out an assistance function providing assistance for said user. Preferably, said assistance unit is adapted to carrying out an analysis of a current status of at least one device of said hearing system. Preferably, said assistance unit is furthermore adapted to attempting to correct said current status if a faulty or inappropriate current status has been detected. Preferably, the hearing system comprises a communication interface, wherein said assistance unit is adapted to attempting to establish a communication link to a remote assistance provider using said communication interface. The method for assisting a user of a hearing system, comprises the steps of a) receiving a request for assistance from said user by means of a request-receiving unit of said hearing system; and b) automatically carrying out an assistance function upon step a). |
| US08005230B2 |
Method and system for digitally controlling a multi-channel audio amplifier
Audio signals are processed in a manner that facilitates control for overpower conditions. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an audio processing circuit is configured and arranged for controlling an output audio signal as a function of an output power and/or clip condition. The audio processing circuit is adapted to approximate output power from an amplifier independent from output load and varying line conditions. When an overpower and/or clip condition is approximated, a signal is generated to reduce the output power by, e.g., reducing the signal gain and/or disconnecting the output. |
| US08005228B2 |
System and method for automatic multiple listener room acoustic correction with low filter orders
A system and a methods for correcting, simultaneously at multiple-listener positions, distortions introduced by the acoustical characteristics includes warping room responses, intelligently weighing the warped room acoustical responses to form a weighted response, a low order spectral fitting to the weighted response, forming a warped filter from the low order spectral fit, and unwarping the warped filter to form the room acoustical correction filter. |
| US08005217B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring nodes in a wireless network
Methods, systems, devices and computer programs for configuring nodes on a wireless network can include generating a security key for the network, setting the security settings on the access point based on the security key, and saving the security key in a profile data file on a removable memory device along with a portable configuration utility for using the profile data file for configuring other nodes on the network. The removable memory device can then be inserted into other nodes and the portable configuration utility can be run to match the same key on the other network nodes based on the information stored in the profile data file on the removable memory device. |
| US08005216B1 |
Method and apparatus providing confidentiality, integrity and authenticity for a video file
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing confidentiality, integrity and authenticity for a video file is presented. An encryption header is produced for the video file, the video file including a plurality of packets that carry content, the encryption header containing information necessary to successfully decrypt the video file. The encryption header is added to the video file. An encryption key is generated from a master key identified in the encryption header and, using the encryption key, individual packets of the video file that carry content are encrypted. The video file comprises one of the group consisting of pre-recorded streaming video, live streaming video and randomly accessed video. |
| US08005210B2 |
Modulus scaling for elliptic-curve cryptography
Modulus scaling applied a reduction techniques decreases time to perform modular arithmetic operations by avoiding shifting and multiplication operations. Modulus scaling may be applied to both integer and binary fields and the scaling multiplier factor is chosen based on a selected reduction technique for the modular arithmetic operation. |
| US08005209B2 |
Invariance based concurrent error detection for the advanced encryption standard
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is an encryption algorithm for securing sensitive unclassified material by U.S. Government agencies and, as a consequence the de facto encryption standard for commercial applications worldwide. Performing concurrent error detection (CED) for protection of such a widely deployed algorithm is an issue of paramount importance. We present a low-cost CED method for AES. In this method, we make use of invariance properties of AES to detect errors. For the first time, the invariance properties of the AES, which are for the most part used to attack the algorithm, are being used to protect it from fault attacks. Our preliminary ASIC synthesis of this architecture resulted in an area overhead of 13.8% and a throughput degradation of 16.67%. |
| US08005208B2 |
Sealing assembly and sliding cover mechanism using the sealing assembly
The invention discloses a sealing assembly (40) includes a first sealing member (41) and a second sealing member (46) tightly cooperating with the first sealing member (41). The first sealing member (41) has a first assembling side surface (411), and the second sealing member (46) has a second assembling surface (461) facing the first assembling side surface (411). The first assembling side surface (411) and the second assembling side surface (461) form an assembly hole (43) there between. The invention also provides a sliding cover mechanism (100) using the sealing assembly (40). |
| US08005207B2 |
Microphone coupler system for a communication device
The invention provides a microphone coupler system for a communication device. The coupler system comprises: a microphone; a printed circuit board (PCB) to connect to the microphone; a platform having an aperture; a boot assembly to enclose the microphone and to direct acoustic signals to the microphone; and an acoustic channel formed in part by the boot assembly and a bottom surface of the platform when the boot assembly is mounted over the microphone and the platform is mounted over the boot assembly. The boot assembly has a coupling section shaped to hold the microphone with the aperture facing upward from the PCB and a lateral rib extending around its exterior to mate with an interior surface of the platform. |
| US08005206B1 |
VDSL splitter
A VDSL splitter device adapted to receive a multi-frequency signal that includes a POTS signal portion and a VDSL signal portion and outputs separate POTS and VDSL signals. The VDSL splitter device includes an input port that receives the multi-frequency signal, a POTS output port, and a VDSL output port. The VDSL splitter also includes a POTS signal conditioning network electrically connected to the input port and the POTS output port. The POTS signal conditioning network receives the multi-frequency signal from the input port and outputs the POTS signal at the POTS output port. The VDSL splitter device also includes a VDSL signal conditioning network electrically connected to the input port and the VDSL output port. The VDSL signal conditioning network includes a voltage blocker and a VDSL high-pass filter, and is adapted to receive the multi-frequency signal from the input port and outputs the VDSL signal at the VDSL output port. |
| US08005205B2 |
Protective plug for distribution frame devices in telecommunications and data technology
The invention relates to a protected plug socket (20) for distribution devices in telecommunications and data technology, comprising at least one housing (21) and at least one protective element (12), said protective element (12) comprising at least two contact posts (9-11), at least two contact elements (24a-c) being embedded in the housing (21), the contact elements (24a-c) each comprising a line contact (22a, b) and a clamping contact (24a-c), wherein the line contact (22a, b) is arranged in a plugging-in region and the clamping contact is arranged in a housing region of the protected plug socket (20). The contact posts (9-11) of the protective element (12) are in contact with the clamping contacts (24a-c), the protective element (12) is connected to a plugging-in aid (1), made from an electrically non-conducting material and the plugging-in aid (1) comprises at least one housing for the contact posts (9-11) in which the contact posts (9-11) are mechanically fixed, the plugging in aid (1) being arranged between the clamping contacts (24a-c) and/or elements of the housing (21). |
| US08005203B2 |
Meeting lobby for web conferencing
A conferencing system provides the scheduling of virtual meetings with meeting lobbies so that a meeting presenter can conduct a virtual meeting without the need to send out invitations to attendees. A person that wants to conduct a virtual meeting can schedule with the conferencing system a meeting with a meeting lobby. The meeting lobby has an address, but there is no associated privileged information, such as a meeting password. Would-be meeting attendees use the meeting lobby address to enter the meeting lobby as visitors in the lobby, and request to enter the meeting from the meeting lobby. A meeting presenter can then either grant authorization for a visitor in the meeting lobby to enter the meeting, or deny authorization for a visitor in the meeting lobby to enter the meeting. If a visitor in the meeting lobby is denied authorization to enter the meeting from the meeting lobby, the conferencing system removes the visitor from the meeting lobby. |
| US08005202B2 |
Automatic generation of a callflow statistics application for speech systems
A method, system and computer program for automatically generating call flow statistics in a voice application. Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to call flow statistics generation systems and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for automatically generating a call flow statistics-generating application and presenting updated statistics on a call flow representation. Various statistics collection points are identified on the visual representation. Upon running of the voice application, call flow statistics are gathered and presented for each statistics collection point. Call identifiers corresponding to each call path can be selected and call paths corresponding to the selected call identifier may be highlighted and their call statistics displayed. |
| US08005198B2 |
Methods and apparatus for defending against telephone-based robotic attacks using permutation of an IVR menu
Methods and apparatus are provided for defending against telephone-based robotic attacks An interactive voice response method is provided for presenting a menu having one or more menu options to a caller. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a script to present to the caller, the script including the one or more menu options; permuting one or more characteristics of at least one of the one or more menu options; and presenting the permuted menu to the caller. The permutation may comprise, for example, adding one or more additional menu options to the menu; varying a selection number associated with the at least one menu option; varying an order of at least a plurality of the menu options; or varying a wording or pronunciation of one or more menu options. |
| US08005197B2 |
Methods and apparatus for defending against telephone-based robotic attacks using contextual-based degradation
Methods and apparatus are provided fox defending against telephone-based robotic attacks. An interactive voice response method is provided for presenting a menu having one or more menu options to a caller associated with a call. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a script to present to the caller, the script including the one or more menu options; combining at least one of the one or more menu options with a background audio signal, wherein the background audio signal is selected based on a context of the call; and presenting the combination of the at least one of the one or more menu options and the background audio signal to the caller. The context of the call includes comprises one or more of an identity of a called party associated with the call and a time period of the call. The background audio signal can optionally be obtained from a library of background signals. |
| US08005193B2 |
System and method for simple unified messaging
A system and method are disclosed for providing simple unified messaging. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving an indication of a call from a calling party to a called party and answering the call at a premises of the called party. The calling party may be prompted to leave a message, and at least a portion of the message may be saved as an audio file. In response to recognizing that the calling party left the message, an outgoing message may be prepared. The audio file may be attached to the outgoing message, which may be addressed to a network node associated with a unified messaging mailbox of the called party. The message may then be sent from the premises to the network node. By employing teachings disclosed herein, a user may be able to make use of existing premises components and equipment to implement a network-based unified messaging system. |
| US08005192B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing data capture and storage requirements for call and transaction related message monitoring and fraud detection
Systems for monitoring, storage, and analysis of information in signaling messages, communicated from originating networks to a destination network through one or more intermediate networks are described. Correlation and comparison between signaling messages of interest sent from an origination network to signaling messages received by the destination network allows for the detection of inconsistent information, e.g., information fields in a communicated message that have been altered, either intentionally or unintentionally, by an intermediate carrier. The introduction of an additional communications path over which notification messages are forwarded from signaling monitoring equipment in the origination network to signaling monitoring equipment in the destination network allows for a significant reduction in the memory storage requirements at the destination network and in the amount of processing required to match, compare, and evaluate signaling messages. In addition, the reduction in stored messages and processing time allows the monitoring system to operate in near-real time allowing for fraud detection while a call is still in progress. |
| US08005191B2 |
Field emission X-ray apparatus, methods, and systems
There is disclosed herein a field emission x-ray apparatus comprising: a housing including proximal and distal housing ends; a probe including proximal and distal probe ends, wherein the proximal probe end is attach to the distal housing end and the distal probe end is sealingly closed by a cathode, and wherein the apparatus further includes an anode having proximal and distal anode ends with the distal anode end being separated from the cathode by a gap and the proximal anode end being attached to a heat sink; wherein said the further includes an outer probe surface and wherein the outer probe surface comprises a conductive probe surface coating. |
| US08005190B2 |
Radiotherapy apparatus controller and irradiation method
A radiotherapy apparatus controller includes: a portal image taking unit; a gantry position collector; a marker position calculator; and a marker position table generator. The portal image taking unit takes a first transmission image, in which a marker member positioned at a predetermined position is shown, by using therapeutic radiation and an imager. The gantry position collector collects a first gantry position at which a gantry is positioned when the first transmission image is taken from a sensor measuring a position at which the gantry is positioned, the gantry supporting the imager and a therapeutic radiation radiating device which radiates the therapeutic radiation. The marker position calculator calculates a first marker position at which the marker member is shown in the first transmission image. The marker position table generator updates a marker position table, which correlates a plurality of gantry positions with a plurality of marker positions, so that the first gantry position corresponds to the first marker position. |
| US08005187B2 |
Medical digital X-ray imaging apparatus and medical digital X-ray sensor
In a medical digital X-ray imaging apparatus having a plurality of imaging modes including computed tomography mode, a supporter supports an X-ray source and a digital X-ray sensor having a two-dimensional detection plane for detecting X-rays, while interposing an object between them. An image reconstructor acquires data from the digital X-ray sensor and reconstructs an image based on the acquired data. An operator selects one of a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode. The second imaging mode has an irradiation field different from the first imaging mode and has an area to be read in the digital X-ray sensor smaller than that in the first imaging mode. |
| US08005184B2 |
Ultra low radiation dose X-ray CT scanner
A line scan cone beam CT imaging system irradiates an object with an x-ray cone beam for multiple views. A projection data set of the object is acquired at each view. Between views, the cone beam and detector array are translated along parallel lines in opposite directions. An image is generated by converting the cone beam projection data set of the real object into a parallel-beam projection data set corresponding to a virtual object and using a total variation minimization image reconstruction algorithm to reconstruct a virtual image of the virtual object. The reconstruction algorithm includes the constraint that the Fourier transform of the reconstructed virtual image matches the known Fourier coefficients in the set of converted parallel-beam projections of the virtual object. The reconstructed virtual image is then transformed into an image of the real object. |
| US08005179B2 |
Preamble detection in a multi-antenna MIMO 802.16e receiver
A preamble detector for a plurality of streams of baseband digitized signals has a plurality of preamble processors, each preamble processor coupled to an input and generating an output. Each preamble processor has an input coupled to a first delay, the output of the first delay coupled to a second delay generating an output. The first and second delay are substantially equal to a preamble part. A first multiplier generates an output from a conjugated output of the second delay output and a first delay output. A second multiplier generates an output from a conjugated first delay output and an input stream. The first and second multiplier outputs are accumulated over an interval, and the complex output of the accumulator is formed into a magnitude, thereby generating the output of each preamble processor. The outputs of the preamble processors are summed and compared to a threshold to generate a preamble detect. |
| US08005177B1 |
Peak windowing for crest factor reduction
In order to reduce the crest factor of a signal for power amplification, a windowing function is applied. The windowing function that is applied is a triangular windowing function. The use of this function produces good results when those results are measured in terms of their effect on a transmitted signal in a WCDMA communications system. The filter for performing the triangular windowing function receives the signal, and applies it to a first delay element. The output from the first delay element is applied to a second delay element. An adder forms a weighted sum of the received signal and the signals at the outputs of the first delay element and the second delay element. A first accumulator is connected to receive an input from the adder and provides a first accumulator output, while a second accumulator is connected to receive an input from the first accumulator output and provides a second accumulator output. |
| US08005176B2 |
Architecture for systolic nonlinear filter processors
Described are nonlinear filter processors having an array of polynomial nonlinear filters including a first polynomial nonlinear filter and a last polynomial nonlinear filter. The first polynomial nonlinear filter has an input terminal for receiving an input data sample. The polynomial nonlinear filters systolically pass the input data sample from the first polynomial nonlinear filter to the last polynomial nonlinear filter. Each polynomial nonlinear filter produces an output data sample based on the input data sample. In addition, each polynomial nonlinear filter other than the last polynomial nonlinear filter systolically passes the output data sample generated by that polynomial nonlinear filter to a neighboring polynomial nonlinear filter. Each polynomial nonlinear filter other than the first polynomial nonlinear filter sums a nonlinearly filtered input data sample produced by that polynomial nonlinear filter with the output data sample received from a neighboring polynomial nonlinear filter. |
| US08005175B2 |
Method and apparatus for interference mitigation in an OFDMA-based communication system
A method and apparatus for mitigating inter-cell interference in an OFDMA-based wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of, providing at least a frame in a base station to a plurality of mobile stations; dividing the frame into a plurality of subcarriers; assigning a demarcation line within the frame to divide the plurality of subcarriers into a first zone and a second zone; defining a time reuse parameter for the plurality of subcarriers within the first zone; defining a frequency reuse parameter for the plurality of subcarriers within the first zone; and loading the plurality of subcarriers within the first zone according the time reuse parameter and the frequency parameter. |
| US08005170B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting a signal in a communication system using multiple antennas
A method and apparatus for detecting a signal in a communication system using at least two transmit antennas are provided. The signal detection method and apparatus includes selecting a symbol corresponding to a lowest branch metric from among symbols, the number of which corresponds to a modulation scheme, determining a candidate symbol by extending a process of selecting a symbol corresponding to a lowest branch metric from among the selected symbols, to a number which is less by one than the number of the transmit antennas, setting an accumulated branch metric of the candidate symbol as a threshold, removing a symbol having an accumulated branch metric higher than the threshold, and selecting, as a last received symbol, a symbol corresponding to a path having the lowest accumulated branch metric among paths selected without being removed until a last stage. |
| US08005169B1 |
Joint estimation of channel and preamble sequence for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems
A system includes an estimation module, a processing module, and a control module. The estimation module receives a signal having N sub-carriers and generates N first estimates for channel gains of the N sub-carriers, where N is an integer greater than 1. The processing module generates N second estimates based on the N first estimates. The control module generates N differences between each of the N first estimates and corresponding ones of the N second estimates and estimates (i) a channel gain of the signal and (ii) a preamble sequence in the signal based on the N differences. |
| US08005163B2 |
Constellation rearrangement for transmit diversity schemes
A method of transmitting data in a wireless communication system from a transmitter to a receiver, comprising the steps of modulating data at the transmitter using a first signal constellation pattern to obtain a first data symbol. The first data symbol is transmitted to the receiver using a first diversity branch. Further, the data is modulated at the transmitter using a second signal constellation pattern to obtain a second data symbol. Then, the second data symbol is transmitted to the receiver over a second diversity path. Finally, the received first and second data symbol are diversity combined at the receiver.The invention further relates to a transmitter and a receiver embodied to carry out the method of the invention. |
| US08005160B2 |
Processing differentiated hierarchical modulation used in radio frequency communications
The present invention employs hierarchical modulation to simultaneously transmit data over different modulation layers using a carrier RF signal. Each modulation layer may be of a higher or lower order than the other modulation layers. Certain embodiments of the present invention may transmit different information on the different modulation layers. Other embodiments of the present invention may use the different layers for processing information differently. |
| US08005152B2 |
Compression of baseband signals in base transceiver systems
A signal compression method and apparatus for a base transceiver system (BTS) in a wireless communication network provides efficient transfer of compressed signal samples over serial data links in the system. For the uplink, an RF unit of the BTS compresses baseband signal samples resulting from analog to digital conversion of a received analog signal followed by digital downconversion. The compressed signal samples are transferred over the serial data link to the baseband processor then decompressed prior to normal signal processing. For the downlink, the baseband processor compresses baseband signal samples and transfers the compressed signal samples to the RF unit. The RF unit decompresses the compressed samples prior to digital upconversion and digital to analog conversion to form an analog signal for transmission over an antenna. Compression and decompression can be incorporated into operations of conventional base stations and distributed antenna systems, including OBSAI or CPRI compliant systems. |
| US08005148B2 |
Video coding
A method and apparatus for encoding an input video bitstream to produce an encoded output bitstream is disclosed. A base stream is enhanced based on enhancement control parameters. At least one picture content parameter is extracted from the enhanced base stream. At least one picture content parameter is extracted from the input video bitstream. The enhanced picture content parameters are compared with the input picture content parameters. An output from the comparison step is received and the enhancement control parameters are calculated so as to minimize the difference between the input picture content parameters and the enhanced picture content parameters. The calculated control parameters are incorporated into the encoded output bitstream. |
| US08005142B2 |
Intraprediction encoding/decoding method and apparatus
An intraprediction encoding/decoding method and apparatus are provided. The intraprediction encoding method includes forming a flipped reference block by flipping pixels of a reference block used for intraprediction symmetrically with respect to a straight line of a predetermined direction passing through the center of the reference block, and performing intraprediction using the flipped reference block. |
| US08005141B2 |
Method for efficient encoding and decoding quantized sequence in Wyner-Ziv coding of video
A computer-based method for encoding and decoding quantized sequences in Wyner-Ziv coding of video, bi-partite graph is used in an iterative process. The method takes as input to an encoder a sequence of quantized data from a finite alphabet, the sequence comprising a video frame. Another sequence of data, decoded from the prior video frame, is input to a decoder. A statistical model describing the statistical relationship between the quantized input sequence to the encoder and the input sequence to the decoder is input to both the encoder and the decoder. A minimum field size is estimated from the statistical model at the encoder and the decoder separately. |
| US08005139B2 |
Encoding with visual masking
Some embodiments of the invention encode a sequence of video images based on “visual masking” attributes of the video images and/or portions of the video images. Visual masking of an image or a portion of the image is an indication of how much coding artifacts can be tolerated in the image or image portion. To express the visual masking attribute of an image or an image portion, some embodiments compute a visual masking strength that quantifies the brightness energy of the image or the image portion. In some embodiments, the brightness energy is measured as a function of the average luma or pixel energy of the image or image portion. |
| US08005135B1 |
Receiver system with interdependent adaptive analog and digital signal equalization
An analog equalizer (613 and 614) adaptively equalizes an input analog signal affected with intersymbol interference (“ISI”), or an intermediate analog signal generated therefrom, to produce a filtered partially equalized analog signal with reduced ISI. An analog-to-digital converter (210) converts the filtered analog signal, or an intermediate analog signal generated therefrom, into an initial digital signal. A digital equalizer (212) adaptively equalizes the initial digital signal, or an intermediate digital signal generated therefrom, to produce an equalized digital signal as a stream of equalized digital values with further reduced ISI. An output decoder (605) decodes the equalized digital values, or intermediate digital values generated therefrom, into a stream of symbols. Equalization control circuitry (213, 214, and 217) adjusts equalization filter characteristics of the equalizers such that adjustments of the filter characteristics of one of the equalizers depend adaptively on adaptive adjustments of the filter characteristics of the other equalizer. |
| US08005132B2 |
Non-intrusive modem performance analysis
A method of analyzing the performance of a modem connection. The method includes connecting a line interface to a communication link carrying signals of a modem connection, between a pair of end modems, collecting signals passing on the communication link, between the end modems, through the line interface, determining quality or transmission characteristics regarding the modem connection, responsive to signals collected through the line interface, and displaying information on the determined characteristics. |
| US08005131B2 |
Delay compensation for transmit/receive chain calibration and multiuser MIMO
Compensation is provided for errors in channel information that can result when there is a delay between the measurement of the channel information and the subsequent use of the channel information. In one embodiment, downlink channel prediction is performed within a user device, in a system employing closed loop MIMO with implicit feedback, to reduce the occurrence of errors during the calculation of a calibration parameter within an associated base station. In another embodiment, channel prediction is used to predict a downlink channel state for a user device at a future time when a multi-user MIMO data transfer is to occur between a base station and a number of selected user devices. |
| US08005130B2 |
Transmitter and receiver using forward clock overlaying link information
A transmitting and receiving technique in which a load on data signal lines is reduced while maintaining a communication quality, thereby making it possible to improve the throughput of data channels. In a transceiver, a transmitter side has an encoder circuit that transmits a bit sequence obtained by encoding link information to a clock signal line, and a receiver side has a clock and data recovery circuit 17 that extracts a clock component from a signal received from the clock signal line, a decoder circuit 19 that decodes the extracted signal to reproduce the link information, and a bit deskew circuit 21 that adjusts a skew that is lower than one bit on the basis of a clock component. |
| US08005126B2 |
Gas-discharge laser
The proposed gas discharge laser comprises extended solid main discharge electrodes, at each of which at least one ultraviolet pre-ionizer is placed, a gas flow area being formed by means of dielectric gas flow guides and the work surfaces of main electrodes and the pre-ionizers being placed outside of the gas flow area for illuminating a space between the main discharge electrodes through a gap defined between the main electrodes and dielectric guides. The proposed invention makes it possible to design a gas discharge laser for a high pulse repetition frequency mode with high-quality laser radiation. |
| US08005125B2 |
Lighting device equipped with coaxial line laser diodes and fabrication method thereof
The present invention provides a fabrication method of coaxial line laser diodes and a coaxial lighting optical fiber which disperses and guides uniform emission of light from a coaxial line laser diode. The line coaxial laser diode can be extended at a greater length to generate more spontaneous emission photons which are emitted from an elongated tubular active layer. The active layer has a uniform built-in electric field to distribute uniform current therein to get higher quantum efficiency. The length of the coaxial laser diode can be increased through a VLSED method. A longer laser ingot can be produced and cut to a large number of coaxial laser diodes. This method can reduce the waste of cutting in the wafer process and get larger lighting areas. Both the coaxial line laser diode and the coaxial lighting optical fiber can be coupled to form a high efficiency white-emitting luminescence device. |
| US08005122B2 |
Mode-locked laser
A mode-locked laser includes a two-electrode semiconductor laser (3) including a saturable absorber section (31) and gain section (32), and an optical waveguide (4) formed outside the gain section (32) of the two-electrode semiconductor laser. The optical waveguide (4) includes a ring resonator (43) having a resonator length which is an integral fraction of the total resonator length of the mode-locked laser, another ring resonator (44) having bandpass filter characteristics whose bandwidth is narrower than a gain bandwidth, and a reflective surface (46) which reflects, toward the two-electrode semiconductor laser (3), a laser beam having arrived from the two-electrode semiconductor laser (3) via the first and second ring resonators. |
| US08005121B2 |
Apparatus and method for re-synthesizing signals
The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and a method for re-synthesizing signals. The apparatus includes a receiver for receiving a plurality of digitally multiplexed signals, each digitally multiplexed signal associated with a different physical transmission channel, and for simultaneously recovering from at least two of the digital multiplexes a plurality of bit streams. The apparatus also includes a transmitter for inserting the plurality of bit streams into different digital multiplexes and for modulating the different digital multiplexes for transmission on different transmission channels. The method involves receiving a first signal having a plurality of different program streams in different frequency channels, selecting a set of program streams from the plurality of different frequency channels, combining the set of program streams to form a second signal, and transmitting the second signal. |
| US08005118B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing secure clock in device having no internal power source
A method and apparatus for implementing a secure clock having no internal power source are disclosed. The apparatus accesses a host device having an internal power source and transmits and receives data. The apparatus includes a clock control unit, a counter, and a time information unit. The clock control unit performs control such that the time information of the host device is acquired and a counter value corresponding to the acquired time information is set, when the clock control unit is connected to the host device and is supplied with power from the host device. The counter changes the set counter value in steps of a predetermined value at regular time intervals while the power is supplied. The time information unit updates current time information to correspond to the changed counter value while the power is supplied. |
| US08005115B2 |
Method of transferring a data block in a wireless communication system
A method of data processing in a protocol layer of a wireless communication system, the protocol layer having a header compression function, comprises generating at least one of a control packet which includes control information, and a data packet including at least part of an upper layer data block transferred from an upper layer, generating a lower layer data block including each of the generated at least one packet to transfer the lower layer data block to a lower layer, and transferring indication information to the lower layer, the indication information being associated with a method of data processing for the lower layer data block in the lower layer. |
| US08005113B2 |
Encapsulating large Ethernet frames
A method comprising receiving a data frame, encapsulating the received data frame into a reflected frame message (RFM) encapsulated frame, and if the received data frame causes the RFM encapsulated frame to exceed a maximum service data unit size, either the data frame is truncated or the data frame is split into two smaller frames and those two smaller frames are encapsulated by two separate RFM frames, wherein if a truncation flag is set to be true, the data frame is truncated to be encapsulated in one RFM. |
| US08005107B2 |
Method and system for robust MAC signaling
A method for indicating and interpreting robust MAC signaling, the indicating method having the steps of: checking whether a MAC-PDU contains control information; and if yes, providing an indication to use a robust configuration for a HARQ feedback transmission, and the interpreting method having the steps of: receiving a MAC-PDU; checking whether an indication for robust HARQ feedback transmission is provided; and if yes, utilizing robust HARQ feedback transmission. |
| US08005106B2 |
Apparatus and methods for hybrid fair bandwidth allocation and drop precedence
In one embodiment, apparatus and methods for apparatus and methods for fair bandwidth allocation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes (i) determining a drop probability for each of a plurality of classes of packets being dropped or admitted to a queue, wherein each drop probability is based on a weighted fair bandwidth allocation process that is performed with respect to the plurality of classes and a plurality of packet arrival rates and predefined weights for such classes; and (ii) dropping a particular packet or admitting such particular packet to the queue based on the drop probability for such particular packet's class, wherein such dropping or admitting operation is further based on one or more drop precedence factors that are also determined periodically for each class if such one or more drop precedence factors are selected for such each class. In other embodiments, the invention pertains to an apparatus having one or more processors and one or more memory, wherein at least one of the processors and memory are adapted for performing the above described method operations. |
| US08005103B2 |
Network routing method and system utilizing label-switching traffic engineering queues
The present invention is directed to a scalable packet-switched network routing method and system that utilizes modified traffic engineering mechanisms to prioritize tunnel traffic and non-tunnel traffic. The method includes the steps of receiving a request to establish a traffic engineering tunnel across the packet-switched network. Then at a router traversed by the traffic engineering tunnel, a queue for packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel is created. Subsequently, bandwidth for the queue is reserved in accordance with the request to establish the traffic engineering tunnel, wherein the queue created for packets carried inside the traffic the traffic engineering tunnel is given priority over other traffic at the router and the reserved bandwidth for the queue can only be used by packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel. |
| US08005093B2 |
Providing connection between networks using different protocols
A network entity located in a first network using a first protocol, the network entity supporting at least the first protocol of the first network and a second protocol of a second network. The network entity comprises a receiving unit for receiving data packets according to the first or second protocol, a mapping table for storing addresses according to the first and second protocols, an address determination unit for determining a destination address for a received packet from the mapping table, and a routing unit for routing the received packet in accordance with the determined destination address. |
| US08005088B2 |
Scalable management system for MPLS based service providers
A management system manages multiple multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) virtual private networks (VPNs), the VPNs having overlapping IP addresses. The system includes a storage storing a file that associates a host name with an IP address and a route distinguisher. The host name corresponds to a network element within one of the customer VPNs. The system also includes a label obtaining system that obtains at least one label for the host name based upon the associated IP address and route distinguisher. The system also has a packet construction system that creates packets destined for the network element using the obtained label(s). |
| US08005085B2 |
Method for distribution of data packets in a single frequency mobile communication network, an access network node, a base station and a single frequency mobile communication network therefor
The invention concerns a method for distribution of data packets (MBMS Data) from an access network node (aGW) via at least one base station (eNB) to at least one user terminal (UE) in a single frequency mobile communication network whereby information (T1(tx), T2(tx)) is added in the access network node (aGW) to the data packets (MBMS Data) indicating in which time intervals the data packets (MBMS Data) have to be sent from the at least one base station (eNB) to the at least one user terminal (UE), and information (SN) is added in the access network node (aGW) to the data packets (MBMS Data) indicating the order of the distribution of the data packets (MBMS Data), an access network node (aGW), a base station (eNB) and a single frequency mobile communication network therefor. |
| US08005081B2 |
Evolution of ethernet networks
An Ethernet network comprises nodes which support a plurality of different forwarding modes. A range of VLAN Identifiers (VIDs) are allocated to each of the forwarding modes. Connections are configured between a source node and a destination node of the network using different forwarding modes. Packets carrying data traffic are sent to the destination node by selectively setting a VID in a packet to a first value, to transfer a packet via a first connection and a first forwarding mode, and a second value to transfer a packet via the second connection and the second forwarding mode. Packets received from both of the connections and sent on to an end-user. VLAN Identifiers can be allocated to different releases of functionality at nodes (e.g. software releases) such that packets are forwarded via a set of nodes supporting a first release, or via a set of nodes supporting a second release. It is possible to provide a controlled and disruption-free network evolution. |
| US08005080B2 |
IPv6 address configuration method in wireless mobile network and apparatus therefor
An IPv6 address configuration method for a terminal in a wireless mobile network and an apparatus therefor are provided. In the wireless mobile network, an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address configuration apparatus is provided to a router (access control router; ACR) or a base station (radio access station; RAS). In the address configuration apparatus, a MAC access procedure is performed to extract information required for IPv6 address allocation procedure, and the address is configured by using available fields of a message. In addition, a duplicate address detector (DAD) in which the terminal directly takes part is omitted by using information on the router (ACR) or the base station (RAS). In addition, during the IPv6 address configuration procedure, in order to prevent messages of IPv6 from being transmitted in a wireless region, an agent for address configuration is provided to the terminal. The router (ACR) acquires information required for the address configuration by using a portion of fields of MAC management messages. Accordingly, in the wireless mobile network, it is possible to reduce a time taken for an initial access procedure in which an IPv6 address is allocated to the terminal and to reduce consumption of wireless resource. |
| US08005079B1 |
Network switch having virtual input queues for flow control
A network switching device includes a plurality of ports to receive data frames over a plurality of communication channels. The plurality of ports selectively store the data frames in blocks of a shared memory. A receiving port of the plurality of ports stores a first frame of the data frames in at least one block of the blocks. A forwarding module assigns the first frame to a transmitting port of the plurality of ports for transmission over the respective communication channel of the transmitting port. A counter module stores respective counts for the plurality of ports. The counter module increments the count for the receiving port after the forwarding module assigns the first frame to the transmitting port. The counter module decrements the count for the receiving port after the first frame is transmitted by the transmitting port. The plurality of ports respectively exercise flow control based on a pause threshold and the respective counts. |
| US08005078B2 |
Packet processor, packet control method, and packet control program
A packet processor having one or two or more packet processing units is provided with a packet detector which detects whether or not a packet exists in a packet processing unit, and outputs a packet detection signal indicating a result of the detection, and a clock frequency controller which controls a clock to be supplied to the packet processing unit based on the packet detection signal. |
| US08005074B2 |
Method for identifying undesired telephone calls
A method for identifying undesired telephone calls (Spit/Spam over IP), preferably in a VoIP network, in which the telephone calls coming in for a telephone subscriber, the callee, from at least one calling telephone subscriber, the caller, are subjected to a test or more precisely to a statistical analysis. The method is developed in such a manner that in the framework of the test for incoming calls, the time of the receipt of each call is determined and in each case the probability that the call is undesired is determined, where for the calculation of the probability the time of the receipt of the call, or a parameter dependent thereon, is related to the temporal distribution of previous undesired calls. |
| US08005065B2 |
Keep-alive for wireless networks
A transmitting device transmits data to one or more receiving devices. At least one of the receiving devices transmits a keep-alive to the transmitting device. The keep-alive is transmitted at a reduced rate relative to the data transmission rate. In some implementations multiple receiving devices may transmit keep-alives. In these cases, each receiving device may transmit its keep-alives according to a schedule to prevent or reduce the likelihood of overlapping keep-alives. In some implementations a receiving device may be selected to transmit keep-alives. Here, if the selected receiving device stops transmitting keep-alives another receiving device is selected to transmit keep-alives. Through the use of the above techniques, the transmitting device need not keep track of which receiving devices are listening to the data transmission. Rather, the transmitting device may simply stop transmitting in the event that it no longer receives keep-alives. |
| US08005064B2 |
Method for branching data in mobile communication terminal
A method for branching data in a mobile communication terminal to perform data communication between a mobile station and a network which have media access control sublayers. In a data sending mode, each of the media access control sublayers of the mobile station and network attaches logical channel types based on traffic characteristic information and a radio bearer status to a media access control header contained in data to be sent. Then, each of the media access control sublayers branches the data to be sent, to transport channels corresponding to the attached logical channel types. In a data receiving mode, each of the media access control sublayers determines logical channels corresponding to logical channel types of a media access control header contained in received data. Then, each of the media access control sublayers branches the received data to the determined logical channels. Each of the media access control sublayers performs mapping and multiplexing/demultiplexing between logical channels and transport channels according to traffic characteristics to branch data. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently provide various multimedia and packet services. |
| US08005057B2 |
Data communications between short-range enabled wireless devices over networks and proximity marketing to such devices
A method for allowing short-ranged communication devices to communicate with each other using the Internet. Cell servers are provided in a first and second zones linked to the Internet and adapted for transmitting voice and other digital data over the Internet such as using VoIP. The method includes registering users of short-range enabled devices, such as Bluetooth cell phones, with a communication system and storing a device identifier along with a user ID and password. A contact list is stored for each registered user. The method includes a registered user entering a cell serviced by a server, the server discovering the user's device, logging the user into the system based on the device identifier and an entered user ID and password, receiving a communication request to chat with one of the listed contacts, and establishing a communication session using time previously awarded to the user for receiving marketing content. |
| US08005052B2 |
Radio resource allocation system and roadside equipment
A radio resource allocation system in which equipment placed on a road allocates a radio resource to in-vehicle equipment that exists in a given area is provided. The radio resource allocation system includes the in-vehicle equipment mounted on a vehicle that communicates with another in-vehicle equipment by using the radio resource. The in-vehicle equipment includes a signal transmitting unit that transmits a signal showing that the own vehicle exists in the given area. The roadside equipment includes a radio resource allocation unit that allocates the radio resource to the in-vehicle equipment when the roadside equipment receives the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting unit, and a radio resource release unit that releases the radio resource when the roadside equipment does not receive the signal from the in-vehicle equipment that is allocated the radio resource by the radio resource allocation unit. |
| US08005045B2 |
Method for operating radio communication system, including sending station and receiving station thereof
In a radio communication system, at least a first frequency band is subdivided into C radio resource units which are allocable for radio transmissions between radio stations and terminals. Each radio resource unit has at least two adjacent subcarriers, for allocation of at least a first resource unit for a data transmission between a terminal and a radio station. The radio station receives from the terminal a first short training symbol which has spectrally the same bandwidth as the first frequency band and includes at least Q frequency carriers, where Q is greater or equal to C, but smaller than the total number of subcarriers. The radio station estimates the radio channel for at least the first radio resource unit using the first short training symbol, and an allocation of the first radio resource unit to the terminal is broadcasted by the radio station. |
| US08005039B2 |
Method and apparatus for robust transmission of control information in wireless communication network
A base station includes transmitter and associated processing circuits. The transmitter circuits are configured to transmit control information and data traffic to mobile terminals in repeating transmission intervals, each interval having defined control and data portions. The processing circuits are configured to dynamically determine that the control portion has insufficient resources for transmitting control information to one or more of the mobile terminals, and, in response, at least temporarily transmit control information in the data portion, rather than in the control portion, for a selected one or more of the mobile terminals. Correspondingly, a mobile terminal is configured to selectively search for and decode control information in the data portion of one or more transmission intervals, rather than in the control portion. |
| US08005038B2 |
Digital display system with media processor and wireless audio
The present invention relates to a media processing system that comprises a bus for communicating digital signals thereon with a media processor connected to the bus, for processing signals supplied thereon. The system further has a display device connected to the bus for displaying digitized images thereon, received from the bus. The system has an audio transmitter connected to the bus, for wirelessly transmitting audio digital signals from the bus. The system further has a connectable memory for connecting to the bus and for supplying signals representing digitized images and audio digital signals to the bus. Finally the system has a receiver to receive encoded digitized images or audio digital signals for supplying the received signals to the bus for storage in the memory. |
| US08005035B2 |
Online output multiplexer filter measurement
A method, apparatus, and system provide the ability to conduct an on-line measurement of an output multiplixer (OMUX) transfer function. A broadcast downlink signal is received from a satellite. The broadcast downlink signal is demodulated and then remodulated. The received broadcast downlink signal is then compared to the remodulated signal to estimate the OMUX transfer function of the satellite. |
| US08005034B2 |
Scalable satellite deployment
A scalable subscriber terminal for bi-directional communication with a gateway through one or more satellites is provided according to another embodiment of the invention. The scalable subscriber terminal may comprise a plurality of antennas and be configured to operate in at least a first communication mode prior to switching to a second communication mode. The first communication mode may comprise communicating with the gateway through a first satellite. The second communication mode may include communicating with the gateway through the first satellite and a second transceiver. The scalable subscriber terminal may download MIMO operational firmware from the gateway through the first satellite prior to switching to the second communication mode. The first communication mode may be a SISO or SIMO mode. The second communication mode may be a MISO or MIMO mode. The second transceiver may be a second satellite or a terrestrial repeater. |
| US08005033B2 |
Device, system, and method of bidirectional wireless communication
Device, system and method of bidirectional wireless communication. In some demonstrative embodiments a method may include, for example, receiving by a wireless communication relay node a superimposed transmission corresponding to first and second transmissions from first and second wireless communication nodes, respectively, wherein the first transmission includes a first packet intended at least for a third wireless communication node; and broadcasting a broadcast transmission including the superimposed transmission from the relay node to a set of two or more wireless communication nodes including the third wireless communication node. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08005028B2 |
Data communication system, data transmitting device, data transmitting method, data receiving device, and data receiving method
A probe transmitting section (216) in a packet receiving terminal (210) sends a probe packet to a second radio channel (320) at fixed intervals. A probe analyzing section (117) in a packet sending terminal (110) detects a burst loss on the basis of a state of reception of the probe packet. When a burst loss detection is detected, a predictive retransmission control section (118) predicts that a data packet transmitted during the period of the detected burst loss among data packets sent from a priority processing transmission buffer (115) to a first radio channel (310) is a data packet lost on a receiving side, reads the data packet from a retransmission buffer (114), and then sends the data packet to the priority processing transmission buffer (115). A real-time property can be ensured while a packet loss is overcome in a radio environment. |
| US08005024B2 |
Method for establishing an IP video-conference using a telephone network for voice transmission
A method of establishing video-conferences between audio communication equipments (ACE1, ACE2) comprises a) using a user audio communication equipment (ACE1) to initiate a first call with another user audio communication equipment (ACE2), b) routing the first call to an exchange node (SSPN) of the telephone network (TN) in order it transmits a message, comprising the telephone numbers of the user audio communication equipments (ACE1, ACE2), to a service node (SN) connected to the telephone (TN) and Internet (IN) networks, c) authorizing the exchange node (SSPN) to establish the first call when the telephone numbers are stored in a memory (MY) of the service node (SN), in order to set up an audio communication between the audio communication equipments (ACE1, ACE2), d) determining, if required, the addresses of the user video communication equipments (VCE1, VCE2) in order to establish a video communication therebetween, in parallel with the audio communication. |
| US08005023B2 |
Client-side echo cancellation for multi-party audio conferencing
A “Client-Side Echo Canceller” provides a unique system and method for reducing Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) computational overhead in a multi-point audio conference. In general, the local audio input signal of each client is transmitted in real-time to the MCU. The MCU then combines the audio input signals of all clients to create a single composite signal that is transmitted back to all clients in real-time. Each client then locally processes the composite signal to remove each client's local contribution to the composite signal prior to local playback in order to eliminate a local echo of each client's local audio input. In various embodiments, local cancellation of the local audio input from the composite signal is performed on either a time domain or a transform domain representation of the composite signal. Further, since each client receives the same signal, MCU transmission bandwidth can be reduced via multicast transmissions. |
| US08005014B2 |
Method of choosing nodes in a multi-network
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for choosing nodes in a multi-network. One embodiment includes a method that receives demand characteristics for nodes to form a cluster in multi-network and collapses groups of nodes in the multi-network to form a node group. The method then selects nodes that satisfy the demand characteristics in order to form the cluster. |
| US08005013B2 |
Managing connectivity in a virtual network
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for managing connectivity in a virtual network. One embodiment determines if information received from a device in a virtual land area network (VLAN) matches a configuration of a virtual connect domain (VCD) in order to label links as being either internal or external. |
| US08005010B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing performance measurement for a network tunnel
A method and apparatus for providing performance measurements on network tunnels in packet networks are disclosed. For example, the method establishes two tunnels between a first measurement host and a first router, and establishes a tunnel between the first router and a second measurement host. The method also establishes a multicast group having a plurality of members, and sends one or more packets addressed to the multicast group from the first measurement host. The method measures the frequencies of directly and/or indirectly received responses from the plurality of members of the multicast group, and provides a plurality of estimated values for a plurality of packet transmission rates from measurement of the frequencies for one or more of said tunnels. |
| US08005009B2 |
Methods and computer programs for generating data traffic matrices
A method and system for monitoring traffic flow includes assigning a subset of sampling points to a node or unique pair of nodes. The sampling points are determined to be the most likely to monitor data traffic, and preferably all data traffic, associated with the node or node pair. The sampling point subset may automatically be determined and assigned to the node or node pair, based, for example, on historical traffic within the network. The method further includes collecting diagnostic network traffic data from the sampling points, and obtaining sampled traffic flow counts for a flow associated with a node pair from the diagnostic traffic data collected from the sampling points assigned to the source and destination nodes of the node pair. The method further includes performing a function on the sampled traffic flow counts to obtain an estimated traffic flow count for the respective flow. |
| US08005008B2 |
Method for supporting a network locating a target node
The supporting of a network locating a target node is disclosed. The supporting of a network locating a target node includes a User Equipment (UE) transmitting a measurement report message to a source evolved Node B (eNB), the measurement report message including a measurement result of signal quality of a target eNB; the source eNB transmitting a message to a core network node, the message including a type of the target eNB; if the target eNB is a Home Node B (HNB), the core network node transmitting a switching message to a target eNB GateWay (GW) or the target eNB. The Mobility Management Entity (MME) can determine whether the UE is allowed to access the target HNB, and the MME can locate the proper HNB GW. |
| US08005004B2 |
Method of requesting and reporting link quality in an EGPRS2 system
The link quality reporting method includes measuring link quality for received radio blocks, and if there is a modulation scheme with a largest number of radio blocks, reporting link quality for the modulation scheme, and if there is a plurality of schemes with the same number of radio blocks, reporting link quality for a modulation scheme selected using a predetermined method. Performance deterioration can be minimized in a link adaptation process. |
| US08004996B2 |
Mobile communication apparatus
According to an embodiment of the invention, a mobile communication apparatus includes: a first processor; a second processor; an intermittent receiver that is operated using the first processor; and a timer processing unit that is operated using the first processor and the second processor and configured to determine a start time of an operation thereof by performing a time-out control based on a timer, wherein the timer processing unit sets the timer so that a time-out occurs at a given timing, to perform a first function to be started at the given timing, and wherein the timer processing unit sets the timer so that a time-out occurs at a time when the intermittent receiver is operated, to perform a second function to be started at an arbitrary timing. |
| US08004995B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing a cooperative diversity system
A cooperative diversity method and apparatus that can minimize interference and maximize an efficiency of a transmission channel between terminals of a cooperative diversity pair, the method including: determining a pair of terminals to be a cooperative diversity pair according to a spectrum sensing result of a cognitive radio (CR); selecting a subchannel through which data is exchanged between the pair of terminals; and transmitting the data between the pair of terminals through the selected subchannel. |
| US08004990B1 |
Network traffic distribution across parallel paths
Techniques are described for distributing network traffic across parallel data paths. For example, a router may perform a hash on routing information of the packet to generate a hash value corresponding to the packet flow associated with the packet. The router may map the hash value of the packet to a forwarding element associated with a data path. The router may dynamically update the mapping of hash values to forwarding elements in accordance with traffic flow statistics. In this manner, the router may distribute the packet flows from data paths with high volumes of traffic to data paths with smaller volumes of traffic. The router may further prevent out of sequence delivery of packets by updating the mapping upon a gap in the packet flow exceeding a threshold gap. For example, the router may update the mapping when a packet for a packet flow associated with the particular hash value has not been received for at least a defined time interval. |
| US08004989B2 |
Controlling a window for congestion control in a network
A communication method includes steps of: transmitting a plurality of packets to a network according to a window specifying a data amount of the packets to be transmitted to the network; receiving ACK related to the packets transmitted to the network, and detecting whether or not packet discard occurs; measuring a RTT by using the received ACK; calculating a discarding interval indicating a time interval of the packet discard; calculating an increase amount for a current window by using the calculated discarding interval; and updating the current window by using the calculated increase amount if the packet discard is not detected. |
| US08004987B2 |
Method to prioritize videos distributed in a wireless LAN and device implementing the method
The invention concerns method to distinguish between streams received by an access point from a distribution network and transmitted to stations and a way to give better priority to some of them towards others. In a system where streams are transmitted with a level of priority corresponding to there type, it adds a selection criterion to determine priority between streams of the same type. The invention also concerns an access point implementing the method. |
| US08004983B2 |
Methods to improve transmission control protocol (TCP) performance over large bandwidth long delay links
TCP options are provided to address TCP performance problems during data exchanges over large bandwidth long delay communication links. These options address problems such as in sequence tail drops, inaccurate estimations of available bandwidth over a communication link, and slow responses to dynamic changes in link conditions. |
| US08004982B2 |
Method and system for choosing communication services
A method and system for determining one or more desired communication services for an application. The method and system includes determining at least one application operating parameter, at least one communication operating parameter, at least one cost factor, and at least one value factor. The method and system further includes assigning a priority level to each application operating parameter, communication operating parameter, cost factor, and value factor. Additionally, the method and system includes comparing the priority levels to each other, and determining a desired communication service based on the compared priority levels. |
| US08004981B2 |
Methods and devices for the coordination of flow control between a TCP/IP network and other networks
Methods and devices are provided for implementing flow control coordination in a gateway between a TCP/IP network and a second network. The second network may be any type of network, including another TCP/IP network. In some implementations, the throughput of the TCP/IP network is controlled by modifying the round trip time observed by a TCP connection. In other implementations, the throughput of the TCP/IP network is controlled by modifying the size of the TCP window. |
| US08004969B2 |
Cell level congestion policy management
A system and method for transmitting data packets to a wireless client is shown. The data packets are received by a wireless content switch in the wireless network. The wireless content switch determines a quality of service value for the wireless client. The wireless content switch assigns the priority of transmission for the data packet based on the assigned quality of service value. The data packet is transmitted according to the priority. |
| US08004966B2 |
Efficient management of ring networks
In general, techniques are described for efficient management of ring networks with a system of two network devices. The first network device of the ring network is designated as an adjacent selective forwarding (ASF) device, and the second network device is designated as a master device. The master device monitors the ring network to determine whether a fault has occurred in the ring network and transmits via a secondary port of the master device a network status message to the ASF device based on the determination of whether the fault has occurred. The ASF device determines a status of the ring network based on the network status message and selectively forwards data traffic to the master network device based on the determination of the status. As a result, the master device more efficiently utilizes network resources by not consuming processor or memory resources to prevent traffic loops. |
| US08004964B2 |
Restoring multi-segment pseudowires following failure of a switching PE device
In one embodiment, a protected switching provider edge (S-PE) and a backup S-PE may be operated, where the protected S-PE has at least one multi-segment pseudowire (MS-PW) and is between a first and second provider edge (PE) on the MS-PW. To protect the protected S-PE, the first and second PE may be informed of the backup S-PE and a backup label to reach the second and first PE, respectively, via the backup S-PE to remain on the MS-PW. Upon detecting loss of connectivity with the protected S-PE, the first and/or second PE may forward packets of the MS-PW to the backup S-PE with the corresponding backup label to reach the second or first PE, respectively, on the MS-PW. |
| US08004963B2 |
Apparatus and method for packet redundancy and recovery
Apparatus and method for packet redundancy and recovery are disclosed. In a transmitter, parity packets are generated by executing exclusive OR between the corresponding data packets, and are transmitted along with the data packets to a receiver. In the receiver, lost data packets are found out and are recovered by executing exclusive OR between the corresponding data packets and the corresponding parity packets. This invention enhances the reliability of streaming data transmission using loss-recovery packets. Data packets are grouped and transmitted with redundant packets to allow the receiver to recover a lost packet within the group. This will minimize the need and therefore the time and delay to request a retransmission of the damaged or lost packets. |
| US08004959B2 |
Different orthogonal code sets with members in common
A first orthogonal codeset, obtainable in various manners, is used in a first cell to provide orthogonal spreading codes for traffic signals originating within the first cell. A second orthogonal code set for use in a second cell is obtained that has at least a first code in common with the first orthogonal code set by selecting any code in the first codeset to be the first common code. The plural orthogonal codesets can be utilized in various ways and in various environments. For example, the plural orthogonal codesets can be used for operation of a user equipment unit in a code division multiple access (CDMA) network. |
| US08004954B2 |
Optical pickup, optical disk device, computer and optical disk recorder
A diffraction grating is constituted such that directions of diffraction are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the optical axis, by causing light subjected to aperture restriction to have a difference of one half wavelength in the optical path length by making use of the fact that the difference in the optical path length experienced by the light passing through a diffraction element varies depending on the wavelength. With this constitution of the diffraction grating, aperture restriction is applied to both the light focused on an optical disk and the light reflected from the optical disk, thereby achieving an optical pickup that is capable of recording/reproducing information on/from optical disks of different types by using a single objective lens. The optical pickup prevents unnecessary light from entering a photodetector and enables the production of diffraction elements at a low cost. |
| US08004953B2 |
Optical pick-up and disc apparatus having the same
An optical pick-up and a disc apparatus having the same. The inferiority of a tracking signal caused by an adjacent layer during the recording and/or reproducing of an optical disc with multiple recording layers is effectively prevented. The optical pickup includes a light source to emit light with a predetermined wavelength, a light collecting unit to collect the light emitted from the light source to form a light spot on a signal recording layer of an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, a photodetector to receive the light reflected by the optical disc to detect a signal, and an optical member to change the optical transmission of the light reflected by the optical disc according to an incident angle of the reflected light to decrease an optical transmission of a noise light entering the photodetector. |
| US08004952B2 |
Optical pickup, optical information device, computer, optical disk player, car navigation system, optical disk recorder, and optical disk server
To provide an optical pickup and an optical information device, capable of obtaining excellent signal characteristics for an optical disk on and/or from which recording and/or reproducing are performed using a laser. The optical pickup includes an optical detector, a support holder for holding the optical detector, and an optical base for fixing the support holder. The support holder has at least two notches at its both ends, the optical base has convex portions corresponding to the notches of the support holder, the optical base and the support holder are fixed by photo-curable adhesives for bonding the convex portions and the support holder to each other, and the shortest distance between the side faces of the convex portions, which do not face each other, is equal to or less than the width of the support holder in the direction of right and left ends. |
| US08004950B2 |
Optical pickup, optical information recording and reproducing apparatus and method for optically recording and reproducing information
An optical pickup for recording a hologram by using an angle multiplexing method. An optical beam is separated into two beams, a signal beam and a reference beam having different convergence/divergence degrees, by using an optical component such as a diffraction lens. The signal and reference beams are made incident upon the same objective, and the optical component or the objective lens is moved in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, to thereby realize angle multiplex recording. If an optical information recording medium is inclined, the optical component or the objective lens is moved along the direction along which the optical information recording medium moved to change an angle of the reference beam incident upon the optical information recording medium and compensate for degradation of a reproduction signal. |
| US08004948B2 |
Data recording / reproducing apparatus and method using needle-shaped member
The data to be recorded onto a recording medium is directly spread and then recorded onto the recording medium through a needle-shaped member, such as a probe. Upon reproducing the data, the data read from the recording medium is de-spread and reproduced. |
| US08004941B2 |
Optical disk apparatus and test writing method
Test writing is executed while skipping areas where deviations are present on an optical disk to thereby improve accuracy and reliability of an optimum recording condition to be derived. A deviation detecting unit detects the deviations of a guide groove on the optical disk on the basis of a fluctuation amount of a focus error signal or a tracking error signal, and registers information of the detected deviations onto a memory. A test writing processing unit refers to the memory, and records and reproduces a test signal while skipping the areas where the deviations are detected. |
| US08004940B2 |
Optical disk device and rotation control method
An optical disk device of the present invention includes a spindle motor, an optical pick-up, and a rotation control portion. The spindle motor is a rotational drive portion that rotates an optical disk, on an information recording surface of which a plurality of addresses are recorded. The optical pick-up records an information signal onto and plays back the information signal from the information recording surface of the optical disk that is rotated by the spindle motor. The rotation control portion controls the rotation of the optical disk by the spindle motor. In this case, the rotation control portion performs control based on a first reference signal that can be read off the optical disk, such that the optical disk is rotated at a speed that is based on a specified clock count. |
| US08004938B2 |
Optical tape test system
Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage. Methods and systems of tape technology disclose optical tape media including: configurations, formulations, markings, and structure; optical tape manufacturing methods, systems, and apparatus methods and systems including: curing processes, coating methods, embossing, drums, testing, tracking alignment stamper strip; optical tape methods and systems including: pick up head adapted for the disclosed optical tape; and optical tape uses including optical storage media devices for multimedia applications. |
| US08004935B2 |
Sodar housing with non-woven fabric lining for sound absorption
A housing for a phased array monostatic sodar system with a transducer array that emits and receives multiple generally conical main beams of sound along different primary axes. The housing includes one or more upwardly-directed sidewalls that define a volume between them that is open to the atmosphere at the top, to emit and receive the beams, and an upper lip at the top of at least one wall, defining a curved perimeter at the top of at least some of the volume that closely conforms to the shape of at least one main beam at the location of the lip. The sidewalls are lined with a non-woven fiber based sound-absorbing material. |
| US08004934B2 |
Spatial correlation sonar method for high ships speeds
In an embodiment, a process measures a velocity of a vessel using a spatial correlation sonar hydrophone array. The process includes the step of selecting a correlation time such that a correlation occurs between an early pulse and a later pulse on a first hydrophone and a second hydrophone respectively, wherein the first hydrophone and the second hydrophone are maximally separated in the spatial correlation sonar hydrophone array. The process further includes the step of selecting a time spacing between a first pulse and a second pulse such that the spacing is a function of the correlation time and a constant, wherein the constant is proportional to a size of the spatial correlation sonar hydrophone array, and wherein the correlation time is an approximate multiple of a sum of a time between the first pulse and the second pulse and a time between the second pulse and a next first pulse. |
| US08004933B2 |
Single station wireless seismic data acquisition method and apparatus
A seismic data acquisition apparatus having a recorder co-located with a sensor unit in a seismic spread and a communication device for direct communication with a central recorder. A memory located in the recorder and/or in the central controller holds location parameters associated with the sensor unit, and the parameters can be updated. Methods of seismic data acquisition including sensing seismic energy and recording the sensed energy at the sensor location. Delivering the recorded information to a central recorder by manually retrieving removable memory from each recorder, by wireless transmission of the information, or by removing the information from each recorder by inductive or cable connectors and a transfer device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08004929B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and control method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes: a command latch circuit that latches a command signal; an address latch circuit that latches an address signal; a mode latch circuit that latches a mode signal; and a command decoder that selects the address latch circuit in response to the latch of a normal command by the command latch circuit, and selects the mode latch circuit in response to the latch of an adjustment command. With this arrangement, the mode signal can be dynamically received without performing a mode register set. Therefore, when a sufficiently large latch margin of the mode latch circuit is secured, there is no risk that it becomes impossible to input the mode signal. |
| US08004925B2 |
Variable resistive memory
A variable resistive memory device includes memory sectors, memory cells in each of the memory sectors, sub-wordlines including a first in signal communication with at least a first pair of the memory cells in a first sector and a second in signal communication with at least a second pair of the memory cells in a second sector, local bitlines where each is in signal communication a memory cell, a local bitline selecting signal generator in signal communication with local bitline selecting signal paths, a first local bitline selecting signal path in signal communication with a first pair of the local bitlines, and a second local bitline selecting signal path in signal communication with a second pair of the plurality of local bitlines, where a first of the first pair of local bitlines is in signal communication with a first of the first pair of the memory cells in the first sector and a second of the first pair of local bitlines is in signal communication with a second of the second pair of the memory cells in the second sector, and a first of the second pair of local bitlines is in signal communication with a second of the first pair of the memory cells in the first sector and a second of the second pair of local bitlines is in signal communication with a first of the second pair of the memory cells in the second sector. |
| US08004924B2 |
Voltage regulator for memory
A circuit includes a first negative feed back loop coupled to a virtual Vvdd power rail and a true Vdd power rail. A second negative feed back loop is coupled to the virtual Vvss power rail and a true Vss power rail. The virtual rail to virtual rail voltage difference is regulated at the highest threshold voltage between pull-up and pull-down transistors of a memory cell. |
| US08004921B2 |
Memory device, memory controller and memory system
Provided is a memory device in which the decrease of the effective bandwidth caused by the refresh operation of the memory device has been solved, a memory controller of the memory device, and a memory system thereof. A memory device that is operated in response to a command from a memory controller has a plurality of banks that respectively have memory cores including memory cell arrays and decoders and are selected by bank addresses; and a control circuit, which, in response to a background refresh command, causes the memory cores within refresh target banks set by the memory controller to successively execute refresh operation a number of times corresponding to refresh burst length that is set by the memory controller, and, in response to a normal operation command, further causes the memory cores within banks other than the refresh target banks and selected by the bank addresses to execute normal memory operation corresponding to the normal operation command, during the refresh operation executed by the memory cores within the refresh target banks. |
| US08004920B2 |
Power saving memory apparatus, systems, and methods
Some embodiments include a voltage generator to generate a voltage to apply to a line used to access a memory cell of a memory device in which the voltage is applied to the line when the memory cell is not being accessed, and a power controller to cause the voltage to change during a time interval after a refresh operation of the memory device. Other embodiments including additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08004916B2 |
Semiconductor circuit
Embodiments relate to semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating semiconductor devices. According to embodiments, a semiconductor device may include a bit line and a bit line bar. The device may also include a precharge controller that may generate a precharge control signal, and NMOS transistors and PMOS transistors to precharge the bit line and the bit line bar in response to the precharge control signal. According to embodiments, a precharge speed of a bit line in a semiconductor device may be improved and an operating cycle time of a memory device may also be improved. |
| US08004914B2 |
Method of testing nonvolatile memory device
A method includes performing test bit setting; programming a first page using data set by the test bit setting, and storing a fail status bit in a page buffer, which is connected to a first bit line having a fail status, based on a verification result of the test program; performing a test program and verification on a second page based on a test program and fail status bit storage result of a preceding page, and storing a fail status bit in the page buffer, which is connected to a second bit line having a fail status, based on a verification result of the test program and verification; and after a test program, verification, and fail status bit setting with respect to the entire pages of a memory block are completed, outputting data of the page buffer. |
| US08004912B2 |
Block redundancy implementation in hierarchical rams
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing redundancy in a hierarchically memory, by replacing small blocks in such memory. The present invention provides such redundancy (i.e., replaces such small blocks) by either shifting predecoded lines or using a modified shifting predecoder circuit in the local predecoder block. In one embodiment, the hierarchal memory structure includes at least one active predecoder adapted to be shifted out of use; and at least one redundant predecoder adapted to be shifted in to use. |
| US08004911B2 |
Memory system, memory device, and output data strobe signal generating method
An output data strobe signal generating method and a memory system that includes a plurality of semiconductor memory devices, and a memory controller for controlling the semiconductor memory devices, wherein the memory controller provides a command signal and a chip selecting signal to the semiconductor memory devices. One or more of the semiconductor memory devices may detect a read command and a dummy read command in response to the command signal and the chip selecting signal and generate one or more preamble signals based on a calculated preamble cycle number. |
| US08004910B2 |
Data transfer system
The invention is directed to decreasing a circuit size of a system in which a plurality of devices or circuit blocks share and use one memory. A system is configured so that a memory block serves as a master and each of circuit blocks serves as a slave, and thus the slave side (the circuit blocks) receives necessary data from the memory block by only having decoders corresponding to addresses assigned thereto in advance and registers. In this case, since the registers have been also needed in a conventional system in order to hold data read out from a memory, the circuit size decreases in the whole system. Since this effect is enhanced in proportion to the number of the circuit blocks sharing the memory block, the effect is enhanced as the system size increases. |
| US08004909B2 |
Data bus power-reduced semiconductor storage apparatus
In one or more of the disclosed embodiments, the number of times toggle operations of a data bus are performed at the time of a data transmission in a semiconductor storage apparatus is reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption. For example, a semiconductor storage apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a DRF bus, a DR11F bus, a GDRF bus and a GDR11F bus. The DRF bus and DR11F bus, and the GDRF bus and GDR11F bus, are placed in parallel for the purpose of reducing the number of times toggle operations of a data bus are performed at the time of a data transmission. The DR11F bus is added to make the DRF11F bus perform a toggle operation only when the DRF buses on both sides are made to perform a toggle operation if the data transmission were performed in a conventional system. |
| US08004903B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a sense amp circuit. The memory cell array includes bit lines connected to memory cells operative to store first logic data and second logic data smaller in cell current than the first logic. The sense amp circuit has a clamp transistor operative to clamp a bit line voltage. The sense amp circuit is operative to detect data in a selected memory cell via the clamp transistor and the bit line. The sense amp circuit is operative to read data from the selected memory cell in at least the two of first and second read cycles while a control voltage is applied to a gate of the clamp transistor. Different control voltages are applied to the gate of the clamp transistor in the first and second read cycles. |
| US08004902B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell that stores data by presence or absence of electrons accumulated in a floating gate, a read reference current generator that generates a read reference current for reading data from the memory cell based on a constant current from a constant current generator included therein, and a read voltage generator that generates a read voltage to be applied to a control gate of the memory cell during data reading. The read reference current generator generates a monitor voltage that varies according to variation of the read reference current and a threshold voltage of the memory cell. The read voltage generator generates the read voltage based on the monitor voltage. |
| US08004899B2 |
Memory array and method of operating a memory
A memory array is shown, including memory cells with source and drain doped regions, and global bit lines coupled to the doped regions via select transistors. The connections of the select transistors are configured such that the respective loading capacitances of two global bit lines respectively coupled to the source and the drain of a memory cell to be read do not vary with the memory cell to be read. A method of operating the memory array is also shown, including, in reading a selected memory cell, applying voltages to the gate, the drain and the source thereof respectively from a word line, a first global bit line and a neighboring second global bit line, and turning on a select transistor coupled to a third global bit line separate from the first and the second ones by at least one other global bit line. |
| US08004898B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device, program method thereof, and memory system including the same
A nonvolatile memory device may include a memory cell array adapted to store tail-bit flag information indicating tail-bit memory cells, and a tail-bit controller adapted to calibrate a program start voltage of normal memory cells and a program start voltage of the tail-bit memory cells independently based upon the tail-bit flag information. |
| US08004896B2 |
Method of controlling operation of flash memory device
According to a method of controlling the operation of a flash memory device including a number of memory blocks, a memory block of the memory blocks is first selected as a reference block. A program operation is performed on a memory cell included in the reference block. In order to check an operating characteristic of the reference block, a threshold voltage level of the programmed memory cell is read. Parameters for performing an operation of the flash memory device are determined based on the operating characteristic of the reference block. The parameters are stored in the reference block. |
| US08004895B2 |
Flash memory data correction and scrub techniques
In order to maintain the integrity of data stored in a flash memory that are susceptible to being disturbed by operations in adjacent regions of the memory, disturb events cause the data to be read, corrected and re-written before becoming so corrupted that valid data cannot be recovered. The sometimes conflicting needs to maintain data integrity and system performance are balanced by deferring execution of some of the corrective action when the memory system has other high priority operations to perform. In a memory system utilizing very large units of erase, the corrective process is executed in a manner that is consistent with efficiently rewriting an amount of data much less than the capacity of a unit of erase. |
| US08004892B2 |
Single latch data circuit in a multiple level cell non-volatile memory device
A single latch circuit is coupled to each bit line in a multiple level cell memory device to handle reading multiple data bits. The circuit is comprised of a latch having an inverted node and a non-inverted node. A first control transistor selectively couples the non-inverted node to a latch output. A second control transistor selectively couples the inverted node to the latch output. A reset transistor is coupled between the inverted node and circuit ground to selectively ground the circuit when the transistor is turned on. |
| US08004891B2 |
Memory device and method of programming thereof
Example embodiments may provide a memory device and memory data programming method. The memory device according to example embodiments may encode a first data page to generate at least one first codeword and encode a second data page to generate a second codeword. The memory device may generate the first codeword with at least one of a maximum value of a number of successive ones and a second maximum value of a number of successive zeros. The memory device may program the at least one first codeword and the at least one second codeword to a plurality of multi-bit cells. |
| US08004888B2 |
Flash mirror bit architecture using single program and erase entity as logical cell
Flash memory systems and methods for facilitating a single logical cell erasure in a flash memory device whereby logical cell mapping is changed from using a single physical cell to using pair physical cells, thereby creating a single program and erase entity as a single logical cell. By mapping two adjacent physical cells as a single logical cell, the flash memory device can be programmed and erased on a single bit or variable bit length basis with conventional technologies. Various operations can be performed on a flash device on a basis of the single program and erase entity. |
| US08004887B2 |
Configurable digital and analog input/output interface in a memory device
Methods and memory devices are disclosed, for example a memory device that has both an analog path and a digital path that both share the same input/output pad. One of the two paths on each pad is selected in response to command signals that indicate the nature of the signal being either transmitted to the device or read from the device. Each digital path includes a latch for latching digital input data. Each analog path includes a sample/hold circuit for storing either analog data being read from or analog data being written to the memory device. |
| US08004885B2 |
Three-dimensional memory device and driving method thereof
A driving method of a three-dimensional memory device having a plurality of layers is provided. One of the layers is selected. A well of the selected layer is biased with a first well voltage. A word line voltage is applied to a selected word line of the selected layer. A well of an unselected layer is biased with a second well voltage higher than the first well voltage. |
| US08004882B2 |
Spintronic devices with integrated transistors
The semiconductor industry seeks to replace traditional volatile memory devices with improved non-volatile memory devices. The increased demand for a significantly advanced, efficient, and non-volatile data retention technique has driven the development of integrated Giant-Magneto-resistive (GMR) structures. The present teachings relates to integrated latch memory and logic devices and, in particular, concerns a spin dependent logic device that may be integrated with conventional semiconductor-based logic devices to construct high-speed non-volatile static random access memory (SRAM) cells. |
| US08004881B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction device with separate read and write paths
In an embodiment, a device is disclosed that includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure. The device also includes a read path coupled to the MTJ structure and a write path coupled to the MTJ structure. The write path is separate from the read path. |
| US08004878B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for designing the same
Disclosed herewith is a semiconductor device having an SRAM cell array capable of easily evaluating the performance of transistors and the systematic fluctuation of wiring capacity/resistance. In order to form an inversion circuit required to form a ring oscillator, a test cell is disposed at each of the four corners of the SRAM cell array and the ring oscillator is operated while charging/discharging the subject bit line. Concretely, the ring oscillator is formed on a memory cell array and the ring oscillator includes test cells disposed at least at the four corners of the memory cell array respectively. At this time, a wiring that is equivalent to a bit line is used to connect the test cells to each another. |
| US08004877B2 |
Fault tolerant asynchronous circuits
New and improved methods and circuit designs for asynchronous circuits that are tolerant to transient faults, for example of the type introduced through radiation or, more broadly, single-event effects. SEE-tolerant configurations are shown and described for combinational logic circuits, state-holding logic circuits and SRAM memory circuits. |
| US08004874B2 |
Multi-terminal resistance device
Embodiments of the invention provide a multi-terminal resistance device with first and second electrodes, a shared third electrode, and a resistance layer providing first and second current paths between the shared third electrode and the first and second electrodes, respectively. A current state of the device may be programmed by applying one or more electrical signals along the first and/or second current paths to change a resistance of the device. In some embodiments, applying an electrical signal may switch a junction resistance of the first and/or second electrodes and the resistance layer between two or more resistance values. The device may include a shared fourth electrode to provide extra programming capability. In some embodiments, the device may be used to store a data state, to determine a count of multiple electrical signals, or to perform a logic operation between two electrical signals. |
| US08004870B2 |
Memory chips and judgment circuits thereof
A memory chip is provided. The memory chip operates at modes and includes an option pad and a judgment circuit. The judgment circuit is coupled to the option pad generates a judgment signal according to the current status of the option pad. The judgment signal indicates which mode the memory chip is operating at. The judgment circuit includes a detection unit and a sampling unit. The detection unit is coupled to a first voltage source and the option pad and further controlled by a control signal to generate at least one detection signal according to the current status of the option pad. The sampling unit samples the at least one detection signal after the control signal is asserted to generate the judgment signal. When the control signal is asserted, a level of the at least one detection signal is varied by a voltage provided by the first voltage source. |
| US08004868B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing variable word width searches in a content addressable memory
A content Addressable memory (CAM) for performing search operations using variable width search data, said CAM comprising a plurality of arrays of CAM cells, each coupled to a respective sub-search data bus, the sub-search buses being confined to form a main search data bus, to which is applied the search data; selector circuits receiving match line signals from respective CAM arrays, the match line signals being indicative of the results of a search and comparison formed in the associated CAM array, the selector circuit being responsive to a mode selection signal for selecting one or more of said match line output signals to be switched to a priority encoder and multiple match resolver (PE-MMR), wherein in a first mode the match line output signals are switched to said PE-MMR and in a second mode groups of match line output signals from selected arrays are switched to said PE-MMR. |
| US08004862B2 |
Offline synchronous rectifying circuit with current transformer for soft switching power converters
A synchronous rectifying circuit of soft switching power converter is provided to improve the efficiency. The integrated synchronous rectifier includes a power transistor connected from a transformer to the output of the power converter for rectifying. A controller having a latch circuit generates a drive signal to control the power transistor in response to a switching-current signal. A current transformer generates the switching-current signal in response to the switching current of the transformer. The controller turns off the power transistor when the switching-current signal is lower than a second threshold. The power transistor is turned on once the switching-current signal is higher than a first threshold. Furthermore, a pulse-width detection circuit generates a pulse signal coupled to disable the drive signal and turn off the power transistor. |
| US08004857B2 |
Fixing system for printed circuit boards
A fixing system for printed circuit boards arranged one above the other in an electronics housing, in particular, for automotive applications. One printed circuit board is fixed to the electronics housing by a rigid fixing means. The other printed circuit boards are fixed to the electronics housing by a resilient fixing means. |
| US08004852B2 |
Electronic apparatus
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including: a wiring that is formed on a mounting surface; a terminal that is electrically connected with the wiring; a terminal holder that is disposed above the mounting surface to face the wiring and that holds the terminal in a space between the terminal; and a blocking member that is disposed on the terminal holder at a side facing the mounting surface, that surrounds the terminal and that is separated from the mounting surface to regulate a gap between blocking member and the mounting surface so that the terminal is prevented from passing therethrough when the terminal is broken off from the terminal holder. |
| US08004851B2 |
Multi-layer flexible printed circuit board and manufacturing method thereof
A method for easily making a barrier for preventing overflow of interlayer insulating resin in a cable-fitted multi-layer FPC that uses bumps for connecting the layers, and a barrier having a structure that can easily be made. In a method for manufacturing a multi-layer flexible printed circuit board including a circuit section, a cable section that is connected to the circuit section, the circuit section having a multi-layer structure of insulating resin arranged between multiple layers of metal foil, a barrier, that stops the insulating resin from overflowing, has a two-row configuration and is formed on a metal foil that constitutes an outermost conductive layer in the multi-layer flexible printed circuit board, and the metal foil and the insulating resin are laminated to form the multi-layer flexible printed circuit board. |
| US08004844B2 |
Enclosure device of wireless communication apparatus
An enclosure device of a wireless communication apparatus, which has a tubular structure with increased heat dissipation not unknown heretofore. A section of the enclosure device has a polygonal or circular shape, such as a substantially cylindrical structure, and the enclosure, which has a plurality of radiation fins arranged on an outer surface of the enclosure in a vertical direction, is formed integrally with the radiation fins by using a compression method. Various communication devices of the wire communication apparatus are mounted on the interior of the enclosure. The structure is preferably formed by the radiation fins and exhibits an increased radiation effect than that of a structure where radiation fins are arranged side by side on a flat plane. |
| US08004843B2 |
Heat dissipation device
A heat dissipation device is provided for dissipating heat generated by a plurality of electronic components mounted on a printed circuit board and having different heights. The heat dissipation device includes a connecting member and a first base mounted on the connecting member and located at above one of the electronic components. A number of joining members extend through the printed circuit board and engage with the first base to assemble the first base on the one of the electronic components on the printed circuit board. A distance between the first base and the one of the electronic components is adjustable by adjusting the joining members to make the first base intimately contact with the one of the electronic components. |
| US08004836B2 |
Arrangement for a motor controller
An arrangement is disclosed for a motor controller, the arrangement including a number of power semiconductors and cooling elements, the cooling elements being connected to the power semiconductors for cooling them. The power semiconductors and the cooling elements are disposed around a center axis of the arrangement in such a manner that they demark a channel around the center axis from at least three sides, to which channel cooling surfaces of the cooling elements extend and in which the cooling medium is able to flow in the direction of the center axis, and the power semiconductors extend from the connections between the power semiconductors and the cooling elements substantially away from the center axis. The arrangement can further include at least one choke disposed in the channel demarked around the center axis. |
| US08004832B2 |
Variable flow computer cooling system for a data center and method of operation
Disclosed herein is a data center having a plurality of liquid cooled computer systems. The computer systems each include a processor coupled with a cold plate that allows direct liquid cooling of the processor. The cold plate is further arranged to provide adapted flow of coolant to different portions of the processor whereby higher temperature regions receive a larger flow rate of coolant. The flow is variably adjusted to reflect different levels of activity. By maximizing the coolant temperature exiting the computer systems, the system may utilize the free cooling temperature of the ambient air and eliminate the need for a chiller. A data center is further provided that is coupled with a district heating system and heat is extracted from the computer systems is used to offset carbon emissions and reduce the total cost of ownership of the data center. |
| US08004825B2 |
Solid electrolyte capacitor
A solid electrolyte capacitor that prevents the capacitance from decreasing. The solid electrolyte capacitor includes an anode, a cathode, and a dielectric layer, which is arranged between the anode and the cathode in contact with the cathode. The dielectric layer includes a plurality of recesses arranged at an interface between the dielectric layer and the cathode. |
| US08004822B2 |
Multi-layer ceramic capacitor and production method thereof
The present invention relates to a multi-layer ceramic capacitor printed simultaneously with internal electrode and external electrode by employing an inkjet printing. A method for manufacturing the multi-layer ceramic capacitor comprising first external electrode, dielectric, internal electrode and second external electrode prints simultaneously the first external electrode; the internal electrode which is connected with the first external electrode and formed at an invaginated portion of the dielectric invaginated to allow one side to be opened at one portion; and the second external electrode which is formed integrally with the internal electrode by employing an inkjet printing. According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing the multi-layer ceramic capacitor resolves contact problems by printing integrally the internal electrode and the external electrode and reduces the manufacturing process. |
| US08004815B2 |
Lightning protection system and an aircraft having such a system
A lightning protection system for a composite structure has an outer surface designed to be subject to an air flow. This system has an electrically conductive strip and fasteners from the strip to the structure.Since the structure has holes designed for the fasteners, at least some of these fasteners have an attachment element from the lightning to this structure. This attachment element is inserted into the hole with its top part approximately even with the outer surface of this structure, and the attachment element is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive strip. At least part of the electrically conductive strip is placed within the thickness of the structure and to be connected to the ground. |
| US08004812B2 |
Energy conditioning circuit arrangement for integrated circuit
The present invention relates to an interposer substrate for interconnecting between active electronic componentry such as but not limited to a single or multiple integrated circuit chips in either a single or a combination and elements that could comprise of a mounting substrate, substrate module, a printed circuit board, integrated circuit chips or other substrates containing conductive energy pathways that service an energy utilizing load and leading to and from an energy source. The interposer will also possess a multi-layer, universal multi-functional, common conductive shield structure with conductive pathways for energy and EMI conditioning and protection that also comprise a commonly shared and centrally positioned conductive pathway or electrode of the structure that can simultaneously shield and allow smooth energy interaction between grouped and energized conductive pathway electrodes containing a circuit architecture for energy conditioning as it relates to integrated circuit device packaging. The invention can be employed between an active electronic component and a multilayer circuit card. A method for making the interposer is not presented and can be varied to the individual or proprietary construction methodologies that exist or will be developed. |
| US08004811B2 |
Power strip having surge protective circuit
The present invention provides a power strip having a surge protective circuit. When a surge is inputted into the power strip, the surge is subject to two-stage suppressions so as to protect the electrical appliances which are electrically connected to the power strip. The surge protective circuit of the power strip includes a first surge protective device, a buffer conductive device and a second surge protective device. The buffer conductive device is relatively small-sized and cost-effective in comparison with the bulky inductor used in conventional power strip. |
| US08004810B2 |
Meter having load control unit
A load control unit is provided for a meter which can be connected to a meter communication network. The load control unit includes a dual coil solenoid switch that is operable to connect the meter to a load, and disconnect the meter from the load. An electronic switching circuit is provided that reduces or eliminates undesirable braking in the solenoid switch. |
| US08004805B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an external pad, a ground line, a first protection circuit between the external pad and the ground line, and a second protection circuit between the external pad and the ground line. The second protection circuit is formed by a first protection element, a second protection element, and a resistor. With this structure, the resistance value of the resistor is set to an arbitrary value, so that an unnecessary current which would be generated at the time of power-off of the LSI can be decreased to a value which does not deteriorate the reliability of the LSI. |
| US08004782B1 |
Tester with virtual ground
A tester system includes a tester and a radioactive isotope source. The tester includes a spindle assembly, a disk mounted to the spindle assembly, and a head actuatable over the disk. The radioactive isotope source is positioned in an ionizing location proximate the tester, such that a minimum distance between the radioactive isotope source and an axis of rotation of the disk is less than a radius of the disk. |
| US08004780B2 |
Integrated lens barrel
An integrated lens barrel for a miniature camera is disclosed. The lens barrel can include components such as a shutter, an autofocus mechanism, a zoom mechanism, and/or an image stabilization mechanism. These and/or components can define a portion of the lens barrel that increases the length of the lens barrel. An electrostatic MEMS actuator can be used to effect movement of the autofocus mechanism, zoom mechanism, and/or image stabilization mechanism. Integrating the shutter, autofocus mechanism, zoom mechanism, and/or image stabilization mechanism into the lens barrel facilitates the construction of a substantially smaller camera that is suitable for use in personal electronic devices, such as cellular telephones. |
| US08004778B2 |
Achromatic lens system and optical apparatus
An achromatic lens system is provided with a cemented resin lens having positive refractive power constructed by a resin lens L11 having positive refractive power cemented with a resin lens L12 having negative refractive power, and a close-contact multi-layer type diffractive optical element L11E, the diffractive optical element L11E being disposed to an image side of the cemented resin lens, the diffractive optical element L11E being constructed by cementing two diffractive element members DE11, DE12 each made of different optical materials with each other, and the cemented surface thereof being a diffractive optical surface Gf on which grooves of a diffraction grating are formed, there by being lightweight and easily manufactured, capable of excellently correcting chromatic aberration and spherical aberration at the same time. |
| US08004776B2 |
Optical plate for an imaging camera
An optical plate for an imaging camera is proposed that is used for further deepening the depth of field. The optical plate is orthogonal to the optical axis, that, in shape, (1) is an optical plate that has the same effective aperture diameter as the imaging camera and is attached in front thereof to deepen the depth of field, and on the incidence plane or exit plane, is equipped with first and second regions in the effective aperture, the first region being on the inside (or is an outside region), with a surface shape curvature that increases going from optical axis to periphery, and a thickness that becomes thicker going from the center to the periphery, that delays the phase of transmitted light more at the periphery than the center, the second region being on the outside (or is an inside region) which has a plane parallel plate shape. Also, (2) an optical plate having a shape that is a synthesis of first and second shapes of incidence plane or exit plane, the first shape being a concave shape with a surface shape curvature that increases going from optical axis to periphery, and a thickness that becomes thicker going from the center to the periphery, that delays the phase of transmitted light more at the periphery than the center, the second shape being a convex shape with a constant surface shape curvature having the function of shifting the focal point position from long distance to the short-distance side. |
| US08004770B2 |
Pulse modifier with adjustable etendue
A beam modifying unit increases both temporal pulse length and Etendue of an illumination beam. The pulse modifying unit receives an input pulse of radiation and emits one or more corresponding output pulses of radiation. A beam splitter divides the incoming pulse into a first and a second pulse portion, and directs the first pulse portion along a second optical path and the second portion along a first optical path as a portion of an output beam. The second optical path includes a divergence optical element. A first and a second mirror, each with a radius of curvature, are disposed facing each other with a predetermined separation, and receive the second pulse portion to redirect the second portion, such that the optical path of the second portion through the pulse modifier is longer than that of the first portion, and the separation is less than radius of curvature. |
| US08004769B2 |
Binocular apparatus and system
A binocular display system that provides minimum occlusion of a user's field of vision such that the occluded area is primarily filled with an image displayed to the user. |
| US08004765B2 |
Light guide optical device
The invention provides an optical device, including a light-transmitting substrate, optical means for coupling light into the substrate by total internal reflection, and a plurality of partially reflecting surfaces carried by the substrate, characterized in that the partially reflecting surfaces are parallel to each other and are not parallel to any of the edges of the substrate. |
| US08004760B2 |
Rear-projection display
Various embodiments related to rear-projection image display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a projector for projecting an image and a screen configured to display the image. The screen comprises a filter layer having a light reception side and an image display side. The filter layer includes an array of trapezoidal transmissive elements and an array of trapezoidal absorption elements, where a wider base of each of the trapezoidal transmissive elements faces the light reception side of the filter layer, and where a wider base of each of the trapezoidal absorption elements faces the image display side of the filer layer. |
| US08004759B2 |
Diffusing screen
Various embodiments related to a rear projection display screen configured to reduce an intensity of light at a viewing angle at which the light is less likely to be viewed by a user are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment provides a diffusing screen comprising a sheet-like structure transparent to one or more wavelengths of light. The sheet-like structure has a viewing surface and comprises a diffusing pattern configured to create destructive interference of a selected wavelength of light traveling in a direction normal to a plane of the viewing surface of the screen. |
| US08004745B2 |
Electronic paper display device and manufacturing method of the same
The present invention provides an electronic paper display device including: a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; a barrier layer interposed between the first and second electrodes to define a plurality of cells; and a microcapsule disposed in each cell between the first and second electrodes and maintaining a ratio of minor axis to major axis of 0.9 to 1, and a manufacturing method of the same. |
| US08004744B2 |
Electrochromic devices having improved ion conducting layers
An improved ion conductor layer for use in electrochromic devices and other applications is disclosed. The improved ion-conductor layer is comprised of at least two ion transport layers and a buffer layer, wherein the at least two ion transport layers and the buffer layer alternate within the ion conductor layer such that the ion transport layers are in communication with a first and a second electrode. Electrochromic devices utilizing such an improved ion conductor layer color more deeply by virtue of the increased voltage developed across the ion conductor layer prior to electronic breakdown while reducing the amount of electronic leakage. Also disclosed are methods of making electrochromic devices incorporating the improved ion conductor layer disclosed herein and methods of making ion conductors for use in other applications. |
| US08004739B2 |
Control device for at least one electrochromic window and method for activating the same
The invention relates to a control device for at least one electrochromic window (100, 100.1, 100.2, 100′, . . . ) with means (106, 108) for generating a charging current, to bring the window from a first state into a second state, wherein the window is darker in the second state than in the first state, means (112, 116) for discharging the window, to bring the window from the second state into the first state, wherein the discharging of the window can be triggered by an emergency signal (S1, S2). |
| US08004737B2 |
Electric-field-sensitive element and display device using the same
An electric-field-sensitive element (1) includes: an optical function layer (5) that includes a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of tin dioxide, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and an insulating material covering the metal oxide, the optical function layer (5) having a visible light transmittance that changes through application of an electric field; and a first and second electrode layer (7, 9) that sandwich the optical function layer (5) therebetween. |
| US08004736B2 |
Optical interference display panel and manufacturing method thereof
A first electrode and a sacrificial layer are sequentially formed on a substrate, and then first openings for forming supports inside are formed in the first electrode and the sacrificial layer. The supports are formed in the first openings, and then a second electrode is formed on the sacrificial layer and the supports, thus forming a micro electro mechanical system structure. Afterward, an adhesive is used to adhere and fix a protection structure to the substrate for forming a chamber to enclose the micro electro mechanical system structure, and at least one second opening is preserved on sidewalls of the chamber. A release etch process is subsequently employed to remove the sacrificial layer through the second opening in order to form cavities in an optical interference reflection structure. Finally, the second opening is closed to seal the optical interference reflection structure between the substrate and the protection structure. |
| US08004735B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A polygon scanner including a polygon mirror, a bearing, a polygon motor, and a scanner board is mounted in an optical housing. A scanner-unit attachment portion to which the polygon scanner is attached is formed as a convex portion protruded from a bottom plate of the optical housing such that at least a planar shape of the polygon mirror is surrounded by the convex portion. The scanner board makes a tight contact with an upper surface of the convex portion in direct contact with each other, so that a bottom of the polygon scanner is covered by the convex portion and the bottom plate of the optical housing in a sealed manner. |
| US08004733B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program for detecting inadequately trimmed images
Detection of inadequately trimmed images can be carried out promptly and accurately among a large amount of trimmed images obtained through automatic trimming. The trimmed images generated through the automatic trimming are reproduced three times at an image display rate of 30 images per second. Order of reproduction is changed randomly in each time of reproduction. When an operator carries out input for indicating finding of an inadequately trimmed image in each time of reproduction, 10 images arranged 6 to 15 images backward in a display sequence from the image being displayed at the time of input are marked as an image group including the inadequately trimmed image, in response to the input. Only the trimmed images marked in all the rounds of reproduction are extracted as candidates for the inadequately trimmed image. |
| US08004729B2 |
Low cost adjustment method for printing systems
A method of adjusting a printing system includes providing a printing system including a plurality of marking engines that include first, second and third actuators. The method includes setting each of the actuators of each marking engine to predetermined values, and generating a plurality of printed samples having a visually apparent background density using at least one of the marking engines. The method also includes evaluating the printed samples, and adjusting the first actuator of at least one marking engine based at least partially on the evaluation. A system is also disclosed. |
| US08004722B2 |
System for printing interactive documents
A system for printing a second document by interacting with a first document. The system includes: a first document having visible textual information and first coded data; a handheld optically imaging sensor which generates indicating data indicative of the position of the sensor relative to the first document using sensed coded data; and a printer for printing the second document in response to interpretation of the indicating data by a computer system. The second printed document includes visible textual information and second coded data in the form of a plurality of tags, each tag defining unique coded data identifying the second document and a position of that tag on the second document. |
| US08004719B2 |
Threshold matrix generation method, threshold matrix generating apparatus, and recording medium
A plurality of types of basic tiles are arranged in a matrix area while prohibiting an arrangement of only ON or OFF elements in two rows and two columns, to acquire an element matrix representing an arrangement of dots in a gray level of 50%. After one element is specified in each of a set of the ON elements and a set of the OFF elements, a process of specifying an element farthest from specified elements is repeated to acquire a turn-on order of dots with increase in gray level on a highlight side and a turn-off order of dots with decrease in gray level on a shadow side, and a threshold value of each element is determined in accordance with these orders. With this operation, it is possible to generate a threshold matrix which is capable of reducing graininess in an image generated by halftoning an original image. |
| US08004718B2 |
Post RIP trapping
Image data representing an image is obtained, raster image processing is performed on the image data, and then trapping is performed on the image data after raster image processing. The trapping may be performed based on a tag plane generated during the raster image processing, or the determination of which pixels to trap may be performed after the raster image processing. |
| US08004717B2 |
Stack flipping document handling system for utilization with printing lazy-portrait formatted documents
A printed sheet handling system and method for use with lazy-portrait narrow-end to narrow-end (LPEE) formatted pages web printed pages to produce document sets includes: a printer to print LPEE formatted paired document pages printed in 1 to N order and face up on a first half of the web and printed in N to 1 order and face down on a second half of the continuous web; a slitter that divides the LPEE formatted printed web into two streams of sheets, with one in 1 to N order and the other in N to 1 order; collecting both streams into separate stacks; flipping the N to 1 stack of sheets; and then withdrawing sheets from the tops of both stacks for cutting into pages, collating, and assembly into correctly aligned and page number-sequenced document sets. |
| US08004715B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method mitigating effects of pixel correction while compensation for shift in scanning position
An image forming apparatus has a scanning unit capable of forming a plurality of lines of an image simultaneously by scanning, in a main scanning direction, laser beam that has been emitted from a plurality of laser emitting devices. The apparatus has a memory for storing an error characteristic, in a sub-scanning direction with respect to an ideal scanning line in the main scanning direction, of a scanning line scanned by the scanning unit. A line on which image data is read out is changed over in accordance with a line changeover position in the main scanning direction based upon the error characteristic and a revised pixel position in the main scanning direction in the image data. |
| US08004714B2 |
System for replacing a portion of an image data stream in an ink jet printer
A system detects image data in an image data stream that cause ink ejection errors and replaces the image data with a replacement pattern that attenuates the ink ejection errors. The system includes a scanline memory for storing image data, an input data register for forming an image data pattern from image data read from the scanline memory and an image bit received from an image data stream, an image data pattern detection circuit having a comparator that is configured to compare a portion of an image data bit stream used to drive a print head in an ink jet printer to a plurality of detection bit patterns and to generate a bit pattern detection signal in response to the portion of the image data bit pattern corresponding to one of the detection bit patterns, a replacement bit pattern circuit being configured to replace the portion of the image data bit stream corresponding to one of the detection bit patterns with a replacement bit pattern, the replacement bit pattern being different than the detected bit pattern, a tag register coupled to the image data pattern detection circuit and being configured to modify the comparison of the portion of the image data bit stream to one of the detection bit patterns, and an output data register for providing a replacement image bit from the replacement bit pattern to a print head controller and for storing a remainder of the replacement bit pattern to the scanline memory. |
| US08004713B2 |
Creating and manufacturing documents that initially exceed equipment finishing capacity
Techniques described herein overcome many of the issues that have previously made the printing of a single copy of a book from a digital version unattractive and infeasible. According to one embodiment of the invention, an automated mechanism such as a computer program automatically determines whether the spine thickness of a to-be-printed copy of a digital version of a book will exceed the specified maximum spine thickness that a specified binding or other finishing device can handle. In response to determining that the spine thickness will exceed the specified maximum spine thickness, the automated mechanism automatically splits the digital version of the book into two or more volumes such that, for each volume, the spine thickness of the printed version of that volume will be no greater than the specified maximum spine thickness that the specified binding or other finishing device can handle. |
| US08004712B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
It is desired that only necessary document pages be picked up from an enormous quantity of documents and copied by controlling copying operation on the basis of information designated by a user. For this purpose, a plurality of images are input, each image is segmented into objects, and an object as a search key is set. It is then determined, with respect to each of the plurality of images, whether the objects segmented from the image includes the object as the search key. Images containing the object as the search key are selectively copied out of the plurality of images. |
| US08004708B2 |
Image processing device, image forming device, image processing method, image forming method, program, and computer readable recording medium on which the program is recorded
In case of transmitting a document file such as a PDF file to a printer without converting it into print data, a PC extracts from the document file to be printed information to be accessed when starting an analysis of the document file and transmits the information to the printer. The PC extracts a specified data from the document file and transmits it to the printer each time when the specified data is requested by the printer. |
| US08004706B2 |
Device for producing a printed image at at least one printed image location
A printed image is produced at least one printed image location using a printing machine with at least one illuminating device that produces at least one printed image at a number of printed image locations. These respective printed images belong to the same page of a printed product to be produced by the printing machine. This page of the printed product exists in the form of a file containing image data before it is produced as the printed image. That file contains image data of all of the printed images of the page of the printed product. A raster image processor is aligned with each printed image location and converts only image data of the printed images of the page of the printed product into raster data, with that printed image being assigned to a respective printed image position. A network is provided for use in the electronic communication of at least image data. Each raster image processor is connected to this network by an interface which receives data. The network provides the interface of each raster image processor with the file containing the image data of all of the printed images of the pages of the printed product. |
| US08004694B2 |
System for indirectly measuring a geometric dimension related to an opening in an apertured exterior surface of a part based on direct measurements of the part when fixtured at a measurement station
A system for indirectly measuring a geometric dimension related to an opening in an apertured exterior surface of a part such as an ammunition case based on direct measurements of the part when fixtured at a measurement station is provided. The system includes first and second holding devices for holding the part therebetween in a part-retaining position in which the part is firmly held between the devices at its end surfaces. In one embodiment, a portion of each of the holding devices extends into its respective opening in the part-retaining position. The system also includes a head apparatus which has a plurality of radiation sources for successively directing arrays of planes of radiation at the holding devices and at the part, and a plurality of receiver modules for measuring the amount of radiation present in unobstructed planar portions of the planes to obtain holding device and part signals. The system further includes a movable stage subsystem coupled to the head apparatus for translating the head apparatus. The system still further includes a signal processor for processing the holding device and part signals to obtain data and a data processor for processing the data to obtain the direct measurements. The data processor determines the geometric dimensions related to the openings based on the direct measurements. |
| US08004693B2 |
Lens holder and lens shape measuring apparatus
A lens holder includes a lens holding member having a mounting shaft portion and is configured to hold a lens provided with at least one hole mounting a fitting for a rimless frame or a dummy lens provided with at least one hole, a main body including an opened bottom surface, a shaft holding cylinder provided in the main body and configured to hold the mounting shaft portion of the lens holding member, a clamping member configured to clamp the shaft holding cylinder to the mounting shaft portion of the lens holding member, and at least one confirming hole provided in the main body. When the shaft holding cylinder is clamped to the mounting shaft portion of the lens holding member by the clamping member, the confirming hole is configured to allow the hole of the lens or the dummy lens to be viewed. |
| US08004686B2 |
Compensating for time varying phase changes in interferometric measurements
An optical device under test (DUT) is interferometrically measured. The DUT can include one or more of an optical fiber, an optical component, or an optical system. First interference pattern data for the DUT is obtained for a first path to the DUT, and second interference pattern data for the DUT is obtained for a second somewhat longer path to the DUT. Because of that longer length, the second interference pattern data is delayed in time from the first interference pattern data. A time varying component of the DUT interference pattern data is then identified from the first and second interference pattern data. The identified time varying component is used to modify the first or the second interference pattern data to compensate for the time-varying phase caused by vibrations, etc. One or more optical characteristics of the DUT may then be determined based on the modified interference pattern data. |
| US08004684B2 |
Sensor head for a dry powder agent
A sensor head for a dry powder agent according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing defined along an axis along which light is communicated, the housing defines a multiple of apertures transverse to the axis, the multiple of apertures in communication with a measurement volume along the axis. A mirror is within the housing to reflect the light through the measurement volume. |
| US08004681B2 |
Process for evaluating the degree of phenolic ripeness of a fruit and relevant device
The invention concerns a process for evaluating the degree of phenolic ripeness of a fruit, advantageously but not exclusively grapes, that includes the measurement of the intensity of an electromagnetic wave that has passed through a portion of a skin of the fruit and an operation for correlating the intensity with a specific classification of percentages of polyphenolic substances present in the fruit. |
| US08004680B2 |
Color sensor performance
The present disclosure includes a number of method, medium, and apparatus claims utilized for color sensor performance. One method includes determining performance of a color sensor, which can be performed by measuring a color parameter intensity and reflectance spectral power distribution of a particular type of print medium with a color sensing utility of a print apparatus. The method also can include detecting a magnitude of a difference between the measured color parameter intensity and reflectance spectral power distribution of the particular type of print medium and a predetermined intensity and reflectance spectral power distribution of the color parameter of the particular type of print medium, where the predetermined intensity and reflectance spectral power distribution is stored in memory. |
| US08004679B2 |
Target design and methods for scatterometry overlay determination
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining overlay error. Radiation that is scattered from each of a plurality of cells of a target is measured. Each cell includes at least a first grating structure formed by a first process and a second grating structure formed by a second process and wherein each cell has a predefined offset between such each cell's first and second grating structures. The first and second grating structures of the different cells have different predefined offsets, and each predefined offset of each cell is selected to cause one or more terms to be cancelled from a periodic function that represents radiation scattered and measured from each cell. The scattered radiation of each cell is represented with a periodic function having a plurality of unknowns parameters, including an unknown overlay error, and the unknown overlay error is determined based on the plurality of periodic functions for the plurality of cells. |
| US08004678B2 |
Wafer level alignment structures using subwavelength grating polarizers
In one embodiment, a wafer alignment system, comprises a radiation source to generate radiation, a radiation directing assembly to direct at least a portion of the radiation onto a surface of a wafer, the radiation having a polarization state, an optical analyzer to collect at least a portion of the radiation reflected from the wafer, the wafer including at least a first region having a first grating pattern oriented in a first direction and at least a second region having a second grating pattern oriented in a second direction, different from the first direction. |
| US08004677B2 |
Focused-beam ellipsometer
The present invention relates to an ellipsometer, and more particularly, to an ellipsometer to find out the optical properties of the sample by analyzing the variation of the polarization of a light which has specific polarisation then reflected on a surface of the sample. |
| US08004676B1 |
Method for detecting analytes using surface plasmon resonance
A method is provided for detection of analytes using the Surface Plasmon Resonance effect. The method comprises providing a metal film on a transparent substrate. The free surface of the metal film is exposed to a test sample. An anlyte in the sample can interact directly with the metal film or via analyte binding molecules (ABMs) complexed to the film. Light is directed incident to the surface of film in contact with the substrate. Light is reflected from the surface of the film under SPR conditions. The reflected light is collected and the second and/or third harmonics of the resulting electrical signal, which are indicative of the phase and polarization state of the reflected light, are determined. The second and third harmonics are correlated to the presence and/or concentration of the analyte. |
| US08004671B2 |
Method for identifying a transparent object with the aid of its absorption spectrum
The present invention relates to a method for identifying transparent objects, for example measurement cuvettes, with the aid of their absorption spectrum and therefore makes it possible to protect articles against forgery or imitation. |
| US08004670B2 |
Apparatus and method for spectrophotometric analysis
An apparatus for spectrophotometric analysis comprises a sample reception surface, which is arranged to receive a sample to be analysed, and a sample contacting surface, which is moveable in relation to the sample reception surface such that it may be brought to a first position, where the surfaces are sufficiently far apart to allow the sample to be placed on the sample reception surface, and a second position, where the sample contacting surface makes contact with the sample and compresses the sample. The apparatus further comprises a sample thickness controller, which is arranged to control the distance between the sample reception surface and the sample contacting surface in the second position of the sample contacting surface, such that a sample thickness between the surfaces may be shifted for obtaining at least two measurements of the sample at different optical path lengths through the sample. |
| US08004669B1 |
SPR apparatus with a high performance fluid delivery system
An apparatus may include a flow cell for a surface plasmon resonance test apparatus and a fluid delivery system operatively coupled to the flow cell and configured to deliver a plurality of fluids to the flow cell substantially continuously. The fluid delivery system may include two pumps for pumping the fluids. |
| US08004667B2 |
Inspection apparatus for containers
An inspection apparatus for containers, comprising a first illumination device which directs light having first characteristic properties onto the base of the container, a second illumination device which directs light having second characteristic properties, which differ at least partially from the first characteristic properties, onto the base of the container, and at least one image recording device which receives at least a portion of the light directed onto the base of the container and transmitted by the latter. At least the second illumination device illuminates the base of the container in an indirect manner. |
| US08004664B2 |
Power tool control system
A power tool control system includes a non-contact measurement and alignment device operative with the power tool and enabled to establish various readings, such as power tool settings. A graphical user interface communicatively coupled with the non-contact measurement and alignment device enables user control over and display of the readings from the non-contact measurement and alignment device. |
| US08004663B1 |
Headlamp aim detection with sensors independent from host control unit
Headlamp alignment is detected using a collection of intelligent, independent sensor units, each of which incorporates a vertical array of sensing elements capable of detecting headlamp illumination. The sensor units are networked together and can be coupled to a host controller. The host controller can provide a user interface via a touch screen and a Web server, and can further communicate with a plant network for interfacing with manufacturing databases. The network of sensor units can accommodate four or more sensors, which allows multiple vehicles and multiple headlamp types to be audited without physical movement of the sensor units. The sensor units are low in power consumption and can receive power over the same cable providing network communication. Incorporation of non-volatile memory within the sensor units allows factory data to be recorded within each sensor unit and permits convenient replacement of units in the field. |
| US08004662B2 |
Pharmaceutical mixture evaluation
A method of obtaining information about a heterogeneous pharmaceutical mixture is disclosed. This method involves applying an image enhancement agent, such as a stain, to the mixture. An image of the mixture can then be obtained, and information about a distribution of components of the mixture in the image can also be obtained based on spatial information derived from the application of the image enhancement agent. |
| US08004659B2 |
Vision measuring machine and focusing method thereof
A vision measuring machine includes a stage for supporting a workpiece, an image capturing device movable relative to the stage, and a laser ranging module directed towards the stage. The laser ranging module is capable of emitting a laser beam to the workpiece to form a laser spot on the workpiece surface, and determining a distance between the laser spot and the laser ranging module. |
| US08004658B2 |
Lighting optical device, exposure system, and exposure method
An illumination optical apparatus is able to accomplish desired annular illumination, circular illumination, and so on, without substantial influence of the zero-order light from a diffractive optical element. The illumination optical apparatus comprises a diffractive optical element (3) which converts a light beam from a light source (1) into a light beam with a predetermined light intensity distribution; an optical integrator (8) disposed between the diffractive optical element and a surface to be illuminated (M) and adapted for forming a substantial surface illuminant on an illumination pupil plane on the basis of the light beam from the diffractive optical element; a shaping optical system (4, 6, 7) disposed between the diffractive optical element and the optical integrator and adapted for changing a size and shape of the substantial surface illuminant; and a preventing device disposed at a position substantially in the relation of Fourier transform with the diffractive optical element in an optical path of the shaping optical system, and adapted for preventing the zero-order light from the diffractive optical element from traveling along an illumination light path. |
| US08004654B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A protrusion is provided on a barrier member which at least partly confines a liquid between a projection system and a substrate. The protrusion is closer to the projection system than other parts of the barrier member to promote a meniscus of liquid to adhere between the protrusion and the projection system. |
| US08004646B2 |
Reflective liquid crystal display and manufacturing method of the same
A reflective liquid crystal display that comprises: a first substrate; a common electrode formed on the first substrate; a second substrate corresponding to the first substrate; a pixel electrode formed on the second substrate; partitions formed between the common electrode and the pixel electrode; red, green, and blue cholesteric liquid crystals formed in regions separated by the partitions; and sealing lines formed on the outer peripheries of the partitions and having three liquid crystal injection holes. |
| US08004641B2 |
Color filter substrate and liquid crystal display panel including the same
A color filter substrate includes a substrate, a black matrix disposed on the substrate, a color filter on a sub-pixel area partitioned by the black matrix, a common electrode disposed on the color filter to receive a common voltage, and an anti-reflective layer configured to prevent the reflection of light in the color filter substrate. |
| US08004639B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
An LCD panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, alignment protrusions and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes pixel units arranged in an array. Each of the pixel units has at least one reflection area and one transmittance area. The first substrate has concaves in the reflection areas. The second substrate is above the first substrate. The first substrate or the second substrate has at least one padding layer in the reflection area. The alignment protrusions having approximately the same height are disposed on the second substrate and located in centers of each of the reflections and the transmittance areas. In the reflection area, a group of the alignment protrusions are in the concaves to keep a gap from the first substrate. The other group of the alignment protrusions outside of the concaves contact with the first substrate directly. |
| US08004635B2 |
Display substrate, display panel having the same, and method of manufacturing the same
A base substrate of a color filter substrate includes a display region and a peripheral region. The display region includes a pixel area having a first unit area, a second unit area, and a third unit area that are disposed adjacent to each other, and a blocking area that surrounds peripheral portions of each of the first, second, and third unit areas. A first color filter is formed in the first unit area. A second color filter is formed in the second unit area and the blocking area. A third color filter is formed in the third unit area and on the second color filter in the blocking area. Therefore, the second and third color filters overlap each other so that light is blocked. |
| US08004634B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and projection type liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display device and a projection type liquid crystal display apparatus are provided. The liquid crystal display device includes two substrates opposed each other, a liquid crystal layer arranged between the two substrates, a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged on the opposed surfaces of the substrates to form pixels in a matrix form, and alignment films formed on the two substrates to align liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer in a predetermined direction. The pixels arranged in the matrix form have different spacings between the pixels. |
| US08004628B2 |
Backlight module, lamp hoder and liquid crystal display using same
An exemplary backlight module includes a diffuser plate, a bottom plate facing the diffuser plate, lamps arranged between the diffuser plate and the bottom plate, and holders positioned between the diffuser plate and the bottom plate. Each holder includes a fixing part for holding the corresponding lamp, and two supporting parts extending from the fixing part. The supporting parts are configured for supporting the diffuser plate. |
| US08004626B2 |
Pixel array, liquid crystal display panel, and electro-optical apparatus
A pixel array including first scan lines, second scan lines, data lines, and sub-pixels is provided. Each sub-pixel includes a first switch, a second switch, a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first switch, a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second switch, a third switch, and common lines connected with each other and disposed under the first and the second pixel electrode. The first and the second switch are electrically connected to the same first scan line and data line. The first scan line is located between the first and second pixel electrode. The third switch is electrically connected to the second scan line and the first pixel electrode and has a floating terminal. The floating terminal is capacitively coupled to the second pixel electrode to form a first capacitor and capacitively coupled to the common line under the second pixel electrode to form a second capacitor. |
| US08004619B2 |
Optical element, imaging apparatus having such optical element, and optical apparatus having two such optical elements
An optical element is disclosed. The optical element may include a container having a holding chamber; a polarized or conductive and transparent first liquid filled in the holding chamber; a liquid crystal filled in the holding chamber and not mutually mixing with the first liquid; first and second electrodes applying an electric field to the first liquid; and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08004613B1 |
3:2 pulldown detection
Field-based detection of 3:2 pulldown in a sequence of digital video fields using a programmable graphics processor is described. The detection is performed using a threshold value to determine equivalence between a pair of fields of digital video data. Furthermore, additional threshold values may be used to control switching into a mode where duplicated fields of digital video data are identified and not displayed and out of the mode where duplicated fields of digital video data are identified and not displayed. Look ahead can be used to detect when to switch into or out of the mode where duplicated fields of digital video data are identified and not displayed, reducing the occurrence of visual artifacts. |
| US08004605B1 |
Mobile camera stand
A mobile camera stand having a receiver with a receiver top to which a non-pivoting telescoping arm is attached, a receiver bottom with a locking member to which a non-telescoping arm is removably attachable, and a receiver pivotable section to which a pivoting telescoping arm is attached. The distal ends of each telescoping arm are adapted to attach to a camera or a camera platform. An adjustable upper connecting member is removably attachable to the non-pivoting arm and adjustably and removably attachable to a user. An adjustable lower connecting member is removably attachable to the non-telescoping arm and adjustably and removably attachable to a user. |
| US08004603B2 |
Camera with an interrupting unit, and camera with an inhibiting unit
When at least a portion of an aperture of a lens part is covered with some object, both adjusting of the sensitivity of an image pickup part and display of “though image” are inhibited. Also, it is able to shorten a length of time for which the camera enters into a power saving mode, and to prevent capture of improper images. Provided herein is a determining unit for determining whether at least a portion of the aperture of the lens part is covered. When the determining unit determines that it is covered, the camera inhibits the sensitivity adjustment of the image pickup part and the display of “though image”, shortens the length of time after which the camera enters into the power saving mode, interrupts shooting or continuous shooting, or a movie imaging, and inhibits a flash emission. |
| US08004595B2 |
Solid-state imaging device with a two-dimensional array of unit pixels
To provide a solid-state imaging device that can capture an image which is bright through to its periphery, even when used in a single-lens reflex digital camera that accepts various interchangeable lenses from wide-angle to telephoto. The solid-state imaging device includes a two-dimensional array of unit pixels each of which includes a light-collecting element. A light-collecting element in a unit pixel is a combination of circular-sector-shaped light-collecting elements having different concentric structures. A central axis of the concentric structures is perpendicular to a light-receiving plane of the light-collecting element. Each of the circular-sector-shaped light-collecting elements is divided into concentric zone areas of a width equal to or smaller than a wavelength of incident light. Thus, an image which is bright through to its periphery can be captured even when light incident on a unit pixel changes from wide-angle to telecentric (chief rays are approximately parallel to an optical axis). |
| US08004592B2 |
Imaging device, through image display control method, and recording medium on which through image display control program is recorded in computer-readable manner
A template storage section previously stores a template having a plurality of display areas. A template readout section reads out the template from the template storage section for display. An imaging section images a subject and outputs corresponding image data. A through image display control section displays a through image corresponding to image data output by the imaging section in one of the display areas included in the template that has been read out by the template readout section. The through image display control section switches the display area of the through image from one area to remaining areas based on an instruction from a user. |
| US08004591B2 |
Physical quantity detecting device and imaging apparatus
A physical quality detecting device includes: a detecting unit that detects a physical quantity supplied from the outside with photo-converting pixels which are two-dimensionally arranged, each of which has a selecting transistor for outputting a signal from the detecting unit to a signal line. In the physical quality detecting device, the selecting transistor is a depletion-type transistor. The signal line is selectively coupled to a reference voltage. |
| US08004590B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, pixel-signal processing method, analog-signal transferring device, and analog-signal transferring method
From a pixel array where imaging pixels are arranged, pixel signals of respective columns on a selected row are read in parallel in a horizontal blanking period of a horizontal period. The pixel signals of the respective columns are output to horizontal signal lines in an effective period of the horizontal period via charge integrating amps provided respectively for the columns, i.e., provided respectively for vertical signal lines, and are thereby transferred horizontally. In the charge integrating amps, it is possible to enter a standby state while holding the pixel signals by a holding voltage. Furthermore, in the charge integrating amps, a reference potential for precharging feedback capacitors for amps at the time of a reading operation is automatically controlled based on a black level. Furthermore, pixel signals from the respective charge integrating amps are horizontally transferred in parallel using a plurality of horizontal signal lines. |
| US08004586B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing noise of image sensor
An apparatus and a method for reducing noise from an image sensor are provided. The apparatus includes a noise-estimation unit which estimates a noise level representing an image frame expressed as a component in a color space, a filter-strength-calculation unit which determines filter strength based on the estimated noise level, and a filter-application unit which filters pixels constituting the image frame according to the determined filter strength. |
| US08004585B2 |
Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
A zoom lens system is provided that includes a compactly constructed focusing lens unit and that has a suppressed change in the image magnification at the time of movement of a focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises: a positive lens unit that is arranged on an object side relative to the aperture diaphragm; a negative lens unit that is arranged on an image side relative to the positive lens unit and on an object side relative to the aperture diaphragm; and a focusing lens unit that is arranged in an optical path between the negative lens unit and the aperture diaphragm. The zoom lens system satisfies the condition (4): 1.20<βNT/βNW<4.50 (here, fT/fW>3.0, βNT(βNW): a composite focal length of the focusing lens unit and the negative lens unit in an infinity in-focus condition at a telephoto (wide-angle) limit when the focusing lens unit has negative optical power, or a lateral magnification of the negative lens unit at a telephoto limit in an infinity in-focus condition when the focusing lens unit has positive optical power, fT: a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit, fW: a focal length of the entire system at a wide-angle limit. |
| US08004582B2 |
Image file processing apparatus, image file processing method, and storage medium
An image file processing apparatus comprises a first storage unit configured to store an image, a first data creating unit configured to create main image data or sub-image data, a second storage unit configured to store the main image data and the sub-image data as one file, a management region setting unit configured to ensure management information of the sub-image data stored in the same file as the main image data in the second storage unit by a predetermined number and set the management information in a management region of the main image data, and a storage control unit configured to control so as to store the file based upon content set by the management region setting unit. |
| US08004581B2 |
Imaging apparatus having temporary recording mode and direct recording mode
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device for capturing images, a display section, a temporary memory for temporarily recording captured images, a main memory for recording the captured images and a setting mechanism for setting one of a temporary recording mode and a direct recording mode. The images temporarily recorded are displayed for the user to select images to be saved, and the selected images are recorded into the main memory and deleted from the temporary memory. All of the non-selected images remaining in the temporary memory are deleted at once at a predetermined timing instructed by the user. |
| US08004579B2 |
Gain measurement structure
A CCD Device of the type for providing charge gain by impact ionisation has a multiplication register. Gain provided by a subset of the elements of the multiplication register are independently controllable from other elements in the register. This enables the register to be used in one setting with the same gain applied to all elements and a different setting with a subset of elements arranged to provide a different gain. By comparing the two signals, the gain provided by each element and the register as a whole may be derived. |
| US08004575B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting bright objects and/or adaptively modifying video camera exposure
Methods and systems for automatically detecting the presence or absence of a bright object in the field of view of a video camera and/or for adaptively modifying video camera exposure level. A video camera system may be configured to enter and exit an adaptive exposure modification mode upon detection of the presence of a bright object in the field of view of a video camera. |
| US08004574B2 |
Portable electronic devices with picture in picture capability
A system and method for simultaneously capturing multiple pictures or videos on an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic device includes a first camera and a second camera. The first camera is capable of taking a first picture, while the second camera is capable of taking a second picture. The first picture and the second picture may be simultaneously displayed in a “picture in picture” format on the display screen, stored into memory of the electronic device or transmitted to a remote location. |
| US08004573B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaged picture recording method, and storage medium storing computer program
Upon an operation to full-press a shutter button being detected, a CPU detects human faces included in a picture imaged by an imaging unit, counts the number of the faces, and stores the number of the counted faces in a predetermined area of a memory unit. Thereafter, the CPU again detects faces included in an imaged picture and counts the number of the faces. When the number of the counted faces is equal to or smaller than the number of the faces stored in the predetermined area of the memory unit, the CPU repeats the process of detecting faces included in an imaged picture and counting the number of the faces. Meanwhile, when the number of the counted faces has increased from the number of the faces stored, the CPU records a picture that is to be imaged after a predetermined period of time passes in a recording medium. |
| US08004571B2 |
Projection-based system, apparatus and program of storing annotated object image
An information processing apparatus is connected to a projection device and an image capture device, and includes an acquiring portion, a detecting portion, and a controller. The acquiring portion acquires images captured by the image capture device. The detecting portion detects positions of the object and a user of the information processing apparatus from the captured images. The controller causes the projection device to project a first indication data indicating storage of at least one of the captured images onto an area except for a linear area linking the user of the information processing apparatus to the object and existing between the user of the information processing apparatus and the object, based on the detected positions of the object and the user of the information processing apparatus, and stores the at least one of the captured images in a memory when the projected first indication data has been interrupted. |
| US08004570B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image-pickup apparatus, and image processing method
The present invention provides an image processing apparatus capable of obtaining good shake-corrected images in electronic image stabilization irrespective of changes of image-taking conditions. An image processing apparatus comprising: a shake correcting part that performs coordinate transformation processing based on shake information to an input image that is generated by use of an image-pickup device; and a method changing part that changes a coordinate transformation method for the coordinate transformation processing. |
| US08004564B1 |
Automated systems and methods for testing infrared cameras
Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide automated testing on infrared image data to detect image quality defects. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, image processing algorithms are disclosed to generate an image quality metric that may be compared to one or more thresholds to perform an automated test for image quality defects. For example, the image quality metric may be compared to two thresholds to determine if the corresponding infrared sensor or infrared camera is defective or not due to image quality or requires further manual inspection by test personnel. |
| US08004562B2 |
Driving support apparatus
A driving support apparatus includes an imaging member taking an image corresponding to a vehicle peripheral area; a steering angle detecting member detecting a steering-wheel steering angle; a display member disposed in a vehicle interior to display the image; and a control member predicting a driving course of the vehicle according to the detected steering-wheel angle. The control member synthesizes a predicted driving course image relating to the predicted driving course. The control member superposes the predicted driving course image at a corresponding position of the image. The control member displays on the display member the image where at least one image, on which an index is marked at least at one height position, is superposed at least on the predicted driving course image and onto a side of the predicted driving course image while the control member displays the superposed image on the display member. |
| US08004561B2 |
Methods and systems for networked camera control
Methods and systems for providing fluid real-time camera control of at least one camera to at least one network user via a network including the internet. A control pad or area can be provided to camera users via an application or applet that can be calibrated to provide fluid camera control. Compressed or uncompressed analog, digital, or streaming video and audio data can also be provided to the users to allow real-time low latency continuous audio/visual feedback. Multiple camera users can obtain control of a camera using a dynamic queuing technique that can allow single user camera control for certain time intervals. An administrator can establish user camera control parameters including camera control intervals for subscriber users versus non-subscriber users, camera usurping by an administrator, elimination of camera control privileges for a user, and denial of camera control requests by a user. |
| US08004560B2 |
Endoscope apparatus
An endoscope apparatus includes: a video signal acquisition portion; a video signal processing portion that processes a video signal to generate a display video signal; a measurement processing portion that performs measurement; and a display portion that displays the display video signal. The video signal processing portion generates a first display video signal based on one image extracted from the video signal, and a second display video signal based on the one image and other image of the video signal. During a period regarding measurement, the display portion displays the first display video signal or the second display video signal along with at least one of operation-related information and measurement information. A position where at least one of the operation-related information and the measurement information is displayed is controlled according to the first display video signal or the second display video signal displayed by the display portion. |
| US08004556B2 |
Conference link between a speakerphone and a video conference unit
A conference link between devices in teleconference system at one site is disclosed. The linked devices include video conference units, speakerphones or stand-alone loudspeakers. Audio data can be transmitted through the conference link between devices. Audio data processing can be performed in either a video conference unit or a speakerphone. The microphones and loudspeakers in the video conference unit may be eliminated. The microphones and loudspeakers in the speakerphone are used. Other data, for example directories of dialing information, may also be transmitted through the conference link and the data processing may be allocated among processors in devices connected by conference links. The conference link may be wired or wireless, analog or digital. The devices may be linked by conference link in parallel or series. A dialing program can adapt the dialing stream with the locations of the near end site and the dialed far end site. The dialing program can automatically select a mutually supported network or protocol to establish a connection between two sites. |
| US08004555B2 |
Methods and devices for simultaneous dual camera video telephony
Disclosed are mobile communication devices, and methods for mobile communication devices including two video cameras that can operate simultaneously and in real-time. The device includes a first video camera pointing in a first direction and configured to generate a first video signal and a second video camera pointing in a second direction and configured to generate a second video signal. The device includes a processor configured to receive the first video signal and the second video signal and to encode the first video signal and the second video signal for simultaneous transmission. Disclosed is another device, including a housing having a fixed first video camera configured to point in a first direction with respect to the housing and generate a first video signal and a movable second video camera configured to point in a plurality of second directions with respect to the housing and generate a second video signal. |
| US08004552B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
In an optical scanning device having a lens within a housing, the attachment of the lens to the housing is facilitated. The occurrence of lens distortion and warpage is prevented when the lens is formed by an injection molding apparatus. The lens is a long lens elongated in the main scanning direction for a photoreceptor and has support ends formed at both ends of outside of the lens effective area in the longitudinal direction, and one of the support ends formed at both the ends has a first projection that projects from a side surface in a thickness direction of the lens. The lens is positioned and equipped in the longitude direction of the lens relative to the housing supporting the lens with the first projection in the optical scanning device. |
| US08004551B2 |
ROS deskew mechanism
In a color marking assembly, a series of ROS units are aligned above a photoconductive surface. These units have inboard and outboard mounts connecting them to this assembly. The inboard mounts are attached to a first side of the ROS, and the outboard mounts are attached to a second side of the ROS unit. The inboard mount is an elongated bar extending beyond the height of the ROS unit. This elongated bar has hinged portions on both its top and bottom connections to the ROS unit. The outboard mount has a ball bearing or sphere configuration. This configuration and the inboard mount enable the ROS unit to be easily deskewed when required. |
| US08004549B2 |
Line head and an image forming apparatus using the line head
A line head, includes: a microlens array in which a plurality of microlenses having a magnification whose absolute value is below 1 are arranged in a main scanning direction of a surface-to-be-scanned, and a plurality of luminous element groups which are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the respective plurality of microlenses, wherein in each of the plurality of luminous element groups, a plurality of luminous elements are arranged at mutually different main-scanning-direction positions in the main scanning direction, the plurality of luminous elements are respectively caused to emit lights at timings in conformity with a movement of the surface-to-be-scanned in a sub scanning direction, and light beams emitted from the plurality of luminous elements are imaged on the surface-to-be-scanned at mutually different main-scanning-direction positions in the main scanning direction to form a plurality of spots side by side on the surface-to-be-scanned in the main scanning direction, and in each of the plurality of luminous element groups, out of the plurality of luminous elements constituting the luminous element group, two luminous elements caused to emit lights to form adjacent spots are arranged at mutually different sub-scanning-direction positions in the sub scanning direction. |
| US08004548B2 |
Thermal head and image forming apparatus using the same
In a thermal head 10 of the present invention, a head-side I/F 13 includes: an LVDS receiver 131 that receives a low-voltage differential signal from a set-side I/F 20 and converts the low-voltage differential signal into a single-end signal that is then outputted; a decoder 132 that divides an output from the LVDS receiver 131 into a data signal string DAT and a trigger signal TG; and a clock generating section 133 that generates a clock signal CLK that is synchronized by the trigger signal TG, and a driver circuit 12 reads a print data signal DI and various control signals in response to the clock signal CLK and drives a heat generating element according to the print data signal DI and the various control signals. |
| US08004547B2 |
Thermal printer and method of controlling the same
Previously setting the front end of printed thermal paper at a second position before a second thermal head, when a next print job is double-side printing, at a first position before a first thermal head, when a next print job is one-side printing with the first thermal head, and at the second position before the second thermal head, when a next print job is one-side printing with the second thermal head. |
| US08004543B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method thereof
An image processing apparatus includes: a display unit which displays an image on a screen based on an input image signal; a scaler which scales the image signal to control a size of the image displayed on the screen; and a controller which controls the scaler to change the size of the displayed image at a predetermined interval of time if the image is displayed on a portion of the screen. Thus, an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof are provided which can remove an afterimage at a low manufacturing cost and with high reliability without being visually recognized. |
| US08004538B2 |
Preferential tone scale for electronic displays
A method of displaying on a display a visual reproduction of an original scene with a preferential tone mapping; said display having a selected display white point and a selected display black point separated by more than 3.5 decades of luminance; the method comprising the steps of capturing original scene parameters, performing a transformation on said captured scene parameters, and displaying a visual reproduction of the scene on the display from the transformed captured scene parameters; wherein said transformation, taken in conjunction with untransformed characteristics of the capturing and displaying steps, results in a reproduced tone mapping having: a. a dynamic range greater than 3.5 decades; b. a first derivative value of minus log reproduced luminance relative to log original scene luminance between −1.1 and −1.51 inclusive for a log scene luminance of −0.6, measured relative to a 100% diffuse reflector in the original scene; c. a first derivative value less than or equal to −1.9 and greater than −4.0 for a log scene luminance of −1.9; d. a first derivative value between −1.5 and −3.0 inclusive for a log scene luminance of −2.0; and e. a first derivative value at a log scene luminance of −2.5 greater than the first derivative value at a log scene luminance of −2.0. |
| US08004536B2 |
Coherent image selection and modification
An example method includes receiving a first selection location and at least one selection parameter with respect to digital data. A portion of the digital data is selected relative to the first selection location. The selecting of the portion includes assigning an energy value to each pixel within a selection proximity of the selection location. The selection proximity is determined based on the selection parameter and the energy value being a function of distance from the selection location. The selecting of the portion further includes generating a selection value for each pixel within the selection proximity, based on the assigned energy value and on a pixel characteristic difference between the relevant pixel and at least one neighboring pixel. The selection value determines whether the relevant pixel is included in the selected portion of the digital data. |
| US08004535B2 |
Apparatus and method for selectively double buffering portions of displayable content
A method of generating displayable content is provided. The method includes obtaining a display package having a plurality of display elements defining a plurality of display frames. The method further includes rendering at least one selected group of the plurality of display elements. Each selected group is based on indicator information in the display package and comprises less than all of the plurality of display elements. Further included is saving a copy of each rendered selected group in a second display buffer. The method further includes rendering at least one display frame within the plurality of display frames such that at least a portion of the at least one rendered display frame comprises the saved copy of at least one rendered selected group. Further included is saving the at least one rendered display frame in a first display buffer that is different from the second display buffer. |
| US08004534B2 |
Graphics processing method, graphics processor and video reproducing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a graphics processor includes a decode request registering module which registers decode requests for image data items sequentially, a decode processing module which decodes and holds the image data items in a registration order of the decode requests, and a drawing module which acquires a decode result from the decode processing module according to a drawing request issued for each image data item and drawing the decode result. The registering module notifies an external device that a waiting state for the drawing request for the image data item has been established, in response to registration of the decode request for the image data item to ensure that the preparation of the drawing request for the image data item is performed in parallel with the decoding of the image data item. |
| US08004532B2 |
Server apparatus and server control method in computer system
A server apparatus and a server control method which transmits display data to a client apparatus and which displays the display data on a display screen of the client apparatus, wherein there are provided a plurality of accelerators, each of the plurality of accelerators being equipped with a difference detection circuit which compares the display data for a previous screen transmitted to the client apparatus with the display data for a current screen to be transmitted to the client apparatus to detect a difference therebetween. Then, the size of a drawing area to be allocated to each of the plurality of accelerators is calculated for each of the accelerators in response to a request from the client apparatus, and when a display request is made from a new client apparatus, the accelerator having a smaller drawing area among the calculated drawing areas is allocated to the new client apparatus. |
| US08004531B2 |
Multiple graphics processor systems and methods
Multiple graphics processor system and method embodiments are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, comprises a multiple graphics processor system, comprising a first graphics processing unit having first status information and a second graphics processing unit having second status information, and first key logic corresponding to the first graphics processing unit, the first key logic configured to compare the first and second status information and communicate to the first graphics processing unit a key corresponding to the lowest completed stage of processing among the first and second graphics processing units. |
| US08004530B2 |
Video controller switching system and method
A video controller switching system comprises a computing platform having a user video controller configured to control non-administrative video output of the computing platform, a management module video controller disposed on the computing platform configured to control administrative video output for the computing platform and a switching module configured to selectively enable/disable the user video controller and the management module video controller based on a predetermined video controller setting. |
| US08004529B2 |
Processing an animation file to provide an animated icon
A method for processing an animation file to provide an animated icon to an instant messaging environment is presented. An animation file is reformatted to generate the animated icon to satisfy a pre-defined size requirement of the instant messaging environment. The animated icon is stored for distribution to the instant messaging environment. |
| US08004526B2 |
Waveform data display device and method
This invention discloses a waveform data display device and method, wherein the device comprising a microprocessor, for receiving collected parameter information and generating information on a position, a length and a color value with the maximum brightness of each vertical line for drawing a waveform corresponding to the received parameter information; a logic processing apparatus, for calculating the color values gradually changing along the length of the vertical line at different positions of each vertical line based on the generated information on the length and the color value with the maximum brightness of each vertical line, and combining waveform information of the waveform based on a display time sequence, the generated information on the position of each vertical line and the calculated color values gradually changing along the length of the vertical line at different positions of each vertical line; and, a display unit for displaying the waveform based on the combined waveform information. The waveform data display device and method not only improve the display quality of the waveform but also save CPU computation ability and transmission bandwidth. |
| US08004525B2 |
Displaying interconnects having an appearance indicating data characteristics
A method for determining a depth ordering between two planes in a 3D workspace of an application is provided. The method includes projecting vectors from a reference position through points of interest on the planes, determining corresponding points on the other plane, determining a number of points of interest on a first plane having a depth lower than its corresponding point and a number of points of interest on a second plane having a depth lower than its corresponding point, and setting the depth ordering based on these numbers. A method for displaying interconnects between nodes of a tree displayed in an application is provided. A node represents a multimedia item or a function and an interconnect represents data passed between two nodes. The method includes displaying an interconnect in the tree having an appearance indicating at least one characteristic of the data being passed between two nodes. |
| US08004518B2 |
Combined spatial index for static and dynamic objects within a three-dimensional scene
Embodiments of the invention create links or branches from a static spatial index which partitions a three-dimensional scene based on the position of static objects to a dynamic object spatial index which partitions a three-dimensional scene based on the position of dynamic objects in a three-dimensional scene. By branching from the static spatial index to the dynamic object spatial index, the image processing system may create a single combined spatial index or a combined acceleration data structure. The combined spatial index may contain information which partitions the three-dimensional scene with respect to both static objects and dynamic objects within the three-dimensional scene. When performing ray tracing, the image processing system may only need to traverse rays issued into the three-dimensional scene through the combined spatial index to determine if the ray intersects either static objects or dynamic objects within the three-dimensional scene. |
| US08004516B2 |
Image processing system for volume rendering
An image processing system using volume data comprising at least one node connected via a network, which is operative to monitor completion of a task property storing condition for storing a task property of a client terminal, collect the task property of a task state of the client terminal and store the collected task property in a state storing server when the task property storing condition is satisfied, read the task property which corresponds to the client terminal from the state storing server, restore the task state of the client terminal by using the read task property in a proxy node which is at least any one of the node and a node which is newly added to the image processing system, and resume processing to be performed on and after the time when the task property storing condition is satisfied. |
| US08004508B2 |
Fixed control data generation circuit and display device driving IC having the same
Provided are a fixed control data generation circuit and a display device driving circuit having the same, which can efficiently implement a metal layout for generating fixed control data. The display device driving circuit includes a fixed control data generation unit including a plurality of logic devices having at least one rows and at least one columns, a register receiving and storing fixed control data, and a logic circuit receiving a signal provided from the register as control data and generating a signal for driving a display device by performing a logic operation using the control data. Each of the plurality of logic devices is connected to one of a first voltage and a second voltage through a metal line and provides the connected voltage as the fixed control data to outside. |
| US08004500B2 |
Switched capacitor projection scan multi-touch sensor array
A touch sensor panel can be constructed on a single surface of a substrate as a plurality of distributed RC lines arranged in rows and columns. Each distributed RC line can include alternating connected transistors and metal pads. During operation, the transistors on either side of the metal pads in the rows are alternately gated on and off using non-overlapping gate signals, and pulse travel times for each row in both directions are measured. Similar measurements are taken for the columns. The frequency at which the transistors are gated can be changed to adjust pulse travel times. Equalized travel times are computed as the sum of the pulse travel times in both directions, and indicate which rows and columns have a finger touching it. The un-equalized pulse travel time data can then be used to determine the relative positions of the fingers within the rows and columns. |
| US08004495B2 |
Handheld electronic device and associated method employing a multiple-axis input device and outputting a currently selected variant at a text input location during text disambiguation
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. During selection of a variant, the variant is highlighted and is displayed in a text component location on a display. |
| US08004490B2 |
Active-matrix bistable display device
An active-matrix bistable display panel is provided in which a pixel electrode is formed at each intersection of each of a plurality of scanning lines in a row direction and each of a plurality of signal lines in a column direction and a display state is made to occur depending on a voltage of each of the pixel electrodes, a signal-line driving unit is provided in which the plurality of signal lines is connected to a plurality of terminals and image inputs are sequentially divided into a plurality of image inputs and a plurality of image signals are supplied sequentially to the plurality of terminals in a time-division manner, and a scanning-line driving unit is provided in which each scanning line making up the plurality of groups is sequentially driven for each of the groups, wherein each of TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) is made active so as to supply an image voltage to each of pixel electrodes. |
| US08004487B2 |
Display device
The present invention is intended to reduce a peak value of a momentary current, which is generated in a data driver, even when display data items expressing a succeeding display line have changed largely. The data driver includes: an internal control signal production circuit that groups multiple video lines into multiple blocks and produces internal control signals which are used to make the transmission timings of video voltages onto video lines, which belong to the blocks, different from one another among the blocks; a first latch circuit that sequentially latches display data items which express one display line a second latch circuit that latches the display data items which have been latched into the first latch circuit; and a third latch circuit that latches the display data items, which have been latched into the second latch circuit and are associated with the blocks, at timings, responsively to internal control signals. |
| US08004486B2 |
Device for adjusting transmission signal level based on channel loading
A device for controlling the level of a transmission signal according to the channel loading is provided. The device may include a plurality of semiconductor devices and a controller to control the plurality of semiconductor devices. The controller may control the level of a signal to be transmitted to each of the plurality of semiconductor devices according to the channel loading on each semiconductor device. |
| US08004485B2 |
Liquid crystal display and gate modulation method thereof
A gate modulation circuit is provided. A comparator compares a triangular wave voltage of a capacitor with a second reference voltage. If the triangular wave voltage of the capacitor exceeds the second reference voltage, a conduction path is turned off. A comparator controls desired discharge to a capacitor through a discharge resistor. Based on the discharge, power voltage (high level power voltage of the scanning driver) provided to the scanning driver is modulated, and outputted from the gate modulation circuit to the scanning driver as high level power voltage of the scanning driver. |
| US08004484B2 |
Display device, light receiving method, and information processing device
A display device, light receiving method, and information processing device are provided. The display device including a plurality of sub-pixels forming a pixel as a unit of display resolution of an image, the plurality of sub-pixels being arranged in a delta arrangement, a display circuit for displaying the image, a light receiving sensor for detecting light, the display circuit and the light receiving sensor being disposed in each of the sub-pixels, wherein display signal lines for supplying a display signal to the sub-pixels are wired to all of the sub-pixels in a same direction, two or more the light receiving sensors arranged in a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction of the display signal lines are connected to each other, and a received light signal obtained from the two or more the light receiving sensors connected to each other is output from a light receiving circuit. |
| US08004480B2 |
Organic light emitting display
Disclosed is an organic light emitting display which has a scan driver to supply scan signals to a plurality of scan lines, a data driver to supply data signal to output lines, with a demultiplexer on each output line to supply the data signal to a plurality of data lines is disclosed. The display also has a pixel portion comprising pixels connected to the scan lines, the data lines, and pixel power source lines. There is also a power source line placed between the pixel portion and the data driver to supply first power to the pixel power source lines, and a parasitic capacitor formed on each data line to charge voltage corresponding to the data signal. With this configuration, the number of output lines provided in a data driver is decreased, and an image is displayed with uniform brightness. |
| US08004476B2 |
Plasma display device and method of driving the same
A technique capable of suppressing or preventing generation of flickers (blinks) by a sustain period control as well as capable of ensuring or enhancing display quality in a PDP device. The PDP device adjusts a sustain pulse of the sustain period for every subfield by selecting a combination of one or more than one cycle so that start and end timings of a field in fields before and after change are almost the same according to a display load ratio of the subfield of the field. Field weighted emission center positions then becomes almost the same, and flickers and the like are suppressed. |
| US08004475B2 |
Auxiliary display unit for a computer system
A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer. |
| US08004474B2 |
Non-cutoff frequency selective surface ground plane antenna assembly
Described is an apparatus and method for reducing noise in an information bearing signal is provided. A feeding element receives dual-polarized wideband electromagnetic signals. The feeding element is coupled to a Non-Cutoff Frequency Selective Surface ground plane. The Non-Cutoff Frequency Selective Surface ground plane allows for a line-of-sight signal and a surface wave to cancel. The Non-Cutoff Frequency Selective Surface ground plane can be a metal plate with a plurality of corrugations. The corrugations can be concentric rings, each corrugation having a predetermined height and a predetermined spacing from adjacent corrugations. |
| US08004472B2 |
Antenna stabilizing apparatus
An antenna stabilizing apparatus for use on a marine vessel comprises a base body, a housing, a carrier, and a limiting member. The housing is mounted on a top of the base body and internally defines a receiving space. The carrier has at least one antenna carried thereon, and is connected to the house via a hanging member to suspend in the receiving space. The limiting member interconnects the carrier and a bottom of the housing to each other and limits a displacement range allowable for the carrier. With these arrangements, the antenna stabilizing apparatus is able to minimize the adverse influence of the rolling and pitching marine vessel on the signal receiving and transmitting via the antenna mounted on the marine vessel. Therefore, the marine vessel can navigate the sea more safely and stable wireless signal transmission via the antenna mounted on the marine vessel can be ensured. |
| US08004470B2 |
Antenna, component and methods
An antenna component (and antenna) with a dielectric substrate and a plurality of radiating antenna elements on the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the plurality comprises two (2) elements, each of them covering one of the opposite heads and part of the upper surface of the device. The upper surface between the elements comprises a slot. The lower edge of one of the antenna elements is galvanically coupled to the antenna feed conductor on a circuit board, and at another point to the ground plane, while the lower edge of the opposite antenna element, or the parasitic element, is galvanically coupled only to the ground plane. The parasitic element obtains its feed through the electromagnetic coupling over the slot, and both elements resonate at the operating frequency. Omni-directionality is also achieved. Losses associated with the substrate are low due to the simple field image in the substrate. |
| US08004460B2 |
Novas hybrid positioning technology using terrestrial digital broadcasting signal (DBS) and global positioning system (GPS) satellite signal
A positioning method using global positioning system (GPS) signal and digital broadcasting system (DBS) signal. The method includes detecting a presence status of the GPS signal through a signal detector in a receiver, detecting a presence status of the DBS signal through the signal detector, determining the signal strength of the GPS signal if the GPS signal is detected, determining the signal strength of the DBS signal if the DBS signal is detected, choosing one positioning mode among a plurality of positioning modes in a signal processing unit in the receiver based on signal presence status and the signal strength of a detected signal, and determining a location of the receiver based on the chosen positioning mode. The plurality of positioning modes includes standalone GPS mode, assisted GPS (AGPS) mode, assisted GPS positioning with DBS assist mode, DBS positioning with GPS assist mode, standalone DBS mode, and assist DBS mode. |
| US08004454B2 |
Mobile electronic device equipped with radar
The present invention is directed towards method, apparatus, and computer product for obtaining additional information in relation to a target in the vicinity of a mobile electronic device as well as such a mobile electronic device. The device includes a radar unit for operation in a certain frequency range including a pulse generating unit, a transmitting and receiving antenna, an echo detecting unit, a timing unit for timing the generation and transmission of pulses and providing an echo detection window for the echo detecting unit to detect echoes of said pulses when being reflected by a target, and a signal processing unit configured to process received echo pulses. |
| US08004449B2 |
Charge redistribution digital-to-analog converter, and successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter having the same
A D/A converter includes plus-side and minus-side input terminals; plus-side and minus-side D/A converters each including plural plus-side or minus-side capacitors having capacitance values weighted by the powers of two, a plus-side or minus-side output terminals connected to first electrodes of the plus-side or minus-side capacitors, and plural plus-side or minus-side switches for connecting each second electrode of the plus-side or minus-side capacitors to either the plus-side or minus-side input terminal, a plus-side reference voltage terminal or a minus-side reference voltage terminal according to plus-side or minus-side control digital signals; and plural short-circuit switches provided between identically weighted plus-side and minus-side capacitors respectively. And, at the time of sampling, the plus-side and minus-side switches connect the second electrodes of the capacitors to the plus-side and minus-side input terminals, respectively, and, after the sampling, the plurality of short-circuit switches short-circuit between the second electrodes of the plus-side and minus-side capacitors. |
| US08004447B2 |
Successive approximation analog to digital converter and method thereof
The configuration of a successive approximation analog to digital converter (ADC) and a method thereof are provided in the present invention. The proposed configuration includes a comparator having an inverting input terminal, a non-inverting input terminal and an output terminal outputting a comparison result, a most significant bit ADC coupled to the non-inverting input terminal, and a least significant bit ADC coupled to the inverting input terminal. |
| US08004446B2 |
A/D converter and A/D conversion method
An A/D converter which converts an analog input signal into a digital output signal by performing time-divisional parallel processings on the analog input signal using first and second pipeline type unit A/D converters. The A/D converter sets plural unit A/D converters performing parallel processings according to a system request, such that, when the A/D converter operates with a conversion frequency that is lower than the maximum conversion frequency, the unit A/D converter is halted by a control signal, thereby reducing inter-channel errors among the unit A/D converters to improve the precision of the A/D converter. |
| US08004437B2 |
Bandpass delta-sigma modulator
A bandpass delta-sigma modulator is formed to include a bandpass filtering circuit that bandpass filters an input signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) receives output of the bandpass filtering circuit and generates an output quantization code. A digital filter receives the output quantization code. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) receives output of the digital filter and scales the value of the output quantization code by DAC coefficients to the bandpass filtering circuit. |
| US08004435B2 |
Discrete-time circuit
To reduce a random noise power included in an analog input signal, a discrete-time circuit samples an inputted analog signal a plurality of number of times at different times respectively and performs averaging processing on sampling results, thus enabling to respond appropriately even if an input signal has a high frequency without increasing a size of the circuit. |
| US08004427B2 |
System and method for communicating an aircraft's intended path to the runway to direct the aircraft along the runway
In a method of dynamically guiding an aircraft the intended path of the aircraft may be broadcast along at least one of a runway and a taxiway. The broadcasted intended path of the aircraft along the at least one runway and taxiway may be received. The lighting characteristics of an airport lighting device along the at least one runway and taxiway may be dynamically changed to dynamically guide the aircraft along the broadcasted and received intended path of the at least one runway and taxiway. |
| US08004421B2 |
Wellbore telemetry and noise cancellation systems and method for the same
A method of signal processing includes providing at least a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor spaced in a drilling system and using an algorithm to separate the downwardly propagating waves from the upwardly propagating waves. In one or more examples, an algorithm may include determining a velocity of pressure signals in a wellbore, time-shifting and stacking pressure signals from at least the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a downwardly propagating noise signal, and subtracting the downwardly propagating noise signal from at least the signal from the first pressure sensor. |
| US08004420B2 |
Security lighting system and method, and control unit therefore
A security lighting system and method are intended to dispel and/or affect unwanted humans or animals by providing lighting that varies with a suitable switching frequency, such as between 5 and 70 Hz. The lighting of a light source of the system may be varied by a control unit as to intensity, color, pattern etc., with a preferred switching frequency being between about 15 and 20 Hz for humans. A proximity detector may be provided to activate the system when an unwanted presence is detected. Such varying lighting causes feelings of physical and psychological discomfort, which have found to be effective in chasing away animals and dispelling or disorienting humans. |
| US08004413B2 |
Networked RF tag for tracking people by means of loyalty cards
A system and associated tag for detecting and tracking people makes use of a low radio frequency detection tag. Each tag comprises an antenna operate at a at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver connected to the tag's antenna operable to transmit and receive data signals at low radio frequency, a data storage for storing the tag identification data, a data processor operable to process data received from the transceiver and the data storage device and causes the transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon the stored identification data, and an energy source to supply power for the operation of the tag's transceiver and data processor. The tag also includes a display operable to display data relating to the tag and to a person carrying said tag. A field antenna is used with a reader, a transmitter and a central data processor to provide communication between the tags and the central data processor. |
| US08004408B2 |
Pneumatic tire with transponder and indicator of transponder position
Provided is a pneumatic tire with which a search time for a transponder can be reduced, and with which, for a passive transponder functioning with energy transmitted from the outside, efficiency of energy transmission can be enhanced. The pneumatic tire of the present invention provided with a transponder has an identification tag, which indicates a position of the transponder, and which is disposed to an outer surface of a portion of the tire, the portion being where the transponder is disposed. Furthermore, for a pneumatic tire having a transponder on a sidewall part thereof, an identification tag, which indicates the position of the transponder, is provided to an outer surface of a portion of the tire, the portion being where the transponder is disposed, and another identification tag, which indicates at least the position of the transponder in the circumferential direction of the tire, is provided to an outer surface of the other sidewall part of the tire, which is on the opposite side of the sidewall part where the transponder is disposed. |
| US08004405B1 |
Alarm system
It is provided an alarm system for underground boundary intrusion detection, and methods for deployment and operation. The deployment method includes constructing of a computing-and-empowering apparatus, connecting thereof a longitudinally extended power-and-communication cable, connecting addressable junction-units, storing a physical location and an address of each junction-unit in the computing-and-empowering apparatus, connecting each addressable junction-unit to a wired-mole having a wire bundle which initially is contracted there within and measurable physical characteristics, and infiltrating the wired-moles normally into ground to a desired depth. In operation, the sensors frequently measure the physical characteristics of the wired-mole, deliver the measurement of the physical characteristics to the computing-and-empowering apparatus, which stores and analyzes the measurements, comparing past and present measurements. Once it concludes that an underground boundary intrusion might occur, it issues an alarm signal which includes the physical location of the addressable junction units where intrusion presumably has occurred. |
| US08004402B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a physical location of a customer
A method and apparatus for determining a physical location of a customer of a network service, e.g., a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service are disclosed. For example, the method receives a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message containing a geographical coordinate data from a Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) device being used by a customer for accessing one or more services. The method retrieves the geographical coordinate data from the SIP message and provides the one or more services to the customer using the geographical coordinate data. In an alternate embodiment, a method and apparatus for sending physical location information are disclosed. |
| US08004396B2 |
System and method for information integration
An information integration system for integrating information includes: a local information receiving unit configured to receive information from a plurality of sensors; an information collecting unit configured to collect information from a plurality of remote information sources; and an information processing unit coupled to the local information receiving unit and the information collecting unit, the information processing unit being configured to process the information received by the local information receiving unit and the information collected by the information collecting unit. |
| US08004393B2 |
Digital vehicle cargo security system
The security system determines if the cargo area of a vehicle may have been opened in transit between a loading location and a destination location. The vehicle has an enclosed cargo area with a cargo door and lock. The system includes a digital counter which displays a number set thereon after the cargo area has been secured by locking the cargo door lock or by closing the cargo door. If a magnetic reed switch senses the unlocking of the cargo door lock or the opening of the cargo door after the cargo area has been secured, it causes the number on the counter to change. The set number is forwarded to the destination location by entering it on the shipping documents or transmitting it electronically. At the destination location, it can be determined if the cargo area may have been accessed in transit by comparing the set number forwarded to the recipient by the shipper with the number displayed on the counter when the vehicle reaches the destination location. |
| US08004391B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating mood-based haptic feedback
A method and apparatus of generating mood-based haptic feedback are disclosed. A haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device, in one embodiment, is configured to detect user's modalities in accordance with mood information collected by one or more sensors and capable of issuing a sensing signal in response to the user's modalities. The digital processing unit is capable of identifying a user's condition in accordance with the sensing signal and providing a haptic signal in response to the user's condition. The user's condition, in one aspect, indicates user's mood and/or user's psychological conditions. The haptic generator generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal. |
| US08004387B2 |
Methods and systems to improve RFID inventory polling accuracy
Methods, systems, and media to improve polling accuracy in RFID systems are disclosed. Embodiments comprise receiving information from one or more tags by a tag reader, comparing the information from the tags to other information, and adding the tag to an inventory if the tag does not exist in the other information. While some embodiments compare the tag information from the tags to baseline inventories for other areas, some embodiments compare it to current inventories for the other areas or compare it to a combination of both inventories. Some embodiments involve polling RFID tags in storage containers. Other embodiments involve machine-accessible mediums with instructions to receive information from the tag reader, analyze the information with baseline and current inventories of other areas, and store identification information for the tag in a current inventory database if the information is absent from the baseline and current inventories. |
| US08004386B2 |
Thin film resistor structure and fabrication method thereof
A thin film resistor structure is disclosed. The resistor structure comprises a resistor film comprising a copper oxide layer and a plurality of metal islands thereon. The copper oxide layer has a top surface comprising a plurality of adjacent nodule-shaped recess regions, in which vacancies are formed between the nodule-shaped recess regions and are arranged in reticulate distribution. The plurality of metal islands is respectively distributed in the vacancies between the nodule-shaped recess regions. A method for fabricating the thin film resistor structure is also disclosed. |
| US08004384B2 |
Fused load interrupter, switchgear system, and adapter part
Fused load interrupters have up to now used claw terminals or screw connections for connecting to horizontal busbars in a switchgear unit. Fused load interrupters have not been suitable until now for connecting to vertical busbars in switchgear units. At least one embodiment of the invention provides a fused load interrupter with plug contacts, such as are known from load interrupters with fuses, thereby allowing fused load interrupters to replace the more expensive load interrupters with fuses in switchgear units with vertical busbars. |
| US08004383B2 |
Multilayer coil component and method for manufacturing the same
A highly reliable multilayer coil component is provided without forming voids between magnetic ceramic layers and internal conductor layers. According to the multilayer coil component, an internal stress problem is reduced, the direct current resistance is low, and fracture of internal conductors caused by the surge or the like is not likely to occur. An acidic solution is allowed to permeate a magnetic ceramic element from a side surface thereof through a side gap portion which is a region between side portions of the internal conductors and the side surface of the magnetic ceramic element and to reach interfaces between the internal conductors and a magnetic ceramic located therearound. A pore area ratio of the magnetic ceramic of the side gap portion which is located between the side portions of the internal conductors and the side surface of the magnetic ceramic element is set in the range of 6% to 28%. |
| US08004382B2 |
Inductor device, and method of manufacturing the same
An inductor device includes a first magnetic body pattern layer in which slits are provided and which is made to a pattern, a lower insulating layer formed on the first magnetic body pattern layer, a planar coil layer formed on the lower insulating layer, an upper insulating layer formed on the planar coil layer, and a second magnetic body pattern layer formed on the upper insulating layer and in which slits are provided and which is made to a pattern, wherein the first magnetic body pattern layer and the second magnetic body pattern layer are arranged to intersect orthogonally with the planar coil layer. |
| US08004381B2 |
Laminated device
A laminated device comprising pluralities of magnetic ferrite layers, conductor patterns each formed on each magnetic ferrite layer and connected in a lamination direction to form a coil, and a non-magnetic ceramic layer formed on at least one magnetic ferrite layer such that it overlaps the conductor patterns in a lamination direction, the non-magnetic ceramic layer comprising as main components non-magnetic ceramics having higher sintering temperatures than that of the magnetic ferrite, and further one or more of Cu, Zn and Bi in the form of an oxide. |
| US08004379B2 |
High powered inductors using a magnetic bias
A biased gap inductor includes a first ferromagnetic plate, a second ferromagnetic plate, a conductor sandwiched between the first ferromagnetic plate and the second ferromagnetic plate, and an adhesive between the first ferromagnetic plate and the second ferromagnetic plate, the adhesive comprising magnet powder to thereby form at least one magnetic gap. A method of forming an inductor includes providing a first ferromagnetic plate and a second ferromagnetic plate and a conductor, placing the conductor between the first ferromagnetic plate and the second ferromagnetic plate, adhering the first ferromagnetic plate to the second ferromagnetic plate with a composition comprising an adhesive and a magnet powder to form magnetic gaps, and magnetizing the inductor. |
| US08004376B2 |
Electrical switching apparatus and shunt separator therefor
A shunt separator is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed within the housing, an operating assembly including a trip bar, and a trip assembly. The trip assembly cooperates with the trip bar to trip open the separable contacts in response to a fault condition. The trip assembly includes a number of shunts. The shunt separator includes a molded projection, which extends outwardly from the housing of the electrical switching apparatus. The molded projection at least partially surrounds a portion of the trip bar, thereby separating the number of shunts from the trip bar. |
| US08004360B2 |
Close-loop Class-D audio amplifier and control method thereof
The present invention discloses a Class-D power amplifier and control method thereof. In one embodiment, the amplifier feeds back the signal at the output node to the inverting input of the comparator, and provides a high frequency triangular wave signal to the non-inverting input of the comparator. In addition, the non-inverting input of the comparator may be coupled to an offset voltage, while the inverting input of the comparator may be coupled to a fixed-frequency rectangular wave signal, a feedback signal which is derived from the output stage and an input signal. In use, the switching frequency may be at least substantially fixed, so as to reduce the influence on the system caused by electromagnetic interruption (EMI). Further, the control circuit is simple, and some devices can be integrated. |
| US08004352B1 |
Low leakage power management
A low leakage power management system is provided. An external voltage domain is selectively coupled to the internal voltage domain of an integrated circuit according to demand for the functions provided by the integrated circuit. An external voltage VDD is connected to the internal supply voltage plane of the integrated circuit when the integrated circuit is active. The external supply voltage VDD is disconnected from the integrated circuit chip during idle periods. A plurality of switch cells may be provided for connecting the external voltage VDD to the integrated circuit. A multi-step sequence is provided for connecting the external supply voltage VDD to the chip's internal supply voltage plane to prevent excessive current from flowing through any individual switch cell. |
| US08004351B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and power supply voltage control system
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a target circuit whose at least power supply voltage is variable; a power supply voltage providing circuit feeding the target circuit with a power supply voltage; and a minimum energy point monitor circuit detecting an energy-minimizing power supply voltage which minimizes a change in the energy consumed by the target circuit upon a change in the power supply voltage. The power supply voltage delivered by the power supply voltage providing circuit is controlled so as to be equal to the energy-minimizing power supply voltage detected by the minimum energy point monitor circuit. |
| US08004348B2 |
Semiconductor circuit device controlling power source voltage
A control circuit controls a power-source-voltage feed circuit, and controls a power source voltage fed to a target circuit. A reference-speed monitor monitors whether or not a delay time of a critical path in the target circuit is satisfies a required operational speed. A voltage-difference monitor monitors a difference between the power source voltage of the target circuit and a threshold voltage of the target circuit, to output the voltage difference information. The control circuit determines whether to increase or decrease the power source voltage based on a result of monitoring by the reference-speed monitor. The control circuit determines the change rate of the power source voltage so that the control rate of the power source voltage is proportional to the voltage difference information output from the voltage-difference monitor. |
| US08004347B2 |
Internal supply voltage generator capable of reducing latch-up and semiconductor device having the same
Provided are an internal supply voltage generator capable of reducing latch-up and a semiconductor device having the same. The internal supply voltage generator generates at least one internal supply voltage, and includes a first booster circuit that generates a first voltage from a first reference voltage and an input voltage and outputs the first voltage via a first output terminal, a second booster circuit that generates a third voltage from a second voltage and the first voltage and outputs the third voltage via a second output terminal, and at least one switch that is disposed to correspond to at least one of the first output terminal and the second output terminal and adjusts at least one of the first voltage and the third voltage. |
| US08004344B2 |
Gate-charge retaining switch
This invention provides a means and method for preventing unwanted semiconductor turn-on and turn-off, caused by a high rate of voltage change, without significantly affecting the desired ON and OFF transitions of the semiconductor. According to this invention, time is provided during either or both bistable ON and OFF semiconductor states, during which the semiconductor gate is allowed to float, neither being driven ON or OFF, and circuitry for lowering gate-node impedance at non-transitional times to prevent state disruptions by dV/dT is provided. |
| US08004342B2 |
Mixer with shorting switch
A double-balanced mixer is provided having a shorting switch connecting the signal inputs to the mixer core. A timer circuit provides pulses to close the switch, thereby shorting those inputs at times when the switches of the mixer core are switching. This is done because non-linear components in the output are produced at those times and therefore they can be removed if the signal input is shorted at those times. |
| US08004341B1 |
Logarithmic circuits
An embodiment of a logarithmic circuit may include a logging transistor, a guard circuit arranged to force an input current into an input terminal of the logging transistor, and a positioning circuit arranged to maintain a voltage of the logging transistor. The guard and positioning circuits may include first and second feedback loops, respectively. Another embodiment of a logarithmic circuit may include a logging transistor arranged to generate a logarithmic output in response to an input current, and a feedback loop arranged to provide adaptive compensation to the logging transistor. The feedback loop may be arranged to provide compensation in response to the magnitude of the input current. Another embodiment of a logarithmic circuit may include first and second logging transistors having collectors arranged to receive input currents, and first and second feedback amplifier arranged to drive emitters of the logging transistors. |
| US08004332B2 |
Duty ratio control apparatus and duty ratio control method
There are provided a duty ratio control apparatus for altering a duty ratio of a clock signal to output an altered clock signal, including a first variable delay section that outputs a first delayed clock signal generated by delaying the clock signal by a predetermined first delay time, and a phase comparing section that compares, in terms of phase, an edge of the clock signal and an edge of the first delayed clock signal and generates the altered clock signal having a pulse width determined by a phase difference obtained by the comparison, and a duty ratio control method. |
| US08004330B1 |
Reduction of electromagnetic interference for differential signals
Apparatus and methods modulate the slew rate of high-speed edges of a differential digital signal. High-speed digital signals carried over printed circuit boards, backplanes, cables, and the like can radiate electromagnetic waves. These electromagnetic waves can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI), and are tightly regulated by appropriate agencies, such as the FCC. Common mode radiation from differential signals can also cause EMI. By modulating the slew rates of the rising and falling edges of the differential signal, and by applying negative feedback, symbol-rate related spurs can be spread over a wider frequency range than conventional spread spectrum clocking (SSC) techniques, and thus should generally be capable of greater EMI reduction than conventional SSC techniques. |
| US08004322B2 |
Synchronization scheme with adaptive reference frequency correction
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing synchronization of an output signal to a synchronization information. The synchronization is accomplished by providing coupling of a correction control information that controls a signal generating means, e.g. a phase locked loop arrangement (30) or a direct digital synthesis arrangement, to its exact frequency to a frequency conversion unit (90) that converts an uncorrected reference frequency to a correct or exact reference frequency. Thereby, the uncorrected reference frequency for the signal generating means (30) can be provided by a simple crystal oscillator (2) without any means for frequency control. The setting of the signal generating means (30) and the frequency conversion unit (90) can be done in a predetermined sequence which enables a user equipment to synchronize its reference frequency to the synchronization information emitted by a communication network. |
| US08004317B2 |
Controlling commutation of a power semiconductor switching device and freewheel diode pair
This invention relates to a control method and a circuit for MOS-gated power semiconductor switching devices such as IGBTs or MOSFETs, which allows control and optimisition of the current and voltage commutation of a power semiconductor switching device and freewheel diode pair in the basic half-bridge circuit found in a wide range of equipment. The method comprises the stages of: applying, upon receipt of a switch-on command signal, a voltage function to the control terminal or the gate of the power semiconductor switching device that allows a regulated current rise in the device whilst maintaining the voltage across the device falling at a predetermined rate; and at the instant when the voltage across the diode begins to change from the on-state towards the off-state level, applying a voltage function to the control terminal or the gate of the power semiconductor switching device to enable the voltage falling across the power semiconductor switching device to track the voltage falling across the diode in order to ensure a fast and controlled completion of the switching operation without diode reverse voltage overshoot. The gate drive automatically modifies the voltage function according to the working condition thereby accounting for the actual operating conditions. |
| US08004312B2 |
Fail safe I/O driver with pad feedback slew rate control
Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for an improved fail safe I/O driver with pad feedback slew rate control are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pad driver circuit includes a pad node, an NMOS component, a feedback capacitor between the pad node and a gate of the NMOS component to control slew rate across a range of capacitor loads, a switch circuit between the pad node and the feedback capacitor, and a signal generator to generate a signal to control the switch circuit. The switch circuit to maintain a main driver circuit and a pre-driver circuit of the pad driver circuit in a fail safe state when an integrated circuit that includes the pad driver circuit is in the fail safe state. The pad driver circuit may include a PMOS component. |
| US08004307B2 |
Static-dynamic-dynamic repeater circuit
A repeater circuit. The repeater circuit includes two input circuits, two intermediate circuits, and two output circuits. Responsive to a transition of an input signal from one logic level to another level, one of the input circuits is activated. The corresponding intermediate circuit is activated corresponding to activation one of the input circuits, and in turn, the corresponding output circuit is activated, which then drives an output signal on an output node. After a delay, a feedback signal conveyed via a feedback path deactivates the corresponding intermediate circuit and the corresponding output circuit. After deactivation of the corresponding output circuit, a keeper circuit continues to provide the output signal on the output node. The other one of the two input circuits inhibits activation of the other one of the intermediate circuit responsive to the transition, which results in the other output circuit also being inhibited from activation. |
| US08004304B2 |
Semiconductor device, and life prediction circuit and life prediction method for semiconductor device
A life prediction wire 14 is connected to an emitter-wire bonding pad 2 of a semiconductor device 1. Wire deterioration is detected by checking whether or not an electric current flows from the life prediction wire 14 to the emitter-wire bonding pad 2. Thus, by directly checking a deterioration state of the semiconductor device, the life of the semiconductor device is predicted. |
| US08004303B2 |
Method and system for measuring film stress in a wafer film
In a MEMS wafer, film stresses are measured by placing an inductor array over or under the wafer and measuring inductance variations across the array to obtain a map defining the amount of bowing of the wafer. |
| US08004294B2 |
Method of manufacturing actuators, a method of measuring a thickness of an active layer of an actuator, a method of manufacturing a recording head, and a recording device
A method of manufacturing actuators for an inkjet head includes the step of measuring an absolute value of a coercive voltage of an active layer. The method further includes the step of sorting the actuators based at least on the coercive voltage. Each of the actuators includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an active layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an inactive layer wherein the second electrode is positioned between the inactive layer and the active layer. |
| US08004293B2 |
Plasma processing chamber with ground member integrity indicator and method for using the same
A method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of a ground member coupling a substrate support to a chamber body in a plasma processing system is provided. In one embodiment, a processing chamber is provided that includes a ground path member coupled between a substrate support and a chamber body. A sensor is positioned to sense a metric indicative of current passing through the ground member. In another embodiment, a method monitoring the integrity of a ground member coupling a substrate support to a chamber body in a plasma processing chamber includes monitoring a metric indicative of current passing through the ground member during processing, and setting a flag in response to the metric exceeding a predefined threshold. |
| US08004292B1 |
Electrical penetration graph system
An electrical penetration graph (EPG) system includes a monitoring device with a buffered and stabilized voltage source assembly and a buffered internal amplifier with switched gain control. The system also includes a head stage amplifier. During the EPG process, the voltage source assembly directs an electrical current through a feeding insect. As the current passes through the insect, the insect's feeding process modulates the current and creates voltage waveform data. A head stage amplifier with selectable input resistance receives and amplifies the voltage waveform data. The data is transmitted back to the monitoring device where it is manipulated and further amplified by the monitoring device internal amplifier assembly. The waveform data is then transmitted to a controller and ultimately to an output device where the data is displayed. |
| US08004287B2 |
Method of detecting the wet arc fault in the AC power distribution applications
Methods for detecting wet arc faults are based on the direct current (DC) signature analysis and pattern matching pertaining to wet arc characteristics. While magnifying some wet arc fault signatures, it may be found that the wet arc current signal itself resembles a normal current signal in both time and frequency domains. The change in magnitude or high frequency behavior found may not be enough to distinguish a wet arc fault signature from a normal signature. Embodiments of the present invention may look at the magnitude change in the DC content per cycle of the wet arc current signal, which may be more positive in one cycle while, in the next cycle, it may be negative in a relative manner. A particular number of these changes may be determinative of a wet arc fault. |
| US08004286B2 |
Voltage measurement instrument and method having improved automatic mode operation
Voltage measuring instruments and methods of measuring the amplitude of an input signal are disclosed. In an example method of measuring the amplitude of an input signal, in an AC measurement mode, the input signal is coupled through a capacitor, the RMS amplitude of the input signal coupled through the capacitor is determined, and a digital value corresponding to the RMS amplitude is provided. In an automatic measurement mode, the RMS amplitude of the input signal is determined without first coupling the input signal through the capacitor, and a digital value corresponding to the RMS amplitude of the input signal is provided. Further disclosed is a calibration procedure may be used to compensate for any offset of an amplifier of the voltage measuring instrument. |
| US08004281B2 |
Optimized MRI strip array detectors and apparatus, systems and methods related thereto
Featured is a device for NMR or MRI signals from excited nuclei as well as related apparatus, systems and methods. The device includes a strip array antenna including one or more conductor and N reactive tuning components, where N is an integer ≧1 at least one of the N reactive components is electrically coupled to each of the one or more conductors as well as to ground/virtual ground. The apparent electrical length of the conductors is tuned with the reactive tuning components so it is equal to be about nλ/4, where n is an integer ≧1 and λ is the wavelength of the signal to be detected. The length of the strip also is such as to be substantially in the approximate range of 1.3 times the depth of interest. The strip conductors are also combined with loop coils to form quadrature detectors. |
| US08004278B2 |
Techniques for electrically characterizing tunnel junction film stacks with little or no processing
Probes are electrically connected to a surface of a tunnel junction film stack comprising a free layer, a tunnel barrier, and a pinned layer. Resistances are determined for a variety of probe spacings and for a number of magnetizations of one of the layers of the stack. The probe spacings are a distance from a length scale, which is related to the Resistance-Area (RA) product of the tunnel junction film stack. Spacings from as small as possible to about 40 times the length scale are used. Beneficially, the smallest spacing between probes used during a resistance measurement is under 100 microns. A measured in-plane MagnetoResistance (MR) curve is determined from the “high” and “low” resistances that occur at the two magnetizations of this layer. The RA product, resistances per square of the free and pinned layers, and perpendicular MR are determined through curve fitting. |
| US08004274B2 |
Inductive position sensor
An inductive position sensor, which in particular is a rotational angle sensor, is provided with two first transmitter units for the generation of two site-dependent first alternating fields having the same carrier frequency, and at least one oscillating circuit arranged in or on an element which may be moved within the alternating field and the position of which is to be determined. The oscillating circuit can be energized by the total alternating field and generates a oscillating-circuit alternating field having the same carrier frequency as the first alternating fields. The position sensor is further provided with at least one receiver unit which receives the oscillating-circuit alternating field, and an analysis unit for determining the phase shift between the oscillating-circuit alternating field and at least one of the two first alternating fields, wherein the two first alternating fields may each be generated by a carrier frequency signal on which substantially identical, substantially 90° phase-shifted modulation signals are modulated. Each carrier frequency signal may be generated by application of a square-wave alternating voltage to the first transmitter units, the repetition frequency of said voltage being equal to the carrier frequency. The modulation signal is a pulse density signal having a pulse density changing over time for generation of a signal development having a substantially sine or cosine wave form. The square wave signal is applied to the first transmitter units for the duration of the pulse density signal. |
| US08004272B2 |
Digital multimeter having visible light communication port
A digital multimeter can be monitored from a remote location via an on-board light source such as a backlight LED. The digital multimeter has memory, a processor operatively coupled to the memory, a light operatively coupled to the processor and the memory and a light sensitive sensor operatively coupled to the machinery and positioned proximate the light. The processor is configured to produce a first data signal containing information about the machinery, which is then modulated by the light so that the light blinks between an on state and an off state. The sensor is configured to detect the light on state and the light off state and convert the received light into a second data signal representative of the first data signal. |
| US08004271B2 |
Self contained kilowatt-hour meter integral to standard load center
The present invention relates generally to a load center. More particularly, the invention encompasses a self contained kilowatt-hour meter which is integral to a standard load center. The present invention is also directed to a novel printed circuit board and housing for the self contained kilowatt-hour meter. The self contained kilowatt-hour meter of this invention measures the energy usage of a facility, such as, residential unit, a house, an apartment, a condominium, and then it communicates the energy usage in a timely manner or as desired to a local requester, such as, the owner, occupant or any other entity, as well as, to another requester, such as, a remote requester, for example, an energy provider. |
| US08004270B2 |
Inspecting apparatus for photovoltaic devices
The present invention provides an inspecting apparatus for photovoltaic devices which electrifies the photovoltaic devices in a forward direction thereof to make the photovoltaic devices emit electro-luminescence light and which has a simple-structured and cheap darkroom. The inspecting apparatus of the present invention includes a darkroom 110 provided with a flat upper surface 111, a transparent plate 112 which is provided in the upper surface of the darkroom for disposing the photovoltaic devices as an inspecting object 200, a camera 120 which is provided in the darkroom and a driving mechanism to move the camera in the darkroom. |
| US08004267B2 |
Power converter system for an automotive vehicle and method for configuring same
A DC/DC power converter includes an electrically configurable transformer/inductor. The electrically configurable transformer/inductor receives a power plug. The power plug, depending on its configuration, configures the operation of the transformer/inductor and therefore the DC/DC power converter. The power plug may permit access to power received from the power converter. The power plug may also pass power to the power converter from a remote electrical source. |
| US08004265B2 |
Variable reference voltage generating circuit using controlled switches
A voltage generating circuit for generating a plurality of associated voltages includes a constant current source for generating a constant current; a plurality of resistors connected in series to the constant current source in series for generating a plurality of associated reference voltages; and a first controlled switch connected to a first resistor in parallel, wherein the plurality of associated reference voltages are changed by optionally conducting the first controlled switch to control the flow of the constant current through the first resistor. |
| US08004263B2 |
Switching regulator
In a switching regulator, when a control switching signal received from outside is indicating PWM control, a second reference voltage generating circuit outputs, as a second reference voltage, a voltage that is lower than the minimum voltage of an output voltage range of an error amplifying circuit, so that output signals from a comparator are fixed at a high level. When a control switching signal received from outside is indicating VFM control, the second reference voltage generating circuit adjusts the second reference voltage according to the voltage difference between an input voltage and an output voltage, because the optimum second reference voltage varies according to the voltage difference between the input voltage and the output voltage. |
| US08004261B2 |
Power supply unit and image forming apparatus including the same
A power supply unit is provided. An output generation circuit generates an output corresponding to an supplied drive signal and supplies the output to a load. A detection circuit receives the output and generates a detection signal in response to the output. A control circuit generates a digital control signal for controlling a value of the output toward a target value in response to the detection signal. A first D/A conversion circuit receives the digital control signal and converts the digital control signal into an analog control signal, the first D/A conversion circuit being capable of setting a reference range for defining a voltage range of the analog control signal. A driving circuit generates the drive signal in response to the analog control signal and supplies the drive signal to the output generation circuit. A range switching circuit switches the reference voltage range of the first D/A conversion circuit between a wide range and a narrow range narrower than the wide range. |
| US08004259B2 |
Digital control of power converters
A system and method for controlling a power converter is presented. An embodiment comprises an analog differential circuit connected to an analog-to-digital converter, and comparing the digital error signal to at least a first threshold value. If the digital error signal is less than the first threshold value, a pulse is generated to control the power converter. Another embodiment includes multiple thresholds that may be compared against the digital error signal. |
| US08004253B2 |
Duty cycle dependent non-linear slope compensation for improved dynamic response
A two-stage converter including a buck converter and a DC-DC converter that receives power from the buck converter. The DC-DC converter generates an output voltage of the two-stage converter. A buck control circuit generates a drive signal for the buck converter. The drive signal is based on a first signal representing the output voltage, a second signal representing load applied to the buck converter, and a compensation signal. A characteristic of the compensation signal varies based on the drive signal. |
| US08004251B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying interactions between an electrical generator and a nonlinear load
A method and apparatus for modifying interactions between an electrical generator and a nonlinear load is described. One illustrative embodiment receives a main control signal at a control input of an engine of the electrical generator, the main control signal controlling at least one of output power, output current, and output voltage delivered by the electrical generator to the nonlinear load, the engine being one of a power amplifier and a converter; measures the impedance of the nonlinear load; and feeds to the electrical generator a compensation signal corresponding to the measured impedance, the compensation signal rendering a transfer function of the output power of the electrical generator with respect to the main control signal substantially insensitive to variations in the impedance of the nonlinear load to stabilize the output power of the electrical generator. |
| US08004250B2 |
Pyramid electric generator
A pyramid electric generator for harvesting the vibrational energies of Earth's atomic oscillators according to the present invention comprises: (1) an antenna/waveguide that is geometrically optimized; (2) a secondary coil wound with an insulated conductor on a nonconductive coil form, the coil being attached electrically to the conducting surface of the antenna/waveguide such that the secondary coil is attached near the point at which the electric field contacts the antenna/waveguide; (3) the antenna/waveguide connected with the secondary coil serving as a quasi-capacitive series element to provide a specific resonant frequency; and (4) a primary coil of a few turns wound around the secondary coil, the secondary coil being positioned coaxially within the primary coil and acting as a resonant step-up transformer winding, inductively coupled with the primary coil. The generator resonantly couples into specific frequencies of Earth's atomic oscillators and extracts electric energy therefrom. |
| US08004249B2 |
Battery management system and method
A battery management system is provided. A voltage of a first battery cell is charged to a capacitor. Then, the voltage of the capacitor is measured, the measured voltage being the voltage of the first battery cell. Subsequently, a voltage of a second battery cell is again charged to the capacitor while the capacitor holds the voltage of the first battery cell. The voltage of the capacitor is then measured, the measured voltage being the voltage of the second battery cell. With such a scheme, the time for discharging the capacitor may be removed, and accordingly, a period for measuring a voltage of the battery cell may become shorter. |
| US08004241B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying charging-state of battery of portable terminal
A method and apparatus for displaying a battery charging-state is disclosed. The method comprises measuring the charged voltage of a battery unit, determining the charging stage of the measured charged voltage, and sequentially and cyclically displaying icons that indicate a charging stage. |
| US08004235B2 |
System and method for inductively charging a battery
An inductive charging system for recharging a battery. The system includes a charger circuit and a secondary circuit. The secondary circuit includes a feedback mechanism to provide feedback to the charger circuit through the inductive coupling of the primary coil and the secondary coil. The charger circuit includes a frequency control mechanism for controlling the frequency of the power applied to the primary coil at least partly in response to the feedback from the feedback mechanism. |
| US08004233B2 |
Solar powered DC load system
The solar powered direct current (DC) load system is a reliable, versatile and user friendly system; it uses solar energy and rechargeable battery powering at least one type of DC load which are: a type of motor operation such as water pump and/or a type of at least one LED; the system comprises a battery discharge control circuit and a battery output circuit for DC load (FIG. 1), at least one rechargeable battery source (42-F1) which is protected by a preset voltage that limits the lowest discharge level, the circuits in the FIG. 1 are able to combine the circuits in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 which enable operations of the day time and night time DC load to synchronize the day and night cycles; FIG. 4 is a combination system which incorporates circuits in the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to create a water pumping system combined an illumination system which can turn on and off automatically; FIG. 4a with a switch and additional LEDs in addition to the FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a combination system that incorporates circuits in the FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 to create a water pumping system that works during the day and shuts down at night automatically; FIG. 5a with a switch in addition to the FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is a combination system which incorporates FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 circuits to create an illumination system that has at least one LED which can turn off in the morning and turn on at the evening automatically. |
| US08004225B2 |
Drive control circuit for electric motor and electric motor equipped with same
The drive control circuit (200) includes a driver circuit (250) for intermittently supplying the magnetic coils with a supply voltage VSUP; a switching signal generating circuit (240) that generates a switching signal supplied to the driver circuit (250); and a voltage setter (270) that supplies a supply voltage control value Ya to the switching signal generating circuit (240). By adjusting pulse width of the switching signals DRVA1, DRVA2 with reference to the supply voltage control value Ya, the switching signal generating circuit (240) adjusts the effective voltage which is applied to the magnetic coils. |
| US08004222B2 |
Negative sequence carrier signal controller
A negative sequence feedback circuit is connected to monitor and minimize unbalances in a high-frequency ac carrier signal provided to a motor/load for the purpose of detecting rotor position. The negative sequence feedback circuit detects unbalances in the high-frequency ac carrier signal and generates negative sequence feedback. The feedback is combined with command signals used to generate the high-frequency ac carrier signal, and the combination of the command signals with the negative sequence feedback is provided to an inverter for generation of the high-frequency ac carrier signal, wherein the negative sequence feedback reduces unbalances in the resulting high-frequency ac carrier signal such that a balanced high-frequency carrier signal is provided to the motor/load. |
| US08004220B2 |
Motor drive voltage-boost control
A drive system for a motor having a rotor and a phase winding (a, b, c) comprises; a drive circuit including switch means associated with the winding a, b, c for varying the current passing through the winding; rotor position sensing means arranged to sense the position of the rotor; control means arranged to provide drive signals to control the switch means; a power input for connection to a power supply at a nominal voltage; and boost means in electric communication with the power input and power output, and controllable to boost the nominal voltage to a higher voltage for application to the winding. |
| US08004218B2 |
Drive device for vehicle
An object of the present invention is to suppress reverse of a vehicle on an up-hill road against an intention of a driver. A drive device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes: an estimator for estimating whether or not reverse of the vehicle occurs on an up-hill road; a rotating electric machine for generating electric power by rotation of a drive wheel in the vehicle when the vehicle reverses; a capacitor for electrically charging the electric power generated by the rotating electric machine; and a battery connected in parallel to the capacitor, wherein the estimator estimates that the reverse of the vehicle occurs when a current traveling road is an up-hill road and a vehicular speed is smaller than a threshold whereas the electric power of the capacitor is electrically discharged to the battery when the reverse of the vehicle is estimated and the amount of electric energy of the capacitor is greater than a certain threshold. |
| US08004216B2 |
Variable intensity LED illumination system
A variable intensity LED illumination system is configured to provide a change in luminance versus input voltage that corresponds to a desired transfer function, such as the dimming characteristics of an incandescent lamp, which more closely resembles the response of the human eye. The system also advantageously provides overvoltage protection, increased brightness, energy efficiency, and significantly better longevity and ruggedness, compared to incandescent lamps. |
| US08004214B2 |
Fluorescent tube power supply and backlight
A fluorescent tube power supply including a rectification circuit, a smoothing circuit, an inverter, and a control circuit for controlling the inverter, further includes a current detecting unit for detecting an input current of the inverter. The control circuit is stopped based on an output signal of the current detecting unit when the input current increases. |
| US08004213B2 |
Power supply, light emission control device and display device
The power supply of the present invention is composed of: a charge pump circuit (54) that periodically turns on and off a plurality of charge-transfer switches (Q1 to Q4) according to clock signals (c1 and c2), thereby charges and discharges a charge storage capacitor (C1) and thus produces the desired output voltage (Vo) from an input voltage (Vi) to supply it to a load (LED); an output current detection circuit 57 for detecting an output current Io (a reference current (Im) thereof in FIG. 1) to the load; and means (a frequency conversion circuit 52 in FIG. 1) that varies the frequency of the clock signals c1 and c2 based on the result of the detection of the output current Io. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve high electric power efficiency irrespective of the magnitude of a load. |
| US08004211B2 |
LED lighting device
The present invention relates to a multiple LED driver circuit in which each LED (15, 17) is controlled by a bypass switch (19, 21). The LEDs are supplied by a switched mode power supply (8) and are connected to a constant current source to draw a predetermined current through the LEDs. The switched mode power supply is arranged to output different voltages depending on the number of switched-on LEDs. This is carried out by supplying the control signals (sw1, sw2) of the bypass switches to the switched mode power supply. In this way, the power dissipation of the constant current source can be kept at a low level. |
| US08004207B2 |
LED driver with precharge and track/hold
A power source provides an output voltage to drive a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) strings. A feedback controller monitors the tail voltages of the LED strings to identify the minimum tail voltage and adjusts the output voltage based on a relationship between the minimum tail voltage and a reference voltage. The feedback controller implements precharging of the output voltage, including one or both of short-term precharging or long-term precharging. Further, the feedback controller incorporates a track/hold circuit that tracks the minimum tail voltage while the LED strings are active and holds the minimum tail voltage at the last tracked minimum tail voltage while the LED strings are inactive and uses the held minimum tail voltage for controlling the output voltage while the LED strings are inactive so as to permit the power source to supply an appropriate output voltage when the LED strings are subsequently activated again. |
| US08004202B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving backlight
An apparatus for driving a backlight includes a controller for driving a lamp; a limiter for preventing the controller from driving the lamp during a contact condition of the lamp; and means for disabling the limiter during a first time of the controller, wherein the controller drives the lamp from a zero condition to the contact condition during the first time of the controller. |
| US08004199B2 |
Method for powering a control circuit for a gas discharge lamp during pre-heating of said lamp, and a device for performing said method
The method according to the present invention relates to controlling a gas discharge lamp during a pre-heating period of said lamp, wherein a first terminal of a control circuit is connected with a first electrode of the lamp and a second terminal of a control circuit is connected with a second electrode of the lamp, and wherein means are provided, suitable for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal with each other, thus providing a conducting path, and suitable for disconnecting the first terminal and the second terminal. Furthermore the method comprises the use of a chargeable and dischargeable power buffer, for powering control circuitry for operating the switching means. |
| US08004196B2 |
Alkali-free aluminoborosilicate glasses for lighting means with external or internal contacting
The invention relates to aluminoborosilicate glasses as a glass casing body of a lighting means, especially for background illumination, which glass composition is equally suitable for use in lighting means with external contacting as well as for lighting means with internal contacting. |
| US08004195B2 |
Discharge bulb for vehicle
A discharge bulb and an arc tube are provided. The discharge bulb includes an arc tube main body having a discharge arc chamber, in which two discharge electrodes are disposed to oppose to each other; a tube portion disposed at each end portion of the arc tube main body, each of the tube portions being in communication with the discharge arc chamber and holding one of the discharge electrodes, wherein a wall for forming the discharge arc chamber has a taper portion whose diameter is reduced gradually from a cylinder portion of the arc tube main body in a center area to the tube portion of the arc tube main body, and an inner diameter Di of the cylinder portion is about 1.0 mm to about 2.5 mm, and a projection length Le of the discharge electrode into the discharge arc chamber is about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm. |
| US08004192B2 |
Black paste and plasma display panel and method for preparation thereof
A black paste contains an organic component and an inorganic powder containing a glass powder and a cobalt oxide. A plasma display panel having a black layer made from the black paste, and methods for fabricating the black paste, the plasma display are also provided. |
| US08004188B2 |
Light emitting device with anodized metallization
A light emitting device (100) is provided, comprising a substrate (101), a first electrically conductive layer (102), a light emitting layer (103), and a second electrically conductive layer (104). The light emitting device (100) further comprises at least one metal shunt (105) which is in electrical contact with said first electrically conductive layer (102). The at least one metal shunt (105) is isolated from said second electrically conductive layer (104) at least by means of a dielectric oxide layer (106). The present invention allows for the use of electrically insulating material between one or more metal shunts and a cathode layer without reducing the effective pixel area of the device. |
| US08004185B2 |
Display apparatus
Provided is a display apparatus including: a plurality of pixels each having a plurality of light emitting devices each showing different luminescent colors; and a circularly polarizing member placed on a light extraction side of each of the light emitting devices and being across the light emitting devices to be commonly used by the light emitting devices, in which: the circularly polarizing member shows a higher transmittance for a first luminescent color out of the plurality of luminescent colors in a light emitting device showing the first luminescent color than a transmittance for any other color; and a transmittance for the first luminescent color in a light emitting device showing any other luminescent color is lower than the transmittance for the first luminescent color in the light emitting device showing the first luminescent color. |
| US08004178B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display with a power line in a non-pixel region
An organic light emitting diode display comprises a substrate having a pixel area and a non-pixel area, a plurality of pixels formed in the pixel area, a power line with a uniform width formed in the non-pixel area configured to supply a common power voltage to the pixels, a cathode electrode formed on the substrate, and a cathode power line formed in the non-pixel area on the same layer as the power line and coupled to the cathode electrode to supply a cathode voltage to the pixels, wherein each pixel comprises a thin film transistor and an organic light emitting element. |
| US08004175B2 |
Light-emitting material, light-emitting body, and light-emitting method
A light-emitting material is provided allowing a light-emitting body having an excellent low-excitation characteristic and high brightness to be obtained by using a light-emitting material containing a light-emitting base material that emits light through radiative transition of electrons in material atoms, the light-emitting base having nanoparticles added thereto and dispersed therein, the light-emitting material also allowing a reduction in excitation energy and an increase in brightness to be simultaneously achieve, thereby allowing, for a wide range of light-emitting bodies, a reduction in excitation energy and a significant improvement in brightness to be achieved in a simple structure. Also provided is a light-emitting body having the light-emitting material and a light-emitting method. |
| US08004173B2 |
Antistatic film, spacer using it and picture display unit
An antistatic film installed in an airtight vessel containing an electron source of an electron-generating device such as a picture display unit has a structure comprising an image of conductor or semiconductor particles with particle diameters of 0.5 to 10 nm dispersed in a medium containing a nitride, an oxide or both; and thereby improves controllability for a resistivity value, stability and reproducibility, and the adequate temperature characteristics of resistance. |
| US08004170B2 |
Tanning lamp
A low pressure fluorescent tanning lamp (10) includes an elongated, tubular glass envelope (12) including an arc generating and sustaining medium (14) and electrodes (16) therewithin and having a first section (18) and a second section (20). A phosphor coating (22) is provided on the interior of the first section (18) and only a portion (24) of the second section (20). The phosphor coating comprises materials emitting in the UVA and UVB areas of the electromagnetic spectrum and additionally in the visible area of the electromagnetic spectrum in the range above 600 nm. The second section (20) includes a clear window (26) and the phosphor comprises a mixture comprising about 91% BaSi2O5:Pb; about 6% MgSrAl10O17:Ce; and about 3% Y2O3:Eu. |
| US08004163B2 |
Substrate with a piezoelectric thin film
A substrate has a first thermal expansion coefficient and a piezoelectric thin film has a second thermal expansion coefficient. The piezoelectric thin film is mainly composed of a potassium sodium niobate (K,Na)NbO3 with a perovskite structure. A curvature radius of a warping of the substrate provided with the piezoelectric thin film due to difference between the first and the second thermal expansion coefficients is 10 m or more at room temperature. The piezoelectric thin film has a thickness of 0.2 μm to 10 μm. The piezoelectric thin film is oriented in one of plane orientations (001), (110), and (111). |
| US08004162B2 |
Piezoelectric device, angular velocity sensor, electronic apparatus, and production method of a piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device is provided and includes a substrate, a first electrode film, a piezoelectric film, and a second electrode film. The first electrode film is formed on the substrate. The piezoelectric film is represented by Pb1+X(ZrYTi1−Y)O3+X(0≦X≦0.3, 0≦Y≦0.55) and a peak intensity of a pyrochlore phase measured by an X-ray diffraction method is 10% or less with respect to a sum of peak intensities of a (100) plane orientation, a (001) plane orientation, a (110) plane orientation, a (101) plane orientation, and a (111) plane orientation of a perovskite phase, the piezoelectric film being formed on the first electrode film with a film thickness of 400 nm or more and 1,000 nm or less. The second electrode film is laminated on the piezoelectric film. |
| US08004159B2 |
Piezoelctric actuator, method of manufacturing same, and liquid ejection head
The piezoelectric actuator comprises: a supporting substrate; a thermal stress controlling layer which is formed on the supporting substrate; and a piezoelectric body which is formed as a film onto the thermal stress controlling layer on the supporting substrate at a higher temperature than room temperature, wherein the thermal stress controlling layer reduces a film stress induced by formation of the piezoelectric body. |
| US08004152B2 |
Electronic tongue sensor
The disclosure may relate to example embodiments of an electronic tongue sensor that may include an array of piezoelectric quartz crystal sensors with at least one coating specific for sensing a specific taste-producing molecule. In an example embodiment, a coating may include molecularly imprinted polymers of a specific taste-producing molecule. |
| US08004150B2 |
Ultrasonic actuator with flexible cable connection member
An ultrasonic actuator may be provided in which generation of a stress is prevented in the connection face of the piezoelectric element between the electrodes and the conductive members. The ultrasonic actuator includes a piezoelectric element (P1) and flexible cables (F1). The piezoelectric element (P1) includes: a piezoelectric layer (1); a power supply electrode (2) provided on a principal surface of the piezoelectric layer (1); a counter electrode (3) provided to face the power supply electrode (2) with the piezoelectric layer (1) interposed therebetween; a power supply external electrode (4) which is provided on a short-side surface of the piezoelectric element (P1), and is electrically coupled to the power supply electrode (2); and a counter external electrode (5) which is provided on a short-side surface of the piezoelectric element (P1), and is electrically coupled to the counter electrode (3). The flexible cables (F1) include a first flexible cable (F11) connected to the power supply external electrode (4), and a second flexible cable (F12) connected to the counter external electrode (5). |
| US08004149B2 |
Electromechanical motor, especially a piezoelectric microstepper drive
A motor which includes two drive elements, especially piezoelectric bending actuators, having effective directions that are perpendicular to each other. These actuators act upon a drive ring to thereby rotate a shaft. Two tension-compression bars, which are parallel to an effective direction, are connected to the drive ring, have respective joints at their ends and are connected to the ends of a diagonal bar, relative to which the ring can be displaced in the other effective direction. The diagonal bar itself can be displaced relative to fixing elements to an effective direction via a diagonal suspension. The drive is compact, having actuators that are non-radially hinged to the ring. |
| US08004146B2 |
Electrically conductive thin film formed from an ionic liquid and carbon nanotubes having a high aspect ratio, and actuator element comprising the thin film
The present invention provides an actuator exhibiting improved performance. The actuator is formed of an electrically conductive thin film formed from an ionic liquid and carbon nanotubes having an aspect ratio of not less than 104; or an electrically conductive thin film formed from an ionic liquid and carbon nanotubes having a length of not less than 50 μm. |
| US08004142B2 |
Stator assembly for electric machines
A stator assembly is provided with detachable teeth that are made of magnetic powder material. The teeth are so configured and sized as to be interconnected to a core body of the stator with pre-formed coils that are positioned between adjacent teeth. |
| US08004139B2 |
Compressor motor and compressor
A compressor motor includes a rotor and a stator disposed radially outside of the rotor. The rotor includes a rotor core, and a plurality of magnets circumferentially arranged on the rotor core at center angles of equal intervals. The rotor core has an axial length L and a radial length D. Each of the magnets has a thickness t. L/D <0.7, and t>(1×K×N)/(L1.5×D×P), where P is the number of poles, K is 100000, and N is a factor that depends on a compressor output. |
| US08004136B2 |
Laying head with a vibration damping device
A laying head for forming coils using continuous and substantially rectilinear rolled products such as rods or wire, having vibration damping means integrated in one of two rotor supports (3), preferably the one on the rolled product outlet side. Said means comprise a plurality of coils (6, 6′, 6″) arranged around the rotor (3), rotating about its axis (X), which generate a magnetic field actively controlled by a computer, the resultant force of which is perpendicular to the axis (X) and of a predetermined intensity so as to eliminate the inertial forces generated by the mass imbalances. Alternatively, the damping means incorporated in one of the supports are comprised of oil film bearings. |
| US08004135B2 |
Electric motor and controller assembly with integrated sensor device
An integrated electric motor and controller assembly includes a motor, a controller mounted to the motor, and a sensor device disposed at an interface between the motor and the controller. The sensor device includes a sensor disposed at the controller and a magnet disposed at the motor. An alignment structure is provided at the interface between the motor and the controller for positioning the sensor relative to the magnet when the controller is mounted to the motor. The magnet is recessed in the motor and the sensor is protected by a controller housing of the controller. This arrangement has the advantages of protecting the sensor device from damage during shipment and assembly and providing a quick assembly and connection of the sensor device to the motor and the controller. |
| US08004134B2 |
Electric motor, rotary actuator and rotary apparatus
A rotary actuator including: a housing that rotatably supports thereinside a rotor shaft of an electric motor; an eccentric shaft portion that is provided on a protruding end portion of the rotor shaft that protrudes outside the housing; an external gear that is rotatably supported on the eccentric shaft portion via a bearing; an internal gear that is fixed to an outer surface of the housing and meshes with the external gear; and a transmitting portion that is provided on the external gear, and transmits rotation force to an external output shaft. |
| US08004131B2 |
Stepping motor
A stepping motor includes: a rotating shaft; a rotor fixed to the rotating shaft; a terminal unit disposed at a side of the rotor, and having an external power supply applied thereto; a coil coupled to the terminal unit; and an outer yoke disposed in circumferential directions around outsides of the coil and the rotor to form magnetic pole portions, and disposed in a circumferential direction around an inside of the coil to increase an area through which magnetic flux flows. |
| US08004128B2 |
Rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine having an RF-IC chip for detecting a rotation and also having a stator and a rotor. When a compact RF-IC chip is used as the RF-IC chip, the chip can detect the rotation of the rotating electrical machine. |
| US08004127B2 |
Rotary reluctance motor
A rotary reluctance motor includes a set of inner disks each having an inner diameter root, an outer diameter free end, and a plurality of alternating high permeability teeth and low permeability material segments. A set of outer disks is interleaved with the inner disks to form a disk stack. Each outer disk has an outer diameter root, an inner diameter free end, and a plurality of alternating high permeability teeth and low permeability material segments. The inner and outer disks are configured to bear against and support each other in response to axial magnetic forces. Flux return portions are disposed axially adjacent the disks at each end of the disk stack. A coil is associated with the roots of one of the sets of disks and configured to provide axial flux through the disk stack to rotate one set of disks with respect to the other set of disks. |
| US08004125B2 |
Motor, pump, and method of manufacturing the motor
An electric motor in which the cost of parts and the cost of processing are reduced by installing a fan cover, a capacitor installation box, and a foot plate on a molded stator without addition of installation parts. In the electric motor (200), the stator (100) is molded using a thermosetting resin. The stator (11) after the molding has a foot plate installation section (13) to which the foot plate (19) is installed, and prepared holes for screws for fixing the foot plate (19) are exposed on the foot plate installation section (13). |
| US08004123B2 |
System and method for load control
A system is described including a means for receiving a potential and selectively supplying the potential to a load. The receiving and supplying means being responsive to a load control signal to supply the potential to the load when the load control signal is present. The system also includes a means for measuring a load demand. Also included is a means for controlling the receiving and supplying means. The controlling means continuously providing the load control signal when the load demand is greater than a predetermined threshold. The controlling means temporarily providing the load control signal to determine the load demand when the load demand is less than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08004122B2 |
Bootstrap supply for switched mode power converter
A power converter controller is operable to control power provided to a load circuit coupled between a first voltage supply terminal and a first switching element by controlling the first switching element and to control power provided to an energy storage element coupled to the first switching element. The energy storage element is operable to provide a power supply. A first control terminal couples to a control input of the first switching element. A first load terminal couples to the first switching element and the charge storing element. A second switching element couples between the first load terminal and a second voltage supply terminal. Timing logic is operable to selectively provide a control signal at the first control terminal to control the first switching element and to selectively control the second switching element to supply power to the load circuit during a load powering phase by enabling the first and second switching elements, charge the energy storage element during a bootstrap charging phase by enabling the first switching element and disabling the second switching element, and allowing the load circuit to operate in isolation during a passive phase by disabling at least the first switching element. |
| US08004117B2 |
Current bypass for distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources
A converter circuit providing multiple current bypass routes between the output leads to provide reliability in a series connection of several converters. If the converter malfunctions due to component failure, the current bypass routes provide a path for the current that views the malfunctioning converter as substantially a short. Diodes prevent backflow into the power source connected to the converter. Redundancy is provided in the bypass portions of the converter circuit that provides alternate parallel paths in case a defective component in one of the paths opens the circuit along that path. In one example, the converter is implemented as a buck plus boost converter where either the buck or the boost portion or both are operative responsive to a controller controlling the switches of both portions. Most of the converter circuit may be implemented in an integrated circuit. |
| US08004116B2 |
Highly efficient solar power systems
Different systems to achieve solar power conversion are provided in at least three different general aspects, with circuitry that can be used to harvest maximum power from a solar source (1) or strings of panels (11) for DC or AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid (10) three aspects can exist perhaps independently and relate to: 1) electrical power conversion in a multimodal manner, 2) alternating between differing processes such as by an alternative mode photovoltaic power converter functionality control (27), and 3) systems that can achieve efficiencies in conversion that are extraordinarily high compared to traditional through substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion capability that can achieve 99.2% efficiency or even only wire transmission losses. Switchmode impedance conversion circuits may have pairs of photovoltaic power series switch elements (24) and pairs of photovoltaic power shunt switch elements (25). |
| US08004113B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for operating devices with solar power
Solar power tracking techniques are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, a solar power tracking apparatus includes, but is not limited to, a voltage converter and a controller coupled to the voltage converter. The voltage converter includes an input capable of being coupled to a solar power source and an output capable of being coupled to an electronic load, such as, for example, a portable electronic device. The voltage converter is configured to monitor or detect an amount of power drawn by the electronic load at the output of the voltage converter. In response to the monitored power drawn, the controller is configured to control the voltage converter to reduce amount of power to be drawn subsequently if the monitored amount of power exceeds a predetermined threshold. As a result, the output voltage from the solar power source is maintained within a predetermined range. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08004108B2 |
Electric power-feeding structure with arm and electric wire for feeding electric power to moving body
An electric power-feeding structure for feeding electric power to a moving body which is driven to be raised or lowered, includes: an arm having a distal end connected to the moving body movably in a direction perpendicular to a raising or lowering direction of the moving body, and a proximal end adapted to be rotatably driven so as to swing, to thereby drive the raising or lowering of the moving body. An electrical wire is routed alongside the arm, and one end of the electrical wire extending from the distal end of the arm is connected to the moving body to feed electric power to the moving body. In a vicinity of a rotating shaft of the arm, the electrical wire is routed around the rotating shaft to be bent and deformed. |
| US08004107B2 |
Direct drive generator and wind turbine
A direct drive generator for a wind turbine is provided. The direct drive generator includes a stator arrangement and a rotor arrangement. The stator arrangement and/or the rotor arrangement include an at least partly flexible front and/or rear endplate. The endplate is at least partly made of fiberglass. |
| US08004106B2 |
Yaw bearing cleaning assembly for wind turbine
A yaw bearing cleaning assembly for use with a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a yaw bearing that is coupled between a nacelle and a tower for rotating the nacelle about a yaw axis. The yaw bearing cleaning assembly includes a support bracket that is coupled to the nacelle. At least one cleaning member is coupled to the support bracket. The at least one cleaning member extends from the support bracket and positioned adjacent an outer radial surface of the yaw bearing to facilitate removing debris from at least a portion of the yaw bearing when the nacelle is rotated about the yaw axis. |
| US08004105B2 |
Wave power energy generation apparatus
The present invention relates to a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the vertical and oscillates, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on its faces. Power extraction means extract energy from the movement of the flap portion. When the base portion (2) is anchored to the bed of a body of water (6) with the flap portion (8) facing the wave motion, the base portion (2) and the flap portion (8) extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed. A plurality of devices can be interconnected to form one system. The distance between the plurality of flaps is dependent on the wavelength. |
| US08004104B2 |
Method and apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electricity
A method and apparatus for harnessing power associated with ocean waves and converting that power into electricity. The apparatus is a buoy that houses a vertically oriented central shaft, a pendulum, and a generator. As the buoy tilts from the vertical under the influence of wave motion, the pendulum is accelerated and rotates about the central shaft. A centrally-placed generator is mechanically coupled to, and driven by, the rotating pendulum so that the pendulum's kinetic energy is converted into electricity. The electricity may be stored at or near the buoy or transferred to a remote facility. Moreover, a fin array located along the bottom of the buoy serves as an anti-torque mechanism and improves the operational efficiency of the electricity production. The method involves employing use of the centrally located generator and the fin array to efficiently harness wave power. |
| US08004103B2 |
Power generation
The present disclosure includes apparatus, methods, and systems for power generation. One power generator embodiment includes a shaft; a buoyant assembly slidably coupled to the shaft upon which the buoyant assembly rises and falls, the buoyant assembly configured to be moved in at least a first direction by a fluid on which the assembly is buoyant; wherein a first generator is arranged to create electric energy from interaction of a conductor with a number of magnetic elements on the buoyant assembly, in a manner to produce electricity, as the buoyant assembly moves on the shaft when falling in a second direction due to a gravitational force; and a slowing mechanism arranged to slow the movement of the buoyant assembly in order to separate an outer surface of the buoyant assembly from the fluid along at least a portion of the first or second direction. |
| US08004102B2 |
Refrigeration generation method and system
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating refrigeration in a process operating at sub-ambient temperatures in which the refrigeration is generated by a turboexpander. The turboexpander is coupled to a generator controlled so that its speed is maintained at a setpoint through electromagnetic braking and its power output is maintained at line matching voltage and frequency. The speed control of the generator therefore, also controls the speed of the turboexpander. The setpoint is calculated to be equal to a product of an operational efficiency parameter, U/Co, and a square root of twice the enthalpy drop in the flow passing through the turboexpander divided by a product of pi and a diameter of an impeller employed within the turboexpander. |
| US08004099B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling cogeneration system
In an apparatus (and a method) for controlling a cogeneration system equipped with a generation unit having a generator connectable to an AC power feed line between a commercial power network and an electrical load and an internal combustion engine for driving the generator, and a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with coolant of the engine with exhaust heat from the engine to warm up the coolant, there are provided with an exhaust gas temperature sensor that detects temperature of exhaust gas passing the heat exchanger, a temperature comparator that compares the exhaust gas temperature with a predetermined value and an operation stopper that stops the operation of the cogeneration system when the exhaust gas temperature is found to be less than the predetermined value. With this, it becomes possible to prevent moisture in the exhaust gas from being condensed and accumulated in the exhaust-gas heat exchanger. |
| US08004097B2 |
Carrier wafer having alignment keys and supporting a chip
Methods for manufacturing an integrated wafer scale package that reduces a potential misalignment between a chip and a pocket of a carrier substrate. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a photoresist layer disposed on a carrier substrate, a chip placed onto a surface of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is patterned using the chip as a mask. The chip is removed from the photoresist layer after the patterning step. A pocket is formed in the carrier substrate, and the chip that was removed is placed into the pocket formed in the carrier substrate. |
| US08004093B2 |
Integrated circuit package stacking system
An integrated circuit package stacking system includes: forming a flexible substrate by: providing an insulating material, forming a stacking pad on the insulating material, forming a coupling pad on the insulating material, and forming a trace between the stacking pad and the coupling pad; providing a package substrate; coupling an integrated circuit to the package substrate; and applying a conductive adhesive on the package substrate for positioning the flexible substrate over the integrated circuit and coupling the flexible substrate on the conductive adhesive. |
| US08004091B2 |
Semiconductor package, method of fabricating the same, and semiconductor package mold
A semiconductor package includes one or more semiconductor chips to form a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package may include a first semiconductor chip package having a first substrate including a first surface having a center portion on which a first semiconductor chip is mounted, at least one first boundary portion on which a plurality of conductive connection pad groups are formed, and/or a molding member including a body that covers the first semiconductor chip and at least one extension that extends from the body. The extension extends while avoiding the conductive connection pad group. The semiconductor package may further include a second semiconductor chip package stacked on the first semiconductor chip package and including a second substrate on which at least one second semiconductor chip that is electrically connected to the conductive connection pad group may be mounted. |
| US08004090B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A first insulating layer including a first contact pad made of conductive polysilicon and a second insulating layer including a second contact pad are formed over a semiconductor silicon layer. After this, a via hole for a through-hole electrode is formed until the via hole penetrates through at least the semiconductor silicon layer and the first contact pad and reaches to the second contact pad. |
| US08004085B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has an element interconnection 2, a top-layer element interconnection 4, a super-connect interconnection 10 and a bump 7. The element interconnection 2 is provided on a semiconductor substrate 1 through a plurality of insulating layers 50. The top-layer element interconnection 4 is formed above the element interconnection 2 by using a substantially equivalent process equipment. The super-connect interconnection 10 is provided on the top-layer element interconnection 4 through a super-connect insulating layer 9 having a thickness five or more times larger than that of the insulating layer 5, and has a thickness three or more times larger than that of each the element interconnection 2 and the top-layer element interconnection 4. The bump 7 is formed on the super-connect interconnection 10. The top-layer element interconnection 4 has a signal pad 4s, a power source pad 4v and a ground pad 4g. An area of the signal pad 4s is smaller than each area of the power source pad 4v and the ground pad 4g. |
| US08004080B2 |
Edge mounted integrated circuits with heat sink
A module has a substrate, first and second integrated circuits, and a heat sink. The integrated circuits each have a first major surface, a second major surface, a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge and have optical circuits having ports on the first edge and electronic circuits having ports on the second edge. The second edges are connected to the substrate. The first major surface of the second integrated circuit is parallel with the second major surface of the first integrated circuit. The heat sink has a backplane adjacent to the third edge, a first portion along the first major surface of the first integrated circuit, a second portion along the second major surface of the second integrated circuit extending from the backplane, and an insert between the first major surface of the second integrated circuit and the second major surface of the first integrated circuit. |
| US08004076B2 |
Microelectronic package with carbon nanotubes interconnect and method of making same
A method of forming a microelectronic package is provided. The method includes providing a silicon substrate having a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on a silicon layer and coupling the silicon substrate to a top surface of a packaging substrate, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are coupled to a plurality of substrate pads of the packaging substrate. The method also includes removing the silicon substrate from the packaging substrate and disposing a die adjacent to the top surface of the packaging substrate, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are coupled to a plurality of bump pads of the die. |
| US08004074B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabrication method
A semiconductor device, in which a semiconductor element is mounted on one side of a circuit board that is made up from an insulating layer and a wiring layer, includes metal posts provided on the side of the circuit board on which the semiconductor element is mounted; and a sealing layer provided on the side of the circuit board on which the semiconductor element is mounted such that the semiconductor element is covered and such that only portions of the metal posts are exposed. |
| US08004073B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with interposer and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: attaching a lower integrated circuit, having a first through via, over a substrate with the first through via coupled to the substrate; mounting a pre-formed interposer, having an interposer through via and an integrated passive device, over the lower integrated circuit with the interposer through via coupled to the first through via; attaching an upper integrated circuit, having a second through via, over the pre-formed interposer; and forming an encapsulation over the upper integrated circuit and the pre-formed interposer. |
| US08004072B2 |
Packaging systems and methods
Packaging systems and methods for semiconductor devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a packaging system includes a first plate having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). An integrated circuit is mountable to the first plate. The packaging system includes a second plate coupleable over the first plate over the integrated circuit. The second plate has a second CTE that is substantially a same CTE as the first CTE. A plurality of solder balls is coupleable to the first plate or the second plate and to the integrated circuit. |
| US08004068B2 |
Shielded multi-layer package structures
Embodiments include shielded multi-layer packages for use with multi-chip modules and the like. A substrate (102) (e.g., chip carrier) has an adhesive layer (104), where electronic components (106, 108) are attached. An insulating layer (110) is formed over the plurality of electronic components, and a conductive encapsulant structure (115) is formed over the insulating layer. The adhesive layer is detached from the electronic components, and multi-layer circuitry (140) is formed over, and in electrical communication with, the plurality of electronic components. A shielding via (150) is formed through the multilayer circuitry such that it contacts the conductive encapsulant. |
| US08004067B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus includes: a substrate of single crystal silicon; a first device formed in a first region of a surface of the substrate; a first interlayer insulating film formed on the substrate; a polycrystalline silicon layer formed in a second region on the first interlayer insulating film; a second device formed in the polycrystalline silicon layer; a second interlayer insulating film formed on the first interlayer insulating film, the second interlayer insulating film covering the polycrystalline silicon layer; and a pad formed in a third region on the second interlayer insulating film. The second region includes at least part of a directly overlying zone of the first region. The third region includes at least part of a region which is the directly overlying zone of the first region and a directly overlying zone of the second region. |
| US08004063B2 |
Precision high-frequency capacitor formed on semiconductor substrate
A precision high-frequency capacitor includes a dielectric layer formed on the front side surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first electrode on top of the dielectric layer. The semiconductor substrate is heavily doped and therefore has a low resistivity. A second electrode, insulated from the first electrode, is also formed over the front side surface. In one embodiment, the second electrode is connected by a metal-filled via to a layer of conductive material on the back side of the substrate. In alternative embodiments, the via is omitted and the second electrode is either in electrical contact with the substrate or is formed on top of the dielectric layer, yielding a pair of series-connected capacitors. ESD protection for the capacitor can be provided by a pair of oppositely-directed diodes formed in the substrate and connected in parallel with the capacitor. To increase the capacitance of the capacitor while maintaining a low effective series resistance, each of the electrodes may include a plurality of fingers, which are interdigitated with the fingers of the other electrode. The capacitor is preferably fabricated in a wafer-scale process concurrently with numerous other capacitors on the wafer, and the capacitors are then separated from each other by a conventional dicing technique. |
| US08004060B2 |
Metal gate compatible electrical antifuse
A metal layer and a semiconductor layer are sequentially deposited on a substrate. The semiconductor layer and the metal layer are lithographically patterned to form a stack of a semiconductor portion and a metal gate portion, which is preferably performed concurrently with formation of at least one metal gate stack. In one embodiment, the size of the semiconductor portion is reduced and a metal semiconductor alloy portion is formed on the semiconductor portion by metallization. In a first electrical antifuse formed thereby, the metal semiconductor alloy portion may be electromigrated to form a short between the metal semiconductor alloy portion and the metal gate portion. In another embodiment, two disjoined metal semiconductor alloy portions are formed on the semiconductor portion. In a second electrical antifuse formed thereby, the metal semiconductor alloy portion may be electromigrated to form a short between the two previously disjoined metal semiconductor alloy portions. |
| US08004056B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method for manufacturing the same
A solid-state imaging device having a high sensitivity and a structure in which a miniaturized pixel is obtained, and a method for manufacturing the solid-state imaging device in which an interface is stable, a spectroscopic characteristic is excellent and which can be manufactured with a high yield ratio are provided. The solid-state imaging device includes at least a silicon layer formed with a photo sensor portion and a wiring layer formed on the front-surface side of the silicon layer, and in which light L is made to enter from the rear-surface side opposite to the front-surface side of the silicon layer and the thickness of the silicon layer 4 is 10 μm or less. Also, the method for manufacturing the solid-state imaging device at least includes the steps of: forming a semiconductor region of a photo sensor portion in a silicon layer of a layered substrate in which a silicon substrate, an intermediate layer and a silicon layer are laminated; bonding a first supporting substrate onto the silicon layer; removing the silicon substrate and the intermediate layer; forming thereafter a wiring portion above the silicon layer; bonding a second supporting substrate onto the wiring portion, and removing the first supporting substrate to make the silicon layer exposed. |
| US08004055B2 |
Electromagnetic radiation conduits
Some embodiments include methods of forming voids within semiconductor constructions. In some embodiments the voids may be utilized as microstructures for distributing coolant, for guiding electromagnetic radiation, or for separation and/or characterization of materials. Some embodiments include constructions having micro-structures therein which correspond to voids, conduits, insulative structures, semiconductor structures or conductive structures. |
| US08004050B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising gate electrode having arsenic and phosphorous
A semiconductor device is disclosed, which comprises a gate electrode having a laminated structure of a polycrystalline silicon film or a polycrystalline germanium film containing arsenic and a first nickel silicide layer formed in sequence on an element forming region of a semiconductor substrate through a gate insulating film, a sidewall insulating film formed on a side surface of the gate electrode, source/drain layers containing arsenic formed in the element forming region at both side portions of the gate electrode, and second nickel silicide layers formed on the source/drain layers, wherein a peak concentration of arsenic contained in the gate electrode is at least 1/10 of a peak concentration of arsenic contained in the source/drain layers. |
| US08004048B2 |
Semiconductor device having a buried gate that can realize a reduction in gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device having a buried gate that can realize a reduction in gate-induced drain leakage is presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a buried gate, and a barrier layer. The semiconductor substrate has a groove. The buried gate is formed in a lower portion of the groove and has a lower portion wider than an upper portion. The barrier layer is formed on sidewalls of the upper portion of the buried gate. |
| US08004042B2 |
Static random access memory (SRAM) cell and method for forming same
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a static random access memory (SRAM) cell comprises a first pull-down transistor, a first pull-up transistor, a first pass-gate transistor, a second pull-down transistor, a second pull-up transistor, a second pass-gate transistor, a first linear intra-cell connection, and a second linear intra-cell connection. Active areas of the transistors are disposed in a substrate, and longitudinal axes of the active areas of the transistors are all parallel. The first linear intra-cell connection electrically couples the active area of the first pull-down transistor, the active area of the first pull-up transistor, and the active area of the first pass-gate transistor to a gate electrode of the second pull-down transistor and a gate electrode of the second pull-up transistor. The second linear intra-cell connection electrically couples the active area of the second pull-down transistor, the active area of the second pull-up transistor, and the active area of the second pass-gate transistor to a gate electrode of the first pull-down transistor and a gate electrode of the first pull-up transistor. |
| US08004038B2 |
Suppression of hot-carrier effects using double well for thin gate oxide LDMOS embedded in HV process
A semiconductor device includes a first high-voltage well having a first dopant disposed in a semiconductor substrate; a second high-voltage well having a second dopant disposed in the semiconductor substrate, laterally adjacent to the first high-voltage well; a low-voltage well having the second dopant disposed overlying the second high-voltage well; a drain region having the first dopant disposed in the first high-voltage well; a source having the first dopant disposed in the low-voltage well; and a gate disposed on the semiconductor substrate and laterally between the source and the drain, wherein the gate includes a thin gate dielectric and a gate electrode. |
| US08004035B2 |
Dual stress liner device and method
A dual stress liner manufacturing method and device is described. Overlapping stress liner layers of opposite effect (e.g., tensile versus compression) may be deposited over portions of the device, and the uppermost overlapping layer may be polished down in a process that uses the bottom overlapping layer as a stopper. An insulating film may be deposited on the stress liner layers before the polishing, and another insulating film may be deposited above the first insulating film after the polishing. Contacts may be formed such that the contacts need only penetrate one stress liner layer to reach a transistor well or gate structure. |
| US08004032B1 |
System and method for providing low voltage high density multi-bit storage flash memory
A system and method is disclosed for providing a low voltage high density multi-bit storage flash memory. A dual bit memory cell of the invention comprises a substrate having a common source, a first drain and first channel, and a second drain and a second channel. A common control gate is located above the source. A first floating gate and a second floating gate are located on opposite sides of the control gate. Each floating gate is formed with a sharp tip adjacent to the control gate and an upper curved surface that follows a contour of the surface of the control gate. The sharp tips of the floating gates efficiently discharge electrons into the control gate when the memory cell is erased. The curved surfaces increase capacitor coupling between the control gate and the floating gates. |
| US08004027B2 |
Image sensor and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is an image sensor. The image sensor comprises an interlayer dielectric, lines, and a crystalline semiconductor layer including photodiodes and a device isolation region. The interlayer dielectric can be formed on a first substrate comprising a readout circuitry. The lines pass through the interlayer dielectric to connect with the readout circuitry, and each line is formed according to unit pixel. The crystalline semiconductor layer can be bonded on the interlayer dielectric including the lines. The photodiodes, formed inside the crystalline semiconductor layer, are electrically connected with the lines. The device isolation region comprises conductive impurities and is formed inside the crystalline semiconductor layer so that the photodiodes can be separated according to unit pixels. |
| US08004025B2 |
Light sensing element, array substrate having the same and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
In a light sensing element having simplified structure, an array substrate having the light sensing element and an LCD apparatus having the light sensing element, the light sensing element includes a first electrode, a control electrode and a second electrode. An alternating bias voltage is applied to the first electrode. An off voltage is applied to the control electrode. The second electrode outputs a light-induced leakage current based on an externally provided light and the bias voltage. Therefore, the array substrate includes one light sensing switching element corresponding to one pixel so that structure of the array substrate is simplified and opening ratio is increased. |
| US08004019B2 |
Solid state image pickup device
P type semiconductor well regions 8 and 9 for device separation are provided in an upper and lower two layer structure in conformity with the position of a high sensitivity type photodiode PD, and the first P type semiconductor well region 8 at the upper layer is provided in the state of being closer to the pixel side than an end portion of a LOCOS layer 1A, for limiting a dark current generated at the end portion of the LOCOS layer 1A. In addition, the second P type semiconductor well region 9 at the lower layer is formed in a narrow region receding from the photodiode PD, so that the depletion layer of the photodiode PD is prevented from being obstructed, and the depletion is secured in a sufficiently broad region, whereby enhancement of the sensitivity of the photodiode PD can be achieved. |
| US08004009B2 |
Trench MOSFETS with ESD Zener diode
A semiconductor power device with Zener diode for providing an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and a thick insulation layer to insulate the Zener diode from a doped body region. The semiconductor power device further includes a Nitride layer underneath the thick oxide layer working as a stopper layer for protecting the thin oxide layer and the body region underneath whereby the over-etch damage and punch-through issues in process steps are eliminated. |
| US08004003B2 |
Light emitting device having light extraction structure
A light emitting device having a light extraction structure, which is capable of achieving an enhancement in light extraction efficiency and reliability, and a method for manufacturing the same. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer having a multi-layered structure including a light emission layer; and a light extraction structure formed on the semiconductor layer in a pattern having unit structures. Further, the wall of each of the unit structures is sloped at an angle of −45° to +45° from a virtual vertical line being parallel to a main light emitting direction of the light emitting device. |
| US08003997B2 |
Package for light emitting device
The present invention discloses a light emitting device package, comprising: a metal base; an electrical circuit layer provided at an upper side of the metal base for providing a conductive path; a light emitting device mounted in a second region having a smaller thickness than a first region on the metal base; an insulating layer sandwiched between the meta base and the electrical circuit layer; an electrode layer provided at an upper side of the electrical circuit layer; and a wire for electrically connecting the electrode layer and the light emitting device. Further, there is provided a light emitting device package which is improved in light emission efficiency since the light emitting device is placed on a small thickness portion of the metal base. |
| US08003995B2 |
Semiconductor optical device with suppressed double injection phenomenon
A semiconductor optical device where the leak current due to the double injection of carriers may be suppressed and a simplified process to form the device are disclosed. The device 10 provides, on the n-type InP substrate, a mesa and a burying region formed so as to bury the mesa. The mesa includes the first cladding layer, the active layer, the tunnel junction layer and the second cladding layer on the n-type InP substrate in this order. The tunnel junction layer comprises an n-type layer coming in contact with the active layer and a p-type layer between the active layer and the n-type layer. The n-type layer has a carrier concentration higher than that of the second cladding layer, while, the p-type layer may have the band gap energy greater than that of the second cladding layer. |
| US08003993B2 |
Light emitting device having light extraction structure
A nitride-based light emitting device capable of achieving an enhancement in emission efficiency and an enhancement in reliability is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, and a light extracting layer arranged on the semiconductor layer and made of a material having a refractive index equal to or higher than a reflective index of the semiconductor layer. |
| US08003992B2 |
Light emitting diode having a wire grid polarizer
Example embodiments provide a light emitting diode (LED) having improved polarization characteristics. The LED may include wire grid polarizers on and below a light emitting unit. The wire grid polarizers may be arranged at an angle to each other. Thus, because the LED may emit a light beam in a given polarization direction, an expensive component, e.g., a dual brightness enhanced film (DBEF), is not required. Thus, manufacturing costs of a backlight unit including the LED and a display apparatus including the backlight unit may be reduced. |
| US08003991B2 |
Silicon carbide MOS field effect transistor with built-in Schottky diode and method for fabrication thereof
This invention has a cell incorporating a built-in Schottky diode region disposed in at least part of an elementary cell that constitutes an SiC vertical MOSFET provided in a low-density p-type deposit film with a channel region and a base region inverted to an n-type by ion implantation. This built-in Schottky diode region has built therein a Schottky diode of low on-resistance that is formed of a second deficient pan disposed in a high-density gate layer, a second n-type base layer penetrating a low-density p-type deposit layer formed thereon, reaching an n-type drift layer of the second deficient part and attaining its own formation in consequence of inversion of the p-type deposit layer into an n-type by the ion implantation of an n-type impurity from the surface, and a source electrode connected in the manner of forming a Schottky barrier to the surface-exposed part of the second n-type base layer. |
| US08003988B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and method for manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array panel comprises a repair line disposed in a peripheral area of a display area and being configured to repair when at least one of a gate line and a data line are disconnected, and a detour line disposed in the peripheral area and comprising at least one resistor having higher resistance than a remaining portion of the detour line, wherein both ends of the detour line are connected to the repair line to protect the array panel. |
| US08003987B2 |
Reflection type liquid crystal display apparatus and liquid crystal projector system
In order to suppress the effect due to electrons (holes) generated by incident light that cannot be prevented from entering only by means of light shielding, rather than the drain region 34 of a transistor, with respect to a majority carrier, a region 36 whose voltage is set to a value lower than the reference value of product of the voltage of a drain region and Q (unit electric charge) is provided, or a potential barrier is provided around the drain region. In such a configuration, by controlling the voltage of the periphery of the drain region 34 connected to a reflection electrode 30 to be in a floating state, photo carriers generated in the semiconductor substrate are caused to be hardly guided in the drain region 34. |
| US08003982B2 |
Stacked mechanical nanogenerator comprising piezoelectric semiconducting nanostructures and Schottky conductive contacts
An electric power generator includes a first conductive layer, a plurality of semiconducting piezoelectric nanostructures, a second conductive layer and a plurality of conductive nanostructures. The first conductive layer has a first surface from which the semiconducting piezoelectric nanostructures extend. The second conductive layer has a second surface and is parallel to the first conductive layer so that the second surface faces the first surface of the first conductive layer. The conductive nanostructures depend downwardly therefrom. The second conductive layer is spaced apart from the first conductive layer at a distance so that when a force is applied, the semiconducting piezoelectric nanostructures engage the conductive nanostructures so that the piezoelectric nanostructures bend, thereby generating a potential difference across the at semiconducting piezoelectric nanostructures and also thereby forming a Schottky barrier between the semiconducting piezoelectric nanostructures and the conductive nanostructures. |
| US08003980B2 |
Layered electro-organic devices with crosslinked polymer and methods of preparing the same
The present invention is drawn to a layered organic device, and a method of forming the same. The method includes steps of applying a first solvent-containing organic layer to a substrate and removing solvent from the first solvent-containing organic layer to form a first solidified organic layer. Additional steps include applying a second solvent-containing organic layer to the first solidified organic layer and removing solvent from the second solvent-containing organic layer to form a second solidified organic layer. The first solidified organic layer can be crosslinked, which suppresses negative impact to components in the first solidified organic layer when the solvent of the second solvent-containing organic layer is deposited on the first solidified organic layer. |
| US08003978B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display device
The invention prevents a photocurrent due to external light and a variation in characteristics of transistors or a failure by a short circuit due to the influence of a back channel. A light shield film made of a nonconductive material is formed on an insulation substrate. A back gate insulation film is formed covering the light shield film. An active layer is formed on this back gate insulation film. A gate insulation film is formed covering the active layer, and a gate electrode is formed on the gate insulation film. The light shield film is disposed covering the active layer with the back gate insulation film interposed therebetween, having a function of shielding the active layer from external light entering through the insulation substrate. |
| US08003973B2 |
Connect and capacitor substrates in a multilayered substrate structure coupled by surface coulomb forces
A multi layered substrate structure can be formed where the substrates are coupled together using surface Coulomb forces. Connect substrates electrically connects signals and DC voltages between the substrates. The connect substrates bypass output/input buffers between two communicating substrates. The capacitor substrates provide a fully charged capacitor that provides additional energy to a levitated substrate if the capacitor substrate is connected to the levitated substrate. VLSI systems can also be build on each of the substrates. |
| US08003970B2 |
Phase-change random access memory and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a phase-change random access memory (PRAM). The PRAM includes a bottom electrode, a bottom electrode contact layer, which is formed on one area of the bottom electrode, and an insulating layer, which is formed on a side of the bottom electrode contact layer, a phase-change layer, which is formed on the bottom electrode contact layer and the insulating layer and is formed of a phase-change material having a crystallization temperature between 100° C. and 150° C., and a top electrode, which is formed on the phase-change layer. |
| US08003969B2 |
Switching device, drive and manufacturing method for the same, integrated circuit device and memory device
Provided is a switching device including ion conducting part 4 having an ion conductor, first electrode 1 formed at a first gap away from ion conducting part 4, second electrode 2 formed to be in contact with ion conducting part 4 and third electrode 3 formed at a second gap away from ion conducting part 4. Second electrode 2 supplies metal ions to the ion conductor, or receives the metal ions from the ion conductor to precipitate metal corresponding to the metal ions. |
| US08003968B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and substrate edge seal
A method of helping to prevent liquid reaching under a substrate is disclosed that includes introducing a gas at a bottom edge of the substrate so that a buffer is created at the edge of the substrate, helping to keep immersion liquid that is present at the top and edge of the substrate away from the bottom surface of the substrate. |
| US08003964B2 |
Applying a particle beam to a patient
An apparatus includes a yoke having a first end and a second end. The yoke is configured to hold a device that includes an aperture and a range compensation structure. A catch arm is pivotally secured to the first end of the yoke. The catch arm includes a locking feature. The locking feature and the second end of the yoke interface, respectively, to a first retention feature and a second retention feature defined by the aperture and the range compensation structure. The locking feature is configured to interface to the first retention feature and the second end of the yoke is configured to interface to the second retention feature. |
| US08003962B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus and nozzle protection device
A nozzle protection device capable of protecting a target nozzle from heat of plasma without disturbing formation of a stable flow of a target material in an LPP type EUV light source apparatus. This nozzle protection device includes a cooling unit which is formed with an opening for passing the target material therethrough, and which is formed with a flow path for circulating a cooling medium inside, and an actuator which changes a position or a shape of the cooling unit between a first state of evacuating the cooling unit from a trajectory of the target material and a second state of blocking heat radiation from the plasma to the nozzle by the cooling unit while securing a path of the target material in the cooling unit. |
| US08003953B2 |
Multi-axis magnetic lens
The present invention relates to a multi-axis magnetic lens for a charged particle beam system. The apparatus eliminates the undesired non-axisymmetric transverse magnetic field components from the magnetic field generated by a common excitation coil and leaves the desired axisymmetric field for focusing each particle beam employed within the system. |
| US08003947B1 |
System and method for magnitude and phase retrieval by path modulation
A system includes a transmitter is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal through a sample cell (including a sample medium) to a receiver, which is configured to receive the electromagnetic signal and another electromagnetic signal for mixing therewith. Propagation paths of the signals to the transmitter and receiver include a first propagation path of the electromagnetic signal to the transmitter, and a second propagation path of the other electromagnetic signal to the receiver. The arrangement, which is located along either or each of the propagation paths of signals to the transmitter and receiver, is configured to alter the length of a respective propagation path. And the processor configured to recover an amplitude and phase of the transmitted electromagnetic signal, and calculate a complex index of refraction of the sample medium as a function of the amplitude and phase of the transmitted electromagnetic signal. |
| US08003945B1 |
Intrinsically safe NDIR gas sensor in a can
An NDIR gas sensor is housed within a mechanical housing made up of a can and a header housing. The header housing body contains a tunnel waveguide sample chamber. The header housing also has a top surface with a pair of windows formed in it and a signal detector, a reference detector, a MEMS source and a signal processor mounted to it. The can has inner reflective surfaces and the reference detector and the signal detector are affixed to the top surface so that the inner reflective surfaces of the can and the tunnel waveguide sample chamber create a signal channel path length detected by the signal detector that is greater than a reference channel path length detected by the reference detector and an absorption bias between the signal and reference outputs can be used to determine a gas concentration in the sample chamber. Both the signal detector and the reference detector have an identical narrow band pass filter with the same Center Wavelength (“CWL”), Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) and transmittance efficiency at the CWL. |
| US08003943B2 |
Dynamic emergency radiation monitor
A dynamic radiation monitor having a detector coupled to a computer to determine at any given location, the amount of time a person has before a pre-selected maximum permissible radiation exposure is received. The device dynamically calculates and outputs the user's permissible stay time for a given area based on a personalized maximum permissible dose, and adjusts in real time the output based on elapsed time and changing exposure rate. The device also provides the user audio and visual feedback such as varying background colors for different stay time ranges. |
| US08003938B2 |
Apertured diaphragms between RF ion guides
An apertured diaphragm disposed with an RF ion guide includes at least one of a weakly conductive solid dielectric material and a non-conducting dielectric with a weakly conducting surface layer. |
| US08003933B2 |
Method and apparatus for blocking ambient light in a live fiber optic identifying device
Spurious light is prevented from entering a cover of an optical fiber identification device by placing an opaque, flexible medium such as brush bristles within optical fiber clearance openings in the cover to block the light path around the fiber. Short opposing lengths of strip brushes are placing on either side of each of the slot openings in the cap. The opposing bristles make contact with each other in the slot, keeping out most ambient light. The strip brushes exert very little force on the fiber, permitting it to bend freely. |
| US08003932B2 |
Evaluating the position of a disturbance
The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for evaluating the position of a disturbance, in particular using a waveguide having a plurality of overlap regions. A position sensor is provided including: an optical waveguide; a transmission stage for launching a sensing signal into the waveguide; a receiving stage arranged to receive a returned sensing signals which returned sensing signal is a time distributed signal derived from backscattered components of the sensing signal, the waveguide being arranged along a path having a plurality of overlap regions such that a disturbance in an overlap region causes a first disturbance feature and a second disturbance feature in the returned sensing signal; and, monitoring means for monitoring the returned signal, such that a respective time of return can be associated with the first and second disturbance feature. Both return features can then be used to evaluate the position of the disturbance so as to enhance the resolution of the position sensor. |
| US08003930B2 |
Ambient light sensor
In an ambient light sensor according to the present invention, a current amplification portion which amplifies a light current obtained by a light receiving portion to generate an output signal includes: a current amplification stage that has: a first current mirror amplifier which is composed of a bipolar transistor, and a second current mirror amplifier which is composed of a field effect transistor connected in parallel with the first current mirror amplifier; and a changeover control circuit which monitors an amplified current input into the current amplification stage, and performs changeover control of the first and second current mirror amplifiers according to a value of the amplified current. |
| US08003926B2 |
Enhanced sample processing devices, systems and methods
Devices, systems, and methods for processing sample materials. The sample materials may be located in a plurality of process chambers in the device, which is rotated during heating of the sample materials. |
| US08003923B2 |
Household appliance with display that is raised from a surface
A domestic appliance device with a light signal unit, a control unit, which is designed to interact with the light signal unit for outputting information by means of a light signal, and a carrier unit for supporting the light signal unit. |
| US08003918B2 |
Vertical heat treatment boat and heat treatment method for semiconductor wafer
The present invention provides a vertical heat treatment boat that has at least four or more support portions per processing target substrate to be supported, the support portions horizontally supporting the processing target substrate, support auxiliary members on which the processing target substrate is mounted being detachably attached to the four or more support portions, respectively, wherein flatness obtained from all surfaces of the respective support auxiliary members on which the processing target substrate is mounted is adjusted by adjusting thicknesses of the support auxiliary members or interposing spacers between the support portions and the support auxiliary members in accordance with respective shapes of the four or more support portions. As a result, it is provided the vertical heat treatment boat and a heat treatment method for a semiconductor wafer that can readily improve flatness in support of the processing target substrate and effectively prevent occurrence of slip dislocation when performing a heat treatment to the processing target substrate such as a semiconductor wafer by using a vertical heat treatment furnace. |
| US08003914B2 |
Butt welding system of steel plate and butt welding method of steel plate
A butt welding system and a butt welding method of steel plate by which the quality of a product can be ensured. Butting portions of blank members (1,2) to be joined together are butted and a predetermined butting load is applied to the butting portion, wherein the blank members (1,2) are moved relatively in the direction of the welding line thus matching the butting portions. Protrusions and recesses formed on each butting portion of each blank member (1,2) are flattened, whereby linear precision at each butting portion of each blank member (1,2) is enhanced as compared with a case where the butting portions are not matched. Since the gap is reduced extremely at the butting portion, welding is facilitated at the butting portion. Good welding beads are thereby obtained at the butting portion and the quality of a product is ensured. |
| US08003913B2 |
Base plate with electrodes, process for producing the same, and electro-optical device
Electrodes are formed in a predetermined pattern on a base plate. Side face regions of each electrode or certain regions of each electrode, which certain regions contain the side face regions and neighboring regions, have a composition different from the composition of the other region and have insulation characteristics. The base plate with electrodes is produced with a process wherein a conductor layer is formed on the base plate, a resist pattern is formed on the conductor layer, the conductor layer is etched with the resist pattern acting as a mask, the electrodes being thereby formed in the predetermined pattern, and an insulation characteristics imparting processing gas is brought into contact with the electrodes. |
| US08003910B2 |
Mail delivery system and method
The invention provides a method for preparing mail for delivery by first sorting mail to carrier delivery order to create a series of batches of mail for delivery to respective recipients, then packaging the batches of mail in mail holders. Application of computer-implemented alert trigger criteria are used to determine whether a condition exists indicating an enhanced probability that one or more mail pieces in each batch is not correctly addressed such that it should not be delivered to that recipient. An alert mark is then printed on the mail holder for a batch containing one or more mail pieces having an enhanced probability of not being correctly addressed. |
| US08003909B2 |
Emergency off switching device
An emergency off switching device for disconnecting an electrically operated machine from a circuit including a plurality of operated machines, includes a housing attached to the machine against which an externally accessible actuator cap is held in an axially movable arrangement, a contact switch accommodated in the housing which is closed when the switching device is in the non-actuated condition and by means of which the machine is electrically connected to the circuit, and a driver sleeve supported against the inside of the housing that is connected to the actuator cap with the free end of the driver sleeve opposite to the actuator cap facing the contact switch and disconnecting it from the circuit in the actuated condition, wherein a monitoring signal is generated when the switching device is in the actuated condition, to ascertain which of a plurality of the switching devices has been actuated. |
| US08003908B2 |
Slide-type button assembly
A slide-type button assembly includes a body member, a sliding member slidably mounted in the body member, and an elastic member. The body member includes a sidewall, the sidewall defining an opening. The sliding member is slidably mounted in the body member, and partially exposing out of the opening. The elastic member is disposed between the body member and the sliding member, providing a force against the sliding member and press the sliding member against the interior surface of the sidewall. |
| US08003906B2 |
Crossbar device constructed with MEMS switches
Embodiments of crossbar devices constructed with Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) switches are disclosed herein. A crossbar device may comprise m input terminals, n output terminals, n control lines and m×n MEMS switches coupled to the n control lines to selectively couple the m input terminals to the n output terminal. Each of the MEMS switches may comprise a contact node coupled to one of the m input terminals, a cantilever coupled to one of the n output terminals, a control node coupled to one of the n control lines to electrostatically control the cantilever to contact the contact node or be away from the contact node using electrostatic attractive or repulsive force respectively. The cantilever and the contact node are configured to remain in contact by molecular adhesion force, after the cantilever has been electrostatically controlled to contact the contact node, and the electrostatic attractive force has been removed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08003905B2 |
Foot switch for electromedical apparatus and method of manufacturing such a foot switch
An actuating device for an electromedical apparatus and in particular a foot switch. The foot switch includes a floor part, at least one pedal part that is tiltably connected to the floor part, and at least one switch element that is actuated by the pedal part. Further, at least the floor part is manufactured by one of an extrusion-coating method or a casting method such that at least a portion of the floor part is fully coated by a coating material. |
| US08003898B2 |
Seal structure
To provide a seal structure which has a seal member integrally formed on a flexible wiring board without peeling off an insulating layer (top coat) of the flexible wiring board, has excellent sealing performance and can be manufactured at a low cost, the seal structure is composed of a housing, to which the flexible wiring board is inserted, and the seal member, which is integrally formed with the flexible wiring board and seals a gap between the housing and the flexible wiring board, the flexible wiring board is composed of a base FPC composed of an elastic material, a patterned copper foil and an adhesive layer, conductive electromagnetic shielding layers formed on surfaces of the base FPC, and insulating layers covering surfaces of the electromagnetic shielding layers, and the seal member is integrally formed directly on the insulating layers by using a self-adhesive liquid rubber. |
| US08003896B2 |
Multi-layer printed wiring board and manufacturing method thereof
A multi-layer printed wiring board has a core substrate, a first interlayer insulation layer formed over the core substrate, a first filled via formed in the first interlayer insulation layer, a second interlayer insulation layer formed over the first interlayer insulation layer, and a second filled via formed in the second interlayer insulation layer. The first filled via has a bottom portion having a first diameter. The second filled via has a bottom portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. |
| US08003894B2 |
Soldering nest for a bus bar
A soldering nest provided in a bus bar, having an aperture for the introduction of a terminal lead (40) to be soldered thereinto, and the introduction of the terminal lead may be effected from a first surface plane of the bus bar (10) and soldering may be effected from a second, opposite surface plane of the bus bar (10). The aperture is formed by a conical bore (20) which is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the surface plane of the bus bar (10) and whose cone angle is at least 30?. The apex of the conical bore (20) is oriented toward the first surface plane of the bus bar (10), and the conical bore (20) terminates in a circular aperture (21) whose diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the terminal lead (40). |
| US08003893B2 |
Multilayer ceramic circuit board having protruding portion and method for manufacturing the same
A multilayer ceramic circuit board includes ceramic wiring layers which are stacked together, one or two or more lifting layers which have a planar shape and which are disposed as an inner layer inside the stacked ceramic wiring layers or as a lower layer lower than a bottom ceramic wiring layer, and a protruding portion formed on a surface of a top ceramic wiring layer due to the disposition of the one or two or more lifting layers. The protruding portion smoothly protrudes and has a large area and high flatness. The multilayer ceramic circuit board is formed by disposing lifting layers as an inner layer of a plurality green sheets or as a lower layer lower than a bottom green sheet, and firing under pressure the resulting laminate in a state constrained by an elastic constraining sheet and a rigid constraining sheet. |
| US08003892B2 |
Print circuit substrate and connection configuration of the same
A print circuit substrate is composed of a base material, a wiring pattern formed on the base material, the wiring pattern constituting a predetermined circuit pattern, and a connection terminal of a shape narrowing toward an end thereof, the connection terminal being formed on the base material and extending from the wiring pattern. |
| US08003889B2 |
Conduit sleeve pass through for concrete construction
A conduit sleeve for a concrete pass through includes a tubular member having an inside diameter for receiving a cylindrical conduit at a forward end thereof. A flange is coupled to a rearward end of the tubular member. The flange is for coupling to a concrete form. A flexing structure is coupled to one or more of the tubular member and the flange for allowing the flange to be angled relative to the tubular member when the flange is installed on a concrete form. The tubular member is configured for receiving a conduit and the flexing structure allows the conduit to remain horizontal when there are variations in the angle of the form. Another conduit sleeve includes a coupling part, a flange, and a plurality of tabs that extend outwardly from the flange. |
| US08003881B2 |
Polymeric nanofibril network for photovoltaic cells
A method of preparing a polymeric composition with photovoltaic properties comprises a step of blending, in a solvent, at least one electron donor type semiconductor polymeric material essentially in the form of nanofibrils and at least one electron acceptor type material in the solvent, said nanofibrils representing at least 10% by weight of the electron donor type semiconductor polymeric material, to polymeric compositions with photovoltaic properties, and to photovoltaic cells incorporating such polymeric compositions. |
| US08003878B2 |
Electroacoustic transducer system
An electroacoustic transducer system for converting sound waves propagating from a musical instrument drum to an electric signal is generally provided. The system includes a housing, an electroacoustic transducer, and a cover. The housing includes a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. In addition, the housing defines a housing cavity with a mouth. The electroacoustic transducer is disposed in the housing cavity and faces outwardly from the concave inner surface and towards the mouth to receive sound waves propagating from the drum. The electroacoustic transducer receives and converts the sounds waves in the housing cavity to the electric signal. The cover has a generally planar outer surface and extends over the mouth to at least partially enclose the electroacoustic transducer. |
| US08003872B2 |
Facilitating interaction with a music-based video game
A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument. |
| US08003871B2 |
Keyboard apparatus
A keyboard apparatus made longitudinally compact while ensuring a pivotal motion range of hammers within a limited space. Common base ends, to which main bodies of white and black keys are connected via vertically extending hinges, are stacked one upon another and fastened to a fastening part of a frame. Hammers are each supported on a hammer pivot shaft such that its rear end is moved upward about the pivot shaft in a key-depression forward stroke. The hammers have their rear ends located forward of rearmost positions of visible parts of black keys. The hammer pivot shafts are located rearward of frontmost positions of the visible parts. A plate portion of the frame, on which key switches are disposed, is located forward of the rearmost positions of the visible parts of the black keys and upward of the fastening part of the frame. |
| US08003866B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH444919
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH444919. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH444919, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH444919 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 CH444919. |
| US08003863B1 |
Inbred corn line NPID3606
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPID3606, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPID3606 with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPID3606 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPID3606 and plants produced by said methods. |
| US08003862B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV283015
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV283015. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV283015, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV283015 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV283015 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV283015. |
| US08003860B2 |
Soybean cultivar S070138
A soybean cultivar designated S070138 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S070138, to the plants of soybean S070138, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S070138, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S070138 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S070138, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S070138, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S070138 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08003857B2 |
Soybean cultivar 7509171
A soybean cultivar designated 7509171 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seed of soybean cultivar 7509171, to the plants of soybean 7509171, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 7509171 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 7509171 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 7509171, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 7509171 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 7509171 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08003856B2 |
Low phytic acid, low stachyose, high sucrose soybean lines
The present invention provides novel soybean lines having high sucrose content and low phytic acid and low stachyose content. The soybeans are easily digested and provide high energy content for animals and humans. The low phytic acid content permits animal feed to be produced that does not require phytase, yet does not result in significant production of pollution to the environment from excretion by farm animals. |
| US08003854B2 |
GRG32: a novel EPSP synthase gene conferring herbicide resistance
Compositions and methods for conferring herbicide resistance to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions include nucleic acid molecules encoding herbicide resistance or tolerance polypeptides, vectors comprising those nucleic acid molecules, and host cells comprising the vectors. The nucleotide sequences of the invention can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in organisms, including microorganisms and plants. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 14, a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, the herbicide resistance nucleotide sequence deposited in a bacterial host as Accession Nos. NRRL B-30931, as well as variants and fragments thereof. |
| US08003852B2 |
Transgenic plants overexpressing a plant vacuolar pyrophosphatase
Transgenic plants are described which are engineered to overexpress vacuolar H+-PPase. Plants such as tobacco and petunia transformed with A. Thaliana AVP-1 are shown to have increased meristematic activity resulting in larger leaves, stem, flower, fruit, root structures, increased salt tolerance, enhanced drought and freeze tolerance. Methods of making such plants are also described. |
| US08003851B2 |
Plant producing hyaluronic acid
It is intended to provide by improving a known method of producing hyaluronic acid in a plant, a plant or a cultured plant cells which can produce hyaluronic acid at a lower cost and a further higher yield than before, a method of preparing the same, an expression vector for transformation, a method of producing hyaluronic acid using the plant or the cultured plant cells and the like. The method of producing hyaluronic acid comprising obtaining hyaluronic acid by co-expressing a protein with hyaluronic acid synthase activity and an exogenous protein with sugar-nucleotide synthase activity in a plant cell or a plant is provided. |
| US08003850B2 |
Method for producing target proteins using amino acids and pyruvic acids in culture of plant cells
Provided is a method for producing a target protein via cultivation of transgenic plant cells comprising a promoter capable of expressing the protein under sugar-free conditions in the response to the depletion of sugar and a gene encoding the target protein, without exchange of a cell growth medium with a sugar-depleted medium comprising the addition of an amino acid mixture to the sugar-rich medium used to grow the plant cells. |
| US08003843B2 |
Transport of ethyne in form of α-alkynols as ethyne precursors
The present invention relates to a new method for a safe transport of ethyne in form of α-alkynols as precursors for ethyne. The new method comprises three steps. In a first step the synthesis of the α-alkynol(s) is performed by reacting ethyne with (a) carbonyl compound(s). The second step comprises the transport of the resulting α-alkynol(s) in a safe manner, whereas the safety requirements for this transport are not as high as for ethyne because α-alkynol(s) are normally classified for transportation as hazardous class 3. In the third step the α-alkynol(s) can be cleaved and the ethyne and the carbonyl compound(s) can be obtained in the cleavage reaction and can be separated to yield pure products for further applications. |
| US08003841B2 |
Integration of OTO process with direct DME synthesis
Processes and systems for utilizing products from DME synthesis in converting oxygenates to olefins are provided that include removing a DME-reactor effluent from a DME reactor, wherein the DME effluent includes DME, water, and methanol; separating carbon dioxide gas from the DME reactor effluent in a liquid gas separator to produce a degassed effluent stream. The processes and systems can include feeding the degassed effluent stream to an oxygenate to olefin reactor to produce an olefin containing effluent, wherein the olefin containing effluent further includes oxygenates. Alternatively, the processes and systems can include providing the degassed effluent stream to a DME column to produce a DME feedstock and a solvent stream, wherein the solvent stream includes methanol and water; feeding the DME feedstock to an oxygenate to olefin reactor to produce an olefin containing effluent, wherein the olefin containing effluent further includes oxygenates; and contacting at least a portion of the olefin containing effluent with the solvent stream in a solvent contacting zone to produce an olefin containing raffinate stream and an oxygenate containing extract. |
| US08003840B2 |
Bismuth molybdate-based catalysts, method of preparing thereof and method of preparing 1,3-butadiene using thereof
This invention relates to a bismuth molybdate catalyst, a preparation method thereof, and a method of preparing 1,3-butadiene using the same, and to a bismuth molybdate catalyst, a preparation method thereof, and a method of preparing 1,3-butadiene using the same, in which 1,3-butadiene can be prepared through oxidative dehydrogenation directly using a C4 mixture including n-butene and n-butane as a reactant in the presence of a mixed-phase bismuth molybdate catalyst including α-bismuth molybdate (Bi2Mo3On) and γ-bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6). According to this invention, the C4 raffinate, containing many impurities, is used as a reactant, without an additional n-butane separation process, thus obtaining 1,3-butadiene at high yield. Unlike complicated multicomponent-based metal oxides, the catalyst of the invention has simple constituents and synthesis routes, and can be easily formed through physical mixing, and thus is very advantageous in assuring reproducibility and can be directly applied to commercial processes. |
| US08003833B2 |
Process for conversion of organic, waste, or low-value materials into useful products
The present invention addresses the processing of waste and low-value products to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, without producing malodorous emissions, and with high energy efficiency. In particular, the invention comprises a multi-stage process that converts various feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, municipal sewage sludge, tires, and plastics, that otherwise have little commercial value, to useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids. The process subjects the feedstock to heat and pressure, separates out various components, then further applies heat and pressure to one or more of those components. Various materials produced at different points in the process may be recycled and used to play other roles within the process. The invention further comprises an apparatus for performing a multi-stage process of converting waste products into useful materials, and at least one oil product that arises from the process. |
| US08003831B1 |
Process for the synthesis of dihalodinitrobenzenes
A process is provided for the preparation of 1,3-dihalo-4,6-dinitrobenzene by the nitration of 1,3-dihalobenzene. The direct isolation of highly pure 1,3-dihalo-4,6-dinitrobenzene is accomplished without a water or ice quench, and involves the use of at least one equivalent of SO3 during the reaction, slow crystallization, and isolation of product from a cold crystal slurry. |
| US08003827B2 |
Method for producing phenol and acetone
A method for producing phenol and acetone in a multi-stage process at an elevated temperature from a cumene hydroperoxide mixture comprising cumene, comprises the steps of: a) distilling an amount of cumene from the cumene hydroperoxide mixture until the cumene mass % is 0 to 7 mass % relative to the total mass of the cumene hydroperoxide mixture, b) reacting the cumene hydroperoxide mixture with an acid catalyst form to a second mixture comprising phenol, acetone and dicumyl peroxide in a first stage, and c) decomposing the second mixture in a second stage to produce phenol and acetone, wherein an amount of phenol approximately equal to the amount of distilled from the cumene hydroperoxide mixture is added to the cumene hydroperoxide mixture before the reacting step b). The amount of hydroxyacetone is reduced, thereby, improving the quality of commercial-grade phenol and the products made from the phenol. |
| US08003825B2 |
Process for producing cycloalkanone oximes
The present invention provides a process for producing a cycloalkanone oxime by conducting a continuous ammoximation reaction in the presence of a titanosilicate catalyst with supplying a cycloalkanone, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and an organic solvent into the reaction system, wherein the reaction temperature is from 90° C. to 120° C. and the supplying amount of the organic solvent is not more than 2 times by weight of that of the cycloalkanone. |
| US08003824B2 |
Preparation of hydroquinone amide compounds with antioxidant properties
The present invention relates to the preparation of compounds of formula (I) derived from arylacetic acid comprising two phenol functions and an amide function, which have free-radical scavenging and antioxidant properties and which are soluble in lipid media. These compounds can be used as cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for the prevention of biological degradations caused by free radicals. |
| US08003819B2 |
Proteasome inhibitors
The present invention provides novel compounds useful as proteasome inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various diseases. |
| US08003812B2 |
C10 cyclopentyl ester substituted taxanes
A taxane having a cyclopentyl ester substituent at C10, a keto substituent at C9, a hydroxy substituent at C2, a 2-thienyl substituent at C3′ and an isopropoxycarbamate substituent at C3′. |
| US08003807B2 |
Device containing compound having indolocarbazole moiety and divalent linkage
An electronic device including a compound comprising at least one type of an optionally substituted indolocarbazole moiety and at least one divalent linkage. |
| US08003805B2 |
N3 alkylated benzimidazole derivatives as MEK inhibitors
Disclosed are compounds of the Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein W, R1, R2, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are as defined in the specification. Such compounds are MEK inhibitors and useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer and inflammation, in mammals. Also disclosed is a method of using such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. |
| US08003803B2 |
Fused ring thrombin receptor antagonists
Fused-ring, heterocyclic-substituted tricyclics of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of said compound, isomer or racemic mixture wherein represents an optional double bond, and wherein An, En, Mn, Gn, Jn, R3, n7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R32, R33, X, Y, B and Het are herein defined and the remaining substituents are as defined in the specification, are disclosed, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them and a method of treating diseases associated with thrombosis, atherosclerosis, restenosis, hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, heart failure, and cancer by administering said compounds. Combination therapy with other cardiovascular agents is also claimed. |
| US08003802B2 |
Total synthesis of Salinosporamide A and analogs thereof
The present application relates to certain compounds and to methods for the preparation of certain compounds that can be used in the fields of chemistry and medicine. Specifically, described herein are methods for the preparation of various compounds and intermediates, and the compounds and intermediates themselves. More specifically, described herein are methods for synthesizing Salinosporamide A and its analogs that includes forming a compound of formula (VIII). |
| US08003800B2 |
Thiophene derivatives as S1P1/EDG1 receptor agonists
The invention relates to thiophene derivatives of formula (I)/their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act as immunosuppressive agents wherein: A represents *—CO—CH═CH—, *—CO—CH2CH2—, *—CO—CH2—NH—, wherein the asterisks indicate the bond that is linked to the thiophene group of Formula (I), and R1-R3 are as defined in the claims. |
| US08003798B2 |
Hydroxy-6-heteroarylphenanthridines and their use as PDE4 inhibitors
Compounds of the formula I in which the substituents have the definitions provided in the specification, are novel, effective PDE4 inhibitors. |
| US08003794B2 |
(S)-N-methylnaltrexone
This invention relates to S-MNTX, methods of producing S-MNTX, pharmaceutical preparations comprising S-MNTX and methods for their use. |
| US08003793B2 |
Methods for making 3-O-protected morphinones and 3-O-protected morphinone dienol carboxylates
Disclosed are methods for making aldehydes and ketones comprising allowing the corresponding primary or secondary alcohol to react in the presence of trichoroisocyanuric acid, a compound of formula R1SR2 and a base. In one embodiment, the alcohol is a compound of formula (I): wherein R3 is a protecting group. Also disclosed are methods for making 3-O-protected morphine dienol carboxylates comprising allowing a compound of formula (I) to oxidize in the presence of a chlorine-containing compound and a compound of formula R1SR2; and allowing the product of the oxidation step to react with an acylating agent. |
| US08003792B2 |
Bicyclic anilide spirolactam CGRP receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: (where variables A1, A2, B, J, K, m, n, R4, R5a, R5b and R5c are as defined herein) useful as antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as headache, migraine and cluster headache. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved. |
| US08003790B2 |
Salt of proline derivative, solvate thereof, and production method thereof
The present invention provides 3-{(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl}thiazolidine (compound I) useful as a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor, which has superior properties of stability and hygroscopicity, and reproducible crystal structure, and a production method thereof. |
| US08003788B2 |
Process for synthesis of phenoxy diaminopyrimidine derivatives
A method for preparing a compound of formula k or a salt or solvate thereof, wherein R1 is as defined herein, the method comprising treating a compound of formula j or a salt or solvate thereof, with ammonia, to form the compound of formula k. |
| US08003786B2 |
Dihydropteridinone compounds
Disclosed are new dihydropteridinones of general formula (I) wherein the groups L and R1-R5 have the meanings given in the claims and specification, the isomers thereof, intermediates and processes for preparing these dihydropteridinones and the use thereof as pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US08003779B2 |
Compositions and methods for studying and treating inflammatory diseases and disorders
Disclosed are compositions and methods that can be used in the treatment of diseases and disorders caused, exacerbated or otherwise affected by inflammation. |
| US08003776B2 |
Mycobacterial antigens expressed during latency
A method is provided for identifying mycobacterial genes that are induced or up-regulated under culture conditions that are nutrient-starving and which maintain mycobacterial latency, said conditions being obtainable by batch fermentation of a mycobacterium for at least 20 days post-inoculation, when compared with culture conditions that are not nutrient-starving and which support exponential growth of said mycobacterium. Said induced or up-regulated genes form the basis of nucleic acid vaccines, or provide targets to allow preparation of attenuated mycobacteria for vaccines against mycobacterial infections. Similarly, peptides encoded by said induced or up-regulated genes are employed in vaccines. In a further embodiment, the identified genes/peptides provide the means for identifying the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a clinical sample by nucleic acid probe or antibody detection. |
| US08003773B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding MHC class I-restricted hTERT epitopes, analogues thereof or polyepitopes
This invention relates to the field of anticancer therapy, and to the identification of immunogenic peptides derived from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding hTERT epitopes restricted to MHC class I molecule, analogues thereof and polyepitopes containing such epitopes and/or analogues. Are also included in the present invention, vector and cell comprising such polynucleotides. The present invention also concerns composition comprising hTERT polypeptides, corresponding polynucleotides, vectors and cells, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer. |
| US08003766B2 |
Monoclonal antibody specific to ochratoxin A
This invention provides a monoclonal antibody specific to ochratoxin A and methods of assaying the level of ochratoxin A in food and feed. |
| US08003761B2 |
Cancerous disease modifying antibodies
The present invention relates to a method for producing cancerous disease modifying antibodies using a novel paradigm of screening. By segregating the anti-cancer antibodies using cancer cell cytotoxicity as an end point, the process makes possible the production of anti-cancer antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The antibodies can be used in aid of staging and diagnosis of a cancer, and can be used to treat primary tumors and tumor metastases. The anti-cancer antibodies can be conjugated to toxins, enzymes, radioactive compounds, cytokines, interferons, target or reporter moieties and hematogenous cells. |
| US08003755B2 |
Hydrochloride salts of a glycopeptide phosphonate derivative
Disclosed are hydrochloride salts of telavancin having a chloride ion content of from about 2.4 wt. % to about 4.8 wt. %. The disclosed salts have improved stability during storage at ambient temperatures compared to other hydrochloride salts. Also disclosed are processes for preparing such salts. |
| US08003753B2 |
Fret protease assays for clostridial toxins
The present invention provides clostridial toxin substrates useful in assaying for the protease activity of any clostridial toxin, including botulinum toxins of all serotypes as well as tetanus toxins. A clostridial toxin substrate of the invention contains a donor fluorophore; an acceptor having an absorbance spectrum overlapping the emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore; and a clostridial toxin recognition sequence that includes a cleavage site, where the cleavage site intervenes between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor and where, under the appropriate conditions, resonance energy transfer is exhibited between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor. |
| US08003751B2 |
Oxygen scavenging polymers
A polymer with a backbone and an unsaturated side chain attached to the backbone. The polymer may optionally be combined with an oxidation catalyst and/or other ingredients. |
| US08003747B2 |
Cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane/polyurea and method of making same
A cross-linked thermoplastic polyurea is formed by heating a mixture containing a thermoplastic urethane base material, a monomeric and/or polymeric di-isocyanate comprising between 1 to 10% of the total weight of the mixture, and a diamine comprising between 1 to 10% of the total weight of the mixture. A thermoplastic polyurethane may be formed by substituting hydroquinone for the diamine. The mixture is heated to a temperature within the range of 250° F. to 550° F. The heated mixture, which is flowable, is then injected into at least one injection molding device. The mixture is then cured at a temperature between 150° F. to 250° F. for a period of time between 2 and 36 hours. The cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane/polyurea retains the excellent flowability characteristics of a thermoplastic urethane while the same time exhibits good abrasion, tensile strength, rebound, and compression set characteristics which are similar to those found in thermoset urethanes. |
| US08003744B2 |
Curing composition with improved heat resistance
The present invention provides a curable composition including: an organic polymer (A) which has on average 1.1 to 50 groups per one molecule thereof each represented by the general formula (1) and has one or more silicon-containing functional groups capable of cross-linking by forming siloxane bonds: —NR1—C(═O)— (1) wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent organic group; and a metal carboxylate and/or a carboxylic acid (B), the curable composition giving a cured article excellent in curability and also excellent in heat resistance although a non-organotin catalyst is used. |
| US08003742B2 |
Polymer derivatives with proximal reactive groups
An activated, substantially water-soluble polyoxazoline is provided having a linear or branched poly(ethylene glycol) backbone and at least one terminus linked to the backbone through a hydrolytically stable linkage, wherein the terminus is branched and has proximal reactive groups. The free reactive groups are capable of reacting with active moieties in a biologically active agent such as a protein or peptide thus forming conjugates between the activated polyoxazoline and the biologically active agent. |
| US08003741B2 |
Ziegler-Natta catalyst
The present invention relates generally to catalysts, to methods of making catalysts, to methods of using catalysts, to methods of polymerizing, and to polymers made with such catalysts. More particularly, the present invention relates to polyolefin catalysts and to Ziegler-Natta catalysts, to methods of making such catalysts, to methods of using such catalysts, to polyolefin polymerization, and to polyolefins. |
| US08003740B2 |
Method of controlling the relative activity of the different active centers of hybrid catalysts
Method of preparing olefin polymers, which comprises the polymerization of at least one α-olefin in the presence of a hybrid catalyst to produce a polymer comprising at least a higher molecular weight polymer component and a lower molecular weight polymer component in the presence of water in an amount of from 2 to 100 mol ppm and/or carbon dioxide in an amount of from 2 to 100 mol ppm, in each case based on the total reaction mixture, in order to alter the ratio of the higher molecular weight polymer component to the lower molecular weight polymer component. This enables the ratio of the higher molecular weight component to the lower molecular weight component to be controlled selectively. |
| US08003739B2 |
Multi-component catalyst systems and polymerization processes for forming in-situ heterophasic copolymers and/or varying the xylene solubles content of polyolefins
Embodiments of the invention generally include multi-component catalyst systems, polymerization processes and heterophasic copolymers formed by the processes. The multi-component catalyst system generally includes a first catalyst component selected from Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems including a diether internal electron donor and a metallocene catalyst represented by the general formula XCpACpBMAn, wherein X is a structural bridge, CpA and CpB each denote a cyclopentadienyl group or derivatives thereof, each being the same or different and which may be either substituted or unsubstituted, M is a transition metal and A is an alkyl, hydrocarbyl or halogen group and n is an integer between 0 and 4. The multi-component catalyst system further includes a second catalyst component generally represented by the formula XCpACpBMAn, wherein X is a structural bridge, CpA and CpB each denote a cyclopentadienyl group or derivatives thereof, each being the same or different and which may be either substituted or unsubstituted, M is a transition metal and A is an alkyl, hydrocarbyl or halogen group and n is an integer between 0 and 4 and wherein the second catalyst component exhibits a higher ethylene response than the first catalyst component. |
| US08003738B2 |
Method of producing aqueous secondary dispersions of water-insoluble polymers
The present invention relates to a method of producing aqueous secondary dispersions of water-insoluble copolymers by free-radical solution polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers M comprising: i) at least one hydrophobic, monoethylenically unsaturated monomer M1 with a solubility in water of not more than 30 g/l at 25° C. and 1 bar and ii) at least one hydrophilic, monoethylenically unsaturated, nonionic comonomer M2 with a solubility in water of at least 80 g/l at 25° C. and 1 bar, in an organic, water-miscible solvent or a mixture of water with an organic, water-miscible solvent as polymerization medium and subsequent replacement of the organic solvent by water in which, toward the end of the polymerization, some of the monomers M are added in the form of a monomer composition M′ which comprises essentially only monomers M2 as monomers. The present invention also relates to the aqueous polymer dispersions obtainable by the method according to the invention and to their use, particularly in pharmacy and cosmetics. |
| US08003736B2 |
Silicon-containing compound, curable composition and cured product
A silicon-containing compound of formula (1), and a curing composition containing a silicon-containing compound of formula (1) wherein Z is hydrogen, a silicon-containing compound of formula (1) wherein Z is C2-C4 alkenyl or alkynyl and a hydrosilylation catalyst. The composition has excellent handling and curing properties and provides a cured product with excellent heat resistance and flexibility. In formula (1), Ra-Rg=C1-C12 saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or C6-C12 aromatic hydrocarbon group. Re and Rf do not simultaneously represent C1-C12 saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group; Y=C2-C4 alkylene; Z=hydrogen or C2-C4 alkenyl or alkynyl; K is 2-7; T is 1-7; P is 0-3; and M and N are numbers selected such that N:M=1:1 to 1:100, that all M's and N's total at least 15, and that the mass average molecular weight of the compound of formula (1) is 3,000 to 1,000,000. |
| US08003735B2 |
Polycarrbonate rubbery elastomer thermoplastic resin composition and molded body
Provided is a thermoplastic resin composition having high impact resistance at low temperature and molded articles with good appearance using the thermoplastic resin composition.The thermoplastic resin composition contains 0.5 to 20 parts by mass of a rubbery elastomer (B) relative to 100 parts by mass of a resin mixture (A) comprising 45 to 97% by mass of a polycarbonate resin (a-1) and 55 to 3% by mass of a fatty acid polyester (a-2), wherein the component (B) is dispersed in the component (a-1). |
| US08003734B2 |
Biologically tolerated low molecular weight polyethylenimines
The invention relates to low molecular weight polyethylenimines, to vectors for inserting nucleic acids into cells which contain low molecular weight polyethylenimines, and to the preparation and use of the low molecular weight polyethylenimine and the vector.The invention relates to a vector for inserting a nucleic acid into a cell, which vector contains a low molecular weight polyethylenimine (LMW PEI) and a nucleic acid, with the LMW PEI having a molecular weight of less than 50,000 Da. |
| US08003731B2 |
Biologically-degradable polyester mixture
The invention relates to biodegradable polyester mixture, comprising i) from 5 to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to ii, of at least one polyester based on aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and on aliphatic dihydroxy compounds, and ii) from 20 to 95% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to ii, of at least one biodegradable homo- or copolyester selected from the group consisting of polylactide, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and polyesters composed of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and of aliphatic diols, and iii) from 0.1 to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to ii, a) of a copolymer containing epoxy groups and based on styrene, acrylate, and/or methacrylate, b) of a bisphenol A epoxide, or c) of a fatty acid amide or fatty acid ester or natural oil containing epoxy groups; and iv) from 0 to 15% by weight of additive; and v) from 0 to 50% by weight of inorganic or organic filler, and also to processes for their preparation and a method for their use. |
| US08003728B2 |
Swellable hydrogel-forming polymers having high permeability
Swellable hydrogel-forming polymers having high permeability Swellable hydrogel-forming polymer comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer of dendritic structure and at least one water-insoluble phosphate, a process for preparing the swellable hydrogel-forming polymer and also its use in hygiene articles. |
| US08003727B2 |
Scratch-resistant flame retardant thermoplastic resin composition
Disclosed herein is a scratch resistant flame retardant thermoplastic resin composition comprising: 100 parts by weight of a base resin comprising (A) about 1 to about 99% by weight of a polycarbonate resin and (B) about 99 to about 1% by weight of a modified methacrylate resin; and (C) about 1 to about 50 parts by weight of a flame retardant. |
| US08003725B2 |
Plasticized hetero-phase polyolefin blends
This invention relates to hetero-phase polyolefin compositions comprising: a) 30 to 99.7 wt % of a polypropylene-based TPO comprising at least 50 wt % propylene and at least 10 wt % ethylene, and b) 0.1 to 20 wt % of one or more non-functionalized plasticizer, and c) 0.2 to 50 wt % of one or more filler; based upon the weight of the composition, and having: i) an MFR of 5 dg/min or more, and ii) a flexural modulus of 500 MPa or more, and iii) a notched Charpy impact strength at −30° C. of 1 kJ/m2 or more or a notched Izod impact strength at −18° C. of 50 J/m or more.These compositions are especially useful in applications such as automotive parts that demand both high stiffness and high impact toughness, as well as good processibility during fabrication. |
| US08003722B2 |
Flame retardant compositions containing mixtures of disubstituted phosphinate salts and monosubstituted phoshinate salts
A flame retarded thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a mixture of metal salts of dialkylphosphinic and monoalkylphosphinic acid providing improved flame retardant performance and better processability compared to a similar composition containing only a salt of dialkylphosphinic acid. |
| US08003721B2 |
Aliphatic polyester composition and method for producing the same
Polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid having a weight-average molecular weight of at most 50,000 are melt-kneaded in the presence of a thermal stabilizer to obtain a polyglycolic acid-based aliphatic polyester composition. The aliphatic polyester composition alleviates the too fast crystallizability of polyglycolic acid which has been problematic in forming or molding of polyglycolic acid alone or in combination with another thermoplastic resin, thus showing a crystallization speed which has been lowered and can be controlled in a wide range. |
| US08003717B2 |
Roofing felt composition
The invention is directed to a novel bitumen composition comprising a paraffin wax, wherein the wax has a congealing point of between 85 and 120° C. and a PEN at 43° C., expressed in 0.1 mm, as determined by IP 376 of more than 5. |
| US08003715B2 |
Low molecular weight cellulose mixed esters and their use as low viscosity binders and modifiers in coating compositions
Cellulose mixed esters are disclosed having low molecular weights and low degrees of polymerization. These new cellulose mixed esters include cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. The esters exhibit solubility in a wide range of organic solvents with minimal viscosity increase, are compatible with a wide variety of resins, and are useful in coatings and inks compositions as binder resins and rheology modifiers. |
| US08003712B2 |
Resin composition and process for producing resin molding
A polyester resin component having crystallization improved and including a cyclic compound shown by a below-described formula and polyester capable of having a crystal structure: In the formula, each of ring A and a ring B is a benzene ring, and the hydrogen bonded to the benzene rings be substituted with other groups. Additionally, Y is —CONH— or —NHCO— and X is a heterocyclic group or a condensed heterocyclic group including one or more NH or CO. |
| US08003698B2 |
Site-specific inhibitors of histone methyltransferase (HMTASE) and process of preparation thereof
The present invention relates to compounds of structural formula I as site-specific inhibitors of histone methyltransferase, where R1 and R1 is —OCH3 or —OH, R2 and R2 is —OH or —OAc; a process of isolating compound of structural formula Ia, where R1 and R1 is —OCH3, R2 and R2 is —OH; a process of preparation of compound of structural formula Ib, where R1 and R1 is —OCH3, R2 and R2 is —OAc; a process of preparation of compound of structural formula Ic, where R1 and R1 is —OH, R2 and R2 is —OH; and use of compounds of structural formula I for manufacture of a medicament for management of cancer and/or disease conditions in a subject in need thereof. |