| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08073400B2 |
Multi mode radio frequency transceiver front end circuit
A front end circuit for coupling an antenna to a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver and a second RF transceiver is contemplated. The RF transceivers have a signal input, a signal output, a receive enable line and a transmit enable line. In addition to an antenna port, the front end circuit has a first power amplifier and a first low noise amplifier both coupled to first RF transceiver, and a second power amplifier and a second low noise amplifier both coupled to the second RF transceiver. The front end circuit includes a matching network that couples the power amplifiers and the low noise amplifiers, the various outputs and inputs thereof being common. |
| US08073398B2 |
Method and apparatus for adaptive channel utilisation
A transceiver with an adaptable filter and a method of controlling the settings of the filter to adapt to local channel assignments and usage are provided. The adaptable filter is connected in at least one of the transmitter path and the receiver path of the transceiver to separate signals from adjacent spectrum blocks to permit use of all of the channels in the adjacent spectrum blocks and to separate signals in adjacent or nearby channels in a shared-channel block. A method and system for forward link control signaling are provided. The forward link control signaling includes a frame for transmission that includes at least one control channel that includes control information for receivers sharing a common characteristic, and a guide channel that includes information pertaining to the at least one control channel, including control information for receivers sharing a common characteristic. |
| US08073391B2 |
WiFi interface to dialup modem
A device and method support dialup modem access over a wireless local area and/or personal area network such as, for example, an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n and/or IEEE 802.15.3a network. A representative embodiment permits a user of a conventional Internet web browser application to access a dialup information provider via a switched telephone network, using the wireless network. A terminal adapter comprising a wired network interface and a wireless network interface receives messaging containing dialing information from a user of a personal computer, via the wireless network. The terminal adapter establishes a dialup connection to the information provider, and exchanges information between the personal computer and the information provider via the wired and wireless interfaces. Information used for dialing may be contained within a universal resource locator received by the terminal adapter, or may be received as a result of user input on a webpage type user interface displayed by the browser application using information sent by the terminal adapter. |
| US08073387B2 |
On frequency repeater with AGC stability determination
An on frequency repeater for wireless networks with feedback oscillation detection is disclosed. The on frequency repeater includes an automatic gain control loop which samples amplified signal envelope. The automatic gain control loop is monitored and a characteristic saw tooth pattern in the gain control loop indicating feedback oscillation is detected. A nonlinear gain expander circuit may be periodically activated to allow feedback oscillation detection in repeater applications employing linearized amplifiers. |
| US08073377B2 |
Cleaning device, developing device, cartridge, cleaning blade securing method, and developing blade securing method
A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a surface of an image bearing member for carrying a toner image; a supporting member for supporting the cleaning blade; a mounting hole provided in one of the cleaning blade and the supporting member; a projection which is provided on the other of the cleaning blade and the supporting member and which is inserted in the mounting hole; and a recess provided in the projection and extended from a free end portion of the projection toward a base portion of the projection, wherein the cleaning blade and the supporting member are secured to each other by the projection deformed such that the recess expands outwardly of the mounting hole by resin material in the recess. |
| US08073376B2 |
Curable toner compositions and processes
Processes for producing emulsion aggregation toners are provided. In embodiments, methods of the present disclosure may be utilized to produce toners suitable for low melt applications, including use in flexible packaging applications, where low pile height is desired for low cost and flexibility. In embodiments, the EA toners may be prepared by optimizing the particle size of the emulsion, the choice of and amount of aggregating agent utilized, and the solids content of the emulsion. |
| US08073375B2 |
Fixing unit and image forming apparatus having the same
A fixing unit where an operating force for releasing a nip can be reduced with a small-sized configuration. The fixing unit has a heating roller including a heating element, a pressure belt, pressure arms, pressure springs, and nip load releasing units. The pressure belt is supported in an intermediate position between the pressure arms 3. One end portions of the pressure arms are brought into contact with the pressure springs respectively. The other end portions of the pressure arms are brought into contact with the nip load releasing units respectively. When a load applied to the pressure belt is released by the nip load releasing units, the other end portions of the pressure arms move away from the heating roller. |
| US08073374B2 |
Fuser oil applicator and cleaner in a single web cartridge system in direct contact with fuser roll
According to aspects of the embodiments there is provided a cassette cleaning web having an agent metering tube that can apply oil via a drip pipe to a web as it enters a nip within the fusing surface. Dispensing the oil as it enters the nip increases the transportation and the holding capacity of the web. The cassette cleaning web can reduce the oil-on-copy to less than 3 mg/copy and more specifically to less than 1 mg/copy which would allow for adequate post finishing applications while still using amino functionalized fuser oil in the fuser subsystem. The cassette cleaning web reduces the contamination of the oil-sump because used web materials are wound up and oil or contaminate materials like wax, toner are retained in the spent web cartridge. This invention enables reduced oil-on-copy, eliminates the bulky and expensive release agent management system, and also provides a direct cleaning to the surface of the fuser roll. |
| US08073372B2 |
Apparatuses including a vibrating stripping device for stripping print media from a belt and methods of stripping print media from belts
Apparatuses useful in printing onto media and methods for stripping print media from belts are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus useful in printing onto media includes a first member including a first surface; a second member; a fixing belt supported on the second member, the fixing belt including an inner surface and an outer surface, the first surface and the second surface forming a nip at which media are received; and a vibrating stripping device disposed between the second member and the inner surface of the fixing belt. The vibrating stripping device includes a stripping member including a stripping surface and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism produces vibration of the stripping surface and the fixing belt, and the vibration of the fixing belt assists separation of media passed through the nip from the outer surface of the fixing belt adjacent to the stripping surface of the stripping member. |
| US08073370B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a mechanism for detecting a mark on a belt
A circumferential length of a belt is measured within a short period of time. A plurality of marks is provided on a belt. Distances between the marks are set to be all different from each other. The distance between the marks is set to allow the mark to be identified by measuring a period of time between the detection of one mark and that of the next mark even if the length of the belt is changed to some degree by the expansion of the belt or the like. Then, a period of time between the identified mark and the next mark is accurately measured. The total circumferential length of the belt is measured based on the results of measurement. |
| US08073369B2 |
Development device transferring only a toner layer to a developing roller and image apparatus using the same
A development device includes a developing roller composed of an elastic body. An intermediate roller made of metal is disposed closely to the developing roller so as to face the developing roller. A magnetic roller is disposed closely to the intermediate roller so as to face the intermediate roller. A developer layer composed of a magnetic carrier and a toner is formed on the surface of the magnetic roller. The developer layer is carried to the intermediate roller side, and only the toner in the developer layer is transferred to the intermediate roller. A toner layer formed thus is transferred from the intermediate roller to the developing roller, and brought into contact with the surface of an image carrying member. |
| US08073368B2 |
Development device and image forming apparatus
A development device includes a developer carrier, and a developer conveyance path. The developer carrier carries and conveys developer having a magnetic property. The developer carrier includes a plurality of magnetic poles provided inside the development carrier. The developer conveyance path is provided above the developer carrier and conveys the developer by a flow of air such that the developer is conveyed parallel to the developer carrier. The developer conveyance path is provided with a first developer outlet disposed above the developer carrier and open along a direction of conveyance of the developer to discharge the developer to the outside of the developer conveyance path to directly supply the developer to the developer carrier. |
| US08073364B2 |
Systems and methods for remanufacturing imaging components
A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface. |
| US08073363B2 |
Image forming apparatus with shift regulating member
A shift regulating member projecting from an inner circumferential side of a belt that engages an engaging member on a roller, and a pressing member that presses the belt are described. The pressing member may press the belt between the roller with the engaging member and another roller. In some aspects, the pressing member may be intermittently pressed against the belt. |
| US08073362B2 |
Photosensitive body having electrical connection arrangement
A photosensitive body for electro-photography includes a photosensitive drum, a shaft aligned with a center axis of the photosensitive drum, and a contact member. The photosensitive drum is rotatable relative to the shaft, and the shaft includes a cylindrical shaft body made from an electrically conductive metal, and an electrically conductive metal coating formed on an outer surface of the shaft body. The contact member has an engagement portion in fitting engagement with an inner peripheral surface of the drum body, and a contact portion resiliently and slidingly contacting the shaft to provide an electrical contact between the photosensitive drum and the shaft. The metal coating and at least a surface of the contact portion in direct contact with the outer surface of the shaft body are made from a material identical to each other. |
| US08073359B2 |
Distributed belt module for a modular printing system
A system for support, operation, installation, and removal of an endless belt in a scalable modular printing system includes an input module, at least one marking module, and an output module. The endless belt is an intermediate transfer belt, a photoconductive belt, or a sheet transport belt used in the marking system. Rollers support an interior surface of the belt, and are supported by their respective module frame structures, thus defining a vacant interior cavity of the belt. A method of belt installation includes drawing all interior rollers out of their frame structures, placing the pre-scrolled belt at one end module of the system, uncoiling the belt along its process direction within the internal cavity of the system, then reinstalling the interior rollers to capture the belt into its operating position. |
| US08073358B2 |
Image forming device and cartridge
An image forming device is described according to an aspect comprises: a photoconductive drum; a developing roller opposed to the photoconductive drum; a developer container; a cartridge; a second portion; and a second terminal. The cartridge comprises: a cartridge frame; a memory unit; a first portion disposed at an upstream portion in a vicinity of an upstream end in an attachment direction of the cartridge frame; and a first terminal disposed at at least a part of the first portion and electrically connected to the memory unit. The second terminal is disposed at least a part of the second portion to contact with the first terminal and electrically connected to a controller disposed in the main body. One of the first portion and second portion receives the other of the first portion and second portion. |
| US08073356B2 |
Image forming apparatus having air flow holes
An image forming apparatus with a plate having holes is described. An image forming apparatus includes image carriers, side walls, and a plate disposed below the image carriers. The plate includes a plurality of holes along the sides of the plate near the side walls. The image carriers, the side walls, and the plate form one or more passages for air to flow during operation of a cooling fan. |
| US08073352B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and method of controlling warming-up time of image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit and a fixing process managing system. The fixing process managing system, including a mode switchover unit, controls a time mode and a temperature mode for heating a fixing member. In the time mode, the fixing unit is determined to be ready for a fixing process when a given time elapses after activation of the image forming apparatus. In the temperature mode, the fixing unit is determined to be ready for a fixing process when a temperature of the fixing member attains a given reference temperature after activation of the image forming apparatus. The mode switchover unit selects between the temperature mode and the time mode. The fixing process managing system selects the temperature mode instead of the time mode when a supply amount of electrical power to the fixing unit is determined to be below a required electrical power supply level. |
| US08073348B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus forms images. A developer bearing body receives a first voltage and supplies developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing body. A supplying member receives a second voltage and supplies the developer to said developer bearing body. A detector detects at least one of an environmental condition, e.g., temperature and humidity outside of an apparatus and an environmental condition e.g., temperature inside of the apparatus. A controller controls the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage in accordance the environmental conditions. The controller makes a decision to determine whether the outside temperature is not lower than a first reference, whether outside humidity is not higher than a second reference, and whether inside temperature is not lower than a third reference. If the above criteria are met, the controller decreases the absolute value of the difference. |
| US08073346B2 |
Image forming apparatus configured to use a cartridge including memory and a cartridge without memory
According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a first detecting unit, a second detecting unit, a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by using coloring materials of a plurality of colors based on image information. The first detecting unit detects whether or not the first given number of the first housing units are installed to the apparatus. The second detecting unit detects whether or not the second given number of the second housing unit and the third given number of the first housing unit are installed to the apparatus. |
| US08073337B2 |
Optical clock recovery apparatus and method and birefringent medium
An optical clock signal recovery apparatus includes a mode-locked semiconductor laser that generates an optical pulse train polarized in a first direction. Optical components of the apparatus transmit a component of an input optical signal polarized in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, into the mode-locked semiconductor laser while blocking the component of the input optical signal polarized in the first direction, and transmit light exiting the mode-locked semiconductor laser polarized in the first direction, while blocking light exiting the mode-locked semiconductor laser polarized in the second direction. The transmitted exiting light is output as a recovered optical clock signal. |
| US08073336B2 |
Entanglement-based QKD system with active phase tracking
Entanglement-based QKD systems and methods with active phase tracking and stabilization are disclosed wherein pairs of coherent photons at a first wavelength are generated. Second harmonic generation and spontaneous parametric downconversion are used to generate from the pairs of coherent photons entangled pairs of photons having the first wavelength. Relative phase delays of the entangled photons are tracked using reference optical signals. Classical detectors detect the reference signals while single-photon detectors and a control unit generate a phase-correction signal that maintains the relative phases of phase-delay loops via adjustable phase-delay elements. |
| US08073331B1 |
Dynamic intelligent bidirectional optical and wireless access communication system
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a wavelength-shifted dynamic intelligent bidirectional access optical system utilizes key optical elements such as: a quantum dot enabled semiconductor optical amplifier, a phase modulator and an intensity modulator to provide upstream optical signals. These key optical elements reduce the Rayleigh backscattering effect on the transmission of optical signals. to enable a longer-reach access network topology between a subscriber unit and a super node (e.g., many local nodes collapsed into one super node). Such a longer-reach access network topology eliminates operational and capital costs related routers and switches. Furthermore, a wavelength to a subscriber unit may be protected and dynamically varied for on-Demand bandwidth, information and services and also a subscriber's unit may be configured with any array of connectivity options. |
| US08073330B2 |
Digital subscriber line access multiplexer, optical network unit, optical line terminal and base station
A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) includes a Digital Subscriber Line interface unit for processing Physical Layer and Data Link Layer of the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL); at least two virtual DSLAM units adapted to simulate DSLAM to process a packet from the DSL interface unit; and a backhaul interface unit adapted to receive a packet processed by the DSLAM unit, and to send a packet from an access edge node or carrier equipment to the virtual DSLAM unit for processing. The disclosure further provides an Optical Network Unit, an Optical Line Terminal and a Base Station. |
| US08073328B2 |
Use of polarization for differentiation of information
The present invention discloses a system for signalling within optical or combined optical/electronic networks wherein a first transmission node executes polarization multiplexing on transmitted traffic, and at one or more intermediate nodes one or more of the following processes are carried out on the sent traffic: demultiplexing by polarization and/or polarization and/or SOP-alignment. Further a method for packet handling within optical packet switched networks where, at a first transmission node carries out polarization demultiplexing of transmitted traffic, and at one or a number of intermediate nodes carries out one or more of the following processes on the transmitted traffic; demultiplexing by polarization, and/or polarization and/or SOP-alignment. Said separation into states of polarization is used in separation of QoS-classes. |
| US08073327B2 |
System and method for improving the efficiency of routers on the internet and/or cellular networks and/or other networks and alleviating bottlenecks and overloads on the network
Optical routers are currently unable to do packet switching except by translating the data to electronic data and then back, which is very inefficient. The present invention solves this problem by optically marking and detecting the packet headers or parts of them, translating at most only the headers or parts of them to electronics for making packet switching decisions, and keeping the rest of the packets in optical delay lines, and solving response-time problems. Another optimization described in this invention is improving routing efficiency and bandwidth utilization by grouping together identical data packets from the same source going to the same general area with a multiple list of targets connected to each copy of the data and sent together to the general target area. Another important optimization is a new architecture and principles for routing based on physical geographical IP addresses. |
| US08073326B2 |
Optical polarization division multiplexing in optical communication
Devices, systems and techniques for optical communication are provided based on polarization division multiplexing (PDM) to use an optical monitor channel at a distinct optical monitor wavelength to monitor optical polarization fluctuation and polarization mode dispersion during the transmission from the transmitter to the receiver to facilitate the effective demultiplexing of the two orthogonal signal channels at the receiver through automatic feedback control on a dynamic polarization controller and a polarization beam splitter. |
| US08073325B2 |
OSNR measuring apparatus and OSNR measuring method
An apparatus for measuring an OSNR for a communication channel in a WDM optical communications system includes a signal control unit, a receiving unit, and a measuring unit. The signal control unit controls spectral width reduction for an optical signal sent through a target channel. The receiving unit receives spectral data measured from the optical signal received by the target channel under control of the control unit. The measuring unit, based on the spectral data received by the receiving unit, measures the OSNR of the target channel. |
| US08073324B2 |
Magnet array for coupling and aligning an accessory to an electronic device
Systems and methods are providing for aligning an accessory to an electronic device interface. In particular, some accessories such as optical filters and lens require specific alignment to operative properly. Using a first magnet array positioned around the periphery of the interface and a second magnet array positioned within the accessory, a user can position an accessory on the electronic device and rotate the accessory until the magnets of each array exert a force on an opposing magnet of the other array. By distributing the magnets in a manner that includes no repeating segments, only a single alignment of the accessory relative to the interface can allow the magnet arrays to be properly in opposition. |
| US08073323B2 |
Attachment for use with visual presenter
An attachment connects an eyepiece lens tube of microscope and an imaging lens tube of visual presenter and includes a cylindrical part loosely fittable through an opening with the eyepiece lens tube, a circular receiving surface which is formed on the cylindrical part and which a distal end of the imaging lens abuts, the receiving surface having a through hole, an indication line indicative of a center of the hole, a positioning piece standing along an outer circumferential edge of the receiving surface and having an inner circumferential surface with a curvature radius substantially equal to a curvature radius of outer circumference surface of the imaging lens tube, the outer circumferential surface of the imaging lens tube, and at least three screw members which are threadingly thrust radially through a circumferential surface of the cylindrical part into the cylindrical part, the screw members being arranged equiangularly. |
| US08073322B1 |
Simultaneous exposure of parallel rolls of film for existing film cameras
Embodiments of the disclosed technology are designed for creation of a photographic image comprising an upper and lower portion from two rolls of film whereby the picture is created by simultaneous exposure within a single camera housing, or emulation thereof. This is accomplished in one embodiment by wrapping two rolls of film around a spool, one above the other, such that the rolls pull off the reel in parallel and onto a single take-up spool. Thus, when the shutter opens, both rolls of film are simultaneously exposed, and an image forms half on one and half on the other. In another embodiment, a camera comprises two film chambers (which may be a single chamber with divider adapting the chamber to hold two rolls of film), one above the other, and a roll is loaded into each film chamber. Embodiments may be used to breathe new life into discontinued film formats, such as 70 mm film cameras by using two 35 mm rolls of film. |
| US08073321B2 |
Controlling an exposure time for digital cameras
Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a digital photography device includes a global shutter to control exposure time, a sensor array, and a flash illumination are described. The global shutter is in the optical path of light going to the sensor. The flash illumination generates a pulsed illumination. The shutter speed of the global shutter during a pre-flash illumination substantially matches the shutter speed during the flash illumination during the taking of a picture using the flash illumination based on the global shutter receiving a trigger signal from a controller. |
| US08073320B2 |
Shape memory alloy actuation apparatus
A miniature camera lens actuation apparatus provides an auto-macro function in which a camera lens element has two focus positions. In one type of apparatus, a shape memory alloy actuator arranged to drive movement of the camera lens element relative to a support structure against an end-stop arranged to limit the movement. The shape memory alloy actuator is connected to one of the movable element and the support structure by a compliant connector. This limits the stresses on the shape memory alloy actuator and therefore increases its lifetime. In another type of apparatus, the suspension system supporting the movable element on the support structure provides the movable element with two stable positions along the movement direction. |
| US08073318B2 |
Determining scene distance in digital camera images
A method for producing a distance map of scene distance values for a digital image captured by a digital camera includes capturing a first digital image of a scene under a first illumination condition, wherein the first digital image includes a plurality of pixels and the scene includes a plurality of scene objects located at different distances from the digital camera, capturing a second digital image of the scene under a second illumination condition that is different from the first illumination condition, and using the first and second digital images to produce a distance map having a plurality of scene distance values, wherein each scene distance value relates to the distance between the digital camera and the corresponding scene object. |
| US08073317B2 |
Positioning device, shake correcting device and electronics
A positioning device comprising a moving portion provided with a pair of magnets arranged respectively along with a first axis and a second axis, a fixed portion provided to face to the moving portion, and a voice coil motor (VCM) for relatively driving the moving portion and the fixed portion by an electromagnetic action between a coil and a drive magnet provided to each of the moving portion and the fixed portion: wherein one of the magnets is arranged so as to reduce a rotation moment generated by an electromagnetic connection between the other magnet and the voice coil motor. |
| US08073313B2 |
Moving picture data processing apparatus, stream generating apparatus, imaging apparatus, and moving picture data processing method
The present invention provides a moving picture data processing apparatus for outputting moving picture data by adding time information thereto, which includes: a moving picture input section which receives an input of the moving picture data for which a standard screen rate and one or more screen rates are switchable at an arbitrary timing; a time information addition processing section which adds input time information to the moving picture data; a timer section; an input start time acquiring section which acquires an input start time for the moving picture data; an input time information generating section which calculates the input time information by integrating the time information with the input start time; a moving picture playback section which plays back picture frames of the moving picture data at the standard screen rate; and a time information extracting section which extracts the input time information from the moving picture data. |
| US08073312B2 |
Recorder equipped with dubbing function
A recording condition and a dubbing condition of a desired program that is to be broadcast are designated by using a remote controller. These conditions are stored in the information storage unit. In accordance with the recording condition, a controller permits a tuner to receive a program for which unattended recording is designated, and to record the program on an HDD. When a DVD is set in a dubbing unit and the dubbing operation is instructed by using the remote controller, a recorded program for which a dubbing condition stored in the information storage unit is applied can be dubbed. Then, the information for this program is displayed on a monitor so as to confirm the program and the dubbing condition, and to examine or correct CM skip if the CM skip is included in the dubbing condition. Thereafter, the dubbing operation is performed. |
| US08073306B2 |
Recording medium containing thumbnail recorded thereon, recording apparatus and method therefor, and reproducing apparatus and method therefor
A recording medium includes a program containing video data and/or audio data and navigation information which defines a thumbnail, wherein the thumbnail relates to the program and is reproducible as moving pictures. The recording medium may include a plurality of programs and the thumbnail may identify or represent one or more of the programs. By assigning a predetermined interval of a bit stream corresponding to a program as a thumbnail, the recording medium having the thumbnail thereon, that can be reproduced as moving pictures, can be obtained. |
| US08073301B2 |
Low loss optical fiber designs for confining optical power to low-doped regions
The specification describes an improved optical fiber produced by a hybrid VAD/MCVD process. The core of the fiber is produced using VAD and the inner cladding layer has a depressed index and is produced using MCVD. In preferred embodiments, the optical power envelope is essentially entirely contained in VAD produced core material and the MCVD produced depressed index cladding material. Optical loss is minimized by confining most of the optical power to the VAD core where OH presence is low, as well as by maximizing the optical power in the un-doped silica region. The MCVD substrate tube material is essentially devoid of optical power. |
| US08073300B2 |
Arrangement comprising a fiber-optic waveguide
An arrangement comprising a fiber-optic waveguide (10) and a detection device (25), wherein the fiber-optic waveguide (10) comprises a core region (10E) and a cladding region (10C) surrounding the core region (10E), wherein the core region has a higher refractive index than the cladding region, and wherein the detection device (25) can detect damage to the fiber-optic waveguide (10). |
| US08073297B2 |
Side fire optical device for laterally redirecting high power electromagnetic energy
A side fire optical device comprises a cap member, a sleeve and a fiber optic segment. The cap member comprises a closed end section, a tube section having a bore, and a transmitting surface. The sleeve is received within the bore of the tube section. The sleeve includes a bore and an exterior surface that is fused to a surface of the bore of the cap member. The fiber optic segment comprises an exterior surface that is fused to a surface of the bore of the sleeve, and a beveled end surface that is positioned adjacent the transmitting surface of the cap member. The beveled end surface is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the fiber optic segment such that electromagnetic radiation propagating along the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic segment is reflected by the beveled end surface at an angle that is transverse to the longitudinal axis and through the transmitting surface of the cap member. |
| US08073296B2 |
Optical device, and virtual image display device
A virtual image display device which displays a two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an optical waveguide to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide. Some of the parallel pencil groups guided through the optical waveguide being totally reflected different numbers of times for a period from external incidence upon the optical waveguide until outgoing from the optical waveguide. |
| US08073294B2 |
Remote optical fiber surveillance system and method
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology, wireless communications are used in a fiber surveillance system to enable monitoring of remote locations for vibrations, acoustic signals, stresses, stress fatigue or other detectable characteristics. A fiber that is deployed in the structure or region being monitored is connected a wireless transmitter that is used to transmit, to a receiving system, return optical signals obtained with the surveillance system. The return signals can be transmitted in raw form or after partial or total analysis. |
| US08073291B2 |
Center based image resizer
A method for resizing image data from a first size image to a second size image is disclosed. In one operation of the method, a scale factor is determined based on a number of gaps between pixels in the first size image and a number of gaps between pixels in the second size image. In another operation, the scale factor is applied to the first size image to generate a representation of the second size image data. In yet another operation a remainder representing an offset from a last pixel of the first size image data and a last pixel from the representation of the second size image data is determined. With the offset determined, another operation offsets each end pixel of a line of the second size image data by a portion of the remainder. |
| US08073290B2 |
Method and computer program product for registering biomedical images
A method of registering biomedical images to reduce imaging artifacts caused by object movement is disclosed, wherein a certain number of features or landmarks is automatically defined and tracked in a first and second image to be registered to determine the optical flow vector between the first and second image. Registration then takes place by applying the inverse optical flow to the second image. The automatic feature selection step is carried out by determining the mean signal intensity in a defined neighborhood for every pixel, which mean signal intensity is then compared to a predetermined threshold. If the mean signal intensity value of said neighborhood is higher than the predetermined threshold the pixel is defined as a feature and is added to a list of features to be tracked. |
| US08073287B1 |
Recognition by parts using adaptive and robust correlation filters
A recognition-by-parts authentication system for determining if a physical test target represented in test image(s) obtained using an imaging device matches a physical training target represented in training image(s). The system includes a multitude of adaptive and robust correlation filters. Each of the adaptive and robust correlation filters is configured to generate correlation-peak-strength and distance-from-origin data using a multitude of related images. Each of the multitude of related images representing a similar part of a larger image. The related images originate from the test image(s) and training image(s). |
| US08073285B2 |
User interface methods and systems for image brightness and contrast
An image editing user interface includes a first control adapted to alter an image property of an image in response to a user input and a second control adapted to operate in cooperation with the first control to alter the image property in response to a user input. The image property is brightness and the first control alters brightness over a range of image values between two endpoints and the second control defines at least one of the endpoints. |
| US08073283B2 |
Noise elimination apparatus and noise elimination method
A noise elimination apparatus has a subtracting section 11 for obtaining a difference value between input image data and reference image data; a calculation processing section 12a for performing calculation processing of multiplying the difference value by a prescribed coefficient; an adaptive integerization processing section 13a for obtaining an integerized difference value by adaptively performing rounding up processing or rounding down processing on the difference value having undergone the calculation processing; an adding section 14 for obtaining output image data from the integerized difference value and the reference image data; and a frame memory 15 for storing the output image data as the reference image data. |
| US08073282B2 |
Scaling filter for video sharpening
A device has a single scaling filter to filter a video signal once to perform both sharpening and scaling. A memory stores original scaling filter coefficients for the scaling filter. An integrated circuit calculates new sharpening-scaling filter coefficients derived from the original scaling filter coefficients and one of sharpening filter coefficients for a sharpening filter and a sharpening strength and applies the new sharpening-scaling filter coefficients to the single scaling filter. |
| US08073280B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing program for correcting image degradation
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a feature extracting portion that extracts a feature of a frequency characteristic of an input image, a correction amount calculating portion that calculates a correction amount of the frequency characteristic from the feature extracted by the feature extracting portion, and an image correcting portion that corrects the input image according to the correction amount calculated by the correction amount calculating portion. This configuration achieves imperviousness to frequency characteristics of a subject and makes it possible to correct image degradation properly so as to restore an image. |
| US08073277B2 |
Apparatus and methods for image restoration
The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for performing image restoration. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods which are capable of quickly restoring various sizes of selected areas of an image. In one embodiment, a user may select or mark a target region in an image which is to be restored. A source window may then be generated and a pixel from within the target region may be selected for restoration. The intensity distribution of pixels surrounding the selected pixel may be compared with other pixels in the image and a pixel to be used for restoration of the selected pixel may be chosen based on the comparison of the intensity distributions. Once a pixel is chosen for restoration, the selected pixel and its surrounding pixels may be restored using the intensity distribution of the chosen pixel and its surrounding pixels. The method may continue in this manner until all pixels within the target region have been restored. |
| US08073276B2 |
De-ringing filter for decompressed video data
A post processing apparatus of a graphics controller to filter decompressed video data. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a buffer and a de-ringing filter. The buffer is configured to read a pixel line of video data from memory. The pixel line includes pixels from adjacent macroblocks of the video data. The de-ringing filter is coupled to the buffer. The de-ringing filter is configured to identify a maximum pixel jump between adjacent pairs of pixels in the pixel line and to apply a de-ringing filter to a pixel within a pixel subset of the pixel line in response to a determination that the pixel is not an edge pixel. The determination that the pixel is not an edge pixel is based on the identified maximum pixel jump. |
| US08073274B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, storage medium, and program
An image processing apparatus may include a feature value extraction unit adapted to extract a feature value from an image, a setting unit adapted to set setting-information defining a process to be performed on the image, an editing unit adapted to edit the setting-information set by the setting unit, and recording unit adapted to record the setting-information edited by the editing unit, in association with the feature value of the image, on a data recording medium. |
| US08073268B2 |
Method and apparatus for coded aperture imaging
Methods for coded aperture imaging, and processing the data from coded aperture imaging are taught. Several snapshots of an image are acquired, each using a different coded aperture array. The several snapshots are combined together with appropriate weightings to form a single equivalent frame as are the aperture functions for the coded aperture arrays used. Combining several frames of data can improve the signal to noise ratio of the decode image and increase the resolution of the image. Preferably a balanced weighting system is used and image reconstruction is performed by inverting the covariance matrix formed by the covariance of the signals from a number of estimated trial points. Using a balanced weighting system reduces the covariance matrix to a diagonal or near diagonal matrix with a corresponding reduction in computational load. The techniques also reduces additive noise. Various technique for compensating for camera motion and identifying motion in the scene are also taught along with suitable apparatus for performing the invention. |
| US08073265B2 |
Image managing apparatus and image display apparatus
An image managing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes image information storage means that stores image information corresponding to captured image data, and cluster managing means that manages the image information by hierarchical clusters that include a plurality of layers of clusters and whose structure is fixed from an uppermost layer to a predetermined layer on the way to a lowermost layer. |
| US08073264B2 |
Image-based techniques for shredded document reconstruction
An image-based technique for shredded document reconstruction includes the steps of: employing an image processing process to obtain shred images of the shredded document, and then extracting several features of shred images for reconstruction with two similarity measures, and then employing an algorithm using the shred coding scheme and average word length that is insensitive to the shredding noise on image boundaries, and then a weighted digraph is then carried out to derive the optimal shred sorting result for document reconstruction in terms of the shortest path. Experiments are presented for both the synthetic and real data sets. The results show that the proposed method has correctly merged the majority of the shredded document. |
| US08073262B2 |
Image matching apparatus, image matching method, and image data output processing apparatus
In an image matching apparatus of the present invention, only a connected region in which the number of pixels included therein exceeds a threshold value, among connected regions that are specified by a labeling process section, is sent to a centroid calculation process section from a threshold value processing section, and a centroid (feature point) of the connected region is calculated. When it is determined that a target document to be matched is an N-up document, the threshold value processing section uses, instead of a default threshold value, a variant threshold value that varies depending on the number of images laid out on the N-up document and a document size that are found and detected by an N-up document determination section and a document size detection section. This makes it possible to determine a similarity to a reference document with high accuracy even in a case of an N-up document, i.e., a case where each target image to be matched is reduced in size from an original image. |
| US08073260B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a pattern generating unit that generates a plurality of two-dimensional array patterns, a radiating unit that emits light in each of the two-dimensional array patterns generated by the pattern generating unit to irradiate an object with the light, a spectrum measuring unit that measures the spectrum of the light, which is emitted from the radiating unit and is reflected by the object, in a plurality of frequency bands to generate spectral data, a transmission-rate calculating unit that calculates the transmission rate of each frequency band on the basis of the two-dimensional array patterns and spectral data blocks associated with the respective two-dimensional array patterns, and an image generating unit that generates an image in a desired frequency band on the basis of the transmission rates calculated by the transmission-rate calculating unit. |
| US08073259B1 |
Method and apparatus for image feature matching in automatic image stitching
Method and apparatus for image feature matching in automatic image stitching processes. Embodiments may provide a computer-implemented method for performing a portion of an automatic image stitching process where feature correspondences are established between pairs of images. In embodiments, a computer-implemented image feature matching component may use a combination of one or more of heuristic techniques, information obtained from the user, file information related to the component images, and/or information obtained from previous feature matching iterations to narrow the number of images that are in a subset of component images to be compared for any given component image, and thus to narrow the number of pairs of component images on which image feature comparisons are performed. |
| US08073253B2 |
Machine learning based triple region segmentation framework using level set on PACS
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for triple region image segmentation. Certain embodiments provide a method for triple region image segmentation on a picture archiving and communication system. The method includes forming an initial contour for an image including three regions using principal component analysis and a support vector machine. The method also includes segmenting the image into three regions using a single level set function based on the initial contour. Certain embodiments provide an image processing system facilitating triple region segmentation of an image. The system includes a pattern classifier including a support vector machine, the pattern classifier forming an initial contour for an image including three regions using principal component analysis and the support vector machine. The system also includes a triple region segmenter segmenting the image into three regions using a single level set function based on the initial contour. |
| US08073252B2 |
Sparse volume segmentation for 3D scans
A computer readable medium is provided embodying instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for sparse volume segmentation for 3D scan of a target. The method including learning prior knowledge, providing volume data comprising the target, selecting a plurality of key contours of the image of the target, building a 3D spare model of the image of the target given the plurality of key contours, segmenting the image of the target given the 3D sparse model, and outputting a segmentation of the image of the target. |
| US08073249B2 |
Image adjustment apparatus and method thereof
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method thereof for adjusting a luminance of an image signal. The apparatus includes a complementary circuit, a statistical circuit, a calculating circuit, and a blending circuit. The complementary circuit receives an image signal to generate a complementary luminance according to the luminance of the image signal. The statistical circuit receives the image signal to generate a statistical signal according to the luminance of the image signal. The calculating circuit receives the image signal, the complementary luminance, and the statistical signal to generate a calculated luminance of the image signal. The blending circuit generates an output image signal according to the calculated luminance and the luminance of the image signal. A video display device can thereby displays optimum pictures according to the output image signal. |
| US08073246B2 |
Modifying color and panchromatic channel CFA image
A method of modifying a CFA image or full-color image having a plurality of color channels and a panchromatic channel, includes capturing the panchromatic channel at a different exposure time than at least one of the color image channels with the CFA sensor within one image; producing a panchromatic edge map and a color edge map from the CFA image; using the panchromatic edge map and the color edge map to provide motion estimates; and using the motion estimates to modify at least one of the channels of the CFA image or full-color image. |
| US08073244B2 |
Automatic design of morphological algorithms for machine vision
The present invention provides a technique for automated selection of a parameterized operator sequence to achieve a pattern classification task. A collection of labeled data patterns is input and statistical descriptions of the inputted labeled data patterns are then derived. Classifier performance for each of a plurality of candidate operator/parameter sequences is determined. The optimal classifier performance among the candidate classifier performances is then identified. Performance metric information, including, for example, the selected operator sequence/parameter combination, will be outputted. The operator sequences selected can be chosen from a default set of operators, or may be a user-defined set. The operator sequences may include any morphological operators, such as, erosion, dilation, closing, opening, close-open, and open-close. |
| US08073241B2 |
Defect source analysis method, defect source analysis apparatus, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
An inspecting method increases the accuracy of a DSA (Defect Source Analysis) for thereby increasing the yield of semiconductor devices which are manufactured. For performing a DSA using data of a defect inspecting process obtained when wiring patterns are formed on a wafer and data of a VC (Voltage Contrast) inspecting process performed after the wiring patterns are formed, a rectangular DSA area is established in relation to a wiring pattern in which a nonconductive area is detected, based on the shape of the wiring pattern. For example, if three defects are detected in the defect inspecting process, then it is possible to select only at least one of those defects which affects the wiring pattern in the DSA area. Since fabrication steps can appropriately be evaluated based on the selected defect, suitable actions may be taken for any problematic fabrication step based on the evaluation of the fabrication steps. |
| US08073239B1 |
Error detection system for verifying the construction of paper boxes
A method for inspecting a feature applied to a box blank during manufacture of a paper box, comprising the steps of illuminating at least that portion of box blank including the feature with an illumination source, receiving an image of the illuminated portion of the box blank from at least one optical sensor, varying a characteristic of the illumination source for optically distinguishing between the feature a surface of said portion of the box blank to which the feature is applied, comparing the received image to a stored product profile containing an optimal image of the feature to determine if features in the received image are similar to the features in the stored product profile, and using the comparison to indicate when the box blank does not conform to the product profile. |
| US08073238B2 |
Mixed injection inspection system
Provided is a system for reducing burden on an inspector by making it possible to evaluate the operation of a mixed injection worker which is difficult to evaluate numerically at a place remote from the mixed injection work place. Provided is a mixed injection inspection system for inspecting a mixed injection work for mixing an injection drug by an inspector different from a mixed injection worker, the mixed injection inspection system including: a mixed injection work photographing device provided in a mixed injection work place and used to photograph the mixed injection work; an inspector side mixed injection work monitor provided in a place remote from the mixed injection work place and used to display the mixed injection work photographed by the mixed injection work photographing device; an inspector side input device provided in a place remote from the mixed injection work place and used to input instructions for the worker working at the mixed injection work place; and a mixed injection worker side display means for displaying to the mixed injection worker what has been input by the inspector side input device. |
| US08073237B2 |
Job integrity sensing with clear toner, output management and control system
The present exemplary embodiment relates to a job integrity and verification system which uses patches comprised of at least one symbology printed in non-visible ink and attached to the individual components of a job. The patches are detected, read, and interpreted by use of an inline spectrophotometer. The content of the plurality of patches are compared and when a match is detected, the components containing the patches are combined together into one end item finished product. |
| US08073235B2 |
Method and system for digital image analysis of ear traits
A method of evaluating one or more kernels of an ear of maize using digital imagery includes acquiring a digital image of the one or more kernels of the ear of maize, processing the digital image to estimate at least one physical property of the one or more kernels of the ear of maize from the digital image, and evaluating the at least one kernel of maize using the estimate of the at least one physical property of the at least one kernel of maize. |
| US08073234B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting objects using multiple images having varying optical properties
An automated object inspection system is presented. The inspection system includes an imaging system to produce at least two images of said object having different optical properties and an analyzer coupled to the imaging system to receive the images and to perform a variety of inspection operations on said images. The imaging system may produce images of the object under inspection in the visible range having varying exposure values. A vision engine included in the analyzer may combine said images through an algorithmic process into one image having high light dynamic range. Alternatively, the imaging system may produce images of the object in the visible or non-visible electromagnetic range. The analyzer may perform inspection routines on said images. An imaging system capable of producing digital video is presented, wherein each frame of video produced by said camera is composed of multiple images having different optical properties. |
| US08073231B2 |
Tube detection in diagnostic images
A method for detecting tubing in a radiographic image of a patient, executed at least in part by a control logic processor, obtains radiographic image data for a patient and identifies a region of interest in the radiographic image. A gradient magnitude image of the region of interest is formed and analyzed to identify one or more linear features by defining a band lying substantially within the region of interest and having a center point and repeating a sequence with two or more iterations of assigning a rotation angle for the rotatable band about the center point and computing the ensemble average of gradient magnitude values along each of a plurality of lines extending within the rotatable band at the defined rotation angle, then computing relative magnitudes for the lines. The one or more identified linear features are evaluated according to the results of the ensemble average computing. |
| US08073229B2 |
Image analysis of tube tip positioning
A method for processing a radiographic image of a patient obtains radiographic image data and detects the position of inserted tubing or other foreign object in the obtained image and determines the tubing tip or object location. A region of interest in the neighborhood of the tubing tip or object location is defined and at least one anatomy structure within the region of interest is detected. The probability for mal-positioning of the tip or object is calculated by determining the position of the tip or object relative to the at least one anatomy structure. |
| US08073227B2 |
System and method for geometric modeling of tubular structures
A method for extracting a centerline of a tubular structure in a digital medical image includes providing a 3-dimensional (3D) digitized medical image having a segmented tubular structure, finding a path in the image between a starting point and every other point in the tubular structure that minimizes an accumulative cost function, wherein the minimum accumulative cost φ(x) at a point x is a minimum of (φ(x′)+Px,x′) over all nearest neighbors x′ wherein Px,x′ is a cost of propagation obtained from the inverse of a medialness measure computed in a plane orthogonal to a line between x and x′ that is centered at a mid-point of the line, the medialness measure m(x) computed in a circular region C(x, R) centered at point x on the line, with radius R, given by m ( x ) = max R { 1 N ∑ i = 0 N - 1 f ( x , R u ⟶ ( 2 π i / N ) ) } , wherein {right arrow over (u)}(α)=sin(α){right arrow over (u)}1+cos(α){right arrow over (u)}2 and {right arrow over (u)}1 and {right arrow over (u)}2 define a 2D plane, and ƒ(x0,R{right arrow over (u)}(α)) is f ( x o , R ) = max ( 1 R ∑ x = x 0 x 0 + R I ( x ) - 1 M ∑ x = x 0 + R + 1 x 0 + R + 1 + M I ( x ) 2 , 0 ) . wherein M is the number of background points. |
| US08073225B2 |
Method and device for controlling image data acquisition and image reconstruction
In a method and a device for optimization of a combined system for the acquisition of magnetic resonance tomographic measurement data and an image reconstruction process, the image reconstruction process is already executed during the acquisition of the measurement data, by the calculation process being deconstructed into calculation packets, and rules are defined that establish which requirements must be met for the execution of the respective calculation packet. The calculation process is reorganized into a workflow structure based on the calculation packets and the rules. The calculation process is controlled using the generated workflow structure synchronized to the acquisition process. The rules entirely describe the calculation process, i.e. inclusive of all calculation packets and their logical dependencies. The stability of the calculation process is thus entirely independent of the chronological order of the measurement data acquisition. |
| US08073222B2 |
User selectable and user definable scanning protocols in mammographic film scanning system with stack film feeder
A system and method for processing mammographic data are described. The system includes a user input/output system adapted and configured to receive from a user a user-defined scanning protocol that identifies the laterality and view type for each mammographic film in a film case to be scanned. A storage system stores the user-defined scanning protocol for subsequent use in scanning film cases. A scanning system scans film cases and generates digitized versions of each mammographic film. A processor then assigns laterality and view types to the digitized versions of the mammographic film according to the user-defined scanning protocol. The system also receives user alterations to stored scanning protocols. The system can also re-assign a case scanned according to one scanning protocol to another scanning protocol in response to a user's instruction to do so. The system processes the digitized versions according to at least one computer aided detection (CAD) algorithm for detecting anatomical abnormalities therein. |
| US08073221B2 |
System for three-dimensional medical instrument navigation
A system and method are disclosed for reconstructing an instrument in 3 dimensions for use during interventional medical procedures to provide enhanced instrument visualization with respect to a patient's vasculature. A patient vessel tree volume is co-registered with a live fluoroscopic image of a percutaneously-inserted instrument, such as a guidewire. The fluoroscopic image is segmented to eliminate images of surrounding tissue and to retain the guidewire image. The black pixels of the image are backprojected to the focal point of the x-ray source, through the co-registered vessel tree. The vessel tree is divided into segments that are scored based on proximity to the backprojected black pixels. Candidate instrument-containing vessel paths are identified based on the scores of the segments, and errant candidate vessel paths are eliminated to produce a refined list of candidate paths. Thresholding and visualization are performed to further refine the candidate vessel paths. 3D curve fitting is used to reconstruct an image of the instrument along with a 3D rendering of the final vessel path. |
| US08073214B2 |
Computer aided lesion assessment in dynamic contrast enhanced breast MRI images
A method for performing computer-assisted lesion assessment includes acquiring contrast enhanced MRI data. A region of interest is identified. Kinetic properties, morphological properties and pattern of enhancement are determined for the identified region of interest. A score is calculated for each of the kinetic properties, morphological properties, pattern of enhancement. A cumulative score is calculated for the identified region of interest. The scores are provided to a medical practitioner to assist in diagnosing the identified region of interest. |
| US08073209B2 |
Biometric imaging system and method
A system and method for obtaining a biometric image such as a ten-print fingerprint impression is provided. The system and method can include a live scanner having a platen and a finger guide coupled to the platen. The finger guide can be used to guide positioning of up to four fingers at a time onto the platen, and can include a physical barrier for separation of fingers or thumbs. The finger guide and physical barrier allow a determination of whether a left or right hand is placed on the platen. Fingerprint images can be separated into individual fingerprint images that can be placed onto corresponding areas of a fingerprint card. |
| US08073206B2 |
Face feature collator, face feature collating method, and program
The invention provides a facial feature verification apparatus capable of synthesizing an image suitable for verification to identify a person subjected to surveillance whom surveillance staff desires to watch. The facial feature verification apparatus includes a plurality of pickup units 1, a pickup controlling unit 2 for controlling the pickup units 1, a displaying unit 3 for displaying images picked up by the pickup units 1, and a verifying unit 4 for detecting a person from the picked up images, extracting a facial image by determining a face area of the person, extracting a facial image from the images picked up by the pickup units 1, synthesizing a plurality of facial features by extracting facial features from the extracted facial images, and verifying the synthesized facial features with the facial features enrolled in advance in a facial image database 5. |
| US08073205B2 |
Device and method for creating retinal fundus maps
A device has means for computing and obtaining blood vessel extraction images by extracting blood vessel portions from two or more fundus images, means for computing and obtaining a corner data image having corner portions of the blood vessel portions detected from the obtained blood vessel extraction image, means for computing and obtaining a probability distribution diagram for the corner data image by convolving the corner data image with a window function, means for computing a matching probability score when executing a matching processing between two or more fundus images on the basis of the probability distribution diagram corresponding to each fundus image obtained and the corner data image, and means for creating a retinal fundus map by superimposing two or more fundus images on the basis of the obtained matching probability score. |
| US08073204B2 |
Hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device
An improved fingerprint sensing device is provided with multiple sensing apparatus, two or more of which operating on different sensing principles. For example, a capacitive sensor may be integrally formed with an optical sensor on a single substrate. Ideally, the multiple sensing apparatus are disposed such that they may sense nearly identical portions of a fingerprint simultaneously. A primary sensor may be employed to establish the identity of a user based on a fingerprint, while a secondary sensor may be employed to establish that the fingerprint is part of a live human (anti-spoofing). Integrated light sources may be provided to drive an optical sensor. The light sources may also provide visual cues for usage, and enhance the aesthetics of the device. |
| US08073196B2 |
Detection and tracking of moving objects from a moving platform in presence of strong parallax
Among other things, methods, systems and computer program products are described for detecting and tracking a moving object in a scene. One or more residual pixels are identified from video data. At least two geometric constraints are applied to the identified one or more residual pixels. A disparity of the one or more residual pixels to the applied at least two geometric constraints is calculated. Based on the detected disparity, the one or more residual pixels are classified as belonging to parallax or independent motion and the parallax classified residual pixels are filtered. Further, a moving object is tracked in the video data. Tracking the object includes representing the detected disparity in probabilistic likelihood models. Tracking the object also includes accumulating the probabilistic likelihood models within a number of frames during the parallax filtering. Further, tracking the object includes based on the accumulated probabilistic likelihood models, extracting an optimal path of the moving object. |
| US08073195B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting malfunctioning print elements in postage meter indicia printer
In a mailing machine, an image element included in a postage meter indicium printed on a mail piece is transported past a linear image capture device. The image capture device is operated to produce a smeared image of the image element. The smeared image is then automatically analyzed to detect failures in the print elements of a postage meter that is part of the mailing machine. |
| US08073193B2 |
Methods and systems for steganographic processing
Electronic content data (e.g., audio or visual) can be steganographically encoded for a variety of purposes. One claim recites a method practiced by a first party, including the acts: (a) receiving content that has been previously steganographically encoded by a second party with first plural-bit data; and (b) utilizing a programmed electronic processor, further steganographically encoding the content with a second plural-bit data different than the first. The further encoding includes altering digital data representing human-perceptible attributes of the content, in a manner that is dependent on the content. Both of the first and second plural-bit data are represented in encoded content. Of course, a great variety of other claims, arrangements and features are provided. |
| US08073192B2 |
Determining wood characteristics using annual ring images from lumber faces
Methods are described for predicting the percentage of latewood and specific gravity of lumber independent of moisture content using image analysis of the lumber surfaces. |
| US08073191B2 |
Method and system for correcting butting artifacts in X-ray images
A method and system for correcting butting artifacts in x-ray images is disclosed. In order to correct a butting artifact in an x-ray image, a butting artifact region in the x-ray image is normalized. Multiple intensity shift estimators are calculated for each pixel of each line of the butting artifact. Confidence intervals are calculated for each intensity shift estimator. A multiple hypothesis hidden Markov model (MH-HMM) is formulated based on the intensity shift operators and confidence measures subject to a smoothness constraint, and the MH-HMM is solved to determine intensity shift values for each pixel. A corrected image is generated by adjusting the intensity of each pixel of the butting artifact based on the intensity shift value for that pixel. |
| US08073186B2 |
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker including a frame, a movable diaphragm that oscillates, and a suspension for mounting the diaphragm to the frame, where the suspension comprises a flexible surround having a substantially enclosed space where at least a portion of the flexible surround is air permeable. |
| US08073174B2 |
Fixation element for an implantable microphone
A fixation element for an implantable microphone is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the fixation element comprises an essentially cylindrical portion adapted to be inserted into a bore which crosses a wall of the auditory canal of a user, said cylindrical portion, at least in an implanted state of the fixation element, surrounding an outer circumferential portion of a housing part of the microphone, which housing part is provided with a sound receiving member. The cylindrical portion includes at least one elastic region of increased diameter, said elastic region contacting, in the implanted state of the fixation element, a wall of said bore and providing, by elastic restoring forces, for a friction which is sufficiently high to fix said cylindrical portion in at least one of the two axial directions of said bore. |
| US08073173B2 |
Hearing aid
The hearing aid of the present invention comprises a main body case (1), a battery case (7), a control device (14), a microphone (4), a speaker (3), switching part (12, 16), and a lid portion (11a). The battery case (7) is provided so that it can be pulled from inside the main body case (1) to the outside of the main body case (1). The control device (14) is actuated by the electromotive force of the air battery (8) held in the battery case (7). The microphone (4) and the speaker (3) are electrically connected to the control device (14). The switching part (12, 16) cuts off the supply of power from the air battery (8) to the control device (14) when the at least part of the battery case (7) is pulled out of the main body case (1). The lid portion (11a) is provided either inside the main body case (1) or inside the battery case (7), and air holes (10) in the air battery (8) are opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of pulling at least part of the battery case (7) out of the main body case (1). |
| US08073170B2 |
Hearing aid adjuster
[PROBLEMS] To easily associate the parameters representing the acoustic characteristic of a hearing aid with the audibility of the hearing aid user, shorten the time for adjusting the hearing aid, and improve the accuracy of the adjustment of the parameter.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] By applying a two-dimensional matrix for changing the acoustic parameters of the hearing aid, a person adjusting the hearing aid can easily change the acoustic parameters depending on the audibility of the hearing aid user, the accuracy of the adjustment of the acoustic parameters is improved, and the period of time for adjusting the hearing aid is shortened. |
| US08073169B2 |
Controlling fading and surround signal level
Preserving an audio signal in an audio system includes selecting a first audio signal from a plurality of audio signals. The first audio signal is applied to a first transducer. Mix a portion of the first audio signal with a second audio signal from the plurality of audio signals to provide a mixed audio signal. A gain of the first audio signal that is applied to the first transducer is decreased while a portion of the mixed audio signal is applied to a second transducer to preserve at least a portion of the first audio signal. |
| US08073164B2 |
Thermoacoustic device
A sound wave generator includes a carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure includes one or more drawn carbon nanotube films. The one or more drawn carbon nanotube films produce sound by means of the thermoacoustic effect. |
| US08073162B2 |
Speaker
A speaker includes a sound source, a rod-like member whose base end is in contact with the sound source, and a pair of flexible wing members whose ends are attached to the tip of the rod shape member, and whose other ends are free. |
| US08073159B2 |
Mixer controller
A controller controls a mixing processor based on an operation in an operating portion. Besides, the controller causes a first display to display a view showing an entire console for controlling a parameter for signal processing in a mixing processor, and causes a second display to display a view showing a designated partial area of the above described control panel. Further, the controller accepts designation of any control in the view displayed by the second display, assigns a parameter corresponding to the control of which designation is accepted, and causes the mixing processor to change a value of the parameter assigned to the operating portion, in accordance with an operation content when the operating portion is operated. |
| US08073158B2 |
Circuit for eliminating noise
A circuit for eliminating noise includes a sound card (30) with an audio signal output, a power supply (10) for providing working voltage to the sound card, a first transistor (Q1), a second transistor (Q2), and a third transistor (Q3). The power supply has a power good pin, a PSON# pin, and a standby voltage pin. During powering on time of the sound card, the power good pin is at low level and the second transistor is therefore turned on to ground the audio signal output so as to eliminate turn-on noise. During powering down time of the sound card, the PSON# pin turns from low to high level to turn on the third transistor before the audio power for providing working voltage to the sound card is powered down, thus the first transistor turns off, and the second transistor turns on to ground the audio signal output of the sound card so as to eliminate turn-off noise. |
| US08073157B2 |
Methods and apparatus for targeted sound detection and characterization
Targeted sound detection methods and apparatus are disclosed. A microphone array has two or more microphones M0 . . . MM. Each microphone is coupled to a plurality of filters. The filters are configured to filter input signals corresponding to sounds detected by the microphones thereby generating a filtered output. One or more sets of filter parameters for the plurality of filters are pre-calibrated to determine one or more corresponding pre-calibrated listening zones. Each set of filter parameters is selected to detect portions of the input signals corresponding to sounds originating within a given listening zone and filter out sounds originating outside the given listening zone. A particular pre-calibrated listening zone is selected at a runtime by applying to the plurality of filters a set of filter coefficients corresponding to the particular pre-calibrated listening zone. As a result, the microphone array may detect sounds originating within the particular listening sector and filter out sounds originating outside the particular listening zone. Sounds are detected with the microphone array. A particular listening zone containing a source of the sound is identified. The sound or the source of the sound is characterized and the sound is emphasized or filtered out depending on how the sound is characterized. |
| US08073156B2 |
Vehicle loudspeaker array
An audio processing system for a vehicle includes a plurality of loudspeakers positioned to form a single line array. The loudspeaker line array is positionable in a vehicle on a dashboard of the vehicle substantially at the convergence of the dashboard and a window of the vehicle. When the loudspeaker line array is driven by an audio signal, a vertically and horizontally focused and narrowed sound pattern is perceived by a listener in the vehicle. The sound pattern is the result of the constructive combination of the direct sound impulses and the reflected sound impulses produced by each loudspeaker in the array. Using delay, attenuation and phase adjustment of the audio signal, the sound pattern may be controlled, limited, and directed to one or more locations in the vehicle. |
| US08073153B2 |
System and method for engaging in conversation while using an earphone
A listening device for presenting at least one audio signal to a user comprises a first ear piece and a second ear piece, each of the first ear piece and the second ear piece including at least one speaker and each being adapted to block substantially all external sounds from entering an ear of a user. The device further comprises a microphone for sensing a first audio signal and a differential amplifier coupled to the microphone for amplifying the first audio signal. The differential amplifier is coupled to a first electrical ground. A switching arrangement coupled to and receiving a second audio signal from an external audio source and the external audio source having a second electrical ground that is electrically distinct from the first electrical ground. The switching arrangement is further coupled to the differential amplifier, the first ear piece, and the second ear piece, the switching arrangement being adapted to select at least one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal for transmission to the first ear piece and at least one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal for transmission to the second ear piece. |
| US08073152B1 |
Automated voice over internet protocol wireless headset
A system, apparatus, and method are provided for automatically provisioning wireless local area network (LAN) access point and/or hotspot information, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider information, and VoIP account information on a service provider's Web page to configure a wireless VoIP headset for use. |
| US08073150B2 |
Dynamically configurable ANR signal processing topology
In an ANR circuit, possibly of a personal ANR device, each of a feedback ANR pathway in which feedback anti-noise sounds are generated from feedback reference sounds, a feedforward ANR pathway in which feedforward anti-noise sounds are generated from feedforward reference sounds, and a pass-through audio pathway in which modified pass-through audio sounds are generated from received pass-through audio sounds incorporate at least a block of filters to perform those functions; and may each incorporate one or more VGAs and/or summing nodes. For each of these pathways, ANR settings for interconnections of each of the pathways, coefficients of each of the filters, gain settings of any VGA, along with still other ANR settings, are dynamically configurable wherein dynamic configuration is performed in synchronization with the transfer of one or more pieces of digital data along one or more of the pathways. |
| US08073147B2 |
Dereverberation method, apparatus, and program for dereverberation
A dereverberation device includes a reverberation estimation unit for estimating a later reflection component by using information on an impulse response from a signal source to an observation point, a noise estimation unit, and a mixing unit. As a result, it is possible to obtain a high-quality dereverberated signal with a small calculation amount even in a noisy environment. |
| US08073146B2 |
Audio test apparatus and test method thereof
An audio test apparatus, and an exemplary audio test method that includes: processing an audio file through two independent channels; outputting no signals from a left channel and from a right channel in a first time period; receiving noise signals from the left and right channels; outputting single-frequency signals from the left channel only in a second time period; receiving the single-frequency signals from the left channel and crosstalk signals from the right channel; outputting multi-frequency signals from the left and right channels in a third time period; receiving the multi-frequency signals from the left and right channels; outputting single-frequency signals from the right channel only in a fourth time period; receiving the crosstalk signals from the left channel and the single-frequency signals from the right channel; and testing parameters according to the signals received during the four time periods. |
| US08073145B2 |
Method and apparatus for separating sound-source signal and method and device for detecting pitch
In a sound-source signal separating method, a target sound-source signal in an input audio signal is enhanced, the input audio signal being from a mixture of acoustic signals from a plurality of sound sources picked up by a plurality of sound pickup devices. The pitch of the target sound-source signal in the input audio signal is detected, and the target sound-source signal is separated from the input audio signal based on the detected pitch and the enhanced sound-source signal. |
| US08073144B2 |
Stereo balance interpolation
The present invention provides improvements to prior art audio codecs that generate a stereo-illusion through post-processing of a received mono signal. These improvements are accomplished by extraction of stereo-image describing parameters at the encoder side, which are transmitted and subsequently used for control of a stereo generator at the decoder side. Furthermore, the invention bridges the gap between simple pseudo-stereo methods, and current methods of true stereo-coding, by using a new form of parametric stereo coding. A stereo-balance parameter is introduced, which enables more advanced stereo modes, and in addition forms the basis of a new method of stereo-coding of spectral envelopes, of particular use in systems where guided HFR (High Frequency Reconstruction) is employed. As a special case, the application of this stereo-coding scheme in scalable HFR-based codecs is described. |
| US08073143B2 |
Information processing device and method
A configuration is provided which enables usage management and secure data management of data newly generated or obtained that is different from data already stored in an information recording medium. New data such as information which the user has newly generated or downloaded related to content information increments of content management information stored in an information recording medium is recorded as configuration data of the content management unit, in the form of encrypted data to which a unit key corresponding to the content management unit, or a unit key corresponding to a new content management unit, has been applied. According to this configuration, secure data management and usage management is realized for new data the same as with data corresponding to original units. |
| US08073142B2 |
Information recording/reproducing device and information recording medium
Embodiments protect user data in its entirety from unauthorized access when an authorized user does not access a medium for a predetermined length of time by making encryption key data used to encrypt the user data unavailable. In one embodiment, using a magnetic disk in which a data losing time of an encryption key data recording area is shorter than a user data recording area, recording is performed to the magnetic disk while encrypting user data during recording, and encryption key data for use with encryption is recorded in the encryption data recording area. For reproduction of the user data, the encryption key data is read from the encryption key data recording area, and the user data encrypted during the recording is output while being decrypted using an encryption key generated by the encryption key data, and the encryption key data is overwritten on the encryption key data recording area. |
| US08073140B2 |
Encryption/decryption device, encryption/decryption method, and computer program
It is possible to realize a Feistel-type common key block encryption/decryption processing configuration capable of reducing data stored in a memory at a low cost. The Feistel-type common key block encryption/decryption processing repeatedly executes an SP-type F function having nonlinear and linear transform sections by several rounds. At least one of the nonlinear and linear transform processes executed in the F function in each round is executed as a transform process identical with a transform process applied to an encryption/decryption algorithm other than a Feistel-type common key block encryption/decryption algorithm and/or another hash function such as AES and Whirlpool. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the design cost and the amount of data stored in a memory. |
| US08073137B2 |
Audio headset
An audio headset usable for conducting a voice call through a phone, and for playing audio, such as music, from a streaming audio device, by means of a speaker. The headset comprises a signal transceiver, wirelessly connectable to a plurality of devices, including a voice call device and an audio device. A control unit in the headset can be controlled by means of a switch, which is operable to selectively set the control unit to a single point connection setting, in which only audio signals received from a first device are relayed to the speaker, or to a multiple point connection setting, in which audio signals received from the first device or from a second device are relayed to the speaker. The first device is typically a mobile phone, and priority is preferably always given to voice call signals from mobile phone even in the multipoint connection setting. |
| US08073134B2 |
Function for controlling line powered network element
A network element comprises a power interface to receive power from a power communication medium; a service interface to provide a telecommunication service over a service communication medium; management interface to receive management data over one of the service communication medium and the power communication medium via at least one primitive; and a control module to monitor the at least one primitive and to control operation of the network element based on the at least one monitored primitive. |
| US08073129B1 |
Work item relation awareness for agents during routing engine driven sub-optimal work assignments
In one embodiment, a contact center 100 includes: (a) a queue 208 to contain a pointer to a first contact from a first customer; (b) a selector 220 to select a first agent to service the first contact, the first agent being a suboptimal selection for servicing the first contact and a second agent being an optimal selection for servicing the first contact; and (c) a routing notification agent 232 to notify the first agent that the second agent was the optimal selection for servicing the contact; and/or, after delivery of the first contact to the first agent, notify the second agent that the first agent is the suboptimal selection for servicing the contact and that the second agent is the optimal selection for servicing the contact. |
| US08073128B2 |
Ringback tone service opt-in and opt-out requests for use by calling party
An opt-out request in one example is received from a calling party to avoid employment of a specialized ringback tone on one or more subsequent calls from the calling party to a called party. A ringback tone call controller determines, based on the opt-out request, to provide a substitute tone to the calling party in place of the specialized ringback tone on the one or more subsequent calls from the calling party to the called party. After receiving the opt-out request on a call, the specialized ringback tone in a further example is stopped for a remainder of a ringing phase of the call. If a ringback tone service state associated with the calling party is an opt-out state, then in one example the calling party makes an opt-in request to allow use of the specialized ringback tone on one or more subsequent calls to the called party. |
| US08073124B2 |
System and method to identify and associate call legs in session initiation protocol back to back user agents
A system and method for simplifying Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”) Back To Back User Agent (“B2BUA”) development by associating different call legs with each other across multiple SIP entities. Call legs may be associated with one another through a common or shared identification. |
| US08073121B2 |
Caller ID messaging
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for caller identification messaging are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a calling party uses a Caller ID Messaging Device that supplants the incoming calling line identification (ICLID) signal with a Caller ID Messaging Signal and transmits the Caller ID Messaging Signal to a destination communications address. An alternate embodiment provides that the calling party may use a conventional telephone to access a communications network, activate Caller ID Messaging Services, compose or retrieve a stored Caller ID Message of the Caller ID Messaging Signal, and transmit the Caller ID Messaging Signal to the destination communications address. The Caller ID Message and Caller ID Messaging Signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data. |
| US08073120B2 |
Relating to telephone communications
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, in a telecommunication system, of establishing a connection between a calling terminal and a called terminal, the called terminal having an associated presence status, the connection establishment being initiated by a connection establishment request sent by the calling terminal, comprising: obtaining, in response to the connection establishment request, the presence status associated with the called terminal; and supplying the obtained presence status to the calling terminal. |
| US08073115B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving and storing video signals
Detection devices (1) for controlling storage devices (20) for receiving and storing video signals for a plurality of subscribers are provided with memories (2, 3) for storing subscriber's profiles and detectors (4, 5) for detecting video signals comprising content according to the subscriber's profiles. Indication transmitters (6, 7) transmit indications with respect to the video signal to indication receivers (26, 27) of the storage devices (20) for in response to receptions of the indications storing the video signals or to indication receivers (71) of subscriber devices (70) for in response to receptions of the indications informing the subscribers. Switches (8, 9) activate/deactivate the detection devices (1) in response to un-availabilities/availabilities of the subscribers to check the video signal. Report receivers (10, 11) of the detection devices (1) receive reports for reporting un-availabilities/availabilities of the subscribers from report transmitters (81) of telephone systems (80) or from report transmitters (32, 42) of television systems (30, 40). |
| US08073113B2 |
Marking voice messages as heard
In response to receiving a voice message, a telephony service creates an e-mail message directed to the intended recipient of the voice message. The e-mail message includes the voice message as an attachment and an embedded image file. Once the e-mail message has been created, a mail system is utilized to transmit the e-mail message to the intended recipient of the voice message. An e-mail client application program may be used to retrieve the e-mail message and to view the message content. In order to render the message content, the e-mail client application program will transmit a request for the image file. In response to receiving the request for the image file, an indication is transmitted to the telephony service indicating that the intended recipient has heard the voice message. In response to receiving the indication, the telephony service marks the voice message as heard. |
| US08073112B2 |
Method and system to manage multiple IVRs
A method includes storing a profile associated with a user of a telephone and, based upon the profile, presenting the user with an option to search, browse, subscribe to, or bookmark content provided by a plurality of IVR content providers. |
| US08073110B2 |
System and method for location identification
A system for location identification in a local area network comprising: a current limited voltage source; a telecommunications outlet; communication cabling connecting the current limited voltage source to the telecommunications outlet; and a location identifier associated with the telecommunications outlet, the location identifier being responsive to a pre-determined voltage level from the current limited voltage source to transmit a multi-bit location data. In one embodiment the multi-bit location data is received at the power sourcing equipment and in another embodiment the multi-bit location data is received at a data terminal equipment connected to the telecommunications outlet. |
| US08073107B2 |
Betatron with a contraction and expansion coil
A betatron, especially in X-ray testing apparatus is provided, that includes a rotationally symmetrical inner yoke having two interspaced parts, an outer yoke connecting the two inner yoke parts, at least one main field coil, a toroidal betatron tube arranged between the opposing front sides of the inner yoke parts, and at least one contraction and expansion coil. An individual CE coil is respectively arranged between the front side of the inner yoke part and the betatron tube, and the radius of the CE coil is essentially the same as the nominal orbital radius of the electrons in the betatron tube. |
| US08073106B2 |
Estimating strengths of wooden supports by detecting backscattered gamma rays
A method of estimating the strength of a wooden support wherein gamma rays (4) are transmitted and detected parallel to a neutral axis (5) through a cross section of the support. It also includes a method of locating regions of unsound wood in a wooden support using detection of transmitted gamma rays (4), as well as apparatus suitable for conducting both methods. |
| US08073102B2 |
Real-time dose reconstruction using dynamic simulation and image guided adaptive radiotherapy
A radiation therapy treatment method comprises imaging a subject and simulating four-dimensional aspects of radiotherapy. A treatment plan based on the simulation is generated to permit real-time, three-dimensional dose reconstruction at the time of treatment. The simulation and treatment plan are used during treatment fractions to achieve real-time image guidance. |
| US08073101B2 |
Digital modality modeling for medical and dental applications
A digital modality modeling system includes a computer with a digital memory adapted for storing patient densitometry information, an input and an output. An input subsystem includes a pair of source/receptor units mounted on a signal positioning subsystem, which is adapted for moving the source/receptor units through predetermined paths of movement, which can be circular or linear. The resulting tomographic data is synthesized to form any 3-D model or image, which is output for further analysis. A digital tomosynthesis method includes the steps of moving a pair of sensor/receptor units relative to a patient. The resulting signals output by the receptor are digitized and synthesized to form a 3-D image or model. Multiple depths of penetration and multiple widths can be captured from single acquisitions using digital tomosynthesis signal processing techniques. |
| US08073100B2 |
Panoramic X-ray apparatus
A panoramic X-ray apparatus, comprising at least a support element (2), a patient support (9) arranged to be movable in a vertical direction and an imaging station (4a). The panoramic X-ray apparatus has a support structure (4) arranged to support at least the imaging station (4a), and it has an actuator (15) producing a vertical linear motion for moving at least the imaging station (4a) to different height positions. The panoramic X-ray apparatus comprises a transmission mechanism (28) which affects the velocity/travel distance of the vertical movement of the imaging station (4a) and which is connected at least to the actuator (15) and either to the aforesaid support structure (4) or to the aforesaid support element in such manner that the velocity/travel distance of the vertical movement of the imaging station (4a) is substantially greater than the velocity/travel distance of the motion imparted by the actuator (15) to the transmission mechanism (28). |
| US08073098B2 |
Air bearing to support a body
An air bearing has a rotor having a circularly curved radial rotor bearing surface along its circumferential direction. The air bearing also has a stator having at least one radial stator bearing surface partially enclosing the rotor in the circumferential direction. The radial stator bearing surface is curved according to a profile following the circumferential direction of the rotor and is fashioned to generate an air gap between it and the radial rotor bearing surface so that, upon operation, the rotor is borne, supported by an air current in the air gap. The profile shapes the air gap such that, at a starting temperature that deviates from an operating temperature, the air gap has a smaller thickness (measured in the radial direction) in a second region of the radial stator bearing surface in comparison to a first region of the radial stator bearing surface along the circumferential direction. |
| US08073096B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for removal and transport of thermal energy
Methods and apparatuses are provided for the removal and transportation of thermal energy from a heat source to a distant complex for use in thermochemical cycles or other processes. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a hybrid heat pipes/thermosyphon intermediate heat exchanger (HPTIHX) system that is divided into three distinct sections, namely: an evaporation chamber, a condensation chamber, and a working fluid transport section of liquid and vapor counter-current flows. |
| US08073091B2 |
Signal processing method and circuit to convert analog signal to digital signal
A phase determination unit in a signal processing circuit generates sampling clocks with different phases in a clock generator and sequentially provides them to an analog-to-digital convertor. Then, the phase determination unit obtains differences between each adjacent two signal levels in each sampled digital signal by use of the sampling clocks, and monitors a polarity change in the differences, extracts a more inappropriate phase for use in sampling from phases of the sampling clocks on the basis of the absolute values of the differences where the polarity change is detected, and determines an antiphase of the extracted phase as a phase of the sampling clock to be provided to the analog-to-digital convertor. |
| US08073089B2 |
Data player and data play method
A synchronous pattern detection section checks coincidence between a predetermined reference synchronous pattern and a bit pattern included in a data stream. Each time a bit pattern which coincides with the reference synchronous pattern is detected, the synchronous pattern detection section extracts a frame length of a data frame corresponding to the bit pattern which is detected, and stores the extracted frame length in a storage section. Each time a bit pattern which coincides with the reference synchronous pattern is detected in the synchronous pattern detection section, a synchronization determination section determines whether or not the bit pattern detected by the synchronous pattern detection section is a correct synchronous pattern, based on a plurality of frame lengths stored in the storage section and a bit length of a data stream which is obtained after detection of the bit pattern. With this structure, a synchronous pattern included in the data stream can be detected with higher precision. |
| US08073087B2 |
Multi-carrier incremental redundancy for packet based wireless communications
Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein for providing incremental redundancy in a wireless communication system to aid in error recovery. One or more redundancy versions are sent on different carriers than the primary version of information to be transmitted. At the receiver end the redundancy versions may be combined using hard or soft combining techniques, including selection combining, selective soft combining or soft combining. |
| US08073083B2 |
Sliding block traceback decoding of block codes
Sliding block traceback decoding of block codes. Block by block basis decoding is performed in which a single block, and its corresponding overlap portion, are processed during a given time. The traceback saves a record of decision (e.g., among possible trellis branches between various trellis stages) and constructs only the surviving paths through each individual block. Since only one block (by also employing its corresponding overlap portion) is decoded per time, the traceback through the coded block signal is short. One block of the coded block signal is decoded at a time, and certain resulting information (e.g., bit estimates and/or states) of a first decoded block can be leveraged when decoding a second/adjacent block. |
| US08073076B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a communication signal
An access terminal for processing a communication signal includes a receiver. The receiver is configured to determine a bias point for the communication signal based on a quality measurement of the communication signal, the quality measurement having a carrier-to-interference (C/I) estimate associated therewith. The receiver is further configured to determine a C/I cap for the communication signal using the C/I estimate, the C/I cap being configured to cap a signal to interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the communication signal. In addition, the receiver is configured to process the communication signal using the determined bias point and the determined C/I cap. A method is also provided for processing a communication signal. |
| US08073075B2 |
Transmission apparatus and transmission power control method
The transmission apparatus and transmission power controlling method are able to keep high speed feedback control and control transmission power accurately. Polar modulation transmitter (100) is provided with LPF (108) that performs waveform shaping of output power of PA (103) and ADC (109) that obtains output power data for each mode by sampling filtered signals in compressed mode and filtered signals in uncompressed mode at the same phase as the filtered signals in compressed mode. In this way, the phases of sampling signals before and after the mode change are the same, so that it is possible to obtain sampling signals of the same condition before and after the mode change, from filtered signal waveforms. According to feedback control based on these sampling signals, even if drift components remain in the filtered signals, the influence can be ignored, so that it is possible to keep high speed feedback control, and estimate and control transmission power accurately. |
| US08073073B2 |
Optimized clipping for peak-to-average power ratio reduction
A technique for PAR reduction involves producing an optimized clipping pulse. The optimized clipping pulse may be designed to meet certain requirements, such as a spectral mask target or an EVM target, when applied to a signal. |
| US08073071B2 |
Hybrid automatic repeat requests coding in MIMO networks
A method transmits a block of symbols in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) network including a transmitter having a set of transmit antennas and a receiver having a set of receive antennas. A block of symbols is coded with a first code to generate a first block, which is transmitted and received. If a decoding of the first block is incorrect, then block of symbols is coded with the first code and then a second code different than the first code to generate a second block. The second block is transmitted, received and combined with the first block to recover the block of symbols. |
| US08073069B2 |
Multi-user MIMO-SDMA for finite rate feedback systems
A multi-user MIMO downlink beamforming system with limited feedback (200) is provided to enable preceding for multi-stream transmission, where a channel codeword (ui) and one or more channel quality indicator values (CQIA, CQIB) are computed at the user equipment (201.i) on the basis of maximizing a predetermined SINR performance metric (ρi) which estimates the receive signal-to-noise-ratio (SINR) at the user equipment (201.i). The computed codeword (ui) and CQI values (or differential values related thereto) are quantized and fed back to help the base station (210) which applies a correction to the appropriate CQI value in the course of designing the transmit beamforming vectors w and determining the appropriate modulation and coding level to be used for downlink data transmission. |
| US08073068B2 |
Selective virtual antenna transmission
Techniques for transmitting data from virtual antennas instead of physical antennas are described. Each virtual antenna may be mapped to some or all physical antennas by a different mapping. The performance of different sets of at least one virtual antenna is evaluated based on one or more metrics such as signal quality, throughput, overall rate, and so on. The virtual antenna set with the best performance is selected for use. If the virtual antenna selection is performed by the receiver, then channel state information for the selected virtual antenna set may be sent to the transmitter. The channel state information may convey the selected virtual antenna(s), the signal quality or rate(s) for the selected virtual antenna(s), one or more preceding matrices used to form the selected virtual antenna(s), and so on. The transmitter and/or receiver use the selected virtual antenna(s) for data transmission. |
| US08073067B2 |
Method and apparatus for transferring signals in a wireless communication system
Data is transferred in a wireless communication system, such as a wireless spread spectrum communication system. A plurality of transmitting antennas are provided. Data is encoded to produce a plurality of data streams for each of the plurality of codes. The plurality of data streams are spread with the plurality of spreading codes, and for each transmitting antenna, one of the spread data streams of each code together is combined to produce a spread data vector. Each transmitting antenna transmits its spread data vector. The transmitted spread data vectors are received by each of a plurality of receiving antennas as a received version, and the data is recovered using the received versions. |
| US08073066B2 |
Signal receiving apparatus, signal receiving method and program
Disclosed herein is a signal receiving apparatus including a profile inference section; a delay-spread computation section; a position determination section; a signal-by-function multiplication section; an interval extraction section; an interval-to-signal addition section; and a signal processing section. |
| US08073064B2 |
Robust FFT trigger point tracking for echo channels in OFDM based communication systems
Identifying a trigger point of at least one OFDM decoder includes correlating a first time-domain sample of the at least one OFDM symbol with a second time-domain sample of the at least one OFDM symbol, processing the first time-domain sample and the second time-domain sample in the first moving average filter to determine a channel impulse response, comparing at least one correlation value of a first biggest path in the channel impulse response and a second biggest path in the channel impulse response, and determining a channel length of the channel impulse response based on a time duration of the channel impulse response. The OFDM decoder includes a first moving average filter and a second moving average filter. |
| US08073060B2 |
Video synchronization
A method of synchronizing the phase of a local image synchronization signal generator of a local video data processor in communication with an asynchronous switched packet network to the phase of a reference image synchronization signal generator of a reference video data processor also coupled to the network, the local and reference processors having respective clocks, the reference and local image synchronization signal generators generating periodic image synchronization signals in synchronism with the reference and local clocks respectively comprises the steps of: frequency synchronizing the local and reference clocks; the reference video data processor sending, via the network, to the local data processor an image timing packet providing reference image synchronization data indicating the difference in timing, measured with respect to the reference processor's clock, between the time at which the image timing packet is launched onto the network and the time of production of a reference image synchronization signal; and the local processor controlling the timing of the production of the local image synchronization signal in dependence on the reference image synchronization data and the time of arrival of the timing packet. |
| US08073056B2 |
Motion vector searching method using plural search areas
A motion vector searching system and method estimates a motion vector during image compression by acquiring a present image frame and at least one previous image frame, generating low-resolution images of the present and previous frames in multiple stages, determining areas in one of the stages in which pixel searches are to be performed, locating at least two areas which overlap, and then merging the overlapping areas if a merge condition is satisfied. The search areas are determined by identifying candidate points in the low-resolution image which have low pixel absolute difference values, and the merge condition may correspond to a certain minimum distance between centers of the overlapping areas. A motion vector estimator is used to perform additional searching in the merged and non-merged areas to generate a motion vector associated with the present and previous image frames. Through at least the merging step, the motion vector searching system and method are able to achieve improved performance in terms of computational efficiency. |
| US08073047B2 |
Bandwidth sensitive data compression and decompression
Data compression and decompression methods for compressing and decompressing data based on an actual or expected throughput (bandwidth) of a system. In one embodiment, a controller tracks and monitors the throughput (data storage and retrieval) of a data compression system and generates control signals to enable/disable different compression algorithms when, e.g., a bottleneck occurs so as to increase the throughput and eliminate the bottleneck. |
| US08073045B2 |
Method and a system for generating an adaptive slicer threshold
An adaptive slicer threshold is derived from averages of maximum and minimum values of the received signal, the method comprising the steps of: —averaging (86) several detected maximum values and averaging several detected minimum values, and —calculating (86) the slicer threshold from these average minimum and maximum values. |
| US08073044B2 |
Polar transmitter with digital and analog filtering of envelope
A calibration circuit measures the variation in a filter resistor within the analog domain of the envelope path of a polar transmitter and produces a digital value representative of that variation. A digital processor determines a digital control signal from the digital value that is used to compensate, in the digital domain of the envelope path, for the variation in the filter resistor in the analog domain. |
| US08073041B1 |
System and method for descrambling the phase of the carriers in a multicarrier communications system
A system and method that demodulates the phase characteristic of a carrier signal are described. The scrambling of the phase characteristic of each carrier signal includes associating a value with each carrier signal and computing a phase shift for each carrier signal based on the value associated with that carrier signal. The value is determined independently of any input bit value carried by that carrier signal. The phase shift computed for each carrier signal is combined with the phase characteristic of that carrier signal so as to substantially scramble the phase characteristic of the carrier signals. Bits of an input signal are modulated onto the carrier signals having the substantially scrambled phase characteristic to produce a transmission signal with a reduced PAR. |
| US08073040B1 |
Serial communications control plane with optional features
A serial communications protocol is provided that has mandatory features such as an idle code feature and optional features such as an optional automatic lane polarity reversal feature and an optional automatic lane order reversal feature, an optional clock tolerance compensation feature, an optional flow control feature, and an optional retry-on-error feature. A user that desires to create a protocol-compliant integrated circuit design can either choose to include or to not include the optional features. Integrated circuits in which the optional features are implemented are able to perform the associated functions. Integrated circuits in which the optional features have not been implemented are not able to perform these functions, but can be fabricated using fewer circuit resources. |
| US08073032B2 |
Surface emitting laser and manufacturing method therefor
Provided is a surface emitting laser or the like capable of suppressing horizontal misalignment between the surface relief structure and the current confining structure to make higher the precision of the alignment, to thereby obtain single transverse mode characteristics with stability. The surface emitting laser having a semiconductor layer laminated therein includes: a first etching region formed by etching a part of the upper mirror; and a second etching region formed by performing etching from a bottom portion of the first etching region to a semiconductor layer for forming a current confining structure, in which a depth of the second etching region is smaller than a depth of the first etching region. |
| US08073028B2 |
Light emitting apparatus, optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A light emitting apparatus includes a surface emitting laser and a ceramic package. The surface emitting laser has a common electrode on the back surface thereof and is mounted on the ceramic package via the common electrode. The common electrode of the surface emitting laser is electrically connected to a mount portion of the ceramic package. The mount portion is electrically connected to a back-surface electrode on the back surface of the ceramic package. The mount portion is also thermally connected to a back-surface heat-dissipating electrode on the back surface of the ceramic package via a penetrating electrode that penetrates the ceramic package. The surface emitting laser is spaced apart from the penetrating electrode in order to prevent inclination in light-emitted direction. The back-surface heat-dissipating electrode prevents destruction of a soldered portion when the light emitting apparatus is mounted on a substrate by soldering. |
| US08073026B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling carrier envelope phase
A chirped pulse amplification laser system. The system generally comprises a laser source, a pulse modification apparatus including first and second pulse modification elements separated by a separation distance, a positioning element, a measurement device, and a feedback controller. The laser source is operable to generate a laser pulse and the pulse modification apparatus operable to modify at least a portion of the laser pulse. The positioning element is operable to reposition at least a portion of the pulse modification apparatus to vary the separation distance. The measurement device is operable to measure the carrier envelope phase of the generated laser pulse and the feedback controller is operable to control the positioning element based on the measured carrier envelope phase to vary the separation distance of the pulse modification elements and control the carrier envelope phase of laser pulses generated by the laser source. |
| US08073022B2 |
Laser light source device and image display device
A laser light source device, which is capable of multi-wavelength oscillation, includes a laser light source; and a laser cavity including (i) a fiber, (ii) a first fiber grating provided at a side of the fiber toward the laser light source and having a plurality of reflection peaks, and (iii) a second fiber grating provided at a light emission end of the fiber and having a plurality of reflection peaks. Further, the laser light source includes a wavelength converter converting a fundamental wave emitted from the laser cavity into a harmonic wave; a reflection wavelength varying unit shifting reflection wavelengths of the reflection peaks of the second fiber grating; and a controller controlling phase matching conditions of the wavelength converter. As a result, intervals between adjacent reflection peaks of the first fiber grating are different from those between adjacent reflection peaks of the second fiber grating. |
| US08073017B1 |
System and method for generating eye-safe high intensity optical pulses with two backward-shifting raman cells
A system and method for converting a pulsed beam of irradiation from a laser operating at a first wavelength to a pulsed beam of irradiation at a second, Stokes, wavelength. The system includes two Raman cells filled with the same Raman-active gas. The second cell receives a backward-propagating Stokes pulse beam from the first Raman cell, with the backward-propagating Stokes pulsed beam entering the second Raman cell in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the incoming laser pulses at the first wavelength. The second Raman cell generates a high intensity output pulsed beam at the second, Stokes, wavelength. The system can produce a high intensity eye-safe pulsed beam. |
| US08073015B2 |
Method, system, integrated circuit, communication module, and computer-readable medium for achieving resource sharing including space and time reuse within a power line communication system
A communication system includes communication protocols that allow a single network or multiple neighboring networks to increase resource sharing and reduce mutual interference and increase their overall throughput. Various protocols apply to homogenous networks in which all power line communication (PLC) devices of multiple networks are interoperable with respect to full power line communication in a common PHY (specifications, signaling capabilities, modulation scheme, coding scheme, bandwidth, etc.) and to heterogeneous networks in which devices of some PLC networks are not interoperable with PLC devices of other PLC networks with respect to full power line communication given that the devices of the different networks do not employ a common PHY. With respect to heterogeneous networks, a protocol is provided to enable coexistence via a signaling scheme common to all of the devices of the network that allows resource sharing between the devices of the multiple heterogeneous networks. Homogeneous networks are those in which all nodes can communicate with each other using a common PHY, so that information about one PLC network can be transferred to another PLC network. Heterogeneous networks are those in which not all PLC networks can exchange information using their own native PHY, such as where users in different apartments or houses use different devices having different specifications, different signaling capabilities, modulation scheme, coding scheme, bandwidth and the like. |
| US08073010B2 |
Ring transmission apparatus and signal processing method
On an optical ring network side, an optical ring transmission apparatus is provided with a first ring-side TDM device and a separately implemented first packet ring device, on a first ring side. On a client network side, the apparatus is provided with a first client-side TDM device and a first packet transceiver, which are implemented separately from the devices on the optical ring network side. The devices on the client network side can be connected to the devices on the optical ring network side through a switch section including a packet switch and a TDM switch. Further, the apparatus has a dual configuration with the provision of devices that pair up with the above-mentioned devices, such as a second packet ring device. The flexibility can be ensured by the redundant configuration and the independent implementation of the devices as described above. |
| US08073004B2 |
Method and related device for reducing data transition in data transmission interface
Reducing data transitions in a data transmission interface includes receiving first data and second data, among which the first data is data being transmitted by the data transmission interface and the second data is next data of the first data in a timing sequence. Corresponding data bits of the first data and the second data are compared to compute how many data bits undergo data transition. If the number of data bits undergoing data transition is greater than half the number of data bits the data transmission interface is capable of transmitting simultaneously, an encoding mode is activated to encode the second data, and an encoding result corresponding to the second data is outputted. |
| US08073003B2 |
General purpose physical data transmission port
A physical data transmission port in a network element of a data network, suited for realizing for instance both an electric packet switched Ethernet connection and an electric time slot switched E1/T1 connection. It has surprisingly been found out that the electric connector (101) and connected circuits provided in the network element can be arranged to support more than one wiring standard. For example the generally used RJ connector can be arranged to support both the RJ45 wiring standard and the RJ48c wiring standard, in which case, with the electric connector (101), there can be realized a physical data transmission port that is suited for realizing both an 10/100 Ethernet connection and an E1/T1 connection. |
| US08073001B2 |
Wireless terminal baseband processor high speed turbo decoding module supporting MAC header splitting
A baseband processing module for use within a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver includes a downlink/uplink interface, TX processing components, a processor, memory, RX processing components, and a turbo decoding module. The RX processing components receive a baseband RX signal from the RF front end, produce a set of IR samples from the baseband RX signal, and transfer the set of IR samples to the memory. The turbo decoding module receives at least one set of IR samples from the memory, forms a turbo code word from the at least one set of IR samples, turbo decodes the turbo code word to produce inbound data, and outputs the inbound data to the downlink/uplink interface. The turbo decoding module performs metric normalization based upon a chosen metric, performs de-rate matching, performs error detection operations, and extracts information from a MAC packet that it produces. |
| US08072999B1 |
Method and system for removing and returning nodes in a synchronous network
A method and system for adding a node into a network operating in a cyclic state after one or more nodes have been previously removed without interrupting the synchronous traffic of the remaining nodes on the network is provided. The method includes discovering an added node by sending data to the added node in a downstream timeslot previously assigned to a removed node, the data having a delay value for scheduling a response from the added node to coincide with an upstream timeslot previously assigned to the removed node, thereby avoiding collisions with the synchronous traffic on the network; receiving the response from the added node; configuring the added node in accordance with an original configuration of the removed node; and commencing cyclic operation of the added node. |
| US08072994B2 |
Mobile router with serial device interface
A mobile router having a serial interface is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the mobile router may comprise a serial port data publisher module that may take data received from a serial device connected to a serial port of the mobile router and make the data from the serial device available via a TCP stream. In that way, the serial port data publisher module may be used, for example, to populate a remote database with the data from the serial device. That way, the data from the serial device may be remotely accessed via the Internet, for example. In addition, the mobile router can be used to output a received signal from the device connected to its serial interface. |
| US08072993B2 |
Systems and methods for communicating to a disassociated station in a protected network
Stations in standby mode in a wireless local area network (WLAN) become disassociated with their access point. In the event traffic is intended for the station in standby mode, a wakeup message needs to be communicated to the station. Typically, a wakeup message could be broadcast on a broadcast or multicast address, and when the station checks for broadcasts, the station can determine whether it needs to wake up. However, in a protected network, a disassociated station cannot decrypt messages from the access point without reassociating. However, the cost of reassociating in time and power can be significant, so reassociating should not be performed unless the station needs to wake up, leading to a vicious cycle as the station does not know it must wake up unless it can decrypt the message. To address this issue, in one embodiment the access points do not encrypt messages on a select multicast address, whereby messages such as wakeup message can be transmitted. In another embodiment, the messages are still encrypted. However, the identification of which station must wake up is encoded as the length of the encrypted payload. These methods allow a general message of communicating to disassociated stations in a protected WLAN environment. |
| US08072992B2 |
Interfacing real and virtual networks in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations
Real and simulated (virtual) networks are interfaced with one another for carrying out hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and evaluations. A simulated network is modeled at a workstation by running a network simulation or discrete event modeling tool on the workstation. A virtual gateway node is defined in the simulated network, and the gateway node is linked with a network adapter on the workstation. An external real network operating with Internet protocol (IP) is also linked with the adapter. The adapter and the gateway node are configured to (i) translate simulated data packets sent from nodes of the simulated network and designated for the real network, into IP data packets for routing or processing by the real network, and (ii) translate IP data packets sent from nodes of the real network and designated for the simulated network, into simulated data packets for muting or processing by the simulated network. |
| US08072988B2 |
Method and system for buffer-to-buffer credit recovery in fibre channel systems using virtual and/or pseudo virtual lanes
A method and system for distributing credit using a fiber channel switch element is provided. The switch element includes, a wait threshold counter that is used to set up a status for a port that has to wait for certain duration to send a frame due to lack of buffer to buffer credit; a credit module that controls buffer to buffer credit for a transmit segment of the fiber channel switch element; and a virtual lane credit module with a counter that is incremented every time a frame assigned to a virtual lane is sent and decreased every time a VC_RDY is received. The method includes, determining if a VC_RDY primitive is received; and allocating credit to a virtual lane that is not at its maximum credit, after the VC_RDY primitive is received. |
| US08072985B2 |
Traffic matrix computation for packet networks
Systems in the current art provide capacity planning for packet networks. These systems require input data that characterizes traffic demands. The demands may be expressed as matrixes that record the number of bytes and packets exchanged between access routers or service nodes for each type-of-service. This invention defines a system and method to calculate these traffic matrixes. Access routers in a service node export flow records to a Record Collector. The flow records are processed to create ingress and egress records that are stored on the Record Collector. This data is uploaded to a Capacity Planning Server at which the traffic matrixes are generated. The egress access router(s) for a flow are determined by searching for matching ingress and egress records. Matching records have identical source and destination addresses. This algorithm requires no knowledge of the complex topology and routing protocols that are used within packet networks. Sampled or non-sampled flow records may be used. The concepts in this invention may also be used to calculate traffic matrixes for virtual private networks (VPNs). |
| US08072982B2 |
Gateway entity for distinguishing between different messages without full knowledge of underlying protocol
A gateway and method for distinguishing between different types of messages without requiring the gateway to be fully aware of the communication protocol. The gateway passes through messages from application entities to network elements and vice versa. The gateway determines a transaction identifier or sequence step information, and compares the transaction identifier or sequence step information with ones previously stored. The comparison result is used to determine whether a message is an initial message or a response message to the initial message, and whether the message is a first or subsequent message, respectively. |
| US08072981B2 |
High rate packet data transmission system
A hybrid ARQ method for packet data transmission in a mobile communication system wherein previously transmitted packets are combined with retransmitted packets. The packets are segmented into a plurality of protocol data units (PDUs), and each PDU is assigned a sequence number for identification purposes. The sequence number is transmitted on a control channel which is separate from the data channel for transmitting the PDUs. |
| US08072980B1 |
Prediction of future frames in a wireless network
Methods and apparatus for processing frames in wireless networks. In one implementation, the method includes predicting, before transmission of a first frame, a source address and a destination address of a second frame that is to be transmitted after the transmission of the first frame, generating a predictor field that includes information associated with the predicted source address and the predicted destination address of the second frame, and appending the predictor field in the first frame. The method further includes a first wireless device transmitting the first frame. |
| US08072979B2 |
Terminal-to-terminal communication control system for IP full service
The present invention relates to a terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method using an IP network characterized in that: in order for a mobile telephone set to have a telephone communication with a fixed telephone set by way of a mobile communication network and an IP network, the mobile communication network carries out a line connection control based on the common channel signaling system; the IP network establishing a communication path by carrying out a line connection control applying a common channel signaling system to the IP network thereby effecting a telephone communication. |
| US08072972B2 |
Configurable hardware scheduler calendar search algorithm
Apparatus and method that schedules movement of packets within network devices, such as network processors, includes a calendar using a segmented hierarchical routine to identify the next packet to be moved from one of a plurality of flow queues. |
| US08072971B2 |
Platform architecture and method for making same
The present invention provides an architecture for a platform, which includes (1) gates located in a central area of a die for supporting an application layer; (2) a SerDes region located at one side of the die for holding at least one SerDes device; (3) a Link Layer Controller region, located adjacent the SerDes region and between the SerDes region and the gates, for supporting the at least one SerDes device; and (4) at least one RAM array for supporting the at least one SerDes device, the at least one RAM array being located at least one of adjacent the gates or between the gates and the Link Layer Controller region. |
| US08072962B2 |
Method of detecting and solving network ID conflict
A method of detecting and solving a network ID conflict is provided. The method of detecting and solving a network ID conflict includes generating and transmitting a personal area network identifier (PAN ID) report command frame that includes an extended PAN ID, and receiving a PAN ID update command frame in response to the transmitted PAN ID report command frame. According to the method, the PAN ID report command and the PAN ID update command are generated and provided by providing an extended PAN ID (EPID), and thus a network ID conflict can be detected and a new PAN ID is provided to solve the network ID conflict. |
| US08072961B2 |
Communication system, a communication method, and a communication apparatus with request to send features
A communication system for carrying out data communication among a plurality of communication stations is disclosed in which a first communication station for transmitting to other communication stations a Request To Send (RTS) signal for requesting a transmission upon the start of the data transmission; and a plurality of second communication stations transmitting to other communication stations a Clear To Send (CTS) signal for notifying the completion of preparing the reception, wherein the first communication station transmits the RTS signal describing at least each of addresses the second communication stations that are desired to receive the data, and receives a plurality of CTS signals transmitted from each of the second communication stations in order to increase communication capacity. |
| US08072955B2 |
Method and apparatus performing express forwarding frames having multiple fragments
A method, apparatus and computer program product for the express forwarding frames having multiple fragments are presented. A timer (NAV) is maintained at each respective node of a wireless Local Area Network (LAN). At least two fragments of a frame are designated as a Time Sensitive Quality of Service (TSQ) frame fragments to be express forwarded. A duration field of each of the TSQ frame fragments is incremented by a first predetermined time increment (DT0) before the TSQ frame fragments are forwarded. The TSQ frame fragments are transmitted when a last frame fragment is ready to be transmitted. A response is received from the second node wherein non-forwarding neighboring nodes each set their NAV according to a value equal to the duration field of the response. The second node attempts forwarding of the TSQ frame fragments when acknowledgement of receipt of the TSQ frame fragments is complete. |
| US08072954B2 |
Mashup application and service for wireless devices
Described is a technology, such as implemented as social networking groupware application designed for mobile device users, that provides a data mashup service for various data types, including location dependent and mobility-aware data such as GPS location and surrounding maps. A mobile user may track the location and maps of roaming friends at runtime. To this end, a client device joins a squad of client devices that are each capable of communicating with one another over a wireless local area network (WLAN) connection. When in a squad, the client can obtain data for use as mashup information from other client devices in the squad over the WLAN connection (inter-squad). This may include intra-squad data that was obtained from a service based on information that the service received from another squad, e.g., over a WWAN connection. |
| US08072953B2 |
Wireless communication method and apparatus for performing home Node-B identification and access restriction
A method and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), including a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), for identifying a closed subscriber group (CSG) cell are disclosed. The WTRU receives a broadcast from a cell including a cell identifier (ID). If the cell ID is associated with a CSG cell, the WTRU determines whether the CSG ID is programmed in the USIM. The cell broadcast may include a single bit information element (IE) indicating that the cell is a CSG cell. If the cell ID is a CSG ID, the cell ID may further include a plurality of fields which indicate at least one of a country, a region, an operator, and a home evolved Node-B (HeNB) number. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating whether the CSG cell is public or private. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating that emergency calls are allowed from all users. |
| US08072952B2 |
Load balancing
A technique for associating clients with APs in an advantageous manner may involve local balancing of clients across APs. This may involve providing instructions to APs to disable client association. Alternatively, this technique may involve load balancing across controllers. |
| US08072948B2 |
Wireless communication system and method of implementing an evolved system attachment procedure
A wireless communication system and method of implementing an evolved system attachment procedure are disclosed. The system includes a first core network and a second core network which is evolved from the first core network. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) sends an attach request message to the second core network. The second core network activates a packet data protocol (PDP) context and sends an attach accept message to the WTRU. The attach accept message includes information regarding the PDP context. The second core network constructs a session and mobility management (SMM) context for session management (SM) and mobility management (MM) for the WTRU. |
| US08072947B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing mobile station information in wireless mesh network
A mechanism for establishing a wireless communication environment in which a wireless mesh network and a wireless local area network (LAN) are structured in a single plane and communicate with each other. A method of providing mobile station information includes obtaining information of at least one mobile station located in a wireless LAN from among a plurality of wireless LANs using a first frame received through the wireless LAN and transmitting a second frame including the obtained information over a network of mobile nodes including a mobile node that coordinates the wireless LAN. |
| US08072946B2 |
Coordinated transmissions in wireless networks
Overall network throughput may be increased in a wireless network through coordinated transmission between wireless network stations. A wireless network station selects beamforming information based at least in part on interference to other wireless network stations. |
| US08072943B2 |
Wireless communication system and methodology for communicating via multiple information streams
A wireless communication system is disclosed wherein an information source communicates with a mobile station via multiple intermediary base stations located in respective cells of a broadcast zone. In one embodiment, each base station sends multiple information streams that may be received by a mobile station located in the broadcast zone. By receiving multiple information streams from multiple base stations, the mobile station may enhance reception. In one embodiment, a base station transmits an information stream that includes a base layer and another information stream including an enhanced layer. If a receiver in a mobile station receives an enhanced layer with more than a predetermined amount of quality, then the receiver uses information in the received enhanced layer to supplement information in the received base layer. |
| US08072940B2 |
Controlling method and data call handover method for dual band/dual mode mobile communication terminal
In the data call handover method, the mobile communication terminal registers a Mobile Internet Protocol (MIP address) through an asynchronous mobile communication network and receives data call service when a data call connection event is initiated by the mobile communication terminal. It is determined whether the mobile communication terminal has entered an area in which the asynchronous mobile communication network and a synchronous mobile communication network overlap. If the mobile communication terminal has entered the overlap area, it is determined whether to perform handover to the synchronous mobile communication network based on the intensity of a signal of the asynchronous mobile communication network. If handover is to be performed, a data call between the mobile communication terminal and the synchronous mobile communication network is established and the MIP address is registered. The service of the data call, which is provided by the asynchronous mobile communication network, is linked with the service of the synchronous mobile communication network. The data call between the mobile communication terminal and the asynchronous mobile communication network is released. |
| US08072939B2 |
Mobile communication method, radio base station, and mobile station
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes steps of: generating, at a HO-source radio base station, an intermediate key (KeNB*), by inputting, into a first function KDF (*), a base station key (KeNB), identification information (PCI) of a HO-target cell, and identification information (ARFCN) of a frequency for the HO-target cell; and transmitting, from the HO-source radio base station to a HO-target radio base station, the intermediate key (KeNB*), in the HO process; and generating, at the HO-target radio base station, a base station key (KeNB) on the basis of the intermediate key (KeNB*) in the HO process. |
| US08072937B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and handover method
A wireless communication apparatus capable of shortening the handover time and preventing the connection from being interrupted during telephone communication. In this apparatus, an HO part (109), when detecting an access point, outputs an handover control signal for performing a handover that is a process of switching from a communication using a third generation mobile communication system to a communication using a WLAN. A positional information acquiring part (112) receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and generates GPS information indicative of the position of the local apparatus. When the GPS information shows that the local apparatus approaches the area of the WLAN by a predetermined distance, a period deciding part (115) decides that the period be shorter than when the local apparatus is at the predetermined distance away from the area of the WLAN. When the local apparatus approaches the area of the WLAN by the predetermined distance, an AP detection period control part (116) controls the operation of access point detection to be performed in the period shorter than when the local apparatus is at the predetermined distance away from the area of the WLAN. |
| US08072936B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting handover from LTE/EUTRAN to GPRS/GERAN
A method and apparatus for handover of a dual mode wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) from an LTE system to a GERAN system uses measurements of the LTE and GERAN frequencies and a decision by a source evolved Node B to perform the handover. A GERAN access procedure includes PS attach messages exchanged between the WTRU and the target base station controller and a target SGSN. Alternatively, the GERAN access procedure uses RAN mobility information messages exchanged by the WTRU and the target base station controller and a relocation detect message by the source evolved Node B. |
| US08072934B2 |
Method and node of controlling the allocation of transmission resources to wireless terminals within a radio access network
A method of controlling the allocation of transmission resources to wireless terminals within a radio access network, which resources are required for the provision of an IP Multimedia service to the terminals. The method comprises, in the event of a requirement to change the allocation of transmission resources to a given wireless terminal, sending a resource allocation request from a control node of the IP Multimedia Subsystem to the radio access network, the request causing a resource control node of the radio access network to change the allocation of access network resources to the wireless terminal. |
| US08072933B2 |
Combined handover of the circuit-switched (CS) and packet-switched (PS) resources
The problem of synchronization of the handover of the CS and PS resources to the same target cell during DTM handover is solved without affecting the performance of the CS handover. The mechanism of synchronizing the handover of the PS and CS resources is supported by the following functions: (1) resource indications on the CS and PS handover signalling to indicate to target cell network nodes that the CS and PS handover is ongoing at the same time for the same MS; (2) allocated resources indications on the CS and PS handover signalling to indicate to the source cell nodes that there are resources available in the target cell for CS and PS resources; (3) management of the synchronization of the CS and PS handover in the source and target cell. |
| US08072920B2 |
Method for signaling resource assignment information in a frequency division multiple access system
A method for efficiently signaling resource assignment information to notify User Equipment (UE) of allocated resources in an Frequency Division Multiple Access mobile communication system is provided, in which a base station signals UE Identifications in the order of allocated resource blocks to UEs without explicitly notifying the positions of the allocated resource blocks, so that the UEs can find out resource blocks about which resource assignment information is not required, thereby reducing signaling overhead. |
| US08072913B2 |
Collaborative coexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX, wireless LAN, and/or bluetooth radios
Collaborative coexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX, wireless LAN, and/or Bluetooth radios. Within a communication device that includes multi-protocol communication capability, the various radio modules included within such a communication device operate cooperatively such that collisions are avoided between those various radios. When a first of the radio modules operates as governed by a relatively rigid frame structure, a second of the radio modules capitalizes upon that predetermined nature (of the relatively rigid frame structure) to support communication during times in which that first radio module has a lower level of activity (e.g., turned off completely, within a power savings mode, in a sleep mode, etc.). The radio module operation is performed within a time-orthogonal manner, such that multiple radio modules are not attempting to transmit or receive simultaneously. Moreover, CTS2SELF operation can be employed alone or in conjunction with power savings operation of co-located radios within a communication device. |
| US08072910B2 |
Retransmitting lost packet with subsequent received packet
In one embodiment, a method comprises transmitting onto a wireless connection, by a device, a first wireless data packet destined for a second device; in response to a determined absence by the device of a required acknowledgment of the first wireless data packet from the second device, queuing by the device the first wireless data packet while waiting for a second wireless data packet; receiving by the device the second wireless data packet; and transmitting, by the device, the first wireless data packet with the second wireless data packet to the second device via the wireless connection in response to the device receiving the second wireless data packet and before any other device can send a data frame on the wireless connection. |
| US08072908B2 |
Partitioned forwarding of packets originated on a broadcast link among layer 2 forwarding devices of different adjacency networks
The designated forwarding device functionality for forwarding of packets originated on a broadcast link among layer 2 is shared among multiple forwarding devices of different adjacency networks. As these networks do not form adjacencies, the forwarding devices do not natively participate in a same spanning tree for determining how to forward packets, and a designated forwarding device is used for forwarding packets originated on the common broadcast link. Distributing the role of a designated forwarding device among multiple of the forwarding devices provides a means for more efficiently forwarding packets to their destinations. |
| US08072906B2 |
Signal propagation delay routing
A method of routing a message from a source node to a destination node in an adhoc wireless network comprising a plurality of nodes, comprising the steps of; transmitting a first message from the source node to the destination node, receiving said first message at said destination node, transmitting a second message from said destination node in response to the first message and, wherein at least one of said first message and said second message is sent between the source and destination nodes via a plurality of paths comprising at least one intermediate node, selecting a path for communication between the source node and the destination node using an indication of the time taken for at least one of said second and first messages to propagate between each node on each path. |
| US08072902B2 |
Techniques for distributing data among mobile nodes based on dynamically generated data objects in a distributed object-oriented database
Techniques for managing data distributed over nodes in a network include receiving, at an original node, content data that describes a physical entity that is not a router in a vicinity of the original node. In response to receiving the content, a beacon data object is generated in an object-oriented database distributed over the network nodes. The beacon holds the content data and holds policy data that indicates how to terminate the beacon. A node that has ownership of the beacon performs the step of terminating the beacon based on the policy data. Ownership of the beacon can be transferred so that the beacon stays associated with the physical entity, such as a room in a building, even as a mobile original node moves away from the physical entity. The content data can indicate conditions that invite responsive action, such as hazardous environmental conditions. |
| US08072901B1 |
Technique for efficient probing to verify policy conformance
A technique efficiently sends probe packets from a source to a target in a destination prefix over two or more paths of a computer network. According to the novel technique, the source, e.g., configured for optimized edge routing (OER), sends probe packets (probes) over all available paths (exits) to the target in the destination prefix in order to select a preferred path based on received responses to the probes, e.g., according to one or more policies. Once the preferred path is selected, the source sends probes to that target only over the preferred path until a trigger occurs, such as, e.g., an out of policy (OOP) event, a policy change, or an optional timer-based trigger. Upon being triggered, the source again probes all paths to reselect the preferred path. |
| US08072900B2 |
Automatic distribution of server and gateway information for pool configuration
A mobile communications network has separation between a user plane (UP) and a control plane (CP). The network includes plural entities, including plural user plane entities (UPEs), which form the user plane and plural mobility management entities (MMEs), which form the control plane. At least one of the entities is configured to transmit advertisement information. The advertisement information includes status information and configuration information of the at least one entity. The network also includes a node or unit configured to use both the advertisement information and transport information transported on the user plane to select a user plane entity for attachment to a wireless station serviced by the network. |
| US08072896B2 |
Adaptive coexistence between different wireless communication systems
A first transceiver is operated in a first frequency band in the presence of a second transceiver operating in a second frequency band. Operation includes ascertaining an interference level at the first transceiver due to the second transceiver. A coexistence strategy for the second transceiver is dynamically selected by selecting a frequency division strategy if the ascertained interference level is less than a threshold level and selecting a time division strategy if the ascertained interference level is above the threshold level. The second transceiver is then caused to operate in accordance with the dynamically selected coexistence strategy. |
| US08072895B2 |
Management procedure in wireless communication system and station supporting management procedure
Provided are a management procedure in a wireless communication system and a station supporting the management procedure. In the method, a requested station receives a location request frame including a location request option sub-element which contains a value for indicating a timing measurement request from a requesting station. The requested station transmits an acknowledgement frame in response to the location request frame to the requesting station. The requested station transmits to the requesting station a location response frame including a timing measurement sub-element which contains a time difference between a transmission end time of the acknowledgement frame and a reception end time of the location request frame in response to the location request frame. |
| US08072893B2 |
Integrated circuit with data communication network and IC design method
An integrated circuit includes functional blocks and a data communication network having network stations interconnected via communication channels for communicating data packages between the functional blocks. Each data package includes N data elements having a data element with routing information for the network stations, N being an integer of at least two. The network stations include data routers and network interfaces, where each of the data routers is coupled to a functional block via a network interface. The data communication network includes first and second network stations interconnected through a first communication channel. The network includes M*N data storage elements, M being a positive integer, for introducing a delay of M*N cycles on the first communication channel. |
| US08072891B2 |
Method and apparatus for programmable generation of traffic streams
Methods and apparatus provide single or multi-port, flexible, cost-effective, built-in self-test capabilities for network communications equipment, such as for example switches, and programmably generate, and subsequently analyze, one or more sequences of test packets, wherein the test packets simulate at least two flows of traffic. Such test packets can have programmable headers, payloads, and duty cycle. A line card embodying the present invention may generate its own traffic pattern, which may be similar or identical, to traffic patterns observed on Internet backbones. These traffic patterns may contain a bimodal distribution of control packets interspersed with data packets wherein the control packets and data packets are relatively short and long respectively. A plurality of test packet generators/receivers can be deployed in a network communications device having a plurality of ports. In such a configuration, test generator/receiver is associated with each of the plurality of ports. Under software control, test packets can be sent from at least any one of the plurality of ports to at least any other one of the plurality of ports. In this way, an in-circuit testing procedure may be implemented without having to disconnect line cards from the switch and connect the switch to expensive external test equipment. |
| US08072889B2 |
Programmable controller
While a microcomputer is executing a self-diagnosis (A), second diagnosis pulse output means of a B-system microcomputer is not used utterly. Further, during this time, the B-system microcomputer 100B does not execute a processing relating to at least the self-diagnosis (A) utterly. By shifting the timings for the A-system and the B-system to output the diagnosis pulses, independencies can be secured between respective diagnosis processing (self-diagnoses (A) and (B)). Thus, the independencies between the A-system and the B-system can be verified briefly by the self-diagnosis (A) on the A-system side. Further, first diagnosis pulse group are outputted parallel and simultaneously from first diagnosis pulse output means. Thus, since cyclic control is not required for respective external input devices, it can be done to verify the independencies between the A-system and the B-system within a short period of time. |
| US08072886B2 |
Method and system for transmission control protocol (TCP) traffic smoothing
Various aspects of a method and system for transmission control protocol (TCP) traffic smoothing are presented. Traffic smoothing may comprise a method for controlling data transmission in a communications system that further comprises scheduling the timing of transmission of information from a TCP offload engine (TOE) based on a traffic profile. Traffic smoothing may comprise transmitting information from a TOE at a rate that is either greater than, approximately equal to, or less than, the rate at which the information was generated. Some conventional network interface cards (NIC) that utilize TOEs may not provide a mechanism that enables traffic shaping. By not providing a mechanism for traffic shaping, there may be a greater probability of lost packets in the network. |
| US08072883B2 |
Internet small computer systems interface (iSCSI) distance acceleration device
An Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) distance acceleration device accelerates data transfers between an iSCSI initiator and an iSCSI target over a network, such as the Internet or a wide area network (WAN). The acceleration device resides in a communication path between the iSCSI initiator and the iSCSI target. The acceleration device receives an iSCSI protocol data unit (PDU) targeted to the iSCSI target by the iSCSI initiator. The acceleration device forwards the iSCSI PDU over the network to the iSCSI target and transmits a response to the iSCSI PDU that anticipates a response to be generated by the iSCSI target upon receiving the iSCSI PDU. |
| US08072877B2 |
Arrangement in a distributed control system for increasing the availability of data and/or control commands
There is a need for increasing the availability of data and/or control commands in a distributed control system for one or more machines, vehicles and/or processes. The control system comprises or is controlled by a transmitting node or transmitter unit and has two or more receiving nodes. The transmitting nodes and receiving nodes are connected to each other via wireless radio links. The receiving nodes are located at a distance from each other and are connected to a few-wire digital link in a wired system for forwarding of the said data and/or control commands to the executing devices. The control node transmits the said data and/or the control commands in different directions towards the receiving nodes which are arranged at a distance from each other. Receiving nodes with reception that is essentially not subject to interference are arranged to be able to connect to the few-wire link in parallel and simultaneously with a receiver unit or units which have links that are connected to the few-wire link. In another case, only those receiver unit or units are connected that have reception links that are not subject to interference, while the receiver unit of units with links that are subject to interference do not participate in the transmission of the message on the few-wire link. |
| US08072873B2 |
Adaptive coding and modulation using linked list data structures
A process is described to build physical layer frames with a modcode adapted to the signal quality of a destination terminal. Data packets assigned to the same modcode may be sent in the same frame, although packets associated with higher modcodes may be used to complete a frame before switching to the applicable higher modcode for construction of subsequent frames. After an interval, the order of progression is restarted with an out of order packet above a threshold age. Flow control filtering mechanisms and a variable reliability margin may be used to adapt dynamically to the current data traffic conditions. |
| US08072868B2 |
Optical pickup and information device for reducing an influence of stray light in an information recording medium
An optical pickup for irradiating an information recording medium, such as a DVD, with a laser beam when an information signal is recorded or reproduced, and information equipment provided with the optical pickup. The optical pickup is capable of recording or reproducing an information signal with higher accuracy, while reducing an influence of stray light in an information recording medium, such as a multilayer type optical disc. |
| US08072862B1 |
Adaptive distortion corrector
A system includes a sampling module and a correction module. The sampling module is configured to sample an input signal at sampling points and to output samples. The correction module is configured to output a correction factor when the first one of the samples is preceded by a second one of the samples having a first polarity, and when the first one of the samples is followed by a third one of the samples having a second polarity that is opposite of the first polarity. The correction factor comprises a correction value that is based on at least one of the samples that precedes the first one of the samples. The correction value is used to correct the input signal at a first one of the sampling points corresponding to the first one of the samples. |
| US08072860B2 |
Data recording/reproduction for write-once discs
A file system is enabled to use a Metadata Partition instead of VAT for write-once discs, and is provided by a pseudo-overwrite method with a plurality of tracks especially for metadata and file data. On applying this invention to a drive apparatus that supports pseudo-overwrite media, the file system distinguishes data to overwrite from data to append (S1701). When the data is newly written to a logical sector, the drive apparatus writes the data to a physical sector to which the logical sector corresponds (S1703). When the data being overwritten is data stored in the logical sector, the data is written to the other unrecorded physical sector in the volume space (S1704), and remapping information is written (S1705). The remapping information specifies the original address of the physical sector, and the remapping address of the physical sector in which the data is written. |
| US08072857B2 |
Method and apparatus of determining a recording condition for optical disc
An optical disc writing condition determining method according to the present invention includes the steps of: performing a first test write operation at a low speed on an inner test track; setting condition A for performing a write operation at the low speed on the inner test track based on a result of the first test write operation; performing a second test write operation at the low speed on an outer test track; setting condition B for performing a write operation at the low speed on the outer test track based on a result of the second test write operation; performing a third test write operation at a high speed on the outer test track; setting condition C for performing a write operation at the high speed on the outer test track based on a result of the third test write operation; and calculating either a difference between the conditions A and B or a ratio of the condition B to the condition A and modifying the condition C based on the difference or the ratio, thereby determining writing condition D for performing a write operation at the high speed on user data tracks. |
| US08072854B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting wobble defects in optical recording system
Aspects of the disclosure provide an apparatus. The apparatus includes a pick-up unit, such as an optical pick-up unit, a wobble channel and a defect detector. The pick-up unit generates a push-pull signal corresponding to a wobbled track of a storage medium. The wobble channel includes circuits to receive the push-pull signal, obtain a wobble signal from the push-pull signal, and calculate a wobble amplitude metric based on the wobble signal. The defect detector compares the wobble amplitude metric to a threshold to detect wobble defects. |
| US08072853B2 |
Optical disc of write once type, method, and apparatus for managing defect information on the optical disc
A method and device for managing a recording medium including a non data area having a final defect management area and a data area having a user data area and a spare area. The method includes: (a) recording a defect list onto one or more recording-units of a temporary defect management area allocated to one of the non data area and the spare area, and recording position information of the defect list onto the temporary defect management area, the position information containing one or more defect list pointers which indicate position of the one or more recording-units containing the defect list; and (b) if a recoding-unit is defective, re-recording defect list data onto another recording-unit, and recording updated position information containing a defect list pointer indicating a position of the another recording-unit instead of a defect list pointer indicating a position of the defective recording-unit. |
| US08072852B2 |
Optical disc device
An optical disc drive according to the present invention can write data on both a write-once disc and a rewritable disc. The drive includes: a disc recognizing section 110 for recognizing the type of a given optical disc as a write-once disc or a rewritable disc; and track skipping detection signal generating section, which outputs track skipping detection signal when a first condition on tracking error is satisfied if the given optical disc, on which data is being written, has turned out to be a write-once disc. On the other hand, if the given optical disc has turned out to be a rewritable disc, the track skipping detection signal generating section outputs track skipping detection signal when a second condition on tracking error, which is different from the first condition, is satisfied. A control section stops writing the data in response to the track skipping detection signal while the data is being written. |
| US08072846B2 |
Time interval indicating device
A device for indicating the passage of two or more time intervals is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a base portion with a user interface and a light portion. The light portion includes three lights of different colors that are disposed in a vertical arrangement above the base portion. The user interface includes a display and a keypad for programming the device with one or more time durations, and for associating one or more of the lights with each time interval. A controller is in communication with the user interface and operatively coupled with the lights to illuminate and turn off each light during its associated interval. The device may include an audio section linked to the controller for further indicating the intervals or transitions therebetween by outputting one or more sounds. |
| US08072845B2 |
Electric wave receiving apparatus and electric wave clock
An electric wave receiving apparatus obtains the received data in a partial period, and judges the timing of the received data in which partial data has been received by comparing the received data with the partial data. Thereby, the electric wave receiving apparatus performs correction of the second data of timing data. |
| US08072844B2 |
Electronic timepiece with internal antenna
An electronic timepiece with an internal antenna has an antenna that has an elongated magnetic core formed from a magnetic body and a coil wound around the magnetic core, and can receive external wireless information, the magnetic core having a coil winding part to which the coil is wound in the lengthwise center part of the magnetic core, and a pair of lead parts extending from both ends of the coil winding part; a module that houses the antenna and processes the external wireless information; and a magnetic member that is positioned with a predetermined gap between the magnetic member and the lead part at a position that is not superposed on a coil-overlapping area that overlaps the coil winding part of the antenna and is superposed on at least a part of a lead-overlapping area that overlaps the pair of lead parts when the electronic timepiece with internal antenna is viewed in plan view from the timepiece thickness direction of the electronic timepiece with internal antenna. |
| US08072841B2 |
Adaptive wavefront reconstruction
A method for generating a synthetic seismogram. In one implementation, a ray tracing may be performed on a subsurface. The ray tracing may generate a plurality of rays. A first seismic wavefront may be reconstructed by triangulating a first plurality of control points that correspond to the plurality of rays. Each control point may represent an end point of a ray at the first seismic wavefront. The plurality of rays may be propagated to a second seismic wavefront. The second seismic wavefront may have a hole associated with at least one missing ray at the second seismic wavefront. A plurality of points on a circle may be defined that correspond to a second plurality of control points defining the hole. The second seismic wavefront may be reconstructed based on the plurality of points on the circle. |
| US08072831B2 |
Fuse element reading circuit
A fuse element reading circuit including a first fuse element having a resistance which differs in accordance with whether the first fuse element is in a blown state or an unblown state, a reference voltage output circuit unit that outputs a reference voltage that differs in accordance with a normal mode or a test mode, and a voltage comparison circuit unit that compares a read voltage corresponding to the resistance of the first fuse element with the reference voltage output from the reference voltage output circuit unit. |
| US08072830B2 |
Logic embedded memory having registers commonly used by macros
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a plurality of memory macros, macro-common register block, and memory macro operation setting circuits. The macro-common register block has macro-common registers which are provided outside the plurality of memory macros and supply memory macro operation specifying signals to the plurality of memory macros. The memory macro operation setting circuits are respectively provided in the plurality of memory macros and are each configured to set an operating state of the memory macro in response to the memory macro operation specifying signal supplied from the macro-common register. |
| US08072822B2 |
Data alignment circuit and method of semiconductor memory apparatus
A data alignment circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a data strobe clock phase control block configured to control a phase of a data strobe clock signal in response to a strobe delay code and generate a delayed strobe clock signal; a plurality of data phase control blocks configured to control phases of input data in response to data delay codes and generate delayed data; a plurality of data alignment blocks configured to latch the delayed data in response to the delayed strobe clock signal and generate latched data and aligned data; and a delay code generation block configured to perform an operation of determining phases of the latched data and generate the strobe delay code and the data delay codes. |
| US08072816B2 |
Memory block reallocation in a flash memory device
A non-volatile memory device has the pages of a certain memory block reallocated to other blocks in order to increase decrease disturb and increase reliability. Each of the reallocation blocks that contain the reallocated pages from the desired memory block are coupled to a wordline driver. These wordline drivers have a subset of the global wordlines as inputs. The desired wordline driver is selected by an appropriate select signal from a block decoder and an indication on an appropriate global wordline. This causes the wordline driver to generate a local wordline to the desired block with the reallocated page to be accessed. |
| US08072815B2 |
Array of non-volatile memory cells including embedded local and global reference cells and system
An array of memory cells has a first side adjacent to a first column, a second side opposite the first side, a third side adjacent to a first row, and a fourth side opposite the third side. Each memory cell is connected to a bit line, a high voltage source, and a low voltage source. Reference cells, substantially the same as the memory cells, evenly spaced apart, are embedded in the array. A high voltage decoder is on the first side, connected to the memory cells and reference cells in the same row. A low voltage row decoder is on the second side, connected to the memory cells and reference cells in the same row. Sense amplifiers are on the third side, connected to the memory cells and to the reference cells. |
| US08072809B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
Disclosed is a nonvolatile memory system including at least one nonvolatile memory each having a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells and a buffer memory; and a control device coupled to the nonvolatile memory. The control device is enabled to receive external data and to apply the data to the nonvolatile memory, and the nonvolatile memory is enabled to operate a program operation including storing the received data to the buffer memory and storing the data held in the buffer memory to ones of nonvolatile memory cells. Moreover, the control device is enabled to receive external data while the nonvolatile memory is operating in the program operation. Also, the buffer memory is capable of receiving a unit of data, equal to the data length of data to be stored at one time of the program operation, the data length being more than 1 byte. |
| US08072806B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for driving semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cell transistors arranged in a matrix; a plurality of word lines commonly coupling the control gates of the plural memory cell transistors present in a identical first direction; a plurality of source lines commonly coupling the sources of the plural memory cell transistors present in the identical first direction; a plurality of bit lines commonly coupling the drains of the plural memory cell transistors present in a identical second direction intersecting the first direction; a first transistor having a drain coupled to the source line; a second transistor having a drain coupled to a source of the first transistor, a gate coupled to the word line and a source grounded; and a control line commonly coupling the gates of the plural first transistors. |
| US08072800B2 |
Magnetic element having perpendicular anisotropy with enhanced efficiency
Techniques and magnetic devices associated with a magnetic element that includes a fixed layer having a fixed layer magnetization and perpendicular anisotropy, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer having a changeable free layer magnetization and perpendicular anisotropy. |
| US08072797B2 |
SRAM cell without dedicated access transistors
A Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell without dedicated access transistors is described. The SRAM cell comprises a plurality of transistors configured to provide at least a pair of storage nodes for storing complementary logic values represented by corresponding voltages. The transistors comprise at least one bitline transistor, at least on wordline transistor and at least two supply transistors. The bitline transistor is configured to selectively couple one of the storage nodes to at least one corresponding bitline, the bitline for being shared by SRAM cells in one of a common row or column. The wordline transistor is configured to selectively couple another of the storage nodes to at least one corresponding wordline, the wordline for being shared by SRAM cells in the other of the common row or column. The supply transistors are configured to selectively couple corresponding ones of the storage nodes to a supply voltage. |
| US08072792B2 |
Integrated circuit with resistive memory cells and method for manufacturing same
An integrated circuit including a resistive memory cell and a method of manufacturing the integrated circuit are described. The integrated circuit comprises a plurality of resistive memory cells and a plurality of voltage supply contacts, wherein at least four resistive memory cells are in signal connection with one voltage supply contact. |
| US08072785B2 |
Switching power supply unit
A switching power supply unit is provided, which may supply stable output while manufacturing cost is held down. In a smoothing circuit, a magnetic flux in a first circular magnetic path, a magnetic flux in a second circular magnetic path, a magnetic flux generated by a current flowing through a choke coil, and a magnetic flux generated by a current flowing through another choke coil are shared by one another in the inside of a common magnetic core. A current flowing through two choke coils and a current flowing through different, two choke coils are balanced, and thus stabilized. Moreover, in the smoothing circuit, since such a balanced state is automatically kept, a characteristic value of an element or the like need not be adjusted. |
| US08072784B2 |
Electronic device and power supply unit thereof
An exemplary electronic device includes a controller, a first convertor, a second convertor, and a switching unit. The first convertor is configured for receiving a first voltage from an external power supply and converting the first voltage into a second voltage. The controller is coupled to the first convertor for generating a start signal when receiving the second voltage. The second convertor is connected to the controller for receiving the first voltage, converting the first voltage into a third voltage to power an operating unit of the electronic device, and converting the first voltage into a fourth voltage to power the controller when receiving the start signal. The switching unit is coupled to the controller and the first convertor for disabling the first convertor when the controller receives the fourth voltage. A related power supply unit is also provided. |
| US08072783B2 |
Input circuit for a switch-mode power supply
The invention relates to an input circuit for a logic circuit part, comprising a voltage converter component for conversion of a mains voltage to the required low voltage in order to supply a user with a low voltage. The supply to the input circuit may hence be connected to a mains supply to rectify the mains voltage and an output from the input circuit may be connected to the voltage converter component to provide a rectified input voltage for the voltage converter component. According to the invention, an improved input circuit for a logic circuit part with improved functionality and operating security also permitting an extensive miniaturization and simplified production may be achieved by replacement of at least two of the remaining four diodes in the rectifier part of an input circuit for a logic circuit part by two controllable switches which work as a synchronous rectifier and are connected such as to be switched on and off by alternate forced control. |
| US08072780B1 |
Integrated wiring system and thermal shield support apparatus for a data center
Described herein is an integrated data center that provides for efficient cooling, as well as efficient wire routing, and in particular a support for a thermal shield, distribution wiring, as well as cabinet cluster wiring. |
| US08072778B2 |
Plasma display device
A plasma display device capable of reducing an electromagnetic interference wave due to a driving current flowing in a plasma display panel is provided. The plasma display device includes a plasma display panel having electrodes that are parallel to each other, a driver circuit board for applying a voltage to the electrodes, a chassis conductor holding the plasma display panel and to which a ground of the driver circuit board is connected, and a first additional conductor plate provided to the chassis conductor via an insulating layer and to which grounds of at least one circuit board in circuit boards other than the driver circuit board are attached. |
| US08072776B2 |
Pressure-compensated enclosure
A pressure compensating enclosure comprises a sealed enclosure having substantially rigid outer walls and an interior cavity adapted to receive components to be protected by the enclosure. The sealed enclosure has an aperture in one of its outer walls which is sealingly coupled to a hollow, elastic member disposed in the enclosure so as to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the enclosure. An incompressible fluid substantially fills the sealed enclosure, wherein in response to a change in temperature of the enclosure, the volume occupied by the incompressible fluid changes and the hollow elastic member deforms responsive to the change in volume of the incompressible fluid sufficient to pressure balance the enclosure. |
| US08072774B2 |
Substrate including wiring for transmitting signal, apparatus and system including the substrate
An apparatus includes a substrate which includes an electronic component mounted on the substrate, the electronic component for processing a pair of signals, the substrate including a first wire for transmitting one of the signals, the first wire being formed on a first layer of the substrate, and a second wire for transmitting another one of the signals, the second wire being formed on a second layer of the substrate in a first region under the electronic component and being formed on a third layer in a second region of an other part of the first region. |
| US08072772B2 |
Single-chip and multi-chip module for proximity communication
An apparatus includes a two-dimensional array of single-chip modules (SCMs) and at least one component. A respective SCM in the array includes at least a semiconductor die that is configured to communicate data signals by capacitive coupling using one or more proximity connectors in a first set of proximity connectors. The first set of proximity connectors are coupled to the semiconductor die. A second set of proximity connectors is coupled to at least the one component. At least the one component is coupled to semiconductor dies in two or more SCMs using one or more proximity connectors in the second set of proximity connectors thereby enabling communication of the data signals by capacitive coupling. |
| US08072766B2 |
Portable device for transmitting signal
A portable device includes an operating part, a circuit board, and a case body for housing the operating part and the circuit board. The circuit board has a circuit section configured to transmit a signal to an external device. A terminal electrode and a pair of switch electrodes are disposed on the circuit board. The terminal electrode supplies electricity from a power source to the circuit section. A switch element is configured to electrically couple the pair of switch electrodes in accordance with an operation of the operating part. A resin member is disposed on the circuit board in such a manner that the circuit section is covered with the resin member and the terminal electrode and the pair of switch electrodes are exposed to an outside of the resin member. |
| US08072764B2 |
Multi-part substrate assemblies for low profile portable electronic devices
Multi-part substrate arrangements that yield low profile configurations are disclosed. One aspect pertains to portable electronic devices are able to have low profiles through use of multi-part substrate arrangements. Another aspect pertains to methods for assembling two or more separate substrates into a multi-part substrate. By use of multi-part substrate arrangements according to the invention, portable electronic devices are able to be thinner and more compact. |
| US08072761B2 |
Power semiconductor heatsinking
A heatsink includes a thermally conductive body including a plurality of fins configured to conduct and dissipate heat. The body is configured to receive a circuit board containing heat-producing electrical components along a width of the body. The heatsink further includes a pivot mechanism pivotally coupled to the body and configured and disposed to contact the heat-producing electrical components. The heatsink further includes a bias device connected to the body and the pivot mechanism and configured to change from a first state to a second state to cause the pivot mechanism to rotate relative to the body to move a contact portion of the pivot mechanism toward the body. The heatsink is configured to receive the heat-producing electrical components between the contact portion of the pivot mechanism and the body, and the bias device is configured to bias the contact portion of the pivot mechanism to urge the heat-producing electrical components against the body when the bias device is in the second state. |
| US08072759B2 |
Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a printed circuit board housed in a housing, a surface mount part soldered to the printed circuit board, a cooling mechanism which covers the surface mount part from an opposite side to the printed circuit board, a reinforcing portion formed by supplying an adhesive to an outer peripheral edge of the surface mount part and the printed circuit board such as to be across each other, which reinforces a solder joint portion provided between the surface mount part and the printed circuit board and a spacer formed of the adhesive, which is set between the surface mount part and the cooling mechanism and supports the cooling mechanism. |
| US08072758B2 |
Automotive inverter assembly
In an embodiment, an automotive inverter assembly has at least one component for cooling. The inverter assembly has a supporting body for supporting the at least one component. The supporting body defines at least part of a volume through which flows a cooling fluid coupled thermally with the at least one component for cooling. |
| US08072755B2 |
Airflow-adjustable active heat-dissipating mechanism and electronic device having same
An active heat-dissipating mechanism includes a fan module, an airflow-guiding part and an airflow shunt part. The fan module includes an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The airflow-guiding part is disposed at the same side of the airflow outlet of the fan module and in communication with the fan module. An airflow channel is defined by the airflow-guiding part. An airflow inhaled by the fan module is guided to a hotspot region of the electronic device through the airflow channel so as to remove the heat generated from the hotspot region. The airflow shunt part is formed on the airflow-guiding part. The airflow shunt part defines a stopping block in the airflow channel. A portion of the airflow is hindered by the stopping block and guided into a sub-hotspot region of the electronic device so as to remove the heat generated from the sub-hotspot region. |
| US08072745B2 |
Retaining apparatus for locking disk drive
A retaining apparatus for locking a disk drive within a bracket is disclosed. The retaining apparatus includes a latch member and a securing member. The latch member includes a securing portion and a locking portion capable of locking the disk drive in the bracket. A resisting piece is formed on the securing member to resist against the latch member to move towards the bracket to block the disk drive from moving out of the bracket. |
| US08072743B2 |
Monitor device on board
The invention relates to a monitor device on board for a motor vehicle, with a monitor (4) which can be drive-displaced, by means of a drive mechanism (6), from an inactive position in a recess (1) of a dashboard (2), through an opening (3) of the recess (1), into an active position outside the recess (1), as well as from the active position into the inactive position, wherein a covering (5) closing the opening (3) in the inactive position can furthermore be drive-displaced in a coupled manner by means of the drive mechanism (6) into the active position in which the opening (3) is exposed. |
| US08072741B2 |
Mobile device shutter door
A mobile device has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a body and a first magnet member. The second portion may be movably connected with the first portion and includes a body, a shutter door and a second magnet member. An opening is defined in the body of the second portion and the shutter door is operable to move from an open position to a closed position to cover at least a portion of the opening when the shutter door. The second magnet member is connected to the shutter door so that, when the second magnet member is aligned with the first magnet member, the shutter door is positioned in the closed position. |
| US08072739B2 |
Device mount with selectively positionable tilt axis
A mounting system for an electronic display device includes a display interface having an interface member presenting a display mounting surface and a tilt head assembly defining a substantially horizontal tilt axis oriented generally parallel with, and spaced apart from, the display mounting surface. The tilt head assembly includes a control mechanism for selectively shifting the tilt axis between a first location spaced apart a first distance from the display mounting surface and a second location spaced apart a second distance from the display mounting surface, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. |
| US08072736B2 |
Movable electrical power distribution assembly
An electrical power distribution assembly for providing enhanced access includes a first member configured to be mounted to a fixed structure. A second member is configured to receive electrical components for interconnection to electrical systems of a predetermined configuration. The second member is movably connected to the first member between a first position and a second position. The movable connection providing enhanced access of electrical components disposed on the second member around the fixed structure when the second member is disposed in the second position. |
| US08072729B1 |
Battery-spark and reverse polarity protection method and circuit for safely connecting a trolling motor to a power source
The protection method and circuit provide a time delay after a first contact with the power source is made until full power is allowed connection to the trolling motor. This time delay is longer than the “bounce” time, or the time a user may “bounce” a contact on and off of a battery terminal, during a typical batter connection. Therefore, this delay prevents sparking at the battery terminal. During the time delay, an initial pre-charge brings the main capacitor's voltage up to the battery voltage in a low stress, no spark process prior to being connected directly across the battery source terminal by relay contacts. |
| US08072725B2 |
Connection unit and vehicle incorporating the same
A connection unit includes a first relay connected between a first electrode of a first battery and a first power feed line towards a vehicle load, a second relay connected between a second electrode of the first battery and a second power feed line towards the vehicle load, a third relay and a current limiting resistor connected in series between the second electrode of the first battery and the second power feed line, a fourth relay connected between an electrode of a second battery having a polarity identical to the polarity of the first electrode and the first power feed line towards the vehicle load, and a conductor line connecting an electrode of the second battery having a polarity identical to the polarity of the second electrode with the second electrode of the first battery. There can be provided a connection unit suppressed in the number of components, suitable for usage in a vehicle incorporating a plurality of power storage devices, and a vehicle incorporating the connection unit. |
| US08072724B2 |
Over-voltage protection circuit
An over-voltage protection circuit is disclosed herein for protection against over-voltage of an energy storage device while charging. The circuit operates within the operational limits of a battery-operated device, such as a mobile or handheld device. The over-voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage protection device, and an over-voltage protection controller. The controller allows current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when an energy storage device is experiencing over-voltage. In allowing current to flow to the over-voltage protection device only when the voltage across the energy storage device is above a predetermined voltage, power conservation is achieved. |
| US08072721B2 |
ESD protection using a capacitivly-coupled clamp for protecting low-voltage core transistors from high-voltage outputs
An electro-static-discharge (ESD) protection circuit protects core transistors. An internal node to the gate of an n-channel output transistor connects to the drain of an n-channel gate-grounding transistor to ground. The gate of the gate-grounding transistor is a coupled-gate node that is coupled by an ESD coupling capacitor to the output and to ground by an n-channel disabling transistor and a leaker resistor. The gate of the n-channel disabling transistor is connected to power and disables the ESD protection circuit when powered. An ESD pulse applied to the output is coupled through the ESD coupling capacitor to pulse high the coupled-gate node and turn on the gate-grounding transistor to ground the gate of the n-channel output transistor, which breaks down to shunt ESD current. The ESD pulse is prevented from coupling through a parasitic Miller capacitor of the n-channel output transistor by the gate-grounding transistor. |
| US08072718B2 |
Protective device
The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals, the plurality of load terminals including a plurality of hot load terminals and a plurality of neutral load terminals. The device also includes a circuit interrupter having four sets of moveable contacts, the four sets of moveable contacts being configured to couple the plurality of line terminal to the plurality of load terminals in a reset state and to decouple the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in a tripped state. A test circuit includes an end of life detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals by a switch mechanism associated with the four sets of moveable contacts. The test circuit includes a manually actuatable button and a fusible element, the fusible element assuming a permanently open state if the circuit interrupter does not enter the tripped state within a predetermined period after the manually actuatable button has been actuated. |
| US08072717B1 |
Protective device with separate end-of-life trip mechanism
The present invention is directed to a protective wiring device for use in an electrical distribution system. The device includes a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals configured to be coupled to the plurality of line terminals in a reset state. A detector circuit is coupled to the plurality of line terminals. The detector circuit is configured to generate a detection signal in response to detecting at least one predefined perturbation in the electrical distribution system. A circuit interrupter assembly is coupled between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The circuit interrupter assembly is configured to decouple the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in response to the detection signal. An end-of-life mechanism is coupled to the detector circuit. The end-of-life mechanism is configured to permanently decouple the plurality of line terminals from the plurality of load terminals in the absence of an intervening signal. |
| US08072715B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for fault protection
An apparatus is provided for fault protection. The apparatus may include one or more electronic components configured to receive a single phase-to-ground fault signal and a double phase-to-ground fault signal subsequent to receiving the single phase-to-ground fault signal. The one or more of electronic components may be further configured to provide for a delay while the single phase-to-ground fault signal indicates that a single phase-to-ground fault is present on the ungrounded power system and the double phase-to-ground fault signal indicates that the double phase-to-ground fault is present on the ungrounded power system. The delay may allow for an opportunity to isolate a phase-to-ground fault on a first phase from a phase-to-ground fault on a second phase. Associated methods and computer program products are also provided. |
| US08072713B2 |
Magnetic reading head and magnetic recording apparatus
To provide a magnetic reading head that features high resolution and low noise, and that can support a hard disk with terabit-level surface recording density. A current is caused to flow from a pinned layer with its magnetization direction fixed by an antiferro magnetic material, to a non-magnetic thin wire having a portion affected by an external magnetic field and a portion not affected by the external magnetic field, so that spin polarized electrons are accumulated in the non-magnetic thin wire. A distance between voltage terminals of a voltmeter is set to less than the spin diffusion length of the non-magnetic thin wire. A change in the external magnetic field modulates some of the accumulated spin polarized electron, but does not others. Accordingly, an electrical potential difference depending on the external magnetic field is generated between the both end surfaces of the non-magnetic thin wire, and measured with the voltmeter. |
| US08072712B2 |
Tunneling magnetic sensing element having two-layered hard bias layer
At both sides of an element portion, a first hard bias layer having a higher residual magnetization Mr and a second hard bias layer having a higher coercive force Hc are deposited in that order from the bottom with one end of the first hard bias layer being closed close to a free magnetic layer. A film thickness ratio of the first hard bias layer in a whole hard bias layer is from 35% to 75%. This stabilizes magnetization in the free magnetic layer to reduce asymmetry, thus enabling improvement in stability of reproducing characteristics including noise suppression. |
| US08072709B2 |
Flex cable for a hard disk drive having an interrogation trace
A flex cable for a head stack assembly of a hard disk drive comprises a base film, a first adhesive layer coupled with the base film, and at least one interrogation trace and at least one signal trace coupled with the first adhesive layer. The interrogation trace is configured to be probed to measure a deterioration of electrical conductivity. The flex cable has a second adhesive layer that is coupled with the interrogation trace, the signal trace, and the first adhesive layer. The flex cable comprises a cover film coupled with the second adhesive layer. |
| US08072707B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic recording head with divided auxiliary yoke layer
In a perpendicular magnetic recording head comprising a main magnetic pole layer, a return yoke layer, and an auxiliary yoke layer, a plurality of rear magnetic connecting layers intermittently extending to a connecting position with the return yoke layer are provided at the same lamination position as with the main magnetic pole layer on the rear side of the main magnetic pole layer in the height direction. The auxiliary yoke layer is formed by a plurality of divided auxiliary yoke layers intermittently extending on the rear side of the medium-opposing surface in the height direction and magnetically connecting the main magnetic pole layer to the plurality of rear magnetic connecting layers, respectively. In each of the main magnetic pole layer, plurality of rear magnetic connecting layers, and plurality of divided auxiliary yoke layers, the size in the track width direction is defined greater than the size in the height direction. |
| US08072706B2 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording and method of manufacturing same
A main magnetic pole includes a first part extending from a medium facing surface to a point at a predetermined distance from the medium facing surface, and a second part other than the first part. An accommodation part for accommodating the main magnetic pole includes: a first layer having a groove; a second layer lying between the first layer and the main magnetic pole in the first layer's groove; and a third layer interposed in part between the second layer and the main magnetic pole in the first layer's groove. The second layer is formed of a metal material different from a material used to form the first layer. The third layer is formed of an inorganic insulating material. The second and third layers lie between the first layer and the first part. The second layer lies between the bottom of the first layer's groove and the second part, but the third layer does not. The distance between the bottom of the first layer's groove and the second part is smaller than that between the bottom and the first part. |
| US08072702B2 |
Atmospheric pressure measuring apparatus and method of measuring atmospheric pressure
An atmospheric pressure measuring apparatus allows a transmitter to transmit an acoustic wave for measurement of the atmospheric pressure. Air propagates the acoustic wave. A receiver receives the acoustic wave. Since the intensity of the acoustic wave changes to follow the variation of the atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric pressure can be measured based on the intensity of the acoustic wave received at the receiver. The atmospheric pressure is in this manner measured with such a simplified structure. |
| US08072700B2 |
Optical apparatus for use in photolithography
An optical apparatus includes an interchange mechanism and an optical assembly of an illumination system or a projection objective. At least one of the plurality of optical elements of the optical assembly is selected from among a plurality of ones selectable from the interchange mechanism which facilitates exchange of one for another in the beam path. To reduce transmission of vibration from the interchange mechanism to the optical assembly, the interchange mechanism is mounted on a structure which is substantially dynamically decoupled from the housing, and a selected selectable optical element is located at an operating position at which it is separate from the interchange mechanism. |
| US08072696B2 |
Wide angle optical system and image pickup apparatus using the same
A wide angle optical system is formed by, in order from the object side, an aperture stop, a first lens with positive refracting power, a second lens with negative refracting power, and a third lens. Both surfaces of the third lens are an aspherical surface in which refracting power varies in accordance with distance from the optical axis in such a way that the both surfaces have a convex shape facing toward the object side in the vicinity of the optical axis and have a concave shape facing toward the object side in the vicinity of the outer circumference, and the following conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.1 |
| US08072692B2 |
Lens, laser arrangement and method for producing a laser arrangement
An aspherical planoconvex lens (20), containing a material with a refractive index of at least 3.0, in which the height (h) of the convex region (21) is a maximum of one fifth of the thickness (1) of the lens (20). Also disclosed is a laser assembly incorporating such a lens and a method for the manufacture of such a laser assembly. |
| US08072691B2 |
Lens module having intercoupling slits and restricting members
An exemplary lens barrel includes an accommodating member having a cylinder, a lens barrel, a holder for fixing the accommodating member, and a resilient member. The cylinder has a plurality of stepwise slits each having an end exposed at an underside surface thereof. The lens barrel has a plurality of restricting elements extending from an outer surface thereof. The lens barrel is coaxially accommodated in the cylinder with the restricting element passing through a corresponding slit. The resilient member is sandwiched between the lens barrel and the holder, capable of changing its length under an external force, such that a focal length of the lens module is adjustable when the restricting elements move in and along the slits. |
| US08072689B2 |
Optical device with means of actuating a compact deformable membrane
An optical device with a deformable membrane including an anchoring area on a support helping to contain a constant volume of liquid in contact with one of its faces, a substantially central area, configured to be deformed reversibly from a rest position, and an actuation mechanism displacing the liquid in the central area, stressing the membrane in parts situated between the central area and the anchoring area. The actuation mechanism includes plural thermal or piezoelectric actuators of micro-beam type, distributed at the periphery of the membrane, the micro-beams including at least one fixed part joined to the support and at least one moving part coming into contact, on an actuation, with the membrane in an area situated between the central area and the anchoring area. |
| US08072686B2 |
UV laser beamlett on full-windshield head-up display
An apparatus to project graphical images upon a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display of a vehicle includes an excitation light source projecting a laser beam based upon a graphical image command and a telescope for expanding the laser beam. The apparatus further includes a multi-mirror device including a plurality of mirrors sequentially irradiated by the expanded laser beam to simultaneously scan a plurality of laser beamlettes and the windscreen including a surface receiving the plurality of laser beamlettes, each of the received plurality of laser beamlettes emitting visible light upon the surface. |
| US08072684B2 |
Optical device using laterally-shiftable diffraction gratings
A double-sided grating divider acts as a light switch where the upper and lower grating dividers are arranged to accommodate a relative lateral shift therebetween of about one-fourth of the period of the diffraction grating elements and where the critical refraction angles of the grating dividers are more than about 43.6°. Lateral shift may be achieved by various devices including MEMS and metal couplers having a known/calibrated thermal coefficient of expansion over a temperature range of interest. |
| US08072682B2 |
Transmissive screen and diffusion plate
A transmissive screen includes, sequentially from a projection side, a Fresnel lens having a condensing function, a diffusion plate for diffusing incident light, and a front-surface protective panel disposed facing the diffusion plate across an air flow layer of a predetermined interval. The front-surface protective panel partially absorbs visible light, and the visible light absorbance of the front-surface protective panel is made the highest compared with the Fresnel lens and the diffusion plate. |
| US08072680B2 |
Confocal microscope apparatus
A microscope apparatus includes a first optical system which illuminates a sample via an objective lens with light output from a light source and which detects fluorescence emitted from the sample via the objective lens, and a second optical scanning system which irradiates specific regions of the sample with a laser beam output from a laser light source, thereby causing a particular phenomenon. The first optical system may include a rotatable disk to obtain a confocal effect, and the light output from the light source scans the sample via the rotatable disk, and the fluorescence is detected via the rotatable disk. A depth position of a focal plane of the second optical scanning system is generally the same as a depth position of a focal plane of the first optical system. |
| US08072673B2 |
Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus according to an embodiment includes a first substrate including a plastic material, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a coating layer formed on at least one surface of the first substrate. The coating layer includes a first compound having an acryl-based monomer and a second compound having a silicon derivative, and prevents reflection of light from the first substrate when light is provided to the first substrate. Thus, the display apparatus may have enhanced lightness (brightness) thereby improving the display quality. |
| US08072672B2 |
Thermally switched reflective optical shutter
The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device has unique aesthetic optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device. |
| US08072669B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating 16-QAM-modulated optical signal
A system and method for producing a 16-QAM-modulated signal are disclosed. The methodology, in an exemplary expedient, generally comprises splitting light from a CW laser into two parts; modulating the first part with a first signal and modulating the second part with a second signal; phase shifting the modulated second part by about π/2; combining the modulated first part with the phase shifted and modulated second part to produce a four-level modulated signal; phase modulating the four-level modulated signal with a third signal with a phase modulation of about (0, π/2) to produce an 8-QAM-modulated signal, and thereafter modulating that signal with a fourth signal with a phase-modulation of about (0, π) to produce the 16-QAM-modulated signal. |
| US08072668B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus and its optical element, method and apparatus for positioning and fixing the optical element, and a molding tool for making the optical element
A plastic lens molding tool, including: a first mirror surface block; a second mirror surface block disposed opposite the first block, wherein the first mirror surface block includes a transfer surface with a curvature-radius center position that is transferable to an optical element; a first nested block arranged in contact with the first mirror surface block to form a reference rib groove on a border surface between the first mirror surface block and the first nested block; and a second nested block arranged in contact with the first mirror surface block at a side opposite the first nested block. |
| US08072664B1 |
Biaxial scanning mirror having resonant frequency adjustment
A biaxial micro-electromechanical (MEMS) device is disclosed. The device includes a gimbal rotatable about a gimbal axis of rotation. A pair of gimbal torsion bars connects the gimbal to a support along the gimbal rotation axis. A mirror plate is rotatable about a mirror axis of rotation, the mirror plate rotation axis being substantially perpendicular to the gimbal rotation axis. A pair of mirror plate torsion bars connects the mirror plate to the gimbal along the mirror plate axis of rotation. One or more gimbal moment-of-inertia-altering blocks are positioned on a surface of the mirror plate away from the gimbal axis of rotation. Additionally, one or more mirror plate moment-of-inertia-altering blocks are positioned on a surface of the mirror plate away from the mirror plate rotation axis such that the distance from the mirror plate axis determines a resonant frequency of the biaxial MEMS device. |
| US08072661B2 |
Computer generated hologram, exposure apparatus, and device fabrication method
The present invention provides a computer generated hologram which forms a light intensity distribution on a predetermined plane by giving a phase distribution to a wavefront of incident light, comprising an anisotropic layer whose refractive index with respect to linearly polarized light in a first direction is different from a refractive index of the anisotropic layer with respect to linearly polarized light in a second direction perpendicular to the linearly polarized light in the first direction, and an isotropic layer whose refractive index with respect to the linearly polarized light in the first direction is equal to a refractive index of the isotropic layer with respect to the linearly polarized light in the second direction. |
| US08072659B2 |
Color processor, computer readable medium and color processing method
The color processor is provided with: a conversion source color data acquiring part for acquiring conversion source color datasets in a first color space; a gamut storage for storing a gamut; a determining part for determining whether or not each of the conversion source color datasets exists in the gamut; a first color conversion processor for performing color conversion processing on each of conversion source color datasets A in the conversion source color datasets by use of a color conversion characteristic model, the conversion source color datasets A being determined to exist in the gamut; and a second color conversion processor for performing color conversion processing on each of conversion source color datasets B in the conversion source color datasets by use of color conversion correspondence, the conversion source color datasets B being determined not to exist in the gamut. |
| US08072654B2 |
Three-dimensional calibration using orientation and position sensitive calibration pattern
Systems and methods using an orientation/position-sensitive calibration pattern for three-dimensional calibration of an imaging system, such as one used in a process for scanning documents are disclosed. The method generally includes positioning the pattern on a support, capturing images using cameras to be calibrated, each image containing at least a unique orientation and position sensitive sub-area of the pattern, determining a set of coordinate pairs of corresponding points in the image and the pattern for each image utilizing image data and pattern information, and performing optimization utilizing the sets of coordinate pairs to calibrate relative position, orientation, zoom, and/or lens distortion, etc. of each camera so as to construct a three-dimensional camera calibration model. The pattern is generally comprised of overlapping sub-areas of a minimum portion of the pattern. |
| US08072650B1 |
Automated focus adjustment using a varying light pattern
Systems and methods for automatically focusing an image capture device on a page of a document object. A predetermined light pattern is projected onto the page being imaged. The light pattern varies as a function of the separation of the page being imaged from the end page. The light pattern projected onto the page being imaged is sensed. Based on the sensed light pattern, the image capture device is focused on the page being imaged. |
| US08072649B2 |
Image displaying medium, method of generating composite image displaying data and image generating system
An image displaying medium, a method of generating composite image displaying data, and an image generating system are disclosed. A color image on the image displaying medium is composed of plural mesh points whose shape is an ellipse having linearity. The mesh point has, for example, a color of cyan, magenta, yellow, or black in the CMYK system. The color image is a composite image composed of a displaying image and a latent image. When the composite image is viewed through a lenticular lens, a moire pattern having thick vertical lines corresponding to the displaying image and a moire pattern having thin oblique lines corresponding to the latent image appear. |
| US08072639B2 |
Print system and printer device facilitating reuse of print data
A print system includes a communication path, a client device which transmits print data to said communication path, a host device connected to said communication path, and a printer device which prints the print data after receiving the print data from said client device via said communication path, and automatically sends the print data together with printer output information to said host device via said communication path, said printer output information including keywords for identifying said print data. |
| US08072638B2 |
Method and system for forming image, and external device
An image forming system includes an external device that stores therein image data, and an image forming device that is directly connected to the external device. The external device sets an output mode to either one of a one-sided output and a two-sided output. The external device transmits the image data and output-mode data indicative of the output mode to the image forming device. The image forming device receives the image data and the output-mode data from the external device and outputs the image data in the output mode specified in the output-mode data. |
| US08072635B2 |
Pharmacy printer system and method
A computer network system and method for printing in the pharmacy all information specific to a particular prescription recipient, synchronized in time with the fulfillment of the prescription. The computer network system and method determines what accompanying information to associate with a prescription, integrates that accompanying information into one integrated document, and prints the document, along with a prescription label, in the pharmacy prior to when the prescription recipient receives the prescription. In addition, the systems and methods determine layout of the specific accompanying information associated with a prescription to physically distinct sections of the paper. |
| US08072630B2 |
Integration of job control and synchronization with printer controller data exchanges
Methods and systems for synchronization and control of multiple processes in a printer controller using headers associated with data and exchanged among the processes of the printer controller. A first feature hereof provides a method for job control and synchronization among a plurality of processes operable in a printer controller. The method includes associating a job control header with all print data exchanged between the plurality of processes of the printer controller. The method then includes synchronizing operation of the plurality of processes in accordance with information in the job control header. The headers may be exchanged in conjunction with print data moving through the multiple processes and may be generated and exchanged for synchronization and control independent of any print data. Synchronization events may include beginning and/or end of processing for a job, a page, a document, a page description language, etc. |
| US08072618B2 |
Printing apparatus, image data file processing apparatus, method of selecting image data file, method of assisting selection of image data file, and computer program
A printing apparatus that selects and prints images represented by candidate image data files to be output among a plurality of image data files includes an image data file acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of image data files, each having image data regarding an image and additional data regarding at least a photographing condition when the image was taken, and a candidate file selection unit that selects image data files, which have the additional data, not the image data, satisfying one of one or more predetermined selection conditions, among the plurality of image data files as the candidate image data files to be output, and a printing unit that performs printing of images represented by at least some of the candidate image data files. |
| US08072616B2 |
Application of crossed teflon diffuser to coatings on oriented surfaces
A system and method for measuring coating thickness upon a substrate containing directionally oriented elements is disclosed. A near infrared light is directed upon the coating and reflected near infrared light is collected to determine the coating thickness. A pair of stacked and crossed diffuser elements is placed between the light source and the sample, and between the sample and the reflected near infrared light collector to improve the accuracy of the measurement, especially for coating thickness of less than about 2 mils and for coatings on substrates containing directionally oriented components. Each diffuser element is formed of a polytetrafluoroethylene fluoropolymer (PTFE) film. |
| US08072610B1 |
Polarization mirau interference microscope
The conventional two plates with beamsplitter of the Mirau interferometer are replaced with two achromatic λ/4 retarders. The upper surface of the second retarder is coated with a 50 percent reflecting film, so that it also functions as a beamsplitter. The objective is illuminated with a linearly polarized beam. As a result of this arrangement, the test and reference beam emerging from the Mirau interferometer are orthogonally polarized beams suitable for achromatic phase shifting, thereby facilitating the use of the Mirau interferometer for monochromatic to broadband phase-shifting interference microscopy. Alternatively, it can be used for equalization of beams intensity by placing a rotatable polarizer at the exit of the objective. |
| US08072609B1 |
Enhanced sensitivity vibrometer
An enhanced sensitivity laser vibrometer with increased output signal strength and more sensitive surface vibration detection, is provided by using a reflective mirror assembly to repeatedly bounce the sensing laser beam against the acoustic pressure-sensing diaphragm to magnify the acoustic incident pressure wave being detected. The enhancement in signal strength, in terms of power spectral density, is a function of the number of bounces squared and the detection of surface vibrations with a displacement of smaller than 4 picometers is demonstrated experimentally. |
| US08072605B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining quality of fruit and vegetable products
A method for determining the quality and ripeness of fruit and vegetable products includes the steps of irradiating a fruit or vegetable product with radiating light; measuring the absorbance of the product at the wavelengths of 670 nm and 720 nm; determining the difference of absorbances measured at the wavelengths of 670 nm and 720 nm. |
| US08072603B2 |
Fluorescence-activated cell detector
An apparatus for detecting particles of interest that are dispersed in a fluid mix, which typically includes other particles. The apparatus typically is associated with an interrogation platform arranged to operate in harmony with an opaque member having an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of the particles there-through. A currently preferred embodiment includes a light pipe configured to impinge stimulation-radiation substantially transverse to a direction of fluid flow through the opaque member. Particles of interest may be tagged using antibody-binding, fluorescing molecules. Stimulation radiation from the source causes the tagged particles to undergo a Stokes-shift emission of fluorescence. The resulting fluorescence is detected by the radiation detector and indicates passage of the particles of interest. One workable opaque member is advantageously included in a thin film assembly carried on a removable and disposable card that is adapted for reception in the interrogation platform. |
| US08072601B2 |
Pattern monitor mark and monitoring method suitable for micropattern
A method of forming a monitor mark includes forming an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, and forming a first repetitive line pattern group and a second repetitive line pattern group by patterning the insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, such that the first repetitive line pattern group and the second repetitive line pattern group face each other with a predetermined space therebetween. |
| US08072589B2 |
System and method for photoemission-based defect detection
An IREM image of an IC is obtained. The emission intensity at each emission site is measured/calculated and is compared to reference intensity. The calculated intensity may be plotted against reference intensities. In general, the majority of the plotted intensities would lie in a given range within a straight line. However, for devices that exhibit an abnormal emission, the plot would result in an easily observable deviation from the line. The calculated intensity is used to make a determination of logical “1” or “0” for each device, which is automatically stored together with the corresponding test vector. The calculated logical states are then tabulated and compared against tabulation of reference logical states. |
| US08072586B2 |
Arrangement and method for focusing a multiplane image acquisition on a prober
A focused multi-planar image acquisition in real time even while a test object is moving, is achieved with a system and a method for a focused multi-planar image acquisition in a prober. When a surface of a test object is positioned laterally in relation to tips of separated probe needles, a microscope is focused on the surface of the test object at a first time and on a plane of the probe needles at a second time. The objective lens is provided with a microscope objective lens focusing system, which can focus the objective lens, independently of a vertical adjustment drive of the microscope, on the surface of the test object in a first focal plane and in a second focal plane, which is on a level with the probe needle tips. |
| US08072585B2 |
System with extended range of molecular sensing through integrated multi-modal data acquisition
A multi-modal data acquisition system for detecting target material on a biological reaction surface, the system comprising a radiation source for generating an incoming beam that impinges on the biological reaction surface at an oblique incidence angle and produces a reflected beam, an interferometric detector for detecting an interferometric signal from the illuminated surface, the reflected beam being directed to the interferometric detector, a fluorescence detector for detecting a fluorescence signal from the illuminated surface; the fluorescence detector being positioned to substantially minimize the incidence of the reflected beam; and a processing system for receiving the interferometric and fluorescence signals and determining the presence or absence of target material on the biological reaction surface. A reaction surface conditioned for the simultaneous collection of fluorescence, interferometric and other signals. A multi-modal data acquisition system for collecting and processing additional modes, including multiple interferometric, fluorescence and scattering channels. |
| US08072584B2 |
Optical air data systems and methods
Systems and methods for sensing air includes at least one, and in some embodiments three, transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. The transceivers are scanned or aligned along several different axes. Each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines air temperatures, wind speeds, and wind directions based on the scattered laser radiation. Applications of the system to wind power site evaluation, wind turbine control, traffic safety, general meteorological monitoring and airport safety are presented. |
| US08072577B2 |
Lithography systems and processes
An exemplary lithography process may include: receiving a substrate having a photo-sensitive layer; providing a light source capable of causing an exposure of a portion of the photo-sensitive layer; and providing a mask capable of defining at least one pattern that is to be transferred to the photo-sensitive layer. Specifically, the substrate has a top surface on or over the photo-sensitive layer, and the mask receives an electromagnetic wave from the light source at a first surface of the mask and generates a plurality of electromagnetic components from a second surface of the mask. The lithography process may also include: providing a lens, which provides a flat surface at a bottom surface of the lens, for transferring the pattern to the photo-sensitive layer; and adjusting the distance between the flat surface of the lens and the top surface of the substrate to control the number and amount of the electro-magnetic components projected onto the photo-sensitive layer. |
| US08072574B2 |
Tunable liquid lens with reduced aberration
A tunable optical imaging system uses a fixed lens and a tunable liquid crystal lens that is operated only outside of an operational range of high aberration. A voltage range applied to change the optical power of the liquid crystal lens is limited to a continuous tunable range of low aberration. The relative positioning between the lens and a corresponding photodetector, and the relative lens powers of a fixed lens and the tunable lens, may be selected to compensate for any optical power offsets resulting from the limitation of the voltage range of the tunable lens. The lens may be operated in either positive tunability or negative tunability mode. |
| US08072571B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposed to each other and a rectangular frame-shaped sealing material configured to bond the first and second substrates together. The first substrate has an interconnect layer overlapping a corner of the sealing material, a layered insulating film including an inorganic insulating film and an organic insulating film placed one upon the other on the interconnect layer, and a transparent conductive layer formed on the layered insulating film to be connected to the interconnect layer via a contact hole formed through the layered insulating film. The second substrate has an electrode layer electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer. The inorganic insulating film has an exposed portion exposed from the organic insulating film in the corner of the sealing material. The exposed portion is entirely exposed from the transparent conductive layer. In the exposed portion, a through hole is formed through the interconnect layer, and the inorganic insulating film covers the through hole. |
| US08072568B2 |
Display panel comprising at least one mark formed of a thinnest conductive film and a flattening film including a sealing exposing portion
A liquid crystal display panel includes an active matrix substrate, a counter substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and a sealant. The counter electrode is opposed to the active matrix substrate. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate. The sealant, which surrounds the liquid crystal layer between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, joins the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate and seals the liquid crystal layer. A portion of the surface on the liquid crystal layer side of the active matrix substrate which is located at the periphery of the liquid crystal display panel is flat. |
| US08072567B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display apparatus using the same
A liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes in the following order toward a viewer side: a first polarizer; a first optical compensation layer having a refractive index ellipsoid of nx>ny>nz and an in-plane retardation Re1 of 90 to 300 nm; a liquid crystal cell; a second optical compensation layer having a refractive index ellipsoid of nx>ny>nz and an in-plane retardation Re2 of 90 to 300 nm; and a second polarizer, wherein a total thickness direction retardation ΣRth1 to n of all the optical compensation layers and a thickness direction retardation Rthc of the liquid crystal cell satisfy the following Expression (1): −160 nm<(ΣRth1 to n−Rthc)<50 nm (1). |
| US08072566B2 |
Method of forming transflective liquid crystal display panel
A method of forming a transflective LCD panel is provided. The transflective LCD includes a substrate, a first polycrystalline silicon pattern disposed in a reflection region, a second polycrystalline silicon pattern disposed in a peripheral region, an insulating layer disposed on the first and second polycrystalline silicon pattern and the substrate, a gate electrode disposed in the reflection region, a common electrode disposed in the peripheral region, a first inter-layer dielectric disposed on the insulating layer, the gate electrode and the common electrode, a reflection electrode disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric, a second inter-layer dielectric disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric and the reflection electrode, and a transmission electrode disposed on the second inter-layer dielectric and electrically connected to the reflection electrode through an opening of the second inter-layer dielectric. The second polycrystalline silicon pattern, the common electrode, and the insulating layer disposed therebetween form a storage capacitor. |
| US08072564B2 |
Liquid crystal device having a band-shaped retardation film extending outwardly to a parting area outside of a dummy pixel area
A liquid crystal device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, a display area having a plurality of pixels arranged therein, and a retardation film. Each pixel includes a transmissive display area and a reflective display area. The retardation film is provided on one of the pair of substrates in a band-shape so as to continue across the reflective display areas of the plurality of pixels. An end portion of the band-shaped retardation film is positioned outside the display area. |
| US08072561B2 |
Twisted nematic xLCD contrast compensation with tilted-plate retarders
Contrast compensation for a liquid crystal display projection system including a light source, a first polarizer, a liquid crystal display panel, and a second polarizer is provided using a tilted compensating plate. The compensating plate includes a first birefringent element having an optic axis oriented at a first angle to the plate normal, where the first angle is greater than zero degrees (e.g., an A-plate or O-plate), and a second birefringent element having an optic axis oriented at a second angle to the plate normal, where the second angle is substantially equal to zero degrees (e.g., a C-plate). The compensating plate is tilted relative to a plane of the liquid crystal display panel. The tilted compensating plate has been shown to provide improved contrast compensation for twisted nematic liquid crystal displays. |
| US08072560B2 |
Electrode for cold cathode tube, and cold cathode tube and liquid crystal display device using the same
An electrode (1) for cold cathode tube has a cylindrical sidewall portion (2), a bottom portion (3) provided at one end of the sidewall portion, and an opening portion (4) provided at the other end of the sidewall portion. The sidewall portion and the bottom portion are made of tungsten. The tungsten has fibrous crystalline structure extending substantially perpendicularly to a direction of thickness of the sidewall portion or the bottom portion. The thickness T of the sidewall portion or the bottom portion and an average width W of the fibrous crystalline structures in the direction of the thickness satisfy the following relational expression: 0.003≦W/T≦0.07. |
| US08072559B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display device 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a liquid crystal 11 and a lighting device 12, the liquid crystal panel 11 having a liquid crystal layer 50 provided between a pair of glass substrates 31, 41, the lighting device 12 supplying illumination light to the liquid crystal panel 11. The liquid crystal display device 10 is characterized in that a metal-halide containing region 60 is formed in a position in one of the pair of glass substrates 31, 41. The metal-halide containing region 60 contains a crystal of metal halide which exhibits photochromism in the light supplied from the lighting device 12. The position is capable of blocking light toward a luminance point defect occurrence portion X that becomes a cause of a luminance point defect. The one of the pair of glass substrates 31, 41 is disposed on the lighting device 12 side. |
| US08072555B2 |
Display device, display panel unit, and information processing apparatus
A display device includes: a display panel unit that includes a display screen for displaying information and a light emitting section having a light source for emitting light to illuminate the display screen from back, and that linearly generates heat during light emission; and a radiator that receives the heat generated by the light emitting section and dissipates the received heat. The display device further includes a heat transmission section that transmits the heat generated by the light emitting section to the radiator such that heat generated in the middle of a linear heat generation part of the light emitting section is transmitted faster than heat generated at the end of the linear heat generation part. |
| US08072553B2 |
Stereoscopic display device
A stereoscopic display device is provided for displaying a 3-dimentional image including a first slice, a second slice and a third slice arranged in the order written. The stereoscopic display device includes a first LCD, a second LCD, and a number of distance adjusting members between the first and second LCDs. Each distance adjusting member includes two magnetic elements. The two magnetic elements are aligned with each other and fixed to the first and second LCDs, respectively. One of the two magnetic elements is an electromagnet. The two magnetic elements are configured for cooperatively creating repulsion forces and attractive forces applied between the two LCDs such that the first LCD is reciprocally moved relative to the second LCD between a first position where the first LCD displays a contour of the second slice and a second position where the first LCD displays a contour of the third slice. |
| US08072547B2 |
Comb filter that utilizes host memory
A comb filter system that utilizes host memory is disclosed. The comb filter system that utilizes host memory may include a comb filter. The comb filter system that utilizes host memory may include an allocated host memory. The comb filter system that utilizes host memory may include an interface in signal communication with the comb filter and allocated host memory. |
| US08072539B1 |
Apparatus and method for digital processing of analog television signals
This invention is an apparatus and method for digital processing of television like signals and in particular the use of oversampling and interpolation to achieve improved resolution of the digital version of such signals as compared to a digital version obtained by the use of simple A/D conversion or processing at the desired sample rate. The preferred embodiment utilizes oversampling, interpolation and various filtering in recursive and nonrecursive form to provide output video signals wherein the artifacts and distortion of the video are kept to low levels. |
| US08072538B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device including lens unit held by holding section included in same lens unit, and electronic apparatus including same solid-state image pickup device
A camera module 100 of the present invention is arranged such that a lens barrel 32 is provided with an internal screw thread 32a on its internal side, and that a holding section 41, which is a portion of a lens holder 4, the portion holding a lens unit 3, is provided with an external screw thread 41a on its external side, the external screw thread 41a being engaged with the internal screw thread 32a. As a result, it is possible to provide the camera module 100 capable of preventing contamination by dirt into a light path and thereby reducing imaging defects. |
| US08072537B2 |
Image pick-up module
An image pick-up module, in particular for an endoscope or a miniature camera, has an electronic image sensor, which has a plurality of contact fingers that are arranged in at least one row, and a rigid circuit board to which the contact fingers are electrically contact-connected, the image sensor and the circuit board being arranged approximately parallel to one another, and the contact fingers extending along at least one longitudinal side of the circuit board, which extends approximately transversely to the image sensor, and also a flexible multi-core cable which leads from the circuit board in the direction away from the image sensor and whose cores are likewise electrically contact-connected to the circuit board. The cores are contact-connected at contact-connection points on the circuit board which are closer to the image sensor than that side of the circuit board which is remote from the image sensor. |
| US08072536B1 |
Web cam apparatus
The web cam apparatus provides for a web cam to automatically track a user when the user moves out of a previously direct frame of the web cam. More than one mount type is provided so that various web cams and monitors with web cams can be accommodated. The apparatus also provides more than one remote airwave transmitter. Each transmitter is kept on a web cam user's person so that tracking is automatic. One transmitter provides only web cam tracking. A headset optionally provided provides further communication with a computer that is equipped with both a transmitter and receiver. A computer so equipped can also communicate sounds between the headset and the computer. |
| US08072531B2 |
Imaging device
An imaging device of the present invention includes a normal operation period and a focusing operation period; a CCD (102) able to mix image signals of a plurality of pixels and read the mixed image signals; an AFE (103) that converts the image signals to image data; a signal processing unit (104b) that converts the image data to display data; an LCD (107) that displays the display data; and a pixel mixing control unit (104c) that changes a read frame rate and pixel mixing number of the CCD (102). The pixel mixing control unit (104c) performs control so that in the focusing operation period, the image signals are read from the CCD (102) at a higher read frame rate than in the normal operation period, and performs control so that in the focusing operation period, the image signals are read from the CCD (102) at a larger pixel mixing number than in the normal operation period. This structure enables providing an imaging device in which a high-speed focusing operation can be performed even if an imaging subject is dark. |
| US08072529B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and signal processing circuit
A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface, and three or more pixel regions formed in at least one direction of two different directions along the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate. Each pixel region includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions having different sensitivities. The photoelectric conversion region having the highest sensitivity in peripheral pixel regions of the pixel regions has a higher sensitivity than the photoelectric conversion region having the highest sensitivity in a central pixel region of the pixel regions. |
| US08072527B2 |
Solid state image sensing device
A column A/D converter includes two column A/D converting elements. Each of the column A/D converting elements is operable to divide a pixel signal read out from a pixel array into two blocks i.e. an upper block constituted of upper two bit data, and a lower block constituted of lower two bit data, and sequentially perform A/D conversion with respect to the blocks in the unit of one horizontal scanning period. A controller causes each of the column A/D converting elements to concurrently perform A/D conversion with respect to different blocks of pixel signals at different rows. |
| US08072526B2 |
Image sensor, imaging system, and image sensor control method
An image sensor comprises a pixel array, and a control unit which performs, in a first period, a control operation of an electric potential of a signal line to turn off a MOS transistor while the electric potential of a charge-voltage converter in a selected pixel is maintained at an electric potential of a selected state, and, in a second period subsequent to the first period, performs a control operation of the electric potential of the signal line to turn on the MOS transistor while the electric potential of the charge-voltage converter in the selected pixel is maintained at an electric potential of the selected state. |
| US08072525B1 |
Imaging signal processing methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus are provided for performing multiple correlated double sampling (CDS) operations on an imaging pixel, and in some cases on an array of imaging pixels, during a single integration cycle of the pixel(s). The multiple CDS operations may produce multiple CDS values, which may be processed in combination to produce a resulting value substantially free of various types of noise. The CDS operations may be performed using a CDS circuit including a single-ended charge amplifier having an input capacitor. The charge amplifier may also include a variable capacitance providing a variable gain. The variable capacitance may be provided by a feedback capacitor. |
| US08072520B2 |
Dual pinned diode pixel with shutter
A pixel having an electronic shutter suitable for use in a pixel array of an imaging device includes a pinned diode and a shutter transistor. The pinned diode is utilized as a storage device while the shutter transistor controls charge transfer from the electronic shutter. The use of a pinned diode as a charge storage device for the electronic shutter permits greater charge transfer efficiency, has lower leakage (or “dark” current), and permits the resulting pixel to have a greater fill factor than pixels utilizing conventional electronic shutter circuits. |
| US08072519B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus, imaging system, and drive method of solid-state imaging apparatus
The present invention is directed to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus and a method of driving the solid-state imaging apparatus. If the total read out time of all of the pixels is shortened when effective pixels are thinned out to be read out without thinning out OB pixels, then the reset time period of each row is different from each other, and the problem of uneven charge accumulation time periods is caused. An improvement by the present invention is that, if no signals are read out from a part of the rows of the pixels in an effective pixel region to skip the rows, then the time period in which the rows to be skipped are selected is made to be shorter than the time period in which the rows from which signals are read out are selected, and the pixels in the optical black pixel region and the pixels in the effective pixel region are driven by the drive pulses of patterns different from each other. |
| US08072516B2 |
Dynamic range enhancement method and apparatus
A dynamic range enhancement method and apparatus for an imaging device expands a dynamic range of an input image without an associated increase in the amount of image calculations. The dynamic range enhancement method includes producing brightness information and color information from an input image; applying gamma correction and inverse gamma correction to the brightness information to produce a gamma corrected image and an inverse gamma corrected image; comparing variances of the gamma corrected image and the inverse gamma corrected image at identical spots; and expanding a dynamic range of the input image by selecting one of the variances at each spot. The dynamic range of an input image is expanded by applying a post imaging process without increasing calculation amount of the imaging device. |
| US08072514B2 |
Imaging system and method for error reduction processing
An imaging apparatus is provided, which improves correction accuracy at the time of pixel addition reading and scarcely deteriorates in resolution of the image data. This apparatus comprises: a conversion unit comprising a plurality of unit-pixels and converting an incident radiation or a light into pixel information; a signal processing unit capable of reading the pixel information for each unit-pixel, or capable of reading additional added pixel information for a plurality of unit-pixels, based on a control from a control unit for controlling a driving of the conversion unit according to a plurality of operation modes; a storage unit for storing a plurality of correction informations according to the plurality of operating modes; and a correction unit for performing the correction of the pixel information based on the correction information extracted from the plurality of correct informations according to the operation mode. |
| US08072510B2 |
Audio-based attention grabber for imaging devices
A digital imaging device such as a digital camera or a video camera may include the capability to store audio files. These audio files may be generated under user control when the user wishes to take a picture or capture video. The audio files may be played back as attention grabbers to attract the attention of the imaging subjects. After attracting the attention of the subjects by playing back a recorded audio sound, an image may be automatically captured. |
| US08072508B2 |
Photographing apparatus having first and second operation devices
A photographing apparatus comprises an imaging sensor, a controller, and an exposure-mode-selecting device. The controller performs a photometric operation on a photographing subject and obtains a luminance value of the photographing subject based on the photometric operation. The exposure-mode-selecting device is used for selecting an exposure mode of the photographing apparatus that has a shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode. The photographing operation is performed with a shutter speed and an aperture value that are set by a user and a sensitivity of the imaging sensor that is calculated based on the luminance value and the shutter speed and the aperture value, while the photographing apparatus is in the shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode. |
| US08072507B2 |
Method and system of generating high dynamic range image corresponding to specific scene
A method of generating a high dynamic range image corresponding to a specific scene. The method includes shooting a specific scene to generate a base image; selecting a bright area and a dark area from the base image; determining base luminance according to the base image; shooting the specific scene to generate at least a first image, wherein average luminance of a part of the first image corresponding to the bright area of the base image is less than or equal to the base luminance; shooting the specific scene to generate at least a second image, wherein average luminance of a part of the second image corresponding to the dark area of the base image is greater than or equal to the base luminance; and combining at least the first image and the second image into a high dynamic range image corresponding to the specific scene. |
| US08072500B2 |
Vibration compensation method for image capture device
A vibration compensation method for an image capture device comprising calculating the absolute difference values or the squared difference values between each first block of pixels of a base field and a second block of pixels corresponding thereto as well as other neighboring blocks of pixels in a comparison region in a reference field and choosing the interlace process modules of allowing the first block of pixels to interlace with the second block of pixels to form a image block, allowing the first block of pixels to interlace with the other neighboring block of pixels to form an image block and allowing the first block of pixels to interlace with a duplicated first block of pixels to form an image block, to combine an image depending on whether the absolute difference value or the squared difference values is smaller than a preset value or not thereby compensating the vibration factors as an image capture device is capturing an image to obtain a clear image. |
| US08072498B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
An apparatus and a method for outputting high-quality images in which both jerkiness and blur are reduced are provided. At generation of moving images to be output at a certain frame rate, movement velocities of a subject according to the frame rate of the output images are calculated in units of partial areas in each frame image constituting the moving images, optimal shutter speeds to reduce degradation of the output images are obtained as optimal imaging shutter speeds corresponding to the movement velocities in units of partial areas, images corresponding to the obtained optimal shutter speeds are generated in units of partial areas, and frame images generated by combining the generated partial area images are output. According to this configuration, high-quality images in which both jerkiness and blur are reduced can be output. |
| US08072497B2 |
Imaging apparatus and recording medium
When a digital camera 1 is being swung, the CPU 10 judges whether or not a block group having motion vectors which are varyingly different from the motion vectors of a peripheral area 32 in a field angle photographing area as shown in FIG. 3A exists in a center area 31 as shown in FIG. 3B. When judged that a block group having varyingly different motion vectors exists in the center area 31, the digital camera 1 determines this block group as an observed photographic subject area. Subsequently, when the scalar quantity of the largest motion vector, among the motion vectors of each block in the determined observed photographic subject area, is smaller than a threshold v, the digital camera 1 judges that the user is attempting to perform a follow shot and there is no blurring of the photographic subject, and performs automatic shooting. |
| US08072496B2 |
Motion smoothing in video stabilization
A motion stabilizing techniques are described. A frame of video is represented at least by frame position information. Savitzky-Golay filtering may be applied on frame position information. The resulting filtered video may have reduced visible jitteriness. |
| US08072493B2 |
Security system
A security system (10) includes an alternating electric current powered motion sensor assembly (30), and a direct electric powered security module (31) incorporating a storage device (63). A digital camera includes a digital camera mechanism (50) associated with the security module (31), and a digital camera lens (51) associated with the motion sensor assembly (30). Wiring (20) coupled between the motion sensor assembly (30) and the security module (31) provides alternating current to the motion sensor assembly (30) and the security module (31). A transformer (61) converts the alternating current from the wiring (20) to direct current electric and supplies the direct current to the security module (31). The digital camera mechanism (50) is responsive to activation of the motion sensor assembly (30) detecting motion in a vicinity (12) of the motion sensor assembly (30) activating the camera lens (51) to make digital imagery of an area in the vicinity (12), receiving the digital imagery made by the camera lens (51) over the wiring (20), and storing the digital imagery in the storage device (63). |
| US08072486B2 |
Camera device, liquid lens, and image pickup method
A camera device is provided which has a compound eye structure only by a liquid lens unit and a control unit without requiring a plurality of lenses to be mounted in advance and is capable of taking a three-dimensional stereoscopic video image. In addition, a compact and lightweight three-dimensional stereoscopic camera is provided which can be switched to take a two-dimensional planar image or to take a three-dimensional stereoscopic image only by an electronic control with no need for a movable mechanism and can reduce the power consumption and improve the reliability. A camera device comprises a liquid lens (182) switchable to a single eye lens and a compound eye lens; and a switching unit for switching the liquid lens (182) to the single eye lens to take a planar image and switching the liquid lens (182) to the compound eye lens to take a stereoscopic image. |
| US08072485B2 |
Image taking apparatus, image reproducing apparatus, image taking method and program
To prevent information required for reproducing of a 3D/multi-viewpoint image being lost even in a case in which editing or the like of the 3D/multi-viewpoint image is performed using a device or application software that does not support 3D/multi-viewpoint images, a compound-eye digital camera can switch between a multi-viewpoint image taking mode that images a subject image viewed from a plurality of viewpoints and a single viewpoint image taking mode that takes a subject image viewed from a single viewpoint. When taking an image in the multi-viewpoint image taking mode, the compound-eye digital camera sets a protect flag for multi-viewpoint images acquired with an image pickup device and records the multi-viewpoint images. As a result, the taken multi-viewpoint images are protected, and erasure or editing of the images cannot be performed without permission. |
| US08072481B1 |
Telepresence communication system
A telepresence communication system for group meeting rooms and personal home and office systems provides improved human factor experience through substantially life size images with eye level camera placement. The system provides switched presence interfaces so that conferees can select when to transmit their images during a conference and optionally provides individual microphones for each of conferee. Switched presence between presets of conferees are viewed on multipoint windows overlaying life-size images upon eye contact camera regions and eliminate seeing camera image movement during pan, tilt and zoom operations. An ambient light rejecting filter system enables an eye level camera to be hidden behind a projection screen and provides bright, high contrast images under normal meeting room and office environments. A telepresence organizational enablement system brings all the features of a corporate office complex and its social and organizational benefits, into a virtual community eliminating the need to centralize employees. |
| US08072476B2 |
Printer
A printer includes an upper unit which opens and closes about a fulcrum lying at a rear position of a lower unit, and a paper path which is opened by opening the upper unit. A sensor unit is attached to the lower unit and includes a lower sensor holder and an upper sensor holder which are disposed in opposition to each other via the paper path. The paper path can be opened by pivoting the upper sensor holder relative to the lower sensor holder. When the upper unit is closed, the upper sensor holder is also closed in accordance with a closing pivoting motion of the upper unit. |
| US08072471B2 |
Processing cursor movements in a graphical user interface of a multimedia application
A method for processing a selected item in a GUI of a multimedia application is provided. The method includes receiving a hot key input that specifies a function that is to be applied to the selected item and displaying a set of control guidelines associated with the hot key input. The set of control guidelines indicates cursor movement inputs needed to specify particular aspects of the function. A method for transforming a received cursor movement in a first coordinate system to a transformed cursor movement in a second coordinate system is provided. The received cursor movement specifies a particular manner (e.g., aspect and extent) of a function to be applied to an item in a workspace of a multimedia application. The first coordinate system displays a particular view of the workspace. |
| US08072470B2 |
System and method for providing a real-time three-dimensional interactive environment
An invention is provided for affording a real-time three-dimensional interactive environment using a three-dimensional camera. The invention includes obtaining two-dimensional data values for a plurality of pixels representing a physical scene, and obtaining a depth value for each pixel of the plurality of pixels using a depth sensing device. Each depth value indicates a distance from a physical object in the physical scene to the depth sensing device. At least one computer-generated virtual object is inserted into the scene, and an interaction between a physical object in the scene and the virtual object is detected based on coordinates of the virtual object and the obtained depth values. |
| US08072469B2 |
Fusion night vision system with parallax correction
A fusion night vision system corrects for parallax error by comparing an image from a first sensor with an image from a second sensor. |
| US08072463B1 |
Graphics system with virtual memory pages and non-power of two number of memory elements
A graphics system utilizes virtual memory pages and has a partitioned graphics memory that includes memory elements. The system supports having an non-power of two number of active memory elements. Additionally, a partition swizzling operation is used to adjust the partition numbers associated with individual units of virtual memory allocation on particular virtual memory pages to achieve a selected partition interleaving pattern. |
| US08072459B2 |
Data processing unit with multi-graphic controller and method for processing data using the same
The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus provided with a multi-graphic controller and a data processing method using the data processing apparatus. A data processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a first graphic controller 10a and a second graphic controller 20 for processing and displaying inputted image data; and a control unit 50 for distributing the image data in consideration of data processing capabilities of the first and second graphic controllers 10a and 20. According to the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus and method capable of simultaneously using a plurality of graphic controllers, so that data processing speed can be improved. Image data are appropriately distributed, whereby the efficiency of data processing can be enhanced. Since the number and type of graphic controllers being operated are adaptively changed depending on a system state and the processing amount of data, it is advantages in that the efficiency of data processing and prevention of power consumption can be achieved at the same time. |
| US08072449B2 |
Workstation for processing and producing a video signal
A workstation for processing and producing a video signal comprises a video input system, a video graphics processor, and a video output system. The video input system may comprise a video input module, a first video pipeline, and a second video pipeline. The video output system may comprise a receiver, a video pipeline and a video output module. In addition, the video input system may comprise a video input module having a specific configuration and a video processing module having a connector for coupling the video input module, the specific configuration of the video input module setting the characteristics of the video processing module. The video output system may comprise a video processing module having a connector for coupling a video output module and a video output module having a specific configuration, the specific configuration of the video output module setting the characteristics of the video processing module. |
| US08072447B2 |
Display drive device
A display drive device includes a low-voltage circuit section driven by a first power supply potential and a high-voltage circuit section driven by a second power supply potential higher than the first power supply potential. The display drive device further includes a voltage supply circuit for supplying a third power supply potential different from the first and second power supply potentials, a common power supply line for connecting the third power supply potential to each of a plurality of output terminals, an output selection switch circuit for temporarily switching between display data output via the high-voltage circuit section to each output terminal, and the common power supply line, during a predetermined period, and a display data determining circuit for generating a control signal for controlling the output selection switch circuit. Thereby, the common power supply line is temporarily selected and controlled without signal collision when display data is switched. |
| US08072446B2 |
Display with power saving function
A display and a driving control method for the display are provided. The display includes a display panel, a driving control module and a power-saving control module. The display panel is configured to display a plurality of frames. The driving control module is coupled to the display panel for providing a driving signal of each frame to the display panel. The power saving control module is coupled to the driving control module. The displaying period of each frame includes a first period and a second period. During the first period, the display enters a displaying mode. During the second period, the power-saving control module adjusts the operating parameters of the driving control module such that the display enters a power-saving mode. As a result, the power consumption of the display can be reduced. |
| US08072442B2 |
Electrically switchable field of view for embedded light sensor
A display device for detecting light includes a display surface, at least one light sensitive element arranged behind the display surface, and a liquid crystal element arranged between the display surface and the at least one light sensitive element. The liquid crystal element is operative to polarization shift light incident on the at least one light sensitive element based on an orientation of the plurality of molecules. The display device further includes at least one electrode operative to change an orientation of the plurality of molecules. The at least one electrode is patterned to define a geometry of at least one field of view of the at least one light sensitive element. A controller is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode, wherein the controller is configured to apply a voltage to the at least one electrode to effect selection of the at least one field of view. |
| US08072441B2 |
Device and method for detecting multiple touch points
Techniques for detecting multiple touch points for touch screens are disclosed. A touch screen includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, each conductive layer having a positive terminal and a negative terminal. Efficient operations of detecting multiple points on the touch screen are described using various voltage/currents differences from the positive and negative terminals of the first and second conductive layers. |
| US08072438B2 |
Gesture recognition
There is disclosed an interactive display system comprising an interactive surface for displaying an image and for receiving inputs from remote devices, the system being adapted to detect the presence of at least two remote devices proximate the interactive surface. |
| US08072437B2 |
Flexible multitouch electroluminescent display
A display device including a touch sensitive EL display having a flexible substrate; one or more power busses and one or more EL elements disposed over the flexible substrate; and a plurality of distributed chiplets arranged so that at least two chiplets are associated with each of a plurality of touch sensitive areas on the EL display and for sensing stress or strain associated with bending of the flexible substrate or the chiplet substrate to provide respective displacement signals corresponding to the touch sensitive areas; each chiplet connected to one or more of the power busses and one or more of the EL elements for modulating power from the power busses to the EL elements in response to a control signal; and a controller for providing control signals to the chiplets in response to an input image signal and for receiving displacement signals from the chiplets and producing touch signals. |
| US08072433B2 |
Ink editing architecture
A system and process for capturing and rendering ink is described. An ink canvas object may contain none, one, or more objects or elements and may specify the z-order of the objects or elements. The ink canvas object may host a variety of objects or elements and, therefore, provide ink functionality to the objects or elements, even though the objects or elements themselves may not have ink functionality. The ink canvas object is attached to an ink editor that has an associated modifiable ink editor behavior, whereby ink specific behaviors are collected in the ink edit behavior. |
| US08072432B2 |
Image sense tags for digital images
A method and apparatus for presenting the sense of an image is disclosed. First, a digital image is acquired and then various sensing tags are assigned to various sections of the digital image. The digital image is displayed on a screen. It is determined when and where a user touches the screen which corresponds to a section of the digital image. If a sensing tag has been assigned to the touched section of the digital image, the tagged sense is provided to the user. |
| US08072430B2 |
Touch screen display apparatus and method of driving the same
A touch screen display apparatus and a method of driving the same in which the touch screen display apparatus includes a first transparent substrate, a gate line and a sensor conductor formed on the first transparent substrate, a data line insulated from and intersecting the gate line and sensor conductor, a second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate, and a sensor electrode formed on the second transparent substrate so as to correspond to an intersection of the sensor conductor and the data line, the sensor electrode electrically connecting the sensor conductor with the data line when acted upon by an external pressure. |
| US08072427B2 |
Pivoting, multi-configuration mobile device
A mobile device 500 comprises a display portion 502 including a display screen, a first keypad portion 501, a second keypad portion 502, and at least one input device 508, 510-524, 531-544 associated with at least one of the first keypad portion 501, the second keypad portion 502, and the display portion 504. The first and second keypad portions 501, 502 are independently rotatably coupled to the display portion 502 to provide a plurality of operational configurations for the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be positioned on an upper level of the device 500 and the second keypad portion 502 may be positioned on a lower level of the device 500, with the display portion 502 being positioned in the middle of the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be superimposed over at least part of the display portion 502. |
| US08072425B2 |
Key sheet for a pointing device and pointing device
Disclosed are a key sheet for a pointing device and a pointing device using a magnet compact in terms of both magnetic force and size to allow a reduction in thickness. Between a pusher (14f) opposed to a contact input portion (E) of a board (P) and a magnet (11) fixed to a base sheet (14) at an outside position around the pusher (14f) as a center so as to be away from a key top (15), there is provided an elastic flexible portion (14d) allowing displacement in a depressing direction through depression of the key top (15) toward the contact input portion (E). As a result, it is possible to perform depressing operation on the key top (15), with the magnet (11) being provided on the base sheet (14), making it possible to perform switch input, such as confirmation input. |
| US08072424B2 |
3D pointing devices with orientation compensation and improved usability
Systems and methods according to the present invention describe 3D pointing devices which enhance usability by transforming sensed motion data from a first frame of reference (e.g., the body of the 3D pointing device) into a second frame of reference (e.g., a user's frame of reference). One exemplary embodiment of the present invention removes effects associated with a tilt orientation in which the 3D pointing device is held by a user. |
| US08072416B2 |
Integrated digital device and displaying method using the same
An integrated digital device and a displaying method are provided. The integrated digital device includes a display unit displaying a plurality of setup information items. A plurality of input keys positioned in the vicinity of the plurality of setup information items, respectively, are displayed on the display unit. A mode input unit selecting one among a plurality of modes in which different digital device functions are performed and a modifier modifying at least one of the setup information items according to at least one among the mode selected by the mode input unit and an input from at least one of the input keys. |
| US08072413B2 |
Display device, display control method and electronic equipment
A display device includes: a first detection section configured to detect the light intensity around a display area; a second detection section configured to detect the dark current when light is shielded; and a comparator configured to compare the difference output between the first and second detection section against a given reference value. The display device controls the light intensity supplied to the display area according to the comparison result of the comparator. |
| US08072411B2 |
Gate line driving circuit of LCD panel
A gate line driving circuit comprises a driving chip comprising first and second output ports, a LCD panel comprising first, second and third gate lines, a first switch and a second switch. Two terminals of the first gate line are respectively connected to the first output port and the control terminal of the first switch. Two terminals of the third gate line are respectively connected to the second output port and the control terminal of the second switch. The input terminal of the first switch electrically connects an operating voltage and the output terminal of the first switch electrically connects to the input terminal of the second switch. The output terminal of the second switch electrically connects a ground point, and one terminal of the second gate line is connected to between the output terminal of the first switch and the input terminal of the second switch. |
| US08072407B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display aimed at improving response speed, movie characteristics and viewing angle dependence of gradation is provided as having a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of gate lined selecting pixels and a plurality of data lines supplying pixel data, and a data driver dividing one frame into a plurality of fields to thereby convert a frame data into a field data, and supplying the field data to the data line, wherein in the last field out of the plurality of fields, the data line is applied with a first constant voltage, for the frame data ranging from the minimum gradation value to a first gradation value, and in the top field out of the plurality of fields, the data line is applied with a second constant voltage larger than the first constant voltage, for the frame data ranging from a second gradation value to the maximum gradation value. |
| US08072399B2 |
Display device, method of driving same, and electonic device
A display device is disclosed. The display device includes: a pixel array portion and a driver portion for driving the pixel array portion. The pixel array portion has rows of scanning lines, columns of signal lines, pixels arranged in rows and columns at intersections of the scanning lines and the signal lines, and power lines disposed in a corresponding manner to the rows of the pixels. The driver portion includes a main scanner, a power-supply scanner, and a signal selector. Each of the pixels includes light-emitting devices, a sampling transistor, a driving transistor, and a retaining capacitor. |
| US08072398B2 |
Electroluminescence display device having a look-up table and driving method thereof
A flat panel display device and a driving method thereof wherein an input data is modulated to realize accurate color with a single gamma voltage. The flat panel display device includes a data converter having a look-up table and inputted with Red, Green and Blue N-bit digital data signals, the data converter converting the Red, Green and Blue N-bit digital data signals into Red, Green and Blue M-bit digital data signals, respectively, referring to the look-up table, wherein each of N and M is an integer, M is greater than N, and each of the Red, Green and Blue M-bit digital data signals corresponds to a gray scale number; a gamma voltage generator generating a plurality of gamma voltages corresponding to the gray scale numbers; and a data driving circuit inputted with the gamma voltages, the data driving circuit converting the Red, Green and Blue M-bit digital data signals into Red, Green and Blue analog video signals, respectively, and applying the Red, Green and Blue analog video signals to respective Red, Green and Blue pixels. |
| US08072397B2 |
Display apparatus and electronic apparatus
A display apparatus includes a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern and a driving circuit for driving the pixel unit. Each of the pixels includes a signal level holding capacitor, a first transistor that is turned on/off in response to a writing signal and via which one end of the signal level holding capacitor is connected to a signal line, a second transistor having one end of the signal level holding capacitor connected to a gate thereof and the other end of the signal level holding capacitor connected to a source thereof, a current-driven self-light-emitting element whose cathode is held at a cathode potential and whose anode is connected to the source of the second transistor, a third transistor that is turned on/off in response to a driving pulse signal, and a fourth transistor that is turned on/off in response to a control signal. |
| US08072392B2 |
Integrated display system for a computer and a portable device
A display-based device includes a display assembly having a first viewing portion and a second viewing portion within the first viewing portion and a docking station that removably docks a portable device having an imaging apparatus that includes a display apparatus and/or an image capture apparatus. When docked, the portable device's imaging apparatus is positioned facing a rear side of the second viewing portion. The display-based device operates in a first mode, where data from the display-based device is displayed in the second viewing portion and backlighting for the second viewing portion is provided by the portable device, and operates in a second mode, where the second viewing portion is substantially transparent so that the display apparatus of the portable device can display data through the second viewing portion and/or the image capture apparatus can capture images through the second viewing portion. |
| US08072389B2 |
Integrated multi-band antenna module
An integrated multi-band antenna module includes a first antenna body having a first body and a second body, and a second antenna body having a third body and a fourth body. The first to the fourth body have relative radiating portions, feed lines, and ground lines. The radiating portions have relative arms, antenna portions, feed arms, and conducting top plates. Resonant excitation sources are formed by capacitive coupling effects from gaps between the above components. The capacitive coupling effects also lower the inductance effect and the reflection loss. Mirror effect and large-scaling conducting top plates are used to raise a radiating effect. The relative gaps form the capacitive coupling effects to receive optimized frequencies so that a small-size integrated antenna with multi-band, high radiating effect, good resonant effect, and suitable for an ultra wide bandwidth operation is achieved. |
| US08072383B1 |
Navigation and position determination with a multicarrier modulation signal of opportunity
A multicarrier modulation position determination method that includes deploying at least one known receiver with a known location and a second receiver with an unknown location. At least two signals of opportunity with different locations are obtained by both the receiver and the second receiver. The signals having a plurality of block data, the block data having block boundaries. The block boundaries including a beginning block boundary and an end block boundary. The block data further including a cyclic prefix at the beginning block boundary. Acquiring a plurality of data samples for at least a portion of the block data and correlating the attained signal of opportunity between the receivers. The correlating process includes the calculation of a time difference of arrival between the known receiver and the second receiver. The time difference of arrival is calculated by aligning the block boundaries and computing a single scalar statistical feature associated with each block. The location of the second receiver is calculated by using a plurality of single scalar statistical features. |
| US08072382B2 |
Method and apparatus for ADS-B validation, active and passive multilateration, and elliptical surveillance
A system and method are disclosed to track aircraft or other vehicles using techniques including multilateration and elliptical surveillance. Unlike conventional approaches that use time difference of arrival for multilateration at a fixed set of reception points, this technique allows targets to be tracked from a number of dynamic or moving reception points. This allows for triangulation/multilateration and elliptical surveillance of targets from combinations of fixed, fixed and moving or only moving ground-based receivers, sea-based receivers, airborne receivers and space-based receivers. Additionally this technique allows for ADS-B validation through data derived from only two receivers to assess the validity and integrity of the aircraft self-reported position by comparing the time of arrival of the emitted message at the second receiver to the predicted time of message arrival at the second receiver based on the self-reported position of the aircraft and the time of arrival at the first receiver. The benefits of using less than three receivers for validation include greater validation coverage areas using a smaller set of ground stations at a lower infrastructure cost. |
| US08072381B1 |
Location determination in a wireless network
A method for improving location determination for a mobile device location of which precludes it from sufficiently accurate determination by a standard position determination mechanism is disclosed. The method includes a step of receiving, at a server and from a mobile device, an indication that the mobile device detects a supplemental position determination signal not associated with an overhead channel set that is transmitted in support of traffic channels required to support voice or data communications. The method also includes steps of referencing a database to identify one or more criteria associated with the supplemental position determination signal; determining that the one or more criteria associated with the supplemental position determination signal indicates that a source generating the supplemental position determination signal is within a close proximity of the mobile device; and identifying the location of the source generating the supplemental position determination signal. The method also includes a step of using the location of the source generating the supplemental position determination signal as the location of the mobile device. |
| US08072377B2 |
Method of managing additional filters in a satellite navigaiton system
A method of managing additional filters in a navigation system fitted to a vehicle, the system acting, during a journey of the vehicle, to deliver at least one position of the vehicle by using a main filter for merging data coming from a constellation of visible satellites present above a vehicle horizon, each additional filter excluding data coming from one of the satellites in order to obtain a corrected position in the event of failure of the excluded satellite. The steps including from a position of the vehicle, determining a theoretical constellation of satellites present above the horizon; and for each satellite present in the theoretical constellation, creating and maintaining an additional filter excluding that satellite. |
| US08072376B2 |
Method and apparatus for mitigating the effects of cross correlation in a GPS receiver
A positioning system receiver that mitigates cross correlation of received signals from positioning system satellite vehicles by generating the strong satellite vehicle signal and subtracting it from the received signal before correlation while eliminating the need for cross correlation signature without changing the C/A code. |
| US08072372B2 |
First output position calculation method, storage medium, positioning device, and electronic instrument
In the first positioning, a positioning process that calculates the present position based on acquired GPS satellite signals (step A3) is performed a plurality of times. A number of times that the difference (position difference) ΔP between the calculated present located position and the preceding located position is successively equal to or less than a given value is counted using a position counter, and a number of times that the difference (time difference) ΔT between the present time error and the preceding time error is successively equal to or less than a given value is counted using a time counter each time the positioning process is performed (step A5). A position threshold value and a time threshold value are determined by changing a reference threshold value by an amount corresponding to an APR average value (step A7). When the position count value has reached the position threshold value (step A9: YES) and the time count value has reached the time threshold value (step A11: YES), the present position is determined to be the first located position and output (step A13). |
| US08072368B1 |
Pulse pattern for weather phenomenon and incursion detection system and method
An aircraft radar system includes a radar antenna and a processing device. The processing device receives returns from the radar antenna associated with the scan. The processing device uses the returns from the scan for use in both incursion detection and weather phenomenon detection. A method for using the returns from the scan for both incursion detection and weather phenomenon detection is also disclosed. |
| US08072367B1 |
Organically reactive cell for underground sensing (ORCUS) and system
A movement detection system includes a microwave antenna able to transmit microwave frequency signals into a space. An electronics controller is connected to the microwave antenna, and is configured to continually measure the impedance of the microwave antenna while it transmits microwave frequency signals into the space. An interpretive device is connected to receive impedance measurements from the electronics controller, and is configured to interpret and report changes in the magnitude and phase angles of individual impedance measurements as the passing of things and their direction through the space. |
| US08072366B2 |
Radio wave absorber, electromagnetic field measurement system and radiated immunity system
A radio wave absorber for use in an electromagnetic field probe that measures an electromagnetic field by means of an antenna section provided therewith, the radio wave absorber including: a first end section; a second end section that is located at a position opposite the first end section; and an intermediate section that is located between the first and second end sections, the intermediate section having outer dimension and thickness that increase in accordance with a distance from the first end section toward the second end section. |
| US08072364B2 |
Avoiding floating diffusion contamination
A technique for operating a source follower buffer circuit, such as employed in a charge domain pipeline, to eliminate floating diffusion signal charge contamination from downstream circuits. The method and apparatus places an output of the circuit in a known state immediately prior to charge transfer into a floating diffusion, and again in known state immediately prior to charge transfer out of the floating diffusion. |
| US08072362B2 |
Modulator with loop-delay compensation
A modulator is constructed with a loop-delay compensation. A delta-sigma modulator generates a quantization code, and a digital compensation filter receives the quantization code and outputs a digital code. The digital compensation filter then feeds the digital code back to the delta-sigma modulator. |
| US08072361B2 |
Time-to-digital converter with built-in self test
Apparatuses and methods related to time-to-digital converters (TDCs) are herein described. Generally, a time-to-digital converter is a device which measures a time period or time interval and outputs a digital value representing the measured time period. In an implementation, an apparatus is provided comprising a time-to-digital converter circuit, which further comprises a built-in self test (BIST). The built-in self test may be implemented using one or more oscillators coupled to the time-to-digital converter via one or more multiplexer devices. |
| US08072358B2 |
Variable length decoder, encoder, and variable length decoding method
A variable length decoder that decodes a variable length code to output data including a run and a level, the variable length decoder includes a memory that stores an output format of a run and a level according to a prefix for specifying an area which is generated by dividing a run-level plane based on the run; a extraction circuit that extracts the prefix, run computation data, and level computation data from the variable length code; and an output circuit that accesses the memory based on the prefix and outputs the data based on the run computation data and the level computation data. |
| US08072357B2 |
Method and system for reducing contexts for context based compression systems
For context based compression techniques, for example Context Based YK compression, a method and system for grouping contexts from a given context model together to create a new context model that has fewer contexts, but retains acceptable compression gains compared to the context model with more contexts is provided. According to an exemplary embodiment a set of files that are correlated to the file to be compressed (hereafter called training files) are read to determine, for an initial context model, the empirical statistics of contexts and symbols. In some embodiments, this includes determining the estimated joint and conditional probabilities of the various contexts and symbols (or blocks of symbols). The initial context model is then reduced to a desired number of contexts, for example, by applying a grouping function g to the original set of contexts to obtain a new and smaller set of contexts. In some embodiments the step of applying a grouping function comprises iteratively grouping a pair of contexts together to form a grouped context, wherein each grouped context represents a local minimum based on the empirical statistics. |
| US08072353B2 |
Architecture for creating, organizing, editing, management and delivery of locationally-specific information to a user
Disclosed herein is a dynamic content design, delivery and distribution software architecture that enables a centrally located designer, using a graphical interface, to create, edit, manage, and organize a matrix of trigger points that are plotted on a computerized map of geographical space. Each of these trigger points may be tagged with content, which is then relayed to a dynamic client device that is remotely located. The client device then displays the content to a remote user in a manner predetermined by the centrally located designer, the content varying based on feedback provided by the client device. The system and methods disclosed enable a centrally located designer to assume the role of an automated tour designer. As such, designers can compile a variety of different tours, each aimed at users with particular preferences. The architecture further offers a means to publish tour scripts for public consumption. The system is sufficiently flexible for use in any instance in which a user requires dynamic content, which is displayed contingent on any number of conditions. |
| US08072351B1 |
Blind spot alert apparatus
The blind spot alert apparatus provides a pair of identical sensors for fit to opposite rear quadrants of a vehicle. Each sensor senses a presence or lack thereof of an obstacle proximal to either rear quadrant of the vehicle. Sensors signal the driver via instrument panel chime and buzzer and also via the “WARNING” and “OK” indicia in each side of the instrument panel. Signaling occurs only with a turn signal initiation. Blind spot related accidents are thereby avoided. |
| US08072349B2 |
Method and system for vehicular communications and information reporting
A method for vehicular communications and information reporting. First and second wireless Internet connections between respective first and second vehicles and a web-server are provided. First and second event information is transmitted, to the web-server, from the first and second vehicles. The first and second event information relates to the same event in visual range, respectively, of occupants of the first and second vehicles. The web server may transmit, to the first and second vehicles, confirmed event information derived from the first and second event information. |
| US08072347B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating faults in wired drill pipe
A method for determining electrical condition of a wired drill pipe includes inducing an electromagnetic field in at least one joint of wired drill pipe. Voltages induced by electrical current flowing in at least one electrical conductor in the at least one wired drill pipe joint are detected. The electrical current is induced by the induced electromagnetic field. The electrical condition is determined from the detected voltages. |
| US08072345B2 |
Electronic flare system and apparatus
A device includes an electronic flare having many light emitting diodes (LEDs), an arm connected to the electronic flare, a controller connected to the electronic flare, and a housing connected to the arm. A system includes a first electronic flare device that is disposed in a first portion of a vehicle, a second electronic flare device is disposed in a second portion of the vehicle, a first sensor is connected to the first electronic flare device and a second sensor is connected to the second electronic flare device. The first and second flare devices each have a flare housing including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The first electronic flare device operates to deploy when the first sensor detects a first event, and the second electronic flare device operates to deploy when the second sensor detects a second event. |
| US08072338B2 |
External voiding sensor system
The disclosure describes an external sensor attached to an undergarment worn by a patient that detects voiding information. The sensor stores the voiding information in a voiding log and transmits the voiding log to an external device. The external device includes a user interface that displays the voiding log to the patient for review. The patient may correct any incorrect voiding information that was logged in error or due to a non-voiding event. A user, such as a clinician or the patient, may use the voiding information to diagnose a condition of the patient. In addition, the voiding information of the voiding log may be used by the user to adjust a stimulation therapy or the external device to automatically adjust stimulation therapy. The undergarment may be disposable or washable after patient use. |
| US08072336B2 |
Rubber-covered RFID module, and pneumatic tire having the it is embedded
An RFID module comprising a transponder covered with a 0.2 to 2 mm thick rubber sheet containing 100 parts by weight of a diene-based rubber, less than 30 parts by weight of carbon black and 5 to 55 parts by weight of silica, having a relative permittivity of 7 or less and having a dynamic modulus of elasticity (E′) of 2 to 12 MPa, which can extend a communication distance with a required installation location and is superior in the durability at the time of being embedded in the tire. |
| US08072334B2 |
RFID tag with enhanced readability
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device includes a conductive antenna structure having an elongated slot therein. Parts of the antenna structure on both sides of one end of the elongated slot are coupled to a wireless communication device, such as an RFID chip or interposer. On the opposite end of the elongated slot, parts of the antenna structure at both sides of the elongated slot are electrically coupled together, for instance by being coupled together by other conductive parts of the antenna structure. All of the parts of the antenna structure may be parts of a continuous unitary layer of conductive material. The antenna structure with the elongated slot therein may facilitate increased readability of the RFID device, particularly in directions out from the edges of the RFID device. |
| US08072330B1 |
Hard cover product with concealed printed security device
A hard cover product with a pair of cover boards attached to an outer liner in spaced-relation to define a spine, with a thin-film ink-circuit security device printed on a laydown area, and having an inner liner. The laydown area can be defined in the spine, and the inner liner or an inner body attached to the cover boards conceals the printed security device from casual observation of its presence. The laydown area can be defined on a surface of a sheet laminated to another sheet to define one of cover boards. The laminated sheets sandwich the printed security device without a surface indication of the presence of the ink-circuit printed security device therein. In another aspect, the thin-film ink-circuit security device printed on a surface of the cover board is concealingly covered by the inner or the outer liner. |
| US08072327B2 |
Causing RFID tags to reply using changed reply timing
RFID reader systems, readers, components, software and methods cause RFID tags to reply using changed reply timing. In a number of embodiments, this timing change is achieved by causing a custom timing command to be transmitted to a tag. In some embodiments, the changed reply timing affects an amount of delay before a tag backscatters a reply. |
| US08072324B2 |
Methods for remote device status determination
Monitoring data is received from a remote device and represents a current status value of a monitored condition at the remote device. The monitored condition is characterized by a current state that can be any one of a number of possible states. A determination is made as to whether the current status value of the monitored condition as indicated by the received data satisfies a hysteresis criterion associated with the current state of the monitored condition. If the current status value of the monitored condition satisfies the hysteresis criterion, then a determination is made as to whether the hysteresis criterion has been continuously satisfied for a specified persistence period. If the hysteresis criterion has been continuously satisfied for the specified persistence period, then the current state of the monitored condition is changed to reflect the current status value of the monitored condition, and the changed current state is recorded. |
| US08072320B2 |
Tire pressure monitor system tool with vehicle entry system
A tire pressure monitor system tool is capable of communicating with a plurality of tire pressure monitor systems. The tool includes a storing module that stores a plurality of communication protocols that are used for enabling the tool to communicate with a tire pressure monitor system. The tool enables a user to input vehicle data for identifying a vehicle having a tire pressure monitor system with which to communicate. Based on the vehicle data input, the tool determines a tire pressure monitor system installed on the vehicle using information stored by the tool. The tool determines a tire pressure monitor system installed on the vehicle. Based on the tire pressure monitor system installed on the vehicle, the tool determines a protocol used by the tire pressure monitor system to communicate with, for example, the tool and an electronic control unit of a vehicle. |
| US08072319B2 |
System and method for identifying a spare wheel
A method is presented for identifying a first wheel on a vehicle, the vehicle including a wireless receiver. The method comprising receiving a plurality of wheel identifiers at the wireless receiver and selecting one of the plurality of wheel identifiers that corresponds to the first wheel based on the number of times that the selected one of the plurality of wheel identifiers is received at the wireless receiver. |
| US08072318B2 |
Video mirror system for vehicle
A video mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with an electrochromic reflective element having a front portion and a rear portion generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element has an electrochromic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate and has a transflective third-surface mirror reflector. A video display is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector. |
| US08072317B2 |
Haptic solenoid system
A supporting surface and a touch screen member mounted to a plastic frame having a first vibration transmitting slot and at least two mounting slots. A pair of similar L-shaped poles is mounted in the frame in juxtaposition to define gaps between them. One of the poles constitutes a stationary pole and the other of the poles constitutes a movable pole. A winding is mounted on the stationary pole. The frame defines a vibration transmitting slot, and the touch screen member is attached to the frame by a tab that is press fitted into the vibration transmitting slot so that vibrations created by the movable pole can be transmitted via the vibration transmitting slot to the touch screen member. The additional slots defined by the frame and tabs defined by the supporting surface mutually coact for mounting the frame to the supporting member in a stationary position. |
| US08072308B2 |
High voltage transformer and a novel arrangement/method for hid automotive headlamps
A high voltage split core transformer and method of assembling same is provided by which the coupling factor is improved. A split core assembly is surrounded by a secondary winding that is precisely located in a burner assembly housing. Conductive members are encased within the housing and, in conjunction with traces provided on a printed circuit board enclosing the housing cavity, define first and second primary windings about the core secondary winding. This arrangement reduces the number of turns in the secondary winding and allows the use of larger cross-sectional wire which increases the current carrying capability thereof, making the transformer suitable for D1-D5 automotive headlamp applications. |
| US08072306B2 |
Electronic component
A multilayer body is formed by laminating multiple insulating layers. External electrodes are provided on the opposed side surfaces of the multilayer body and extend in the z axis direction. Coil conductors are laminated together with the insulating layers and form a coil. Coil conductors other than coil conductors connected to the external electrodes are made up of pairs of adjacent coil conductors having an identical shape, and coil conductors forming each pair are connected in parallel to each other. None of the coil conductors connected to the external electrodes is connected in parallel to coil conductors with an identical shape. |
| US08072300B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay has a movable block, hinge portions protruding from both sides of the movable block on an axis, having a wide connection portion and a shaft portion, a base block having common contact terminals disposed thereon, and an electromagnetic block mounted on the base block. The connection portions are welded to be integrated with the common contact terminals to provide welded portions. Based on excitation and non-excitation of the electromagnetic block, the movable block rotates, with the shaft portions as a rotation axis to open and close contacts. The welded portion is provided in an inside edge portion of the connection portion. A reference line connects a point of action located between the welded portion and the rotation axis, and a center of the welded portion. The reference line intersects a boundary between the connection portion and the welded portion, which are welded so as to be integrated. |
| US08072299B2 |
Filter
A filter includes: a container; at least one barrier, an input device and an output device. The at least one barrier divide the container into at least two resonant cavities. Each resonant cavity has a harmonic oscillators disposed therein. At least one of the harmonic oscillators comprises a supporter and a carbon nanotube structure disposed on a surface of the supporter. |
| US08072295B2 |
Frequency agile variable bandwidth radio frequency cavity resonator
A radio frequency (RF) cavity resonator having a resonator chamber and one or more RF coupling loop assemblies is presented. The RF coupling loop assembly has a connector with a first connector interface coupled to an inner conductor and a second connector interface coupled to an outer conductor, the first and second connector interfaces forming a pair when mated, the second connector interface rotatable about a collinear axis of the connector and the first connector interface not rotatable about the collinear axis of the connector; a wire loop coupler; and a bandwidth selection element at least partially coupled to the coupling loop assembly. In response to changing the bandwidth selection setting while the RF cavity resonator is operational, the wire loop changes orientation about the collinear axis of the connector and causes the RF resonator chamber to output an RF carrier signal having a bandwidth of the new bandwidth setting. |
| US08072291B2 |
Compact dual-band metamaterial-based hybrid ring coupler
A compact multi-band hybrid ring (rat-race) coupler utilizing a ring of composite right-handed and left-handed (CRLH) transmission lines (TLs) and multiple ports, provides miniaturization and the ability to operate at arbitrary frequency bands unlike conventional couplers. The hybrid ring is made compact, such as by constraining phase delay contributions |φ1|, |φ2|≦270°. The coupler can be used in many applications, for example as a mode decoupling network in a dual-band front-end MIMO system. The inclusion of a CRLH delay line is also described which alters the phase relationship of the signals and is particularly well suited for extending pattern diversity in response to frequency. |
| US08072290B2 |
Method and system for generating quadrature signals utilizing an on-chip transformer
Aspects of a method and system for generating quadrature signals utilizing an on-chip transformer are provided. In this regard, a pair of phase-quadrature signals may be generated from a single-phase signal via a transformer, one or more variable capacitors, and one or more variable resistors integrated on-chip. The transformer may comprise a plurality of loops fabricated in a plurality of metal layers in the chip. Each of the one or more variable capacitors may comprise a configurable capacitor bank and each of the one or more variable resistors may comprise a configurable resistor bank. The one or more capacitor banks may be programmatically configured on-chip, based on a frequency of the single-phase signal. The one or more resistor banks may be programmatically configured on-chip, based on a frequency of said single-phase signal. |
| US08072287B2 |
Method and system for configurable differential or single-ended signaling in an integrated circuit
Aspects of a method and system for configurable differential or single-ended signaling in an integrated circuit. In this regard, a balun comprising one or more loops fabricated in a plurality of metal layers in an integrated circuit may enable conversion between unbalanced and balanced signals. In this regard, balanced signal output by a power amplifier may be converted to a balanced signal for transmission via an antenna. Similarly, an unbalanced signal received by an antenna may be converted to a balanced signal for amplification by an amplifier with a balanced input. The loops may be fabricated in transmission line media such as microstrip and/or stripline. The loops may comprise ferromagnetic material which may be deposited on and/or within the IC. Signals converted via the balun may be in the 61 GHz-61.5 GHz ISM band. |
| US08072286B2 |
Apparatuses and a method for controlling antenna systems in a telecommunications system
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus (20) for a radio frequency component (10), RF component, for use in antenna systems, wherein the RF component (10) is adapted to guide direct current, DC, power signals; control signals and RF signals, and wherein the RF component (10) is adapted to separate the DC power signals and the control signals from the RF signals. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises an impedance matching network interface (21) adapted to match at least one control signal of the separated control signals to at least one predetermined impedance value; and a DC and signalling controller (22) that is adapted to control, along DC paths, the DC power signals to at least a first port of the RF component (10), and adapted to control, along signalling paths, the control signals to at least a second port of the RF component (10), whereby the DC power signals and the control signals are controlled independently of each other. The present invention also relates to a radio frequency component that comprises an internal and/or an external interface used to connect the apparatus (10). |
| US08072285B2 |
Methods for tuning an adaptive impedance matching network with a look-up table
Methods for generating a look-up table relating a plurality of complex reflection coefficients to a plurality of matched states for a tunable matching network. Typical steps include measuring a plurality of complex reflection coefficients resulting from a plurality of impedance loads while the tunable matching network is in a predetermined state, determining a plurality of matched states for the plurality of impedance loads, with a matched state determined for each of the plurality of impedance loads and providing the determined matched states as a look-up table. A further step is interpolating the measured complex reflection coefficients and the determined matching states into a set of complex reflection coefficients with predetermined step sizes. |
| US08072284B2 |
Split delay-line oscillator for secure data transmission
A split delay-line oscillator for secure data transmission is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for a split delay-line oscillator for secure data transmission includes a first modulator/demodulator block in a first device, the first modulator/demodulator block operable to insert a first variable delay to modulate a frequency of a shared carrier signal passing through the first modulator/demodulator block, and a second modulator/demodulator block in a second device, the second modulator/demodulator block operable to insert a second variable delay to modulate the frequency of the shared carrier signal passing through the second modulator/demodulator block, wherein the first and second devices create a shared secret by contributing data on the frequency-modulated shared carrier signal. |
| US08072281B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for accurate and stable LC-based reference oscillators
A substantially temperature-independent LC-based oscillator is achieved using an LC tank that generates a tank oscillation at a phase substantially equal to a temperature null phase. The temperature null phase is a phase of the LC tank at which variations in frequency of an output oscillation of the LC-based oscillator with temperature changes are minimized. The LC-based oscillator further includes frequency stabilizer circuitry coupled to the LC tank to cause the LC tank to oscillate at the phase substantially equal to the temperature null phase. |
| US08072280B2 |
Voltage-controlled oscillator
A voltage-controlled oscillator comprises a variable inductor, a negative impedance circuit, an operating voltage source and a ground point. The variable inductor comprises a transformer and a transistor switch, the transformer comprising a primary side coil and a secondary side coil, the primary side coil comprising a first coil and a second coil, and the secondary side coil comprising a third coil and a fourth coil. The transistor switch is connected in parallel with the primary side coil to adjust an inductance value of the variable inductor based on a gate voltage. The negative impedance circuit is connected in parallel with the secondary side coil to compensate the power consumption of the voltage-controlled oscillator during oscillation. The operating voltage source is electrically connected between the third coil and the fourth coil, and the ground point is electrically connected between the first coil and the second coil. |
| US08072277B1 |
Spread spectrum frequency synthesizer
A frequency synthesizer is described illustrating a method for modulation having an adjustable standard curve used to modulate an input signal for spread spectrum modulation. In particular, the a standard curve is generated, wherein the standard curve modulates an input signal to generate a spread spectrum of frequencies. The standard curve is associated with a standard modulation frequency. The standard curve is sampled at a constant sampling frequency. A shape of the standard curve is adjusted, such that critical points of the standard curve are captured when sampling the standard curve. The shape of said standard curve that is altered varies between at least two periods. |
| US08072276B2 |
Surface mount crystal oscillator
There is provided a surface mount oscillator of a junction type in which the size of an IC chip is increased while maintaining high performance thereof, and the outer dimension of the oscillator in plan view are small. In a surface mount crystal oscillator which: a surface of an IC chip opposite to one principal surface thereof on which IC terminals are formed, is fixed on a mount substrate; external terminals that are constituted by a pair of crystal terminals and dummy terminals, at least one of which serves as a ground terminal, and that are formed in four corner sections of an outer bottom surface of a surface mount vibrator, are electrically connected to the IC terminals provided in four corner sections of the one principal surface; and IC terminals provided in positions other than the four corner sections are connected to circuit terminals of the mount substrate by means of wire bonding, the configuration is such that the external terminals of the surface mount vibrator constituted by the crystal terminals and the dummy terminals are electrically joined by means of joining balls to the IC terminals formed in the four corner sections of the IC chip. |
| US08072272B2 |
Digital tunable inter-stage matching circuit
A tunable inter-stage matching circuit that can improve performance is described. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes a first active circuit (e.g., a driver amplifier), a second active circuit (e.g., a power amplifier), and a tunable inter-stage matching circuit coupled between the first and second active circuits. The tunable inter-stage matching circuit includes a tunable capacitor that can be varied in discrete steps to adjust impedance matching between the first and second active circuits. In an exemplary design, the tunable capacitor includes (i) a plurality of capacitors coupled in parallel and (ii) a plurality of switches coupled to the plurality of capacitors, one switch for each capacitor. Each switch may be turned on to select an associated capacitor or turned off to unselect the associated capacitor. The tunable capacitor may further include a fixed capacitor coupled in parallel with the plurality of capacitors. |
| US08072266B1 |
Class G amplifier with improved supply rail transition control
An apparatus and method are provided for a Class G amplifier that includes an output stage, where an output stage supply voltage is selected based upon an input signal voltage of the output stage. The amplifier may also include an input stage coupled to the output stage, where the input stage generates the input signal voltage for the output stage. The output stage may include first and second MOS devices operating as a Class AB amplifier, and the output stage supply voltage selected based upon gate voltages of the MOS devices. The supply voltages may be generated by a buck converter, and a charge pump that is coupled to the buck converter. |
| US08072264B2 |
Amplifying device
The present invention concerns a composite amplifier and a method for controlling the amplitude of a composite amplifier in a node of a wireless communication system. The composite amplifier comprises a first amplifier and a second amplifier that are arranged to be connected via an output combiner network to a load. The method comprises decomposing an input signal into a first signal component and a second signal component. Further, the method comprises differentiating the amplitude on the first signal component from the amplitude on the second signal component. the differentiation is made such that the aggregated efficiency of the composite amplifier is increased. The present invention also concerns a radio transmission device comprising a composite amplifier. |
| US08072259B1 |
Voltage reference and supply voltage level detector circuits using proportional to absolute temperature cells
N-channel field effect transistor Proportional To Absolute Temperature (N-PTAT) cells are connected to a first supply voltage and P-channel field effect transistor Proportional To Absolute Temperature (P-PTAT) cells are connected to a second supply voltage. A coupling circuit connects at least one of the N-PTAT cells to at least one of the P-PTAT cells. These circuits can be used to provide a voltage reference and/or a supply voltage level detector. Related operating methods are also described. |
| US08072255B2 |
Quadrature radio frequency mixer with low noise and low conversion loss
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for convolution of signals is disclosed including generating four phased half duty cycle clocks each being out of phase by a multiple of ninety degrees from the others; coupling the four phased half duty cycle clocks into a four phase half duty cycle mixer; and switching switches in the four phase half duty cycle mixer in response to the four phased half duty cycle clocks to convolve a differential input signal with the four phased half duty cycle clocks to concurrently generate a differential in-phase output signal and a differential quadrature-phase output signal on a dual differential output port. |
| US08072249B2 |
Clock jitter compensated clock circuits and methods for generating jitter compensated clock signals
Clock circuits, memories and methods for generating a clock signal are described. One such clock circuit includes a delay locked loop (DLL) configured to receive a reference clock signal and generate an output clock signal having an adjustable phase relationship relative to the reference clock signal, and further includes a clock jitter feedback circuit coupled to a clock tree and the DLL. The clock jitter feedback circuit is configured to synchronize a clock jitter feedback signal and a DLL feedback signal that is based on the output clock signal. The clock jitter feedback circuit is further configured to provide the clock jitter feedback signal to the DLL for synchronization with a buffered reference clock signal. The clock jitter feedback signal is based on and generated in response to receiving a distributed output clock signal from the clock tree circuit and the buffered reference signal is based on the reference clock signal. |
| US08072244B1 |
Current sensing amplifier and method thereof
The present invention relates to a current sensing amplifier and a method thereof. The current sensing amplifier comprises a first current path, a second current path, a first capacitor, a second capacitor and a latch circuit. When a first current and a second current flow in the first current path and the second current path respectively, the first and second capacitor may be charged by the first current and the second current. The first capacitor and the second capacitor may couple the charged voltage to the transistors in the first current path and the second current path when the first and second current path are cut off so as to cancel the effect of offset voltage of the transistors generated during the manufacturing process. |
| US08072243B2 |
Semiconductor device with transistors having substantial the same characteristic variations
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first circuit provided between a power source voltage line and a ground line, including at least two first MOS transistors coupled in parallel and a second circuit, which is provided between the power source voltage line and the ground line, including at least two second MOS transistors coupled in series. The gate length and the gate width of the first MOS transistor are adjusted so that the first MOS transistor has a gate area allowing a first characteristic variation of the first MOS transistor to be substantially equal to a second characteristic variation of the second MOS transistor. |
| US08072242B2 |
Merged programmable output driver
Embodiments provide input/output devices having programmable logic that is programmable to operate input/output devices in one of two drive modes. In various embodiments, to operate an input/output device in a first drive mode, logic circuitry is programmable to couple a reference voltage to a gate of a transistor element of an output driver. In various embodiments, to operate an input/output device in a second drive mode, the logic circuitry is programmable to couple a bias voltage to the gate of the transistor element of the output driver. In various embodiments, the logic circuitry may also be programmable to couple one of a plurality of data inputs to the output driver to operate an input/output device in either a single-ended mode or a differential mode. |
| US08072235B2 |
Integrated circuit with configurable on-die termination
Described are integrated-circuit die with differential receivers, the inputs of which are coupled to external signal pads. Termination legs coupled to the signal pads support multiple termination topologies. These termination legs can support adjustable impedances, capacitances, or both, which may be controlled using an integrated memory. |
| US08072230B1 |
Method for compensating for differences in capacitance between multiple capacitive sensors
Disclosed is method for compensating for variation in the capacitance between multiple capacitive sensors. Prior to sensing operations, baseline capacitance values can be acquired for all sensors. A correction factor can be calculated based on such baseline values. During sensing operations (run-time), variations in capacitance from baseline values can be modified by appropriate correction factors. Sensitivity between sensors can thus be made more uniform. |
| US08072229B2 |
Fuel property sensor and fuel tank assembly
A fuel property sensor, which is installed to a fuel tank of a fuel tank assembly, senses a property of fuel at the fuel tank. First and second electrodes of the fuel property sensor are made of an electrically conductive material and are exposed in a fuel flow passage in a housing of the fuel property sensor such that the first and second electrodes are generally parallel to a flow direction of fuel in the fuel flow passage and are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance. The fuel property sensor determines the property of the fuel based on a capacitance, which is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08072228B2 |
Angle measuring device
An angle measuring device for optical angle measurement has a telescope body 5 which is rotatably mounted around at least one shaft (1, 2; 11), wherein the shaft (1, 2; 11) is rotatably mounted at least two bearing points 6, and the bearing points 6 are at a distance from one another in the direction of the shaft (1, 2; 11). In this case, at least two sensor arrangements for detecting the position of the shaft (1, 2; 11) are respectively arranged at a measurement point along the shaft (1, 2; 11), wherein the measurement points are at a distance from one another in the direction of the shaft (1, 2; 11). At least one of the sensor arrangements has a group of capacitive sensors (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) which detect a displacement of the shaft (1, 2; 11) in directions perpendicular to the axial direction at the measurement point. |
| US08072227B2 |
Method for manufacturing tactile-sensitive material utilizing microcoils
Provided is a material for tactile sensor, which is easy to be formed, and in which the shape, size and orientation of coils dispersed in the medium are sufficiently controlled. The tactile-sensitive material includes a medium and a plurality of micro coils dispersed in the medium and constituting a LCR resonance circuit, and wherein each of the plurality of micro coils includes at least one spiral coil portion, and coil axes of the plurality of micro coils are aligned along at least one direction or directed in at least one plane. When a tactile stress is applied to the tactile-sensitive material, the C component is varied significantly, which contributes to the improvement in sensitivity of the tactile sensor. Further, by providing a core at the coil center, the sensitivity is more improved. |
| US08072226B2 |
Nanostructure sensors
Embodiments feature a sensor including a nanostructure and methods for manufacturing the same. In some embodiments, a sensor includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed on the substrate, and a second electrode disposed on the substrate. The second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode and surrounding the first electrode. The sensor includes at least one nanostructure contacting the first electrode and the second electrode, in which the nanostructure is configured to vary an electrical characteristic according to an object to be sensed. |
| US08072225B2 |
Differential power detection
A method of determining a differential power condition includes comparing a voltage across a resistor to a first threshold. The voltage across the resistor is proportional to a difference between a first current and a second current. The method also includes comparing a difference between the first current and the second current to a second threshold. A differential power condition is determined in response to the voltage across the resistor exceeding the first threshold, the difference exceeding the second threshold, or both. |
| US08072221B2 |
Externally guided and directed field induction resistivity tool
An induction resistivity tool incorporated into a downhole tool string comprises an outer wall of a downhole component having an outer surface, and at least one induction transmitter assembly disposed along the outer surface. The transmitter assembly includes at least one induction transmitter coil which is wound about one or more transmitter cores. The transmitter assembly is adapted to create electromagnetic fields that originate the induction signal from outside the outer wall while substantially preventing the induction signal from entering the outer wall. |
| US08072219B2 |
Regenerative expansion apparatus, pulse tube cryogenic cooler, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus, superconducting quantum interference device flux meter, and magnetic shielding method of the regenerative expansion apparatus
A regenerative expansion apparatus includes a regenerative tube configured to regenerate cryogenic cooling at the time of expansion of a coolant gas; a cylinder in communication with a low temperature end of the regenerative tube, the cylinder being configured to generate the cryogenic cooling by repeating compression and expansion of the coolant gas via the regenerative tube; a magnetic cold storage material filling inside the regenerative tube, the magnetic cold storage material being made of a magnetic material, the magnetic cold storage material being configured to come in contact with the coolant gas so that the cryogenic cooling is regenerated; and a magnetic shield member surrounding the magnetic cold storage material; wherein the magnetic shield member has an electric resistivity equal to or less than 50 μΩcm at a normal temperature. |
| US08072215B2 |
Magnetic resonance device and method
MR imaging of a body (7) placed in an examination volume includes establishing a substantially homogeneous main magnetic field in the examination volume, generating switched magnetic field gradients superimposed upon the main magnetic field, radiating RF pulses towards the body (7), controlling the generation of the magnetic field gradients and the RF pulses, receiving and sampling MR signals, and forming MR images from the signal samples. A sequence of MR echo signals is generated by subjecting at least a portion of the body (7) to a single RF pulse and a plurality of switched magnetic field gradients. The switched magnetic field gradients are controlled to produce at least two sub-sequences of MR echo signals. Each sub-sequence traverses a different trajectory in k-space with subsampling in the phase encoding direction (ky) MR echo signals are acquired and sampled. An MR image is reconstructed from the signal samples and from phase/amplitude correction maps associated with the sub-sequences of MR echo signals. |
| US08072212B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus with phase-sensitive fluid suppression
In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to separate a signal component of a cerebrospinal fluid from other signal components in the acquisition of MR images of an examination subject, a first signal acquisition with spin echo-based signals is executed, in which the signal components of the cerebrospinal fluid and the other signal components have the same phase position, and a second signal acquisition with spin echo-based signals is then executed, in which the signal components of the cerebrospinal fluid and the other signal components have an opposite phase position. An MR image with signals of the other signal components is determined based on the two signal acquisitions with the signal component of the cerebrospinal fluid is significantly suppressed. |
| US08072207B2 |
Device and method for measuring the frequency of a signal coded modulated carrier signal
A device (10) for measuring a frequency of an input signal (IN) that is expected to comprise a carrier signal (CS) either being unmodulated (CSU) or being modulated (CSM) according to a predefined signal coding and relates to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder. |
| US08072202B2 |
Gate driver in buck converters
A circuit comprising a gate driver including first and second switching stages for driving respective sync and control switches, at least one of which is a normally ON depletion mode device, and another circuit connected to the first and second switching stages and including first and second circuits. The first circuit is coupled to the first switching stage and to the sync switch, the first switching stage having a first state wherein the sync switch is on, and a second state wherein a first bias voltage is switched to the gate of the sync switch to turn it off. The second circuit has a first state wherein the control switch is on when the sync switch is off, and a second state wherein the control switch is switched off when the sync switch is on by switching a second bias voltage to the gate of the control switch. |
| US08072201B2 |
Power supply apparatus
In a power supply apparatus that is so configured as to produce from an input voltage an output voltage Vo within a predetermined permissible variation range, the output voltage Vo is so controlled as to decrease within the permissible variation range as the output current Io increases. This configuration offers an output voltage with an improved transient characteristic against an abrupt variation in the output current and simultaneously permits reduction of the power consumed when the output current increases. |
| US08072198B2 |
Voltage regulator
To provide a voltage regulator having improved response characteristics in case of overshoot. The voltage regulator includes: a transistor (303) for detecting an overshoot at an output terminal; and a current mirror circuit connected to the transistor (303). If the transistor (303) detects the overshoot, a control transistor (16) is turned ON to discharge a voltage of the output terminal. |
| US08072196B1 |
System and method for providing a dynamically configured low drop out regulator with zero quiescent current and fast transient response
A system and a method are disclosed for providing a dynamically configured low drop out regulator that has zero quiescent current and a fast transient response. A power supply control circuit is provided that comprises a switcher circuit and a low drop out regulator and a control signal circuit. When the output voltage of the low drop out regulator is in a steady state condition the control signal circuit generates control signals that turn off the operation of the low drop out regulator to provide zero quiescent current. When the output voltage is not in a steady state condition the control signal circuit generates control signals that turn on the operation of the low drop out regulator to provide a fast transient response. |
| US08072194B2 |
Boost snubber circuit structure
A boost snubber circuit structure applied in a power supply having a boost circuit and a power conversion unit, wherein the boost circuit includes a boost unit connected to a switch element, a boost control unit for generating a driving signal to drive the switch element to control the charge/discharge of the boost unit, and a boost snubber unit for obtaining a voltage difference between a reference voltage and a detection signal and modulating the magnitude of the reference voltage or the detection signal to change the voltage difference and control the duration of outputting the driving signal. The voltage difference between the reference voltage and the detection signal determines the duration of outputting the driving signal. By controlling the voltage difference between the detection signal and the boost level, the invention prevents an occurrence of an inrush current caused by a too-large duration of generating the driving signal. |
| US08072192B2 |
Auxiliary power supply with a coupling capacitor between a high voltage line and ground
A power supply apparatus includes a coupling capacitor arranged to be connected on its first end to ground; a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding; a first rectifier bridge connected in parallel with the secondary winding; and an energy storage, to which a load is arranged to be connected. The primary winding is arranged to be connected between a second end of the coupling capacitor and a high voltage transmission line such that all current between the second end of the coupling capacitor and the high voltage transmission line passes through the primary winding. The energy storage is arranged to be charged by means of a current passing through the first rectifier bridge. Furthermore, the power supply apparatus includes a bypasser. A corresponding three-phase apparatus is also presented. |
| US08072185B2 |
Batteries and chargers therefor
Batteries and battery monitoring and charging systems. The preferred battery has a plurality of rechargeable cells connected in series, first and second power terminals, each connected to a respective end of the series connection of rechargeable cells, a first connector for connecting to a battery charger, the first connector having connector contacts connected to each of the plurality of rechargeable cells, the first connector also having connector contacts coupled to a serial communication link, and a processor coupled to sense the voltage of each rechargeable cell and control the serial communication link for communication of rechargeable cell voltages when a charger is connected to the first connector. The charger communicates with the battery over the serial communication link to monitor cell temperature, and to charge each cell individually in a controlled manner. Various features and capabilities are disclosed. |
| US08072184B2 |
Overcurrent and ground fault protection in a networked charging station for electric vehicles
A networked charging station for electric vehicles protects against overcurrent and ground fault conditions. Upon detecting an overcurrent condition or a ground fault condition, the networked charging station for electric vehicles de-energizes a charging point connection to prevent electric current from flowing between an electric vehicle and the networked charging station and suspends the charging session. The networked charging station clears the overcurrent condition or the ground fault condition upon receipt of an authorized request which is transmitted remotely. The authorized request can be received from the vehicle operator that is associated with the charging session or from an administrator of the charging station through a radio-frequency identifier (RFID) tag enabled device or through a text message or an email message. The networked charging station clears the overcurrent condition or the ground fault condition without a manual reset of a circuit breaker or a GFCI device respectively. |
| US08072181B2 |
Controller for electrically adjustable furniture
A controller for electrically adjustable furniture includes a main-voltage area and a low-voltage area that are electrically isolated from one another. A rectifying power supply unit, which is located in the main-voltage area, serves to generate a rectified voltage available at power supply terminals from an alternating main voltage. The rectified voltage present at the power supply terminals can be delivered to a first motor terminal located in the main-voltage area depending on a first control signal. The controller furthermore includes a first control unit that is located in the main-voltage area and which incorporates an operating terminal and a first control output for the supply of a first control signal. An operating unit located in the low-voltage area is connected via an electrically isolating coupling to the operating terminal. |
| US08072178B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method
An image forming apparatus including a stepper motor, a component attached to the stepper motor, and a controller to control the stepper motor. The controller controls the stepper motor to be accelerated or decelerated, at driving frequencies that do not match a resonant frequency, in order to avoid a resonance between the stepper motor and the component, by selecting a speed control table that has the driving frequencies, which avoid the resonance. Thus, the image forming apparatus can avoid the resonance between the stepper motor and the component, minimize vibration and noise, and prevent malfunctions of the component. The image forming apparatus further comprises a first storage unit to store a resonant frequency of the component and, a second storage unit to store speed control tables having different driving frequencies, which are set according to speed control periods. |
| US08072177B2 |
Stepping motor driver
In a drive of a stepping motor, an electromotive force is generated on the coil of a motor with a sinusoidal wave having the same period as an energization period by smoothly rotating a rotor with microstep driving, and an induced power is stably detected by detecting the electromotive force at the zero cross of driving current. The detection around the current zero cross makes it possible to shorten a detection section, form a driving waveform with few distortions, and perform driving with a driving waveform as in an ordinary micro step. Thus a circuit is provided which is aimed at reducing noise, vibrations, and loss of synchronization, and increasing current consumption efficiency in the determination of stop. |
| US08072174B2 |
Motor controller with integrated serial interface having selectable synchronization and communications
In one embodiment, a motor drive is provided that includes a control board and a plurality of option boards configured to communicate with the control board via one or more serial interfaces, wherein the one or more serial interfaces are configured to transfer one or more synchronized signals from each option board. A method of operating a motor drive that includes transferring data between a control board and a plurality of option boards over one or more serial interfaces, wherein the transfer of data from each option board is synchronized with the plurality of option boards. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided. |
| US08072172B2 |
Redundant electromechanical actuator for control surfaces
A redundant electromechanical actuator is provided that includes first and second electric motors, a common output shaft, first and second drive cable drums, first and second driven cable drums, a first cable, and a second cable. The first and second electric motors are each adapted to be controllably energized to supply a drive torque. The common output shaft is coupled to receive the drive torque supplied from one or both of the motors. The first and second drive cable drums are coupled to the common output shaft to receive the drive torque from one or both of the motors. The first and second driven cable drums are each configured, upon being driven, to rotate. The first cable is coupled between the first drive cable drum and the first driven cable drum, and the second cable is coupled between the second drive cable drum and the second driven cable drum. |
| US08072170B2 |
Motor controller of air conditioner
The present invention relates to a motor controller for air conditioner including a converter having at least one switching element for converter, the converter converting AC utility power into DC power by a switching operation of the switching element; an inverter having at least one switching element for inverter, the inverter converting the DC power into prescribed AC power by a switching operation of the switching element and driving a three-phase motor; a microcomputer outputting a converter switching control signal that controls the switching element for converter; and a dc terminal signal generator detecting a dc terminal voltage that is applied across an dc terminal of the converter to sequentially generate a pulse type dc terminal signal, and insulating the dc terminal from the microcomputer. The present invention may sequentially generate a dc terminal signal and simultaneously insulate the dc terminal from the microcomputer, thus making it possible to improve the stability of the motor controller. |
| US08072169B2 |
Method of controlling washing machine and motor
A method of controlling a washing machine and a motor determines whether a BLDC motor is in a normal state in software without hardware and a user is notified of an abnormal state of the BLDC motor if the BLDC motor is in an abnormal state, thereby ensuring safety. When the motor is rotated, the state of the motor is determined by applying harmonics to a voltage that is applied to a motor and analyzing an output frequency characteristic. When the motor is stopped, the state of the motor is determined by estimating the temperature of the motor. |
| US08072168B2 |
Position detecting apparatus having electric motor and method for detecting position
A reference position detecting apparatus includes an electric motor and a motor control unit. The electric motor includes a plurality of first coils and a plurality of second coils. The electric motor further includes a rotor that rotates when at least one of the plurality of first coils and the plurality of second coils is supplied with electricity. The motor control unit controls electricity supplied to either one of the plurality of first coils and the plurality of second coils to rotate the rotor to a limit position in a movable range of an object. |
| US08072166B2 |
Brushless motor
The brushless motor has a first and second drive member. The first drive member is equipped with M phase coil groups each having N electromagnetic coils where M is an integer of 1 or greater and N is an integer of 1 or greater. The second drive member has a plurality of permanent magnets, and is able to move relative to the first drive member. The first drive member has 2 (M×N) magnetic body cores. Each phase electromagnetic coil is coiled on a periodically selected magnetic body core at a ratio of 1 to 2M from among the arrangement of 2 (M×N) magnetic body cores. |
| US08072163B2 |
Knowledge-based driver apparatus for high lumen maintenance and end-of-life adaptation
A knowledge-based driver is provided for powering a solid-state light source with a constant current, including a memory that stores lumens per amp and volts per amp performance characterizations of the light source over time, and a controller that operates in a test mode to estimate the light source degradation based on voltage feedback obtained at a predetermined test current value, and to adjust the drive current in normal operating mode according to the estimated device degradation to implement constant lumens control without external optical feedback components. |
| US08072161B2 |
Bi-directional light emitting diode drive circuit in pulsed power non-resonance
The present invention uses capacitive, inductive, or resistive impedance to constitute the first impedance, and the capacitive and inductive impedances in parallel connection which will not produce parallel resonance to constituted the second impedance, and is characterized in that the first and second impedance in series connection is configured for inputting pulsed power, thereby to form a bi-directional power in decaying wave shape at the two ends of the second impedance to drive the bi-directional conducting light emitting diode. |
| US08072159B2 |
Multi-lamp driving circuit
A multi-lamp driving circuit for driving a plurality of lamps includes at least one power stage circuit, at least one transformer circuit, a balancing circuit, and a control circuit. The power stage circuit converts external electrical signals to alternating current (AC) signals. The transformer circuit is connected to the power stage circuit, to convert the AC signals to high voltage electrical signals capable of driving the lamps. The balancing circuit balances current flowing through the lamps, and includes a capacitor balancing circuit and a transformer balancing circuit. The control circuit is connected between the balancing circuit and the power stage circuit, to control output of the power stage circuit according to variation of the current flowing through the lamps. |
| US08072156B2 |
Discharge lamp operating system
A discharge lamp operating system has first and second discharge lamp operating circuits. The first discharge lamp operating circuit includes first and second primary windings, a first secondary winding, a first discharge lamp connected to the first primary winding, and a second discharge lamp connected to the second primary winding. The second discharge lamp operating circuit includes third and fourth primary windings, a second secondary winding, a third discharge lamp connected to the third primary winding, and a fourth discharge lamp connected to the fourth primary winding. The first secondary winding and the second secondary winding are connected in series. |
| US08072154B2 |
Device for supplying power to LED diodes
A device for supplying diodes LED includes an electric bridge (ABHG) with input terminals (A, B) and output terminals (H, G), including diodes (DS1, DS2) interposed between branches (AH, BH), with cathodes turned toward the terminal (H); Two MOSFET elements (M1, M2) are interposed between the branches (AG, BG). A capacitor (C) is derived between the terminals (H) and (G). A switch (KR) and LED diodes arranged in series, with their anodes oriented toward the terminal (H), and a first current sensor (S1) are arranged along a derived branch (R), between the terminals (H) and (G). An electric control unit (CE) receives in input feedback control signals coming from the first sensor (S1) and operates opening/closing of the switches (M1) and (M2), as well as of the branch switch (KR) in suitable relation with the trend of the alternating current (iz), to obtain a predetermined trend of the branch current (ir.) for power supplying the LED diodes. |
| US08072152B2 |
Limited flicker light emitting diode string
A limited flicker decorative light-emitting diode (LED) string includes a power plug adapted to connect to an alternating current (AC) power source and supply AC power to the LED string, a first pair of LEDs and a second pair of LEDs, a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series to form an LED series, and a plurality of rectifying diodes. The plurality of rectifying diodes provides full-wave rectification of the AC power to the LED series and half-wave rectification of the AC power to the first and second pair of LEDs. |
| US08072147B2 |
Lighting and/or signalling device for a vehicle, associated with electronics with a high level of integration
The device according to the invention comprises a light source and electronic supply and control. The light source electronic supply and control comprises at least one circuit comprising at least one stack of chips formed from at least two power components (IGBTb1, IGBTh1). According to one embodiment, the light source comprises a discharge lamp and the circuit with stacking is a DC/AC converter supplying the discharge lamp. Preferably, the discharge lamp is of xenon type and the circuit with stacking is included in an electronic ballast of the device. In another embodiment, the circuit with stacking is included in an electronic module associated with the discharge lamp and forming therewith a compact assembly. |
| US08072146B2 |
Fluorescent lamp
The disclosed subject matter includes a fluorescent lamp and particularly a cold cathode fluorescent lamp that can be employed as a light source for a LCD backlight unit for a television, a computer, a display, and the like. The fluorescent lamp can include a couple of electrode units located opposite to each other at each end of a tube, a couple of welding beads sealing both the tube and the couple of electrode units, and a filler gas located in the tube. Each of the electrode units can include an emitter electrode that is configured with a crystalline silicon semiconductor material having an electrical conductivity or configured with other semiconductor materials, and can include a concave portion formed thereon. The electrode units can prevent blackening on an inner surface of the tube by avoiding the occurrence of spattering. Thus, the fluorescent lamp using the electrode units can enjoy a long life, high reliability, easy manufacture, and the like. |
| US08072145B2 |
Extra high pressure mercury lamp with each electrode held by a sealing portion
An extra high pressure mercury lamp that includes an arc tube, which includes a light emission section enclosing 0.2 mg/mm3 or more of mercury, sealing sections that respectively extend from both ends of the light emission section, a pair of electrodes that face each other in the light emission section, wherein an electrode axis portion of each electrode is held by the sealing portion, and a metallic foil that is buried in the sealing section and that is electrically connected with the electrode axis portion, wherein the metallic foil has a covering portion fixed to the electrode axis portion so as to roll up the electrode axis portion; an extended portion that extends towards the outside of a tube axis without being connected with the electrode axis portion; and a main body portion that extends from the extended portion. |
| US08072143B2 |
Plasma display panel and its manufacturing method
A PDP and a manufacturing method for the PDP are provided, the PDP being capable of suppressing discharge delay due to improved discharge properties of a protective layer, and exhibiting superior image display performance despite having a high-definition cell structure. A magnesium oxide powder layer (16) is formed by distributing magnesium oxide particles (16a) flatly on a surface layer (8). Each of the magnesium oxide particles (16a) includes halogen atoms at and in a vicinity of the surface thereof. The magnesium oxide particles (16a) are manufactured such that the halogen atoms exist particularly at the surface of each of magnesium oxide particles (16a) through to a depth of 4 nm or less toward the core of each of the magnesium oxide particles (16a). |
| US08072142B2 |
Plasma display panel with improved light transmittance
A plasma display panel (PDP) with excellent display quality, including a dielectric layer that does not contain lead, satisfies transmittance, insulation resistance and dielectric constant, and suppresses coloring. The PDP includes front panel and a rear panel disposed facing each other and sealed together at the peripheries thereof with discharge space provided therebetween. The front panel includes display electrodes, a dielectric layer and a protective layer on a front glass substrate. The rear panel includes electrodes, barrier ribs and phosphor layers on a substrate. In the PDP, the display electrode includes metal bus electrodes containing silver. The dielectric layer includes a first dielectric layer covering metal bus electrodes and containing bismuth oxide, and a second dielectric layer covering the first dielectric layer and containing bismuth oxide. The thickness ratio of the second dielectric layer to the first dielectric layer is 1.3 or more and 7.2 or less. |
| US08072138B2 |
Organic semiconductor element with shield layer
An organic semiconductor element part formed on a substrate is covered with a planarizing layer, a radiator plate is fixed with an adhesive layer on the planarizing layer, and a shield layer intercepting the adverse effects exerted on the organic semiconductor element part during the curing of the adhesive layer is formed between the adhesive layer and the planarizing layer. When the adhesive layer is a photo-curing adhesive layer, the shield layer prefers to intercept the light used for curing the photo-curing adhesive layer. When the adhesive layer is a thermosetting adhesive layer, the shield layer prefers to intercept the outgassing occurring during the curing of the thermosetting adhesive layer. By adopting this configuration, it is made possible to accomplish infallible interception of oxygen and moisture and effect radiation of heat with high efficiency. It is further made possible to suppress the adverse effect induced during the adhesion of the radiator plate and prevent the organic semiconductor element part (organic EL element) from being deteriorated. |
| US08072137B2 |
Fused heterocyclic compound and organic light emitting device
To provide a material for an organic light emitting device showing a light emission hue with an extremely good purity and outputting light having high luminance and a long lifetime with high efficiency, the present invention relates to a fused heterocyclic compound having at least one partial structure represented by the following general formula [1]. |
| US08072133B2 |
Light emitter substrate and image displaying apparatus using the same
It aims to improve, in a light emitter substrate which has a resistor for connecting electrodes adjacent in a row direction, withstand discharge performance of the resistor. In the light emitter substrate which comprises a substrate, plural light-emitting members which are positioned in matrix on the substrate, plural electrodes each of which covers at least one of the light-emitting members and which are positioned in matrix, and a row-direction resistor which is positioned between the electrodes adjacent in the row direction and connects these electrodes to each other, a row-direction separated distance Gx′ between the electrodes adjacent in the row direction at a connecting portion between the electrodes and the row-direction resistor is larger than a row-direction separated distance Gx between the electrodes adjacent in the row direction at a portion covering the light-emitting members (Gx′>Gx). |
| US08072132B2 |
Discharge vessel and high intensity discharge lamp having such discharge vessel
A discharge vessel for high intensity discharge lamps is disclosed. The discharge vessel comprises an elongated arc chamber having a longitudinal axis of rotational symmetry. It has a translucent wall made of fused silica glass, or alternatively ceramic material. A pair of electrodes is located at opposite ends of the arc chamber for providing discharge arc. The wall of the arc chamber has at least one inwardly protruding circumferential narrowed portion thereby the arc chamber is divided into convection cells. |
| US08072127B2 |
Thermionic electron emission device
A thermionic electron emission device includes an insulating substrate, and one or more grids located thereon. The one or more grids include(s) a first, second, third and fourth electrode down-leads located on the periphery thereof, and a thermionic electron emission unit therein. The first and second electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The third and fourth electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The first and second electrode down-leads are insulated from the third and fourth electrode down-leads. The thermionic electron emission unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a thermionic electron emitter. The first electrode and the second electrode are separately located and electrically connected to the first electrode down-lead and the third electrode down-lead respectively. Wherein the thermionic electron emitter includes a carbon nanotube film structure. |
| US08072125B2 |
Spark plug for use in an internal-combustion engine with a bilayer ground electrode
A spark plug 100 comprised of a metal shell 1, an insulator 2, a center electrode 3 and a ground electrode 4. A rear-end face of the ground electrode 4 is welded to a front-end face of the metal shell 1, and a bent portion 5 located at the intermediated position in the longitudinal direction is bent toward the center of the spark plug 100. The ground electrode 4 assumes a circular-shape with a diameter of 2 mm or less whereby an inflow of an air-fuel mixture is not disturbed even when the air-fuel mixture directly flows into a back face of the ground electrode 4. The ground electrode 4 is comprised of an outer layer 4A made of a nickel alloy and an inner layer 4B made of pure copper with an excellent thermal conductivity, in which a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the inner layer 4B to the entire cross-sectional area of the ground electrode 4 is 10% or more to 35% or less. Thus, the spark plug 100 which is excellent in heat sinking ability and can prevent a spring back phenomenon due to a difference in a coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| US08072124B2 |
LED tube lamp with heat dissipating member
An LED lamp includes a light-emitting module, an electrical module and an elongated heat dissipating member. The light-emitting module includes a light source provided with a plurality of LEDs. The electrical module includes a circuit board electrically connected with the LEDs of the light source and two end caps each forming a pair of electrical pins at an outer end thereof. The heat dissipating member is arranged between and connecting with the two end caps, the heat dissipating member is a hollow metal tube and includes a mounting portion and a heat dissipating plate extending from the mounting portion. The mounting portion and the heat dissipating plate cooperatively define an elongate chamber. The circuit board is accommodated in the chamber of the heat dissipating member. The light source is thermally attached to an outer surface of the mounting portion. |
| US08072122B2 |
Self-powered impulse detection system with piezoelectric energy harvester
A self-powered impulse detecting system comprising a signal transmitter; an energy storage component; and an energy harvester comprising a top plate configured to receive a stress impulse by an external object on its top surface; a bottom plate positioned opposite to the top plate and leaving room in between the bottom plate and the top plate; an elastic element positioned in between the top plate and the bottom plate; a bendable substrate attached at a first end to the bottom surface of the top plate, the bendable substrate is configured to bend freely, colliding with the top plate and a stopper; a piezoelectric element positioned on the bendable substrate; a deadweight attached to a second end of the bendable substrate; wherein collisions between the bendable substrate, the top plate and the stopper cause the bendable substrate to bend along with the piezoelectric element to generate power. |
| US08072118B2 |
Surface acoustic wave device
A highly reliable surface acoustic wave device includes wiring lines that do not easily rupture at a three-dimensional wiring portion. The surface acoustic wave device includes a plurality of surface acoustic wave elements located on a piezoelectric substrate, a supporting member arranged on the piezoelectric substrate so as to enclose vibrating portions including electrodes such as IDT electrodes, and a cover member stacked so as to cover openings of the supporting member and to define hollow spaces facing vibrating electrodes. Furthermore, a three-dimensional wiring portion at which a first wiring line and a second wiring line are stacked with an insulating layer interposed therebetween is provided on the piezoelectric substrate. The three-dimensional wiring portion is enclosed by the supporting member, and thereby disposed inside a space enclosed by the piezoelectric substrate, the supporting member, and the cover member. |
| US08072114B2 |
Electric motor with bar winding and connection plates
A multiphase synchronous electrical machine for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy and electrical energy into kinetic energy has a rotor, extending along an axis, and a stator, which is provided with a stator pack having slots and with an electrical winding, which extends in part in the slots and in part at two heads arranged on opposite sides of the stator pack and which has bars, housed in the slots and connected to one at the heads, connection plates, each of which has: a main body having at least two seats for housing the bars; and an arm, which is set between the two seats and extends from the main body towards the axis. |
| US08072112B2 |
Motor, stator, and method for manufacturing stator
A stator having a stator core and coils is disclosed. The stator core includes split core pieces each having a tooth portion. The split core pieces are arranged annularly such that the distal ends of the tooth portions face radially inward. A lead wire is continuously wound about an adjacent pair of the tooth portions such that coils of different phases are formed in the circumferentially adjacent tooth portions, so that a plurality of connecting wires are provided, each connecting wire connecting coils of different phases. The connecting wires are connected to one another while being connected to one another, such that a neutral point is created. |
| US08072111B2 |
Motor and the compressor including the same
A motor, namely, a motor with minimum loss and improved efficiency is disclosed. More specifically, a motor having enhanced starting torque performance and increased normal operation efficiency is disclosed. In the motor in which a rotor is started using induction torque generated as power is supplied to a coil of a stator, the rotor includes a rotor core, a plurality of conductive bars arranged, along a circumferential direction, in an outer rim region of the rotor core, to generate an induction current, magnets provided in the rotor core, to generate a magnetic flux, for generation of a magnetic torque, and end-rings provided at the top and bottom of the rotor core to have no interference with the magnets, the end-rings being connected with the plurality of conductive bars. |
| US08072109B2 |
Radial anisotropic magnet manufacturing method, permanent magnet motor using radial anisotropic magnet, and iron core-equipped permanent magnet motor
To improve tranquility and controllability of an iron core-equipped permanent magnet motor with an improved maximum energy product (BH)max by improving shape compatibility of a radial anisotropic magnet, there is provided a radial anisotropic magnet manufacturing method of fixing magnet powder in a net shape so as to maintain a magnetic anisotropic (C-axis) angle of a magnet with respect to a tangential line and for performing a deformation with a flow so as to have a predetermined circular arc shape or a predetermined annular shape. Particularly, by performing a deformation with a viscous flow or an extension flow, a deformability of the magnet is improved, and thus shape compatibility with respect to a thickness is improved. A C-axis angle θ with respect to a tangential direction is controlled at an arbitrary position and an arbitrary angle so as to reduce cogging torque without separating a magnetic pole into segments. |
| US08072105B2 |
Axial bearing
An axial bearing for a high speed open-end spinning rotor mounted without axial thrust in a support disc bearing arrangement has a static magnetic bearing component secured in a bearing housing with at least two axially polarized permanent magnet rings limited by pole discs, and a dynamic magnetic bearing component having ferromagnetic webs on the rotor shaft at the spacing of the pole discs. The static magnetic bearing component (27) is arranged inside a plastic bearing bush (30) and secured by a plastic closing lid (31). The front side of the closing lid (31) has a stop journal (50) forming an axial emergency operation bearing and the rear side has a conically widened fastening lug (51) which is elastically deformed as installed. |
| US08072103B2 |
Dynamoelectric machine having a multi-part plug housing
A dynamoelectric machine includes a stator in which a winding system is positioned, and at least a multi-part plug housing with a pivot joint between housing parts of the plug housing. The plug housing has at least one plug-type connector with at least two plugging elements. At least one housing part of the plug housing is made of electrically conductive material and connected to at least one plugging element by a flexible electric line. The electrically conductive housing part of the plug housing faces the dynamoelectric machine and is connected in an electrically conductive fashion to an electrically conductive surface of a motor housing of the dynamoelectric machine. |
| US08072102B2 |
Stator of a turbo generator
A stator of a turbo generator for the generation of electrical energy is provided with: a cylindrical core, which extends along a longitudinal axis and presents a plurality of axial cavities and two opposite headers; connection terminals of the turbo generator; a plurality of electrical windings, which are split into groups and which extend along paths defined in part in the axial cavities and in part at the headers; the electrical windings of each group being isopotential and connected in parallel between a pair of terminals; and a plurality of connection devices, each of which is adapted to define, at least at one of the headers, a segment of path in common with the isopotential electrical windings. |
| US08072100B2 |
Stator for an electrical machine with liquid cooling
The invention relates to a stator (2), in particular for a housing-less electrical machine (1), wherein substantially axially running cooling channels (3, 13) are located in the stator (2), into which channels cooling pipes (4, 6, 7) can be inserted and, at least in sections, means are provided which, by means of deformation of the cooling channels (3, 13), cause the cooling pipes (4, 6, 7) to be pressed against the cooling channel (3, 13) on the side facing the heat sources of the electrical machine (1); efficient liquid cooling is therefore provided. |
| US08072097B2 |
Power supply apparatus and voltage monitoring method
Output voltages of regulators are supplied to each load device and input to a representing-value decision logic circuit that is operated by a dedicated resident power supply. The representing-value decision logic circuit selects an output voltage that appears the most irregular of all output voltages from the regulators, and then sends a selection result to a selector. The selector selects only the output voltage from a regulator that outputs the output voltage that appears the most irregular and is selected by the representing-value decision logic circuit and then outputs the output voltage to a smoothing circuit. The direct current that has been smoothed by the smoothing circuit is quantized by an AD converter and then received by a system monitoring processor. |
| US08072095B2 |
Power management for power constrained devices
Techniques are disclosed for optimizing power consumption in electronic devices that operate on battery-based or scavenged power. The power scavenged or otherwise supplied by such devices may therefore last longer, allowing longer performance on a given charge (whether sourced from scavenged power, battery power, or a combination thereof). An energy distribution circuit can be used in conjunction with a hysteretic switch, wherein the hysteretic switch can be used to switch an energy storage element in-circuit (so that it can provide charge to sub-circuitry or components) when the charge stored on that element exceeds a given charge threshold; otherwise, the hysteretic switch presents as a high resistance or open circuit when the charge stored on the energy storage element drops below a lower recharge threshold. The energy distribution circuit can be configured for adaptively providing different discharge rates for different loads. |
| US08072085B2 |
Semiconductor device with plastic package molding compound, semiconductor chip and leadframe and method for producing the same
A semiconductor device with a plastic package molding compound, a semiconductor chip and a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor chip is embedded in a plastic package molding compound. The upper side of the semiconductor chip and the plastic package molding compound are arranged on a leadframe. Arranged between the leadframe and the plastic package molding compound with the semiconductor chip is an elastic adhesive layer for the mechanical decoupling of an upper region from a lower region of the semiconductor device. |
| US08072079B2 |
Through hole vias at saw streets including protrusions or recesses for interconnection
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die having a contact pad formed over a top surface of the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die may include an optical device. In one embodiment, a second semiconductor die is deposited over the semiconductor die. The package includes an insulating material deposited around a portion of the semiconductor die. In one embodiment, the insulating material includes an organic material. A first through hole via (THV) is formed in the insulating material using a conductive material. The first THV may form a protrusion extending beyond a bottom surface of the semiconductor die opposite the top surface and be connected to a first semiconductor device. A redistribution layer (RDL) may be deposited over the semiconductor die. The RDL forms an electrical connection between the contact pad of the semiconductor die and the first THV. |
| US08072077B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor memory device for reducing a junction resistance and increasing amount of current throughout the unit cell. A semiconductor memory device comprises plural unit cells, each coupled to contacts formed in different shape at both sides of a word line in a cell array. |
| US08072069B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes at least a wiring board, a semiconductor chip that is mounted on one face side of the wiring board, connection pads that are formed on the one face side of the wiring board, and connect through bonding wires to electrode pads on the semiconductor chip, and bumps disposed on another face side of the wiring board; the semiconductor chip is disposed such that four chip sides face corners of the wiring board, and each chip corner is near one of the outer peripheral sides of the wiring board; and, on one face of the wiring board are provided corner regions which are enclosed by the chip sides of the semiconductor chip and the corners of the wiring board, and the connection pads are disposed in these corner regions. |
| US08072067B2 |
Semiconductor structure
A semiconductor structure including a substrate, an insulating layer, a composite pad structure, a passivation layer, and a bump is provided. A circuit structure is disposed on the substrate. The insulating layer covers the substrate and has a first opening exposing the circuit structure. The composite pad structure includes a first conductive layer, a barrier layer, and a second conductive layer which are sequentially disposed. The composite pad structure is disposed on the insulating layer and fills the first opening to electrically connect to the circuit structure. The passivation layer covers the composite pad structure and has a second opening exposing the composite pad structure. The bump fills the second opening and electrically connects to the composite pad structure. |
| US08072066B2 |
Metal interconnects for integrated circuit die comprising non-oxidizing portions extending outside seal ring
An integrated circuit includes a substrate; a sealing element spanning a periphery of the substrate that forms a protective boundary for the substrate; a plurality of copper lines spanning the substrate in at least two distinct layers contained within the protective boundary; a first conducting element disposed outside the sealing element; and one or more second conducting elements connecting at least two of the copper lines and that spans the sealing element; wherein the conducting elements are substantially non-oxidizing metals that are resistant to oxidization and that connect the copper line to the first conducting element. |
| US08072065B2 |
System and method for integrated waveguide packaging
A millimeter wave system or package may include at least one printed wiring board (PWB), at least one integrated waveguide interface, and at least one monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC). The package may be assembled in panel form incorporating parallel manufacturing techniques. |
| US08072064B1 |
Semiconductor package and method for making the same
The present invention relates to a semiconductor package and a method for making the same. The semiconductor package includes a first chip and a second chip. The first chip comprises a first active surface, at least one first non-top metal layer and a plurality of first signal coupling pads. The first non-top metal layer is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the first active surface by a second distance. The first signal coupling pads are disposed on the first non-top metal layer. The second chip is electrically connected to the first chip. The second chip comprises a second active surface, at least one second non-top metal layer and a plurality of third signal coupling pads. The second active surface faces the first active surface of the first chip. The second non-top metal layer is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the second active surface by a fourth distance. The third signal coupling pads are disposed on the second non-top metal layer and capacitively coupled to the first signal coupling pads of the first chip, so as to provide proximity communication between the first chip and the second chip. Whereby, the gap variation between the first signal coupling pads of the first chip and the third signal coupling pads of the second chip is under stringent control of the second distance and the fourth distance. Therefore, the mass-production yield of the semiconductor package is increased. |
| US08072063B2 |
LED lamp module and fabrication method thereof
An LED lamp module includes a heat sink element having one-piece form; a circuit substrate affixed onto the heat sink element, wherein the substrate has at least an opening exposing the heat sink element, and has an area smaller than that of the heat sink element; a plurality of LED chips mounted on the exposed portion of the heat sink element and electrically connected to the circuit substrate; and a light transparent package material, encapsulating the plurality of LED chips, wherein the heat sink element includes a uniform temperature plate or a plate including at least a vacuum cavity, and an extension part extending laterally from the plate and turned to surround the plurality of LED chips, forming a secondary optical structure. A fabrication method for the LED lamp module is also disclosed. Existing fabrication process is simplified and the cost is lowered with increased heat dissipation effect. |
| US08072057B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabrication
A semiconductor device includes a first die pad, a first semiconductor chip provided on the first die pad, a second die pad, a second semiconductor chip provided on the second die pad, and a sealing resin made of a first resin material, sealing the first die pad, the first semiconductor chip, the second die pad and the second semiconductor chip. A lower surface of the first semiconductor chip is connected to the first die pad. A first portion of a lower surface of the second semiconductor chip is connected to the second die pad, and a second portion not connected to the second die pad of the lower surface of the second semiconductor chip is connected to an upper surface of the first semiconductor chip via a second resin material different from the first resin material. |
| US08072056B2 |
Apparatus for restricting moisture ingress
Apparatus and methods to protect circuitry from moisture ingress, e.g., using a metallic structure as part of a moisture ingress barrier. |
| US08072055B2 |
High density stacked die assemblies, structures incorporated therein and methods of fabricating the assemblies
A stacked semiconductor die assembly includes at least two partially offset semiconductor dice with bond pads located adjacent at least one peripheral side thereof supported on a redistribution element formed of a material of substantially similar CTE to that of the dice, and a paddle-less lead frame secured to the redistribution element during fabrication, including encapsulation. The assembly is configured to be substantially vertically symmetrical with respect to inner ends of lead fingers of the lead frame to facilitate uniform encapsulant flow. The semiconductor die assembly may be configured in a package with leads extending from two sides thereof, such as a thin small outline package (TSOP), or four sides thereof, such as a quad flat pack (QFP). |
| US08072044B2 |
Semiconductor die containing lateral edge shapes and textures
Methods for singulating a semiconductor wafer into a plurality of individual dies that contain lateral edges or sidewalls and the semiconductor dies formed from these methods are described. The dies are formed from methods that use a front to back photolithography alignment process to form a photo-resist mask and an anisoptropic wet etch in an HNA and/or a TMAH solution on the backside of the wafer through the photoresist mask to form sloped sidewalls and/or textures. The conditions of the TMAH etching process can be controlled to form any desired combination of rough or smooth sidewalls. Thus, the dies formed have a Si front side with an area larger than the Si backside area and sidewalls or lateral edges that are not perpendicular to the front or back surface of the die. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08072034B2 |
Array substrate and method of manufacturing the same
According to an embodiment of the invention, an array substrate includes a first test line, a second test line, a first source line group, a second source line group, a plurality of gate lines and a switching device. The first test line extends along a first direction. The second test line is substantially in parallel with the first test line. The first source line group that extends along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and electrically connected to the first test line. The second source line group extends along the second direction and is electrically connected to the second test line. Each of the gate lines extends along the first direction. The switching device is formed on a region surrounded by the first source line, the second source line and the gate lines. Therefore, defects induced by static electricity generated during manufacturing process are reduced. |
| US08072032B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device having latchup preventing function
Latchup is prevented from occurring accompanying increasingly finer geometries of a chip. NchMOSFET N1 and PchMOSFET P1 form a CMOS circuit including: NchMOSFET N2 whose gate, drain and back gate are connected to back gate of N1 and PchMOSFET P2 whose gate, drain and back gate are connected to back gate of P1. Source of N2 is connected to source of N1. Source of P2 is connected to source of P1. N2 is always connected between the grounded source of N1 and the back gate of N1, while P2 is connected between source of P1 connected to a power supply and the back gate of P1. Each of N2 and P2 functions as a voltage limiting element (a limiter circuit). |
| US08072031B2 |
P-channel MOS transistor and semiconductor integrated circuit device
A p-channel MOS transistor includes a gate electrode formed on a silicon substrate via a gate insulating film, a channel region formed below the gate electrode within the silicon substrate, and a p-type source region and a p-type drain region formed at opposite sides of the channel region within the silicon substrate. In the p-channel MOS transistor, first and second sidewall insulating films are arranged on opposing sidewall faces of the gate electrode. First and second p-type epitaxial regions are respectively formed at outer sides of the first and second sidewall insulating films on the silicon substrate, and the first and second p-type epitaxial regions are arranged to be higher than the gate electrode. A stress film that stores tensile stress and covers the gate electrode via the first and second sidewall insulating films is continuously arranged over the first and second p-type epitaxial regions. |
| US08072029B2 |
High voltage semiconductor device with floating regions for reducing electric field concentration
A high voltage semiconductor device includes a source region of a first conductivity type having an elongated projection with two sides and a rounded tip in a semiconductor substrate. A drain region of the first conductivity type is laterally spaced from the source region in the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode extends along the projection of the source region on the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain regions. Top floating regions of a second conductivity type are disposed between the source and drain regions in the shape of arched stripes extending along the rounded tip of the projection of the source region. The top floating regions are laterally spaced from one another by regions of the first conductivity type to thereby form alternating P-N regions along the lateral dimension. |
| US08072019B2 |
Flash memory and manufacturing method of the same
A flash memory includes a shallow trench isolation and an active region formed at a substrate, a plurality of stacked gates formed on and/or over the active region, a deep implant region formed at a lower portion of the shallow trench isolation and the active region between the stacked gates and a shallow implant region formed at a surface of the active region between the stacked gates. |
| US08072015B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and manufacturing method thereof
A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a transistor, and an element separation region separating the photoelectric conversion unit and the transistor. The photoelectric conversion unit and the transistor constitute a pixel. The element separation region is formed of a semiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to that of a source region and a drain region of the transistor. A part of a gate electrode of the transistor protrudes toward the element separation region side beyond an active region of the transistor. An insulating film having a thickness substantially the same as that of a gate insulating film of the gate electrode of the transistor is formed on the element separation region continuing from a part thereof under the gate electrode of the transistor to a part thereof continuing from the part under the gate electrode of the transistor. |
| US08072014B2 |
Polarity dependent switch for resistive sense memory
A memory unit includes a resistive sense memory cell configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state upon passing a current through the resistive sense memory cell and a semiconductor transistor in electrical connection with the resistive sense memory cell. The semiconductor transistor includes a gate element formed on a substrate. The semiconductor transistor includes a source contact and a bit contact. The gate element electrically connects the source contact and the bit contact. The resistive sense memory cell electrically is connected to the bit contact. The source contact is more heavily implanted with dopant material then the bit contact. |
| US08072013B1 |
Trench polysilicon diode
Embodiments of the present invention include a method of manufacturing a trench transistor. The method includes forming a substrate of a first conductivity type and implanting a dopant of a second conductivity type, forming a body region of the substrate. The method further includes forming a trench in the body region and depositing an insulating layer in the trench and over the body region wherein the insulating layer lines the trench. The method further includes filling the trench with polysilicon forming a top surface of the trench and forming a diode in the body region wherein a portion of the diode is lower than the top surface of the trench. |
| US08072012B2 |
Tunnel effect transistors based on elongate monocrystalline nanostructures having a heterostructure
Tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs) are regarded as successors of metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), but silicon-based TFETs typically suffer from low on-currents, a drawback related to the large resistance of the tunnel barrier. To achieve higher on-currents an elongate monocrystalline nanostructure-based TFET with a heterostructure made of a different semiconducting material (e.g. germanium (Ge)) is used. An elongate monocrystalline nanostructure made of a different semiconducting material is introduced which acts as source (or alternatively drain) region of the TFET. The introduction of the heterosection is such that the lattice mismatch between silicon and germanium does not result in a highly defective interface. A dynamic power reduction as well as a static power reduction can result, compared to conventional MOSFET configurations. Multiple layers of logic can therefore be envisioned with these elongate monocrystalline nanostructure Si/Ge TFETs resulting in ultra-high on-chip transistor densities. |
| US08072011B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for operating the same
A semiconductor device includes a lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) , a junction field effect transistor (JFET) and an inner circuit. The lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor includes a first source, a common drain and a first gate. The junction field effect transistor includes a second source, the common drain and a second gate. The second source is electrically connected to the first gate. The inner circuit is electrically connected to the first source. |
| US08072008B2 |
Biosensor having ultra fine fiber
A high-sensitivity field effect transistor using as a channel ultrafine fiber elements such as carbon nanotube, and a biosensor using it. The field effect transistor comprises a substrate, a source electrode and a drain electrode arranged on the substrate, a channel for electrically connecting the source electrode with the drain electrode, and a gate electrode causing polarization due to the movement of free electrons in the substrate. For example, the substrate has a support substrate consisting of semiconductor or metal, a first insulating film formed on a first surface of the support substrate, and a second insulating film formed on a second surface of the support substrate, the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the channel arranged on the first insulating film, the gate electrode disposed on the second insulating film. |
| US08072006B1 |
Double-gated sensor cell
A high quality imager is constructed using a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process with sensors fabricated in the SOI substrate and isolated by the buried oxide (BOX) from associated readout circuitry in the SOI layer. Handle windows are opened in the SOI device layer for fabrication of the sensors in the handle layer substrate and then closed prior to processing in the device layer. By keeping the buried oxide layer intact, the described technique allows for independent processing of sensors and readout circuitry so that each is optimized with regard to thermal and dopant properties without concern for degradation of the other. The process is compatible with the fabrication of readout circuitry using transistors having independent double-gates, which offer simultaneous advantages in scalability, low power and low noise. Photodiode sensors are shown with allowance for many other types of sensors. The process easily accommodates hardening against radiation. |
| US08072005B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product providing radial addressing of nanowires
Disclosed is a method to construct a device that includes a plurality of nanowires (NWs) each having a core and at least one shell. The method includes providing a plurality of radially encoded NWs where each shell contains one of a plurality of different shell materials; and differentiating individual ones of the NWs from one another by selectively removing or not removing shell material within areas to be electrically coupled to individual ones of a plurality of mesowires (MWs). Also disclosed is a nanowire array that contains radially encoded NWs, and a computer program product useful in forming a nanowire array. |
| US08072001B2 |
Heterojunction bipolar transistor and method for manufacturing the same, and power amplifier using the same
A heterojunction bipolar transistor with InGaP as the emitter layer and capable of both reliable electrical conduction and thermal stability wherein a GaAs layer is inserted between the InGaP emitter layer and AlGaAs ballast resistance layer, to prevent holes reverse-injected from the base layer from diffusing and reaching the AlGaAs ballast resistance layer. |
| US08071988B2 |
White light emitting device comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes with different peak emission wavelengths and a wavelength converter
Disclosed herein is a light emitting device including one or more light emitting diodes to primarily emit light having different wavelengths in the wavelength range of ultraviolet rays and/or blue light, and a wavelength-conversion means to convert the primary light into secondary light in the visible light wavelength range. The light emitting device of the current invention has a high color temperature of 2000 to 8000 K or 10000 K and a high color rendering index of 90 or more, thus easily realizing desired emission on the color coordinate system. Therefore, the lighting emitting device is applicable to mobile phones, notebook computers, and keypads or backlight units for various electronic products, and, in particular, automobiles and exterior and interior lighting fixtures. |
| US08071986B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light-emitting element
A nitride semiconductor light-emitting element 11 is one for generating light containing a wavelength component in an ultraviolet region. The nitride semiconductor light-emitting element 11 has an active region 17 including InX1AlY1Ga1-X1-Y1N well layers 13 (1>X1>0 and 1>Y1>0) and InX2AlY2Ga1-X2-Y2N barrier layers 15 (1>X2>0 and 1>Y2>0). An energy gap difference Eg1 between the InX1AlY1Ga1-X1-Y1N well layers 13 and the InX2AlY2Ga1-X2-Y2N barrier layers 15 is not less than 2.4×10−20 J nor more than 4.8×10−20 J. |
| US08071985B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
The invention provides a display device having a thin film transistor and a storage capacitor storing a display signal applied to a pixel electrode through this thin film transistor on a substrate, where dielectric strength between electrodes forming the storage capacitor is enhanced for increasing the yield. In the storage capacitor, a lower storage capacitor electrode, a thin lower storage capacitor film, a polysilicon layer, an upper storage capacitor film and an upper storage capacitor electrode are layered. The polysilicon layer is formed by crystallization by laser annealing. The polysilicon layer of the storage capacitor is microcrystalline and thus the flatness of its surface is enhanced. The pattern of the polysilicon layer (storage capacitor electrode) is formed larger than the bottom portion of an opening, and the edge of its peripheral portion is located on a buffer film on the slant portion of the opening or on the buffer film on the outside of the opening. |
| US08071977B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. In the manufacturing method of the thin film transistor a semiconductive active layer and a semiconductor passivation layer are sequentially formed such that the semiconductor passivation layer protectively covers the semiconductive active layer. Then the stacked combination of the semiconductive active layer and semiconductor passivation layer are patterned by using a same patterning mask so that formed islands of the semiconductive active layer continue to be protectively covered by formed islands of the semiconductor passivation layer. In one embodiment, the semiconductive active layer is formed of a semiconductive oxide. |
| US08071975B2 |
Electronic devices made with electron transport and/or anti-quenching layers
The present invention is directed to a photoactive device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a photoactive layer, which device further comprises an electron transport and/or anti-quenching layer which minimizes both electron transfer quenching and energy transfer quenching of the photoactive layer. |
| US08071973B2 |
Light emitting device having a lateral passivation layer
Provided are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure comprising a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the second conductive type semiconductor layer, and a passivation layer protecting a surface of the light emitting structure. The passivation layer includes a first passivation layer on a top surface of the light emitting structure and a second passivation layer having a refractive index different from that of the first passivation layer, the second passivation layer being disposed on a side surface of the light emitting structure. The second passivation layer has a refractive index greater than that of the first passivation layer. |
| US08071967B2 |
Trolley wire wear measuring device using binary operated images
A trolley wire wear measuring device includes a processor configured to obtain a pair of line sensor images in which luminance signals of scanning lines are arranged; a differential processor configured to perform a differential process to create a line sensor image; a binary operation processor configured to perform a binary operation process on the line sensor image obtained by the differential process to create a binary operated image in which a worn portion of the trolley wire is emphasized; an edge detector configured to detect edges of both sides of the worn portion in the binary operated image; and a worn portion width calculator configured to calculate a point-to-point distance of the both side edges as a whole width of the worn portion of the trolley wire in the binary operated image and determine a worn portion width of the trolley wire using this whole width. |
| US08071961B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus
A sample measuring method and a charged particle beam apparatus are provided which remove contaminants, that have adhered to a sample in a sample chamber of an electron microscope, to eliminate adverse effects on the subsequent manufacturing processes. To achieve this objective, after the sample measurement or inspection is made by using a charged particle beam, contaminants on the sample are removed before the next semiconductor manufacturing process. This allows the contaminants adhering to the sample in the sample chamber to be removed and therefore failures or defects that may occur in a semiconductor fabrication process following the measurement and inspection can be minimized. |