| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08112182B2 |
Mass flow rate-controlling apparatus
A mass flow rate-controlling apparatus including a mass flow rate-detecting mechanism 8 a flow rate-controlling valve mechanism 10 and a mechanism 44 for controlling the flow rate-controlling valve mechanism based on a flow rate-setting signal S0 input from outside and a flow rate signal S1, the flow path being provided with a pressure-detecting mechanism 42 for detecting the pressure of the fluid to output the detected pressure signal, so that the controlling mechanism selectively switches a first control mode for controlling the mass flow rate based on the flow rate signal and the flow rate-setting signal without using the detected pressure signal, and a second control mode for controlling the mass flow rate based on the detected pressure signal, the flow rate signal and the flow rate-setting signal, based on a pressure variation obtained from the detected pressure signal. |
| US08112181B2 |
Automatic mold and fungus growth inhibition system and method
Apparatus for automatic environmental control includes an enclosed, zoned structure. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is incorporated into the structure. Each zone includes separate controls, separately-controlled air flow into and out of each zone, and separate intake, vent, damper, thermostat and humidistat for each zone. Temperature and humidity are separately controllable for each zone, and controller is in communication with HVAC system for controlling HVAC system and for controlling the damper for each zone, the controller having a map comprising a plurality of relative humidity and temperature combinations and one or more actions for automatic execution based on the combinations of temperature and humidity. A temperature sensor, a relative humidity sensor are included in each zone, and an indicator array/interface panel is in communication with the controller. The system provides for the automatic elimination of environmental conditions favorable to mold and fungus growth for each zone individually. |
| US08112172B2 |
Method and system for gash parameter extraction of a cutting tool
A method for extracting gash parameters of a cutting tool, comprises positioning the cutting tool on a moveable stage, scanning two or more gash sections of the cutting tool to generate two or more gash section scanning point clouds, indexing multiple points of the gash section scanning point clouds, detecting multiple gash features using the indexed gash section scanning point clouds, projecting multiple point clouds of the gash features of the indexed gash section scanning point clouds to form one or more projected gash feature point clouds, identifying one or more types of the one or more projected gash feature point clouds, segmenting the one or more projected gash feature point clouds based on the type identification, and extracting one or more gash parameters based on the segmentation of the one or more projected gash feature point clouds. A system for extracting the parameters is also presented. |
| US08112169B2 |
Polishing apparatus and polishing method
A polishing apparatus has a polishing table having a polishing surface and a top ring for pressing a substrate against the polishing surface while independently controlling pressing forces applied to a plurality of areas on the substrate. The polishing apparatus has a sensor for monitoring substrate conditions of a plurality of measurement points on the substrate, a monitor unit for performing a predetermined arithmetic process on a signal from the sensor to generate a monitor signal, and a controller for comparing the monitor signal of the measurement points with the reference signal and controlling the pressing forces of the top ring so that the monitor signal of the measurement point converges on the reference signal. |
| US08112164B2 |
Low maintenance spa control system
A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as-required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance. |
| US08112163B2 |
Embedded dynamic alarm control system
A system and method of modeling, prediction, optimization and controlling an embedded alarm control having a plurality of independently controlled, manipulated variables, at least one controlled variables and one or more disturbance variables. The method includes determining simultaneously a set number of dynamic moves of the manipulated variables along with steady state values of the manipulated and controlled variables with steady state constraints relating to the manipulated and controlled variables as well as dynamic constraints relating to the manipulated and controlled variables including relating to the disturbance variables. Embedding alarm controls in the simultaneous dynamic control and steady state optimization with varying type of alarming situations and aiding operator in recovery actions. Performing a receding horizon form of control wherein the optimization and control is performed at successive time interval by monitoring and feedback of process responses resulting from the control actions applied at previous time intervals. |
| US08112161B2 |
Implantable electrode with variable mechanical modulation wiring
A cochlear implant electrode is described. A basal electrode lead carries electrical stimulation signals from an implant housing to a cochleostomy opening, and a portion of the electrode lead has a periodically recurring lead shape. An apical electrode array at the cochleostomy end of the electrode lead passes into a cochlea scala and includes electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue. A portion of the electrode array has a periodically recurring array shape different from the lead shape. |
| US08112159B2 |
Kit for implantation of therapy elements
This disclosure describes a kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient, and techniques for percutaneously inserting therapy elements into a patient. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for percutaneously inserting two or more therapy elements into a patient via a single needle. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient. The kit comprises a needle defining a lumen a first therapy element sized to pass through the lumen, and a second therapy element sized to pass through the lumen. The lumen is sized to receive both of the first and second therapy elements simultaneously. The first and second therapy elements are separate and not attached to one another such that distal ends of the first and second therapy elements can be positioned to provide therapy in distinct locations of the patient. |
| US08112154B2 |
Systems and methods for neuromodulation using pre-recorded waveforms
Methods for neuromodulation using waveform signals. In certain embodiments, an input waveform is obtained from a signal source site in a source subject and an output waveform is applied to a target site in a target subject. The source subject is a human or animal and the signal source site is in the nervous system, including the brain. The source subject and target subject are the same subjects or different subjects. The output waveform is identical to the input waveform or derived from the input waveform. In some embodiments, the output waveform is modified in response to physiologic feedback. Also provided are systems for neuromodulation using waveform signals. |
| US08112149B2 |
System and method for heart and activity monitoring
A system and method determining physiological status of a patient. A determination is made whether the patient is sleeping. The amplitude and change in voltage over time of any intramyocardial electrogram is measured for a right ventricle and a left ventricle of a heart of the patient for a predefined number of heartbeats at a specified time interval in response to determining the patient is asleep. The measurements are averaged for the right ventricle and left ventricle. The averaged measurements are transmitted to a receiver for communication to an intended recipient. |
| US08112148B2 |
System and method for monitoring cardiac signal activity in patients with nervous system disorders
A medical device system and method for monitoring cardiac signal activity in patients with nervous system disorders. In some embodiments, a brain signal and a cardiac signal are received by a processor, brain events are identified in the brain signal, and the brain events are used to identify portions of the cardiac signal. In some embodiments, Event portions of the cardiac signal are identified corresponding to brain event time periods, and Inter-event portions are identified corresponding to time periods between brain events. An Inter-event heart-rate variability (HRV) calculation is performed using Inter-event portions of the cardiac signal, and an output of the medical device system is modified based upon the calculated Inter-event HRV according to certain embodiments of the invention. An Event HRV may also be calculated according to certain embodiments, and an output modified based on comparisons of the Event HRV to the Inter-event HRV, for example. |
| US08112147B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating determination indexes for identifying ECG interfering signals
A method for generating determination indexes for identifying ECG interfering signals includes acquiring ECG signals to obtain a sequence of data values representing original ECG signals; dividing the sequence of data values acquired during a period of time into groups and collecting all the minimum data values in their respective groups on a statistical basis; determining the minimum and the maximum data values in a minimum set made up of all the minimum data values in their respective groups; and using the difference between the minimum and the maximum data values as a first baseline drift determination index to identify at least one of low frequency interference and irregular interference. |
| US08112145B2 |
MRI method for assessing myocardial viability
An assessment of myocardial viability in a subject is performed by acquiring an MR image which distinguishes infarcted myocardium from normal myocardium. A contrast agent is used and after a waiting period, a cardiac-gated segmented inversion recovery gradient-recalled radial sampling technique is employed to acquire NMR data over a substantial portion of the cardiac cycle. By interleaving the radial sampling patterns, images can be reconstructed over a range of possible TI intervals enabling the optimal TI for maximum contrast to be retrospectively selected. |
| US08112143B2 |
Using magnetic resonance images for locating anatomical targets
A novel MR method and system is described for using MR images for planning radiotherapy treatment. The images are obtained by a scanner which generates a magnetic field with a magnetic center (isocenter). First at least one fiducial marker (4; 5) is applied to the body (1) of the patient at a predetermined distance from the isocenter. The patient is repositioned within said scanner such that an anatomical target (2) is located in close vicinity of said isocenter. A first image of said target (2) is obtained and then the patient (1) is shifted such that the fiducial marker (4; 5) is close to the isocenter. A second image is obtained at the shifted position, in which the fiducial marker has an accurate geometrical position, that is merged into said first image. |
| US08112141B2 |
Method and device for quick press on EEG electrode
Embodiments relate to methods and systems for monitoring bioelectric potentials. In some instances, an electrode is applied to a patient's skin. The electrode may be at least partly inserted into the patient's skin, such as by inserting at least part of one or more teeth underneath the skin. |
| US08112139B2 |
Skin screw electrode
Electrodes providing excellent recording and physical stability. Electrodes that include a plurality of small teeth that possess a novel design shape and orientation are disclosed. The shallow and relatively long teeth preferably run parallel to the rim of the electrode that presses against the patient's skin. When the electrode is twisted onto skin, the teeth penetrate nearly horizontally under the stratum corneum. The electrodes cause minimal discomfort to the patient since the teeth do not extend to the pain fibers which are located in deeper layers of the skin. The electrodes may house a diversity of electronic components to enable numerous experimental and medical implementations. The electrodes may also be used wirelessly without electrode leads. The electrodes may be fabricated using precision photo-chemical etching techniques that are well known in the art. An electrode installation device that preferably employs the electrodes is also disclosed. |
| US08112130B2 |
Receiver acoustic system
A mobile communications device has an outer housing with a front wall in which an acoustic opening is formed. A tub is disposed inside the housing, wherein an acoustic opening is formed in a bottom of the tub and is positioned to be aligned with the acoustic opening in the outer housing. A receiver is disposed within the tub so that a sound port hole of the receiver faces an inside face of the tub and is aligned with the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. A plate piece is disposed between an inside face of the housing and the face of the receiver in which the sound port hole is formed. An acoustic opening is formed in the plate piece and positioned to be aligned with the sound port hole of the receiver and the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08112126B2 |
System and method for changing instant messaging presence of a user profile relative to the active call mode of a communication device
The present invention is a method and system for changing the presence of a user profile logged into a communication device on a communications network relative to the active call mode of the communication device. In the first embodiment, the communication device first receives an indication that an event involving the communication device has triggered active call mode. The communication device next determines the new presence corresponding to the event triggering active call mode, and communicates the new presence to the communications network. In the second embodiment, the communication device is coupled to a client device. The client device receives an indication that an event involving the communication device has triggered active call mode and determines the new presence for the user profile corresponding to the event. The new presence for the user profile logged into the communication device is then communicated to the communications network. |
| US08112122B2 |
Mobile communication terminal having a context sensitive keypad and method thereof
A mobile communication apparatus comprising a numeric keypad is disclosed, wherein a number of functions are associated with keys of said keypad. The functions are related to a context of a present application running on said mobile communication apparatus, and associated with one or more further applications, wherein actuation of any of said keys results in activation of any of said one or more further functions to perform said related function by said associated applications. |
| US08112118B2 |
System and method for using a temporary electronic serial number for over-the-air activation of a mobile device
A system and method for activating a subscriber identification module (SIM) based mobile device in a PCS/ANSI type wireless network. The method comprises pre-programming the SIM card of the mobile device with temporary activation identifiers, such as an international mobile station identity (IMSI) and/or a mobile identification number (MIN), and a temporary electronic serial number. The temporary electronic serial number, rather than the mobile device actual electronic serial number, is used to identify the mobile device during registration and activation. The network identifies the temporary electronic serial number associated with the SIM vendor and invokes an over-the-air activation procedure especially for the SIM card mobile devices. A SIM-over-the-air-activation processor is notified to perform the activation for that mobile device on the PCS wireless network. Authentication of the mobile device may be bypassed and the mobile device is instructed to transmit its actual electronic serial number for future registrations. Once the activation process is completed, the temporary activation identifiers are overwritten. |
| US08112115B2 |
Portable base station device and charging method
A mobile base station device and billing method, which can provide an incentive for use at a specific position, while securing convenience for users, are provided. In a mobile base station device 10, upon installation by an owner, registered user terminal-specific information transmitted from a network N, and installation position information specifying the installation position, are stored. When there is transmission from a portable terminal 30, judgment is made as to whether the user of the portable terminal 30 is a registered user and as to whether transmission is from within a prescribed area; only when these conditions are satisfied, a communication connection is established at a flat rate. By this means, in the mobile base station device 10, an incentive can be provided to users for use in a specific position. Further, billing adjustments are made for use at other than the specific position, but communication service is not completely forbidden, and user convenience is secured. |
| US08112113B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a reception unit to receive, from at least one of a plurality of communication systems, an initial beacon containing information for establishing communication according to each of the plurality of communication methods, a request unit to generate a request by use of the initial beacon to transmit the request to the at least one of the plurality of communication systems, and a determination unit to determine, based on information as a response to the request, the communication method and the frequency band, which are to be used in a time zone by the mobile terminal. |
| US08112108B2 |
Methods and apparatus facilitating and/or making wireless resource reuse decisions
Methods and apparatus related to reuse of a wireless resource are described. Various methods and apparatus are well suited to wireless communications systems lacking centralized control, e.g., an ad hoc peer to peer wireless communications system. A first wireless device of a first connection generates and transmits one or more control signals to be used by a wireless device of a second connection to make a resource reuse decision. The first connection is, e.g., an existing active connection and the second connection is, e.g., a potential connection. A transmission power level of a control signal is set based upon a predetermined relationship to at least one other signal previously communicated on the first connection, e.g., a peer discovery or paging signal. In some embodiments, the control signal is a single tone signal. The transmitted control signal facilitates the estimation of an expected SINR by a device of the second connection. |
| US08112107B2 |
Wireless communication system for updating logic-circuit data for implementing logic circuit in variable logic circuit unit
A transmission source device transmits a test signal to a transmission destination device and a transmitting device by wireless communication. The transmission destination device and the transmitting device add to a received test signal an identification number thereof and a receiving time and return the data-added test signal to the transmission source device. The transmission source device determines a communication route with a shortest communication time based on the received data-added test signal. The transmission source device transmits logic-circuit update data to the transmission destination device via the determined communication route. |
| US08112105B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for estimating channels
A method, an apparatus and a system for estimating channels are disclosed. A method for estimating channels includes: receiving downlink signals inclusive of reference signals from two or more Access Points (APs), where the relative frequency shift between reference signals sent by different APs is zero; and performing channel estimation according to the reference signals. Another method for estimating channels includes: receiving downlink signals inclusive of reference signals from two or more APs, where for a first AP and a second AP among the two or more APs, a specific time-frequency lattice in the downlink signals sent by the first AP does not include data signal, and the specific time-frequency lattice corresponds to a time-frequency lattice utilized by the second AP to send a reference signal; and performing channel estimation according to the reference signals. The technical solution disclosed herein eliminates the interference between the reference signal and the data signal, enables the UE to estimate the channel value between the UE and the cooperative APs accurately, and improves the UE performance. |
| US08112104B1 |
Adaptable communication techniques for electronic devices
Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages. |
| US08112094B1 |
Radio access layer management
Architecture that efficiently adds additional carrier(s) (e.g., UMTS) to a wireless operator's network which allows the additional carrier(s) network to co-exist with other technologies by sharing the spectrum in geographically adjacent sites. When employing UMTS, the UMTS is CDMA-based such that all users utilize the same frequency 5 MHz band. With this innovation, additional carriers (e.g., a 2nd 5 MHz UMTS carrier) can be added when capacity is needed on a site-by-site basis without clearing an additional 5 MHz of spectrum. |
| US08112091B2 |
Allocating radio resources in mobile communications system
Allocating radio resources in a mobile communication system, comprises transmitting first information to a network, wherein the first information is utilized by the network to allocate radio resources to a mobile terminal for allowing communication between the mobile terminal and the network, and receiving second information from the network, wherein the second information is related to an allocation of radio resources for the mobile terminal. |
| US08112087B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting up radio resource control connection
A method and apparatus for establishing an RRC connection are provided, in which a UE compares the strength of a signal received from a serving cell with a threshold, upon receipt of a request for RRC connection establishment, transmits an RRC connection request message to a RAN, measures the strengths of signals from neighbor cells during a first time period and monitors a downlink channel of the serving cell to receive a response message for the RRC connection request message during a second time period, if the signal strength of the serving cell is less than the threshold, and receives the response message from the RAN on the downlink channel. |
| US08112085B2 |
Anchor selection in distributed networks
Various embodiments are described relating to selecting anchor nodes among nodes in a wireless network. In an example embodiment, a topological arrangement of a first wireless node and one or more other wireless nodes neighboring to the first wireless node in a wireless network may be determined by the first wireless node. A second wireless node may be selected to perform anchor node operations for the first wireless node based on the determined topological arrangement. For example, the first wireless node may select itself to perform the anchor node operations based on the determined topological arrangement. |
| US08112084B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for performing mobile internet protocol deregistering
A method, a system and an apparatus for performing mobile Internet protocol deregistering, includes that the network element in the ASN to which the terminal attaches detects whether the MS terminates unconventionally, and sends the message with the MS identifier of the MS which terminates unconventionally to the ASN GW/DP. The ASN GW/DP instructs the ASN GW/FA to release the link resource with the MS and release the link resource with the HA proving service for the MS. |
| US08112080B2 |
Broadcast/multicast service system and method providing inter-network roaming
A method and system for providing a broadcast/multicast (BCAST) service, are provided. The method includes obtaining, by the terminal, at least one BCAST service from a visiting network when the terminal roams in the visiting network. |
| US08112077B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting media data
Media data from a first communication session and media data from a second communication session are received by a unit in the communication network and are combined therein to form at least one combined media data stream which contains the media data from the two communication sessions. The combined media data stream is sent to the communication terminal. |
| US08112075B2 |
HARQ-aware CQI reporting
The invention provides a method or system where the UE sends the CQI to the base station (Node B) based on whether a HARQ retransmission is expected. For example, if a HARQ retransmission is expected, then the UE can reduce the CQI information to sending less (or no) bits in the uplink. In effect, the UE will automatically stop sending CQIs to the base station (Node B) for time-periods where it is known that HARQ retransmissions will be scheduled. The method or system may include one or more steps or elements for implementing this functionality in the UE. |
| US08112070B2 |
Electronic device and method for searching a merchandise location
An electronic device and method for searching a merchandise location include creating a database to store merchandise maps, and receiving the name of a searched shopping location and the merchandise name of a searched merchandise as search keywords. The electronic device and method further include downloading a merchandise map of the searched shopping location comprising the searched merchandise from the server, if the database does not have any search result, and displaying the downloaded merchandise map on a display. |
| US08112069B2 |
System and method for establishing automated call back using a mobile communication device
A communication system for receiving incoming communications from mobile communication devices and for initiating a call-back is disclosed. The communication system receives incoming communications from a mobile communication device, such as data requests. The data requests may be for a list of providers or companies and for a list of corresponding queues related to customer services, such as billing, for example. Further, the communication system typically includes components and queues for initiating a call-back sequence to a communication receiving device and placing an identifier associated with the communication receiving device in a user-selected queue. The communication system also determines the wait time in a queue and places an outgoing call to the communication receiving device. Also, a method for initiating a call-back to a communication receiving device is disclosed. The method includes receiving data from a mobile communication device and placing an identifier associated with a communication receiving device in a user-selected queue. The method further includes determining and sending the expected wait time in the queue to the mobile communication device. If a call back request is received from the mobile communication device, a call back to the communication receiving device is placed based upon the assigned placeholder in the queue. |
| US08112068B2 |
Updating of intelligent message waiting notification
A system, computer-readable medium system, and method which provide for delivering notifications to a mobile device where the provider has first and second mobile technology types. Initially, a notification is received from a notification sub-system. A first communication of the notification to the mobile device is then attempted via the first technology type. Where the mobile device has the second technology type, an error signal is received that the attempt has failed. Next, a second communication of the notification to the mobile device is attempted via the second technology type. Where the mobile device has the second technology type and receives the notification, a delivery signal that the attempt was successful is received. After the delivery signal is received, logging of the second technology type of the mobile device is made so that thereafter, any new notification is attempted using the logged second technology type. |
| US08112067B2 |
Profile-driven response to communication events
A method includes storing a setting in a profile of a wireless device to cause an automatic message response to incoming calls. When the profile is set as the active profile and an incoming call is received, an automatic response is provided to the incoming call in accordance with the setting. |
| US08112065B2 |
Mobile authentication through strengthened mutual authentication and handover security
A method of mobile authentication with enhanced mutual authentication and handover security is disclosed. The method of mutual authentication in a mobile network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: generating at least one service ticket and session key corresponding to a mobile station in accordance with an authentication data request for the mobile station; encrypting the service ticket and the session key by using a user security key pre-assigned in accordance with the mobile station; sending the encrypted service ticket and session key to the mobile station by using a control message; and authenticating the mobile station by analyzing user mutual authentication information received from the mobile station. The present invention, therefore, can provide a more powerful and effective mutual authentication method in a mobile network. |
| US08112062B2 |
System and method for sending threshold notification in real time
A mobile station user is informed of reaching of at least one threshold level of data usage via a wireless communication network in real time. An account of the mobile station user has a maximum data plan limit defined by a user's plan and a data usage balance reflecting an amount of data usage remaining under the plan. When required data usage corresponding to requested data session does not cross the threshold level, a slice of data for the data session is allocated. When required data usage corresponding to the requested data session crosses the threshold level, reduced slice of data is allocated. Data usage is counted in real time during the data session, and a notification of reaching the at least one threshold level of data is sent to the mobile station in real time, at the time when data usage under the mobile station user's account reaches the at least one threshold level. |
| US08112059B2 |
Mixer circuit, integrated circuit device and radio frequency communication unit
A mixer circuit comprises an input stage arranged to convert an input voltage signal received at an input of the mixer circuit into at least one current signal, and a frequency conversion stage comprising at least one switching element arranged to convert a signal component of the at least one current signal from an input frequency to a output frequency. The input stage comprises at least one resistance connected between the input of the mixer circuit and the at least one switching element. The at least one switching element and the at least one resistance are arranged such that the at least one switching element comprises a ‘turn-on’ resistance that exhibits a resistivity that is a factor less than the at least one resistance connected thereto. |
| US08112055B2 |
Calibrating receive chain to reduce second order intermodulation distortion
Embodiments of apparatuses, articles, methods, and systems for calibrating receive chain to reduce second order intermodulation distortion are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a reference sensing chain is used to generate reference second-order intermodulation distortion signals that may be used to adjust a calibration code. In some embodiments, a calibration code may be adjusted using one or more feedback loops of a baseband amplifier. The embodiments may be employed, e.g., to manage power in wireless networks. Other embodiments and usages may be described and claimed. |
| US08112054B2 |
Tri-stating a phase locked loop to conserve power
In a system with an intermittently operating radio, the frequency of which is controlled by a Phase Locked Loop (PLL), a method and system for reducing the power consumed by the PLL by tri-stating the control capacitor in the PLL after the PLL has stabilized at a design frequency. After the capacitor is stabilized, power to some of the components in the PLL is reduced. |
| US08112042B2 |
Wireless communication device capable of measuring quality of wireless signal at variable time intervals
A wireless communication device is disclosed in which signal quality values C[t] of a wireless signal received by the wireless communication device is successively measured at variable time intervals Δt, mean value μ of the successively-measured signal quality values C[t] is calculated, standard deviation σ of the successively-measured signal quality values C[t] is calculated, a determination is made as to whether the signal quality value C[t] at present time satisfies a predetermined inequality which represents that a signal quality value C[t] at arbitrary time lies within k times the standard deviations σ away from the mean value μ, and lengths of the time intervals Δt for the measurement device are controlled based on the determination. |
| US08112040B2 |
Method for measuring variable bandwidth wireless channel and transmitter and receiver therefor
Provided are a method for measuring a variable bandwidth wireless channel, and a transmitter and a receiver therefore. The transmitter, includes: a pre-processing unit for performing variable over-sampling and band-limited filtering on an original sequence for measuring the wireless channel according to a pre-determined digital-to-analog (D/A) operation speed and measurement bandwidth, and creating and storing a probing sequence whose frequency is up-converted into a fixed transmitting intermediate frequency; and a real-time processing unit for transmitting a probing signal that the stored probing sequence is converted according to the D/A operation speed to the wireless channel. |
| US08112039B2 |
System and method for detecting radar signals in wireless communications access points
A system and method for providing radar signal detection in a communications system. In an example method, a raw energy detect signal is received and analyzed to determine if the raw energy detect signal contains a valid radar pulse. A bit is stored in a bit sequence storage device such that the bit has a first value if a valid radar pulse was detected or a second value indicating that a valid pulse was not detected. A set of bits in the bit sequence storage device are accessed to determine if a plurality of waveform-indicating locations in the bit sequence storage device includes valid pulses. In another aspect of the invention, a system detects a radar signal in a communications device. The system includes a pulse detector to detect pulses in a raw energy signal having a pulse width within a predetermined minimum and maximum pulse width. The system includes a frequency detector having a bit sequence storage device to store the bits output by the pulse detector. The frequency detector detects whether the detected pulses conform to a waveform type by determining if the bits are stored in the bit sequence storage device in waveform-indicating locations. |
| US08112036B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, wireless communication method and program
A wireless communication method implemented by a wireless communication device includes performing a non-contact communication with an other wireless communication device. The method also includes receiving predetermined setting data from the other wireless communication device. Further, the method includes establishing a wireless connection with the other wireless communication device by using the predetermined setting data. The method additionally includes storing the predetermined setting data in a storage medium before the wireless connection is released. In addition, the method includes releasing the wireless connection. The method further includes establishing a wireless reconnection with the other wireless communication device by using the predetermined setting data stored in the storage medium. The wireless connection is not necessarily released by the wireless communication device while power is being supplied from outside. |
| US08112035B2 |
Sensor device, sensor network system, and sensor device control method
Disclosed are a sensor device and a sensor device control method. The sensor device comprises a reader for requesting a tag information and detecting an interference channel, and a short range wireless communication module for sharing a information of the interference channel through short range wireless communication, and reallocating channels to be used for the reader. |
| US08112034B2 |
Method and system for using PSK sync word for fine tuning frequency adjustment
In RF transceivers, a method and system for using phase shift key (PSK) sync word for fine tuning frequency adjustment are provided. One aspect of the invention provides for adjusting a local oscillator frequency in a radio frequency (RF) receiver when a residual DC offset remains after a coarse frequency offset adjustment if performed. The fine adjustment may be necessary because of the synchronization required with a PSK-based modulated portion of a Bluetooth packet. A residual phase shift detected in a sync sequence portion of the Bluetooth packet may be utilized to determine a residual or fine frequency adjustment. This approach may allow an RF receiver to operate, in some instances, without the need for an equalizer. In this regard, the power consumed by the RF receiver may be minimized and/or the overall cost of the RF receiver may be reduced. |
| US08112030B2 |
Ionizing communication disruptor unit
An apparatus includes a voltage generator and a superstructure. The voltage generator includes a conductive base, an insulating spacer and a conductive top. The superstructure includes a platform and an antenna system. The voltage generator provides a voltage difference between the conductive base and the conductive top that is greater than 10,000 volts. |
| US08112029B1 |
Method for developing writing skills by creating customized books using a network
A method for creating a book using a network, comprising using a processor to create a website to entice a user to become a subscriber. Computer instructions are used to provide a welcome message, provide a security feature to the user, provide a free tour of the service for creating the book, and offer a search tool to browse a dynamic information database containing artwork, text, characters, contact information for artists and authors to provide commissioned work, and rules of usage. The computer instructions also offer viewing of artwork having high viewing frequency, provide a payment selection to become a subscriber, and process payment by the user. A subscriber is then allowed to create a unique book, store selections and work under an account having a secure account number, and print at least a portion of the unique book on a printer owned, controlled, or designated by the subscriber. |
| US08112024B2 |
Heat fixing apparatus
The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing heater and a pressure roller. The fixing heater has a plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers which are different in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying a recording material. The recording material P is heated when passed through a fixing nip portion formed between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. The pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller can be changed. The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing member which adjusts the lengthwise heat distribution of the fixing heater by changing the applied current proportion of the plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers according to the pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. |
| US08112023B2 |
Image forming apparatus and fixing device
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier to carry a toner image and a fixing device to fix the toner image transferred from the image carrier onto a recording medium by applying at least heat to at least one of the toner image and the recording medium. Such a fixing device includes: a magnetic flux generator to generate a magnetic flux; and a heat generating member disposed at least partially in the magnetic flux. The heat generating member includes a heat generating layer to generate heat via eddy currents therein induced by the magnetic flux, magnitudes of the eddy currents varying according to positions thereof in a width direction of the heat generating layer. Included within the heat generating layer is a magnetic layer having a Curie point in a range, e.g., from about 100 degrees centigrade to about 300 degrees centigrade. |
| US08112015B2 |
Belt unit and image forming apparatus
At least one of a plurality of rollers supporting an endless belt includes a flange arranged on an end portion of the roller. The flange includes a cylindrical portion that is inserted into an opening portion of the roller at its end. Outer circumference of the cylindrical portion makes contact with inner circumference of the roller, and inner circumference of the flange makes contact with a rotation shaft of the roller. The inner edge of a surface where the flange is in contact with the rotation shaft is located on the inner side of the outer edge of a surface where the cylindrical portion is in contact with the roller in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft. |
| US08112014B2 |
Color electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, includes a cartridge supporting member movable between an inside position which is inside the main assembly and an outside position which is outside the main assembly, supporting the cartridges, wherein the cartridges are mounted to and dismounted from the cartridge supporting member placed in the outside position, and wherein the cartridge supporting member is movable between the inside position and the outside position intersecting a feeding path of a recording material. |
| US08112009B2 |
Electrophotographic apparatus having fuser temperature control and corresponding methods
Disclosed are a method of forming images on media in an electrophotographic apparatus, and corresponding electrophotographic apparatus. The method includes measuring a temperature of the media with a sensor after the toner particles have been fused to the media, and controlling a temperature of the heater device with a controller based on the measured temperature of the media, wherein the temperature is controlled to obtain a desired gloss level for subsequent media to be fused. |
| US08112008B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, which has a plurality of image forming units, comprises a plurality of cartridges adapted to supply developer; a plurality of supply members adapted to supply developer to the image forming units from a plurality of the cartridges; a drive unit adapted to drive a plurality of the supply members; and a control unit adapted to supply developer from a plurality of the cartridges by selectively operating a plurality of the supply members based on the amount of developer accommodated in the cartridges. |
| US08112007B2 |
Image forming apparatus, tone correction method using tone patches and alignment markers, and computer-readable recording medium recorded with a tone correction program using tone patches and alignment markers
The present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus and the like that perform a highly-accurate tone correction in a relatively short time and includes the following: a pattern former, with use of each image forming unit, on a sheet, forming tone patches in the main or sub scanning direction (41k,c,y,m) and aligning markers, which indicate positions of the tone patches, in the same direction as the tone patches (42k,c,y,m); a pattern reader reading the sheet with the tone patches and markers formed thereon; a coordinate determiner determining coordinates of the tone patches in the direction of the aligned tone patches based on the read markers (42k,c,y,m); a density determiner determining densities of the tone patches (41k,c,y,m) read based on the determined coordinates; and an updating part updating the tone correction table based on relationships between the determined densities and tone levels. |
| US08112005B2 |
Optical receiver scheme with all-optical decision element
A receiver scheme for optical signals in Return-to-zero (RZ) systems comprises a conventional receiver at the input of which is placed an all-optical decision element realized with nonlinear optical elements. This allows obtaining a substantial increase in performance compared with a simple conventional receiver optimized for NRZ signals. In particular, an optical decision is made up advantageously of two non-linear optical loop mirrors (NOLMs) arranged in cascade with an optical amplifier at the input and a pass-band filter at the output. The loops lengths may be different, as may be the splitting ratios of the couplers of the NOLMs. |
| US08111999B2 |
Inter-transceiver module communication for firmware upgrade
An operational optical transceiver configured to update operational firmware using an optical link of the transceiver. The optical transceiver includes at least one processor and a system memory capable of receiving firmware. The optical transceiver receives an optical signal over the optical link containing the update firmware. The optical transceiver then recovers the firmware from the optical signal. Finally, the optical transceiver provides to the system memory the recovered firmware, which when executed by the at least one processor alters the operation of the transceiver. |
| US08111994B2 |
Balanced bypass circulators and folded universally-balanced interferometers
The invention generally relates, in one aspect, to an interferometer system. The interferometer system includes a splitter/combiner element (SCE), a first bi-directional optical path, and a second bi-directional optical path. |
| US08111991B2 |
N-way broadcast / narrowcast combiner
Systems and methods are described for an optiplex. A method includes: conveying a first narrowcast signal to a first optical combiner; conveying a second narrowcast signal to a second optical combiner; tapping into said first narrowcast signal; monitoring a first characteristic of said first narrowcast signal; tapping into said second narrowcast signal; monitoring a second characteristic of said second narrowcast signal; combining a broadcast signal with the first narrowcast signal using the first optical combiner; and combining said broadcast signal with the second narrowcast signal using the second optical combiner. An apparatus includes: a first optical input; an optical splitter connected to said first optical input; a first optical waveguide connected to said optical splitter; a second optical waveguide connected to said optical splitter; a first optical combiner connected to said first optical waveguide; a second optical combiner connected to said second optical waveguide; a second optical input; an optical demultiplexer connected to said second optical input; a third optical waveguide connected to said optical demultiplexer; a fourth optical waveguide connected to said optical demultiplexer; a first tap coupler connected to said third optical waveguide and said first optical combiner; a second tap coupler connected to said forth optical waveguide and said second optical combiner; a first optical signal sensor coupled to both said first tap coupler and a signal processing unit; and a second optical signal sensor coupled to both said second tap coupler and said signal processing unit. |
| US08111988B1 |
Method for monitoring wavelength-division multiplexed signal
A method for monitoring wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) signal for detecting signal drift of objective signals, including generation of one or more objective signals and a guard signal. The guard signal has a wavelength that is within a range defined by a guard channel. The first and second objective signals and the guard signal are wavelength-division multiplexed to generate a wavelength-division multiplexed signal. The first objective signal, the second objective signal, and the guard signal are assigned to a first multiplexed objective channel, a second multiplexed objective channel, and a multiplexed guard channel, respectively. The wavelength-division multiplexed signal is received by a monitor and then the error rate of the multiplexed guard channel is determined. |
| US08111986B1 |
Testing of transmitters for communication links by software simulation of reference channel and/or reference receiver
A transmitter for a communications link is tested by using a (software) simulation of a reference channel and/or a reference receiver to test the transmitter. In one embodiment for optical fiber communications links, a data test pattern is applied to the transmitter under test and the resulting optical output is captured, for example by a sampling oscilloscope. The captured waveform is subsequently processed by the software simulation, in order to simulate propagation of the optical signal through the reference channel and/or reference receiver. A performance metric for the transmitter is calculated based on the processed waveform. |
| US08111983B2 |
Camera
A camera includes a display device capable of displaying on a single screen a plurality of images, each of which can be observed from one of a plurality of directions; a selection device that selects any one of a plurality of operating modes; and a display control device that displays at the display device the plurality of images each correlated to the operating mode selected via the selection device. |
| US08111982B2 |
Imaging device and electronic camera
An imaging device includes an arrayed imaging element group configured to receive light passing through a photographic lens, wherein the imaging element group includes a plurality of photographic elements used for photographic image data generation and a plurality of phase difference detection elements used for phase difference detection for focus detection of the photographic lens, each of the photographic elements and each of the phase difference detection elements include: an on-chip microlens configured to collect light passing through the photographic lens; a photoelectric conversion element configured to receive the light passing through the on-chip microlens; and an internal microlens disposed between the on-chip microlens and the photoelectric conversion element, the photographic element is configured such that an optical axis of the on-chip microlens matches an optical axis of the internal microlens, and the phase difference detection element is configured such that the optical axis of the on-chip microlens is shifted from the optical axis of the internal microlens. |
| US08111981B2 |
Focus detection apparatus and focus detection method
This invention includes accumulation units (102a, 102b) which accumulate signals obtained by sensing units (111a, 111b), an area determination unit (103, 100) which sets the size of an area of a sensing unit to be segmented into a plurality of areas on the basis of the information of a lens to be focus-detected, accumulation control units (104a-104c, 105) which control, for each of the areas, accumulation of signals obtained in a plurality of areas by the accumulation units, and a defocus detection unit (100) which detects defocus states in the respective areas from accumulated signals from a plurality of areas. |
| US08111975B2 |
Multimedia visual progress indication system
A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period. |
| US08111974B2 |
Enabling complete viewing content for selected programming
Enabling complete viewing of selected programming content is provided. In response to receiving an input data stream from a programming service provider, the input data stream is stored in a supplemental storage. In response to a user selecting a programming channel after a program starts to air, the input data stream is stored in a programming storage. Then, the stored data stream is outputted from the supplemental storage to a viewing device. |
| US08111972B2 |
Recording device, computer readable medium and recording method
A hard disk of a recording device is registered with in-advance setting data specifying a sports genre, a detection team/player and a detection period. A sports information service server accessible via a network N from the recording device includes a winning/losing outcome database recorded with information specifying a genre to which a game belongs and an outcome of wining or losing in each game with respect to the respective games held domestically and overseas. A CPU of the recording device, when reaching the detection time defined in the in-advance setting data, specifies the defined genre and the detection team/player, then receives the winning/losing data from the sports information service server, and determines whether the detection team/player defined in the in-advance setting data lost in the game or not. Then, when determining that the detection team/player lost in the game, a scheme is to prevent the already recorded data of the broadcast program of the game from remaining on the hard disk. |
| US08111969B2 |
Methods of fabricating light guide members and backlight units
A light guide member capable of guiding light received from at least a first light source and second light source, wherein the first light source is spaced a distance D3 from the second light source. The light guide member may include a first side including a plurality of first grooves extending along a first direction and a plurality of second grooves extending along the first direction, wherein the first grooves may have a first pitch and the second grooves have a second pitch, the first pitch being different from the second pitch. |
| US08111968B2 |
Optical devices for guiding illumination
Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device. Acutely angled ramp structures may be provided on both top and bottom surfaces of optical devices for distributing light along such top surface. Illumination apparatuses are also provided using such optical devices. |
| US08111966B2 |
Wall box adapted to be mounted at a mid-span access location of a telecommunications cable
A wall box includes an enclosure having a base and a cover connected to the base. The base and the cover enclose an interior region. The wall box further includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters mounted to the enclosure. The fiber optic adapters include an inner port positioned inside the interior region and an outer port positioned at an outer surface of the enclosure. A tray stack is mounted within the interior region. The tray stack includes a tray mount pivotally connected to the enclosure. The tray mount includes a top surface and an oppositely disposed bottom surface. A first splice tray mounting area is disposed on the top surface and a second splice tray mounting area is disposed on the bottom surface. A plurality of trays is disposed in the first splice tray mounting area. A tray is disposed in the second splice tray mounting area. |
| US08111965B2 |
Waveguide for thermo optic device
A waveguide and resonator are formed on a lower cladding of a thermo optic device, each having a formation height that is substantially equal. Thereafter, the formation height of the waveguide is attenuated. In this manner, the aspect ratio as between the waveguide and resonator in an area where the waveguide and resonator front or face one another decreases (in comparison to the prior art) thereby restoring the synchronicity between the waveguide and the grating and allowing higher bandwidth configurations to be used. The waveguide attenuation is achieved by photomasking and etching the waveguide after the resonator and waveguide are formed. In one embodiment the photomasking and etching is performed after deposition of the upper cladding. In another, it is performed before the deposition. Thermo optic devices, thermo optic packages and fiber optic systems having these waveguides are also taught. |
| US08111962B2 |
Optical fiber connection structure and single-mode fiber
An optical fiber connection structure which reduces MPI in the use of an optical fiber with a bend resistance improved by forming holes in the fiber, and a single-mode fiber which reduces MPI are provided. A second cladding portion of a second single-mode fiber 20 includes holes 28, and thus, the second single-mode fiber 20 has low bending loss. A portion of the second single-mode fiber 20 connected to a first single-mode fiber 10a is made solid by filling corresponding portions of the holes 28 over the length L0, and light in a mode LP11 is significantly attenuated in this portion, thereby reducing MPI. |
| US08111961B2 |
Accelerated aging of phosphorus-doped optical fibers
Adverse hydrogen aging limitations in multiply-doped optical fibers are overcome by passivating these optical fibers using a deuterium passivation process. This treatment essentially pre-reacts the glass with deuterium so that the most active glass sites are no longer available to react with hydrogen in service. Optical fibers of main interest are doped with mixtures of germanium and phosphorus. Optimum passivating process conditions are described. |
| US08111953B2 |
Optical power modulation vital sign detection method and measurement device
A vital sign measurement device includes a sensor fixation device, a sensor frame, an optical sensing system, and an output unit. The sensor fixation device is adapted to be placed against an anatomical location of a subject. The optical sensing system includes an optical waveguide, an optical source device to supply optical energy to the optical waveguide, and an optical detector to detect an amount of optical energy exiting the optical waveguide. The optical sensing system is adapted to sense an arterial pulse from the compression or flexing of at least a portion of the optical waveguide resulting in reduction of the amount of light exiting the optical waveguide. The output unit is configured to receive a signal indicative of the amount of light exiting the optical waveguide and to generate a measure of the vital sign based at least in part on the received signal. |
| US08111950B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method to generate reduced image
An image processing apparatus and method are provided in which a reduced image is generated by removing some of a plurality of pixels of an original image. A pixel value of a pixel to be removed is reflected into a pixel value of an adjacent pixel and a reduced image is generated using the reflection result and the removal result. |
| US08111949B2 |
Image processing device, image projection apparatus, image processing method, recording medium, and computer data signal
A captured image projection apparatus obtains projection parameters and image effect correction parameters from a moving image captured at a low resolution in a task different from a task in which capturing of a high-resolution still image is to be performed, when a change ceases to occur in the moving image and before the capturing of the high-resolution still image is started. The apparatus changes the scale of the obtained projection parameters from one for low-resolution image to one for high-resolution image. The apparatus applies an image conversion process and an image effect process to the captured high-resolution still image by using the projection parameters and image effect correction parameters obtained before the still image is captured. Thereby, the captured image projection apparatus shortens the time required from the capturing of the image to projection thereof. |
| US08111945B2 |
System and method for providing a blended picture
A method, a system and a computer program product for generating a blended picture, the system includes: a storage unit, adapted to store pixels of a first picture, pixels of a second picture and alpha data; and a device, coupled to the storage unit via at least one data channel; wherein the device includes: a relevancy determination module, that is adapted to determine a relevancy of pixels of at least one of the first picture and the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with the pixels of the first picture; wherein the alpha data represents a degree of transparency of the pixels of the first picture to be overlaid over the second picture; an access controller, coupled to the relevancy determination module, adapted to prevent a transfer of irrelevant pixels from the storage unit; and a blending unit that is coupled to the access controller, adapted to provide a blended picture in response to values of the alpha data, by blending relevant pixels of the first and second picture. |
| US08111944B2 |
Method and system for optimizing web page images
In computer multimedia technology, a system, method and computer program product for optimizing images and transmission of images of a web-page transmitted over the Internet and furthermore, optimizing images of a web page on a network server. The method includes detecting the images in the web page to determine the relationship among the images; in response to the determination of the relationship among the images, combining two or more related images into a combinational image; and updating the web page to replace references to the related images with a reference to the combinational image. By optimizing web page images, the server's work required for handling heavy amount of HTTP requests in transmitting the web page images is decreased and the bandwidth requirement for transmitting the web page images is reduced. The quality of the original image is not lowered. And there is no need to make any change to the operation at the client side. |
| US08111936B2 |
Method and device for processing of images using a digital filter
A system, device and a method to perform bilateral filtering using linear convolution by way of an FFT or a recursive sequence method. Proper selection of functions for the photometric and spatial components of a bilateral filter may reduce the computational cost of the bilateral filter while preserving the bilateral filter de-noising and edge detection capabilities. Such functions may reduce the computational cost of a bilateral filter to substantially O(1). |
| US08111935B2 |
Image processing methods and image processing apparatus utilizing the same
An image processing method applied in an image processor for processing an image including first pixels each having a pixel value, a first reference pixel value representing a mean value of the pixel values of the first pixels, the pixel values of the first pixels being distributed within a first distribution range bounded between a second reference pixel value and a third reference pixel value. Second pixels are selected from the first pixels. The pixel values of the second pixels are distributed within a second distribution range. The second distribution range of the second pixels is smaller than the first distribution range of the first pixels. A local characteristic of the image is obtained according to the second pixels. A parameter of the image is adjusted according to the local characteristic. |
| US08111934B2 |
Extension of two-dimensional variable length coding for image compression
A method and an apparatus to encode a series of quantized coefficients of a transform of a block of image data. The transform is such that 0 is the most likely coefficient amplitude and 1 is the next most likely coefficient amplitude. The method includes forming symbols (called events) from the series of quantized transform coefficients. An event is a run of none or more zero-valued coefficients followed by a run of one of a predefined set of sequences, each sequence in the set being either a single coefficient of amplitude greater than one, or a sequence of 1's and 0's starting with a coefficient of amplitude 1. The method includes forming a codeword for each formed event. Relatively short codewords are formed to represent events that are relatively more likely to occur, and relatively long codewords are formed to represent events that are relatively less likely to occur. In one implementation, each event is a run of none or more zero-valued coefficients followed by one of a predefined set of sequences, each sequence in the set being either a single coefficient of amplitude greater than one, or a sequence of 1's and 0's starting with a coefficient of amplitude 1. |
| US08111932B2 |
Digital image decoder with integrated concurrent image prescaler
According to some embodiments, encoded information associated with an image is received at a decoder. The encoded information may be decoded at the decoder to generate full-sized first image pixels representing a full-sized version of the image. Moreover, the full-sized pixels may be scaled at the decoder to generate scaled image pixels representing a scaled version of the image. |
| US08111931B2 |
Image processing device
An image processing device and method decodes encoded image data, and converts a resolution of the decoded image data. The encoded image data is formed by encoding image data partitioned into blocks, each block including a plurality of pixels aligned in a matrix shape. The image processing device includes a decoding section that decodes and cuts out a portion of the decoded image data corresponding to a preset cut-out area and outputs the portion of the decoded image data on a block-by-block basis, a block buffer section that temporarily stores the portion of the decoded image data output, a horizontal resolution conversion section that converts the resolution of the decoded image data in the horizontal direction, a line buffer section that temporarily stores the horizontal-resolution-converted image data, and a vertical resolution conversion section that converts the resolution of the horizontal-resolution-converted image data in the vertical direction. |
| US08111929B2 |
Method and system to detect and quantify blockiness in video files
A method and system for detecting and quantifying blockiness in a video file is disclosed. The video file is a file that has been decompressed by using standard DCT algorithms. The method includes segmenting each frame of the video file into multiple blocks. The method also involves comparing the intensity gradients of each block with one or more threshold values. The one or more threshold values represent predefined intensity variation characteristics. Further, the method includes determining the intensity variation parameters of each block, based on the comparison. Thereafter, a blockiness index is calculated for each block, after which a blockiness value is calculated for each frame. Finally, a blockiness level is assigned to each frame, based on its blockiness value. The blockiness level is a comparative measure of the blockiness of a frame that represents the blockiness content in the frame. |
| US08111927B2 |
Shape clustering in post optical character recognition processing
Systems, methods and computer program products for shape clustering and applications in processing various documents, including an output of an optical character recognition (OCR) process. Clip images defined in a received OCR output are classified into a plurality of clusters of clip images. Clip images in each of the plurality of clusters are processed to generate a cluster image for each cluster. Shape differences between the cluster images of a first cluster and a second cluster and between the cluster images of the first cluster and a third cluster are used to determine a level of confidence in one or more first OCR character codes assigned to the first cluster. |
| US08111925B2 |
System and method for identifying object in image
According to one aspect, a method for identifying an object in an image includes steps of determining a center of the object; calculating a radius for scanning the image; scanning along a scan circle defined by the center and the radius; and identifying the object according to scanned data of the image along the scan circle. |
| US08111924B2 |
Remote sensing and probabilistic sampling based method for determining the carbon dioxide volume of a forest
A remote sensing and probabilistic sampling based method for determining carbon dioxide volume of a forest can correlate aerial data, such as LiDAR, CIR, and/or Hyperspectral data with actual sampled and measured ground data to facilitate obtainment, e.g., prediction, of an accurate forest inventory, and corresponding carbon dioxide volume thereof. |
| US08111923B2 |
System and method for object class localization and semantic class based image segmentation
An automated image processing system and method are provided for class-based segmentation of a digital image. The method includes extracting a plurality of patches of an input image. For each patch, at least one feature is extracted. The feature may be a high level feature which is derived from the application of a generative model to a representation of low level feature(s) of the patch. For each patch, and for at least one object class from a set of object classes, a relevance score for the patch, based on the at least one feature, is computed. For at least some or all of the pixels of the image, a relevance score for the at least one object class based on the patch scores is computed. An object class is assigned to each of the pixels based on the computed relevance score for the at least one object class, allowing the image to be segmented and the segments labeled, based on object class. |
| US08111917B2 |
Method for segmenting and computing the pattern of a road
The present invention relates to a method for subdividing the road pattern in digital road maps into segments, in which, starting from the digital road maps in which the road pattern is subdivided into successive segments, new segment borders are established via new segment starting points and segment end points, by selecting the segment starting points and the segment end points in such a way that the shape of the segments between the segment starting points and the segment end points does not change. The invention also relates to the computation of the road pattern with the aid of digital road maps, in which the road is subdivided into successive segments, to each of which one segment starting point and one segment end point is assigned. The shape of the segment is established and, from its relative position, its pattern is computed with the aid of the number of support points situated between the segment starting points and the segment end points, and/or with the aid of transition conditions between the segments and/or the consideration of attributes. |
| US08111916B2 |
Device of gathering statistics of gray distribution of image and method thereof
A device of gathering statistics of the gray distribution of an image and a method thereof are provided. The device includes a comparing unit, a count unit, a memory unit, and a data allotment unit. The comparing unit determines gray information of a plurality of gray data of the input image, and output a respective count signal accordingly. The count unit includes a plurality of counters. Each counter corresponding to predetermined gray information has a count value. The counters update the count values according to the respective count signals. When the count value exceeds a predetermined value, the count unit outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the predetermined gray information. The data allotment unit updates the statistics of the gray distribution of the image stored in the memory unit according to the pulse signal. The present invention reduces the number of the registers the counters require and decreases hardware costs. |
| US08111909B2 |
Dental CAD/CAM system for obtaining a position match of 3D data sets
Disclosed is a method for designing tooth surfaces of a digital dental prosthetic item existing as a 3D data set using a first 3D model of a preparation site and/or of a dental prosthetic item and a second 3D model, which second model comprises regions which match some regions on the first 3D model and regions which differ from other regions of the first 3D model, the non-matching regions containing some of the surface information required for the dental prosthetic item, wherein at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3) of points (P11, P12; P21, P22; P31, P32) corresponding to each other are selected on the matching region on the first 3D model (A) and the second 3D model (A′), that the positional correlation of the second 3D model with reference to the first 3D model is determined with reference to the at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3), and that portions of the non-matching regions of the first and second 3D models are implemented for designing the tooth surface of the dental prosthetic item taking into consideration the positional correlation of these models relative to each other. |
| US08111905B2 |
Autofocus video tool and method for precise dimensional inspection
A refined autofocus method provides optimized lighting between iterative autofocus operations, to reliably provide the best possible autofocus Z-height precision. The method includes a quantitative initial focus Z-height determination based on initial focus curve data from initial autofocus images acquired using initial light control parameters. Then, the camera is set at that initial focus Z-height such that well focused images are provided. Refined (optimized) light control parameters are then determined based on at least one respective image acquired using respective light control parameters at that Z-height, such that an image acquired using the refined light control parameters provides a near-optimum value for a contrast-related metric (e.g., a focus metric) at that Z-height. Then, refined autofocus images are acquired using the refined light control parameters and a refined precise Z-height is quantitatively determined base on the resulting focus curve. |
| US08111902B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting defects of circuit patterns
The present invention relates to a defect inspection apparatus for inspecting defects in patterns formed on a semiconductor device, on the GUI of which for the confirmation of the inspection results an area is provided for displaying any one of or facing each other the features amount of defects, and the image during inspection or the reacquired image, and on the GUI of which a means is provided for setting the classification class and importance of the defects, and based on the classification class and the importance of the defects information set by this setting means, the classification conditions or the defect judging conditions are automatically or manually set so that the inspection conditions may be set easily. |
| US08111899B2 |
Substrate-check equipment
A substrate-check equipment has a conveyer, at least two lamps, at least two image acquisition units and a control unit. The conveyer conveys a substrate. The lamps are mounted respectively above and below the conveyer to respectively shine light onto the substrate. Each lamp has an adjusting unit for adjusting intensity of the lamp. The image acquisition units correspond to the lamps and are mounted respectively above and below the conveyer to respectively capture images of the substrate and generate image signals. The control unit is electronically connected to the lamp and the image acquisition units. Emitted light intensity of the lamps is adjusted to ensure consistent image quality and speed up procedures for checking the substrate. |
| US08111896B2 |
Method and system for automatic recognition of preneoplastic anomalies in anatomic structures based on an improved region-growing segmentation, and commputer program therefor
A process for the automatic recognition of anomalies in anatomical structures, as well as a processing system and a computer program for implementing the process are described, the process comprising the steps of: acquisition (10) of a plurality of two-dimensional images of at least a portion of a patient's body, which are suitable for forming a three-dimensional representation of at least one anatomical structure under observation, segmentation (20) of a region of interest of the three-dimensional representation, potentially bearing the anomalies, selection (30, 40) of the volume image elements (voxels) of the segmented region that are candidates for belonging to anomalies of the anatomical structure represented, on the basis of predetermined morphological parameters, and classification (70) of the voxels as elements suspected of belonging to anomalies or elements not belonging to anomalies, in which the segmentation (20) takes place by progressive growth of the region of interest by aggregation of voxels in accordance with a predetermined criterion of similarity, starting with seed voxels situated within the region of interest, the region growth step comprising a first volume growth stage in which the growth is carried out on the basis of a predetermined global criterion of similarity between voxels in each direction of growth, and a second fine growth stage for the definition of a boundary of the region of interest, in which the growth is carried out on the basis of local similarity criteria for each respective direction of growth. |
| US08111884B2 |
Medical diagnostic and data processing system
A medical diagnostic and data processing system is disclosed. The system includes, in at least one embodiment, an arithmetic logic unit and an imaging diagnostic device that can be connected to the latter for data purposes, and a data memory in which data describing anatomical structures including lymph nodes are stored. The arithmetic logic unit is set up programmatically in such a way to produce an automatic assignment between a lymph node recorded by way of the imaging diagnostic device and data describing the lymph node that are stored in the data memory. |
| US08111883B2 |
System and method for per-patient licensing of interventional imaging software
A method for implementing per-use licensing for image processing software includes acquiring image data from an image scanner. Processed image data is calculated from the image data using an image processing module. The processed image data is exported. The use of the image processing module is logged in an accounting database when the processed data are exported. Access to the accounting database is provided for account settlement. |
| US08111881B2 |
Image pickup device, face detection method, and computer-readable recording medium
An image pickup device can effectively detect a face in accordance with an object without causing a user to do bothersome setting. A speed preference mode and a person-number preference mode both having different detection conditions of a face region are prepared beforehand as face detection modes. The user is caused to select a desired face detection mode, and minimum values of a face size set as detectable in a face detection and a maximum number of face regions to be detected are set to values corresponding to the face detection mode selected by the user. In a case where an image-pickup preparation is set by pressing a shutter key halfway, when the face detection mode is the speed preference mode, the mode is forcibly changed to the person-number preference mode. |
| US08111875B2 |
Method of and apparatus for taking solid image and computer program for causing computer to execute the method
A solid image taking apparatus includes a plurality of image taking portions which obtain a plurality of images at each sight point by taking a plurality of images of objects from different sight points, a distance measuring portion which measures object distances which are distances to the objects from the plurality of image taking portions, and a classifying portion which classifies the objects included in the images into a plurality of groups according to the object distances and outputs the result of classification. |
| US08111872B2 |
Image maze generating system and method thereof
The present invention discloses an image maze generating system. The system is suitable for use with a digital camera to generate a maze of photographs. The system specially includes an image processing module and an image maze generating module. The image processing module assigns numbers to the photographs. And then the image maze generating module pieces the photographs together on a template which is attached to maze path information according to its numbers to generate the maze of photographs. |
| US08111868B2 |
Speaker device
A drive cone 11 and a diaphragm 14 are integrally driven by a voice coil 6 movably disposed in a magnetic gap 5. Peripheral edge portions of the drive cone 11 and the diaphragm 14 are supported by a frame 12 via different edge portions 13 and 15, respectively.The drive cone 11 is provided with a rising-up portion 11a which rises up toward an acoustic radiation direction from a inner circumferential end, and a rising-down portion 11b which rises down toward a direction reverse to the acoustic radiation direction. An inner circumferential edge of the diaphragm 14 is fixed at an annular top formed between the rising-up portion and the rising-down portion. Moreover, a first rib 11c and a second rib 11d are formed on the drive cone 11 in such a manner as to rise up toward the acoustic radiation direction integrally with the drive cone. The diaphragm 14 is supported also at the tips of the ribs. |
| US08111867B2 |
Electronic device with a speaker
An electronic device (100) having a speaker (30) located in a sealed and separate speaker enclosure is described. The electronic device includes a housing (20), a circuit board (70), a cover (60), and two connecting bodies (50). The housing includes a cavity (22) defined therein for receiving the speaker. The circuit board is electrically connected to the speaker. The cover has through holes (622) defined thereon and is disposed between the housing and the circuit board. In addition, one end of the connecting bodies connects to the speaker, and the other end of the connecting bodies is configured to resist the circuit board via the through holes to electrically connect the speaker and the circuit board. |
| US08111864B2 |
Earbud adapter
Adapters for use with sound devices and methods for making and using the same. In some embodiments, an example adapter may include an adapter body having a first side, a port or projection extending from the first side, and a second side. The second side is generally configured to be attachable to a sound device such as an earbud or earbud-type of headphone. The projection may include a sleeve attached thereto. The projection and sleeve are generally configured to at least in part extend into the ear canal of a user during use. |
| US08111860B2 |
Recreational bone conduction audio device, system
A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention uses commercially available transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user. |
| US08111858B2 |
Supra-aural headphone noise reducing
An earphone for a supra-aural noise reducing headphone, with a front cavity that includes a foam portion and an open passageway. The foam portion supplements the volumetric dimension of the passageway to improve passive attenuation. |
| US08111851B2 |
Hearing aid with adaptive start values for apparatus
Fine customization of a hearing aid to the individual hearing environments and habits of a user are to be simplified and improved. To this end, when the hearing aid is turned on or when the hearing aid is switched to a particular operating mode, neither the value most recently valid for the parameter prior to turning off or switching to a different operating mode nor the parameter value transferred to the hearing aid at the beginning of programming is set. Rather, from the changes to the value of the parameter taking place during operation of the hearing aid a new start value is ascertained and stored, which value is then set automatically after turning on or switching mode. |
| US08111849B2 |
Hearing aid
A hearing aid which achieves a comfortable feeling to use while preventing generation of howling includes a microphone for converting an environmental sound to an electric signal, a hearing aid processor for hearing aid processing of an output signal of the microphone, an earphone for converting an output signal of the hearing aid processor to a sound signal, an external ear canal microphone converting a sound within an external ear canal to an electric signal, and an adaptive filter for comparing an output signal of the external ear canal microphone and the output signal of the hearing aid processor to automatically adjust the output signal of the hearing aid processor in such a manner that the output signal of the external ear canal microphone approaches the output signal of the hearing aid processor. The output signal of the hearing aid processor functions as an input signal and a desired signal of the adaptive filter, and the output signal of the external ear canal microphone functions as a response signal of the adaptive filter. |
| US08111839B2 |
Always on headwear recording system
A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device. |
| US08111827B2 |
Cryptographic processing apparatus and cryptographic processing method
A cryptographic processing apparatus for performing arithmetic operation on an FL function and an FL−1 function in a cryptographic process includes a first arithmetic gate is configured to receive a first input bit string and a first extended key bit string, a first XOR gate configured to receive an output of the first arithmetic gate and a second input bit string, a second arithmetic gate configured to receive an output of the first XOR gate and a second extended key bit string, a second XOR gate configured to receive an output of the second arithmetic gate and the first input bit string, a third arithmetic gate configured to receive an output of the second XOR gate and the first extended key bit string, and a third XOR gate configured to receive an output of the third arithmetic gate and an output of the first XOR gate. |
| US08111825B2 |
Encryption apparatus and method therefor
A modified implementation of the Kasumi algorithm executes on a 32-bit processor using full 32-bit operations. The implementation comprises a series of four rounds, each round including an intermediate sub-function executed between two executions of an FL sub-function. The intermediate sub-function is functionally equivalent to two consecutive 16-bit FO sub-functions. |
| US08111823B2 |
Method, device and system for realizing universal personal number ring back tone service
A method for realizing the universal personal number ring back tone service comprises: determining the ring back tone played according to the called information, and determining the media resources for playing the ring back tone according to the calling information, the media resources information and the said ring back tone information; the said media resource plays the said ring back tone. The present invention also discloses a device and a system for realizing the universal personal number ring back tone service. On the basis of the present invention, UPT users are supported to assign the different ring back tone for each destination number, respectively, and the ring back tone information of each media resource is dynamically updated in accordance with the using situation of the ring back tone, therefore realizing that the UPT ring back tone service utilizes the network resources effectively. |
| US08111822B1 |
System and method for mapping a voice identity across multiple telephony networks with time attributes
A system and method for mapping a voice identity to a telephone number includes: one or more phone systems; at least one policy processor coupled to the one or more phone systems; and a voice identity mapping data structure accessible to the at least one policy processor. The voice identity mapping data structure includes: search voice identities transitively mapped to one or more target voice identities, where the voice identity matches a first search voice identity, the first search voice identity is mapped by the policy processor to a first target voice identity according to a first mapping policy, the first target voice identity matches a second search voice identity of a second mapping policy, the second search voice identity is mapped by the policy processor to a second target voice identity according to the second mapping policy, where the voice identity includes a non-phone number voice identity. |
| US08111820B2 |
Audio conference platform with dynamic speech detection threshold
The present invention comprises a method for audio/video conferencing. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises using a dynamic threshold value to determine whether there is speech on a line. One aspect, the method comprises determining a dynamic threshold value based on one or more characteristics of signals received on a port, associating that dynamic threshold value with the port; and comparing one or more characteristics of signals subsequently received on the port to the dynamic threshold value. Signals received over a plurality of ports are summed, but for ports whose signal characteristics have a specified relationship to the dynamic threshold value associated with that port, signals are not contained in the sum. |
| US08111805B2 |
Clutch and mammography device
A clutch with a first clutch disk and a second clutch disk is provided. The first clutch disk includes at least one cylindrical shaft, in which a sphere is mounted in a displaceable fashion in each instance so as to press against a spring. The second clutch disk, which, for each shaft of the first clutch disk, includes a recess for partially receiving a sphere. |
| US08111804B2 |
Graded resolution field of view CT scanner
A CT scanner comprising: a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation: an X-ray source mounted to the rotor having a focal spot from which an X-ray beam emanates; an X-ray detector array comprising a plurality of X-ray detectors for detecting X-rays in the X-ray beam; wherein the detector array has at least one high resolution region in which detectors have a high packing density and at least one low resolution region in which detectors have a low packing density and are separated by X-ray insensitive regions substantially larger than insensitive regions resulting from septa between detectors that function to reduce detector cross talk. |
| US08111803B2 |
Method for energy sensitive computed tomography using checkerboard filtering
Methods for energy-sensitive computed tomography systems that use checkerboard filtering. A method of enhancing image analysis of projection data acquired using a detector configured with a checkerboard filter includes disposing in a system a detector to receive a transmitted beam of X-rays traversing through an object, where the system is configured so the detector receives both high- and one of total- and low-energy projection data; receiving the high- and one of total- and low-energy projection data at the detector; and then estimating an effective atomic number of the object and/or processing the projection data so as to mitigate reconstruction artifacts. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appended claims. |
| US08111802B2 |
Inspection, maintenance, repair, and operating methods for nuclear reactors
A method of inspecting, performing maintenance on, or repairing a nuclear reactor may include operatively connecting a fixing device, a first track, an arm including one or more second tracks, and an effector to form an apparatus; inserting the apparatus into the reactor; fixing the apparatus within the reactor; and operating the apparatus. At least one of the one or more second tracks may include at least three track sections. The arm may have a contracted length. The arm may have an expanded length. The expanded length may be greater than two times the contracted length. The first track may include one or more motors configured to move the arm relative to the first track. A method of operating a reactor may include shutting down; inspecting, performing maintenance on, or repairing the reactor; and starting up the reactor. |
| US08111800B2 |
Frequency ratio detection
A system and method are provided for determining a frequency ratio in a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit feedback path. The method accepts a reference signal having a predetermined first frequency and a PLL output signal having a non-predetermined second frequency. The reference signal cycles are counted, creating a first binary count. Likewise, the PLL output signal cycles are counted, creating a second binary count. The second binary count is sampled at an interval responsive to the first binary count, and a right-shifted second binary count is supplied as a ratio of the second frequency divided by the first frequency. More explicitly, the sampling is performed when a first binary count sampling threshold of 2n first frequency cycles is reached. Then, the radix point in the second binary count is shifted n number of radix places to the left. |
| US08111799B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for reducing power consumption at low to midrange resolution settings
A method for reducing power consumption in an information handling system (IHS) where the method includes receiving main data through a main link, wherein the main link provides at least one data lane. The IHS also receives a reference clock corresponding to the main data through an auxiliary channel and provides the reference clock to a first phase-lock loop, wherein the first phase-lock loop outputs a stream clock. |
| US08111797B2 |
Enhanced system and method for detecting the leading edge of a waveform
The present invention is an improved system and method for detecting the leading edge of a waveform. More specifically, the invention relates to detecting the leading edge of an ultra wideband waveform. The invention requires locking to the ultra wideband waveform at a lock reference time, and sampling the ultra wideband waveform during one or more time windows relative to the lock reference time to identify one or more leading edge candidate times based on one or more detection criterion. The ultra wideband signal is sampled at a band limited Nyquist rate that avoids aliasing within a band of interest of the ultra wideband waveform, but allows aliasing outside of the band of interest to minimize the number of samples for leading edge detection processing. |
| US08111795B2 |
Method and system for a multi-channel signal synchronizer
Certain aspects of a multi-channel signal synchronizer may comprise receiving a plurality of clock signals from a plurality of clock signal sources, wherein a portion of the received plurality of clock signals may be out of synchronization with a remaining portion of the received plurality of clock signals. A plurality of data signals may be received from a plurality of data signal sources, wherein a portion of the received plurality of data signals may be out of synchronization with a remaining portion of the received plurality of data signals. The received portion of plurality of clock signals and data signals may be synchronized to the received remaining portion of plurality of clock signals and data signals utilizing bit alignment and sample alignment. A plurality of synchronized output signals may be generated based on the synchronized received plurality of clock signals and synchronized received plurality of data signals. |
| US08111791B2 |
Differential evolution design of polyphase IIR decimation filters
A method for designing a digital filter, includes: (a) selecting a predetermined number of current sets of coefficients for the digital filter; (b) selecting a metric for evaluating coefficients of the digital filter; (c) computing a metric for each current set of coefficients; (d) deriving a next set of coefficients based on a subset of the current set of coefficients; (e) computing the metric for the next set of coefficients; (f) replacing a selected one of the current set of coefficients based on comparing the metric for the next set of coefficients with the metric for the selected current set of coefficients; and (g) iterating steps (a) to (e) until a termination criterion is met. In one embodiment, the selected metric represents a desired stop band response. The next set of coefficients may be derived by adjusting a first current set of coefficients by a weighted difference between a second current set of coefficients and a third current set of coefficients. The weighted difference may be obtained by multiplying a predetermined factor to the difference between the second current set of coefficients and the third current set of coefficients. In one embodiment, a scaling is performed such that the next set of coefficients does not include a pole outside of the unit circle. |
| US08111790B2 |
Mitigating interference in a coded communication system
A technique weights noise power used in a demodulation/demapping process using on an estimate of interference and its associated power. Using this technique the effect of partial interference can be ameliorated. For example, a value, σ2, can be used to represent the estimated noise and interference power, and σ2 can be used to modify a received signal to ameliorate the effects of noise and interference. σ2 can be adjusted in response to partial interference, and can be represented by the formula: σ2=σN2+q σI2, where σN2 is “noise power,” σI2 is “interference power,” and q is an interference correction factor. |
| US08111788B2 |
Apparatus for estimating and correcting baseband frequency error in a receiver
An apparatus for estimating and correcting baseband frequency error in a receiver is disclosed. An equalizer performs equalization on a sample data stream and generates filter tap values based on the equalization. An estimated frequency error signal is generated based on at least one of the filter tap values. A rotating phasor is generated based on the estimated frequency error signal. The rotating phasor signal is multiplied with the sample data stream to correct the frequency of the sample data stream. Alternatively, a channel estimator performs channel estimation and generates Rake receive finger weights based on at least one of the finger weights. An estimated frequency error signal is generated based on at least one of the finger weights. |
| US08111787B2 |
OFDM channel estimation method and apparatus
Smaller patterns of regularly-spaced pilot symbols are discerned from a larger pattern of irregularly-spaced pilot symbols transmitted in the time-frequency domain. Accordingly, the irregularly-spaced pilot symbols can be partitioned into at least two different groups of regularly-spaced pilot symbols in the time-frequency domain. Each group of regularly-spaced pilot symbols is individually processed with lower complexity and the results combined to generate an accurate time-frequency channel response estimate. According to an embodiment, a set of irregularly-spaced pilot symbols is transmitted over a time-frequency window. Channel response is estimated based on the pilot symbols by grouping the pilot symbols into subsets of regularly-spaced pilot symbols. An intermediate quantity is generated for each subset of regularly-spaced pilot symbols as a function of the pilot symbols included in the subset. The channel response is estimated over the time-frequency window as a function of the intermediate quantities. |
| US08111784B1 |
On-chip data signal eye monitoring circuitry and methods
Methods and apparatus for gathering information about the eye of a high-speed serial data signal include sampling each bit of a repeating, multi-bit data pattern at several eye slice locations. For any given eye slice location, each bit in the data pattern is compared in voltage to a base line reference signal voltage to establish a reference value for that bit. Then the reference signal voltage is gradually increased while the voltage comparisons are repeated until for some bit a result of the comparing is different than the reference value for that bit. This establishes an upper value for the eye at the eye slice location. The reference signal voltage is then gradually decreased to similarly find a lower value for that eye slice. |
| US08111778B2 |
Method for suppressing peak power of orthogonally multiplex signal, peak power suppressing circuit, and transmitter
To suppress the peak of the orthogonal multiplex transmission signal which is small in deterioration of the quality of the reception signal by generating the cancellation waveform in synchronization with the timing of the symbol of the transmission signal. There is provided a peak suppressing method that suppresses peaks of an orthogonally multiplexed signal whose orthogonality is ensured in given time units, the method comprising: a first step of detecting the peaks of the orthogonally multiplexed signal; a second step of generating a peak cancellation waveform based on the detected peaks of the orthogonally multiplexed signal; and a third step of removing the peak of the orthogonally multiplexed signal from the orthogonally multiplexed signal using the generated peak cancellation waveform. The second step comprises generating the peak cancellation waveform in said time units of the orthogonally multiplexed signal. |
| US08111775B2 |
Communication device adopted for multi-input multi-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system and method thereof
A communication device adopted for a multi-input multi-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system and a method thereof are provided. The MIMO-OFDM system comprises the communication device and a corresponding communication device, and they communicate with each other. The communication device comprises a transceiving module, a singular value decomposition (SVD) operation module, and an interpolation operation module. The transceiving module receives a channel state information (CSI) from the corresponding communication device, wherein the CSI comprises CSIs of a plurality of selected subcarriers. For each of the selected subcarriers, the SVD module performs an SVD decomposition operation on the channel matrix representing the CSI of the selected subcarrier to obtain a decomposed result, wherein the decomposed result comprises a beamforming matrix, an SVD matrix, and a decoding matrix. The interpolation operation module performs interpolations on the beamforming matrices of the selected subcarriers to derive beamforming matrices of the unselected subcarriers. The interpolation operation module performs interpolations on the decoding matrixes of the selected subcarriers to derive obtain decoding matrices of the unselected subcarriers. |
| US08111774B2 |
Method for transmitting/receiving signal in MIMO system
Disclosed is a method for transmitting a signal in a mobile communications system using a plurality of transmit/receive antennas. A method for transmitting a signal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: a receiving end's calculating a signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) with respect to every antenna pairs configuring STTD pairs to be transmittable from a transmitting end; feedbacking information indicating an antenna pair having the greatest SINR to the transmitting end; and the transmitting end's performing a D-STTD transmission through the antenna pair determined by the feedbacked information. A method for transmitting a signal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: a receiving end's feedbacking information of an antenna pair and/or an eigenvector (weight vector) of a channel matrix with respect to transmit antennas included in the space-time multiplexing (STTD) pair to a transmitting end; and the transmitting end's forming beam by multiplying a symbol with respect to each STTD pair by the eigenvector, and thereafter transmitting the beam through each transmit antenna (in case of using two antennas) or a transmit antenna pair (in case of using more than four antennas) determined by the information of the antenna pair. |
| US08111773B2 |
Transmission method for multiple antenna system
A transmission method for a multiple antenna system including a first device having M (>1) transmitting antennas and a second device having N (>1) receiving antennas is disclosed. The method includes determining whether there is a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission scheme satisfying a condition that it consumes less energy than a single-input single-output (SISO) transmission scheme to transmit a frame at a given transmission power, among one or more MIMO transmission schemes available to the first device and the second device, the one or more MIMO transmission schemes being determined by the numbers of activated transmitting and receiving antennas, and MIMO code; determining a transmission mode as a MIMO mode when there is the at least one MIMO transmission scheme satisfying the condition, and otherwise determining the transmission mode as a SISO mode; and performing frame transmission from the first device to the second device in the determined transmission mode. Thus, frame transmission with power saving can be performed. |
| US08111772B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-antenna transmitting based on spatial-frequency encoding
The present disclosure relates to communication technologies and discloses a method and apparatus for multi-antenna transmitting based on spatial-frequency encoding. The method includes: performing spatial-frequency encoding on input data and outputting encoded data; mapping the encoded data to the same sub-carrier of each antenna in an antenna group; adding a phase shift to the encoded data on different sub-carriers of each antenna; OFDM-modulating the phase-shifted encoded data on each antenna; and transmitting the OFDM-modulated data by transmit antennas. |
| US08111771B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and method using beamforming
A wireless transmitting method includes calculating a beamforming channel matrix which is a channel matrix generated at a time when a transmitting apparatus applies a beamforming matrix to a data signal and transmits the data signal to receiving apparatuses, selecting a parameter to be used while transmitting the data signal based on the beamforming channel matrix and noise information fed back from the receiving apparatuses, and transmitting the data signal by using the selected parameter. |
| US08111768B2 |
Digital broadcast transmitter/receiver having an improved receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
A digital broadcast transmitting/receiving system, and a signal processing method thereof, includes a randomizer for randomizing a transport stream into a specified position of which stuff bytes are inserted, a stuff-byte exchanger for replacing the stuff bytes included in data output from the randomizer with specified known data, an RS encoder for performing an RS-encoding of data output from the stuff-byte exchanger, an interleaver for interleaving data output from the RS encoder, a trellis encoder for performing a trellis encoding of data output from the interleaver, an RS parity generator for generating a parity by performing an RS encoding of data output from the RS encoder, and outputting the generated parity to the trellis encoder, and a modulator/RF converter for modulating data output from the trellis encoder and performing an RF up-converting of the modulated data. The digital broadcast receiving performance can be improved even in an inferior multi-path channel by detecting the known data from the received signal and using the known data for synchronization and equalization in a digital broadcast receiver. |
| US08111764B2 |
Method for transmitting channel quality information
There is provided a method for transmitting channel quality information in a wireless communication system. Over-all band of the wireless communication system is divided by a plurality of sub-bands. The method includes selecting a first sub-band having the highest CQI among the plurality of sub-bands, transmitting CQI of the first sub-band and transmitting CQI of a second sub-band, the second sub-band having the CQI lower than the first sub-band, wherein the number of CQI levels of the second sub-band is less than that of CQI levels of the first sub-band. Overheads incurred by CQI feedback can be reduced. |
| US08111757B2 |
Method and apparatus for video signal processing
A first video signal processor (103) receives a first encoded video signal from which a video unit (201) generates a second encoded video signal, where the second encoded video signal is a reduced data rate version of the first encoded video signal. An error encoder (203) generates error redundancy data for the second encoded video signal and a multiplexer (207) generates output video data comprising the first encoded video signal and the error correcting data but not comprising the second encoded video signal. A second video processor (105) receives the output video data and a video unit (303) regenerates the second video signal from the first video signal. An error unit (305) detects errors for at least a first segment of the second video signal in response to the error redundancy data. A combiner (307) then generates combined video data by combining corresponding segments of the first encoded video signal and the second encoded video signal. |
| US08111755B2 |
Method and system for low-complexity Slepian-Wolf rate estimation in Wyner-Ziv video encoding
A method and system for low-complexity Slepian-Wolf rate estimator in a hybrid Wyner-Ziv video encoder determines the minimum Slepian-Wolf code rate required to allow correct decoding. The Slepian-Wolf estimator does not assume ideality of source and side-information statistics and does not require the presence of a feedback channel from the decoder to the encoder in order to determine the correct Slepian-Wolf coding rate. Instead, it adapts to the statistical properties of the video steam. The Slepian-Wolf estimator provides very efficient compression performance while avoiding Slepian-Wolf decoding failures. |
| US08111747B2 |
Picture coding method, picture decoding method, picture coding apparatus, picture decoding apparatus, and program thereof
A picture coding method of the present invention codes a picture signal and a ratio of a number of luminance pixels and a number of chrominance pixels for the picture signal, and then one coding method out of at least two coding methods is selected depending on the ratio. Next, data related to a picture size is coded in accordance with the selected coding method. The data related to the picture size indicates a size of the picture corresponding to the picture signal or an output area, which is a pixel area to be outputted in decoding in a whole pixel area coded in the picture signal coding. |
| US08111745B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding video signal according to directional intra-residual prediction
A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a video signal according to directional intra-residual prediction. The video encoding method of the present invention includes calculating first residual data by performing directional intra-prediction on a first block of a base layer with reference to a second block of the base layer, calculating second residual data by performing directional intra-prediction on a third block of an enhancement layer that corresponds to the first block of the base layer with reference to a fourth block of the enhancement layer that corresponds to the second block of the base layer, and encoding the third block according to the directional intra-residual prediction by obtaining third residual data that is a difference between the first residual data and the second residual data. |
| US08111742B2 |
Data processing method, equalizer, receiver, communication system, network element, and terminal using simplified channel matrix inversion
The invention is related to a communication terminal, comprising: means (618) for creating at least one channel matrix assuming predetermined interfering signals as a part of a desired signal; means (618) for dividing the at least one channel matrix into multiple sub-matrices; means (618) for diagonalizing the sub-matrices by using a transformation matrix; means (618) for forming at least one block-diagonalized matrix using diagonalized sub-matrices; means (618) for inverting the at least one block-diagonalized matrix; and means (618) for generating channel equalizer coefficients by using at least one inverted block-diagonalized matrix. |
| US08111736B2 |
Rapid acquisition methods and apparatus for GPS signals
A method and apparatus for receiving a signal from transmitters such as GPS satellites, for fixing the location of the receiver. Each of the transmitted signals includes a unique periodically-repeating sequence. A received signal is stored by the receiver for at least two repetitions of the periodically-repeating sequence. FFT operations are performed, and the resulting data frequency samples are pruned responsive to a hypothesized residual frequency, a procedure which significantly reduces the total number of subsequent calculations and therefore significantly reduces processing time. A correlation series is determined from the pruned samples and reference frequency samples corresponding to a hypothesized transmitter. If a match is found in the examination of this series, a code phase offset is determined; if not the process is repeated with another hypothesized residual frequency. Multiple correlation series similarly obtained may also be incoherently combined prior to this examination. The apparatus and method disclosed herein is particularly useful for combined position location and communication systems, especially those that are unsynchronized, such as assisted GPS (“A-GPS”) utilized on GSM and UMTS cellular telephone systems. |
| US08111735B2 |
GNSS data/pilot correlator and code generator thereof
A correlator for a GNSS receiver and a code generator used in the correlator as well as a correlation method are disclosed. In the GNSS, each satellite transmits a data signal and a pilot signal. The correlator is adaptable for executing correlation to the data signal, the pilot signal and various combinations thereof, such as non-coherent and coherent combinations. The code generator generates primary ranging codes of the data and pilot signals as well as various combinations thereof, such as sum or difference of the primary ranging codes of the data and pilot signals. By using the various codes, the correlator is adaptable and flexible for different correlation requirements. |
| US08111731B2 |
Block scrambling for orthogonal frequency division multiple access
A method of transmitting signals in a communication system over at least two time periods including generating a base signal comprising of at least two samples in each time period, selecting a scrambling sequence of length equal to or greater than the number of time periods, scaling all samples in said signal in a time period with one element of said scrambling sequence and transmitting the scaled signal in said time period. Different elements of the scrambling sequence are used to scale the base signal in different time periods. The signal in each time period is obtained by scaling a base signal. The scrambling sequence is preferably a pseudo-random sequence. The step of scaling all samples in said signal in a time period consists of multiplying all samples of said signal with an element of said scrambling sequence. |
| US08111730B2 |
3D optoelectronic packaging
An optoelectronic (OE) package or system and method for fabrication is disclosed which includes a silicon layer with a wiring layer. The silicon layer has an optical via for allowing light to pass therethrough. An optical coupling layer is bonded to the silicon layer, and the optical coupling layer includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing and or collimating the light through the optical via. One or more first OE elements are coupled to the silicon layer and electrically communicating with the wiring. At least one of the first OE elements positioned in optical alignment with the optical via for receiving the light. A second OE element embedded within the wiring layer. A carrier may be interposed between electrical interconnect elements and positioned between the wiring layer and a circuit board. |
| US08111728B2 |
Semiconductor laser and manufacturing process thereof
A semiconductor laser has a semiconductor substrate, a lower cladding layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, an active layer disposed above the lower cladding layer, a first upper cladding layer disposed above the active layer, a second upper cladding layer disposed above the first upper cladding layer and having a mesa structure, a high-order mode filter layer formed on both side faces of the second upper cladding layer, continuously extending from the both side faces onto at least a part of a side region on both sides of the second upper cladding layer and having a band gap not exceeding a band gap of the active layer, and a block layer formed on the high-order mode filter layer and on a side region on both sides of the second upper cladding layer and including a layer having a band gap greater than a band gap of the active layer. |
| US08111725B2 |
Surface-emitting laser, surface-emitting laser array, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus
A disclosed surface-emitting laser includes a substrate and multiple semiconductor layers stacked on the substrate. A normal of the principal plane of the substrate is inclined with respect to one of crystal orientations <1 0 0> toward one of crystal orientations <1 1 1>. The semiconductor layers include a resonator structure including an active layer; and a semiconductor multilayer mirror stacked on the resonator structure. The semiconductor multilayer mirror includes a confined structure where a current passage area is surrounded by an oxidized area including at least an oxide generated by oxidation of a part of a selective oxidation layer containing aluminum. A strain field caused by the oxidation is present at least in a part of the vicinity of the oxidized area. In the strain field, the amount of strain in a first axis direction is different from the amount of strain in a second axis direction. |
| US08111724B2 |
Temperature control device for optoelectronic devices
Current may be passed through an n-doped semiconductor region, a recessed metal semiconductor alloy portion, and a p-doped semiconductor region so that the diffusion of majority charge carriers in the doped semiconductor regions transfers heat from or into the semiconductor waveguide through Peltier-Seebeck effect. Further, a temperature control device may be configured to include a metal semiconductor alloy region located in proximity to an optoelectronic device, a first semiconductor region having a p-type doping, and a second semiconductor region having an n-type doping. The temperature of the optoelectronic device may thus be controlled to stabilize the performance of the optoelectronic device. |
| US08111722B1 |
Low-noise RF oscillation and optical comb generation based on nonlinear optical resonator
Techniques and devices based on optical resonators made of nonlinear optical materials and nonlinear wave mixing to generate RF or microwave oscillations and optical comb signals. |
| US08111718B1 |
Communication system and method that reduces interference
A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. The method comprises acquiring a first frequency band for a first device to wireles sly communicate a first data stream. The center frequency of the first frequency band is f1. A second frequency band for a second device to wirelessly communicate a second data stream is acquired. The center frequency of the second frequency band is f2. A third frequency band that is below the first frequency band and is available is found. The center frequency of the third frequency band is f3. A fourth frequency band that is above the first frequency band and is available is found. The center frequency of the fourth frequency band is f4. If a frequency determination factor of (f1−f3)/(f4−f1) is greater than one, the third frequency band is acquired for the second device. |
| US08111717B2 |
Flexible tributary interface
A system and method are provided for transporting Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (PDH) tributaries. The method accepts a plurality of PDH tributaries; generates a serial data stream of interleaved PDH tributaries; generates a serial control stream of signals for recovering the PDH tributaries; and, generates a clock signal for timing the data and control streams. The serial data stream of interleaved PDH tributaries is loaded into the payload of a data frame structure. Likewise, the serial control stream is loaded into the payload of a control frame structure. The data bytes of the serial data stream and the control bytes of the serial control stream are both transmitted at the same data rate. That is, there is a control byte generated for each data byte. Thus, the control bytes in the control frame structure are aligned with corresponding data bytes in the data frame structure. |
| US08111716B2 |
Method and apparatus for formatting data signals in a digital audio broadcasting system
A data unit for transmitting data in a digital broadcasting system includes a first payload field, and a first byte code field having a value indicating an offset of data in the first payload field with respect to an absent value. A method for formatting the data unit includes: providing data for a payload field for a data unit, wherein the data includes an absent byte value, determining an offset between an absent byte value and other data in the payload field, shifting the data in the payload field by the offset to produce shifted bytes, and inserting a byte code in the data unit, wherein the byte code indicates the offset. A transmitter for transmitting the data units, and a receiver for receiving the data units are also provided. |
| US08111714B2 |
Method and arrangement relating to admission control of broadband services
A broadband access node and method for controlling access by end users to services over communication channels. A resource admission control mechanism includes a first memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on an uplink channel, a second memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on a downlink subscriber line; and a third memory for storing information about a currently available maximum performance of the access node. A fourth memory stores service-related information regarding the capacity and performance service requirements of respective services. A processor calculates whether the service requirements of a requested service fulfill given conditions in relation to currently available uplink/downlink capacity and currently available performance capability of the access node. Requests that fulfill the given conditions are granted while requests that do not fulfill the conditions are rejected. |
| US08111711B2 |
Multi-channel ranging for a cable modem
In one example, a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) sends first bandwidth allocation messages to a first upstream transmit interface on a cable modem and send second bandwidth allocation messages to a second upstream transmit interface on the cable modem. The bandwidth allocation messages indicate transmit windows for the cable modem to range over the interfaces. The transmit windows included in the first bandwidth allocation messages are spaced based on receipt of ranging requests from the second upstream transmit interface, and the transmit windows included in the second bandwidth allocation messages are spaced based on receipt of ranging requests from the first upstream transmit interface. |
| US08111709B2 |
MIMO wireless communication system
A wireless communication method in a MIMO OFDMA system in which users in each of multiple adjacent cells are served by a base station of the cell, the base station having a transmission link to each user in the cell on a respective MIMO channel. The method involves the base station (BSA) of a first cell carrying out the following steps: receiving, from a base station (BSB) or user (B) of another cell, one or more requests for reduction of interference which it is causing to users in that other cell; identifying a rank deficient MIMO channel (HA) among its transmission links to users in the first cell to select a MIMO channel to be made the subject of zero forcing; and applying zero forcing to transmissions on the selected MIMO channel (HA) to reduce interference experienced by at least one user (B) in the other cell. A rank deficient MIMO channel is chosen to minimize the reduction of overall data capacity due to the zero forcing; it is found by examining eigenvalues of the channel matrix and calculating ratios thereof. In addition, correlation between the selected channel (HA) and the channel (HB) to the user (B) in the other cell is checked and if they are correlated by more than a threshold amount, another channel in the first cell is selected instead. |
| US08111707B2 |
Compression mechanisms for control plane—data plane processing architectures
Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to efficient compression processing in system architectures including a control plane and a data plane. Particular implementations feature integration of compression operations and mode selection with a beltway mechanism that takes advantage of atomic locking mechanisms supported by certain classes of hardware processors to handle the tasks that require atomic access to data structures while also reducing the overhead associated with these atomic locking mechanisms. |
| US08111702B1 |
Configuring route properties for use in transport tree building
A mechanism is provided by which a transport tree identifier can be generated comprising both an opaque field, containing information that cannot be interpreted by core routers, and a non-opaque field, containing information that can be interpreted by core routers. The transport tree identifier is then used in the process of building a transport tree across a transport network. A transport network egress router can receive a request to join a multicast datastream from a downstream node outside of the transport network. The information contained in the join message that identifies the desired multicast datastream is encoded in the opaque field of the transport tree identifier. Information related to desired route properties is encoded in the non-opaque field, for interpretation by the core routers. The non-opaque field can also include an identifier of a root node core router for the transport tree. Route properties can be provided, for example, by selection and transmission from the customer itself, or route properties can be associated with a particular customer or associated with a port of an egress router coupled to the customer network. |
| US08111698B2 |
Method of performing a layer operation in a communications network
In an embodiment of the present invention, a scheduling operation is performed at a lower layer based on upper layer information. In another embodiment of the present invention, an action is performed at an upper layer based on received lower layer information. Also, a scheduling operation may be performed on at least one upper layer data packet at a lower layer based on a lower layer analysis of the upper layer data packet. |
| US08111689B2 |
System for uplink scheduling packet based data traffic in wireless system
A system for allocating bandwidth resources among various mobile stations which are wirelessly connected to a base station. The length of the data queue in each mobile station is determined and information regarding that length is placed in a field in the outgoing data packet. When it is received in the base station, this field is decoded and the queue length information used to allocate bandwidth resources among the mobile station connections. This allows a very quick response to data queue lengths and accordingly better service. |
| US08111687B2 |
Communication system and method
A method of establishing communication between a first and second terminal, the first terminal being arranged to communicate with a first communication system and the second terminal being arranged to communicate with a second communication system. The method comprises the steps of: a user of the second terminal selecting an identity to represent the second terminal in the first communication system and registering a network address of the second terminal at a first storage means; allocating to the second terminal a calling identifier from a set of available calling identifiers and mapping the network address to the calling identifier at the first storage means and mapping the identity to the calling identifier at a second storage means; a user of the first terminal initiating communication with the second terminal using the identity; the first terminal translating the identity to the calling identifier using the second storage means and transmitting a message to the first communication system to initiate communication with the second terminal using the calling identifier; responsive to receiving the message at a network node of the first communication system, the network node translating the calling identifier to the network address using the first storage means; and establishing a connection between the first terminal and the network node over the first communication system, and between the network node and the second terminal over the second communication system. |
| US08111685B2 |
Communication network with co-routed multi-channel traffic
Embodiments of the present invention route a wavelength division multiplexed signal across multiple communication paths using skew characteristics of at least some of the communication paths. The network is a wavelength division multiplexed optical transport network. The plurality of communication paths involves different signal and path attributes such as a plurality of carrier wavelengths, optical carrier groups, physical communication paths (different nodes, different fibers along a same path, or any combination of the foregoing), or any other differentiating factors between two paths. |
| US08111683B2 |
Base station and mobile station for OFDMA cellular system
In a cellular radio communication system, a base station or a mobile station has a TA (Time Alignment)-range-out detection function, so that when a TA-range-out state that is unable to compensate with a guard interval is detected, the transmission condition of an uplink signal at the mobile station is changed by the mobile station autonomously or by the base station and the mobile station cooperatively. |
| US08111679B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
A wireless communication apparatus on the base station transmits beamformed multi-beam data to a wireless communication apparatus on the mobile station side using a multiple antennas. To obtain an expected directivity without gain reduction under the existence of phase variation in transmission circuits, the wireless communication apparatus on the base station is equipped with a code book that stores beamforming information, a precoder that reads the code book and performs processing to form a multi-beam pattern for the data, and a control unit that controls, based on feedback information, the reading of beamforming information from the code book for the compensation of phase variation. |
| US08111677B2 |
Systems and methods of combined bluetooth and WLAN signaling
Disclosed herein are systems and methods of combined Bluetooth and WLAN signaling. Such systems and methods may use a Bluetooth connection to signal WLAN capabilities and to exchange WLAN security keys. Once the file transfer has started, the actual data may be transmitted over the WLAN connection rather than over the Bluetooth connection. The WLAN connection may have a much higher throughput than the Bluetooth connection, and WLAN capability has increasingly become present inside Bluetooth enabled devices. The Bluetooth connection may be used as a control channel, while the WLAN connection may be used for data transfer. |
| US08111676B2 |
Loseless roaming via bridging between access ports
In a network comprising a wireless device, a first access point (AP) and a plurality of neighbor APs, a method is provided for reducing the chances of packet loss when the wireless device roams from the first AP to one of the neighbor APs. For example, when the first AP is transmitting a particular packet of a packet stream from to the wireless device, the wireless device begins to move away from the first AP toward at least one of the neighbor APs. The first AP maintains an acknowledgement counter for the particular packet which counts a number of times the particular packet has been transmitted by the first AP without receiving an acknowledgement (ACK) message from the wireless device confirming successful reception of the particular packet from the first AP. The first AP determines whether an ACK message was received for the particular packet, and if not, the first AP determines whether the number of times the particular packet has been sent is equal to a particular number of attempts. If the first AP determines that the number of times is equal to the particular number of attempts, then the first AP forwards the particular packet to the neighbor APs. Any of the neighbor APs which receive the particular packet, can then format the source address field of the particular packet with the MAC address of the first AP, and forward it to the wireless device. |
| US08111672B2 |
Method for data communication between a base station and a transponder
A method for wireless data communication between a base station and at least one transponder by a high-frequency electromagnetic carrier signal, onto which information packets are modulated, wherein each information packet has a header section, a middle section, and a terminating end section, wherein the middle section has a data field, which contains the data necessary for the data communication, wherein at least one additional control field is inserted into the data field by which the structure of the information packets can be variably adjusted within the region of the data field. The invention relates further to a transponder, a base station, and a data communication system. |
| US08111667B2 |
Wireless transceiver
In a MIMO wireless transceiver, priority control that judges priority of transmit data and a transmission mode table are provided to control an option as to which transmission system SDM or STBC is selected, coding rate and modulation method based on a transmission mode for a transmission destination that is determined by priority of transmission data and status of a communication matrix at the time of data transmission. With such arrangement, a wireless communication system composed of the MIMO wireless transceiver can control coding, MIMO signal processing and modulation methods according to priority of transmit data. More specifically, it is possible to ensure transmission of data having higher priority and improve throughput in total when a plurality of types of data are transmitted. |
| US08111665B2 |
Methods and devices for determining if a handover has to be executed for a terminal
A method for determining if a handover of a half-duplex terminal has to be executed from a first base station to a second base station, the half-duplex terminal not transferring and not receiving signals during a period of time, called an idle period. The first base station transfers to the half-duplex terminal a downlink signal in the cell of the first base station. The first base station receives a message in response to the downlink signal including information relative to quality measurements on the downlink signal transferred by the first and the second base stations. The first base station determines the round trip delay between the half-duplex terminal and the second base station. The first base station further transmits a handover notification message to the half-duplex terminal instructing the half-duplex terminal to execute a handover procedure from the first base station to the second base station. |
| US08111663B2 |
Methods and systems for variable rate broadcast with soft handoff
Embodiments described herein relate to providing variable rate broadcast services with soft handoff in wireless communications. In an embodiment, a plurality of access points (e.g., servicing various cells in a broadcast area) may transmit a broadcast content in accordance with a rate set. The rate set may include a plurality of distinct data rates each associated with a transmission format, configured to allow the broadcast packets transmitted by the access points to be incrementally combined (e.g., on a per-slot basis at a subscribing AT). The data rates and corresponding transmission formats in the rate set may be selected in relation to the supportable data rates of the cells in the broadcast area, as well as the requirements for supporting soft handoff in these cells. |
| US08111658B2 |
Method for packet-switching interface for code division switching in a terrestrial wireless system
An access radio port is provided that includes means for spreading a payload data signal, extracted from an ATM packet, with a uniquely assigned orthogonal code, means for transmitting the spread payload data signal to one of a group of mobile subscriber terminals located within a microport cell of a wireless terrestrial network, and means for releasing the uniquely assigned orthogonal code. In another aspect, a mobile subscriber terminal, configured to be located within a microport cell of a terrestrial wireless network that interfaces with an access radio port, is provided. The mobile subscriber terminal includes means for receiving an assignment of a unique orthogonal code, means for spreading a payload data signal by the unique orthogonal code, means for modulating and forwarding the spread payload data signal to the access radio port, and means for releasing the assignment of the unique orthogonal code. |
| US08111657B2 |
Optimising communication links
A method allocates transmission channels to transmit nodes in a wireless network, the network comprising receive nodes and respective transmit nodes. Each receive node receives a data signal from its respective transmit node and is subject to interference from other transmission from other transmit nodes. The method includes: (i) determining the communication link gain of a data signal transmitted via each of communication paths; (ii) for each of the receive nodes, forming a set of the transmit nodes from which the receive node can tolerate interfering transmissions, (iii) collecting the formed set of transmit nodes from step (ii) for each receive node, and using the formed sets to generate a preferred set of transmit node and receive node pairs; and (iv) allocating a communication channel to the transmit nodes contained in the preferred set. |
| US08111656B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing random access window configuration
An approach is provided for providing random access window configuration by estimating a processing time margin for processing random access preambles received in one or more random access channels. The estimated processing time margin is then used to offset the respective random access window configuration. |
| US08111655B2 |
System and method of base station performance enhancement using coordinated antenna array
In wireless system, a group of Basestations (BTSs) can be managed by a centralized network management identity or can be self-organized by communicating with each other via wireless air-interfaces or wired interfaces. One such example are Femtocell systems. When the BTSs are using the same frequency for transmitting and receiving with relatively large transmitting power and when they are closer to each other, performance of such a system and user throughput or QoS (Quality of Service) gets degraded due to the interference between the BTSs and among the users. Smart antenna technique can be used in a coordinated way among a group of BTSs, such as Femtocells, to avoid or reduce interference or manage how interference happens to achieve performance enhancement such as higher system throughput or better QoS to individual applications. |
| US08111649B1 |
Method and apparatus for enabling a host to influence how a packet is routed through a network
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for routing packets in a network. A router may receive a packet at an input port which originated from a source system and which is destined to a destination system. The packet may include a traffic-management field which enables the source system to influence how the packet is routed through the network without requiring the source system to explicitly specify nodes that the packet should traverse. The router can use the traffic-management field to select an output port from a set of output ports of the router that are associated with different paths to the destination system. Since the traffic-management field's value is set by the source system, it enables the source system to influence how the router selects the output port, thereby enabling the source system to influence how the packet is routed through the network. |
| US08111646B1 |
Communication system for dynamically combining power from a plurality of propagation channels in order to improve power levels of transmitted signals without affecting receiver and propagation segments
The present invention relates to a communication system and method that allows a transmitter segment (ground end of uplink segment) to dynamically combine power from plurality of propagation channels (transponders) in order to improve power levels of signals being transmitted, without affecting the receiver segment (user end of downlink segment) and the propagation segment (space segment), and without modifying the configuration of the propagation apparatus (satellite). Specifically, the transmitter segment generates mixtures of input signals by using Wavefront-Multiplexing and transmits the wavefront-multiplexed (WFM) signals through propagation channels to a receiver segment that coherently separates the mixtures of received WFM signals by using adaptive equalization and Wavefront-De-Multiplexing. The WFM signal mixtures allow an operator, or automated system, at the transmitter segment to dynamically allocate equivalent channel (transponder) powers according to continuously changing market demands by dynamically including change of relative input powers into ratios of the WFM signal mixtures being transmitted. |
| US08111644B2 |
Polling method and apparatus for long term evolution multimedia broadcast multicast services
A device for wirelessly communicating a service to user equipment is provided. The device includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor is programmed to promote the transmitter polling to determine whether user equipment desire a service and responsive to receiving, via the receiver, at least one user equipment request for the service, the processor programmed to promote the transmitter providing a point-to-multipoint (PTM) broadcast of the service. |
| US08111637B2 |
Method, arrangement and device for precompensation of crosstalk in a DSL MIMO system
A method, an arrangement and a device for transmitting data via a plurality of channels. Additional data d are transmitted via at least one channel, and the transmission of the additional data d influences the transmission of the data in at least one of the further channels. The transmission of the data in the at least one of the further channels is influenced for example in such a way as to reduce interference, such as crosstalk, for instance, in the at least one of the further channels. The additional data d are advantageously transmitted during pauses in the user data transmission of the at least one channel. |
| US08111633B1 |
Multicast trees for virtual private local area network (LAN) service multicast
Principles of the invention are described for providing virtual private local area network service (VPLS) multicast instances across a public network by utilizing multicast trees. In particular, the VPLS multicast instances transport layer two (L2) multicast traffic, such as Ethernet packets, between customer networks via the public network. The principles described herein enable VPLS multicast instances to handle high bandwidth multicast traffic. The principles also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to perform snooping between routers within the network. |
| US08111632B2 |
Method for logical deployment, undeployment and monitoring of a target IP network
The method is applied to configure, reconfigure and monitor globally a plurality of network elements (NE1, . . . , NEi, . . . , NEj, . . . , NEN) connected to an IP Network (10) through multiple interfaces (A1, . . . , AN), with several Network Elements Controllers (NEC1, . . . , NECk, . . . , NECQ) connected to the same IP Network (10) through respective interfaces (B1, . . . , BQ). The IP Network (10) also provides a plurality of preconfigured IP functional interfaces (Cik) from each network element (NEi) to the at least one network elements controller (NECk). Each network element (NEi) has an IP networking layer (9) and runs/executes several network-related processes (P1, . . . , PL) managed and monitored by this method. The method also provides configuration and monitoring of IP interfaces (Dij) among network elements. The existing IP functional interfaces (Cik) are used to perform such managing and monitoring. To get these aims, the method performs high-level actions instead of atomic “get/set” operations. Neither the method neither requires explicit agents-manager paradigm nor depends on a particular communication protocol for network management. |
| US08111631B2 |
Systems and methods for automatic configuration of customer premises equipments
A system for automatically configuring a device which is compatible with the Technical Report TR-069 of the DSL Forum, said system comprising a first automatic configuration server compatible with the Technical Report TR-069 of the DSL Forum, which is adapted and arranged for communicating with said device and for automatically configuring at least part of the configurable parameters of said device, said device by means of the CPE WAN Management Protocol defined in Technical Report TR-069 of the DSL Forum, wherein said system further comprises a proxy server arranged between said device and said automatic configuration server. |
| US08111630B2 |
Content caching in the radio access network (RAN)
A system and method to intercept traffic at standard interface points as defined by Cellular/Wireless networks (GSM/GPRS, 3G/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, CDMA, WIMAX, LTE), emulate the respective protocols on either side of the interception point, extract user/application payloads within the intercepted packets, perform optimizations, and re-encapsulate with the same protocol, and deliver the content transparently is disclosed. The optimizations include but are not limited to Content Caching, prediction & pre-fetching of frequently used content, performance of content-aware transport optimizations (TCP, UDP, RTP etc.) for reducing back-haul bandwidth, and improvement of user experience. An additional embodiment of the current invention includes injecting opportunistic content (location based, profile based or advertisement content) based on the information derived while monitoring control plane protocols. |
| US08111625B2 |
Method for detecting a message interface fault in a communication device
In one aspect, a method for detecting the fault of a message interface in a communications device is provided, wherein the message interface comprises at least two layers which communicate with each other, a top layer accesses to the services of the lower layer and offers the services thereof to upper layers, for detecting a fault in the layers, at least one test application sends at least one test message for testing the information state of at least certain individual layers, thereby making it possible to control the information capabilities between the layers of the message interface. |
| US08111621B2 |
Method for configuring a telecommunication system
The invention relates to a method for configuring a telecommunication system comprising at least one sending entity and one receiving entity between which the same link transmits several transport channels with different qualities of service. The sending entity matches the rate between the different coded transport channels with separate qualities of service, and the different coded transport channels are then multiplexed. The matching rate specific to each coded transport channel is determined from at least one first parameter representative of the expected Eb/I ratio and a second parameter representative of the capacity of the physical channel. |
| US08111614B2 |
Remote redundant voice server system
During normal operation, a user terminal supported by an IP-PBX server establishes a call by resolving the name of the IP-PBX server using a DNS server. When the DNS server provides the address of the IP-PBX server, the IP-PBX server can be contacted. However, if the SIP controller learns that the IP-PBX is no longer operating, the information stored by the service provider environment may be used to build or configure an IP-Centrex server at a remote site which takes over for the failing IP-PBX server. The newly configured IP-Centrex server then registers itself with the SIP controller and either the SIP controller or the IP-Centrex server then informs the DNS server of the IP address of the IP-Centrex and tells the DNS server that the IP-Centrex server will respond to messages for the failed IP-PBX server. The newly configured IP-Centrex server then handles the messages and control flow previously handled by the IP-PBX server. When the IP-PBX server is repaired or replaced, the IP-PBX server informs the SIP controller that it is back online and either the SIP controller or the IP-PBX server then informs the DNS server that the IP-PBX server will again be handling the call requests for the IP-PBX server. |
| US08111613B2 |
In-layer ethernet p-cycle protection scheme
A method of implementing a p-cycle protection scheme for a communications network comprising a plurality of nodes and interconnecting communications links along which Ethernet traffic is forwarded in a connection-oriented manner. The method comprises for each said Ethernet node in the communications network determining a label associated with each connection-oriented Ethernet path along one or more links in said communications network for which an entry exists in a forwarding table of Ethernet switching apparatus located at said Ethernet node and mapping a plurality of said paths individually identified by said respective labels, to another path defining a p-cycle between logically adjacent nodes in said communications network, wherein each said p-cycle is provisioned in the same layer as said Ethernet traffic. |
| US08111612B2 |
Link-based recovery with demand granularity in mesh networks
A protected communication network utilizes a link-based recovery strategy that supports independent recovery paths for individual demands, where each link includes one or more lines and each line can support one or more demands. Failure of one or more—or even all—of the lines/ports of a link will typically result in the independent rerouting of the affected demands along one or more link-detour paths. The flexibility afforded by recovery at the granularity of a demand supports the computation of more-optimal link-detour paths and a corresponding increase in sharing of network resources between disjoint failures. The network also addresses the restricted case where all demands on a line/port are recovered along the same link-detour path. |
| US08111611B2 |
Bidirectional forwarding detection on multilink bundled interfaces
Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media, mechanisms, and means associated with Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) on multilink bundled interfaces. A packet switching device communicates with another packet switching device through a multilink bundled interface configured for communicating over a plurality of bundled communication links. A separate BFD session is conducted over each link of the multiple bundled communication links, and in response to a BFD-detected failure condition, the use of the one or more links or the entire bundled interface is removed from service. |
| US08111607B2 |
Frequency division multiplexing system with selectable rate
An OFDM system uses a normal mode which has a symbol length T, a guard time TG and a set of N sub-carriers, which are orthogonal over the time T, and one or more fallback modes which have symbol lengths KT and guard times KTG where K is an integer greater than unity. The same set of N sub-carriers is used for the fallback modes as for the normal mode. Since the same set of sub-carriers is used, the overall bandwidth is substantially constant, so alias filtering does not need to be adaptive. The Fourier transform operations are the same as for the normal mode. Thus fallback modes are provided with little hardware cost. In the fallback modes the increased guard time provides better delay spread tolerance and the increased symbol length provides improved signal to noise performance, and thus increased range, at the cost of reduced data rate. |
| US08111599B2 |
Optical disc drive apparatus and optical disc reproduction method using the same
An optical disc drive apparatus (100) of the present invention rotates an optical disc (1) at a predetermined rotation speed using a motor (2). An optical pickup (3) irradiates the optical disc (1) with a laser beam (5) emitted from an internal semiconductor laser (4) included therein, and obtains a reproduction signal (7) based on a laser beam reflected from the optical disc (1). A laser driving unit (8) controls a driving current (9) of the semiconductor laser (4) to a predetermined level, and superimposes a high-frequency current (11) having a predetermined level on the driving current (9). In a high-speed reproduction mode, a control unit (12) sets the rotation speed of the optical disc (1) higher, the power of the laser beam (5) irradiating the optical disc (1) higher, and the level of the high-frequency current (11) lower than in a normal reproduction mode. |
| US08111598B2 |
Optical disk apparatus and emission control method
An optical disk apparatus according to the present invention includes a spindle motor that rotates an optical disk on whose information recording surface a plurality of addresses is recorded, an optical pickup that records/reproduces an information signal on/from the information recording surface of the optical disk rotated by the spindle motor, an strobe light-emitting unit that irradiates a label surface of the optical disk with light, and a control unit that causes the strobe light-emitting unit to emit light based on an address selected from the plurality of addresses as a reference address and a reference signal readable from the optical disk. |
| US08111594B2 |
Optical disk drive and optical pickup having aberration correction means
In an optical disk drive mounting a drive unit 20 having a control use circuit 21, and a pickup 1 having an aberration correction liquid crystal element 13 and a drive use circuit 2 which drives the aberration correction liquid crystal element, wherein the drive use circuit 2 stores astigmatic data for correcting a static astigmatism peculiarly provided in an optical system in the pickup 1 in an astigmatic data storage 6, and drives the aberration correction liquid crystal element 13 based on the astigmatic data. By storing the static astigmatic data peculiar to the pickup, inside the pickup, it is possible to transfer the stored astigmatic data to the optical disk drive side easily, and to correct the astigmatism by driving the aberration correction liquid crystal element based on the astigmatic data. |
| US08111593B2 |
Objective lens drive and optical pickup apparatus
An objective lens drive and an optical pickup apparatus are provided which can be reduced in size. Two tilt coils and two tracking coils are disposed so that among planes defined by the respective coils, a plane perpendicular to a winding direction thereof is parallel to a reference plane defined on a lens holder at a predetermined reference distance or less, and are disposed at such positions as to be symmetrical to each other about a center of gravity of the lens holder. A focus coil is disposed so that among planes defined by the focus coil, a plane perpendicular to a recording surface of an optical disk is parallel to the reference plane at a predetermined reference distance or less relative to the two tilt coils and the two tracking coils. |
| US08111588B2 |
Synchronization of a plurality of devices in a wireless sensor arrangement
Two or more wirelessly networked devices for control or data acquisition functions for real-time application are provided with a error corrected synchronization and data collection process. A single start device transmits a start message, followed by each stop device acknowledging that start message. If one or more stop devices fails to acknowledge the initial start message, one or more start messages are transmitted including an elapsed time since the initial start message. Each stop device receives the initial start message and any subsequent start messages, using the elapsed time in the start message to synchronize a local timer. Upon stop event detection, each stop device records its local timer value and subsequently transmits that value to a collection device or console. |
| US08111586B2 |
Electronic device and method providing improved management of multiple times from multiple time zones
An improved electronic device and method provide an improved clock feature that includes a time zone management function which enables multiple times from multiple time zones to be managed by the user. Responsive to a detection that the electronic device has been moved from one time zone to another, a dialog is initiated wherein the user is queried whether a current time on the electronic device should be changed and whether multiple times should be output on the display. |
| US08111584B1 |
Optical sensing arrangements
A method of detecting a submerged vessel in or near the wake of a ship in which a plurality of optical fiber sensors are trailed from said ship and in which at least one of said sensors which is located in the ship's wake comprises a magnetically-responsive optical fiber sensor. |
| US08111583B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining and indicating direction and type of sound
A method and apparatus for determining the direction of a sound source is disclosed. The method includes determining time differences of arrival of the sound at N locations and using the differences to determine the angular direction of the source. The apparatus indicates the angle of arrival and additionally indicates the type of the sound source. |
| US08111580B2 |
Multi-phase duty-cycle corrected clock signal generator and memory having same
Memories, multi-phase clock signal generators, and methods for generating multi-phase duty cycle corrected clock signals are disclosed. For example, one such clock signal generator includes a delay-locked loop having a first multi-tap adjustable delay line configured to delay a reference signal to provide a plurality of clock signals having different phases relative to the reference clock signal. A periodic signal generated by the delay-locked loop is provided to a second multi-tap adjustable delay line as an input clock signal. Clock signals from taps of the second multi-tap adjustable delay line are provided as the multi-phase duty cycle corrected clock signals. |
| US08111579B2 |
Circuits and methods for reducing minimum supply for register file cells
A register file employing a shared supply structure to improve the minimum supply voltage. |
| US08111569B2 |
Latch structure and bit line sense amplifier structure including the same
A latch structure includes a first inverter that includes a first PMOS transistor and a first NMOS transistor, and a second inverter that includes a second PMOS transistor and a second NMOS transistor, receives an output signal of the first inverter, and outputs an input signal to the first inverter. The sources of the first and second transistors of the same type are connected to a common straight source line. |
| US08111566B1 |
Optimal channel design for memory devices for providing a high-speed memory interface
A system is provided for high-speed communication between a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. A memory controller, and a plurality of memory devices are provided. Additionally, at least one channel is included for providing electrical communication between the memory controller and the plurality of memory devices, an impedance of the channel being at least partially controlled using High Density Interconnect (HDI) technology. |
| US08111562B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and method of reading data therefrom
A semiconductor memory device comprises a first memory cell array having a first plane which is composed of a plurality of blocks each having a plurality of memory cells, a sense circuit which reads data the memory cells, a sequencer which receives control signals from outside, a first address register, and a second address register which receives an output address from the first address register and outputs an address signal in response to an address control signal from the sequencer. In reading from the memory cells, the sequencer reads a page n in accordance with the address stored in the second address register, then transfers an address stored in the first address register to the second address register concurrently with outputting data read from the page n to outside and reads data from an arbitrary page m in accordance with the address transferred to the second address register. |
| US08111561B2 |
Bulk bias voltage generating device and semiconductor memory apparatus including the same
A bulk bias voltage generating device is configured to generate a first bulk bias voltage in a deep power down mode and a second bulk bias voltage in a normal mode. The first bulk bias voltage comprises an internal voltage level, and the second bulk bias voltage comprises an external voltage level. |
| US08111556B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of operating the same
A nonvolatile memory device and a method of operating the same. The nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells for storing data, a temperature sensor and a controller. The temperature sensor outputs a temperature detection signal according to ambient temperatures while changing one or more pieces of reference voltage information, which are previously stored, when data is programmed into the memory cell array. The controller performs a verify operation of the program using a fast verify method and decides the number of steps which are comprised in step-shaped verify voltage pulse of the fast verify method according to the temperature detection signal. |
| US08111552B2 |
Offset non-volatile storage
A plurality of non-volatile storage elements on a common active layer are offset from neighbor non-volatile storage elements. This offsetting of non-volatile storage elements helps reduce interference from neighbor non-volatile storage elements. A method of manufacture is also described for fabricating the offset non-volatile storage elements. |
| US08111549B2 |
Dynamic wordline start voltage for nand programming
The present invention discloses a method of programming an MLC NAND flash memory device comprising: selecting a start value for a program voltage for a lower page; incrementing said program voltage to program said lower page; verifying a threshold voltage; determining said program voltage to achieve a desired value for said threshold voltage; applying an offset to said program voltage; and obtaining a start value for said program voltage for an upper page. |
| US08111546B2 |
Optical ovonic threshold switch
A method and device for accomplishing transformation of a switching material from a resistive state to a conductive state. The method utilizes a non-electrical source of energy to effect the switching transformation. The switching material may be a chalcogenide switching material, where the non-electrical source of energy initiates switching by liberating lone pair electrons from bound states of chalcogen atoms. The liberated lone pair electrons form a conductive filament having the characteristics of a solid state plasma to permit high current densities to pass through the switching material. The device includes a switching material with electrical contacts and may be interconnected with other elements in a circuit to regulate electrical communication therebetween. |
| US08111544B2 |
Programming MRAM cells using probability write
A method of writing a magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) cell includes providing a writing pulse to write a value to the MRAM cell; and verifying a status of the MRAM cell immediately after the step of providing the first writing pulse. In the event of a write failure, the value is rewritten into the MRAM cell. |
| US08111538B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells which are set into low-resistance states/high-resistance states according to “0” data/“1” data. An allocation of the “0” data/“1” data and the low-resistance state/high-resistance state is switched when a power source is turned on. |
| US08111529B2 |
Over current protection circuit and power converter using the same
An over current protection circuit and a power converter using the same. The over current protection circuit includes a soft start cell and an operational amplifier. The soft start cell outputs a soft start signal according to a direct current (DC) level, and the soft start signal increases progressively to the DC level in a soft start interval. The operational amplifier outputs an over current signal to a feedback control circuit according to the soft start signal and an inductance current of a switching converter so that a duty cycle of a driving signal from the feedback control circuit increases progressively in the soft start interval. |
| US08111525B2 |
Tool-less vertical PCBA insulator and support/shipping brace
A brace for a circuit board vertically mounted on a motherboard includes a first attachment member capable of attaching to an edge of the circuit board distal from the motherboard; a second attachment member capable of attaching to a side edge of the motherboard; and a rigid support connecting the first attachment member and the second attachment member. The rigid support is shaped such that the circuit board is held substantially perpendicular to the motherboard when the brace is attached. An interference minimization device for minimizing the interference of a circuit board vertically mounted on a motherboard includes an attachment member capable of attaching to the circuit board at an end distal from the motherboard; a mating wall that is substantially parallel to the circuit board and abuts the circuit board when the interference minimization device is attached to the circuit board; and a tapered wall that widens from the distal end of the circuit board towards the motherboard. |
| US08111523B2 |
Wiring board with switching function and method of manufacturing the same
A wiring board for use in mounting an electronic component includes a switch element portion interposed in a signal transmission line including a wiring layer linked to an electrode terminal of the electronic component. The switch element portion has such a structure as to change the shape thereof depending on a temperature, and to disconnect the signal transmission line when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. A conductor layer which constitutes a portion of the signal transmission line is formed at the bottom of a cavity formed in an electronic component mounting surface side of the wiring board. One end of the switch element portion is fixedly connected to the wiring layer, and another end thereof is in contact with the conductor layer when the temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature. |
| US08111520B2 |
Semiconductor module
A semiconductor module can include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a semiconductor package inserted into an inner space of the PCB. The semiconductor package may be electrically connected to the PCB. The PCB may thus surround the semiconductor package so that cracks may not be generated in the outer terminals. |
| US08111519B2 |
Hybrid structure of multi-layer substrates and manufacture method thereof
A hybrid structure of multi-layer substrates comprises a first multi-layer substrate and a second multi-layer substrate. The first multi-layer substrate stacks up first metal layers, first dielectric layers alternately and has VIAs. A border district of a first metal layer connects with a border district of the corresponding first dielectric layer. The border districts are separated from adjacent first metal layers and adjacent first dielectric layers. The second multi-layer substrate stacks up second metal layers and second dielectric layers alternately. A border district of a second metal layer connects with a border district of the corresponding second dielectric layer. The border districts are separated from adjacent second metal layers and adjacent second dielectric layers. The VIAs are located at the border districts of the first dielectric layers and each VIA has electric conductor therein to connect one first metal layer with one second metal layer. |
| US08111515B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for transferring heat from stacked microfeature devices
Methods and apparatuses for transferring heat from stacked microfeature devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a microfeature device assembly comprises a support member having terminals and a first microelectronic die having first external contacts carried by the support member. The first external contacts are operatively coupled to the terminals on the support member. The assembly also includes a second microelectronic die having integrated circuitry and second external contacts electrically coupled to the first external contacts. The first die is between the support member and the second die. The assembly can further include a heat transfer unit between the first die and the second die. The heat transfer unit includes a first heat transfer portion, a second heat transfer portion, and a gap between the first and second heat transfer portions such that the first external contacts and the second external contacts are aligned with the gap. |
| US08111514B2 |
Removable hard drive module for a computer with improved thermal performance
A removable hard drive magazine for a computer with improved thermal performance has been developed. The invention includes a hot pluggable magazine module for organizing multiple hard drives in a computer that includes multiple of hard drives and a sleeve with a plurality of rail slots in the side of the sleeve. A slide rail is attached to the side of each hard drive, where the slide rail is inserted into a rail slot of the sleeve so that the slide rail is exposed externally to the sleeve and is in contact with a thermally conductive elastomeric coupler. A hard drive receptacle that is mounted in the computer is included. The receptacle includes guide slots that mate with the exposed slide rails of the hard drives. A heat sink is mounted on the receptacle that receives heat transferred from the plurality of hard drives through the thermally conductive elastomeric coupler. Finally, a backplane located in rear of the hard drive receptacle, where the backplane attaches the module to the computer. |
| US08111512B2 |
Handheld electronic device
A handheld electronic device including a first body, a second body, a linkage mechanism, and a stand is provided. The second body is slidingly disposed on the first body. The linkage mechanism is disposed between the first body and the second body. The linkage mechanism has a driven end and a drive end, wherein the driven end is driven by the first body and the second body. The stand is slidingly disposed between the first body and the second body and is driven by the drive end of the linkage mechanism. When the second body moves away the first body along an operation direction, the drive end drives the stand to move along the operation direction and the stand is exposed by the first body. The handheld electronic device then achieves a standing function through the stand. |
| US08111511B2 |
Electronic device physical security component
A portable electronic device comprises a physical security component configured to be in a retracted position and an extended position relative to a housing of the portable electronic device, the physical security component having at least two differently shaped openings enabling at least two different types of locking devices to be coupled to the at least two differently shaped openings. |
| US08111503B2 |
Gas-insulated switchgear
A gas-insulated switchgear allowing reduction in layout dimension in a direction of axis lines of circuit breakers and also reduction in layout dimension in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the axis lines of the circuit breakers, thereby allowing reduction in installation area. Between two main buses disposed in parallel, first, second and third circuit breakers are disposed as being aligned so that each axis line is orthogonal to a direction of axis lines of the main buses. A branch line drawn from a portion between the first and second circuit breakers and a branch line drawn from a portion between the second and third circuit breakers are connected to respective cable heads. The centers of the cable heads are configured so as to be positioned on a straight line orthogonal to the direction of the axis lines of the main buses. |
| US08111502B2 |
Arrangement adapted for a subsea application
An arrangement related to subsea electric power distributing AC-system and adapted for a subsea application. The arrangement is enclosed in a watertight casing. The casing exposes a main power input connection, adapted for watertight co-ordination with a first subsea cable and a main power output connection, adapted for a watertight co-ordination with a second subsea cable. The second subsea cable is adapted for a power supply to an AC-current and AC-voltage adapted device. The arrangement includes interconnected: a voltage regulator connected to the first cable, and a NO-load switching unit connected to the second cable, and a control unit. The control unit is adapted, in a first operative mode, to regulate the output AC-voltage from the voltage regulator towards and to zero, or at least almost to zero, and in a second subsequent operative mode, to bring the NO-load switching unit from an ON-position to an OFF-position or vice versa. |
| US08111501B2 |
Capacitor
A method of forming a capacitor includes forming a cylindrical lower electrode structure having an internal support structure on a substrate, forming a dielectric layer on the cylindrical lower electrode structure and the support structure, and forming an upper electrode on the dielectric layer. |
| US08111490B2 |
Method and device for protection of a switching device controlled by a control unit
Method for protection of a switching device controlled by a control unit, through which an electric drive can be disengaged during the period of an overvoltage surge caused by a load dump in the electrical system of a vehicle, in which the drive current rises to a maximum value in a first slot within the duration of the overvoltage surge and drops in the second slot connected to the first time slot, with the following process steps: recognition of a load dump by recording a limit voltage value in the electrical system by the control unit, disengagement of the electric drive in the event of a load dump at a switching time stipulated by the control unit, which lies after the first time slot. |
| US08111487B2 |
Electromagnetic heads, flexures, gimbals and actuators formed on and from a wafer substrate
Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time. |
| US08111484B2 |
Actuator latch mechanism and hard disk including the same
An actuator latch mechanism of a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a latch lever and a magnetic latch carried by the latch lever. The latch lever is mounted to a base of the HDD so as to be rotatable and prevents an actuator arm from rotating from a position, at which a read/write head carried by the actuator arm is parked, to a read/write position at which the read/write head is located over a recording surface of a disk. A bobbin on which a VCM coil is provided extends from a rear end of the actuator arm. A permanent magnet of the VCM is fixed to the base as juxtaposed with the bobbin. The magnetic latch is carried by an arm of the latch lever and interacts with the (magnetic field generated by) the permanent magnet of the VCM to generate a net force which cause the latch lever to latch the actuator arm in place when current is not being supplied to the VCM coil, and interacts with both the (magnetic field generated by) the permanent magnet of the VCM and (the electromagnetic field generated by) the VCM coil when current is supplied to the VCM coil to produce a net force that causes the latch lever to release the actuator arm. |
| US08111482B2 |
Head assembly, head suspension assembly, and disk device provided with head assembly
According to one embodiment, a slider of a head includes a trailing step portion which protrudes from a facing surface of the slider, is situated on the downstream side of a negative-pressure cavity with respect to an airflow, and has a top surface, a trailing pad which protrudes from the top surface, and an adjustment recess which is formed in the top surface on the upstream side of the trailing pad with respect to the airflow and is shallower than the negative-pressure cavity. The adjustment recess defines a first step portion, which extends across a first direction and hangs from the top surface toward a bottom of the adjustment recess, and a second step portion, which extends across the first direction, is spaced in the first direction from the first step portion, and rises from the bottom of the adjustment recess toward the top surface. |
| US08111481B2 |
High capacity disk drive using thin foil disks at elevated rotational speeds
A data storage device uses a foil disk platter with significantly reduced inertia and weight as compared to the thick aluminum or glass disk platter in a typical hard disk drive. The reduced rotating inertia of the foil disk enables faster spin-up performance which can be used to reduce decrease the power consumed by the unit. In portable appliances that use disk drive storage devices battery life can be extended significantly and the unit can be made thinner and lighter. Certain parameters of the foil disk substrate may be determined, to provide improved control of disk flutter, from a range parameter defined by RANGE = ρ R 2 Et 2 where ρ=foil disk substrate mass density, R=foil disk substrate radius, E=Young's modulus of foil disk substrate, and t=foil disk substrate thickness. RANGE has dimensional units of s2/in2, and the magnitude of RANGE may be between 10−6 and 3(10−4). |
| US08111463B2 |
Methods of forming sheeting with composite images that float and sheeting with composite images that float
Microlens sheetings with different types of composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above, in, or below the sheeting, or some combination. One type of composite image may be viewable to the unaided eye or an observer and another type of composite image is viewable only to the aided eye of an observer. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting are also disclosed. |
| US08111461B2 |
Array of light-diffusing sub-grating
The invention relates to a transparent substrate comprising, on its surface, a light-diffusing array comprising at least 10 juxtaposed sub-gratings of parallel lines of features, said features being separated by domains with a refractive index differing from that of the features, each sub-grating comprising at least 20 repeated successive identical features equally spaced apart with a period p, said period varying non-monotonically from one edge of the sub-grating array to the other. This substrate redirects the light without iridescence in a daylighting application. |
| US08111457B2 |
Method of manufacturing screen and screen
A method of manufacturing a screen having a screen substrate provided with a plurality of three-dimensional shape units disposed two-dimensionally on a front side of the screen substrate, includes: forming a first film by applying a first film forming material to be an antireflection film to at least part of surfaces of the three-dimensional shape units among the screen substrate; and forming a second film by applying a second film forming material to be a reflecting film with a predetermined incident angle to the screen substrate, the reflecting film on at least part of the antireflection film. |
| US08111453B2 |
Submarine optical repeater
A submarine optical repeater that shares optical pump power in multiple gain stages such that approximately the same wavelengths of optical pump is provided to each of the gain stages. Also, tilt control mechanism may adjust gain dependency on wavelength by adjusting the amount of optical pump power delivered to the optical gain stages. Residual optical pump power from both forward and backward Raman amplification may be used to power corresponding optically pumped amplifiers. |
| US08111450B1 |
Rhomb beam splitter in optical communication
Rhomb beam splitters are used to implement various optical demodulators, in particular PSK and DPSK demodulators. The parallel beam-splitting and reflective surfaces of the rhomb structure produce reflection and transmission beams that exit the beam splitter parallel to one another and with a relative phase shift determined by the distance between the surfaces. These features afford the advantages of low cost, compactness, easily tunable, and temperature-insensitive optical structures for constructing a variety of optical demodulators. |
| US08111448B2 |
Electrophoretic display device
An electrophoretic display device includes pixel electrodes, a transparent electrode, and an electrophoretic ink layer including cavities. Each cavity is arranged between one of the pixel electrodes and the transparent electrode, and each cavity comprises suspension fluid, charged particles, and neutral particles, the charged particles and neutral particles being dispersed in the suspension fluid. The neutral particles are dispersed in the center of the cavities and substantially stationary, and the charged particles are capable of moving through the suspension fluid. Application of an electric field to a pixel electrode and the transparent electrode causes a migration of the charged particles of a cavity connected to the pixel electrode and a corresponding color becomes viewable. |
| US08111442B2 |
Reflection type display apparatus
A display apparatus using electroplating on an electrode for modulating light includes a layer formed on the electrode. The layer has an insulator with a gap therein, and conductive fine particles are dispersed in the gap. |
| US08111441B2 |
Treatment of crystals for the prevention of optical damage
Method for treating a nominally pure crystal having non-linear optical properties. The nominally pure crystal contain foreign atoms at a residual concentration of less than 20 ppm so as to provide specific absorption of incident light. The method includes determining, based on testing on a specifically doped reference crystal of same type as the nominally pure crystal, a threshold value. The threshold value is defined by a temperature at which a migration of ions in the nominally pure crystal to the surface of the nominally pure crystal ceases. The foreign atoms are transformed to a higher valance state by a thermally-supported oxidation process including heating the nominally pure crystal at a heating rate that increases by less than 3 ° C. per minute to a maximum temperature above the threshold value and below a Curie temperature of the nominally pure crystal. An electrical voltage is applied so as to eliminate electrons released during the oxidation process from the nominally pure crystal. |
| US08111437B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and program for performing direct printing which considers color matching processing based on a profile describing the input color characteristics of an image device and the output color characteristics of an image output device
An image processing method is provided for an image processing device which processes images of printing data input from a computer device and an image input device via a predetermined communication line or a network. Printing instruction information of the printing data is analyzed, and determination is made as to whether a request for color matching processing based on a profile describing input color characteristics of an image input device and output color characteristics of an image output device is included in the printing instruction information. In the case that a request for the color matching processing is included in the printing instruction information, color matching processing is requested to be performed by the computer device on the network. |
| US08111436B2 |
Image-forming method and image-forming apparatus
An image-forming method of recording an image of plural pixels by a recording means using an image-forming material not completely permeating into a recording medium and capable of forming an image with a thickness is provided. An image-forming material which is scarcely absorbed by a recording medium and which can be cured with keeping a certain thickness after formation of an image is used, and the existing thickness calculated in the step of existing thickness-calculating step is brought close to the intended thickness set in the intended thickness-setting step by the step of determining an application amount for each color. In the case of increasing a color (e.g., black) less influencing the color balance, the thickness is reduced and, in the case of decreasing a color (e.g., black) less influencing the color balance, the thickness is increased. |
| US08111434B2 |
Optical device of scanner
The invention relates to a scanner's optical device, receive the light coming from the image of an object to be scanned, comprising: several reflective mirrors, a light-focusing module, and a charge coupled device. The reflective mirrors provide reflection and directional change for the light and, by appropriately arranging several reflective mirrors, the light of the object to be scanned directionally changed to a predetermined route. With at least one curving mirror, the light-focusing module focus the light of the predetermined route and then directionally change it, and a raster is then provided in the light route of the curving mirror for filtering out unnecessary light. The charge coupled device may receive the light coming from the light-focusing module and convert it into electronic signals. The said light-focusing module replaces the prior lens set for executing a scanning job. |
| US08111433B2 |
Image reading device capably scanning an image formed on a document in consideration of deterioration of the reference member
An image reading device includes a reference member, a reading unit, a first reference value setting unit, a detecting unit, a second reference value setting unit, a determining unit, and a pixel value setting unit. The reading unit obtains image data and reference data. The first reference value setting unit sets a first reference value based on the reference data. The detecting unit detects a usage state of the reading unit. The second reference value setting unit sets a second reference value in accordance with the usage state. If the determining unit determines that the first reference value is in a predetermined condition, the pixel value setting unit sets a pixel value based on the image data and the first reference value; otherwise, the pixel value setting unit sets the pixel value based on the image data and the second reference value. |
| US08111432B2 |
Infrared watermarking of photographic images by matched differential black strategies
A system and method for infrared watermarking using gray component replacement and other color removal schemes is shown. This method includes providing a substrate and implementing two infrared absorption strategies, one with low infrared absorption and the other with high infrared absorption. These two strategies are then combined in order to form two gamuts with substantially similar shapes. This combination can be made by blending the gamuts at areas where one of the strategies do not meet or implementing the intersection of the two gamuts. A watermark is then printed along with an image. The resultant image with watermark is void of artifacts while still having a consistent watermark signal. |
| US08111422B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of generating print data and non-transitory computer readable medium in which a program is stored for causing a computer to perform a method of generating print data
An information processing apparatus that includes a first graphics processing unit for converting graphics data output from an application to first print information, and a conversion unit for converting the first print information to a second print information configured to be processed by a second type printer driver that is not a first type printer driver. The information processing apparatus further includes a setting unit, a recommendation unit, and a generation unit. The setting unit sets print setting information per an instruction received through a setting window when the second type printer driver is called for printing, for which a conversion processing by the conversion unit is required. The recommendation unit recommends the first type printer driver when the second type printer driver is called for printing. The generation unit generates print data in accordance with the first type printer driver and the print setting information. |
| US08111419B2 |
Rasterizing device for DL object management
A rasterizing device is provided with a first storage area capable of storing a downloaded DL object, and a rasterizer that creates bit-mapped data in band units by rasterizing data. With respect to a predetermined band in which a predetermined DL object is to be included, the rasterizer performs following processes: (1) the rasterizer downloads the predetermined DL object and stores it in the first storage area in a case where the predetermined DL object has not been stored in the first storage area, wherein the predetermined DL object is not downloaded in a case where the predetermined DL object has been stored in the first storage area; (2) the rasterizer rasterizes the predetermined DL object stored in the first storage area; and (3) the rasterizer deletes the predetermined DL object from the first storage area in a case where bit-mapped data of the predetermined DL object for the predetermined band is created and the predetermined DL object is not to be included in a band after the predetermined band, wherein the predetermined DL object is not deleted from the first storage area in a case where the predetermined DL object is to be included in the band after the predetermined band. |
| US08111417B2 |
Method and apparatus for modeling print jobs
A system and method for modeling print jobs provides a central server that is accessible to remotely located print shops. The remote print shops are able to communicate with the central server to forward print job parameters and to receive the output from a modeling program to enable the print shop to run “what-if” scenarios to maximize print shop efficiency. The central server is also provided with various other print shop tools to assist with print shop design and organization. |
| US08111416B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program for processing a predetermined code image
In printing an electronic document on a paper, an MFP prints a code image created by encoding a paper ID including a local ID issued to the paper and stores paper information with the paper ID. The MFP determines a type of data format, creates a paper ID in the data format, and prints a code image created by encoding the paper ID. In copying a printed paper, the MFP decodes the code image printed on the paper to acquire the paper ID and retrieves paper information associated with the paper ID according to the data format. The MFP specifies the electronic document as a print source from retrieved paper information and performs printing using the electronic document. |
| US08111411B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and computer program
This invention allows to print without installing a driver program for every printer and easily coping with a change in printer control command specifications. To accomplish this, an information processing apparatus for generating a printer command to control a printer generates a command by using a command configuration XML file representing a printer command configuration in which a part that changes due to an external factor such as a user interface is described by a reserved word, thereby coping with a printer model and user environment. |
| US08111408B2 |
Mobile phone for interacting with underlying substrate
A mobile phone device configured for overlaying part of a substrate. The substrate contains a printed hyperlink and coded data identifying a plurality of positions on the substrate. The device includes: a mobile telephone transceiver; an optical sensor for reading the coded data; a processor for generating interaction data using the read coded data; and a touch-sensitive display screen for displaying information based on the interaction data. The displayed information includes a displayed hyperlink corresponding to the printed hyperlink. User interaction with the displayed hyperlink via the touch-sensitive display screen causes display of hyperlinked information on the screen. |
| US08111406B2 |
Surface position detecting apparatus, surface position detecting method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A surface position detecting apparatus which detects position information of a predetermined surface in an object, comprising a first optical system which projects light from an oblique direction to the predetermined surface; a second optical system which receive the light from the object; a detecting system which receives the light from the second optical system and which detects the position information of the predetermined surface in a direction intersecting the predetermined surface based on the light; and a phase difference imparting system which is arranged in an optical path of at least one of the first and second optical systems and which imparts a phase difference between different portions from each other of light traveling via a surface other than the predetermined surface in the object, in the light from the second optical system. |
| US08111405B2 |
Automatic scan and mark apparatus
An automatic scan and mark apparatus has a machine tool, a location detection module, a laser detector, an ink jet and a control computer. The machine tool has a movable module and a stage. The stage mounts and holds a specimen having a scraped surface. The control computer controls the location detection module to determine a position of the movable module, controls the laser detector to detect a surface morphology of the scraped surface in a measurement range, and activates the ink jet to eject inks on high points of the scraped surface of the specimen. Thus, the surface morphology is built automatically and high points are screened out and marked by colored ink. Manufacturer may easily redo scraping of determined high points based on the marked location on the specimen without burdensome measurement. |
| US08111396B2 |
Spectrometric measurement system and method for compensating for veiling glare
The present solution is directed to a measuring system and a method for determining spectrometric measurement results with high accuracy. The spectrometric measuring system, comprises a radiation source, an entrance slit, a dispersion element, and a detector with detector elements arranged in a linear or matrix-shaped manner in one or more planes. The detector has an even distribution of at least two different wavelength-selective filters on its detector elements. While detectors from photography and video applications are used for this purpose, use of the invention is not limited to the visible spectral region. Further, color filters on the pixels may be omitted or modified in the manufacturing process. It is also possible to use other types of detectors in which the wavelength-selective filters and associated detectors are arranged one behind each other in a plurality of planes in which complete color information is available to each individual picture point. |
| US08111395B2 |
Spectrometric investigation of heterogeneity
In one general aspect, a spectroscopic apparatus is disclosed for investigating heterogeneity of a sample area. The apparatus includes an image acquisition system operative to acquire images of a plurality of sub-areas in the sample area and a sub-area selection interface operative to receive a selection designating one of the sub-areas for which an image has been obtained. A spectrometer has a field of view and is operative to acquire a spectrum of at least part of one of the sub-areas in its field of view, and a positioning mechanism is responsive to the sub-area selection interface and operative to position the field of view of the spectrometer relative to the sample area based on a received selection. |
| US08111388B2 |
Luminous flux depreciation notification system for light fixtures incorporating light emitting diode sources
A LED light fixture and a luminous flux monitoring system for a light fixture. The light fixture includes a housing defining an interior space including an interior surface and a transmissive panel. A light source is coupled to the interior surface. The system includes a light sensor coupled to the interior surface and aligned to receive light from the transmissive panel, light source, and/or interior surface. The light sensor is configured to measure luminous flux in the interior space. A controller is coupled to the light source and the light sensor. The controller is configured to determine if a light sensor measurement of luminous flux in the interior space is more or less than a reference value of the luminous flux. If the measurement of luminous flux is less than the reference value, the controller is configured to activate an end-of-life indicator. The reference value equals (total flux−internal ambient flux)×depreciation factor. |
| US08111385B2 |
Quantum dot-mediated optical fiber information retrieval systems and methods of use
The present disclosure relates to a non-invasive and real-time diagnostic analysis concept for an operational single mode optical fiber communication system and methods of using said system. The system comprises an optical fiber capable of being diagnosed non-invasively comprising an optical fiber for conveying a light beam that comprises an optical fiber comprising a first end for receiving the light beam and a second end opposed thereto, a core comprising an inner wall, and a cladding surrounding the core, the optical fiber further comprising at least one uncladded portion comprising a plurality of quantum dots dispersed in a medium, and wherein the quantum dots become activated by evanescent wave coupling resulting from total internal reflection of the light beam contacting the inner wall of the optical fiber core and wherein the activation results in emittance of light from the quantum dots. |
| US08111384B2 |
Method for measuring thermo-optically induced material phase-change response in a multiple layer thin film structure using visible and ultraviolet spectroscopy
A method and device for facilitating measurement of thermo-optically induced material phase change response in a thin planar or a grating film stack is disclosed. The method may include using small-spot visible and ultraviolet spectra (ellipsometric or reflectance) for measuring a material phase change response. The device may include a measurement system platform, at least one electrical resistor, at least one external electric probe, and ohmic contact circuitry. |
| US08111381B2 |
Positioning apparatus, exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
A positioning apparatus includes a stage movable on a base, an actuator which drives the stage and a driver which supplies current to the actuator. The apparatus further includes a current supply path having a plurality of parallel paths connecting the driver and the actuator. The current supply path includes a plurality of forward electrical wires and a plurality of backward electrical wires. The apparatus also includes a detector which detects a break of the current supply path based on a current of at least one of the plurality of parallel paths. The detector detects a break of the current supply path based on a total current of at least one of the plurality of forward electrical wires and at least one of the plurality of backward electrical wires. |
| US08111380B2 |
Write-pattern determination for maskless lithography
A method for generating a write pattern to be used in a maskless-lithography process is described. During the method, a computer system determines a one-to-one correspondence between pixels in the write pattern and at least a subset of elements in a spatial-light modulator used in the maskless-lithography process. Furthermore, the computer system generates the write pattern. Note that the write pattern includes features corresponding to at least the subset of elements in the spatial-light modulator, and the generating is in accordance with a characteristic dimension of an element in the spatial-light modulator and a target pattern that is to be printed on a semiconductor wafer during the maskless-lithography process. |
| US08111375B2 |
Exposure apparatus and method for manufacturing device
An exposure apparatus wherein an image of a pattern is projected onto a substrate via a projection optical system to expose the substrate, includes: a substrate moving device that is movable while holding the substrate above the projection optical system; and a liquid immersion unit that fills at least a portion of the space between the projection optical system and the substrate with a liquid, wherein the image of the pattern is projected onto the substrate via the projection optical system and the liquid. |
| US08111374B2 |
Analysis method, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
An analysis method includes a developing process (SA60), which develops the substrate, a first measuring process (SA50), which measures the abnormalities of the pre-development substrate, a second measuring process (SA70), which measures the abnormalities of the post-development substrate, and an analyzing process (SA80), which analyzes the exposure defects of a substrate exposed via a liquid based on the measurements results of the first measuring process (SA50) and the measurement results of the second measuring process (SA70). |
| US08111373B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method
An exposure apparatus is provided which can supply and collect a liquid in a prescribed state, and that can suppress degradation of a pattern image projected onto a substrate. The exposure apparatus is provided with a nozzle member (70) having a supply outlet (12) that supplies a liquid (LQ) and a collection inlet (22) that collects a liquid (LQ), and a vibration isolating mechanism (60) that supports the nozzle member (70) and vibrationally isolates the nozzle member (70) from a lower side step part (7) of a main column (1). |
| US08111366B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display includes; a first substrate, a plurality of pixels arranged substantially in a matrix-shape on the first substrate; a plurality of gate lines disposed on the first substrate and which transmit gate signals to the pixels, and a plurality of data lines which intersect the gate lines and which transmit data voltages to the pixels, wherein at least two adjacent gate lines are electrically connected to each other. |
| US08111365B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes an active area which is composed of pixels arrayed in a matrix, and a light-shield area surrounding the active area. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including pixel electrodes disposed in the respective pixels, a second substrate including color filters disposed in the respective pixels, and a counter-electrode which is disposed to cover the color filters and extends from the active area to at least a part of the light-shield area, and a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate. The pixel electrode and the color filter of the pixel, which is disposed at an end portion of the active area, extend into the light-shield area beyond a boundary between the active area and the light-shield area. |
| US08111349B2 |
Image display device
An image display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, a resin frame for attaching the liquid crystal display panel to a front cabinet and a circuit board that are arranged inside a casing. The resin frame is provided with a grounding clamp arranged between the circuit board and the liquid crystal display panel. The grounding clamp establishes electrical connection between a ground pattern formed on the circuit board and a metal plate arranged on the rear surface of the liquid crystal display panel. |
| US08111337B2 |
Liquid crystal projector
An LCD projector has LCD panels, each including polarization plates one on the light incidence side and another on the light emitting side of each LCD panel. The LCD panel is provided with a highly transparent auxiliary polarization plate between the LCD panel and the polarization plate on the light emitting side. The LCD panel is further provided with an optically anisotropic transparent substrate for supporting the highly transparent auxiliary polarization plate. The transparent substrate is arranged such that one of its anisotropic optical axes is inclined at an angle not more than 0.5 degrees with respect to the face of the auxiliary polarization plate when the face is parallel to the direction of light propagation. This arrangement ensures longer lives of the polarization plates on the light emitting sides while suppressing color irregularity on a black screen and degradation of picture contrast of the LCD projector. |
| US08111333B2 |
Video bit-stream gamma-correction method and a multipoint control unit
A video bit-stream gamma characteristic correction method and a multipoint control unit in video communication field resolve the gamma distortion problem of video image in the existing multimedia communication. In the method, the receiving end carries out correction once through carrying the gamma characteristic parameter of the transmission end in the video bit-stream; or the multipoint control unit and the receiving end correct gamma distortion of the video image in multiple steps. A multipoint processor (200) of the multipoint control unit includes a gamma characteristic parameter storing module (201), which stores gamma characteristic parameter of the video image transmission end; and a gamma characteristic correction module (202), which is connected to the gamma characteristic parameter storing module and corrects the gamma characteristic of the video image according to the gamma characteristic parameter of the video image transmission end. |
| US08111331B2 |
Image resizer and resizing method
An apparatus embodiment is operative to scale video and includes an input buffer coupled to a real time source of video data and configured to hold a number of lines of video, a horizontal resizer coupled to the input buffer to resize lines of image data, outputting horizontally scaled line(s) to an intermediate buffer configured to store a number of lines. The apparatus has a vertical resizer coupled to the intermediate buffer configured to output vertically and horizontally resized lines of image data. At any given time, some of the lines in the input buffer are scheduled using the DMA controller for replacement via DMA by lines generated by the source of video data, and some or all of the remaining lines in the input buffer are available for processing by the horizontal resizer. A sufficient number of lines are available in the intermediate buffer, such that in operation, the intermediate buffer need not introduce latency. |
| US08111323B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera of the present invention includes a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 133 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 133 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein the microcomputer 110 controls so that, when the live view mode is set, the digital camera comes out of the live view mode, and setting information on the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 150, in accordance with the manipulation of the manipulation portion 140. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced. |
| US08111322B2 |
Imaging apparatus with interchangeable lens apparatus, the lens apparatus having a memory for storing optical performance data of the lens apparatus
An optical apparatus including an imaging apparatus and a lens apparatus each having a communicating portion performing communications is disclosed. The optical apparatus is provided with: an imaging optical unit; a memory in which information of an optical performance of the imaging optical unit is stored; an image pickup device imaging a subject image from the imaging optical unit; an imaging controller changing an information size of image information from the image pickup device; and a lens controller connected to the imaging controller through the communicating portions and performing communications with the imaging controller. The lens controller takes out the information of the optical performance from the memory in response to an instruction from the imaging controller, and transmits the information to the imaging controller through the communicating portions. The imaging controller changes the information size of the image information in accordance with the information of the optical performance from the lens controller. |
| US08111321B2 |
Imaging device and method for its image processing, with face region and focus degree information
An imaging device, such as a camera, may be provided with a focus-shift structure configured to shift a focal position; a solid-state image sensing element configured to convert an optical image of a photographing subject to image data; and an image processing unit including a face region detecting unit and a photographing subject frequency information capturing unit. The detecting unit may be configured to detect a face region from the image data and obtain face region information indicating the detected face region, and wherein the information capturing unit is configured to capture focus degree information indicating a degree of focus for each detected face region. Plural image data, the face region information, and the focus degree information may be stored in the imaging device as a single file. |
| US08111319B2 |
Imaging system using enhanced spherical aberration and specifically sized FIR filters
A class of imaging systems in which the imaging optics, the sensor array and the image processing are related by three parameters: W040 the amount of third order spherical aberration, U the undersampling factor defined as the ratio of the Nyquist frequency of the sensor array divided by the diffraction-limited frequency of the imaging optics, and N the number of rows in the FIR implementation of the image processing. In one aspect, W040 is between approximately 2 and 8 waves, U is between approximately 0.05 and 0.30, and N satisfies an equation that defines the acceptable range of N as a function solely of W040 and U. |
| US08111315B2 |
Imaging device and imaging control method that detects and displays composition information
An imaging device including an image pickup device which converts an optical image of a photographic subject received through an imaging lens into an image signal; a displaying device which displays a through-the-lens image based on the image signal; a person detecting device which detects one or more persons from the image signal; a distance calculating device which calculates a distance between a plurality of the detected persons; and a composition assisting device which displays on the displaying device information as to whether the distance between the detected persons is proper or not based on the calculated distance between the detected persons. Thereby, it is possible to obtain an image with a proper composition in a case when there are a plurality of persons being the photographic subjects. |
| US08111314B2 |
Camera-enabled portable terminal and method for taking multi-image photograph using the same
The present invention relates to a camera-enabled portable terminal having a function for taking a multi-image photograph. The camera-enabled portable terminal includes a camera module for capturing one or more images of an object; a display unit for displaying a frame partitioned into a preset number of windows in the multi-image photographing mode, each window being in any of a blank status, a preview status, and a filled-out status; a video processing unit for processing the image taken by the camera module to be fit to one or more of the windows; and a control unit for controlling the camera module, video processing unit, and the display unit such that the frame is displayed on the display unit together with information on the status of the windows. |
| US08111313B2 |
Image sensor driving unit and imaging apparatus
An image sensor driving unit, comprising a first controller, a second controller and a third controller, is provided. The image sensor driving unit drives an image sensor to carry out the capture of an image. The capture is carried out by ordering pixels to generate signal charges and the charge-transfer channel to transfer the signal charges. The first controller orders the image sensor to carry out a rapid discharge operation before the charge-transfer channel transfers the signal charges. The second controller controls the first controller to order the image sensor to carry out the rapid discharge operation when light is made incident for capture after the first capture with the image sensor operating in continuous photographing mode. The third controller decreases the discharge number for capture after the first capture. |
| US08111305B2 |
Apparatus for photographing having multiple zoom devices and associated method
A photographing apparatus includes a first digital zoom device, a second digital zoom device capable of zooming at a higher magnification power than the first digital zoom device, a manipulation unit for performing manipulation of zoom, and a conversion unit for performing conversion between the first and second digital zoom devices when a predetermined magnification power is reached through the manipulation of the manipulation unit. A photographing method includes performing zoom manipulation, determining whether a magnification power according to the zoom manipulation reaches a predetermined reference magnification power to convert between a first digital zoom device and a second digital zoom device capable of zooming at a higher magnification power than the first digital zoom device, and converting the first digital zoom device and the second digital zoom device when the magnification power reaches the predetermined magnification. |
| US08111303B2 |
Album creating apparatus and method
An album creating apparatus is provided to insert a title appropriate for the timing at which the image stored in the album is captured. The album creating apparatus includes: an image acquiring section for acquiring a plurality of images in association with image capturing times; a reference time acquiring section for acquiring a reference time indicative of the time and date of a main event in an album; an image capturing timing specifying section for specifying an image capturing timing indicative of a period for the reference time acquired by the reference time acquiring section, which includes the image capturing time and dates of the plurality of images acquired by the image acquiring section; a title determining section for determining a title to be inserted into the album based on the image capturing timing specified by the image capturing timing specifying section; and an album creating section for creating the album by laying out the title determined by the title determining section and the plurality of images acquired by the image acquiring section. |
| US08111300B2 |
System and method to selectively combine video frame image data
Systems and methods to selectively combine video frame image data are disclosed. First image data corresponding to a first video frame and second image data corresponding to a second video frame are received from an image sensor. The second image data is adjusted by at least partially compensating for offsets between portions of the first image data with respect to corresponding portions of the second image data to produce adjusted second image data. Combined image data corresponding to a combined video frame is generated by performing a hierarchical combining operation on the first image data and the adjusted second image data. |
| US08111298B2 |
Imaging circuit and image pickup device
An imaging circuit includes a photoelectric conversion section and a transferring section. The photoelectric conversion section in which pixels each having a color filter attached thereto are arranged in an oblique direction in a lattice manner. The color filter is formed of: a GR line on which G and R pixels are alternately arranged in a horizontal direction; a GB line on which the G and B pixels are alternately arranged in a horizontal direction; and a G line on which only the G pixel is arranged in a horizontal direction, and having a combination of: the GR and G lines; and the GB and G lines being placed alternately in a vertical direction to arrange the G pixel at a position adjacent to the R and B pixels. The transferring section for transferring only an electrical signal associated with pixels included on the GR line and the GB line. |
| US08111296B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating panorama image and computer readable medium stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing the method
The present invention relates to apparatus and method for generating a panorama image, and a computer readable medium stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing the method.The apparatus for generating a panorama image according to the present invention comprises an input unit for receiving a plurality of input object images for panorama image generation; an edge detecting unit for outputting edge data of the input object images; a matching area output unit for outputting a matching area, namely, a standard area for pattern matching, within the edge data; a pattern matching unit for matching patterns of a plurality of the object images based on the matching area; and a stitching unit for generating a plurality of the object images into a panorama image based on the matched patterns. |
| US08111289B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing multipurpose monitoring system
Method for the monitoring of an environment, by procuring, adjourning and storing in a memory, files representing the background space. Programs for processing data obtained from the observation of objects are defined and stored in a memory, for identifying the objects and for determining whether they are dangerous. Parameters, according to which the observation of the controlled space is effected, are determined and stored. Photographic observation of the controlled space or sections thereof, is performed according to the aforesaid observation parameters. The digital data representing these photographs are processed to determine whether possible dangerous objects have been detected, and if so, these objects are classified according to the stored danger parameters. |
| US08111286B2 |
Image processing apparatus, endoscope, and computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes a color image data generation section 54 that generates color image data from an image pickup signal of a red component, an image pickup signal of a green component, and an image pickup signal of a blue component which are output from an image pickup device 100; an infrared image data generation section 53 that generates infrared image data from an image pickup signal of an infrared component output from the image pickup device 100; and a high-contrast infrared image data generation section 55 that generates high-contrast infrared image data using the color image data and the infrared image data. Contrast of the high-contrast infrared image data is more enhanced than that of the infrared image data. |
| US08111285B2 |
Stereoscopic display apparatus and display method
A stereoscopic display apparatus and a display method are provided. The stereoscopic display apparatus includes a display panel, a dynamic-backlight module, a tracking panel, an optical lens array. The display has an updated region and a non-updated region during a frame period the display panel displays according a first synchro-signal. The dynamic-backlight module has a plurality of light-emitting regions and the light-emitting regions are turned-on according to a second synchro-signal. The first synchro-signal and the second synchro-signal are synchronal. During the frame period, parts of the light-emitting regions corresponding to the updated region are synchronally turned-on and parts of the light-emitting regions corresponding to the non-updated region are synchronally turned-off. A light provided by at least the part of the light-emitting regions turned-on passes through one silt set and the display panel such that one of the single-eye images is only displayed by the non-updated region. |
| US08111284B1 |
System and method for 3D space-dimension based image processing
An apparatus for 3D representation of image data, comprising: a structure identifier for identifying structures in motion within image data, and a skeleton insertion unit, which associates three-dimensional skeleton elements with the identified structures. The skeleton elements are able to move with the structures to provide a three-dimensional motion and structural understanding of said image data which can be projected back onto the input data. As well as individual elements, complex bodies can be modeled by complex skeletons having multiple elements. The skeleton elements themselves can be used to identify the complex objects. |
| US08111273B2 |
Thermal head, printer, and manufacturing method for thermal head
To achieve improvements in heating efficiency and strength against external load, provided is a thermal head (1), comprising: a supporting substrate (3) having a surface in which a concave portion (2) is formed; a heat storage layer (5) bonded onto the surface of the supporting substrate (3); a heating resistor provided in a region, which is opposed to the concave portion (2) of the supporting substrate (3), on the heat storage layer (5); and a protruding portion (2A), which is provided inside a hollow portion formed between the supporting substrate (3) and the heat storage layer (5) by the concave portion (2), and comes into contact with the heat storage layer (5) and limits deflection of the heat storage layer (5) when the heating resistor is pressurized by predetermined load or more. |
| US08111271B2 |
Gray scale drive sequences for pulse width modulated displays
Methods, apparatus, and systems for generating drive sequences for pulse width modulated displays are described. A pulse width modulated signal that includes a drive sequence of temporal segments that are activated and deactivated to produce a desired gray scale. The temporal segments can be non-binary, non-equally weighted. The drive sequence can also include at least two of the temporal segments are least significant bit segments and the other segments are higher order segments. |
| US08111270B2 |
Driving device inserted impulsive image, display apparatus having the driving device installed therein and method of driving the display apparatus
A driving device including a signal controller which receives input image data corresponding to a plurality of frame periods, outputs the input image data during a first sub-frame period of one frame period among the plurality of frame periods, and outputs impulsive data having gray-scales, which are lower than those of the input image data, during a second sub-frame period of the one frame period. The impulsive data in the frame periods in which still images are displayed comprise first gray-scales, and the impulsive data in the frame periods in which moving images are displayed comprise second gray-scales, the second gray-scale being different from the first gray-scales. A data driver converts the input image data to pixel voltages during the first sub-frame period, and converts the impulsive data to impulsive voltages during the second sub-frame period. |
| US08111269B2 |
Plant information display device
An object of the invention is to provide a plant information display device which deforms and displays drawing data without hiding all pieces of information necessary for plant monitoring and plant instrument operation while visibility is not lowered. The plant information display device according to an aspect of the invention includes an input unit; a region determination unit into which an interest region and a deformation condition in a plant are fed using the input unit, the region determination unit specifying a deformation target region based on the interest region and deformation condition supplied from the input unit; a region division unit which divides a drawing into plural regions based on the deformation target region specified by the region determination unit, the region division unit performing management while the deformation target region and a non-deformation target region are divided; a drawing distortion unit which separately deforms the deformation target region and non-deformation target region in a display region; a drawing output unit; and a display unit. |
| US08111267B2 |
Controlling image and mobile terminal
A method of displaying information on a mobile terminal. The method includes displaying an object on a screen of the mobile terminal, receiving at least two least two input signals corresponding to the displayed object, and animating the displayed object based on the at least two signals corresponding to the displayed object. In addition, the at least two input signals include a) first and second touching signals of the screen of the mobile terminal, b) touching and tilting signals of the mobile terminal, or c) a first proximity signal and a second proximity signal of the mobile terminal. |
| US08111261B1 |
Method and apparatus for noise
A method for creating an appearance of texture in a computer image having the steps of introducing information into a computer from which the image is produced for each point of the image in 3D geometric space. There is the step of computing a pseudo-random hash value at each vertex of a unit cube surrounding the point of the image using six + modules and seven L modules where the L module is implement as a look-up table having 64 6 bits entries. There is the step of mapping the lower six bits from last stage L modules of a plurality of stages of modules to a fixed set of 64 gradient vectors where the set is chosen such that a length of each component of every vector of the 64 vectors is a power of two. There is the step of based on the gradient vectors, combining with the computer the contribution from each vertex into a single interpolated result to produce the point of the image with noise interpolated texture that do not have visible grid artifacts. There is the step of after all points of the image are obtained, displaying the image on a display. |
| US08111260B2 |
Fast reconfiguration of graphics pipeline state
Techniques and technologies are provided for binding resources to particular slots associated with shaders in a graphics pipeline. Resource dependencies between resources being utilized by each shader can be determined, and, based on these resource dependencies, common resource/slot associations can be computed. Each common resource/slot association identifies a particular one of the resources to be associated with a particular one of the slots. |
| US08111259B1 |
Image processing apparatus having context memory controller
An apparatus for use in image processing is set forth that comprises a pixel processor, context memory, and a context memory controller. The pixel processor is adapted to execute a pixel processing operation on a target pixel using a context of the target pixel. The context memory is adapted to store context values associated with the target pixel. The context memory controller may be adapted to control communication of context values between the pixel processor and the context memory. Further, the context memory controller may be responsive to a context initialization signal or the like provided by the pixel processor to initialize the content of the context memory to a known state, even before the pixel processor has completed its image processing operations and/or immediately after completion of its image processing operations. In one embodiment, the pixel processor executes a JBIG coding operation on the target pixel. |
| US08111252B2 |
Determining apparatus and method for controlling the same
There is provided a method for controlling a determining apparatus including: a first pixel for displaying a first image; a second pixel for displaying a second image; a light shielding member that allows the first image to be viewed from a first direction and blocks the first image from a second direction, and allows the second image to be viewed from the second direction and blocks the second image from the first direction; a first sensor provided for the first pixel and detecting the quantity of light coming from the first direction; and a second sensor provided for the second pixel and detecting the quantity of light coming from the second direction. The method includes: storing at least one frame of the results of detection of the first and second sensors; and after obtaining the present results of detection of the first and second sensors, determining whether an object approaches from the first direction or the second direction from the result of comparison between the stored detection results of one frame and the results of detection of present one frame. |
| US08111251B2 |
Electro luminescence display device and method of testing the same
To increase the proportion of the perfects to the whole lot of final products and to reduce the cost for active matrix EL display devices by checking the operation of a TFT substrate before depositing an EL material. A capacitor for testing is connected to a drain terminal of a driving TFT in a pixel portion to observe charging and discharging of the capacitor. Whether the driving TFT is normal or not is judged by the observation, so that the rejects can be removed before the manufacturing process is completed. |
| US08111250B2 |
Remote status multifunction display for a transport vehicle
A display for a transport unit. The transport unit includes a trailer that defines a space with at least one zone, and a vehicle that is attachable to the trailer. The vehicle has a passenger compartment and a rear view mirror. A sensor is in communication with the transport unit and senses a parameter of the transport unit. The transport unit also includes a housing that is coupled to the trailer, and that has a display with a screen configured to display the parameter. A controller is attached to the trailer and is in communication with the space. The controller is in electrical communication with the sensor and the display, and the controller is programmed to selectively switch the display between a forward view mode and a mirror view mode based on a relationship between the vehicle and the trailer. |
| US08111246B2 |
Touch panel integrated flat display device
A touch panel integrated flat display device capable of improving reliability is disclosed.The touch panel integrated flat display device includes a display panel, a touch panel disposed on the display panel, and a flexible circuit board electrically connecting a drive PCB and the touch panel to supply a drive signal of the touch panel. In the touch panel integrated flat display device, a plurality of touch panel pads contacting a plurality of flexible circuit board pads are formed at a side of the touch panel, and each of the touch panel pads has at least two contact areas with each of the flexible circuit board pads. |
| US08111245B2 |
Touch panel and display device using the same
An exemplary touch panel includes a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate separated from the first electrode plate. The first electrode plate includes a first substrate and a first conductive layer disposed on a lower surface of the first substrate. The second electrode plate includes a second substrate and a second conductive layer disposed on an upper surface of the second substrate. Each of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer includes a plurality of spaced carbon nanotube structures. A display device incorporates the touch panel and also includes a display element adjacent to the touch panel. |
| US08111236B2 |
Backlight driving device and display
A backlight driving device for driving a backlight that illuminates a display panel is disclosed. The backlight driving device includes: a luminance data input device into which luminance data indicated by a video signal is entered; a drive signal-generating device configured to create a drive signal; a power supply device configured to supply electric power to the backlight according to the drive signal so as to drive the backlight; a video signal decision device configured to make a decision as to whether each value of the luminance data entered into the luminance data input device is smaller than a given value; and a thinning-out device configured to thin out components of the drive signal when the video signal decision device has determined that the value of the luminance data is smaller than the given value and supply the thinned drive signal to the power supply device. |
| US08111232B2 |
LCD electrode arrangement
Systems, devices, and methods for reducing direct current bias and/or enabling a simplified manner of polarity inversion in liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a device may include a processor, a memory device, and a liquid crystal display having a pixel array including rows and columns of pixels. Each pixel of the pixel array may include a pixel electrode separated from a common electrode by a dielectric passivation layer, and may include a transistor to provide a data signal when the transistor is activated. The pixel array is configured such that a neutral amount of direct current bias is generated on the passivation layer when each row of pixels is activated. The common electrodes of certain pixels may be disposed above their respective pixel electrodes, while the common electrodes of certain other pixels may be disposed below their respective pixel electrodes. |
| US08111228B2 |
Method and device to optimize power consumption in liquid crystal display
Power consumption in liquid crystal displays is analyzed by including frequent polarity reversals and duty cycle control. A multi-step voltage profile is proposed to reduce the power consumption in multiplexed and non-multiplexed displays. The present invention relates to a method to optimize power consumption in Liquid Crystal Display, wherein said method comprises steps of applying multi-step waveform for selecting pre-determined address lines, maintaining ratio of step-width (Ts) and pulse width (T) between 0.02 to 0.25, and making final step duration (Tf) greater than or equal to twice the step width (Ts) to optimize power supply of the Liquid Crystal Display and apply a correction voltage if the distortion is significant and modifying the step sizes to reduce the supply voltage of the driver. |
| US08111224B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and display panel and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting diode display, and a display panel and driving method thereof are provided. The organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of data lines for transmitting data signals, a plurality of scan lines for transmitting selection signals, and a plurality of pixel circuits coupled to the data lines and the scan lines. The pixel circuits include at least four emitting elements for emitting light corresponding to amount of an applied current, a light emitting element driver for outputting a data current corresponding to at least one of the data signals, and a switching unit for respectively transmitting the data current to the four emitting elements. In the display, at least two emitting elements of the four light emitting elements are formed in different places. |
| US08111222B2 |
Method of improving the output uniformity of a display device
The output uniformity of a display device, such as a self light emitting display device, is improved by detecting the emitted brightness of pixels of the display device using an external detection system, controlling the pixel intensity to determine the non-uniformity of the driver circuits connected with the pixels, and generating a calibration factor for the pixels to modify the output of the driver circuits. Calibration can be performed for each pixel, or each group of pixels, such as each row and column of pixels. |
| US08111221B2 |
Display panel device and control method thereof
A display panel device includes a luminescence element and a capacitor. A driving transistor includes a gate that is connected to a first electrode of the capacitor. A first switch is connected to the first electrode of the capacitor for setting a reference voltage to the first electrode of the capacitor. A data line supplies a data voltage to a second electrode of the capacitor. A second switch is connected between the data line and the second electrode of the capacitor. A wiring is connected to a first electrode of the luminescence element and the second electrode of the capacitor for interconnecting a first power line and the first electrode of the luminescence element with the second electrode of the capacitor, the second switch, and the data line. A third switch is connected in series with the driver between the first electrode of the luminescence element and the first power line. |
| US08111219B2 |
Pixel, organic light emitting display using the same, and associated methods
A pixel including an OLED, the pixel including a first transistor coupled between a data line and a first node, the first transistor being turned on by a low signal on an i-th scan line, a second transistor coupled between a first power source and a fifth transistor, a third transistor coupled between the gate electrode of the second transistor and an electrode of the second transistor that is coupled to the fifth transistor, the third transistor being turned on by a low signal on an (i−1)-th scan line, a fourth transistor coupled between a first reference voltage and the first node, the fourth transistor being turned on by the low signal on the (i−1)-th scan line, a storage capacitor coupled between the first node and the second node, and a compensator controlling a voltage of the second node corresponding to degradation of the OLED. |
| US08111218B2 |
Pixel, organic light emitting display using the same, and driving method thereof
A pixel, an organic light emitting display using the pixel, and a driving method thereof may compensate for degradation of an organic light emitting diode. The pixel includes the organic light emitting diode and a drive transistor that supplies an electric current to the organic light emitting diode. A pixel circuit compensates a threshold voltage of the drive transistor. A compensator controls the voltage of the gate electrode of the drive transistor in order to compensate a degradation of the organic light emitting diode. |
| US08111215B2 |
Display device and electronic device
The luminance of light emitting elements varies when the characteristics thereof change due to changes in environment temperature and changes with time. It is an object of the present invention to suppress the effect of the change in current value of a light emitting element due to the changes of environment temperature and changes with time. The invention provides a display device provided with a compensation function for the changes in environment temperature and a compensation function for the change with time. The display device of the invention includes a light emitting element, a driving transistor connected to the light emitting element, and a monitoring light emitting element. By using this monitoring light emitting element, an effect of the change of current value of the light emitting element due to the change of environment temperature and change with time can be suppressed. |
| US08111214B2 |
Charge recovery for enhanced transistor drive
A control circuit for an electro luminescent display in which a flyback converter and an H-bridge are used to provide a high voltage alternating current to a capacitive load from a low voltage DC source. Each time the polarity of the capacitive load is reversed, the capacitive load discharges. This high voltage discharge is stored on a low voltage capacitor and subsequently used as an auxiliary power supply to power the switching elements of the control circuit. |
| US08111211B2 |
Plasma display comprising at least first and second groups of electrodes and driving method thereof
A plasma display includes a plurality of first electrodes divided into at least two groups. In the plasma display, first group cells corresponding to first electrodes of the first group are initialized, and light emitting cells are selected from the first group cells to be sustain-discharged. In addition, second group cells corresponding to the first electrodes of the second group are initialized, and light emitting cells are selected from the second group cells to be sustain-discharged. |
| US08111206B2 |
High electromagnetic transmission composite structure
The invention discloses a high electromagnetic transmission composite structure for reducing the transmission loss of an electromagnetic wave. The high electromagnetic transmission composite structure includes a first composite structure layer, a second composite structure layer, and a first buffer layer. The first composite structure layer has a first thickness and a first dielectric constant. The second composite structure layer has a second thickness and a second dielectric constant. The first buffer is disposed between the first composite structure layer and the second composite structure layer and has a third thickness and a third dielectric constant. The transmission loss of the electromagnetism wave can be adjusted by adjusting the first thickness, the first dielectric constant, the second thickness, the second dielectric constant, the third thickness, and the third dielectric constant. |
| US08111201B2 |
Wireless communication device and antenna
A wireless communication device includes: a case made of a first dielectric material; a cover made of a second dielectric material which covers an outer surface of the case; a wireless communication circuit which is housed in the case; an antenna element made of a conductive material and provided on the outer surface of the case between the case and the cover, the antenna element being electrically connected to the wireless communication circuit by a connection member that penetrates the case; and an adhesive layer which is disposed between the antenna element and the case to adhere the antenna element onto the case, the adhesive layer being made of a third dielectric material. |
| US08111199B2 |
Slotted ground-plane used as a slot antenna or used for a PIFA antenna
A wireless device includes a ground plane with at least two portions. On each of the at least two portions at least one connecting means is provided. The two connecting means are connected with an electric component for connecting the at least two portions of the ground plane. The ground plane is partially covered with an insulating material and the connecting means are given by a part of the ground plane which is not covered by any insulating material. |
| US08111198B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object of the present invention is to prevent electrical characteristics of circuit elements from being adversely affected by copper diffusion in a semiconductor device having an integrated circuit and an antenna formed over the same substrate, which uses copper plating for the antenna. Another object is to prevent a defect of a semiconductor device due to poor connection between an antenna and an integrated circuit in a semiconductor device having the integrated circuit and the antenna formed over the same substrate. In a semiconductor device having an integrated circuit 100 and an antenna 101 formed over one substrate 102, when a copper plating layer 108 is used for a conductor of the antenna 101, it is possible to prevent copper diffusion to circuit elements and decrease an adverse effect on electrical characteristics of circuit elements due to the copper diffusion because a base layer 107 of the antenna 101 uses a nitride film of a predetermined metal. Moreover, by the use of nickel nitride as a metal nitride for the base layer of the antenna, poor connection between the antenna and the integrated circuit can be decreased. |
| US08111197B2 |
Antenna apparatus
Disclosed is an antenna apparatus, including: a multi-layer substrate having at least two substrates in a stacking manner and having a first through hole; an amplifying circuit on one face of the multi-layer substrate; a ground pattern formed between two adjacent substrates of the multi-layer substrate; an antenna pattern formed on the other face of the multi-layer substrate; and a first comb electrode having comb teeth and a second comb electrode having comb teeth, both of which are formed around the antenna pattern on the other face of the multi-layer substrate. The first comb electrode is electrically connected to the antenna pattern. The second comb electrode is electrically connected to the ground pattern through the first through hole. The comb teeth of the first comb electrode and the comb teeth of the second comb electrode are spaced from one another at predetermined intervals in a staggered manner. |
| US08111196B2 |
Stacked patch antennas
According to various exemplary embodiments, an antenna assembly generally includes one or more antennas, such as a single multi-frequency antenna, first and second stacked patch antennas, etc. The antenna assembly may be operable for receiving signals having different frequencies (e.g., a frequency associated with a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS), a frequency associated with a global positioning system (GPS), etc.). The antenna assembly may generally include at least one antenna (e.g., a single multi-frequency antenna, first and second stacked patch antennas, etc.) having at least one feed point and tuned to at least one of a first frequency and a second frequency that is different than the first frequency. A low noise amplifier may be in communication with the at least one feed point for amplifying signals having the first frequency and signals having the second received from a signal output. A single communication link may be used for communicating an output signal of the antenna assembly. |
| US08111195B2 |
Multi frequency antenna with low profile and improved grounding element
A multi-frequency antenna (100) comprises a radiating patch (20) having a first radiating body operating in lower frequency band and a second radiating body operating in higher frequency band; a grounding patch (10) spaced apart from the radiating patch; a connecting element (30) electrically connecting the first radiating body, the second radiating body, and the grounding patch; a feeding line (5) comprising an inner conductor and an outer conductor. The first radiating body comprises a first radiating element and a second radiating element extending from the first radiating element. The second radiating body comprises the first radiating element and a third radiating element extending from the first radiating element. The radiating patch also comprises a fourth radiating element extending from an end of the connecting element and a coupling element extending from the grounding patch. The inner conductor electrically connects to a joint of the fourth radiating element and the connecting element. The outer conductor electrically connects to the grounding patch. |
| US08111193B2 |
Distance estimation
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for estimating the distance between a transmitter and a receiver. A method comprising obtaining a signal from a receiver; determining whether the signal more likely propagated through a line-of-sight (LOS) radio channel or a non lme-of-sight (NLOS) radio channel; using a model including parameters selected according to the radio channel to estimate the distance between the receiver and a transmitter which sent the signal. |
| US08111191B2 |
Wideband antenna pattern
Embodiments of the invention include a method to control an antenna pattern of a wideband array antenna wherein a wideband array antenna unit comprising the wideband array antenna and transforming means is accomplished. Embodiments of the invention further include the corresponding wideband array antenna unit and transforming means arranged to control an antenna pattern of an antenna system. The separation between antenna elements in the wideband array antenna can be increased to above one half wavelength of a maximum frequency within a system bandwidth when the array antenna is arranged to operate with an instantaneously wideband waveform. |
| US08111190B2 |
Navigation apparatus and navigation-related information display method
A navigation apparatus and a navigation-related information display method acquire a plurality of orbit data from a plurality of GPS satellites, pinpoint the current geographical position of the apparatus according to the orbit data and distance data on the distances from the plurality of GPS satellites, display the acquiring progress level until completely acquiring a plurality of orbit data sufficient for pinpointing the current geographical position, count the remaining effective time of the plurality of orbit data acceptable for pinpointing the current geographical position and display the remaining effective time by means of a level mark that is provided with a gradation. |
| US08111189B2 |
Method and system for sharing an oscillator for processing cellular radio signals and GNSS radio data signals by deferring AFC corrections
A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) enabled mobile device comprising a crystal oscillator and an automatic frequency correction (AFC) circuit may be operable to share the crystal oscillator between processing of cellular radio signals and processing of GNSS data messages. The GNSS enabled mobile device may be operable to enforce an AFC correction when the crystal oscillator drifts beyond a specific frequency error. The AFC correction may be allowed during time intervals corresponding to GNSS words at which decoding of these words is not required. The GNSS enabled mobile device may be operable to disable the AFC correction during time intervals associated with decoding of words while the crystal oscillator may drift within the specific frequency error range. After the decoding of one or more of words is completed, the AFC correction may be allowed during the time intervals corresponding to these words. |
| US08111187B2 |
Surveillance system and method
A passive system is described for detecting radar emissions from vessels, receiving the radar emissions and analysing the data using a series of algorithms and software manipulation to extract radar signatures representative of the identity of the vessel. The data output is capable of comparison with a stored set of data enabling accurate identification of the vessel. The resulting output is displayed on a suitable display. A system having a library of vessel emission signatures can either be created within the operator's library through measurement made, or it can be supplied from a central database. The system is capable of installation on sea, land or air-based platforms. |
| US08111185B2 |
Universal remote control device
A universal remote control device (100) is provided which is able to operate different electronic devices such as television sets, recorders, set top boxes, and audio systems. The universal remote control device (100) is provided with a database (10) in which control data collected from a plurality of individual physical remote control units (2) is stored in a structured manner. To enable the memory storing the database (10) to be kept small, repetitious and/or redundant control data is omitted. In addition, the database structure uses a hierarchical structure and inheritance. The control data of a physical remote in memory may be stored, therefore, in part in a child physical remote and also in one or more parent or grandparent virtual remotes. Such a structure enables control information which is common to a number of remotes to be stored in just a single occurrence. |
| US08111183B2 |
Systems and methods for digital upconversion for digital signals
Systems and methods for digital upconversion of digital signals are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a digital frequency adjustment system and a digital to analog conversion system. In a feature of the embodiment, the digital frequency adjustment system consists of set of digital upconversion and upsample elements that shift upwards the frequency of baseband signals. In a further feature of the embodiment, a tree structure of sets of upsample and upconversion elements is used. In another embodiment, the system includes digital and analog frequency adjustment systems in which the frequencies of the input signals are partially upshifted within both the digital and analog domains. Methods for digital upconversion of digital signals are also provided. |
| US08111182B2 |
Digital to analog converter comprising mixer
In some embodiments, digital to analog converters are provided which comprise a plurality of cells. Each cell comprises a mixer and coupling circuitry to selectively couple a local oscillator signal to said mixer. |
| US08111181B2 |
Single-ended polar transmitting circuit with current salvaging and substantially constant bandwidth
An embodiment of the invention provides a single-ended polar transmitting circuit. The single-ended polar transmitting circuit comprises a DAC, a differential-to-single-ended converter, a GmC filter and a load. The GmC filter comprises two gain stages, two filters, two switching devices, a translinear loop and a current mirror. When a second clock signal is high, a first current is conducted through the load, a second switching device and a second gain stage. When a first clock signal is high, a second current is conducted through a first switching device and the second gain stage. The first gain stage has a transconductance Gm1 and the second gain stage has a transconductance Gm2. The bandwidth of the GmC filter is approximately equal to the square root of the quantity (Gm1*Gm2)/(C1*C2). The bandwidth of the GmC filter is substantially a constant value. |
| US08111180B2 |
Analog to digital conversion using irregular sampling
This disclosure relates to analog to digital conversion using irregular sampling. |
| US08111176B2 |
Method for encoding vectors
The present invention relates to a method for encoding a vector for transmission from a transmitter to a receiver, comprising a step of selecting a first vector in a predefined M-dimensional vector codebook, and at least one refinement step wherein an error vector between the random vector and the first vector is quantised by means of selecting a further vector from a further vector codebook with dimensionality reduced by one relative to the previous step, wherein the M-dimensional vector codebook and the further predefined vector codebook are known to both the transmitter and receiver. |
| US08111172B2 |
Navigation apparatus and computer program
A vehicle guidance device is configured such that, in a case where a vehicle is parked in an on-street parking zone, the vehicle guidance device specifies a parking meter from among the parking meters for the on-street parking zone in which the vehicle is parked, then provides guidance to the position where the specified parking meter is installed. In a case where an on-street parking zone is located in the vicinity of the vehicle's current position while the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle guidance device provides guidance to the position of a parking meter for the on-street parking zone. |
| US08111171B2 |
Wellbore telemetry and noise cancellation systems and methods for the same
A method of signal processing includes providing at least a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor spaced in a drilling system and using an algorithm to separate the downwardly propagating waves from the upwardly propagating waves. In one or more examples, an algorithm may include determining a velocity of pressure signals in a wellbore, time-shifting and stacking pressure signals from at least the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a downwardly propagating noise signal, and subtracting the downwardly propagating noise signal from at least the signal from the first pressure sensor. |
| US08111165B2 |
Active on-patient sensor, method and system
A sensor (which could be detachable) to sense a condition (including pressure from body weight or moisture from incontinence; applied by adhering to skin of a human body or by putting a diaper on the human body, for example), a signal processing circuit, a periodic or continuous transmitter, and a power supply (typically including a battery) are associated with a flexible substrate in low profile enabling disposition adjacent the human body. A transmitter antenna is on the substrate. Insulator film between battery contacts and a switch-and-transistor combination are two power-on techniques. A bedside monitor, a transceiver configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to the bedside monitor, and a computer connected with the transceiver can be included. Other features include: notification signaling; differently responsive antennas; unique identification; low battery detection; anti-collision transmission; patient protocol scheduling; local data transfer from the bedside monitor; and out-of-range transmission detection. |
| US08111157B2 |
Apparatus for detecting tampering with a latch mechanism
A system, method, and apparatus for monitoring and detecting movement of components of a shipping container latch. A latch monitor may embody an electromagnetic sensing unit and a nearby magnet or light emitter for measuring and characterizing the profile of a nearby electromagnetic field. The field profile is monitored to detect a change in the profile, log the change, and report any abnormal disturbance to the electromagnetic field, indicating a breach of the integrity of a latching mechanism on a shipping container. An alert of a breach event may be sent via a communication network to an authority for response. The invention can distinguish authorized, incidental, and tampering events, and also store and upload an electronic manifest for a shipping container. |
| US08111149B2 |
Measurement-based wireless device system level management
A method and apparatus for system level management to a wireless device using measurements. In various embodiments, a system level manager independent of the operating system of a wireless device may be configured to determine relevant metrics to obtain measurements, based at least in part on the quality of service needs and performance/resource consumption models of the wireless device. In various embodiments, the system level manager may be further configured to determine management actions to be taken by the operating system based at least in part on the measurements obtained. |
| US08111142B2 |
Non-contact ID tag writing apparatus for enabling high-speed data writing into a plurality of non-contact ID tags
A non-contact ID tag writing apparatus capable of applying high-speed writing to a non-contact ID tag is realized. With a plurality of antennas (221 to 223) arranged along the direction in which tags (11) are transported, one antenna applies writing to one of the tags while the tags pass through the coverage area of the antenna. The antennas apply the writing to the respective tags different from one another, whereby the writing can be applied to all the tags in a row. |
| US08111139B2 |
Arrangement for monitoring a switching state of a switch
An arrangement for monitoring the switching state of a switch has a monitoring circuit that monitors a circuit containing a first switch. The monitoring circuit has RFID electronics and a second switch. An outlet of the RFID electronics is connected in series with an RFID antenna, and the second switch is connected to an input of the RFID electronics, such that the second switch opens or closes the monitoring circuit dependent on the switching state thereof. The first and second switches are coupled to each other so that the switching state of the second switch is controlled as a function of the switching state of the first switch, so the switching state of the second switch represents the switching state of the first switch. An RFID reading device is within range of the RFID antenna, and feeds a query signal via the RFID antenna into the monitoring circuit to determine the representative switching state of the first switch via the switching state of the second switch. |
| US08111138B2 |
Radio tag and system
Passive tags use two antennas with only limited mutual coupling one of which receives a power/clock field and the other of which receives a data signal. An area-reading antenna, or two or more antennas, are deployed to generate the power/clock field, from a base station. The base station, or active tags, or both, generate the data signals from time to time. This topology together with the use of low frequencies permits area reads, and permits small and economical passive tags, and further permits localization of a particular passive tag as being nearby to a particular active tag. |
| US08111136B2 |
USB fingerprint scanner with touch sensor
A fingerprint scanner is provided. The fingerprint scanner includes a control module for detecting and controlling the transmission of signals, an electrical connector coupled to the control module for connecting the fingerprint scanner to a periphery device, a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) indicators coupled to the control module to indicate operation status of the fingerprint scanner, and a fingerprint scanning module. The fingerprint scanning module is coupled to the control module to detect fingerprints and sense touches, and send fingerprint signals and touch signals to the control module. The fingerprint scanning module includes a touch sensor for sensing different touches that represent different command signals. |
| US08111133B2 |
System for processing multiple signal frequencies and data formats for a barrier operator
A barrier operator is configured to learn and receive disparate wireless transmission signals to control movement of a barrier. The operator includes a receiver core circuit adapted to receive wireless transmission signals containing known and unknown formatted data words. A microcontroller is adapted to determine a fixed code portion of the unknown formatted data words. The microcontroller is also associated with a memory unit and connected to the receiver core circuit for storing in the memory unit the known formatted data words and the unknown formatted data words if the fixed code portion can be determined when the microcontroller is in a learn mode. The receiver core circuit may also scan only frequencies associated with learn codes, pre-selected frequencies, and incremental frequencies within a predetermined range of frequencies. |
| US08111132B2 |
Remote controlling
A method includes providing, to a user of a control device, an indication of a value currently representative of a preset sound signal source, and simultaneously providing an indication of a possible new value of the preset. |
| US08111124B2 |
Inductance element and method for manufacturing the same
An inductance element is not interfered by peripheral circuits when mounted on a wiring board by forming a closed magnetic path. The inductance element has a small reduction of an inductance value when a direct current is superimposed, and thus has excellent direct current superimposition characteristics. The temperature coefficient of the magnetic permeability of a ferrite sintered body which constitutes a magnetic core can be positive. The temperature coefficient of the magnetic permeability of a soft magnetic resin provided as an external covering to cover a coil and to fill a space between flange sections of the magnetic core is permitted to be −30 ppm/° C. or less. |
| US08111121B2 |
Actuator
The invention relates to an actuator comprising a leaf spring attached to a carrier in at least one point of attachment, means for providing a magnetic field and means for guiding the magnetic field so as to provide a magnetic flux loop. A movable part of the leaf spring is movable relative to the means for providing the magnetic field. The actuator further comprises a drive core attached to the movable part of the leaf spring, which is incorporated in the flux loop, for imparting the relative movement to the movable part. The drive core is so positioned that the magnetic properties of the flux loop are changed under the influence of said relative movement for gearing the magnetic force on the drive core and the spring force of the leaf spring to each other. |
| US08111119B2 |
Reed switch apparatus and method of using same
A reed switch apparatus utilizes one or more reed switches to communicate with one or more devices. In one configuration, the reed switch apparatus utilizes a single magnetic field to, simultaneously activate two or more reed switches. In another configuration, two or more reed switches, each acting independent of one another are simultaneously activated by a single magnetic field. Additionally, a method of controlling at least two devices includes exposing a reed switch apparatus to a single magnetic field. Yet another method includes activating a device via the use of a single reed switch mounted to a portion of a warehouse structure. |
| US08111117B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnetic block formed by winding a coil around an iron core and a frame shaped card. One end portion of the frame-shaped card is engaged with a movable iron piece that is rotated by being attracted to and separated from a magnetic pole portion of the iron core based on excitation and non-excitation of the electromagnetic block. The electromagnetic relay also includes a contact mechanism portion configured to be driven by the other end portion of the frame-shaped card that makes a reciprocating movement so as to open/close contacts and a pair of protrusions protrusively provided on the same shaft center inside of the one end portion of the frame-shaped card. Both side edge portions of the movable iron piece are held by the one end portion of the card and the protrusions. An adjustment opening is provided between the pair of protrusions. |
| US08111114B2 |
MEMS filter with voltage tunable center frequency and bandwidth
A tunable MEMS filter is disclosed, having a substrate with first and second isolated substrate areas. First and second anchor points are coupled to the substrate. A base is coupled to the first and second anchor points by first and second coupling beams, respectively. A dielectric layer is coupled to the base. An input conductor is coupled to the at least one dielectric layer. An output conductor is coupled to the at least one dielectric layer.A method of tuning a center frequency and a bandwidth of a MEMS resonator filter is also disclosed. A first bias voltage is adjusted between a base layer and input and output conductor layers. A second bias voltage is adjusted between the base layer and isolated substrate areas. The center frequency and the bandwidth are determined until the adjustments to the bias voltages provide a desired center frequency and a desired bandwidth. |
| US08111113B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming thin film capacitor
A semiconductor device has a first coil structure formed over the substrate. A second coil structure is formed over the substrate adjacent to the first coil structure. A third coil structure is formed over the substrate adjacent to the second coil structure. The first and second coil structures are coupled by mutual inductance, and the second and third coil structures are coupled by mutual inductance. The first, second, and third coil structures each have a height greater than a skin current depth of the coil structure defined as a depth which current reduces to 1/(complex permittivity) of a surface current value. A thin film capacitor is formed within the semiconductor device by a first metal plate, dielectric layer over the first metal plate, and second and third electrically isolated metal plates opposite the first metal plate. The terminals are located on the same side of the capacitor. |
| US08111111B2 |
Device comprising a controlled matching stage
Device (5) comprising controlled matching stages (10) for matching second stages such as antenna stages (2) to first stages such as power amplifier stages (1) get a simple construction by providing the controlled matching stages (10) with deriving means (11) for deriving first signals and second signals from output signals of the first stages, with detecting means (12) for detecting phases between the first signals and the second signals, and with controlling means (13) for controlling adjustable impedance networks (14) in response to said detecting for said matching. The deriving means (11) comprise elements (21) such as passive elements such as inductors and capacitors, with the first signals being the output signals and the second signals being derived via the elements (21). The detecting means (12) comprise phase detectors (22-24) made of first and second limiters (22,23) for limiting the first and second signals and mixers (24) for mixing the limited first and second signals. The controlling means (13) comprise analog-to-digital converters (25) such as limiters and digital circuits (26) such as up-down counters. |
| US08111108B2 |
Micromechanical resonating devices and related methods
Micromechanical resonating devices, as well as related methods, are described herein. The resonating devices can include a micromechanical resonating structure, an actuation structure that actuates the resonating structure, and a detection structure that detects motion of the resonating structure. |
| US08111103B2 |
Amplifier circuit with overshoot suppression
An amplifier circuit with overshoot suppress scheme including an input amplifier, an output amplifier, and a diode is provided. A first and a second input ends of the output amplifier are coupled to a differential output pair of the input amplifier. A first end of the diode is coupled to an output end of the output amplifier. A second end of the diode is coupled to the first input end of the output amplifier. When the voltage difference between the output and the input ends of the output amplifier is greater then the barrier voltage of the diode, the diode is turned on, so that the output end of the output amplifier is coupled to the input end of the output amplifier. In the transient state, it rapidly smoothes the overshoot signal. In the steady state, the diode is cut off to maintain the normal operation of the operational amplifier. |
| US08111101B2 |
Time-alignment of two signals used for digital pre-distortion
A digital pre-distortion system which can provide the flexibility to model the highly non-linear distortion associated with High Efficiency RF Power Amplifiers while through a novel implementation of a least squares estimation process allows an implementation well suited for an FPGA application where limited resources and in particular memory resources are available. |
| US08111100B1 |
Differential amplifier with improved zero-point calibration
The present invention covers novel approaches to the differential amplification of an input signal. Embodiments of the present invention have precise gain, swing to within micro-volts (μV) of ground, and have high CMRR without the need for precision resistors or tuned potentiometers. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly suited for the amplification of an instrumentation signal for delivery to an analog-to-digital converter. Examples of such signals include the product of a strain-gauge front end, a temperature sensor front end, and certain devices for bioelectronics detection. Embodiments of the present invention which are systems for amplification of a differential input signal can comprise a differential input stage transconducing a differential voltage input signal into a single-ended intermediate current signal using a follower transconductance amplifier, and a single-ended output stage comprising an amplifier producing an output voltage across a resistor network that forms a negative feedback network of the amplifier. |
| US08111095B2 |
Temperature compensation for internal inductor resistance
An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programmable attenuation and a programmable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator. The VCOs in the PLLs are centered using a control circuit to center the tuning capacitance range. A differential crystal oscillator is advantageously used as a frequency reference. Differential signal transmission is advantageously used throughout the receiver. |
| US08111094B2 |
Analog multiplexer circuits and methods
A sample and hold circuit is disclosed that provides longer hold times. An analog multiplexer circuit is also disclosed that exhibits low switch leakage. The analog multiplexer circuit comprises a shared node, a plurality of input circuits, a control input for selecting one or more of the plurality of input circuits, and an amplifier coupled to the shared node. Each input circuit comprises an input node, a primary input switch for selectively coupling an input to the input node, and a secondary input switch for selectively coupling the input node to the shared node, wherein the secondary input switch comprises one or more transistor switches. The parasitic drain and source diodes of one or more transistor switches in secondary input switch in a selected input circuit are coupled to a voltage that is distinct from an input signal of the selected input circuit. For input circuits not selected, the parasitic drain and source diodes of secondary input switch transistor switches are coupled to an output of the amplifier. |
| US08111088B2 |
Level shifter with balanced duty cycle
A level shifter and method are provided for balancing a duty cycle of a signal. An input circuit receives a differential logic signal with two complimentary logic levels. A level transition balancing circuit balances the rise and fall times of a level shifted version of each complimentary logic level during a transition from a first to a second of the logic levels and a level shift. A logic element stores and provides outputs of the level shifted versions of the logic levels. The level transition balancing circuit can include a capacitor in parallel with a transfer element for each input. The capacitor destabilizes inputs to the logic element and balances the transition using a capacitance and a level previously stored in the logic element. |
| US08111087B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an n-channel spin FET including one of a magnetic tunnel junction and a magneto-semiconductor junction, the n-channel spin FET including a gate terminal to receive an input signal, a source terminal to receive a first power supply potential, and a drain terminal connected to an output terminal, a p-channel FET including a gate terminal to receive a clock signal, a source terminal to receive a second power supply potential, and a drain terminal connected to the output terminal, a subsequent circuit connected to the output terminal, and a control circuit which turns on the p-channel FET to start charging the output terminal, then turns off the p-channel FET to end the charging, and supplies the input signal to the gate terminal of the n-channel spin FET. |
| US08111083B1 |
Quantum processor
One embodiment of the invention includes a quantum processor system. The quantum processor system includes a first resonator having a first characteristic frequency and a second resonator having a second characteristic frequency greater than the first characteristic frequency. A qubit cell is coupled to each of the first resonator and the second resonator. The qubit cell has a frequency tunable over a range of frequencies including the first characteristic frequency and the second characteristic frequency. A classical control mechanism is configured to tune the frequency of the qubit cell as to transfer quantum information between the first resonator and the second resonator. |
| US08111082B2 |
Test apparatus
A test apparatus is configured such that two adjacent channels form a pair. Timing comparators determine the level of first output data fed from a DUT, respectively, timed in accordance with strobe signals, respectively. Clock envelope extractors extract envelopes of a clock, respectively. A clock recovery circuit recovers a strobe signal. A first main latch latches an output from the first timing comparator, timed by the first strobe signal. A first sub-latch latches the envelope of the clock, timed by the first strobe signal. An output from the sub-latch is supplied to a second main latch of the second channel. A signal dependent on the strobe signal is assigned an adjustable delay by a first delay circuit and is supplied to a clock terminal of the second main latch. |
| US08111079B2 |
Conductivity measuring apparatus and conductivity measuring method
A conductivity measuring apparatus includes a probe base having a pair of electrodes disposed on respective opposite surfaces of a portion of the probe base. Observing and grasping probes are supported by the probe base in a cantilever state and are arranged adjancent to and spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The grasping probe has a pair of electrodes disposed on respective opposite surfaces of a portion of the grasping probe confronting the portion of the probe base. A voltage apparatus applies a voltage between the pairs of electrodes on the probe base and the grasping probe to adjust the predetermined distance between the grasping and observing probes. A movement mechanism moves a sample base and the observing and grasping probes relative to each other to bring conductive tips of the observing and grasping probes into contact with respective contact points on a sample supported on the sample base. A measurement apparatus measures a conductivity between the contact points on the sample on the basis of a current flow generated between the conductive tips of the observing and grasping probes. |
| US08111078B1 |
Oxidizing power sensor for corrosion monitoring
A method based on the measurement of the oxidation power or the cathodic current density using a corrosion-resistant electrode (noble electrode) to derive the bounding corrosion rates of the corroding metal, which is either a stand-alone electrode or an actual component of an equipment, is disclosed. During the measurement, the potential of the noble electrode is controlled at the corrosion potential of the corroding metal. A modified version the sensor that provides a correction factor for the estimation of the corrosion rate according to the bounding corrosion rate is also disclosed. The correction factor is derived based on the cathodic currents measured for the noble electrode and for the corroding metal at a potential that is significantly lower than the corrosion potential, so that the measured cathodic current density from the corroding metal equals the true cathodic current density on the corroding metal. |
| US08111076B1 |
Method and apparatus for determination of plant canopy rehydration rate and magnitude of plant canopy water storage
This invention is concerned with a method for measuring the canopy rehydration pulse during the period of water application. During the rehydration process water leaks from the trunk xylem tubes into the sapwood extraxyllary region. A water content sensor in this region monitors the magnitude and timing of this leakage water thereby giving a measure of the magnitude and timing of the upward flow of water. The rehydration pulse is quantified by a sequence of measurements of sapwood water content: an initial measurement of water content just prior to water application, then measurement of water content during water application. The difference between the values obtained in the two measurements yields a measure of the leakage water in the extraxyllary region and, in turn, the magnitude and timing of the rehydration pulse. Determination of the onset and termination of the rehydration pulse is used to optimize the duration of water application. |
| US08111074B2 |
Method and apparatus to measure differential phase and frequency modulation distortions for audio equipment
A testing method or apparatus utilizes multiple frequencies applied to a device under test for measuring newly discovered frequency modulation effects. An embodiment may include a lower frequency signal with a smaller amplitude higher frequency signal to test a dynamic change in frequency response, gain, and or phase. This dynamic test can reveal frequency modulation effects. Another embodiment may include the use of a multiple frequency signal to dynamically induce a time varying phase or frequency distortion for the device that has differential phase distortion. The device's output is then measured with an FM detector to measure a shift in one of the frequencies used in the test signal or to measure frequency modulation effects of any signals, including distortion products, from the device. Yet another embodiment of the invention may include biasing a device with a voltage to span the output voltage range of the device while measuring harmonic or intermodulation distortion or phase or frequency response at the various operating points. |
| US08111066B2 |
Device and method for measuring the mass of a magnetic material, and analysis apparatus including such device
The invention relates to a device for measuring the mass of a magnetic material (6) present in an analysis medium, that comprises: a modulator (24) of the phase of a high-frequency and/or low-frequency component of a magnetic field for exciting the analysis medium with a modulation signal having a value that is modified by a frequency fmod; and a demodulator (36) capable of demodulating the amplitude of an amplitude signal, measured in response to the excitation field, from the modulation signal, wherein said demodulator is connected to the output of a filter (34) and to the input of an estimation unit (44). |
| US08111055B2 |
Method for controlling a direct current chopper controller
A method of controlling a direct current (“DC”) chopper controller having a switch and a storage choke in which the choke has a current dependent on the switching of the switch on and off includes the following. A current variable derived from one of the time averaged value of the current of the choke and the peak value of the current of the choke is determined. A switching frequency for synchronizing the turning on and off the switch is calculated as a function of the current variable and on whether the current variable exceeds a current threshold. The switching frequency is determined to be a predetermined low frequency if the switching frequency is lower than the low frequency and is determined to be a predetermined high frequency if the switching frequency is greater than the high frequency. The switch is switched on and off in accordance with the switching frequency. |
| US08111053B2 |
DC-DC converter
The present invention provides a DC-DC converter including a first series circuit connected to both ends of a first switch and formed of a winding of a first transformer, a first reactor, a first diode, and a smoothing capacitor, a second diode connected to a connection point of a primary winding of the first transformer, the winding of the first transformer and the first switch, and to one end of the smoothing capacitor, a second series circuit connected to both ends of a second switch and formed of a winding of a second transformer, a second reactor, a third diode, and the smoothing capacitor, a fourth diode connected to a connection point of a primary winding of the second transformer, the winding of the second transformer and the second switch, and to the one end of the smoothing capacitor, a third reactor connected to both ends of a series circuit of a secondary winding of the first transformer and a secondary winding of the second transformer, and a control circuit which alternately turns on the first switch and the second switch every ½ cycle, turns off the first switch during an on-period of the second switch, and turns off the second switch during an on-period of the first switch. |
| US08111050B2 |
Power factor control systems and methods
A boost converter comprises an inductance that receives an input signal. A switch controls current supplied by the inductance to a load. A power factor control module comprises a mode control module that selects an operating mode of the boost converter and a switch control module that switches the switch at a frequency. The frequency is equal to a first frequency when the mode control module selects a continuous mode and equal to a second frequency when the mode control module selects a discontinuous mode. The first frequency is greater than the second frequency. |
| US08111048B2 |
Double fed synchronous generator motor
A double fed synchronous generator motor which is coupled to a reversible pump-turbine and operated while switched to a power generating operation mode or a pumping operation mode, is equipped with a controller for controlling the double fed synchronous generator motor so that power output from the double fed synchronous generator motor is coincident with an instruction value and the rotating speed is set between upper and lower limit values of the rotating speed by changing exciting current. In the power generating operation mode, the lower limit value of the rotating speed is varied by active power output from the double fed synchronous generator motor, and when the active power is small, the lower limit value of the rotating speed is set to a smaller value than that when the active power is large. |
| US08111046B2 |
Technique for conveying overload conditions from an AC adapter to a load powered by the adapter
A constant voltage/constant power AC adapter converts AC voltage to DC voltage to provide power to a plurality of loads. The adapter's output characteristic is approximately a constant voltage as long as the output current draw by the loads is less than a threshold (e.g., a safety threshold for the adapter). If, however, the power draw on the adapter is such that the output current exceeds the threshold, the adapter then decreases its output voltage to maintain the power draw at a safe level. One or more loads that draw power from the adapter may be adapted to detect a drop in the AC adapter's output voltage. When such a voltage drop is detected, that information tells the load that too much current is being drawn from the adapter and that the load should throttle back (e.g., reducing battery charge current, CPU clock frequency, display brightness, etc.). |
| US08111035B2 |
Charging system, charging device and battery pack
A charging system is provided with a secondary battery, a charging current supplier for supplying a charging current to the secondary battery, an internal resistance detector for detecting the resistance value of the internal resistance of the secondary battery, and a charge controller for increasing the charging current to be supplied to the secondary battery by the charging current supplier as the resistance value detected by the internal resistance detector decreases. |
| US08111033B2 |
Stepping motor control circuit and analog electronic timepiece
The present invention aims to prevent a nonrotation state from being brought about even when a drive allowance is changed by variations in a stepping motor or the like. A pulse down counter circuit outputs pulse down control signal for subjecting main drive pulse to control pulse down when time is counted for a predetermined time period. When a detecting signal exceeding a reference threshold voltage detected by a rotation detecting circuit is detected at a first detection section at start of a rotation detecting time period, a control circuit resets the pulse down counter circuit. Thereby, a main drive pulse generating circuit is not subjected to control pulse down by the pulse down counter circuit, and therefore, it is prevented that the main drive pulse is subjected to pulse down unnecessarily. |
| US08111032B2 |
Indicating instrument for vehicle
An indicating instrument for a vehicle includes a step motor including a field winding, a pointer, a stopper device for stopping the pointer, which is rotating in a zero-reset direction, at a stopper position, a detecting device for detecting induced voltage of the field winding at each of detecting points, a control device for performing zero-reset control, whereby a drive signal is controlled to rotate the pointer in the zero-reset direction. In a state of abnormal detection in which the induced voltage larger than a predetermined set value is detected at a zero point; and the induced voltage equal to or smaller than the set value is detected at a next detecting point to the zero point, the control device assumes synchronization loss of the step motor and continues the zero-reset control until an assumptive electrical angle corresponding to a rotational position of the pointer reaches the zero point. |
| US08111022B2 |
Lighting system comprising interconnectable lighting modules
This invention relates to a lighting system. The lighting system includes a plurality of interconnectable polygonal lighting modules, wherein each lighting module has a plurality of connection members each including at least one electrical terminal. The connection members are arranged rotationally symmetrically at the lighting module. The lighting system further includes bridge members. Each bridge member has bridge terminals and is mountable at neighboring connection members of different lighting modules, to form a bridge providing an electric connection between connection terminals of the different connection members. |
| US08111020B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving backlight unit
The present invention is directed to a drive apparatus for a backlight unit (20) in which plural LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements are cascade-connected every three primary colors, which comprises a signal generating unit (44) for generating a signal having an arbitrary amplitude, an adjustment unit (50) for adjusting light emission quantities of groups of LED elements (30) on the basis of the signal which has been generated by the signal generating unit (44), a voltage applying unit (41) for applying a predetermined voltage every the groups of LED elements (30), light emission quantity detecting units (33) for detecting quantities of rays of light which have been emitted from the groups of LED elements (30), calorific value detecting units (32) for detecting calorific values emitted from the groups of LED elements in accordance with the voltage which has been applied to the voltage applying unit (41), and a control unit (50) for controlling the signal generating unit (44) on the basis of light emission quantities which have been detected by the light emission quantity detecting units (33) and calorific values which have been detected by the calorific value detecting units (32). |
| US08111017B2 |
Circuits and methods for controlling dimming of a light source
A controller for controlling dimming of a light source includes a detection pin, an input signal pin, and a monitoring pin. The detection pin is operable for monitoring a rectified voltage and for detecting whether the rectified voltage comes from a TRIAC dimmer or an on/off switch dimmer. The input signal pin is operable for receiving an input signal indicative of the rectified voltage and the controller controls dimming of the light source according to the input signal if the rectified voltage comes from a TRIAC dimmer. The monitoring pin is operable for receiving a monitoring signal indicating an operation of the on/off switch dimmer and the controller controls dimming of the light source according to the monitoring signal if the rectified voltage comes from an on/off switch dimmer. |
| US08110997B2 |
LED drive circuit
A LED drive circuit equipped with oscillator 18, up/down counter 20, and DAC 22 in order to drive multiple LEDs 10(1)-10(m) in a block. Up/down counter 20 carries out count-up/down operations in sync with clock CLK sent from oscillator 18 during the ramping up/down of pulse-lighting of the LEDs. DAC 22 converts counter count value DN into analog voltage signal VDAC and supplies it to the gate terminal of NMOS transistor 14 via low-pass filter 28 and buffer amplifier 24. |
| US08110994B2 |
Multi-zone closed loop daylight harvesting having at least one light sensor
A multi-zone daylight harvesting method and apparatus having a closed loop system utilizing a single light sensor is disclosed herein. This light control system includes an ambient light sensor connected to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone and converting the light signal to an digital one. A control device couples to receive a predetermined rate of change for each respective zone from a storage unit along with the converted digital signal. The control device connects each zone of a plurality of electrical loads to control the power supplied to the electrical load at the predetermined corresponding rate of change and responsive to the amount of ambient light detected. |
| US08110991B2 |
Phase and frequency control of a radio frequency generator from an external source
Controlling a phase and/or a frequency of a RF generator. The RF generator includes a power source, a sensor, and a sensor signal processing unit. The sensor signal processing unit is coupled to the power source and to the sensor. The sensor signal processing unit controls the phase and/or the frequency of a RF generator. |
| US08110988B2 |
Plasma lamp with dielectric waveguide
A dielectric waveguide integrated plasma lamp is disclosed for powering a small and bright bulb with a diameter of a few millimeters. The lamp is contained within a high dielectric constant material which guides the microwaves to the bulb, provides heat isolation to the drive circuit, contains the microwaves, provides structural stability and ease of manufacturing and allows efficient energy coupling to the bulb when used as a dielectric resonant oscillator. |
| US08110986B2 |
Dispersion-type electroluminescent element and method for manufacturing the same
A dispersion-type EL element formed on a thin or flexible transparent plastic film and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The dispersion-type electroluminescent element is a dispersion-type electroluminescent element with at least a transparent conductive layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer, and a rear electrode layer sequentially formed on a transparent plastic film surface, in which a thickness of the transparent plastic film is less than 50 μm, and the transparent conductive layer is formed by applying compression processing to an applied layer formed by applying a transparent conductive layer forming application liquid mainly composed of conductive oxide particles and a binder on the transparent plastic film surface and then, curing the compressed layer. |
| US08110984B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode with transparent multilayer electrode
An organic light-emitting diode comprising a substrate, an organic light-emitting layer arranged between a first electrode and a transparent and semi-reflecting second electrode with a multilayer structure subdivided into: a first silver-based metallic layer in contact with the organic light-emitting layer, a second aluminum-based metallic layer, and a third dielectric layer, wherein the second metallic layer is inserted between the first metallic layer and the third dielectric layer of the transparent second electrode, the organic light-emitting layer comprises a doped sub-layer in contact with the first metallic layer of the transparent second electrode, and the thickness of the third dielectric layer is adjusted to limit the absorption by the first and second metallic layers of the light emitted by the diode. |
| US08110982B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device and method of fabricating the same
An organic light emitting diode display device having a frit which can improve mechanical strength and adhesion between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The organic light emitting diode display device includes a lower substrate, an organic light emitting diode disposed on the lower substrate, an upper substrate to be coupled to the lower substrate, and a frit disposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate to couple both the lower substrate and the upper substrate to each other where the frit has a plurality of pores. |
| US08110975B2 |
Field emission display device
A field emission device includes an insulating substrate, one or more grids located on the insulating substrate. Each grid includes a first, second, third and fourth electrode down-leads and an electron emitting unit. The first, second, third and fourth electrode down-leads are located on the periphery of the grid. The first and the second electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The third and the fourth electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The electron emitting unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode and at least one electron emitter. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode down-lead, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the third electrode down-lead. One end of the electron emitter is connected to the second electrode and an opposite end of the electron emitter is spaced from the first electrode by a predetermined distance. |
| US08110971B2 |
Light emitting element, light emitting device, image display device, method of driving light emitting element, and method of producing light emitting element
A light emitting element of the present invention includes an electrode substrate; a thin-film electrode; and an electron acceleration layer sandwiched between the electrode substrate and the thin-film electrode. In the electron acceleration layer, as a result of a voltage applied between the electrode substrate and the thin-film electrode, electrons are accelerated so as to be turned into hot electrons. The hot electrons excite surfaces of the silicon fine particles contained in the electron acceleration layer so that the surfaces of the silicon fine particles emit light. Such a light emitting element of the present invention is a novel light emitting element, which has not been achieved by the conventional techniques. That is, the light emitting element of the present invention is able to (i) be produced by using a silicon material, which is available at low price, through a simple production method, and (ii) efficiently emit light. |
| US08110969B2 |
Gas-discharge reflector lamp
The invention relates to the electrotechnical industry. Said invention makes it possible to reduce the production cost of, and improve the quality of, gas-discharge reflector lamps. The inventive gas-discharge reflector lamp comprises a light bulb and a burner arranged on current leads into the bulb. At least one half of the bulb's internal surface is coated with a reflective layer in such a way that a plane crossing the parallel edges thereof is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the burner. The bulb is embodied in the form of an ellipsoid. In the area delimited by the bulb neck and dome, the transversal edges of the reflecting layer are located on the cross-sections where the bulb neck and dome gradually transform into the ellipsoidal section, The plane passing through the longitudinal edges of the reflecting layer are located from the bulb axis at a distance H and falls in the range of 0.04-0.11 of the bulb maximum diameter D. The burner is positioned in such a way that, on the cross-section passing through the center of the bulb ellipsoid, the ratio between a distance I from the burner axis to the closest surface of the reflecting layer and a distance L from the burner axis to the edge of the reflecting layer located on the longitudinal section ranges from 0.56 to 0.68. A least one current lead is arranged between the burner and the reflecting layer on the longitudinal plane of symmetry. |
| US08110967B2 |
Spherical rotary piezoelectric motor
A spherical rotary piezoelectric motor comprises a spherical rotor, a hemispherical stator, and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators. The hemispherical stator comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface forms a hemispherical hollow portion which substantially corresponds to the spherical rotor so as to contain a portion of the spherical rotor. The plurality of piezoelectric actuators is arranged on the inner surface (or the outer surface) of the hemispherical stator respectively so as to drive the hemispherical stator. The hemispherical stator generates traveling waves with a resultant elliptical motion, so the spherical rotor can be rotated accordingly with at least one degree of freedom. |
| US08110962B2 |
MEMS component and method for production
A MEMS component includes a chip that has a rear side having a low roughness of less than one tenth of the wavelength at the center frequency of an acoustic wave propagating in the component. Metallic structures for scattering bulk acoustic waves are provided on the rear side of the chip and a material of the metallic structures is acoustically matched to a material of the chip. |
| US08110956B2 |
Small motor of quadrangular external shape
The side wall of a motor casing is formed into a quadrangular shape such that four flat side portions, and arcuate corner portions located at respective corners are continuously joined together. A field magnet having a quadrangular external shape is formed such that four flat side portions, and four arcuate corner portions located at respective corners are continuously joined together. The arcuate corner portions of the motor casing and the arcuate corner portions of the field magnet extend along respective circles having a center located at the center of a motor shaft, and the central angles of the arcuate corner portions fall within a range of 15° to 35° inclusive. The field magnet is press-fitted or bonded into the motor casing such that the corner portions of the field magnet come into close contact with the corner portions of the motor casing. |
| US08110953B2 |
Powered chuck-bearing group for a printing machine
A motorized chuck-bearing group for a printing machine, powered by a brushless motor, comprises a casing housing a stator coil and a rotor, controlled both in velocity and activation times by a control circuit comprising an encoder device, in which a shaft supports permanent magnets in a peripheral arrangement, the shaft being coupled, internally of the casing, to the encoder device and extending outside the casing such as to support a chuck which rotates an object to be printed. |
| US08110943B2 |
Energy-saving power socket with slave power supply
An energy-saving power socket with slave power supply, especially a power socket having plural receptacles, with power supply of part of the receptacles depending upon a working condition of a master receptacle of primary load that the slave receptacles are turned off when an electric appliance which takes electricity from the primary load receptacle stops working, primarily connects an end of an electronic control circuit to a manual switching device, an end of which is connected to the slave receptacles. When the control circuit operates, the slave receptacles will be guided to supply electricity, depending upon the working condition of the master receptacle. In addition, the control circuit does not consume electricity while not working. |
| US08110936B2 |
Power transmission apparatus for wind power generation and wind power generator using the same
The present invention provides a power transmission apparatus for wind power generation and a wind power generator using the same. The power transmission apparatus includes a first magnetic member which is provided around a rotating shaft of an impeller, and a second magnetic member which is provided around a rotor shaft of a generating unit. The second magnetic member is disposed at a position facing the first magnetic member such that similar poles of the first and second magnetic members face each other. Thus, when the impeller is rotated by wind, the rotor shaft of the generating unit is rotated by magnetic repulsive force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. Thereby, the rotating force of the impeller is transmitted to the generating unit. |
| US08110930B2 |
Die backside metallization and surface activated bonding for stacked die packages
Methods and apparatus to provide die backside metallization and/or surface activated bonding for stacked die packages are described. In one embodiment, an active metal layer of a first die may be coupled to an active metal layer of a second die through silicon vias and/or a die backside metallization layer of the second die. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08110919B2 |
Thermal interface with non-tacky surface
A package includes a thermal interface member which includes a bulk layer and a surface layer that is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the bulk layer. The surface layer is highly thermally conductive, has a melting point exceeding a solder reflow temperature, and has a maximum cross-sectional thickness of less than about 10 microns. |
| US08110918B2 |
Flexible substrate for a semiconductor package, method of manufacturing the same, and semiconductor package including flexible substrate
A flexible substrate used in a semiconductor package, a method of manufacturing the same, and a semiconductor package including the flexible substrate. A circuit pattern forming region is formed in an insulating substrate with a dented shape and a circuit pattern formed of a metallic material is formed in the circuit pattern forming region. |
| US08110917B2 |
Package substrate with a conductive connecting pin
A package substrate 310 incorporating a substrate provided with a conductor layer 5, a conductive connecting pin 100 arranged to establish the electrical connection with a motherboard and secured to the surface of the substrate, wherein a pad 16 for securing the conductive connecting pin is provided for the package substrate 310. The pad 16 is covered with an organic resin insulating layer 15 having an opening 18 through which the pad 16 is partially exposed to the outside. The conductive connecting pin 100 is secured to the pad exposed to the outside through the opening with a conductive adhesive agent 17 so that solution of the conductive connecting pin 100 from the substrate occurring, for example when mounting is performed is prevented. |
| US08110915B2 |
Open cavity leadless surface mountable package for high power RF applications
An RF semiconductor package includes a substrate having generally planar top and bottom surfaces. The substrate includes a metallic base region and one or more metallic signal terminal regions extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and an insulative material separating the metallic regions from one another. The bottom surface of an RF semiconductor die is surface-mounted to the base region at the top substrate surface. The RF semiconductor die has a terminal pad disposed at a top surface of the RF semiconductor die. The terminal pad is electrically connected to one of the signal terminal regions at the top substrate surface. A lid is attached to the top substrate surface so that the RF semiconductor die is enclosed by the lid to form an open-cavity around the RF semiconductor die. The base and signal terminal regions are configured for surface-mounting at the bottom substrate surface. |
| US08110914B2 |
Wafer level package with removable chip protecting layer
A wafer level package includes a chip, a removable resin layer, a molding material, a dielectric layer, redistribution lines and a solder resist. The removable resin layer is formed to surround side surfaces and a lower surface of the chip. The molding material is formed on the lower surface of the removable resin layer. The dielectric layer is formed over the removable resin layer including the chip and having via holes to expose portions of the chip. The redistribution lines are formed on the dielectric layer including insides of the via holes to be connected to the chip. The solder resist layer is formed on the dielectric layer to expose portions of the redistribution lines. |
| US08110912B2 |
Semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a foil formed of an insulating material, where the foil includes at least one electrically conducting element, providing a chip having contact elements on a first face of the chip, and applying the foil over the contact elements of the chip. |
| US08110911B2 |
Semiconductor chip package with post electrodes
A first wiring pattern is formed on a surface of a first support plate; a semiconductor chip is disposed on the first wiring pattern; and electrode terminals of the semiconductor chip are electrically connected to the first wiring pattern at required positions. Post electrodes connected to a second wiring pattern of a wiring-added post electrode component integrally connected by a second support plate are collectively fixed and electrically connected to the first wiring pattern formed on the first support plate at predetermined positions. After sealing with resin, the first and second support plates are separated; a glass substrate is affixed on a front face side; and external electrodes connected to the second wiring pattern are formed on a back face side. |
| US08110910B2 |
Stack package
A stack package includes a first semiconductor chip possessing a first size and one or more second semiconductor chips possessing a second size greater than the first size. The first semiconductor chip has a first surface on which bonding pads are disposed, a second surface which faces away from the first surface, and first through-electrodes which pass through the first surface and the second surface. The one or more second semiconductor chips are stacked on the second surface of the first semiconductor chip and have second through-electrodes which are electrically connected to the first through-electrodes. A molding part abuts one or more side surfaces of the first semiconductor chip such that a total size including the first size and a size of the molding part is equal to or greater than the second size. |
| US08110907B2 |
Semiconductor device including first substrate having plurality of wires and a plurality of first electrodes and a second substrate including a semiconductor chip being mounted thereon, and second electrodes connected with first electrodes of first substrate
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, a first substrate, and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a plurality of wires and a plurality of first electrodes, each first electrode being connected with each wire. The second substrate includes the semiconductor chip that is mounted thereon, and a plurality of second electrodes with, each second electrode being connected with the each first electrode of the first substrate. The widths of the wires of the first substrate are different depending on the lengths of the wires. By changing the widths of the wires depending on their lengths, it is possible to reduce variation in stiffness of the electrodes and vicinities of electrodes, whereby variation in ultrasonic bonding strength can be reduced. |
| US08110905B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with leadframe interposer and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a substrate; mounting a base integrated circuit on the substrate; forming a leadframe interposer, over the base integrated circuit, by: providing a metal sheet, mounting an integrated circuit die on the metal sheet, injecting a molded package body on the integrated circuit die and the metal sheet, and forming a ball pad, a bond finger, or a combination thereof from the metal sheet that is not protected by the molded package body; coupling a circuit package on the ball pad; and forming a component package on the substrate, the base integrated circuit, and the leadframe interposer. |
| US08110903B2 |
QFN package
An improved Quad Flat No-Lead package is described. The package is formed by encapsulating a die mounted on a leadframe with a moulding compound using a mould chase. The mould chase comprises a number of internal projections which form openings in the mould compound to expose regions of the leadframe. These exposed regions of the leadframe may then be used for soldering the package to a substrate. The arrangement of the openings may be designed such that each aperture is the same shape and size and/or that the apertures are arranged in multiple rows on the underside of the package. |
| US08110897B2 |
Semiconductor device with carbon-containing region
The semiconductor device of the present invention includes: a gate insulating film formed on a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type; a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film; and a channel doped layer of the first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor region beneath the gate electrode. The channel doped layer contains carbon as an impurity. |
| US08110893B2 |
Semiconductor device mounted with fuse memory
A fuse element utilizing a reaction between two layers by feeding current is manufactured. A fuse element including a first layer formed of an oxide or a nitride and a second layer that becomes high resistant by nitridation or oxidation, in which the first layer and the second layer are in contact with each other, is manufactured. For example, the fuse element is manufactured by using indium tin oxide for the first layer and aluminum for the second layer. By generating joule heat by applying voltage to the first layer and the second layer, oxygen in the indium tin oxide enters the aluminum, which changes the aluminum into aluminum oxide that presents an insulating property. The fuse element can be manufactured by a similar process as that of forming a TFT. |
| US08110877B2 |
Metal-insulator-semiconductor tunneling contacts having an insulative layer disposed between source/drain contacts and source/drain regions
A contact to a source or drain region. The contact has a conductive material, but that conductive material is separated from the source or drain region by an insulator. |
| US08110876B2 |
System for ESD protection with extra headroom in relatively low supply voltage integrated circuits
An ESD protection system providing extra headroom at an integrated circuit (IC) terminal pad. The system includes an ESD protection circuit having one or more first diodes coupled in series between the supply voltage and terminal pad, and a second diode coupled to ground. One or more third diodes are coupled in series between the terminal pad and second diode, and are configured to permit a voltage on the interconnection nodes between the one or more third diodes and second diode different from ground. The one or more third diodes include an n+ on an area of P-substrate. A deep N-well separates the area of P-substrate from a common area of P-substrate, which is coupled to ground. The allowable signal swing at the terminal pad is increased to greater than supply voltage plus 1.4 V. The ESD protection circuit is useful for, among other things, relatively low supply voltage ICs. |
| US08110875B2 |
Structure for charge dissipation during fabrication of integrated circuits and isolation thereof
A structure for dissipating charge during fabrication of an integrated circuit. The structure includes: a substrate contact in a semiconductor substrate; one or more wiring levels over the substrate; one or more electrically conductive charge dissipation structures extending from a top surface of an uppermost wiring level of the one or more wiring levels through each lower wiring level of the one or more wiring levels to and in electrical contact with the substrate contact; and circuit structures in the substrate and in the one or more wiring layers, the charge dissipation structures not electrically contacting any the circuit structures in any of the one or more wiring levels, the one or more charge dissipation structures dispersed between the circuit structures. |
| US08110874B2 |
Hybrid substrates and method of manufacture
A hybrid substrate circuit on a common substrate is disclosed. A first circuit formed in a first semiconductor material is isolated via a buried oxide layer from a second circuit formed in a second semiconductor material. The first and second circuits may include CMOS, HEMTs, P-HEMTs, HBTs, radio frequency circuits, MESFETs, and various pFETs and nFETs. |
| US08110873B2 |
High voltage transistor
A high voltage transistor that includes a substrate where an active region is defined, a first impurity region and a second impurity region in the active region and a third impurity region between the first and second impurity regions, and a first gate electrode on the active region between the first impurity region and the third impurity region and a second gate electrode on the active region between the second impurity region and the third impurity region. |
| US08110869B2 |
Planar SRFET using no additional masks and layout method
A semiconductor power device supported on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type with a bottom layer functioning as a bottom electrode and an epitaxial layer overlying the bottom layer with a same conductivity type as the bottom layer. The semiconductor power device includes a plurality of FET cells and each cell further includes a body region of a second conductivity type extending from a top surface into the epitaxial layer. The body region encompasses a heavy body dopant region of second conductivity type. An insulated gate is disposed on the top surface of the epitaxial layer, overlapping a first portion of the body region. A barrier control layer is disposed on the top surface of the epitaxial layer next to the body region away from the insulated gate. A conductive layer overlies the top surface of the epitaxial layer covering a second portion of the body region and the heavy body dopant region extending over the barrier control layer forming a Schottky junction diode. |
| US08110868B2 |
Power semiconductor component with a low on-state resistance
A semiconductor component having a semiconductor body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor component includes a drift zone of a first conductivity type, a drift control zone composed of a semiconductor material which is arranged adjacent to the drift zone at least in places, a dielectric which is arranged between the drift zone and the drift control zone at least in places. A quotient of the net dopant charge of the drift control zone, in an area adjacent to the accumulation dielectric and the drift zone, divided by the area of the dielectric arranged between the drift control zone and the drift zone is less than the breakdown charge of the semiconductor material in the drift control zone. |
| US08110867B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a device isolation insulating film which is buried in a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulation film which is provided on the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode which is provided on the gate insulation film, a source region and a drain region which are provided in the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from each other in a manner to sandwich the gate electrode, both end portions of each of the source region and the drain region being offset from the device isolation insulating film in a channel width direction by a predetermined distance, and first and second gate electrode extension portions which are provided in a manner to cover both end portions of each of the source region and the drain region in a channel length direction. |
| US08110865B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a charge storage layer formed on the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed on the charge storage layer, and a control electrode formed on the second insulating film, the second insulating film including a lower silicon nitride film, a lower silicon oxide film formed on the lower silicon nitride film, an intermediate insulating film formed on the lower silicon oxide film and containing a metal element, the intermediate insulating film having a relative dielectric constant of greater than 7, an upper silicon oxide film formed on the intermediate insulating film, and an upper silicon nitride film formed on the upper silicon oxide film. |
| US08110863B2 |
TFT charge storage memory cell having high-mobility corrugated channel
A rewriteable nonvolatile memory cell having two bits per cell is described. The memory cell preferably operates by storing charge in a dielectric charge storage layer or in electrically isolated conductive nanocrystals by a channel hot electron injection method. In preferred embodiments the channel region has a corrugated shape, providing additional isolation between the two storage regions. The channel region is deposited and is preferably formed of polycrystalline germanium or silicon-germanium. The memory cell of the present invention can be formed in memory arrays; in preferred embodiments, multiple memory levels are formed stacked above a single substrate. |
| US08110862B2 |
Semiconductor structure including trench capacitor and trench resistor
A structure and a method for fabrication of the structure use a capacitor trench for a trench capacitor and a resistor trench for a trench resistor. The structure is typically a semiconductor structure. In a first instance, the capacitor trench has a linewidth dimension narrower than the resistor trench. The trench linewidth difference provides an efficient method for fabricating the trench capacitor and the trench resistor. In a second instance, the trench resistor comprises a conductor material at a periphery of the resistor trench and a resistor material at a central portion of the resistor trench. |
| US08110860B2 |
Imaging device
First diffusion region constituting a photodiode in each pixel stores carriers generated according to incident light. Second diffusion region is formed at a surface of the first diffusion region to cover a peripheral part of the first diffusion region. In the peripheral part of the first diffusion region, crystal defects tend to occur by a process of forming an isolation region and a gate electrode, so that dark current noise tends to occur. The second diffusion region functioning as a protection layer prevents crystal defects in a manufacturing process. The second diffusion region isn't formed on a center of the surface of the first diffusion region where crystal defects don't tend to occur. In the first diffusion region where the second diffusion region isn't formed, the thickness of a depletion layer increases, which improves light detection sensitivity. This improves detection sensitivity of the photodiode without increasing the dark current noise. |
| US08110853B2 |
Guard ring structures for high voltage CMOS/low voltage CMOS technology using LDMOS (lateral double-diffused metal oxide semiconductor) device fabrication
A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a first transistor on the semiconductor substrate, and a guard ring on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a top substrate surface which defines a reference direction perpendicular to the top substrate surface. The guard ring includes a semiconductor material doped with a doping polarity. A first doping profile of a first doped transistor region of the first transistor in the reference direction and a second doping profile of a first doped guard-ring region of the guard ring in the reference direction are essentially a same doping profile. The guard ring forms a closed loop around the first transistor. |
| US08110851B2 |
Nitride-based semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting device 100 includes a GaN substrate 10, of which the principal surface is an m-plane 12, a semiconductor multilayer structure 20 that has been formed on the m-plane 12 of the GaN-based substrate 10, and an electrode 30 arranged on the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. The electrode 30 includes an Mg layer 32, which contacts with the surface of a p-type semiconductor region in the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. |
| US08110848B2 |
Substrate for epitaxy and method of preparing the same
The substrate is used for opto-electric or electrical devices and comprises a layer of nitride grown by means of vapor phase epitaxy growth wherein both main surfaces of the nitride substrate are substantially consisting of non N-polar face and N-polar face respectively and the dislocation density of the substrate is 5×105/cm2 or less. Therefore, the template type substrate has a good dislocation density and a good value of FWHM of the X-ray rocking curve from (0002) plane less than 80, so that the resulting template type substrate is very useful for the epitaxy substrate from gaseous phase such as MOCVD, MBE and HVPE, resulting in possibility of making good opto-electric devices such as Laser Diode and large-output LED and good electric devices such as MOSFET. |
| US08110845B2 |
Light-emitting device containing a composite electroplated substrate
The application is related to a method of forming a substrate of a light-emitting diode by composite electroplating. The application illustrates a light-emitting diode comprising the following elements: a light-emitting epitaxy structure, a reflective layer disposed on the light-emitting epitaxy structure, a seed layer disposed on the reflective layer, a composite electroplating substrate disposed on the seed layer by composite electroplating, and a protection layer disposed on the composite electroplating substrate. |
| US08110844B2 |
Semiconductor substrate and light emitting device using the same
There are provided a semiconductor substrate configured to improve the light extraction efficiency of a light emitting device, and a light emitting device using the substrate. The light emitting device includes the substrate, a buffer layer, and a light emitting structure, and the buffer layer and the light emitting structure being sequentially stacked on the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of lenses disposed on a top surface thereof, and the lenses have a horn shape and are configured such that the buffer layer grows both on the top surface of the substrate and lateral surfaces of the lenses. |
| US08110841B2 |
Nitride based light emitting device
A nitride based light emitting device is disclosed. More particularly, a nitride based light emitting device capable of improving light emitting efficiency and reliability thereof is disclosed. The nitride based light emitting device includes a first conductive semiconductor layer connected to a first electrode, a second conductive semiconductor layer connected to a second electrode, an active layer located between the first conductive semiconductor layer and the second conductive semiconductor layer and having a quantum well structure, a first insertion layer located in at least one of a boundary between the first conductive semiconductor layer and the active layer and a boundary between the second conductive semiconductor layer and the active layer, and a second insertion layer located adjacent to the first insertion. |
| US08110836B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor is provided with: a silicon substrate 2a of a first conductivity type, including a first surface S1a and a second surface S2a; a silicon layer 4a of a second conductivity type, arranged on the first surface S1a of the silicon substrate 2a, including a third surface S3a opposite a junction surface with the silicon substrate 2a; a first electrode 12a arranged on the second surface S2a; a second electrode 14a arranged on the third surface S3a; and an argon added area 6a formed in a semiconductor area formed of the silicon substrate 2a and the silicon layer 4a. The argon added area 6a includes an area indicating an argon concentration of a minimum of 1×1018 cm−3 and a maximum of 2×1020 cm−3. |
| US08110831B2 |
Display device having a polycrystal phosphor layer sandwiched between the first and second electrodes
A display device is provided with a pair of a first electrode and a second electrode at least one of which is transparent or translucent and a phosphor layer formed so as to be sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the phosphor layer has a polycrystal structure made of a first semiconductor substance in which a second semiconductor substance different from the first semiconductor substance is segregated on a grain boundary of the polycrystal structure, and the phosphor layer has a plurality of pixel regions that are selectively allowed to emit light in a predetermined range thereof and non-pixel regions that divide at least one portion of the pixel regions. |
| US08110829B2 |
Array substrate of liquid crystal display and method for fabricating the same
A thin film transistor (TFT) for a liquid crystal display device includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, an active region including a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer interposed within the first semiconductor layer, and an ohmic contact layer formed on the active region, wherein the source and drain electrodes are formed on the ohmic contact layer. |
| US08110826B2 |
Organic EL display device
An organic EL display device includes a pixel electrode which is disposed in each of first to third organic EL elements, a first light emission layer which includes a first dopant material having a first absorbance peak, the first light emission layer extending over the first to third organic EL elements and being disposed above the pixel electrode, a second light emission layer which includes a second dopant material having a second absorbance peak and is disposed above the first light emission layer, a third light emission layer which is disposed above the second light emission layer, a counter-electrode which is disposed above the third light emission layer, and a hole transport layer which is formed of a material having an absorbance bottom on a shorter wavelength side than the first absorbance peak and the second absorbance peak in absorbance spectrum characteristics of the hole transport layer. |
| US08110822B2 |
Thermal protect PCRAM structure and methods for making
A memory cell as described herein includes a conductive contact and a memory element comprising programmable resistance memory material overlying the conductive contact. An insulator element extends from the conductive contact into the memory element, the insulator element having proximal and distal ends and an inside surface defining an interior. The proximal end is adjacent the conductive contact. A bottom electrode contacts the conductive contact and extends upwardly within the interior from the proximal end. The memory element is within the interior extending downwardly from the distal end to contact a top surface of the bottom electrode at a first contact surface. A top electrode can be separated from the distal end of the insulator element by the memory element and contact the memory element at a second contact surface having a surface area greater than that of the first contact surface. |
| US08110821B2 |
Shielded container structure for the transport and storage of a radioactive source for medical use
A container for transporting a receptacle (2) containing a radioactive substance for medical use. includes a shielded body made up of a belt of side walls connected to a base element and defining a top opening, and a shielded closing lid attachable to the top opening by locking elements shaped so as to be activated by a translational movement of the lid in the top opening, this “locking movement” taking place along the axis of the opening and towards the opposing base element. The lid is further equipped with elements for deactivating the locking elements to enable it to be separated from the container body. In one advantageous embodiment, the lid has a plurality of retractable projecting studs designed to fit by a snap-action type phenomenon into at least one complementary housing formed in the opening of the container body during the locking movement. |
| US08110819B2 |
Computer peripherals sterilization system
A system and method including a wand-type ultraviolet (UV) light assembly positioned above a keyboard and other computer peripheral device(s) to be sanitized. The UV light assembly is preferably moved across the peripheral device surface to eliminate nearly all germs, bacteria, viruses, pathogens and other microorganisms that have accumulated on the surfaces of the keyboard and other peripherals. Desirably, the system operation is managed by a controller device which is in communication with a host computer. In addition, the system allows for the collection and analysis of system performance data. The invention provides an extremely effective, compact, virtually cost-free and environmentally-friendly solution to disinfecting surfaces of keyboards and other peripheral devices. |
| US08110814B2 |
Ion sources, systems and methods
Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed. |
| US08110813B2 |
Charged particle optical system comprising an electrostatic deflector
A charged particle optical system comprising a beamlet generator for generating a plurality of beamlets of charged particles and an electrostatic deflector for deflecting the beamlets. The electrostatic deflector comprises first and second electrodes adapted for connection to a voltage for generating an electric field between the electrodes for deflection of the beamlets, the electrodes being at least partially freestanding in an active area of the electrostatic deflector. The electrodes define at least one passing window for passage of at least a portion of the beamlets between the electrodes, the passing window having a length in a first direction and a width in a transverse direction. The system is adapted to arrange the beamlets in at least one row and to direct a single row of the beamlets through the passing window of the electrostatic deflector, the beamlets of the row extending in the first direction. A substantial part of the electrostatic deflector extends beyond the passing window in the first direction. |
| US08110810B2 |
Methods for increasing the sensitivity of gamma-ray imagers
Methods are presented that increase the position resolution and granularity of double sided segmented semiconductor detectors. These methods increase the imaging resolution capability of such detectors, either used as Compton cameras, or as position sensitive radiation detectors in imagers such as SPECT, PET, coded apertures, multi-pinhole imagers, or other spatial or temporal modulated imagers. |
| US08110806B2 |
Solid-state photomultiplier having improved timing resolution
A solid-state photomultiplier is provided for use in imaging detectors. The solid-state photomultiplier includes a plurality of microcells configured to detect impinging photons. Each of the plurality of microcells further includes a photodiode coupled to a common electrode through a quenching resistor and configured to convert the impinging photons into electrical signals, and an impedance device coupled in parallel with the quenching resistor so as to reduce overall quenching impedance at high frequency. Further, techniques are provided for implementing low impedance device with controllable value to the SSPM for optimized timing resolution. |
| US08110804B2 |
Through substrate optical imaging device and method
A through-substrate optical imaging device for through-imaging of translucent work objects, includes a radiation source outputting radiation that will be transmissive through the work object and an imaging system configured for capturing inspection information from the radiation source through the work object. The radiation source is configured such that the radiation impinges on the surface of the work object under various angles of incidence. A method for through-substrate optical imaging of a translucent work object includes irradiating the translucent work object by radiation from a radiation source; capturing inspection information from the radiation source through the translucent work object, the inspection information being captured by an imaging system; and irradiating the translucent work object. The translucent work object is irradiated by radiation which impinges on the surface of the translucent work object under one of various angles of incidence and orientations. |
| US08110803B2 |
Sighting system and method
This invention relates to optical sighting apparatus systems, and to methods for visualization and for identifying remote target surface areas without physical contact for the purpose of measurement and/or of treatment of the remote surface. An arrangement of projected light beams indicates the position and size of the target surface in relation to a measurement detector or treatment device, so that the device is accurately directed to the target. In a preferred arrangement separate laser beams form a light distribution indication or brightness pattern at the target and the device is sighted toward the pattern on the target surface area. |
| US08110799B2 |
Confocal secondary electron imaging
One embodiment relates to an apparatus using electrons for inspection or metrology of a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus includes an electron source, electron lenses, scan deflectors, an objective electron lens, a collection electron lens, a pin-hole filter, de-scan deflectors, and a detector. The collection electron lens is configured to focus the secondary electrons so as to form a secondary electron beam which is focused at a conjugate focal plane, and the pin-hole filter is positioned at the conjugate focal plane. The de-scan deflectors are configured to controllably deflect the secondary electrons so as to counteract an influence of the scan deflectors such that a center portion of the secondary electron beam passes through the filter and a remainder portion of the secondary electron beam is filtered out by the filter. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed. |
| US08110791B2 |
Imaging device
An imaging device, particularly but not exclusively for use in a targeting sensor for missile seekers. The imaging device including at least one lens; a substantially planar sensor having a plurality of pixels; a light guiding arrangement for directing light received via said lenses toward said sensor; in which said light guiding arrangement includes a plurality of light guides. |
| US08110788B2 |
Method and device for detecting weak optical signals
An optical detection device is disclosed. The device comprises a photoelectric unit, configured to sense incoming photons and to produce electrical signals pertaining to at least a few of the photons within a plurality of temporally resolved time-windows; an analog-to-digital unit, configured to generate digital representation of the electrical signals; and a digital integrating unit, configured to integrate the digital representation over at least part of the temporally resolved time-windows to provide integrated data corresponding to the photons. |
| US08110787B1 |
Image sensor with a reflective waveguide
An image sensor having shield structures and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the image sensor includes: (i) substrate having at least one photosensitive element formed therein; (ii) a dielectric layer overlying the substrate and the photosensitive element; and (iii) an annular reflective waveguide disposed in the dielectric layer above the photosensitive element to reduce cross-talk between adjacent elements of the sensor while increasing sensitivity of the sensor. In certain embodiments, the sensor further includes a photoshield disposed in the dielectric above the photosensitive element and about the waveguide to further reduce the possibility of cross-talk. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08110785B2 |
Mechanical stepper motors for gun-fired projectiles, mortars and missiles
A projectile including: a body having an internal space; and a mechanical stepper motor disposed in the body. The mechanical stepper motor including: a shuttle having one of a plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a first spacing; a body portion having the other of the plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a second spacing, where the first spacing is different from the first spacing; and actuation means for engaging at least one of the movable pins into a corresponding pocket to step one of the shuttle and body portion a predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement. |
| US08110784B2 |
Projectile having one or more windows for transmitting power and/or data into/from the projectile interior
A projectile including: a casing; first and second windows provided on the casing for at least one of transmitting a first optical signal into an interior of the casing and transmitting a second optical signal from the interior of the casing; a receiving element disposed on the interior of the casing and in optical communication with one or more of the first and second windows for at least one of converting the first optical signal into electrical energy and storing data provided in the first optical signal; and a transmitting element disposed on the interior of the casing and in optical communication with one or more of the first and second windows for transmitting data provided in the second optical signal to outside the casing. |
| US08110782B2 |
Heated architectural panel system and method
Heated architectural panel temperature control systems and methods are provided for heating windows that are formed from heated architectural panels. The control system comprises the heated architectural panel that produces heat when connected to external AC power, a panel frame disposed around the panel periphery, and a temperature control circuit that is electrically connected to the window. The temperature control circuit, which may be disposed in the panel frame, controls the temperature of the panel by utilizing a Hall effect sensor and the panel temperature coefficient of resistance α. The panel may comprise insulated glass panels, laminated structures, or combinations thereof, where the window is disposed in an opening of a building. |
| US08110781B2 |
Golf club head cover with temperature controlling device
The present invention provides a golf club head cover which provides conventional protection to golf clubs and in addition provides a heating function for a hitting surface of the golf club in order to keep the temperature within a optimized range for hitting. The golf club head cover has a main housing having an opening side for inserting a top portion of the golf club and a heating side for disposing a temperature controlling device for heating. The temperature controlling device has a power source, a circuit board, and a heating plate which couples with the hitting surface of the top portion of the golf club to apply heat to control the temperature. |
| US08110780B2 |
Photoirradiation type heat treatment apparatus
To provide a photo-irradiation type heat treatment apparatus that eliminates the adverse influence of a light transmitting window on the temperature distribution of an article to be treated without losing the original function of a reflecting mirror a photo-irradiation type heat treatment apparatus in which heat treating of an article is performed by irradiating the article with light emitted from multiple filament lamps through a light transmitting window, by providing the apparatus with a reflecting mirror having an opening at its central area so that cooling air can pass therethrough and by providing an air permeable reflector so as to cover the opening in the reflecting mirror. |
| US08110774B2 |
Laser welding method and apparatus
A laser welding method includes providing a storage medium containing stored data about possible welding defects and associated repair welding parameters, welding a workpiece with a laser to produce weldings on the workpiece, monitoring the produced weldings for defective weldings, and, in response to detecting a defective welding from among the monitored weldings: comparing the defective welding with the stored data about possible welding defects; selecting repair welding parameters from among the associated repair welding parameters based on the comparison; and then performing a repair welding in a region of the detected defective welding in accordance with the selected repair welding parameters. |
| US08110773B2 |
Stud welding tool adjustment mechanisms
A heat adjustment mechanism for a stud welding tool comprises an adjustment knob comprising adjustment ribs, a solenoid sleeve that moveably engages the adjustment knob, and that receives a solenoid, wherein the solenoid is configured to engage a fastener, and the solenoid is connected to the solenoid sleeve by the fastener, a clutch comprising adjustment ribs that engage the adjustment ribs on the adjustment knob, and a clutch spring that exerts force on the clutch. A weld heat setting adjustment may be made by solenoid movement of from about 0.15 mm to about 0.30 mm. |
| US08110771B2 |
Vacuum insulating switch gear
A vacuum insulating switch gear formed by integrally molding with epoxy resin of a vacuum double-break three-position type switch including a movable contact, a fixed contact, and a vacuum container composed of an insulating cylinder for covering the movable contact and the fixed contact, a lower lid for closing a lower part of the insulating cylinder, and an upper lid for closing an upper part of the insulating cylinder and an operation rod side of the movable contact, and an earthing switch with a vacuum closed container, comprising a first silicone rubber layer coated on an upper edge corner portion of each insulating cylinder composing the vacuum containers of the switch and the earthing switch, a self fusing insulating tape layer wound around an outer surface of the first silicone rubber layer, a second silicone rubber layer coated on the self fusing insulating tape layer and an outer periphery of the each insulating cylinder, a ring easing shield installed at a position corresponding to a lower end corner portion of the each insulating cylinder after a vacuum deaeration process performed for the first and the second silicone rubber layers, and an epoxy resin portion for integrally molding the each vacuum container so as to cover the first silicone rubber layer, the self fusing insulating tape layer, the second silicone rubber layer, and the ring easing shield. |
| US08110770B2 |
Vacuum circuit breaker of tank type
A vacuum circuit breaker includes a movable-side conductor that is tubular and comprises an inside cavity. A movable side contact case includes a chamber which communicates with a space on a non-vacuum side of a bellows. The chamber is isolated from a space filled with insulating gas in a ground tank by a sealing device. The chamber communicates with an outside atmosphere through the inside cavity of the movable-side conductor. |
| US08110761B2 |
Switching device and communication apparatus and method related thereto
A switching device includes a stationary portion, a movable portion having a movable land portion, and a first beam portion and a second beam portion that couple the movable land portion and the stationary portion with each other. A first signal line extends over the movable land portion, the first beam portion, and the stationary portion, and has a movable contact portion on the movable land portion, a second signal line faces the movable contact portion, a first driving line extends over the movable land portion, the second beam portion, and the stationary portion, and has a movable driving electrode portion on the movable land portion, and a second driving line having a stationary driving electrode portion faces the movable driving electrode portion. |
| US08110756B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a housing and a positioning portion. The housing includes a first member secured to the housing and a second member secured to the first member. The positioning portion is configured to position the second member at a predetermined position relative to the first member when the second member is secured to the first member in an assembly process of the electronic device. |
| US08110749B2 |
Printed wiring board
Large-sized through holes are formed in a core layer of a printed wiring board. Large-sized vias are formed in the shape of a cylinder along the inward wall surfaces of the large-sized through holes located within a specific area. A filling material fills the inner space of the large-sized via. A small-sized through hole penetrates through the corresponding filling material along the longitudinal axis of the small-sized through hole. A small-sized via is formed in the shape of a cylinder along the inward wall surface of the small-sized through hole. The filling material and the core layer are uniformly distributed within the specific area in the in-plane direction of the core substrate. This results in suppression of uneven distribution of thermal stress in the core layer in the in-plane direction of the core layer. |
| US08110743B2 |
Electrical box cover with insect guard
An electrical box cover including a housing and a hood pivotally attached to the housing and moveable between an open and closed position. The housing includes a base wall adapted to be attached to an electrical box. The base wall is surrounded by an outwardly extending side wall. The side wall includes a first opening defined by an edge. A guard having an opening formed therein is insertable over the first opening and securable to the side wall. |
| US08110740B2 |
Photoelectrode substrate of dye sensitizing solar cell, and method for producing same
In a dye sensitizing solar cell 1 wherein an electrolyte 4 is filled in a space between a photoelectrode substrate 2 and a counter electrode of a counter electrode substrate 3, a composite film 7 comprising metal portions 7a of titanium or the like and oxide portions 7b thereof is formed on a transparent electrode film 6 formed on the surface of a substrate member 5, and a porous semiconductor electrode film 8 adsorbing or carrying sensitizing dyes 8a thereon is formed on the composite film 7, the metal portions 7a of the composite film 7 contacting the porous semiconductor electrode film 8, and the oxide portions 7b of the composite film 7 contacting the electrolyte 4 without contacting the porous semiconductor electrode film 8. |
| US08110736B2 |
Thermoelectric element device and thermoelectric module
The present invention according to one preferred embodiment provides a thermoelectric element device comprising a first electrode including an electrode member, an elastic member that has electrically conductive and is provided on the electrode member, and a heat uniforming member that has electrically conductive and is provided on the elastic member; a thermoelectric element that is made of a thermoelectric material having thermoelectric effect and arranged on the first electrode so as to contact the heat uniforming member; and a second electrode arranged on the thermoelectric element. |
| US08110735B2 |
Effect setting device systems and methods
A first control may be for setting a patch including one or more types of effects to be provided by circuitry to an inputted music signal, the patch associated with multiple candidate keywords to be displayed by a display device. A second control may be for assigning a patch name including a candidate keyword from the multiple candidate keywords to the patch. A storage device may be for storing the patch name and the patch. The one or more types of effects may be provided to the inputted music signal based on the patch stored in the storage device. |
| US08110730B2 |
Keyless drum tuning device
A keyless drum tuning device includes a lug bracket attached to a shell of the musical drum. The keyless tuning device has a tensioning fastener that is removably connected to a tensioning counter-hoop or rim of the musical drum and passes through an opening in the lug bracket. The keyless drum tuning device includes an adjustment mechanism that is affixed to the tensioning fastener. The adjustment mechanism is contacts the lug bracket and is varied to modify the tension in the tension fastener. |
| US08110727B2 |
Wheat plants having increased resistance to imidazolinone herbicides
The present invention is directed to wheat plants having increased resistance to an imidazolinone herbicide. More particularly, the present invention includes wheat plants containing one or more IMI nucleic acids such as a Teal IMI cultivar. The nucleic acids are preferably located on or derived from different genomes. The present invention also includes seeds produced by these wheat plants and methods of controlling weeds in the vicinity of these wheat plants. |
| US08110726B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding cellulose synthase from pinus radiata and methods of use for regulating polysaccharides of a plant
Novel plant polysaccharide synthesis genes and polypeptides encoded by such genes are provided. These genes and polynucleotide sequences are useful regulating polysaccharide synthesis and plant phenotype. Moreover, these genes are useful for expression profiling of plant polysaccharide synthesis genes. One aspect of the present invention therefore are polynucleotides encoding cellulose synthase from Pinus radiata and methods of using such a polynucleotide to regulate polysaccharides of a plant. |
| US08110725B2 |
Polynucleotides and polypeptides in plants
The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties compared to a reference plant. Sequence information related to these polynucleotides and polypeptides can also be used in bioinformatic search methods and is also disclosed. |
| US08110723B2 |
Transcription factors
The invention provides polynucleotide sequences isolated from plants encoding transcription factors. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides are also provided. Products and methods of use are disclosed. |
| US08110721B2 |
Methods for maintaining genetic stability of inbred animal strains
The present invention provides novel methods of maintaining genetic stability of non-human animal inbred strains. In the methods, pedigree-tracked cryopreserved embryos derived from a foundation colony are produced and used to re-establish the foundation colony at appropriate intervals. |
| US08110718B2 |
Thin film delivery system and method of manufacture
A carrier delivered dressing is disclosed which has a conformable backing with a pressure sensitive adhesive coated on a bottom face and removable carrier attached to the top face of the backing. A bond block material is positioned between the backing and the carrier. A cut line traverses both the carrier and the bond block material to form a tab. |
| US08110714B2 |
Polyacene compound and organic semiconductor thin film
The present invention provides an organic semiconductor material which exhibits a high mobility, and excellent solubility in solvents and oxidation resistance. The present invention also provides an organic semiconductor thin film exhibiting a high mobility, and an organic semiconductor device exhibiting excellent electronic characteristics. A transistor structure is formed by coating the silicon substrate with a thin film of pentacene compound substituted halogens at 6 and 13 positions and aliphatic hydrocarbons at 2, 3, 9 and 10 positions, wherein the substrate is patterned beforehand with gold to have a source and drain electrodes. |
| US08110711B2 |
Processes for production of 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroethanol and 2-(alkylcarbonyloxy)-1,1-difluoroethanesulfonic acid salt
Disclosed is a process for producing 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroethanol, which comprises reducing a bromodifluoroacetic acid derivative represented by the formula [1] by using an ate hydride complex as a reducing agent. 2-Bromo-2,2-difluoroethanol thus produced can be used as the starting material to carry out the esterification step, the sulfination step and the oxidation step in this order, thereby producing a 2-alkylcarbonyloxy-1,1-difluoroethanesulfonic acid salt, wherein A represents a substituted or unsubstituted linear, branched or cyclic alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, a heteroaryloxy group having 4 to 15 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom. |
| US08110709B2 |
Stabilization of hydroformylation catalysts based on phosphoramide ligands
The present invention relates to a process for the hydroformylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds by reaction with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalytically active fluid which comprises a dissolved metal complex of a metal of transition group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements with at least one phosphoramidite compound as ligand, wherein the fluid is brought into contact with a base. |
| US08110701B2 |
Process for the preparation of functionalised benzocyclobutenes, and application in the synthesis of ivabradine and addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid
Process for the preparation of compounds of formula (IV): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl group, a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkoxy group, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a protected amine group, a protected hydroxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group in which the alkoxy group is linear or branched (C1-C6), or a CF3 group, or R1═R4═H and R2 and R3 together with the carbon atoms carrying them form a 1,3-dioxolane group, R5 represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl group, a linear or branched (C1-C6)hydroxyalkyl group in which the hydroxyl function is protected, or a CO2R7 group in which R7 is a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl group, R6 represents a cyano group or a CO2R8 group in which R8 is a linear or branched (C1-C6)-alkyl group. Application in the synthesis of ivabradine, addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid and hydrates thereof. |
| US08110694B2 |
Method for manufacturing dialkylaluminum monohalide
A method for manufacturing dialkylaluminum monohalide is provided by which dialkylaluminum monohalide substantially including no zinc component after recovering dialkylzinc from a reaction product obtained by a reaction of zinc halide and trialkylaluminum used as raw materials can be efficiently obtained on an industrial scale at a high yield. According to the method for manufacturing dialkylaluminum monohalide of the present invention, zinc halide is reacted with trialkylaluminum to produce dialkylzinc and dialkylaluminum monohalide, and after the dialkylzinc is separated from a reaction product by distillation, metal aluminum in which a molar ratio is 0.40 or more to zinc component, that is dissolved in the reaction product, and then the mixture is distilled to separate the dialkylaluminum monohalide which substantially includes no zinc component. |
| US08110674B2 |
Therapeutic compositions
Therapeutic sRNA agents and methods of making and using are enclosed. |
| US08110669B2 |
Apparatus and methods for detecting DNA in biological samples
Apparatus and methods are described for detecting target DNA in a biological sample using capture probes and electrically-assisted hybridization. The reaction cell is formed with an attachment surface of aluminum oxide for better thermal and physical properties, and the aluminum oxide surface is coated with anti-DIG antibody to provide a convenient attachment layer for the capture probes allowing their correct orientation, while the capture probes are formed with a DIG-label so that they attach to the surface of the cell through an anti-DIG/DIG linkage. |
| US08110662B2 |
Antibody directed to protein involved in maintaining differentiation of smooth muscle cells
A cDNA fragment participating in the maintenance of smooth muscle differentiation was isolated using a culture system of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells, the differential display method and the subtracted hybridization method. Using the obtained cDNA sequence as a query, cDNA sequences of Helix Research Institute (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-118776) were retrieved, and thus, a novel gene “C-NT2RP3001495” was obtained. The protein encoded by this gene has two WW domains that participate in protein interactions in the N-terminal domain. Evidence suggests that this protein binds to other proteins, and thus regulates the intracellular signal transduction, gene expression, and so on, thereby participating in the maintenance of the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. This protein and compounds regulating the expression thereof are markedly useful in developing drugs for various diseases associated with abnormality in the maintenance of smooth muscle cell differentiation. |
| US08110656B2 |
Compositions and methods of a phosphatidic acid binding protein
TGD2 proteins of Arabidopsis are proposed to be a substrate binding component of a lipid transfer complex in the inner chloroplast envelope membrane. Loss of function of this protein or other components of this complex may disrupt the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-pathway of thylakoid lipid biosynthesis. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a minimal binding domain capable of specifically binding phosphatidic acid. Alternatively, the minimal binding domain may further comprise accessory binding domains that, in combination, create a complete TGD2 phosphatidic acid binding domain. Consequently, phosphatidic acid may be quantitatively detected from samples as described in the methods herein. |
| US08110653B2 |
Collections of repeat proteins comprising repeat modules
A collection of repeat proteins, each repeat protein comprising a repeat domain, which comprises a set of consecutive repeat modules, wherein each of the repeat modules is derived from one or more repeat units and wherein the repeat units comprise framework residues, which contribute to the folding topology of the repeat unit or contribute to an interaction with a neighboring repeat unit, and target interaction residues, which contribute to an interaction with a target substance, wherein the repeat proteins differ from other repeat proteins in the collection in at least one amino acid position of the repeat modules is described. |
| US08110650B2 |
Methods for making molding resins
Methods of making unsaturated polyester compositions are provided and include reacting: (i) plant and animal oil triglycerides, an alkyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid or mixtures thereof; (ii) a difunctional, or polyfunctional glycol or mixtures thereof; (iii) a difunctional or polyfunctional acid, their anhydrides or alkyl esters and mixtures thereof; (iv) a strained cycloolefin; (v) a component(s) that function as a compound capable of initiating polymerization at high temperature and which is stable at room temperature; and (vi) low profile additives, fillers and reinforcements. |
| US08110649B2 |
Polycarbonates comprising cyclic oligomers and having an improved flow behavior
The invention relates to polycarbonates that comprise defect structures and cyclic oligomers and have improved properties. The invention also relates to molded articles and extrudates made from said polycarbonates. |
| US08110644B2 |
Bimodal pipe resin and products made therefrom
Disclosed is a bimodal Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyethylene, having a density of from 0.930 g/cc to 0.960 g/cc, and a molecular weight distribution of from 10 to 25, wherein an article formed therefrom has a PENT of at least 1500. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a tubular article including obtaining a bimodal polyethylene having a density of from 0.930 g/cc to 0.960 g/cc and a molecular weight distribution of from 10 to 25, and processing the polyethylene under conditions where a specific energy input (SEI) is less than 300 kW·h/ton, and wherein the article has a PENT of at least 1500. Further disclosed is a method for controlling the degradation of polyethylene including polymerizing ethylene monomer, recovering polyethylene, extruding the polyethylene, and controlling the degradation of polyethylene by measuring the SEI to the extruder and adjusting throughput and/or gear suction pressure keep SEI less than 300 kW·h/ton, and forming an article. |
| US08110640B2 |
Half-metallocene catalyst compositions and their polymer products
The present invention provides polymerization catalyst compositions employing half-metallocene compounds with a heteroatom-containing ligand bound to the transition metal. Methods for making these hybrid metallocene compounds and for using such compounds in catalyst compositions for the polymerization and copolymerization of olefins are also provided. |
| US08110639B2 |
Transparent and flame retardant polysulfone compositions
A polysulfone having a first polyphenylene sulfone unit (i.e. PPSU unit) based on one biphenol group and one diphenyl sulfone group and a second sulfone unit (i.e. PSU-AF unit) based on one hexafluorobisphenol A group and one diphenylsulfone group. The polysulfone is transparent and has a total heat release and peak heat release of less than 65 kW·min/m2 and 65 kW/m2, respectively. Compositions containing the polysulfone and articles made by molding and/or extruding the polysulfone. |
| US08110625B2 |
Rubber composition
Provided is a rubber composition comprising an inorganic filler, a compound having at least one group A reacting with a rubber and two or more groups B adsorbing on the inorganic filler described above in the same molecule, a compound having the group A reacting with a rubber and an amino group in the same molecule or acrylate or methacrylate having a specific structure and further comprising, if necessary, a silane coupling agent. This makes it possible to provide a rubber composition which is excellent in the dispersibility of an inorganic filler, so that it does not elevate a viscosity of a non-vulcanized rubber and does not damage the processability and which does not bring about roughening on the surface of a rubber and is improved in a storage modulus. |
| US08110622B2 |
Aromatic polycarbonate resin composition and manufacturing process thereof
A resin composition consisting of: (1) 100 parts by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate resin; (2) 0.008 to 0.13 part by weight of an alkali metal salt of a perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid having a fluoride ion content measured by ion chromatography of 0.2 to 1 ppm in terms of weight based on the weight of component B; and (3) 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of silicone having a Si—H group and a phenyl group. A process of manufacturing the resin composition and a method of preventing the melt dripping during combustion of the resin composition. The flame retardancy of the above aromatic polycarbonate resin composition comprising the fluorine-containing organic metal salt compound is improved. |
| US08110620B1 |
Uncured rubber composition, process for producing the same, and pneumatic tire
A process for producing an uncured rubber composition containing a rubber wet master batch obtained by using, as raw materials, at least a filler, a dispersing solvent, and a rubber latex liquid made mainly of a natural rubber latex, mainly comprising: a step (I) wherein at the time of dispersing the filler into the dispersing solvent, at least one portion of the rubber latex liquid is added thereto, thereby preparing a slurry containing the filler to which rubber latex particles adhere, a step (II) wherein the slurry is mixed with the rest of the rubber latex liquid, thereby preparing the rubber latex liquid containing the rubber-latex-particle-adhering filler. |
| US08110619B2 |
Tire compounds with improved tear, flex fatigue, and ozone resistance
A method of producing a tire including mixing in a non-productive phase at least one elastomer with a polyamide having a melting temperature of less than 180° C. The polyamide is allowed to heat to at least its melting temperature. During the productive phase, at least one curing agent is added to the elastomeric composition. The curing agent may be a sulfur containing curing agent and/or a non-sulfur containing curing agent. The elastomeric composition may optionally include a crystalline EPDM elastomer. The resulting compositions may then be formed into a tire component which may be built into a tire and cured. |
| US08110618B2 |
Process for production of sealing agent
A sealing agent stock solution 20 is prepared by preparing a mixed solution 14 by mixing a rubber latex, a resin emulsion and a surfactant, and a predetermined amount of water in a solution preparation vessel 12, followed by adding an anti-freeze agent 18 to the mixed solution 14. The sealing agent stock solution 20 is held (left standing still) at least over for 24 hr or more and preferably over for 48 hr or more without stirring in the solution preparation vessel 12, followed by filtering the sealing agent stock solution 20 with a filter member 26 made of a mesh filter having the mesh number from 50 to 400 mesh to remove latex aggregates 36 generated in the sealing agent stock solution 20, and thereby a sealing agent 10 that does not contain the latex aggregates 36 is produced. |
| US08110617B2 |
Aqueous ink composition and method of manufacturing the same
An aqueous ink composition comprising: a pigment, having a particle diameter as determined by the light scattering method of no less than 20 nm and no more than 200 nm; and a water dispersible polymer, having a styrene-equivalent number average molecular weight of as determined by gel permeation chromatography no less than 5000 and no more than 200000, having a surface tension of no less than 20 mN/m and no more than 40 mN/m, and wherein the abovementioned pigment is a polymer-coated pigment that is coated with the abovementioned water dispersible polymer, is provided. The water-dispersible polymer may be a copolymer of monomers, mainly comprising acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and an acrylate and/or methacrylate. With this ink composition, the printing quality can be improved. |
| US08110616B2 |
Aqeous inkjet recording ink
An aqueous inkjet recording ink including at least a resin (A), a pigment (B) dispersed with the resin (A), a resin emulsion (C), and an aqueous liquid medium (D), wherein the resin (A) includes hydrophobic structural units (a) and hydrophilic structural units (b), the hydrophobic structural units (a) include a hydrophobic structural unit (a1) in an amount of 40% by mass or more of the resin (A), the hydrophobic structural unit (a1) having an aromatic ring indirectly linked to an atom for forming the main chain of the resin (A), and a hydrophobic structural unit (a2) in an amount of 15% by mass or more of the resin (A), the hydrophobic structural unit (a2) being derived from a C1 to C4 alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, the hydrophilic structural units (b) include a structural unit (b1) derived from an acrylic acid or a methacrylic acid, and the content of the hydrophilic structural units (b) is 15% by mass or less in the resin (A). |
| US08110614B2 |
Adamantane derivative, method for producing the same, and resin composition containing adamantane derivative
Adamantane derivatives are provided including a phenolic hydroxyl group-containing adamantane derivative, a glycidyloxy group-containing adamantane derivative, and an adamantyl group-containing epoxy modified acrylate, which exhibit excellent transparency, light resistance, and heat resistance properties. Also provided are resin compositions containing the adamantane derivatives. Further provided are corresponding methods for producing the adamantane derivatives, as well as the resin compositions containing the same. |
| US08110613B2 |
Process for producing silicon compound having oxetanyl group
Provided is a method for efficiently producing a cationically curable condensed silicon compound. There was an unsolved problem that, in a condensation reaction, an oxetanyl group is subjected to ring-opening under an acidic condition, while gelation is easily caused under an alkaline condition. It was found that a silicon compound (C) having an oxetanyl group can be obtained without causing gelation even at a high concentration by the present method including a first step of separately subjecting a silicon compound (A) having four siloxane bond-forming groups and a silicon compound (B) having an oxetanyl group to alcohol exchange reaction with 1-propanol and a second step of subjecting silicon compounds (AP) and (BP) undergone the first step to hydrolytic copolycondensation under an alkaline condition at a specific ratio. |
| US08110611B2 |
Composition for image recording, image recording ink set, and recording apparatus
A composition for image recording includes a curable material that is curable by an external stimulus, and an oil absorbing material. |
| US08110610B2 |
Amine co-initiators for radiation curable compositions
A radiation curable composition comprising a curable compound, a photo-initiator and a co-initiator, characterized in that said co-initiator is a oligomer or polymer having a repeating unit, said repeating unit comprising at least two tertiary amines, and said polymer being prepared by the polycondensation of di- or oligofunctional Michael acceptors with mono- or oligofunctional aliphatic primary amines or with di- or oligofunctional aliphatic secondary amines or with a mixture thereof. |
| US08110606B2 |
Method of treating post-surgical acute pain
A method is provided for treating pain in patients recovering from post-surgical trauma by administering between about 13 to about 30 mg of diclofenac potassium in a liquid dispersible formulation over a period of at least 24 hours, wherein the daily total amount of diclofenac potassium administered is less than or equal to about 100 mg. The method is particularly useful in treating acute pain in bunionectomy patients. |
| US08110602B2 |
Compounds comprising heterocyclic-substituted piperidine for treating pain
The invention relates to Heterocyclic-Substituted Piperidine Compounds, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Heterocyclic-Substituted Piperidine Compound and methods to treat or prevent a condition, such as pain, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a Heterocyclic-Substituted Piperidine Compound. |
| US08110600B2 |
Formulation and delivery method to enhance antioxidant potency of vitamin E
A formulation to deliver a full-spectrum of Vitamin E isomers for improved antioxidant capacity, bioavailability, dissolution and efficacy. The formulation includes dl-α-tocopheryl acetate or dl-α-tocopheryl succinate (synthetic Vitamin E), natural Vitamin E and mixed tocopherols, such as α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherol, as well as four isomers (α, β, γ and δ) of tocotrienols. This formulation is designed to deliver at least 17-times the antioxidant capacity of synthetic Vitamin E (dl-α-tocopheryl acetate), and at least twice the antioxidant capacity of natural Vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol) as measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The potent antioxidant capacity of this formula affords protection against oxidative damage of cell membranes, heart disease, cancer and eye and skin disease. |
| US08110599B2 |
AMPelopsin unsaturated sodium salt preparation and applications thereof
The present application relates to a novel AMPelopsin unsaturated sodium salt compound (AMP-Na), a method for preparing the same and the applications thereof. The physicochemical properties of AMP-Na according to the present application are significantly altered compared to those of AMPelopsin (AMP). AMP-Na shows significantly reduced toxicity than AMP as evidenced by the in vivo acute toxicity studies. As demonstrated by pharmacological evaluation, AMP-Na exhibits synergistic action when administered in combination with clinically used anti-cancer drugs, therefore reducing their dosages without compromising their therapeutic effects. |
| US08110598B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds, their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine
The present invention relates to novel substituted pyrrole compounds, their derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing them. This invention particularly relates to novel substituted pyrrole compounds of the general formula (I), their analogs, their derivatives, their polymorphs, their tautomeric forms, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and their pharmaceutical compositions containing them. This invention also relates to the process for preparing such compounds, a composition containing such a compound and the use of such a compound and composition in medicine. |
| US08110595B2 |
Ureas and their use in the treatment of heart failure
Certain substituted urea derivatives selectively modulate the cardiac sarcomere, for example by potentiating cardiac myosin, and are useful in the treatment of systolic heart failure including congestive heart failure. |
| US08110592B2 |
Agrochemical formulations that can be dispersed in water containing polyalkoxytriglycerides as penetration enhances
The present invention relates to novel water-dispersible agrochemical formulations such as, for example, water-based suspension concentrates and water-dispersible granules of agrochemically active compounds comprising a penetrant from the class of the polyalkoxytriglycerides, to a process for preparing these formulations and to their use for applying the active compounds comprised therein. |
| US08110589B2 |
Ectoparasiticide composition and a method for exterminating extoparasites
An ectoparasiticide composition for animals including etoxazole as an active ingredient, a UV absorber and a phenol antioxidant, and a method for exterminating ectoparasites using the composition. The preferable blending ratio between etoxazole, a UV absorber and a phenol antioxidant in terms of mass ratio is 1: from 0.05 to 5: from 0.05 to 5. |
| US08110580B2 |
Thiophene pyrazolopyrimidine compounds
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and the use of such compounds as corticotropin releasing factor 1 (CRF1) receptor antagonists in the treatment of psychiatric and neuroendocrine disorders, neurological diseases, and metabolic syndrome. |
| US08110575B2 |
Compounds
The present invention relates to new CGRP-antagonists of general formula I wherein U, V, X, Y, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are defined as in the description, the tautomers, the isomers, the diastereomers, the enantiomers, the hydrates, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof and the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids or bases, medicaments containing these compounds, their use and processes for preparing them. |
| US08110573B2 |
Pyrazole compounds that modulate the activity of CDK, GSK and aurora kinases
The invention provides a compound of the formula (I): or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof, wherein M is selected from a group D1 and a group D2: and R′, E, A and X are as defined in the claims. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, processes for making the compounds and the use of the compounds in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state mediated by a CDK kinase, GSK-3 kinase or Aurora kinase. |
| US08110567B2 |
Phenyl-piperazine derivatives as serotonin reuptake inhibitors
The invention provides compounds represented by the general formula I wherein the substituents are defined in the application. The compounds are useful in the treatment of an affective disorder, including depression, anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder and panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. |
| US08110565B2 |
Enhanced drug delivery in transdermal systems
A composition for transdermal administration resulting from an admixture includes: a therapeutically effective amount of a drug that includes a parent drug and a prodrug; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the parent drug and prodrug are individually present in an amount sufficient for a pharmacological effect. In a preferred embodiment, the admixture includes: a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutically active agent that includes a corresponding steroid and a steroid derivative; and a carrier for the pharmaceutically active agent. The steroid and the corresponding steroid derivative are present in a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:10 steroid:corresponding steroid derivative. In a preferred embodiment ratio is 6:1 to 1:6. In a preferred embodiment, the corresponding steroid derivative is a steroid ester. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is a polymer that includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In another preferred embodiment, the parent drug is an ACE inhibitor such as ramipril and the prodrug is an ACE inhibitor prodrug such as ramipril ethyl and/or methyl ester. |
| US08110560B2 |
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment via targeting of SMN2 splice site inhibitory sequences
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions capable of blocking the inhibitory effect of a newly-identified intronic inhibitory sequence element, named ISS-N1 (for “intronic splicing silencer”), located in the SMN2 gene. The compositions and methods of the instant invention include oligonucleotide reagents (e.g., oligoribonucleotides) that effectively target the SMN2 ISS-N1 site in the SMN2 pre-mRNA, thereby modulating the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA to include exon 7 in the processed transcript. The ISS-N1 blocking agents of the invention cause elevated expression of SMN protein, thus compensating for the loss of SMN protein expression commonly observed in subjects with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). |
| US08110559B2 |
Hindered ester-based biodegradable linkers for oligonucleotide delivery
The invention provides hindered ester-based biodegradable linkers for the delivery of oligonucleotides in vivo, as well as method of making and using the same. |
| US08110555B2 |
7-hydroxy chromones as potent antioxidants
The present invention describes the identification and purification of 7-hydroxychromes that exhibit potent antioxidant activity. In one embodiment the present invention includes a method for providing an antioxidant to a host in need thereof, comprising administering an effective amount of a 7-hydroxychrome or a mixture of 7-hydroxychromones. The present invention includes methods that are effective in inhibiting free radical and oxidation caused damage through the simultaneous suppression of free radical generation and the suppression of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present invention also includes methods for preventing and treating ROS mediated diseases and conditions and diseases and conditions associated with other oxidative processes. The method for preventing and treating ROS mediated diseases and conditions and diseases and conditions associated with other oxidative processes is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprised of a 7-hydroxychrome or a mixture of 7-hydroxychromones and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Included in this invention is an improved method to isolate and purify 7-hydroxychromones from plant sources. |
| US08110553B2 |
Methods and compositions for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
The present invention features compositions and related methods for treating IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders and conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, functional heartburn, dyspepsia (including functional dyspepsia or nonulcer dyspepsia), gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (or colonic pseudo-obstruction), and disorders and conditions associated with constipation, e.g., constipation associated with use of opiate pain killers, post-surgical constipation (post-operative ileus), and constipation associated with neuropathic disorders as well as other conditions and disorders using peptides and other agents that activate the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor. |
| US08110535B2 |
Semi-aqueous stripping and cleaning formulation for metal substrate and methods for using same
The present invention relates to semi-aqueous formulations and the method using same, to remove bulk photoresists, post-etched and post-ashed residues, as well as contaminations. The formulation comprises: an alkanolamine, a water miscible organic co-solvent, a quarternary ammonium compound, a non-free acid functionality corrosion inhibitor, and remainder water. The pH is greater than 9. |
| US08110532B2 |
Antioxidant compositions
The invention relates to antioxidant compositions for lubricants and organic polymers comprising a first antioxidant comprising a reaction product of p-cresol, dicyclopentadiene and isobutylene; and a second antioxidant comprising a diarylamine. The first antioxidant preferably has the structure: wherein n is 0-50, and R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, a straight or branched C1-C30 alkyl or alkylene group optionally substituted with one or more substituents, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C5-C12 aryl, or C6-C12 alkylaryl. The second antioxidant preferably has the formula: (R3)a—Ar1—NH—Ar2—(R4)b wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are independently aromatic hydrocarbon groups and R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen or hydrocarbyl groups having from 6 to about 100 carbon atoms and a and b are independently 0 to 3 but (a+b) is not greater than 4. |
| US08110530B2 |
Herbicidal composition
The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition having a synergistic herbicidal effect against weeds, said herbicidal composition including 3-[(5-difluoromethoxy-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-4-yl)methylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethylisoxazole as a component A and a component B selected from the group consisting of quizalofop-P-ethyl, sethoxydim, pyrithiobac-sodium, bispyribac-sodium, pyrimisulfan, imazaquin, chlorimuron-ethyl, diuron, sulfentrazone, fluthiacet-methyl, sulcotrione, norflurazon, clomazone, bilanafos, asulam, flufenacet, dimethenamid-P, prosulfocarb, thiobencarb, 2,4-D, isoproturon, picolinafen, trifluralin and triallate. |
| US08110527B2 |
Alumina having a complex pore structure, and catalyst and process for selective hydrogenation of cracking gasoline
The present invention discloses an alumina support having multiple pore structure, wherein the alumina support has a specific surface area of from 40 to 160 m2/g and a total pore volume of from 0.3 to 1.2 cm3/g; a pore volume of pores having a pore diameter of less than 30 nm comprises 5 to 60% of the total pore volume; a pore volume of pores having a pore diameter of from 30 to 60 nm comprises 20 to 75% of the total pore volume; and a pore volume of pores having a pore diameter of larger than 60 nm comprises 20 to 60% of the total pore volume. The present invention further discloses a catalyst used for selective hydrogenation of a pyrolysis gasoline, comprising: (a) the alumina support according to the invention; and (b) 0.01 to 1.2 wt. % of metal palladium or palladium oxides, based on the weight of the alumina support. |