| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08121344B2 |
System and method for routing imaged documents
Systems and methods for sorting, scanning and routing imaged documents are described. In one configuration, incoming mixed white mail is sorted and coded, then extracted and scanned using the code to separate items. The separate imaged documents are then routed using the code. In another configuration, the documents are automatically extracted from the envelopes. In yet another configuration, the intended recipient is sent an identifier used to reference the code and retrieve the imaged document. |
| US08121342B2 |
Associating metadata with media signals, and searching for media signals using metadata
A method of associating metadata with a media signal receives an identifier for the media signal, uses the identifier to look up metadata in a metadata database, validates the metadata by checking attributes of the media signal relative to at least a portion of the metadata to provide validated metadata; and provides the validated metadata to a requesting application. Related methods enable searching of metadata across metadata databases, routing metadata requests to the metadata databases, controlling access to and validating metadata for media content, and re-associating valid metadata with media content. |
| US08121336B2 |
Directional loudspeaker to reduce direct sound
A directional loudspeaker provides an enhanced listening environment by producing an indirect sound field of greater amplitude than that of the direct sound field. The directional loudspeaker includes loudspeaker elements positioned to provide a listener located below the loudspeaker elements with an impression of sound spaciousness in a vehicle environment. The loudspeaker elements may include baffles or acoustic lenses to deflect the indirect field away from the path to the listener position. The loudspeaker may also be operated with windows open by channeling the indirect sound field through an acoustic waveguide and deflector to the listener. A sound processor is also provided to accept a sound input, create an indirect and direct sound field, output the sound fields to loudspeaker elements, and also may provide electronic enhancement effects such as multi-channel sound or sound parameter adjustment. |
| US08121333B2 |
Suspension device for microphone
The present invention is a suspension device comprising a frame and a means for holding a microphone. The means for holding a microphone is secured to the frame by two arms lying in a plane and the arms are shaped to allow movement of the means for holding a microphone in a direction transverse to the plane. |
| US08121330B2 |
Phase plug for compression driver
A phase plug comprises a body having an input side for receiving acoustic waves and an output side for transmitting acoustic waves, the body including a plurality of channels extending from the input side to the output side for propagating acoustic waves through the body. The input side comprises an input surface which includes a plurality of openings constituting entrances for the channels, the input surface being substantially part of a sphere or an ellipsoid in shape. The areas of the openings vary with radial position on the input surface, the radial position being measured in a direction extending perpendicularly from a central axis extending through the input surface. The variation in the areas is a function of the cosine of an angle subtended at the centre of the sphere or a focus of the ellipsoid between the central axis and the radial position. |
| US08121326B2 |
Hearing aid
A hearing aid includes a hearing aid shell, a microphone enclosed within the hearing aid shell, and a sealing member that surrounds the periphery of the microphone enclosed within the hearing aid shell, and a sealing member that surrounds the periphery of the microphone. The sealing member completely fills the area between the periphery of the microphone and the interior surface of the hearing aid shell. |
| US08121324B2 |
Behind-the-ear accessory module for a helix hearing instrument
The capabilities of a helix hearing instrument may expanded with a behind-the-ear accessory module. The module accommodates additional batteries and a variety of accessory functions including an external volume control. |
| US08121320B2 |
Hearing aid
A hearing aid includes a first portion adapted for behind-the-ear placement having a microphone, a second portion adapted for in-the-canal placement having a receiver and a cable that couples the first portion to the second portion, the cable having an adjustable length. |
| US08121314B2 |
Mixing apparatus, mixing method, and mixing program
A mixing apparatus which makes it possible to monitor an internally-generated audio signal and an audio signal from an external apparatus not only in response to turning-on/off of a monitor switch but also in flexible and various manners when mixing those signals. The mixing apparatus is connected to at least one external apparatus, for inputting and mixing a plurality of audio signals and outputting a resulting mixed audio signal. The input audio signals are mixed into a mixed audio signal. The mixed audio signal and an audio signal input from the external apparatus are mixed using a predetermined monitor mix balance into a monitor output signal. A monitor switch is operated to switch between a plurality of monitor states. The predetermined monitor mix balance is changed according to a monitor state after switching by the monitor switch. |
| US08121312B2 |
Wide-band equalization system
A Wide-band Equalization System (“WBES”) based on near- and far-field measurement data. The WBES includes a subwoofer equalizer having an FIR filter together with decimator and interpolator filters for processing low frequency signals. The WBES may also include satellite channels for processing mid- and high-frequency signals, where each satellite channel includes cascaded IIR filters that process mid-frequency and high-frequency signals, respectively. The WBES may also include a DSP that performs the functions required by the IIR and FIR filters. |
| US08121307B2 |
In-vehicle sound control system
An in-vehicle sound control system structured so that sound sources, a vehicle speed detection unit for detecting a vehicle running speed, and an acoustic reproduction apparatus are connected to in-vehicle communications network. The in-vehicle sound control system controls, in accordance with a vehicle speed signal transmitted from the vehicle speed detection unit, a reproduction acoustic signal. The acoustic reproduction apparatus switches, in accordance with a plurality of inputted sound sources and media information of a sound source, a control amount to sound control section determined based on a vehicle speed signal. In this manner, such an in-vehicle sound control system is provided that can provide an optimal automatic sound control for human ears even when the medium is exchanged or when a channel for a sound source in the medium is switched to another channel. |
| US08121306B2 |
Range-sensitive wireless microphone with out-of-range recording feature
A range-sensitive wireless-microphone method includes receiving an audio input, converting the received audio input into digital data, buffering the digital data, and transmitting the buffered digital data. The method also includes determining whether the transmitted buffered data was successfully received, responsive to a determination that the transmitted buffered data was successfully received deleting the transmitted buffered data, and, responsive to a determination that the transmitted buffered data was not successfully received, retaining the transmitted buffered data and repeating the transmitting step. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08121304B2 |
Anti-tangle device and method for preventing cord tangling
An anti-tangling device includes a headphone cord having a distal end, a male signal plug at the distal end, a proximal end, and at least one earphone at the proximal end. Each of the plug and the earphone has first or second parts of a two-part connection device. The two-part connection device removably secures the plug and the earphone to one another. In an embodiment, the plug is the first part and the earphone has a plug-in portion as the second part. The plug-in portion defines a female port shaped to removably secure the plug therein and, when secured, forms a continuous loop with the cord, the plug, and the earphone. The plug-in portion can be integral with or removably attached to the earphone. The first and second parts can be a magnet and a magnetized piece, a hook-and-loop type fastener, or parts of a press-fit snap fastener. |
| US08121300B1 |
Drum accessory for gating of a microphone on a drum
A drum accessory comprising a housing for attaching to a drum; a microprocessor disposed in the housing; an audio gate circuit disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the microprocessor and operatively connected to a microphone; and a drum trigger sensor operatively connected to the microprocessor, the drum trigger positioned to touch an edge of the drumhead of the drum; wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive a first input signal from the drum trigger sensor when the drum trigger sensor detects that the drum is hit, wherein upon receipt of the first input signal the microprocessor generates a first output command to the audio gate circuit to activate the audio gate circuit to allow transmission of an audio signal from the microphone to an output location; wherein the audio gate circuit is set to automatically deactivate after a predetermined amount of time. |
| US08121298B2 |
Hearing aid
The invention is a hearing aid that is mounted on both the left and right ears and generates a notification sound to notify the user to a state change. This hearing aid comprises a first hearing aid and a second hearing aid mounted on the left and right ears, respectively. The first and second hearing aids each have a communication unit, an operating unit, a notification sound generator, and a notification sound generation delay unit. The communication unit performs communication between the first and second hearing aids. The operating unit changes the operating state of the first and second hearing aids. The notification sound generator generates a notification sound when the operating state of the first and second hearing aids changes due to operating of the operating unit. The notification sound generation delay unit controls the notification sound generator of the first hearing aid or the second hearing aid so as to delay by a specific amount the timing at which a notification sound is generated by the notification sound generator in the first hearing aid or the second hearing aid, on the basis of delay time information received through the communication unit. |
| US08121293B2 |
System for ensuring encrypted communication after handover
During connection setup with a first radio access network, a multimode mobile station sends an unprotected initial signaling message that includes information about those encryption algorithms that the multimode mobile station supports when it communications in a second radio access network. The first radio access network saves some or all the information. Then it composes and sends an integrity-protected message that includes information about the encryption algorithms supported by the multimode mobile station in the second radio access network. |
| US08121291B2 |
Apparatus, system, method and computer program product for distributing service information and digital rights for broadcast data
An apparatus, system method and computer program product configured to transmit data over a broadcast network. The data is encrypted and decoded using a decryption key available to terminals in combination with a digital rights object. A media guide is broadcast to the terminals. Information from the media guide is also stored by a request handling means in order to ensure that information, such as pricing information, broadcast to the terminals is synchronized with information used to register a terminal as a subscriber. A request is sent from a terminal to the broadcast network through a second network. Authentication information identifying the terminal may be included in the request without manual input from a user of the terminal. Authentication information is extracted from a component or added to the message by a component of the second network. The digital rights object is then sent to the terminal via the second network. |
| US08121290B2 |
Pseudo-random function calculating device and method and number-limited anonymous authentication system and method
An efficient pseudo-random function and an efficient limited number of times authentication system using such a function are realized. A pseudo-random function calculating device comprises a key creating means and a pseudo-random function calculating means. The key creating means creates a public key made of a set of at least a first component and a second component as components constituting an element of a finite group and a secret key made of an integer and secretly saves the created secret key in a secret key memory section but makes the public key public. The pseudo-random function calculating means outputs the element of a finite group as function value of the pseudo-random function upon receiving an integer as input. The pseudo-random function calculating means outputs the product of multiplication of the first element of the value obtained by calculating the modular exponentiation, using the first component of the public key and the input integer respectively as base and exponent, and the second element of the value obtained by calculating the modular exponentiation, using the second component of the public key and the reciprocal of the sum of the secret key and the input integer in a finite field respectively as base and component. |
| US08121289B2 |
Cryptographic method with integrated encryption and revocation, system, device and programs for implementing this method
A first entity (1) includes a secret encryption key (g1, γ) of an encryption diagram which can accept a plurality of encryption keys. A plurality of decoders have respective encryption keys, each incorporating a respective key index. The method comprises an encryption operation, wherein a value is taken as a variable element (s) and a ciphertext (C′) is calculated from the data to be transmitted (K) and at least from the value taken as the variable element and the secret encryption key. An operation for revoking a decryption key is integrated into an encryption operation performed with a value of the variable element (s) based on the index key (x′) of one of the decryption keys, which will be used during an operation for tracking illegitimate decoders. |
| US08121288B2 |
Encrypting and decrypting a data stream
The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for encrypting and for decrypting a data stream, for securely sending a data stream and for securely receiving a data stream, and for secure transmission of a data stream. The data stream, after at least a part of it being encrypted, is transmitted from a sender to a receiver via a channel. An exemplary method for encrypting comprises: adjusting encryption attributes during transmission; encrypting the data stream according to the adjusted encryption attributes; and transmitting the encrypted data stream and information of the encryption attributes to the receiver. |
| US08121285B2 |
Data processing for coding
A system and method for data processing for coding. The method may include providing a first plurality of bytes of data, non-linearly transforming the first plurality of bytes into a second plurality of bytes, multiplying each of the second plurality of bytes of data by a predetermined constant of a plurality of constants to generate a third plurality of bytes, and organizing in use the third plurality of bytes as a plurality of output bytes. Systems to practice the foregoing methods are also described. |
| US08121283B2 |
Tapered capacitive sensing structure
A touchpad has interleaved conductive traces across a touchpad surface. Each conductive trace has a first end and a second end. The width of the first end is larger than the width of the second end. The interleaved conductive traces have a first group of conductive traces alternated with a second group of conductive traces. |
| US08121276B2 |
Multicast call processing unit for telecommunication devices
A multicast call processing unit receives a request from a requester, determines if the request is associated with a multicast function, identifies a plurality of destinations defined by the multicast function and establishes communication link between the requester and the plurality of destinations. In one embodiment, the call processing unit authenticates the plurality of destinations before establishing a communication link between them and the requester. If the request from the requester is not associated with the multicast function, then the call processing unit establishes a communication link between the requester and a single destination. In another embodiment, a supervisor manages the plurality of destinations. |
| US08121274B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing multiple services per call
A method and apparatus for enabling multiple services to be invoked in a specific precedence per call are disclosed. For example, the present method allows a subscriber to interact with a plurality of services provided by a service provider on a single call. |
| US08121273B2 |
Call interceptor
An apparatus for selectively allowing calls to a device, especially a facsimile machine, that may receive calls on a signal line. The apparatus detects an incoming call on the signal line and allows the incoming call to reach the device if received during an enabled time period but prevents the incoming call from reaching the device if received outside the enabled time period. The apparatus may be configured to prevent a first incoming call, detected outside said enabled period, from reaching said device and subsequently to initiate said enabled time period. |
| US08121271B2 |
Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus
The present invention is directed to a node for transmitting data over a network. The node includes a first ascertaining element configured to ascertain the need to transmit one or more data streams from the node to a second node over the network, the one or more data streams including time-based media that is generated either locally or remotely on the network. The node also includes a second ascertaining element configured to ascertain a timeliness preference for reviewing the one or more data streams by one or more recipients respectively. The ascertained timeliness preference for each one of the data streams is either (a) time-sensitive where at least one recipient of the one data stream has indicated an intent to review the one data stream in a near real-time mode as received by the recipient over the network while the time-based media of the one data stream is being generated or (b) less-than time-sensitive. |
| US08121270B2 |
Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus
The present invention is directed to an improved media communication device for communicating over a communication network. The communication device includes an encoder, a time-shifting buffer and a transmitter to progressively encode, store in a time-based format, and transmit over the network locally created media created using the communication device. The communication device also includes a receiver and a rendering element to receive and progressively render media received over the network from a remote source. The received media is also stored in the time-based format in the time-shifting buffer. By storing media in the time-based format in the time-shifting buffer, the received media may be rendered in a near real-time mode and the received and locally created media may be rendered in a time-shifted mode. In various embodiments, the locally created and received media may be streaming media. In yet other embodiments, the media may be segmented into messages that are transmitted to and from the communication device over the network. |
| US08121269B1 |
System and method for automatically managing participation at a meeting
A participant managing system which identifies potential invitees to a conference. A storage means maintains storing records of associations of persons at least to one or more keywords. During the preparation of the conference the system responds to the user's input of key words by identifying persons. The user is not obliged to make any selection of persons, only a selection of subjects by key words. |
| US08121268B1 |
Web page creation by telephone
A web page is composed for an entity using information obtained by a computer-based service provider during a telephone call. In some embodiments, a user calls the service provider using a telephone having a telephone number associated with the entity. The user receives an audible message listing a first set of information, and sends a response that indicates whether the first set of information is accurate with respect to the entity. In response to one or more audible prompts, the user also provides a second set of information concerning the entity. Optionally, the user may send a completion command to the service provider via the telephone. The service provider generates a publicly accessible web page based on first and second sets of information. |
| US08121264B1 |
Protected data container for storing data relating to recorded calls in a manner that enables the data to be authenticated
Data related to a call is stored to a container in a manner that enables the data to be authenticated. “Container” refers to any type of data structure for storing data, such as a file, database, etc. Thus, a protected container is provided to which captured information relating to a call (e.g., recorded audio of the call, captured application data, captured external data, etc.) is stored. The protected container enables detection of any tampering of the protected data, as well as authentication of such data. A multi-channel recording technique is used to record audio for each outbound channel of a call. Each channel of the audio may be watermarked, and a signature may be generated for use in authenticating the audio data. Information relating to the call (e.g., captured audio, application data, external data, etc.) is captured and streamed into the protected container during the call (i.e., in real time). |
| US08121259B2 |
Thermal energy storage and transfer assembly and method of making same
An apparatus includes an electron collector includes a body having an internal bore formed therethrough along a first direction and a window side having an aperture formed in a first portion thereof along a second direction different from the first direction. The apparatus also includes a cover plate having a bottom surface coupled to a second portion of the first surface of the electron collector, and an x-ray transmission window coupled to the cover plate and aligned with the aperture along the second direction, wherein a recess is formed along the second direction in one of the first portion of the first surface of the electron collector and a portion of the bottom surface of the cover plate, and wherein a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the cover plate and the first surface of the electron collector. |
| US08121257B2 |
X-ray image capturing device and a method thereof
In an X-ray image capturing device which performs image capturing by receiving image capturing information that includes protocols from an information system, when a protocol which is not associated to a body part is transferred, image capturing of such protocol cannot be performed, or the task of associating it to a body part is troublesome and may not be performed accurately. A configuration is used in which a protocol having unassociated image capturing information and body part is displayed as an undefined protocol, and means to associate the undefined protocol to a body part is called up. |
| US08121255B2 |
Diagnostic imaging system
A diagnostic imaging system includes a generation unit which generates a fluoroscopic image of X-rays that irradiate a subject, a setting unit which, when displaying the fluoroscopic image superimposed on a field image of a head mounted display, sets the display ratio of the field image and the fluoroscopic image in accordance with a display condition, an image composition unit which generates a composite image by superimposing the fluoroscopic image on the field image on the basis of the ratio set by the setting unit, and an image display unit which displays the composite image on the display unit of the head mounted display. |
| US08121247B2 |
Method for the tomographic measurement of mechanical workpieces
In a method for measuring mechanical workpieces by tomography, a workpiece and radiation penetrating the workpiece are moved relative to one another step-by-step. A two-dimensional image of the workpiece is generated in an imaging plane from the interaction of the workpiece and the radiation in each movement position of the workpiece. In addition, a three-dimensional representation of the workpiece is computed from the two-dimensional images. From at least two two-dimensional images showing a regular actual structure existing within the workpiece, points at a high-contrast transition are registered. A three-dimensional equivalent body is determined from the position of the points, and said equivalent body is compared to a predefined nominal structure. |
| US08121240B1 |
Statistical measurement of average edge-jitter placement on a clock signal
Phase shift is added between a uttering clock signal and a data bit stream clocked by the clock signal. The phase shift is adjusted until half the data bits are captured (counted) over a measurement period. Adding this amount of phase shift between the clock and data signals centers the average clock edge placement. In a particular embodiment, counters, each having N bits where N is an integer, are used to count clock pulses and data bits. When one counter is full and the most-significant bit on the other counter goes high, the phase shift between the data and clock signal places the average clock edge at the data bit edge. |
| US08121238B2 |
System and method for synchronizing digital bits in a data stream
A system and method for synchronizing a receiver of a bit stream to the bit stream include a correlator to remove the PN code modulation and to generate a stream of time sequence values (samples) from the received bits. A plurality of accumulators are included, each accumulator corresponding to an offset in a series of time intervals starting with a first time period. The accumulators add a number of values equal to a number of samples in a bit period. The values added by each accumulator is a set of values starting with the value at the offset corresponding to the accumulator. A plurality of magnitude calculators receives a sum from the corresponding accumulator and calculates a magnitude. A plurality of non-coherent summers are then used to add the magnitudes for each offset in each bit period for all of the received bits. The total sum in each non-coherent summer is then analyzed to find the highest value, such that the offset corresponding to the non-coherent summer with the highest value represents the location of the bit transition in the bit period. |
| US08121230B2 |
Correction of mismatches between two I and Q channels
A method for correcting mismatches between a digital signal in phase and a digital signal in quadrature originating from a signal broadcast by terrestrial channel, comprising a phase correction method. A set of first error values is measured during a first period. A current value of a second error is determined based on a sum of the first error values. The current value is compared with a previous second error value stored in memory. The value of a current phase shift correction is chosen from two phase shift correction values, based on the result of the comparison and the value of a previous phase shift correction. The value of the chosen current phase shift correction is added to the previous phase shift to obtain a current phase shift. This current phase shift is introduced between the digital signal in phase and the digital signal in quadrature. |
| US08121213B2 |
Modulation device, demodulation device, modulation method and demodulation method
A modulation apparatus is disclosed that enables significant improvements in signal transmission rate in a limited frequency band as compared with conventional modulation schemes. The modulation apparatus has first and second frequency-increasing single side band (SSB) modulators. The modulators are configured to have respective carrier frequencies with a difference by a frequency corresponding to the symbol frequency (i.e. fundamental frequency of the input symbol). An adder combines a lower side band (LSB) signal obtained from the SSB modulator set for a higher carrier frequency, and an upper side band (USB) signal obtained from the SSB modulator set for a lower carrier frequency to obtain a modulation signal. |
| US08121208B2 |
Multi-input multi-output system for enhancing transmission performance
The present invention relates to a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system for enhancing transmission performance. The MIMO system uses space-time encoding and transmit antenna selection methods, and includes a transmitter (100) and a receiver (200). The transmitter (100) includes N transmit antennas (130-1, 130-4) that are more than M transmit antennas (130-1, 130-3) used for transmitting a signal to space channel, selects the M transmit antennas (130-1, 130-3) among the N transmit antennas (130-3 130-4), and transmits symbol by space-time encoding the symbol. The receiver (200) includes M receive antenna (120-1, 210-2) for receiving a signal from the space channel, detects an information symbol by using the signal received through the receive antenna (210-1, 210-2), generates transmit antenna selection information for selecting M transmit antennas (130-1, 130-3) among transmit antennas (i30-1, . . . 7130-4) with reference to a channel estimate, and returns the information to the transmitter. |
| US08121205B1 |
Extended non-return-to-zero serial channel signaling
Methods and apparatus for serial channel operation are disclosed. An N+1-level signaling scheme is used to transmit N staggered but overlapping NRZ sub-sequences concurrently on a serial channel. Each sequence has a bit rate R and an essential bandwidth of R Hz. The combined bit rate of the channel is N×R, but due to a lack of correlation between the sub-sequences, the essential bandwidth remains approximately R Hz. The signaling scheme also contains redundancy that allows some errors to be detected and/or corrected. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08121200B2 |
Multi-level LVDS data transmission with embedded word clock
A multi-level signal uses the third/fourth signal level to signal both a word clock edge and a data word boundary. At the receiver, a level detector detects a transition to or from the third/fourth level as a clock signal transition and the word boundary. The bit clock can be recovered using a conventional clock multiplier. Bi-level signaling is used for data between the word boundaries. Additional signal states are available in the multi-level signal by modulating the pulse width at the third/fourth signal level. |
| US08121198B2 |
Embedding content-based searchable indexes in multimedia files
Content-based analysis is performed on multimedia content prior to encoding the multimedia content in the rendering chain of processing. A content-based index stream is generated based on the content-based analysis and the content-based index stream is embedded in the multimedia file during rendering. The content-based index stream can be used to generate a content-based searchable index when necessary. |
| US08121197B2 |
Video encoding and decoding using parallel processors
A method is disclosed for the decoding and encoding of a block-based video bit-stream such as MPEG2, H.264-AVC, VC1, or VP6 using a system containing one or more high speed sequential processors, a homogenous array of software configurable general purpose parallel processors, and a high speed memory system to transfer data between processors or processor sets. This disclosure includes a method for load balancing between the two sets of processors. |
| US08121194B2 |
Fast macroblock encoding with the early qualification of skip prediction mode using its temporal coherence
The latest video-coding standards achieve higher coding efficiency than the previous video standards, while increasing the complexity and the difficulty of encoding. In a skip macroblock prediction mode some coding parameters (such as motion vectors and residual) are not coded. Selecting skip macroblock prediction mode reduces the size of the encoded bitstream while possibly deteriorating image quality. Previously the selection of the skip prediction mode is performed after motion estimation process. This invention determines whether each macroblock should be encoded in skip macroblock prediction mode before motion estimation. This invention substantially reduces computational cost with a very small deterioration in coding efficiency. |
| US08121192B2 |
Method and system for treating noise in a generated image
A process and system for improving a digital image of an object defined by pixels, acquired at the instant t and generated from an X-ray detector receiving X-rays emitted by a source. The process includes: determining a predicted image of the object at the instant t as a function of the images of the object acquired at the instants t−i, i being a positive whole number greater than or equal to 1, and moving of each of the layers constituting the image acquired at the instant t, the number of layers being previously fixed and the moving of each of the layers being previously determined; and generating a visualized image corresponding to a weighted sum of the predicted image and the image of the object acquired at the instant t, so as to attenuate the noise of the image of the object acquired at the instant t. |
| US08121191B1 |
AVC to SVC transcoder
Roughly described, an input unencoded video stream is first encoded according to a high quality compression standard such as 1080P@60 AVC. The high quality compressed video stream is then transcoded into a scalable format, such as 1080P@60 SVC. Developing the scalable video stream by transcoding offers significant benefits over developing it natively from the original uncompressed picture sequence. |
| US08121190B2 |
Method for video coding a sequence of digitized images
The invention relates to a method for video coding a sequence of digitized images comprising predicting the contents of each image taking into account a rate distortion optimization criterion being dependent on a Lagrange multiplier; transforming the prediction error resulting from predicting step into a plurality of transformed residual coefficients in each image; quantizing the transformed residual coefficients in each image; wherein the Lagrange multiplier is determined for each image based on a probability distribution of the transformed residual coefficients of the respective image, the probability distribution having its maximum probability at its mean zero and being formed such that the probabilities decrease to zero from the mean to large absolute values of the transformed residual coefficients, whereby the variance of the probability distribution is calculated from the plurality of transformed residual coefficients in the respective image. |
| US08121189B2 |
Video decoding using created reference pictures
Reference pictures can be created to assist with video decoding. For example, a method for decoding video can comprise receiving an encoded video bit stream, determining that a reference picture is needed, and creating and inserting the reference picture into the encoded video bit stream. A method for decoding video can also comprise receiving an encoded video bit stream, performing bit stream parsing, determining that a reference picture is needed, selecting a representation level for the reference picture, and conveying data for the selected reference picture to a hardware accelerated graphics processing unit. Various video operations, such as creating reference pictures and related information, can be performed by central processing units, while other video decoding operations can be performed by graphics processing units. |
| US08121188B2 |
Video frame encoding and decoding
A video frame arithmetical context adaptive encoding and decoding scheme is presented which is based on the finding, that, for sake of a better definition of neighborhood between blocks of picture samples, i.e. the neighboring block which the syntax element to be coded or decoded relates to and the current block based on the attribute of which the assignment of a context model is conducted, and when the neighboring block lies beyond the borders or circumference of the current macroblock containing the current block, it is important to make the determination of the macroblock containing the neighboring block dependent upon as to whether the current macroblock pair region containing the current block is of a first or a second distribution type, i.e., frame or field coded. |
| US08121186B2 |
Systems and methods for speculative signal equalization
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for signal equalization, and in some cases analog to digital conversion. For example, an analog to digital converter is disclosed that includes a comparator bank that receives a reference indicator and is operable to provide a decision output based at least in part on a comparison of an analog input with a reference threshold corresponding to the reference indicator. A range selection filter is included that has a first adjustment calculation circuit and a second adjustment calculation circuit. The first adjustment calculation circuit is operable to calculate a first adjustment feedback value based at least in part on a speculation that the decision output is a first logic level, and the second adjustment calculation circuit is operable to calculate a second adjustment feedback value based at least in part on a speculation that the decision output is a second logic level. A selector circuit selects the first adjustment feedback to generate the reference indicator when the decision output is the first logic level, and selects the second adjustment feedback to generate the reference indicator when the decision output is the second logic level. |
| US08121184B2 |
Wireless receiver
A wireless receiver receiving a signal from a wireless transmitter which includes a plurality of transmission antennas and transmits data to which first phase rotation for controlling the maximum delay time between the plurality of transmission antennas is added and pilot channels corresponding to the plurality of transmission antennas which are orthogonal to each other, where the wireless receiver includes a reception unit which receives the pilot channels and a demodulating unit which demodulates the data. |
| US08121181B2 |
Method for determining target type of control signals in multi-channel system
The present invention discloses a method for determining a target type of a plurality of control signals respectively transmitted via a plurality of channels in a multi-channel system. The method includes: receiving a plurality of first control signals simultaneously from the channels during a first time period; determining a control signal priority corresponding to the first time period according to a target type determined by actual types of a plurality of second control signals respectively transmitted via the channels during a second time period, wherein the second time period is prior to the first time period; and determining the target type of the first control signals according to the control signal priority and actual types of the first control signals. |
| US08121180B1 |
Automatic output drive level control in home networking transceiver
A novel method of configuring a transceiver for data transmission via residential wiring. The method involves setting a DC level at the output terminal of the transceiver, comparing a value representing the DC level with a predetermined threshold level, and controlling an output driver of the transceiver until this value is equal to the threshold level. The output driver may be controlled during initialization of the transceiver. To implement the method, the transceiver is provided with an output drive control system for comparing a DC level set at the output terminal with the threshold signal to control the output driver so as to maintain the transmit signal at a prescribed level. |
| US08121173B2 |
Apparatus and method for modulating data message by employing orthogonal variable spreading factor (OVSF) codes in mobile communicating system
A method for converting source data to a channel-modulated signal having a plurality of pairs of in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) data in a mobile station, wherein the mobile station uses at least one channel, includes the steps of: a) encoding the source data to generate at least one data part and a control part; b) generating at least one spreading code to be allocated to the channel, wherein each spreading code is selected on the basis of a data rate of the data part and the control part and spreading codes are selected so that two consecutive pairs of the I and Q data are correspondent to two points located on same point or symmetrical with respect to a zero point on a phase domain; and c) spreading the control part and the data part by using the spreading code, to thereby generate the channel-modulated signal. The method is capable of improving a power efficiency of a mobile station by reducing a peak-to-average power ratio in a mobile communication system. |
| US08121172B1 |
Chirped surface acoustic wave (SAW) correlator/expander
A surface acoustic wave (SAW) expander based transmitter and correlator based receiver comprises SAW devices that perform expander or correlator functions based on the types of signals inputted to the SAW devices. The SAW devices incorporate chirp with adaptive interference and programmable coding capabilities. The SAW devices and method of operating the devices allow the implementation of very low power radios that overcome problems with temperature drift, lithography constraints and interference and jamming suffered by prior art implementations. |
| US08121157B2 |
Terahertz beam scanning apparatus and method thereof
To provide a terahertz beam scanning apparatus and method that can scan a terahertz beam at high speed over a wide angle. The terahertz beam scanning apparatus includes: a laser device 12 that generates a first laser beam 1 and a second laser beam 2 having different wavelengths; a laser optical system 14 that focuses the first laser beam 1 and the second laser beam 2 on a same common focal point 14b; and a terahertz generator 16 that is located at the common focal point and generates a terahertz beam 4 by difference frequency mixing. The laser optical system 14 is configured to be capable of changing a relative incidence θi between the first laser beam and the second laser beam to the terahertz generator. |
| US08121156B2 |
Solid-state laser device and image display device
A semiconductor laser light source emits a laser beam for pumping. An optical resonator includes a solid laser crystal to be excited by the incident of a laser beam to oscillate a fundamental wave and a pair of fundamental wave reflective coats arranged at the opposite sides of the solid laser crystal. A wavelength conversion element converts the fundamental wave into a plurality of harmonics. The wavelength conversion element is so arranged in the optical resonator that the optical axis of at least one of the plurality of harmonics, generated in the optical resonator is made different from that of the fundamental wave and the at least one harmonic whose optical axis is made different is output substantially in the same direction as the other harmonic. By this construction, it is possible to stabilize a harmonic output and utilize a plurality of harmonics without increasing the number of parts. |
| US08121149B2 |
Receiving station for CDMA wireless system and method
A communication station, such as a UE or Node B of a 3GPP system, configured to receive channelization coded signals on physical channels of at least one composite channel within timeslots of a system time frame. The actual number of channelization codes received for the composite channel within a system time frame is determined. The transmitted channelization codes are then identified by performing a channelization code identification algorithm based on the determined number. |
| US08121141B2 |
Confidential transmission of data by change of frequency in a telecommunications network
Data is transmitted by a first terminal (11) to a second terminal (12) in a telecommunications network (10) in a plurality of sets of data packets. In the first and second terminals, as a function of a selection rule common to the first and second terminals, transmission frequencies are selected from transmission frequencies in a secret list of transmission frequencies that is common to the first and second terminals. Next, the sets of data packets are transmitted (15, 16) from the first terminal to the second terminal at respective selected transmission frequencies. The common list of transmission frequencies is allocated on the basis of available frequencies with respect to the first and second terminals and collected from the telecommunications network. |
| US08121132B2 |
Local area network for distributing data communication, sensing and control signals
A network for carrying out control, sensing and data communications, comprising a plurality of nodes. Each node may be connected to a payload, which comprises sensors, actuators and DTE's. The network is formed using a plurality of independent communication links, each based on electrically-conducting communication media comprising at least two conductors and interconnecting two nodes, in a point-to-point configuration. During network operation, nodes can be dynamically configured as either data-generating nodes, wherein data is generated and transmitted into the network, or as receiver/repeater/router nodes, wherein received data is repeated from a receiver port to all output ports. During normal network operation, the network shifts from state to state. Each state is characterized by assigning a single node as the data-generating node, and configuring all other nodes in the network as repeaters and receivers. The network can be configured in linear or circular topology, or any mixture of both. The nodes and the payloads can each be powered by local power supply or via the network wiring. In the latter case, dedicated wires can be used, or the same conductors may be employed for both power distribution and communication. Network control can be performed external to the network, or by using the network itself as transport for control messages. Shifting from state to state can be done by selecting sequential nodes to be the data-generating node, or by selecting arbitrary nodes to be the data-generating node. |
| US08121130B2 |
Determining an optimal route advertisement in a reactive routing environment
In an example embodiment, a method is provided. In this method, a network address query is received. A first network address of a known apparatus is retrieved from a routing table, in response to the network address query. A second network address may be determined based upon the network address query, the second network address having a smaller bit length than the first network address. An aggregate value may be advertised that represents a range of reachable network addresses, the range of reachable network addresses including the second network address. |
| US08121127B2 |
Method for handling multiple network packets
A method for handling multiple network packets is provided. The method is suitable for an embedded system connected to a network, wherein the embedded system includes a network device driver module and a simplified TCP/IP stack module. First, a plurality of network packets are received by the network device driver module. Then, each time when the network device driver module copies one of the network packets into a buffer of the simplified TCP/IP stack module, a packet length of the copied network packet is recorded in a packet information table. Thereafter, the network packets are obtained from the buffer one at a time according to the packet lengths recorded in the packet information table and analyzed by the simplified TCP/IP stack module. Thereby, multiple network packets can be handled correctly even in an environment wherein a simplified TCP/IP stack is used. |
| US08121125B2 |
Accelerated TCP (transport control protocol) stack processing
In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment provides performing packet processing on one or more packets, and substantially simultaneously with said performing packet processing, using a data movement module to place one or more payloads corresponding to the one or more packets into a read buffer. |
| US08121122B2 |
Method and device for scheduling unicast and multicast traffic in an interconnecting fabric
A method for scheduling unicast and multicast traffic in an interconnecting fabric performs within each time slot the following steps. First a multicast cell scheduling (61) and independently thereof a unicast cell scheduling (62) is performed. Then, the unicast cell schedule and the multicast cell schedule are merged to a merged schedule (63), wherein in the case a scheduled connection cannot be included in the merged schedule the scheduled connection is included in the merged schedule in a later time slot (66, 63). |
| US08121118B2 |
Methods and apparatus to dynamically control connectivity within virtual private networks
Methods and apparatus to dynamically control connectivity within VPNs are disclosed. A disclosed example route server to control connectivity within a VPN comprises a memory to implement a database, a border gateway protocol (BGP) engine to process BGP advertisements, a network interface to receive a first BGP advertisement, which a first route target (RT) associated with the first PE router, from a first provider edge (PE) router associated with the VPN, and an intra-VPN connectivity controller to, in response to the first BGP advertisement, query the database to determine whether the first PE router is to be communicatively coupled to a second PE router of the VPN and when the first and second PE routers of the VPN are to be communicatively coupled, direct the BGP engine to form a second BGP advertisement that includes a second RT associated with the second PE router based on the first BGP advertisement. |
| US08121116B1 |
Intra channel video stream scheduling
In one embodiment, a gateway between a variable delay network and a constant delay network receives over the variable delay network a plurality of data streams to be multiplexed over a modulated channel extending through the constant delay network. A first processing component of the gateway generates command-packet-descriptors corresponding to content packets included in the received data streams. A second processing component of the gateway uses transmit time indications included in the command-packet-descriptors to schedule transmission of modulated packets representing the received data streams over the modulated channel. |
| US08121115B2 |
Compressed delay packet transmission scheduling
A packet scheduler reduces or “compresses” the packet transmission delay jitter or delay range where packets experience little or no scheduling delay before transmission. As a result, the number of packets that experience little or no delay is reduced. A preferred example way of compressing the packet transmission delay jitter is to reduce the transmission priority of low delay packets. Compressing the delay jitter is particularly desirable for services like VoIP that require low packet transmission delay jitter. |
| US08121114B2 |
Prevention of voice over IP spam
In one embodiment, a system is provided to prevent VoIP spam. The system may store call data that is associated with a call to a phone number made over a Public Switched Telephone Network. Subsequently, the system may accept an Internet Protocol telephony connection in response to verification of a demonstrated knowledge of the call. The demonstrated knowledge of the call may be verified based on the call data. |
| US08121113B2 |
Terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method using IP transfer network
Both a connection server and a relay connection server are installed in an IP transfer network; a function similar to a line connection control of a subscriber exchanger is applied to a connection server; a function similar to a line connection control of a relay exchanger is applied to the relay connection server; and a terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method with using the IP transfer network is realized in such a manner that a telephone set and a terminal such as an IP terminal and a video terminal transmit/receive an initial address message, an address completion message, a call pass message, a response message, a release message and a release completion message, which can be made in a 1-to-1 correspondence relationship with line connection control messages of the common line signal system. Furthermore, while an address administration table is set to a network node apparatus of an IP transfer network, means for registering addresses of the terminals into this address administration table is employed, so that an IP packet communication by a multicast manner can be realized with improving information security performance. |
| US08121111B2 |
Method and system for measuring latency
A system and method for measuring latency of an optical transport network includes generating a time stamp, transmitting the time stamp in an optical transport network, and processing the time stamp to measure latency of the optical transport network. |
| US08121109B2 |
Method and system for remotely controlling appliances
A method of remotely controlling at least one domestic appliance, remote control of such domestic appliances is triggered automatically by detecting a mobile communications terminal entering or leaving a radio reception perimeter of a control device. The control device is a home gateway or more simply a modem provided with a radio access unit. |
| US08121108B2 |
Data slot allocation method used to transmit uncompressed AV data, and method and apparatus for transmitting uncompressed AV data
Provided is a method and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting large data in a more efficient and stable manner. In particular, provided is a data slot allocation method used to transmit uncompressed audio/video (AV) data. The data slot allocation method includes transmitting a first superframe during a first beacon period; receiving a data slot request frame from at least one wireless device, which belongs to a network, during a data slot reservation period included in the first superframe; transmitting a response frame to the at least one wireless device during the data slot reservation period in response to the data slot request frame; and transmitting a second superframe including one or more data slots allocated to the at least one wireless device during a second beacon period. |
| US08121095B2 |
System and method for adjusting a time offset of GPS signals in a CDMA mobile phone
A method for adjusting a time offset of GPS signals in a CDMA mobile phone includes: generating periodic waves and transmitting to the GPS simulator; generating CDMA RF signals and transmitting to the combiner; clocking a first delay time starting when the periodic waves are transmitted to a time the CDMA RF signals are transmitted; receiving the periodic waves; generating GPS RF signals and transmitting the signals to the combiner; clocking a second delay time starting when the periodic waves are received to a time the GPS RF signals are transmitted; generating combined signals and transmitting to the CDMA mobile phone; clocking a third delay time starting when the CDMA RF signals are received to a time the GPS RF signals are received; and calculating a time offset between CDMA signals and GPS signals according to the first delay time, the second delay time, and the third delay time. |
| US08121093B2 |
Apparatus and method for alleviating barred access in mobile communication system
A user equipment for alleviating barred access while reselecting from a first cell to a second cell in a mobile communication system is provided. A wireless module detects receives system information broadcasted in the first cell. A storage unit stores the system information. A controller reselects from the first cell to the second cell, determines whether a first barred access timer is running, and stops the first barred access timer and informs the upper layer of an RRC protocol that the access of the first service is allowed in response of that the first barred access timer is running. |
| US08121091B2 |
Method and system for the reduction of scanning time while roaming
Described are systems, methods, and devices used for reducing scanning time while communicating between wireless mobile computing devices within a wireless communications network. The method includes the following step(s): receiving communication data from one or more APs within a network, the communication data being specific to each of the one or more APs and transmitting the communication data to an MU within the network. The MU is associated with a first AP and the MU associates with a second AP based on the communication data as the MU roams to the second AP. The method further includes the steps of: associating, by an MU, with a first AP within a network, receiving communication data from the first AP, the communication data including information specific to each of one or more further APs, and associating with one of the further APs based on the communication data. |
| US08121090B1 |
Mobile communication device initiated hand-off based on wireless base station priority
A mobile communication device wirelessly transfers user communications to a first wireless base station. The mobile communication device identifies a second wireless base station that has sufficient performance characteristics for wireless communication with the mobile communication device and that has a higher communication priority than the first wireless base station. In response, the mobile communication device initiates a hand-off from the first wireless base station to the second wireless base station. In response to the hand-off, the mobile communication device stops the wireless transfer of the user communications to the first wireless base station and wirelessly transfers additional user communications to the second wireless base station. |
| US08121078B2 |
Wireless network camera systems
Apparatus, systems and techniques associated with battery powered wireless camera systems. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a battery powered wireless camera including an internal battery to provide energy and a burst transmission unit to transmit information during burst periods. The system includes a base station, separated from the battery powered wireless camera, in wireless communication with the battery powered wireless camera to receive information from the battery powered wireless camera. The base station is configured to process the received information and includes a web server to transmit the processed information to a client. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products. |
| US08121077B2 |
Relay device and relay method
A relay device can perform high-quality communication even in a wireless mesh network where relay devices are densely arranged and interference of wireless packets is caused. The relay device includes: a representative node determining unit (605) which determines the channel used in its own cluster for intra-cluster communication to be a channel different from the channel used in neighboring cluster for intra-cluster communication, when the communication quality of its own relay device does not meet predetermined quality and no representative node exists among neighboring nodes; a joining and removal notifying unit (607) which allows a neighboring node which is not associated with any cluster to join to its own associated cluster; and a frequency channel changing unit (609) which changes the channel used for intra-cluster communication to the channel determined by the representative node determining unit (605) of the representative node. |
| US08121076B2 |
Network listening method of a mobile phone
A mobile phone includes a code division multiple access (CDMA) chip and a first user identity module (UIM) card. A network listening method of the mobile phone burns identification information of a second UIM card into the mobile phone, and executes a first network listening method to listen to a communication network, if a first listening frequency equals to a second listening frequency and a first listening channel equals to a second listening channel. The network listening method further executes a second network listening method to listen to the communication network, if the first listening frequency does not equal to the second listening frequency and/or the first listening channel does not equal to the second listening channel. |
| US08121075B2 |
Base station and scheduling method used in base station
Disclosed in the present invention are base stations and scheduling methods used in base stations. The base station uses a multi-user multi-input and multi-output method, including: storing codebook vector group information relevant to a combination of codebook vectors capable of being used as a pre-coding group, the codebook vector group information comprising an index of the combination of codebook vectors capable of being used as a pre-coding group; selecting codebook vectors to be taken as elements of a pre-coding matrix; determining an index, to which a combination of the codebook vectors selected by a pre-coding matrix element corresponds, in accordance with the codebook vectors to be taken as elements of a pre-coding matrix as selected by the pre-coding matrix element and with reference to the codebook vector group information; and transmitting the index of the combination of the codebook vectors. |
| US08121071B2 |
Gateway network multiplexing
A gateway adapted to receive data from a device of a local area network is described herein. In some embodiments, the gateway may be adapted to multiplex received data to another device among multiple wide area networks, wherein at least one of the wide area networks is a wireless wide area network. The gateway may have a wireless wide area networking interface and at least one of one or more other wireless wide area networking interfaces and/or one or more wired wide area networking interfaces, the wired and/or wireless networking interfaces each adapted to transmit data to at least one of the multiple wide area networks. In other embodiments, the gateway may be adapted to transmit the received data to the other device through a preferred wide area network, and, if that network is unavailable or operating conditions determine otherwise, transmit the received data to the other device through a back-up wide area network. |
| US08121057B1 |
Wide area voice environment multi-channel communications system and method
A system and method is described for establishing a homogenized communications infrastructure that enables a variety of disparate communication devices to communicate transparently with each other over a computer data network. The system and method allow for such communications to take place by converting all communications from all participants in the form of audio, video, textual, and binary data messages into discrete data units that are carried over a computer data network. These communications are propagated to other participants by relay to their particular devices in such a way that individual participants are insulated from the type and implementation of all other participants' devices. |
| US08121056B1 |
Aggregate multicast trees for multicast virtual private networks
Principles of the invention are described for providing multicast virtual private networks (MVPNs) across a public network that are capable of carrying high-bandwidth multicast traffic with increased scalability. In particular, the MVPNs may transport layer three (L3) multicast traffic, such as Internet Protocol (IP) packets, between remote sites via the public network. The principles described herein may reduce the overhead of protocol independent multicast (PIM) neighbor adjacencies and customer control information maintained for MVPNs. The principles may also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to maintain at least one dedicated multicast tree per each MVPN. |
| US08121055B2 |
Method of collection of quality statistics and corresponding method of management of collection of quality statistics
The invention relates to the field of telecommunication and more particularly, to the acquisition of a statistics related to quality related to data reception, for instance quality of service and/or quality of user experience of digital audio and/or video services. In particular, the objective of the present invention is to improve the collection of quality statistics. |
| US08121054B2 |
Method for gap analysis for network topology inspection in ethernet-based network
A method for gap analysis for topology inspection to recognize a topology of a deep segment through gap discovery in an Ethernet network, includes: a gap division process of dividing a gap into atomic gaps that are no longer divided through path crossing test (PCT); and a gap interpretation process of analyzing a final result of the PCT when the atomic gap is generated, to interpret a topology of the gap. |
| US08121053B2 |
Multi-radio wireless mesh network solutions
Techniques for providing multi-radio wireless mesh network solutions are described herein. According to one embodiment, routing information of neighboring mesh APs is monitored via a dedicated monitoring antenna of a current mesh access point (AP). The current mesh AP is one of mesh APs of a wireless mesh network, each having an uplink antenna, a downlink antenna, a local link antenna, and a monitoring antenna. Traffic of an uplink antenna of the wireless mesh AP is dynamically reconfigured and rerouted from a first routing path coupled to a first uplink mesh AP to a second routing path coupled to a second uplink mesh AP, if the second routing path has a better routing condition than the first routing path based on the monitored routing information associated with the first uplink mesh AP and the second uplink mesh AP. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08121049B2 |
Method and arrangement for controlling service level agreements in a mobile network
A method and an arrangement in a service assurance module for controlling service level agreements for communication services in a mobile services access network. A network performance rule is created for a service level agreement, and is based on an associated performance indicator indicating the current network performance with respect to the fulfillment of the service level agreement. The performance indicator is then monitored, and the network performance rule is evaluated on a regular basis based on the performance indicator. If the network performance rule is not satisfied, an agreement violation is registered and/or measures are taken to improve the network performance. |
| US08121044B2 |
Method and apparatus for CDMA control segment hopping in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus for hopping of a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) control segment that carries control information in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) packet data mobile communication system are provided, in which a number of CDMA control segment hopping zones, each CDMA control segment hopping zone representing a frequency area for CDMA control segment hopping, is determined according to a total number of available tiles in the system and a number of tiles per CDMA control segment, each tile including a predetermined number of subcarriers, or according to a total number of available subcarriers in the system and a number of subcarriers per CDMA control segment. Start points of the hopping zones are determined using the number of the hopping zones, and the control information is transmitted or received in the CDMA control segment through hopping of the CDMA control segment over the hopping zones using the start points. |
| US08121035B2 |
Apparatus and method for packet buffer management in IP network system
An apparatus, computer program and method for packet buffer management in an IP network system. The apparatus includes at least one link queue buffer, a shared buffer, a buffer state detector, and a buffer manager. The at least one link queue buffer is allocated a buffer of a packet stored in a memory. The shared buffer is excessively allocated when exceeding a minimum buffer threshold value. The buffer state detector determines whether a buffer value stored in a link queue buffer of a corresponding link exceeds a preset minimum buffer threshold value. The buffer manager sets the shared buffer to be included in the link queue buffer if the stored buffer value exceeds the preset minimum buffer threshold value. |
| US08121033B2 |
Methods for packet network traffic regulation
A method of traffic regulation in a packet communication network involves a token bucket associated with a subscriber. Packets arriving at the regulator are handled in accordance with the token bucket configuration. The method involves measuring a demand placed on the network by the subscriber. The token bucket configuration is dynamically adjusted based on the demand. Another method of traffic regulation handles packets arriving at the regulator in accordance with first and second token bucket configurations. The first token bucket regulates packet rate while the second token bucket regulates data rate. Another method of traffic regulation involves handling packets in accordance with a token bucket configuration, where the amount of tokens to be removed is based on the amount of the flow and is further based on a classification of the flow. Packet-level devices for traffic regulation are also contemplated. |
| US08121032B2 |
Efficient convergence of grouped VPN prefixes
In one embodiment, one or more virtual private network (VPN) prefixes may be grouped at a network node into sets having shared network border node next-hop options, where each border node has a defined index value associated therewith. Also, a list of VPN labels associated with each VPN prefix may be maintained by the network node, where each VPN label is associated with a border node of a particular set by a corresponding index value. Further, the network node may determine a particular border node for traffic to be forwarded, along with the defined index value. The network node may then apply the index value to select an associated VPN label, and may affix the selected VPN label to the traffic for forwarding. |
| US08121027B2 |
Access gateway, terminal and method of controlling flow in wireless system
A wireless system includes plural different access networks and terminals (19, 20) having interfaces corresponding to the plural different access networks (3, 5, 9, 13). Each of the access networks includes an access gateway (AGW) performing flow control. Upon receiving a packet transmission stop signal, the AGW determines whether a predetermined message transmitting chance is given. The AGW includes a control unit that transmits a message that requests a handover to another access network to a terminal when the message transmitting chance is given. The terminal includes a unit that performs a handover to another access network, upon receiving the message. |
| US08121020B1 |
QLM demodulation
A method for deriving a bound on communications capacity with ideal quadrature layered communications QLM and a set of demodulation algorithms for QLM. Communications links using QLM can approximate this bound and support higher data rates than allowed by the Shannon bound. Demodulation algorithms can be grouped into symbol algorithms and bit algorithms. Bit algorithms support higher data rates than symbol algorithms with lower computational complexities at the expense of demodulation loss which can be reduced with bit correlation error correction decoding which is orthogonal to the channel error correction decoding. Representative symbol and bit implementation algorithms are derived. Modulation performance is compared with phase-shift-keying PSK and quadrature amplitude modulation QAM. The invention describes how QLM can be used with PSK, QAM and with gaussian minimum shift keying GMSK, orthogonal frequency division multiple access OFDMA, code division multiple access CDMA, and wavelet division multiple access WDMA. |
| US08121019B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus, mobile terminal, and wireless communication method
In a communication system in which communication is performed by switching between first multi-antenna transmission control which performs multi-stream transmission and second multi-antenna transmission control which performs single-stream transmission, the distance between a base station and a mobile terminal is calculated, and if the distance to the terminal is smaller than a preset distance, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission control is performed as the first multi-antenna transmission control, but if the distance to the terminal is greater than the preset distance, adaptive array antenna (AAA) control is performed as the second multi-antenna transmission control. |
| US08121016B2 |
Rotation responsive disk activation and deactivation mechanisms
Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms. |
| US08121012B2 |
Objective lens and optical information recording/reproducing apparatus
An optical information recording/reproducing apparatus for an optical disc using a light beam having a wavelength of λ including: an objective lens that converges the light beam onto a recording surface of the optical disc and satisfies a condition: 0.40 < d · ( n - 1 ) f 2 < 0.70 ( 3 ) where f represents a focal length (unit: mm) of the objective lens with respect to the wavelength λ, d represents a thickness (unit: mm) of the objective lens along an optical axis of the objective lens, and n represents a refractive index with respect to the wavelength λ; a photoreceptor to receive the beam reflected from the optical disc; a detector to detect quality of a signal, and an objective lens driving unit to tilt the objective lens in a direction to improve the quality of the signal based on a result of detection by the detector. |
| US08121005B2 |
Method of and apparatus for recording data on write-once disc, method of and apparatus for reproducing data from write-once disc, and write-once disc therefor
A write-once disc includes: a plurality of update areas in which a predetermined kind of updated information is recorded; at least one main access information area in which main access information is recorded, the main access information indicating a final update area in which finally updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas; and at least one sub access information area in which sub access information is recorded, the sub access information indicating a location of the finally updated information recorded in the final update area. Accordingly, an access time for reading a predetermined kind of information required to use the write-once disc can be reduced. |
| US08121004B2 |
Method for adjusting recording power and optical disk apparatus
A method for adjusting recording power of an optical disk apparatus having an output circuit that outputs recording light onto a test writing area of an optical disk, and a control circuit that adjusts the recording power of the recording light outputted from the output circuit, the method including the steps of causing the control circuit to erase a recording mark recorded onto the test writing area, to record a recording mark onto the test writing area in constant recording power lower than threshold power for starting a recording operation, and to record a recording mark onto the test writing area while changing the recording power. |
| US08120996B2 |
Device and method for microstructuring a storage medium and storage medium comprising a microstructured region
A device providing for microstructuring a storage medium includes a radiation source for producing an at least partially coherent beam from electromagnetic radiation, a modulator provided with a plurality of individually switchable modulator elements, a beam-forming optical element for illuminating the modulator, a reducing optical element for reducing a beam radiated by the modulator, and a transport table for displacing the storage medium in relation to the reducing optical element. The device solves technical problems caused by writing of microstructuring and individual diffractive optical elements, in particular computer-generated holograms having a high speed and high writing energy. The device is achieved in that the reducing optical element is configured with limited diffraction and produces a surface reduction of at least 25 from a surface of the individually switchable modulator elements. |
| US08120990B2 |
Flexible memory operations in NAND flash devices
A flash memory device having at least two bank, where the each bank has an independently configurable page size and core controller. The core controller is local to each bank, and governs memory access operations for the bank that include read, program and erase operations. Each core controller controls timing and activation of row circuits, column circuits, voltage generators, and local input/output path circuits for a corresponding memory access operation of the bank. Concurrent operations are executable in multiple banks to improve performance. Each bank has a page size that is configurable with page size configuration data such that only selected wordlines are activated in response to address data. The configuration data can be loaded into the memory device upon power up for a static page configuration of the bank, or the configuration data can be received with each command to allow for dynamic page configuration of the bank. |
| US08120986B2 |
Multi-port semiconductor memory device having variable access paths and method therefor
A multi-port semiconductor memory device having variable access paths and a method therefor are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of input/output ports; a memory array divided into a plurality of memory areas; and a select control unit to variably control access paths between the memory areas and the input/output ports so that each memory area is accessed through at least one of the input/output ports. |
| US08120985B2 |
Multi-bank memory device method and apparatus
In one embodiment, a memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a first set of memory banks disposed on the semiconductor substrate and a second set of memory banks disposed on the semiconductor substrate. Each memory bank of the second set is split into a plurality of memory bank segments physically separated from each other and from the first set of memory banks. Each memory bank segment is arranged adjacent to, and occupies less area than, one of the memory banks of the first set. |
| US08120983B2 |
Semiconductor device having plurality of operation modes
A semiconductor device includes: a first level detecting circuit for detecting a voltage level at a control terminal after a prescribed time period from when a power supply voltage is supplied to a power supply terminal, a control unit for selecting in which operation mode among a plurality of operation modes the semiconductor device operates, based on a result of detection by the first level detecting circuit; and a regulator for generating an internal power supply voltage based on the power supply voltage supplied to the power supply terminal. The first level detecting circuit and the control unit receive the internal power supply voltage as an operating power supply voltage. In an operation mode, among the plurality of operation modes, where a power supply voltage having a level different from that of a power supply voltage in other operation modes is supplied to the power supply terminal, the control unit performs data processing by using the power supply voltage supplied to the power supply terminal. |
| US08120976B2 |
Line defect detection circuit for detecting weak line
Example embodiments relate to a line defect detection circuit, including a first driver disposed at one end of a line and configured to drive the line using a first voltage or a second voltage in response to a control signal, and a second driver disposed at the other end of the line and configured to drive the line using the second voltage in response to a stress signal. |
| US08120974B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising: a memory cell array in which two bit lines are provided to each one bit of input data, and memory cells each including an anti-fuse element are arranged at an intersection point between one of the two bit lines and an even address word line, and an intersection point between the other one of the two bit lines and an odd address word line, respectively; a plurality of booster circuits which are arranged in a plurality of memory banks, respectively, and each of which generates a write voltage and a read voltage to be supplied to a corresponding one of the anti-fuse elements of the respective memory banks, each of the memory banks obtained by dividing the memory cell array; a booster circuit controller to issue an instruction to generate the write voltage and the read voltage to the plurality of booster circuits; a word line selector to activate a different word line at the time of writing from one to be activated at the time of reading, with respect to the same address value of an address signal; a write bit line selector to select bit lines one by one from the memory banks, respectively, at the time of writing, the bit lines performing writing simultaneously; and a read bit line selector to select a bit line at the time of reading, the bit line outputting data. |
| US08120971B2 |
Internal source voltage generating circuit of semiconductor memory device
An internal source voltage generating circuit includes a comparison voltage generator which receives reference and internal source voltages, outputs to a second node a comparison voltage differentially amplified responsive to a voltage of a first node according to a difference between the reference and internal source voltages, and allows a driving current to flow from a third node to a fourth node. An internal voltage driver transfers an external source voltage to an output node responsive to the comparison voltage. A driving current generator increases the driving current flowing from the third node to the fourth node responsive to the voltage of the first node which rises when the internal source voltage abruptly drops. The internal source voltage generating circuit is insensitive to variation of an external source voltage, exhibits improved response time when an internal source voltage abruptly drops, and stably generates an internal source voltage. |
| US08120965B2 |
Data storage device and data read method
The invention provides a data read method. First, a training sequence stored in a storage unit of a memory is read according to at least one sense voltage to obtain a read-out training sequence. Whether the read-out training sequence is correct is then determined. When the read-out training sequence is not correct, the sense voltage is adjusted. |
| US08120961B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A stacked body with a plurality of dielectric films and electrode films alternately stacked therein is provided. The electrode film is divided into a plurality of control gate electrodes extending in one direction. The stacked body is provided with a U-pillar penetrating through the select gate electrodes and the control gate electrodes, having one end connected to a source line, and having the other end connected to a bit line. Moreover, a different potential is applied to uppermost one of the control gate electrodes than that applied to the other control gate electrodes. |
| US08120957B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, nonvolatile semiconductor storage system and method of managing of defective column in nonvolatile semiconductor storage system
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device is disclosed, which includes a memory cell array in which nonvolatile memory cells are arranged, a first data holding circuit which temporarily holds a collective processing unit of read or write data to be simultaneously read from or written to the memory cells, a circuit which takes out the data held in the first data holding circuit from the device, and a second data holding circuit in which data is automatically set at a time when power supply is turned on and in which the data is changeable based on a command input to the device, wherein the collective processing unit is equal to a sum of the number of units used within the device and the maximum number of units continuously output from the device to outside or input to the device from outside. |
| US08120952B2 |
Memory device with a decreasing dynamic pass voltage for reducing read-disturb effect
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for operating memory cells. One method embodiment includes applying sensing voltages to selected access lines for sensing selected memory cells. The method also includes applying a dynamic pass voltage to unselected access lines while the sensing voltages are applied. |
| US08120951B2 |
Memory devices, memory device constructions, constructions, memory device forming methods, current conducting devices, and memory cell programming methods
Some embodiments include memory devices having a wordline, a bitline, a memory element selectively configurable in one of three or more different resistive states, and a diode configured to allow a current to flow from the wordline through the memory element to the bitline responsive to a voltage being applied across the wordline and the bitline and to decrease the current if the voltage is increased or decreased. Some embodiments include memory devices having a wordline, a bitline, memory element selectively configurable in one of two or more different resistive states, a first diode configured to inhibit a first current from flowing from the bitline to the wordline responsive to a first voltage, and a second diode comprising a dielectric material and configured to allow a second current to flow from the wordline to the bitline responsive to a second voltage. |
| US08120949B2 |
Low-cost non-volatile flash-RAM memory
A flash-RAM memory includes non-volatile random access memory (RAM) formed on a monolithic die and non-volatile page-mode memory formed on top of the non-volatile RAM, the non-volatile page-mode memory and the non-volatile RAM reside on the monolithic die. |
| US08120945B2 |
Preservation circuit and methods to maintain values representing data in one or more layers of memory
Circuitry and methods for restoring data in memory are disclosed. The memory may include at least one layer of a non-volatile two-terminal cross-point array that includes a plurality of two-terminal memory elements that store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles and retain stored data in the absence of power. Over a period of time, logic values indicative of the stored data may drift such that if the logic values are not restored, the stored data may become corrupted. At least a portion of each memory may have data rewritten or restored by circuitry electrically coupled with the memory. Other circuitry may be used to determine a schedule for performing restore operations to the memory and the restore operations may be triggered by an internal or an external signal or event. The circuitry may be positioned in a logic layer and the memory may be fabricated over the logic layer. |
| US08120942B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A memory array includes a memory cell, the memory cell being disposed between a first line and a second line and being configured by a variable resistor and a rectifier connected in series. The variable resistor is a mixture of silicon oxide (SiO2) and a transition metal oxide, a proportion of the transition metal oxide being set to 55˜80%. |
| US08120941B2 |
Bidirectional non-volatile memory array architecture
A bidirectional memory array architecture for non-volatile memory is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of memory cells are arranged into an M number of rows and an N number of columns with each memory cell having a resistive sense element (RSE) and a switching device. A total number of M+N+1 control lines extend adjacent to and are connected with the memory cells to facilitate bi-directional programming of resistive states to each memory cell. |
| US08120940B2 |
Programmable resistance memory
A minimal-duration current pulse is employed to program a programmable resistance memory to a high-resistance, RESET state. Although the duration and magnitude of RESET programming pulses in accordance with the principles of the present invention may vary depending, for example, upon the composition and structure of a cell, a method and apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention employs the briefest pulse practicable for a given cell or array of cells. |
| US08120937B2 |
Ternary content addressable memory using phase change devices
A content addressable memory device with a plurality of memory cells storing ternary data values of high, low, and don't care. An aspect of the content addressable memory device is the use of first memory elements and second memory elements in the memory cells. The first and second memory elements are electrically coupled in parallel circuit to a match-line. The first memory elements are coupled to first word-lines and the second memory elements are coupled to second word-lines. The first memory elements are configured to store low resistance states if the ternary data value is low and high resistance states if the ternary data value is either high or don't care. The second memory elements are configured to store the low resistance states if the ternary data value is high and the high resistance states if the ternary data value is either low or don't care. |
| US08120930B2 |
Rush current reduction circuit and electric appliance
An output node at a plus side of a diode bridge (DB2) is connected to a drain of a transistor (Q1), and a source of the transistor (Q1) is connected to an output node at a minus side the diode bridge (DB2). One end of a resister (R1) is connected to the drain of the transistor (Q1), and the other end of the resister (R1) is connected to a gate of the transistor (Q1). One end of a resister (R2) is connected to the gate of the transistor (Q1), and the other end of the resister (R2) is connected to the source of the transistor (Q1). A capacitor (C1) is connected in parallel to the resister (R2). |
| US08120924B2 |
Reprogrammable subscriber terminal
A reprogrammable subscriber terminal of a subscription television service which can have the control program code of its control processor modified by downloading new program code from the headend. The control processor stores a boot program in an internal read only memory. Upon start up and resets, the boot program determines whether the control program should be changed from a command sent from the headend. The command, termed a parameters transactions, includes the number of expected download program code transactions required to complete the control code modification, the memory space areas where the code is to be loaded, and the channel over which the download program code transactions are to be transmitted. The channel is tuned and when the boot program receives all the download program code transactions accurately and stores them, the boot program will cause the control program to be restarted at a selected address of the new or modified control program code which has been downloaded. The boot program may download code to different configurations of subscriber terminals including those with Flash EPROM or extended memories from plug-in expansion modules. |
| US08120921B2 |
Device having electronic components mounted therein and method for manufacturing such device
A device having electronic components mounted therein has a first electronic component having an external terminal on a first surface and a heat spreader on a second surface, at least one second electronic component that is placed in the direction of a second surface of the first electronic component, a flexible circuit board that is electrically connected to the first electronic component and at least one second electronic component, and at least the part to which at least one second electronic component is connected is located on the second surface side of the first electronic component, and a spacer that is located between at least part of the flexible circuit board and the second surface of the first electronic component. The spacer can prevent heat from the first electronic component from being directly transferred to the second electronic component. |
| US08120918B2 |
Heat dissipation device
An exemplary heat dissipation device includes a fan having a plurality of first fixing cylinders, a heat sink having a plurality of second fixing cylinders, and a plurality of fasteners fixing the fan to the heat sink. Each of the fasteners includes a screwing post, an elastic member encircling the screwing post, and an annular fastening collar engaging with the screwing post. Each of the fasteners extends through a corresponding first fixing cylinder of the fan and a corresponding second fixing cylinder of the heat sink. The elastic member of each fastener is compressed between the corresponding first fixing cylinder and the corresponding second fixing cylinder. |
| US08120916B2 |
Facilitating cooling of an electronics rack employing water vapor compression system
A cooling apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic apparatus that includes a semiconductor element. The cooling apparatus includes an evaporator containing a coolant and evaporating the coolant under a reduced pressure lower than an ambient pressure to generate a chilled coolant, a condenser regenerating the coolant from a vapor of the coolant and being fluid-communicated with the evaporator through a bypass line, and a circulating pump and a line supplying the chilled coolant to a heat exchange area of the electronic apparatus to conduct a heat exchange with an air flow passing though the semiconductor element at a hot side of the electronic apparatus and returning the coolant after the heat exchange to the condenser. |
| US08120915B2 |
Integral heat sink with spiral manifolds
A heat sink is provided for directly cooling at least one electronic device package having an upper contact surface and a lower contact surface. The heat sink comprises a cooling piece formed of at least one thermally conductive material, where the cooling piece defines at least one inlet manifold configured to receive a coolant and at least one outlet manifolds configured to exhaust the coolant. The inlet and outlet manifolds are interleaved and are disposed in a spiral arrangement. The cooling piece further defines a number of millichannels disposed in a radial arrangement and configured to receive the coolant from the inlet manifolds and to deliver the coolant to the outlet manifolds. The millichannels and inlet and outlet manifolds are further configured to directly cool one of the upper and lower contact surface of the electronic device package by direct contact with the coolant, such that the heat sink comprises an integral heat sink. |
| US08120914B2 |
Semiconductor cooling apparatus
A semiconductor cooling apparatus having a tank forming body and semiconductor power device mounting substrates is disclosed. The tank forming body includes a first outer plate, a second outer plate, a middle plate, a first inner fin, and a second inner fin. The middle plate is brazed to the outer periphery of the first outer plate and the outer periphery of the second outer plate. The first inner fin is brazed to the first outer plate. A first cooling medium passage is defined between the first outer plate and the first inner fin. A second cooling medium passage is defined between the first inner fin and the middle plate. The second inner fin is brazed to the second outer plate. A third cooling medium passage is defined between the second inner fin and the middle plate. A fourth cooling medium passage is defined between the second outer plate and the second inner fin. The middle plate has a plurality of through holes through which a second cooling medium passage and a third cooling medium passage communicate with each other. Each one of the mounting substrates includes a first surface on which a semiconductor power device is mounted and a second surface brazed to one of the first outer plate and the second outer plate. |
| US08120913B2 |
Methods and devices for forced air cooling of electronic flight bags
An electronic flight bag computer (EFB) includes a housing defining first and second compartments that are fluidly isolated from and in thermal communication with one another. The first compartment contains electronic components connected to a user interface on an exterior portion of the housing for providing interactive flight related computation functions to a user. The second compartment contains a forced convection cooling component in thermal communication with the electronic components. The forced convection cooling component directs a flow of cooling fluid into the second compartment to convey heat produced by the electronic components out of the housing, such that the cooling fluid in the second compartment remains fluidly isolated from the electronic components in the first compartment of the housing. |
| US08120899B2 |
Portable display device
The present invention is directed to a portable display device. The display device comprises at least two panel housings for receiving display elements, respectively, means for foldable connecting the panel housings, a connection cable for connecting the circuits of the display elements provided at the panel housings and a cover for covering the connection cable not to be exposed. Accordingly, the flexible and weak connection cable may be protected. |
| US08120895B2 |
Mounting assembly having a base with an inner ball positioned within a hollow outer ball
A mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface of a vehicle includes a base for coupling with the surface and a socket assembly for supporting the electronic device on the base. The base includes a mounting ball, and the socket assembly includes a socket operable to frictionally engage the mounting ball to removably couple the socket assembly to the base. An electrical connector is attached to the mounting ball and coupled to an electrical system and another electrical connector is mounted within the socket to provide power to the electronic device when the socket assembly is coupled with the base. Structure limits rotation of the socket assembly relative to the base to inhibit the electrical connectors from becoming disconnected due to over-rotation of the socket assembly on the base. |
| US08120890B2 |
High temperature film capacitor
A capacitor comprises a substrate layer, a first electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer, and a first dielectric layer disposed on the electrode layer. The dielectric layer comprises a polymeric material having an elongation less than or equal to about 5 percent. |
| US08120888B2 |
Grounding apparatus for grounding of electrical parts which are installed in a row
A device for grounding electrical components arranged in a chain has a grounding point at ground potential and an actuation device connected to the grounding point for connecting the electrical components to the grounding point. In order to provide such a device, with which a simple, safe, and durable grounding is obtained, the actuation device is constructed as a moving part extending in a longitudinal direction and movable in a longitudinal direction. The moving part has an electrically conducting grounding section connected to the grounding point and an electrically nonconducting insulating section arranged on the end of the moving part facing away from the grounding point. |
| US08120886B2 |
Circuit breaker closing actuator and method of operation
A circuit breaker closing actuator and a method of operation is provided. The closing actuator is disposed to communicate and receive signals from a trip unit. The trip unit includes a communications to transmit and receive data and signals from a remote location. The trip unit transmits a signal to the closing actuator in response to receiving a closing signal from the remote location. The closing actuator validates the signal and activates a driving circuit if the signal is validated. The driving circuit enables power to a solenoid that closes the circuit breaker. |
| US08120885B2 |
Circuit for use with energy converter
In an embodiment, the circuit includes: a first switch serially connected to a first discharge resistor, the first switch and the first discharge resistor connected to a positive DC bus; a second switch serially connected to a second discharge resistor, the second switch and the second discharge resistor connected to a negative DC bus; and a capacitor bank for storing a positive and a negative DC voltage, the capacitor bank including a first capacitor in parallel with the first switch and the first discharge resistor, and a second capacitor in parallel with the second switch and the second discharge resistor, wherein the first switch operates independently from the second switch to discharge the positive DC voltage through the first discharge resistor and the second switch operates independently from the first switch to discharge the negative DC voltage through the second discharge resistor. |
| US08120884B2 |
Reverse voltage protection circuit
A voltage protection circuit that has a protection transistor coupled between a voltage supply pin of an integrated circuit and a voltage output terminal of the integrated circuit. A biasing circuit is coupled to a control node of the protection transistor and configured to cause the protection transistor to turn on to form a low impedance path between the voltage supply pin and the voltage output terminal when a positive supply voltage is coupled to the voltage supply terminal and to cause the protection transistor to turn off when a negative supply voltage is coupled to the voltage supply terminal. An electro-static discharge (ESD) protection circuit may also be connected between the voltage supply pin and a reference node that is configured to conduct a negative static discharge current for period of time, and to not conduct a negative current continuously. |
| US08120880B2 |
Suspension assembly and actuator having the same in hard disk drive
A suspension assembly and an actuator having the same, which are of a hard disk drive (HDD). The suspension assembly includes a load beam coupled to an end of a swing arm of an actuator; a flexure attached to the load beam to support the slider; and a tip-tab which extends from a front end of the load beam to contact a ramp when the read/write head is parked, wherein a width of a contact part of the tip-tab that contacts the ramp is wider than other parts of the tip-tab. A width of a part of the tip-tab engaged with the load beam and a width of a front part of the tip-tab are smaller than the width of the contact part. The width of the tip-tab increases gradually from the front end of the load beam up to the contact part, and decreases gradually after the contact part. |
| US08120878B1 |
Tubular stiffening rails for head suspension components
A relatively stiff head suspension component. The suspension component is comprised of a sheet material having a major surface with side-edges. Tubular stiffening rails are integrally formed on the side-edges from the sheet material. The tubular rails have a substantially symmetrical cross section and extend around at least about 270 degrees from the major surface. |
| US08120877B2 |
Apparatus minimizing impedance in flex-to-printed circuit board connection through the disk base of a hard disk drive
This application discloses a hard disk drive, a head stack assembly, and a printed circuit board configured to include impedance patches on the flex ground plane, the flex power plane, the printed circuit ground plane and/or the printed circuit power plane over or under a connector site in the disk base that conveys access read and write differential signals for the sliders' access of rotating disk surfaces. These impedance patches minimize impedance discontinuities in the read and/or write differential signals through the connector site, which may improve the ability of the hard disk drive to transmit these signals at higher frequencies. |
| US08120875B2 |
Magnetic recording apparatus utilizing a spin torque oscillator which interacts with an antenna layer in the magnetic recording medium
A magnetic recording apparatus includes a magnetic recording head having a magnetic pole and a spin torque oscillator, the spin torque oscillator being placed adjacent to the magnetic pole and includes at least two magnetic layers of a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer, and a magnetic recording medium includes two magnetic layers of a recording layer and an antenna layer, the recording layer including a hard magnetic material, such that the antenna layer is formed closer to the magnetic recording head than the recording layer, in which the antenna layer has a resonance frequency fa lower than a resonance frequency fr of the recording layer, greater than a resonance frequency of the second magnetic layer, and the recording layer and the antenna layer are ferromagnetically coupled to each other. |
| US08120874B2 |
Perpendicular write head having a modified wrap-around shield to improve overwrite, adjacent track interference and magnetic core width dependence on skew angle
A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic data recording. The write head includes an wrap around trailing shield structure for improved write field strength, reduced skew related adjacent track interference and magnetic core width. The trailing wrap around shield includes a side shield that is separated from sides of the write pole by a side gap that is narrower near the leading edge of the write pole and wider near the trailing edge of the write pole. |
| US08120869B2 |
Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus
A magnetic recording medium having a magnetic pattern magnetically partitioning a magnetic layer, formed on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein the magnetic pattern is comprised of magnetic regions and non-magnetic regions surrounding each of the magnetic regions, the non-magnetic regions form depressions, the magnetic pattern comprises data areas and servo information areas, and the difference between the areal ratio of the depressions in the data areas and the areal ratio thereof in the servo information areas is within ±10%. The magnetic areas preferably comprise a magnetic layer having a granular structure comprised of magnetic grains each surrounded by an oxide, or a two-layer structure comprising the granular structure and a non-granular structure formed on the granular structure. The magnetic recording medium exhibits stable head-floating characteristics, and thus, the largest floating height can be reduced, and a high recording density can be obtained. |
| US08120867B2 |
Apparatus and methods of generating a test pattern of data, analysing a test pattern of data, and testing a data storage disk medium and/or a read/write head
A method of generating a test pattern of data to be written to a data storage disk medium for testing includes: rotating the disk; detecting fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk; producing a reference clock signal in accordance with the fluctuations so as to be synchronized with the rotation of the disk; and, generating a test pattern of data using the reference clock signal as a timing reference. An apparatus for generating a test pattern of data includes a spindle for rotating a disk; a detector arranged to detect fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk; a processor arranged to produce a reference clock signal in accordance with fluctuations so as to be synchronized with the rotation of the disk; and, a pattern generator arranged to generate a test pattern of data using the reference clock signal as a timing reference. |
| US08120863B2 |
Device for sampling a plurality of parts of a light beam
Device for sampling a plurality of parts of a light beam, comprised of at least one optical component which comprises a plate made of a material which is transparent to the light beam, where this plate has first and second faces which are flat and parallel, and a third face which is flat and which forms a dihedron with the first face, where the angle of this dihedron is equal to π-α where 0<α≦Arcsin(1/n) where n if the refractive index of the material, so that by sending the light beam onto the first face, at an angle of incidence equal to Arcsin(n·sin(α)), a first sampled part (44) and a second sampled part are recovered, as well as the greater part of the light beam. The device is applicable in particular to the diagnostics of a laser beam. |
| US08120860B2 |
Conversion lens, conversion lens system, and imaging device
A conversion lens which includes a pair of transparent members is provided. At least one of the transparent members is formed of a deformable film; a connecting member for connecting the pair of transparent members so as to form a sealed space sandwiched between the pair of transparent members; a liquid filled in the sealed space; and a curvature changing mechanism for changing the curvature of the deformable film by moving the liquid filled in the sealed space. A conversion lens system and an imaging device, provided with the conversion lens are also provided. |
| US08120857B2 |
Apparatus and method for mounting and calibrating a helmet-mounted display
A helmet mounted display (HMD) system comprising a display pod having a light wave optical element. The display pod is designed to be attached to a base plate located above the brow of a helmet using opposing hook and loop-style fastener pads or alternatively, a pair of locking disks. The mounting position of the display pod is adjustable within three degrees of freedom, including lateral positioning along a plane that is co-planar to a mounting surface for the display pod, as well as rotation about an axis that is perpendicular to the mounting surface. The HMD system is adapted to compensate for variations in mounting position using a bore sighting adjustment. |
| US08120853B2 |
Optical assembly, method for assembling an optical assembly, system for securing optical elements of an optical assembly and a spring for securing optical elements of an optical assembly
A monolithic frame for optics used in interferometers where the material of the monolithic frame may have a substantially different coefficient of thermal expansion from the beamsplitter and compensator without warping, bending or distorting the optics. This is accomplished through providing a securing apparatus holding the optics in place while isolating the expansion thereof from the expansion of the frame. Stability in optical alignment is therefore achieved without requiring a single material or materials of essentially identical coefficients of thermal expansion. The present invention provides stability in situations where it is not possible to utilize a single material for every component of the interferometer. |
| US08120852B2 |
Diffractive optical element, optical system, and optical apparatus
The diffractive optical element includes a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating, which are formed of materials different from each other, the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating are stacked so as not to provide any air layer therebetween. The diffractive optical element satisfies conditions of nd1 |
| US08120848B2 |
Waveplate utilizing form birefringence and waveplate manufacturing method
A waveplate including a dielectric substrate and a periodic structure formed on the dielectric substrate, said periodic structure having a period which is equal to or smaller than a wavelength of an incident light, wherein the periodic structure is constructed of a deposited film, and a refractive index of the deposited film gradually changes in a thicknesswise direction of the deposited film. |
| US08120847B2 |
Through-the-lens loupe assembly with interpupillary distance adjustment
A medical/dental loupe assembly provides through-the-lens oculars with an inconspicuous interpupillary distance adjustment capability. The system includes a pair of lenses, each lens having a telemicroscopic ocular cemented therethrough, and an upper portion, one on each side of a wearer's nose. A generally horizontal slot is formed in the upper portion of one of the lenses, and a bridge member connects the upper portions of the two lenses. The bridge member has two ends, one end of which is coupled to the slot through a fastener that may be loosened and tightened, thereby allowing the distance between the oculars to be adjusted and locked into position in accordance with the interpupillary requirements of a user. |
| US08120831B2 |
Mechanical device for switching an optical lens filter for a camera
A mechanical device for selectively inserting an optical lens filter, such as day optical filter and a night optical filter, into an optical path of a camera in accordance with light intensity and/or a signal from a user or timer. The device for switching an optical lens filter may include a series of gears and a filter bracket slidably disposed within a housing, which moves between a first position and a second position in order to selectively insert at least one optical lens filter into the optical path of the camera. |
| US08120830B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus
An optical scanning apparatus includes a first optical member for receiving a plurality of light beams with an interval and for causing a first group of beams to emerge with a narrower interval, the first optical member being rotatable to adjust the interval of the beams emergent therefrom; a second optical member for receiving a second light beam and the first group of beams emergent from the first optical member with an interval and for causing a third group of beams to emerge with a narrower interval, the second optical member being rotatable to change the interval between the first group of beams and the second beam; and deflecting means for scanningly deflecting a third group of beams emergent from the second optical member. |
| US08120829B1 |
System and method for real time holographic data recording and readout
A method for holographic data recording and simultaneous data readout without requiring additional optical power for readout illumination is provided. The method comprises reflecting a transmitted portion of a data light beam or of a reference light beam used for holographic recording of data in a holographic data storage medium. The reflected beam is configured to illuminate the holographic data storage medium from the opposite side with a polarization orthogonal to that of the recording beams, such that it provides a counter-propagating readout beam for real-time readout of currently being recorded hologram. Readout beam may also be configurable for accessing any one of the at least one previously recorded holograms. Systems using the methods of the invention are also provided. |
| US08120828B2 |
Reflective optical system, tracking system and holographic projection system and method
The invention relates to an optical reflection system with a reflection element for reflecting reconstruction light waves, an entry-side focal point, from which the reconstruction light waves come when they hit the reflection element, and an exit-side focal point, to which the reconstruction light waves propagate after being reflected from the reflection element. The invention further relates to a tracking system and a holographic projection system with such optical reflection system, and a corresponding holographic projection method. In order to achieve with such an optical reflection system an aberration correction and a tracking of the visibility region and a reconstruction larger than with prior art devices, the optical reflection system according to this invention comprises a deflection element with optically controllable deflection properties and a deflection control means for optically controlling the deflection properties of the deflection element which controls the position of at least the exit-side focal point of the optical reflection system. |
| US08120823B2 |
Optical beam scanning apparatus, image forming apparatus
In an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention, plural optical members that irradiate scanning lines by laser beams (beams) emitted from plural light sources individually onto corresponding photoconductive drums are disposed within an optical unit housing and a housing cover, a fixing mechanism configured to fix part of a parallel plate provided within the optical unit housing and the housing cover is provided, and a twist angle adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an angle of twist of the parallel plate by rotating, in a specific direction, the parallel plate having the part thereof being fixed with the fixing mechanism is provided. According to the optical beam scanning apparatus and the image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the curve and the inclination of the scanning line with ease and at high accuracy. |
| US08120818B2 |
Image processing apparatus and computer-readable storage medium that add marking type information to predetermined image
An image processing apparatus includes an input part to input data which is a target of an image processing, an output part to output a result of the image processing, a first filter to control an input process of data from the input part depending on the input part, and a second filter to control an output of data to the output part depending on the output part. A marking type information which is to be added to a predetermined image is specified with respect to the second filter, a marking image is created based on the marking type information, and the marking image is synthesized with respect to an image which is output from the output service. The second filter instructs output of an image with respect to the output service. An application is formed by connecting the first filter and the second filter. |
| US08120816B2 |
Automated image quality diagnostics system
A system for activating automated image quality diagnostic systems via a direct communication from the image-based control system is disclosed. The system includes a printing engine configured to intake electronic image input and to output tangible image output based on the electronic image input, an image-based measurement system configured to make measurements of image parameters associated with the tangible image output, and an automated compensation system configured to store nominal value parametric measurements for one or more image parameters measured by the image-based measurement system and to compare the nominal value measurements to related one or more parameters measured to determine anomalies in the output tangible image system. |
| US08120815B2 |
Image processing method and image forming device for generating profiles for color reproduction
An image processing method is provided. The image processing method includes: generating profiles for color reproduction, classified for each of recording papers, from at least one of particular characteristic data of the each recording paper, which is generated on the basis of factors that affect color reproduction and particular generation information of the each recording paper, which is obtained by printing plural patch patterns at the recording paper and performing colorimetry of the printed patch patterns; and when implementing basic extraction control for extracting a profile that matches in at least one of the characteristic data and the generation information, if no profile that matches in at least one of the characteristic data and the generation information is extracted, extracting a profile that approximates in accordance with a pre-specified order of priority determination procedure to be a candidate. |
| US08120811B2 |
System and method for adding data to a printed publication
A system for adding data to a printed publication comprises a data source for providing the data, a processing circuit, and an energy source. The processing circuit is configured to retrieve the data from the data source and to control the energy source to at least partially ablate the printed publication based on the data. The data may be fixed and/or variable data. |
| US08120806B2 |
Communication port, and method for providing a communication port
A host device to provide a communication port. The host device includes a port information identifying unit which sends a request to an image forming device for port information regarding a plurality of communication ports, and a control unit which uses the identified port information to set one of the communication ports having the highest transmission rate as a connection communication port using the port information regarding each of the communication ports. |
| US08120803B2 |
Dynamic advertisement allocation
Methods, apparatuses and systems for providing one or more advertisements on a printout of a print job are provided. The advertisements are selected based on dynamic selection criteria. |
| US08120800B2 |
Network printer adjusting the number of copies on request for additional printout and network print system using the same
A network print system having plural terminal devices connected to one another through a network, including a first terminal device to create and send print data to the network, a second terminal device connected to the network, and a first network printer to notify the second terminal device of a reception of the print data if the print data is received through the network, and to adjust a number of copies to be printed for the print data if additional printouts of the print data are requested from the second terminal device. Thus, the present invention enables other users to share the print data in a simple manner. |
| US08120798B2 |
Methods and systems for providing access to remote, descriptor-related data at an imaging device
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for providing access to remote, descriptor-related data at an imaging device user interface. |
| US08120787B2 |
Information terminal device having drawing printing function, drawing printing method, and printed matter
An information terminal device having a drawing printing function to print a drawing such as a map or a route map is enabled to print the drawing without any reduction on rolled printing paper having a limited width. The information terminal device includes a printer for printing data, and an angle calculator. On the basis of the drawing data having the data of a drawing containing a bent point and the data of the angle of bend at that bent point, the angle calculator calculates the angle index, at which the rolled paper is folded to correspond to the bent point, and calculates the printing data, which divides the drawing at each bent point and which is taken in the longitudinal direction of the rolled paper, that is, the blank length which discontinues the drawing at the folded portion determined by the angle index. On the basis of the angle index and the blank length, the printer divides the drawing at each bent point and makes the printing data taken in the longitudinal direction of the rolled paper. |
| US08120785B2 |
System and method for inspecting three-dimensional sensor
The invention provides a system and method for inspecting a three-dimensional sensor. According to the invention, a light source is controlled to emit a light of a known phase, and the known phase of the emitted light is altered by at least two known phase values. The three-dimensional sensor is driven in sensing the light reflected by the inspecting space to capture an image. In accordance with the captured image and the relative angle and the active brightness of each pixel thereof and the plurality of reference data, at least two quality data relative to the three-dimensional sensor are calculated. |
| US08120784B2 |
Optical device for analyzing a scattering medium held by a support
An optical device intended for the analysis of a scattering medium, including at least one light source distant from the scattering medium and capable of providing an incident light beam intended to illuminate the scattering medium; at least one sensor capable of detecting a radiation emitted by the scattering medium; a support of the scattering medium at least partially non-absorbing for the incident light beam and the scattered radiation. All or part of the support is formed of a scattering material having a decreased scattering coefficient greater than 0.1 cm−1 and smaller than 700 cm−1. |
| US08120782B2 |
Processes for producing tunable optical cavities
A tunable optical cavity can be tuned by relative movement between two reflection surfaces, such as by deforming elastomer spacers connected between mirrors or other light-reflective components that include the reflection surfaces. The optical cavity structure includes an analyte region in its light-transmissive region, and presence of analyte in the analyte region affects output light when the optical cavity is tuned to a set of positions. Electrodes that cause deformation of the spacers can also be used to capacitively sense the distance between them. Control circuitry that provides tuning signals can cause continuous movement across a range of positions, allowing continuous photosensing of analyte-affected output light by a detector. |
| US08120780B2 |
Laser-based coordinate measuring device and laser-based method for measuring coordinates
A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion. |
| US08120778B2 |
Optical scanning and imaging systems based on dual pulsed laser systems
The invention relates to scanning pulsed laser systems for optical imaging. Coherent dual scanning laser systems (CDSL) are disclosed and some applications thereof. Various alternatives for implementation are illustrated, including highly integrated configurations. In at least one embodiment a coherent dual scanning laser system (CDSL) includes two passively modelocked fiber oscillators. The oscillators are configured to operate at slightly different repetition rates, such that a difference δfr in repetition rates is small compared to the values fr1 and fr2 of the repetition rates of the oscillators. The CDSL system also includes a non-linear frequency conversion section optically connected to each oscillator. The section includes a non-linear optical element generating a frequency converted spectral output having a spectral bandwidth and a frequency comb comprising harmonics of the oscillator repetition rates. A CDSL may be arranged in an imaging system for one or more of optical imaging, microscopy, micro-spectroscopy and/or THz imaging. |
| US08120774B2 |
Evanescent wave multimode optical waveguide sensitive to a chemical species and/or a physical parameter and provided with continuous redistribution of optical power between the modes
There is provided an evanescent wave multimode optical waveguide sensitive to a chemical species or to a physical parameter. The optical waveguide comprises a core and a cladding having a cladding refractive index lower than that of the core for guiding light to be propagated in the optical waveguide. The cladding defines with the core an optical waveguide providing mode coupling. A chemical indicator is provided in the cladding for causing a variation of the optical absorption of the cladding as a function of the chemical species or the physical parameter. The cladding is interrogated by the evanescent wave of the propagated light. The mode coupling causes unabsorbed light power to be redistributed among the multiple modes while light propagates along the optical waveguide. |
| US08120773B2 |
Method and device for cavity enhanced optical vernier spectroscopy
A spectroscopic analysis of a sample includes arranging the sample in a resonator cavity for transmitting cavity mode frequencies with a cavity mode frequency spacing, coupling pulsed source light into the resonator cavity, with the source light including source comb frequencies with a source frequency spacing, coupling pulsed transmitted light out of the resonator cavity, and spectrally resolved detecting the transmitted light with a detector device. The cavity mode frequency spacing and the source frequency spacing are detuned relative to each other, so that the transmitted light includes transmitted comb frequencies with a spacing larger than the source frequency spacing. The detecting feature includes collecting spectral distributions of the transmitted light in dependence on relative positions of the cavity mode frequencies and the source comb frequencies. The cavity mode frequencies and the source comb frequencies are varied relative to each other and different transmitted comb frequencies are individually resolved. |
| US08120772B2 |
Method for NRB-free nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy and miscroscopy
Methods and systems are described for suppressing nonresonant background in broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy and spectroscopy. The methods and systems improve sensitivity and signal to noise ratio in CARS. |
| US08120764B2 |
Tilt sensor with power saving mechanism
A tilt sensor with power-saving mechanism is provided. The tilt sensor includes a light-emitting element, a blocking object displaceable in an accommodating space on a baseboard, at least two first light sensors, a second light sensor and a control module. The first and the second light sensors respectively sense a light amount and a light amount variation according to the relative position of the light-emitting element and the blocking object. During a power-saving mode, when the light amount variation is larger than a specific value, the control module makes the light-emitting element work in a working mode to emit light according to a first current. During the work mode, when the light amount does not change or the light amount variation is smaller than a threshold value, the control module makes the light-emitting element work in the power-saving mode to emit light according to a second current. |
| US08120763B2 |
Device and method for the optical measurement of an optical system by using an immersion fluid
A device for the optical measurement of an optical system, in particular an optical imaging system, is provided. The device includes at least one test optics component arranged on an object side or an image side of the optical system. An immersion fluid is adjacent to at least one of the test optics components. A container for use in this device, a microlithography projection exposure machine equipped with this device, and a method which can be carried out with the aid of this device are also provided. The device and method provide for optical measurement of microlithography projection objectives with high numerical apertures by using wavefront detection with shearing or point diffraction interferometry, or a Moiré measuring technique. |
| US08120761B2 |
Method and apparatus for position judgment
The disclosed subject matter relates to a method and apparatus for position judgment, which can include a plurality of light sources and a photo-detector. The plurality of light sources can be configured to emit a plurality of pulsed lights towards an object from different directions, and a photo-detector can be configured to serially detect the light reflected from the object. A determination of whether the object is moving further away or coming closer to the apparatus can be judged by calculating at least one of a position, an area and a brightness of the object from the reflected light and comparing the data with the previous data for the same value(s). Thus, because the method of the disclosed subject matter does not require a measurement of time as in the conventional methods, the method can result in providing a similar apparatus with a simple configuration and at a low cost, and can be used as a sensor for detecting an obstacle and the like in a vehicle, alarm system, etc. |
| US08120759B2 |
Optical transmission strain sensor for wind turbines
The invention relates to a broad band optical strain sensing system for a wind turbine. The strain sensing system includes an optical fiber with an input at one end and an output at the opposite end. The optical fiber is provided with Bragg sensors between the input and the output. By injecting light at the input of the fiber, measuring the spectral intensity distribution of at the output of the fiber and determining spectral locations of intensity notches in the spectral intensity distribution, it is possible to determine strain values at the locations of the Bragg sensors from the transmitted light. |
| US08120753B2 |
Method, program product and apparatus for generating a calibrated pupil kernel and method of using the same in a lithography simulation process
A method of generating a model for simulating the imaging performance of an optical imaging system having a pupil. The method includes the steps of defining the optical imaging system and a process to be utilized by the optical imaging system; and defining a model equation representing the imaging performance of the optical imaging system and the process, where the model equation including a calibrated pupil kernel. The calibrated pupil kernel representing a linear model of the pupil performance. |
| US08120752B2 |
Lithographic apparatus
A zone plate includes a plurality of consecutively arranged, adjacent, and alternating first and second regions. The first regions are arranged to be substantially transparent to a first predetermined wavelength of radiation and a second predetermined wavelength of radiation that is different from the first predetermined wavelength of radiation. The second regions are arranged to be substantially opaque, diffractive, or reflective to the first predetermined wavelength of radiation and substantially transparent to the second predetermined wavelength of radiation. |
| US08120751B2 |
Coupling apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device fabricating method
An exposure apparatus fills a space between a projection optical system and a substrate with a liquid and projects a pattern image onto the substrate to expose the substrate. The projection optical system has a first group including an optical member that comes into contact with the liquid, and a second group that differs from the first group. The first group is supported by a first support member via a vibration isolating apparatus. |
| US08120746B2 |
Display panel and display device having medium whose optical anisotropy magnitude changes according to electric field
A display panel includes (i) a first substrate and a second substrate, which face each other, (ii) a medium layer being sandwiched between the first and second substrate, and (iii) first electrodes and second electrodes being provided on that side of the first substrate which faces the second substrate, the display panel performing display operation by generating an electric field between the first and second electrodes. The display panel is configured such that the medium layer comprises a medium that is optically isotropic when no electric field is applied thereon, and whose optical anisotropy magnitude is changeable by and according to the electric field applied thereon; and the first and second electrodes are transparent electrodes, and a distance between the first and the second electrodes is shorter than a distance between the first substrate and second substrate. This configuration attains gives the display panel high response speed and high transmissivity. |
| US08120745B2 |
Substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes: disposing a transparent substrate on a stage of a laser apparatus; irradiating a laser beam having a predetermined power onto the transparent substrate to form a light shielding region in the transparent substrate surrounding first to third light transmitting regions; and forming a color filter layer including red, green and blue sub-color filters respectively in the first to third light transmitting regions, wherein boundaries of the red, green and blue sub-color filters correspond to the light shielding region. |
| US08120742B2 |
Display panel with driving circuit and common electrode within sealant and manufacturing method thereof
A driving circuit and a common electrode are located within a sealant region of the first substrate, wherein the driving circuit includes switch devices and turn-line structures. The common electrode is located within the sealant region of the first substrate. The planar layer is located on the first substrate, wherein the thickness of the planar layer at the turn-line structure of the driving circuit is less than the thicknesses of other portions. The conductive layer is located on the planar layer. A second substrate having an electrode thereon is disposed opposite to the first substrate. A liquid crystal layer is located within the display region between the first substrate and the second substrate. A sealant is located within the sealant region between the first substrate and the second substrate, and conductive balls are distributed in the sealant. |
| US08120739B2 |
LCD device including an insulator film having a contact hole for exposing a pixel electrode
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes first and second substrates, a liquid crystal (LC) layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first substrate defining an array of pixel areas, each of the pixel areas including a pixel electrode and a common electrode, and an insulator film formed on the first substrate and on the pixel electrode, the insulator film including a contact hole and the pixel electrode being exposed through the contact hole such that a voltage supplied to the pixel electrode generates a radial electric field around the contact hole and between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. |
| US08120738B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal display device with a vertical alignment mode in which a high image quality and a wide viewing angle are secured includes a liquid crystal layer having an initial state of vertical alignment interposed between a pair of substrates opposite to each other. A plurality of alignment control structures including a dielectric protrusion protruded toward the liquid crystal layer from the inner surface of the substrate is provided in a dot area constituting one unit of display. When that the dielectric constant of the dielectric protrusion is εt1, the dielectric constant of a major axis direction of liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer is ε//, and the dielectric constant of a minor axis direction thereof is ε⊥, the dielectric constants satisfy the expression ε⊥>ε//>εt1. |
| US08120734B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display and fabrication method thereof
A liquid crystal display device having first and second substrates that face each other, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates, a thin film transistor (TFT) formed on the first substrate, and a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT and including a reflective portion having a reflective electrode and a transmissive portion having a transmissive electrode. Furthermore, the reflective electrode includes a conductive polymer material. |
| US08120731B2 |
Color filter
An article having a color pattern formed therein comprises a substrate, banks on the substrate, and a colored layer provided between the banks. The colored layer has a thickness of 80-120% of an average thickness thereof. In addition, the banks have an ink repelling agent or the upper apex portion of the banks has ink repelling ability. |
| US08120726B2 |
Surface light source device and display
There is provided a surface light source device having a configuration where light sources are arranged on both of a pair of side surfaces of a light guide plate and allowed to independently form nonuniform light emission intensity distributions in which light emission intensity is lower and higher at places closer to and farther from each of the light sources. Light guide control sections controlling guiding of light from light sources are arranged on a reflection surface of a light guide plate. The light guide control section is configured of concave sections, and the concave sections include inclined surfaces facing the light source and inclined surfaces facing the light source, respectively, and the heights of the concave sections increase with increasing distance from the light source. A nonuniform light emission intensity distribution in which light emission intensity is lower and higher at places closer to and farther from the light source is formed by lighting of the light source. As the inclined angles of the inclined surfaces are larger than the inclined angles of the inclined surfaces, an influence of the light guide control section on light from the light source is reduced. |
| US08120725B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with particular molding-type substrates
Disclosed is an LCD device having molding-type substrates formed so as to have a controllable thickness through simplified fabricating processes. The LCD device comprises: a lower cover; a plurality of lamps disposed on the lower cover with a constant interval therebetween, and providing light; molding-type substrates disposed at both sides of the lower cover, and having lamps coupled thereto; and an LC panel disposed on the lamps, and receiving light, wherein each of the molding-type substrates comprises: a conductive wire to which a voltage is supplied from outside; grippers integrally formed on the conductive wire with a constant interval therebetween, and coupling the lamps; and a bar-shaped mold frame including the conductive wire therein, and exposing the grippers to outside. |
| US08120723B2 |
Flat panel display with U-shaped fastening member
The invention is related to a flat panel display, comprising a panel, a first frame body and a second frame body. The first frame body has a U-shaped fastening member with at least an opening on one sidewall thereof. The second frame body is concaved a first recess corresponding to the U-shaped fastening member. The first recess has at least a protrusion on one sidewall thereof and the protrusion corresponds to the opening. Therefore, when the protrusion is pressed into the opening and then the U-shaped fastening member is wedged in the first recess, the first frame body and the second frame body are fixed together and thus the panel between the first frame body and the second frame body can be fastened tightly without using fastening bolts and soldering art. |
| US08120718B2 |
Parallax barrier device for viewing three-dimensional images, method for fabricating the same and display apparatus including a parallax barrier device
A parallax barrier device includes a pair of transparent-electrode substrates each provided with a transparent electrode. A barrier light-shielding part and a light-transmitting part are formed in a gap between the pair of transparent-electrode substrates. A liquid crystal layer is formed in the barrier light-shielding part. A resin layer having the property of transmitting light is formed in the light-transmitting part. The barrier light-shielding part separates light for a first image viewed from a first direction and light for a second image viewed from a second direction different from the first direction. The light-transmitting part transmits the light for the first image and the light for the second image. |
| US08120717B2 |
Methods and systems for display viewer motion compensation
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for compensating for motion of a viewer relative to a display device. |
| US08120716B2 |
Vehicle entertainment system including monitor for rear view enhancement
An automobile includes a video system mounted within a ceiling of the automobile. The video system is moveable between a use position and a storage position. The video system includes a rear facing surface from which a video monitor displays images for viewing by passengers of the automobile. The video system also includes a front facing surface having a forward facing video monitor wherein the forward facing video monitor is in alignment with a rearview mirror for viewing by the driver when the video system is in its use position. A video camera is provided for viewing that which would be seen out a rear window of the automobile. The video camera is linked to the forward facing video monitor for displaying an image of the environment in the rear of the automobile a driver would see as the driver looks through a rearview mirror. A mechanism is further provided for linking activation of the video camera and the forward facing video monitor to rotation of the video system between its use position and its storage position. |
| US08120714B2 |
Flat display device
A flat display device includes a display unit, a pedestal part for supporting the display unit, a joint part for connecting the pedestal part with the display unit, a rotation drive mechanism provided to the joint part for rotating the display unit in the horizontal direction, a motor for giving a rotation force to the rotation drive mechanism, a motor driver for driving the motor by supplying an operating voltage to the motor, and an operating voltage control portion for controlling the operating voltage. The operating voltage control portion performs the control so that the operating voltage is increased gradually when the driving of the rotation drive mechanism is started while the operating voltage is decreased gradually when the driving of the rotation drive mechanism is stopped. The motor generate a torque corresponding to the operating voltage. When the driving of the rotation drive mechanism is started or stopped, the torque of the motor is changed gradually so that acceleration and deceleration of the rotation speed is performed mildly. |
| US08120710B2 |
Interlaced video field motion detection
A television line doubler (interlaced to progressive scan converter) incorporating the following aspects an improved field motion detector which does not treat low frequency vertical transitions as motion; a frame motion detector having an improved ability to differentiate motion from subcarrier signal components; a sawtooth artifact detector; a sawtooth artifact detector in combination with a film pattern detector, such that the artifact detector can take the film pattern detector out of film mode earlier than it would if it only were responsive to a break in the film pattern; tandem field motion detectors; an improved field based film detector; film pattern detectors and motion detectors used therewith which operate by performing end-of-field calculations; the combination of a field motion detector and a frame motion detector such that the frame motion detector provides a motion signal used as a verification by the field motion detector; an improved NTSC film detector requiring a minimum number of NTSC film pattern sequences; and an improved PAL film detector employing a minimum motion threshold detector. |
| US08120702B2 |
Detection device and detection method for 32-pull down sequence
60 fields of an interlace image (telecine image) after 32-pull down is input. The input images stored in field memories are read, and the grayscale difference (difference absolute value) between frames is computed by a pixel difference absolute value subtractor. The difference absolute value and five threshold values are compared by an absolute value difference comparator. A cumulative adder stores one field of comparison result. A flag information creation processing unit creates a flag information table for indicating whether a current field is a repeat field with noise or not, based on the information from the cumulative adder. A repeat field judgment unit detects a 32-pull down sequence from the flag information table, and detects whether the current field is a repeat field with noise or not, and so forth. A 32-transform control unit performs IP (Interlace to Progressive) conversion based on the detected repeat fields. |
| US08120699B2 |
Digital camera for shooting a plurality of images to be synthesized to form one image in a special shooting mode
A digital camera capable of setting a special shooting mode for shooting a plurality of images to be synthesized to form one image and comprises an imaging device, a strobe device, a storage unit temporarily storing at least one image shot by the imaging device, a shooting control circuit, an electrical battery serving as a power source, and a power source control circuit. The power source control circuit comprises a charge control unit charging the strobe device in a state where a temporary OFF mode is set, which stops electrical power supply to the imaging device, the storage unit and the shooting control circuit in the case that a strobe shooting is conducted, and the charge control unit charges the strobe device without the temporary OFF mode being set in the case that the strobe shooting is conducted in a state where the special shooting mode is set. |
| US08120697B2 |
Imaging device and focusing method
A hill-climbing scheme of an automatic focusing process performed in a digital video camera obtains a moving speed Vj and an AGC gain Gj of a compensator lens every time an AF evaluation value AFj is detected corresponding to the position of the compensator lens. Adjustment factors α and β are computed with the moving speed Vj and the AGC gain Gj as parameters, where 0<α<1 and 0<β<1. The adjustment factor α is set to increase with an increase of the moving speed Vj, while the adjustment factor β is set to increase with a decrease of the AGC gain Gj. The automatic focusing process determines an in-focus position, based on the result of comparison between each detected AF evaluation value AFj and a threshold value TH. The threshold value TH is computed by multiplying a maximum value AFmax of the AF evaluation value AFj detected in the course of the hill-climbing scheme by the computed adjustment factors α and β. This arrangement attains the effective focusing technique of adequately determining the in-focus position according to various imaging conditions. |
| US08120696B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and systems using windowing to accelerate automatic camera functions
Methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for accelerating the operation of the automatic functions of an imager, e.g. a camera system. The automatic functions may, for example, include one or more of auto-focus, auto-exposure and auto-white balance. A special “windowing mode” is implemented in which information is acquired from only a subset of defined windows from the full pixel array area in order to set image capture parameters of the imager in accordance with current scene conditions. |
| US08120692B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes a first operation unit indicating a state set by the position of a first operation member, such as a dial, and a second operation unit indicating a state that is set so as to be irrelevant to the position of a second operation member, such as a pushbutton switch. If the first operation unit is set so as to inhibit a combination with the electronic viewfinder mode in the optical viewfinder mode, the image pickup apparatus does not perform switching to the electronic viewfinder mode. If the second operation unit is set so as to inhibit a combination with the electronic viewfinder mode in the optical viewfinder mode, the image pickup apparatus switches the above setting to a setting in which the combination with the electronic viewfinder mode is not inhibited to switch to the electronic viewfinder mode. |
| US08120689B2 |
Reference data encoding in image sensors
Data is encoded on an image sensor that has a plurality of pixels including one or more bio-sensing pixels and one or more data encoding pixels. The method includes applying a covering material selectively to the data encoding pixels depending on the data to be encoded, the covering material having a detectable difference in opacity relative to having no covering material present. The method includes reading the data encoding pixels, in the presence of light, and decoding data according to a pre-determined scheme depending on the presence of the covering material on the data encoding pixel. As bio-reagents are typically applied after manufacture of the image sensor, the image sensor can have information encoded for electronic detection subsequent to manufacture. |
| US08120688B2 |
Solid state imaging device
In a solid state imaging device according to the present application, a sampling hold part samples and holds, in accordance with sampling control signals φTVN, φTVS, a dark signal and a light signal of each of vertical signal lines provided to correspond to each column of pixels, and supplies the signals being held to horizontal signal lines in accordance with a horizontal scanning signal. During predetermined intervals T21, T22 including signal sampling timings t1, t2 determined by the sampling control signals φTVN, φTVS, pulse, signals φGH, φHCLK1, φHCLK2, φRSTH that relate in reading the signals supplied from the sampling hold part to the horizontal signal lines are stopped. Accordingly, an influence of noise when the signals corresponding to the signals of the vertical signal lines are sampled by the sampling hold part is reduced, resulting in that an image quality of a captured image is further increased. |
| US08120686B2 |
Solid-state image pickup apparatus
A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a first antireflection coating film formed on a light-receiving surface of a first photoelectric conversion element and a second antireflection coating film formed on a light-receiving surface of a second photoelectric conversion element. A total length of first photoelectric conversion element facing portions of gate lines adjacent to the first photoelectric conversion element is shorter than a total length of second photoelectric conversion element facing portions of gate lines adjacent to the second photoelectric conversion element. An area of the first antireflection coating film is larger than that of the second antireflection coating film. |
| US08120680B2 |
Image sensor
An image sensor capable of canceling crosstalk without reduction of a signal to noise ratio (SNR) to improve a sensitivity includes a plurality of light detection units and a filter array including a plurality of filters, with each of the plurality of filters being deposited on a corresponding one of the light detection units. The filter array includes a green filter used to transmit a green component of an incident light, a yellow filter used to transmit a yellow component of the incident light, and a cyan filter used to transmit a cyan component of the incident light. |
| US08120678B2 |
Method for eliminating image noise and apparatus using the method
Provided are method and apparatus for eliminating image noise caused by variation between the imaging pixels on an image sensor. Preferably, a uniform light source is provided firstly, and the image sensor records exposure values taken from the source. Method is to sum the exposure values in each channel of each line, and calculate channel's average of sum for each channel and sum for adjacent lines' channels. A channel compensation value is then obtained by subtracting the average from the sum of one channel in one line, and divided by the pixel number in one channel. A compensation average constituted of a first part and a second part for each pixel is further calculated. A pixel compensation value for each pixel is obtained by suitably allotting the two parts. The pixel compensation value is finally recorded in memory and being a reference for future photographing. |
| US08120673B2 |
Camera
A camera includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains an object image obtained by capturing an image of an object and a dust reference image obtained by capturing an image of dust that adheres on an image sensor or a protecting member protecting the image sensor; a recording unit that records the object image and data concerning the dust reference image in correlation to each other; a dust removing unit that physically removes the dust adhering on the image sensor or the protecting member. The recording unit is configured such that when the dust is removed by the dust removing unit, the recording unit stops correlating the object image captured after the removal to the data concerning the dust reference image already captured. |
| US08120670B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling gain of color signal
An apparatus for controlling gain of color signal includes an auto white balance algorithm applying unit determining a white estimation region from an input image, and calculating a first color signal gain for correcting an average color signal level of pixels of the white estimation region to white, a pixel determining unit determining a form of each pixel according to brightness and color using the color signal level of the each pixel of the input image, and a color signal gain determining unit determining a color signal gain to be applied to the each pixel according to the form of the each pixel of the input image as any one of the first color signal gain, a second color signal gain determined by the color signal level of the each pixel for correcting the each pixel to white and a unit gain. |
| US08120667B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus with outline emphasis control section
A video signal processing apparatus includes: an imaging section for imaging a subject to generate a video signal; an outline emphasis processing section for emphasizing an outline portion within the imaged image, the outline emphasis processing section detecting the outline portion based on the video signal which is output from the imaging section and emphasizing the outline portion by using an externally-input outline emphasis control signal; an imaging control section for generating at least one imaging control signal for controlling an imaging operation of the imaging section; and an outline emphasis control section for generating an outline emphasis control signal for determining a level of emphasizing the outline portion in accordance with the at least one imaging control signal, and transmitting the outline emphasis control signal to the outline emphasis processing section. The video signal processing apparatus is able to perform an appropriate outline emphasis process under any imaging condition and provide a good image quality. |
| US08120660B2 |
Image data up sampling
Forming image information of image units (e.g. pixels) of a higher resolution by convoluting information of image units of a lower resolution with coefficients of a multiphase filter. The information of one set of higher resolution image units is formed by convoluting in a first direction the information of the lower resolution image units with a first set of four coefficients. The information of a second set of higher resolution image units is form by convoluting in the first direction the information of the lower resolution image units with a second set of four coefficients. Convolution may also be performed in a second direction with a set of four coefficients. In one example, the image information formed includes intensity information for each image unit. |
| US08120658B2 |
Hand jitter reduction system for cameras
A camera system in normal mode and hand jitter reduction (hjr) mode may comprise generating a first exposure time-gain product by multiplying the normal mode exposure time with the normal mode gain. It may further comprise modifying the normal mode exposure time and gain and multiplying these modified parameters to generate a second exposure time-gain product for a hjr mode that reduces the difference between the first exposure time-gain product and the second exposure time-gain product. To reduce the difference the normal mode frame rate may also be modified. Operation of a camera in normal mode may be in response to a sensed light level being above a threshold. The hjr mode may be selected by the user while the camera is operating. The hjr mode may be used in response to a sensed light level being lower than the threshold. |
| US08120649B2 |
Microscope system
A microscope system having a selectively mountable optical element, comprises: a first noncontact type storage medium, being equipped in the optical element, for enabling a noncontact readout of information externally; and a first readout unit for reading information non-contactingly from the first noncontact type storage medium, wherein the first noncontact type storage medium stores information related to the optical element. |
| US08120646B2 |
Spatial representation assembly
The invention relates to arrangements for spatially displaying a scene or object, in which a great number of individual pixels αij in a grid of rows (j) and columns (i) are made visible simultaneously, with the pixels (αij) presenting bits of partial information from several views Ak (k=1 . . . n) of the scene or object, and in which propagation directions for the light radiated by the pixels (αij) are established by means of a structured plate. The structured plate contains a great number of optical imaging elements (βpq) arranged in a grid of rows (q) and columns (p). According to the invention, at least two of the following kinds of optical imaging elements (βpq) are simultaneously provided on the structured plate, viz. wavelength or gray level filter, lens or cylinder lens, and/or prism. |
| US08120643B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus and video signal processing method
According to one embodiment, an image generator converts an input video signal to first and second divided signals to be displayed in first and second areas on one screen. First and second divided signal controllers receive the first and second divided signals, adjust the signals, and output the adjusted signals. The preparation-complete detector includes first and second frame memory groups to sequentially store a divided signal for a plurality of frames. First divided signal controller determines whether preparation to output video signals for the left and right eyes is complete or not. And First divided signal controller changes a memory selection state for reading the video signals for the left and right eyes from the first and second memory groups based on the determination indicating whether the preparation for output is complete or not complete. |
| US08120634B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method and data control device
The apparatus is adapted to deflect a light beam from a laser light source for each of the color components by means of a deflection mirror surface which oscillates, thereby making the light beam reciprocally scan in a main scanning direction. In this apparatus, however, only a light beam SL which scans in a first direction (+X) of the main scanning direction is irradiated in an effective image region on a photosensitive member, so as to form a latent image thereon. The resultant latent image is developed to form a toner image. Since image formation is performed using only the light beam SL which scans in the first direction (+X), the images may be formed at the consistent density irrespective of the image types. Furthermore, the scanning directions of the light beams SL for all the color components are uniformly defined to be the first direction (+X), so that the toner images of the respective colors may maintain the consistent density. |
| US08120633B2 |
Scanning optical apparatus, image forming apparatus, and control method
A scanning optical apparatus includes, for example, a light source that outputs a light beam that has been pulse width modulated in accordance with input image data and a deflection unit that deflects the light beam so that the light beam scans the surface of an image carrier in the main scanning direction. The scanning optical apparatus furthermore includes a correction unit that corrects the pulse width and light amount applied to the light beam at each scanning position in the main scanning direction on the image carrier in accordance with focus error in the light beam at each scanning position. |
| US08120632B1 |
Allignment of color planes in multi-beam multi-pass printers
Methods and apparatuses that facilitate the alignment of multiple color planes of a latent image in a multi-beam multi-pass printer are described herein. The novel methods includes determining, during a first pass of a transfer medium of a multi-beam printer, a first time interval between when at least one light beam from a multi-beam device is detected and when a top of a page is detected at a selected location of the transfer medium, the multi-beam device including a plurality of light beam sources, and the first pass to form a first color plane of a latent image on the transfer medium. The methods further include selecting, based at least in part on the determined first time interval, a first one of the plurality of light beam sources to begin illuminating the transfer medium to create the first color plane on the transfer medium during the first pass of the transfer medium. |
| US08120631B2 |
Thermal printer with reduced donor adhesion
Thermal printers and methods for operating thermal printers are provided. In one method, a sequence of thermal print head control signals is generated that is adapted to cause an array of thermal elements to cause the donor material to transfer from a donor ribbon in a manner that is modulated in accordance with image data and attenuated in accordance with an attenuation pattern. A receiver medium is urged through the printing nip while the thermal print head control signals are transmitted to the thermal print head to cause the donor material to transfer from the donor web in an image modulated pattern having a longitudinal length that is larger than a longitudinal length of the receiver medium. The attenuation pattern provides a relatively high level of attenuation at a portion of the printing wherein there is greater risk that the receiver medium will not be within the printing nip. |
| US08120625B2 |
Method and apparatus using multiple sensors in a device with a display
In a device having a display, a change in focus for an application is used with a requested usage of a context attribute to change the amount of information regarding the context attribute that is sent to another application. A method of changing the orientation of images on a device's display detects movement followed by an end of movement of the device. The orientation of the device is then determined and is used to set the orientation of images on the display. A method of setting the orientation of a display also includes storing information regarding an item displayed in a first orientation before changing the orientation. When the orientation is returned to the first orientation, the stored information is retrieved and is used to display the item in the first orientation. The stored information can include whether the item is to appear in the particular orientation. |
| US08120624B2 |
Detail-in-context lenses for digital image cropping, measurement and online maps
In one or more implementations, a signal is received selecting a geographic location in an original image of a digital map for display on a display. The original image is distorted to give an appearance of a lens being applied to the digital map for display on the display, the appearance of the lens including a focal region that includes a magnification of the geographic location and a base region that surrounds the focal region. |
| US08120623B2 |
Apparatuses for overlaying images, portable devices having the same and methods of overlaying images
An apparatus for overlaying images includes a broadcast image layer generator, an application image layer generator, and an overlay processor. The broadcast image layer generator generates a broadcast image layer based on a received broadcast signal. The application image layer generator generates an application image layer based on an application image. The overlay processor generates an overlay image obtained by overlaying the broadcast image layer with the application image layer, so that a broadcast image corresponding to the broadcast image layer and an application image corresponding to the application image layer may be displayed simultaneously on a screen. The broadcast image and the application image may be displayed simultaneously on a screen, and visibility and readability of a text in the application image may be enhanced based on the user's preference and the user's recognition ability when the portable device performs multi-tasking in which multiple programs are simultaneously executed. |
| US08120621B1 |
Method and system of measuring quantitative changes in display frame content for dynamically controlling a display refresh rate
A method and system are implemented to measure quantitative changes in display frame content for dynamically controlling a display refresh rate. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which includes the steps of composing a first display frame from a first set of rendered image surfaces, composing a second display frame from a second set of rendered image surfaces, dividing the first display frame and the second display frame into a same number of frame regions. Also, for each of the frame regions, the method also includes the steps of calculating a first set of numerical codes and a second set of numerical codes representative of the content associated with the frame region in the first and second display frame, respectively; and determining an amount of changes in content between the first display frame and the second display frame based on the results of comparing the first set of numerical codes against the second set of numerical code. |
| US08120615B2 |
System and method for generating terrain representation
A method and system for generating a representation of a terrain. The method of generating a representation of a terrain comprises the steps of selecting a set of colors, the colors comprise at least a plurality of colors, determining a minimum terrain elevation, and determining a maximum terrain elevation. A plurality of terrain bands is computed based in part on the set of colors, the minimum terrain elevation, and the maximum terrain elevation. At least one of the limited set of colors is assigned to each of the plurality of the plurality of terrain bands. The representation of the terrain is generated one of the limited set of colors. |
| US08120613B2 |
Method and apparatus for real-time digital image acquisition, storage, and retrieval
The invention described in this application is an image file system for the acquisition and storage of streaming digital image data onto persistent storage media in real time and for full-rate playback of streaming digital image data stored on persistent storage media. Input/output of non-streaming digital image data is processed in system memory with write/read operations buffered by native operating system input/output support. Input/output of streaming digital data is processed in high-speed streaming digital image data I/O memory with write/read operations buffered by a high-performance image buffer thread. |
| US08120612B2 |
Intelligent video graphics switcher
Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently and intelligently communicating characteristic information in video graphics switcher environments. An intelligent video graphics switcher obtains display device characteristic information associated with multiple display devices and maintains updated characteristic information. When an event such as a connection/disconnection or switching event occurs between the video graphics switcher and a display device, the characteristic information is communicated to an appropriate host by triggering a connection/disconnection event with the host. |
| US08120608B2 |
Constant buffering for a computational core of a programmable graphics processing unit
Embodiments of systems and methods for managing a constant buffer with rendering context specific data in multithreaded parallel computational GPU core are disclosed. Briefly described, one method embodiment, among others, comprises responsive to a first shader operation, receiving at a constant buffer a first group of constants corresponding to a first rendering context, and responsive to a second shader operation, receiving at the constant buffer a second group of constants corresponding to a second context without flushing the first group. |
| US08120607B1 |
Boundary transition region stitching for tessellation
A system and method for stitching a boundary transition region of a patch produces a graphics primitive topology for the boundary transition region of the patch. A first number of vertices is computed for an inside edge of the boundary transition region using a first tessellation level of detail (LOD) of the inside edge. A second number of vertices is computed for an outside edge of the boundary transition region using a second tessellation LOD of the outside edge. A portion of the first number of vertices and the second number of vertices are merged based on a stitching pattern to produce a set of vertices for the boundary transition region. The set of vertices is stitched to produce an ordered list representing the graphics primitive topology. |
| US08120606B2 |
Three-dimensional image output device and three-dimensional image output method
A three-dimensional image output device includes: a viewpoint image acquiring device for acquiring a plurality of viewpoint images obtained by photographing a same subject from a plurality of viewpoints; a parallax information acquiring device for acquiring parallax amounts in a plurality of sets of feature points at which features substantially correspond to one another from the acquired plurality of viewpoint images; a parallax amount adjusting device for adjusting the parallax amount in each of the acquired feature points, and performing adjustment of assigning different weights to the parallax amounts in accordance with values of the parallax amounts; a parallax image generating device for generating a parallax image corresponding to the parallax amount of each of the feature points after the adjustment; and a parallax image output device for outputting a plurality of parallax images including the generated parallax image. |
| US08120603B2 |
Driver apparatus for display
A driver apparatus applied on a display is disclosed. The driver apparatus includes a voltage converter, an input level shift circuit, at least one input logic circuit, and at least one output level shifter. The voltage converter receives a first voltage, a ground voltage, and a second voltage, and generates an internal voltage according to the first voltage, the ground voltage, and the second voltage. The input level shift circuit receives an input signal, and generates a level shift input signal transiting between the first voltage and the second voltage according to the input signal. The input logic circuit receives the internal voltage, and generates an internal output signal transiting between the internal voltage and the second voltage according to the level shift input signal. The output level shifter generates a driving signal transiting between a third voltage and the second voltage according to the internal output signal. |
| US08120600B2 |
Light emission control system and image display system
The present invention provides a light emission control system including a plurality of light emitting modules each including a plurality of light emitting elements and each being a unit to be controlled, light emitting module controllers each provided for each of the light emitting modules and controlling a corresponding light emitting module, and central controller controlling the light emitting modules. The plurality of light emitting module controllers are divided into a plurality of groups, a plurality of light emitting module controllers belonging to each of the groups are connected in a cascade manner within the group, the plurality of groups are connected in parallel with the central controller, and control information transmitted from the central controller to each of the plurality of groups is sequentially transferred from a light emitting module controller to a following light emitting module controller in each of the groups. |
| US08120596B2 |
Tiled touch system
A tiled touch system comprises a display on which a computer-generated image is presented. The image is formed of an array of image segments. A digitizer is mapped to the display and senses pointer contacts made thereon. |
| US08120595B2 |
Waveguide materials for optical touch screens
This invention relates to polymeric optical materials suitable for use in waveguide-based optical touch screen sensors. In particular, the materials should have a glass transition temperature (Tg) below a minimum operating temperature of the touch screen device. Preferably, waveguides composed of the materials are fabricated on polymer substrates, so that the waveguide assembly is flexible. In this case, the materials should have Tg below a Tg of the polymer substrate. |
| US08120590B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method of selecting menu and item
A method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes allowing, via a wireless communication unit on the mobile terminal, wireless communication with at least one other terminal; displaying, on a first side of a touch screen display of the mobile terminal, a sound icon indicating whether or not a sound is output by the mobile terminal; receiving, via a controller, a touching selection signal indicating a touching of the sound icon; displaying, on the touch screen display, a first indicator corresponding to the sound icon on a second side of the touch screen display and separated from the sound icon, said first indicator indicating a direction in which a touch and drag operation should occur to turn off the sound output by the mobile terminal; receiving, via the controller, a touch and drag selection signal indicating a dragging operation along a vector from the sound icon toward an intersection with the first indicator; and turning off, via the controller, the sound output by the mobile terminal after receiving the touch and drag signal indicating the dragging operation and before the first indicator is touched. The present invention also provides a corresponding mobile terminal. |
| US08120588B2 |
Sensor assembly and display including a sensor assembly
A sensor assembly includes a coordinate input surface and, under a region thereof, a first and second switch assembly. Each assembly includes at least a first and second conductive element. When a force smaller than a first threshold is exerted on the surface, the first and second element of both assemblies are not in contact with each other. When a force larger than the first threshold and smaller than a second threshold is exerted, the first and second elements of the first assembly are in contact with each other, while the elements of the second assembly are not. When a force larger than the second threshold is exerted on the region, the elements of both assemblies are in contact with each other. A display including a sensor assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08120587B2 |
Touch panel using nano-wire
Provided is a touch panel using a zinc oxide (ZnO) nano wire. The touch panel may include a first transparent substrate, a first transparent electrode layer on the first transparent substrate, a light transmissive nano wire layer including a plurality of piezoelectric nano wires that may be arranged on the first transparent electrode layer so as to be perpendicular to the first transparent electrode layer, a second transparent electrode layer on the nano wire layer, and a second transparent substrate on the second transparent electrode layer. |
| US08120586B2 |
Electronic devices with touch-sensitive navigational mechanisms, and associated methods
Electronic devices with preselected operational characteristics and associated methods are disclosed. The electronic devices can include a sensing component that senses a touch from an input mechanism and an input circuitry that measures at least one parameter of the touch from the sensing component. The electronic devices can also include a processor that performs an analysis of the measured at least one parameter of the detected touch and causes the user interface to navigate on the display based on the performed analysis. |
| US08120584B2 |
Feedback mechanism for user detection of reference location on a sensing device
An apparatus and method for providing an active feedback of a position of a conductive object, manipulated by a user on a sensing device, to allow detection of a reference location on the sensing device by the user. The apparatus may include a sensing device to detect a presence of a conductive object, manipulated by a user on the sensing device, a processing device coupled to the sensing device, the processing device to determine a position of the conductive object on the sensing device, and a feedback mechanism coupled to the processing device to provide an active feedback to the user to allow detection of a reference location on the sensing device by the user. |
| US08120582B2 |
Computer mouse with a hand grip exerciser
A computer mouse includes a lower shell, an upper shell mounted to the lower shell, a resilient member, and a converting unit. The upper shell includes two rotating portions rotatably mounted to the lower shell. A resisting post extends from each rotating portion, and resists against the resilient member. The rotating portion can be slidably clamped via the converting unit, and then the rotating portions are prevented from rotating away from each other. The rotating portions can be rotated towards each other, and the elasticity of the resilient member drives the rotating portions away from each other. |
| US08120579B2 |
Textured cushion for cursor control stick
A cushioned cap for a control stick of an electronic device defining a recess for receiving at least a portion of a control stick. The recess includes a lower portion and an upper portion. |
| US08120576B2 |
Input display device, display control method and control program for allowing a cursor to shift to a selectable position
An input display device, and a cursor shift record concerning a cursor shift operation which is carried out on the display unit in connection with the selection of the processing target candidates, a timer for counting the time from a previous processing target search/select operation till a latest cursor shift operation, and a cursor shift controller for judging on, the basis of the processing target search/select record, the cursor shift record and the time counted by the timer whether the latest cursor shift operation is carried out in connection with the same processing to be executed on processing targets, and allowing the cursor to shift to a selectable position of a next processing target candidate if it is judged that the latest cursor shift operation is carried out in connection with the same processing. |
| US08120575B2 |
Interactive pointing device
An interactive pointing device having pointing function in space and game control is provided in the present invention. The interactive pointing device comprises an accelerometer module and a gyroscope device. The accelerometer module functions as sensing the movement of the operator and generates at least one axis of accelerating signal corresponding to the sensed movement. The gyroscope device disposed on a turning mechanism functions as sensing rotation status of the interactive pointing device about at least one axis and generate a corresponding rotating signal. The turning mechanism can be operated to adjust the axis of the gyroscope device so that the gyroscope device is capable of sensing rotation status about different axes. The at least one accelerating signal and the rotating signal are then processed for controlling cursor movement of the electrical device and interacting with multimedia gaming programs. |
| US08120569B2 |
Apparatus and method for adaptively adjusting backlight
An apparatus and method for adaptively adjusting backlight are described. The backlight adjusting apparatus includes an intensity-pair distribution device, a brightness compensation module, a frame-adjusting device, a backlight control device, and a backlight module. The intensity-pair distribution device generates a plurality of intensity-pair distribution values of the image frames each composed of a plurality of pixel data. The brightness compensation module computes a dark-state ratio of the pixel data of a current image frame in response to the intensity-pair distribution values, and computes a brightness index of the current image frame in response to the dark-state ratio for generating a brightness compensating signal based on the dark-state ratio and the brightness index. The frame adjusting device adjusts the brightness of the total pixel data of the current image frame in response to brightness compensating signal. The backlight control device updates the brightness index of the current image frame in response to the brightness index of a previous image frame and the intensity-pair distribution values of the current image frame for generating a backlight control signal of the current image frame. The backlight module adjusts the backlight of the module in response to the backlight control signal. |
| US08120566B2 |
Timing controller and display device including the same
A timing controller for a display device includes a receiver, a first line memory, a serialization part, and first and second compensation parts. The receiver receives image data corresponding to unit pixels, and transmits the image data to the first line memory in a first order. The first line memory receives and stores the image data. The serialization part reads the image data in the first order from the first line memory and serially transmits the image data in a second order different from the first order. The first compensation part receives the image data in the second order and generates first compensation data of the image data, the first compensation data corresponding to a first gamma curve. The second compensation part receives the image data in the second order and generates second compensation data of the image data, the second compensation data corresponding to a second gamma curve. |
| US08120563B2 |
LCD device and drive circuit for discharging pixels in a stepwise manner during a display on sequence
A display ON sequence for preventing problems in a display at the starting time of a liquid crystal display device is prevented from having malfunctions, which might otherwise be caused in a scanning line drive circuit by applying a voltage to scanning signal lines. In the display ON sequence at the starting time of the liquid crystal display device of an active matrix type, all the scanning signal lines of a liquid crystal panel are brought into a selected state thereby to release the electric charges in the liquid crystal capacity and the auxiliary capacity in each pixel forming portion through data signal lines. After this, the scanning signal lines are stepwise brought into an unselected state by dividing them several times, before their sequential selections (or scans) for the display are started. Thus, the electric current to flow through the bulk of the scanning signal line drive circuit is made lower than that of the prior art, in which the scanning signal lines were simultaneously brought into the unselected state. |
| US08120561B2 |
Display apparatus and driving device for displaying
A display driving circuit to supply a gray scale voltage corresponding to display data to a display panel, the display driving circuit including: a generation circuit to divide a reference voltage to generate a plurality of levels of the gray scale voltages; an interface circuit; a selection circuit to select the gray scale voltage corresponding to the display data from the plurality of levels of voltages; a first register to store a setting value that adjusts the amplitude of a gamma characteristic curve from outside via the interface circuit; and a second register to store a setting value that adjusts the gradient of the gamma characteristic curve from outside via the interface circuit; and a third register to store a setting value for micro adjusting the gamma characteristic curve from outside via the interface circuit; wherein the first, second and third registers are assigned different addresses. |
| US08120558B2 |
Driving apparatus and driving method thereof
A driving apparatus and a driving method thereof are provided. The driving apparatus includes a digital to analog converter and a signal amplifier. The digital to analog converter is used for receiving a digital data and converting the digital data to an analog signal. The signal amplifier is coupled to the digital to analog converter. The signal amplifier is used for receiving the analog signal to generate a driving signal. The signal amplifier also dynamically changes the driving ability of the driving signal according to at least one bit of the digital data. |
| US08120557B2 |
Light emitting device and electronic appliance
The present invention is to provide a light emitting device capable of obtaining a certain luminance without influence by the temperature change, and a driving method thereof. A current mirror circuit formed by using a transistor is provided for each pixel. The first transistor and the second transistor of the current mirror circuit are connected such that the drain currents thereof are maintained at proportional values regardless of the load resistance value. Thereby, a light emitting device capable of controlling the OLED driving current and the luminance of the OLED by controlling the drain current of the first transistor at a value corresponding to a video signal in a driving circuit, and supplying the drain current of the second transistor to the OLED, is provided. |
| US08120555B2 |
LED display with control circuit
An active-matrix circuit for controlling an LED display pixel that includes a control circuit responsive to control signals for storing a luminance value in a storage circuit during a frame period. A drive circuit responds to the storage circuit for controlling current through an LED to emit light at a luminance level determined by the luminance value. A luminance-value reduction circuit, connected to the storage circuit, provides a controlled reduction of the luminance value stored in the storage circuit during the frame period. |
| US08120552B2 |
Electronic device and method of driving electronic device
Problems such as insufficient brightness, caused by a reduction in duty ratio (the ratio of a light emitting period and a non-light emitting period), are improved upon in accordance with using a novel method of driving and a novel circuit in an electronic device. Signals are written into pixels of a plurality of differing lines during one gate signal line selection period. By arbitrarily setting, to a certain extent, the time from when a signal is input into the pixels of a certain line until the next signal is input to the same pixels, while ensuring the time for writing into the pixels, a sustain (turn on) period can be arbitrarily set and a high duty ratio is realized. |
| US08120548B1 |
System, module, and method for illuminating a target on an aircraft windshield
A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for illuminating a target on an aircraft windshield corresponding to a three-dimensional location outside of an aircraft. Navigation data and three-dimensional location data are provided to a control processor; the navigation data may comprise aircraft position, heading, and pitch, roll, and yaw attitudes, and the three-dimensional location data may comprise a runway reference point. After an external target angle and track angle are determined, control data may be generated as a function of pitch, roll and/or yaw attitudes, glide path angle, track angle, and cockpit references originating from a design eye position. Control data may comprise data representative of vertical and/or lateral measurements which position a beam on a windshield target. Then, the control data may be provided to an illumination source for positioning a beam on the windshield target in response to the control data. |
| US08120545B2 |
Multifunctional antenna chip
A multifunctional antenna chip is able to mate with many kinds of matched circuits and is able to adjust the character of an antenna structure of the multifunctional antenna chip, in order that the antenna structure has one or multiple standard working frequencies. The antenna structure is a folded antenna structure basically; this can save its volume occupied. And the multifunctional antenna chip has a non-signal inputting pin for connection to thereby increase shape of the antenna for adjusting the style of the antenna structure designed. |
| US08120544B2 |
Compact continuous ground plane system
A compact continuous ground plane system is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an assembly for forming a continuous ground plane for an antenna having at least two elements configured to move relative to one another, the ground assembly including a first element having a housing, a plunger disposed within the housing, a second element, a wear plate coupled to the second element, and a spring disposed between the plunger and the housing, the spring configured to urge the plunger toward the wear plate, where the plunger is configured to be moved within the housing and to make electrical contact with the wear plate. |
| US08120543B2 |
Transmission line slot antenna
A transmission line slot antenna is described. Although more generally applicable, the antenna is particularly adapted to conformal applications. The antenna has a ground plate with a conductive top surface having a slot with a feed whose ground reference terminal is connected to one side of the slot and whose signal terminal is connected to the other side of the slot. A conductive cylindrical screen, which can be of an arbitrary cross section and non-uniform in the longitudinal direction, is formed of one or more sections attached along the bottom surface of the ground plate, with each of the sections having a first and second edge conductively connected to the top surface of the ground plate along opposite sides of the slot. The antenna is tuned to support the fundamental mode (H00) of a slotted cylinder transmission line formed by the screen sections and a part of the ground plate with the slot. |
| US08120535B2 |
Multi-band antenna with improved connecting portion
A multi-band antenna includes a grounding element located on a first plane, a connecting element extending from the grounding element to form a slot between the connecting element and the grounding element, a conductive portion extending from the connecting element, a first radiating portion, a second radiating portion, and a third radiating portion. The first radiating portion is narrower than the conductive portion and extends from an end of the conductive portion along a first direction. The second radiating portion is connected to the first radiating portion and extends along a second direction opposite to the first direction. The third radiating portion is narrower than the first radiating portion and extends from an end of the connecting element. |
| US08120534B2 |
Line structure and method for manufacturing the same
A line structure is provided which includes a ferroelectric film which is formed on at least one surface of both sides of a substrate and a permittivity of which changes according to a magnitude of an applied voltage, an inductor which is formed on a first side of the substrate, and a capacitor which has a capacitance corresponding to the permittivity of the ferroelectric film and the substrate. |
| US08120533B2 |
Method and system for deriving location information from utility lines
Location systems and methods are implemented using a variety of arrangements and methods. Using one such system location information is provided in response to a utility-line arrangement propagating signals that represent a wireless radio-frequency (RF) communication originating from one or more remote transmitters. The system includes a receiver circuit communicatively coupled and responsive to the utility-line arrangement. The system also includes a signal-processing logic circuit, communicatively coupled and responsive to the utility-line arrangement. The signal processing logic circuit is arranged to derive location information from characteristics of the signals that are indicative of a location of the receiver circuit relative to the remote transmitters. |
| US08120528B2 |
Apparatus for satellite telecommunications
A portable communication device has a first system for receiving signals from GPS satellites and a second system for communication with multiple satellites of a low orbit communications system. The device is arranged, at a time of required transmission, to monitor the elevation and azimuth of the GPS satellites in view so as to generate an elevation mask of where the sky is open at the time and to commence a required transmission only if the calculation prediction indicates that at least one of the satellites of the low earth orbit communication satellite system is in view. |
| US08120527B2 |
Satellite differential positioning receiver using multiple base-rover antennas
A rover processor determines position of a rover based upon the interaction between multiple antennas located at the rover and multiple antennas located at a base. The rover antennas may include a rover master antenna having a phase center located at the centroid of the antennas patterns of at least two auxiliary rover antennas. The rover processor may determine the position of the rover master antenna based upon the relative positions of at least two rover antennas (e.g., the rover master antenna and at least one rover auxiliary antenna, or at least two rover auxiliary antennas) with respect to at least two antennas of a base transceiver. |
| US08120521B2 |
Radar echolocater with audio output
The echolocater device described herein incorporates the features of integrated sampling radar technology to create a unique device that provides, for example, the visually impaired with an excellent new tool to help navigate the world. Much like a bat using its bio-sonar, the visually impaired will be able to hear subtle differences in audio-replicated radar echoes. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, two integrated-sampling type radar receivers are spaced some convenient distance apart. A single transmitter centered between two receivers transmits pulses of an RF carrier. Audio “IF” output from each receiver is processed and sent to a small speaker worn near each ear. With practice the user of this invention will be able to discern the range, location and motion of individual objects, and may also be able to distinguish particular echo characteristics of differing objects. |
| US08120519B2 |
Shared operational transconductance amplifier pipelined ADC incorporating a sample/hold amplifier and multiple MDAC stages
A single operational transconductance pipelined ADC incorporating a sample/hold amplifier and multiple MDAC stages. An input signal is sampled on input signal sampling capacitors, and then coupled around an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) so that the output of the OTA is equal to the sampled voltage. There is no net charge transfer in this operation, so the noise and power dissipation normally associated with an input sample and hold circuitry (SHA) in a pipelined ADC is substantially eliminated. A pipelined ADC using a shared OTA for sample/hold and two MDACs is disclosed. |
| US08120516B2 |
Data compression using a stream selector with edit-in-place capability for compressed data
A method for encoding an input file into an output file that is compressed so that the number of bits required to represent the output file is less than the number of bits of the input file. The encoding method includes the parsing of the input file into a series of data items, the data items having an order and collectively corresponding to the input file. The encoding method compares the series of data items against a static dictionary having at least mappings between terminal sequence pointers and representations of data items. Each mapping has an associated length, the associated length for a mapping being the length of the data item pointed to by its terminal sequence pointer wherein the terminal sequence pointers are represented by a number of bits that is independent of the particular data items in the input file, the static dictionary being static such that the static dictionary is usable to provide a mapping between a terminal sequence pointer and its corresponding representation of data item independent of mapping of other data items. |
| US08120513B2 |
Vehicle identification, tracking and enforcement system
A system for monitoring and tracking vehicles in parking locations, public roadways and highway entrances and exits and other public vehicle access areas is provided, such as to monitor and track vehicles in parking spaces, public roadways and highways without the need for parking or traffic personnel. The system includes a meter system that generates image data of a vehicle in a parking space, public roadway and highway entrances and exits such as by creating an array of pixel data in a predetermined field of view that includes a vehicle identification tag and facial imaging. An enforcement and tracking system receives the image data and generates a vehicle license number, vehicle tag identification number and facial image from the image data, such as by analyzing the image data to identify the vehicle license number, vehicle tag identification number and facial image based on the expected location of the license tag, identification tag and field of view image data characteristics of the license tag, facial image or other suitable data. From the image data acquired, monitoring of parking spaces is performed and violation citations or notices are generated for errant vehicles in parking locations as well as notification to law enforcement and homeland security agencies of vehicles and facial images identified as being on a watch list. |
| US08120512B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a path of travel or direction of travel
Spaced first and second signposts transmit wireless signals containing different signpost identifications. A first path of travel passes through the transmission range of the first signpost, and a second path of travel passes through the transmission range of the second signpost but not the transmission range of the first signpost. A different configuration includes plural hallways extending away from a common intersection in respective directions, with a respective signpost in each hallway that transmits wireless signals containing a respective different signpost identification. Another configuration includes a hallway with first and second portions of different width, a first signpost in the first portion transmitting wireless signals containing a first signpost identification, and spaced second and third signposts in the second portion each transmitting wireless signals containing a second signpost identification different from the first signpost identification, and having a transmission range less than a width of the second portion. |
| US08120506B2 |
Display unit having a dial and a central display
Provided is a display unit that incorporates a dial, a central display device, and an indicating needle. The indicating needle includes a substrate provided beneath the display device, a light source on a surface of an end of the substrate; and a light guide. The light guide includes a first light-guide portion extending vertically with its lower end facing the light source of the substrate, a second light-guide portion extending horizontally from the first light-guide portion, a third light-guide portion extending vertically from the second light-guide portion, and a needle portion extending horizontally such that the dial is pointed to by the end of the needle portion. The display unit may include a light-guide cover that prevents leakage of light and a regulation portion that restricts undesirable movement of a lead wire which might obstruct with rotation of the indicating needle. |
| US08120503B2 |
Brush wear monitor having mounted flags interactable with an impedance dependent switch
A worn brush monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of brushes of an electrical machine comprises a plurality of mounted flags configured to be in moveable communication relative to a wear of each of the plurality of brushes and an electrical recording circuit. The electrical recording circuit includes at least one impedance device configured to provide impedance data, at least one switch having a contact plate interactable with at least two of the plurality of mounted flags at different points along a length of the contact plate and an impedance dependent on the length of the contact plate, and a recording device configured to detect changes in electrical characteristics in the electrical recording circuit resulting from changes in a switch state, the switch state defined by the interaction between the mounted flags and the electrical recording circuit, as a result of brush wear. |
| US08120502B2 |
Switch opening/closing detection apparatus
To detect opening/closing of a neutral detection hydraulic switch by a detection apparatus and detect breakage of a wiring line connected between the detection apparatus and the switch. Since a second contact and an ECU are connected to each other by two wiring lines, even if one of the wiring lines is broken, opening/closing of the neutral detection hydraulic switch can be detected through the remaining one of the wiring lines. Since different voltages are applied to the wiring lines through resistance type voltage dividing circuits, the occurrence of the wire breakage can be detected making use of the fact that the voltage detected by the ECU upon opening of the neutral detection hydraulic switch when one of the wiring lines is broken is different from the voltage when none of the wiring lines is broken. |
| US08120497B2 |
RFID transponder enclosure for harsh environments
A radio frequency identification device is enclosed in an enclosure suitable for harsh environments, and is resistant to physical, chemical, temperature, and electro-magnetic abuse. The enclosure includes a shell member configured to deflect direct blows to the transponder and can be shaped to fit various types of surfaces to which it can be affixed. |
| US08120489B2 |
Workflow improvements
An RFID workflow module can use metadata to indicate configurable elements. An administration console can use the metadata to produce a configuration page for the RFID workflow module. The configuration page can allow a user to configure the RFID workflow module. |
| US08120488B2 |
Radio frequency environment object monitoring system and methods of use
A method and apparatus for monitoring untagged objects in a target area including calibrating a radio environment monitoring system including a rules engine and a baseline data set for a target area by recording a set of changes to the RF environment fingerprint of the target area received by the radio environment monitoring system as the target area is filled with objects. During system operation, scanning the target area with the radio environment monitoring system for a current RF environment fingerprint, comparing the current RF environment fingerprint with the baseline data set by a rules engine and reporting an output of the rules engine. |
| US08120485B2 |
Articles containing chipless radio frequency identification elements
A container comprising a body having embedded therein a plurality of chipless radio frequency identification elements. The chipless radio frequency identification elements comprise a plurality of categories of resonant elements. The resonant elements can be utilized in a system having a binary code feature. The combination of different resonant elements can be read and translated to identify the features of a particular product. The container can be prepared by compounding moldable compositions with the resonant elements and molding the moldable compositions containing the resonant elements into the final product. The invention also provides a system and a method for reading the binary code provided by the chipless radio frequency identification elements. |
| US08120484B2 |
Closure and package with RFID kernel tag and boost antenna
A closure includes a plastic shell for securement to a container neck finish. An RFID kernel tag is disposed within the shell, and includes an RFID circuit and a low power UHF antenna coupled to the circuit. A boost antenna, electromagnetically coupled to but otherwise disconnected from the RFID kernel tag, boosts signal gain to and from the RFID kernel tag. In several exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the RFID kernel tag is secured to an undersurface of the base wall of the closure, and the boost antenna is disposed on the undersurface of the closure base wall, on an opposing surface of a liner disk disposed within the closure shell or comprises a metal layer on an induction seal disk secured to the end of the container neck finish. |
| US08120483B2 |
Electrostatic occupant detecting apparatus and method of adjusting electrostatic occupant detecting apparatus
In a method of adjusting an electrostatic occupant detecting apparatus, a first group of load circuits is coupled with a sensor property measuring device, an AC voltage signal is applied from a signal source to the first group of load circuits, and a potential difference generating at a resistor of the sensor property measuring device is stored as a first measured value. A second group of load circuits having a load higher than the first group is coupled with the sensor property measuring device, the AC voltage signal is applied from the signal source to the second group of load circuits, and a potential difference generating at the resistor is stored as a second measured value. A measured sensitivity is calculated from the first measured value and the second measured value, and a sensitivity adjusting value is calculated from the measured sensitivity and an ideal sensitivity. |
| US08120478B2 |
Vehicle information display and method
An information display system for a hybrid electric vehicle configured to display one or more reasons an engine is on is provided. The information display system determines which engine on reasons are true and applies a prioritization strategy to determine which engine on reasons are displayed to an operator via an information display. |
| US08120476B2 |
Digital camera rear-view system
A rear-view system for a vehicle has a camera disposed on the vehicle. An electronic control unit receives and processes the image information from the camera. A display displays the processed image information from the electronic control unit. An alarm is operated by the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is used to detect an object from the processed image information. If the distance between the vehicle and the object is less than a predetermined distance, the electronic control unit will activate the alarm. |
| US08120471B2 |
Hospital bed with network interface unit
A system includes at least one computer device coupled to a hospital Ethernet, the hospital Ethernet having at least one wired access point and at least on wireless access point. The system also includes a hospital bed and a network interface unit (NIU) that facilitates communications from the hospital bed to the at least one computer device. |
| US08120469B2 |
Method and system for tuning an RFID interrogator
A method, apparatus, and system for periodically measuring the level of ambient noise found on a radio frequency channel used by a radio frequency identification interrogator to read radio frequency identification tags. The measured level of ambient noise is then used to dynamically adjust a threshold value used to predict collisions on the channel. |
| US08120466B2 |
Decoding scheme for RFID reader
The present invention is directed toward the recovery of RFID signals from RFID credentials. The recovery and subsequent interpretation of RFID signals may be accomplished by providing a set of predetermined probabilities for the occurrence of a symbol after another symbol in a received signal. The predetermined probabilities may be dependent only upon the encoding scheme used, thereby providing a more robust and less processor intensive decoding protocol than has previously been contemplated. |
| US08120462B2 |
Method and system for standing wave detection for radio frequency identification marker readers
A method and system for determining the absence and presence of items in an RFID interrogation zone. At least one RFID reader transmits interrogation signals in an interrogation zone. Each RFID reader transmits interrogation signals having a forward amount of RF energy and receives response signals from the items in the interrogation zone having a reflected amount of RF energy. A detection circuit determines the presence and absence of items within the interrogation zone based at least in part on the reflected amount of RF energy. |
| US08120456B2 |
Balancing circuit for a metal detector
A balancing circuit for a metal detector. The metal detector includes an oscillating power source, a transmit coil connected to the oscillating power source, first and second receive coils inductively coupled to the transmit coil, a first amplitude balancing circuit connected to the first receive coil, and a first phase balancing circuit connected to the first receive coil. The first phase balancing circuit includes a capacitor and a variable resistor. |
| US08120453B2 |
Portable light system having a sealed switch
An improved switch interface is provided that does not rely on direct contact by the user interface element to the switch apparatus. This feature enables the switch to be enclosed within a housing, thereby improving reliability and longevity of the switch mechanism. |
| US08120451B2 |
Electrostatic actuator
The present invention relates to a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) and, more particularly, to an electrostatic actuator, and a driving method thereof and an application device thereof. The electrostatic actuator in accordance with the present invention comprises a fixed electrode, an electric charge charging unit electrically insulated from the fixed electrode, and a moving electrode spaced apart from the fixed electrode and the electric charge charging unit. In accordance with the present invention, the electrostatic actuator with a very low driving voltage and an arbitrarily controllable driving voltage when compared with a conventional electrostatic actuator is provided. In addition, the electrostatic actuator having durability against external noise and enabling a reliable consecutive operation is provided. Further, in accordance with the present invention, non-volatile mechanical memory, a logic circuit and a switch employing the electrostatic actuator are provided. |
| US08120450B2 |
High frequency circuit module
The invention provides a high frequency circuit module according to the present invention includes: a circuit component having a plurality of terminals arranged on an outer side thereof, and a circuit board of a multilayered construction or a single-layered construction. A first outer face of the circuit board serves as a component mounting face for mounting the circuit component. The circuit board includes a ground conductor layer; a plurality of electrode pads provided on the component mounting face, the electrode pads being configured for connection with the associated terminals of the circuit component; and a plurality of waveguides provided on the first outer face or a second outer face, or in an inner portion of the circuit board. The waveguides are electrically connected with the associated electrode pads. Routing directions of all or some of adjacent waveguides are opposite from each other. |
| US08120447B2 |
Multilayer balanced filter
A multilayer balanced filter includes a first coil including a first straight line electrode and via electrodes. A first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a third capacitor are provided respectively between a ground electrode and a first capacitor electrode, between the ground electrode and a second capacitor electrode, and between the ground electrode and a third capacitor electrode. The first coil and the first capacitor constitute an LC resonator. A second straight line electrode is arranged in parallel or substantially in parallel with the first straight line electrode, and a second coil and a third coil, each having a loop plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the loop plane of the first coil, are provided. A second capacitor and a third capacitor are respectively connected between balanced output terminals and the ground. |
| US08120444B2 |
Circuit for separating or combining high frequency power
An improved component for the separation or combination of high frequency outputs includes a coaxial input port located at the front end of the outer conductor. At the opposite end of the outer conductor, a head is located with at least two, and preferably three or four, single ports which cover the outer conductor connections. The head with the single ports is built as a single part to avoid any mechanical connection junctions. The head with the single ports which form integral outer conductor connectors consists of a forged part or a cast part. |
| US08120441B2 |
Circuit board with a reference plane having multi-part non-conductive regions for decreased crosstalk
A circuit board includes a signal line plane and a reference plane. The signal line plane has at least a first transmission line and a second transmission line formed thereon. The reference plane has a conductive region and at least a non-conductive region. The first transmission line and the second transmission line overlap the conductive region in a thickness direction of the circuit board. The non-conductive region includes at least a first part and a second part connected to the first part, where the second part is positioned between the projection of the first transmission line on the reference plane and the projection of the second transmission line on the reference plane, and has no intersection with at least one of the projection of the first transmission line and the projection of the second transmission line. |
| US08120439B2 |
Fast start-up crystal oscillator
An exemplary fast start-up crystal oscillator with reduced start-up time. The exemplary oscillator reduces the start-up time (i.e., the time taken to attain sustained stable oscillations after the power is turned on) by increasing the negative resistance of a circuit. Increasing the negative resistance increases the rate of growth of the oscillations, thereby reducing start-up time. The exemplary crystal oscillator includes a gain stage with negative resistance. A crystal with shunt capacitance is placed in the feedback loop of the gain stage. A buffer is coupled to the gain stage such that it blocks the crystal shunt capacitance from loading the gain stage, effectively increasing the negative resistance of the gain stage. Further, an oscillation detection and control circuit is coupled between the crystal and the gain stage. The oscillation detection and control circuit connects the buffer during start-up, and disconnects the buffer once an oscillation signal attains sustained stable oscillations. |
| US08120438B2 |
Temperature compensated crystal oscillator
A temperature compensated crystal oscillator is mounted to a board. A quartz resonator includes a quartz chip that generates an oscillation frequency. A resistive element is formed on the quartz chip. A temperature sensor is located closer to the board than the quartz resonator. The compensation part compensates for a change in the oscillation frequency generated by the quartz resonator based on a value of a current flowing in the resistive element and an output of the temperature sensor. |
| US08120434B2 |
Method and device for measuring impedance
The invention relates to a method and system and microchip for determining impedance of a variable impedance component. The method comprises tuning a tunable oscillator over a predefined tuning range, the tunable oscillator having the variable impedance component coupled as a load thereof. The frequency response of the tunable oscillator is measured as a function of said tuning. Finally, the measured frequency response is analyzed for determining the impedance of the variable impedance component. The invention makes possible to manufacture smaller and simpler monolithic sensor microchips. |
| US08120433B2 |
Multi-output oscillator using single oscillator
Provided are a multi-output oscillator using a single oscillator, and a method of generating multiple outputs. The multi-output oscillator includes: an oscillator outputting the single frequency; a multiplier multiplying the single frequency to output a first frequency; a first frequency divider dividing the single frequency by a first division factor; a first mixer outputting a second frequency by mixing an output of the first frequency divider and an output of the multiplier; a second frequency divider dividing the single frequency by a second division factor; a second mixer mixing the output of the second frequency divider and the output of the first mixer to output a third frequency; and a third mixer mixing the output of the second frequency divider and the output of the multiplier to output a fourth frequency. |
| US08120432B2 |
System and method for selecting optimum local oscillator discipline source
A device is provided having a local oscillator (LO) configured to generate a first signal having timing information, frequency information, phase information or combinations thereof. The device also includes a prioritizer comprising at least two inputs, each input configured to receive a respective second signal having timing information, frequency information, phase information or combinations thereof. The prioritizer is configured to determine an accuracy of at least one second signal of the at least two second signals in relation to a second signal assigned to be a most accurate of the at least two second signals. The prioritizer is also configured to order the at least two second signals from most accurate to least accurate. The LO is disciplined to correct an offset error of the LO relative to a most accurate second signal that is available to the device, based on the order of the at least two second signals. |
| US08120430B1 |
Stable VCO operation in absence of clock signal
A semiconductor device having a phase-locked loop (“PLL”) (100) drives a VCO (114) of the PLL circuit with a first control voltage (VCTRL) produced by a loop filter (112) when a first clock signal (clk_ref) is present. The VCO produces an output frequency while the PLL circuit is operating off the first clock signal. When the first clock signal is lost (ref_lost), a control voltage maintenance circuit (120) produces a second control voltage maintaining the VCO output frequency. In one device, the control voltage maintenance circuit includes a phase-frequency detector (104) that can operate off of either the clock reference signal or a master clock signal. In an alternative device, the control voltage maintenance circuit includes a voltage generator (334, 362) that produces a generated voltage that drives the loop filter when lock is lost. |
| US08120428B2 |
Apparatus and method for low noise amplification
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving a low noise amplifier. One such apparatus includes a low noise amplifier circuit configured to receive a signal at an input node and to output an amplified signal at an output node. The low noise amplifier circuit includes a first transistor of a first polarity; and a second transistor of a second polarity complementary to the first polarity. The first and second transistors are connected in series between first and second supply voltage nodes via the output node. The circuit further includes a third transistor cascoded with one of the first transistor or the second transistor, but does not include a transistor cascoded with the other transistor. This configuration allows the low noise amplifier circuit to provide an increased high-frequency gain and linearity while having improved high-frequency system noise figure in, for example, deep submicron CMOS technology. |
| US08120426B1 |
Low noise class AB linearized transconductor
A transconductor stage is a linearized class AB amplifier having embedded noise filtering that enables a biasing of an in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) modulator core with a low quiescent current. Linearization of the transconductor stage is increased by introducing a small amount of negative feedback into the transconductor stage via a feedback circuitry and an error amplifier. A dominant open loop pole in a path between the error amplifier and an output stage of the transconductor stage forms a dominant pole low-pass filter. A low-pass filter transfer function created when a loop including the feedback circuitry is closed attenuates noise introduced by baseband circuitry that supplies baseband signals to the transconductor stage. A master output stage biases a plurality of slave output stages that are in parallel with the master output stage. Each slave output stage is coupled to an individual modulator core such as a Gilbert cell mixer core. |
| US08120424B2 |
Class AB output stages and amplifiers including class AB output stages
A buffer stage includes a flipped voltage follower and an emitter follower. The flipped voltage follower is connected between a high voltage rail and a low voltage rail and include an input and an output. The emitter follower is also connected between the high voltage rail and the low voltage rail and includes an input and an output. A resistor connects the output of the flipped voltage follower to the output of the emitter follower. The input of the flipped voltage follower and the input of the emitter follower are connected together and provide an input of the buffer stage. The output of the emitter follower provides an output of the buffer stage. A differential buffer stage can be implemented using a pair of such buffer stages. Such a differential buffer stage can provide the output stage for a fully differential operational amplifier. |
| US08120422B1 |
Ripple reduction loop for chopper amplifiers and chopper-stabilized amplifiers
Ripple reduction loop for chopper amplifiers and chopper-stabilized amplifiers. The ripple reduction loop includes a first chopper, a first amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the first chopper, a second chopper having an input coupled to an output of the first amplifier, a second amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the second chopper, a third chopper, an output of the second amplifier having its output capacitively coupled to an input of the third chopper as the only input to the third chopper, a third amplifier coupled as an integrator having an input coupled to an output of the third chopper, an output of the integrator being coupled to combine with the output of the first amplifier as the input of the second chopper, and at least one Miller capacitor coupled between an output of the second amplifier and the input of the second amplifier. Various embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08120420B2 |
Demodulators
Disclosed herein is a demodulator, including: a splitting/matching section for carrying out a matching process of making the amplitude and phase of a first modulated signal match respectively the amplitude and phase of a second modulated signal; and a demodulation section for generating a demodulated signal on the basis of the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal, which have been subjected to the matching process carried out by the splitting/matching section, wherein the splitting/matching section has a splitting section, a first matching section, and a second matching section, the first circuit-element constants determining the first input impedance of the first matching section and the second circuit-element constants determining the second input impedance of the second matching section are set at values determined in advance in order to make the first input impedance equal to the second input impedance. |
| US08120419B2 |
Apparatus for type-A demodulation and integrated circuit card including the same
A type-A demodulator comprising a first rectifier configured to rectify a radio frequency (RF) signal received through an antenna and output a first voltage, a second rectifier configured to rectify the voltage of the RF signal received through the antenna and output a second voltage having a different voltage level than the first voltage, and a pause data detector configured to compare the first voltage with the second voltage and detect received pause data. |
| US08120418B2 |
Large-scale integrated circuit
A large-scale integrated circuit according to the present invention includes a plurality of functional blocks for independently performing a signal processing operation, and a selection controlling circuit for generating a first control signal to select one of the plurality of functional blocks, in which the selection controlling circuit includes a control signal generating circuit for generating a second control signal for stopping the operation of its circuit, and the selection controlling circuit generates the first and the second control signals by a command from a different control circuit. |
| US08120415B2 |
Circuit for generating a temperature-compensated voltage reference, in particular for applications with supply voltages lower than 1V
An embodiment of a circuit is described for the generation of a temperature-compensated voltage reference of the type comprising at least one generator circuit of a band-gap voltage, inserted between a first and a second voltage reference and including an operational amplifier, having in turn a first and a second input terminal connected to an input stage connected to these first and second input terminal and comprising at least one pair of a first and a second bipolar transistor for the generation of a first voltage component proportional to the temperature. The circuit also comprises the control block connected to the generator circuit of a band-gap voltage in correspondence with at least one first control node which is supplied with a biasing voltage value comprising at least one voltage component which increases with the temperature for compensating the variations of the base-emitter voltage of the first and second bipolar transistors and ensure the turn-on of a pair of input transistors of the operational amplifier. The circuit has an output terminal suitable for supplying a temperature-compensated voltage value obtained by the sum of the first voltage component proportional to the temperature and of a second component inversely proportional to the temperature. |
| US08120414B2 |
Low-noise current source
A low noise current source includes first and second voltage input terminals. The current source further includes an amplifying device having an input terminal and an output terminal, where the output terminal is coupled to the second voltage input terminal via a load. The current source also includes a bias circuit coupled between the first voltage input terminal, the second voltage input terminal, and the input terminal. The current source additionally includes a first bypass circuit coupled between the first voltage input terminal and the input terminal, where the first bypass circuit configured to provide a substantially high electrical resistance and substantially no electrical impedance between the first voltage input terminal and the input terminal. |
| US08120412B2 |
Voltage boosting system with slew rate control and method thereof
A system includes a voltage controlled oscillator, a charge pump, and a current regulator circuit. The voltage controlled oscillator has a control input and a clock output that provides a clock signal at a clock frequency that is variable. The charge pump is coupled to the clock output and has an output that provides a boosted output voltage. The current regulator circuit is coupled to the control input of the voltage controlled oscillator to adjust the clock frequency based on a simulation of a rate of change of the boosted output voltage. This allows for a controlled slew rate for the output of the charge pump. |
| US08120408B1 |
Voltage controlled oscillator delay cell and method
A delay cell circuit (200) is disclosed. The delay cell circuit may include a differential stage (202) and a cross-coupled stage (204). The cross-coupled stage can include resistors (210-0 and 210-1) the function to reduce a gain. The differential stage (202) and cross-coupled stage (204) can include variable currents sources (208 and 212), respectively. As frequency of operation increases, variable current source (208) provides a larger current to the differential stage (202) and variable current source (212) provides a smaller current to cross-coupled stage (204). Delay cell circuit (200) may be used in a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). By including gain attenuating devices such as resistors (210-0 and 210-1), a frequency tuning range of the VCO may be increased. |
| US08120405B1 |
Method and apparatus for an output buffer with dynamic impedance control
A method and apparatus for an output buffer with dynamic impedance control have been disclosed. |
| US08120402B2 |
PWM control circuit having adjustable minimum duty cycle
A pulse width modulated (PWM) controller includes a triangle wave generation circuit generating a triangle wave signal to oscillate between an upper limit voltage and a lower limit voltage. The upper limit voltage and the lower limit voltage are adjustable in response to changes in the power supply voltage. A pulse generation circuit is coupled to the triangle wave generation circuit and a minimum duty cycle setting voltage, and is configured to generate a PWM pulse signal with a minimum duty cycle determined by the relative magnitude of the triangle wave signal and the minimum duty cycle reference voltage. In an embodiment, the minimum duty cycle is increased when the power supply voltage is lower than a predetermined reference voltage. |
| US08120399B2 |
Locked loop circuit with clock hold function
A locked loop circuit having a clock hold function. The locked loop circuit includes a select circuit, phase mixing circuit, hold signal generator and latch circuit. The select circuit selects one of a plurality of phase values in response to a select signal, and the phase mixing circuit generates a first clock signal having a phase angle according to the selected phase value. The hold signal generator asserts a hold signal in response to a transition of the select signal, and the latch circuit latches the state of the first clock signal in response to assertion of the hold signal. |
| US08120396B2 |
Delay locked loop circuit
A delay locked loop circuit comprising a VCDL which outputs a feedback clock by delaying an input clock in accordance with a magnitude of a control voltage, a phase comparator which detects a phase difference between the feedback clock and a reference clock by comparing the feedback clock with the reference clock, and outputs an Up-signal for raising the control voltage and a Down-signal for lowering the control voltage in accordance with the phase difference, a control voltage generation circuit which determines the control voltage in accordance with the Up-signal and the Down-signal, and outputs the control voltage to the VCDL, and a reset circuit which resets the phase comparator based on a logical OR between the reference clock and a first intermediate clock which is a signal obtained by delaying the input clock by the VCDL and is output before the feedback clock. |
| US08120395B2 |
Use of data decisions for temporal placement of samplers
A data receiver has a clock recovery and data sampling circuit. This has a fixed local oscillator for timing the data samples. A phase interpolator adjusts the phase of the clock signal in response to an early late detector which samples the waveform at the expected position of the edges. A further correction to the sampling position is made in response to the recent history of the data received. The correction is modelled on predictable jitter, for example, that in a transmitter caused by changes in data causing the supply voltage to drop. |
| US08120394B2 |
Automatic frequency calibration circuit and automatic frequency calibration method
An automatic frequency calibration circuit and an automatic frequency calibration method for a fractional-N frequency synthesizer are provided. In a calibration mode, a state machine adjusts a fractional part and an integer part of a division ratio of a frequency divider unit according to a required precision. A first and a second frequency detecting units detect a reference frequency and an output frequency of the frequency divider unit, respectively. A judging interval unit defines at least one judging period in a total comparison time. A comparator compares the outputs of the first and the second frequency detecting units and outputs a comparison result at the judging period. Wherein, the state machine changes the capacitor configuration of a voltage-controlled oscillator when the comparison result shows that the reference frequency does not match the output frequency of the frequency divider unit. |
| US08120392B2 |
Frequency dividing circuit
A frequency dividing circuit performs a frequency dividing operation on N input clock signals to obtain N output clock signals, wherein N is a natural number greater than 1. The frequency dividing circuit includes a frequency divider and a flip-flop. The frequency divider samples an initial signal according to a first input clock signal of the N input clock signals to accordingly generate a first output clock signal of the N output clock signals. The initial signal corresponds with an inverse signal of the first output clock signal. The flip-flop samples the first output clock signal to accordingly generate a second output clock signal of the N output clock signals according to a second input clock signal of the N input clock signals. |
| US08120391B2 |
Circuit arrangement including a voltage supply circuit and semiconductor switching element
A circuit arrangement comprising a first semiconductor switching element, which has a load path and a drive terminal. A voltage supply circuit, is provided including an inductance connected in series with the load path of the first semiconductor switching element, and a capacitive charge storage arrangement, which is connected in parallel with the inductance and which has a first and a second output terminal for providing a supply voltage. |
| US08120389B2 |
Digital to frequency synthesis using flying-adder with dithered command input
To make Flying-Adder architecture even more powerful, a new concept, time-average-frequency, is incorporated into the clock generation circuitry. This is a fundamental breakthrough since it attacks the clock generation problem from its root: how is the clock signal used in real systems? By investigating from this direction, a much more powerful architecture, fixed-VCO-Flying-Adder architecture, is created. Furthermore, based on fixed-VCO-Flying-Adder frequency synthesizer and time-average-frequency, a new type of component called Digital-to-Frequency Converter (DFC) is born. |
| US08120385B2 |
Reduction in kickback effect in comparators
The present disclosure relates to reduction in the effect of kickback in comparators by means of charge injection implemented by means of voltage controlled switches with attributes similar to those of an input differential pair. The voltage controlled switches produce charge to neutralize the charge loss during latching of inputs in the comparator. |
| US08120378B2 |
System to control insertion of care-bits in an IC test vector improved optical probing
Systems, methods, and computer readable media storing instructions for such methods relate to generating test vectors that can be used for exercising a particular area of interest in an integrated circuit. The test vectors generally include a non-overlapping repeating and/or predictable sequence of care bits (a care bit pattern) that can be used by a tester to cause the exercise of the area and collect emissions caused by exercising the area. Such emissions can be used for analysis and debugging of the circuit and/or a portion of it. Aspects can include providing a synchronization signal that can be used by a tester to allow sensor activation at appropriate times. |
| US08120373B2 |
Stiffener assembly for use with testing devices
A stiffener assembly for use with testing devices is provided herein. In some embodiments, a stiffener assembly for use with testing devices can be part of a probe card assembly that can include a stiffener assembly comprising an upper stiffener coupled to a plurality of lower stiffeners; and a substrate constrained between the upper stiffener and the plurality of lower stiffeners, the stiffener assembly restricting non-planar flex of the substrate while facilitating radial movement of the substrate with respect to the stiffener assembly. |
| US08120371B2 |
Object position sensing apparatus
An object position sensing apparatus including a substrate, a conductive crossbar, and a plurality of resistive elements coupled to the crossbar is described. The resistive elements are coupled to circuitry that can apply an excitation signal, such as a voltage change, to the resistive elements. For each resistive element, an electrical effect responsive to the excitation signal, such as a change in charge flowing to the resistive element, is determined. When an object is proximate to the plurality of resistive elements, the electrical effects change, and a position of the object in one or multiple dimensions can be determined from changes in the electrical effects. |
| US08120370B2 |
Capacitive electromagnetic flowmeter
The surface of a signal electrode is treated as substrate treatment. An oxide film on the surface of the signal electrode is removed by roughing. The roughened surface is used as a surface treated face. A coating of fluororesin is provided on the surface treated face for lining or thermal welding to the lining material. A signal electrode is provided in the resin lining. Since the oxide film was removed from the surface of the signal electrode for roughening, the adhesive force of the coating of the fluororesin is increased. The fluororesin coating and the resin lining melt each other, and the fluororesin coating is strongly bonded to the resin lining. The adhesion between the signal electrode and the resin lining is increased without opening a hole in the signal electrode. A method uses a primer film formed by substrate treatment on the surface of the signal electrode. |
| US08120366B2 |
Cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge with trigger plate
To provide a cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge that does not have a complicated structure and can induce discharge in a short time even after the cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge is used for a long time. A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge has a rod-like anode 2, a measuring element enclosure (cathode) 1 arranged to surround the anode, and a magnet 3 disposed on the outer periphery of the cathode 1. A discharge trigger supporting electrode 5 having a projection 21 directed toward the center axis of the anode 2 is disposed in a discharge space 9 of the cathode 1. The discharge trigger supporting electrode 5 is removably disposed on the cathode 1, and the distance between the tip of the projection 21 of the discharge trigger supporting electrode 5 and the anode 2 is equal to or more than 0.3 mm. |
| US08120359B2 |
Magnetic resonance apparatus and method for determining a pulse sequence to feed an RF radiating coil
In a magnetic resonance apparatus having an RF radiating coil and gradient coils, and in a method for operating such a magnetic resonance apparatus, a pulse sequence, composed of multiple time steps, is specified for operating the gradient coils to time-dependently select regions of a selected slice of a selected volume of a subject. A non-linear equation system is then solved to obtain feed parameters for individual channels of the transmit coil for each time step, with specification of a desired target magnetization, and dependent on the pulse sequence specified for the gradient coils. The non-linear equation system is based on discrete values for time and space variable and, in addition to equations resulting from the Bloch equation, which are non-linear in their feed parameters, includes at least one additional equation that describes boundary conditions for the examination of the subject. |
| US08120356B2 |
Measurement methodology and array structure for statistical stress and test of reliabilty structures
System and method for obtaining statistics in a fast and simplified manner at the wafer level while using wafer-level test equipment. The system and method performs a parallel stress of all of the DUTs on a given chip to keep the stress time short, and then allows each DUT on that chip to be tested individually while keeping the other DUTs on that chip under stress to avoid any relaxation. In one application, the obtained statistics enable analysis of Negative Temperature Bias Instability (NTBI) phenomena of transistor devices. Although obtaining statistics may be more crucial for NBTI because of its known behavior as the device narrows, the structure and methodology, with minor appropriate adjustments, could be used for stressing multiple DUTs for many technology reliability mechanisms. |
| US08120355B1 |
Magnetic anomaly detector
A magnetic anomaly detector includes a magnetically active device which produces analog signals in response to magnetic fields. The analog signals are time quantized and then discrete-time differentiated. The differentiated signals are applied to a low-pass filter. The filtered signals are Fourier transformed into an amplitude-frequency spectrum. An error detector compares at least one reference amplitude-frequency spectrum with the reference spectrum to identify the presence or absence of a magnetic anomaly. The resulting error is displayed on a monitor or operates an alarm. |
| US08120352B2 |
Device for self-adjusting and method for arranging an impulse transmitter in relation to a rotor
An apparatus for self-adjustment of, and a method for disposing, a pulse-type rotation speed transducer in relation to a rotor are described. The pulse-type rotation speed transducer has a cylindrical sensor head and an adapter to a measurement and power supply cable. An elastic clamping sleeve that radially encompasses the cylindrical sensor head is disposed in frictionally engaged fashion in a bore of a holder, the clamping sleeve forming a press fit for the sensor head in the bore. The press fit enables a rotation and an axial displacement between the holder and sensor head. The pulse-type rotation speed transducer has an active, orientation-dependent, cylindrical sensor head, and the clamping sleeve or the pulse-type rotation speed transducer has a twist prevention system in relation to the holder. The twist prevention system enables an axial displacement of the sensor head in the clamping sleeve with respect to the rotor, for self-adjustment, while maintaining the radial alignment or orientation of the sensor head with respect to the rotor. |
| US08120348B2 |
Power converter with improved line transient response, control circuit for power converter, and method for improving line transient response
The present invention discloses a power converter with improved line transient, comprising: a power stage circuit including at least one power transistor switch which operates to convert an input voltage to an output voltage; an error amplifier comparing a feedback signal with a reference signal to generate an error signal; an input voltage instant variation extraction circuit extracting an instant variation of the input voltage and generating a signal relating to the instant variation; and a PWM comparator generating a PWM signal according to at least a ramp signal, the error signal, and the signal relating to the instant variation, to thereby control the operation of the power transistor switch in the power stage circuit. |
| US08120344B2 |
Power supply unit and portable device
A power supply unit, adapted to provide a predetermined output voltage from its output circuit, compares a feedback voltage associated with the output voltage of the output circuit with a reference voltage so as to control the output circuit. The power supply unit is enabled and disabled in response to an externally supplied operation command signal. The reference voltage is generated by a reference voltage generation circuit, which is operable on the voltage of the operation command signal, and is controllably enabled when the voltage of the operation command signal exceeds a predetermined level, but otherwise disabled. Thus, the reference voltage is stabilized to improve the ripple rejection characteristic of the power supply unit without increasing its current consumption. |
| US08120343B2 |
Switching power supply and semiconductor device used for the same
According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an overcurrent from passing through a switching element 1 during overcurrent protection and reduce power consumption during standby while detecting an output voltage immediately after power-on and achieving soft start control without being restricted by time. |
| US08120335B2 |
Average inductor current mode switching converters
An average current mode switching converter is described for providing a regulated output current independent of load conditions, and a regulated output voltage as a function of the load connected to the converter. The converter includes an inductor, a modulator, a feedback loop, and a precharger. The modulator is configured to provide a regulated current through the inductor The feed back loop is coupled between the inductor and the modulator for regulating the current through the inductor. The precharger is configured and arranged so as to provide and maintain a preset minimum current through the inductor independent of the load so as to improve the recovery time of the converter from a step in the desired regulated output current. Also disclosed is a method of providing a regulated output current independent of load conditions at the output of an average current mode switching converter, and a regulated output voltage as a function of the load connected to the output of converter. The method includes the steps of providing a regulated current through an inductor; and regulating the current through the inductor independent of the load so that a minimum current flows through the inductor so as to improve the recovery time of the converter from a step in the desired regulated output current. |
| US08120333B2 |
Method of charging double electric layer electrochemical capacitors
The present invention is directed to methods for the automatic charging of an electrochemical electrical energy storage device. Charging may be performed until a pre-assigned voltage increment value measured across the terminals of the storage device is reached. Recurrent periods of charging and rest may be employed, with measurements of voltage taken and voltage increment determined after the passage of an assigned quantity of electrical energy. Automatic completion of the charging process is provided for, irrespective of the design features and number of energy storage devices (e.g., capacitors) in a module, the initial state of charge and/or temperature of the storage device, or the value and/or time instability of the charging current. |
| US08120325B2 |
Battery short circuit monitoring
A system measures a voltage of a battery of a user device, measures a temperature and an acceleration of the battery if a decrease in battery voltage is measured, and determines whether the battery is functioning properly based on one or more of the measured voltage, temperature, or acceleration of the battery. |
| US08120321B2 |
Device for improving the charging or discharging process of a battery
A device for balancing a plurality of at least two batteries or cells of a multicell battery comprises a multicell battery and a battery management system with a balancing circuit. Thereby all individual battery cells are connected to the battery monitoring system, wherein the battery monitoring system measures single cell voltage as well as the battery temperature and the current. The battery monitoring system is able to discern the lowest cell voltage and to discern a number of cells having a voltage higher than a determined maximum allowable voltage, which will be balanced until the charge imbalance decreases to an acceptable amount. The battery management system is active during charging and discharging of the multicell battery and the thresholds vary with the state of the battery. |
| US08120320B2 |
Method for updating minimum and maximum energy storage values
A battery control system comprises a battery control module, an averaging module, and a supervisor module. The battery control module measures voltages of N energy storage blocks, wherein N is an integer greater than one, and determines a first voltage of the voltages at a first rate. The first voltage is one of a maximum voltage and a minimum voltage. The averaging module calculates an average voltage at a second rate that is greater than the first rate. The average voltage is based on a measured total voltage of an energy storage pack including the N energy storage blocks. The supervisor module generates an updated voltage based on the first voltage and the average voltage and controls a vehicle system based on the updated voltage. |
| US08120319B2 |
Set battery control method and set battery control circuit as well as charging circuit and battery pack having the set battery control circuit
A set battery control circuit includes: a voltage detection portion that detects a terminal voltage across each secondary battery in a set battery formed by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series; a discharge portion that discharges the plurality of secondary batteries; and an imbalance reduction processing portion that performs imbalance reduction processing at set timing preset as timing at which terminal voltages across the plurality of secondary batteries become voltages at or below a cut-off voltage of discharge preset as a voltage at which discharge is to end in such a manner that a secondary battery having a terminal voltage higher than a lowest voltage, which is a lowest terminal voltage among the terminal voltages across the plurality of secondary batteries detected by the voltage detection portion, is discharged by means of the discharge portion so that a difference among the terminal voltages across the respective secondary batteries is lessened. |
| US08120316B2 |
Wireless charging system
A wireless charging system charging an electronic device wirelessly via electromagnetic induction between a number of transmitting coils formed in the wireless charging system and a receiving coil formed in the electronic device. The wireless charging system selects the transmitting coil aligned with the receiving coil most accurately for transmitting electromagnetic energy in order to improving the energy conversion efficiency between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil. |
| US08120311B2 |
Inductive power supply system with battery type detection
An inductive power supply system to wirelessly charge a remote device based on detected battery characteristics. The system includes an inductive power supply with a primary coil capable of inductively providing power to a secondary coil in a remote device. The inductive power supply and remote device include communication means for wirelessly communicating. The system further includes a remote device, having a battery with detectable battery characteristics. In operation, the remote device is capable of detecting the battery characteristics by applying a qualification charge to the battery. The inductive power supply system is capable of identifying the battery installed in the remote device by analyzing the detected battery characteristics. The inductive power supply system selects an appropriate charging algorithm based on the analyzed characteristics. |
| US08120310B2 |
Methods and systems for charging electric vehicles using solar power
A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle that includes a charging controller and a battery. The method includes coupling a trailer to the electric vehicle, and electrically coupling a portable solar charging assembly to the charging controller, wherein the solar charging assembly is mounted to the trailer and includes at least one solar panel. The method also includes converting solar energy into electrical energy using the at least one solar panel, and transmitting the electrical energy to the charging controller. |
| US08120309B2 |
Apparatus and method for charging a first battery from a second battery
A charger that charges at least one first battery from at least one second battery, with the first battery to be charged and the second charging battery arranged in a charger, and with the capacity of the first battery to be charged being substantially less than that of the second charging battery and wherein the charger is in the form of a thin substantially cylindrical pen. |
| US08120296B2 |
Motor magnetic pole position detecting device
A motor magnetic pole position detecting device includes a detection current command generation unit generating a detection AC current command, a current detection section detecting a current flowing into the motor, a coordinate conversion unit vector-converting the current detected by the current detection section into an excitation component and a torque component both represented by a d-q orthogonal coordinate system based on a phase angle obtained at any rotational frequency, a current control unit delivering a voltage command to current-control the motor based on the detection current command and the current converted by the coordinate conversion unit, an inductance calculation unit calculating motor inductance based on the voltage command and the current converted by the coordinate conversion unit, and a magnetic pole position detection section calculating a frequency and phase of the inductance calculated by the inductance calculation unit, converting the inductance phase into a motor magnetic pole position. |
| US08120293B2 |
Control apparatus for open/close member and method for controlling open/close member
An apparatus that controls opening and closing of a roof glass is disclosed. The apparatus includes a drive motor that is actuated to selectively open and close the roof glass. The apparatus stores a count value that changes in correspondence with operation of the drive motor. The apparatus detects the number of cycles of reset starting and determines whether the detected number of the reset starting cycles is in a predetermined acceptable range. The apparatus switches initial setting, in accordance with which the relative relationship between the actual open/closed position of the roof glass and the count value is determined, to a non-set state if it is determined that the number of the reset starting cycles exceeds the acceptable range. |
| US08120292B2 |
Automated shade control reflectance module
Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis. |
| US08120290B2 |
Energy management system to improve efficiency of electric and hybrid drive trains
A propulsion system is provided that includes an electric drive, a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive through a direct current (DC) link, and a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive. The propulsion system further includes a multi-channel bi-directional boost converter coupled to the first energy storage system and to the second energy storage system such that the second energy storage system is decouplable from the DC link, wherein the second energy storage system comprises at least one battery coupled in series with at least one ultracapacitor. |
| US08120289B2 |
Optical electrical system in package for LED based lighting system
Packaged semiconductor electronic device to be individually positioned and coupled to peripheral electronic devices, the package comprising a light emitting semiconductor device, and a switch for controlling the light emitting semiconductor device. |
| US08120286B2 |
Control system for fluorescent light fixture
A ballast module regulates power output to a fluorescent light. The ballast module includes a component. A temperature sensor senses temperature of the component. A control module adjusts power output to the fluorescent light based on the temperature of the component sensed by the temperature sensor. The control module adjusts power to the fluorescent light by reducing the power output to the fluorescent light or increasing the power output to the fluorescent light. |
| US08120281B2 |
Light beam control system for a spatial light modulator
According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a light beam control system includes a positive intrinsic negative diode coupled to a controller circuit. The positive intrinsic negative diode receives a portion of a light beam generated by a light source and converts the portion into a measured intensity. The controller circuit receives the measured intensity, determines an output signal according to the measured intensity and a reference, and adjusts the light beam according to the output signal. |
| US08120279B2 |
Color adjustable lamp
A color adjustable lamp may be controlled using a TRIAC dimmer circuit and includes a lamp driving circuit and two or more light sources. Each light source may output light having a different color. By setting an output intensity of each light source, light having a desired color may be output. A circuit or a processing unit of the lamp driving circuit may detect a set phase angle of the TRIAC dimmer circuit by determining a shape of the supplied alternating voltage. According to the determined shape, the circuit or processing unit controls a lamp driver circuit for each light source in order to control the intensity of the light output by each light source and set the color of the color adjustable lamp by adjusting the intensity of the light emitted by each light source. |
| US08120277B2 |
Hybrid-control current driver for dimming and color mixing in display and illumination systems
A control/driver circuit produces variable current output for a lighting system providing improved dimming and color-mixing capability by allowing digital modulation control in addition to analog control over a range of illumination intensities. The circuit and method described is preferably adapted to higher current applications such as LED lighting systems using high-power LEDs. The output current of the circuit varies in proportion to the voltage level of an analog control signal, and additionally in proportion to the relative duty cycle of a digital pulsed control input. |
| US08120276B2 |
Light source emitting mixed-colored light and method for controlling the color locus of such a light source
A light source (10) is disclosed, emitting multi-colored light with light of at least two different colors, emitted from a number of primary light sources (1) wherein the primary light sources (1) are divided into groups and the brightness values of the primary light sources (1) within a group are determined and controlled separately according to color, such that the color location of the multi-colored light lies in a given region of the CIE standard color diagram. The invention further relates to a method for controlling such a light source (10) and an illumination device with such a light source (10), for example, for backlighting a display. |
| US08120273B2 |
Light control system with PWM duty cycle control using current signal feedback
A light control system having a light emitting device to produce a pre-determined light output is disclosed. The light control system includes a power circuit in electrical communication with the light emitting device for transmitting an electrical current to the light emitting device for controlling the light output, a timing circuit in electrical communication with the power circuit, wherein the timing circuit generates a pre-determined timing sequence and regulates a duty cycle of the power circuit in response to the timing sequence, and a feedback circuit in communication with the light emitting devices and the timing circuit, wherein the feedback circuit is adapted to monitor an electrical characteristic of the light emitting devices and control the timing sequence of the timing circuit in response to the electrical characteristics of the light emitting devices. |
| US08120270B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for operating a discharge lamp with preheatable electrodes
A circuit arrangement for operating a discharge lamp (LA) with preheatable electrodes comprising: an input terminal for applying an input voltage (UE); an output terminal for providing an output voltage (UA) to a lamp generator (LG) for operating the discharge lamp (LA); a switching unit (14) for power factor correction which is coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal; a monitoring apparatus (20) which is adapted to switch off the lamp generator (LG) in the event of the presence of at least one switch-off criterion; an integrated circuit (16), which is adapted to drive the switching unit (14) for power factor correction, the integrated circuit (16) having a disable input; and a blocking apparatus (18), which is adapted to generate a blocking signal at its output when the lamp generator (LG) is switched off, the output of the blocking apparatus (18) being coupled to the disable input of the integrated circuit (16). |
| US08120266B2 |
Driving circuit for driving a load
A driving circuit comprises a first and a second switching circuit coupled in parallel to a node which is adapted to be coupled to a load, a first and a second detecting circuit, and a synchronizing circuit having an input coupled to the first and second detecting circuits and having an output coupled to the first and second switching circuits. The first detecting circuit detects a current associated with the first switching circuit and the second detecting circuit detects a current associated with the second switching circuit. The synchronizing circuit operates the first and second switching circuits to switch synchronously to a conducting state, and operates the first and second switching circuits to switch synchronously to a non-conducting state in the event that one of the first and second detecting circuits detects a current equal to or higher than a threshold value. |
| US08120261B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display and driving method thereof
An organic electroluminescence display device is disclosed. The display comprises pixels which emit light according to data signals by controlling current from a pixel power supply through an organic light emitting diode, and to a ground power supply. In order to eliminate an initial glare, the pixel power supply is gradually provided to the pixels, and after a delay, the ground power supply is then gradually provided to the pixels. |
| US08120259B2 |
Impedance matching methods and systems performing the same
Provided are an impedance matching method and a matching system performing the same. The method includes: measuring an electrical characteristic of the power transmission line; determining a pulse mode of the power source; extracting a control parameter for impedance matching from the electrical characteristic of the power transmission line; and controlling the matching system through the control parameter, wherein the matching system is controlled differently according to the pulse mode. |
| US08120257B2 |
Organic electroluminescence lighting device
An organic electroluminescence lighting device includes a planar organic electroluminescence element; a planer heat diffusion plate provided on one surface of the organic electroluminescence element; and a constant current circuit element that is placed so as to contact the heat diffusion plate and supplies a constant current to the organic electroluminescence element. |
| US08120251B2 |
Electroluminescent display and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is an electroluminescent display that includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a light-emitting element array, a sealing member, and a supporting structure. The first substrate and the second substrate are opposite to each other, and the light-emitting element array is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The sealing member is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate such that an enclosed space is defined by the first substrate, the second substrate and the sealing member. The light-emitting element array is disposed within the enclosed space. The supporting structure is disposed between and interconnects the first substrate and the second substrate while does not form an enclosed space therewith. The sealing member and the supporting structure are both formed of a same glass frit. |
| US08120250B2 |
Light emitter
A light emitter is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the light emitter comprises a substrate having a substrate surface; a light emitting diode located on the substrate surface; an encapsulant located on the substrate surface and encapsulating the light emitting diode; and a reflector cup attached to the substrate, the reflector cup having a reflector cup first side and a reflector cup second side with a hole extending between the reflector cup first side and the reflector cup second side, wherein the reflector cup first side is attached to the substrate surface so that the hole in the reflector cup first side encompasses the light emitting diode. |
| US08120247B2 |
Light emitting device with a plurality of uniform diameter ceramic spherical color converter elements
The invention relates to a light emitting device comprising at least one light source and at least one ceramic spherical color converter material, which helps to ease the manufacture as well as to improve the luminescence properties of the light emitting device. |
| US08120246B2 |
Display device with improved moisture prevention and production method for the same
A display device and a production method for the display device having a pixel region formed by arraying a plurality of pixels each having an organic layer held by a lower electrode and an upper electrode on a substrate are provided. The production method for the display device of the invention includes, in one embodiment, a first step of forming a first insulating film on the substrate, a second step of forming a plurality of such lower electrodes each corresponding to each of the pixels on the first insulating film in the pixel region, forming a conductive film on the first insulating film in a peripheral region outside the pixel region, and forming a hole, in the conductive film, which extends to the first insulating film, and a third step of performing a bake treatment on the substrate on which the lower electrode and the conductive film are provided. |
| US08120239B2 |
Infrared display with luminescent quantum dots
A display device that includes an underlying excitation source, a converting layer, and an optical filter layer. The underlying excitation source emits light in a spatial pattern that may or may not be altered in time and has a short wavelength capable of being at least partially absorbed by the overlying converting layer. The converting layer can be a contiguous film or pixels of quantum dots that can be dispersed in a matrix material. This converting layer is capable of absorbing at least a portion of the wavelength(s) of the light from the underlying excitation source and emitting light at one or more different wavelengths. The optical filter layer prevents the residual light from the excitation source that was not absorbed by the converting layer from being emitted by the display device. |
| US08120238B2 |
Deep ultraviolet semiconductor optical device
A large-area and high-luminance deep ultraviolet light source device is provided under circumstances where the scales of existing mercury lamps used as ultraviolet light sources cannot be reduced and light-emitting diodes of 365 nm or less do not reach the practical level. The deep ultraviolet light source device comprises at least an anode substrate having an ultraviolet phosphor thin film doped with rare-earth metal ions such as gadolinium (Gd) ions and containing with aluminum nitride as the host material, a cathode substrate having a field electron emission material thin film, a spacer for holding the anode substrate and the cathode substrate opposite to each other and maintaining the space between the substrates in a vacuum atmosphere, and a voltage circuit for applying an electric field to the space between the anode substrate and the cathode substrate. Light is emitted by injecting electrons from the field electron emission material thin film into the ultraviolet phosphor thin film by applying the electric field to the space between the substrates and maintaining the space between the anode substrate and the cathode substrate as a vacuum channel region. |
| US08120235B2 |
Spark plug for internal combustion engine and method for manufacturing spark plug
A spark plug including a center electrode and a ground electrode. A center electrode noble metal tip is joined to a leading end portion of a center electrode, and a ground electrode noble metal tip is joined to a center-electrode-side side surface of the ground electrode. A distal end portion of the ground electrode noble metal tip protrudes from a distal-end surface of the ground electrode by 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm. A center-electrode-side side surface of the ground electrode noble metal tip projects from a center-electrode-side side surface by 0.15 mm to 0.6 mm. The ground electrode includes chamfered portions. Thickness lengths and widthwise lengths of the respective chamfered portions achieved within a cross section perpendicular to a center axis of the ground electrode are set to 0.2 mm or more. |
| US08120234B2 |
Piezoelectric frames and piezoelectric devices comprising same
Piezoelectric frames are disclosed that include a tuning-fork type piezoelectric vibrating portion having a pair of vibrating arms extending from a base portion in a first direction (Y-direction). The vibrating arms have a first width W1. A respective excitation electrode is formed on each vibrating arm. Supporting arms extend from the base portion in the first direction, outboard of respective vibrating arms. The supporting arms have a second width W2. A respective connecting arm extends from each supporting arm in a second direction that crosses the first direction. An outer frame connects to the connecting arms, has a side extending in the first direction with a third width W3, and has another side extending in the second direction with a fourth width W4. The second width W2 is 1.4 times smaller than the first width W1. |
| US08120227B2 |
Projecting pole rotor comprising coil end support plates and rotary electric machine comprising one such rotor
A rotor of a rotary electric machine comprising a rotor shaft, a stack of laminations, which is coaxial to the rotor shaft and which comprises at least two radially-projecting poles, a field coil which is wound around each pole, such that the ends of the coil project out axially in relation to each external axial end radial face of the lamination stack and two plates for supporting the lamination stack, which are disposed axially on either side of the stack, housings being provided in the internal radial face of each plate for receiving the coil ends. At least one of the housings comprises a contact surface with the external radial face of the associated coil end. |
| US08120226B2 |
Methods and apparatus for an electric machine with a cast rotor
A squirrel cage rotor structure used in connection with an electrical machine is formed from a high-strength, high-conductivity, and heat-treatable aluminum alloy, e.g., a T61 tempered aluminum alloy, such as A6101-T61. The resulting structure has improved strength compared to conventional pure aluminum structures, while at the same time limiting the reduction in electrical conductivity. |
| US08120224B2 |
Permanent-magnet switched-flux machine
A permanent-magnet switched-flux (PMSF) device has an outer rotor mounted to a shaft about a central axis extending axially through the PMSF device. First and second pluralities of permanent-magnets (PMs) are respectively mounted in first and second circles, radially outwardly in first and second transverse planes extending from first and second sections of the central axis adjacent to an inner surface of the outer rotor. An inner stator is coupled to the shaft and has i) a stator core having a core axis co-axial with the central axis; and ii) first and second pluralities of stator poles mounted in first and second circles, radially outwardly from the stator core axis in the first and second transverse planes. The first and second pluralities of PMs each include PMs of alternating polarity. |
| US08120222B2 |
Rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor arranged to rotate inside the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to produce a radial magnetic flux in an airgap between the rotor and the stator. The machine also includes a stationary excitation coil. The rotor also includes a plurality of low reluctance elements. A current through the stationary excitation coil causes a magnetic flux to be established in a magnetic flux path which passes into the rotor through a first low reluctance element and out of the rotor through a second low reluctance element, which magnetic flux combines with the radial magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnets in the airgap. This arrangement can allow control of the field within a permanent magnet radial flux machine. |
| US08120219B2 |
Transmitter cover with mounting ring
The production costs of electrical machines are to be reduced. To this end, it should be possible to use standard transmitters for different axis heights of the electrical machine. The invention therefore provides a transmitter cover for an electrical machine, having a pot-like hood (11) for mounting on the electrical machine and for covering a transmitter, wherein the hood (11) has a central axis. The transmitter cover also has a mounting ring (10) which engages on the hood (11) in an interlocking manner. As a result, the hood (11) is pressed against the electrical machine in the axial direction when the mounting ring (10) is fixed to the electrical machine. This can prevent fastening screws (13) colliding with other fastening screws on the motor, this possibly being the case when only the hood (11) is used to cover the transmitter. |
| US08120210B2 |
Method and device for line-switching of MEMS matrix and AMDF
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for line-switching in an automated main distribution frame (AMDF) which may solve the problem of contact point damage which may occur during hot switching of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) matrix, and further solve the corresponding problems which may occur during the line-switching in AMDF. In particular, the present invention is preferably embodied in the following way: when switching operation of a switch unit in MEMS is to be performed, the current introduced into MEMS matrix is firstly cut off, and is then recovered when the switching operation is finished, so as to prevent the “agglutinate” phenomena. Therefore, the present invention provides corresponding protection for the switching process of MEMS matrix relays in AMDF, and effectively prevents the “agglutinate” phenomena when the switch unit in MEMS matrix performs switching operation, whereby the reliability of AMDF is enhanced. |
| US08120208B2 |
Impedance-based power supply switch optimization
In one embodiment, a power gated circuit block includes power switches that couple at least one of the power supply grids within the block to the global power supply grids of the integrated circuit. The power switches receive an enable that indicates whether or not the power gated block is enabled or disabled. If the power gated block is enabled, the power switches are turned on and electrically connect the global power supply grid with the internal (or local) power supply grid; otherwise the power switches electrically isolate the local power supply grid from the global power supply grid. The power switches are physically distributed over an area occupied by the power gated block, including near an edge of the area. The number of power switches near the edge is greater than the number of switches included at other locations in the area to provide a worst case impedance experienced at points throughout the area that is approximately equal. |
| US08120202B2 |
Electric power transmission system for wind turbine and wind turbine farm and method for operating same
A method of operating a wind turbine includes energizing at least a portion of a power conversion assembly via an alternating current (AC) power source. The method also includes converting AC power to direct current (DC) power having a DC component and an AC component via the power conversion assembly. The method further includes transmitting the DC component and the AC component through a DC power transmission line. The method also includes separating the DC component from the AC component. The method further includes transmitting the AC component to at least one wind turbine electrical device. |
| US08120201B2 |
LED vehicle lighting apparatus
An LED vehicle lighting apparatus including a fail-safe function can supply a plurality of LEDs connected in series with a requisite voltage that is larger than a supply voltage of a battery. The vehicle lighting apparatus can include a DC-DC convertor and a subsidiary feed circuit. The DC-DC convertor can be configured to supply the LEDs with a substantially constant current by a controller. At least one output of the subsidiary feed circuit is connected to an LED in the LEDs, and a switching element can also be connected between the LED and ground. When the controller has a breakdown or trouble, LEDs between the LED and ground can be directly lighted by the battery in accordance with a signal provided by the controller. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide various LED lighting apparatuses including a user friendly fail-safe function. |
| US08120196B1 |
Wave-powered water wheel type generator
A Styrofoam-filled plastic cylinder that has collapsible paddle wheel fins attached about the circumference. Two shafts extend from the ends of the cylinder. The shafts are held by bearings. The bearings are attached to a frame structure that is embedded into the seabed. The shafts then extend past the bearings and are connected to a gear drive system that, in turn, connected to generators or other mechanical devices. When installed in the sea, the cylinder will turn in the swells/tidal action for as long as the ocean produces waves. Platforms on either side of the cylinder rise and fall with tidal action to maintain effective contact with the water at all times. Moreover, because the structure is positioned at or near the water surface, maintenance is much simpler for this device. |
| US08120191B1 |
Efficient energy conversion devices and methods
In various embodiments, an apparatus for producing electricity includes a plurality of hydraulic-to-electric converters with each hydraulic-to-electric converters including a hydraulic motor coupled to a common high-pressure hydraulic line and a common low-pressure hydraulic line, a controllable hydraulic switch hydraulically coupled to each respective hydraulic motor, each controllable hydraulic switch being capable of controllably placing the respective hydraulic motor on-line by allowing flow of hydraulic fluid from the common high-pressure hydraulic line through its respective hydraulic motor or off-line by preventing flow of hydraulic fluid from the common high-pressure hydraulic line through its respective hydraulic motor, and an electric generator mechanically coupled to each respective hydraulic motor and configured to generate electricity when hydraulic fluid flows through the respective hydraulic motor. The apparatus further includes a control system coupled to each controllable hydraulic switch configured to place individual hydraulic motors on-line or off-line as a function of available energy provided by the high-pressure line. |
| US08120190B2 |
Shopping cart with a self-charging system
A shopping cart is equipped with an electrical/electronic component(s), such as a shopping assistant, that is electrically powered by a rechargeable power supply. A system is provided for continuously recharging the power supply as the shopping cart is propelled by the customer. In one embodiment, the wheels of the shopping cart are linked to a potential energy storage component, such as a coil spring. The spring is wound with each movement of the shopping cart, regardless of the distance that the cart travels. When the coil spring has been wound to a pre-determined torque, the spring is released to drive an input to an electrical generator. Once the potential energy in the spring has been dissipated the winding cycle begins again. |
| US08120182B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising conductive lines and contact structures and method of manufacturing an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit comprises a first conductive lines and second lines as well as contact structures being in contact with the first and second conductive lines. The first conductive lines are arranged in a first metallization level, and second conductive lines are arranged in a second metallization level arranged above the first metallization level. The second conductive lines are arranged above the contact structures, and a pitch of neighboring contact structures is equal to a pitch of neighboring second conductive lines. The distance between neighboring contact structures is smaller than 100 nm. |
| US08120179B2 |
Air gap interconnect structures and methods for forming the same
A metal interconnect structure includes at least a pair of metal lines, a cavity therebetween, and a dielectric metal-diffusion barrier layer located on at least one portion of walls of the cavity. After formation of a cavity between the pair of metal lines, the dielectric metal-diffusion barrier layer is formed on the exposed surfaces of the cavity. A dielectric material layer is formed above the pair of metal lines to encapsulate the cavity. The dielectric metal-diffusion barrier layer prevents diffusion of metal and impurities from one metal line to another metal line and vice versa, thereby preventing electrical shorts between the pair of metal lines. |
| US08120178B2 |
Tuning fork vibration device and method for manufacturing the same
A tuning fork vibration device includes: a SOI substrate having a substrate, an oxide layer formed above the substrate and a semiconductor layer formed above the oxide layer; a tuning fork type vibration section that is formed by processing the semiconductor layer and the oxide layer and composed of the semiconductor layer; and a driving section for generating flexural vibration of the vibration section, wherein the vibration section includes a support section and two beam sections formed in a cantilever shape with the support section as a base of the beam sections, and the driving section includes a pair of drivers formed on each of the two beam sections, each of the drivers including a first electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer formed above the first electrode layer and a second electrode layer formed above the piezoelectric layer. |
| US08120176B2 |
Semiconductor device having a conductive bump
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a bonding pad disposed thereon. The semiconductor device also includes a passivation layer, a buffer layer, and an insulating layer sequentially stacked on the semiconductor substrate. According to one aspect, a first recess is defined within the passivation layer, the buffer layer, and the insulating layer to expose at least a region of the bonding pad and a second recess is defined within the insulating layer to expose at least a region of the buffer layer and spaced apart from the first recess such that a portion of the insulating layer is interposed therebetween. Further, the semiconductor device includes a conductive solder bump disposed within the first and second recesses. The conductive solder bump may be connected to the bonding pad in the first recess and supported by the buffer layer through a protrusion of the conductive solder bump extending into the second recess. |
| US08120175B2 |
Soft error rate mitigation by interconnect structure
A method creates a structure that comprises a carrier connected to an integrated circuit chip by pillars and openings. Thus, in this structure, at least one conductive pillar extends a distance or height from the surface of the integrated circuit chip and a barrier surrounds the lower portion of the conductive pillar such that the barrier covers at least some portion of the height of the pillar that is closest to the chip surface. There is at least one opening in the carrier that is large enough to accommodate the conductive pillar and the barrier, and the conductive pillar and the barrier are positioned in opening. A solder is used in the bottom of the opening to connect the conductive pillar to the bottom of the opening. The barrier prevents the solder from contacting the portion of the conductive pillar protected by the barrier. |
| US08120174B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a technique capable of suppressing variations in the height of each solder ball where an NSMD is used as a structure for each land. Vias that extend through a wiring board are provided. Lands are formed at the back surface of the wiring board so as to be coupled directly to the vias respectively. The lands are respectively formed so as to be internally included in openings defined in a solder resist. Half balls are mounted over the lands respectively. Namely, the present invention has a feature in that the configuration of coupling between each of the lands and its corresponding via both formed at the back surface of the wiring board is taken as a land on via structure and a configuration form of each land is taken as an NSMD. |
| US08120168B2 |
Methods and materials useful for chip stacking, chip and wafer bonding
Materials, and methods that use such materials, that are useful for forming chip stacks, chip and wafer bonding and wafer thinning are disclosed. Such methods and materials provide strong bonds while also being readily removed with little or no residues. |
| US08120166B2 |
Semiconductor package and method of manufacturing the same, and semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor package of the present invention, includes a wiring substrate, a lead pin fixed to a connection pad on one surface side of the wiring substrate by solder, and a reinforcing resin layer formed on a surface of the wiring substrate on which the lead pin is provided and having a projection-shaped resin portion which projects locally around the lead pin and covers a side surface of a base portion side of the lead pin. The projection-shaped resin portion has a top surface extending from an outer peripheral portion of the lead pin to an outside, and a side surface constituting a non-identical surface to the top surface. |
| US08120165B2 |
Semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: preparing a wiring board having a base substrate and wiring that is plated on surface with a plating metal; pressing a bump that is formed on the active side of the semiconductor chip against an end part of the wiring of the wiring board, thereby exfoliating the area surrounding the pressed portion of the wiring from the base substrate while keeping the end of the wiring bonded with the base substrate; melting the plating metal that is located on the end part of the wiring, thereby causing the plating metal and the bump to form an alloy that bonds the bump and the wiring and infiltrate the plating metal into a space between the wiring and the base substrate; and judging that the bump and the wiring are well bonded if the plating metal has infiltrated a space between the wiring and the base substrate so as to have an area, width or length of infiltration that exceeds a reference value. |
| US08120164B2 |
Semiconductor chip package, printed circuit board assembly including the same and manufacturing methods thereof
A semiconductor chip package and printed circuit board assembly including the same which have a variable mounting orientation include a semiconductor chip disposed on a first surface of an insulating substrate, connectors symmetrically disposed at respective first and opposite second sides of the insulating substrate, a plurality of input/output connecting leads and power connecting leads electrically connected by connecting members to a plurality of internal circuits of the semiconductor chip, at least two internal circuits of the plurality of internal circuits being substantially similar circuits, and a radiating pad disposed on a second opposite surface of the insulating substrate and which is electrically connected to the semiconductor chip. |
| US08120163B2 |
Non-reciprocal device having grounding arrangement and method of installation thereof
A structure of a high frequency non-reciprocal passive device, such as circulator/isolator and method of installation. The structure includes a substantially rigid lip with cutouts for hot leads to go through. The walls of the cutout are situated in close proximity and symmetrically to the leads. The structure also having mounting holes. The installation process includes a step of putting the structure into a pocket in a carrier wherein a defined amount of a low heat transfer/electrical resistance substance, for example a grease, is located. The size of the lip is larger than the size of the pocket. Therefore the structure is supported on the rim of the pocket, while its portion which is under the lip and having smaller size is located in the pocket. Mounting screws can provide a predetermined pressure to the carrier by the device housing. By this, the lip is provided a reliable grounding in close proximity to the hot leads of the device, while the gap between the bottom of the pocket and the housing of the device is also defined and kept. |
| US08120160B2 |
Integrated circuit device including a bifunctional core material in a chamber
A method is disclosed for forming a chamber in an electronic device, including the steps of preparing an outer surface on a solidified core material, the solidified core material in a depression formed in a substrate. The method further includes establishing a layer on the prepared outer surface of the solidified core material and a portion of the substrate surrounding the depression. The established layer and the substrate define a chamber. |
| US08120152B2 |
Advanced quad flat no lead chip package having marking and corner lead features and manufacturing methods thereof
A semiconductor package and related methods are described. In one embodiment, the package includes a die pad, a first plurality of leads disposed in a lead placement area around the die pad, a second plurality of leads disposed in corner regions of the lead placement area, a semiconductor chip on the die pad and coupled to each lead, and a package body. Each lead includes an upper sloped portion and a lower sloped portion. An average of surface areas of lower surfaces of each of the second plurality of leads is at least twice as large as an average of surface areas of lower surfaces of each of the first plurality of leads. The package body substantially covers the upper sloped portions of the leads. The lower sloped portions of the leads at least partially extend outwardly from a lower surface of the package body. |
| US08120149B2 |
Integrated circuit package system
An integrated circuit package system is provided forming a lead finger from a padless lead frame, forming a lead tip hole in the lead finger, mounting an integrated circuit die having a solder bump on the lead finger, and reflowing the solder bump on the lead tip hole of the lead finger. |
| US08120146B2 |
Protected semiconductor device and method of manufacturing thereof
The semiconductor device (100) comprises at least one semiconductor element (20), a metallization structure comprising a first (31) and a second line (32) and extending thereon a resistor. An electrically insulating protection layer (36) is present on the resistor (35) and is defined in a pattern that is substantially identical to the resistor pattern and has a temperature stability up to a temperature that is at least equal to a deposition temperature of a passivation layer (37) to be deposited thereon so as to cover the metallization structure. Both the resistor (35) and the protection layer (36) are deposited conformally on the metallization structure and any underlying substrate. |
| US08120145B2 |
Structure for a through-silicon-via on-chip passive MMW bandpass filter
A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a substrate including a silicon layer. Furthermore, the design structure includes a metal layer on a bottom side of the silicon layer and a dielectric layer on a top side of the silicon layer. Additionally, the design structure includes a top-side interconnect of the through-silicon via bandpass filter on a surface of the dielectric layer and a plurality of contacts in the dielectric layer in contact with the top-side interconnect. Further, the design structure includes a plurality of through-silicon vias through the substrate and in contact with the plurality of contacts, respectively, and the metal layer. |
| US08120143B2 |
Integrated circuit comb capacitor
The invention is directed to an integrated circuit comb capacitor with capacitor electrodes that have an increased capacitance between neighboring capacitor electrodes as compared with other interconnects and via contacts formed in the same metal wiring level and at the same pitches. The invention achieves a capacitor that minimizes capacitance tolerance and preserves symmetry in parasitic electrode-substrate capacitive coupling, without adversely affecting other interconnects and via contacts formed in the same wiring level, through the use of, at most, one additional noncritical, photomask. |
| US08120141B2 |
Method and structure to prevent circuit network charging during fabrication of integrated circuits
An integrated circuit and method of fabricating the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, including: one or more power distribution networks; one or more ground distribution networks; one or more data networks; and fuses temporarily and electrically connecting power, ground or data wires of the same or different networks together, the same or different networks selected from the group consisting of the one or more power distribution networks, the one or more ground distribution networks, the one or more data networks, and combinations thereof. |
| US08120139B2 |
Void isolated III-nitride device
Isolation of III-nitride devices may be performed with a dopant selective etch that provides a smooth profile with little crystal damage in comparison to previously used isolation techniques. The dopant selective etch may be an electro-chemical or photo-electro-chemical etch. The desired isolation area may be identified by changing the conductivity type of the semiconductor material to be etched. The etch process can remove a conductive layer to isolate a device atop the conductive layer. The etch process can be self stopping, where the process automatically terminates when the selectively doped semiconductor material is removed. |
| US08120138B2 |
High-Z structure and method for co-alignment of mixed optical and electron beam lithographic fabrication levels
A structure for aligning a first set of features of a fabrication level of an integrated circuit chip to an electron beam alignment target. The structure including a first trench in a semiconductor substrate, the first trench extending from a top surface of the substrate into the substrate a first distance; an electron back-scattering layer in a bottom of the first trench; a dielectric capping layer in the trench over the back-scattering layer; and a second trench in the substrate, the second trench extending from the top surface of the substrate into the substrate a second distance, the second distance less than the first distance. |
| US08120136B2 |
Bipolar transistor
A bipolar transistor comprising an emitter region, a base region and a collector region, and a guard region spaced from and surrounding the base. The guard region can be formed in the same steps that form the base, and can serve to spread out the depletion layer in operation. |
| US08120133B2 |
Micro-actuator and locking switch
A micro-electromechanical actuator employs metal for the hot arm and silicon for at least the flexible portion of the cold arm. The cold arm made of silicon is coupled to a metal wire that moves with it and is used to carry the signal to be switched when at least two of such actuators are formed into a switch. Arrays of such switches on a first chip may be cooperatively arranged with a second chip that is flip-chip bonded to the first chip, the second chip having thereon wires routing the electrical control currents to the various hot arms for heating them as well as the signals to be switched by the various switches. |
| US08120132B2 |
Holey electrode grids for photovoltaic cells with subwavelength and superwavelength feature sizes
A photovoltaic cell and a method of forming an electrode grid on a photovoltaic semiconductor substrate of a photovoltaic cell are disclosed. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic cell comprises a photovoltaic semiconductor substrate; a back electrode electrically connected to a back surface of the substrate; and a front electrode electrically connected to a front surface of the substrate. The substrate, back electrode, and front electrode form an electric circuit for generating an electric current when said substrate absorbs light. The front electrode is comprised of a metal grid defining a multitude of holes. These holes may be periodic, aperiodic, or partially periodic. The front electrode may be formed by depositing nanospheres on the substrate; forming a metallic layer on the substrate, around the nanospheres; and removing the nanospheres, leaving an electrode grid defining a multitude of holes on the substrate. |
| US08120131B2 |
Array of alpha particle sensors
An array of radiation sensors or detectors is integrated within a three-dimensional semiconductor IC. The sensor array is located relatively close to the device layer of a circuit (e.g., a microprocessor) to be protected from the adverse effects of the ionizing radiation particles. As such, the location where the radiation particles intersect the device layer can be calculated with coarse precision (e.g., to within 10 s of microns). |
| US08120125B2 |
MEMS devices having overlying support structures
Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, portions of the rivet structures extend through the movable layer and contact underlying layers. In other embodiments, the material used to form the rigid support structures may also be used to passivate otherwise exposed electrical leads in electrical connection with the MEMS devices, protecting the electrical leads from damage or other interference. |
| US08120124B2 |
Ultra thin TCS (SiCl4) cell nitride for DRAM capacitor with DCS (SiH2Cl2) interface seeding layer
A method for forming silicon nitride films on semiconductor devices is provided. In one embodiment of the method, a silicon-comprising substrate is first exposed to a mixture of dichlorosilane (DCS) and a nitrogen-comprising gas to deposit a thin silicon nitride seeding layer on the surface, and then exposed to a mixture of silicon tetrachloride (TCS) and a nitrogen comprising gas to deposit a TCS silicon nitride layer on the DCS seeding layer. In another embodiment, the method involves first nitridizing the surface of the silicon-comprising substrate prior to forming the DCS nitride seeding layer and the TCS nitride layer. The method achieves a TCS nitride layer having a sufficient thickness to eliminate bubbling and punch-through problems and provide high electrical performance regardless of the substrate type. Also provided are methods of forming a capacitor, and the resulting capacitor structures. |
| US08120118B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
Provided is a highly reliable semiconductor device equipped with a plurality of semiconductor elements having desired properties, respectively; and a manufacturing method facilitating the manufacture of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is manufactured by forming a gate-electrode metal film having a thickness of from 3 to 30 nm over the entire upper surface of a gate insulating film; forming an n-side cap layer having a thickness of 10 nm or less over the entire upper surface of a portion of the gate-electrode metal film belonging to an nFET region by using a material different from that of the gate-electrode metal film; and carrying out heat treatment over the n-side cap layer to diffuse the material of the n-side cap layer into the gate-electrode metal film immediately below the n-side cap layer and react them to form an n-side gate-electrode metal film in a nFET region. A poly-Si layer is then deposited, followed by gate electrode processing. |
| US08120117B2 |
Semiconductor device with metal gate
Gate electrode structures having a thin layer of ReO3 formed with high effective work function and high heat resistance are disclosed. The thin layer of ReO3 is formed by providing a semiconductor structure having an oxygen-containing metal alloy layer and a rhenium layer. A heat annealing step diffuses Re from the rhenium layer through the high-oxygen containing metal alloy layer to form a thin layer of ReO3. |
| US08120115B2 |
Tunnel field-effect transistor with gated tunnel barrier
A tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) is disclosed. In one aspect, the transistor comprises a gate that does not align with a drain, and only overlap with the source extending at least up to the interface of the source-channel region and optionally overlaps with part of the channel. Due to the shorter gate, the total gate capacitance is reduced, which is directly reflected in an improved switching speed of the device. In addition to the advantage of an improved switching speed, the transistor also has a processing advantage (no alignment of the gate with the drain is necessary), as well as a performance improvement (the ambipolar behavior of the TFET is reduced). |
| US08120105B2 |
Lateral DMOS field effect transistor with reduced threshold voltage and self-aligned drift region
A method of forming a lateral DMOS transistor includes performing a low energy implantation using a first dopant type and being applied to the entire device area. The dopants of the low energy implantation are blocked by the conductive gate. The method further includes performing a high energy implantation using a third dopant type and being applied to the entire device area. The dopants of the high energy implantation penetrate the conductive gate and is introduced into the entire device active area including underneath the conductive gate. After annealing, a double-diffused lightly doped drain (DLDD) region is formed from the high and low energy implantations and is used as a drift region of the lateral DMOS transistor. The DLDD region overlaps with the body region at a channel region and interacts with the dopants of the body region to adjust a threshold voltage of the lateral DMOS transistor. |
| US08120098B2 |
Semiconductor device and power converter using the same
A semiconductor device which can avoid increase of a conduction loss of an IGBT, secure a low noise characteristic and also reduce a switch loss. The switching device is of a trench gate type, in which a drift n− layer 110 is exposed to its main surface to a floating p layer 126 and to trench gates. In other words, the floating p layer 126 is provided within the drift n− layer 110 to be spaced from the trench gates. |
| US08120095B2 |
High-density, trench-based non-volatile random access SONOS memory SOC applications
The present invention provides two-transistor silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (2-Tr SONOS) non-volatile memory cells with randomly accessible storage locations as well as a design structure including the semiconductor memory devices embodied in a machine readable medium. In one embodiment, a 2-Tr SONOS cell is provided in which the select transistor is located with a trench structure having trench depth from 1 to 2 μm and the memory transistor is located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate adjoining the trench structure. In another embodiment, a 2-Tr SONOS memory cell is provided in which both the select transistor and the memory transistor are located within a trench structure having the depth mentioned above. |
| US08120094B2 |
Shallow trench isolation with improved structure and method of forming
A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure has a top portion tapering in width from wide to narrow in a direction from a substrate surface, from a first width at a top of the first portion to a second width at a bottom of the first portion. The STI structure also includes a bottom portion below the top portion, which expands from the bottom of the top portion to a substantially widened lateral distance having a third width. The third width is, in general, substantially larger than the second width. The inventive STI structure can provide desired isolation characteristics with a significantly reduced aspect ratio, thus suitable for device isolations in advanced processing technology. |
| US08120088B1 |
Non-volatile memory cell and array
Memory cells and arrays have reduced bit line resistance. An element conductor is disposed on the top of the bit line to reduce the resistance of the bit line while maintaining a shallow bit line junction so that 200 Ohm/square or lower sheet resistances are achieved with the bit line junctions typically 20 nanometers or shallower while the doping levels in the junctions are below about 5×1019 atoms/cm3. |
| US08120081B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method for manufacturing same
In a back-illuminated solid-state imaging device, a multilayer interconnect layer, a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of color filters, and a plurality of microlenses are provided in this order. A p-type region is formed so as to partition a lower portion of the semiconductor substrate into a plurality of regions, and an insulating member illustratively made of BSG is buried immediately above the p-type region. PD regions are isolated from each other by the p-type region and the insulating member. Moreover, a high-concentration region is formed in a lower portion of the PD region, and an upper portion is served as a low-concentration region. |
| US08120080B2 |
Image sensor and manufacturing method of image sensor
An image sensor includes a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate, a first reflection part formed in the trench and having an inclined, curved surface, a second reflection part formed on the first reflection part such that a remaining space of the trench is filled with the second reflection part, and a vertical type photodiode formed on a region of the substrate between trenches. A method for forming the image sensor includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate, forming a first reflection part having an inclined, curved surface in the trench, forming a second reflection part on the first reflection part such that a remaining space of the trench is filled with the second reflection part, and forming a vertical type photodiode on a region of the substrate between trenches. |
| US08120078B2 |
Photodiode structure
A photodiode structure including a semiconductor of a first conductivity type, the semiconductor having a main surface, a first well formed in the semiconductor at the main surface thereof, the first well being of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. A second well formed in the semiconductor at the main surface thereof laterally outside the first well, the second well being of the second conductivity type, and a first terminal electrically connecting the first well and the second well, and a second terminal connecting the semiconductor such that a depletion region of laterally varying distance to the main surface results from applying a reverse voltage to the first and second terminals. |
| US08120075B1 |
Semiconductor device with improved trenches
A semiconductor device exhibiting enhanced carrier mobility within a channel region of the semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack having first and second sidewall spacers, where the gate stack is implemented above the channel region of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device further includes first and second trenches formed adjacent to the gate stack, where the first and second trenches are conically shaped to be wider at a top portion of each trench as compared to a width of each trench below the top portion of each trench. The semiconductor device further includes strained silicon alloy formed within the first and second trenches, where a stress force exerted on the channel region of the semiconductor device is maximized at a surface of the semiconductor device below the gate stack. |
| US08120072B2 |
JFET devices with increased barrier height and methods of making same
Devices and methods for providing JFET transistors with improved operating characteristics are provided. Specifically, one or more embodiments of the present invention relate to JFET transistors with a higher diode turn-on voltage. For example, one or more embodiments include a JFET with a doped silicon-carbide gate, while other embodiments include a JFET with a metal gate. One or more embodiments also relate to systems and devices in which the improved JFET may be employed, as well as methods of manufacturing the improved JFET. |
| US08120068B2 |
Three-dimensional memory structures having shared pillar memory cells
A three-dimensional non-volatile memory system is disclosed including a memory array utilizing shared pillar structures for memory cell formation. A shared pillar structure includes two non-volatile storage elements. A first end surface of each pillar contacts one array line from a first set of array lines and a second end surface of each pillar contacts two array lines from a second set of array lines that is vertically separated from the first set of array lines. Each pillar includes a first subset of layers that are divided into portions for the individual storage elements in the pillar. Each pillar includes a second subset of layers that is shared between both non-volatile storage elements formed in the pillar. The individual storage elements each include a steering element and a state change element. |
| US08120065B2 |
Tensile strained NMOS transistor using group III-N source/drain regions
Enhancement mode transistors are described where a Group III-N compound is used in the source and drain regions to place tensile strain on the channel. The source and drain regions may be raised or embedded, and fabricated in conjunction with recessed or raised compression regions for p channel transistors. |
| US08120062B2 |
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor and method for fabricating the same
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The CMOS image sensor includes: a first conductive type substrate including a trench; a channel stop layer formed by using a first conductive type epitaxial layer over an inner surface of the trench; a device isolation layer formed on the channel stop layer to fill the trench; a second conductive type photodiode formed in a portion of the substrate in one side of the channel stop layer; and a transfer gate structure formed on the substrate adjacent to the photodiode to transfer photo-electrons generated from the photodiode. |
| US08120060B2 |
Monolithically integrated silicon and III-V electronics
Methods and structures for monolithically integrating monocrystalline silicon and monocrystalline non-silicon materials and devices are provided. In one structure, a monolithically integrated semiconductor device structure comprises a silicon substrate and a first monocrystalline semiconductor layer disposed over the silicon substrate, wherein the first monocrystalline semiconductor layer has a lattice constant different from a lattice constant of relaxed silicon. The structure also includes an insulating layer disposed over the first monocrystalline semiconductor layer in a first region and a monocrystalline silicon layer disposed over the insulating layer in the first region. The structure includes at least one silicon-based electronic device comprising an element including at least a portion of the monocrystalline silicon layer. The structure includes a second monocrystalline semiconductor layer disposed over at least a portion of the first monocrystalline semiconductor layer in a second region and absent from the first region, wherein the second monocrystalline semiconductor layer has a lattice constant different from the lattice constant of relaxed silicon. The structure also includes at least one III-V electronic device comprising an element including at least a portion of the second monocrystalline semiconductor layer. |
| US08120058B2 |
High-drive current MOSFET
A method of forming a semiconductor device having an asymmetrical source and drain. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a gate structure on a first portion of the substrate having a well of a first conductivity. A source region of a second conductivity and drain region of the second conductivity is formed within the well of the first conductivity in a portion of the substrate that is adjacent to the first portion of the substrate on which the gate structure is present. A doped region of a second conductivity is formed within the drain region to provide an integrated bipolar transistor on a drain side of the semiconductor device, in which a collector is provided by the well of the first conductivity, the base is provided by the drain region of the second conductivity and the emitter is provided by the doped region of the second conductivity that is present in the drain region. A semiconductor device formed by the above-described method is also provided. |
| US08120057B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element
The present invention provides a light emitting element capable or realizing at least one of lower resistance, higher output, higher power efficiency (1 m/W), higher mass productivity and lower cost of the element using a light transmissive electrode for an electrode arranged exterior to the light emitting structure. A semiconductor light emitting element includes a light emitting section, a first electrode and a second electrode on a semiconductor structure including first and second conductive type semiconductor layers, the first and the second electrodes respectively including at least two layers of a first layer of a light transmissive conductive film conducting to the first and the second conductive type semiconductor and a second layer arranged so as to conduct with the first layer. First and second light transmissive insulating films are respectively arranged so as to overlap at least one part of the first and the second layers. |
| US08120055B2 |
Light source
Embodiments of a light source are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the light source comprises a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal comprises a first terminal first portion and a first terminal second portion, wherein at least a portion of the first terminal second portion is located on a first plane, the first terminal second portion comprising at least two contacts separated by a space. A second terminal comprises a second terminal first portion and a second terminal second portion. The second terminal first portion is located proximate the first terminal first portion. The second terminal second portion is located substantially on the first plane and in the space. A light emitter is affixed to the first terminal first portion, the light emitter is electrically connected to the first terminal first portion. A connection exists between the light emitter and the second terminal first portion. |
| US08120053B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
Disclosed is a semiconductor light emitting device. An embodiment of the semiconductor light emitting device includes a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer under the first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer under the active layer, a second electrode layer under the second conductive semiconductor layer, and a transmissive conductive layer at least one part between the second conductive semiconductor layer and the second electrode layer. |
| US08120051B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element
A semiconductor light emitting element includes a group III-V compound semiconductor layer, a first main surface and a second main surface, a reflection metal film formed on the second main surface, a front surface electrode formed on the first main surface, and an ohmic contact joint part formed between the reflection metal film and the group III-V compound semiconductor layer except a region directly under the front surface electrode. The ohmic contact joint part is disposed in a side of an outer peripheral part of the semiconductor light emitting element, formed so as to surround the front surface electrode when the ohmic contact joint part is viewed from a side of the front surface electrode, and disposed so that distance from each location of outer edge parts of the front surface electrode to the ohmic contact joint part nearest to the each location becomes equal to each other. |
| US08120050B2 |
Light-emitting element
A light-emitting element includes a semiconductor substrate, a light emitting layer portion including an active layer on the semiconductor substrate, a first reflective layer between the semiconductor substrate and the active layer for reflecting light emitted from the active layer; and a second reflective layer between the semiconductor substrate and the first reflective layer for reflecting light with a wavelength different from that of the light reflected by the first reflective layer. The second reflective layer reflects light with a wavelength longer than that of the light reflected by the first reflective layer. |
| US08120048B2 |
LED unit
An LED unit includes an LED and a lens mounted on the LED. The lens includes a light-incident face adjacent to the LED, a light-emergent face remote from the LED, and a light-reflecting face between the light-incident face and the light-emergent face. The light-incident face includes a first light-incident face facing the LED, and the light-emergent face includes a first light-emergent face located opposite to the first light-incident face. The first light-incident face is a continuously curved face which has a curvature, along a bottom-to-top direction of the lens, firstly decreasing gradually to a first value; then increasing gradually to a second value; then decreasing gradually again to a third value; and then increasing gradually again. The light-emergent face has a first light-emergent face located above the first light-incident face and having a varied curvature. |
| US08120039B2 |
Semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device, typically an active matrix display device, the structure of TFTs arranged in the respective circuits are made suitable in accordance with the function of the circuit, and along with improving the operating characteristics and the reliability of the semiconductor device, the manufacturing cost is reduced and the yield is increased by reducing the number of process steps. A semiconductor device has a semiconductor layer, an insulating film formed contacting the semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode having a tapered portion on the insulating film, in the semiconductor device, the semiconductor layer has a channel forming region, a first impurity region for forming a source region or a drain region and containing a single conductivity type impurity element, and a second impurity region for forming an LDD region contacting the channel forming region, a portion of the second impurity region is formed overlapping a gate electrode, and the concentration of the single conductivity type impurity element contained in the second impurity region becomes larger with distance from the channel forming region. |
| US08120037B2 |
System for displaying images
A system for displaying images is disclosed. The system includes a self-emitting display device including an array substrate having a pixel region. A light-emitting diode is disposed on the array substrate of the pixel region. First and second driving thin film transistors are electrically connected to a light-emitting diode. The first driving thin film transistor includes a first gate and an active layer stacked on the array substrate of the pixel region and the second driving thin film transistor includes the active layer and a second gate thereon. The first gate is coupled to a first voltage and the second gate is coupled to a second voltage different from the first voltage during the same frame. |
| US08120034B2 |
Integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing integrated circuit device
An object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a thin film circuit portion and a method for manufacturing a thin film circuit portion by which an electrode for connecting to an external portion can be easily formed under a thin film circuit. A stacked body including a first insulating film, a thin film circuit formed over one surface of the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed over the thin film circuit, an electrode formed over the second insulating film, and a resin film formed over the electrode, is formed. A conductive film is formed adjacent to the other surface of the first insulating film of the stacked body to be overlapped with the electrode. The conductive film is irradiated with a laser. |
| US08120030B2 |
Thin film transistor and display device
Off current of a bottom gate thin film transistor in which a semiconductor layer is shielded from light by a gate electrode is reduced. A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode layer; a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer, provided on and in contact with the first semiconductor layer; a gate insulating layer between and in contact with the gate electrode layer and the first semiconductor layer; impurity semiconductor layers in contact with the second semiconductor layer; and source and drain electrode layers partially in contact with the impurity semiconductor layers and the first and second semiconductor layers. The entire surface of the first semiconductor layer on the gate electrode layer side is covered by the gate electrode layer; and a potential barrier at a portion where the first semiconductor layer is in contact with the source or drain electrode layer is 0.5 eV or more. |
| US08120029B2 |
Thin film transistor and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a thin film transistor (TFT). The TFT may include an intermediate layer between a channel and a source and drain. An increased off current, which may occur to a drain area of the TFT, is reduced due to the intermediate layer. Accordingly, the TFT may be stably driven. |
| US08120028B2 |
Active device array substrate, color filter substrate and manufacturing methods thereof
An active device array substrate comprising a substrate, a pixel array, a partition configuration and an alignment material layer is provided. The substrate has an alignment region and a predetermined sealing region. The predetermined sealing region surrounds the alignment region. The pixel array is disposed on the substrate within the alignment region. The partition configuration is disposed on the substrate between the predetermined sealing region and the alignment region. The alignment material layer is disposed within the alignment region and covers the pixel array. |
| US08120027B2 |
Backside nanoscale texturing to improve IR response of silicon solar cells and photodetectors
The absorption coefficient of silicon for infrared light is very low and most solar cells absorb very little of the infrared light energy in sunlight. Very thick cells of crystalline silicon can be used to increase the absorption of infrared light energy but the cost of thick crystalline cells is prohibitive. The present invention relates to the use of less expensive microcrystalline silicon solar cells and the use of backside texturing with diffusive scattering to give a very large increase in the absorption of infrared light. Backside texturing with diffusive scattering and with a smooth front surface of the solar cell results in multiple internal reflections, light trapping, and a large enhancement of the absorption of infrared solar energy. |
| US08120024B2 |
Semiconductor package having test pads on top and bottom substrate surfaces and method of testing same
A semiconductor package and testing method is disclosed. The package includes a substrate having top and bottom surfaces, a semiconductor chip mounted in a centrally located semiconductor chip mounting area of the substrate, and a plurality of test pads disposed on top and bottom surfaces of the substrate and comprising a first group of test pads configured on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate and having a first height above the respective top and bottom surface of the substrate, and a second group of test pads disposed on the lower surface of the substrate and having a second height greater than the first, wherein each one of the second group of test pads includes a solder ball attached thereto. |
| US08120023B2 |
Low crosstalk, front-side illuminated, back-side contact photodiode array
The present invention is directed to novel front side illuminated, back side contact photodiodes and arrays thereof. In one embodiment, the photodiode has a substrate with at least a first and a second side and a plurality of electrical contacts physically confined to the second side. The electrical contacts are in electrical communication with the first side through a doped region of a first type and a doped region of a second type, each of the regions substantially extending from the first side through to the second side. In another embodiment, the photodiode comprises a wafer with at least a first and a second side; and a plurality of electrical contacts physically confined to the second side, where the electrical contacts are in electrical communication with the first side through a diffusion of a p+ region through the wafer and a diffusion of an n+ region through the wafer. |
| US08120020B2 |
Organic light emitting device
An organic light emitting device (OLED) including: a substrate; a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; a first blue light emitting layer, a green light emitting layer, a red light emitting layer, and a second blue light emitting layer all interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a color filter disposed in a path of light emitted from the light emitting layers, wherein the first blue light emitting layer includes a deep blue dopant, and the second blue light emitting layer includes a sky blue dopant. |
| US08120017B2 |
Organic light emitting display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display (OLED) and a method of manufacturing the OLED is disclosed. The OLED, which has a transparent metal layer substantially preventing an oxide layer from forming on a pad metal, and a method of manufacturing the OLED are disclosed. The OLED includes a substrate, a display unit formed on the substrate including gate and source/drain electrodes, and a pad unit formed on the substrate configured to transmit electrical signals to the display unit. The pad unit includes a wiring line terminal in which a transparent metal layer is formed in a predetermined shape and a predetermined region. |
| US08120015B2 |
Resonant structure comprising wire and resonant tunneling transistor
A resonant structure is provided, including a first terminal, a second terminal which faces the first terminal, a wire unit which connects the first terminal and the second terminal, a third terminal which is spaced apart at a certain distance from the wire unit and which resonates the wire unit, and a potential barrier unit which is formed on the wire unit and which provides a negative resistance component. Accordingly, transduction efficiency can be enhanced. |
| US08120005B2 |
Phase change memory devices and their methods of fabrication
In an embodiment, a phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type and a first interlayer insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A hole penetrates the first interlayer insulating layer. A first and a second semiconductor pattern are sequentially stacked in a lower region of the hole. A cell electrode is provided on the second semiconductor pattern. The cell electrode has a lower surface than a top surface of the first interlayer insulating layer. A confined phase change material pattern fills the hole on the cell electrode. An upper electrode is disposed on the phase change material pattern. The phase change material pattern in the hole is self-aligned with the first and second semiconductor patterns by the hole. A method of fabricating the phase change memory device is also provided. |
| US08120004B2 |
Storage node, phase change memory device and methods of operating and fabricating the same
A storage node, a phase change memory device, and methods of operating and fabricating the same are provided. The storage node may include a lower electrode, a phase change layer on the lower electrode and an upper electrode on the phase change layer, and the lower electrode and the upper electrode may be composed of thermoelectric materials having a melting point higher than that of the phase change layer, and having different conductivity types. An upper surface of the lower electrode may have a recessed shape, and a lower electrode contact layer may be provided between the lower electrode and the phase change layer. A thickness of the phase change layer may be about 100 nm or less, and the lower electrode may be composed of an n-type thermoelectric material, and the upper electrode may be composed of a p-type thermoelectric material, or they may be composed on the contrary to the above. Seeback coefficients of the lower electrode, the phase change layer, and the upper electrode may be different from each other. |
| US08120003B2 |
Nanowire magnetic random access memory
An integrated array of non volatile magnetic memory devices, each having a first magnetic layer (10) with a fixed magnetization direction; a free magnetic layer (20) with a changeable magnetization direction; a spacer layer (30) separating the first magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer, and a switch (40) for selecting the device, the layers and at least part of the switch being formed as a columnar structure such as a nanowire. The switch is preferably formed integrally with the columnar nano-structure. By incorporating the switch in the columnar structure with the magnetic layers, the device can be made smaller to enable greater integration. This can be applied to magnetic devices using external fields or those using only fields generated in the columnar structure. A write current can be coupled along the columnar structure in a forward or reverse direction to alter the direction of magnetization of the free magnetic layer according to the direction of the current. |
| US08119998B2 |
Methods and systems for in situ physicochemical property testing
An apparatus for evaluating physicochemical properties of sample materials contained in an array of vessels includes: a light detector; a light source for transmitting a light beam through the sample material in a vessel to the light detector; an analyzer for processing data from the light detector to determine concentration-related properties of the sample material as a function of time; and a mixing system. The mixing system includes: a plurality of magnetic stirrer elements, each for being placed in a sample material in a different one of the array of vessels; an array of magnetic drive elements, each associated with a different one of the array of vessels and being magnetically coupled with a magnetic stirrer element in an associated vessel; and a drive mechanism coupled to the array of magnetic drive elements for simultaneously moving each of the magnetic drive elements relative to an associated vessel. |
| US08119993B2 |
Method for detecting contamination on a moving object
A method for detecting contamination on a moving object moving in a longitudinal direction past a plurality of detectors, wherein during the movement of the object past the detectors, a count rate is recorded repeatedly at each of the detectors, and before an evaluation whether contamination is present, the recorded count rates are subjected to a validity test as to whether the count rates recorded by the detectors belong to a class of predetermined reference patterns for the count rates. |
| US08119992B2 |
System for overlay measurement in semiconductor manufacturing
Provided is a system for overlay measurement in semiconductor manufacturing that includes a generator for exposing an overlay target to radiation and a detector for detecting reflected beams of the overlay target. The reflected beams are for overlay measurement and include at least two different beams. |
| US08119991B2 |
Method and apparatus for accurate calibration of VUV reflectometer
A calibration technique is provided that utilizes a standard sample that allows for calibration in the wavelengths of interest even when the standard sample may exhibit significant reflectance variations at those wavelengths for subtle variations in the properties of the standard sample. A second sample, a reference sample may have a relatively featureless reflectance spectrum over the same spectral region and is used in combination with the calibration sample to achieve the calibration. In one embodiment the spectral region may include the VUV spectral region. |
| US08119989B2 |
Device and method for terahertz imaging with combining terahertz technology and amplitude-division interference technology
This invention provides a device and a method for THz imaging to obtain real 3D image of sample and achieve high resolution, by combining THz technology and amplitude-division interference technology. |
| US08119987B2 |
Process and apparatus for the measurement of thermal radiation using regular glass optics and short-wave infrared detectors
An infrared measurement apparatus and method to detect and view ambient-temperature objects using short-wave infrared (“SWIR”) detectors which operate in a wavelength region from 2.0 μm to 2.5 μm. |
| US08119986B1 |
Infrared imaging for evaluating performance characteristics
A system and method for enhancing inspections using infrared cameras through in-field displays and operator-assisted performance calculations. A handheld infrared imaging system typically includes an infrared camera having a programmed computer and an interactive user interface suitable for displaying images and prompting response and accepting input from the infrared camera operator in the field during an inspection. An operator may designate at least one thing of interest on a displayed infrared image; and the programmed computer may uses a performance algorithm to estimate performance associated with the thing of interest. The programmed computer may extract information or parameters from previously measured data. The programmed computer may vary the way in which it displays new measurements based on the information extracted from the stored data. One or more of the parameters extracted from the IR image may be adapted to provide an automated alert to the user. |
| US08119984B2 |
Method and apparatus for generation of reagent ions in a mass spectrometer
A front-end reagent ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed. Reagent vapor is supplied to a reagent ionization volume located within a chamber of the mass spectrometer and maintained at a low vacuum pressure. Reagent ions are formed by interaction of the reagent vapor molecules with an electrical discharge (e.g., a glow discharge) within the ionization volume, and pass into the chamber of the mass spectrometer. At least one ion optical element located along the analyte ion path transports the reagent ions to successive chambers of the mass spectrometer. The reagent ions may be combined with the analyte ions to perform ion-ion studies such as electron transfer dissociation (ETD). |
| US08119983B2 |
GC-MS analyzer switchable between one-dimensional and two-dimensional modes
One-dimensional GC-MS/olfactory analysis and two-dimensional GC-MS/olfactory analysis can be freely performed in one analyzer by a simple switching operation, without changing the device configuration. An odor component analyzer is used which includes a sample injection port equipped with a pressure control device, a GC first dimensional column connected to the sample injection port, a three-way connector T1-2 connected to the GC first dimensional column, three-way connectors T1-1, T1-3 each connected to the three-way connector T1-2, a solenoid valve connected to the three-way connectors T1-1, T1-3 and serving to adjust flow channels of the three-way connectors T1-1, T1-3, a first pressure control device connected to the solenoid valve, a three-way connector T2-1 connected to the three-way connector T1-3, a second pressure control device connected to the three-way connector T2-1, a three-way connector T2-2 connected to the three-way connector T2-1, a three-way connector T2-3 connected to the three-way connector T2-2, a mass analyzer and an olfactory device each connected to the three-way connector T2-3, and a GC second dimensional column connected to the three-way connector T1-1 and the three-way connector T2-2. |
| US08119982B2 |
Method and system for mass spectrometry data analysis
In the process of identifying a protein by analyzing and processing mass spectrum data obtained for each micro area (pixel) created by subdividing a two-dimensional area on a sample, mass windows including a peak or peaks on the mass spectrum of each pixel are set (S10), and an integrated value of the ion intensities of the peaks included in each mass window is calculated (S11). For each mass window, a mapping image is created by collecting the integrated intensity values of the pixels (S12), and the mass windows are grouped by evaluating the similarity of the mapping images (S13 and S14). The peaks included in the mass windows belonging to the same group are regarded as originating from the same kind of substance, and those peaks are collected to create a mass spectrum (S15). Based on this spectrum, a protein is identified by a PMF method or the like. The present method can achieve a high level of identifying accuracy even if two or more kinds of proteins are mixed together. |
| US08119981B2 |
Mass spectrometer
A fault detection system for protecting a mass spectrometer from the effects of temperature extremes. The system comprises an ion block, a thermal source for providing thermal energy to the ion source block, a temperature sensor providing a reading for the temperature of the ion source block, a temperature regulation means for controlling the thermal source in dependence of the reading and a control system for monitoring the temperature change produced by the energy source. The control system is adapted to monitor the rate of change of the reading provided by the temperature sensor relative to the thermal energy provided to the ion block. |
| US08119980B2 |
Self-adaptive tuning of gamma camera
An improved system and method for tuning individual sensors (e.g., photomultiplier tubes) of a multi-sensor imaging system such as e.g., a gamma camera having an array of photo-multiplier tubes is provided that produces a uniform response over the entire system. Individual sensors of a multi-sensor imaging system are tuned based explicitly or implicitly on gain characteristics of individual sensors of the multi-sensor imaging system so as to produce a uniform response over the system. |
| US08119979B2 |
Fibre optic dosimeter
A dosimeter for radiation fields is described. The dosimeter includes a scintillator a light pipe having a first end in optical communication with the scintillator and a light detector. The light pipe may have a hollow core with a light reflective material about the periphery of the hollow core. The dosimeter may further include a light source that generates light for use as a calibrating signal for a measurement signal and/or for use to check the light pipe. |
| US08119977B2 |
Aerodynamic lens capable of focusing nanoparticles in a wide range
An aerodynamic lens includes a cylindrical hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, and first and second focusing parts formed in the body. The first focusing part includes a plurality of orifice lenses of which inner diameters (df) are gradually decreased in an advancing direction of particle. The second focusing part includes a plurality of orifice lenses of which inner diameters (df) are gradually increased in the advancing direction of particle. |
| US08119976B2 |
Optical-based cell deformability
A system, method, and device for re-orienting and/or deforming cells and other objects is provided. The system, method, and device may include a high-throughput setup that facilitates the ability to orient, deform, analyze, measure, and/or tag objects at a substantially higher rate than was previously possible. A relatively large number of cells and other objects can be deformed, by optical forces for example, as the cells and other objects a flowed through the system. |
| US08119973B2 |
Light receiving circuit
A light receiving circuit in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a photodiode 6 that converts an optical input signal into a current signal, and an I-V conversion circuit 8 that converts the current signal into a voltage signal. The light receiving circuit further includes a transient current processing circuit 21 that process a transient current from the I-V conversion amplifier 8 when the I-V conversion amplifier 8 is changed from an operating state to a non-operating state, and a clipping circuit 24 that keeps the voltage of the input terminal of the transient current processing circuit 21 at a predetermined value. |
| US08119972B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device having a low-pass filter for limiting signal frequencies passing to the output node of an inverting amplifier
The present invention refers, inter alia, to pixel circuits. The pixel circuit according to embodiments of the invention may include a photo-sensitive device having charge storage capability connected to a sense node. The pixel circuit may further include an inverting amplifier which is able to amplify a voltage from the sense node to a voltage on an output node of the amplifier, when being operated in open-loop configuration; and a reset switch being able to connect the input and output nodes of the inverting amplifier and thus to reset the inverting amplifier to an operating point providing high open loop gain by temporarily establishing negative feedback. Moreover, the pixel circuit may include a low-pass filter at the output node of the inverting amplifier for limiting the signal frequencies passing to the readout node to those frequencies that contain useful signal information. Additional and alternative embodiments are specified and claimed. |
| US08119971B2 |
Pulse data recorder in which a value held by a bit of a memory is determined by a state of a switch
A pulse data recorder system and method are provided. Upon the arrival or occurrence of an event or signal, the state of a digital switch is set. Upon receiving a pulse from a readout clock, the state of the switch is stored in a buffer memory, and the state of the switch is reset. As the readout clock is run, a time history of the state of the switch is obtained. The pulse data recorder can feature a plurality of unit cells, for use in imaging or other multiple pixel applications. |
| US08119970B2 |
Radiation image detection apparatus which controls a charge trap density
In a radiation image detection apparatus having a radiation image detector that includes the following stacked in the order listed below: a bias electrode, a photoconductive layer, a substrate side charge transport layer, and an active matrix substrate, the radiation image detector does not include an area adjacent to the interface between the substrate side charge transport layer and photoconductive layer having an oxygen or chlorine element density not less than two times the average density of oxygen or chlorine element in the substrate side charge transport layer. |
| US08119968B2 |
Multifunctional rear view mirror mounted device for bicycles which provides display information
A multifunctional safety, information and comfort device to be mounted on a vehicle, preferably a bicycle, comprises a rear-view mirror, an alphanumeric and iconographic display, sensors for measuring kinetic and environmental parameters, electronic components for measuring time and controlling said device, and an independent power supply. |
| US08119962B2 |
Control signal generation of a solar panel orientation system with interference reduction using an infrared filter
Disclosed are a system and methods of control signal generation of a solar panel orientation system with interference reduction using an infrared filter. In one embodiment, a solar panel orientation system includes a sensor that generates a control signal component when the sensor receives an ultraviolet part of a radiation signal. The system further includes an additional sensor coupled to the sensor that generates an additional control signal component when the additional sensor receives an additional ultraviolet part of the radiation signal. The control signal component and the additional control signal component each include one or more of a voltage and a current. In addition, the system includes an infrared filter that reduces an interference caused by an infrared part of the radiation signal. |
| US08119960B2 |
Light emitting type lighting system, method of light emitting type lighting, and scanning optical microscope
Light emitter excitation light (108) of a wavelength λ1 emitted by a light source (101) is collected on a light emitter (107) by a collective lens (102). The light emitter (107) is held on a substrate (104), and emits fluorescent light of a wavelength λ2 when the light emitter excitation light (108) of the wavelength λ1 is irradiated. A diameter of the light emitter (107) being formed to be smaller than the wavelength λ2, this fluorescent light includes evanescent waves, and advances through the substrate (104) as an object illuminating light (109) having the light emitter (107) as a point light source. A negative refraction lens (105) is disposed such that an image of the light emitter (107) is formed on a surface of an object 106, and accordingly, not only a propagating-light component included but also a evanescent-wave component in the object illuminating light (109) is also collected simultaneously, and a minute beam spot of a size almost same as of the light emitter (107) is formed on the surface of the object (106). |
| US08119953B2 |
Heating control system using a fluid level sensor and a heating control element
A heating control system for controlling heating of a fluid contained in a fluid vessel using a fluid level sensor as a heating control element. The system includes a control circuit coupled with an electrical power system of a heating unit. The control circuit includes switching elements that are selectively activated or deactivated responsive to a low fluid level in a corresponding fluid vessel such that heating of the fluid is terminated as the level of fluid becomes less than a predetermined value. |
| US08119950B2 |
Laser apparatus for hard surface coatings
The present invention relates to hard coating of ferrous metal substrates using a laser beam with diamond particles in a metal matrix produced from precursor powders of metals which bond to the diamond particles and to the ferrous substrate. The hard coating is particularly useful for white iron castings for pumps (200) used in piping tar sand and water mixtures. |
| US08119947B2 |
Pivoting barrier for contact arm protection
A circuit breaker includes a pivoting arc barrier that is interposed between the moving contact arm axis of motion and the moving contact, so that arc gasses are deflected away from the contact arm structure. The pivoting arc barrier pivots in a complimentary motion path with that of the moving contact arm so that an arc shield face is interposed between the contact separation arc generated around the moving contact and the remaining arm structure to which the moving contact is affixed throughout the range of contact arm operational motion. The pivoting arc barrier moves independently of the moving contact arm and advantageously does not increase the contact arm mass or bulk swept volume through its range of motion. |
| US08119945B2 |
Self-illumination circuit board for computer keyboard
A self-illumination circuit board includes a double-layer substrate structure, a circuit layer embedded in the substrate structure and carrying a circuit layout, side-emitting light sources mounted in the substrate structure and electrically connected to the circuit layout for emitting light sideways, and light guide plates embedded in the substrate structure and respectively disposed adjacent to the side-emitting light sources for uniformly distributing light emitted from the side-emitting light sources over respective light exit surfaces thereof. The invention also provides a self-illumination keyboard using the self-illumination circuit board. |
| US08119943B2 |
Draw-out mechanism for molded case circuit breakers
A draw-out mechanism for a molded case circuit breaker includes a fixed side plate and a plurality of auxiliary contacts mounted to the fixed side plate. The draw-out mechanism also includes a movable member moveably mounted to the fixed side plate. The movable member includes a cam member that acts upon the plurality of auxiliary contacts. The draw-out unit further includes a front panel member having a visual indicator mechanism and a locking mechanism provided with a padlock locking arm, a door lock and a second lever. In addition, the draw-out unit includes a connector plate that operatively couples the movable member and the front panel member. The connector plate includes a plurality of adjustment portions that establish a desired extension of the connector plate relative to the movable member to accommodate a predetermined spacing between the movable member and the front panel member. |
| US08119940B2 |
Contact block
The present invention includes a contact block for a safety switch that has a support structure and a pair of electrical contacts that are fixed in position on the support structure. The contact block includes a contact block plunger provided with a bridging contact. The bridging contact extends through the contact block plunger, from one side to another, and protrudes from the sides of the contact block plunger. The contact block plunger is moveable in-between the fixed pair of electrical contacts to move the bridging contacts into and out of contact with the fixed pair of electrical contacts. A contact block guide extends along the support structure and between the pair of fixed electrical contacts and cooperates with the contact block plunger such that the contact block plunger is restricted to movement along the contact block guide. |
| US08119936B2 |
Mounting system with measurement of the weight of the occupant for a seat of a motor vehicle
Described herein is a mounting system with measurement of the weight of the occupant for a seat of a motor vehicle; the mounting system has a bottom frame rigidly connected to the bodywork of the motor vehicle, a top frame, which supports the seat and is mounted in a floating way on the bottom frame, and a plurality of weight sensors, each of which is set between the bottom frame and the top frame and is connected to the bottom frame or to the top frame by means of a single bolt integrated in the weight sensor itself and locked by a nut; a surface of the nut facing the weight sensor has a spherical shape, and set between the nut and the frame is a washer having a spherical central surface, which reproduces in negative form the shape of the corresponding spherical surface of the nut. |
| US08119935B2 |
Combination weigher provided with an inner chute and an outer chute
A combination weigher of the present invention comprises an inner chute which gathers objects which are discharged in an inward direction from weighing hoppers and discharges the objects, a plurality of outer chutes which gather the objects which are discharged in an outward direction from the weighing hoppers, a collecting hopper provided at discharge outlet of the inner chute, collecting hoppers provided at discharge outlets of the outer chutes, a lower chute which transfers the objects which are discharged from a collecting hopper, and discharges them from a discharge outlet at a bottom part thereof, and a control unit which is configured to switch a discharge direction of the weighing hoppers selected to make up of optimal combinations sequentially performed every time the combination process is performed, and according to these cause the collecting hopper and the collecting hopper to alternately discharge the objects. |
| US08119933B2 |
Duplex electrical connector with frustro-conical retaining ring and crimped inlet end
This disclosure is directed to electrical connectors, and more specifically to various types of electrical connectors, including an connector assembly having an integrally formed connector body having opposed end openings provided with an outer surface that slopes downwardly toward the outlet opening. The inlet opening having lips that are crimped retaining cable retainer inserts. A sloping or frustro-conical, snap fit, outer, retaining ring with locking tangs is provided for snap locking the outlet end portion of the connector body to an associated electric box or panel. The frustro-conical retaining ring has grounding tangs engaging the inner periphery of a knock out hole of an electric box or panel for effecting a positive electrical ground therebetween. |
| US08119932B2 |
Wiring board and method of manufacturing the same
First, a structure is fabricated by directly bonding a first base material and a second base material. The first base material has a recessed portion formed in a desired patterning layout on one surface thereof, and the bonding is performed in such a manner that the surface having the recessed portion of the first base material faces inward. Then, through holes are formed at desired positions in the structure in such a manner that the through holes pierce the structure in a direction of thickness thereof and communicate with the corresponding recessed portions. Further, an insulating layer is formed on the surface of the structure, and thereafter, a conductive material is filled into the through holes and the recessed portions. |
| US08119931B1 |
Differential vertical structure for high density, low layer count packages
A multilayer substrate minimizing differential loss is presented. The multilayer substrate for providing signals between an integrated circuit and a printed circuit board consists of a number of alternating electrically conductive and insulating layers. Differential signals are routed through the core insulating layer using differential pairs of plated through holes (PTHs). In addition, the multilayer substrate includes a number of plated through holes, which provide ground signals between conductive layers separated by the core layer. The multilayer substrate is configured such that a PTH providing ground is situated between each differential pair of plated ground holes, where the center or axis of each plated through hole is aligned in a collinear configuration. |
| US08119930B2 |
Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A wiring board 10 comprises a wiring board main body 21 having a dielectric layer 25 that is the first dielectric layer, an electronic component attaching pad 24 having a connection surface 24A with which an electronic component 11 is connected, and disposed inside the dielectric layer 25, a dielectric layer 31 that is the second dielectric layer laminated on the dielectric layer 25, and the via holes 27 and 33 and a wiring pattern 28 provided on the dielectric layers 25 and 31 and electrically connected with the electronic component attaching pad 24, wherein a warp reduction member 22 for reducing a warp of the wiring board main body 21 is disposed inside the dielectric layer 25. |
| US08119929B2 |
Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A wiring board 10 includes a wiring board main body 11 having a semiconductor device attaching pad 21 on which a semiconductor device 14 is attached, a dielectric layer 22 provided with the semiconductor device attaching pad 21, and a semiconductor device attaching area A in which the semiconductor device 14 is attached, and a stiffener bonded to a surface 22A of the dielectric layer 22 on the side where the semiconductor device attaching pad 21 is formed and having a semiconductor device attaching through portion 12A to expose the semiconductor device attaching area A, characterized in that a notch portion 41 for exposing the surface 22A of the dielectric layer 22 in a part located outside the semiconductor device attaching area A is provided on the outer periphery of the stiffener 12. |
| US08119925B2 |
Core substrate and printed wiring board
The core layer of a core substrate is made of carbon fibers impregnated with resin. When the temperature of the core layer increases, the core layer suffers from an increase in the thickness because of thermal expansion of the resin. The core layer is sandwiched between the insulating layers containing glass fibers. The insulating layers serve to suppress an increase in the thickness of the core layer resulting from the thermal expansion of the core layer. Thermal stress is suppressed in the core substrate. |
| US08119924B2 |
Wiring board, packaging board and electronic device
Stress concentration at the connecting portion of the electronic component and the curved board and the area around the connecting portion is suppressed. In a flexible wiring board, insulation layers (11, 13) and wiring layers (12, 15) are piled up alternately and wiring layers (12, 15) are via-connected each other. The board comprises reinforced area (10a) reinforced against external stress, bending area (10c) bending easier than the reinforced area (10a) by external stress, and a stress relaxation area (10b) provided in area between the reinforced area (10a) and the bending area (10c), bending easier than the reinforced area (10a) but not easier than the bending area (10c) by the external stress, and relaxing the stress carried from the bending area (10c) to the reinforced area (10a). |
| US08119923B2 |
Circuit board
A circuit board has a low thermal expansion coefficient that suits the thermal expansion coefficient of an element to be mounted thereupon and can prevent the occurrence of delamination and cracking of a core layer when the circuit board is used in a low temperature environment. The circuit board is constructed by laminating a core layer and at least one wiring layer, where the at least one wiring layer has slightly smaller external dimensions in a planar direction than the core layer. |
| US08119922B2 |
Dual cavity, high-heat dissipating printed wiring board assembly
Two panel-sized fully populated printed wiring board assemblies formed together, with an anisotropic epoxy that provides electrical connection for RF signals and DC supplies without the need for wirebonds, mechanical interconnects or solder balls. |
| US08119918B2 |
Printed circuit board and semiconductor package
An object of the present invention is to prevent occurrence of an electrical fault such as signal disconnection due to exfoliation between a via and a printed circuit board, via crack, or the like, caused by various stresses that may arise when the printed circuit board is curved. The printed circuit board includes a first wiring layer 11, an electrical insulating base material 12 formed on the first wiring layer 11 and including a via base hole 12a that leads to the first wiring layer 11, and a second wiring layer 16 that is formed on the electrical insulating base material 12 and is electrically connected to the first wiring layer 11 through the via base hole 12a. In a region of the second wiring layer 16 disposed at least in the vicinity of the via base hole 12a, a stress relieving portion 17 is formed which relieves bending stress, tensile stress, compressive stress, and shear stress that may arise when the electrical insulating base material 12 is curved. |
| US08119915B2 |
Cable management patch panel system with vertical ducting
A cable management patch panel system having one or more vertical ducting enclosures and typically located in an equipment rack. The vertical ducting enclosure is integral with the patch panel system and allows for vertical routing of cables connected to the patch panel system. The cables are vertically routed by the ducting enclosure to other patch panels or equipment located along with the patch panel system in a commonly shared equipment rack or located beyond the equipment rack. |
| US08119911B1 |
Cover plate for electrical enclosure box and associated method
An electrical connection enclosure cover plate for use during drywall installation, texturing and painting processes, may include a single and unitary body having a rectangular and planar outer wall adapted to be affixed to an existing electrical box. The outer wall has a plurality of pins extending outwardly from an anterior face thereof. The pins are statically situated at opposed corners of the anterior face, and suitably sized and shaped to penetrate through an existing dry wall. The body has a plurality of primary panels directly connected to a posterior face of the outer wall. The primary panels may be adapted to frictionally engage the existing electrical box. The body may be adapted to be detachably coupled to the existing electrical box such that the outer wall may be adapted to cover and shield a front opening of the existing electrical box from undesirable debris and fluids. |
| US08119908B2 |
Electricity transmission device at high current and high frequency
The electricity transmission device comprises prolonged rigid conductors made of copper, and also a connector comprising a network of flexible elements, such as brazed tubes with cooling channels for the conductors, that enables angular displacements between the successive segments and therefore gives a flexibility absorbing small displacements of the device. A lifting manoeuvre system is associated with the segments. The segments may be joined to other elements of the device through connections with jaws enabling slipping. |
| US08119905B2 |
Combination non-imaging concentrator
The present invention is a combination non-imaging concentrator in which at least one surface or volume is incorporated as an optical element to increase obliquity of reflection at walls of a light guide. The combination non-imaging concentrator may be used in a solar energy system to receive solar radiation from optical components and then output the solar radiation to a photovoltaic cell for conversion to electricity. One or more lenses may be formed integrally with the light guide, or may be used in conjunction with the light guide as separate components. |
| US08119900B2 |
Systems for combining inputs from electronic musical instruments and devices
An apparatus for combining input signals produced by a plurality of electric musical devices includes a plurality of audio buses and a plurality of segments. Each segment includes input circuitry configured to receive at least one input signal from at least one electric musical device and to deliver the at least one input signal to one of the plurality of audio buses; a plurality of variable adjustment devices each associated with a corresponding one of the audio buses and each configured to change at least one property of an input signal received by another of the plurality of segments and carried on the corresponding one of the audio buses independent from input signals carried on other of the plurality of audio buses; and a mixer configured to combine the input signals carried on each of the plurality of audio buses into an output signal. |
| US08119896B1 |
Media system and method of progressive musical instruction
A method is provided for progressive musical instruction using a media system with processor-executable software modules storing musical performances each having a plurality of segments. A first set of audiovisual signals is generated to simulate a predetermined musical instrument from a selected performance during host segments. The audiovisual signals are adjusted to mute the predetermined instrument during user segments (non-host segments) of the performance. During the host segments a second set of audiovisual signals is generated for demonstration of a preferred user operation of the instrument. The number of user segments may be maintained or increased for successive iterations of the performance, as the user becomes more proficient. The determination to maintain or increase user segments, and which segments are added to the user segments, may be user selectable or programmable by the system based on various criteria. |
| US08119892B2 |
Latch for travel guitar with hinged neck
A folding guitar comprising a guitar body and guitar neck is disclosed. A hinge connects the guitar body to the guitar neck. The hinge is disposed on one side of the guitar body and guitar neck. A latch plate is secured to the other side of one of the guitar body or guitar neck. A catch member is secured to the other side of the other one of the guitar body or guitar neck. The catch member defines a catch member catch surface. A latch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch plate. A hitch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch arm. A securement member mounted on the hitch arm, the securement member think configured to engage the catch member catch surface. The latch arm, hitch arm and latch plate are configured to vary the distance between the securement member and the catch member catch surface. |
| US08119891B2 |
Flexible support member for musical instruments, furniture, and objects fabricated from wood and method of manufacturing the same
A wood support member for attaching a first wood member to a wood side structure defining an interior peripheral edge, the wood support member is attachable to the peripheral edge, comprising a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a front face and a rear face. The wood support member can comprise a first plurality of kerfs in the front face and a second plurality of kerfs in the rear face, the plurality of kerfs each extending from the top to the bottom. The kerfs in the first plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each other and the kerfs in the second plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each other, and each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each kerf in the second plurality of kerfs. The wood support member can have an uninstalled state, in which each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs is parallel to the other kerfs, and an installed state, in which each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs is not parallel to the other kerfs. The distance between the front face and the rear face has a measurement of D1 and the kerfs of the first plurality of kerfs and the kerfs of the second plurality of kerfs can extend into the wood support member by a measurement of D2, wherein D2 can be greater than half of D1. |
| US08119885B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV597869
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV597869. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV597869, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV597869 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV597869 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV597869. |
| US08119877B2 |
Soybean cultivar S090243
A soybean cultivar designated S090243 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S090243, to the plants of soybean S090243, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S090243, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S090243 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S090243, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S090243, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S090243 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119876B2 |
Soybean cultivar 95092896
A soybean cultivar designated 95092896 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 95092896, to the plants of soybean 95092896, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 95092896, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 95092896 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 95092896, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 95092896, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 95092896 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119874B2 |
Soybean cultivar 96292716
A soybean cultivar designated 96292716 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 96292716, to the plants of soybean 96292716, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 96292716, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 96292716 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 96292716, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 96292716, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 96292716 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119873B2 |
Soybean cultivar 93143074
A soybean cultivar designated 93143074 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 93143074, to the plants of soybean 93143074, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 93143074, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 93143074 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 93143074, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 93143074, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 93143074 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119868B2 |
Soybean cultivar 1972621658
A soybean cultivar designated 1972621658 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 1972621658, to the plants of soybean 1972621658, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 1972621658 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 1972621658 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 1972621658, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 1972621658 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 1972621658 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08119863B2 |
Squash line ZGN 130-1041T
The invention provides seed and plants of the squash line designated ZGN 130-1041T. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of squash line ZGN 130-1041T, and to methods for producing a squash plant produced by crossing a plant of squash line ZGN 130-1041T with itself or with another squash plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of squash line ZGN 130-1041T, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08119862B2 |
Watermelon line WNV142-1115
The invention provides seed and plants of the watermelon line designated WNV142-1115. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of watermelon line WNV142-1115, and to methods for producing a watermelon plant produced by crossing a plant of watermelon line WNV142-1115 with itself or with another watermelon plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of watermelon line WNV142-1115, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08119861B2 |
Elongase and uses thereof
The invention relates to nucleic acid derived from Perkinsus marinus which encodes a 9-elongase, a Δ8-desaturase and a Δ5-desaturase enzyme. All of the coding sequences can be transcribed as a single transcript. |
| US08119855B2 |
Resistance to abiotic stress in plants
The invention relates to a method for conferring tolerance to abiotic stress to plants or plant cells. This is done by introducing a gene coding for an RKS protein, especially a gene coding for an RKS subgroup II protein, more specifically RKS1, RKS4 or truncated RKS4, or a gene from RKS subgroup III, more preferably RKS12. The effect of overexpression of the RKS gene may be enhanced by additionally treating the plant with a brassinosteroid compound. |
| US08119849B2 |
Propylene production
A propylene production process is disclosed. The process comprises (a) reacting a feed stream comprising isobutene in the presence of a skeletal isomerization catalyst to obtain an isomerized stream comprising C4 olefins; and (b) reacting the isomerized stream with ethylene in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesis product stream comprising propylene, C4 olefins, and C5+ olefins. The metathesis reaction pressure is equal to or lower than that of the skeletal isomerization. |
| US08119847B2 |
Catalytic process for converting renewable resources into paraffins for use as diesel blending stocks
A process for converting renewable resources such as vegetable oil and animal fat into paraffins in a single step which comprises contacting a feed which is a renewable resources with hydrogen and a catalyst which comprises a non-precious metal and an oxide to produce a hydrocarbon product having a ratio of odd-numbered hydrocarbons to even-numbered hydrocarbons of at least 2:1. |
| US08119845B2 |
Method for producing 2-chloro-3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HCFC-1233xf)
The present invention relates to an improved method for manufacturing 2-chloro-3,3,3,-trifluoropropene (HCFC-1233xf) by reacting 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene, 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane, and/or 2,3,3,3-tetrachloropropene with hydrogen fluoride, in a vapor phase reaction vessel in the presence of a vapor phase fluorination catalyst and stabilizer. HCFC-1233xf is an intermediate in the production of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) which is a refrigerant with low global warming potential. |
| US08119843B2 |
Reaction apparatus
A reaction apparatus which is used for conducting a gas-liquid chemical reaction in a state that a liquid is in a continuous phase, wherein its reactor has therein a shear type stirring impeller for dispersing a raw reaction gas or a carrier gas and a film-formed catalyst, which apparatus is capable of producing a target reaction product; and a process for producing a tertiary amine in such reaction apparatus. |
| US08119841B2 |
Crystalline forms of aliskiren hemifumarate
This invention relates to crystal forms of aliskiren hemifumarate and various embodiments related thereto, e.g. pharmaceutical preparations, processes for the manufacture of the crystal forms, pharmaceuticals uses and the like. The crystal forms have particularly advantageous properties e.g. they are useful in the manufacture of blood-pressure lowering pharmaceutical preparations and the like. |
| US08119838B2 |
Conversion of nitrile compounds into carboxylic acids and corresponding esters thereof
Hydrocarbon-based compounds containing at least one nitrile function are converted into compounds containing at least one carboxylic function, and into ester compounds from the carboxylic compounds thus obtained; such conversion entails reacting the nitrile compound with a hydroxyl basic compound in solution in a solvent at a temperature of between 80 and 150° C., in eliminating the ammonia formed, in reacting the salt obtained with a mineral acid, and then in recovering the compound containing at least one carboxylic function and, optionally, esterifying the acids obtained by reaction with an alcohol. |
| US08119836B2 |
Derivatives of seleno-amino acids
Derivatives of seleno-alpha amino acids, particularly selenomethionine as enhanced bioavailable sources of selenium in animal diets. |
| US08119832B2 |
Systems for alkyl ester production
In one embodiment, an alkyl ester production system can comprise: a first transesterification reactor comprising a liquid biomass inlet located between a liquid glycerol outlet and a liquid alkyl ester outlet, a water wash vessel comprising an alkyl ester inlet, a water inlet located near a top of the water wash vessel, and a washed alkyl ester outlet located near the top of the water wash vessel, wherein the alkyl ester inlet is located near a bottom of the water wash vessel, and a drier comprising a washed alkyl ester inlet located near a top of the drier, and a gas inlet and a dried alkyl ester outlet located near the bottom of the drier. The first transesterification reactor can be configured for laminar flow and for liquid reactants and products. The alkyl ester inlet can be in fluid communication with the washed alkyl ester outlet. |
| US08119831B2 |
Moisture activated latent curing adhesive or sealant
The invention relates to a novel poly(ethylene oxide)imine; a novel amine reactive moiety; a novel moisture activated latent curing adhesive or sealant mixture comprising (1) a ketimine or aldimine, and (2) an amine reactive moiety; and a novel moisture activated latent curing adhesive or sealant comprising the reaction product of (1) and (2). |
| US08119828B2 |
Material for an organic electroluminescence device and an organic electroluminescence device
A material for an organic electroluminescence device represented by the following formula (I): wherein X1 is one of divalent groups represented by the following (a) to (e); Y1 to Y4 are independently a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom; and R1 to R4 are independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, a halogen atom, a fluoroalkyl group or a cyano group, or R1 and R2, and R3 and R4 are independently bonded to form a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle. |
| US08119826B2 |
Process for the preparation of beta-santalol and derivatives thereof
The present invention relates to a dienol compound of formula in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or mixture thereof, wherein R represents a methyl or ethyl group; R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group; R4 represents a C1-C3 alkyl, alkenyl or acyl group or a C3-C8 silyl group. |
| US08119825B2 |
Method for the production of multimetal cyanide compounds
Process for preparing multimetal cyanide compounds, which comprises the steps a) reaction of the aqueous solution of a metal salt of the general formula (I) M1gXn (I) With the aqueous solution of a cyanometalate compound of the general formula (II) M3r[M2(CN)b]d, (II), If appropriate in the presence of organic ligands, organic additives and/or surface-active agents, to form a multimetal cyanide compound of the general formula (III) M1a[M2(CN)b]d.fM1jXk.h(H2O).eL.zP (III) b) reaction of the multimetal cyanide compound of the general formula (III) with a salt of the general formula (IV) M4sYt (IV) which is different from general formula (II) where M1, M2, M3, M4, X, L, P, Y, g, n, r, b, d, a, f, j, k, h, e, z, s, and t are defined in the specification. |
| US08119821B2 |
Sweetener compositions and methods of making them
The present invention provides compositions comprising sucralose and 4-amino-5,6-dimethylthieno [2,3-d]pyrimidine-2(1H)-one or salts, solvates, and/or esters thereof and methods of making the compositions by spray drying. The present invention also provides ingestible compositions comprising compositions of the present invention and methods of making such foods. The present invention also includes a process of preparing 2-amino-thiophene derivatives, which are key intermediates for preparing 4-amino-5,6-dimethylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2(1H)-one. |