最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08131236B2 Method of selecting audio contents received from an audio or audio-visual receiver and receiver selecting the contents in accordance with the method
The present invention relates to a method of selecting sound contents transmitted by transmission channels and received by an audio or audiovisual receiver. A user first selects a received content and starts playback. Then, the receiver automatically searches among the contents transmitted by the transmission channels for a content whose audio parameters have values close to the values of a previously selected content and plays it back at the end of the current content. The operation is renewed each time the current content ends. According to a refinement, the receiver has a memory that makes it possible to offset the playback of the content in time and thus best synchronize the playback of the various selected contents. The invention also relates to an appliance capable of selecting audio contents originating from several channels and having similar audio characteristics, and playing them back automatically.
US08131231B2 Method and apparatus for canceling interference in a hybrid terminal supporting both broadcast service and mobile communication service, and a hybrid terminal thereof
A method and apparatus for canceling interference during reception of a broadcast signal in a hybrid terminal including a broadcast receiver and a mobile communication terminal. In the interference cancellation apparatus, a gain controller adjusts transmission power of the mobile communication terminal, and a transmission power controller determines whether there is a burst of a broadcast signal that the broadcast receiver will receive. If there is a burst of the broadcast signal, the transmission power controller controls the gain controller to decrease transmission power of a mobile communication signal transmitted by the mobile communication terminal at a corresponding slot.
US08131228B2 Interference based phase shift precoding for OFDM
In a radio network a determination is made whether to implement cyclical delay diversity (CDD) for a radio frequency connection involving a radio base station (26) and a wireless terminal (30). The determination whether to implement cyclical delay diversity (CDD) is made in accordance with interference distribution at the wireless terminal (30), as such interference distribution is measured or otherwise perceived. When a determination is made to implement the cyclical delay diversity for the connection, plural transmit antennas (38) of the radio base station (26) are employed to implement the cyclical delay diversity for the connection. One or more indications of the interference distribution may be received and used to make the determination. The indication(s) of interference distribution can take the form of information received from the wireless terminal, and/or the form of frequency reuse plan information for interfering cells. For example, the determination to implement the cyclical delay diversity can be made affirmatively if the frequency reuse for interfering cells is above a predetermined frequency reuse number. In differing embodiments, either the radio base station (26) or the wireless terminal (30) can make the CDD implementation determination.
US08131227B2 Method of transceiving driver software over the air and apparatus using the same
A method and apparatus may be provided for over-the-air transmission of driver software configured as a plurality of download data blocks (DDBs). This may include transmitting or receiving first DDB data corresponding to the plurality of download data blocks, where each download data block of the first DDB data has a first packet identifier value and each of the plurality of download data blocks of the first DDB data may have the same first packet identifier. Second DDB data corresponding to the plurality of download data blocks may also be transmitted or received, where each download data block of the second DDB data has a second packet identifier value and each of the plurality of download data blocks of the first DDB data may have the same second packet identifier. The transmission of the second DDB data may exhibit a temporal overlap with respect to the transmission of the first DDB data.
US08131226B1 Multi-band-high-frequency circuit, multi-band high-frequency circuit component and multi-band communication apparatus using same
A high-frequency circuit comprising a high-frequency switch circuit for switching the three-way connection of an antenna to a transmitting circuit for the first communications system, a receiving circuit for a first communications system, and a transmitting/receiving circuit for a second communications system; a first bandpass filter disposed between the antenna and the high-frequency switch circuit; and a balanced-unbalanced conversion circuit disposed between the receiving circuit of the first communications system and the high-frequency switch circuit.
US08131219B2 Operation method and device for integrated modem having plurality of modems
An operation method and device for an integrated modem having a plurality of modems is provided. The method includes connecting the integrated modem to a mobile terminal, supplying, by the mobile terminal, power to each modem of the integrated modem, performing booting each modem to maintain a ready-on state, and controlling to operate a modem selected according to an input signal from an input unit while terminating supplying of power to the non-selected modem or maintaining the booting completion state.
US08131210B2 Method and system for deploying a wireless repeater
A method (200) of dynamically deploying wireless repeaters in a communication network can include establishing (205) a first wireless repeater serving as a communication node, evaluating (210) quality of a signal dynamically among at least one additional repeater being deployed in the communication network and the communication node, and selectively entering (215) a vertical unit in one of the additional repeaters being deployed. Evaluating the quality can include measuring (211) a signal strength from other repeaters in the communication system or measuring (212) a signal strength from a nearest repeater among the other repeaters in the system. Evaluating can also include pinging (213) the communication node. The vertical units can be entered as an input using any number of input devices including, but not limited to a keypad, a rotary switch (22 and 24), a voice recognition system or any combination thereof.
US08131209B1 Repeater configuration and management
Systems and methods are provided for automatically setting up an initial configuration of a wireless repeater and managing one or more wireless repeaters in a wireless local area network.
US08131206B2 Account tracking system
The present invention is directed to a system and method for identifying and responding to missing or absent receivers. The invention includes determining, at a particular receiver that is a member of a group of receivers, that one member of the group is currently or was at a particular time missing, absent or otherwise unresponsive. Embodiments of the invention are directed to notifying a service provider of a receiver status or absence, which, in response, may take one of a number of predetermined actions.
US08131203B2 Image forming apparatus having retractable sheet loop detecting unit
An image forming apparatus adjusts a size of the loop of the sheet between the fixing unit and the transfer unit, according to a signal from a loop detection unit provided in a sheet conveyance path between a transfer unit and a fixing unit and configured to detect a loop of a sheet. The loop detection unit includes a detecting lever that is provided protrudably and retractably from and into the sheet conveyance path and abuts against the sheet, and a loop detection sensor that is turned on or off by the detecting lever. If the sheet is to be conveyed only by the transfer unit, the detecting lever moves to a retracting position from the sheet conveyance path.
US08131200B2 Cleaning device and image forming device
A cleaning device includes a cleaning member for removing developer attached to a developer attaching member; a rotation carrying member which is rotatably configured to carry the developer that is removed by the cleaning member; a housing member for housing the developer that is removed by the cleaning member and configured as a part of a developer housing part that surrounds the rotation carrying member; and an elastic member arranged to contact a periphery of the rotation carrying member.
US08131199B2 Cleaning device for image forming apparatus, and process cartridge having cleaning device
A cleaning device for cleaning a surface moving member such as an image carrier of an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge having the cleaning device. The cleaning device has a cleaning member that is brought into uniform abutment against the surface moving member in a longitudinal direction of the surface moving member. A high removing performance can be obtained while preventing the abrasion of the surface moving member and the cleaning blade, and the state of abutment between the surface moving member and the cleaning blade is securely maintained over time.
US08131198B2 Image forming apparatus, fixing unit, and image forming method with improved heating mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism to form a toner image on a recording medium according to image data and a fixing mechanism to fix the toner image on the recording medium. The fixing mechanism includes a fixing member and an external heater. The fixing member applies heat to the recording medium having the toner image. The external heater heats the fixing member and is formed in a shape corresponding to a surface of the fixing member. The external heater is disposed as if to engage and yet be spaced apart from the fixing member by a distance which is variable according to movement of the external heater.
US08131194B2 Image formation apparatus having a detected part in a recess in the belt
An image formation apparatus belt, including a belt that includes a belt main body, the belt having a recess; and a detected part for position detection that is located in a side edge region of the belt, the detected part being placed in the recess provided in the belt and covered with a ceramic film.
US08131191B2 Image forming apparatus and method for developing electrostatic latent image
Provided are an image forming apparatus equipped with a hybrid developing apparatus including a toner-collecting developer-carrying member and a method for developing an electrostatic latent image, which apparatus is capable of stably forming high definition images without occurrence of a leakage current even under a high-humidity environment. In the apparatus, each of a toner-supplying developer-carrying member and the toner-collecting developer-carrying member has a conductive substrate to which a bias voltage is applied, and at least one of the surfaces of the conductive substrates of the toner-supplying developer-carrying member and the toner-collecting developer-carrying member has a resistive layer formed thereon.
US08131188B2 Developer container
A developer container is provided. The developer container includes a first housing having an agitating member; and a second housing covering the first housing and being rotatable around the agitating member relative to the first housing. The first housing includes a first cylinder portion that has a first opening; and a first end portion that extends substantially perpendicular to the shaft. The second housing includes a first cover member that covers a part of the first housing; and a second cover member that is separated from the first cover member and covers a remaining part of the first housing. The first cover member includes a first cover cylinder portion that has a second opening corresponding to the first opening; and a first cover end portion provided at each end. The second cover member includes a second cover cylinder portion; and a second cover end portion provided at each end.
US08131185B2 Charging device, development device, and image forming apparatus
A charging device includes a charging member and a charging power source portion. The charging member, in a sheet shape, is secured by contacting a region of an electrostatic latent image to be formed on a rotatable image carrier. The charging power source portion applies charging voltage to the charging member. The charging member includes a plurality of holes.
US08131181B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes an opening provided to a main assembly of the apparatus, a first openable member, a second openable member, and a movable member. The movable member is movable between a set position inside the main assembly and an outward position. The first openable member can be located at an open position below the movable member located at the outward position. An outermost end of the movable member can be located at the outward position so as to be vertically aligned with or located inside an outermost end of the first openable member located at the open position.
US08131168B2 Image forming apparatus that determines a failure in an exposure section based on a detected density of a toner image
An image forming apparatus provided with an image forming section, including: a toner density detection section which detect a density of a toner image transferred onto an intermediate transfer member; a density correction section which executes density correction processing of the toner image forming in a case where a density value detected by the density detection section does not satisfy a predetermined condition; a toner remaining amount detector which detects a toner remaining amount of a toner accumulation section; and a determination section which determines that failure has occurred in the exposure section if the density value detected by the density detection section does not satisfy the predetermined condition after the density correction processing executed by the density correction section is terminated, and the toner remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount detector is greater than a predetermined remaining amount.
US08131167B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus and image processing method for preventing a paper jam in print output are provided. First, when printing is instructed, it is judged whether paper jam exists. Next, when occurrence of paper jam is recognized based on the judgment, information related to an object is obtained. Next, when a paper jam occurs, the information is added to information of each object. Additionally, when each object is reused, it is judged whether there is a possibility that a paper jam will occur again, based on the information added.
US08131164B2 Processing unit and image forming apparatus
A processing unit according to this invention includes a photosensitive drum, an initial detection gear, a rotation stop, and a stopper arm. The photosensitive drum forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof. The initial detection gear is a member which is rotatable in a manner linked to rotation of the photoreceptor for identifying the processing unit as a new one or an old one. The rotation stop is provided on the photosensitive drum. The stopper arm is engageable with the rotation stop.
US08131162B2 Image forming apparatus for detecting a non-qualified developer cartridge
In a case where a qualified cartridge is not mounted, a toner supply controller stops driving of a toner supply motor. A controller calculates the toner density in a toner tank in accordance with a detection signal of a TC sensor to determine whether the toner density is within an allowable range. In a case where the toner density is out of the allowable range, the toner supply controller allows the toner supply motor to start driving. After that, in a case where the toner density in the toner tank becomes high, a cartridge mounting status determining section determines that a non-qualified cartridge is mounted. On the other hand, in a case where the toner density in the toner tank does not change or becomes lower, the cartridge mounting status determining section determines that the cartridge is not yet mounted.
US08131159B2 Transmission apparatus and optical transmission apparatus
In a transmission apparatus, a monitor unit monitors a signal level and generates a monitored value; a level control unit controls the level of the input signal in accordance with the monitored value; an output amplification unit amplifies and outputs the level-controlled signal; and a control unit controls unit operation statuses in accordance with setting information. The control unit recognizes the period of duration of a single level in the input signal, from the signal format given by the setting information, and performs variable control of at least one of a monitor time constant, a response time from the signal input to the monitor unit until the generation of the monitored value, and a level setting time constant, a response time from the input of the monitored value to the level control unit until the execution of level control, in accordance with the period of duration of the single level.
US08131158B2 Optical transmission circuit
Provided is an optical transmission circuit capable of realizing a high-quality optical signal waveform with low power consumption. An optical transmission circuit (10) includes: a laser diode (800); a modulator (900) for supplying a differential modulation current to an anode terminal and a cathode terminal of the laser diode (800) through transmission lines (301 to 304); a current source (101) for supplying a forward bias current to the laser diode (800); and a magnetic sheet (wave absorber) (400) disposed so as to cover at least a part of the transmission lines (303 and 304). An impedance of the laser diode (800) is lower than characteristic impedances of the transmission lines (301 to 304) which are formed so that the characteristic impedances thereof are matched to an output impedance of the modulator (900).
US08131157B2 Method and apparatus for generating signals with increased dispersion tolerance using a directly modulated laser transmitter
An optical transmitter is disclosed wherein a modulating signal, such as an NRZ signal, encoding data is combined with a time derivative of the modulating signal and coupled to a directly modulated laser in order to generate artificial transient chirp in the output of the laser effective to substantially compensate for dispersion experienced by the output of the laser traveling through a dispersive medium such as an optical fiber. In some embodiments, the time derivative is added to the modulating signal only at the falling edges of the modulating signal.
US08131148B2 Optical transmitter error reduction using receiver feedback
Described is a method of reducing transmitter error in an optical communications channel. An optical signal transmitted from an optical transmitter that has impairment due to transmitter error is processed to generate a digitally-equalized signal. A nonlinear characteristic of the digitally-equalized signal that relates to the transmitter error is determined. An optical control signal comprising data that are based on the nonlinear characteristic is transmitted to the optical transmitter. The optical transmitter modifies a transmitter parameter in response to the optical control signal to change the nonlinear characteristic and thereby reduce the impairment.
US08131144B2 Action camera with capability of capturing images in daylight and infrared
The action camera has a housing, a lens, and an image sensor located in a light path from the lens. A filter is operable to move between first and second positions, with the first position located in the light path and the second position located out of the light path. An actuator moves the filter between the first and second positions. The actuator includes an electromagnet and a magnet. One of the electromagnet and the magnet is fixed relative to the light path, while the other of the electromagnet and the magnet is movable relative to the light path and is coupled to the filter. The magnet has poles that interact with the poles of the electromagnet. As the electromagnet is energized, the magnet rotates. The polarity of the electromagnet is reversed in order to reverse the rotation of the magnet. The camera is also provided with a light source. When the light source is activated, then the filter is moved accordingly. The actuator is small and consumes little electrical power.
US08131141B2 Lens position detecting device including a position detecting magnet and a magnet force detecting sensor
A lens position detecting device 200 has a position detecting magnet 202, a magnetic force detecting sensor 204, a positional information generating means 206, etc. The position detecting magnet 202 is mounted on a rear surface of a lens holder frame 1460. The magnetic force detecting sensor 204 serves to generate a detected signal having a magnitude depending on the intensity of a magnetic force generated from the magnetic poles of the position detecting magnet 202. The magnetic force detecting sensor 204 is disposed on a straight line that passes through the position detecting magnet 202 parallel to the optical axis. The magnetic force detecting sensor 204 outputs a detected signal having a voltage corresponding (proportional) to the intensity of the magnetic force. An amplifying circuit 208 of a positional information generating means 206 amplifies the detected signal Ss from the magnetic force detecting sensor 204.
US08131138B2 Flexible die heater
A novel flexible infrared device is provided for heating surfaces in a uniform manner not available previously. The heater is designed in a manner so as to allow “hugging” of the surface by attaching the heater module to at least two swivel points located above the heating plane. In this manner the common problems encountered with heating dies by IR heaters is overcome.
US08131134B2 Digital media universal elementary stream
Described techniques and tools include techniques and tools for mapping digital media data (e.g., audio, video, still images, and/or text, among others) in a given format to a transport or file container format useful for encoding the data on optical disks such as digital video disks (DVDs). A digital media universal elementary stream can be used to map digital media streams (e.g., an audio stream, video stream or an image) into any arbitrary transport or file container, including optical disk formats, and other transports, such as broadcast streams, wireless transmissions, etc. The information to decode any given frame of the digital media in the stream can be carried in each coded frame. A digital media universal elementary stream includes stream components called chunks. An implementation of a digital media universal elementary stream arranges data for a media stream in frames, the frames having one or more chunks.
US08131125B2 Bend-insensitive single-mode optical fiber
The present invention embraces a single-mode optical fiber that, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, has bending losses of 0.15 dB/turn or less for a radius of curvature of 5 millimeters.
US08131123B2 Beam steering element and associated methods for manifold fiberoptic switches and monitoring
An optical system comprising two or more optical switches co-packaged together comprising discrete sets of input fiber ports (N per set) and an output fiber port (1 per set), and wherein λn from said set of multiple input fiber ports (N) is focused on λn mirror via the use of shared free space optics, wherein at least a first array of MEMS mirrors is utilized to select and switch selected wavelengths from the first set of input fiber ports (N) to an output fiber port of the same set, and wherein at least a second array of MEMS mirrors using and sharing the same free space optics is utilized to select individual wavelengths or spectral components from its input fiber ports to send to its output fiber port for optical power or other monitoring purposes, thus, enabling an N×1, or alternatively a 1×N switch capable of internal feedback monitoring.
US08131113B1 Method and apparatus for estimating rotation, focal lengths and radial distortion in panoramic image stitching
Method and apparatus for estimating relative three-dimensional (3D) camera rotations, focal lengths, and radial (lens) distortions from point-correspondences in pairwise (two image) image alignment. A core estimator takes a minimal (three) number of point-correspondences and returns a rotation, lens (radial) distortion and two focal lengths. The core estimator solves relative 3D camera rotations, and lens distortions from 3-point-correspondences in two images in the presence of noise in point-correspondences. A robust estimator may be based on or may be “wrapped around” the core estimator to handle noise and errors in point-correspondences. The robust estimator may determine an alignment model for a pair of images from the rotation, distortion, and focal lengths.
US08131109B2 Image processing method and apparatus for contrast enhancement using intensity mapping
Provided are an image processing method and apparatus for enhancing contrast. The image processing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether contrast enhancement processing should be performed on an input image; an intensity mapping unit that generates a plurality of images having different exposure times from the input image, using intensity mapping, if the contrast enhancement processing should be performed on the input image; and an image composition unit that composes the plurality of images into a composed image. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a color change or a false contour phenomenon that are generated in a related art contrast enhancement process.
US08131107B2 Method and system for identifying defects in NDT image data
An anomaly detection method includes acquiring image data corresponding to nondestructive testing (NDT) of a scanned object. The NDT image data comprises at least one inspection test image of the scanned object and multiple reference images for the scanned object. The anomaly detection method further includes generating an anomaly detection model based on a statistical analysis of one or more image features in the reference images for the scanned object and identifying one or more defects in the inspection test image, based on the anomaly detection model.
US08131099B2 Image processing apparatus and method of controlling image processing apparatus
A noise elimination method capable of handling even beat noise occurring in an oblique direction is proposed. In an image processing apparatus that is provided with a correcting unit that subtracts cyclic data of beat noise from effective pixel data included in inputted digital image data, the correcting unit comprises: a distributing unit that sequentially and cyclically distributes optical black area pixel data included in the digital image data; an integrating unit to which the optical black area pixel data distributed by the distributing unit is sequentially inputted; a first calculating unit that divides the integration result of the integrating unit by the number of integrations; a minimum value detecting unit that detects a minimum value of the output of the first calculating unit; and a second calculating unit that calculates the minimum value and the division result to obtain the cyclic data of the beat noise.
US08131097B2 Method and apparatus for extended depth-of-field image restoration
A method and apparatus are disclosed for restoring an image captured through an extended depth-of-field lens. Preprocessed data relating to image degradation is stored and used during an image restoration process.
US08131093B2 Transferring system for huge and high quality images on network and method thereof
A transferring system for huge and high quality images on network and a method thereof are disclosed, wherein various individual image data are converted into high quality image data to be converted into layered image data, and classified into a plurality of sub cells, then stored in database as a compressed form. A client system connected to a server requires information, immediately downloads the required information, releases the compression, and then displays on a screen real time. In the present invention, a user can fast see only his wanted part since images of a newspaper and a magazine are converted as they were. Also, various additional information is provided with image, thereby providing multimedia digital publication services on wire or wireless network.
US08131088B2 Scalable method for encoding a series of original images, and associated image encoding method, encoding device and decoding device
A series of decoded images is generated from a series of original images encoded by a first encoding technique following movement-compensated, predictive encoding, where a starting image of a group of successive original images that are to be encoded is defined by a second encoding technique following movement-compensated, temporally filtered partial band encoding based on a determined encoding property of a decoded image of the group of images that are to be encoded, the decoded image is used for generating an output image having a low resolution level, before the images are encoded. At least one output image is generated on each level of resolution from the successive original images of the group of from at least one decoded image during image encoding. The decoded images are provided only with a reduced quality while the reconstituted images are of great quality.
US08131087B2 Program and apparatus for forms processing
A form processing program which is capable of automatically extracting keywords. When the image of a scanned form is entered, a layout recognizer extracts a readout region of the form image, a character recognizer recognizes characters within the readout region. A form logical definition database stores form logical definitions defining strings as keywords according to logical structures which are common to forms of same type. A possible string extractor extracts as possible strings combinations of recognized characters each of which satisfies defined relationships of a string. A linking unit links the possible strings according to positional relationships, and determines a combination of possible strings as keywords.
US08131086B2 Kernelized spatial-contextual image classification
Kernelized spatial-contextual image classification is disclosed. One embodiment comprises generating a first spatial-contextual model to represent a first image, the first spatial-contextual model having a plurality of interconnected nodes arranged in a first pattern of connections with each node connected to at least one other node, generating a second spatial-contextual model to represent a second image using the first pattern of connections, and estimating the distance between corresponding nodes in the first spatial-contextual model and the second spatial-contextual model based on a relationship with adjacent connected nodes to determine a distance between the first image and the second image.
US08131083B2 Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method having storage section, divided into a plurality of regions, for storing identification information for identifying reference image
A reference image and features of the reference image are stored in a hash table in such a manner that the reference image and the features are related to each other. A storage region of the hash table is divided into a plurality of divided regions, and each divided region is related to a storage condition under which a reference image is stored in the divided region. When a reference image is stored in the hash table, a storage region where the reference image is to be stored is selected out of the plurality of divided regions in accordance with the storage condition. This allows shortening a time for updating a reference image, and reducing a workload on means for updating the reference image.
US08131081B2 Image processing apparatus, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus includes a command-data storage unit, a handwritten-data recognizing unit, and a matching unit. The command-data storage unit stores therein a command-data table that contains a command character and content of a command corresponding to the command character in an associated manner. The handwritten-data recognizing unit performs character recognition and image analysis on image data to extract handwritten information including a command graphic representing a command with respect to the image data and a command character handwritten near the command graphic. The matching unit matches the command character extracted by the handwritten-data recognizing unit with the command character in the command-data table.
US08131079B2 Pedestrian detection device and pedestrian detection method
A near-infrared night vision device to which a pedestrian detection device is applied includes a near-infrared projector, a near-infrared camera, a display and an ECU. By executing programs, the ECU constitutes a pedestrian candidate extraction portion and a determination portion. The pedestrian candidate extraction portion extracts pedestrian candidate regions from near-infrared images. The determination portion normalizes the sizes and the brightnesses of the pedestrian candidates extracted by the pedestrian candidate extraction portion, and then computes the degrees of similarity between the normalized pedestrian candidates. The determination portion determines that a pedestrian candidate having two or more other pedestrian candidates whose degree of similarity with the pedestrian candidate is greater than or equal to a predetermined value is not a pedestrian.
US08131078B2 Imprint lithography
An imprinting method is disclosed that, in embodiment, includes contacting first and second spaced target regions of an imprintable medium on a substrate with first and second templates respectively to form respective first and second imprints in the medium and separating the first and second templates from the imprinted medium.
US08131074B2 Specific emitter identification using histogram of oriented gradient features
In one embodiment, a method for specific emitter identification includes receiving a signal from an emitter indicative of a hardware characteristic of the emitter. A computer-readable representation of the received signal is generated. A plurality of gradients for each partition of a plurality of partitions of the computer-readable representation is computed. Each gradient is indicative of at least the angular orientation of a respective portion of the computer-readable representation. A histogram is computed for each partition by assigning each computed gradient to a bin based at least in part on the magnitude of the computed gradient. One or more Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG) features are extracted from a concatenation of the bins of all of the computed histograms. The one or more HOG features are compared to one or more corresponding HOG features stored on a computer-readable medium. Based at least in part on the comparison, a determination is made regarding whether the emitter has a particular identification.
US08131071B2 Digital video camera non-integer-ratio Bayer domain scaler
An apparatus having a buffer and a circuit is disclosed. The buffer may be configured to receive a digital image. The digital image generally has (i) a Bayer color representation and (ii) two initial dimensions in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction respectively. The circuit may be configured to generate a resample image in a signal by down-sampling the digital image in the Bayer color representation such that (i) the resample image has two resample dimensions, (ii) at least one of the resample dimensions is smaller than a respective at least one of the initial dimensions and (iii) the respective at least one initial dimension is a non-integer multiple of the at least one resample dimension.
US08131070B2 Color processing apparatus, color processing method, computer readable medium and computer data signal
A color processing apparatus includes an image signal acquisition section, a color component preservation section, a first color conversion section, a color gamut compression section and a second color conversion section. The image signal acquisition section acquires an image signal including an input color signal having predetermined color components. The color component preservation section preserves at least one of the color components of the input color signal as a preserved color component. The first color conversion section converts the input color signal into an intermediate color signal belonging to a first color space. The color gamut compression section performs a color gamut compression for the intermediate color signal using color components of the intermediate color signal and the preserved color component, to generate a compressed color signal. The second color conversion section that converts the compressed color signal into an output color signal belonging to a second color space.
US08131063B2 Model-based object image processing
Aspects of the present invention include systems and methods for forming generative models, for utilizing those models, or both. In embodiments, an object model fitting system can be developed comprising a 3D active appearance model (AAM) model. The 3D AAM comprises an appearance model comprising a set of subcomponent appearance models that is constrained by a 3D shape model. In embodiments, the 3D AAM may be generated using a balanced set of training images. The object model fitting system may further comprise one or more manifold constraints, one or more weighting factors, or both. Applications of the present invention include, but are not limited to, modeling and/or fitting face images, although the teachings of the present invention can be applied to modeling/fitting other objects.
US08131060B2 Process control method, data registration program, and method for manufacturing electronic device
A process control method is provided for a surface mount line including a solder printer for printing solder on a surface of a substrate, a solder print inspector for inspecting the printed solder and outputting printing quality data, a mounter for mounting components on the substrate with the solder printed, a mount inspector for inspecting a state of the mounted components and outputting mounting quality data, a reflow furnace for heating the solder to solder the components to the substrate, and a soldering inspector for inspecting a state of the soldering and outputting soldering pass/fail data. The process control method includes: retrieving the printing quality data, the mounting quality data, and the soldering pass/fail data from a primary recorder with the printing quality data, the mounting quality data, and the soldering pass/fail data recorded therein, calculating representative data for each said component from the printing quality data, and recording the representative data, the mounting quality data, and the soldering pass/fail data for each said component in a secondary recorder; and determining whether the solder printer and the mounter need adjustment by using the data of the components with the soldering pass/fail data indicating conforming among the data recorded in the secondary recorder.
US08131053B2 Detection of circulating tumor cells using imaging flow cytometry
Photometric and morphometric features derived from multi-mode imagery of cells in flow are used as a cell analyzer to determine if a marker corresponding to a cancer cell or precancerous cell is present in the population of cells imaged. An imaging system simultaneously acquires a plurality of images for each cell passing through the field of view of the imaging system. Acquiring a plurality of different images (i.e., bright field, dark field, and fluorescent images) facilitates the determination of different morphological and morphometric parameters. Simultaneously acquiring the plurality of images enables relatively large populations of cells to be rapidly imaged, so that relatively small numbers of cancer cells in a large population of cells can be detected. Initially, known cancer cells are imaged to enable a marker to be identified. Then, a sample that may include cancer cells is imaged to determine if the marker is present.
US08131052B2 Method of processing an image
A method of processing an input image produces an output image emphasizing peak-like structures. The input image comprises input pixels and each input pixel has an intensity characteristic. The output image comprises corresponding output pixels and each output pixel has a value. The method comprises the step of calculating for an input pixel the second derivative of the intensity characteristic in two orthogonal directions, one of the directions being the direction of maximum curvature. The product of the two second derivatives is calculated and the value of the output pixel corresponding to the input pixel is determined in dependence on the product.
US08131047B2 Method and device for distortion correction in magnetic resonance imaging
In a method and device for correcting distortion in MRI, k-space data are acquired in a number of data readout directions, the data are converted into a number of images, and a corresponding pixel shift map is generated for each image. The geometric distortion in the corresponding image is corrected according to the pixel shift map, and then all geometric distortion-corrected images are combined. Since movement distortion normally exists in the data readout direction, collecting the k-space data from a number of data readout directions can effectively correct movement distortion. Moreover, correcting the geometric distortion for the images converted from data acquired in a number of data readout directions according to the pixel shift map can reduce the geometric distortion of the final image generated from combination of images. The method and device correct not only movement distortion of MRI images, but also geometric distortion of MRI images.
US08131046B2 Magnetic resonance imager using cylindrical offset region of excitation, and method
A magnetic resonance imager performing images of a patient imager includes imaging coils. The imager includes receiver coils The imager includes a computer that causes the imaging coils to produce a first steady-state free precession excitation slab with respect to a first position regarding a target of the patient during a first repetition time, and a second steady-state free precession excitation slab with respect to a second position different from the first position regarding the target during a second repetition time; and forming a first 3-D dataset of the target associated with the first excitation slab and a second 3-D image dataset of the target associated with the second excitation slab from information received from the receiver coils. The first 3-D image dataset and the second 3-D image dataset, together defining a series of 3-D image datasets for each repetition time; and producing an image of the target from the series of 3-D image datasets. A method for analyzing a patient. A method to evaluate coronary arteries to assess their degree of stenosis. A computer program which, when executed by a computer of a Magnetic Resonance Imager, forms an image of a patient.
US08131045B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a recognizing device which recognizes a bone area extracted from a tomogram, the bone area including a bone site composed of several bone pieces, in units of bone pieces; a display site selecting device which selects a bone site to be displayed; a display/non-display determining device which determines a bone piece to be displayed with respect to the selected bone site; and a display controlling device which controls to display a bone piece corresponding to the selected bone site based on the determination by the display/non-display determining device.Thus, only a selection of a bone site to be displayed allows a display of the selected bone site in units of bone pieces.
US08131041B2 System and method for selective blending of 2D x-ray images and 3D ultrasound images
A system and method for simultaneously imaging a structure using two different imaging modalities and blending the images into a single blended two dimensional image, is provided. The system and method include obtaining two dimensional (2D) x-ray image data (132) using an x-ray system (102) and three dimensional (3D) ultrasound image volume data (134) using an ultrasound imaging system (122). A 2D representation of the 3D ultrasound image volume data (134) is created with respect to an area of interest corresponding to the 2D x-ray image data (132). The 2D representation of the 3D ultrasound image volume data (134) is blended with the 2D x-ray image data (132) using a computer (130) to render a 2D blended image (140) of the structure that can be displayed in real-time. The computer (130) may be part of the x-ray system (102), part of the ultrasound system (122) or a standalone unit with its own display device (136).
US08131039B2 System and method for multiple-instance learning for computer aided diagnosis
A method for training a classifier for classifying candidate regions in computer aided diagnosis of digital medical images includes providing a training set of images, each image including one or more candidate regions that have been identified as suspicious by a computer aided diagnosis system. Each image has been manually annotated to identify malignant regions. Multiple instance learning is applied to train a classifier to classify suspicious regions in a new image as malignant or benign by identifying those candidate regions that overlap a same identified malignant region, grouping each candidate region that overlaps the same identified malignant region into a same bag, and maximizing a probability P = ∏ i = 1 N ⁢ p i y i ⁡ ( 1 - p i ) 1 - y i , wherein N is a number of bags, pi is a probability of bag i containing a candidate region that overlaps with an identified malignant region, and yi is a label where a value of 1 indicates malignancy and 0 otherwise.
US08131035B2 Cell analysis using isoperimetric graph partitioning
A computer implemented method for differentiating between elements of an image and a background includes inputting an image comprising pixels forming a view of the elements and a background, providing a model for assigning a probability of belonging to a predefined class to each of the pixels, assigning a probability to each of the pixels of belonging to the predefined class, labeling each of the pixels according to a corresponding probability and a predefined threshold, determining boundaries between groups of like-labeled pixels, and outputting a visualization of the boundaries.
US08131034B2 Efficient visualization of cortical vascular territories and functional MRI by cycled arterial spin labeling MRI
Regional arterial spin labeling (regASL) speeds up acquisition without sacrificing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the resulting perfusion images by using the same control image (i.e. acquired without labeling of blood in a vessel) for two or more vascular territory measurements. This regional ASL is accomplished by creating prepared spin magnetization (e.g. inverted or saturated) in a specific blood vessel, instead of preparing spin magnetization in all feeding blood vessels. As in conventional ASL, two data sets are typically acquired in a downstream position: one with (label image) and one without preparation (control image) in one particular vessel. When regASL is extended to repetitive time series of ASL images to identify perfusion changes for functional MRI (fMRI), the speed of the time series of ASL also is increased because only a single C data set can be used redundantly for all time points of ASL measurement, to reduce the amount of data acquired by nearly one half, with no change in the signal to noise ratio in the ASL images. To account for possible movement of the person causing misregistrations in the time series, the C data can be obtained two or more times throughout the time series while still at lower frequency than in prior techniques with alternating L and C data sets.
US08131031B2 Systems and methods for inferred patient annotation
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method for automatically labeling an image using an intraoperative imaging system. The method includes acquiring a first image at a first position, labeling the first image with a first label, acquiring a second image at a second position, automatically labeling the second image with a second label based at least in part on the first label, the first position, and the second position.
US08131028B2 Method and apparatus providing flexible measurement functionality for medical images
In a medical imaging system the flexibility and power of measurement tools is improved by making the measurements objects themselves, whereby flexible interaction is provided. The measurement objects (52) are aware of their position relative to other graphical objects (50, 51), in the image. A user of a medical imaging system is thus enabled to easily perform desired measurements and to display the results thereof in a reliable and flexible manner. A method, an apparatus and a computer-readable medium are provided for processing cursored user interaction with a spatially displayed medical image for producing graphics related measurement data on the medical image. The medical image comprises at least one graphics object and dynamic measurement objects are attached to said graphics object, wherein the measurement object may be moved, removed or transferred to other graphic objects on the medical image at any time.
US08131022B2 Surveillance recorder and its method
A surveillance recorder (10) comprises: a picture input unit (12) for inputting a surveillance picture; a moving object detection unit (18) for detecting a moving object from a surveillance picture inputted by the picture input unit (12); a face image detection unit (20) for detecting, from an object detected by the moving object detection unit (18), a part having an elliptical outline as a face image; an identity judgment unit (22) for judging whether a face image newly detected by the face image detection unit (20) is of a same person as a face image detected last time or not based on positions of each face image; a storage image choice unit (24) for, when a newly detected face image has been judged to be of a same person by the identity judgment unit (22), choosing one face image from a face image of the same person stored in a recording medium (16) and the newly detected face image; and an image storage unit (26) for, when a newly detected face image has been chosen by the storage image choice unit (24), storing in the recording medium (16) both the newly detected face image and information for searching for the face image together. This allows an image suitable for storage to be detected from a surveillance picture.
US08131018B2 Object detection and recognition system
An object recognition system is provided including at least one image capturing device configured to capture at least one image, wherein the image includes a plurality of pixels and is represented in an image data set, an object detection device configured to identify a plurality of pixels corresponding to objects from the at least one image, wherein an object includes a plurality of pixels and is represented in an object data set, wherein the object data set includes a set of features corresponding to each pixel in the object, and an image recognition device configured to recognize objects of interest present in an object by image correlation against a set of template images to recognize an object as one of the templates.
US08131013B2 Method and detecting system for positions of facial parts
A method and a system for simply and automatically detecting the positions of eyes, mouth, and nose in a face image with high reliability are provided. A plurality of grayscale images with gradually varying lightness are formed from a face image. Then, a process (fade-in process) is performed which detects pixel block areas that gradually appear in a face area in the grayscale images as the face area that is in a fade-out state at high lightness fades in and is brought into a fade-in state at low lightness. The detected pixel block areas include paired pixel block areas appearing as a pair. The positions of the eyes are determined based on the number of appearance of the paired pixel block areas over all the grayscale images. The positions of the mouth and nose are determined based on the positional relationship between the eyes and pixel block areas which are detected by the fade-in method and in which gradually appearing pixels no longer grow.
US08131004B2 Speaker apparatus
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a speaker apparatus including: a speaker frame; and a connection terminal for electrically connecting to an outside of a speaker, an axis line of the connection terminal being arranged along a tangential line direction of a circumference of the speaker, the connection terminal being not projected to an outer side in a diameter direction of the speaker from the speaker frame.
US08131003B2 Spring reverberator and assembling method thereof
The present invention discloses a spring reverberator and an assembling method thereof, in which the spring reverberator comprises: a casing, a driving transducer received in the casing, a pickup transducer received in the casing, and coil springs vibratingly coupled to the driving and pickup transducers. The driving and pickup transducers respectively include a vibration unit and a magnetic core. The vibration unit comprises a support plate including at least one cut-out groove, through which a wire is soldered directly to the support plate. The vibration unit and the magnetic core are prepared in a modular type to be inserted in a sliding manner and fixed in the casing.
US08131001B2 Speaker diaphragm and electrodynamic loudspeaker using the same
The present invention provides a loudspeaker diaphragm and an electrodynamic loudspeaker of an elongated shape being shorter in the minor-axis direction than in the major-axis direction, which have a desirable sound reproducing capability with a high efficiency and are not significantly influenced by divided vibrations of an elongated loudspeaker diaphragm, and which are suitably installed in devices such as display devices. In the elongated loudspeaker diaphragm: the diaphragm body includes a first diaphragm portion in a central portion of a rear surface thereof, the first diaphragm portion including a junction to a voice coil bobbin, a second diaphragm portion extending on each side of the first diaphragm portion in the major-axis direction, and a reinforcement rib extending continuously through the first diaphragm portion and the second diaphragm portions; and the edge includes a free edge portion for freely supporting opposite ends in the minor-axis direction of the first diaphragm portion and the second diaphragm portion, and a fixed edge portion being thicker than the free edge portion for fixedly supporting a distal end of each second diaphragm portion in the major-axis direction.
US08131000B2 Cooling arrangement for voice coil of speaker
A cooling arrangement for voice coil of speaker is disclosed to include a first bearing cup, a second bearing cup inserted into a top opening of the first bearing cup with a top flange thereof stopped at the top side of the first bearing cup to support a voice coil inside the first bewaring cup, and a conical outer holding down cup sleeved onto the first bearing cup to hold down a damper on a bottom flange of the first bearing cup and having a top edge bonded to a cone paper.
US08130995B2 Earpiece device with microphone
An earpiece device includes a housing having a sound output portion, a speaker and a microphone. The speaker disposed in the housing includes a diaphragm and a sound transmitting hole. The diaphragm is located between the sound output portion and the sound transmitting hole. The microphone is disposed in the housing and covers the sound transmitting hole. A sound wave generated within an ear canal would be received by the speaker and delivered through the sound transmitting hole to the microphone for pickup.
US08130989B2 Gender-specific hearing device adjustment
The spontaneous acceptance by a hearing device wearer in respect of a new hearing device is to be improved. To this end, a method for adjusting the amplification of a hearing device to an individual hearing device wearer is proposed, with which a target amplification for the hearing device wearer is determined on the basis of his/her hearing loss. Data relating to the gender of the hearing device wearer is provided in order to improve the adjustment. The target amplification is then also determined on the basis of the gender of the hearing device wearer. With the gender-specific target amplification, it is possible for instance to take account of the fact that women exhibit a more sensitive perception for average voice levels than men, thereby allowing the target amplification to correspondingly drop much lower.
US08130988B2 Method and apparatus for reproducing audio signal
An audio signal is supplied to a loudspeaker array to perform wavefront synthesis. A virtual sound source is produced at an infinite distance using wavefront synthesis. A propagation direction of a sound wave emitted from the virtual sound source is changeable.
US08130987B2 Speaker system with a plurality of openings in side walls of each of two speaker boxes
A speaker system has a laterally extending body portion for supporting the back of the head of a user and a pair of right and left side portions respectively connected to the right and left ends of the body portion. A plurality of openings in side wall of each of two speaker boxes for making communication between the inside and the outside of each speaker box, for preventing sound leakage from each speaker unit and ensuring the sound pressure level in a low-frequency range of the audio frequencies reproducible by the speaker unit.
US08130986B2 Trapped fluid microsystems for acoustic sensing
Silicon and glass micromachined (MEMS) acoustic sensors incorporating trapped-liquid architectures are disclosed. The trapped liquid serves as an acoustic transmission medium allowing the input port to the system to be physically separated from the sensing location. The trapped liquid interacts with a conductive, flexible sensing membrane. Sound pressure waves enter the trapped liquid through an input membrane, travel to the sensing membrane, and excite vibrations of the sensing membrane. The vibrations of the sensing membrane are measured using on-chip capacitive sensing. The capacitive sensing structure is formed by the conductive sensing membrane and a fixed conducting top electrode. As the gap between the conductive sensing membrane and the fixed top electrode varies, the capacitance varies, leading to an electrical signal which is the electrical output of the system.
US08130985B2 Ear cup with bone conduction microphone
An ear cup with a bone conduction function comprising a cup (1), a sealing ring (3) and a microphone capsule (5). The cup (1) has an edge (2) on which the sealing ring (3) is disposed. The microphone capsule (5) is disposed in a retainer body (4). The retainer body (4) has an anchorage portion (6) with which the retainer body (4) and its anchorage portion (6) are secured interiorly in the cup. The retainer body (4) has a substantially planar surface for abutment and sealing against the wearer's head in the position of use. In the position of use, the retainer body (4) is located between the sealing ring (3) and the wearer's head, and the retainer body (4) is wholly or partly pressed into the sealing ring (3).
US08130983B2 Body motion controlled audio playing device
A body motion controlled audio playing device is disposed with a sensing switch that can be covered in a non-contact way to selectively enable such functions as startup, shutdown, mute, and volume adjustment.
US08130979B2 Noise mitigating microphone system and method
A microphone system has a base coupled with first and second microphone apparatuses. The first microphone apparatus is capable of producing a first output signal having a noise component, while the second microphone apparatus is capable of producing a second output signal. The system also has combining logic operatively coupled with the first microphone apparatus and the second microphone apparatus. The combining logic uses the second output signal to remove at least a portion of the noise component from the first output signal.
US08130978B2 Dynamic switching of microphone inputs for identification of a direction of a source of speech sounds
This disclosure describes techniques of automatically identifying a direction of a speech source relative to an array of directional microphones using audio streams from some or all of the directional microphones. Whether the direction of the speech source is identified using audio streams from some of the directional microphones or from all of the directional microphones depends on whether using audio streams from a subgroup of the directional microphones or using audio streams from all of the directional microphones is more likely to correctly identify the direction of the speech source. Switching between using audio streams from some of the directional microphones and using audio streams from all of the directional microphones may occur automatically to best identify the direction of the speech source. A display screen at a remote venue may then display images having angles of view that are centered generally in the direction of the speech source.
US08130970B2 Ear cup
An ear cup for a hearing protection unit including an inner cup portion which defines a noise damping space facing towards the user. The ear cup further has an outer cup portion for accommodating electronics and/or a current source. The inner cup portion and the outer cup portion are separated by a partition which is of one piece manufacture with the inner cup portion. The partition is substantially closed, with the exception of an opening in which a fixing portion on a bracket is disposed. The fixing portion (9) has a central channel (15) for the passage of supply conductors to a loudspeaker. The supply conductors have a contact placed on the outside of the partition for connection of the electronics. The bracket also has a baffle plate which extends along the periphery of the loudspeaker.
US08130968B2 Light-emission responder
A light-emission responder can respond to input of sound, realizes versatility of response, and can be applied to various use forms. A microphone (110) converts a sound wave into an electric signal. An amplifying section (111) amplifies the electric signal and outputs it to an AGC section (112). The AGC section (112) adjusts the amplitude of the electric signal output from the amplifying section (111). A filter section (113) outputs an electric signal in a frequency band f1 out of the amplitude-adjusted electric signal to a comparing section (114). The comparing section (114) compares the input electric signal with a reference signal. If the voltage of the electric signal passing through the filter section (113) is higher than the reference voltage, the comparing section (114) outputs a signal “H”. When a signal “H” is output from the comparing section (114), a drive section (115) allows a light-emitting element (120) to emit light. A light-emission response output section (116) is connected to the drive section (115). When driven by the drive section (115), the light-emission response output section (116) outputs a radio wave of a predetermined frequency.
US08130967B2 Frequency-characteristic-acquisition device, frequency-characteristic-acquisition method, and sound-signal-processing device
A frequency-characteristic-acquisition device that inputs a time-stretched-pulse signal to a system to be measured and that acquires information about a frequency characteristic of the system on the basis of a signal output from the system is provided. The frequency-characteristic-acquisition device includes a control unit which performs control so that the time-stretched-pulse signal is expanded in a time-axis direction and output to the system, and an acquisition unit that analyzes the signal output from the system and that acquires the frequency-characteristic information.
US08130966B2 Method for performance measurement and optimization of sound systems using a sliding band integration curve
A method for performance measurement and optimization of sound systems using electroacoustic measurements and a sliding band integration curve. Nearfield and spatially and temporally averaged broadband farfield responses are measured, averaged over a distinct set of frequencies, level matched, and weighted using a frequency-dependent ratio. The two curves are then combined to produce a third curve. The results indicate system performance in a listening space that matches human sensory response and provides means to optimize the sound system for the listening space.
US08130964B2 Systems and methods for identity-based encryption and related cryptographic techniques
A method and system for encrypting a first piece of information M to be sent by a sender [100] to a receiver [110] allows both sender and receiver to compute a secret message key using identity-based information and a bilinear map. In a one embodiment, the sender [100] computes an identity-based encryption key from an identifier ID associated with the receiver [110]. The identifier ID may include various types of information such as the receiver's e-mail address, a receiver credential, a message identifier, or a date. The sender uses a bilinear map and the encryption key to compute a secret message key gIDr, which is then used to encrypt a message M, producing ciphertext V to be sent from the sender [100] to the receiver [110] together with an element rP. An identity-based decryption key dID is computed by a private key generator [120] based on the ID associated with the receiver and a secret master key s. After obtaining the private decryption key from the key generator [120], the receiver [110] uses it together with the element rP and the bilinear map to compute the secret message key gIDr, which is then used to decrypt V and recover the original message M. According to one embodiment, the bilinear map is based on a Weil pairing or a Tate pairing defined on a subgroup of an elliptic curve. Also described are several applications of the techniques, including key revocation, credential management, and return receipt notification.
US08130960B2 Method and apparatus for providing seamless file system encryption from a pre-boot environment into a firmware interface aware operating system
Methods and apparatus for providing seamless functionality in a computer are disclosed. For example, an encrypted file system manager is included to layer an encoded File Allocation Table on top of a disk and to pass to the operating system an Embedded Root Key to provide access to an encrypted Firmware Interface System Partition.
US08130959B2 Rekeying encryption for removable storage media
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for rekeying encryption keys for removable storage media. A rekey request is received for a coupled removable storage media, wherein encryption on the coupled removable storage media uses a first key and wherein the rekey request indicates a second key. The first key and the second key are accessed in response to the rekey request. The first key is used to perform decryption for the coupled removable storage media and the second key is used to perform encryption for the coupled removable storage media.
US08130955B2 Random number generation through use of memory cell activity
Systems and/or methods that facilitate security of data are presented. A random number generation component generates random numbers based in part on electron activity in a select memory cell(s) to facilitate data security. Sensor components that are highly sensitive can be employed to sense activity of the select memory cell(s) and/or reference memory cell in a noise margin associated with respective memory cells in the memory component. The activity of the select memory cell is compared to the reference memory cell(s) to facilitate generating binary data. The binary data is provided to the random number generation component where the binary data is evaluated to determine whether a predetermined level of entropy exists in the binary data. The binary data, or a portion thereof, can be processed to generate random numbers that are utilized in cryptographic processes and/or as a physical signature to facilitate data security.
US08130953B2 Security protection for data communication
Authentication of an electronic communication apparatus capable of communicating data messages with a server according to a synchronization protocol includes providing an authentication method indicator that specifies an authentication method according to which the authentication is to be executed. The authentication method indicator is incorporated into a message that includes a plurality of authentication capabilities of the communication apparatus. The message is transmitted to the server according to an authentication protocol of the synchronization protocol.
US08130951B2 Intelligent electronic document content processing
A network device includes a content processing module that is configured to perform intelligent document content processing, such as confidential information processing, content optimization and workflow optimization. The network device authenticates a user and determines electronic document data that is to be processed. The electronic document data may be created at the network device, e.g., by a scanning module on the network device, or at a client device, e.g., by a word processing application executing on the client device. The content processing module retrieves particular user preference data based upon the user authentication. The particular user preference data may specify confidential information preferences, content optimization preferences and/or workflow preferences. The content processing module performs intelligent document content processing on the electronic document data based upon the particular user preference data and generates processed electronic document data.
US08130947B2 Privacy preserving social network analysis
A method and a system for privacy-preserving SNA. A plurality of vertices of a first subgraph of a graph is encrypted with a first key of a commutatively encryption scheme. A plurality of vertices of a second subgraph encrypted with a second key of the commutatively encryption scheme are received and encrypted commutatively with the first key. A plurality of commutatively encrypted vertices of the first subgraph and a plurality of commutatively encrypted vertices of the second subgraph are used for computing centrality metrics preserving the privacy of the graph and its structure.
US08130935B1 Routing of calls based on agents emotional state
An agent's emotional state is used to assist with determining how to route an incoming communication. The factoring in of emotional state can be combined with other performance metrics that can include, for example, any suitable metric for expressing or describing agent performance or agent skill level. For example, the metrics can include revenue generated, revenue generation rate, profitability, profitability generation rate, number of units sold, rate of unit sales, average duration of the contact, a rating quantifying the agents proficiency in handling a contact, the occurrence of a trouble ticket, agent requests assistance, a no sale situation, customer satisfaction indicators, customer attention, value of collections, time to close a sale, one-and-done, and/or any other metric indicating the customer's relationship with the business.
US08130933B2 Method for recovery from linkset failure in telecommunications network
A signal transfer point (STP) within a first telecommunications network enables recovery from a linkset failure between the first telecommunications network and a second telecommunications network by deactivating one or more affected signaling routes between the first and second telecommunications networks that include the failed linkset. The STP includes a linkset controller for monitoring the current state of the linkset coupled between the STP and an additional STP within the second telecommunications network. The STP further includes an input interface for receiving a deactivate common channel signaling (CCS) route command from a user when the current state of the linkset indicates failure of the linkset, and a signaling route control module that changes the route status for the affected signaling routes to “prohibited” to prevent SS7 traffic associated with the affected signaling routes from being sent over the linkset.
US08130931B2 Call waiting using external notification and presence detection
Alerting an intended recipient of a phone call includes identifying an account based on a phone call received from a caller and accessing configuration data related to the account. The configuration data is used to identify an identity associated with the account. One or more external online service provider systems are queried across a network to determine whether the identity is available to receive an electronic communication associated with the phone call. The electronic communication associated with the phone call is sent across the network to the one or more external online service provider systems conditioned on whether the identity is determined to be available to receive the electronic communication. The one or more external online service provider systems send the electronic communication to the identity.
US08130928B2 Method and system for number indexing for advertising
A method and system for number indexing for advertising. Alphanumeric identifiers (e.g., telephone number, voice-over-Internet Protocol identifier, an Internet Protocol identifier, an instant message identifier or an e-mail address identifier) are used to categorize and associate pre-determined advertising with the alphanumeric identifiers. When the alphanumeric identifier is received on a communications network, the pre-determined advertising associated with the alphanumeric identifier is sent to a target device.
US08130926B2 Systems and methods for recording data
Included are embodiments for recording data from a communication. A least one embodiment includes a system for recording data from a communication. Embodiments of a system include a controller component configured to receive control data associated with a communication and a first switching component configured to receive media data associated with the communication from a first communications device via a first receive port. Similarly, some embodiments include a recording component coupled to the connection line, the recording component configured to receive at least a portion of the media data from the connection line.
US08130925B2 Systems and methods for recording
Included are embodiments for recording data from a communication. At least one embodiment includes receiving media data associated with the communication from a first communications device at a first receive port and sending the received media data to a first transmit port, wherein the first transmit port is coupled to a second receive port. Some embodiments include sending the received media data to a recording device via a connection with the recorder, the connection being located on the coupling of the first transmit port and the second receive port.
US08130924B2 Methods and apparatus for processing and display of voice data
Apparatus and methods for creating a composite data source having a common data representation from disparate sources of voice data. Data transmission links are established to heterogeneous messaging data sources, requests for voice data is sent using data access protocols, the voice data is received, and a set of voice data transformation rules are selectively applied to the voice data to transform the data into a common data representation. The common data representation can also be used as a source for reporting and graphical displays to monitor the operational aspects of the sources of voice data.
US08130923B2 Method and apparatus for providing emergency calls to a disabled endpoint device
The present invention enables the remote activation of a device by a packet-switched service, e.g., VoIP network service for the purposes of receiving calls identified as urgent from a pre-identified calling party when the device is disabled. The present invention enables registered users to select the calling parties they wish to receive emergency calls from.
US08130919B2 Message delivery using a voice mail system
Voicemail systems and methods can provide a user with means for receiving categorized messages from parties. The categories can be independent of the intended recipients of the messages, such that multiple users can receive the same message. A user can subscribe to receive categorized messages within selected categories or from selected parties. A registered party, including a merchant, an organization, a government agency and/or another party, can input messages to selected categories and can input distribution parameters for the messages. Expiration dates can be associated with the messages such that messages can be deleted once expired.
US08130918B1 System and method for the creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voice services, with closed loop transaction processing
A method and system for accomplishing closed-loop transaction processing in conjunction with interactive, real-time, voice transmission of information to a user is disclosed. A voice-based communication between a user and a first system is established and a report is transmitted to the user. The report might comprise information and at least one request for user input based on said information. In response to the report, the user can request a transaction based on said information. The requested transaction is completed automatically by connecting to a second system for processing.
US08130915B2 Verification of user presence during an interactive voice response system session
In those transactions requiring the approval of two or more users, users can perform verification of identity and then completion of desired transaction using an IVR system. The combination of two or more user voice prints previously collected during an enrollment phase can be used for verification of parties to the transaction. During a subsequent verification phase of the IVR system, the users can speak their own password phase when prompted to do so during a defined period of time and the IVR system captures them in a captured mixed voice print. Verification can then be provided by comparing the captured mixed voice print with a joined voice reference model built from stored voice reference models.
US08130912B2 Line testing
Embodiments related to line testing are described and depicted.
US08130910B2 Liquid-cooled aperture body in an x-ray tube
A liquid-cooled aperture body in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube is configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid coolant. The x-ray tube includes a cathode at least partially positioned within a cathode housing, an anode at least partially positioned within a can, and an aperture body coupling the cathode housing to the can. The can is formed from a first material and the aperture body is formed from a second material. The aperture body defines an aperture through which electrons may pass between the cathode and the anode. The aperture body further defines at least two exterior surfaces that are each configured to be exposed to the liquid coolant in which the x-ray tube is at least partially submerged.
US08130908B2 X-ray diffraction apparatus and technique for measuring grain orientation using x-ray focusing optic
An x-ray diffraction apparatus for measuring crystal orientation of a multiple grain sample. An x-ray excitation path is provided having a focusing optic for collecting x-rays from an x-ray source and redirecting the collected x-rays into an x-ray beam converging on a single grain of the multiple grain sample. At least one point detector and the sample are rotated relative to each other; and a grain orientation is obtained based upon diffraction patterns collected from first and second grain crystal planes within the apparatus.
US08130905B1 Dosimetry system and method for radiation therapy
Electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images are converted to an absolute dose at a simulated absolute dose plane in a measurement phantom for supporting intensity modulated radio therapy (IMRT) dose quality assurance (QA) by geometrically projecting the EPID image as may be needed, generating an output factor correction map specific to a radiation treatment beam, multiplying an EPID image by the output factor correction map for generating an output corrected EPID image, and convolving the output corrected EPID image with a redistribution kernel for generating a relative dose at a preselected dose plane. A wide field calibration map is then applied to the relative dose for generating an absolute dose at the preselected dose plane location.
US08130899B2 Arrangement for electron beam tomography
An assembly for electron beam tomography affords continuous and simultaneous recording of two-dimensional slice images of an object in different irradiation planes with a high temporal and spatial resolution. Targets are penetrated by openings of a given width and with a regular arrangement in the circumferential direction. The openings in the targets are respectively situated on a path formed by the cross section of the shell of the electron beam cone with the respective target. The successive targets in the beam direction respectively are arranged with a small angular offset with respect to the optical axis to the respective target situated in front, and so an electron beam circulating along the shell of the electron beam cone successively irradiates the material webs between the openings of all targets with at least part of its cross section and an X-ray detector arc is arranged for each target in coplanar radial fashion in front of or behind the respective target.
US08130898B2 Prospective cardiac gating in computed tomography
A computed tomography scanner (10) acquires prospectively gated cardiac projection data. A scan controller (42) causes the scanner (10) to acquire projection data at the predicted location of a target cardiac phase in a cardiac cycle of the patient. An error determiner (44) determines an error between the target phase and the phase at which the projection data was actually acquired. Depending on the error, the patient is rescanned in a subsequent cardiac cycle.
US08130896B2 Method of controlling criticality of nuclear fuel cycle facility, method of producing uranium dioxide powder, reactor fuel rod, and fuel assembly
A method of controlling the criticality of a nuclear fuel cycle facility includes steps of producing a reactor fuel by adding less than 0.1% by weight of gadolinia to a uranium dioxide powder with a uranium enrichment of greater than 5% by weight and controlling the effective neutron multiplication factor of a uranium dioxide system in a step of handling the reactor fuel to be less than or equal to the maximum of the effective neutron multiplication factor of a uranium dioxide system with a uranium enrichment of 5% by weight.
US08130891B2 Clock-data recovery (“CDR”) circuit, apparatus and method for variable frequency data
A circuit, such as a CDR circuit, includes a sampler to receive a data signal having a variable data bit-rate responsive to a clock signal in an embodiment of the present invention. A clock circuit is coupled to the sampler and generates the clock signal responsive to a selectable update rate and a selectable phase adjust step-size. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the clock circuit includes a Stall logic that is coupled to first, second and third stages and is capable to hold the phase adjust signal responsive to the first and second stage output signals. In a third embodiment of the present invention, an indicator detects the variable data bit-rate and a counter provides the selectable phase adjust step-size for the adjust signal. In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the clock circuit includes the Stall logic, the indicator and the counter. In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the clock circuit includes an Averaging circuit to output a phase adjust signal responsive to the averaging of a first and second adjust signals for a predetermined period of time.
US08130888B2 Calibrating a phase detector and analog-to-digital converter offset and gain
The present invention includes apparatus and methods to calibrate a phase detector and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) offset and gain. In one such embodiment, an apparatus includes a phase detector to generate an error pulse and a reference pulse, a combiner to combine the pulses, and an ADC to receive the combined pulses, where the ADC has a full scale set by an average of the reference pulse. Still further, a calibration loop may be coupled between the output of the ADC and the phase detector to generate and provide a phase adjust signal to reduce or eliminate phase offsets. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08130887B2 Method and arrangements for link power reduction
Methods and arrangements to determine phase adjustments for a sampling clock of a clock and data recovery (CDR) loop based upon subsets of data samples, or values, derived from an incoming data signal are disclosed. In particular, embodiments extend the CDR loop by slowing the clock rate with respect to the sampling clock. For instance, the slower clock rate may be implemented by dividing the frequency of the sampling clock by a number such as 128, slowing a sampling clock frequency designed to handle multiple gigabits per second (Gbps) to a frequency of less than one kilohertz (Khz). In addition to the reduced power consumption realized by operating at a lower frequency, the slower clock rate allows components of the CDR loop circuitry to operate a lower operating voltage reducing power consumption by the CDR loop even more.
US08130886B2 Samples of bandlimited signals recovery system and method
A method and system of sample recovery is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting initially in an arbitrary manner, a current symbol from a sequence of input samples, comparing a symbol timing estimate associated with the current symbol to a predetermined threshold, selecting a future symbol strobe that is ahead at an interval equivalent to a predetermined interval based on the comparison of the symbol timing estimate to the predetermined threshold, selecting a future symbol from the sequence of samples corresponding to the future symbol strobe, assigning the future symbol to the current symbol, which is the recovered symbol, rearranging the recovered symbols to form Pulse Code Modulated (PCM) samples of a bandlimited signal at a sample rate which is derived from the recovered symbol rate, and resampling at the sample rate of the receptor block which receives the recovered PCM samples.
US08130881B1 MIMO with reduced compute complexity
Systems, methods, and devices for MIMO communications with reduced compute complexity are disclosed. Spectrally whitened communications are received, magnitude distortion is removed and phase distortion is corrected. The magnitude distortion is removed separately from the correction of the phase distortion, thereby reducing the compute complexity.
US08130878B2 Apparatus and method for estimating carrier-to-interference-and-noise ratio in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system
An apparatus and method for estimating a carrier-to-interference-and-noise ratio (CINR) of a received signal in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system are provided. A band-pass filter attenuates a signal region of the received signal and passes a signal in a noise region. A first power calculator calculates interference and noise power of the noise-region signal received from the band-pass filter. A second power calculator calculates total received power of the received signal. A ratio calculator calculates a CINR based on the interference and noise power, and the total received power.
US08130873B2 Carrier recovery apparatus usable with VSB type receiver and method thereof
A carrier recovery apparatus usable with a VSB receiver and a method thereof. The carrier recovery apparatus is capable of recovering a carrier even though a pilot signal may be corrupted due to multi-path characteristics of a channel. Accordingly, the carrier recovery apparatus performs a BECM (Band Edge Component Maximization) algorithm on upper and lower sidebands of a received signal to generate phase information therefrom. The phase information is combined in a combiner. Since the BECM algorithm is performed on the upper and lower sidebands, it is possible to execute the carrier recovery even through the upper sideband of a received signal may be corrupted. Therefore, the carrier recovery apparatus can prevent performance degradation of the VSB receiver caused by corruption in the pilot signal.
US08130871B2 Integrated circuit having radio receiver and methods for use therewith
An integrated circuit includes a radio receiver for receiving a received radio signal having a plurality of channel signals, each of the plurality of channel signals being modulated at one of a corresponding plurality of carrier frequencies. The radio receiver converts a selected one of the plurality of channel signals into a demodulated signal. An interface clock generator generates a first interface clock at a first interface clock frequency that varies based on the selected one of the plurality of channel signals. The first interface clock frequency, and integer multiples of the first clock frequency are not substantially equal to the carrier frequency of the selected one of the plurality of channel signals. A driver module drives a device interface with a device based on the first interface clock.
US08130868B2 Radio communication apparatus, radio communication method and program storage medium
A radio communication apparatus includes: generation units generating first to mth signals; a storage storing allocation information defining that beams of different quality levels are allocated to first to mth communication apparatuses for each of first to nth subcarriers so that frequencies of respective quality levels are substantially uniform over all the subcarriers among the apparatuses; determining units determining transmission weights by which the signals are multiplied so that the beams according to the allocation information are formed for the apparatuses for each of the subcarriers; generation units performing multiplication processing by using the signals and the weights for each of the subcarriers to generate first to hth weighted signals for each of the subcarriers; transform units performing inverse Fourier transform on the weighted signals for each of the subcarriers to generate first to hth transformed signals; and transmission processing units transmitting the transformed signals via first to hth antennas.
US08130863B2 Sequence generating method for efficient detection and method for transmitting and receiving signals using the same
A sequence generation method for allowing a reception end to effectively detect a sequence used for a specific channel of an OFDM communication system, and a signal transmission/reception method using the same are disclosed. During the sequence generation, an index is selected from among the index set having the conjugate symmetry property between indexes, and a specific part corresponding to the frequency “0” is omitted from a transmitted signal. In addition, a reception end can calculate a cross-correlation value between a received (Rx) signal and each sequence using only one cross-correlation calculation based on the conjugate symmetry property.
US08130862B2 Precoding system and method for multi-user transmission in multiple antenna wireless systems
A transmission method and system are provided wherein the system and method use precoding and sum rate optimization beam forming to create a capacity transmission.
US08130858B1 Method and apparatus for implementing transmit diversity in OFDM systems
A plurality of phases are determined. The plurality of phases are to be applied to a plurality of transmit signals to be transmitted via a plurality of transmit antennas. Each transmit signal comprises a plurality of sub-carriers. Each phase of the plurality of phases is to be applied to a corresponding block of sub carriers in the plurality of transmit signals, and each block of sub-carriers comprises a plurality of sub-carriers that are adjacent in frequency. The plurality of phases are applied to the plurality of transmit signals to implement transmit diversity. Each phase is applied to the corresponding block of sub carriers in the plurality of transmit signals.
US08130856B1 Adjustable transmit diversity
Systems and methods for adjustable transmit diversity (adjustable PSTD) are provided. A base station transmits information to a mobile station over two antennas. Using information received from the mobile station related to channel conditions, the base station can adjust a frequency offset between the information transmitted over the two antennas.
US08130854B2 Nonlinear precoding method for a digital broadcast channel
Several subscriber signals are transmitted simultaneously and at the same frequency by a central transmitter to several decentralized receivers which do not cooperate with each other, by digital message transmission in a broadcast channel. A common transmission signal, which enables an error-free individual reception, should be generated with knowledge of all subscriber signals and of the current transmission conditions, by signal preprocessing methods on the transmission side. Known nonlinear precoding methods totally suppress the interference signals, so that the channel diversity cannot be used. In the claimed precoding method, the occurring interference signals are, on the contrary, taken into account. On the basis of a modulo arithmetic calculation, the transmission channel is not totally equalized, but virtually divided, so that the transmission of the subscriber signals is continued periodically; the signals are selected according to the minimal transmission power and pre-equalized, in a linear manner, and the residual interferences, still remaining between the subscriber signals, may assume special values from a preset set of values. The set of values is selected, so that the interference signals of the other subscribers are also merely reflected in the otherwise already existing periodic continuation and can be suppressed or used as required by a modulo decision, on the reception side.
US08130852B2 Method for estimating channel in radio communication system and device therefor
Disclosed is a radio communication device, and more particularly to a method for estimating a channel and compensating for error occurring in the estimation procedure, for a device for performing a frequency domain signal processing, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) The channel estimation method in a radio communication system includes the steps of: transforming a received OFDM signal into a frequency domain; estimating a channel frequency response (CFR) value from a result value obtained through the transformation by using a pilot signal; transforming the estimated CFR value into a time domain through an extended Inverse Fast Fourier Transform scheme, and detecting a channel impulse response (CIR) value; detecting a delay path position of a channel; modifying a non-ideal autocorrelation function; and compensating the estimated CIR value for error, through use of the detected delay path position and the non-ideal autocorrelation function.
US08130847B2 Closed-loop transmission feedback in wireless communication systems
An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing wireless communication terminal, that communicates with a base unit, obtains a set of analog coefficients by transforming a transmit spatial covariance matrix, modulates the set of analog coefficients onto multiple channels to form a feedback waveform, and transmits the feedback waveform to the base unit.
US08130846B2 System and method for single-carrier space-frequency block coded transmission over frequency selective and fast fading channels
A single carrier transmission scheme which utilizes space-frequency block coding and frequency domain equalization (SF-SCFDE) is proposed for frequency selective and fast fading channel. It is shown that employing this technique in slow fading environment depicts the same performance as that obtained with space-time coding scheme. However, in the more difficult fast fading channels, the proposed scheme exhibits much better performance.
US08130842B2 Method of decoding a macroblock based on a macroblock level of the macroblock
In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a reference picture list including multiple reference pictures, and determining an initial reference picture index of the multiple reference pictures in the reference picture list based on display order information for the multiple reference pictures. The reference picture index numbers increase for reference pictures having a decreasing display order with respect to a picture including the macroblock and the reference picture numbers increase for reference pictures having an increasing display order with respect to the picture including the macroblock. The reference picture index numbers of the reference pictures having a decreasing display order are less than the reference picture index numbers of the reference pictures having an increasing display order. The initial reference picture index is selectively modified to produce a determined reference picture index based on the macroblock level of the macroblock. The determined reference picture index is the initial reference picture index if the macroblock level of the macroblock is a frame, and the determined reference picture index is a modification of the initial reference picture index if the macroblock level of the macroblock is a field. The macroblock is decoded by selecting at least one reference picture from the reference picture list using the determined reference picture index.
US08130839B2 Information processing apparatus with video encoding process control based on detected load
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes an input unit which inputs moving picture signal, a processing load detecting unit which detects a processing load, a motion estimation unit which detects the inter-frame motion of blocks obtained by dividing an input picture constituting the input moving picture signal in a square region which is set according to the processing load detected at the processing load detecting unit and whose diagonal line is parallel to one side of the blocks, a motion compensation prediction unit which generates a prediction signal based on the result of the detection at the motion estimation unit, a conversion unit which converts a prediction residual error signal obtained from a residual error in the prediction signal and the input picture signal, and an output unit which encodes a conversion coefficient converted at the conversion unit, and outputs an encoded stream.
US08130837B2 Method and apparatus for determining motion between video images
An apparatus is provided for determining motion between a first and second video image. The apparatus includes an input device for receiving the first and the second video image with a plurality of pixels, a block selector for selecting a block of pixels within the first video image, a search area selector for selecting at least part of the second video image to produce a search area, a sampler for sampling the pixels of the search area in a predetermined pattern and a comparator for comparing the selected block of pixels within the first video image with at least one block of the sampled pixels of the search area to determine the motion of the block of pixels between the images. The pattern of sampled pixels varies throughout the search area.
US08130836B2 Multi-view stereo imaging system and compression/decompression method applied thereto
A receiver and transmitter in a multi-view stereo imaging system and a compression method applied thereto are provided for increasing a compression rate of an image. A first, second, and third image is captured at the same time by a first, second, and third camera consecutively located at certain intervals. Data is encoded and transmitted for one of the first and third image, data regarding non-transmission of a residual image created, when the residual image is lower than the threshold value, and the residual image, when the residual image is higher than the threshold value. Thus, the compression rate is increased since data compressed for the second image is not transmitted at the time when a difference between an intermediate image and the second image is lower than the threshold value.
US08130835B2 Method and apparatus for generating motion vector in hierarchical motion estimation
A method and apparatus is provided for generating a middle level motion vector in hierarchical motion estimation. TA second-resolution-frame motion vector is generated in a second resolution frame having a second resolution from a first-resolution-frame motion vector in a first resolution frame having a first resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution. A local-search reference point is determined in the second-resolution frame based on the first-resolution-frame motion vector, and the second-resolution-frame motion vector is generated by performing a local search process on the second resolution frame based on the determined local-search reference point. The local search process is performed based on matching reference values for lower estimation blocks, each of the lower estimation blocks comprise pixel values of some portions of a current estimation block and a past estimation block. The current estimation block is an estimation block of a current frame and the past estimation block is an estimation block of a corresponding past frame. Accordingly, an amount of operations for the matching reference values can be reduced.
US08130832B2 Video decoding device and video decoding method
A video decoding device includes: a decoder that decodes an encoded video bit stream to generate a prediction error signal; a motion compensator that performs a motion compensation prediction using a motion vector that refers at least one picture to generate a motion compensation prediction signal; a weighted predictor that generates a weighted prediction signal from a linear sum of (1) a product of the motion compensation prediction signal and a first weighting coefficient and (2) a second weighting coefficient; a selector that selects one of the motion compensation prediction signal and the weighted prediction signal; and an adder that adds (1) selected one of the weighted prediction signal and the motion compensation prediction signal and (2) the prediction error signal.
US08130830B2 Enhancement layer switching for scalable video coding
An exemplary system includes a data encoder generating a base layer bitstream encoded at a base bit-rate, and a plurality of enhancement layer bitstreams encoded at different enhancement layer bit-rates, and a bitstream selection module selecting one of the enhancement layer bitstreams every video frame based on available channel bandwidth. A method includes transmitting a first enhancement layer bitstream encoded at a first bit-rate, detecting a transition in network bandwidth through a switching bit-rate, and transmitting a second enhancement layer bitstream encoded at a second bit-rate based on the transition in network bandwidth.
US08130827B2 Method and apparatus for interpolating a reference pixel in an annular image and encoding/decoding an annular image
A method and apparatus are disclosed for interpolating an object reference pixel in an annular image. In one embodiment, reference pixels selected based on a distorted shape of the annular image are arranged in a direction of distortion of the annular image and an object reference pixel in the annular image is interpolated based on the selected reference pixels.
US08130825B2 Processor for video data encoding/decoding
A video processor uses attributes of video data to perform encoding and decoding. Some embodiments dynamically configure the processor via a sequence of instructions, where the instructions include information on the attributes of the current video data. Some embodiments include a dynamically configurable adder array that computes difference functions thereby generating error vectors. Some embodiments include a dynamically configurable adder array that computes filtering functions applied to the video data, e.g. interpolation or decimation of the incoming video prior to motion detection. Some embodiments of the invention provide dynamically configurable hardware searches, for example, for detecting motion. Some embodiments of the invention are implemented using an adaptive computing machines (ACMs). An ACM includes a plurality of heterogeneous computational elements, each coupled to an interconnection network.
US08130822B2 Methods and systems for conditional transform-domain residual accumulation
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for managing and combining layers in a multi-layer bitstream.
US08130819B2 Encoding uplink acknowledgments to downlink transmissions
A portable device, such as a mobile terminal or user equipment, for encoding uplink acknowledgments to downlink transmissions. The portable device includes a receiver configured to receive a plurality of data blocks, such that each of the data blocks include an associated cyclic redundancy check (CRC), and a processor configured to determine received status for each of the data blocks by checking the CRC of each of the data blocks. The portable device further includes a transmitter for transmitting a response sequence which indicates the received status of all of the data blocks.
US08130818B2 Maximizing power and spectral efficiencies for layered and conventional modulations
Methods and apparatuses for maximizing power and spectral efficiencies in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The invention is particularly useful for layered modulation applications because power levels for such applications are relatively high. A layered modulation signal comprises an upper and a lower layer signal that interfere with each other within the same frequency band such that the upper layer signal can be demodulated directly from the layered modulation signal, and the lower layer signal can be demodulated after subtracting the first layer signal from the layered modulation signal. The invention applies one or more of the following four signal schemes in a communication signal including varying the symbol rate (rather than the code rate), reducing or eliminating the guard band, reducing excess signal bandwidth and employing layered modulation within the guard band of the legacy signal.
US08130817B2 Non-data-aided channel estimators for multipath and multiple antenna wireless systems
Novel non-data-aided maximum likelihood estimators for the delays and the attenuations in an ultra-wide bandwidth channel are proposed. Numerical results show that these new estimators outperform the previous non-data-aided maximum likelihood channel estimators derived in the literature. Moreover, in some cases, the performances of the new non-data-aided estimators approach those of the data-aided estimators, enabling us to reduce the overhead expense of pilot symbols.
US08130802B2 Tunable laser
A tunable laser includes an optical gain medium, a first resonator, a periodically tunable optical filter, and a second resonator in which light of a laser wavelength exhibits a round trip time T. The optical filter is arranged between the first resonator and the second resonator and is tuned with a period t. The period t is governed by t=(n/m) T, where n and m are integers and m/n is not an integer.
US08130793B2 System and method for enabling reciprocal billing for different types of communications over a packet network
A system and method for determining inter-carrier network usage may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier by subscribers of a second communications carrier that manages a second packet network. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of the second packet network by subscribers of the first communications subscriber may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined, where the network usage information may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time and non-real-time content.
US08130788B2 Method for adjusting transmission speed of wireless network
A method for adjusting a transmission speed of a wireless network comprises the steps of: setting a transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is either an idle mode or a traffic mode; setting an environmental case, wherein the environmental case is either an ideal case or a corner case; determining a transmission speed adjusting algorithm according to the transmission mode and environmental case; and determining an updated transmission speed according to the transmission speed adjusting algorithm.
US08130787B2 High-frequency circuit device, and communications apparatus comprising same
A high-frequency circuit device comprising at least first and second antenna terminals, at least first and second transmitting terminals for a first communications system, at least first and second receiving terminals for a first communications system, two or more switch circuits, and two or more filter circuits, the first transmitting terminal for the first communications system being connectable to the first antenna terminal, the second transmitting terminal for the first communications system being connectable to the second antenna terminal, the first receiving terminal for the first communications system being connectable to the first antenna terminal, and the second receiving terminal for the first communications system being connectable to the second antenna terminal.
US08130782B2 Control system using a mini slot signal in a passive optical network
A passive optical network including: a parent station OLT (optical line terminal); and a plurality of child stations ONU (optical network terminating unit), wherein the parent station and the plurality of child stations transmit an upstream frame and a downstream frame to each other, and the parent station includes means for generating a maintenance signal indicating failure at a mini slot, corresponding to each of the plurality of child stations, on a basis of a receiving state of a signal at the mini slot sent from each of the plurality of child stations.
US08130780B2 Method and apparatus for assigning resources in a wireless system with multiple regions
A method and apparatus of signaling radio resource allocation in a wireless communication system includes transmitting at least one region boundary to a mobile station indicating a division of the time-frequency resources into at least two regions, determining a time-frequency resource assignment for the mobile station, transmitting an indication of the determined time-frequency resource to the mobile station in the same region as the determined time-frequency resource, and transmitting a packet to the mobile station using the physical time-frequency resources corresponding to the determined time-frequency resource.
US08130779B2 Switch device, storage system, and routing method determining output port for a frame based on hop count
A switch device includes two cascade ports each connected to another switch device; at least one direct port connected to a storage medium; a hop-count determining unit that determines whether a frame input from one cascade port has already gone through a predetermined number of switch devices; an output unit that outputs the frame from another cascade port when it is determined that the frame has not gone through the predetermined number of switch devices; and a port determining unit that determines a direct port for outputting the frame when it is determined that the frame has already gone through the predetermined number of switch devices.
US08130778B2 System and method for a wireless network protocol suite
Systems and methods are provided for processing forward link only (FLO) signals. A device for receiving forward link only (FLO) wireless communications comprises a receiver for receiving a forward link only (FLO) signal, a demodulator for demodulating the FLO signal, a processor for processing the FLO signal according to a protocol stack; and a memory for storing the protocol stack. The protocol stack comprises an application layer, a control layer, a stream layer, a MAC layer, and a physical layer, the application layer interfaces with the control layer and stream layer, the control layer further interfaces with the MAC layer, the stream layer further interfaces with the MAC layer, and the MAC layer further interfaces with the physical layer.
US08130777B2 Link layer device with clock processing hardware resources shared among multiple ingress and egress links
In a communication system comprising a link layer device connectable to one or more physical layer devices, the link layer device is configured using an efficient shared architecture for processing data associated with a plurality of links including at least one ingress link and at least one egress link. The link layer device comprises an ingress data clock processor configured to generate an ingress clock signal for processing data associated with said at least one ingress link, an egress data clock processor configured to generate an egress clock signal for processing data associated with said at least one egress link, and a control and configuration unit shared by the ingress data clock processor and the egress data clock processor. Another aspect of the invention relates to a buffer adaptive processor that in an illustrative embodiment limits clock variability in the presence of cell delay variation or cell loss.
US08130774B2 Object tracking method and system
An object tracking method uses a system having an object identifying device and at least one video tracking device, wherein the object identifying device monitors an area to identify an object entering the area and the video tracking device wired/wirelessly connected to the object identifying device monitors the area monitored by the object identifying device. The method includes: extracting, at the object identifying device, object identification information of the object; providing, at the object identifying device, the object identification information to the video tracking device; tracking, at the video tracking device, the object to extract physical information of the object; mapping, at the video tracking device, the physical information to the object identification information to generate object information of the object; and storing, at the video tracking device, the object information in a memory of the video tracking device.
US08130773B2 Hybrid topology ethernet architecture
A distributed control system comprises a first network section comprising one or more control nodes containing control logic operable to perform control function computations; a second network section, wherein the second network section comprises; a plurality of additional nodes responsive to the one or more control nodes in the first network section, each of the plurality of additional nodes communicatively coupled to two neighbor nodes and to two skip nodes using a plurality of links; first and second gateway interfaces each coupled to the first and second network sections and each operable to interface the first network section to the second network section; wherein the first network section is operable to communicate signals using a first communication protocol; and wherein the plurality of nodes in the second network section are operable to communicate signals over the plurality of links using a second communication protocol that is different from the first communication protocol.
US08130771B2 Packet-forwarding for proxy mobile IP
The packet-forwarding for proxy mobile IP, in accordance with various embodiments, includes registering a mobile access terminal (AT) and a first IP gateway (IPGW) with a home agent (HA) when a wireless communication session is established between the mobile AT and the first IPGW. In various embodiments the method additionally includes transferring context information regarding the mobile AT and a proxy mobile security key obtained by the first IPGW, from the first IPGW to a second IPGW when the mobile AT moves from a first access network to a second access network.
US08130766B2 System and method for implementing multimedia calls across a private network boundary
A system and method of the present invention for implementing multimedia calls across a private network boundary is provided, the system comprising a public network and at least one private network, and at least the following hardware components: at least one media gateway for connecting with multimedia terminals of various protocols; at least one boundary gateway for connecting the private network and the public network and performing the translation of a private network address and a public network address between each other, wherein each boundary gateway is provide with an unique subnetwork ID to correspond to the private network connected therewith; a call controller for establishing calls and controlling service logics, in which is recorded the correspondence relationship information of all said boundary gateways and the subnetwork IDs; wherein, the call controller processes a call concerning a private network according to the subnetwork ID information. The system and method of the present invention is simple to implement, has high efficiency and wide application range; saves the boundary gateway resources, does not modify the signaling content and retain its integrity; is applicable to the media gateways of various protocols, and has a high adaptability.
US08130763B2 Data item interval identifier lookup method and system
A data item interval identifier lookup method and system is proposed, which is designed for integration to an information processing system for finding which predefined interval the value of an input data item, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address, belongs. The proposed method and system is characterized by the use of a multi-stage lookup-table data structure having a number of cascaded lookup tables constructed by partitioning the data format of the input data item into a number of segments, each being mapped to one stage of lookup table data structure whose key-value relationships are predefined based on a predefined interval-and-identifier definition table. In operation, the values of the partitioned segments are sequentially used as lookup keys to search through the multi-stage lookup-table data structure until the corresponding interval identifier is found. This feature allows the implementation to have low memory requirement and enhanced system performance.
US08130762B2 Distributed wireless packet assembly
Distributed assembly of data packets into messages at a group of interface devices that receive data packets from within a coverage area. Each interface device in the group will take ownership of a sequence of data packets forming a message when a data packet of the message meeting predetermined criteria is received by that interface device. Once an interface device takes ownership of a sequence of data packets, it sends a request to the other interface devices for any missing data packets of the sequence that the ownership claiming interface does not have, and then assembles message upon receiving all the data packets of the sequence.
US08130757B2 Digital content delivery system
The digital contents distribution system of the present invention distributes digital contents through first and second networks. A server is connected to the first network, and clients for receiving and displaying or reproducing the digital contents are connected to the second network. The server divides digital contents held therein into a plurality of packets, and transmits packets of a minimum unit for constructing the digital contents to the second network. The clients include means for holding the digital contents therein by use of the packets of the minimum unit received from the server and packets received from other clients constructing the second network.
US08130756B2 Tunnel configuration associated with packet checking in a network
A network, network devices, and methods are described for packet processing. A method includes using logic on a first network device to select a checking functionality based on a number of criteria. The method uses logic on the first network device to select the checking functionality from a list of checking functionalities. The checking functionality is selected for processing packets identified by the first network device. The method also includes using logic on the first network device to configure a tunnel initiation to tunnel packets to a second network device that is associated with the selected checking functionality. The second network device has a destination address different from an original destination address of identified packets.
US08130754B2 On-chip and chip-to-chip routing using a processor element/router combination
A system and method is shown for on-chip and chip-to-chip routing. The system and method includes a processor element residing on a processor die to process a data packet received at the processor die. The system and method also include a router residing on the process die to route the data packet received at the processor die. Further, the system and method includes a switch core residing on the processor die to switch a communication channel along which the data packet is to be transmitted. Additionally, the system and method includes a switch core to identify a destination processing element and router (PE/R) module for a data packet, the switch core and the destination PE/R module residing on a common processor die. Moreover, the system and method includes a communication channel to operatively connect the switch core and the destination PE/R module on the common processor die.
US08130752B2 Real-time network measurement
A method of operation within a device coupled to a network. A first set of data is received from a first data path of the network. A first set of measurement information is identified from the first set of data, and a quality of the first data path is determined based on the first set of measurement information. A second set of data is then selectively transmitted via either the first data path or a second data path of the network, based on the quality of the first data path.
US08130748B2 Transmitter circuit to compensate for influence of crosstalk noise in pre-emphasis scheme
A transmitter circuit for transmitting parallel data, suitable for compensating for influence of crosstalk noise in a pre-emphasis scheme. The transmitter circuit includes first through Nth transmission lines configured to respectively transmit first through Nth data (N is 2 or greater); first through Nth output driving circuit sections configured to output the first through Nth data transmitted through the first through Nth transmission lines; first through Nth pre-emphasis circuit sections configured to generate first through Nth pre-emphasis signals for controlling transition output levels of the first through Nth data depending upon signal modes of adjoining data among the first through Nth data; and first through Nth adders configured to generate first through Nth data output signals that are controlled in transition output levels using output signals of the first through Nth output driving circuit sections and the first through Nth pre-emphasis signals.
US08130742B2 Communication protocol for a wireless device and a game console
An accessory is provided wireless connectivity with a game console by reconfiguring an earlier transport format that was used to solely transport voice data packets. The reconfiguration incorporates the use of a hybrid sub-frame, wherein voice data packets are replaced with communication data packets. The replacement is indicated by a set of identification bits inserted into a payload identifier field of the hybrid sub-frame.
US08130741B2 Method for resource allocation with rectangular bursts
A method is provided for allocation downlink bursts in a data region of a OFDMA data system, such data region having along one axis thereof increasing logical sub channel numbers and along another axis thereof increasing OFDMA symbol numbers, and wherein the burst are allocated into rectangular shaped sub regions within the data region. In one embodiment, the method allocates the bursts into rectangular shaped sub regions of the data region with minimum unused sub regions within the data region. In one embodiment, the method creates and locates the data region with minimum unused slots at the lowest logical sub channel number and the lowest OFDMA symbol number. In another embodiment, the method allocates the bursts within a data region having the largest number of OFDMA symbol numbers and then reduces the OFDMA symbol numbers of the data region only when the data region with the smaller OFDMA symbol numbers has less number of unused slots.
US08130740B2 Apparatus and method for channel transmission
A radio physical channel is available to multiple logical channels commonly, and multiple radio physical control channels are provided concomitantly with the radio physical channel and include a commonly usable common control channel. A channel transmission apparatus includes a logical channel type determination unit determining a type of a logical channel, and a channel transmission unit transmitting an identifier of the UE in the radio physical control channel depending on the type of the logical channel. A scheme of identifying the UE in the radio physical control channel is modified depending on the type of the logical channel.
US08130735B2 Method and system for a software defined power amplifier for multi-band, multi-standard applications
Methods and systems for a software defined power amplifier for multi-band, multi-standard applications are disclosed and may comprise configuring a single programmable output stage of a multi-band, multi-standard transmitter to handle transmission of a signal according to multiple wireless communication protocols and frequency ranges. The output stage may be configured by coupling a power amplifier (PA) within the programmable output stage to a switch or a duplexer, which may be coupled to one or more of multiple antennas, each of which may handle signals in a different frequency range. Each antenna may be impedance matched with the power amplifier using transformers, and may be coupled by activating at least one integrated transistor. The PA may be biased to operate in one of a plurality of classes of operation comprising Class A, AB, C and F associated with the wireless communication protocols, which may comprise EDGE, GSM, WCDMA and wireless LAN.
US08130730B2 User equipment for synchronizing to a TDD base station
A time division duplex (TDD) user equipment (UE) is configured to synchronize to a TDD base station. The UE includes an antenna, a primary synchronization code matched filter, a first plurality of secondary synchronization code matched filters, a second plurality of secondary synchronization code matched filters, and a processor in communication with the first and second plurality of secondary synchronization code matched filters. The first plurality of secondary synchronization code matched filters determines secondary synchronization codes sent on a first carrier and the second plurality of secondary synchronization code matched filters determines secondary synchronization codes sent on a second carrier. The processor is configured to determine a code group assignment and selected timeslot based upon an analysis of the secondary synchronization codes sent on the first and second carriers.
US08130729B2 Radio base station system, control apparatus, and radio apparatus
In a radio base station system in which a plurality of radio apparatuses are cascade-connected to a control apparatus, the control apparatus transmits information which is updated each time passing through the radio apparatuses, to a communication link that passes through each of the radio apparatuses and is then received by the control apparatus, and identifies the radio apparatuses in the cascade connection, based on an update status of the information having passed through each of the radio apparatuses.
US08130728B1 Dynamic transmission of DCD and UCD messages in a WiMAX network
Disclosed herein is a method and system for transmitting coding descriptor information that can be implemented in a WiMAX communication network. The method comprises (a) dividing the coding descriptor information into a first set and a second set of coding descriptor information, wherein the first set comprises coding descriptor information that is used in initial ranging; (b) determining a repetition frequency at which to periodically transmit the first set of coding descriptor information; (c) periodically transmitting the first set of coding descriptor information at the determined repetition frequency; (d) detecting a triggering event, wherein the triggering event comprises receipt of a message from an access terminal; and (e) in response to detecting the triggering event, transmitting the second set of coding descriptor information.
US08130727B2 Quasi-orthogonal allocation of codes in TD-CDMA systems
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate increasing throughput in a time-division duplexed CDMA wireless communication environment. A set of orthogonal Walsh code sequences can be assigned to a first group of users in a network sector, and a duplicate set of orthogonal Walsh code sequences can be assigned to at least a second group of users in the sector. A number of receive antennas equal or greater than to the number of duplicate code sets being assigned can be deployed to linearly scale sector capacity to meet user demand. Additionally, user devices employing duplicate Walsh code sequence assignments at a base station serving the sector can be distinguished from each other, and timing offsets between such users can be enforced to mitigate any jamming effect at the base station receiver. Still furthermore, user device channel requirements in the sector can be continuously evaluated and an appropriate number of antennas can be dynamically deployed to provide scalable service to all such user devices.
US08130725B2 Distributed mobile agent
Systems, apparatus, and methods for forwarding data packets towards a mobile node roaming in a foreign packet-switched data network are disclosed. The data packets having been addressed to a home address of the mobile node, the mobile node being provided with a care of address for use in the foreign network, the systems, apparatus, and methods comprise various features.
US08130724B2 Method and apparatus for handling cell reselections and transitions to and from an enhanced CELL—FACH state
A method and apparatus for handling cell reselections and transitions includes executing a cell reselection. A medium access control (MAC)-ehs reset is performed.
US08130722B1 Access technology agnostic foreign agent
A system and a method for enabling network communications between mobile client devices and home networks without regard to the access technology employed by the mobile client device. A system is provided that includes a plurality of mobile nodes configured to communicate over a network using different access technologies. Some of the mobile nodes, for example, may communicate using CDMA. Others may communicate using WiMAX. Still others may use other access technologies. The system also includes a foreign agent. The foreign agent is configured to provide foreign agent services to mobile nodes using different access technologies.
US08130719B2 PDSN-based session recovery from RBS/AN failure in a distributed architecture network
An access node anchoring a connection to, e.g., a PDSN in a core network establishes a session with a mobile station and assigns the mobile station an identifier such as a UATI. The anchor node sends the UATI to the PDSN, such as in a GRE key where the data link is a GRE tunnel. If the anchor node fails and data addressed to the mobile station comes to the PDSN, it may initiate a page for the mobile using the UATI. The anchor node may additionally send the PDSN the session seed and optionally the mobile station's network location. A registration zone may be defined to include access nodes within a predetermined distance of the anchor node, and the mobile station forced to re-register when moving outside of the registration zone. In this case, the PDSN may initiate a page for the mobile station only within the registration zone.
US08130718B2 Method and system for interworking of cellular networks and wireless local area networks
A method and system for interworking between cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs) are disclosed. At least one cellular network, at least one WLAN and an IP network are deployed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) first establishes a connection to a WLAN and a tunnel between an access point (AP) and a packet data gateway (PDG) is established. The PDG further establishes a tunnel to an IP network. The WTRU then invokes a service which is delivered through the WLAN. As signal quality from the AP degrades below a predetermined threshold, a handover from the WLAN to the cellular network is performed. A new connection to the cellular network may be established either before or after breaking the current connection to the WLAN or the two connections may be maintained simultaneously.
US08130713B2 System and method for credit-based channel transmission scheduling (CBCTS)
Credit based channel transmission scheduling (CBCTS) of packet data units (PDUs) on a downlink channel is provided based on priority, quantity, and timing efficiency. The CBCTS technique includes initializing a set of credit accounts with a set of credit values. Credit accounts are sorted to determine the account having the highest number of credits. An account is selected from the set having an associated PDU type that is ready for transmission and has a size that fits within a MAC block. The selected PDU is inserted into the MAC block. The cost associated with the inserted PDU is subtracted from the credits. The selected PDU size is subtracted from the MAC block size, and a determination is made as to whether there is free space remaining on the MAC block for insertion of additional PDUs. If so, another sort and search is performed prior to transmission on the downlink channel.
US08130712B1 Monitoring data-usage information from a dual-stack mobile device
Methods and computer-readable media are provided to monitor information corresponding to IP data sessions that are established using a single authentication session. A first IP data session may be established in a first IP version, such as IPv4 or IPv6, and a second IP data session may be established using a different IP version that was used in correlation to the first IP data session. Once the second IP data session is established, a message containing information corresponding to the second IP data session may be communicated to a receiving component, such as an AAA server. A similar message may be sent to the receiving component upon a termination of the second IP data session, such that the messages can be used to determine a value, such as a monetary value, associated with the second IP data session. A report may then be created that includes the determined value.
US08130708B2 Method and system enabling use of white space radio spectrum using an out of band control channel
A system and method of dynamic allocation of spectrum for a communication device involves receiving a user channel map (UCM) on a control channel that is outside the band of interest. The UCM can include at least boundary location information for one or more channel resources within a UHF band and communication parameters. The method can determine at least an approximate location for the communication device, compare the approximate location with the boundary location information, and determine which channels can avoid co-channel and adjacent channel interference with licensed users and other unlicensed users based on the comparison, boundary location information, and the communication parameters. The UCM can further include communication parameters such as maximum allowable transmit power, duty cycle, and in use information by other unlicensed and licensed users. The boundary location information can include polygon endpoint calculations and associated technical communication parameters.
US08130701B2 System, computer program product and method for accessing a local network of electronic devices
A method of managing electronic devices includes providing a main server including software for managing network resources from a single point of administration, receiving at the main server wireless data packets from a plurality of wireless electronic devices, and determining a registered device among the plurality of wireless electronic devices. The registered device is then wirelessly connecting to the main server to create a wireless local area network (LAN), and is managed using the software. The registered device may be an appliance, an environmental control device, or an entertainment device and the LAN may be a home or office LAN.
US08130695B2 Apparatus and an associated method for facilitating communications in a radio communication system that provides for data communications at multiple data rates
Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating operation of a radio communication system that provides for multi rate data communications, such as a CDMA 2000 system that provides for 1xEV-DV communication services. A supplemental pilot, or control, signal generator embodied at a mobile station generates a supplemental pilot, or control, signal that is sent on a newly defined supplemental pilot, or control, channel. As the data rates of data communicated upon a reverse supplemental channel changes, corresponding changes are made to the power level of the reverse supplemental pilot, or control, signal.
US08130690B2 Communication system and gateway
There is provided a communication system in which semi-duplex many-to-many multicasting service can be performed to both a mobile station and a base station by using a unified call control protocol such as SIP on an IP network, and can contain mobile stations and base stations of existing wireless facilities. The communication system in which the semi-duplex many-to-many multicasting service is performed to plural mobile stations 100a, 100b 100c and 110 includes a gateway 104a to convert a first protocol to connect the mobile station 100a, a base station 101a and the gateway 104a, and a second protocol to connect the gateway 104a, a call control server 105 and a press-talk server 106. The gateways 104a, 104b, 104c and 114a perform the protocol conversion for both communication to the mobile station and communication to the base station, so that the semi-duplex many-to-many press-talk can be realized.
US08130689B2 Method and device for the dynamic setting up and control of temporarily formed communications groups with secure transmission
A method and a device are provided for the dynamic setting up and control of temporarily formed communications groups with secure transmission, in which nodes potentially participating in a communications group are connected via a common transmission medium. The transmission medium enables an efficient transmission of so-called broad- and/or multicast-messages.
US08130683B2 Establishment of a transcoder-free operation connection
When a request is sent by a switching unit, relating to the use of at least one subset of a codec mode configuration for the establishment of a transcoder-free operation connection by a radio network controller, it is checked whether the at least one requested subset is supported by the radio network controller. If the at least one subset of at least one codec mode configuration is supported, a transcoder-free operation connection to the switching unit and to the communication terminal is established by the radio network controller. Furthermore, a message relating to the at least one subset of the codec mode configuration to be used is signalled from the radio network controller to the communication terminal for the transmission of data.
US08130681B2 Narrow band transceiver
The data transmitted from a first station is transmitted at a first data rate. The data transmitted from a second station is transmitted at a second data rate. The second data rate is lower than the first data rate. In view of both the difference in data rates and the synchronization between radio stations, a separate synchronization word is not required to be sent from the second station to the first station on the uplink portion; instead, and because the uplink slots of a given frame are synchronized between transceiving stations, the start of the uplink payload slot can comprise signalling information which simply acts to signify the start of transmission of uplink data from the second station.
US08130678B2 Automatic fall behind warning method and system
Disclosed relates to an automatic fall behind warning method and system applied in a group activity environment. Each individual in the group corresponds to a node and all of such nodes form an independent network. The method initializes an outside node table for the group and gets a link quality index table (LQI table) among the nodes on the network. A table specifying outside and inside nodes for the network topology is generated via an algorithm. Then the method checks if there is a node being disappearing from the outside nodes of the generated table. If not, it updates the outside node table and continues to get a newest LQI table. If so, the node falls behind is confirmed and a warning notice is automatically generated once the disappearing node is not an inside node is verified. Otherwise, the method returns to the step of updating the outside node table.
US08130677B2 Method and system for configuring a network communications device
A method and system for auto-provisioning communications devices, the system includes a network appliance associated with a software and/or hardware module with instructions for managing the automatic configuration of communications devices.
US08130675B2 Carrier ethernet service discovery, correlation methodology and apparatus
In an example embodiment, a method of service discovery and correlation is provided. In example embodiments, a network management system discovers, categorizes, and stores data on network elements (e.g., devices, provisioning, relationships, protocols, and topology) in a carrier network. Using a unique set of rules, relational groupings based on the discovered network elements may be created. The relational groupings, in turn, facilitate creation of a centralized carrier service view. By correlating the results of the discovery process with the centralized carrier service view, fault management, availability of service, and other observations of services can be deduced.
US08130671B2 Method and system for establishing bidirectional tunnel
A method and system establish a bi-directional tunnel through direct communication between a tunnel end point (TEP) and a user node without user assistance. The method includes: operating the user node in order to establish the bi-directional tunnel, wherein operating the user node includes: requesting network information necessary for establishing the bi-directional tunnel to the DHCP server; when the user node receives the network information from the DHCP server, establishing a unidirectional tunnel from the user node to the TEP based on the received network information; requesting one of the TEPs to establish the unidirectional tunnel; and when the user node receives a router advertisement (RA) message of a second network with which the user node wishes to communicate from the TEP required to establish the unidirectional tunnel, establishing an address of the user node in the second network.
US08130670B2 Power consumption management in a MIMO transceiver and method for use therewith
A mobile communication device includes a first wireless transceiver that receives a first inbound RF signal and that transmits a first outbound RF signal based on a first power supply signal. A second wireless transceiver receives a second inbound RF signal and that transmits a second outbound RF signal based on a second power supply signal. A processing module generates at least one power mode signal based on first transmit power control data received via the first inbound RF signal. A power management circuit adjusts a first power consumption parameter of the first power supply signal and a second power consumption parameter of the second power supply signal based on the at least one power mode signal.
US08130669B2 Receiving data in a sensor network
A sensor network has a plurality of wireless sensors which transmit to an intermediate receiving device which relays data to a central server. A method is provided for receiving data packets at the intermediate receiving device from a plurality of the transmitting devices. Data packets are sensed on a communication medium at the receiving device and the total traffic intensity of data packets from the transmitting devices is estimated. A detection threshold for data packets is provided and adapted as a function of the total intensity. The receiving device receives data packets with a signal strength above the current detection threshold.
US08130668B2 Managing differences in user devices when sharing content on mobile devices
Sharing content among users of mobile devices is facilitated and controlled by a system and method that employs a content sharing application to receive and process requests to share content amongst users of devices such as mobile devices and personal computers. Recipients receive share content messages from the content sharing application. The messages may contain links to shared content. The content sharing application is associated with an application program interface made available to content providers so that they can create user-selectable share content links or options displayed on display descriptions associated with the content. The content sharing application performs device capability checks so that selected recipients do not receive share content messages that contain links to content that is not compatible with their devices. In this way, users can select to share both device-dependent and device-independent content, even if the content provider does not always perform device compatibility checks.
US08130666B2 Multiple input multiple output communication system and operating method thereof
A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication system having a terminal and a base station. The terminal may calculate channel direction information and channel quality information in a zero-forcing mode based on expected different user interference. The terminal may also calculate channel direction information and channel quality information in a per user unitary rate control (PU2RC) mode by reusing the channel direction information and the channel quality information in the zero-forcing mode. The base station may design a preceding vector based on feedback information from the terminal.
US08130660B2 System and method of remote testing in loopback mode using MGCP/NCS
This invention relates to a system and method of monitoring, by establishing end to end loopback testing across one or more networks with dissimilar transport technologies. The system allows for connection in loopback mode from a standard interface on a test device to a media adaptor located on an IP-based access network, such as a standard multimedia terminal adapter (“MTA”). End-to-End Quality of service delivered over the transmit and receive path can thus be monitored. Loopback tests are initiated from designated endpoints on the network and made operational by attaching a tag to a telephone number, to allow the gateway to signal connection mode to a call agent. The system and method overcome certain inherent limitations of the MGCP/NCS architecture.
US08130655B2 Systems and methods for network congestion management using radio access network congestion indicators
Systems and methods for managing communications network congestion are provided. In an embodiment, the system includes a radio access network (RAN) interface configured to receive RAN congestion indicators, a congestion correlator module configured to correlate RAN congestion indicators to service congestion indicators, a database comprising a set of congestion based policy rules, a policy controller module configured to apply the congestion-based policy rules to achieve a policy decision, and a policy enforcement control point interface configured to transmit network control instructions to enforce the policy decisions. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for managing communications network congestion, that includes receiving one or more radio access network (RAN) congestion indicators, correlating the one or more RAN congestion indicators to one or more service congestion indicators, applying a congestion-based policy rule based on service congestion indicators to generate a policy decision, and implementing the policy decision.
US08130653B2 Deletion request after number of failed acknowledgements to addition requests
Network circuitry and a method of operating the same in establishing and deleting a service flow in a wireless network. A network station receives a request, from an initiating network station, to establish a service flow. The network station receiving the request issues a response to that request, following which it expects an acknowledgement from the initiator. Upon absence of such an acknowledgement, the receiving station transmits a message, to the initiator, to explicitly delete the service flow. This ensures that the initiator is not placed into an ambiguous state of transmitting payload traffic to a receiver that is ignoring or not receiving that traffic, in the case in which the initiator is also the transmitter of the payload traffic. This circuitry and method also ensures that the initiator is not in an ambiguous state, in the case in which it is the intended receiver of the payload traffic.
US08130647B2 Method and apparatus for managing aggregate bandwidth at a server
A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing traffic in a network data processing system. Traffic for a plurality of network paths is monitored. In response a packet for a particular network path within the plurality of network paths causing traffic for the particular network path to exceed a level of traffic allowed, an amount of available bandwidth is reduced based on a fair share for the particular network path.
US08130645B2 Method and architecture for a scalable application and security switch using multi-level load balancing
A switch architecture and method provides scaling through multi-level load balancing of flows across data and application processing planes. An input/output module receives a communication session flow (forward) from a client device and selects one of a plurality of data processors to process the flow. The selected data processor determines the level of processing needed for the forward flow and selects an application processor from a plurality of such application processors. The application processor generates a session structure identifying actions to be performed on the forward flow and transfers the session structure to the selected data processor to perform the actions on the forward flow. The application processor also predictively generates and offloads a session structure for the associated reverse flow. If the reverse session structure is offloaded to a different data processor, either the forward or reverse flow redirects packets, or is redirected, to the data processor hosting the other flow. Typically, the redirection is accomplished by offloading a redirection structure as the offloaded session structure.
US08130642B2 Downstream synchronous multichannels for a communications management system
Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.
US08130639B1 Method and system for providing distinctive announcements in a SIP-based network
A system and method may include receiving a connection request including announcement information, the announcement information being associated with a distinctive announcement, and establishing a data session over a data network with a remote communication device based on the connection request. The system and method may further include mapping the announcement information to an alerting pattern, and generating an alerting signal for producing the alerting pattern.
US08130635B2 Network access nodes
A communication system, method and program, the system comprising: one or more wireless access nodes of a first communication service provider and at least one server associated with a second communication service provider, interconnected via a packet-based network; and a wireless user terminal operable to establish a session with one of the wireless access nodes of the first communication service provider, the wireless user terminal is installed with an application of the second communication service provider. The application is configured so as to: in event of failure to establish a session via one of the wireless access nodes of the first communication service provider, store information regarding the failed session at the wireless user terminal; and in event of subsequent access to the packet-based network, transmit the information regarding the failed session to the server associated with the second communication service provider over the packet-based network.
US08130634B2 Fast re-route in IP/MPLS networks and other networks using SONET signaling
A provider device determines that a failure has occurred in a link or path and notifies a customer device of the failure. The notifying causes the customer device to become aware of the failure in less than one second.
US08130633B2 Method for transferring data in a wireless network
The invention is directed to a process for transferring data packets through a protocol stack employed by the device for transmitting packets on a packet connection to a wireless network, said wireless network operating at least two, distinct wireless access technologies such as GSM/GPRS and UMTS. The packet transfer process generally comprises each layer of a protocol stack for a currently active packet connection path providing confirmation to a next, higher layer in the stack of successful reception of a data packet from that layer, thereby confirming successful transfer of the data packet through the stack. The first layer of the stack stores a copy of a transferred packet until such time as its receives confirmation from the next, lower layer of successful transfer of the packet of the stack. In the absence of such confirmation and on the occurrence of a switch (hand-off) of the packet connection to a new connection path, particularly one of a different wireless access technology, the stored packet is transferred to the protocol stack to be employed by the wireless device for the new packet connection path. Consequently, the packet transfer process avoids packets being lost on the occurrence of a switch between different technology wireless access packet connection paths.
US08130628B2 Manufacturing method for optical recording medium, optical recording medium, optical information device, and information reproducing method
Shape-wise thicknesses tr1, tr2, . . . , and trN of a cover layer and first through (N−1)-th intermediate layers of an optical recording medium having refractive indexes nr1, nr2, . . . , and nrN are converted into thicknesses t1, t2, . . . , and tN which are calculated by products of a function f(n)=−1.088n3+6.1027n2−12.042n+9.1007 where n=nr1, nr2, . . . , and nrN.
US08130625B2 Optical information recorder/reproducer, optical information recording/reproducing method and control circuit
A distance control circuit keeps constant the distance between a condensing member and the surface of an optical disk using return light from a region where near field light is generated. Additionally, a focus control circuit controls the focus position of the near field light to sustain it at the position of an information layer using reflection light from the information layer.
US08130623B2 Optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus, optical information recording and/or reproducing method, optical information recording medium, and solid immersion lens
An optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises: a focusing unit (11) which collects generated near-field light on an optical disc (1); a first detector (17) which receives light reflected by the optical disc (1) and outputs an electric signal according to the quantity of the received light; and a distance control circuit (22) which controls the distance between the focusing unit (11) and a light entrance surface of the optical disc (1), using the electric signal that is output from the first detector (17), and the optical disc (1) has at least N (N is an integer of 2 or greater) number of information layers, and a distance d0 from the light entrance surface to a first information layer which is most distant from the light entrance surface and a distance dn from the light entrance surface to an Nth information layer which is closest to the light entrance surface satisfy the relationship of dn≧d0×(1/25). As a result, servo control can be accurately performed regardless which information layer, out of a plurality of information layers of an optical disc, information is recorded to or reproduced from.
US08130620B2 Hologram recording/reproducing device, method thereof, and holographic recording medium
A hologram recording/reproducing device includes an optical section which irradiates a holographic recording medium with an optical beam; and a control unit which controls the optical section. The optical section includes a laser light source which emits the optical beam, and a spatial modulator which modulates the optical beam. By controlling the spatial modulator, the control unit displays a tilt-standard reference light pixel and a tilt-standard signal light pixel, and records a tilt-standard hologram.
US08130619B2 Method of recording information to and reproducing information from an optical information storage medium
A method of recording information to a read-only optical information storage medium comprising a plurality of areas, including: recording data in at least one of the plurality of areas in the form of pits in a first pit pattern; and recording data in others of the plurality of areas in the form of pits in a second pit pattern different from the first.
US08130607B2 Method and apparatus for detecting burst cutting area on optical disc
An apparatus for detecting burst cutting areas on optical discs includes an optical pickup head, a front-end processing unit, a sync pattern detector, a channel clock recovery device, and a data demodulator. The front-end processing unit generates a BCA signal in response to a radio frequency signal. The sync pattern detector counts the BCA signal according to a reference clock, detects a sync pattern of the BCA signal and outputs a channel bit length counting value. The channel clock recovery device generates a channel clock according to the reference clock and the channel bit length counting value. The data demodulator transfers the BCA signal into a BCA data according to the channel clock. The sync pattern detector continuously counts the BCA signal and continuously outputs a plurality of counting values, so that the sync pattern of the BCA signal can be determined according to at least three sequential counting values.
US08130606B2 Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding data, and method and apparatus for recording/reproducing data
A method and apparatus for stably encoding/decoding data, and a method and apparatus for recording/reproducing data are disclosed. The method inserts decoding information into a data section including several predetermined-bit data, determines encoding values of the data according to a transition state of the data and a value of corresponding data, and generates the decoding information and the determined encoding values in units of the data section.
US08130605B2 Driving device and method, program, and recording medium
A driving device includes an optical pickup unit that irradiates a disc having a plurality of recording surfaces with a laser beam used for recording or reproducing information, and a generating unit that generates a focus control signal used for controlling a focus state of the laser beam emitted from the optical pickup unit on the basis of a focus error signal. The generating unit includes level detector that detects a level of the focus error signal, an offset generator that generates an offset signal used for performing focus jumping from one of the plurality of recording surfaces to another one of the plurality of recording surfaces in accordance with the focus error signal, and a switcher that switches a polarity of the focus control signal by comparing the level of the focus error signal of the level detector with a threshold value.
US08130603B2 Optical disk driving apparatus, optical disk driving system, vehicle equipped with optical disk driving system, method of correcting spherical aberration in optical disk driving apparatus, program and recording medium
An optical disk driving apparatus includes an optical head device having a laser light source, a converging optical system converging a light beam emitted by the laser light source onto an optical disk, a photo detector receiving reflected light reflected by the optical disk, and an aberration correcting optical system controlling aberration of the converging optical system; a motor rotating the optical disk; and a control section receiving a signal from the photo detector, wherein the converging optical system has an objective lens formed using resin as a main material, the aberration correcting optical system has a spherical aberration correcting element correcting spherical aberration, and the control section evaluates quality of a reproduction signal for information in the optical disk by using the reflected light received by the photo detector, and utilizes a result of the evaluation to perform closed loop control on the spherical aberration correcting element.
US08130599B2 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head comprising near-field optical device with propagation edge
There is provided a near-field-light (NFL) generating optical system in which the point where near-field (NF) light is generated can be provided sufficiently close to the end surface of a magnetic pole that generates write field. The optical system comprises: a waveguide through which a light for exciting surface plasmon propagates; and a NF-optical device configured to be coupled with the light in a surface plasmon mode. The NF-optical device comprises: an opposed-to-waveguide surface opposed to the waveguide with a predetermined distance; and a propagation edge provided on the side opposite to the opposed-to-waveguide surface, extending to the NFL-generating end surface of the device, and configured to propagate thereon the surface plasmon excited by the light. In this optical system, the point, where NF-light is generated, of the NFL-generating end surface can be located on the side opposite to the waveguide.
US08130598B2 Head for thermal assisted magnetic recording device, and thermal assisted magnetic recording device
The aim of the present invention is to apply an intense magnetic field to a portion where an optical near-field is generated by a thermal assisted magnetic recording head with a scatterer having conductivity as an optical near-field generating element. To this end, a scatterer for generating an optical near-field is formed in a bottom portion of a slider, and a magnetic field is applied thereto using a coil. In order to increase the intensity of the magnetic field, a magnetic pole made of a soft magnetic material is formed over the scatterer.
US08130597B2 Gong for the striking work or alarm of a watch
The gong for the striking work or alarm of a watch is configured to produce a sound within the audible frequency range when it is struck by at least one hammer. This gong is made of a material, wherein the square root of the ratio between the elasticity module of the material divided by the volumic mass of the selected material is less than 3300 m/s, so as to allow the gong to produce a rich sound, comprising a large number of partials, within the audible frequency range. The selected material may be, for example, gold.
US08130596B2 Electronic circuit controlling the operation of peripheral members of the watch
The electronic circuit (1) controls the operation of the peripheral members of a watch. The circuit (1) includes a processor (2) connected to a non-volatile memory (3), which contains instructions to be carried out, peripheral member controllers (4) for interacting with peripheral members of the watch and connecting means (6a, 6b, 7). These connecting means (6a, 6b, 7) are arranged to enable the peripheral member controllers (4), the non-volatile memory and the processor (2) to communicate data relating to the operation of said watch to each other. This electronic circuit (1) further includes initializing means (8) able to act on the peripheral member controllers (4) to initialize said controllers so that they can execute operations independently of the processor (2) and/or the non-volatile memory (3).
US08130595B2 Control device for electronic appliance and control method of the electronic appliance
An electronic appliance includes a microphone which detects a clapping sound, an edge signal extractor, an edge pulse generator and a judgment processing circuit. The judgment processing circuit generates a first gate having a first time width to detect whether or not a second clapping sound has been generated after elapse of a first predetermined time from a first time when the microphone detects a first clapping sound and the edge pulse generator generates the first edge pulse corresponding to the first clapping sound. Subsequently, the judgment processing circuit generates a second gate having a second time width to detect whether or not a third clapping sound has been generated after elapse of a second predetermined time from a second time when the edge pulse generator generates the second edge pulse corresponding to the second clapping sound.
US08130593B2 Pressure wave generator and temperature controlling method thereof
A pressure wave generator (1) includes a thermally conductive substrate (2), a heat insulating layer (3) formed on one main surface of the substrate (2), an insulator layer (5) formed on the heat insulating layer (3), and a heat generator (4) formed on the insulator layer (5) to generate heat when a current containing an alternating component is applied thereto. The heat insulating layer (3) is formed containing at least one of silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), diamond crystalline carbon (C), aluminum nitride (AlN), and silicon carbide (SiC). The heat generator (4) is formed containing, for example, gold (Au) or tungsten (W).
US08130591B2 Downhole measurements of mud acoustic velocity
One or more acoustic transducers are used to measure ultrasonic velocities in the mud in the interior channel of a drill collar. Corrections may be applied for temperature and/or fine grain drill cuttings to get the ultrasonic velocity in the annulus between the drill collar and the borehole wall. The latter velocity may be used for caliper measurements and for correcting measurements made by formation evaluation sensors.
US08130590B2 Wirelessly activating a unit of a subterranean survey system for testing
To test at least one unit of a subterranean survey system, the unit detects presence of wireless signaling of a mobile device. After the detecting, a wireless connection is established between the unit and the mobile device. A test at the unit is performed in response to a test command from the mobile device.
US08130589B2 Semiconductor memory device using only single-channel transistor to apply voltage to selected word line
A semiconductor memory device has a memory cell array, a first transistor of a first conductivity type, a second transistor of a second conductivity type and a third transistor of the first conductivity type. A source or drain of the first transistor is connected to each of word lines. A drain of the second transistor is connected to a gate of the first transistor. A source of the third transistor is connected to the gate of the first transistor. The gates of the second transistor and the third transistor are not connected, a source of the second transistor is not connected to a drain of the third transistor, and the gate of the second transistor and the drain of the third transistor have different voltage levels corresponding to opposite logic levels each other.
US08130587B1 Efficient method of replicate memory data with virtual port solution
A hardware arrangement for a memory bitcell, including a primary decoder for decoding a common memory address portion among a plurality of memory addresses, and a plurality of secondary decoders each for decoding an uncommon memory address portion of each of the plurality of memory addresses. The memory bitcell is configured to receive the decoded common memory address portion and output data from a memory entry corresponding to the decoded common memory address portion, and includes a single read port for outputting the data. The hardware arrangement includes a modified sense amplifier (SA) configured to receive the data output on the single read port, and directly receive the plurality of decoded uncommon memory address portions. The plurality of decoded uncommon memory address portions is used to determine whether to enable the modified SA. Data output from the memory bitcell is forwarded when the modified SA is enabled.
US08130584B2 Semiconductor device and control method of the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor memory and a control method therefor, the semiconductor device including a first current-voltage conversion circuit (16) connected to a core cell (12) provided in a nonvolatile memory cell array (10), a second current-voltage conversion circuit (26) connected to a reference cell (22) through a reference cell data line (24), a sense amplifier (18) sensing an output from the first current-voltage conversion circuit and an output from the second current-voltage conversion circuit, a compare circuit (28) comparing a voltage level at the reference cell data line with a predefined voltage level, and a charging circuit (30) charging the reference cell data line, if the voltage level at the reference cell data line is lower than the predefined voltage level during pre-charging the reference cell data line. According to the present invention, the pre-charging period of the reference cell data line can be shortened, and the data read time can be shortened.
US08130582B2 Semiconductor signal processing device
A unit operator cell includes a plurality of SOI (Silicon on Insulator) transistors, write data is stored in a body region of at least two SOI transistors, and the storage SOI transistors are connected in series with each other to a read port or each of the storage SOI transistors is singly connected to the read port. Therefore, an AND operation result or a NOT operation result of data stored in the unit operator cells can be obtained, and operation processing can be performed only by writing and reading data. A semiconductor signal processing device that can perform logic operation processing and arithmetic operation processing at high speed is implemented with low power consumption and a small occupation area.
US08130580B1 Low power sense amplifier for reading memory
A low power sense amplifier is configured to sense the state of a memory cell (e.g., non-volatile memory cell) without the use of a reference current or direct current.
US08130579B2 Memory device and method of operation thereof
Memory devices and methods of operating a memory cell are disclosed in which a bitline can be grounded after charge sharing with an electrically floating ground line and before writing data to the memory cell. An electric potential of an upper power supply node of a memory cell can be lowered and an electric potential of a lower power supply node of the memory cell can be raised before writing data to the memory cell.
US08130577B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a sub memory cell array region having memory cells each connected between word lines extending in a first direction and bit lines extending in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction of extension of the word lines and a sub word line driver region disposed at a side of the sub memory cell array region in the first direction and including sub word line drivers that activate the word lines. A sensing region is disposed at a side of the sub memory cell array region in the second direction and including an equalizer that precharges the bit line in response to a signal transferred through a drive signal line and at least one first control signal driver that activates an inverted control signal line in response to a signal transferred through a control signal line. A conjunction region disposed at an intersection between the sub word line driver region and the sensing region, in which the inverted control signal line is connected to the drive signal line.
US08130573B2 Semiconductor memory device capable of optimizing signal transmission power and power initializing method thereof
A semiconductor memory device can automatically control signal transmission power on-chip based on a wireless signal transmission. The semiconductor memory device can have a multi-chip stack structure. A power initializing method of the semiconductor memory device can comprise providing a test signal generated by a signal-providing chip to a first chip, checking whether the test signal provided to the first chip has an error, providing the checking result to the signal-providing chip, setting the power of a first signal provided to the first chip according to the checking result, and setting the power of a signal provided to a second chip adjacent to the first chip and close to the signal-providing chip using the power of the first signal.
US08130572B2 Low power memory array column redundancy mechanism
A low power memory array column redundancy mechanism includes a memory unit having a memory array and a multiplexer unit. The memory array includes a plurality of columns, which includes a plurality of data columns and one or more unused columns. The multiplexer unit may selectively provide a constant value to the one or more unused columns of the memory array, and provide write data to the plurality of data columns during each write operation of the plurality of columns.
US08130570B2 Data transfer circuit
A data transfer circuit includes: an asynchronous memory to which transfer data is written from a first clock domain with a first clock and from which the written transfer data is read to a second clock domain with a second clock; a scan flip-flop whose input terminal is connected to a first position located on a data path, of the transfer data, from the asynchronous memory to the second clock domain, and whose output terminal is connected to a second position located on a data path, of the transfer data, from the asynchronous memory to the first position; and a clock selector which selects a clock to drive the scan flip-flop from the first clock and the second clock.
US08130566B2 Sense amplifier and method of sensing data using the same
Some embodiments regard a circuit comprising a pre-charge circuit and a latch circuit. The pre-charge circuit charges a voltage node to a pre-determined voltage level based on which the latch circuit generates a feedback signal to stop the pre-charge circuit from charging.
US08130563B2 Computer apparatus and memory error signal detecting system
A memory error signal detecting system including a signal extracting circuit, a flip-flop, a latch circuit, and a light sign is provided. The signal extracting circuit receives a memory error signal to output a pulse signal when the memory error signal switches from a first level to a second level. When the preset end of the flip-flop receives the pulse signal, and the maintaining time of the pulse signal is maintained for a predetermine time, the flip-flop output end is set to a high voltage level. The latch circuit determines whether to output the state of the flip-flop output according to the reset signal. The light sign operates according to the state of an output end of the latch circuit. Furthermore, a computer apparatus including the memory error signal detecting system is also provided.
US08130562B2 Semiconductor memory device having shift registers
A semiconductor memory device includes n stages of memory cell units, sense amplifier units, and shift registers. N units of the shift registers are connected to one another on the left end sides. The signal processing units and the reversed signal processing units are disposed adjacent to one another in each of the n units of the shift registers. The signal processing units located on the odd-numbered positions counted from the input end side are connected to one another. The reversed signal processing units located on the even-numbered positions counted from the input end side are connected to one another. The signal processing units located on the end opposite to the input end side are connected to the reversed signal processing units located on the end opposite to the input end side. Each of the signal processing units includes the logic circuit unit and the flip-flop while each of the reversed signal processing units includes the reversed logic circuit unit and the reversed flip-flop.
US08130561B2 Self pre-charging and equalizing bit line sense amplifier
A bit-line sense amplifier includes a latching unit and a control unit. The latching unit has a plurality of field effect transistors coupled between first and second bit lines. The control unit controls application of a bias voltage to a set of the field effect transistors such that respective pre-charge voltages are generated at the first and second bit lines with drain currents flowing in the field effect transistors during a pre-charge time period, without a bit line bias voltage and with a minimized number of transistors.
US08130555B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device and method of erase verifying the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including a NAND cell unit having a first and a second select gate transistor, a plurality of memory cell transistors series connected between the first and second select gate transistors that are coupled to corresponding word lines, and a peripheral circuit erase verifying the NAND cell unit by turning on the first and second select gate transistors, applying a predetermined voltage level on the source line, detecting a voltage level of the bit line at once under a state where a voltage level applied on one or more of the word lines coupled to the memory cell transistors relatively closer to the second select gate transistor is arranged higher than that applied on one or more of the word lines coupled to the memory cell transistors relatively closer to the first select gate transistor, and verifying data erase based on the detected voltage.
US08130553B2 Systems and methods for low wear operation of solid state memory
This disclosure is related to systems and methods for low wear operation of solid state memory, such as a flash memory. In one example, a controller is coupled to a memory and adapted to dynamically adjust programming thresholds over the course of usage of the data storage device such that a signal-to-noise ratio from reading data stored in the data storage cells is no less than a minimum amount needed to recover the data using an enhanced error detection capability.
US08130546B2 Semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method of semiconductor memory device
A plurality of contact plugs to be connected to a drain region or a source region of each of transistors constituting a sub-word line driver that drives a sub-word line are formed, by using a SAC line technique of selectively etching an insulation layer that covers each of the transistors by using a mask having line-shaped openings provided across a portion in which the contact plugs of each of the transistors are to be formed.
US08130542B2 Reading non-volatile multilevel memory cells
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for reading non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes receiving a request to read data stored in a first cell of a first word line, performing a read operation on an adjacent cell of a second word line in response to the request, determining whether the first cell is in a disturbed condition based on the read operation. The method includes reading data stored in the first cell in response to the read request by applying a read reference voltage to the first word line and adjusting a sensing parameter if the first cell is in the disturbed condition.
US08130537B2 Phase change memory cell with MOSFET driven bipolar access device
Embodiments are directed to memory devices comprising a bipolar junction transistor having an emitter, a base and a collector; a first side of a resistance changing memory element coupled to the emitter of the bipolar junction transistor; and a MOSFET coupled to the base of the bipolar junction transistor.
US08130535B2 Flexible word-line pulsing for STT-MRAM
A method for generating a variable pulse width signal on an integrated circuit (IC) chip, includes receiving a first clock signal on the IC chip and receiving a second clock signal on the IC chip having a variable delay relative to the first clock signal. A signal having a rising edge triggered by a rising edge of the first clock signal and a falling edge triggered by a rising edge of the second clock signal is output. The output signal is provided to circuitry on the chip, such as a magnetoresistive junction (MTJ) cell of a spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM).
US08130532B2 High speed OTP sensing scheme
A high speed sensing scheme for a non-volatile memory array is disclosed. The memory array includes non volatile memory cells arranged in a complementary bitline configuration includes precharge circuits for precharging the bitlines to a first voltage level such as VSS, a reference circuits for applying a reference charge on the reference bitlines of the complementary bitline pairs, and bitline sense amplifiers for sensing a voltage differential between the complementary bitline pairs. A voltage on the data bitline being changed when a programmed non-volatile memory cell connected to an activated wordline couples the wordline voltage to the data bitline.
US08130530B2 Information storage devices using magnetic domain wall movement and methods of operating the same
Provided are information storage devices using movement of magnetic domain walls and methods of operating information storage devices. An information storage device includes a magnetic track and an operating unit. The magnetic track includes a plurality of magnetic domains separated by magnetic domain walls. The size of the operating unit is sufficient to cover at least two adjacent magnetic domains. And, the operating unit may be configured to write/read information to/from a single magnetic domain as well as a plurality of magnetic domains of the magnetic track.
US08130526B2 Programming a microchip ID register
A method is disclosed for programming an ID register of a microchip. The method comprises the step, prior to packaging, of attaching at least one additional ID pin to the die of the microchip. The at least one pin being so attached that, when the microchip is packaged, the at least one pin is sealed within the package. At least a portion of the microchip identity data is programmed by providing a plurality of unique combinations of binary data to the at least one additional pin. Each unique combination of binary data corresponds to a unique identity of the microchip. The at least one pin is coupled to a respective module of the microchip layout for providing, via the at least one pin, information associated with the particular identity of the microchip. The at least one pin is also coupled to the identification register, so as to, upon testing, include the respective combination of binary data in the ID register data of the microchip.
US08130525B2 Method and apparatus for configuring a content-addressable memory (CAM) design as binary CAM or ternary CAM
A method for producing a configurable content-addressable memory (CAM) cell design, in which the method includes: inputting the configurable CAM cell design to a computer, the configurable CAM cell design capable of being configured as one of a binary CAM design and a ternary CAM design, depending on connections of a metal overlay; selecting one of a first metal overlay design for the binary CAM design and a second metal overlay design for a ternary CAM design; if the first metal overlay design is selected, then combining the first metal overlay design with the configurable CAM cell design to produce a binary CAM design including two binary CAM cells with a single search port, and outputting the binary CAM design; and if the second metal overlay design is selected, then combining the second metal overly design with the configurable CAM cell design to produce a ternary CAM design including a single ternary CAM cell with two search ports, and outputting the ternary CAM design by the computer.
US08130519B2 Led driver with low harmonic distortion of input AC current and methods of controlling the same
A power supply circuit for powering a load at constant current has a rectifier stage for receiving an AC voltage input and for producing a first substantially DC voltage. A first capacitor is attached to the load. A charge-pump is attached to an output of the rectifier stage and to the load for providing power factor correction and for converting the first substantially DC voltage to a second substantially DC voltage at the first capacitor. The charge pump is prevented from conducting energy back into the output of the rectifier stage. The charge pump delivers energy to a charge pump output, the energy being delivered directly instead of being stored. A converter stage is attached to the load and the first capacitor. The converter stage is used for converting voltages at the first capacitor and the charge pump to an output DC current. The converter stage has a switch for periodically connecting a first series-coupled circuit of the charge pump to the output of the rectifier stage.
US08130518B2 Multiphase grid synchronized regulated current source inverter systems
Electric power from typically unstable multiple dc sources is converted to ac electric power of suitable quality for injection into an electric power grid. Conversion is accomplished by current regulation of the output from the dc sources to the input of each one of multiple inverters in a system, with each inverter outputting multiple phase currents that are out of phase with the multiple phase currents outputted from all other inverters in the system. The multiple phase currents from all of the inverters in a system are connected to the secondary windings of a phase transformation network that produces a three phase current output having a step-shaped waveform for injection into the electric power grid.
US08130514B2 Mounting structure, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
A mounting structure includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a first terminal being formed on the first substrate and having a plurality of terminal portions arranged with a gap therebetween; a different terminal being formed on the first substrate and being adjacent to the first terminal; and a second terminal being formed on the second substrate and being electrically connected to at least one of the terminal portions of the first terminal. Here, the first terminal is supplied with a potential higher than that supplied to the different terminal.
US08130511B2 Circuit board device, wiring board connecting method, and circuit board module device
A circuit board device, a wiring board connecting method, and a circuit board module device are provided for controlling a compression ratio of anisotropically conductive members within an optimal range, for restraining variations in the impact resilient force of the anisotropically conductive members even if an increased number of wiring boards are laminated, for restraining deformations of the wiring board and fluctuations in the impact resilient force of the anisotropically conductive members even if a static external force or the like is applied, for suppressing a linear expansion of the anisotropically conductive members, even if the ambient temperature changes, to increase the stability of electric connections, and for reducing the impact resilient force of the anisotropically conductive members to allow for a reduction in thickness. The circuit board device comprises wiring boards 101-104, anisotropically conductive members 105 placed between the individual wiring boards, functional blocks 106 separate from anisotropically conductive members 105 and are placed on the same plane as anisotropically conductive members 105 so as to enclose anisotropically conductive members 105, and a pair of holding blocks 107, 108 placed to sandwich wiring boards 101-104. These wiring boards 101-104 are kept compressed while they are clamped between pair of holding blocks 107, 108, so that they are electrically connected with each other by anisotropically conductive members 105.
US08130508B2 Electronic component embedded printed circuit board and manufacturing method thereof
A printed circuit board with an electronic component embedded printed circuit board and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method of manufacturing a printed circuit board with an embedded electronic component having a groove formed on one surface thereof and an electrode formed inside the groove includes: forming a first circuit pattern on one surface of a first metal layer; pressing the first metal layer against a first insulator; forming a first conductive protrusion by selectively etching the other surface of the first metal layer; and mounting a first electronic component by disposing a conductive adhesive layer such that an electrode of the first electronic component and the first conductive protrusion are electrically connected to each other. Thus, an electronic component without its electrode protruded outward can be mounted easily and reliably and the manufacturing time can be shortened.
US08130507B2 Component built-in wiring board
A component built-in wiring board is provided. The component built-in wiring board 10 includes a core substrate 11, a first component 61, a first built-up layer 31 and a capacitor 101. The core substrate 11 has a housing hole 90 and the first component 61 is housed in the housing hole 90. A component mounting region 20 capable of mounting a second component 21 is provided in a surface 39 of the first built-up layer 31. The capacitor 101 has electrode layers 102 and 103 and a dielectric layer 104. The capacitor 101 is embedded in the first built-up layer 31 such that a first front surface 105 and a second front surface 106 in the electrode layer 102 and a first front surface 107 and a second front surface 108 in the electrode layer 103 are disposed in parallel with the surface 39 of the first built-up layer 31.
US08130503B2 Mounting structure of semiconductor device and electronic apparatus using thereof
A mounting structure comprises at least one semiconductor device having solder bumps on a lower surface thereof as outer terminals and a flexible wiring board with wiring formed thereon. The semiconductor device is wrapped in a flexible wiring board; the mounting structure is provided with outer electrodes on both of a side on which the outer terminals of the semiconductor device are formed and an opposite side thereto; at least one wiring layer is formed on the flexible wiring board; and a supporting member is affixed between a lower surface of the semiconductor device on which the outer terminals are formed and the flexible wiring board.
US08130501B2 Pluggable power cell for an inverter
In one embodiment, a power cell chamber for a drive system includes moveable and fixed portions. The moveable portion includes a rectifier stage to rectify an input signal received from a secondary winding of a transformer to provide a rectified signal and an inverter stage having a plurality of switching devices to receive a DC signal and output an AC signal. This moveable portion can be slidably adapted within a cabinet of the drive system. In turn, the fixed portion includes a DC link having at least one capacitor to receive the rectified signal and provide the DC signal to the inverter stage.
US08130500B2 Thermal conductive member, manufacturing method of the thermal conductive member, heat radiating component, and semiconductor package
A thermal conductive member includes linear high thermal conductivity materials; a first solder layer provided at first end sides of the linear high thermal conductivity materials; and a second solder layer provided at second end sides of the linear high thermal conductivity materials; wherein at least one of the first end sides and the second end sides of the linear high thermal conductivity materials are connected to the first solder layer or the second solder layer.
US08130498B2 Heat sink of at least one electronic component
The invention relates to a cooling body of at least one electrical component. According to the invention, a first cooling body section is designed as a spring and a contact surface is provided on the first cooling body section, between the cooling body and the at least one component.
US08130497B2 Blade server
A server system with a cooling ability that can cope with an increase in the amount of heat generated by a CPU of a server module detachably mounted on a blade server. The server module includes an enclosure accommodating therein a motherboard on which a CPU, memory, and the like are mounted, and part of a boil cooling device for cooling heat generated by the CPU. A fan accommodated in a fan module is adapted to blow air into the server module through an opening of the server module enclosure. The boil cooling device includes a first heat transmission member disposed in the server module enclosure, a second heat transmission member disposed outside the server module enclosure, and a plurality of pipes connecting them. The first heat transmission member is a box body with an internal space for hermetically sealing a refrigerant therein, one external planar face of which is thermally connected to the CPU and the other external planar face of which is provided with a heat sink. The second heat transmission member is disposed in the fan module unit, and a heat radiation member provided for the pipes forms an airflow passage together with the motherboard.
US08130487B2 Capacitor and method of manufacturing the same
A capacitor includes a capacitor element including first and second electrodes, an electrolyte solution, first and second collector plates made of metal and joined to the first and second electrodes of the capacitor element, respectively, a case accommodating the capacitor element, the electrolyte solution, the first and second collector plates, a terminal plate placed at an opening of the case and joined to the second collector plate, and a sealing rubber sealing the terminal plate and the opening of the case. The case has a tubular portion and a bottom plate closing the tubular portion. An inner surface of the bottom plate of the case has a contacting portion contacting the first collector plate and a junction portion facing the first collector plate. The first junction portion of the inner surface of the bottom plate has a joining point joined to the first collector plate and a separation part facing the first collector plate around the first joining point by a first gap between the first junction portion and the first collector plate. The first collector plate is located away from the first contacting portion. The capacitor has a high reliability in connecting the electrodes, preventing an unnecessary resistance or a pin hole produced in the case.
US08130485B2 Ceramic electronic component and method for manufacturing the same
When external electrodes of a multilayer ceramic capacitor are formed by performing direct plating on surfaces at which internal electrodes are exposed without forming paste electrode layers, bonding forces of plating layers are relatively weak, and in addition, when glass particles are included in the plating layers, blisters are often generated. To overcome these problems, a multilayer ceramic capacitor is formed by performing electrolytic plating using a plating bath including glass particles, electrolytic plating layers including glass particles dispersed therein are formed as the external electrodes.
US08130482B2 Electromagnetic actuating device being actuated by AC power and held by DC power
The present invention is disclosed by that the power source device is operatively controlled by the switching device to supply AC power to excite the driving coil thereby producing larger electromagnetic effect to obtain actuating force, and after actuation, the power source device being operatively controlled by the switching device is switched to provide DC power output of lower voltage to the driving coil thereby passing smaller current to maintain excitation while required operating characteristics of the electromagnetic actuating device are still ensured.
US08130479B2 Ground fault interrupts for solid state power controllers
A solid state power control scheme is provided with a ground fault interrupt function. Essentially, if a neutral wire is associated with the power supply, the current is sensed in that neutral wire. The sensed neutral wire current is subtracted from a summed current on the power supply lines. If that result is greater than a predetermined limit, then the ground fault function is actuated and the circuit is opened. For power supplies, both those with and without neutral wires, the current is sensed by a shunt resistor on the power supply line.
US08130475B2 Method for manufacturing CPP-type thin film magnetic head provided with a pair of magnetically free layers
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a DFL type thin film magnetic head. The method includes laminating each of the layers from the lower magnetization control layer to the upper exchange coupling layer above the substrate; laminating an auxiliary magnetization control layer including at least a CoZrTa layer above the upper exchange coupling layer; forming at least each of the layers from the lower exchange coupling layer to the auxiliary magnetization control layer in pillar shape, and disposing the bias magnetic field application layer at an opposite position with respect to the ABS of each of the pillar shaped layers; trimming the auxiliary magnetization control layer by removing a part of the auxiliary magnetization control layer that is formed in the pillar shape, and disposing the upper shield layer such that the trimmed auxiliary magnetization control layer is at least covered.
US08130474B2 CPP-TMR sensor with non-orthogonal free and reference layer magnetization orientation
A TMR sensor structure having free and reference layers, where the magnetic orientations of the free and reference layers are non-orthogonal. In one embodiment, a ferromagnetic free layer film has a bias-point magnetization nominally oriented in plane of the film thereof, in a first direction at an angle θfb with respect to a longitudinal axis being defined as the intersection of the plane of deposition of the free layer and the plane of the ABS. A ferromagnetic reference layer film has a bias-point magnetization nominally oriented in a plane of the film thereof, in a second direction at angle θrb with respect to said longitudinal axis that is not orthogonal to the said first direction.
US08130473B2 Multi-channel thin-film magnetic head and magnetic tape drive apparatus with the multi-channel thin-film magnetic head
A multi-channel thin-film magnetic head includes a substrate, a plurality of MR read head elements, a plurality of first resistive elements, and a second resistive element. Each MR read head element includes a lower magnetic shield layer, an upper magnetic shield layer, and an MR layer arranged between the lower magnetic shield layer and the upper magnetic shield layer. Each first resistive element has a first resistance value. One ends of the first resistive elements are connected to the lower magnetic shield layers or the upper magnetic shield layers of the MR read head elements, respectively. The second resistive element has a second resistance value that is higher than the first resistance value. One end of the second resistive element is commonly connected to the other ends of the plurality of first resistive elements. The other end of the second resistive element is grounded.
US08130468B2 System and apparatus for patterned media with reduced magnetic trench material
A bit patterned magnetic media design for reducing the amount of magnetic material located in the trenches between topographic features is disclosed. An intermediate non-magnetic layer is deposited on the topography prior to depositing the functional magnetic layer on the topographic substrate features. The non-magnetic layer increases the width of the land regions that will ultimately support the functional magnetic layer. The non-magnetic layer also reduces the amount of trench deposition that can occur in the subsequent deposition of the magnetic recording layer. By eliminating most of the magnetic trench material, the amount of magnetic flux and readback interference produced by the trench material is reduced to an acceptable level.
US08130465B1 Leader retention method and device
A tape drive for use with a tape cartridge having a cartridge leader includes a drive body, and a drive leader that is engageable with the cartridge leader and moveable with respect to the drive body. The tape drive further includes an engaging member that is engageable with a first portion of the drive leader and moveable with respect to the drive body for connecting the drive leader with the cartridge leader of the tape cartridge. The tape drive also includes a retention feature that is engageable with a second portion of the drive leader for inhibiting disengagement of the drive leader from the engaging member, wherein the second portion of the drive leader is different than the first portion.
US08130459B2 Converting timing errors into symbol errors to handle write mis-synchronization in bit-patterned media recording systems
A method includes writing data to a bit-patterned media at times determined by a clock having a period that is offset from a bit island period by a fixed offset to create one insertion or one deletion approximately within a predetermined number of bit islands, reading the data, and correcting the read data using error correction. An apparatus that implements the method is also provided.
US08130455B2 Image pickup lens, image pickup unit, and mobile terminal
An image pickup lens includes, in order from an object side thereof: a first lens in a meniscus shape having a positive refractive power and including a convex surface facing the object side; a second lens having a negative refractive power and including a concave surface facing an image side of the image pickup lens; a third lens in a meniscus shape having a positive refractive power and including a convex surface facing the image side; and a fourth lens having a negative refractive power and including a concave surface facing the image side, where at least one surface of the fourth lens is in an aspheric shape. The image pickup lens satisfies a predetermined condition relating to a composite focal length of the first lens and the second lens, and a focal length of a total system of the image pickup lens.
US08130454B2 Endoscope objective optical system
An endoscope objective optical system used in an endoscope has an objective optical system including a first lens group having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop, a second lens group having a negative refractive power and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, the first lens group, the aperture stop and the second and third lens group being successively disposed from the object side. The second lens group is made movable along an optical axis to change the focal length of the objective optical system. The lens surface at the object-side outermost position in the first lens group is formed so as to be convex on the object side.
US08130450B2 Artificial eye and measuring instrument for measuring the accommodation of an eye
A liquid lens system comprises a liquid drop 10 whose shape can be influenced by electrical fields. A plurality of electrodes are arranged annularly around the liquid drop. The liquid lens system may be employed in an artificial eye, an accommodation measuring instrument and a dioptric telescope.
US08130446B2 Optical diffusing sheet, optical deflecting sheet, and transmission type screen
An optical deflecting sheet for a transmission type screen that emits imaging light projected from an incident side to an emergent side. The optical deflecting sheet includes a highly rigid substrate layer with a light-transmissibility and a high rigidity, and a plurality of layers laminated on the substrate layer. The plurality of layers includes at least a pair of anti-scattering layers disposed on opposite sides of the substrate layer for preventing scattering of the substrate layer. At least one layer of the two or more layers includes an optical deflecting element that deflects imaging light by refracting or reflecting the imaging light. The optical deflecting element is a prism part formed by arranging a plurality of unit prisms each having an incident surface on which light is incident and a total reflecting surface for reflecting at least a part of light incident on the incident surface.
US08130445B2 Screen and projector
There is provided a screen and a projector using a simple configuration and operation to make speckles less visible. A screen 10 on which light beams are incident includes a lenticular lens 11 as a first layer having viewing angle control means for enlarging the viewing angle and a Fresnel lens 12 as a second layer having angular conversion means for converting the angles of incidence of the incident light beams into the substantially same direction. One of the first and second layers has a diffusion capability that diffuses the incident light beams and has moving means for moving that layer relative to the other. Alternatively, the first and second layers both have the diffusion capability, and at least one of the layers has moving means for moving that layer relative to the other.
US08130443B2 Optical waveform reshaping device
An optical waveform reshaping device, including a semiconductor optical waveguide which has an active layer, wherein: optical amplification regions and optical absorption regions are installed alternately along the semiconductor optical waveguide; one optical amplification region is set longer than the other optical amplification regions so that a desired amplification factor can be obtained when power of an input optical signal is at an ON level; a power level is maintained by the other optical amplification regions excluding the one optical amplification region and by the optical absorption regions when the power of the input optical signal is at the ON level; and when the power of the input optical signal is at an OFF level, the input optical signal is absorbed by the optical absorption regions so that a power level of an output optical signal will not be higher than the power level of the input optical signal.
US08130441B2 Electrophoretic light modulator
An electrophoretic light modulator includes a plurality of similarly charged particles comprising a first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic light modulator also includes at least one reflecting surface comprising a second optical characteristic different that the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic light modulator further includes a pair of electrodes that create an electric field that causes the plurality of charged particles to obscure or expose the reflecting surface based on the polarity of the electric field.
US08130440B2 Display with integrated photovoltaic device
A display with a photovoltaic (PV) cells integrated as the front side and/or back side of the display is disclosed. Ambient light may reach a PV cell situated behind a display through fully or partially transmissive features within the display. Display-generated light may also reach a PV cell behind a display. A transmissive PV material situated in front of a display may collect both ambient light as well as display-generated light.
US08130439B2 Optics arrangements including light source arrangements for an active matrix liquid crystal generator
A system for producing modulated lights disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system, further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area. A variety of novel optics arrangements are disclosed including specific combinations of different light sources, diffusing plates, polarizers, beam splitters, analyzers, lenses, mirrors, and holographic optical elements which allow the overall optical arrangement to be miniaturized to the same degree and in coordination with the spatial light modulator. The different light sources include using a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, to form an array of light sources, each of the light sources providing light to a corresponding portion of the spatial light modulator.
US08130432B2 Space scanner for self-control moving object
Provided is a space scanner for a self-control moving object. The space scanner has a structure in which a reflective mirror is rotated and tilted. Thus, the space scanner can scan a moving object in horizontal and vertical directions to secure spatial-data, thereby performing a self-control movement.
US08130430B2 Holographic storage device and method using phase conjugate optical system
A monocular holographic storage device or system to provide for compact recording and/or reading of data pages in a holographic storage medium. Also provided are methods for carrying out such data storage and/or data recovery using a monocular holographic storage device or system. Further provided are articles comprising holographic storage media for recording or for reading recorded data using such devices or systems.
US08130428B2 Image reading apparatus, image forming apparatus, image reading method and computer readable medium storing program thereof
An image reading apparatus includes: plural image pickup elements which are arranged unidirectionally, each image pickup element including plural photoelectric transducers that convert reflected light from an original document into pixel signals, and a forwarding unit that serially forwards pixel signals acquired by the photoelectric transducers; a dividing unit that divides outputs of the photoelectric transducers into plural processing paths so that pixel signals acquired by photoelectric transducers located on both sides of a boundary between adjacent image pickup elements are included in the same division unit; and an interpolation unit that executes pixel interpolation, using the pixel signals acquired by the photoelectric transducers located on both sides of the boundary among the pixel signals divided by the dividing unit.
US08130427B2 Method and apparatus for generating origin signal of encoder
When generating an origin signal of an encoder having a scale on which an incremental pattern and the origin pattern are formed, an origin signal having a necessary position and width is generated by software based on an origin waveform obtained from the origin pattern. This enables origin detection with excellent repeatability, S/N ratio (pulse width), and bidirectionality while maintaining ease of mounting and adjustment.
US08130426B2 Image reader, light guide used for the same, and method of making light guide
An elongate light guide includes a light incident portion provided at an end in the longitudinal direction of the guide, a light reflecting portion extending in the longitudinal direction, a light emitting portion extending in the longitudinal direction for emitting linear light, and a scatterer for scattering the light entering through the light incident portion. For instance, the scatterer is provided as a grained portion formed at least part of the reflecting portion.
US08130425B2 Methods and apparatus to route fax calls in an internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) network
Methods and apparatus to route fax calls in an Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) network are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a message including a called party number and a media description at an IMS network and determining if the media description is associated with a fax protocol. Additionally, when the media description is associated with a fax protocol, the example method attempts to locate a fax-specific uniform resource identifier (URI) associated with the called party number.
US08130423B2 Image scanning device and method for detecting type of document
An image scanning device for scanning an image on a document comprises a document table on which a document to be scanned is placed, a scanning unit which is installed in the document table for scanning an image on a document by projecting light from a light source onto the document in a time-sharing manner and detecting reflected light from the document, a moving unit which moves at least one of the document and the scanning unit to let them move relatively with each other, and a document type judgment unit which judges the type of the document in regard to transmission of light through the document based on a non-lighting period image signal which is outputted by the scanning unit by scanning the document for one line in a main scanning direction in a non-lighting period of the light source.
US08130412B2 Color image processing method and apparatus capable of reducing the number of application of color materials
When a color image is formed on a transparent sheet with a white color material as background color material and C, M, Y, K color materials as process color materials and has colors determined by the total amount of the color materials that are applied per unit area, image formation failures such as ink drooping and ink fixation failures are prevented from occurring. Of four colors or more including white represented by a CMYKW 1-bit pixel signal, the three colors C, M, Y (gray) are replaced with the color K. After the replacement, for three or more of C, M, Y, K, no white color ink is applied since the transparent sheet is opaque without the white color ink. This control process is effective to reduce the number of applications, i.e., the total amount of inks applied, thereby preventing image formation failures such as ink drooping from occurring.
US08130411B2 Image forming apparatus and method with color difference and gray level compensation and use of adjusted gray level conversion table
Stored reference patch data are outputted, and a gray level of the reference patches obtained by scanning the outputted reference patches is compared with a reference level, such that a conversion table for storing gray level setting information is modified according to the comparison result. A driving condition of a light source for the light exposure is set by a user interface to newly set a print density of an image forming apparatus. Moreover, prior to the user setting, test printing is performed and the print density can be set according to a result of the test printing.
US08130400B2 Multiple processor print driver
A system and method for an adaptable print driver that adapts its behavior to make use of multiple processors when they are available on the host computer. In particular, during installation or initialization of the print driver, the driver will query the operating system for the number and type of processors present. If the print driver detects that multiple processors are present, it will operate in a way that makes explicit use of the multiple processors.
US08130399B2 Print management apparatus and print management system with plural image forming apparatuses and a designating section that designates one of the image forming apparatuses for printing
A print management apparatus includes: a communication section connected to image forming apparatuses via a network for transmitting a print job to one of the apparatuses, and receiving management information from each apparatus including information about a print function of the apparatus and alternate printing instructions to allow another image forming apparatus perform an alternate printing. A management section creates and stores management data indicating respective states of the apparatuses based on management information received by the communication section. A designating section designates a first of the apparatuses and allows the communication section to transmit a print job to the designated first apparatus, designates a second apparatus to perform an alternate printing with reference to the management data of the management section, and allows the communication section to transmit the print job to the designated second apparatus if an alternate printing instruction is received from the designated first apparatus.
US08130394B2 Printer system for generating intermediate data in distributed printing
This invention can substantially equally distribute a load necessary for rendering, and can complete printing all pages of one print job at high speed. A master printer interprets received print data, generates display list data as intermediate data for each page, and upon completion of generating intermediate data of all pages, transfers them to a slave printer. The master printer performs rendering (RIP) in an ascending page order of page numbers 1, 2, . . . , whereas the slave printer performs rendering in a descending page order from the final page. When the number of rendered pages held by the master printer does not reach half of all pages upon completion of rendering all pages, the master printer receives the rendering results of deficient pages from the slave printer. Then, each printer prints by almost the same number of pages.
US08130392B2 Document providing system and document management server
A document management server of this invention includes a storage unit which stores output device management information and document management information, the output device management information associating, for each output device, a group to which the output device belongs and a device-corresponding-group as a group made to correspond to the output device, and the document management information associating, for each document file, a group to which the document file belongs and a document-corresponding-group as a group made to correspond to the document file, an output permission determination unit which refers to the output device management information and the document management information in accordance with an instruction to output a designated document file from a designated output device, and determines that output is permitted when a group to which the designated document file belongs is contained in a device-corresponding-group associated with the designated output device, and a group to which the designated output device belongs is contained in a document-corresponding-group associated with the designated document file, and a transmission unit which transmits the designated document file to the designated output device when it is determined by the output permission determination unit that output is permitted.
US08130387B2 Apparatus for simulating the effects of printing process-relevant setting commands on an image to be printed
Apparatus for simulating the effects of printing process-relevant setting commands on an image to be printed image includes (a) a color management unit for transforming printing-specific image data of an image to be printed into screen-specific display data defined in an RGB target color space, wherein the image data have been defined in a CMYK source color space comprising the scale colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black as participants in halftone combination printing; (b) at least one true color monitor for displaying the image to be printed in a true color manner on the basis of the screen-specific display data defined in the RGB target color space, the monitor being connected to the color management unit; (c) an input unit for entering the printing process-relevant setting commands for changing the image; and (d) a manipulation unit, which, on the basis of the entered setting commands, automatically adjusts the display data defined in the RGB target color space so that the image displayed on the true color monitor simulates, in a true color manner, image changes made by means of the entered setting commands.
US08130385B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An index detection unit (110) detects the image coordinates of indices from a captured image. An index allocation information updating unit (160) calculates the position and orientation of an image capturing apparatus using the image coordinates of the indices and allocation information of each of these indices. Furthermore, the index allocation information updating unit (160) re-calibrates allocation information of an unreliable index having a reliability indicating that the allocation information is unreliable. The index allocation information updating unit (160) updates allocation information held by an allocation information holding unit (140) in association with the unreliable index to the re-calibrated allocation information and a reliability indicating that the allocation information is reliable.
US08130383B2 Optical signal analysis apparatus and optical signal analysis method
An optical signal analysis apparatus includes a photodetector and an analyzer. The photodetector is to detect light emitted from measurement points in a sample. The analyzer is to analyze a molecular interaction between two of the measurement points by using fluctuation signals corresponding to fluctuations of the light from the measurement points that are detected by the photodetector.
US08130379B1 Gas analyzer
Gas analyzer systems and methods for determining gas flux in a short intake tube configuration without using any Webb-Pearman-Leuning density correction. Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gasses and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and method allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable in field cleaning of optical components.
US08130372B2 Wafer holding mechanism
A wafer holding mechanism for holding a wafer of the type used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices is herein described. The mechanism has a first plate having a number of offsets that define at least one lip that extends radially inward of the offsets. A second plate is positioned adjacent the first plate and generally between the first plate and the lip such that one or more fingers coupled to the second plate oppose the lip that depends from the first plate. When the second plate is moved to a closed position, the at least one lip and the one or more fingers cooperatively grasp an edge of a wafer therebetween. The wafer holding mechanism is coupled to a drive that rotates the wafer before an imaging mechanism for capturing images of the wafer as it rotates.
US08130367B2 Laser ranging, tracking and designation using 3-D focal planes
By using 3-D focal plane arrays, the present invention tracks or locates small moving objects, or generates a 3-D frame of data with minimum laser energy and a minimum of mechanically moving parts. In another embodiment the invention is used to determine the direction of a laser designating a target with a minimum of moving parts. In another embodiment the invention is used as a 3-D movie/video camera. In yet another embodiment the device is used to provide data for autonomous navigation.
US08130366B2 Method for coarse wafer alignment in a lithographic apparatus
A method for alignment of a substrate, in which the substrate includes a mark in a scribe lane, and the scribe lane extends along a longitudinal direction as a first direction. The mark has a periodic structure in the first direction. The method includes providing an illumination beam for scanning the mark in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the mark's periodic structure along a first scan path across the mark, scanning the spot of the illumination beam along a second scan path across the mark, the second scan path being parallel to the first scan path, wherein the second scan path is shifted relative to the first scan path over a first shift that corresponds to a fraction of the repeating distance of the periodic structure.
US08130359B2 Lithographic apparatus and a vacuum chamber
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam and a support constructed to support a patterning device. The patterning device is configured to impart the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. A substrate table is constructed to hold a substrate, and a projection system is configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The projection system includes a vacuum chamber and a controller configured to control an actuator of an optical device arranged in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber includes a hermetically sealed housing in which the controller is accommodated. The housing is provided with an electrical connection configured to electrically connect the controller to the optical device, and is connected to an exterior wall of the vacuum chamber via a fluid cooling channel configured to cool the controller.
US08130356B2 Flexible printed circuit board and display device having the same
Disclosed are a flexible printed circuit board capable of improving the display quality and a display device having the flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board includes a base film, a signal interconnection layer and a protective layer. The signal interconnection layer is formed on the base film. The protective layer is formed on the signal interconnection layer. The protective layer includes a first region and a second region. The second region has a stiffness smaller than a stiffness of the first region.
US08130354B2 Liquid crystal display device and electronic device
To provide a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display device, and an electronic device which have a wide viewing angle and in which the number of manufacturing steps, the number of masks, and manufacturing cost are reduced compared with a conventional one. The liquid crystal display device includes a first electrode formed over an entire surface of one side of a substrate; a first insulating film formed over the first electrode; a thin film transistor formed over the first insulating film; a second insulating film formed over the thin film transistor; a second electrode formed over the second insulating film and having a plurality of openings; and a liquid crystal over the second electrode. The liquid crystal is controlled by an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08130351B2 Array substrate for in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device including pixel and common electrodes on the same layer and method of manufacturing the same
An array substrate for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line along a first direction on the substrate, a data line along a second direction and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a common line on the substrate, a thin film transistor connected to the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor, the pixel electrode including horizontal parts along the first direction, and a common electrode in the pixel region and connected to the common line, the common electrode including horizontal portions along the first direction, wherein the pixel electrode and the common electrode are formed on a same layer.
US08130350B2 Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal layer disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, a pixel electrode in a reflection region and a transmission region over the first substrate, a film for adjusting a cell gap in the reflection region over the first substrate, and an opposite electrode in the reflection region and the transmission region over the second substrate. The pixel electrode in the reflection region is provided over the film and reflects light. The pixel electrode in the transmission region transmits light. The pixel electrode in the reflection region and the transmission region includes a slit. The slit is overlapped with at least a part of a step portion which is provided by the film between the reflection region and the transmission region.
US08130349B2 Substrate for a display apparatus including domain forming member disposed thereon
A substrate for a display apparatus includes a plate, a switching element, an insulating layer, and a partition wall. The plate has a reflection region on which a light that is provided from an exterior to the substrate is reflected and a transmission region through which a light generated from a backlight assembly passes. The switching element is on the plate. The insulating layer is on the plate having the switching element. The transmission region of the insulating layer is recessed when compared to the reflection region of the insulating layer. The insulating layer has a contact hole through which a first electrode of the switching element is partially exposed. The partition wall divides the transmission region into a plurality of transmission portions. Advantageously, an image display quality of the display apparatus is improved, and manufacturing cost is decreased.
US08130348B2 Production method of liquid crystal display including scanning exposure
To provide: a production method of a liquid crystal display device, the production method being capable of efficiently and stably providing alignment treatment for an alignment film of the liquid crystal display device, in which a plurality of domains is formed in a pixel region; and an exposure device for alignment treatment. A production method of a liquid crystal display device comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate facing to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the substrates; a first alignment film provided on the liquid crystal layer side surface of the first substrate; and a second alignment film provided on the liquid crystal layer side surface of the second substrate, wherein the production method comprises subjecting the first alignment film and/or the second alignment film to scanning exposure continuously over a plurality of pixel regions, and the scanning exposure comprises exposing the first alignment film and/or the second alignment film while scanning an inside of each pixel region more than one time in antiparallel directions to form, in the each pixel region, regions for aligning liquid crystal molecules to the surface(s) of the first alignment film and/or the second alignment film in antiparallel directions.
US08130346B2 Pixel structure of display and method for manufacturing the same
A pixel structure of a display including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal (LC) layer disposed therebetween. The pixel structure comprises a plurality of first, second, and third sub-pixels; a plurality of alignment controlling patterns, respectively formed in the first, second and third sub-pixels for controlling alignment direction of LC molecules of the LC layer; a plurality of opaque regions, respectively formed in the first, second, and third sub-pixels, and substantially aligned with the portion of the alignment controlling patterns, so that the alignment controlling patterns are shielded by the substantially corresponded opaque regions having different areas in at least two of the colored sub-pixels.
US08130335B2 Electro-optic substrate, electro-optic device, method of designing the electro-optic substrate, and electronic device
Stray light in an oblique direction penetrates a channel part of a thin-film transistor, which sometimes causes light leakage current. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced in the case of using an optical system with high intensity, leading to deterioration in an image quality.To prevent the light that possibly penetrates an equivalent optical waveguide from reaching the channel part, on the condition that a first insulating layer is set to have a layer-thickness t (nm) and a refraction index n, a relation is to be expressed by the following expression. t<(0.61×λ)/(n×sin θ) A value of λ is set to a lower limit 400 (nm) of a visible light wavelength and a value Lc (nm) is set to a distance between an end of a light-shielding layer and an end of a channel region. With those values, an expression of nt2/244 (nm)
US08130334B2 Active matrix substrate, apparatus for manufacturing the same and display device using the same
An active matrix substrate comprises a substrate made of a plastic material and a plurality of TFTs which are arranged in matrix configuration on one side of the substrate and connected to signal wires. Inorganic insulating films are formed on both sides of the substrate. A conductive film is formed on the other side of the substrate on which the TFTs are not formed and the conductive film is electrically grounded. This configuration prevents dielectric breakdown caused in the TFTs by static charge, avoids defects derived from long-term static buildup and suppresses expansion, contraction and warpage of the plastic substrate.
US08130332B2 Liquid crystal optical modulation element, liquid crystal optical modulation device and method for driving liquid crystal optical modulation element
A liquid crystal spatial light modulator for adjusting an optical signal is configured in such a manner that a region of one element is partitioned into two regions so as to perform intensity modulation in one region and phase modulation in the other region. Since the region for performing the intensity modulation and the region for performing the phase modulation can be formed by partitioning one region of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator, only one element allows adjusting functions, both the optical signal intensity modulation and phase modulation.
US08130330B2 Immersive surround visual fields
A surround visual field that has a characteristic or characteristics that relate to an audio/visual presentation is described. In one embodiment, the surround visual field is projected on an area partially surrounding or surrounding video content being displayed on a device. This surround visual field may be comprised of a plurality of elements that further enhance the visual effect of the content being displayed. For example, one embodiment of the invention provides for elements within the surround visual field to move in relation to motion within the video content being displayed. Other characteristics of the video content may also be supplemented by the surround visual field or the surround visual field may simply be authored to correspond to the content itself.
US08130329B2 Monitor apparatus
A monitor apparatus includes a display panel housed in a housed position, a driving section, a detecting section, and a controlling section. The driving section includes a gear transmission mechanism for driving the display panel and causes the display panel to perform a first operation in which the display panel is moved from the housed position to an upright position via a horizontal position and a second operation in which the display panel is lowered from the upright position and is drawn into the housed position via the horizontal position. The detecting section detects when an external force is applied to the display panel placed in the upright position. When the detecting section detects that an external force is applied, the controlling section causes the driving section to drive the display panel in a direction in which the external force was applied.
US08130326B2 Television broadcast signal receiving system, television broadcast signal receiving apparatus, and antenna apparatus
A television broadcast signal receiving system including an antenna apparatus including a first antenna which can receive a broadcast signal in a first frequency band and a second antenna which can receive a broadcast signal in a second frequency band and a television broadcast signal receiving apparatus including a selection unit for selecting the first antenna or the second antenna according to a frequency of a broadcast signal which is to be received, a detecting unit for detecting a receiving level of a received signal which is received by the first antenna or the second antenna, a channel setting unit for setting a channel of the broadcast signal in which the receiving level detected by the detecting unit is not less than a predetermined value as a receivable channel, and a control unit for controlling each operation of the selection unit, the detecting unit, and the channel setting unit.
US08130325B2 Luminance level control device
A scene change detecting circuit (1) detects a scene change of video. An average luminance level operating circuit (2) calculates an average luminance level (APL) of a video signal (VD). A luminance overdrive amount calculating circuit (3) calculates a luminance overdrive amount (OD) based on the average luminance level (APL). A time-linked attenuating circuit (7) outputs a power consumption limit correction amount (PA) by attenuating the luminance overdrive amount (OD) with an elapse of time from a point in time of detecting the scene change. An adder (8) adds the power consumption limit correction amount (PA) and a reference power consumption limit value (Lp) to output the addition result as a power consumption limit amount (PL). An ABL circuit (4) calculates a luminance limit amount (BL) based on luminance limit characteristics, the average luminance level (APL) and the power consumption limit amount (PL). A luminance level control circuit (5) determines a display drive condition (BC) based on the luminance limit amount (BL). A PDP drive controller (6) drives a display panel (20) based on the video signal (VD) and the display driving condition (BC).
US08130324B2 Automatic gain control circuit
An AGC circuit is provided which includes a first AGC detector circuit that switches whether the AGC voltage is output or not, a second AGC detector circuit that always outputs the AGC voltage, a first resistor with a high impedance compared to a tuned frequency of which one end is connected to an output port of the first AGC detector circuit and the other end is connected to an output port of the second AGC detector circuit, and a switching element that is provided between the other end of the first resistor and a ground, in which an output source that outputs the AGC voltage to the amplifier can be switched to the first AGC detector circuit or the second AGC detector circuit by an On/Off operation of the switching element.
US08130321B2 Method and a system for calibrating an analogue video interface
The invention relates to systems and methods for calibrating an analogue video interface. Due to the lack of pixel clock signal (206) information in the video-handling unit, a sample clock signal (202) needs to be generated, which should correspond with the unknown pixel clock signal (206). The types of signals transmitted to the video-handling unit may correspond with strange display formats and no up-front information may be present. The present invention provides methods and systems for automatic calibration of an analogue video interface. These are based on obtaining an analogue video signal (208) that is based on a pixel clock signal (206), generating a sample clock signal (202) having a first frequency by means of a PLL feedback divider having a value, determining a phase-relation between the video signal (208) and the sample clock signal (202) and evaluating the phase-relation to determine if the correct sample clock signal (202) is generated. The method is looped until a correct value for the PLL feedback divider is obtained so as to obtain a correct sample clock signal (202).
US08130320B2 Method and system for identifying addressing data within a television presentation
Characters represented within a frame of a television presentation are identified. A pattern formed by a subset of the characters is identified if the pattern is indicative of an addressing datum. A provision is made for a selection of characters that form the pattern indicative of the addressing datum. In one embodiment, a web page is displayed upon a selection of characters that form a pattern indicative of a uniform resource locator for the web page.
US08130318B2 Method and audio/video device for generating response data related to selected caption data
A method for operating an audio/video device is presented. In the method, audio/video data, and caption data associated with the audio/video data, is received. The audio/video data is presented for display. An indication of a portion of the caption data is also received into the audio/video device. In response to receiving the indication, response data describing the indicated portion of the caption data is generated and presented for display.
US08130317B2 Method and system for performing interleaved to planar transformation operations in a mobile terminal having a video display
Methods and systems for performing interleaved to planar transformation operations in a mobile terminal having a video display are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include extracting similar color space components from a received block of interleaved YUV color space format video data as data is received, where the block may comprise 128 bits. The similar color space components may be extracted and transferred to a memory, where each type of the similar color space components may be stored contiguously in separate portions of the memory in planar format. The transferring of data may be via direct memory access of 32-bit words. When the line buffer that is receiving the interleaved video data is full, a direct memory access operation may be initiated. Direct memory access operation may also be initiated when the data for a similar color space component for a complete horizontal line is extracted.
US08130316B2 Image output device for outputting moving images in a plurality of display modes
An image output device includes a reception unit, an output unit, and a selection reception unit. The reception unit receives a change of setting from a display mode, which is currently set to one of a plurality of display modes, to a different display mode. The output unit outputs an image signal based upon a display mode which has been received. Furthermore, when the receipt of a change of setting by the reception unit has been initiated, the output unit outputs an image for mode selection in which an image based upon the display mode which is currently set, and an image based upon another display mode among the plurality of display modes which is not currently set, are arrayed. The selection reception unit receives a selection of one display mode among the other display modes which are not currently set, among the plurality of display modes.
US08130315B2 Solid image capture device and electronic device incorporating same
The solid image capture device 100 in accordance with the present invention is detachably fixed to a wiring board 1 and applies pressure to the side faces of a transparent lid section 3 in a direction normal to the faces, so as to nip and secure the transparent lid section 3. The mechanism allows a solid image capture element 2 to be attached to and detached from the wiring board 1. The solid image capture element 2 is readily positioned precisely on the wiring board 1.
US08130313B2 System and method to estimate autoexposure control and auto white balance
In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes determining at least one ambient exposure parameter using an ambient illumination, the at least one ambient exposure parameter including a first sensitivity parameter of an autoexposure controller using the ambient illumination. The method includes determining at least one low-illumination parameter using a first lamp level, the at least one low-illumination parameter including a second sensitivity parameter of the autoexposure controller using the first lamp level, where the autoexposure controller is configured to operate according to at least one high-illumination parameter based on the at least one ambient exposure parameter and the at least one low-illumination parameter. The method further includes performing an image capture operation using a second lamp level that is brighter than the first lamp level, where the at least one high-illumination parameter includes a third sensitivity parameter.
US08130312B2 Reflowable camera module with integrated flash
A reflowable camera module is implemented using a Chip Scale Package (CSP). An image sensor is formed on one portion of the carrier. A light emitting diode (LED) is formed on another portion of the carrier. The LED serves as an integrated camera flash. Additional optical isolation is provided within the camera module to prevent stray light generated by the LED from degrading image quality.
US08130311B2 Method of capturing an image with a mobile device
A mobile device including an image capturing unit, a flash unit and a control unit. The control unit may initiate the image capturing unit to capture an image with activating the flash unit.
US08130310B2 Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus capable of increasing the number of pixels in a reproduced image without a decline in image quality of a picked up image is provided. The image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup lens section including an aperture stop, the aperture stop including a plurality of aperture sections; an image pickup device obtaining image pickup data on the basis of light received; and a microlens array section being arranged on the focal plane of the image pickup lens section between the image pickup lens and the image pickup device, and including one microlens for a plurality of pixels of the image pickup device.
US08130308B2 Image capture device capable of improved image capturing in electronic viewfinder mode
The object is to provide an image capture device capable of carrying out good image capture in electronic viewfinder mode. When the electronic viewfinder mode is set in a single lens reflex digital camera a quick return mirror is driven so as to direct light from a photographic subject onto a CCD, and control is also carried out such that images captured by the CCD are displayed as a through image on a liquid crystal monitor at specific time intervals, with the through image display conditions being adjusted so that the image displayed as a through image is an image equivalent to an image that would be captured during main image capture with the set main image capture conditions.
US08130307B2 Drive circuit and driving method for charge transfer unit and charge transfer system
A drive circuit applying two or more drive voltages to a charge transfer unit includes at least one current mirror circuit that receives a reference current and outputs a predetermined current; at least one switch circuit that switches the current output from the at least one current mirror circuit to apply the multiple drive voltages to the charge transfer unit; and at least one time constant circuit that gives a predetermined time constant to the reference current in the switching by the switch circuit.
US08130304B2 Image sensors with pixel charge summing
An image sensor has an array of pixels of different colors. The pixels may be arranged in a repeating pattern of eight pixels having four rows and two columns. During charge summing operations, the first and third rows may share a floating diffusion and the second and fourth rows may share a floating diffusion. When charge summing is inactive, transfer gates in the first and second columns may be controlled independently, while transfer gates in pairs of rows may be controlled simultaneously. When charge summing is active, summed charges from pixels of the same color in the first and third rows may be placed on the floating diffusion shared by the first and third rows and summed charges from pixels of the same color in the second and fourth rows may be placed on the floating diffusion shared by the second and fourth rows.
US08130299B2 Method of performing interlaced preview for a CMOS sensor
Combo lines having one odd line and one even line are utilized for generating an interlaced preview from an image sensor. Odd combo lines are read out to generate an odd field. Even combo lines are read out to generate an even field. Interpolation is performed on a plurality of odd field lines generated from the plurality of odd combo lines to generate a plurality of odd interpolated lines. Interpolation is performed on a plurality of even field lines generated from the plurality of even combo lines to generate a plurality of even interpolated lines. The interlace preview is generated from the plurality of odd interpolated lines and the plurality of even interpolated lines.
US08130297B2 Solid state imaging device including a light receiving portion with a silicided surface
A solid state imaging device having a light receiving region on a first surface side of a semiconductor substrate, incident light from an object to be imaged being illuminated on a second surface side of the semiconductor substrate, the solid state imaging device including an impurity diffusion layer formed on the first surface side of the semiconductor substrate, a surface of the impurity diffusion layer being silicided, and a gate electrode formed on the first surface side of the semiconductor substrate. The impurity diffusion layer includes the light receiving region disposed on the first surface side of the semiconductor substrate, a surface of the light receiving region being silicided, and the impurity diffusion layer includes at least a surface adjacent to the gate electrode.
US08130296B2 Solid-state image pickup apparatus and image pickup system
A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a reading unit having a plurality of pixels connected thereto, holding signals from the pixels, and a control unit capable of controlling operations of the pixels and reading unit. The control unit controls the pixels and reading unit in a first operation mode without addition, in a second operation mode in which signals from aa of the pixels are added, aa being an integer greater than one, and in a third operation mode in which signals from bb of the pixels are added, bb being an integer greater than aa. The reading unit includes a holding unit having a capacitance value of C, and the holding unit includes a first capacitor having a capacitance value of C/bb and a second capacitor having a capacitance value of C/p, p being a common multiple of aa and bb.
US08130295B2 Analog-to-digital converter, solid-state image pickup device, and camera system
An analog-to-digital converter converting an analog input signal into a digital signal includes a comparator comparing a reference signal with an input signal and, if the reference signal matches the input signal, inverting an output; and a counter counting a comparison time. The counter includes flip flops that perform serial input/output. An input and an output of the counter are interconnected. The counter operates in a counter mode and a shift register mode. In the counter mode, a data output of each flip flop is supplied to a clock input of the next flip flop, and, if the output of the comparator is at a predetermined level, the counter functions as a counter synchronized with a counter clock signal. In the shift register mode, the flip flops are cascade-connected, and the counter functions as a shift register synchronized with a shift register clock signal.
US08130294B2 Imaging array with non-linear light response
An imaging array and method for capturing an image utilizing the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes an array of pixel sensors in which each pixel includes a dual-ported photodiode or photogate and a charge conversion circuit. The charge conversion circuit generates a voltage signal that is a function of a charge on the dual-ported photodiode. The controller applies a potential that varies over the exposure to the second gates in the dual-ported photodiodes, each second port passing charge stored in the photodiode connected to the second port when a potential in the photodiode exceeds the applied potential. The potential is chosen such that charge flows through the second gates of pixel sensors that are exposed to light intensities greater than a first threshold intensity during the exposure.
US08130293B2 Image processing apparatus having patterned polarizer, patterned polarizer, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a color and polarization obtaining section 101 including a single-chip color image capture device that has a color mosaic filter 201 and a patterned polarizer 202 in which a number of polarizer units, having polarization transmission planes defining mutually different angles, are provided for multiple pixels of the same color (G) in the color mosaic filter 201; a polarization information processing section 103 for approximating, as a sinusoidal function, a relation between the intensities of light rays that have been transmitted through the polarizer units for the G pixels and the angles of the polarization transmission planes of the polarizer units; and a color mosaic interpolation section 103 for generating a color intensity image by performing color intensity interpolation and getting a color intensity that cannot be obtained at a pixel of interest.
US08130289B2 System, method, and apparatus for correction of dark current error in semiconductor imaging devices
Detection cells configured to output signals for dark current error correction. Various embodiments of detection cells accumulate dark charge supplied by dark current sources, and output dark charge signals indicating the amount of accumulated dark charge. The dark charge signals may be used to approximate the amount of dark charge read out by pixel cells of an imaging array and/or to offset portions of pixel cell signals attributable to dark charge accumulation.
US08130288B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a QV converter that converts an electric charge accumulated in an effective pixel portion into an analog video signal and also converts an electric charge of a shaded pixel portion into an analog shaded signal, a signal processing section that processes output signals of the QV converter, a black level setting section that sets a black level from a black level target value, an A/D conversion section that A/D converts an analog output signal of the signal processing section after correction thereof by the black level, a CPU that processes a digital output signal D from the A/D conversion section, a noise determination section that determines a noise level from the digital output signal, a brightness measuring section that measures brightness information of a predetermined region, and a target value setting section that sets the black level target value based on the noise level and the brightness information.
US08130282B2 Image capture device
An image capture device according to the present invention includes: an image capturing section for capturing a subject's image and generating image data, thereby outputting a moving picture; a first area shifting section for shifting a first area, which is associated with a first kind of feature information that represents a first feature in the image data, based on a result of search for the first kind of feature information through the image data; and a second area shifting section for shifting, independently of the first area, a second area, which is associated with a second kind of feature information that represents a second feature in the image data, based on a result of search for the second kind of feature information through the image data. If unable to detect the second kind of feature information, the second area shifting section shifts the second area with respect to the location of the first area.
US08130279B2 Image sensing apparatus sensing moving and still images, method thereof, storage medium and computer program
An image sensing apparatus includes an imager, an image reducer for reducing an image size from imaging data obtained from the imager, a moving image configurer for rendering an image reduced by the image reducer as a moving image, an image processor for image-processing image data, a network communicator, and a storing device for storing frame image data obtained from the imager in response to a control instruction from the outside while taking a moving image. The image data stored in the storing device is image-processed by dividing it into non-operating periods of moving image processing per frame configuring the moving image. Also, parallel processing of a moving image and a still image is performed without lowering a frame rate of the moving image.
US08130274B2 Video quality objective assessment device, assessment method, and program
A video quality objective assessment device includes a temporal/spatial feature amount derivation unit (12) which derives a temporal/spatial feature amount (PC) which is the feature amount of deterioration which has occurred in a deteriorated video signal (PI), from the deteriorated video signal (PI) to be assessed and a reference video signal (RI) which is a signal before deterioration of the deteriorated video signal, and a subjective quality estimation unit (14) which weights the temporal/spatial feature amount (PC) according to the relationship between the deteriorated video obtained in advance and the user subjective assessment value, thereby estimating the subjective quality (Y) of the deteriorated video signal (PI). Thus, it is possible to estimate a video subjective quality even when deterioration occurs locally in the video in the temporal/spatial direction.
US08130272B2 Method for autostereoscopically producing three-dimensional image information from scanned sub-pixel extracts and device for carrying out said method
A method for autostereoscopically producing three-dimensional image information from scanned subpixel extracts uses a multiplex track method (MTV) having a separating raster (TR) obliquely extended with respect to a matrix screen (MB) and an electronic tracking (TS) of viewing areas ibased on two separated image views (L, R), that adjacently disposes two or three subpixels (SP) of each pixel (P) of the two image views (L, R) in the actual subpixel extraction (SPA), continuously and alternatingly preserving each subpixel address and disposes said subpixels (SP) in an overlapping manner on each other with an offset, whereby the resolution loss effects the subpixels (SP) only. The crosstalk resulting from the inclination of the separating raster (TR) is reduced by a special structure of the subpixel extraction (SPA), wherein the resolution homogenisation in two directions of the screen is simultaneously preserved. The formation of the actual subpixel extraction (SPA) is carried out according to multiplex schemes (MUXi) predetermined according to an observer actual position. One or several observers can be electronically tracked subject to the distance thereof from the matrix screen (MB), and the image representation can be adapted therefor.
US08130271B2 Image display method and image display apparatus
An image display method for displaying a combined image by capturing images at areas surrounding a vehicle includes a) calculating a plurality of displacement vectors for a plurality of points taken on images captured by a plurality of cameras upon the application of a load that changes the attitude of a camera on the vehicle, and b) determining each image borderline between two adjacent images such that a difference in the directions of displacement vectors in the neighborhood of each image borderline between two adjacent images does not exceed a predetermined angle.
US08130270B2 Vehicle-mounted image capturing apparatus
Images captured by multiple cameras installed on a vehicle are combined, and an image of the ground is projected onto a plane and is displayed around a vehicle display portion. In the vehicle display portion, actual images of portions of the vehicle may be displayed in a front area, a rear area, a left-side area, and/or a right-side area. A vehicle illustration image is displayed in the area surrounded by the actual images of the portions of the vehicle. Since the vehicle actual images are displayed at the perimeter of the vehicle display portion, it is easy for an operator who views a display screen to recognize the positional relationships between the perimeter of the vehicle and obstacles outside the vehicle perimeter.
US08130269B2 Visual recognition apparatus, methods, and programs for vehicles
Around-vehicle visual recognition apparatus, methods, and programs acquire circumstances of a vehicle, including the vehicle's location and cause a camera to take images around the vehicle. The apparatus, methods, and programs determine at least one first area around the vehicle that is more relevant to a driver based on the circumstances of the vehicle than another area around the vehicle and display an image of the at least one first area on a display.
US08130263B2 Head-mounted visual display device for low-vision aid and its system
A head-mounted visual display device for low-vision aid, which features 2 models, they are analog signal model and digital signal model. Said analog device contains at least an analog video extractor, a video decoder, an ITU-R.656 decoder, a de-interlacing unit, an image processor, two YCbCr to RGB converter, two color enhancement units, two video D/A converter, a head mounted display, a signal voltage controller and a wireless communication module. Said digital device consists of a digital video signal extractor/capturer, a RGB to YCbCr converter, an image processor, two YCbCr to RGB converter, two color enforcement units, a head-mounted display, a signal voltage controller and a wireless communication module.
US08130262B2 Apparatus and method for enhancing field of vision of the visually impaired
An apparatus and a method for enhancing a field of vision of a user with a visual impairment to help the user to navigate safely in the surroundings. The apparatus includes a body, at least one video device coupled to the body for recording a visual image of a physical environment surrounding the user, at least one monitor coupled to the body, a processor which receives signals from the at least one video device and operatively controls the at least one monitor to display the visual image recorded by the at least one video device, and a tunnel vision finder to determine the user's actual vision size. The method includes the step of determining the user's actual vision size, acquiring a visual image of a physical environment surrounding the user, processing the visual image, and displaying the visual image in the user's actual vision.
US08130261B2 System and method for dynamically correcting parallax in head borne video systems
A dynamically corrected parallax system includes a head borne video source for imaging an object and providing video data. A controller electronically offsets the video data provided from the head borne video source to form offset video data. A display device receives the offset video data and displays the offset video data to a user's eye. The display device is configured for placement directly in front of the user's eye as a vision aid, and the head borne video source is configured for displacement to a side of the user's eye. The offset video data corrects parallax due to horizontal and/or vertical displacement between the display device and the head borne video source.
US08130251B2 Method and apparatus for forming image
An image forming apparatus includes a light source that emits a laser beam, a separating unit that separates the laser beam emitted from the light source into a first laser beam, and a second laser beam. a first photoelectric converting unit, a second photoelectric converting unit, and a control unit that executes a first light-intensity correction for correcting the light intensity of the second laser beam per scan by each scanning line, and a second light-intensity correction for adjusting a performance in forming the image data based on a current correction value for correcting a light intensity of the laser beam based on a first voltage and a second voltage and a drive current preliminarily-set with respect to the laser beam to cause the light source to emit the laser beam.
US08130247B2 Image forming apparatus having first and second frames and a connecting member coupled thereto for facilitating multiple stages of movement
An image recording apparatus includes an image forming section, a first frame for supporting the imager forming section, a second frame for supporting the first frame loosely, and a supporting section disposed on an apparatus body for supporting the second frame in a rotatable manner, wherein the first frame moves in association with a rotation of the second frame.
US08130243B2 Image display control apparatus and method
A degree of overlapping between separately obtained regions of respective parts of an image is determined. When the degree of overlapping is greater than a defined value, only one of the obtained regions, or both the regions, or a region including both the regions is selected. When the degree of overlapping is less than the defined value, the separately obtained regions of respective parts of the image are separately selected. The image is displayed while reflecting a result of the selection.
US08130241B2 Graphics items that extend outside a background perimeter
Described herein are methods and systems that allow a user to reposition or size a graphics item or background such that a portion of the graphics item resides outside the background. This permits tailored operating spaces based on user preference and allowable conditions, which are particularly useful with display devices having a large display area.
US08130236B2 Systems and methods to achieve preferred imager color reproduction
A method and apparatus for processing image pixel signals having at least two color components in which at least some of the image pixel signals are classified into a plurality of classifications and transformed by a transform function associated with the classifications.
US08130233B2 Modifying screen objects
A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached.
US08130232B2 Drawing control method, drawing control apparatus, and drawing control system for embedded system
A drawing control method, a drawing control apparatus, and a drawing control system for embedded system are provided. The present invention adopts an independent drawing control apparatus to control a drawing unit to draw a frame, and move the drawn frame to an external frame buffer in advance, and therefore the number of lines that can be drawn is not restricted by the capacity of the memory of the drawing unit. Further, the present invention employs a counter to accumulate a counting number upon each time completion of drawing frame or moving frame. Whenever the counting number is accumulated, the drawing unit is controlled to perform a next stage of frame drawing or frame moving. In this concern, the present invention eliminates the time for external accessing, and thus achieving parallel processing, and instant displaying.
US08130230B2 Display device
Disclosed herein is a display device in which input data is written to a RAM as current frame data and read from the RAM as preceding frame data. Then, the current frame data and the preceding frame data are added up in a correction circuit and the result is subjected to an overdriving processing. After this, the processed (over-driven) data is assumed as current frame corrected data, which is then written to the RAM. The written corrected data is read from the RAM and subjected to a double-speed driving processing.
US08130222B1 System and method for resolving visual priority among coincident primitives
A system and method is disclosed for resolving visual priority among coincident primitives for a computer graphics system. The method can include the operation of classifying primitives within a computer generated scene into an ordinary group and one or more coincident groups according to each primitive's visual depth set comprising a depth value, a group value, and a layer value. The primitives within the ordinary group can be rendered according to their depth value. The primitives within the same coincident group can be rendered according to their layer value.
US08130221B2 Method and system for repairing triangulated surface meshes
A method of repairing a three dimensional surface mesh model to be watertight and manifold generally includes identifying a plurality of hole edges in the surface mesh model, selecting one of the hole edges, creating a cycle of hole edges that defines a hole in the surface mesh model, converting the cycle of hole edges into two or more cycles of exactly three edges each, and adding a triangular facet to the surface mesh model for each of the cycles of exactly three edges. The process may be repeated until the model is substantially watertight. Non-manifold vertices may be repaired by selecting a vertex of the model, identifying a number of independent cycles of triangular facets sharing the selected vertex, and redefining the selected vertex for at least all but one of the number of independent cycles. This process may be repeated until the model is manifold.
US08130219B2 Metadata for avatar generation in virtual environments
A method of provisioning avatars comprises receiving at a first computer system associated with a first user, a metadata file relating to an avatar of a second user. In particular, the metadata file comprises data for use with an avatar generator process that is in execution on the first computer system. Data is extracted from the metadata file, and is provided as input data to the avatar generator process, thereby generating locally to the first computer system the avatar of the second user. The avatar of the second user so generated is displayed to the first user within a virtual environment.
US08130213B2 Stylus and method of manufacturing the same
The present disclosure relates to a stylus and a method of manufacturing the same. The stylus is configured to select one of plural pieces of content installed in advance in a communication terminal and indicate an associated operation of the selected piece of content to be performed by touching the selected piece of content with the stylus. The stylus includes a non-conductive elastic pen tip and a protective cap made of a conductive fiber material and covering a convex upper portion of the pen tip to protect the convex upper portion of the pen tip in order to prevent activation of an undesired icon through minimization of any possible recognition failure upon selection of an icon among various icons displayed on a touch screen of a communication terminal Further, the method provides a stylus which includes a non-conductive elastic pen tip and a protective cap made of a conductive fiber material and protecting the pen tip to minimize scratches, which can be formed on a touch screen by the stylus in the case of repeated selection of various icons displayed on the touch screen of a communication terminal.
US08130211B2 One-touch rotation of virtual objects in virtual workspace
A method of rotating a virtual object within a virtual workspace. The method includes recognizing a selection perimeter of the virtual object and detecting a one-touch user input having a starting location within the selection perimeter of the virtual object. The method further includes tracking movement of the one-touch user input within the virtual workspace, and rotating the virtual object within the virtual workspace responsive to tracked movement of the one-touch user input relative to the virtual object.
US08130210B2 Touch input system using light guides
A touch input system includes a light-emitting device, a bent light guide and a light detector. The light-emitting device emits light. The bent light guide receives the light emitted by the light-emitting device and guides the light to travel in a direction across a face of a display screen. The light detector detects the light.
US08130204B2 Environment synchronized image manipulation
A system for interfacing with a user. The system includes a sensor, a controller, and a display. The sensor is configured to sense environmental conditions about the display and communicate the environmental conditions with the controller. The controller is configured to generate graphics and provide the graphics to the display. The graphics include one or more environmental display elements that correspond to the environmental condition sensed by the sensor.
US08130197B2 Floating keyboard
An ergonomic keyboard that alleviates repetitive stress injuries by eliminating static repetition in the use of keyboards. The keyboard includes a plurality of key zones, the key zones being adapted to move. The zones are moved by moving means. The key zones move when any one or more of predetermined conditions occur such as a set time, number of keystrokes, time interval, keystrokes in a zone or area, preprogrammed injury status, preprogrammed injury prevention, programmed diagnosed condition, key temperature, keyboard vibration, manual adjustment, and user pattern or preference.
US08130189B2 Gate driving device for liquid crystal display
The invention relates to a gate driving device for Thin Film Transistor liquid crystal display comprising: a plurality of shift registers directly deposited on an array substrate, said shift registers being composed of effect transistors and a capacitor, obtaining a gate driving signal voltage by controlling an input signal. Said shift register can be realized by 5-layer mask process or 4-layer mask process, by arranging the field effect transistors on the margin part outside the active region on the substrate or at the edge of the substrate, and then directly depositing them on an array substrate. The invention obtains a gate driving signal voltage by the shift registers directly deposited on the substrate, thus overcoming the shortage of the need of driving chips and film layers in the prior art, substantially reducing the production cost for LCD.
US08130188B2 Method for realizing gray levels of LCD device
Disclosed is a method for realizing gray levels of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, which realize various gray levels by interworking a gamma voltage and a sub-frame. The method includes the steps of dividing a liquid crystal response time interval for a pixel during one frame into n sequential sub-frames, enabling the pixel and applying a gamma voltage having a fixed level to the pixel, filling electric charges in the pixel by using the gamma voltage during each of the n specific sub-frames, and disabling the pixel at an end time point of a predetermined ith sub-frame, the i being an integer, wherein an amount of light projected on the pixel is adjusted by regulating a time point at which the pixel is disabled during each of the n specific sub-frames.
US08130187B2 OCB liquid crystal display with active matrix and supplemental capacitors and driving method for the same
A liquid crystal display comprises: a liquid crystal layer capable of bend orientation; a display screen on which an image is displayed by light transmitted through a bend-oriented liquid crystal layer; and liquid crystal voltage application means for applying a liquid crystal voltage to the liquid crystal layer according to luminance information for each field of image information composed of serial fields, the liquid crystal voltage being applied to cause transmittance of the light to change, thereby sequentially displaying the image corresponding to the fields of the image information, and when the luminance information changes between current and subsequent fields, the liquid crystal voltage application means applies the liquid crystal voltage which changes so as to have a value according to the luminance information by the time the liquid crystal voltage is applied for the subsequent field.
US08130186B2 Display device
A device is described that comprises a layer of material (254) disposed between first and second cell walls (250,252) and is capable of adopting, and being electrically latched between, at least two stable configurations. The layer of material (254) comprises one or more separate electrically addressable regions (270, 272, 274, 276) and addressing means are provided to write to each of said electrically addressable regions using voltage pulses to selectively latch said layer of material as required. The addressing means is arranged to write to each of said one or more separate electrically addressable region using at least first and second latching scans. The first latching scan being arranged to selectively latch material having a latching threshold within a first range and said second latching scan being arranged to selectively latch material having a latching threshold within a second range, wherein said first latching scan is applied prior to application of said second latching scan and said second latching scan is insufficient to latch material having a latching threshold within said first range. A method for addressing a device is also disclosed.
US08130180B2 Apparatus and method for driving an LED display utilizing a pre-programming period
A pixel circuit is disclosed in the present invention, which includes an OLED, a current-driving unit receiving a signal current on a data line during a programming period to provide a corresponding driving current to the OLED, a first switch coupled between the data line and the current-driving unit and turned on during the programming period to conduct the signal current, and a constant current unit providing a constant current on the data line during a pre-programming period and the programming period. The present invention also discloses an apparatus for driving a display, including a scan-driving circuit, a data-driving circuit, and plural constant current units. A method for driving a pixel having an OLED is also disclosed, which includes the steps of receiving a signal current on a data line during a programming period to provide a corresponding driving current to the OLED, and providing a constant current on the data line during a pre-programming period and the programming period.
US08130177B2 Organic EL display panel and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a technique which easily forms a bank the inner lateral surface of which has a part (lower part of the inner lateral surface) made to be lyophilic. The technique provides an organic EL display panel containing a plurality of organic EL elements in which each organic EL element comprises a substrate, an anode disposed on the substrate, an organic light emitting layer disposed on the anode, a cathode disposed on the organic light emitting layer, and a forward-tapered bank which regulates the area of the organic light emitting layer. A lyophobic organic film is disposed on the upper surface of the bank and the surface of the upper part of the tapered portion of the bank but not disposed on the surface of the lower part of the tapered portion of the bank of the organic EL element.
US08130176B2 Electro-optical apparatus and method of driving the electro-optical apparatus
The invention provides an electro-optical apparatus that can prevent a shift in a threshold voltage of an amorphous silicon transistor while driving an organic EL device in a pixel circuit including the amorphous silicon transistor. A characteristic-adjustment circuit can be provided, which has a function of returning a shift in the threshold voltage of the amorphous silicon transistor included in the pixel circuit to the original state.
US08130173B2 Active matrix electroluminescent display devices
Each pixel of an active matrix electroluminescent display device has a first amorphous silicon drive transistor for intermittently driving a current through the display element and a second amorphous silicon drive transistor for intermittently driving a current through the display element. The aging effect of amorphous silicon TFTs can be reduced by sharing the driving of the display element between two drive transistors. Providing a duty cycle reduces the on-time for each drive transistor, but also provides a period during which there can be some recovery of the TFT characteristics.
US08130167B2 Radomes, aircraft and spacecraft including such radomes, and methods of forming radomes
Radomes include an outer wall having a first average thickness and an inner wall having a second average thickness that is different from the first average thickness. At least a major portion of the inner wall is separated from at least a major portion of the outer wall by a space therebetween. The outer wall may comprise a layer of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. Aircraft and spacecraft include such radomes. Methods of forming radomes include forming an outer wall having a first average thickness, forming an inner wall having a different second average thickness, and coupling together the inner wall and the outer wall in such a manner as to provide a space between at least a major portion of the outer wall and at least a major portion of the inner wall.
US08130166B2 Coupling device for transponder and smart card with such device
A coupling device is formed by a continuous conductive path having a central section and two extremity sections, the central section forming at least a small spiral for inductive coupling with the transponder device, the extremities sections forming each one large spiral for inductive coupling with the reader device, wherein the small spiral shows a larger pitch than the ones of the large spirals, and wherein the two extremities of the continuous path are loose such that the coupling device forms an open circuit. The pitches of the large spirals are chosen such as that the interturn stray capacitances is important and that the large spirals have mainly a capacitive behavior. And the pitch of the small spiral is chosen such as that the interturn stray capacitances are negligible, and that the small spiral has mainly an inductive behavior.
US08130165B2 Phase shifter with branched transmission lines having at least one sideways movable dielectric body and antenna array formed therefrom
There is disclosed an electromagnetic transmission line arrangement with a phase shifter, comprising at least one conductive branch line (51a,51b) extending from a junction point (51c) to an associated output port, for the propagation of electromagnetic signals in a frequency band along said branch line. The phase shifter includes at least one dielectric body (52,53,54) which is mounted so as to be movable sideways in a transverse direction into a delaying position at least partly covering said branch line (51a,51b). The longitudinal distribution of its dielectric material (∈) is adapted to cause, when being moved transversally into said delay position, a controlled phase shift but also to secure, by way of said selected longitudinal distribution of its dielectric material in conjunction with said at least one branch line, an input impedance matching of said transmission line arrangement. The transmission line arrangement can be used in the feeding network to a microwave antenna.
US08130160B2 Composite dipole array assembly
A composite dipole array assembly can have a composite dipole array defined by a plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of non-linear element electrically interconnecting pair of the antenna elements. A reflector can be configured to reflect electromagnetic energy toward the antenna elements. A lens can be configured to focus electromagnetic energy upon the antenna elements. In this manner, the efficiency of the composite dipole array is enhanced.
US08130157B2 Feed device
There is provided a less fragile feeding apparatus for an antenna that can be fitted to clothing. The feeding apparatus uses a coaxial cable for feeding. A center conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to a first radiating element in terms of alternating current at least through capacitive coupling, and an outer conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to a second radiating element in terms of alternating current at least through capacitive coupling.
US08130152B2 Antenna apparatus
An antenna apparatus is disclosed that includes an antenna element having an inverted teardrop shape and configured to be fed with electrical power from an external power source; a ground element coupled to the antenna element; and a holding member configured to hold at least the top portion of the antenna element or a surface of a conical portion of the antenna element against the ground element.
US08130148B2 System and method for using a satellite positioning system to filter WLAN access points in a hybrid positioning system
This disclosure describes a system and method for using a satellite positioning system to filter WLAN access points in a hybrid positioning system. In some embodiments, the method can include detecting WLAN APs in range of the WLAN and satellite enabled device, obtaining satellite measurements from at least two satellites to provide a plurality of possible satellite locations of the device, and providing a weight for each AP based on the distance from the WLAN APs to the possible satellite locations of the device.
US08130145B2 Receive diversity in GNSS receivers
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to receiving one or more SPS signals at two or more physically separated antennae. In an aspect, signals from the physically separated antennae may be downconverted into complex digital signals that may undergo further processing to improve one or more performance metrics related to position estimation operations, for example.
US08130137B1 Template updated boost algorithm
A method and a system for sensing a boosting target missile, estimate position and velocity and boost acceleration parameters of the target missile, and control an interceptor missile to the target missile. A boost-phase missile target state estimator estimates at least acceleration, velocity, and position using an acceleration template for the target vehicle. The nominal template is incorporated into an extended Kalman filter which corrects the nominal template acceleration with the filter states to predict future thrust acceleration, velocity and position. The correction can compensate for motor burn variations and missile energy management (lofted/depressed trajectory).
US08130136B2 System and method for target signature calculation and recognition
The present invention is directed to a system and method for the identification of a target object in PCL radar applications. The disclosed embodiments describe the systems and methods used in the identification of a target object from the collection of data representing specific target object features, such as velocity, altitude, fuselage length, wing length, or wing sweepback angle, and the comparison of selected target object features with a database of known aircraft features. The present invention also provides for the calculation of feature dimensions, such as the fuselage length, wing length, or wing sweepback angle from measurements associated with a peak signal lobe as a function of a bistatic aspect angle.
US08130134B2 Reduced instruction set television control system and method of use
The claimed invention relates to an interactive television system including a controller for converting the hand motion of the user into acceleration data of three axes by a single 3-axis accelerometer 113 and an interactive system for mapping the output of the acceleration data with the pre-defined data in a motion database thereof so that the user can remotely control the TV centric devices with a reduced set of instructions. The claimed invention also relates to a method of using a controller incorporated with a single 3-axis accelerometer to control an interactive system for TV centric devices.
US08130131B2 Interpolating A/D converter
Provided is an interpolating A/D converter including a reference voltage generation circuit, an analog signal input circuit, a preamplifier group including a plurality of preamplifiers, and an interpolation circuit including a plurality of resistors. Reference voltages from the reference voltage generation circuit and an analog signal from the analog signal input circuit are input to the preamplifier group. The interpolation circuit outputs an interpolation signal by interpolating output signals of the preamplifier group. The preamplifiers amplify a differential voltage when a differential voltage between the analog signal and the reference voltages is smaller than a specified value, and the current flow of which is stopped when it is larger than the specified value. The plurality of resistors are connected in series between the adjacent amplifiers.
US08130129B2 Analog-to-digital conversion
One embodiment of the present invention includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) system. The system includes an ADC configured to generate digital samples that are digital versions of at least one analog signal at a sampling frequency and a memory configured to store data corresponding to an average value of the digital samples in at least one register. The system further includes a processor configured to access the data corresponding to the average value for processing at an access frequency that is less than the sampling frequency.
US08130127B1 Discrete-time delta-sigma modulator with improved anti-aliasing at lower quantization rates
A discrete time delta-sigma modulator circuit, which may be used to implement an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) provides improved anti-aliasing performance when lower quantization rates are selected, by maintaining the clocking rate of a first stage in the delta-sigma modulator loop filter at a rate higher than would ordinarily be selected for a lower quantization rate. To accomplish the anti-aliasing improvement, the ratio between the quantization rate and the clocking rate of the first integrator is reduced at the lower quantization rate, resulting in a first true alias image at a multiple of the quantization rate, permitting anti-aliasing filters to more effectively attenuate the alias image, and attenuating the images spaced at the quantization rate via the averaging operation of the first integrator.
US08130124B2 Method and apparatus for improving the reliability of a serial link using scramblers
Embodiments provide for a method for eliminating pathological sequences in a serial bit stream. Parallel data words having a first bit length are received. The received data words may be analyzed for a pathological sequence. If a pathological sequence is present in a data word, the data word containing the pathological sequence may be segmented into data segments having bit lengths less than a pathological sequence. The data word may be reformatted by generating reformatted data words having a second bit length. The reformatted data words may contain at least one of the data segments and the second bit length is greater than the first bit length. The reformatting may be performed by adding framing bits to the segments to form the reformatted data words. The reformatted data words are transmitted in place of the data word containing the pathological sequence.
US08130120B2 Parking assistance device
A parking assistance device includes a guiding unit to perform guidance of a vehicle to a parking initial position from which the vehicle can be parked into a parking space located adjacent to and on a far side of an object existing around the vehicle with respect to a running direction of the vehicle; an obstacle detecting unit to detect an obstacle around the vehicle in response to a reflected wave of a wave emitted from the vehicle in a predetermined direction; and a timing setting unit configured to set a timing to start the guidance in response to a detection result of the obstacle detecting unit, which is related to an obstacle existing in a predetermined distance from the object in the parking space.
US08130117B2 Drill bit with an electrically isolated transmitter
In one aspect of the invention a downhole drill bit with a body intermediate a shank and a working surface. Extending from the work surface is a wear resistant electric transmitter electrically isolated from the drill bit body. A wear resistant electrically conductive receiver, also electrically isolated from the bit body, may be connected to a tool string component. The working surface may also have at least two wear resistant electrodes located intermediate the transmitter and receiver that are adapted to measure an electric potential in the formation.
US08130112B2 Method of alarm mask generation and condition monitoring of wind turbines
In one aspect, an alarm mask for condition monitoring in a wind turbine is automatically generated. A reference data selecting definition is selected from a control definition repository in the wind turbine. The reference data selecting definition specifies a time interval of recorded reference data. Reference data is selected from a sensor located in the wind turbine recorded during the time interval. A reference value is calculated based on the reference data. A first and a second alarm mask factor are selected from the control definition repository. A first alarm mask is calculated based on multiplying the first alarm mask factor and the reference value. A second alarm mask is calculated based on multiplying the second alarm mask factor by the reference value.
US08130100B2 Air conditioner anti-theft
The present invention discloses an easy to use and cost effective air conditioner anti-theft device which easily attaches to the external portion of an air conditioner and detects a condition of attempted theft and/or vandalism of the unit and then alerts someone to the condition either through audible or other means.
US08130098B2 Systems and methods for safety and business productivity
The present invention is a safety and business productivity system having the following components. One or more cameras capture video data having attribute data, the attribute data representing importance of the cameras. One or more video analytics devices process the video data from one or more of the cameras and detect primitive video events in the video data. A correlation engine correlates two or more primitive video events from the video analytics devices weighted by the attribute data of the cameras used to capture the video data. An alerting engine generates one or more alerts and performs one or more actions based on the correlation performed by the correlation engine.
US08130096B2 Simplex personal and asset tracker
Disclosed are systems, apparatus and methods for tracking or locating an asset along with providing emergency and non-emergency messaging services. An asset tracker is disposed on an asset. The asset tracker has a motion sensor, a GPS receiver and a simplex satellite transmitter for communicating with a remote location (back office processing center). The asset tracker also has a short-range transceiver for communicating with a fob device carried by a user. If an authorized fob device is not in range of the asset tracker device and the asset tracker device moves, as determined by the motion sensor and/or GPS location data, GPS data are transmitted via a satellite to the back office. The office sends the information to a desired recipient (asset owner, law enforcement, etc.). The fob device communicates with the asset tracker device when it is in proximity thereof. The fob device is programmed to have depressible buttons that transmit emergency and non-emergency messages to the asset tracker device which communicates the GPS location and message via a satellite to the back office. The back office sends the information to a desired recipient. Messages processed at the processing center are sent as email messages to one or more designated email addresses, as a short message service (SMS) messages to one or more designated cell phones, or as messages to an asset recovery service or 911 emergency center.
US08130088B2 Vehicle controler for straddle type vehicle
A vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle includes a portable device that transmits a code signal and control unit comprising a receiver and an authenticator that respectively receive and authenticate the code signal. If the authentication is determined to be successful, a release signal is issued from a control unit to actuate a release structure of a steering lock to automatically release the steering lock. When a power source of the control unit is turned off, manual locking is allowed. Manual locking of the steering lock is actuated through a user's operation of a push-type locking switch. A manual lock structure is provided to manually lock the steering lock. The manual lock structure can be integrated with the automatic release structure that automatically releases the steering lock.
US08130087B2 Display control device, information display system for moving object, module for driver's seat and moving object
An imaging module that generates a plurality of display images respectively based on a plurality of pieces of state information different from each other, in accordance with an instruction signal from a controller, and allows the plurality of display images to be displayed simultaneously on a display screen of a liquid crystal display device, and a recording and reproducing unit that performs a capture operation, in accordance with the instruction signal from the controller are provided. The recording and reproducing unit records the display screen on the recording medium as screen data through the capture operation.
US08130086B2 Linear vibration generator
A linear vibration generator is disclosed. The linear vibration generator may include: a stator having a coil, which induces a magnetic field when an electric current is applied; an oscillator having a magnet, which has one side facing the coil; a spring member, which is joined to the stator, and which elastically supports the oscillator such that the oscillator moves linearly; a damper, which prevents the oscillator from contacting the stator according to the linear motion of the oscillator; and a guide portion, which guides the linear motion of the oscillator. This linear vibration generator makes it possible to generate stable linear vibration, prevent generation of touch noise when the oscillator impacts the stator, and prevent right/left vibration due to an external impact.
US08130084B2 Fault tolerant closed system control using power line communication
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for communicating to a powered element in a rack system. A controller injects communication data onto power lines that provides power to a plurality of powered elements. The powered elements determine if the communication data transmitted via the power lines should be used for configuration using an address embedded within the communication data. The powered elements compare an embedded target address within the communication data to the address of the particular element. If there is a match between the addresses, the corresponding powered element processes the communication data to configure the powered element. As a result, data may be communicated over the power lines thereby eliminating the need for separate communication lines. Thus, the amount of cables required to interconnect the powered elements of the distributed data processing system may be reduced by eliminating the communication lines from the system configuration.
US08130082B2 RFID system including a programmable RF tag
A radio frequency (RF) tag is provided with an antenna coil adapted and configured to wirelessly exchange data with a read/write terminal, a RF transmitting/receiving unit adapted and configured to modulate and demodulate data exchanged via the antenna coil, a protocol change field programmable gate array (FPGA) unit adapted and configured to selectably process data modulated or demodulated by the RF transmitting/receiving unit, and a memory unit adapted and configured to store data processed by the protocol change FPGA unit. Preferably, the protocol FPGA unit includes a plurality of differently programmed RF transport protocol circuits selected based on code data stored in the memory unit.
US08130078B2 RFID badge with authentication and auto-deactivation features
A radio frequency identification (RFID) badge is provided and includes a card, an authentication data acquisition and/or input device configured to receive inputted data unique to a holder of the card from the holder, an RFID tag having external system access information stored thereon, a controller configured to conduct an identification algorithm, during which the inputted data is compared with stored data, to thereby confirm that the holder is authorized to do so and to activate the RFID tag for a predetermined time upon such confirmation, a clip, which is structurally connected to the card and at least configured to cause the controller to conduct the identification algorithm and to deactivate the RFID tag, and a battery.
US08130076B2 Keyless entry device
A keyless entry device can accurately judge or determine whether a portable device exists inside or outside a vehicle. A vehicle-side controller includes a memory that stores an inside data group having a plurality of intensity information of a request signal transmitted from the plurality of transmitting antennas when the portable device is located along an inside of a vehicle. Also included is an outside data group having a plurality of intensity information of a request signal transmitted from the plurality of transmitting antennas when the portable device is located along an outside of the vehicle. The vehicle-side controller judges an area where the portable device exists from the intensity information of the request signal received from the portable device. The controller instantly judges the inside or the outside of the vehicle, when the portable device exists in an area apart from a boundary. The controller also judges which data group of the inside and outside data groups stored in the memory approximates the intensity information when the portable device exists in the vicinity of the boundary.
US08130071B2 Varistor comprising an insulating layer produced from a loading base glass
A varistor includes a ceramic base body having a surface. The varistor also includes an insulating layer on at least a portion of the surface of the ceramic base body. The insulating layer includes a base glass and filler. The filler includes 3Al2O32SiO2.
US08130069B1 Distributed gap inductor apparatus and method of use thereof
The invention comprises an electrical system including at least an inductor configured to carry a magnetic field of less than about thirty Gauss/Oersted. The inductor comprises an inductor core having a plurality of coated particles, each of a majority of the coated particles comprising: at least three layers, a first set of substantially magnetic alternating layers composed of an alloy, and a second set of substantially non-magnetic alternating layers, where the coated particles are about evenly distributed in the inductor core. Optionally, a thermal transfer agent is used to cool the inductor, where the thermal transfer agent includes at least one of: a thermally conductive potting material and a substantially non-conductive liquid coolant in direct contact with the inductor. Optionally, a cooling coil passes through the potting material and/or the liquid coolant.
US08130066B2 Wire winding device for a high power level transformer
Wire-holders are provided that confine a single wire over a limited arc section and that are interspersed with ferrite ingots that provide wire-ways for several wires are utilized in the winding of the coils of a transformer. A method for consistently producing windings having accurate wire placement on rotors, stators, and other electrical componentry is also provided.
US08130064B2 Switching device
The invention is directed to a switch assembly which can be used in situation in which the switch accommodates the flow of high voltage current. An actuator assembly with moveable contacts is moved by a motor driven armature. The moveable contacts are in electrical engagement with the stationary contacts when the armature is in the first position, and the moveable contacts are spaced from the stationary contacts when the armature is in the second position. By angling the stationary contacts and moveable contacts, the linear motion of the armature causes the moveable contacts to move across the surface of the stationary contacts as the armature approaches the first position. As all of the movements of the assembly are in a direction parallel to the axis of the armature, the assembly can be manufactured and operated reliably in a relatively small space. In addition, the linear movement on the angled contact provides for a positive electrical connection even in adverse environments.
US08130061B2 Filter
A filter being small and having a narrowband filter characteristic is achieved using interdigital-coupled resonators. A first resonator and a second resonator are configured using interdigital-coupled quarter-wavelength resonators respectively. In addition, the first resonator and the second resonator are disposed so as to extend along directions intersecting with each other at a predetermined angle θ. Thus, coupling between the resonators is reduced compared with, for example, a case that the first resonator and the second resonator are, as a whole, disposed in parallel to each other. The angle θ, with which the first resonator and the second resonator are disposed respectively, is adjusted, thereby coupling between the resonators may be made into a desired state. Thus, a desired narrowband filter characteristic is obtained.
US08130059B2 On chip slow-wave structure, method of manufacture and design structure
An on-chip slow-wave structure that uses multiple parallel signal paths with grounded capacitance structures, method of manufacturing and design structure thereof is provided. The slow wave structure includes a plurality of conductor signal paths arranged in a substantial parallel arrangement. The structure further includes a first grounded capacitance line or lines positioned below the plurality of conductor signal paths and arranged substantially orthogonal to the plurality of conductor signal paths. A second grounded capacitance line or lines is positioned above the plurality of conductor signal paths and arranged substantially orthogonal to the plurality of conductor signal paths. A grounded plane grounds the first and second grounded capacitance line or lines.
US08130058B2 Switchable tunable acoustic resonator using BST material
An acoustic resonator includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a barium strontium titanate (BST) dielectric layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the acoustic resonator is switched on as a resonator with a resonant frequency if a DC (direct current) bias voltage is applied across the BST dielectric layer. The acoustic resonator is also switched off if no DC bias voltage is applied across the BST dielectric layer. Furthermore, the resonant frequency of the acoustic resonator can be tuned based on a level of the DC bias voltage, with the resonant frequency increasing as the level of the DC bias voltage applied to the BST acoustic resonator increases.
US08130053B2 Tank tuning for band pass filter used in radio communications
A tuning method and circuit for an LC tank resonant circuit, including an inductor and a variable capacitor, are described. In a tuning mode, an RF input signal is applied to an input port of the circuit, and the RF output signal is monitored as a variable capacitor control input is varied. A peak output is detected, and the corresponding variable capacitor control input is stored, and applied to the variable capacitor in an operating mode. In one embodiment, the variable capacitor control input is adjusted for delay in the peak detection process. In one embodiment, the variable capacitor comprises a coarse capacitor and a fine capacitor; the tuning procedure is repeated for each capacitor; and both coarse and fine variable capacitor control inputs are stored and applied to the respective capacitors in operating mode.
US08130047B2 Open loop coarse tuning for a PLL
In many types of wireless applications (like wireless modems), it is important that the phase locked loops (PLLs) be able to synthesize clock frequencies in a wide tuning range. Because of the complexity of many conventional PLLs (which were deigned to cover wide tuning ranges), there was often a significant delay to achieve phase and frequency lock. Here, an open loop calibration system is provided to coarse tune a PLL very rapidly. Generally, this calibration system employs binary searches to coarsely adjust a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) from a VCO bank to within a predetermined range around a target frequency.
US08130046B2 Frequency calibration of radio frequency oscillators
A wireless communication device incorporating a set of comparators and logic interrupt into the local oscillator generation circuit block is described. In one design, the local oscillator circuit block includes a RF VCO with coarse and fine frequency tuning. The RF VCO fine frequency tuning signal is monitored continuously to determine if the control voltage is within specified limits. If the RF VCO fine frequency tuning voltage is too low or too high for the RF VCO to meet system requirements or lock on the current desired frequency, an interrupt signal is asserted. In response to the interrupt signal, a wireless communications processor or a hardware state machine initiates coarse frequency calibration of the RF VCO at the desired frequency. After coarse frequency calibration has completed, the RF VCO fine frequency tuning voltage is within specified limits and is continuously monitored.
US08130043B2 Multi-stage power amplifier with enhanced efficiency
A multi-stage RF/Microwave power amplifier circuit is provided that is capable of operating efficiently at multiple output power levels. The amplifier comprises first and second amplifying stages, an output impedance matching network connected to the output of first amplifying stage and an interstage impedance matching network connected between the outputs of said first and second amplifying stages. In a high power mode, the first amplifying stage is enabled and the second amplifying stage is disabled and the output and interstage impedance matching networks present a first value of the output impedance that improves the efficiency of the first amplifying stage. In a low power mode, the first amplifying stage is disabled and the second amplifying stage is enabled, and output and interstage impedance matching networks present a second value of the output impedance that improves the efficiency of the second amplifying stage.
US08130042B2 Methods and devices for leakage current reduction
Methods and devices for leakage current reduction are described. A regulator transistor is connected to a switch to bias the transistor with a first voltage during an ON state and a second voltage during the OFF state of the transistor. The switchable bias allows leakage current decrease and “on” resistance increase of the transistor.
US08130037B2 Apparatus and method for reducing current noise
An input bias current cancellation circuit includes reference transistors placed in series and a current summation network. The current summation network can be configured to sum the base currents of the reference transistors to produce a summed current. A current mirror can be provided to attenuate the summed current to produce input bias cancellation currents. The input bias cancellation currents can be provided to the base inputs of an input bipolar differential pair, thereby reducing input current noise.
US08130036B2 Input common mode circuit
A circuit provides a first current corresponding to the differential input Inn and Inp, and a second current corresponding to the common mode input Vcm. The circuit then mirrors the differential current and the common mode current to a third current and a fourth current. Based on the difference between the mirrored differential current and the mirrored common mode current, the circuit pulls up or pulls down these currents to balance the corresponding difference between the differential input and the common mode input. In effect, the circuit adjusts the input common mode voltage to a desired level, without providing an opportunity for it to rise to an unwanted level.
US08130035B2 Post amplifier with selectable gain
A selectable gain amplifier includes two or more selectable gain stages, each gain stage having a first input coupled to receive an input signal, a second input, and an output. The amplifier further includes and two or more feedback paths coupled between the outputs and the second inputs of the selectable gain stages.
US08130033B2 Switching low noise amplifier
Disclosed are embodiments of an integrated circuit device, method and design structure for selectively amplifying one of multiple received input signals. The embodiments incorporate at least two first stage transistors and a single second stage transistor. The first stage transistors are adapted to receive input signals from the same or different input signal sources and are each electrically coupled to the second stage transistor. A control circuit design is adapted to individually turn on a selected first stage transistor in conjunction with the second stage transistor, thereby activating a corresponding one of the cascode amplifiers and allowing the input signal received by the selected first stage transistor to be separately amplified.
US08130031B2 Tunable metamaterial
Examples of the present invention include a metamaterial comprising a plurality of resonators disposed on a substrate, the substrate comprising a dielectric support layer and a relatively thin semiconductor layer, having a Schottky junction between at least one conducting resonator and the semiconductor layer. The properties of the resonator may be adjusted by modifying the physical extent of a depletion region associated with the Schottky junction.
US08130029B2 Circuit for switchably connecting an input node and an output node
A switching circuit for switchably connecting an input node and an output node. The switching circuit comprises a switch operable to switchably connect the input node to the output node in response to a switching signal. A sensor is provided for sensing the voltage between the input and output nodes and providing a sense signal in response thereto. A driver coupled to the sensor adjusts the switching signal in response to the sense signal.
US08130027B1 Apparatus and method for the detection and compensation of integrated circuit performance variation
An apparatus and method for the dynamic detection and compensation of performance variations within an integrated circuit (IC) is provided to detect performance variations within the IC at any stage of test or operation. An arbitrary reference signal is utilized in conjunction with an internal oscillation device to establish a speed reference that may be used to characterize the IC. Dynamic detection and compensation may also be configured within a plurality of geographic locations within the IC, so that performance variations may be detected and compensated. Test data that is indicative of the IC's performance may be dynamically generated continuously, or at programmable intervals, so that performance variations caused by virtually any source may be substantially detected and compensated at any point in time of the IC's life cycle.
US08130025B2 Numerical band gap
A system includes a bandgap temperature sensor to generate multiple base-emitter voltages. The system also include a controller to detect the base-emitter voltages generated by the bandgap temperature sensor and to generate a bandgap reference voltage according to the multiple base-emitter voltage signals, the bandgap reference voltage having a voltage level that remains substantially constant relative to environmental temperature variations.
US08130022B2 Ultra-low current push-button switch interface circuit
Circuits and methods to achieve a switch interface circuit for a single pole, single throw (SPST) momentary push-button switch consuming a few tens of nanoamps whilst the push-button switch is closed, having low impedance input path when the switch is open in order to eliminate RFI interference have been achieved. The two states of the push-button switch, open and closed, maintain a low impedance path to one of the power supplies. The supply current is zero when the switch is open and is minimized whilst the switch is closed. The asynchronous edge triggered detection of the switch event allows an extended switch open to closed transition operation.
US08130021B2 Gain control with multiple integrators
A system according to one embodiment includes an analog input for receiving an analog signal; a variable gain amplifier coupled to the analog input; a first integrator coupled to the variable gain amplifier for controlling the gain of the analog signal; a second integrator generating control signals for controlling functions of the first integrator; a serializer for serializing the control signals; and a deserializer coupled to the serializer for deserializing the control signals and passing the deserialized control signals to the first integrator.
US08130013B2 Driving circuit of input/output interface with changeable output force
A driving circuit of an input/output (I/O) interface is provided. The driving circuit includes a main output stage and an enhancing unit. The main output stage receives at least one driving signal and outputs an output signal corresponding to an input signal accordingly. The enhancing unit is coupled to the main output stage. The enhancing unit receives and detects the level of the output signal so as to drive the output force of the main output stage in a first output level or a second output level, wherein the first output level is higher than the second output level.
US08130012B2 Buffer circuit of semiconductor integrated apparatus
A buffer circuit of a semiconductor integrated apparatus includes a control block configured to output a result of comparing an input voltage level and an output voltage level as a control signal, and a buffering block configured to generate an output voltage having the substantially same level as an input voltage in response to the control signal.
US08130007B2 Probe card assembly with carbon nanotube probes having a spring mechanism therein
Columns comprising a plurality of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes can be configured as electromechanical contact structures or probes. The columns can be grown on a sacrificial substrate and transferred to a product substrate, or the columns can be grown on the product substrate. The columns can be treated to enhance mechanical properties such as stiffness, electrical properties such as electrical conductivity, and/or physical contact characteristics. The columns can be mechanically tuned to have predetermined spring properties. The columns can be used as electromechanical probes, for example, to contact and test electronic devices such as semiconductor dies, and the columns can make unique marks on terminals of the electronic devices.
US08130001B1 System and method for detecting a protective device has limited or interrupted current it carries
A system and method monitors indicators including other-than-current indicators of protective devices such as cutouts and reclosers, to determine whether the protective devices are restricting, below their rated capacity, or interrupting, current they carry. The system and method dispatches a technician to such device.
US08129996B2 Method and apparatus for determining deterioration of secondary battery, and power supply system therewith
A method for detecting SOC and SOH of a storage battery includes: calculating an SOC value of the storage battery with use of an SOC calculation unit based on a measured voltage value or a measured current value of the storage battery and calculating an SOH value of the storage battery with use of an SOH calculation unit based on the SOC value; further calculating a new SOC value with use of the SOC calculation unit based on the SOH value and calculating a new SOH value with use of the SOH calculation unit based on the new SOC value, these further calculations of SOC value and SOH value being repeated a prescribed n times of at least one so as to obtain an nth calculated SOC value and an nth calculated SOH value; outputting the nth calculated SOH value as an SOH output value and outputting the nth calculated SOH value as an SOC output value; and storing the SOH output value into a memory.
US08129995B2 Apparatus and method for sensing battery cell voltage using isolation capacitor
An apparatus for measuring a battery cell voltage includes a battery having a cell group; a first switching unit for selectively connecting both terminals of each battery cell of the cell group to conductive lines; a first voltage charging unit connected between the conductive lines to primarily charge a cell voltage; a second voltage charging unit for relaying the charged voltage in the first voltage charging unit for secondary charging; a cell voltage sensing unit for sensing the voltage charged in the second voltage charging unit; and a second switching unit for interconnecting the voltage charging units in the charged voltage relaying mode and isolating the voltage charging units in the charged voltage sensing mode. This apparatus realizes isolation between a high voltage battery and a voltage sensing unit, thereby allowing voltage sensing of each battery cell included in a high voltage battery using a part with low withstanding voltage.
US08129994B2 Microresistivity imaging in conductive and nonconductive drilling fluid
A microresistivity logging tool includes a shield electrode deployed between a guard electrode and a return electrode. A measuring electrode is deployed in and electrically isolated from the guard electrode and first and second potential electrodes are deployed in and electrically isolated from the shield electrode. The tool further includes at least one switch configured to switch the tool between distinct first and second microresistivity measurement modes. The first measurement mode is configured for making microresistivity measurements in conductive (water based) drilling fluid and the second measurement mode is configured for making microresistivity measurements in non-conductive (oil based) drilling fluid, thereby enabling the tool to be utilized in either type of drilling fluid.
US08129992B2 Bore tube assembly
A wireless magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner bore tube assembly has a radio frequency (RF) antenna, a microwave antenna array and an electrical screen. The RF antenna is formed of a series of RF antenna elements, each comprising a rung. The rungs are spaced at intervals of substantially half of the wavelength of the frequency of operation of the microwave antenna array. The microwave antenna array is formed by a series of microwave antenna elements interleaved between the rungs and the screen acts as a reflector to reflect signals from the microwave antenna elements towards the center of the bore tube.
US08129988B2 Method and system for adjusting the sensitivity of a magnetoresistive sensor
The system for measuring high currents or magnetic fields using a magnetoresistive sensor (80) includes a device for applying a known predetermined magnetic bias field Hbias in a direction such that it has a non-zero component of the field perpendicular to a detection direction of the magnetoresistive sensor (80) that also corresponds to a direction of anisotropy of a layer of the magnetoresistive sensor, a device for measuring the variation in resistance of the magnetoresistive sensor (80) and means for determining the external magnetic field H to be measured from the measured resistance variation, the resistance of the sensor being subjected to a monotonic variation function.
US08129982B2 Voltage sensing circuits and methods for inverters
A voltage sensing circuit includes a voltage divider and a voltage rectifier. The voltage divider divides a first output voltage on a first output voltage line to a first divided output voltage. The voltage divider comprises a first metal foil and a first capacitor. The first metal foil and the first output voltage line can form a first capacitive component. The first capacitive component is coupled in series with the first capacitor. The first capacitive component and the first capacitor can generate the first divided output voltage. The voltage rectifier is coupled to the voltage divider and can rectify the first divided output voltage to a sensing voltage indicative of the first output voltage.
US08129981B2 Apparatus for detecting a fault in the balancing unit
An apparatus can be coupled to at least two lines for transmitting a differential signal, which is substantially symmetrical to a predefined reference potential, and/or for receiving such a differential signal. The apparatus includes a balancing unit, which can be coupled to the at least two lines and which includes a center tap. A monitoring unit is coupled to the center tap on the input side and is configured such that it monitors a center tap voltage between the center tap and the predefined reference potential and detects errors if the center tap voltage is greater than a predefined threshold value.
US08129980B2 AC electric quantity measuring device
In the present invention, a measured realtime accurate frequency is used to determine estimated instantaneous voltage/current time-series data for each phase component in accordance with the least-squares method. The estimated instantaneous voltage/current time-series data are used to determine effective voltage, effective current, instantaneous active electric power, instantaneous reactive electric power, effective active electric power, and effective reactive electric power of each phase component and symmetrical component. The measured AC electric quantities are applied to any type of electric power system control/protection apparatus.
US08129979B2 Arrangement for lightning detection at a wind turbine
An arrangement to detect a lightning strike in a wind turbine is provided. According to the arrangement, the wind turbines contains an ozone sensor. The ozone sensor is located close to a component of the wind turbine. The component is constructed and arranged in a way that a lightning current, which results from a lightning strike into the wind turbine, is conducted through the component. The component is constructed and arranged in a way that the lightning current results in a corona generating a certain amount of ozone gas, which is detected by the ozone sensor.
US08129978B2 Material detector
To realize a small size and high detection accuracy in a substance detection apparatus. A charge detection field effect transistor and a control circuit therefor are provided in each cell, and the control circuit controls the charge detection field effect transistor so that the drain-source voltage and the drain current of the charge detection field effect transistor are always maintained constant. The control circuit may be formed in a CMOS configuration including a small number of elements in a small area using a standard CMOS integrated circuit technique.
US08129976B2 Load control device having a gate current sensing circuit
A gate drive circuit for a controllably conductive device, such as a triac, includes a trigger circuit for conducting a gate current through a control input of the controllably conductive device, and a sense circuit operable to generate a control signal representative of the magnitude of the gate current. The controllably conductive device is adapted to be coupled in series between an AC power source and an electrical load for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The controllably conductive device is operable to change from a non-conductive state to a conductive state in response to the gate current being conducted through the control input. A controller is operable to control the controllably conductive device via the gate drive circuit and to determine, in response to the magnitude of the gate current through the control input of the controllably conductive device, whether the controllably conductive device is presently conducting current to the load.
US08129973B2 Controlling a voltage regulator
A wireless system includes a radio and a voltage regulator, which provides a supply voltage to the radio. The voltage regulator includes a storage element, at least one switch that is coupled to the storage element and a controller. The controller operates the voltage regulator in a continuous mode of operation, operates the voltage regulator in a discontinuous mode of operation in response to an output current of the voltage regulator decreasing below a predetermined threshold; operates the switch(es) to energize the storage element in response to a detection of whether an output voltage is below a threshold level; operates the switch(es) to halt the energization of the storage element in response to detecting a current in the storage element reaching a predetermined current threshold; operates the switch(es) to energize and de-energize the storage element in the discontinuous mode of operation; and operates the switch(es) to energize the storage element in synchronization with a periodic clock signal.
US08129971B2 Multi-cell voltage regulator
In some embodiments, the number of active cells in a multi-cell voltage regulator is controlled so that the current-per-active-cell approaches a predefined target or to be within an acceptable range so that the active cells operate with suitable efficiency.
US08129967B2 Voltage regulator with self-adaptive loop
A voltage regulator includes an amplifier and a regulation loop. The regulator includes a first PMOS transistor connected to a terminal supplying an input voltage, a second PMOS transistor connected in series with the first PMOS transistor. A node between those two transistors defines an output terminal. A first source of a first polarization current of fixed value is connected to the gate of the first transistor, and a second source of a second polarization current of fixed value connects the second transistor to ground. A third NMOS transistor is connected between the two current sources. A circuit is provided to modify automatically at least one of the polarization currents in relation to the load current.
US08129963B2 DC to DC converter
The invention relates to a DC to DC converter comprising a DC to DC converter unit (DCW), a first field effect transistor (FET1) for the voltage conversion, a bipolar transistor (BP1) as a starting aid, and a second field effect transistor (FET2) for switching-off the bipolar transistor (BP1). Said bipolar transistor (BP1) is mounted in parallel with the first field effect transistor (FET1), and the second field effect transistor (FET2) is mounted upstream of the bipolar transistor (BP1).
US08129961B2 DC/DC-converter
The present invention relates voltage conversion device in which a regulated output voltage is supplied by current pulses generated by the voltage conversion device from a voltage source. In particular, the invention relates to an improved control of an pulse frequency modulation (PFM) operation mode in which the frequency of the generated current pulses is modulated to regulated the desired output voltage, namely how PFM pulses can be generated without the need for a high-frequency clock of a time controlled system. By having pulse phases are current mode controlled and providing a mode detector to generate the right kind of current pulse, the high-frequency clock is no longer needed. Further, the presented solution allows for a higher PWM as well as PFM frequency, the external components of the converter can be made smaller. Eliminating the need for a high-frequency clock makes the device simpler, smaller and more energy-efficient.
US08129955B2 Reset mechanism for a battery pack
A battery pack may include a plurality of battery cells; a discharge switch in series with the battery cells, a temperature sensor configured to sense temperature in the battery pack, and a battery control unit adapted to receive a signal indicative of temperature from the temperature sensor and operable to control the switch to interrupt current flow from the battery cells when the temperature exceeds an over-temperature threshold. The battery control unit may be adapted to receive a reset signal and operable to control the switch to restore current flow upon receipt of the reset signal and when the temperature is below an operating temperature threshold.
US08129944B2 Control device for a secondary battery and vehicle
A control device for a secondary battery includes an offset addition unit calculating an offset amount based on a plurality of voltage values sensed by a sensor, the number of a plurality of battery cells included in one battery block and a preset range, and adding an offset amount to the sensed voltage values, when a flag is turned on to indicate the fact the voltage value of one of the battery cells falls within a preset range, and also includes an I/O control unit controlling charge/discharge of the battery based on voltage values containing the offset amount added thereto. Even when the battery voltage is sensed a battery block at a time, the voltage value can be controlled a cell at a time.
US08129942B2 Contactless charging method for charging battery
A system, method and apparatus for contact-less charging of battery operated devices is presented. There is a host charger with a power converter and resonant tank circuit and a portable device where the battery is located, with a battery charging control IC. The method obviates the need for a voltage controller in each of both the host and the portable stages, thus decreasing complexity and increasing efficiency. The charging of the battery in the portable device is controlled by a charging controller therein, which is in continual electric communication with the host, whose output power the control IC dynamically monitors and controls. Two embodiments for the charging circuitry in the portable device are presented. In one embodiment component count is minimized but battery charging is not optimized when the battery voltage is very low. In the other embodiment charging efficiency is maximized regardless of the output voltage of the battery, but additional components are utilized.
US08129939B2 Slate wireless keyboard charging and connection
An approach is provided that determines whether keyboard power connection points included in a wireless keyboard are connected to system power connection points in a computer system. Power is sent from the computer system to the wireless keyboard. The power is transmitted through the system power connection points to the keyboard power connection points. Keyboard components included in the wireless keyboard are also powered using the power sent from the computer system. If the keyboard power connection points are not connected to the system power connection points, the keyboard components are powered included in the wireless keyboard by using a keyboard battery that is included in the wireless keyboard. One of the keyboard components that receives power is a wireless interface that connects the wireless keyboard to the computer system.
US08129933B2 Motor controlling method and apparatus thereof
A voltage detection section and current detection section detect a voltage and current supplied to a motor, and the detected voltage and current are supplied to a position detection section. An angular speed output from the position detection section is supplied to a differentiator to output an angular acceleration. A fundamental wave component extraction section extracts a fundamental wave component of the angular acceleration, and the extracted fundamental wave component is supplied to an amplitude adjustment section. The output of the amplitude adjustment section is subtracted from the average current command by a subtraction section. This subtraction result, current detection value, and the rotor position from the position detection section are supplied to a current control section to carry out the current control operation so as to obtain a current command. The current command is supplied to an inverter to control the voltage and current so as to suppress the speed changing due to the load torque changing. Thus, stability is improved, and a decrease in cost is realized.
US08129926B2 Light source control device
A light source control device is provided. A switching seat includes a switching key and a sensing device. A switching circuit is disposed between an external power source and a control circuit to disconnect or connect the external power source, and includes a mechanical switch, an electronic switch and a sensing unit. The mechanical switch is directly connected to the switching key, and is controlled to turn on or off by switching the switching key. The electronic switch is coupled to the sensing unit, and the sensing unit generates a sensing signal to control the electronic switch to turn on or off when the sensing device senses an excitation. The control circuit provides varied power supply to a light source according to the received signal.
US08129925B2 Terminal device and computer-readable storage medium
A terminal apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium capable of achieving reduction of power consumption by appropriately controlling lighting of a display unit are provided.A CPU lights or extinguishes a display unit after the end of an interrupt event in accordance with a lighting state (lighting, dim-lighting, being unlighted) of the display unit when the occurrence of the interrupt event is detected. It is therefore possible for the CPU to perform appropriate display control according to the lighting state when an interrupt event occurs.
US08129923B2 Switching circuit adapted in LED circuit
A switching circuit adapted in an LED circuit and an LED circuit are provided. The switching circuit has a mode-selecting circuit, a comparator and a control module. The mode-selecting circuit has a voltage-dividing module and a switch. The voltage-dividing module receives and divides a reference voltage to further generate a working voltage. The switch is connected to the voltage-dividing module, wherein the switch has an output. The comparator comprises a first input connected to the switch, a second input and a comparator output. During a measuring mode, the switch transfers the reference voltage and the second input is connected to the comparator output. During a working mode, the switch transfers the working voltage, the second input of the comparator receives an output voltage of the LED circuit and the control module generates a control signal according to the voltage of the comparator output to switch the LED circuit.
US08129922B2 Method for controlling a high-frequency transformer
A method for controlling a high-frequency transformer by which the acoustic transformer noises occurring during intermittent operation (burst operation) are reduced. This is achieved according to the invention by halving a length of the first and the last pulse of an AC voltage pulse train or the first and the last half-wave in the ON interval (Tn). This goes to avoid magnetizing peaks in the core that cause a major part of the background noise.
US08129918B2 Power supply, display device, and light source driving apparatus
A power supply is provided, which includes a DC-DC converter being supplied with an external DC input voltage and a first switching control signal and outputting a duty sensing signal of which a magnitude is varied in accordance with the first switching control signal, the duty sensing signal being indicative of a duty ratio of the first switching control signal, and the DC-DC converter converting the input voltage into a DC output voltage of a predetermined magnitude based on the first switching control signal; and a feedback controlling unit comparing the duty sensing signal with a first reference signal to adjust the duty ratio of the first switching control signal.
US08129914B2 Operating circuit for light-emitting diodes
An operating circuit for at least one light-emitting diode (LED) incorporates a switched-mode regulator circuit to which a DC voltage is fed and which provides a supply voltage for the at least one light-emitting diode (LED) by means of a coil (L1) and a switch (S1) clocked by a control unit (SR). When the switch (S1) is on, energy is built up in the coil (L1), which is discharged through the at least one light-emitting diode (LED) when the switch (S1) is off. The control unit (SR) determines the time period between the switch (S1) switching off and subsequently switching on depending on the voltage across the at least one light-emitting diode (LED) and a temporally constant characteristic parameter of the coil (L1).
US08129903B2 Organic electroluminescent display device
An organic electroluminescent display device is provided, which includes a substrate having anodes arranged thereon, a bank which defines a luminous region on the anode, an organic emitting layer formed in the luminous region, and a cathode formed on the bank and the emitting layer. A desiccant layer selectively formed on the bank with interposition of the cathode.
US08129899B1 Azafluorene derivative and organic light-emitting device using the derivative
A novel azafluorene derivative and an organic light-emitting device having the derivative are provided. The organic light-emitting device includes a pair of electrodes composed of an anode and a cathode one of which is a transparent or semi-transparent electrode, and an organic compound layer interposed between the pair of electrodes. The organic compound layer contains the azafluorene derivative represented by the following general formula (I):
US08129894B2 Carbide nanostructures and methods for making same
A structure includes a substrate and a metallized carbon nano-structure extending from a portion of the substrate. In a method of making a metallized carbon nanostructure, at least one carbon structure formed on a substrate is placed in a furnace. A metallic vapor is applied to the carbon nanostructure at a preselected temperature for a preselected period of time so that a metallized nanostructure forms about the carbon nanostructure.
US08129890B2 High-pressure discharge lamp having a starting aid
The invention relates to a high-pressure discharge lamp (1) having a burner (2), which is provided with a starting aid device (30, 32) for improving the starting behavior. Said device is configured according to the invention as a grid (30) encompassing the burner in the region of a ceramic (6) holding the burner (2) and having contact with a power feed (24). Said grid (30) acts as a starting aid and as protection against fragments in case of a burner explosion.
US08129886B2 Apparatus and method for increasing sensitivity of ultrasound transducers
An acoustical stack for use within an ultrasound transducer that has a center frequency has a poled piezoelectric material layer and at least one impedance matching layer. The poled piezoelectric material layer has top and bottom sides and is formed of poled piezoelectric material that has a first acoustic impedance. The poled piezoelectric material layer has a first thickness and the acoustical stack has an output electrical impedance based on the first thickness. The impedance matching layers are configured to be attached to the top and bottom sides of the poled piezoelectric material layer and have second or third thicknesses. The impedance matching layers are formed of one or more materials that have an acoustic impedance substantially similar to the first acoustic impedance. The poled piezoelectric layer and impedance matching layers form an acoustic resonance thickness. The center frequency of the transducer is based on the acoustic resonance thickness.
US08129885B2 Electric generating unit as substitute for vehicle battery
An electric generating unit as a substitute for a vehicle battery includes a housing including an air pressure control member to control air pressure in an inner space of the housing, at least a diaphragm unit configured to sufficiently fluidly-insulate the inner space of the housing from outside of the housing and flexibly deformable by an inertia applied by a mass unit according to an external force so as to generate electricity, wherein the mass unit is formed on the diaphragm unit.
US08129876B2 Brazed joint between a cooling fluid box and an armature bar
A brazed joint between a cooling fluid box and an armature bar can comprise a cooling fluid box, a plurality of conductor strands, at least one side wall spacer, and at least one middle spacer. Each side wall spacer can have a tapered width and can be wedged between the plurality of conductor strands and an interior side wall of the cooling fluid box. Each middle spacer can have a tapered width and can be wedged between two columns of the conductor strands. The side wall spacers can taper in a direction opposite the taper of the middle spacers. In one embodiment, the cooling fluid box can move around the conductor strands. Each side wall spacer can be positioned against an interior surface of the cooling fluid box. Each middle spacer can be positioned between columns of conductor strands. The cooling fluid box can be withdrawn to a final position.
US08129874B2 Internal oil cooling via housing end brackets for an electric machine
A system for cooling an electrical machine is disclosed. The electrical machine includes a stator including a plurality of coils, an exterior housing, and an end cap. During operation of the electrical machine, a fluid is sprayed from the end cap onto the plurality of coils to carry away heat generated by the electrical machine.
US08129873B2 Stator coil coolant flow reduction monitoring
A coolant flow reduction monitoring system for a rotary electric machine having stator coils within a plurality of slots of a stator thereof is provided. The stator coils are cooled by a coolant flowing in a plurality of passages provided in the stator coils. The system includes an outlet temperature sensor for measuring a coolant outlet temperature of the coolant in an outlet of at least one of the plurality of passages, a slot temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in at least one slot at a location along a length of each slot and outside of the stator coils, and an inlet temperature sensor for measuring a coolant inlet temperature of the coolant. A coolant flow reduction monitor generates an alarm indicating a coolant flow reduction based on the at least one coolant outlet temperature, the at least one slot temperature and the coolant inlet temperature.
US08129872B2 Low profile d.c. brushless motor for an impeller mechanism or the like
An impeller and at least a portion of a cooperating peripheral volute may be integrated are integrally injection molded with, concentric outer rotor and inner stator assemblies, respectively, to achieve a low profile precision impeller mechanism based on an improved brushless D.C. motor with low length to diameter ratio and suitable for use in a variety of other applications. A rotating cap has an inner circumference which is molded about an outer ferromagnetic back ring that in turn supports a rotor magnet having a number of poles of alternating polarity and separated by a relatively small cylindrical air gap from a fixed stator assembly. The fixed stator assembly is integrally molded into a base housing having a bearing support that extends upwardly through the center of the stator assembly and that is rotatably coupled to a rotating shaft that extends downwardly from the center of the rotating cap.
US08129870B1 Asymmetric folded spring flexure suspension system for reciprocating devices
An asymmetric folded spring flexure suspension system can enable an ultra-compact linear reciprocative device wherein a reciprocative mass suspended from a base by a single folded flexure assembly extends in a single generally radial direction perpendicular to the intended travel path. The folded flexure assembly can be configured as three side-by-side stacks of flexure strips of spring material, tied together at a “yoke-idler” end; at the opposite “working” end, a central stack of nominal width is tied to the mass, and, flanking the central stack, a pair of half-width stacks are tied to opposite sides of the base. In an embodiment for active vibration control, a cylindrical enclosure, of magnetically-permeable material and attached to the working end of the flexure assembly, contains a driver system including an internally-mounted pair of permanent magnets that provide a magnetic flux gap and also constitute the main portion of the mass. Also within the enclosure, but supported from the base by rods extending up through clearance holes in the bottom cover/pole plate of the enclosure, is a single bobbin-mounted coil which, being located in the magnetic flux gap, drives reciprocation of the armature/mass enclosure in response to alternating electrical current applied to the coil.
US08129867B2 RF AC/DC coupling circuit using general purpose solid-state relay
A system and method for overcoming the parasitic elements associated with off the shelf or general purpose solid-state devices configured to operate as RF AC/DC signal coupling networks. An AC/DC signal coupling network may comprise a general purpose solid-state relay device and two inductors having values carefully chosen to compensate for the imperfections and intrinsic parasitic elements associated with the solid-state relay. The inductors may also have values carefully chosen to compensate for the parasitic elements of the neighboring or coupled circuit, and for the capacitance that is associated with the printed circuit board bond pad that is directly dependent upon the area of the pad and distance to the neighboring conductors. The inductors may cause the input path to become inductive as the signal frequency increases, and also improve the input return loss over the RF input range.
US08129866B2 Mass coupling at clocked HF-elements
A circuit for a fill-level measuring device is for the fast switching-on of a high-frequency element on a ground port is disclosed. The circuit comprises a switching unit with a circuit mass; a high-frequency element with a high-frequency mass; and a coupling element that couples the two masses together and at the same time insulates them from each other in a direct-current manner. In this way the switching unit can be arranged on the GND port of the HF-element, without influencing the HF characteristics of said HF element.
US08129860B2 Power over network methods and systems
Methods and systems for providing electrical power over a network configured to facilitate digital communications are described herein. In different aspects, the methods and systems may include a service provider network module configured to facilitate digital communications and having an autonomous power supply, and a network connection device operably connected to the service provider network module. The network connection device may include at least one network connection port configured to receive electrical power; and a power switching module coupled to the at least one network connection port and configured to switch from a primary power source to enable the network connection device to receive electrical power from the service provider network module via the at least one network connection port when electrical power from the primary power source is interrupted.
US08129858B2 Remote controlled extension cord with embedded housing for a remote control
A remote controlled extension cord. The extension cord has a wire attached to a plug with an integrated base. The base serves to cradle a remote control, which is used to turn power on/off to the extensions on the cord. The remote control can snap inside the base and can be easily pushed out. The base thereby serves as a convenient storage for the remote control in order to discourage the remote from getting misplaced.
US08129857B2 Semiconductor circuit
A first signal processing circuit performs predetermined signal processing on a first signal to provide a change to a characteristic value thereof, and then outputs a second signal. A second signal processing circuit performs predetermined signal processing on the second signal to provide a change to a characteristic value thereof, and then outputs a third signal. A first and a second switching power supplies respectively supply power supply voltages to the first and second signal processing circuits. An amount of change provided to the characteristic value of the first signal by the first signal processing circuit, and an amount of change provided to the characteristic value of the second signal by the second signal processing circuit, are dependent on the respective power supply voltages. Phases of the first and the second switching power supplies are respectively set such that an error between the amount of change in the characteristic value of the first signal and its target value, and an error between that of the second signal and its target value, are to be canceled out by each other.
US08129855B1 Portable turbine systems
Novel apparatus and techniques for harnessing wind and/or moving-liquid energy using one or more portable turbine systems are disclosed. One embodiment includes a portable stream turbine system having a hub with many paddles, held by an axle in a housing. The system further includes a disk fixed to the hub and extended out of the housing to be also fixed to a gear structure, which is connected to a generator. The output of the generator can be connected to electronics to perform different functions. Another embodiment includes a number of portable turbine systems removably attached together to form an array. In one example, the number of portable turbine systems in an array can be adjustable, depending on needs. The different embodiments regarding a stream turbine system can further include a floatation mechanism to keep the different embodiments afloat or partially afloat in a fluid. The different embodiments regarding a stream turbine system or an array of stream turbine systems can also include a drifting prevention mechanism to prevent the embodiments from being drifted away, and to substantially maintain the orientation of the embodiments in a fluid.
US08129853B2 Power converter for use with wind generator
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a turbine to generate mechanical energy from kinetic energy, a generator coupled to the turbine to receive the mechanical energy and to output multiple isolated supply powers, and multiple power stages each coupled to the generator. Each of the power stages may receive at least one of the isolated supply powers.
US08129849B1 Method of making semiconductor package with adhering portion
Disclosed are a semiconductor package and a method of making the same. In the semiconductor package, a substrate and a semiconductor die are covered with and encapsulated by vertically pressing thermosetting resin having fluidity in a predetermined temperature range and denaturalizing itself in gel. Thus, it is possible to reduce a thickness of the semiconductor package and prevent wire sweeping.
US08129848B2 Light emitting device having a plurality of light emitting cells connected in series and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed are a light emitting device having a plurality of light emitting cells connected in series and a method of fabricating the same. The light emitting device includes a buffer layer formed on a substrate. A plurality of rod-shaped light emitting cells are located on the buffer layer to be spaced apart from one another. Each of the light emitting cells has an n-layer, an active layer and a p-layer. Meanwhile, wires connect the spaced light emitting cells in series or parallel. Accordingly, arrays of the light emitting cells connected in series are connected to be driven by currents flowing in opposite directions. Thus, there is provided a light emitting device that can be directly driven by an AC power source.
US08129847B2 Interconnect and method for mounting an electronic device to a substrate
An interconnect for mounting an electronic device to a substrate includes a base layer between the electronic device and the substrate in electrical communication with integrated circuits on the electronic device, a phase change layer on the base layer made of a material which is liquid at normal operating temperatures of the electronic device and a retaining layer surrounding the phase change layer, and configured to retain the phase change layer in liquid form on the base layer. A method for mounting an electronic device to a substrate includes the steps of: forming a base layer on the device (or on the substrate); forming a phase change layer on the base layer; placing the phase change layer in contact with a corresponding electrode on the substrate (or on the device); and then forming a retaining layer between the device and the substrate configured to surround the base layer, the phase change layer, and the electrode, and to retain the phase change layer in liquid form between the base layer and the electrode.
US08129845B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming interconnect structure in non-active area of wafer
A semiconductor wafer includes a plurality of semiconductor die. Contact pads are formed on an active area of the semiconductor die and non-active area of the semiconductor wafer between the semiconductor die. Solder bumps are formed on the contact pads in both the active area of the semiconductor die and non-active area of the semiconductor wafer between the semiconductor die. The I/O terminal count of the semiconductor die is increased by forming solder bumps in the non-active area of the wafer. An encapsulant is formed over the solder bumps. The encapsulant provides structural support for the solder bumps formed in the non-active area of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer undergoes grinding after forming the encapsulant to expose the solder bumps. The semiconductor wafer is singulated to separate the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die is mounted to a package substrate with solder paste or socket.
US08129837B2 Flip chip interconnection pad layout
A flip chip interconnect pad layout has the die signal pads are arranged on the die surface near the perimeter of the die, and the die power and ground pads arranged on the die surface inboard from the signal pads; and has the signal pads on the corresponding package substrate arranged in a manner complementary to the die pad layout and the signal lines routed from the signal pads beneath the die edge away from the die footprint, and has the power and ground lines routed to vias beneath the die footprint. Also, a flip chip semiconductor package in which the flip chip interconnect pad layouts have the die signal pads situated in the marginal part of the die and the die power and ground pads arranged on the die surface inboard from the signal pads, and the corresponding package substrates have signal pads arranged in a manner complementary to the die pad layout and signal lines routed from the signal pads beneath the die edge away from the die footprint.
US08129835B2 Package substrate having semiconductor component embedded therein and fabrication method thereof
A package substrate having a semiconductor component embedded therein and a method of fabricating the same are provided, including: providing a semiconductor chip with electrode pads disposed on an active surface thereof; forming a passivation layer on the active surface and the electrode pads; forming on the passivation layer metal pads corresponding in position to the electrode pads, respectively, so as for the semiconductor chip to be fixed in position to an opening of a substrate body; forming a first dielectric layer on the semiconductor chip and the substrate body; forming dielectric layer openings by laser and preventing the electrode pads from being penetrated by the metal pads; removing the metal pads and the passivation layer in the dielectric layer openings so as to expose the electrode pads therefrom; and forming a first wiring layer on the first dielectric layer for electrical connection with the electrode pads.
US08129833B2 Stacked integrated circuit packages that include monolithic conductive vias
Microelectronic packages are fabricated by stacking integrated circuits upon one another. Each integrated circuit includes a semiconductor layer having microelectronic devices and a wiring layer on the semiconductor layer having wiring that selectively interconnects the microelectronic devices. After stacking, a via is formed that extends through at least two of the integrated circuits that are stacked upon one another. Then, the via is filled with conductive material that selectively electrically contacts the wiring. Related microelectronic packages are also described.
US08129825B2 IC chip package employing substrate with a device hole
In one embodiment of the present invention, an IC chip mounting package includes a film base member and an IC chip connected via an interposer. Connecting terminals on the film base member side of the interposer are provided so as to have a pitch larger than that of connecting terminals of the IC. A device hole is opened to the film base member, and the IC chip is provided in the device hole. A distance between an inner lead leading end and a periphery of the device hole is set as not less than 10 μm.
US08129823B2 Materials, structures and methods for microelectronic packaging
Highly reliable interconnections for microelectronic packaging. In one embodiment, dielectric layers in a build-up interconnect have a gradation in glass transition temperature; and the later applied dielectric layers are laminated at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperatures of the earlier applied dielectric layers. In one embodiment, the glass transition temperatures of earlier applied dielectric films in a build-up interconnect are increased through a thermosetting process to exceed the temperature for laminating the later applied dielectric films. In one embodiment, a polyimide material is formed with embedded catalysts to promote cross-linking after a film of the polyimide material is laminated (e.g., through photo-chemical or thermal degradation of the encapsulant of the catalysts). In one embodiment, the solder resist opening walls have a wettable layer generated through laser assisted seeding so that there is no gap between the solder resist opening walls and no underfill in the solder resist opening.
US08129820B2 Semiconductor device
A bipolar transistor for semiconductor device has a collector region having a first conductivity type disposed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate having the first conductivity type. A base region having a second conductivity type is disposed in the collector region. An emitter region having the first conductivity type is disposed in the base region. A high concentration first conductivity type region for a collector electrode is disposed in the collector region. A high concentration second conductivity type region for a base electrode is disposed in the base region. The high concentration first conductivity type region for a collector electrode and the high concentration second conductivity type region for a base electrode contact directly with each other so that the collector region and the base region have a same potential.
US08129819B2 Method of fabricating integrated circuit including at least six linear-shaped conductive structures at equal pitch including at least two linear-shaped conductive structures having non-gate portions of different length
A layout of a cell of a semiconductor device is disclosed to include a diffusion level layout including a plurality of diffusion region layout shapes, including p-type and n-type diffusion regions. The layout of the cell also includes a gate electrode level layout is defined to include a number of linear-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the number of the linear-shaped layout features within the gate electrode level layout of the restricted layout region is rectangular-shaped. Linear-shaped layout features within the gate electrode level layout extend over one or more of the p-type and/or n-type diffusion regions to form PMOS and NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the cell.
US08129818B2 Power device
The present invention is a power device includes, a first conductive type semiconductor substrate, a second conductive type base region formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second conductive type collector region formed on a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive type emitter region formed on a surface of the base region, a trench gate formed via a gate insulating film in a first trench groove formed in the base region so as to penetrate the emitter region, a dent formed in the base region in proximity to the emitter region, a second conductive type contact layer formed on an inner wall of the dent, having a higher dopant density than that of the base region, a dummy trench formed via a dummy trench insulating film in a second trench groove formed at a bottom of the dent, and an emitter electrode electrically connected to the emitter region, the contact layer and the dummy trench, wherein the trench gate and the dummy trench reach the semiconductor substrate.
US08129816B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate; an element isolation region formed in the substrate including trenches formed at a first depth and being filled with an element isolation insulating film; an element forming region formed on the substrate and being surrounded by the trenches; a gate electrode formed along a first direction on the element forming region via a gate insulating film, the gate electrode extending over the element insulating film filled the trenches extending along a second direction; a source/drain region having a second depth less than the first depth formed in the element forming region beside the gate electrode and having an exposed surface exposed to a trench sidewall; wherein the upper surface of the element isolation insulating film exclusive of a portion underlying the gate electrode is located at a third depth greater than the second depth and less than the first depth.
US08129815B2 High-voltage transistor device with integrated resistor
A high-voltage device structure comprises a resistor coupled to a tap transistor that includes a JFET in a configuration wherein a voltage provided at a terminal of the JFET is substantially proportional to an external voltage when the external voltage is less than a pinch-off voltage of the JFET. The voltage provided at the terminal being substantially constant when the external voltage is greater than the pinch-off voltage. One end of the resistor is substantially at the external voltage when the external voltage is greater than the pinch-off voltage. When the external voltage is negative, the resistor limits current injected into the substrate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
US08129807B2 Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes a semiconductor layer including a channel region having a channel length along one of a first direction and a second direction, a source region having a source length along the second direction and electrically connected to a data line, a drain region having a drain length including a portion along the first direction and electrically connected to a pixel electrode, and a junction region formed between the channel region and the drain region, and bent in the drain region in plan view; a gate electrode including a main body portion facing the channel region with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween and an enclosure portion including an L-shaped portion enclosing the junction region along the portion bent in the drain region; and a sidewall portion rising or falling from the enclosure portion and including a portion arranged along the side of the second junction region.
US08129801B2 Discrete stress isolator attachment structures for MEMS sensor packages
A discrete stress isolation apparatus for a Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) inertial sensor device having a mechanism die and a package. A capacitive device mechanism is formed in a substrate layer positioned between the mechanism die and package substrate. A discrete stress isolation structure is formed in the same substrate layer with but physically separated from the capacitive device mechanism. The discrete stress isolation structure is interposed between the mechanism die and the package substrate and provides the mechanical and electrical attachment therebetween.
US08129797B2 Work function engineering for eDRAM MOSFETs
Embedded DRAM MOSFETs including an array NFET having a gate stack comprising a high-K dielectric layer upon which is deposited a first metal oxide layer (CD1) then a conductive layer (TiN), and then a polysilicon layer (Poly). A logic PFET having substantially the same gate stack as the array NFET, and a logic NFET having a third gate stack comprising the high-K dielectric layer upon which is deposited the conductive layer (TiN) and then the polysilicon layer (Poly), without the first metal oxide layer (CD1) between the high-K dielectric layer and the conductive layer (TiN). The array NFET may therefore have a higher gate stack work function than the logic NFET, but substantially the same gate stack work function as the logic PFET.
US08129792B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes n- and p-type semiconductor regions separately formed on a substrate, an interlayer insulator formed on the substrate and having first and second trenches formed to reach the n- and p-type regions. There are further included first and second gate insulators formed inside of the first and second trenches, a first metal layer formed inside of the first trench via the first gate insulator, a second metal layer formed in a thickness of 1 monolayer or more and 1.5 nm or less inside of the second trench via the second gate insulator, a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer and containing at least one of a simple substance, a nitride, a carbide and an oxide of at least one metal element of alkaline earth metal elements and group III elements, first and second source/drain regions formed on the n- and p-type regions.
US08129788B1 Capacitor triggered silicon controlled rectifier
A protection circuit and method are provided for protecting semiconductor devices from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Generally, the ESD protection circuit includes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) formed in a substrate and configured to transfer charge from a protected node to a negative power supply, VSS, during an ESD event, and a trigger device to activate transfer of charge by the SCR when a voltage on the protected node reaches a predetermined trigger voltage. The trigger device includes a gated-diode and MOS capacitor formed in a well formed in the substrate, the trigger device configured to inject electrons into the well during charging of the MOS capacitor, forward biasing a node of the SCR, hence allowing fast triggering of the SCR device. The trigger voltage can be set independent of a holding voltage by adjusting the length of the well and area of the capacitor. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08129785B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; an annular deep trench penetrating the semiconductor layer in the depth direction to surround an element forming region; a drain region of a second conductivity type formed in a surface layer portion of the semiconductor layer in the element forming region; a drift region of the second conductivity type formed in the surface layer portion of the semiconductor layer to come into contact with the drain region in the element forming region; a body region of the first conductivity type formed in the surface layer portion of the semiconductor layer at an interval from the drift region in the element forming region; a source region of the second conductivity type formed in a surface layer portion of the body region; and a first high-concentration buried region, formed in the semiconductor layer between a portion opposed to the source region in the depth direction and the deep trench, having a higher impurity concentration than that of the semiconductor layer.
US08129780B2 Semiconductor device having a trench type high-power MISFET
The present invention provides a technique capable of attaining an improvement in current detection accuracy in a trench gate type power MISFET equipped with a current detection circuit. Inactive cells are disposed so as to surround the periphery of a sense cell. That is, the inactive cell is provided between the sense cell and an active cell. All of the sense cell, active cell and inactive cells are respectively formed of a trench gate type power MISFET equipped with a dummy gate electrode. At this time, the depth of each trench extends through a channel forming region and is formed up to the deep inside (the neighborhood of a boundary with a semiconductor substrate) of an n-type epitaxial layer. Further, a p-type semiconductor region is provided at a lower portion of each trench. The p-type semiconductor region is formed so as to contact the semiconductor substrate.
US08129777B2 Semiconductor device having a multi-channel type MOS transistor
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an active channel pattern is formed on a substrate. The active channel pattern includes preliminary gate patterns and single crystalline silicon patterns that are alternately stacked with each other. A source/drain layer is formed on a sidewall of the active channel pattern. Mask pattern structures including a gate trench are formed on the active channel pattern and the source/drain layer. The patterns are selectively etched to form tunnels. The gate trench is then filled with a gate electrode. The gate electrode surrounds the active channel pattern. The gate electrode is protruded from the active channel pattern. The mask pattern structures are then removed. Impurities are implanted into the source/drain regions to form source/drain regions. A silicidation process is carried out on the source/drain regions to form a metal silicide layer, thereby completing a semiconductor device having a MOS transistor.
US08129773B2 Fin-type field effect transistor
Disclosed herein are improved fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) structures and the associated methods of manufacturing the structures. In one embodiment FinFET drive current is optimized by configuring the FinFET asymmetrically to decrease fin resistance between the gate and the source region and to decrease capacitance between the gate and the drain region. In another embodiment device destruction at high voltages is prevented by ballasting the FinFET. Specifically, resistance is optimized in the fin between the gate and both the source and drain regions (e.g., by increasing fin length, by blocking source/drain implant from the fin, and by blocking silicide formation on the top surface of the fin) so that the FinFET is operable at a predetermined maximum voltage.
US08129770B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate having an active region, a memory transistor having a pair of source/drain regions and a gate electrode layer, a hard mask layer on the gate electrode layer having a plane pattern shape identical with that of the gate electrode layer, and plug conductive layers each electrically connected to each of the pair of source/drain regions. An extending direction of the active region is not perpendicular to that of the gate electrode layer, but is oblique. Upper surfaces of the hard mask layer and each of the plug conductive layers form substantially an identical plane. This can attain a semiconductor device allowing significant enlargement of a margin in a photolithographic process, suppression of an “aperture defect” as well as ensuring of a process tolerance of a “short” by decreasing a microloading effect, and decrease in a contact resistance, and a manufacturing method thereof.
US08129769B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device having a 6F2 memory cell whose size is defined by a numerical value of a design rule F, wherein: lower electrodes of capacitors included in the memory cell are supported by a support film; the support film is formed as a pattern combining a first support pattern (14x) linearly extending in a first direction and a second support pattern (14y) linearly extending in a second direction that crosses to the first direction; the support film is arranged such that the intervals of the first and second support patterns are both equal to or greater than 1.5F; and the interval of one of the first and second support patterns is greater than the interval of the other one of the first and second support patterns.
US08129768B2 Integrated circuit device, manufacturing method thereof, and display device
An integrated circuit device of the present invention includes a substrate on which at least two types of nano wire element are provided. These nano wire elements have functions and materials different from each other. The nano wire elements are constituted by nano wires having sizes differing depending on types of nano wire element. With this, it is possible to dramatically improve a function of the integrated circuit device, as compared with an integrated circuit device including a substrate on which one type of nano wire element is provided.
US08129762B2 Image sensor
A method is provided for processing a substrate. The substrate has at least one filter region, a plurality of bond pads, and a plurality of scribe lines arranged around the filter region and bond pads. A first planarization layer is formed above the substrate. The planarization layer has a substantially flat top surface overlying the filter region, the bond pads and the scribe lines. At least one color resist layer is formed over the first planarization layer and within the filter region while the first planarization layer covers the bond pads and the scribe lines.
US08129761B2 Contacts for CMOS imagers and method of formation
Low leakage contacts on leakage sensitive areas of a CMOS imager, such as a floating diffusion region or a photodiode, are disclosed. At least one low leakage polysilicon contact is provided over a leakage sensitive area of a CMOS imager. The polysilicon contact comprises a polysilicon region in direct contact with the area of interest (the leakage sensitive area) and a metal region located over the polysilicon region. The polysilicon contact provides an improved ohmic contact with less leakage into the substrate. The polysilicon contact may be provided with other conventional metal contacts, which are employed in areas of the CMOS imager that do not require low leakage.
US08129756B2 Integrated circuit including at least six linear-shaped conductive structures forming gate electrodes of transistors with at least two different extension distances beyond conductive contacting structures
A cell of a semiconductor device is disclosed to include a diffusion level including a plurality of diffusion regions separated by inactive regions. The cell also includes a gate electrode level including conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent ones of the conductive features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are fabricated from respective originating layout features that are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing having a size that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level region and is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. The gate electrode level includes conductive features defined along at least four different virtual lines of extent in the first parallel direction. A width of the conductive features is less than a wavelength of light used in a photolithography process for their fabrication.
US08129755B2 Integrated circuit with gate electrode level including at least four linear-shaped conductive structures of equal length and equal pitch with linear-shaped conductive structure forming one transistor
A cell of a semiconductor device is disclosed to include a diffusion level including a plurality of diffusion regions separated by inactive regions. The cell also includes a gate electrode level including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent ones of the number of conductive features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are fabricated from respective originating layout features that are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing having a size that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level region and is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. The gate electrode level includes conductive features defined along at least four different virtual lines of extent in the first parallel direction. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level.
US08129754B2 Integrated circuit with gate electrode level including at least six linear-shaped conductive structures forming gate electrodes of transisters with at least one pair of linear-shaped conductive structures having offset ends
A cell of a semiconductor device is disclosed to include a diffusion level including a plurality of diffusion regions separated by inactive regions. The cell also includes a gate electrode level including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the conductive features within the gate electrode level is fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. The gate electrode level includes conductive features defined along at least four different virtual lines of extent in the first parallel direction. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level.
US08129743B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, an element mounting board including a wiring layer on an element mounting surface thereof, and a sealing portion that seals the light emitting element. The light emitting element includes a contact electrode including a transparent conductive film, a transparent dielectric layer formed on a surface of the contact electrode and including a refractive index lower than the contact electrode, and a pad electrode electrically connected to the contact electrode. The light emitting element is flip-chip mounted on the wiring layer. A part of the transparent dielectric layer is formed between the contact electrode and the pad electrode.
US08129742B2 Semiconductor chip assembly with post/base heat spreader and plated through-hole
A semiconductor chip assembly includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, a conductive trace and an adhesive. The heat spreader includes a post and a base. The conductive trace includes a pad, a terminal and a plated through-hole. The semiconductor device is electrically connected to the conductive trace and thermally connected to the heat spreader. The post extends upwardly from the base into an opening in the adhesive, and the base extends laterally from the post. The conductive trace provides signal routing between the pad and the terminal using the plated through-hole.
US08129739B2 Semiconductor light emitting device and semiconductor light emitting device mounted board
In a semiconductor light emitting device having a matrix of a plurality of bumps composed of one n-bump formed on an n-electrode layer and of a large number of p-bumps formed on p-electrode layers, the occurrence of a faulty junction after mounting can be suppressed by placement of the n-bump at center of the bump array, because the position at the center is most resistant to occurrence of stress after the mounting. Employment of such a configuration of bump array increases reliability of mounting thereof while improving uniformity of light emission intensity in the semiconductor light emitting device having an increased size.
US08129733B2 Gallium nitride light emitting devices on diamond
Gallium nitride devices are formed on a diamond substrate, such as for light emitting diodes as a replacement for incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent light bulbs. In one embodiment, gallium nitride diodes (or other devices) are formed on diamond in at least two methods. A first method comprises growing gallium nitride on diamond and building devices on that gallium nitride layer. The second method involves bonding gallium nitride (device or film) onto diamond and building the device onto the bonded gallium nitride. These devices may provide significantly higher efficiency than incandescent or fluorescent lights, and provide significantly higher light or energy density than other technologies. Similar methods and structures result in other gallium nitride semiconductor devices.
US08129731B2 Light emitting diode lighting device
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) lighting device (10). The lighting device comprises a light guide plate (12), and a plurality of LEDs (16) accommodated in holes (14) arranged in the plane of the light guide. At least one hole has a first side facet (18) for coupling light from any LED in the hole into the light guide and a second opposite side facet (20) for coupling light out of the light guide. Further, the holes are arranged such that all first side facets are facing one direction. Such an LED based lighting device can be made thin and unobtrusive.
US08129728B2 Light emitting device and method for enhancing light extraction thereof
A method for enhancing light extraction of a light emitting device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a site layer on the light emitting device; placing a protection layer on the site layer; forming an array of pores through the protection layer and the site layer; and growing on the site layer an oxide layer, having a plurality of rods, each of which is formed in one of the pores. The shapes of the rods can be well controlled by adjusting reactive temperature, time and N2/H2 concentration ratio of atmosphere such that the shape and light escape angle of the rods can be changed.
US08129726B2 Light-emitting diode package having electrostatic discharge protection function and method of fabricating the same
A light-emitting diode (LED) package having electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection function and a method of fabricating the same adopt a composite substrate to prepare an embedded diode and an LED, and use an insulating layer in the composite substrate to isolate some individual embedded diodes, such that the LED device has the ESD protection.
US08129722B2 Light emitting display and method of manufacturing the same
A light emitting display and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting display includes a substrate, a plurality of first and second signal lines that cross each other on the substrate, a plurality of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) coupled between the first signal lines and the second signal lines, a power source supply line for supplying a power source voltage to the OLEDs, and a plurality of inspection signal lines coupled to at least one of the first signal lines or the second signal lines. At least one of the inspection signal lines is discontinuous at a region overlapping the power source supply line and ends of the discontinuous inspection signal line at the region overlapping the power source supply line are coupled to each other through a conductive region under the inspection signal line.
US08129721B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
The invention primarily provides gate electrodes and gate wirings permitting large-sized screens for active matrix-type display devices, wherein, in order to achieve this object, the construction of the invention is a semiconductor device having, on the same substrate, a pixel TFT provided in a display region and a driver circuit TFT provided around the display region, wherein the gate electrodes of the pixel TFT and the driver circuit TFT are formed from a first conductive layer, the gate electrodes are in electrical contact through connectors with gate wirings formed from a second conductive layer, and the connectors are provided outside the channel-forming regions of the pixel TFT and the driver circuit TFT.
US08129720B2 Double self-aligned metal oxide TFT
A method of fabricating metal oxide TFTs on transparent substrates includes the steps of positioning an opaque gate metal area on the front surface of the substrate, depositing transparent gate dielectric and transparent metal oxide semiconductor layers overlying the gate metal and a surrounding area, depositing transparent passivation material on the semiconductor material, depositing photoresist on the passivation material, exposing and developing the photoresist to remove exposed portions, etching the passivation material to leave a passivation area defining a channel area, depositing transparent conductive material over the passivation area, depositing photoresist over the conductive material, exposing and developing the photoresist to remove unexposed portions, and etching the conductive material to leave source and drain areas on opposed sides of the channel area.
US08129717B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
It is an object to provide a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with favorable electric properties and high reliability, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device with high productivity. In an inverted staggered (bottom gate) thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn is used as a semiconductor layer, and a buffer layer formed using a metal oxide layer is provided between the semiconductor layer and a source and drain electrode layers. The metal oxide layer is intentionally provided as the buffer layer between the semiconductor layer and the source and drain electrode layers, whereby ohmic contact is obtained.
US08129708B2 Highly integrated phase change memory device having micro-sized diodes and method for manufacturing the same
A highly integrated phase change memory device and a method for manufacturing the same is disclosed. The highly integrated phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell area and a peripheral area with impurity regions formed in the cell area and extending in parallel to each other in a first direction to form a striped pattern. A gate electrode is formed in the peripheral area and dummy gate electrodes are formed in the cell area and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the impurity regions. An interlayer dielectric layer pattern exposes portions of the cell area and the peripheral area and a PN diode is formed in a space defined by a pair of dummy gate electrodes and a pair of interlayer dielectric layer patterns.
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