Document Document Title
US08131180B2 Developer cartridge and developing apparatus using the same, process cartridge and image forming device using the same
A developing apparatus includes a housing having an opening that opens towards an image carrier onto which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developer accommodating unit in which a developer is accommodated, and a continuous charge hole connected with the developer accommodating unit; a developer carrier that carries the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit and transports the developer to a developing region in opposition to the image carrier; a sheet member that is provided in the developer accommodating unit and seals a continuous feeding hole; and an insertion hole that is formed in the housing and allows the sheet member to be inserted through when the sheet member is pulled out, wherein the insertion hole has a shape having ends which are more distant from the continuous charge hole than parts of the shape other than the ends.
US08131178B2 Image forming system cleaning station with waste toner collection
A cleaning station is usable with an image forming apparatus that has at least one developer configured to deliver toner of a first polarity to a latent image formed on a photoconductor. The cleaning station includes a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the toner of the first polarity from the latent image to a print medium, a charging station configured to charge waste toner not transferred from the transfer mechanism to the print medium to a second polarity opposite the first polarity, and a cleaner assembly configured to collect the waste toner from the transfer mechanism.
US08131176B2 Automatic initiation of print job preprocessing before release of print job
Print job management information, including management actions performed by a press operator, is collected from a print job manager. An evaluator evaluates the collected print job management information using an evaluation algorithm to generate a predicted press-operator job release sequence of one or more of the print jobs. The evaluation algorithm may be adapted to predict print job release behavior of the press operator. A print job is selected in accordance with the predicted press-operator job release sequence. Print job preprocessing of the selected print job is initiated in the printing system, prior to actual release of the print job by the press operator. Actual print-job release information may be compared with a predicted job release sequence to revise the evaluation algorithm.
US08131172B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an accommodating member configured to accommodate developer; a supply member configured to supply the developer of the accommodating member; a developer holding member configured to supply the developer from the supply member to an image holding member; and a voltage controller configured to apply a first predetermined voltage to the supply member and apply a second predetermined voltage to the developer holding member so as to supply the developer from the accommodating member to the electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding member through the supply member and the developer holding member. The voltage controller, when starting to apply a voltage to the supply member, applies an excessive voltage to the supply member, the excessive voltage having a polarity same as the first predetermined voltage and being larger in an absolute value than the first predetermined voltage.
US08131171B2 Sheet length measurement apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet length measurement apparatus including: a rotating member that comes in contact with a recording sheet conveyed on a conveying path, and rotates along with the conveyance of the recording sheet; a rotation amount detector that detects a rotational amount of the rotating member; a fixing support member that fixedly supports an rotating shaft of the rotating member at a fixed position; an opposed member that is disposed opposite to the rotating member so as to hold the recording sheet between the rotating member and the opposed member, the opposed member being disposed so that the rotating member rotates along with the conveyance of the recording sheet; and a support member that supports the opposed member in a movable state in a direction to separate from or come in contact with a surface of the recording sheet.
US08131170B2 Method and apparatus for controlling level of marking material in a waste sump
A printing apparatus and corresponding method for maintaining a level of a marking material in a marking material waste sump of a printing apparatus to a desired level. The printing apparatus includes a photoreceptor, a cleaning blade for cleaning marking material from the photoreceptor, a waste sump containing the marking material cleaned from the photoreceptor by the cleaner blade, the waste sump including an auger for selectively removing a portion of the marking material from the waste sump when activated, a determining device for determining a level of the marking material in the waste sump, and a controller receiving the determined level of the marking material from the determining device, the controller maintaining the level of the marking material in the waste sump to at or above a desired level by selectively activating the auger when the level of the marking material rises to a predetermined level and deactivating the auger when the level of the marking material is at the desired level, the desired level of the marking material providing a portion of the marking material to the photoreceptor to be used as lubricant between the photoreceptor and the cleaner blade.
US08131165B2 Image forming apparatus and waste powder transporting method
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section including first and second image forming parts each forming a toner image by using an image forming unit to be mounted, the first and the second image forming parts being inhibited from forming respective toner images if an image forming unit is not mounted to the first image forming part, the first image forming part being allowed to form a toner image if an image forming unit is mounted to the first image forming part while an image forming unit is not mounted to the second image forming part; and a transporting section including first and second receiving parts receiving waste powder discarded by the first and second image forming parts, respectively, and that transports the received waste powder. The second receiving part is provided downstream of the first receiving part in a transporting direction of the waste powder.
US08131154B2 Visible light communication apparatus
A visible light communication apparatus is constituted with a transmitter for illuminating and projecting visible light on which an information signal is superimposed from a lamp fitting and a receiver for receiving the visible light to take out the information signal superimposed on the visible light. The transmitter modulates a transmission information signal, driving a light projecting element of the lamp fitting so as to superimpose the transmission information signal on the visible light of the lamp fitting, thereby radiating white light containing a blue light component as visible illumination light. The receiver receives the white visible light containing the blue light component radiated from the transmitter and generates a receiving information signal from the light receiving signal on a receiving circuit. A blue light photodiode which receives blue light at the highest sensitivity to output a light receiving signal is used as a light receiving element of the light receiving unit. The lamp fitting for radiating the white light containing the blue light component on the side of the transmitter as visible illumination light and the blue light photodiode for receiving blue light on the side of the receiver at the highest sensitivity can be used to perform visible light communications at high speed, while illuminating by the white light.
US08131153B2 Power line communication system using hybrid-fiber coaxial and communication device used in the system
A communication equipment which is utilized in a power line communication (PLC) system utilizing a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) which includes a PLC optical network unit, a PLC trunk bridge amplifier, a PLC distribution amplifier, and a PLC coupling device. In this instance, the PLC optical network unit does not require a PLC protocol conversion of an Ethernet signal by a cable modem and a PLC modem in each subscriber location, and enables a PLC communication between the each subscriber location and a communication terminal utilizing a PLC Ethernet signal as is, by receiving an optical signal from an optical transmitter via an optical fiber, converting the optical signal into the PLC Ethernet signal corresponding to a predetermined PLC protocol, and transmitting the PLC Ethernet signal to at least one subscriber location via a coaxial cable.
US08131152B2 Optical add/drop multiplexer
An optical add/drop multiplexer includes a first optical coupler receiving an optical signal including a plurality of multiplexed wavelengths, a wavelength blocker receiving the optical signal from the first optical coupler, and blocking at least one wavelength of the plurality of multiplexed wavelengths, a first wavelength selective switch, having one input port receiving the outputted optical signal from the first optical coupler and a plurality of output ports, demultiplexing a plurality of arbitrarily selected multiplexed wavelengths from the received optical signal, a second wavelength selective switch, having a plurality of input ports, each input port receiving a different optical signal and one output port, multiplexing a plurality of arbitrarily selected wavelength signals on the plurality of input ports, and a second optical coupler receiving the optical signal output from the wavelength blocker and multiplexed wavelength signal from the second wavelength selective switch.
US08131147B2 Movement mechanism of mover and imaging device
A movement mechanism of a mover includes a base body disposed in an inner part of an outer case of an imaging device; a mover that is movable in a first movement direction with respect to the base body between a receiving position and a projecting position, and has a locked portion; a pressing spring that presses the mover from the receiving position toward the projecting position; a moving base capable of moving in a second movement direction between a lockable position to the base body and a lock release position; a lock lever that is supported by the moving base rotatably between a lock position and an unlock position; and a driver that is connected to the moving base and is a drive source for moving the moving base in the second movement direction.
US08131142B2 Imaging apparatus
Digital camera is provided with face detection section that detects faces of a plurality of photographing objects, microcomputer performs continuous shooting in optimum photographing conditions in accordance with the number of faces of the photographing objects for each face of the plurality of photographing objects by a single shutter operation and performs control by assigning serial photographing object numbers to the images of the plurality of photographing objects taken by continuous shooting and recording the images in a single continuous-shooting image folder. Furthermore, microcomputer performs continuous shooting in predetermined order in accordance with the number of faces of the photographing objects and detects, when the photographing object speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the photographing object speed again after photographing other photographing objects.
US08131137B1 Baby bottle steamer
An apparatus for steam heating a baby bottle comprising a reservoir in which water is heated by an electric resistance-type heater to produce steam, which is controlled via an on/off switch and an electronic control panel, is herein disclosed. A probe is used to measure an exact temperature of the heated liquid such as milk or formula, and displays said temperature upon a digital readout. Thus, the parent or caregiver is assured of the liquid being heated to the exact temperature without danger of burning. The apparatus is capable of heating a bottle of liquid in mere seconds in lieu of the minutes usually taken by conventional heating methods. It is envisioned that the apparatus can not only heat a bottle in a shorter period of time, but also can do so in a more consistent and accurate manner compared to current manual methods.
US08131135B2 MPEG picture data recording apparatus, MPEG picture data recording method, MPEG picture data recording medium, MPEG picture data generating apparatus, MPEG picture data reproducing apparatus, and MPEG picture data reproducing method
Executes a re-encoding after decoding data of a connection section A of a first MPEG picture data. This re-encoding is executed based on a control such that a transition of a VBV buffer occupation value starts from a VBV buffer occupation value at a position a and ends with a VBV buffer occupation value at a position d. Up to the position a of the first MPEG picture data, the first MPEG picture data is reproduced. Next, re-encoded MPEG picture data of the connection section A is reproduced. Thereafter, the data is connected to the position d of a second MPEG picture data, and the second MPEG picture data of the position d and after is reproduced.
US08131132B2 Systems and methods for providing interactive content during writing and production of a media asset
Systems and methods for providing interactive content during writing and production of a media asset are provided. A script of a media asset that includes natural language textual annotations that define uniquely interactive content and timing contingencies during which to display the interactive content may be received. After the media asset corresponding to the script is produced, computer language instructions may be generated based on the natural language annotations. The computer language instructions and the media asset may be stored on a master storage medium. The media asset and computer language instructions may be transmitted to a media equipment device. Playback time codes may be transmitted with the media asset. When a playback time code corresponds to an event that identifies interactive content, the media equipment device may display the interactive content represented by the computer language instructions during a time interval defined by the computer language instructions.
US08131131B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting information, and reproducing apparatus, receiving apparatus and recording medium for the information, and transmission data thereof
An output control (OPC) information is recorded on the magnetic tape 1 in conjunction with an MPEG stream. The OPC information is composed of two bits and is extracted from a reproduced signal by the output control circuit 9 and controls the digital interface (D. I/F) 7 and the switch circuit 11. In case a first bit of the OPC information is “0”, the output control circuit 9 makes the D. I/F 7 enabled and permits the output of a digital signal. In a case of “1”, the output control circuit 9 prohibits to output the digital signal. Further, when the second bit of the OPC information is “0”, the output control circuit 9 turns the switch circuit 11 off, preventing the output of an analog component signal. In case its “1”, the output control circuit 9 permits the output of the analog component signal.
US08131129B2 Apparatus and method for decoding data for providing browsable slide show, and data storage medium therefor
A decoding apparatus and method for producing a browsable slide show and a data storage medium therefor. The decoding apparatus having a mainstream decoder, which decodes mainstream packet data including image data to be reproduced in a browsable slide show; a sub-audio decoder, which decodes sub-audio packet data including audio data attached to the image data; a mainstream system time clock (STC) counter, which provides an STC sequence for controlling the decoding time of the mainstream packet data to the mainstream decoder; and a sub-audio STC counter, which provides an STC sequence for controlling the decoding time of the sub-audio packet data to the sub-audio decoder. Accordingly, it is possible to seamlessly reproduce sub-audio data even when a user selects a forward or reverse play in the middle of reproducing still image data with the sub-audio data attached thereto in a browsable slide show.
US08131127B2 Broadcast receiving apparatus and broadcast receiving method
To store TS packet in an external memory connected via an external IF unit at the time shift reproduction time, a buffer for storage is provided at a previous stage and a buffer for reproduction is provided at a subsequent stage. When the data storage in the external memory runs out as the time shift reproduction proceeds, a time shift data managing unit executes a temporary time shift by the buffer for storage and the buffer for reproduction capable of reading and writing at a higher speed than the external memory without mediation of the external memory and then the time shift reproduction mode is changed to the general reproduction mode by a demultiplex mode control unit.
US08131124B2 Optical guided mode spatial switches and their fabrication
Optical guided mode fast 1×2 and 2×2 spatial switches are provided that can be used in multimedia communication networks. These switches require a relative refractive index change of only 0.0001˜0.0002 and can be realized using Lithium Niobate, Polymers, semiconductors, etc. Extinction ratios of these switches are made to be better than 45 dB, by introductions of a rear edge adjusted broken electrode and a blocker electrode into their architecture. Optical losses are less than 3 dB, and excellent switching characteristics are achieved by suppressing cross talk to ˜50 dB. The two output ports of the 1×2 (2×2) switch are made to be spatially perpendicular (in opposition) by introduction of air grooves, allowing for two-dimensional integration of unit switches into matrices. System applications of the switch are made flexible due to a discrete drive requirement for each optical input to the 2×2 switch.
US08131122B2 Monolithically integrated multi-directional transceiver
An integrated single-fiber multi-directional transceiver such as a diplexer or triplexer for FTTH applications comprises at least a laser for transmitting a first signal at a first wavelength, a photodetector for receiving a second signal at a second wavelength, and a 2×2 optical coupler. The 2×2 optical coupler has four ports, of which port 1 connects to a fiber through an input/output waveguide, port 2 leads to the photodetector through another waveguide, port 3 and port 4 are connected with the gain waveguide and are placed inside the laser cavity. Light emitted by the gain waveguide inside the laser cavity at port 3 of the coupler is partially coupled to port 4 as a feedback for the laser and partially coupled to port 1 which couples to the optical fiber to transmit the first signal. On the other hand, the second signal at the second wavelength that is launched into the coupler from the input/output waveguide at port 1 is entirely coupled to port 2 that leads to the photodetector. The design allows both the transmitted and received signals to be directed to their intended destinations with minimal loss.
US08131121B2 Optical fiber pipeline monitoring system and method
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fiber surveillance system for monitoring a pipeline is provided. The surveillance system includes an optical fiber acoustically coupled to the pipeline to detect acoustic signals associated with vibrations or other activity near or from the pipeline. Optical energy is injected into the optical fiber and an optical detector receives an optical return-signal having certain characteristics resulting from vibrations impinging on the optical fiber. An analyzer is configured to determine operating information about the pipeline based on the optical return-signal. Two or more fibers can be acoustically coupled to the pipeline and arranged in varying configurations to yield greater resolution.
US08131115B2 Method for aligning scanned image elements
For aligning two or more image elements on separate pages, a position of a common part of the image elements is determined relative to a predetermined reference position. The image elements are then shifted with respect to the reference positions such that each image element has substantially the same position relative to the reference position. The reference position may be determined relative to a page on which the image elements are to be printed. Contents of the image elements can be displayed superposed to enable a user to consider alignment and/or determine whether a common image part is present.
US08131111B2 Device of processing dead pixel
A dead pixel processing device is disclosed. The dead pixel processing device separates an inputted Bayer pattern image into corresponding component data; calculates the distribution (pattern) of pixels based on the median of each data; calculates a comparing value based on a component having a center pixel; outputs an external flag which informs whether there are a dead pixel and/or a hot pixel by using the comparing value; compares the values of the center pixel and adjacent pixels in the component having the center pixel; calculates a measuring value based on the center pixel; outputs an internal flag by using the measuring value; and corrects the dead pixel or the hot pixel. With the present invention, an image can be corrected by detecting a corresponding dead pixel and hot pixel.
US08131110B2 Reducing signal overshoots and undershoots in demosaicking
An image processing method that demosaicks a mosaic input image to generate a full color output image. The image processing method calculates both vertical and horizontal luminance-chrominance difference components for each pixel of the mosaic input image. Next, the image processing method calculates an enhanced version of both vertical and horizontal luminance-chrominance difference components for each pixel of the mosaic input image. Then, the image processing method interpolates a G component for each of the original R and B components. Next, the image processing method detects a signal overshoot or undershoot in each interpolated G component and to clamps each interpolated G component with a detected signal overshoot or undershoot to the closest neighboring original G component. Next, the image processing method interpolates missing R and/or B components in each pixel location of the captured image.
US08131108B2 Method and system for dynamic contrast stretch
Aspects of a system and method for processing an image are presented. The method may comprise stretching contrast of an input image based on a distribution of luma values for the input image and a distribution of luma values for a desired output image. The pixels below a specified level of contrast defined by the distribution of luma values for the input image and the distribution of luma values for the desired output image are substantially stretched. The method may also comprise constructing a lookup table of the desired output luma values and stretching a contrast of the input image using the constructed lookup table. The method may also comprise applying linear function and a non-linear function to the distribution of luma values, and applying a stretch factor above a specified level of the distribution and a stretch factor below a specified level of the distribution.
US08131105B2 Image processing method and device for performing block effect reduction
The present invention provides an image processing method for processing an image. The method includes: detecting at least an edge in the image; selecting at least a first pixel and at least a second pixel according to the edge; deciding whether the edge is a block effect by determining whether a pixel difference between the first pixel and the second pixel locates in a predetermined range; and filtering out the detected block effect.
US08131104B2 Method and apparatus for adjusting the contrast of an input image
A method and apparatus is provided for adjusting the contrast of an input image. A blurred image corresponding to the input image is obtained, the brightness level of at least some of the pixels in the input image being varied to provide the blurred image. A ring likelihood for pixels in the input image is obtained, the ring likelihood providing a measure of the likelihood that said pixels are non-edge pixels in the neighborhood of an edge pixel. The output image is produced as a sum of the brightness levels in the input image and the blurred image in dependence on the ring likelihoods.
US08131103B2 Image detail enhancement
A method of enhancing details in an input image. The input image comprises input pixels, which have input pixel values (IPV) limited to a range (RA). The method comprises average filtering (1) the input pixel values (IPV) to obtain average brightness values (LV). A luminance mask is applied (2) to the average brightness values (LV) to obtain masked values (MV) which are different for average brightness values (LV) in a sub-range (SR) of the range (RA) than for pixels outside the sub-range (SR). The input pixel values (IPV) are detail filtered (3) to obtain detail values (HV) indicative for an amount of detail. A non-linear function (NLF) is applied (5) on the input pixel values (IPV) to obtain for each input pixel value (IPV) a corresponding output pixel value (OPV). A gain of the non-linear function (NLF) is dependent on both the masked value (MV) and detail value (HV) which both are determined for the particular input pixel. The gain is higher for input pixels with input pixel values (IPV) outside the sub-range (SR) than for input pixels with input pixel values (IPV) inside the sub-range (SR). And the gain is higher for input pixels for which the detail value (HV) indicates more high frequency content in the image portion around the particular input pixel than for input pixels for which the detail value (HV) indicates less high frequency content.
US08131092B2 Pixel input-output method, image compressing method, pixel input-output apparatus, image compressing apparatus, image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, computer program and recording medium
When inputted pixels from an input DMA unit, a packing unit outputs data package. One data package consists of α inputted pixels. A memory control unit writes, on a write line memory at a write interval, the data package that is outputted by the packing unit. The write interval is α times longer than an input interval at which the pixels are inputted into the packing unit. During the writing process, the memory control unit reads out another data package from a read line memory at a read interval that is the same as the input interval. In addition, the memory control unit treats the write line memory as the read line memory, after completing the writing process. Alternatively, the memory control unit treats the read line memory as the write line memory, after completing the reading process.
US08131091B2 Method and apparatus for compressing text and image
Provided is a method and apparatus for compressing a text and an image. When compressing the text and image, it is possible to group valid lines with data into each line having a common element, and compress and encode the data of the valid lines. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a data loss that may occur in a tactical communication environment with a poor channel state due to a bit sleep or a burst error. In the case of the text, it is possible to perform lossless compression on only a valid line with data and thereby improve compression efficiency. In the case of the image, it is possible to perform loss compression on valid lines, and then restore the partially damaged data using an ECC even when data is partially damaged. Accordingly, it is possible to improve compression efficiency and the entire data transmission success rate.
US08131089B2 Visibility data compression/decompression method, compression system and decoder
Non-adjacent rows (i) in the visibility matrix (Msr) that have a large number of common elements are automatically detected (E7) and any such detected rows are permutated to put the lines detected as having a large number of common elements into sequence to form a modified visibility matrix (M′sr), and digital image coding is applied (E8) to the Boolean elements of the modified visibility matrix (M′sr).
US08131085B2 Shape clustering in post optical character recognition processing
Techniques for shape clustering and applications in processing various documents, including an output of an optical character recognition (OCR) process. The output of an OCR process is classified into a plurality of clusters of clip images and a representative image for each cluster is generated to identify clusters whose clip images were incorrectly assigned character codes by the OCR process.
US08131084B2 Apparatus for improving sharpness of image
Provided is an apparatus for improving the sharpness of an image. The apparatus includes an edge detector, an effective edge judging unit, an effective edge classifying unit, an isolated edge judging unit, and a 2-D HPF applying unit. The edge detector calculates an edge value using brightness relation with neighboring pixels with respect to each of pixels of an input image. The effective edge judging unit determines effective edge pixels. The effective edge classifying unit determines weak edge pixels and strong edge pixels. The isolated edge judging unit judges an isolated edge pixel included in an isolated edge. The 2-D HPF applying unit applies a first 2-D HPF to the weak edge pixels, and applies a second 2-D HPF to the strong edge pixels to generate edge strengthening values. The edge strengthening value applying unit adds the edge strengthening values to brightness values of the respective pixels of the input image.
US08131080B2 Handwriting determination apparatus and method and program
A handwriting apparatus includes unit acquiring first-handwriting data, unit storing one-stroke-handwriting data and a first command as an instruction, the instruction corresponding to the one-stroke-handwriting data and being executed with a device, unit, when the first-handwriting data corresponds to one stroke, searching the storage unit for the first command corresponding to the one-stroke-handwriting data corresponding to the one stroke, unit planning to execute the first command when the corresponding first command is searched out from the storage unit, unit storing one-stroke-handwriting data and a second command as an instruction which corresponds to the one-stroke-handwriting data, the second command being different from the first command, unit regarding the first-handwriting data as one-stroke-handwriting data at time intervals and search the storage unit for the second command corresponding to the one-stroke-handwriting data, and unit, when the corresponding second command is searched out from the storage unit, planning to execute the corresponding second command.
US08131067B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable media for attaining image processing
An image processing apparatus that receives mosaic image data having settings of only one color component, R, G, or B, in each pixel and subjects the received mosaic image data to a series of image processing to generate color image data with settings of all the three color components, R, G, and B, in each pixel; wherein the mosaic image data has the form of a Bayer color filter array; and the image processing apparatus includes: a vertical-direction color difference component computation module; a horizontal-direction color difference component computation module; an edge direction determination module; a color component interpolation module; an oblique edge pixel detection module; an oblique edge direction determination module; and an oblique edge pixel interpolation correction module.
US08131066B2 Image classification
Images are classified as photos (e.g., natural photographs) or graphics (e.g., cartoons, synthetically generated images), such that when searched (online) with a filter, an image database returns images corresponding to the filter criteria (e.g., either photos or graphics will be returned). A set of image statistics pertaining to various visual cues (e.g., color, texture, shape) are identified in classifying the images. These image statistics, combined with pre-tagged image metadata defining an image as either a graphic or a photo, may be used to train a boosting decision tree. The trained boosting decision tree may be used to classify additional images as graphics or photos based on image statistics determined for the additional images.
US08131065B2 Method and apparatus for obtaining and processing image features
Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system for obtaining and processing image features are described. In some embodiments, groups of training features derived from regions of training images may be trained to obtain a plurality of classifiers, each classifier corresponding to each group of training features. The plurality of classifiers may be used to classify groups of validation features derived from regions of validation images to obtain a plurality of weights, wherein each weight corresponds to each region of the validation images and indicates how important the each region of the validation images is. Then, a weight may be discarded from the plurality of weights based upon a certain criterion.
US08131064B2 Method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional images
A three-dimensional sense adjusting unit displays three-dimensional images to a user. If a displayed reaches a limit of parallax, the user responds to the three-dimensional sense adjusting unit. According to acquired appropriate parallax information, a parallax control unit generates parallax images to realize the appropriate parallax in the subsequent stereo display. The control of parallaxes is realized by optimally setting camera parameters by going back to three-dimensional data. Functions to realize the appropriate parallax are made into and presented by a library.
US08131061B2 Apparatus for inspecting solder printing
An apparatus for inspecting solder printing includes a memory medium, an ideal solder information generation unit, and an image processing unit. Design data are stored in the memory medium. The ideal solder information generation unit generates “ideal solder position information” and “ideal solder sizes” from the ideal solder regions in the design data. The image processing means extracts the actual solder regions of solder on the printed board K from image data imaged by the CCD camera and generates “actual solder position information” from the actual solder regions. The image processing unit generates “position misalignment amounts” between the “ideal solder position information” and “actual solder position information,” generates “print misalignment rates” indicating the extents of the “position misalignment amounts” relative to the “ideal solder sizes,” calculates a correction value relating to print position based on the “print misalignment rates,” and outputs a correction value signal to the solder printing machine.
US08131058B2 Method and apparatus for visual inspection
In the case of die-to-die comparison, threshold processing units process the differential image between the image of a sample chip and the images of left and right adjacent chips using a second threshold value lower than a first threshold value thereby to determine a defect candidate for the sample chip. Further, threshold processing units process the differential image using the first threshold value. The defect candidates which develops a signal not smaller than the first threshold is detected as a defect. Also in the cell-to-cell comparison, the differential image is first processed by the second threshold value to determine a defect candidate, and the differential image is further processed by the first threshold value. The defect candidates which develops a signal not smaller than the first threshold value is detected as a defect.
US08131057B2 Defect distribution pattern comparison method and system
A comparison system is provided with a defect inspection unit, a reference pattern storage unit, a pattern comparison unit, a comparison result processing unit and an output unit. The inspection unit inspects an object processed by a processing system, such as a semiconductor wafer, and obtains the distribution pattern of defects occurring on the surface of the object. The storage unit previously stores a reference pattern indicating a characteristic configuration of a specific portion of the processing system, which comes into contact with or approaches the object. The comparison unit compares the defect distribution pattern obtained by the defect inspection unit with the reference pattern stored in the storage unit. The comparison result processing unit obtains the degree of coincidence between the two patterns based on the comparison performed by the pattern comparison unit. The output unit outputs the obtained degree of coincidence to a display or the like.
US08131051B2 Advanced automatic digital radiographic hot light method and apparatus
A method for automatically modifying the rendering of an image based on an analysis of pixel values within a selected region of interest. The method includes: providing a digital input image of digital pixel values and tone scale look-up table (LUT); creating a default rendered image by applying the tone scale lookup table to the input image; displaying the default rendered image; selecting a region of interest from the input image; computing the histogram of the pixel values within the region of interest; creating a bright light image by remapping the pixel values within the region of interest based on an analysis of the histogram and the tone scale table.
US08131048B2 Method and apparatus for correcting distortion during magnetic resonance imaging
In a method and apparatus for correcting distortion during magnetic resonance imaging k space data in a number of readout encoding directions, sampling points on the phase encoding lines are primarily in low frequency regions of k space and the number of such sampling points is less than that of all sampling points. A view angle tilting compensation gradient is superimposed on the axis of a layer selection gradient. The k space data acquired from the number of directions are then combined.
US08131044B2 Method and apparatus for determining the effectiveness of an image transformation process
A method for determining the effectiveness of an image transformation process includes acquiring a four-dimensional (4D) image data set, sorting the 4D image data set into separate field-of-view bins using a temporal gating system generating a plurality of deformation vectors using the sorted 4D image data set, and using the plurality of deformation vectors to generate a transformation effectiveness value that is representative of the effectiveness of the image transformation process. The method further includes acquiring a respiratory signal, calculating a power spectrum of the respiratory signal, calculating a power spectrum for each of the plurality of deformation vectors, and comparing the power spectrum of the respiratory signal to the power spectrum of the plurality of deformation vectors to generate the transformation effectiveness value.
US08131043B2 Method and apparatus for detecting interventricular dyssynchrony
Several embodiments of a method and apparatus for detecting interventricular dyssynchrony are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an image segment processor and an image classifier. The image segment processor may segment left and right ventricles in source images of a subject's heart to form left and right ventricle segments in segmented images. Each source image may include cross sections of the right and left ventricles in common spatial relation along the short axis plane and in common temporal relation in reference to a cardiac cycle. The source images and corresponding segmented images may be temporally-spaced in relation to the cardiac cycle. The image classifier may determine first and second cross-sectional areas associated with the left and right ventricle segments for each segmented image, compare the first and second cross-sectional areas, and classify the subject's heart in an interventricular dyssynchronous class or a non-dyssynchronous class.
US08131033B2 Sensitivity lens for assessing uncertainty in image visualizations of data sets, related methods and computer products
Systems for rendering images from a multi-dimensional data set include a sensitivity lens configured to electronically render a sequence of images showing features in a region of interest to interrogate and/or explore potential uncertainties in the rendered visualizations of images.
US08131029B2 Systems and methods for automatic skin-based identification of people using digital images
Systems and methods are provided for automatic identification of a person based on an analysis of the person's skin. In one embodiment, a method for automatically identifying a person comprises acquiring white-light and UV images of a portion of the person's skin, generating a skin mask from the white-light image, and comparing the skin mask with a pre-stored skin mask of the person. If a substantial match is not found between the two skin masks, the person is not identified, and an error message such as “wrong person” or “person unknown” is returned. Otherwise, the method proceeds to obtain results associated with certain skin conditions using at least the UV image. The results are compared with pre-stored results to determine if the person is the right person or the wrong person.
US08131027B2 Finger contact detecting apparatus, finger contact detecting method, fingerprint reading apparatus and computer-readable recording medium
A finger contact detecting apparatus, which detects a finger being swept on a fingerprint sensor of the finger contact detecting apparatus, the finger contact detecting apparatus including, a pixel data averaging unit calculating an average value of pixel data collected by the fingerprint sensor; a deviation adding unit calculating, based on the average value and respective pixel data of predetermined pixels obtained by the fingerprint sensor, a summation of deviations of the respective pixel data of the predetermined pixels; and a finger contact detecting unit determining whether the finger is separated from the fingerprint sensor based on the summation of deviations and a predetermined threshold value.
US08131026B2 Method and apparatus for fingerprint image reconstruction
Enhanced accuracy finger position and motion sensors devices, algorithms, and methods are disclosed that can be used in a variety of different applications. The sensors can be used in conjunction with partial fingerprint imagers to produce improved fingerprint scanners. Such improved scanners can use image analysis techniques, such as interpolation between partial fingerprint images to correct for missing data, or discarding redundant partial fingerprint image data, to produce adequate fingerprint images even when the finger has not been applied to the sensor using an optimum technique.
US08131025B2 Fingerprint detection apparatus
A fingerprint detection apparatus for obtaining an image of a fingerprint of a finger by using a light source for emitting a light to the finger and an image obtaining part for outputting electric signals in correspondence with received light is disclosed. The fingerprint detection apparatus includes a system controller for determining whether the finger is in contact with or in the vicinity of the image obtaining part by comparing a threshold with a difference between a value of the electric signal when the light source is lit and a value of the electric signal when the light source is not lit.
US08131021B2 Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
The detection of red-eye defects is enhanced in digital images for embedded image acquisition and processing systems. A two-stage redeye filtering system includes a speed optimized filter that performs initial segmentation of candidate redeye regions and optionally applies a speed-optimized set of falsing/verification filters to determine a first set of confirmed redeye regions for correction. Some of the candidate regions which are rejected during the first stage are recorded and re-analyzed during a second stage by an alternative set of analysis-optimized filters to determine a second set of confirmed redeye regions.
US08131019B2 Method and system for capturing images moving at high speed
An image of a moving object, such as a postage indicium barcode on a mail piece, is captured with the object in motion (e.g., while being transported through a mailing machine). An array of CMOS picture elements is held in a reset condition. A signal asserted on control pin ends the reset condition and places the picture elements in an image capture condition. With the picture elements in a picture capture condition, a strobe light is actuated at a time when the barcode is predicted to be present at the picture element array. After the strobe light has been actuated, the signal on the control pin is de-asserted to initiate a read-out of the image data from the picture elements.
US08131017B2 Automatic illuminating system for a contactlessly measuring automobile service device
Automatic illuminating and image recording system for an automobile service device, combined illuminating and image recording unit and method for automatic measured value-dependent setting of the image recording and exposure for an automobile service device having contactless measuring capability. Comprises at least one camera (32, 34) having an interface to a control unit, at least one illuminating unit (62, 64) having a control input, and a control unit. This control unit is equipped with an interface to the camera(s) (32, 34), with an interface to the illuminating unit(s) (62, 64), with an image processing-and, respectively, image pre-processing-unit and with an evaluating unit that generates control parameters for the illuminating unit(s) (62, 64) and/or the camera(s) (32, 34).
US08131016B2 Digital image processing using face detection information
A method of processing a digital image using face detection within the image achieves one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image. Default values are determined of one or more parameters of at least some portion of the digital image. Values are adjusted of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of the digital image including the image of the face and the default values.
US08131014B2 Object-tracking computer program product, object-tracking device, and camera
A computer performs following steps according to a program for tracking an object. Template matching of each frame of an input image to a plurality of template images is performed, a template image having a highest similarity with an image within a predetermined region of the input image is selected as a selected template among the plurality of template images and the predetermined region of the input image is extracted as a matched region. With reference to an image within the matched region thus extracted, by tracking motion between frames, motion of an object is tracked between the images of the plurality of frames. It is determined as to whether or not a result of template matching satisfies an update condition for updating the plurality of template images. In a case that the update condition is determined to be satisfied, at least one of the plurality of template images.
US08131011B2 Human detection and tracking system
A human tracking system for tracking a plurality of humans in motion, in a video of the humans in motion, includes a human detection subsystem, and a combined tracker. The human detection subsystem is configured to generate a detection output by detecting the plurality of humans in a part-based representation, in each one of a sequence of static frames in the video. The human detection subsystem is further configured to account for partial occlusion of one or more of the humans in the image. The combined tracker is configured to receive and combine the detection responses generated by the human detection subsystem, and to track the humans in response to the received detection responses and image appearance properties.
US08131009B2 Automatic spine creation from book covers without spines
A method for automatically creating spine image areas for book covers that were originally created for books without spines includes adding image areas between the front and back cover images to make a single image with the spine being a user-specified solid color or bitmap image. Alternatively, depending on user selection and cover design, the existing image is stretched anamorphically to accommodate a correctly sized spine. The user can optionally specify text to be added.
US08131008B2 Methods, apparatuses, and systems for image-based measurement and inspection of pre-engineered structural components
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for image-based measurement and inspection of pre-engineered structural components, such as building trusses and wall panels. A system can include: a light source; a camera; a first memory storage; a second memory storage; and a processing unit configured to (i) detect a characteristic of the structural component, (ii) compare the characteristic to a corresponding characteristic of at least one reference data, and (iii) indicate a result of the comparison. A method can include: causing a light source to illuminate a portion of the structural component, receiving a reflection of the light source from the illuminated portion of the structural component, and storing data corresponding to the intensity of the reflection; comparing the stored data to at least one reference data; and indicating a result of the comparison.
US08131007B2 Watermarking using multiple watermarks and keys, including keys dependent on the host signal
A method of embedding a watermarking in a host signal computes a first watermark depending on a particular party and computes a second watermark depending on the host signal. The method embeds the first and second watermarks in the host signal. At least one of the watermarks is embedded using a key derived from the host signal. In particular, one of the watermarks is embedded with a key derived from the host signal.
US08131002B2 Electric-acoustic transducer and electronic device
An electro-acoustic transducer includes a diaphragm, a casing which is formed with an opening for directly or indirectly supporting the diaphragm, a first magnetic pole section provided on a side of the opening with respect to the diaphragm and having a magnetic pole at a surface which faces the diaphragm, a second magnetic pole section provided on a side of an inner bottom surface of the casing with respect to the diaphragm and having a magnetic pole at least a part of a surface which faces the first magnetic pole section through the diaphragm, and a drive coil provided on the diaphragm and located in a magnetic gap formed by the first and second magnetic pole sections. The magnetic poles of the first and second magnetic pole sections which face each other through the diaphragm have the same polarity. An outer shape of the surface of the first magnetic pole section which faces the diaphragm is smaller than that of the surface of the second magnetic pole section which faces the diaphragm.
US08130998B2 Miniature speaker device and television set
A miniature speaker device includes a housing, a speaker mounted on the housing, a passive radiator mounted on the housing and vibrating in resonance with vibration of the speaker and having no driving system and a low frequency range amplification circuit for amplifying sound pressure in frequency components of a low frequency range of a single audio signal input in the speaker.
US08130994B2 Waveguide
A waveguide configured to function as a high frequency waveguide for a high frequency sound source mounted to the waveguide, and to function as an acoustical low pass filter for a low frequency sound source mounted behind the waveguide in a multi-way loudspeaker system. The waveguide includes openings that overlay the vibrating surface of the low frequency source. The openings are configured by selection of various geometrical parameters to tailor filtering characteristics as desired.
US08130990B2 Fully automatic switching on/off in hearing aids
In a hearing aid system comprising two hearing aids between which wireless signal transmission is provided. The hearing aids are automatically switched on and off. To this end, a field strength or value of an electromagnetic signal received by a hearing aid that is transmitted from the respective other hearing aid may be determined. The determined value is compared with a threshold value, the relevant hearing aid being switched off (sleep mode), as long as the field strength is greater than the threshold value and the hearing aid being switched on as long as the measured field strength is lower than the threshold value.
US08130981B2 Sound card having feedback calibration loop
Disclosed are a sound card and a method for limiting inputs to and outputs from that computer sound card. Specifically, the voltage of a feedback connection between the input and output of a sound card amplifier is increased from minimum voltage until an over-saturation condition occurs. This finds the “output voltage limit.” Thereafter, the output voltage of the amplifier is restricted to the output voltage limit. The feedback connection is then terminated and the voltage of the signal being supplied to the amplifier is increased from minimum voltage until the over-saturation condition again occurs. This finds the “input voltage limit.” Thereafter, the input supplied to the amplifier is restricted to the input voltage limit.
US08130975B2 On-vehicle acoustic apparatus
There is provided an acoustic apparatus whose front-side exterior appearance construction can be freely changed and which can be easily added with a new function.A freely detachable control panel 2 is provided to an acoustic apparatus body 1 mounted on a vehicle 101, and audio units Au-1, Au-2, Au-3 which are connected to the acoustic apparatus body 1 through the control panel 2 are freely detachably provided to the control panel 2.
US08130974B2 Vehicular active sound control system
An ASC generates a control signal based on an engine rotation frequency detected by an engine rotational speed detecting means, and a speaker outputs a sound effect depending on the control signal into a vehicle. The speaker is disposed in a substantially central area of a dashboard, in front of a driver seat and a front passenger seat of the vehicle, in the transverse direction of the vehicle.
US08130973B2 Superdirectional acoustic system and projector
A superdirectional acoustic system for reproducing a sound signal supplied from a real sound source by using a superdirectional speaker and producing a virtual sound source in a vicinity of a sound wave reflection surface. The system includes an ultrasonic speaker, which includes an ultrasonic transducer for oscillating a sound wave in an ultrasonic frequency band, for reproducing an audio signal in a relatively medium to high frequency sound range, which is included in the sound signal supplied from the real sound source; and a low frequency sound reproducing speaker for reproducing an audio signal in a relatively low frequency sound range, which is included in the sound signal supplied from the real sound source. Sound in the medium-high frequency range is reproduced in a manner such that the sound is produced from a virtual sound source which is formed in the vicinity of the sound signal reflection surface such as a screen.
US08130965B2 Retrieval and transfer of encrypted hard drive content from DVR set-top boxes to a content transcription device
A system and method for the retrieval and transfer of encrypted content from a failed set-top box by a content transcription device. When content is recorded to the storage device of a set-top box, the content is encrypted with a content instance key. This content instance key is encrypted with the public key of the set-top box and a duplicate of the content instance key is encrypted by another public key other than the public key of the set-top. In the event the set-top fails, the encrypted content on the storage device may be retrieved from the storage device by decrypting the duplicate content instance key with the private key that corresponds with the public key that encrypted the duplicate of the content instance key.
US08130958B2 Transmit power control for wireless security
The present invention provides a method for establishing a secure channel between wireless devices. The method involves reducing the transmit power of the devices in conjunction with placing the devices in close proximity to one another. By reducing the transmit power, wireless communications between the devices cannot be detected by other devices beyond the short transmission range. The devices then generate and exchange encryption keys using the reduced-power transmissions in order to establish a secure, encrypted communications channel. Once the secure channel is established, the devices increase their transmit power back to normal operating levels, allowing them to be moved further apart while maintaining secure wireless communications.
US08130954B2 Methods and apparatus for authenticating data as originating from a storage and processing device and for securing software and data stored on the storage and processing device
Techniques are described for using unique features of a storage medium for authentication of data as originating from the storage medium, and also for installing software and data to a storage medium in a way which inhibits unauthorized copying of the software and data to another storage medium. Cryptoprocessing keys are created using unique features of the storage medium such as location information related to storage of selected elements of a software installation on the storage medium, or alternatively defective block information relating to the storage medium. The cryptoprocessing keys are used to encrypt data for transmission to a remote server. The remote server uses the cryptoprocessing keys to decrypt the data and authenticates the data as having been encrypted with the correct keys. In order to control operation of software on a storage medium, location information unique to the storage medium is employed to create links between software modules comprising the software. If the software is copied to a different storage medium, the location information used in the links will be incorrect and the links between the modules will contain inaccurate information, preventing the software from operating properly. Location information unique to a storage medium can also be used to create cryptoprocessing keys for protection of data. If data encrypted using the keys is copied to a new storage medium, the location information in the new storage medium will not be the same as was used to create the original keys and the data will not be able to be decrypted at the new location.
US08130952B2 Methods and apparatus for persistent control and protection of content
A novel method and apparatus for protection of streamed media content is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes control means for governance of content streams or content objects, decryption means for decrypting content streams or content objects under control of the control means, and feedback means for tracking actual use of content streams or content objects. The control means may operate in accordance with rules received as part of the streamed content, or through a side-band channel. The rules may specify allowed uses of the content, including whether or not the content can be copied or transferred, and whether and under what circumstances received content may be “checked-out” of one device and used in a second device. The rules may also include or specify budgets, and a requirement that audit information be collected and/or transmitted to an external server. In a different aspect, the apparatus may include a media player designed to call plugins to assist in rendering content. A “trust plugin” is disclosed, along with a method of using the trust plugin so that a media player designed for use with unprotected content may render protected content without the necessity of requiring any changes to the media player. In one aspect, the streamed content may be in a number of different formats, including MPEG-4, MP3, and the RMFF format.
US08130948B2 Addressing of groups of broadcast satellite receivers within a portion of the satellite footprint
A method and system enables the selective addressing of groups of broadcast receivers within part of a satellite footprint. It uses two satellites having a common transmission band to transmit respective signals, and at receivers in the footprint the phases of the signals received from the two satellites are compared. This phase difference is dependent upon receiver location, but by measuring phase difference no absolute timing or phase measurement is required. A common key is generated at the receivers in a certain area. The output of selected receivers is fed back to the broadcast control centre and is used to encode the location-based services for that area.Preferably the operation is conducted on multiple frequencies and in multiple rounds of such frequencies. A multibit keyword can be directly generated at the receivers by use of a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and combining its outputs for different rounds.
US08130946B2 Iterative symmetric key ciphers with keyed S-boxes using modular exponentiation
Disclosed is the design and development of a new cipher called the Dragonfire Cipher. The Dragon cipher includes message authentication code and keyed random number generator. Dragonfire cipher takes this transparent method of generating S-boxes and uses them to create a cipher with keyed S-boxes. This defeats most precomputations for cryptanalysis as the S-boxes are now different between sessions.
US08130945B2 Encrypted cryptography system
A public key cryptography (PKI or other similar system) is used to sent partial or multiple of encryption or decryption algorithm (cipher or decipher) to the data sender or receiver to encrypt or decrypt the data to be sent or received and destroy itself after each or multiple use. Since the encryption algorithm is protected, it can be devised very small in size in compare to the data to be sent and the user can afford to use large key size in it's transmission to increase protection without significant compact to the overall speed. Without knowing the encryption algorithm, which may also be changing from time to time, it will be impossible to use brut force to break the code provided that the algorithm scheme is designed properly. It is due to that there are unlimited numbers of new or old algorithms with countless variations and it takes years of supper fast computing time to break even few algorithms. Under this condition, many fast encryption algorithms can be easily devised for use, thus speed and safety can be greatly enhanced.
US08130944B2 Digital encrypted time capsule
A method and apparatus for enabling and/or providing delayed decryption is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving encrypted information and additional information and decrypting the encrypted information, using the additional information, no sooner than a specified time. The additional information includes data indicative of the time.
US08130943B2 Telephone accessory device and system for hands free operation
A telephone accessory device and system for facilitating communication between a wireless headset and wireline telephone. The telephone accessory device includes a device body configured to rest on top of a base of the corded telephone, a device platform connected to the base portion and configured to support a corded handset on a first surface, and a head portion disposed on a second surface of the device platform opposite the first surface. The system includes a wireless headset, a headset base wirelessly coupled to the wireless headset, and the telephone accessory device coupled through a control signal cable to the headset base unit. When the handset is resting on the first surface, in response to control signals from the wireless headset, the head portion is operable to reversibly depress and release a switch hook button of the cradle speaker recess while the device body and device platform remain stationary.
US08130942B2 Antihelix-conforming ear-mount for personal audio-set
A light weight and comfortable ear mount for a personal audio-set is disclosed. The ear mount conforms with the antihelix of a wearer's ear, thereby operating substantially as a compression spring between the wearer's antihelix and tragus, to operably secure the personal audio-set in place. In a preferred embodiment, the ear-mount is substantially kidney-shaped and includes an opening to prevent the total occlusion of the ear canal by the personal audio-set. Alternatively, the ear-mount includes a loop of material sized to operably engage the antihelix of the wearer's ear. The ear-mount is preferably reversible to allow it to be placed in either the wearer's left or right ear.
US08130940B2 Echo detection
An echo detector includes means (34) for forming a set of distance measures between pitch estimates of a first signal and pitch estimates of a second signal at predetermined delays with respect to the first signal. A selector (36) selects a distance measure from the set corresponding to the highest similarity between the first and second signals. A classifier (32) classifies the second signal as including an echo if the selected distance measure has a predetermined relation to a similarity threshold (TH).
US08130939B2 Maintaining convergence of a receiver during changing conditions
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having an automatic gain control (AGC) stage to receive an input signal from a communication channel physical medium, a first local gain stage coupled to an output of the AGC stage, an equalizer coupled to an output of the first local gain stage, an echo canceller to receive local data to be transmitted along the communication channel physical medium, and a second local gain stage coupled to an output of the echo canceller. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08130937B1 Use of speech recognition engine to track and manage live call center calls
A speech recognition engine monitors live call center calls between live callers and live operators and detects that certain key words are spoken. The detected key words can then be used as a basis to identify issues that are raised in the call, so as to facilitate (i) generation of statistical reports regarding call center call issues and (ii) real-time assistance of the call center operator, such as directing the call center operator to ask certain questions or take certain other actions.
US08130936B2 System and method for on hold caller-controlled activities and entertainment
The present disclosure provides a system and method configured to provide a caller with selectable activities and entertainment when the caller is on-hold. The system and method establishes a connection between a caller and a receiving system, wherein the receiving system is configured to access a plurality of entertainment sources utilizing a selectable link. The receiving system can determine a caller's selection and retrieve the selection from an entertainment provider that stores the selection. The caller can select an entertainment category from a plurality of entertainment categories and select specific audible selections within the categories to be played to the caller. The system and method can provide a menu driven interaction and respond to voice commands and touchtone input to provide the selected entertainment from specific artists, games, and entertainers.
US08130934B1 Method and apparatus for providing network based muting of call legs
A method and apparatus for enabling a network service to provide a call center with an option that allows calling customers to mute their conversation prior to a customer care representative is available to answer the call while the customer is being placed on hold waiting are disclosed. The customer selects the muting option by entering, e.g., a predefined Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signal provided in a network announcement. The present invention also enables a network capability to un-mute the call leg as soon as the customer care representative is available to answer the customer call.
US08130929B2 Methods for obtaining complex data in an interactive voice response system
Methods and systems using voice recognition can obtain complex data from a database using simple data obtained from a user. The database associates and stores complex data with simple data. The interactive voice response system prompts the user for simple information, such as a phone number, which can be interpreted using voice recognition. The speech-obtained simple data is then matched with the simple data stored in the database. If a match is found, the complex data (e.g., a street address) stored with the simple data is communicated to the IVR system. The IVR system communicates the complex data to the user and prompts the user to confirm whether the complex data is accurate. The database can be a third-party database such as a computer accessible phone directory or a credit bureau.
US08130927B2 Enhanced directory for communications devices
In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a call, and continuously monitoring the call from or using a first endpoint associated with the call. Monitoring the call includes identifying when an information element associated with the call has changed. The method also includes determining when the information associated with the call has changed, and storing a representation of the information element in an enhanced directory arrangement associated with the first endpoint when the information associated with the call has changed.
US08130920B2 System and method for providing network information service using CID-type messages
A network-based announcement and message delivery service for providing a landline customer with information of interest such as weather, financial market data, time/temperature, sporting event results, etc. In a first embodiment, information is provided to a subscriber who simply lifts the handset of the telephone. The subscriber instead of hearing a dial tone hears the information in the form of streaming audio. In another embodiment, information is provided to the subscriber by way of information displayed on a caller-ID display and/or by way of talking caller-ID.
US08130917B2 Method and apparatus for group messaging
Methods and apparatuses for facilitating group messaging to various communication devices are disclosed. A method disclosed includes receiving from an originating user a broadcast message having an address designating at least in part a group of recipients. Next, an intended recipient may be identified based on at least a part of the address. An indication of the broadcast message may then be sent to the intended recipient in accordance with a sending method that is dynamically selected from a set of sending methods associated with the intended recipient based on characteristics associated with the intended recipient.
US08130911B2 Characteristics determination of a digital subscriber line
A system, method, and transceiver unit for determining one or more properties of a digital subscriber line (DSL) utilizing a time-variable finite impulse response (FIR) filter. The transceiver unit sends a loop test signal to the line and calculates an impulse response of a reflection of the loop test signal from the line. The calculated impulse response is filtered utilizing the time-variable FIR filter and properties of the line are determined. Characteristics of the FIR filter may be controlled by a set of parameters that vary as a function of time according to a predetermined formula. As a result, the FIR filter provides both high time resolution of closely separated pulses and amplification of far-end pulse reflections.
US08130907B2 Controlling X-ray imaging based on target motion
An image guided treatment is performed to treat a target. To perform the image guided treatment, measurement data indicative of target motion is acquired. A timing of one or more x-ray images is determined based on the measurement data. Treatment may be performed on the target using the position of the target.
US08130906B2 Radiation imaging and therapy apparatus for breast
A breast radiation imaging and therapy apparatus for performing radiation imaging of a breast and having a therapy function of applying radiation to an affected part in the breast. The apparatus includes: (i) a table formed with an opening for allowing a breast of an examinee to pass through; (ii) an imaging unit including a first radiation generating unit for applying an imaging radiation beam and a radiation detecting unit for detecting the radiation beam to output detection signals; (iii) a therapy unit including a second radiation generating unit for applying a therapeutic radiation beam, the second radiation generating unit being movable in a tangential direction of a rotational track around a rotational axis and movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the table; and (iv) at least one rotational driving device for rotating the imaging unit and the therapy unit around the rotational axis.
US08130901B2 Limiting an X-ray beam in connection with dental imaging
The present invention relates to limiting an x-ray beam used in connection with dental extra oral imaging by a plate mechanism (1) arranged to be operated by a drive mechanism including an actuator (3) arranged to move at least one plate element (2, 3) comprised in the mechanism (1). The plate mechanism (1) includes at least a first and a second plate element (2, 3) which include at least a first slot (12) and a second slot (13), respectively, and said drive mechanism is arranged to directly or indirectly move said first plate element (2) independently of location of said second plate element (3) and said second plate element (3) is arranged to be moved as dependent on the movements of said first plate element (2) only.
US08130897B2 X-ray CT system having a patient-surrounding, rotatable anode with an oppositely rotatable x-ray focus
An x-ray computed tomography apparatus has one anode ring in a vacuum housing surrounding an examination volume, wherein a focus of an x-ray source revolves on the anode ring to expose the examination volume with an x-ray beam from different directions, and a detector system arranged on a rotating frame that can rotate around a system axis. The detector system serves to detect the x-ray radiation exiting from the examination volume, wherein the detector system and the focus can rotate around the system axis synchronously and in the same rotation direction with a rotation angle offset by 180°. The apparatus also includes a computer to process the measurement values acquired by the detector system. The anode ring can be driven such that it rotates around the system axis, and the rotation direction of the anode ring and the rotation direction of the focus around the system axis are opposite while a rotation of the focus around the system axis ensues.
US08130893B2 Device and method for stimulation of magnetohydrodynamics
A magnetohydrodynamic simulator that includes a plasma container. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes an first ionizable gas substantially contained within the plasma container. In addition, the magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes a first loop positioned adjacent to the plasma container, wherein the first loop includes a gap, a first electrical connection on a first side of the gap, a second electrical connection of a second side of the gap, and a first material having at least one of low magnetic susceptibility and high conductivity. The first loop can be made up from an assembly of one or a plethora or wire loop coils. In such cases, electrical connection is made through the ends of the coil wires. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator further includes an electrically conductive first coil wound about the plasma container and through the first loop.
US08130892B2 ADPLL frequency synthesizer
In an ADPLL frequency synthesizer where a frequency control word is changed from FCW0 to FCW2, a control sensitivity estimation section firstly measures oscillatory frequencies f1L and f1H obtained, respectively, when frequency control words FCW1L and FCW1H being used as dummies are set, and then measures an oscillatory frequency f2 obtained when a frequency control word FCW2 is set. Thereafter, based on values of the oscillatory frequencies f1L, f1H and f2, the control sensitivity estimation section calculates a control sensitivity KDCO2 obtained when the frequency control word FCW2 is set. Based on a value of the control sensitivity KDCO2, the loop filter determines values of filter coefficients α2 and ρ2 so as to be equal to a natural frequency ωn and a damping factor ζ, respectively, both of which have been previously designed.
US08130890B2 Semiconductor memory device having data clock training circuit
A data clock frequency divider circuit includes a training decoder and a frequency divider. The training decoder outputs a clock alignment training signal, which is indicative of the start of a clock alignment training, in response to a command and an address of a mode register set. The frequency divider, which is reset in response to an output of the training decoder, receives an internal data clock to divide a frequency of the internal data clock in half. The data clock frequency divider circuit secures a sufficient operating margin so that a data clock and a system clock are aligned within a pre-set clock training operation time by resetting the data clock to correspond to a timing in which the clock training operation starts, thereby providing a clock training for a high-speed system.
US08130884B2 Apparatus and method for synchronizing signal analyzer
Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for synchronizing a signal analyzer. The apparatus includes an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), a signal storage unit, a trigger signal generation unit, a signal acquisition control unit, a signal analysis unit, and a time error control unit. The ADC converts the input signal into a corresponding digital signal. The signal storage unit stores therein the digital signal received from the ADC. The trigger signal generation unit generates a trigger signal for each predetermined period. the signal acquisition control unit acquires the digital signal from a signal acquisition time point. The signal analysis unit calculates the start position of a frame from the digital signal. The time error control unit calculates a time error between the time point at which each trigger signal is generated and the start position of the digital signal, and sets a subsequent signal acquisition time point based on the calculated time errors.
US08130882B2 Radio receiver having a multipath equalizer
A radio receiver has a multipath equalizer that includes a filter and a coefficient estimator. The filter provides a reconstructed signal by applying a transfer function including a reflection coefficient and a delay coefficient to a multipath radio signal. The coefficient estimator adapts the reflection coefficient and the delay coefficient in response to a deviation in magnitude of the reconstructed signal from a normalized value. In one form, the coefficient estimator adapts at least one of the reflection coefficient and the delay coefficient by estimating a partial derivative using a predetermined number of terms. In another form, the coefficient estimator acquires an initial value of the delay coefficient by determining a global minimum as a lowest one of a plurality of local minimums, each determined using a plurality of values of the delay coefficient, and selecting the initial value of the delay coefficient as its value at the global minimum.
US08130879B2 Apparatus and method for interference cancellation in receiver of communication system
An apparatus and method for interference cancellation is provided to cancel the interference such as echo and cross-talk received by a receiver of a communication system. The apparatus includes a digital cancellation signal generator, a first canceller, and a second canceller. The digital cancellation signal generator can generate a digital cancellation signal, which includes a first and a second portion and represents an interference signal within a received signal. The first canceller can perform an analog cancellation on the received signal to output a partially-interference-canceled received signal according to the first portion of the digital cancellation signal. The second canceller can perform a digital cancellation on the partially-interference-canceled received signal according to the second portion of the digital cancellation signal.
US08130876B2 Method for receiving a multi-carrier signal, transmission method, corresponding receiver and transmitter
The invention concerns a method for receiving a multi-carrier signal of reduced complexity when the number of carriers is not high. The method includes: demodulating the multi-carrier signal; converting a received signal received in binary representation into a modal representation in a base of at least two mutually prime numbers on a finite space of size equal to the product of the mutually prime numbers; demodulating including conversion.
US08130875B2 Method for estimating channel response in a wireless communications network based on pilot signals
The present invention discloses a method for estimating a channel response of data subcarriers in a wireless communications network. The method comprises estimating a first plurality of channel responses of pilot subcarriers carrying pilot signals at the time instance using pilot signals, generating a pseudo time instance for pilot subcarriers according to a predetermined rule, approximating a second plurality of channel responses at the pseudo time instance using the first plurality of channel responses, computing a rate of change in the channel response using the first and second plurality of channel responses, calculating a third plurality of channel responses of pilot subcarriers carrying data at the time instance using the first plurality of channel responses and the rate of change in the channel response, estimating the channel response of the data subcarriers from the first and third plurality of channel responses using a predetermined conventional two-dimensional channel estimation algorithm.
US08130874B2 By-pass arrangement of a low noise amplifier
The invention relates to an arrangement for bypassing a low noise amplifier unit in the front stage of a radio receiver, especially intended for the base stations of mobile communication networks. The front stage includes, in succession, a divider (420), an amplifier unit (430) comprising two parallel, low noise amplifier branches, and a first combiner (450). The by-pass arrangement includes a second combiner (443), by which the halves (E11, E12) of the received signal are combined immediately after the divider before the amplification. A change-over switch (SW) is then used to select either the signal that has propagated through the amplifier unit and then combined (G·E1) or the signal (E1′) that has been directly combined as the output signal of the front stage. Due to the invention, the noise figure of the front stage is improved and the integration of its structure is facilitated.
US08130864B1 System and method of beamforming with reduced feedback
A system and method of beamforming may reduce feedback requirements. In some implementations, a beamforming technique may employ a diagonal matrix as a beamforming matrix along with a stream-to-transmit antenna mapping matrix. In some antenna phase beamforming strategies, a diagonal beamforming matrix in which the diagonal elements have a constant magnitude may be employed. Accordingly, a beamforming system may be utilized with few feedback information bits being transmitted from the beamformee; such a system may also minimize or eliminate power fluctuations among multiple transmit antennae.
US08130860B2 Method and apparatus for preamble training with shortened long training field in a multiple antenna communication system
Methods and apparatus are provided for communicating data in a multiple antenna communication system having N transmit antennas. According to one aspect of the invention, a header format includes a legacy preamble having at least one legacy long training field and an extended portion having at least N additional long training fields on each of the N transmit antennas, wherein one or more of the at least N additional long training fields are comprised of only one Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. The extended portion optionally comprises one or more repeated OFDM symbols for frequency offset estimation. In one implementation, the extended portion comprises a first high throughput long training field comprised of two repeated OFDM symbols and N−1 high throughput long training fields comprised of only one OFDM symbol. In another variation, the extended portion comprises N high throughput long training fields comprised of only one OFDM symbol.
US08130859B2 Apparatus and method for detecting signal using multivariate polynomial in multiple input multiple output communication system
A signal detection apparatus and method in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a receiver for receiving training symbol vectors and a data signal vector from a transmitting end through a plurality of receive (Rx) antennas and a detector for expanding the training symbol vectors into second- or higher-order polynomials, for generating a weighting parameter vector for multivariate polynomial expansion of the data signal vector by using the polynomials expanded from the training symbol vectors and thereafter for expanding the data signal vector into a second- or higher-order multivariate polynomial using the weighting parameter vector, and for detecting Transmit (Tx) values of the data signal vector from the multivariate polynomial. Therefore, signal detection performance in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless communication system resembles that of a non-linear scheme while complexity resembles that of a linear scheme.
US08130851B2 Bandwidth efficient coding for an orthogonal frequency multiplexing OFDM system
A method for encoding an OFDM signal includes pairing two adjacent subcarriers of an OFDM signal as a group, changing a modulated symbol set of the OFDM signal to a modified symbol set for coding the OFDM signal, and providing a modified baseband OFDM signal with an increased frequency separation between the subcarriers and reducing the total number of subcarriers being used for transmission over each OFDM symbol interval.
US08130845B2 Method and apparatus for estimating and compensating for jitter in digital video
A method of estimating and compensating for jitter between two video frames in a digital video sequence comprises comparing a pixel subset in one video frame to candidate matching pixel subsets within a search area in the other video frame to obtain a preliminary matching pixel subset. Based on the location of the preliminary matching pixel subset, an adapted search area is formed and the comparing is continued within the adapted search area to obtain a final matching pixel subset. Motion is calculated between the video frames based on the final match thereby to estimate the jitter. The video frames are then transformed based on the estimated jitter.
US08130843B2 Moving picture stream generation apparatus, moving picture coding apparatus, moving picture multiplexing apparatus and moving picture decoding apparatus
To provide a moving picture stream generation apparatus and the like that generates a moving picture stream that can be played back in trick-play such as variable-speed playback and reverse playback even in a coding format such as the MPEG-4 AVC in which flexible prediction structures are allowed.A moving picture stream generation apparatus includes: a trick-play information generation unit TricPlay for generating supplemental information on a random access unit basis, the supplemental information being referred to at the time of playback of each random access unit and each random access unit including one or more pictures; and a variable length coding unit VLC for generating a stream including the generated supplemental information and the one or more pictures by adding the supplemental information to each corresponding random access unit. At the top of each random access unit, an intra coded picture that can be decoded without depending on any picture is placed, and the supplemental information includes information for specifying pictures to be decoded at the time when pictures included in each random access unit are played back in trick-play.
US08130840B2 Apparatus, method, and computer program product for generating interpolated images
An interpolated image generating apparatus calculates a motion vector reliability level indicating reliability of a motion vector used for inserting an interpolated image, the value of the motion vector reliability level being determined in such a manner that the stronger the correlation is between a source image area and a destination image area that are brought into correspondence with each other by the motion vector, the larger is the value. The apparatus also calculates a failure-preventing vector reliability level indicating reliability of a predetermined failure-preventing vector used for preventing image failures. The apparatus obtains a motion compensated image based on the motion vector, obtains a failure-preventing image based on the failure-preventing vector, and blends the motion compensated image and the failure-preventing image according to a weighted average thereof calculated by using a weighting factor based on the motion vector reliability level and the failure-preventing vector reliability level.
US08130838B2 Encoding device and dynamic image recording system using the encoding device
To encode a moving picture in real time in as high quality as possible, no matter whether a target bit rate for encoding the moving picture is high or low.An encoder performs motion compensated inter-picture predictive coding on moving picture data in a selected one of prediction modes. The encoder includes: a detecting section for detecting an accumulated error and a motion vector of a block, included in a picture to be encoded, by reference to a block in a reference picture to be used for each prediction mode; an estimating section for calculating an estimated value by adding a product of each accumulated error and a predetermined first coefficient and that of a predicted vector associated with each motion vector and a second coefficient; a determining section for selecting one of the prediction modes according to the estimated value; a coefficient updating section for updating a proportionality factor using at least a quantization scale used when the block to be encoded is quantized; and an encoding section for encoding the data of the block to be encoded in the prediction mode selected.
US08130834B2 Method and system for video encoding using a variable number of B frames
An effective method for dynamically selecting the number of I, P and B frames during video coding is proposed. Short-term look-ahead analysis of a video sequence yields a variable number of B frames to be coded between any two stored pictures. The first picture of a group of frames (GOF) may be coded as a B picture. Motion speed is calculated for each picture of the GOF with respect to the first picture of the GOF. Subject to exceptions, as long as the subsequent pictures exhibit motion speeds that are similar and motion vector displacements that are co-linear with those of the first picture in the GOF, they may be coded as B pictures. When a picture is encountered having a motion speed that is not the same as that of the first picture in the GOF, the picture may be coded as a P picture. In some embodiments, a sequence of B pictures that terminates in a P picture may be called a “group of frames” (GOF).
US08130831B2 Two-layer encoding for hybrid high-definition DVD
A hybrid high-definition encoder and method are disclosed, for processing signal data as a plurality of block transform coefficients for each of base layer data and enhancement layer data, where the encoder includes a two-layer decomposition unit for decomposing an original high-definition signal data sequence into base layer data and enhancement layer data, a standard-definition encoder coupled to the decomposition unit for encoding the base layer data as a base layer bitstream embodying a standard-definition data sequence, and a high-definition encoder coupled to the decomposition unit and the standard-definition encoder for encoding only the difference between the high-definition data and the standard-definition data as base layer picture user data embodying a high-definition data sequence.
US08130829B2 Method of encoding moving picture in mobile terminal and mobile terminal for executing the method
A method of encoding a moving picture of a mobile terminal by receiving a target object and encoding information including effect information to be applied to the target object from a user, and by applying the encoding information, and the mobile terminal using the method. Specifically, the method of encoding the moving picture of the mobile terminal including: receiving a target object and encoding information including effect information to be applied to the target object from a user; receiving a selection from a user with respect to whether to apply the encoding information when encoding the moving picture; and encoding the moving picture by applying the encoding information when the user selects to apply the encoding information.
US08130828B2 Adjusting quantization to preserve non-zero AC coefficients
A video encoder identifies one or more AC coefficients of each of plural blocks in the picture. The encoder identifies a threshold quantization step size such that the identified AC coefficient(s) of each of the plural blocks are nonzero after quantization according to the threshold quantization step size. The threshold quantization step size is such that quantization according to the next higher quantization step size would result in at least one of the identified AC coefficient(s) of at least one of the plural blocks being zero. For example, identifying the threshold quantization step size comprises identifying n top AC coefficients in each of four blocks of a macroblock, determining the smallest AC coefficient among the identified n top AC coefficients of the four blocks, and iteratively evaluating the smallest AC coefficient with respect to candidate quantization step sizes until the threshold quantization step size is identified.
US08130826B2 Systems and methods for preparing network data for analysis
Preparation of network data for analysis. An original frame representing a frame transmitted in a communications link can be received wherein the original frame comprises a payload. At least a portion of the payload can be removed from the original frame. Statistics can be inserted into the original frame to generate a modified frame. Original frames can be removed and not transmitted to an analysis system. A modified frame can represent several original frames that are removed. Additional frames can be generated. A frame can be generated that represents several original frames that have been removed. A generated frame or modified frame can indicate errors and/or preprocessing by a logic device.
US08130824B2 Method and apparatus for processing images, method and apparatus for recording and reproducing images, and television receiver utilizing the same
The moving images under reproduction are displayed in a main screen and a plurality of thumbnail images that serve as indexes by which to search for a desired scene are displayed. Moreover, the thus displayed thumbnail images are updated at a predetermined timing according as the moving images progress.
US08130823B2 Channel adaptive video transmission system for use with layered video coding and methods for use therewith
A video transmission system includes a transceiver module that transmits a video signal to a remote device over at least one RF communications channel wherein the video signal is transmitted as at least one separate video layer stream chosen from, an independent video layer stream and at least one dependent video layer streams that require the independent video layer for decoding. A control module determines at least one channel characteristic of the at least one RF channel and chooses the at least one separate video layer stream based on the at least one channel characteristic of the at least one RF channel.
US08130821B2 Equalization in capacitively coupled communication links
An integrated circuit containing a communication channel is described. This communication channel includes a transmit circuit configured to transmit signals using a voltage-mode driver, a receive circuit, and a capacitive link that couples the transmit circuit to the receive circuit. The communication channel includes a filter with a capacitive-summing junction to equalize signals communicated between the transmit circuit and the receive circuit.
US08130816B2 Receiver for receiving a spectrum dispersion signal
A receiver for the CDMA system which reduces power consumption during a suspension period of intermittent receiving operation by monitoring a suspension period by a low-power timer so that a VC-TCXO, reference signal group generation and receiving units are turned off and a modem unit is set to a sleep state. Upon resumption of receiving operation, a high-accuracy timer is started to count a time period and part of a received signal is stored. A PN code phase of stored data is calculated during the time period to obtain an indication value for phase deviation. State vectors for short and long codes and a further reception time are calculated based on the indication value. When the high-accuracy timer counts the time period and produces 0V(d), demodulation operation by a rake demodulation, demultiplexing, and descrambler units is started and is continued during the reception time.
US08130814B2 Orthogonal code division multiplex CCK (OCDM-CCK) method and apparatus for high data rate wireless LAN
Orthogonal Code Division Multiplexing (OCDM) transceiver system with Complementary Code Keying (CCK) and method for baseband OCDM-CCK encoding and decoding are provided. The OCDM-CCK method comprises a serial-to-parallel data converter converting a stream of M*n-bit serial data to n-bit parallel data in ‘M’ parallel baseband paths, and encoding each n-bit data segment with a distinct complementary code using CCK modulation for spreading. The CCK encoded baseband signals are all summed and transmitted simultaneously on the same carrier frequency and spread spectral bandwidth. The OCDM-CCK method of encoding and transmission of information, results in enhanced datarates of 33 Mbps, 88 Mbps, 176 Mbps and higher multiples of 5.5 Mbps with backward compatibility for IEEE 802.11b WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), and wireless communication networks supporting real time Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS).
US08130813B1 Method and apparatus for allocating a beacon signal in a wireless communication network
A method and apparatus for transmitting beacon signals in a wireless communications network. For a given cell site, a single frequency may be used for the beacon signal by assigning different beacon signal time slots to different sectors of the cell site. During one time slot, the beacon signal is transmitted to one of the sectors, and during another one of the time slots, the beacon signal is transmitted to a different one of the sectors. Because a single frequency can be used for all of the sectors of a cell site, more frequencies are available for other purposes, such as for user traffic, for example. The invention improves spectral efficiency, reduces adjacent channel interference and co-channel interference and allows power consumption to be controlled.
US08130812B2 Base station, user device, and communication control method
Multiple reference signal transmission bandwidths are defined for system frequency bands and hierarchical reference signal bandwidths are defined for each reference signal transmission bandwidth such that a reference signal bandwidth lower than a highest-order reference signal bandwidth is a division of a higher-order reference signal bandwidth. A base station stores reference signal bandwidth information indicating the hierarchical reference signal bandwidths for each system frequency band; broadcasts the reference signal bandwidth information corresponding to a reference signal transmission bandwidth used by the base station; sets a frequency hopping bandwidth for a reference signal; reports, to a user device, the frequency hopping bandwidth and a reference signal bandwidth as assigned reference signal transmission bandwidth information; sets a reference signal transmission frequency band within the frequency hopping bandwidth based on the reference signal bandwidth information and the assigned reference signal transmission bandwidth information; and receives the reference signal from the user device.
US08130811B2 Assessing quality of service using digital watermark information
The disclosure details methods of measuring the quality of service of received media signals by analyzing digital watermarks embedded in such signals. The quality of a received video or audio signal can thereby be assessed without having the original version of the signal before transmission. Instead, the strength or quality of the embedded digital watermark is analyzed to determine the quality of the received signal. The degradation of a watermark signal is used to assess quality of service of signals, such as audio and video. Several other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US08130810B2 Lasers
A laser apparatus comprises a laser having a lasing chamber an inlet to the lasing chamber for a lasing gas containing a heavy noble gas and an outlet from the lasing chamber for the discharge of a flow of lasing gas, wherein the outlet is able to be paced in communication with the atmospheric through an adsorptive trap containing a selective adsorbent of the heavy noble gas.In operation, the heavy noble gas (xenon or krypton) is adsorbed in the trap. The trap may be taken to a remote site for the recovery of the heavy noble gas when it is approaching saturation.
US08130808B2 Two dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser
Provided is a two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser which can suppress light leaking outside in an in-plane direction of the two-dimensional photonic crystal and an absorption loss in an active layer caused by the latter layer serving as an absorbing layer without contributing to light emission, and can improve light use efficiency. The surface emitting laser has a laminated structure in which an active layer and a photonic crystal layer are laminated in a vertical direction, has a resonance mode in an in-plane direction of the photonic crystal, and light is extracted in a vertical direction to a surface of the photonic crystal, wherein the laminated structure has a multi-refractive index layer including a central region made of a high refractive index medium and a peripheral portion made of a low refractive index medium with a lower refractive index than that of the high refractive index medium.
US08130807B2 Diode laser array and method for manufacturing such an array
The invention relates to a diode laser array with at least one laser bar and having at least one emitter and a heat sink array for cooling the at least one laser bar.
US08130806B2 AlGaInN-based lasers produced using etched facet technology
A process for fabricating lasers capable of emitting blue light wherein a GaN wafer is etched to form laser waveguides and mirrors using a temperature of over 500° C. and an ion beam in excess of 500 V in CAIBE.
US08130804B2 Laser diode and method of manufacturing the same
A laser diode capable of independently driving each ridge section, and inhibiting rotation of a polarization angle resulting from a stress applied to the ridge section without lowering reliability and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A laser diode includes: three or more strip-like ridge sections in parallel with each other with a strip-like trench in between, including at least a lower cladding layer, an active layer, and an upper cladding layer in this order; an upper electrode on a top face of each ridge section, being electrically connected to the upper cladding layer; a wiring layer electrically connected to the upper electrode, in the air at least over the trench; and a pad electrode in a region different from regions of both the ridge section and the trench, being electrically connected to the upper electrode through the wiring layer.
US08130801B2 Method of and photonic device for eliminating or substantially reducing sensitivity to polarization of an injected optical signal and method of manufacturing such photonic device
An photonic device, comprising one section of a material which is different from the material of another section such that the two sections present different optical birefringent index values. This causes a first set of polarization modes to move in a spectral space with a different velocity than a second set of polarization modes. A bias current, or voltage, is used for controlling the overall birefringence effect in the device. The biasing for controlling the birefringence effect is performed such the TE modes and the TM modes of the device are made to coincide in their respective spectral position. Thus the device is made insensitive, or presents substantially reduced sensitivity, to the polarization of any incoming optical signal.
US08130798B2 Method for formatting digital broadcast transport stream packet for improved receiving performance, digital broadcast transmitter, and signal processing method thereof
A method of formatting a digital broadcast transport stream packet, a digital broadcast transmitter, and a signal processing method thereof, includes constructing a transport stream packet that includes a stuffing region for an insertion of a known supplementary reference signal (SRS) data therein, randomizing the packet that includes the stuffing region is randomized, and the SRS data is inserted into the stuffing region of the randomized packet. Adding a parity for an error correction to the packet into which the SRS data has been inserted, the packet to which the parity has been added is interleaved, and a trellis encoding of the interleaved packet is performed. Inserting a segment sync signal and a field sync signal into the trellis-encoded packet, and a vestigial side band (VSB) modulation and an RF conversion of the packet are performed to transmit the VSB-modulated and RF-converted packet.
US08130795B2 In-band time synchronization technique
A communication system includes devices configured to communicate with each other via wireless communication by exchanging information in a sequence of time slots in frames. These time slots may be synchronized across the devices using distributed mutual synchronization in which each device exchanges time stamps in the frames with other devices to stabilize clock signals in the devices about a common frequency. Moreover, a time stamp in a given time slot may be generated by a transmitting device, which is transmitting in the given time slot, based on a clock signal in the transmitting device.
US08130794B2 Video signal transmission device, video signal transmission and receiving system, and video processing system, that transmit/receive over a clock line
The present invention is intended to permit both real-time display of a picture represented by a non-compressed video signal on a television and display of a picture represented by a compressed video signal at any desired time by simultaneously transmitting the compressed video signal and non-compressed video signal via one interface. An STB packetizes a compressed video signal, and multiplexes the compressed video signal and a blanking signal combined with a non-compressed video signal. Thus, both the video signals are transmitted simultaneously. A picture represented by the non-compressed video signal is displayed on a television in real time. The compressed video signal is stored in a storage medium incorporated in the television, read at any user's desired time, and decoded so that a picture represented by the compressed video signal can be viewed at the user's desired time.
US08130790B2 Digital communications system with variable-bandwidth traffic channels
Electronic devices and equipment may communicate over a wired communications path. The wired communications path may include one or more wires and may be associated with a headphone cable. Data may be conveyed in the form of a digital data stream containing multiple traffic channels. The digital data stream may include superframes, each of which has multiple frames of data. The frames of data may each contain a number of data slots. Some of the slots in a superframe may be used exclusively by a particular one of the traffic channels. Boundary slots may be shared between traffic channels. Data interface circuitry may implement a data dispersion algorithm that determines the pattern in which data from each traffic channel is distributed within each boundary slot. Transmitting data interface circuitry may merge traffic channels into a single data stream. Receiving data interface circuitry may reconstruct the traffic channels.
US08130783B2 Method of joining a cell using a proxy coordinator, and a network therefor
A method of joining a cell by using a proxy coordinator. The method of joining a cell by using a proxy coordinator includes requesting a second device to operate as a proxy coordinator from a first device positioned out of a beacon frame reachable area of the cell, transmitting a time period to operate as the proxy coordinator allocated by a coordinator of the cell, informing the first device that the second device can operate as the proxy coordinator, transmitting a cell join request to the proxy coordinator from the first device through the second device, and transmitting a beacon frame including time allocation information from the coordinator to the first device through the second device.
US08130781B2 Method and apparatus for providing dynamic selection of carriers
An approach is provided for communicating in a multi-carrier system. A carrier selector selects one or more carriers among a plurality of carriers for transport of data over the multi-carrier system, wherein the data is transmitted using the selected carriers.
US08130776B1 Method and apparatus providing network coding based flow control
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing network based flow control is presented. A linear combination of packets to transmit from a transmit queue is determined. The linear combination of packets is transmitted across a network using a sliding window protocol. An acknowledgement (ACK) is generated, wherein a packet is acknowledged when a receiving node receives the linear combination of packets and determines which packet of the linear combination of packets has been newly seen.
US08130775B2 Mechanism for protecting a pseudo-wire
A method is provided for setting up at least two pseudo-wires able to broadcast a stream of data, wherein a first pseudo-wire is set up between an input router of a packet-switched network and first output router of the packet-switched network, and a second pseudo-wire is set up between the input router and a second output router of the packet-switched network. A first link of the first pseudo-wire is set up between the first output router and an intermediate router of the packet-switched network. A second link of the second pseudo-wire is set up between the second output router and the intermediate router. A third link of both pseudo-wires is set up between the intermediate router and the input router.
US08130772B2 Electronic communications recording system
An electronic communications recording system (20) comprises a packet data network (PDN) (22) configured to support a PDN protocol. A gateway (24) comprises at least one gateway input port which is connectable to a respective one of at least one communications carrier (No to Nn) carrying data relating to a plurality of communications events according to a respective carrier protocol type; and at least one PDN port connected to the PDN. The gateway is configured to translate data at said at least one input port from the respective carrier protocol type to PDN data in the PDN protocol. At least one communications event analyzer (26) is connected to the PDN and configured to receive as addressed destination at a service access point (19), translated PDN data associated with at least one predetermined port of said at least one gateway input port, to process the received PDN data and to extract from the received PDN data, communications event data relating to at least one communications event.
US08130769B2 Configuring a network device
A method performed by a device adapted for communication over a network includes establishing a presence on the network, obtaining default configuration information for the device via the network, the default configuration information identifying a service on the network, receiving a request for validation information from the service, providing the validation information to the service, the service generating device-specific information in response to the validation information, and obtaining the device-specific information.
US08130768B1 Enhanced gateway for routing between networks
A network gateway is disclosed, wherein for a received communication, the gateway determines a network component to which information for the communication is routed based upon one or more of: (a) a characterization of the source of the communication, (b) a characterization of non-address data in the communication, and (c) services applied to the communication by the gateway. The characterization of the communication source can be related to a perceived risk that the communication may be illicitly compromised or may cause a malfunction in a network component. The characterization of non-address data identifies a use of the communication, or service to be applied to the communication prior to reaching its destination, or a security feature (or lack thereof) of the communication. The services applied by the gateway are generally generic services for facilitating appropriate non-malicious communications, e.g., such services can be for a firewall, secure communications (virtual private network), FTP communications, voice over IP, email, and general Internet communications.
US08130767B2 Method and apparatus for aggregating network traffic flows
A method of aggregating network traffic flows for network traffic elements is described. The traffic elements are characterized by a plurality of characteristics having respective values, where a flow profile is formed by classifying each element into one of a plurality of flows dependent on its characteristic value. The method comprises the steps of obtaining an instantaneous flow profile and aggregating flows from the flow profile having a common value for a characteristic.
US08130759B2 Routing validation
A simulator simulates routing system protocols to build routing tables corresponding to a modeled network, and a comparator compares the routing tables in the actual network to these simulator-created routing tables. Because the modeled system represents a fault-free version of the actual system, and assuming that the modeled routing system protocols are representative of the algorithms used in the actual routers, these simulator-produced routing tables will represent the ‘ideal’ routing tables that should be present in the routers of the actual network. By querying each router in the actual network for its routing table and comparing each routing table to the corresponding simulator-produced routing table, any differences from the ‘ideal’ can be identified.
US08130758B2 System and method for low latency market data
A method for low latency data comprises receiving a data stream comprising data from a data source, receiving the data via one or more queues, where each of the one or more queues is associated with one or more filters adapted to filter the data based at least upon a time predicate to create filtered data. Each of the one or more filters is established by one or more subscribers. The method also comprises receiving a portion of the filtered data that was filtered by a filter established by a particular one or more subscribers, and publishing the portion of the filtered data for the particular one or more subscribers.
US08130755B2 Load balancing with direct terminal response
Generally, a terminal can access a resource selection device to access a content source, the content source being structured and arranged to respond directly to the terminal. For example, a PC (“personal computer”) may be pointed at a load-balancing switch. The load balancing switch translates the PC's traffic and directs the PC traffic to a server (or switch) providing streaming services. The server responds directly to the terminal, but uses the IP address/identity of the load-balancing switch with which the terminal is communicating.
US08130753B2 Two-dimensional circulating switch
A one-dimensional circulating switch may be defined by connections between several switch modules and one or more temporal cyclic rotators. Where a switch module that is part of a first one-dimensional circulating switch is also connected one or more temporal cyclic rotators that define a second one-dimensional circulating switch, a two-dimensional circulating switch is formed. A two-dimensional circulating switch is flexible and may scale to capacities ranging from a few gigabits per second to multiple Petabits per second.
US08130751B1 Active user registry
An Active User Registry system includes a database which is integrated with the POTS network and a packet network to exploit the outstanding strengths of both of its constituents. The Active User Registry database is a dynamic data structure of all the ways in which one or more users can be reached via some type of communication network. A key feature of the Active User Registry is the ability to broker between a subscriber's request for communications contact information corresponding to a user and the user's preferences of being reached by various communications alternatives.
US08130749B2 Telephone network interface bridge between data telephony networks and dedicated connection telephony networks
A computerized telephony bridge unit has a Data Network Telephony (DNT) Port and a Connection Oriented/Switched Telephony (COST) trunk port, each associated with circuitry for receiving a placing calls in the data format required by connected networks. The bridge unit further comprises conversion circuitry for converting data dynamically between network protocols compatible with each connected network. Control routines executable on the computerized bridge unit are adapted to receive a first call from one of the COST and DNT networks, to place a call associated with the received call on the network other than the network on which the call is received, and to dynamically convert data between a call connected at one port and a call connected at the other port. The data network can be the Internet, and the COST network can be any publicly or privately switched dedicated-connection-oriented telephone network. Association between calls between two otherwise incompatible networks can be by a locally-stored lookup table, by negotiation with a caller, or by retrieval of data from incoming calls. Methods for practicing the invention are taught in the disclosure.
US08130743B2 Cellular radiotelephone signal permitting synchronization of a supplementary channel by means of a principal channel and corresponding method, terminal and base station
The disclosure relates to a cellular radiotelephone signal of the type comprising, a principal bidirectional symmetrical channel, comprising a principal uplink path and a principal downlink path, particularly to guarantee transmission of data at low or medium rate and of the signalling information and commands, at least one auxiliary channel working only in the downlink sense, particularly to guarantee the data transmission at high rates, using a multi-carrier technique which gives a distribution of data over time and frequency, with a sub-frame structure. The beginning of at least one sub-frame in the supplemental channel is offset by a time interval of fixed duration which is not zero (Δt) with relation to a determined time (t0), fixed in the principal channel, such as to permit a synchronization at the sub-frame level of the supplementary channel in a terminal, by instantaneous detection of said determined time (t0) and addition of said time interval (Δt).
US08130736B2 Method and system for facilitating channel measurements in a communication network
A method and system for facilitating channel measurements in a communication network is disclosed. The method includes contending for a control channel to reserve a logical subchannel of a data channel. The control channel operates in a first frequency band and the data channel operates in a second frequency band. Further, the method includes sending an announce message on the control channel for announcing a reservation at a particular time period of the logical subchannel of the data channel when the contention for the control channel is successful, sending a channel sense message on the logical subchannel of the data channel at the particular time period to facilitate at least one other node to perform channel measurements based on the channel sense message, and monitoring the data channel and performing channel measurements based on at least one other channel sense message received from the at least one other node.
US08130733B2 Providing ad-hoc interoperability among network nodes
A method of providing interoperability among communications network nodes. Interoperability types, including a basic type of interoperability, are defined. For each interoperability type, a support capability is defined for implementation on a node without modification to the node application layer. On each node is provided at least the basic interoperability type support capability. Each node can use the basic interoperability type support capability to obtain, on an ad-hoc basis, a support capability for another type of interoperability with another node. This method facilitates system-of-systems interoperability while lowering complexity and risk.
US08130732B1 Enhanced channel access mechanisms for QoS-driven wireless LANs
A method and a system are disclosed for providing quality of service (QoS)-driven channel access within a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless network. A contention control (CC) frame is sent from a point coordinator (PC) station of the BSS. The CC frame contains information relating to a number of available centralized contention opportunities (CCOs) for receiving a reservation request (RR) in a centralized contention interval (CCI) following the CC frame. The CC frame also contains information relating to the identification of stations from which an RR was successfully received by the PC station in a preceding CCI. The CC frame is sent by the PC station during a contention-free period (CFP) of a superframe. The superframe includes a contention-free period (CFP) and a contention period (CP). The CC frame is received at a non-PC station in the BSS.
US08130731B2 Method, network nodes and system for broadcast transmission of data
Disclosed are methods for broadcast transmission of data in frames having multiple time slots, from one transmitting node to multiple receiving nodes in a network, having the following steps: The sending out of at least one broadcast request message from the transmitter node to the receiver nodes, wherein the time slots available to the transmitter node for data transmission are indicated; the transmitting back of time-slot granting messages from the receiving nodes, wherein at least one of the time-slots available to the respective receiver node for data transmission is in each case indicated jointly with one at the transmitter node; the sending out of a confirmation message from the transmitter node to the neighboring receiving nodes, wherein all of the receiving nodes are indicated in the time-slot granting messages jointly with the time-slots available at the transmitter node; the performing of a broadcast transmission of the data from the transmitter node to the receiver nodes in the jointly available time slots.
US08130726B2 Coarse bin frequency synchronization in a communication system
For frequency bin error estimation, multiple hypotheses are formed for different frequency bin errors, pilot offsets, or combinations of frequency bin error and pilot offset. For each hypothesis, received symbols are extracted from the proper subbands determined by the hypothesis. In one scheme, the extracted received symbols for each hypothesis are despread with a scrambling sequence to obtain despread symbols for that hypothesis. A metric is derived for each hypothesis based on the despread symbols, e.g., by deriving a channel impulse response estimate based on the despread symbols and then deriving the metric based on the channel impulse response estimate. In another scheme, the extracted received symbols for each hypothesis are correlated, and a metric is derived based on the correlation results. For both schemes, the frequency bin error and/or the pilot offset are determined based on the metrics for all hypotheses evaluated.
US08130723B2 Method and apparatus for improving reordering functionality in a wireless communications system
A method for improving a reordering functionality in a wireless communications system comprises configuring a reset timer, utilized for controlling the reset of a reordering functionality of a protocol entity, reassembling all received protocol data units in the protocol entity with previously stored protocol data unit segments, and discarding all protocol data unit segments that cannot be reassembled in the protocol entity.
US08130717B2 Random access method using different frequency hopping patterns between neighboring cells and mobile communication device
Provided are a random access method of a mobile station and a mobile communication device performing the same. The mobile station can obtain a diversity gain without a Random Access Channel (RACH) burst collision by hopping according to a cell group in a frequency domain and transmitting a random access when random access resources are used between neighboring cells and detect an RACH even with low transmission power by applying switching diversity together with the frequency hopping.
US08130716B2 Radio base station and scheduling method
The present invention is to accommodate a large number of users required in a digital radio communication system and to prevent communication quality from deteriorating. The present invention is to prevent the occurrence of a delay by adding a process for restricting packet assignment for a call having low communication quality. When the average DRC value is equal to or smaller than a threshold, assigned slots are thinned out to improve communication quality for radio terminals close to cell boundaries and to increase the number of radio terminals accommodated. As a method for thinning out assigned slots, packets received from an upper level unit of a radio base station are, for example, discarded before transmission as long as the lowest limit sound quality is maintained. With this operation, the lowest limit sound quality is ensured.
US08130715B2 Base station and method of generating a synchronization channel
A synchronization channel is generated by generating, as a P-SCH basic waveform, a signal sequence in which codes with constant amplitude in a frequency domain are placed at intervals of a predetermined number of subcarriers; transforming the signal sequence into a time domain; multiplying the signal sequence transformed into the time domain with a predetermined code sequence; retransforming the signal sequence multiplied with the predetermined code sequence into the frequency domain; generating an S-SCH signal sequence; and multiplexing the signal sequence retransformed into the frequency domain and the S-SCH signal sequence.
US08130714B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting signal in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting a signal in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The signal transmission method includes generating encoded packet data for transmission on an uplink, setting distributed resources in a plurality of contiguous subframes, and transmitting at least part of the encoded packet data through the distributed resources to a base station. The distributed resources are interleaved on a subframe basis according to a permutation pattern and the permutation pattern is different for each subframe.
US08130711B2 Method for allocating pilots
There is provided a method for allocating pilots to a sub-frame. The sub-frame includes a plurality of blocks in time domain. The method includes allocating a data demodulation (DM) pilot used for demodulating data to two blocks spaced not contiguous with each other, and allocating a channel quality (CQ) pilot. System capacity can be increased, and degradation of performance incurred by a channel estimation error can be minimized.
US08130707B2 Radio communication system, radio transmission device, and RACH transmission method
Disclosed are a radio communication system, a radio transmission device, and a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission method capable of reducing the important information conflict probability and improving the communication system throughput in a channel transmitted at a random timing such as RACH. In a frame configuration used by the communication system, the number of slots of RACH is reduced by one and the resource for the slot is equally allocated as a resource for a pilot/User Equipment-Identification (UE-ID) of other slots. This increases the resource amount of the pilot/UE-ID. Furthermore, the resource of the pilot/UE-ID is divided into a plurality of sub slots, which are allocated as resource blocks for respective mobile stations.
US08130706B2 Wireless communication method and apparatus for supporting reconfiguration of radio link control parameters
A variety of wireless communication methods and apparatus for supporting reconfiguration of radio link control (RLC) parameters are disclosed. A radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message is generated that indicates that an RLC unit in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) or a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) should be reconfigured from supporting flexible size RLC protocol data units (PDUs) to supporting fixed size RLC PDUs. If an information element (IE) “one sided RLC re-establishment” is present in the RRC reconfiguration message, only a receiving side subassembly in the RLC unit is re-established. Otherwise, both the receiving side subassembly and a transmitting side subassembly in the RLC unit are re-established. Flexible size RLC PDUs may be discarded and a message indicating the discarded flexible size RLC PDUs may be transmitted. The flexible size RLC PDUs may be modified such that they correspond to a set of pre-defined sizes.
US08130704B2 Multi-tier wireless home mesh network with a secure network discovery protocol
An apparatus and method for a multi-tier wireless home mesh network is described. The method may include formation of an infrastructure-less wireless home mesh networking environment comprising a collection of nodes that operate as a decentralized, ad hoc wireless network with multiple sub-networks or tiers that are responsible for different functions within the network. Each node of the multi-tier network is configured to forward data to other nodes and is assigned to a particular tier based on the node's performance capabilities. A further embodiment includes identification of a wireless home mesh network. Once identified, one or more proprietary messages may be exchanged in a secure manner to establish connections with a home electronics device as either a mobile node or a stationary node of the home network. A home electronics device may wirelessly communicate to route data within one or more nodes of the wireless home mesh network. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08130700B2 Method and system for providing network and routing protocols for utility services
A method and system for providing a network and routing protocol for utility services are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises discovering a utility network, wherein a utility device (for example, a constant powered meter) sends network discovery messages to find the utility network. Neighboring meters are discovered and the device listens for advertised routes for one or more networks from the neighbors. The device is then registered with one or more utility networks, receiving a unique address for each network registration. Also illustrated in this invention disclosure is how each device of a class of devices (for example, battery powered meter) finds and associates itself with another device (for example, constant powered meter). The constant powered meter also registers its associate battery powered meter with the utility networks. The constant powered meter registers itself with the access points and the upstream nodes in the path out of each network. Each upstream node can independently make forwarding decisions on both upstream and downstream packets i.e. choose the next hop according to the best information available to it. The constant powered meter can sense transient link problems, outage problems, and traffic characteristics. It uses the information to find the best route out of and within each network. Each network device thus maintains multi-egress, multi-ingress network routing options both for itself and the device(s) associated with it.
US08130699B2 Multi-band channel aggregation
Multiple channels are aggregated. In an example embodiment, first data is transmitted on a first channel to a wireless device, and second data is simultaneously transmitted on a second channel to the wireless device. The first data and the second data are transmitted in a coordinated manner by aggregating the first channel and the second channel. Various example channel characteristics and combinations thereof are described. Different data allocation options for aggregated channels are described. Other alternative implementations are also presented herein.
US08130698B2 Changing an operation state and recovering a network of a WLAN device
Access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) is controlled by identifying a D3 system event. The wireless local area network device associated with the D3 system event is removed and the removal of the wireless local area network device is reported to a wireless local area network device manager. A driver of the wireless local area network device is unloaded and any remaining wireless local area network devices within the wireless local area network are powered down.
US08130696B2 Transmitting an information signal over antennas
An information signal is spread with a first spreading sequence producing a first spread signal for transmission over a first antenna. The information signal is spread with the first spreading sequence producing a second spread signal for transmission over a second antenna. The second antenna is not the first antenna. The relative position of the information signal and the first spreading sequence is different in the second spread signal than the first spread signal.
US08130693B2 MIMO satellite system
A satellite communication system is disclosed that utilizes multiple antenna for subscriber terminals to process streams. A first node relays a first stream between the ground station and the subscriber terminals. A second node relays the second lower information rate signal to the subscriber terminals. Spatial relationships are used to differentiate the first stream from the second stream. At least one of the first and second nodes includes a satellite, and the first and second nodes are separated by 50 miles or more. Optionally, frequency ranges for the first and second streams overlap in time. In some cases, the second stream can contain additional information where the second node is terrestrial.
US08130692B2 Data handling in a distributed communication network
In one embodiment, a system for data handling in a distributed communication network includes a data-handling node (DHN) residing at a mission management center (MMC). The MMC manages operations of one or more remote units. The DHN receives a stream of data units from a routing system. The stream of data units includes both stored mission data (SMD) and telemetry data having originated at the remote units. The DHN, in near real time, extracts the telemetry data from the stream of data units, identifies one or more subsystems of the MMC for receiving the extracted telemetry data, and communicates the extracted telemetry data to the identified subsystems of the MMC for processing.
US08130687B2 Multi-stage setup for long-term evolution multimedia broadcast multicast service transmissions
A system for providing a service is provided. The system includes a central control to promote a plurality of cells to use a first counting method to determine whether user equipment within the plurality of cells are interested in the service. Based on responses from at least one of the cells having interested user equipment, the central control promotes the at least one of the cells to either provide the service via point-to-multipoint broadcast, or use a second counting method to determine whether to provide the service via point-to-multipoint broadcast or point-to-point communication.
US08130685B2 Mobile communication system, base station, mobile station, and power-saving transmission and reception method used in them
There is provided a mobile communication system that can prevent a situation in which, although there is no occasion to receive packets for a mobile station, the reception processing is continued and useless power is undesirably consumed. The mobile communication system includes a base station that repeats a transmission period and a transmission halt period with a constant control cycle, and mobile station that repeats a reception period and a reception halt period with a constant control cycle (antenna, duplexer, reception unit, user data separation unit, packet transmission determination unit, reception period determination unit, packet reception determination unit, and signal synthesis unit). The mobile station alternately repeats the reception period and reception halt period, sends the reception result to the base station, and starts the reception period according to the start of the transmission period of the base station to receive packets. In case all the packets cannot be correctly received during the reception period, the reception period is extended by a predetermined period in the control cycle. Furthermore, in case all the packets can be correctly received during the reception period, the mobile station transfers to the reception halt period to halt the reception.
US08130679B2 Individual processing of VoIP contextual information
A method and system for processing received VoIP data packets based on preferences of a recipient client or capabilities of a recipient computing device is provided. Several users and/or service providers are allowed to specify rules instructing how to process contextual information upon receipt of the contextual information. More specifically, a recipient computing device may have contextual processing rules specified based on its individual need and capability. The contextual processing rules may indicate what application can be used on a certain type of contextual information. Based on the contextual processing rules, the contextual information may be stored in local storage of the recipient computing device or forwarded to another device. In this manner, each recipient computing device of the recipient client can process contextual information based on its need and capability.
US08130674B2 Discovery and rediscovery protocol method and system
A management station discovers agent devices connected to a network by broadcasting discovery messages having a session number and waiting for discovery acknowledge unicast messages from at least some of the discovery aware agent devices connected to the network. The management station receives the discovery acknowledge unicast messages from the agent devices and each message comprises the session number and an address uniquely identifying the agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message. The management station then sends a unicast registration message having a sequence number based on the session number of the discovery message. At that point, the agent device will be registered permitting further communication to the registered discovery aware agent device. The management station will send, periodically, rediscovery messages having the same session number as the discovery message. The discovery aware agent devices connected to the network which have not previously responded to a discovery or rediscovery message having the same session number or have not received a registration message with a sequence number related to the session number will respond to subsequent rediscovery messages. The agent devices will not respond to subsequent rediscovery messages if the agent device has previously received a unicast registration message with a sequence number related to the session number of the multicast discovery message or the subsequent multicast rediscovery message.
US08130667B2 Preamble group selection in random access of wireless networks
A transport block size (TBS) of a first uplink message (RACH Msg3) transmitted on a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) during a random access procedure in a User Equipment (UE) accessing a radio access network may be determined by receiving a pathloss threshold parameter. A downlink pathloss value indicative of radio link conditions between the UE and a base station (eNB) serving the UE is then determined. A smaller value of TBS is selected from a set of TBS values if the determined pathloss value is greater than an operating power level of the UE minus the pathloss threshold parameter. A larger value of TBS is selected if the pathloss value is less than the operating power level of the UE minus the pathloss threshold parameter and the TBS required to transmit the RACH Msg3 exceeds the smaller TBS value.
US08130665B2 Load sharing in mobile radio communcations network
The present invention relates to a method of providing load sharing through network controlled cell reselection in a mobile radio communications network, including delivering an offset parameter to User Equipment within the network for biasing the said reselection, the method further including the step of broadcasting the offset parameter to the User Equipment within system information and so as to be cell-specific, further delivering load-sharing-priority-keys and subsequently processing the offset parameter with the load-sharing-priority-keys so as to become User Equipment specific.
US08130664B2 Macro-diversity region rate modification
A system including a buffer to receive and store a stream of content data. A controller module may be configured to determine the macro-diversity region size based on a set of pre-selected configuration parameters including an incoming rate of the content data and to allocate at least a portion of the content data to a macro-diversity region, to monitor an amount of the content data in the buffer in accordance with the set of pre-selected configuration parameters including an incoming rate of the content data to determine whether the amount of content data falls into or out of a target range defined by a low-end value and a high-end value and to adjust the size of the macro-diversity region by one or more increments in response to changes in the amount of the content data in accordance with the target range.
US08130662B1 Method and apparatus for providing transcoding in a network
A method and apparatus for providing a centralized or regionalized transcoding function are disclosed. For example, the method detects a codec mismatch during a call setup between a calling party endpoint device and a called party endpoint device. The method then invokes a transcoding function directly by at least one border element (BE) to handle the detected mismatch, where the transcoding function is performed by at least one centralized or regionalized transcoding server and at least one media resource.
US08130659B2 RF transceiver system with adjustable transmission parameters and methods for use therewith
A circuit includes a transceiver coupled to transmit an outbound signal in accordance with a plurality of transmit parameters to at least one remote station and receive an inbound signal from the at least one remote station. The transceiver detects a packet transmission failure, selects one of a plurality of transmission failure causes, and adjusts at least one of a plurality of transmit parameters, based on the selected one of the plurality of transmission failure causes.
US08130657B2 Network routing using a retransmission-time-based link metric
A system computes link costs for a multi-hop wireless network. During operation, the system receives topological information for the multi-hop wireless network which includes a set of nodes, a set of links, and a success probability for a respective link. The system then obtains an average media access time for the multi-hop wireless network. The system also obtains a retransmission time for a respective node in the set of nodes. Next, the system computes a link metric value for a respective link based on the corresponding link success probability, the average media access time, and the corresponding retransmission time. The system then produces a link cost for the link based on the associated link metric value.
US08130656B2 Method and device for routing mesh network traffic
A method and device for routing to a non-mesh network a first data flow received at a first mesh gateway via a wireless link as provided improves network efficiency. According to one aspect, the method includes determining that available bandwidth of a backhaul link to the non-mesh network through the first mesh gateway is below a threshold value. The first data flow is then determined to have a higher priority than a second data flow that is currently routed through the first mesh gateway to the non-mesh network. The second data flow is then forwarded to a second mesh gateway, whereby the second mesh gateway routes the second data flow to the non-mesh network. The first data flow is then routed to the non-mesh network through the first mesh gateway after forwarding the second data flow to the second mesh gateway.
US08130654B2 Context-aware packet switching
Embodiments of a communication system, a method, and a device for use with the communication system are described. Communication between the devices in the communication system may be enabled by the method. In particular, nodes or devices (henceforth referred to as devices) in a network (such as an ad-hoc network) in the communication system may exchange a dynamic network context via communication with neighboring devices. These devices may use the dynamic network context to determine how network resources are shared during the communication, including performing context-aware packet switching of packets (including data packets) in an information flow.
US08130651B2 Addressable fiber node
A system and method for providing a hybrid fiber network (HFN) means to identify a fiber node by a unique address. An addressing module is installed in proximity to, or collocated with, a fiber node. The addressing module comprises an addressing module identifier that associates the addressing module with a particular fiber node. Network parameter values are received from the fiber node by the addressing module and reported to a reporting station.
US08130649B2 Ingress traffic flow control in a data communications system
Embodiments of the invention provide flow control of incoming data packets to data processing resources via a controller that can receive and react to advanced backpressure messages. These advanced backpressure messages are used to rate limit the data packets based one or more of the following factors: traffic class, traffic priority, destination port. The controller can also generate a traffic preference message to an upstream source of the data packets to inform the upstream unit of the most appropriate type of data that should be transmitted downstream at that time, thereby improving the likelihood of the transmitted data being processed in a proper and timely manner by the downstream data processing resources. Embodiments of the invention can improve the performance of a communications system during periods of congestion by ensuring that high-priority traffic has precedence over traffic of lower priority while maximizing utilization of the ingress data path bandwidth.
US08130643B2 System and method for controlling a data transfer over a network
A method is provided in one example and includes querying for a total capacity for data transmissions for a local network segment, and identifying an available capacity for the local network segment by subtracting a sum of current aggregate consumption of the local network segment from the total capacity. The method also includes comparing the available capacity to a requested capacity that is generated by a network element for a specific communication session. If the requested capacity is equal to or greater than the available capacity, the request is withheld and not transmitted. In more specific embodiments, if the requested capacity is less than the available capacity, the request is transmitted. The query can be communicated to a gateway. In still other embodiments, the query includes a specific query as to a capacity allocated for video data and the network element is a set-top box.
US08130640B2 Frame structure for an adaptive modulation wireless communication system
A method of simplifying the encoding of a predetermined number of bits of data into frames including adding error coding bits so that a ratio of the frame length times the baud rate of the frame times he bit packing ratio of the data divided the total bits of data is always an integer. The method may also convolutionally encode the bits of data so that the same equation is also always an integer.
US08130638B2 Method and apparatus to elect ABRs dynamically and intelligently
The present invention elects an area border router from a plurality of potential area border routers by determining a full set of all areas attached to a router. A determination is made as to a full set of area pairs from the determined full set of areas. Routers are identified in a first area of the determined full set of areas that are reachable through an intra-area route in the first area, and routers are identified in a second area of the determined full set of areas that are reachable through an intra-area route in the second area. If there is a router that is unreachable through either an intra-area route in the first area or an intra-area route in the second area, then declare the first router to be an area border router, else new first and second areas are selected.
US08130632B2 Transmitter and SSB signal generation method
A transmitter which is capable of producing an SSB signal having a sharp spectrum cut. The transmitter generates the SSB signal using an FFT circuit (103) which Fourier-transforms a transmission symbol, a zero insertion circuit (104) which zeros the component of either the USB component signal or the LSB component signal outputted from the FFT circuit (103), an IFFT circuit (105) which inverse-Fourier-transforms the output from the zero insertion circuit (104), and a parallel-serial conversion circuit (106) which parallel-serial-converts the output from the IFFT circuit (105).
US08130631B2 Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing synchronization
Embodiments are directed to first and second OFDM pilot symbols. The first and second pilot symbols may have first and second sets, respectively, of allowed, forbidden, and active carrier frequencies. The second sets of carrier frequencies may be formed by frequency shifting the respective first sets by a predetermined frequency, such as the frequency difference between adjacent carriers. An embodiment is directed to frequency translating part of a first received pilot symbol by one carrier interval in a first direction, frequency translating part of a second received pilot symbol by one carrier interval in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction, and forming a correlation by multiplying the frequency translated parts of the first and second pilot symbols by complex conjugates of parts of the pilot symbols upon which frequency translation has not been performed, and summing the multiplication results.
US08130629B2 Simultaneous simulcast and single cast hybrid multi-tone communication system
Methods and systems for simultaneous transmission of simulcast and single cast information over a hybrid point to multipoint communication systems, including the steps of: selecting an area to be ubiquitously covered by a common channel; assigning a first wireless client to the common channel; assigning a second wireless client to a first private channel; setting a first hybrid converter and a second hybrid converter having an aggregated coverage area that comprises the selected area; connecting the first hybrid converter using an orthogonal multi-carrier transmission having a first frequency and the second hybrid converter using an orthogonal multi-carrier transmission having a second frequency to a centralized synchronizing communication controller via a shared signal wired distribution line; converting, by using the first hybrid converter, the first frequency transmission to a third orthogonal multi-carrier wireless transmission having a third frequency; converting, by using the second hybrid converter, the second frequency transmission to a fourth orthogonal multi-carrier wireless transmission having the third frequency; and creating a downlink ubiquitous coverage in the selected area by transmitting the third and the fourth transmissions, each comprising a common MAP over a first sub-channel, a common payload over a second sub-channel, and a first private payload and a second private payload, correspondingly, over a third sub-channel, wherein the third and fourth transmissions are at least partially coverage-overlapping and are synchronizing and bandwidth allocating a first wireless client and a second wireless client.
US08130627B2 Optical disc production apparatus
An optical disk manufacturing apparatus which employs first and second signal layer forming mechanisms, a reflection layer forming mechanism, a light transmission layer forming mechanism and first, second and third transportation mechanisms. The apparatus further includes a liquid material supplying mechanism, a first and second rotation mechanism, first and second hardening light radiation apparatuses, a ring-shaped mask portion, and a mask transfer mechanism.
US08130626B2 Recording apparatus, recording control signal generating apparatus, method of manufacturing imprint mold, imprint mold, and magnetic disc
Blanking by a blanking control unit is eliminated by making the tangential direction movement velocity of the substrate and the deflection velocity of the beam faster in the segment, in which the recording pattern is sparse, and making and slower in segments, in which it is dense. In this case, in segment in which it is desired to form a recording pattern thicker in the radial direction, a thick recording can be realized by setting the recording velocity by the recording velocity setting means to be slower, and in the case where is substantially constant, setting to be relatively slower, than in the segments.
US08130622B2 Optical pickup apparatus having multi-sectional polarizer
An optical pickup apparatus includes a light generating unit to generate a light to record or reproduce information, an objective lens to focus the light generated from the light generating unit onto a disk, and a multi-sectional polarizer disposed on a light path between the light generating unit and the objective lens and divided into a plurality of sectors having their individual optical axes.
US08130621B2 Optical head device and optical disk playback system
A recording and reproducing device that is capable of improving its reproduction quality by efficiently detecting a reproduction signal having small low frequency noises even when reproducing data on a super-resolution optical disk including recording marks smaller than a diffraction limit.
US08130617B2 Method of controlling playback condition, optical disk, optical disk drive device and program
Playback durability of a writable optical disk is ensured. A method of controlling a playback condition includes continuously irradiating an optical disk with a laser beam having a power level lower than a mark formation level and detecting a change of a state of a signal caused by a return light from the optical disk, and setting a playback condition for the optical disk according to the change of the state of the signal. The playback durability of the optical disk can be ensured by adaptively controlling the playback condition as stated above.
US08130616B2 Device and method for detecting blank area in optical disc
A method and a device of distinguishing blank area from non-blank area in an optical disc are provided. An input signal such as a DPD TE signal or RF ripple signal is first filtered to obtain a filtered signal. A subtracting operation of the input signal and the filtered signal is then performed to obtain a first signal. According to a peak value and a bottom value of the first signal, the first signal is processed into a second signal. By comparing the second signal with a reference signal, whether the currently read area is blank area or non-blank area can be discriminated. An indicating signal is outputted at a first value to indicate the blank area while the indicating signal is outputted at a second value to indicate the non-blank area.
US08130615B2 Device and method for generating track-crossing signal in optical disc drive
A track-crossing signal generator includes a bottom envelope detecting unit, a defect detector, an auto gain control unit, and an amplifier. The bottom envelope detecting unit receives a radio frequency signal, and outputs a bottom envelope signal. The defect detector is electrically connected to the bottom envelope detecting unit for receiving the bottom envelope signal and generating a defect signal when a defect area is formed on a disc track. The auto gain control unit is electrically connected to the bottom envelope detecting unit for receiving the bottom envelope signal and dynamically adjusting a gain value according to the amplitude of the bottom envelope signal. The amplifier is electrically connected to the bottom envelope detecting unit and the auto gain control unit for receiving the bottom envelope signal and dynamically adjusting the bottom envelope signal according to the gain value, thereby amplifying the bottom envelope signal as a track-crossing signal.
US08130614B2 Optical storage medium, information recording apparatus, and information reproducing apparatus
An optical storage medium can be provided by which illegal usage of the optical storage medium involving an infringement on the copyright can be prevented effectively without impairment of the functions for reproducing physical format information and optical storage medium manufacturing information. The optical storage medium includes a main information region in which encrypted data information is recorded as a pit row that is capable of being read out by means of light and a control data region. In the control data region, key information for decoding the encryption of the data information, the physical format information and the optical storage medium manufacturing information are recorded by wobbling a groove.
US08130613B2 Optical disc apparatus and reproduction control method
The present invention makes it possible to reproduce reproduction images without a break without having to use any additional identification information even when real-time recorded data is not completely continuous. A control circuit references a data identification flag (“Recording Type”) which is attached to each sector of reproduction data to indicate the type of recorded data, and counts the number of sectors to which the data identification flag representing real-time recorded data is attached. When the count is not smaller than a threshold value, the control circuit reproduces all the sectors of the target reproduction block in a real-time reproduction mode. In the real-time reproduction mode, the control circuit masks a portion of reproduction data that is found to be defective, changes the value of the defective data to 0 (zero), and transfers the resulting reproduction data to a host device.
US08130611B2 Method and an apparatus for recording information, and an information recording medium
In a method for recording information on an information recording medium having a data recording area for storing user data and a test area used for test recording by a recording apparatus, it is detected whether the test area is unusable when executing the test recording. The test recording is executed in the test area when the test area is detected not to be unusable, or executed in the data recording area when detected to be unusable. Management information relating to the test recording executed in the data recording area is recorded in a predetermined area. Hence, it is possible to eliminate a limit of number of times of test recording which depends on the size of the test recording area.
US08130608B2 Coupled ring oscillator and method for initializing the same
In a coupled ring oscillator including q ring oscillators each including p inverter circuits connected together to form a ring shape, and a phase coupling ring including (p×q) phase coupling circuits each of which is configured to couple an output of one of the p inverter circuits of one of the q ring oscillators to an output of one of the p inverter circuits of another one of the q ring oscillators in a predetermined phase relationship, and which are connected together to form a ring shape, for at least one group made up of one of the p inverter circuits in each of the q ring oscillators, outputs of the q inverter circuits belonging to the at least one group are fixed in phase with one another, the q ring oscillators are caused to oscillate in the in-phase fixed state, and then, the outputs of the q inverter circuits are released from the in-phase fixed state.
US08130602B2 Optical disk drive
Provided is an optical disk drive including: an actuator for driving an objective lens for applying a beam from a laser to an optical disk to cause a focal point of the beam to move in a focus direction; and a servo controller for receiving an input of a focus error signal and driving the actuator to control a focusing position of the beam, which includes: a compensation unit for generating a drive signal for the actuator based on the focus error signal; a noise detection unit for detecting a noise component by changing a limiter characteristic according to a frequency of the drive signal; and a correction unit for correcting the drive signal by subtracting the noise component from the drive signal. Accordingly, an influence of a tracking error signal leaking into the focus error signal in a focus servo system can be reliably suppressed.
US08130594B2 Mechanically filtered hydrophone
A hydrophone (10) for immersion in a liquid body defining a depth-dependent static pressure and a dynamic pressure. The hydrophone (10) includes a pressure-bearing element (11) for exposure to the liquid body; a motion sensor (13) spaced apart from the pressure bearing element (11); and a dilatant coupling material (14) disposed intermediate the pressure-bearing element (11) and the motion sensor (13) so as to mechanically transmit movements substantially corresponding to the dynamic pressure from the pressure-bearing element (11) to the motion sensor (13). The dilatant coupling material (14) does not transmit movements to the motion sensor (13) that substantially correspond to the depth-dependent static pressure.
US08130588B2 Semiconductor memory device having power saving mode
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array arranged in rows and columns, a row decoder and a control circuit. The row decoder drives word lines connected to the memory cell array by decoding a received row address and being synchronized with an internal clock signal. The control circuit receives a clock signal, a chip select signal and a mode signal, and generates the internal clock signal. The control circuit generates the internal clock signal so that the row decoder does not operate for a predetermined time in response to the chip select signal when the mode signal transitions from a power saving mode to a normal mode.
US08130586B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of controlling the same
An internal voltage generator when activated, generates an internal voltage to be supplied to an internal circuit. Operating the internal voltage generator consumes a predetermined amount of the power. In response to a control signal from the exterior, an entry circuit inactivates the internal voltage generator. When the internal voltage generator is inactivated, the internal voltage is not generated, thereby reducing the power consumption. By the control signal from the exterior, therefore, a chip can easily enter a low power consumption mode. The internal voltage generator is exemplified by a booster for generating the boost voltage of a word line connected with memory cells, a substrate voltage generator for generating a substrate voltage, or a precharging voltage generator for generating the precharging voltage of bit lines to be connected with the memory cells.
US08130581B2 Semiconductor memory device
The present invention provides a semiconductor memory device in which the number of write amplifiers is decreased by increasing the number of bit line pairs connected to one pair of common write data lines. Further, by decreasing the number of bit line pairs connected to one pair of common read data lines, parasitic capacitance connected to the pair of common read data lines is reduced and, accordingly, time in which the potential difference between the pair of common read data lines increases is shortened. Thus, while preventing enlargement of the chip layout area, read time can be shortened.
US08130575B2 Semiconductor device
A highly reliable large capacity phase change memory module is realized. A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a memory array having a structure in which a storage layer using a chalcogenide material and a memory cell constituted of a diode are stacked, and an initialization condition and a rewriting condition are changed in accordance with the layer where a selected memory cell is located. A current mirror circuit is selected in accordance with an operation, and at the same time, the initialization condition and the rewriting condition (here, reset condition) are changed in accordance with the operation by a control mechanism of the reset current in a voltage selection circuit and a current mirror circuit.
US08130571B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit has a central processing unit and a rewritable nonvolatile memory area disposed In an address space of the central processing unit. The nonvolatile memory area has a first nonvolatile memory area and a second nonvolatile memory area, which memorize information depending on the difference of threshold voltages. The first nonvolatile memory area has the maximum variation width of a threshold voltage for memorizing information set larger than that of the second nonvolatile memory area. When the maximum variation width of the threshold voltage for memorizing information is larger, since stress to a memory cell owing to a rewrite operation of memory information becomes larger, it is inferior In a point of guaranteeing the number of times of rewrite operation; however, since a read current becomes larger, a read speed of memory information can be expedited. The first nonvolatile memory area can be prioritized to expedite a read speed of the memory information and the second nonvolatile memory area can be prioritized to guarantee the number of times of rewrite operation of memory information more.
US08130569B1 Nanoparticle shuttle memory
A device for storing data using nanoparticle shuttle memory having a nanotube. The nanotube has a first end and a second end. A first electrode is electrically connected to the first end of the nanotube. A second electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the nanotube. The nanotube has an enclosed nanoparticle shuttle. A switched voltage source is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, whereby a voltage may be controllably applied across the nanotube. A resistance meter is also connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, whereby the electrical resistance across the nanotube can be determined.
US08130557B2 Memory system and method of writing into nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory which includes a first original block composed of n (n being natural number) write unit areas and a first subblock composed of a plurality of write unit areas. A controller writes data having one of first to p-th (p being natural number smaller than n) addresses into the first original block. The controller writes data which has a first write address of one of the first to p-th addresses into the first subblock when the controller receives request to write data having the first write address and data having the first write address exists in the first original block.
US08130556B2 Pair bit line programming to improve boost voltage clamping
A programming technique reduces program disturb in a set of non-volatile storage elements by programming using selected bit line patterns which increase the clamped boosting potential of an inhibited channel to avoid program disturb. One aspect groups alternate pairs of adjacent bit lines into first and second sets. Dual programming pulses are applied to a selected word line. The first set of bit lines is programmed during the first pulse, and the second set of bit lines is programmed during the second pulse. A verify operation is then performed for all bit lines. When a particular bit line is inhibited, at least one of its neighbor bit lines will also be inhibited so that the channel of the particular bit line will be sufficiently boosted. Another aspect programs every third bit line separately. A modified layout allows adjacent pairs of bit lines to be sensed using odd-even sensing circuitry.
US08130554B1 Securely erasing flash-based memory
A method is used in securely erasing flash-based memory. A new version of data is received for a logical location of a flash-based memory. An old version of the data of the logical location is stored in a first physical location in the flash-based memory. The old version of the data is caused to be subject to an obscure operation. The new version of the data is caused to be stored in a second physical location in the flash-based memory.
US08130551B2 Extra dummy erase pulses after shallow erase-verify to avoid sensing deep erased threshold voltage
An erase operation for non-volatile memory includes first and second phases. The first phase applies a series of voltage pulses to a substrate, where each erase pulse is followed by a verify operation. The verify operation uses a verify level which is offset higher from a final desired threshold voltage level. The erase pulses step up in amplitude until a maximum level is reached, at which point additional erase pulses at the maximum level are applied. The first phase ends when the verify operation passes. The second phase applies one or more extra erase pulses which are higher in amplitude than the last erase pulse in the first phase and which are not followed by a verify operation. This avoids the need to perform a verify operation at deep, negative threshold voltages levels, which can cause charge trapping which reduces write-erase endurance, while still achieving the desired deep erase.
US08130550B1 Memory with sub-blocks
A non-volatile memory comprising a NOR block with a first sub-block independently addressable from a second sub-block, the two sub-blocks sharing a physical substrate of the NOR block, and a first memory to store execution status information to reflect an erase status of the first sub-block. A method to selectively erase the first sub-block while inhibiting the second sub-block from erasing, comprising updating execution status information associated with the first sub-block and resuming erasing upon an occurrence of an interruption event depending on the indication of the execution status information.
US08130541B2 Phase change memory apparatus and test circuit therefor
A test circuit transfers data, which is generated by current supplied from an external source, to a memory cell in response to a test mode signal.
US08130540B2 Phase change random access memory apparatus and write control method for the same
The disclosed phase change random access memory apparatus is configured to program a predetermined phase change memory cell in the phase change memory apparatus in response to a plurality of write instructions applied at independent points of time.
US08130539B2 Phase change memory device
A phase change memory device includes a signal generator configured to generate first and second sensing and amplifying enable signals which are sequentially activated during an activation period of a word line selection signal and each of which has a certain activation period length, a resistance sensor configured to sense a resistance value by applying a certain operation current to a phase change memory cell corresponding to the word line selection signal during an activation period of the first sensing and amplifying enable signal and a voltage level amplifier configured to logically determine a voltage level of the resistance sensing signal based on a voltage level of a logic reference signal during an activation period of the second sensing.
US08130538B2 Non-volatile memory circuit including voltage divider with phase change memory devices
A memory circuit including a voltage divider with a first phase change memory (PCM) device and a second PCM device coupled to the first PCM device is described. In one embodiment, the first PCM device is in a set resistance state and the second PCM device is in a reset resistance state. Also, in one embodiment, the voltage divider further includes a first switch coupled to the first PCM device and a second switch coupled to the first switch and the second PCM device. In one embodiment, the memory circuit further includes a half latch coupled to the voltage divider and a cascade transistor coupled to the half latch and the voltage divider.
US08130534B2 System and method to read and write data a magnetic tunnel junction element
A system and method to read and write data in magnetic random access memories are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a device includes a spin transfer torque magnetic tunnel junction (STT-MTJ) element and a transistor with a first gate and a second gate coupled to the STT-MTJ element.
US08130533B2 Thermoelectric device and method
A system, device and method for electrically addressing an element include providing a thermoelectric layer in proximity with an area to be addressed and positioning a probe in proximity of the thermoelectric layer. Electrical activity is induced in the thermoelectric layer by applying heat from the probe. A response is caused in the area to be addressed.
US08130531B2 Magnetic memory structure and operation method
A magnetic memory structure includes a memory track which has consecutive magnetic domains. Each of the magnetic domains has memory capacity of one bit. A first domain-wall injecting layer intersects and connects a terminal of the memory track and constantly stores a first binary data. A second domain-wall injecting layer against the first domain-wall injecting layer intersects and connects the terminal of the memory track and constantly stores a second binary data different from the first binary data. The memory track and one of the first domain-wall injecting layer and the second domain-wall injecting layer together form a domain wall.
US08130527B2 Stacked device identification assignment
Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having dice arranged in a stack. The dice include at least a first die and a second die, and a connection coupled to the dice. The connection may be configured to transfer control information to the first die during an assignment of a first identification to the first die and to transfer the control information from the first die to the second die during an assignment of a second identification to the second die.
US08130522B2 Digital power factor correction
A digital PFC (DPFC) control approach that requires no input voltage sensing or current loop compensation is described. The approach can provide stable, low-harmonic operation over a universal input voltage range and load ranging from high-load operation in continuous conduction mode down to near-zero load. A fast voltage loop can also be incorporated into a DPFC controller to provide additional control of the power stage. A controller can be based on low-resolution DPWM and A/D converters, can be implemented without microcontroller or DSP programming, and is well suited for simple, low-cost integrated-circuit realizations.
US08130517B2 Forward converter transformer saturation prevention
A power converter in one aspect limits the magnetic flux in a transformer. A control circuit included in the power converter includes a pulse width modulator, logic circuits and saturation prevention circuits. The saturation prevention circuits assert a first signal when a first integral value of the input voltage reaches a first threshold value and assert a second signal after a delay time that begins when a difference between the first integral value and a second integral value of a reset voltage of the transformer falls to a second threshold value. The logic circuits turn off the switch when the first signal is asserted, and allow the switch to turn on and off in accordance with the pulse width modulator when the second signal is asserted.
US08130516B2 Switching power supply control semiconductor integrated circuit sampling an auxiliary wiring voltage near a point at which a secondary rectifier diode current becomes zero
Disclosed a switching power supply apparatus which includes a voltage converting transformer including an auxiliary winding on a primary side and a switching control circuit, wherein the switching control circuit includes a detection circuit to detect a falling edge of a terminal voltage of the auxiliary winding, and controls a switching transistor connected to a primary winding of the transformer based on the terminal voltage of the auxiliary winding at the time immediately before current flowing through a secondary rectifier diode of the switching power supply apparatus becomes zero, which terminal voltage is obtained based on a detection timing of the detection circuit.
US08130513B2 Radio-frequency package
A radio-frequency package includes a radio-frequency device, a multilayer dielectric substrate, and an electromagnetic shield member. The multilayer dielectric substrate includes an internal conductor pad, a first signal via-hole connected to the internal conductor pad, an external conductor pad, a second signal via-hole connected to the external conductor pad, and an inner-layer signal line that connects between the first signal via-hole and the second signal via-hole. The internal conductor pad includes a leading-end open line having a length of substantially a quarter of a wavelength of a radio-frequency signal used in the radio-frequency device.
US08130509B2 Package carrier
A package carrier including a substrate, at least an under bump metallurgic (UBM) layer and at least a conductive bump is provided. The substrate has a conductive structure and at least a pad connected with the conductive structure. A region of the pad connected with the conductive structure is a signal source region. The UBM layer is disposed on the pad and includes a first conductive pattern and a second conductive pattern. A side wall of the second conductive pattern is directly connected to a side wall of the first conductive pattern, and the second conductive pattern is disposed close to the signal source region. The conductivity of the second conductive pattern is smaller than the conductivity of the first conductive pattern. The conductive bump is disposed on the UBM layer.
US08130505B2 Car fan controller
This invention patent is a utility type of car fan controller. The controller has a housing and inside the housing is a circuit. The housing has a top cover forming a cavity and flat bottom plate. The circuit has a circuit board and an adjustment device with other electronic components. The circuit board has a socket connector and a wire harness connector. The top cover has socket connector aligned with socket connector opening. The top cover also has a wire harness connector aligned to wire harness connector socket. The modular practical new type of invention design facilitates faster assembly and more convenient flexible use.
US08130495B2 Audio amplifier in compact case with peak voltage and current limiting circuit and thermal cooling tunnel
An audio sound system has a printed circuit board disposed within a compact case. The PCB has a power conversion circuit for generating an operating potential, audio amplifier circuit coupled for receiving the operating potential to amplify an audio signal, and peak voltage and current limiting circuit coupled to the audio amplifier circuit to avoid hard clipping of the audio signal. The power conversion circuit has heat-generating components. A cooling tunnel is mounted over the printed circuit board. A cooling fan is mounted in the compact case adjacent a first opening of the cooling tunnel for directing air flow through a second opening of the cooling tunnel over the PCB. The cooling tunnel has a notch formed in a side of the cooling tunnel for directing air flow over the PCB. The audio amplifier circuit can generate greater than 500 watts into a 4-ohm load.
US08130492B2 Information processing apparatus and nonvolatile semiconductor storage device
An information processing apparatus including: a main unit; a cooling fan that suctions open air into the main unit to cool inside the main unit with an air flow; and a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device that is provided within the main unit to be used as an external storage device, the device including: a printed circuit board; a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that is mounted on the printed circuit board; a memory controller that is mounted on the printed circuit board and controls the nonvolatile semiconductor memory; and a temperature sensor that is mounted on the printed circuit board and detects temperature within the nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, wherein the memory controller is disposed at an upstream side of the air flow and the temperature sensor is disposed at a downstream side of the air flow.
US08130488B2 Display screen turning apparatus and television set
A display screen turning apparatus includes a display screen support member provided with a first gear and supporting a display screen portion rotatably in a horizontal plane and rotatably with respect to a vertical plane and a rack plate provided with a second gear meshing with the first gear, wherein the first gear meshed with the second gear moves by movement of the second gear following linear movement of the rack plate in the horizontal plane, thereby rotating the display screen support member in an anteroposterior direction by a prescribed angle with respect to the vertical plane.
US08130480B2 Circuit interrupting device with reset lockout
Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if the device is reverse wired. Methods for ensuring a reset lockout state before shipment are provided.
US08130477B2 Magneto-resistance effect element having a diffusive electron scattering layer, magneto-resistance effect head, magnetic storage and magnetic memory
A magneto-resistance effect element, a magneto-resistance effect head, a magnetic storage and a magnetic memory, in which noise caused by a spin-transfer torque is reduced, are provided. In a fixed magnetization layer or a free magnetization layer of a magneto-resistance effect element including the fixed magnetization layer, a spacer layer and the free magnetization layer; a layer containing one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt and Au is disposed.
US08130472B2 Head support for a magnetic disk device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic disk device that can reduce an external force applied to the carriage. According to one embodiment, in a magnetic disk device, a bracket inserted between a carriage and a base is supported toward the base side by support portions owned by the bracket and by a band with a space provided between the bracket and the opposed side of the carriage (such as a top surface of the mounting stand). This configuration cannot apply an external force in the rotation direction to the carriage from the bracket even when the bracket is thermally expanded due to heat generated from a head amplifier or the like mounted on a flexible substrate.
US08130467B2 Planar write module and hybrid planar write-vertical read bidirectional tape head
A planar write module and a hybrid planar write-vertical read bidirectional tape head comprising the write module and one or more vertical read modules. The write module has a write module tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic recording tape. Plural write elements in the write module each comprise plural thin film layers oriented in generally parallel planar relationship with the write module tape bearing surface. The write elements are arranged so that the transducing gaps (write gaps) of adjacent write elements are generally aligned in a direction that is transverse to a streaming direction of the magnetic recording tape. Each read module has a read module tape bearing surface for engaging the magnetic recording tape. Plural read elements in the one or more read modules each comprise plural thin film layers oriented in generally perpendicular relationship with the read module tape bearing surface.
US08130461B2 Systems and methods for compensating for crosstalk between nearby writers
A recording system controller according to one embodiment includes a controller capable of selecting a level of a current or voltage applied to a first writer during the creation of a magnetic transition based on a current in at least one nearby writer. A recording system controller according to another embodiment includes a controller capable of selecting a timing of a current change applied to a first writer based on a current in at least one nearby writer for compensating for an effect of crosstalk from the at least one nearby writer. A method according to yet another embodiment includes selecting a level of a current or voltage applied to a first writer or selecting a timing of a current change applied to the first writer based on a current in at least one nearby writer for compensating for an effect of crosstalk from the at least one nearby writer.
US08130453B2 Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
Provided is a zoom lens system including a compact focusing lens unit and having a suppressed change in image magnification at the time of movement of the focusing lens unit. The zoom lens system of the present invention, in order from an object side to an image side, includes a first lens unit G1 having positive optical power, a second lens unit G2 having negative optical power, a third lens unit G3 having negative optical power, and a fourth lens unit G4 having positive optical power. At the time of zooming, all lens units moves in a direction along the optical axis such that intervals among respective lens units varies. Further, at the time of zooming, the third lens unit G3 moves in the direction along the optical axis such that the interval between the second lens unit G2 and the third lens unit G3 is made longer at a telephoto limit than the interval at a wide-angle limit. Still further, condition (6): −1.6
US08130451B2 Zoom lens system and camera including the same
Provided is a zoom lens system including, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens unit having a positive optical power; a second lens unit having a negative optical power; a third lens unit having a positive optical power; a fourth lens unit having a negative optical power; and a fifth lens unit having a positive optical power. In this zoom lens system, magnification sharing between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit, and a movement amount of the second lens unit as a principal magnification lens unit are set appropriately, so as to realize a high zoom ratio and high optical performance over an entire zoom range.
US08130448B2 Optical pulse multiplex unit
A mirror unit consists of a half mirror and a mirror unit. The half mirror generates a transmitted light and a reflected light. A pair of the mirror units is arranged on one side and the other side of the half mirror so that the transmitted light and the reflected light split by the half mirror are deflected and are combined again at a common place on the half mirror. The mirror unit also has plural mirrors and is arranged to make the optical length variable by shifting the mirror unit toward one direction with a moving mechanism.
US08130444B2 Catadioptric telescope imaging system
A telescope imaging system includes a first lens group for receiving a spot light and generating a first refracted beam, a second lens group for receiving the first refracted beam and generating a second refracted beam, a third lens group having a convex lens disposed at a side of the third lens group distant from the spot light for receiving the second refracted beam and generating a parallel beam by an effective focus formed by the first lens group, the second lens group and the third lens group, a first reflective mirror having an opening, receiving the parallel beam and generating a reflected beam, and a second reflective mirror adjacent to the third group lens and reflecting the reflected beam for allowing the reflected beam passing through the opening and focused as an image.
US08130442B2 Optical amplifying medium, method of manufacturing the optical amplifying medium, and optical device comprising the optical amplifying medium
An optical amplifying medium, a method of manufacturing the optical amplifying medium are provided, and an optical device comprising the optical amplifying medium. The optical amplifying medium includes a multi-layer structure in which a first material layer doped with an activator and a second material layer that comprises a sensitizer are stacked.
US08130436B2 Flexure actuator
Implementations of actuators that use flexures to provide support to the actuators and pivoting mechanisms to the actuators. Such actuators can be electromagnetically activated actuators that include a magnet stator and a coil rotor mounted on a flexure.
US08130431B2 Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
In one embodiment of an optical scanning apparatus, a light blocking member is provided that is disposed facing a reflective face of a polygon mirror near the reflective face, and blocks stray light without blocking light in an effective scanning range of a laser beam. The light blocking member includes a light blocking plate having an opposing face that faces the reflective face of the polygon mirror, a support plate that supports the light blocking plate, and a fixing plate that fixes the lower edge portion of the support plate to a support member. The opposing face of the light blocking plate is inclined relative to the reflective face of the polygon mirror, and a space below the light blocking plate is open.
US08130424B2 Image scanner and control method thereof
An aspect of the invention provides an image scanner which can continuously transfer image data of one surface to an external device (image forming apparatus) without performing control such as interruption and resumption of an original scanning operation. The image scanner includes a size detection unit which detects an original size and a determination unit which determines whether or not the image data relating to an original of the size detected by the size detection unit can be stored in a storage unit. The image scanner also includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to set operation in a first mode when the determination unit determines that image data relating to the original can be stored in the storage unit, and the control unit is configured to set operation in a second mode when the determination unit determines that image data relating to the original cannot be stored in the storage unit.
US08130421B2 Image reading apparatus and method
An image reading apparatus for reading a document by causing an image sensor having a plurality of light receiving pixels to scan the document including an encoder configured to output pulses according to rotation of a motor, a generating unit configured to generate a read synchronizing signal for the image sensor based on the pulses, an obtaining unit configured to obtain first shading data corresponding to at least two data accumulation time points from the image sensor, and a storage unit configured to store the first shading data, wherein a function is generated with second shading data corresponding to a read data accumulation time point and is corrected on the basis of the first shading data.
US08130420B2 System for programming a plurality of chips, such as photosensor chips or ink-jet chips, with operating parameters
An imaging system, such as having pixel-sized photosensors for recording images, or light emitters or ink-jet ejectors for creating images, comprises a plurality of chips. Each chip includes a shift register with a shift-register-in line; a set of imaging elements associated with the shift register; and a program line, for accepting a program enable signal enabling acceptance of control data relating to a desired operating parameter of the chip. A control system is operable in a first mode wherein each chip in the plurality of chips receives the program enable signal directly through the program line, and a second mode wherein each chip receives the program enable signal through the shift-register-in line.
US08130417B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an inputting unit to receive image data having pixel data, an image processing unit to align and output the pixel data, and a control unit to prevent the pixel data from being transmitted to the image processing unit when the pixel data have null data.
US08130416B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, computer program, and recording medium
An image processing method is applied for recording an image on a recording medium using a plurality of color materials including a chromatic material and an achromatic material. A total amount of recording of the chromatic material is smaller than a total amount of recording of the achromatic material, and a plurality of monochrome modes including a first monochrome mode and a second monochrome mode are provided, the total amount of recording of the chromatic material being different for each of the monochrome modes. The image processing method includes adjusting the amount of recording of the achromatic material so that a recording density of an image recorded in the first monochrome mode and a recording density of an image recorded in the second monochrome mode become equivalent to each other with respect to the same luminance signal.
US08130415B2 Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and control method thereof, which form an image by applying N-ary processing
In order to form a high-quality image, upon execution of multi-pass printing using a printing head with a plurality of nozzles, an image processing apparatus calculates, using a scan duty setting unit, scan duty data for respective nozzles for each scan of the printing head in accordance with input image data. A halftone processor generates a dot pattern to be formed by applying N-ary processing based on predetermined constraining condition information to the calculated scan duty data. A constraining, condition information calculation unit generates constraining condition information to be referred to by the halftone processor at the time of the next scan. The constraining condition information is set so that the phase of a next dot pattern to be generated has an opposite phase relationship in a low frequency region with respect, to the already printed dot pattern.
US08130413B1 Trapping objects
Trapping objects. An object of a first type, for example, a text is detected in a section of a page. An object of a second type, for example, a stroke is then detected in the section. A check is then performed to determine if the object of the second type adjoins the object of the first type. One or more parameters, for example trapping parameters associated with the object of the first type are applied to the object of the first type and to the object of the second type, if it is determined that the object of the second type adjoins the object of the first type.
US08130407B2 Editing program stored in computer-readable storage medium
When changing a size of a QR code, rather increasing or decreasing a size of cells to thereby scaling up or down an entirety of the QR code respectively, than a size of the entirely of the QR code is increased or decreased by upgrading or downgrading a version of the QR code respectively.
US08130406B2 Recording apparatus image supply device and recording system and control method and program for image layout determination
When a print command that designates a layout recording function by its upper layer, and designates a frame print function by its lower layer is transmitted from a camera to a printer, the printer determines a layout print function that prints a plurality of images on a single sheet, based on the upper layer. In a case where the printer can determine the lower layer of the command, the printer acquires details of a layout. In a case where the printer cannot determine the lower layer of the command, the printer determines a normal frame print function. The printer prints a normal layout image or special frame image in accordance with the determined layout of images.
US08130401B2 Image forming system, data processor and data processing method
The image forming system is provided with: a printer that superposes and transfers plural images formed by use of plural image forming materials to a medium; and a data processor that supplies data of the images to the printer. The data processor includes: a data generation unit that generates data of image components corresponding to the respective kinds of the image forming materials; a data forwarding unit that forwards the generated data to the printer; and an assigning unit that assigns the image components in accordance with the data amount of the forwarded data. The printer includes: an output controller that controls an image forming mechanism to form an image by use of the image forming materials; and a switch processing unit that transmits the data received from the data processor, to the output controller corresponding to the image components of the received data.
US08130397B2 Method for transmitting a color extraction and a management information system
A method is disclosed on the one hand for transmitting a color extraction, defining positions of pixels of a print color to be deposited onto a print sheet in a print run, in order to produce a print product, from a prepress system to a press system, and on the other hand a management information system for integrated planning and control of the production of print products in a networked graphic production, wherein a pre-press system and a press system can be connected to the management information system. In order to facilitate a conclusive management of the color information in the context of a CIP4 workflow, it is suggested that the color extraction is initially transmitted from the prepress system to a management information system, and subsequently there from to the press system. Additionally it is proposed for this purpose to provide on the one hand a data input in a management information system, through which data of a color extraction, transmitted by the prepress system, defining positions of pixels in a print color to be deposited on a print sheet in a print run during the production of a print product, can be received, and on the other hand to provide a data output, through which data can be transmitted to the press system, a management module, through which the data of the color extraction can be associated with other data of the print product.
US08130396B2 Image formation management system, image formation management method, and storage medium
A disclosed image formation management system includes image forming apparatuses and a local management apparatus connected via a network to the image forming apparatuses. Each of the image forming apparatuses includes a user information storing unit storing user information of users, a management information storing unit storing a current number of image formation pages and a maximum number of image formation pages of each of the users, and an image formation control unit configured to authenticate the users based on the user information and to limit image formation by each of the authenticated users based on the current number of image formation pages and the maximum number of image formation pages. The local management apparatus is configured to manage the user information and the maximum numbers of image formation pages of the users of the image forming apparatuses.
US08130389B2 Cost effective image path for multiple office applications
A method and apparatus for configuring an image path of an image processing apparatus is herein described. The image processing apparatus includes at least an input terminal or scanner for inputting or scanning document into image data and an output terminal or printer for printing documents. The method includes selecting one of a plurality of output modes using a selection device associated with the image processing apparatus. Based on the selected output mode, an image path among a plurality of image processing elements of the apparatus is selected among a plurality of image paths. Each image path corresponds to one of the plurality of output modes. After a document is scanned with the scanner into image data, the image data is processed with the processing elements in the selected image path, and output or printed based on the processed image data.
US08130388B2 Method for adjusting a printing position for a printing apparatus
There is disclosed a method executed in a printing apparatus operable to read out data from a recording medium and to execute printing based on the read-out data with respect to a printing medium. A first mode for selecting a type of the printing is effected. A prescribed command is received after the first mode is effected. A second mode for adjusting a printing position relative to the printing medium is effected when the prescribed command is received. The printing position is adjusted when the second mode is effected. The first mode is effected when the adjusting of the printing position is finished, with a condition that is effected when the prescribed command is received.
US08130382B2 Determining endpoint in a substrate process
An endpoint detection method for detecting an endpoint of a process comprises determining a reflectance spectrum of light reflected from a substrate, the light having a wavelength, processing the substrate while light having the wavelength is reflected from the substrate, detecting light having the wavelength after the light is reflected from the substrate, generating a signal trace of the intensity of the reflected light and normalizing the signal trace with the reflectance spectrum of the light. The normalized signal trace can then be evaluated to determine an endpoint of the process.
US08130381B2 Optical fiber probe
An optical fiber probe for an optical measuring device having a mechanical receptacle into which an optical fiber is inserted, having a fiber end piece which projects over the mechanical receptacle and is designed for guiding a measuring beam onto a measuring object. In the area of the fiber end piece and/or in the area of the mechanical receptacle, the optical fiber is provided, at least regionally, with coating that stabilizes it. The coating provides the fiber end piece with improved mechanical stability and reduced tendency to vibrate, making it possible to make it substantially longer than without the coating.
US08130380B2 Spectrometer and interferometric method
The invention relates to a spectrometer, a spectrometric method and detector, and a new use of an interferometer. The spectrometer comprises a Fabry-Perot interferometer (120), to which light can be guided from the object (100) being investigated, in order to produce an interference image, and a detector (130) at which the interference image is aimed. The transmittance of the interferometer (120) is spectrally sliced to at least two separate wavelength bands. For its parts, the detector (130) is arranged to detect the interference image from at least two separate wavelength bands spatially. The detector is arranged to detect the said wavelength bands simultaneously, by exploiting the response of the image elements of the detector, calibrated as a function of the mirror gap of the interferometer, in order to detect simultaneously at least two different orders of the interference. With the aid of the invention, it is possible to implement spectrometric measurements more quickly, or to obtain more information on the object at one time.
US08130378B2 Phase retardance inspection instrument
A phase retardance inspection instrument, comprising: a light source module for generating a single-wavelength light beam; a circularly polarized light generating module, comprising a polarizer and a first phase retarder, for receiving the single-wavelength light beam as it is guided to pass through the polarizer and the first phase retarder in order; and a detecting module, comprising a second phase retarder, a polarizing beam splitter, a first image sensor and a second image sensor, for receiving and guiding a circularly polarized light beam to travel through the second phase retarder and the polarizing beam splitter in order after it passes through a substrate under inspection, wherein the polarizing beam splitter splits an elliptically polarized light beam into intensity vector components of a left-hand circularly polarized light beam and a right-hand circularly polarized light beam, which are to be emitted into the first image sensor and the second image sensor, respectively.
US08130371B2 Method of calibrating reflection characteristic measuring apparatus for sheet specimen
A reflection characteristic measuring apparatus capable of scanning a specimen surface of a sheet specimen at a high speed is provided. The reflection characteristic measuring apparatus includes a group of illuminating and light-receiving systems for directing illuminating light onto the specimen surface of the sheet specimen held by a specimen holding roller pair and for receiving reflected light from the specimen surface. The illuminating and light-receiving systems measure a spectral characteristic of the received reflected light. The illuminating and light-receiving systems are disposed over one-dimensional arrays of color samples which extend in the longitudinal direction of the sheet specimen, and scan the one-dimensional arrays in a direction opposite to a direction in which the sheet specimen is transported.
US08130365B2 Immersion flow field maintenance system for an immersion lithography machine
An immersion flow field maintenance system for an immersion lithography machine. The machine includes a projection objective lens, a wafer stage for supporting the wafer, and an immersion supplying system distributed around the lens for producing an immersion flow field under the lens. The system includes a horizontal guideway, a flat board connected with the horizontal guideway through a cantilever, and drivers for moving the board. When the wafer is unloading and the wafer stage is moving out of the exposure area under the lens, the board connects to and moves synchronously with the wafer stage to transfer the flow field from above the wafer stage to above the board. When the wafer is loaded and the wafer stage is moving into the exposure area, the board connects to and moves synchronously with the wafer stage to transfer the flow field from above the board to above the wafer stage.
US08130364B2 Projection optical apparatus, exposure method and apparatus, photomask, and device and photomask manufacturing method
When forming a magnified image of a mask pattern on an object with a plurality of projection optical systems, projected images of the projection optical systems are formed to be accurately continuous to enable satisfactory pattern transfer. A first projection optical system directs light beam from point a on a mask to point A on a plate and forms a magnified image of the mask on the plate. A second projection optical system directs light beam from point b on the mask to point on the plate and forms a magnified image of the mask on the plate. A first line segment linking point A and point a′, which orthogonally projects point a on the plate, and a second line segment linking point B and point b′, which orthogonally projects point b on the plate PT, overlap each other as viewed in a non-scanning direction.
US08130363B2 Exposure apparatus and method for producing device
A liquid immersion exposure apparatus includes an optical element via which a patterned beam is projected onto a substrate in an exposure operation, a liquid supply system having a supply port from which exposure liquid is supplied, and a member which has a surface and which is different from the substrate. In the exposure operation, the liquid supply system supplies the exposure liquid from the supply port to a space between the optical element and the substrate. In a cleaning operation, the member is moved to a position at which the surface of the member faces the optical element, and the liquid supply system supplies the exposure liquid from the supply port to a space between the optical element and the surface of the member.
US08130361B2 Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
An exposure apparatus includes a substrate stage movable while holding a substrate, a substrate alignment system which detects an alignment mark (1) on the substrate held by the substrate stage and detects a reference mark (PFM) provided on the substrate stage, and a mask alignment system which detects, via a projection optical system, a reference mark (MFM) provided on the substrate stage. The reference mark (PFM) on the substrate stage is detected without a liquid by using the substrate alignment system, and the reference mark (MFM) on the substrate stage is detected using the mask alignment system via the projection optical system and the liquid. Then, a positional relationship between a detection reference position of the substrate alignment system and a projection position of an image of a pattern is obtained, thereby accurately performing alignment processing in the liquid immersion exposure.
US08130358B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display, using a ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibiting mono-stability, which makes it possible to control the direction of the spontaneous polarization of the ferroelectric liquid crystal. The liquid crystal display includes: a first alignment treatment substrate having a first alignment layer which is a rubbed layer; a second alignment treatment substrate having a second alignment layer which is a photo alignment layer using a photo-dimerization type material; and a liquid crystal layer containing a ferroelectric liquid crystal and held between the first alignment treatment substrate and the second alignment treatment substrate. The ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibits mono-stability, and when a negative voltage is applied to a second electrode layer of the second alignment treatment substrate, a molecular direction of the ferroelectric liquid crystal is changed by about 2 times a tilt angle of the ferroelectric liquid crystal parallel to a surface of the substrate.
US08130357B2 Thin film transistor array panel for liquid crystal display having pixel electrode that overlaps gate or data lines with different widths
A TFT array panel includes a substrate, a first gate line and a second gate line disposed on the substrate, a storage electrode line disposed on the substrate, a first data line intersecting the first and second gate lines, a second data line intersecting the first and second gate lines and spaced apart from the first data line, a drain electrode facing a part of the first data line and the second data line, an organic insulating layer disposed on the first data line and the second data line, the organic insulating layer having a contact hole exposing the drain electrode, a pixel electrode disposed on the organic insulating layer, the pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode, and a storage electrode making a storage conductor with the pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode comprises a first part overlapping the first data line, and a second part overlapping the second data line, and wherein the width of the first part is different from that of the second part.
US08130352B2 In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display panel and method for fabricating the same
A semi-transmissive in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, in which each pixel region can exhibit the same luminance in transmissive and reflective portions thereof while having a single cell gap structure, is disclosed. A method for fabricating the semi-transmissive IPS mode LCD panel is also disclosed. The panel, in which each pixel region includes a transmissive portion and a reflective portion, comprises a color filter substrate, a thin film transistor substrate assembled with the color filter substrate such that a cell gap is defined between the thin film transistor substrate and the color filter substrate, the thin film transistor substrate including storage capacitors each forming, in the reflective portion of an associated one of the pixel regions, a horizontal electric field different from a horizontal electric field formed in the transmissive portion of the associated pixel region, to compensate for a phase difference generated in the associated pixel region, and a liquid crystal layer dispensed in the cell gap, and oriented in a predetermined direction.
US08130347B2 Colored marking of texts or symbols in a monochrome LC display
A control and display unit for differentiated colored marking of texts or symbols provided with a monochrome LC-display and a backlight of the LC-display. A film, which is provided with a microstructure on at least one side, is arranged between the backlight and the LC-display.
US08130343B2 Color filter for transflective type liquid crystal display
The main object of the present invention is to provide a color filter for a transflective type color liquid crystal display which is easily produced and capable of displaying the same color tone with both of a reflecting light and a transmitting light, and shows light scattering in a reflective light region. In order to attain the above mentioned object, the present invention provides a color filter for transflective type color liquid crystal display comprising a transparent substrate and a reflective light coloring layer and a transmissive light coloring layer formed on the transparent substrate, wherein, a convex-concave is formed on a surface of a liquid crystal layer side of the reflective light coloring layer, and an average thickness of the reflective light coloring layer is formed to be thinner than the thickness of the transmissive light coloring layer, and a refractive index difference between the reflective light coloring layer and a layer in contact with the surface of the convex-concave formed side of the reflective light coloring layer, is 0.1 or more. Further, a main object of the present invention is to provide a color filter for transflective type liquid crystal display comprising a transparent membrane pattern region obtained by laminating: a transparent substrate; a transparent membrane pattern layer comprising a transparent membrane formed in a pattern on the transparent substrate; and a coloring layer formed so as to cover the transparent membrane pattern layer.
US08130342B2 Liquid crystal display device and color filter for liquid crystal display device
Disclosed a liquid crystal display device including a backlight device including a white-emitting LED device which emits a white light arising from a color mixture created through a combination of a blue-emitting LED, a red-emitting phosphor and a green-emitting phosphor, and a color filter equipping color pixels exhibiting plural colors including a red pixel and formed on a transparent substrate, wherein the white-emitting LED device is enabled to exhibit an emission spectrum having a first peak wavelength falling within a range of 440-470 nm, a second peak wavelength falling within a range of 510-550 nm and a third peak wavelength falling within a range of 630-670 nm, and a red display chromaticity of the liquid crystal display device is confined within a region bounded by lines connecting four points (0.620, 0.280), (0.620, 0.300), (0.680, 0.315) and (0.680, 0.280) based on an xy chromaticity coordinate system.
US08130341B2 Uniform diffractive backlight
A backlight is provided for illuminating an at least partially transmissive display. The backlight includes a light source. A light guide receives the light from an edge surface and guides the light by total internal reflection. The light is extracted from the lightguide using sub-wavelength extraction features designed on the basis of one grating structure with a second interlinks structure cut into the first structure. The first structure determines the extraction properties. The second structure determines the extraction efficiency and uniformity of the system. Higher efficiency and more uniform sub-wavelength extraction are possible with a device in accordance with the invention.
US08130340B2 Liquid crystal display and light guide plate
A large liquid crystal display (100) comprises a light guide plate (3) arranged on the back side of a liquid crystal panel (1). The front surface of the light guide plate (3) is flat, while the back surface thereof is concave. The upper and lower end faces of the light guide plate (3) respectively facing hot cathode fluorescent lamps (2a, 2b) have a convex shape projecting toward the respective lamps. White light from the fluorescent lamps is incident on the upper and lower end faces of the light guide plate directly or by being reflected by reflectors (4a, 4b), and propagates within the light guide plate while being reflected by the front and back surfaces of the light guide plate. At the front surface of the light guide plate, a part of the white light is directed toward the back side of the liquid crystal panel (1) by a light guide portion (5).
US08130336B2 Backlight apparatus, display apparatus and television receiver
A backlight apparatus can avoid a situation where a light source cannot be turned on and includes a light source having a base portion, a connector member including a contact portion having a recessed shape and electrically connected to the base portion of the light source, and a contact correcting portion arranged to contact with the contact portion of the connector member, wherein the light source is arranged inside a recessed portion, having the recessed shape, of the contact portion, and the contact correcting portion is arranged to press the contact portion of the connector member toward the base portion of the light source so as to close the recessed portion on a side of open ends of the contact portion.
US08130333B2 Electric optical device and electronic device
An electric optical device includes a transistor that includes a semiconductor layer having a source region connected to a data line, a drain region connected to a pixel electrode, and a channel region, and a gate electrode, a first light blocking film that is formed to be wider than the gate electrode and that is connected to the gate electrode via a first contact hole which is opened in a first insulating film disposed on the gate electrode, and a second light blocking film that is provided between the semiconductor layer and a substrate and is connected to the first light blocking film via a second contact hole which is opened to penetrate the first insulating film, a gate insulating film, and a second insulating film.
US08130331B2 Projection-type display apparatus
Provided are an illumination optical system allowing light beams to be condensed and enter an illumination area at different angles from each other, color separating elements that separate colors of the light beams from the illumination optical systems, liquid crystal light valves that modulate the color lights to form image light for the right and the left eyes, a color combining element that combines the color light beams, a wavelength-selective polarization rotating element that rotates the polarization direction of a predetermined color light so as to align the polarization direction with that of a light beam of another color, and a projection lens that magnifies and projects images. The liquid crystal light valves are provided with an incident side microlens array that causes the light beams for the right and the left eyes to pass respectively through the right and the left eye image pixels, and an exit side microlens array that condenses the light that has passed through the pixels. The projection lens is provided with a polarized light separating element that causes the polarization directions of image light for the right and the left eyes to be orthogonal to each other. Using one projection-type display apparatus, a highly efficient stereoscopic image can be displayed with little flicker and cross talk of image light for the right eye and for the left eye.
US08130327B2 Channel changer in a video processing apparatus and method thereof
A video processing apparatus, comprises a signal receiving part receiving a video signal through one of a plurality of channels, a user inputting part in which the channel is selected and inputted by a user, a video processing part processing the video signal received by the signal receiving part, and a controller controlling the signal receiving part to start receiving a video signal through a first channel upon the first channel selection among the plurality of channels by the user, and to start receiving a video signal through a second channel upon the second channel selection among the plurality of channels by the user, wherein the second channel selection is made during the receiving process of the first channel.Thus, the present invention provides a video processing apparatus and a video processing method capable of performing a channel change rapidly to solve the above-described problem.
US08130323B2 Closed loop DAC calibration
A video signal processing system including a digital signal processing (DSP) module, a digital offset module coupled to the DSP module, a gain module, and a digital to analog converter (DAC) coupled to the DSP module and to the gain module, wherein the DAC is configured to cause the gain module to provide multiple gain signals having predetermined first values to the DAC, cause, for each of the multiple gain signals, a digital input signal value to the DAC to be ramped up, determine, for each of the multiple gain signals, a lowest digital input signal value that causes an output voltage of the DAC to be at least as high as a reference voltage, and determine a second gain value that will cause the DAC to provide a desired DAC output voltage in response to the DAC receiving a reference DAC input value.
US08130322B2 Method of picture control and image processing apparatus thereof
A picture control method and an image processing apparatus thereof are provided. The method includes setting a picture control mode; setting a picture control value in response to the picture control mode; and sensing a change of the picture control value; restoring the picture control value to a previous value if the change of the picture control value is maintained in excess of a certain amount of time. The image processing apparatus includes a picture controller which sets a mode and a value in response to the mode; a memory which stores an initial value of the value; and a controller which senses a change of the value and controls the picture controller to maintain the change of the value for a certain amount of time, and if the change of the value is maintained in excess of the certain amount of time, retrieves the initial value of the value, and controls the picture controller to change the picture control value to a previously unchanged value.
US08130306B2 Electronic appliance using video camera responsive to detected motion of an operator within detection zones when the motion exceeds a threshold
An electronic appliance includes a display. A screen of the display on which an image from a video camera is displayed is divided horizontally by N and vertically by M, to define a plurality of detection zones. A detection unit of the electronic appliance includes detectors assigned to the detection zones, respectively. In response to a motion conducted by an operator, the detectors generate first detection signals. From the first detection signals, a signal generator of the electronic appliance generates second detection signals. Each of the second detection signals is accumulated. If any one of the cumulative values exceeds a threshold, a flag is set. A plurality of detectors including the detector related to the flag-set cumulative value are chosen to receive timing pulses from a timing pulse generator.
US08130292B2 Scene illumination adaptive lens shading correction for imaging devices
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for scene adaptive lens shading correction. One or more gain adjustment surfaces calibrated to a reference illuminant type is stored. At least one scene adjustment surface, which varies as a function of the illuminant type, is stored for each additional illuminant type for which lens shading correction is desired. Additionally, an imaging device with a color image sensor may define a gain adjustment surface and a scene adjustment surface for each of the color channels of the image sensor. Scene adaptive lens shading correction entails determining an illuminant type for a captured image, selecting a scene adjustment surface based on the determined illuminant type, and processing the image using a gain adjustment surface modified by the scene adjustment surface.
US08130291B2 Defective pixel specifying method, defective pixel specifying system, image correcting method, and image correcting system
A defective pixel specifying method and a defective pixel specifying system for a semiconductor device having a defective pixel are provided. Also provided are an image correcting method and an image correcting system for making a defective pixel inconspicuous on the screen when a read image is displayed. The present invention determines whether or not there is a defective pixel for each pixel and specifies the coordinate of the defective pixel using image signals obtained by reading a plurality of images. The image signal of the defective pixel is set based on the image signals of the pixels adjacent to the defective pixel to correct the image of the subject read.
US08130286B2 Luminance signal generation apparatus, luminance signal generation method, and image capturing apparatus
A luminance signal in which the occurrence of spatial aliasing in a diagonal direction component has been suppressed for a red or blue imaging subject is generated from an image signal read from an image sensor. A V-LPF and a H-LPF generate a first luminance signal in which the spatial frequency bandwidth has been limited. Also, a V-LPF and a H-LPF, which limit the spatial frequency bandwidth so as to be even lower than the V-LPF and the H-LPF, generate a second luminance signal in which the bandwidth has been limited. A first GR weighted-addition circuit generates a final luminance signal for a pixel of interest by performing weighted-addition on the first luminance signal and the second luminance signal such that the ratio of the second luminance signal increases as the intensity of the redness or blueness of the pixel of interest increases.
US08130284B2 Imaging apparatus and method for controlling white balance
An imaging apparatus has: a white balance control circuit for detecting an achromatic portion of an image of an object and controlling gains of the chrominance; an object distance detecting circuit for detecting a distance to the object; and a zoom value detecting circuit for detecting a zoom value of the optical system. The imaging apparatus further has: an object brightness detecting circuit for detecting brightness of the object; and a white balance control amount adjustment value setting circuit for forming a white balance control amount adjustment value to adjust a control amount in the white balance control circuit on the basis of object brightness information, object distance detection information, and zoom value information, wherein the white balance control amount is adjusted on the basis of the white balance control amount adjustment value.
US08130281B2 Information processing apparatus, eye open/closed degree determination method, computer-readable storage medium, and image sensing apparatus
An information processing apparatus inputs an image, detects the face of a person from the input image, and calculates a feature amount associated with the open/closed state of eyes of the detected face. In addition, the information processing apparatus calculates, as a feature-change amount, the difference between the calculated feature amount and a predetermined feature amount, and calculates the eye open/closed degree of eyes of the detected face on the basis of the feature amount and the feature-change amount.
US08130280B2 Electronic camera
An electronic camera includes: an imaging device that captures a subject image and outputs image signals; an image synthesizing device that performs image synthesis to generate a single image by using a plurality of sets of image signals obtained on different imaging conditions by the imaging device; and a control device that determines whether or not to perform the image synthesis with the image synthesizing device based on a predetermined determination condition, and, when it is determined to perform the image synthesis, controls the image synthesizing device so as to perform the image synthesis.
US08130278B2 Method for forming an improved image using images with different resolutions
Multiple images of a scene are acquired over a contemporaneous period of time. Most of the multiple images are lower resolution images acquired with a lower resolution than the other of the multiple images. A corrected set of images is formed at least by correcting for motion present between at least some of the lower resolution images. In addition, a synthesized image is formed at least by merging (a) at least a portion of at least one of the images in the corrected set of images, and (b) at least a portion of at least one of the other of the multiple images. The synthesized image is stored in a processor-accessible memory system. The synthesized image exhibits improved image quality including reduced motion blur, a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and higher resolution over conventional techniques.
US08130277B2 Method and system for intelligent and efficient camera motion estimation for video stabilization
Disclosed herein is a method for global motion estimation for video stabilization. The method enables selecting a video frame from a video stream. The method further enables downscaling the video frames by factor close to 2 in a two dimensional range, dividing the downscaled video frame into a plurality of macroblocks, performing motion estimation for the macroblocks to generate a set of local motion vectors. Further, the method enables selecting macroblocks representing global motion vectors from the set of local motion vectors, computing a single global motion vector for the selected macroblocks and determining occurrence of at least one of: scene change, illumination change or crossing object and modifying the single global vector to compensate for errors induced due to occurrence of at least one of: scene change, illumination change or crossing object.
US08130276B2 Photography system to organize digital photographs and information regarding the subjects therein
A photographic processing system to organize one or more digital photographs and information regarding the subjects being photographed. The system includes a camera to capture digital images of one or more subjects, a user input to receive data related to the one or more subjects who are being photographed, and a database to link the photographs with the data related to the respective subjects.
US08130275B2 Information-processing apparatus, and storage medium storing a photographing application launch program executed by information-processing apparatus
An information-processing apparatus stores in advance a photographing application program. Further, the information-processing apparatus comprises photographing processing means which has a function different from that of the photographing application program. In a launch acceptance state, the information-processing apparatus accepts a first launch operation for selectively launching a plurality of application programs, and a photographing enabling operation for setting a state of the information-processing apparatus to a photographing enabled state. The photographing enabling operation is different from the first launch operation, and is the same as a photographing operation.
US08130267B2 Data input device, data input system, data input method, printing device, and printed matter
A data input device which inputs data to a navigation device includes: an image input unit capturing an image displayed on an image display carrier for displaying an image; a code extraction unit extracting a code hidden in the image; and a transmission unit transmitting the code to the navigation device.
US08130266B2 Video signal selecting method and video processing apparatus
A video processing apparatus and a method capable of selecting various video signals are provided. The video processing apparatus includes an input unit which receives a video signal select key value by which a video signal select command to select one of the plurality of video signals is recognized; a storage unit which stores a plurality of video signal names corresponding to the plurality of video signals; and a control unit which sets a first display mode or a second display mode according to the duration of the video signal select key value, the first and second display modes indicating opposite orders in which the video signal names corresponding to the plurality of video signal units are displayed, and displays the video signal names sequentially in the set display mode. Thus, a user can conveniently select the video signal.
US08130264B2 Magnification observation apparatus and method for creating high tone image file
A high tone image is saved in a versatile image file format to enhance usability. There are provided an imaging unit that images an original image having a predetermined dynamic range, which is a ratio between minimum luminance and maximum luminance; a synthesized image generating part that generates a synthesized image data that is higher in tone than a tone width of the original image by synthesizing a plurality of original images imaged under different imaging conditions at the same observation position; a display unit that displays the images imaged by the imaging unit; a tone conversion part that converts the synthesized image data generated by the synthesized image generating part to low tone image data having a tone width capable of being displayed on the display unit; and a tone data saving part that generates a high tone data-attached display file including a high tone image region for saving the synthesized image data serving as a basis as an image file for saving the low tone image data.
US08130258B2 Method for processing a video sequence and apparatus implementing said method
The present invention is in the field of Content protection, most particularly in cinema venues where camcorder acquisition followed by immediate illegal distribution creates important revenue losses for content owners. It is known that anti-camcorder systems using a color modulation can be circumvented by using low shutter speed in the camcorder. Today, the shutter speed is determined automatically by the camcorder as a function of the filmed video source. In automatic configurations, shutter speed self-adapts to either motion, or flicker detection, both of which taking into account brightness variations only. The proposed invention proposes a dual color/brightness modulation to defeat automatic shutter speed adjustment. For example, a color modulation at 50/60 Hz is carried out and a brightness modulation at a higher frequency 100/120 Hz is added to force the camcorder to work at a high shutter speed.
US08130256B2 Telepresence conference room layout, dynamic scenario manager, diagnostics and control system and method
A method, system and apparatus for conducing an audio-visual telepresence conference among a number of conference rooms distributed over various locations includes determining a priority of each room in the conference, determining an optimal number of audio-video streams between each room in the conference according to priority, assigning participant displays and participant cameras to other rooms in the conference according to priority, generating and transmitting a configuration script for each room in the conference, performing audio and video diagnostic procedures between each room in the conference, and managed, remote control and monitoring of the conference.
US08130253B2 Composite semiconductor device, print head and image forming apparatus
A composite semiconductor device is formed of a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of device-forming areas in which semiconductor elements are formed and dicing areas defined between the device-forming areas, and is formed by dicing the semiconductor wafer at the dicing areas. The composite semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of wiring layers layered on the semiconductor substrate. The wiring layers include at least conductive films. Connecting portions are formed to connect the wiring layers with each other in a layering direction of the wiring layers. Each of the connecting portions is disposed on the device-forming area side with respect to a dicing position defined in the dicing area.
US08130252B2 Optical head, exposure apparatus and image forming apparatus capable of restricting noise
An optical head expresses gray scales of pixels, which belong to a block constituted by n pixels and m pixels in a first and second direction, respectively. The optical head includes light emitting devices that extend in the first direction and emit light; driving transistors that are provided corresponding to the light emitting devices; a potential line that applies potential to the driving transistors; and driving circuits that are provided corresponding to the driving transistors and that supply a driving control signal to gates of the driving transistors. The driving circuits each include a line having an intersection at which the line intersects the potential line; and a logic circuit that generates the driving control signal based on image data to instruct the light emitting devices. The logic circuits invert logic levels of the lines at the intersections every n number of intersections extending in the first direction.
US08130250B2 Optical scanner and imaging apparatus using the same
An optical scanner includes a light source modulated based on image data, an optical deflection and scanning part deflecting a light beam emitted from the light source, and a scanning and imaging optical system condensing the deflected light beam toward a scanning surface so as to form a light spot optically scanning the scanning surface. The effective scanning region of the scanning surface is divided into a plurality of regions according to a scanning line curving characteristic. Suitable image data for optically scanning the divided regions are selected from image data of a plurality of image lines every time the light spot optically scans the effective scanning region, so that the image data of each of the image lines is written with scanning line curving being corrected.
US08130249B2 Erase decoupled from writing for erasable paper
An erasable media imaging device includes an input for supplying erasable media to the imaging device, the erasable media being one of an imaged erasable medium and a non-imaged erasable medium. An erase subsystem is provided for erasing an imaged erasable medium and a write subsystem is provided for imaging a non-imaged erasable medium, the erase subsystem and function decoupled from the write subsystem and function. In a corresponding method, one of an imaged erasable medium and a non-imaged erasable medium are supplied to the imaging device. The method further includes selecting only one of an erase mode and a write mode, the erase mode decoupled from the write mode, erasing an imaged erasable medium in the erase mode, and imaging the non-imaged erasable medium in the write mode.
US08130238B2 Methods and files for delivering imagery with embedded data
The present invention is directed to the realistic three-dimensional presentation of images in scenes, and is particularly useful for easily illustrating how artwork would appear on a surface in a scene, such as on a billboard. In one embodiment, image files are provided for use in an imaging application, such as ADOBE® PHOTOSHOP® CS2. The files permit the placement of artwork on scene background, and include embedded surface data that instructs the imaging application to alter the appearance of the artwork according to its placement within the scene. Also described are methods of generating image files for use as templates, and the use of the image files.
US08130237B2 Resolution independent user interface design
Graphical user interface material map objects are specified by a collection of attribute-value pairs, the collection of which comprises a complete description of the material map and may be used by a rendering engine to create a visual representation of the material map at any resolution. That is, material map representations in accordance with the invention are resolution independent. Another benefit of representing material maps in accordance with the invention is that they may be encrypted to prevent unauthorized inspection or use.
US08130228B2 System and method for processing low density parity check codes using a deterministic caching apparatus
A system, method and article of manufacture are disclosed for processing Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. The system comprises a multitude of processing units for processing the codes; and a processor chip including an on-chip, multi-port data cache for temporarily storing the LDPC codes. This data cache includes a plurality of input ports for receiving the LDPC codes from some of the processing units, and a plurality of output ports for sending the LDPC codes to others of the processing units. An off-chip, external memory stores the LDPC codes and transmits the LDPC codes to and receives the LDPC codes from at least some of the processing units. A sequence processor controls the transmission of the LDPC codes between the processor units and the on-chip data cache so that the LDPC codes are processed by the processing units according to a given sequence.
US08130226B2 Framework for graphics animation and compositing operations
A framework for performing graphics animation and compositing operations has a layer tree for interfacing with the application and a render tree for interfacing with a render engine. Layers in the layer tree can be content, windows, views, video, images, text, media, or any other type of object for a user interface of an application. The application commits change to the state of the layers of the layer tree. The application does not need to include explicit code for animating the changes to the layers. Instead, an animation is determined for animating the change in state. In determining the animation, the framework can define a set of predetermined animations based on motion, visibility, and transition. The determined animation is explicitly applied to the affected layers in the render tree. A render engine renders from the render tree into a frame buffer for display on the processing device. Those portions of the render tree that have changed relative to prior versions can be tracked to improve resource management.
US08130224B2 User-interface design
Graphical user interface objects are specified by a collection of attribute-value pairs, the collection of which comprise a complete description of the object and may be used by a rendering element to create a visual representation of the object. In practice, each of a first portion of attributes may be associated with two or more values—each value (for a given attribute) specifying that attribute's value for a unique resolution. A second portion of attributes are associated with a single value and are, therefore, display resolution independent. Accordingly, the target object may be displayed at any of the specified design display resolutions or accurately displayed at any resolution between the specified design display resolutions.
US08130214B2 Input apparatus
An input apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an operation member that is rotatable and is movable in a direction along a rotation axis between an extended position and a pushed-in position. When a user rotates the operation member without pushing in it, a detection output of a predetermined number of pulses can be obtained from a first detection unit each time the operation member is rotated at a predetermined angle. When a user pushes in the operation member and rotates it at a predetermined angle, detection outputs can be continuously obtained from a second detection unit. Consequently, a user can perform a rough retrieval operation on a data set-by-data set basis and a fine data selection operation on a data-by-data basis using a single operation member without repositioning the user's hand.
US08130207B2 Apparatus, method and computer program product for manipulating a device using dual side input devices
An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for using dual side input devices for controlling an electronic device and applications running thereon. According to one technique, a user take some action with respect to an adjustable feature associated with the electronic device (e.g., zoom and/or skew an image on a display screen) by simulating (or actually) bending or twisting the electronic device. According to another technique, the user may cause a region of an image displayed on the front of the device to be magnified by touching the back of the device at a location that corresponds to the region. According to yet another technique, the user may cause a graphical item displayed on the front of the electronic device to be rotated by essentially simulating the grabbing of the item with two or more fingers on either side of the electronic device and rolling the item.
US08130203B2 Multi-touch input discrimination
Techniques for identifying and discriminating between different types of contacts to a multi-touch touch-screen device are described. Illustrative contact types include fingertips, thumbs, palms and cheeks. By way of example, thumb contacts may be distinguished from fingertip contacts using a patch eccentricity parameter. In addition, by non-linearly deemphasizing pixels in a touch-surface image, a reliable means of distinguishing between large objects (e.g., palms) from smaller objects (e.g., fingertips, thumbs and a stylus) is described.
US08130202B2 Infrared touch screen gated by touch force
A touch-sensitive display device includes a display. A transparent plate is provided in front of the display. A tactile sensor senses a touch event. One or more infrared sensors are positioned in front of the transparent plate. The one or more infrared sensors identify a location of the touch event when the tactile sensor detects a touch event.
US08130199B2 Compact universal keyboard
A keyboard type input device used in conjunction with a wristwatch or a portable telephone has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards.
US08130198B2 Electronic device and method for operating application programs in the same
The present invention provides a method for operating application programs in an electronic device, which has a keyboard unit, a touch sensing element and a display. First, the border information corresponding to a border area of the user interface provided by an application program is transmitted to a driving unit of the keyboard unit. Afterward, the keyboard unit is divided into at least two sensing areas corresponding to the operation areas of the user interface according to the border information. Next, the touch sensing element detects a touch on one of the sensing areas on the keyboard unit and then generates a responsive signal according to the touch. Finally, an action is performed on the corresponding operation area of the user interface according to the responsive signal.
US08130196B2 Game performing method, storage medium, game apparatus, data signal and program
A game performing method realizable of finer and easier operational input with a joy stick. The game performing method for an apparatus comprising an input section having an operating handle capable of inputting an inclination of a desired angle in a desired direction, has: controlling a virtual handle of a player character according to operation inputted through the operating handle; detecting an inclined direction and an inclined angle of the operating handle; and changing a handle angle of the virtual handle in a direction according to change in the inclined direction when the change in the inclined direction is detected by detecting the inclined direction and the inclined angle of the operating handle.
US08130194B1 Non-mouse devices that function via mouse-like messages
Method and system for generating and processing multiple independent input data streams based on a high priority OS message framework such as an OS provided framework for processing mouse-messages. Multiple input devices generate motion that is sensed by motion sensors located on one or more motion sources, quantify the sensed motion, and provide resulting input data to a computer via one or more communication ports. One or more software subroutines process the provided data, separating them into multiple independent input streams according to their sources, and sending the streams to listening applications. The subroutines are preferably integrated at a low level of the OS architecture, thereby enabling low-latency, fully-functional high priority processing of the input data.
US08130192B2 Method for reducing image artifacts on electronic paper displays
A method and apparatus for reducing image artifacts on displays (e.g., electronic paper, etc.) are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating pixels of an image for a bistable display using halftoning based on data of one or more previously displayed images.
US08130191B2 Semiconductor device
A variable capacitor is formed from a pair of electrodes and a dielectric interposed between the electrodes over a substrate, and an external input is detected by changing capacitance of the variable capacitor by a physical or electrical force. Specifically, a variable capacitor and a sense amplifier are provided over the same substrate, and the sense amplifier reads the change of capacitance of the variable capacitor and transmits a signal in accordance with the input to a control circuit.
US08130185B2 Active matrix liquid crystal image generator
A system for producing spatially modulated monochrome or color light having gray scale includes an active matrix liquid crystal spatial light modulator having light modulating means including (i) a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material which is designed to switch between ON and OFF states and (ii) active matrix means including VLSI circuitry for dividing the layer of liquid crystal material into an array of individual liquid crystal pixels and for causing each of the pixels of liquid crystal material to modulate light individually by switching between the ON and OFF states in a way that depends upon the data which the VLSI circuitry is written. The system also includes illumination means having a light source for directing light from the source into the pixel-divided layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material in a specific way. And finally, the system includes means for writing the VLSI circuitry with preselected data in accordance with a particular data ordering scheme such that the circuitry, in response to the written data, causes the pixels of liquid crystal material to individually switch between their ON and OFF states and therefore modulate light from the source in a way which, depending upon the data, produces a specific overall pattern of gray scale light.
US08130182B2 Digital-drive electroluminescent display with aging compensation
An electroluminescent (EL) subpixel driven by a digital-drive scheme has a readout transistor driven by a current source when the drive transistor is non-conducting. This produces an emitter-voltage signal from which an aging signal representing the efficiency of the EL emitter can be computed. The aging signal is used to determine the loss in current of the subpixel when active, and an input signal is adjusted to provide increased on-time to compensate for voltage rise and efficiency loss of the EL emitter. Variations due to temperature can also be compensated for.
US08130181B2 Luminescence display and driving method thereof
A OLED display and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The OLED display includes: an OLED display panel including: data lines to which data voltages are supplied; gate lines to which a gate voltage is sequentially supplied; luminescence control lines to which a luminescence control voltage is sequentially supplied, a driving power line to which a driving voltage is supplied; a compensation power line to which a compensation voltage having a first level and a second level different from the first level are supplied; a plurality of pixel cells each respectively in pixel areas defined by the data lines and the gate lines; a data driver having output lines whose number is smaller than the number of the data lines; and a demultiplexer unit formed between the data driver and the OLED display panel, the demultiplexer unit supplying the data voltages from the output lines to the data lines, wherein each of the pixel cells includes: a light emitting element; and a pixel driver that supplies a current corresponding to a corresponding one of the data voltages to the light emitting element based on the corresponding data voltage, the gate voltage, the luminescence control voltage, the driving voltage and the compensation voltage having the first level and that turns off the light emitting element when the compensation voltage has the second level.
US08130171B2 Lens for scanning angle enhancement of phased array antennas
A method and apparatus for a negative index metamaterial lens. The method is used for creating a negative index metamaterial lens for use with a phased array antenna. A design is created for the negative index materials lens that is capable of bending a beam generated by the phased array antenna to around 90 degrees from a vertical orientation to form an initial design. The initial design is modified to include discrete components to form a discrete design. Materials are selected for the discrete components. Negative index metamaterial unit cells are designed for the discrete components to form designed negative index metamaterial unit cells. The designed negative index metamaterial unit cells are fabricated to form fabricated designed negative index metamaterial unit cells. The negative index metamaterial lens is formed from the designed negative index metamaterial unit cells.
US08130169B2 Multi-input multi-output antenna system
A multi-input and multi-output antenna system is disclosed. The antenna system includes a predetermined quantity of dual-feed and dual-band antennas that are arranged into a polygon on a plane. The dual-feed and dual-band antenna includes a substrate, a grounding unit disposed on the substrate and having two opposite sides, a first radiating unit disposed on the substrate near one side of the grounding unit, and a second radiating unit disposed on the substrate near the other side. The second radiating unit has a shorting element that is electrically connected to the grounding unit. The polygon is bounded by lengthwise projection lines of the dual-feed and dual-band antennas.
US08130168B1 Apparatus for raising and lowering an antena
The mast (11) of an antenna is pivotally carried by a post (12) by a hinge assembly (13). A pedestal (33) is carried by the post (12) and is adapted to carry a winch (40) having a line (46) with a hook (47) at the end thereof. A hook mount (50) is carried by the mast (11) and is adapted to receive the hook (47) of the winch (40). A locking bracket (56) is carried by the mast (11) and is connected to the pedestal (33) when the mast (11) is positioned adjacent to the post (12). An insulator bar (29) is positioned between the mast (11) and the hinge assembly (13) and the locking bracket (56).
US08130162B2 Broadband multi-dipole antenna with frequency-independent radiation characteristics
The invention describes a broadband multi-dipole antenna that has low input reflection coefficient, low cross polarization, rotationally symmetric beam and constant beam width and phase center location over several octaves bandwidth. The dipoles are fed from one or a few feed points, and they may with advantage have log-periodic dimensions. The antenna is more compact, has lighter weight and is cheaper to manufacture than other solutions. It is very well suited for feeding single, dual or multi-reflector antennas.
US08130161B2 Antenna control system
An antenna control system in which various antenna elements in a vertical row are coupled by fixed transmission lines to a central feeding point for a common signal. Adjustment of the phase of the common signal is achieved by means of a linearly movable slide having dielectric body portions influencing the signal velocity along said fixed transmission lines. Further, an electrical motor is used for linearly displacing said movable slide with said dielectric body portions.
US08130159B2 Electromagnetic field generation antenna for a transponder
An antenna generating an electromagnetic field for an electromagnetic transponder and a terminal provided with such an antenna. The antenna comprises a first inductive element designed to be connected to two terminals employing an energizing voltage, and a parallel resonant circuit coupled with the first inductive element.
US08130158B2 Antenna apparatus and communication system including the same
An antenna apparatus is disclosed that includes a feeding portion; a looped antenna element connected to the feeding portion; and a resistor inserted into the looped antenna element.
US08130150B2 Hybrid antenna for use with WWAN WLAN and WMAN
A multi-band antenna includes a grounding element, a first antenna connected to the grounding element, a second antenna connected to the grounding element and a coupling radiating arm extending from the grounding element. The grounding element extends along a lengthwise direction and includes first and second lengthwise sides. The first antenna includes a first connecting element extending from the grounding element and a first radiating element electrically connected to the first connecting element. The second antenna includes a second connecting element extending from the grounding element and a second radiating element electrically connected to the second connecting element. The first radiating element includes a first radiating portion extending from the first connecting element in both a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and a second radiating portion substantially being leptosomatic. The second radiating element substantially extends in a lengthwise direction and forms a first radiating section operating on a first frequency band and a second radiating section operating on a second frequency band. The first antenna is located between the first antenna and the second antenna in a vertical direction. The coupling radiating arm is between the first radiating section of the second radiating element of the second antenna and the grounding element in a vertical direction.
US08130149B2 Wideband strip fed patch antenna
A microstrip patch antenna comprises a patch antenna element comprising a first conductive layer; dual probe feeds separate from each other and spaced from and field coupled to the patch antenna element for transmitting or receiving RF signals, each of the dual probe feeds having a conductor segment and a deltoid shaped conductive strip orthogonal to the conductor segment; the deltoid shaped conductive strips being coplanar; and a first dielectric material layer separating the first conductive layer and the coplanar deltoid shaped conductive strips.
US08130147B2 Signal wave arrival angle measuring device
A signal wave arrival angle measuring device includes: an observation data vector generation section generating an observation data vector necessary for an angle measurement of a signal wave from an electrical signal having been converted at a sensor group converting the signal wave of an observation target to the electrical signal; an ESPRIT angle measurement processing section calculating an arrival angle of the signal wave from the generated observation data vector; an arriving signal wave estimation section estimating information other than the arrival angle of the arriving signal wave from an angle measurement processing process data of the ESPRIT angle measurement processing at the ESPRIT angle measurement processing section; and a reliability determination section determining whether or not an angle measurement result of the calculated arrival angle is correct based on an estimation result of the arriving signal wave estimation section, and excluding an erroneous angle measurement result.
US08130146B2 Method for measuring the time of arrival of radio signals
A method for measuring the time of arrival of radio signals within a network comprises receiving the received signals including at least a first pseudorandom code and a second pseudorandom code from at least one other node; identifying a frequency difference between the node and the other node using a phase difference between each of a maximum value of a cross-correlation provided by the first pseudorandom code and the second pseudorandom code; applying the frequency difference to the reception of the received signal; and calculating the time of arrival of the received signal comprising a time, measured with a local clock, when the cross-correlation has achieved the maximum value.
US08130144B1 Globally referenced positioning in a shielded environment
A method, apparatus and system for globally referenced positioning in a shielded environment includes integrating and correlating information from a UWB receiver, a GPS receiver, and a bent-path GPS receiver adapted to extract a GPS radio frequency wave from a heterodyned GPS signal. The method, apparatus, and system is resistant to interference and can be used in a shielded environment such as indoors or behind a line-of-sight barrier.
US08130141B2 Wide area positioning system
Systems and methods are described for determining position of a receiver. The positioning system comprises a transmitter network including transmitters that broadcast positioning signals. The positioning system comprises a remote receiver that acquires and tracks the positioning signals and/or satellite signals. The satellite signals are signals of a satellite-based positioning system. A first mode of the remote receiver uses terminal-based positioning in which the remote receiver computes a position using the positioning signals and/or the satellite signals. The positioning system comprises a server coupled to the remote receiver. A second operating mode of the remote receiver comprises network-based positioning in which the server computes a position of the remote receiver from the positioning signals and/or satellite signals, where the remote receiver receives and transfers to the server the positioning signals and/or satellite signals.
US08130140B2 Optimized beamforming for satellite communication
A method for determining beamforming weights used onboard a satellite and ground-based beamforming weights used in a ground-based station as part of a satellite communication system. This beamforming method is a two-stage beamforming process that requires a reduced downlink bandwidth between the satellite and the ground-based station yet achieves optimal signal-to-noise ratio for bandwidth allocated for the downlink. values for the fixed onboard beamforming weights are computed to yield a maximum, max A ⁢ ( min U ⁢ S N ⁢ ❘ W = W ⋓ ) , where the maximum is computed over all possible fixed weights A represented by an L×M matrix, the minimum is computed over all possible positions of remote communication devices U, and the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) is computed for the optimal set of ground-based beamforming weights W={hacek over (W)}.
US08130139B2 Radar-based method for measuring a level of material in a container
Described is a radar-based method for measuring a level of material in a container. Microwaves are emitted to a surface of the material by a radar level gauge, echo waves reflected from the surface are received and the received echo waves are converted into an echo function which is stored and evaluated to establish a useful echo and to determine a position of the echo. The echo function is generated and stored with a first higher resolution for a selected first portion of the entire level measurement range of the radar level gauge. Further, the echo function is generated and stored with a second lower resolution or no echo function is generated and stored for the remaining second portion of the entire level measurement range.
US08130138B2 Object detecting apparatus
A ghost target candidate judging device judges that one target of two targets is a candidate for a ghost target where the distances of the two targets from a subject vehicle are equal to each other and where the difference between receiving levels of the two targets is not less than a predetermined value. A running-abreast target judging device judges that one target is the target running abreast of the other target based on changes in an angle difference and in a left-right positional difference between the two targets in accordance with the change in the distances of the two targets from the subject vehicle. The ghost target judging device judges, as the ghost target, a target obtained by removing the running-abreast target data from the candidates for the ghost target. The running-abreast target is prevented from being erroneously recognized as the ghost target while judging which target is the ghost target. Also, a target indicating a lower receiving level is prevented from erroneously being judged as a ghost target when two targets indicating their respective different receiving levels are running side by side.
US08130135B2 Bi-static radar processing for ADS-B sensors
A system and technique to derive a position of a non-ADSB equipped aircraft using ADS-B information provided from an ADSB equipped aircraft and bi-static radar processing techniques.
US08130133B2 A/D converter using isolation switches
In an A/D converter, isolation switches are used between the capacitors and the conversion switches. The conversion switches are those switches used to selectively couple the plates of the binary weighted capacitors to either Vref or 0 volts during the A/D conversion process. During sampling of the input voltage signal, the isolation switches are opened to isolate the conversion switches from the wide range of possible input voltages at the bottom plates of the capacitors. Therefore, the voltage across the conversion switches is substantially limited to Vref. Hence, the conversion switches can be very fast low voltage switches. After sampling of the input voltage, when the sampled input voltage is locked in, the conversion switches operate normally to selectively connect the capacitor plates to either Vref or 0 volts for successively approximating the input voltage, whereby a digital code representing the sampled input voltage is generated.
US08130132B2 Differential chopper comparator and A/D converter including the same
A differential chopper comparator compares an input signal voltage and a first voltage, and includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a differential amplification unit including a differential amplification circuit. Either the input signal voltage or the first voltage is applied to one end of the first capacitor via a first switch unit. A fixed voltage is applied to one end of the second capacitor via a second switch unit. Either a non-inverting input terminal or an inverting input terminal of the differential amplification circuit is connected to the other end of the first capacitor, and the other terminal is connected to the other end of the second capacitor. An impedance of the first switch unit side viewed from one end of the first capacitor and an impedance of the second switch unit side viewed from one end of the second capacitor are substantially same.
US08130128B2 System and method for generating shaped noise
In a particular embodiment, a circuit device is disclosed that includes a data generator adapted to output a random pulse sequence having a particular spectral shape. The data generator includes a feedback loop with a transfer function, the output of which may be altered by limiter circuitry to increase stability of the data generator. The circuit device may further include, for example, a pulse edge control circuit to selectively apply a carrier suppression operation to at least one pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal in response to the random pulse sequence to produce at least one modulated PWM output signal. In such an example, the spectral energy associated with a PWM carrier of the modulated PWM output signal at a carrier frequency and associated harmonics is changed such that the modulated PWM output signal has a spectral shape defined by the particular spectral shape.
US08130126B2 Analog to digital conversion system
The system converts an analog input signal into a digital output signal while avoiding interference, such as clipping. The system derives two signal components having differing signal magnitude levels from the analog input signal. The signal components are subjected to independent analog to digital conversion, such as through low resolution analog to digital converters. The system determines weighting factors for the two signal components based on at least one property of at least one of the signal components, such as the level of at least one of the signal components. The signal components are weighted. The weighted signal components are merged.
US08130125B2 A/D converter, solid-state image capturing apparatus and electronic information device
The CMOS image sensor according to the present invention includes a sample hold section 3A1 for retaining an analog input signal voltage and a ramp wave signal voltage; and a comparing section 3A2 for taking an output from the sample hold section 3A1 as an input to compare it with a reverse level of itself, in which the sample hold section 3A1 applies a stabilization promoting voltage to a terminal of the sampling capacitance element so that an electric potential level of the terminal of the sampling capacitance element is promoted to become stabilized at a predetermined voltage, when the analog input signal is applied to the terminal of the sampling capacitance element.
US08130123B2 Rotary actuator and input device using the same
A rotary actuator includes a roller having a center shaft protruding along a center axis, a bearing for supporting the center shaft of the roller to allow the roller to rotate about the center axis, a ring magnet fixed to the center shaft of the roller, an elastic member having a ring shape provided between the center shaft of the roller and the bearing, and a fixed magnet facing the ring magnet. The ring magnet is alternately magnetized to an S-pole and an N-pole with predetermined angular intervals. This rotary actuator has a simple structure and operates with a preferable operation feeling.
US08130121B2 Automated turbulence display system
A method identifies turbulence information from turbulence data generated by a set of remote aircraft based on a request to form identified turbulence information. The turbulence information is identified in response to the request received at an aircraft to view the turbulence information. The identified turbulence information is displayed on a display device in the aircraft.
US08130116B1 Mobile telephone tracking system
A personal item tracking and monitoring system is herein disclosed, comprising a transmitter unit and a receiver unit. The transmitter unit is a relatively small unit attachable to an object, particularly a mobile telephone, that emits a radio frequency coded signal to a receiving unit carried by a person. The transmitter unit is of a small size relative to the object and is attached to the object by use of a fastening means. The receiver unit is envisioned to be the size of a key fob typically used to wirelessly lock and unlock the doors of a motor vehicle. As such, the receiver unit is envisioned to be carried on a ring of keys, carried in one's hands, carried in a pocket, purse, or briefcase, worn upon a belt, or a similar manner. The receiving unit allows a user to adjust and set an allowable distance between the object and the receiver unit using a range selection control. If the object is located farther then the allowable distance the user is alerting by an audible or visual warning signal. In such a manner, the user may take immediate corrective action to retrieve the object, thus silencing the alarm.
US08130113B1 Bearing monitoring method
A method for monitoring a bearing is disclosed. The method involves positioning a non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent a bearing on a piece of rotating equipment so that at least one operating parameter of said bearing is communicated to said bearing isolator; and, positioning an energy detector within range of said bearing isolator so that said energy detector is able to monitor said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.
US08130109B2 Information accessing system, information apparatus, recording medium and method for accessing information
A method, to facilitate communication by a machine, includes: receiving data transmitted from a reading/writing apparatus; detecting a data request signal; transmitting, to the reading/writing apparatus, a response signal responsive to the data request signal; acquiring, from a sensor, detected data indicative of at least one of a physical quantity and a physical state; storing the acquired detected data into a memory and setting thereafter a flag to a first state; transmitting the acquired detected data if the data request signal is detected and setting thereafter the flag to a second state; invoking an alarm if the flag is in the first state and a power switch is in an OFF state; and controlling the power switch to disconnect power from the power supply to the information apparatus if the flag is in the second state and the power switch is in the OFF state.
US08130106B1 Method of detecting sugar in industrial process boiler systems
This invention provides a method for detecting sugars in boiler condensate and/or boiler feedwater in industrial processes. The method includes measuring an oxidation-reduction potential at one or more locations in the process with one or more devices capable of measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure and correlating that measurement to an amount of sugar in the system. If the measured oxidation-reduction potential is not within an optimum range, action is taken.
US08130103B2 Method of reducing power consumption of a radio badge in a boundary detection localization system
A method of reducing power consumption of a radio badge in a boundary detection localization system is disclosed, in which the radio badge is carried by a tracked target and performs location sampling communication with an infrastructure component of the localization system at the start and end of sampling time intervals such that positions of the radio badge can be estimated. The method includes: determining a velocity of the radio badge; estimating a critical time for the radio badge to reach a critical region through division in which a critical distance from an estimated position obtained at the end of a most recent sampling time interval to the critical region is the dividend, and the velocity of the radio badge is the divisor; and controlling the radio badge to perform location sampling communication with the infrastructure component of the localization system at the end of the critical time.
US08130101B2 Embedded power cable sensor array
Semiconductor sensor chips are assembled with semiconductor communication chips to form sensor nodes which are wired together and placed in a tube preform which is sealed to form a tube containing an array of sensor nodes. The tube, resembling a wire in appearance, can then be assembled with power conductors to form a power delivery cable to allow monitoring of conditions within the cable at a plurality of spaced locations along the length of the cable so that the cable can be operated near or at its actual current carrying capacity which may be altered by ambient conditions and allowing management of risk of failure of the cable.
US08130095B2 Health-related signaling via wearable items
Systems and methods are described for configuring and using displays, speakers, or other output devices positioned by an article of clothing or other such structure wearable by a healthcare recipient, for example, in a clinic or residential care facility.
US08130094B2 Mistake-proof monitoring method of bedridden care system
In a mistake-proof monitoring method applied to a bedridden care system, the bedridden care system includes a computer, a plurality of transmitters and a warning device. The computer will generate a shutdown message to notice a nurse to check whether the transmitter is shut down maliciously, if no sensing message is transmitted from any transmitter within a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times. The computer will generate a detachment message to the warning device, if the transmitter is contacted improperly with a sensor. The computer will generate an error message to the warning device, if the time interval between the current time and a previous time occurring an abnormal situation is beyond a predetermined normal time interval and the sensor is not installed at a correct detected position. The mistake-proof monitoring method can immediately discover whether or not the sensors or the transmitters are operated at normal conditions.
US08130091B2 Carrier wave detecting tire pressure detecting apparatus and operating method for the same
A tire pressure detecting apparatus has a micro-controller, a detecting module and a transceiver. The detecting module is electronically connected to the micro-controller and has a tire pressure detecting unit controlled by the micro-controller to detect a tire pressure inside a tire. The transceiver is electronically connected to the micro-controller, transmits a high frequency signal corresponding to detected characteristic tire parameters from the detecting module to a monitoring system inside a car and receives an external high frequency signal sent from external tire pressure detecting apparatus for the micro-controller, with the micro-controller temporarily delaying sending of the high frequency signal until a waiting time has expired to prevent signal collision between the high frequency signal and the external high frequency signal.
US08130090B2 Apparatus and method for detecting decrease in tire air pressure and program for detecting decrease in tire air pressure
An apparatus for detecting a decreased air pressure of a tire includes an acceleration calculation circuit for calculating, based on rotation velocity information of tires of respective wheels of a vehicle; an acceleration variation calculation circuit for calculating acceleration variations of the respective tires; a comparison circuit for comparing the acceleration variations of the respective tires; an estimation component for estimating, when a comparison result of the comparison shows that an acceleration variation of a certain tire is greater than acceleration variations of the other tires, a decrease in air pressure of the certain tire; a test circuit for determining a tire having a rotation velocity that is faster than the rotation velocities of the other tires or that is further slower than a predetermined reference; and a judgment circuit for judging, when a certain tire identified by the estimation is identical with the tire identified by the test, a decrease in air pressure of the certain tire.
US08130083B2 System and method for displaying presentations based on codes written to and read from RFID tags
A system for displaying audio visual presentations based on customer preferences includes a radio frequency identification (“RFID writer”) a reader, a display screen and a control system. The RFID writer writes a descriptive code onto an RFID tag, wherein the descriptive code containing customer specific information based on a consumer's purchase. The reader reads the descriptive code from an RFID tag when the tag enters a predetermined proximity of the reader. The control system is operatively coupled to the display screen and the reader and stores a plurality of audio-visual presentations. The control system initiates the display of an audio-visual presentation on the display screen based on the descriptive code, wherein the control system is adapted to play the audio-visual presentation in the order in which the RFID tag is read by the antenna.
US08130081B2 Data management for intermittently connected sensors
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing data on an intermittently connected sensor. A data management system manages the data on radio frequency identification tags. The data management system comprises a radio frequency identification tag capable of storing the data, program code stored on the radio frequency identification tag, and a reader data processing system. The reader data processing system is capable of receiving the data and the program code from the radio frequency identification tag in a radio frequency signal and capable of executing the program code to read the data.
US08130080B2 Transponder actuatable switching device
The present invention relates to a switching device for generating a switch signal, a reading device with the switching device and a method for the communication between a reading device and a transponder (T). The switching device includes an antenna (4), which with the help of an adapter circuit (AN) is adapted to a given resistance, and a measuring bridge (1), which includes two voltage dividers connected in parallel. The resistance acts in one of the voltage dividers and in the case of a change of the resistance the measuring bridge (1) generates the switch signal. This means when a transponder reaches the detection range of a reading device having the switching device, an additional impedance is coupled in, which acts on the measuring bridge (1). This change is recognized and leads to the generation of the switch signal.
US08130077B2 Wireless communications devices
In one aspect, a wireless communications device includes a processing unit; memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit; at least one antenna; a cellular receiver communicatively coupled to the processing unit and the at least one antenna to perform wireless communications using a first protocol; and an identification device communicatively coupled to the processing unit and the at least one antenna to perform wireless communications by modulating a received signal using a second protocol different than the first protocol. The wireless communications device may further include a location-determining system communicatively coupled to the processing unit to determine a current location of the wireless communications device using a global positioning system (GPS), to allow the processing unit to perform a control operation based on the current location of the wireless communications device.
US08130075B1 System and method for touchscreen combination lock
Systems and methods for touchscreen security gateways are described, wherein a mechanical lock simulation is presented and operated by the user of a touchscreen interface. Comparisons between entered and stored combinations may be processed and/or stored utilizing local or remote processing and/or storage resources. The mechanical lock aspect of the user interface may comprise simulated rotating elements that may be operated by user-induced sliding interactions upon the user interface. Several aspects of the mechanical lock simulation may be customized or programmed by the user, and the presentation of the user interface operation to the user may include audible and/or haptic feedback.
US08130073B2 Push-button testing system
A push-button switch test device having a flexible tab fixedly attached to a pushing member. The flexible tab is made of a flexible material and includes a deformation sensitive resistor mounted on a surface. The push-button switch test device may be used to test a push-button by imposing a known force on the flexible tab while receiving a signal level across the deformation sensitive resistor. As the known force pushes on the flexible tab, the signal level indicates when the push-button has engaged. The force may then be reversed to permit sensing of the disengagement of the switch. Configurations of a plurality of push-button switch test devices may be arranged in a test frame that mirrors a configuration of push-button switches.
US08130072B2 Vanadium oxide thermal microprobes
A temperature probe includes a substrate, a cantilever body portion formed on the substrate, having an anchor portion held in contact to the substrate and a free end portion extending out of the surface of the substrate, and a sputter-deposited thermistor sensor portion located at the free end portion of the cantilever body portion.
US08130054B1 Frequency-adjustable radio frequency isolator circuitry
The present invention relates to a frequency-adjustable radio frequency (RF) isolator that may operate as a bandpass filter when processing RF signals in a forward direction and may operate as a notch filter when processing RF signals in a reverse direction. The notch filter has a notch frequency, which is adjustable to provide adequate isolation from reflected signals at a specific operating frequency. The frequency-adjustable RF isolator may include an electro-magnetic gyrator coupled to a variable impedance circuit, which may present a variable impedance to the electro-magnetic gyrator. The notch frequency may be dependent on the variable impedance. The notch filter may be a single-notch filter or may be a multiple-notch filter.
US08130050B2 Dual table temperature compensated voltage controlled crystal oscillator system and method
Dual table temperature compensation for a voltage controlled crystal oscillator is achieved by sensing the temperature of the voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO), retrieving from a first table the frequency error with variations in the temperature sensed, retrieving from a second table the oscillator control voltage corresponding to the frequency error from the first table and applying the oscillator control voltage to the VCXO.
US08130049B2 Submillimeter-wave signal generation by linear superimposition of phase-shifted fundamental tone signals
Generation of Terahertz range (300 GHz to 3 THz) frequencies is increasingly important for communication, imaging and spectroscopic systems, including concealed object detection. Apparatus and methods describe generating multiple phase signals which are phase-locked at a fundamental frequency, which are then interleaved into an output which is a multiple of the fundamental frequency. By way of example phase generators comprise cross-coupling transistors (e.g., NMOS) and twist coupling transistors (NMOS) for generating a desired number of phase-locked output phases. A rectifying interleaver comprising a transconductance stage and Class B amplifiers provides superimposition of the phases into an output signal. The invention allows frequency output to exceed the maximum frequency of oscillation of a given device technology, such as CMOS in which a 324 GHz VCO in 90 nm digital CMOS with 4 GHz tuning was realized.
US08130048B2 Local oscillator
Equal numbers of variable capacitance elements, capacitance values of which are separately controlled according to a logic value of a corresponding bit of a delay control signal that is in a one-to-one relation with an oscillation frequency, are connected in parallel among differential outputs of all delay circuits excluding a differential non-inverting delay circuit at the end, which extracts a frequency signal to the outside. Bits of the delay control signal are connected in a one-to-one relation to the equal numbers of variable capacitance elements arranged on output sides of all the delay circuits, in a relation in which delay control signals continuous in terms of frequency are not connected to the equal number of variable capacitance elements arranged on an output side of one of the delay circuits.
US08130045B1 Digital self excited loop
A process that provides the ability to incorporate a self exciting loop (SEL) algorithm into a digital LLRF system. The present digital SEL provides for conversion from the Cartesian domain to the Polar domain, wherein most signal processing is accomplished, and back to Cartesian. By handling most signal processing in the Polar (phase & amplitude) domain, a perfect amplitude limiter can be realized and simpler logic operations can be used. When operational, cavity recovery from faults will be tuner-less. At high gradients, ˜20 MV/m, like those needed for the upgraded cryomodules, the Lorentz detuning will be many bandwidths, making cavity turn-on problematic with out some tuner based compensation or other algorithmic solution. The present SEL solves this problem and allows cavity recovery from cryogenic trips, wherein cavities have been known to detune 1000's of Hz. Other applications such has He processing can also be implemented in situ without additional electronics.
US08130044B2 Phase-locked loop circuitry with multiple voltage-controlled oscillators
Configurable phase-locked loop circuitry is provided. The phase-locked loop circuitry may include a buffer having a buffer output and a multiplexer having inputs and an output. The phase-locked loop circuitry may include multiple voltage-controlled oscillators. The phase-locked loop circuitry may be configured to switch a desired one of the voltage-controlled oscillators into use. Each voltage-controlled oscillator may be controlled by control signals applied to a control input for that voltage-controlled oscillator. The control input of each voltage-controlled oscillator may be connected to the buffer output. The output of each voltage-controlled oscillator may be connected to a respective one of the multiplexer inputs. Power-down transistors may be used to disable unused voltage-controlled oscillators to conserve power. The power-down transistors and the multiplexer may be controlled by signals from programmable elements. One or more of the voltage-controlled oscillators may be implemented using a separate integrated circuit connected using through-silicon vias.
US08130041B2 Power amplifier device
Provided is a power amplifier device. The power amplifier device includes: a cutoff unit cutting off a direct current (DC) component of a signal delivered from a signal input terminal; a circuit protecting unit connected to the cutoff unit and stabilizing a signal delivered from the cutoff unit; and an amplification unit connected to the circuit protecting unit and amplifying a signal delivered from the circuit protecting unit, wherein the amplification unit comprises a plurality of transistors connected in parallel to the circuit protecting unit and the circuit protecting unit comprises resistors connected to between bases of the plurality of transistors.
US08130038B2 Class AB operational amplifier and output stage quiescent current control method
A class AB operational amplifier includes: a first transistor, for generating a first current; a second transistor, where a second source voltage of the second transistor is equal to a first source voltage of the first transistor, for generating an output stage quiescent current; and an output stage quiescent current controller, coupled to a gate and a source of the first transistor, for controlling a first drain-to-source voltage of the first transistor to be equal to a second drain-to-source voltage of the second transistor. A ratio of the output stage quiescent current to the first current is equal to a ratio of a second W/L ratio of the second transistor to a first W/L ratio of the first transistor.
US08130034B2 Rail-to-rail amplifier
A rail-to-rail amplifier includes an NMOS type amplification unit configured to perform an amplification operation on differential input signals in a domain in which DC levels of the differential input signals are higher than a first threshold value, a PMOS type folded-cascode amplification unit configured to perform an amplification operation on the differential input signals in a domain in which the DC levels of the differential input signals are lower than a second threshold value which is higher than the first threshold value, the PMOS type folded-cascode amplification unit being cascade-coupled to the NMOS type amplification unit, and an adaptive biasing unit configured to interrupt a current path of the PMOS type folded-cascode amplification unit in a domain in which the DC levels of the differential input signals are higher than the second threshold value in response to the differential input signals.
US08130028B2 CMOS charge pump with improved latch-up immunity
A CMOS charge pump with improved latch-up immunity is provided. The CMOS charge pump includes a blocking transistor that disconnects first and second boost nodes from a bulk node in response to a blocking control signal, such that a bulk voltage can be maintained at a predetermined level or higher. The CMOS charge pump in a power-up period first precharges the bulk voltage before the main pump performs a boosting operation and prevents a latch-up phenomenon.
US08130026B2 Booster circuit and voltage supply circuit
A booster circuit includes a pump circuit having a plurality of charge pump circuits for outputting a boosted voltage to a first output terminal. The booster circuit also includes a clock adjusting circuit that generates, from a first clock signal, a second clock signal for operating the charge pump circuits. A pump controlling circuit outputs the first clock signal for operating the pump circuit. A first comparator outputs a first output signal. A second comparator outputs a second output signal. A third comparator outputs a third output signal. A gradient of the boosted voltage is decreased when the first output signal is output. A frequency of the first clock signal is reduced when the second output signal is output. The third output signal is output when the boosted voltage is higher than a set value of the boosted voltage.
US08130024B2 Temperature compensation via power supply modification to produce a temperature-independent delay in an integrated circuit
A method and circuitry for adjusting the delay of a variable delay line (VDL) in a delay locked loop (DLL) or other delay element or subcircuit on an integrated circuit is disclosed. Such delay circuitry will inherently have a delay which is a function of temperature. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, such temperature-dependent delays are compensated for by adjusting the power supply voltage of the VDL, delay element, or subcircuit. Specifically, a temperature sensing stage is used to sense the temperature of the integrated circuit, and hence the VDL, delay element, or subcircuit. Information concerning the sensed temperature is sent to a regulator which derives the local power supply voltage from the master power supply voltage, Vcc, of the integrated circuit. If the temperature sensed is relatively high, which otherwise would increase the delay though the VDL, delay element, or subcircuit, the regulator increases the local power supply voltage, thus decreasing the delay and offsetting the increase in delay due to temperature. Through this scheme, and assuming the temperature sensing stage is properly tuned, temperature-dependent delays can be reduced to approximately zero.
US08130019B1 Clock signal propagation method for integrated circuits (ICs) and integrated circuit making use of same
A method is provided for propagating clock signals in a circuit segment having a first clocked device, a second clocked device and a data path between the first clocked device and the second clocked device. The data path propagates data released by the first clocked device to the second clocked device and is associated with a data propagation delay. The method comprises providing a clock propagation path for propagating clock signals to the first clocked device and the second clocked device, wherein the clock signal propagated to the second clocked device is delayed from the clock signal propagated to the first clocked device by a clock delay interval, the clock delay interval being related to the data propagation delay of the data path. A circuit segment making use of the above method is also provided.
US08130018B2 Latch module and frequency divider
A latch module comprising a sense pair of transistor elements coupled together for sensing a differential input signal at input terminals, a level-shift module for producing a differential output signal at output terminals, and a regenerative pair of transistor elements coupled together and with the input pair for holding the output signal through the level-shift module. The latch module also includes a pair of gate transistor elements connected in series respectively with the sense pair of transistor elements and with the regenerative pair of transistor elements and responsive to an alternating differential gate signal to activate alternately the sense pair during sense periods and the regenerative pair during store periods. A current injector provides asymmetric operation by injecting current between at least one of the gate transistors and the corresponding sense or regenerative pair of transistor elements so that the sense periods are of different duration from the store periods.
US08130015B2 Clock generating circuit, semiconductor device including the same, and data processing system
To include a phase determining circuit that generates a first phase determination signal, a sampling circuit that samples the first phase determination signal and generates a second phase determination signal based on the sampled first phase determination signal, and a clock generating unit that generates an internal clock signal based on the second phase determination signal. The sampling circuit includes a continuity determining circuit that fixes the second phase determination signal when a logic level of the first phase determination signal changes within a sampling cycle, an initial operation circuit that fixes the second phase determination signal at a high level until when a third phase determination signal indicates a high level, and a disabling circuit that disables an operation of the continuity determining circuit after the third phase determination signal indicates a high level.
US08130014B2 Network and method for setting a time-base of a node in the network
A data communication network may, include a first sub-network and a second sub-network. The first sub-network may include two or more two master clocks, and a synchronization system connected to the master clocks. The synchronization system may, for determine a time-base for the master clocks and control the master clocks based on the determined time-base. The first sub-network may include one or more slave synchronization data source for generating slave clock synchronization data derived from time information of the master clocks. The second sub-network may include one or more slave clocks and a slave clock time-base controller connected to the slave synchronization data source. The time-base controller may receive the slave clock synchronization data and control one or more of the one or more slave clocks in accordance with the slave clock synchronization data.
US08130010B2 Signal lines with internal and external termination
Embodiments of a memory controller are described. This memory controller communicates signals to a memory device via a signal line, which can be a data signal line or a command/address signal line. Termination of the signal line is divided between an external impedance outside of the memory controller and an internal impedance within the memory controller. The memory controller does not activate the external impedance prior to communicating the signals and, therefore, does not deactivate the external impedance after communicating the signals. The internal impedance of the memory controller can be enabled or disabled in order to reduce interface power consumption. Moreover, the internal impedance may be implemented using a passive component, an active component or both. For example, the internal impedance may include either or both an on-die termination and at least one driver.
US08130009B2 Dynamic voltage and frequency management
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a self calibration unit configured to iterate a test on a logic circuit in the integrated circuit at respectively lower supply voltage magnitudes until the test fails. A lowest supply voltage magnitude at which the test passes is used to generate a requested supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a series connection of logic gates physically distributed over an area of the integrated circuit, and a measurement unit configured to launch a logical transition into the series and detect a corresponding transition at the output of the series. The amount of time between the launch and the detection is used to request a supply voltage magnitude for the integrated circuit.
US08130008B2 Integrated circuit with a radiation-sensitive thyristor structure
An integrated circuit comprises a circuit used for storing or processing data and a radiation-sensitive thyristor structure configured to conditionally short two power supply terminals of the integrated circuit. The thyristor structure is configured to turn on in response to a region of the thyristor structure being irradiated with radiation to which the thyristor structure is sensitive, in order to establish an electrically conductive connection between a first power supply terminal of the power supply terminals of the integrated circuit and a second power supply terminal of the power supply terminals of the integrated circuit. The thyristor structure is further configured so that a power density of the radiation needed for turning on the thyristor structure is lower than a power density of the radiation needed for a change of data of the circuit used for storing or processing data.
US08130006B2 Apparatus, system and method for testing electronic elements
An electronic element testing apparatus for use with a number of probes. Each probe has a lower pole and an upper pole. The apparatus includes: a first plate having a first side and a second side, the first side having an array of lower pole regions disposed thereabout, each lower pole region configured to receive a lower pole of a probe; and a plurality of signal conductor regions disposed proximate the array of lower pole regions, each signal conductor region arranged to provide a non-cable electrical path between a lower pole region and a switching circuit. The switching circuits are operable to sequentially connect each electronic element to a testing circuit via the upper and lower poles.
US08130005B2 Electrical guard structures for protecting a signal trace from electrical interference
A method of fabricating a guard structure can include depositing an insulating material over at least a portion of electrical signal conductors disposed on a component of a probe card assembly, and depositing an electrically conductive material onto the insulating material and at least a portion of electrical guard conductors disposed on the component of the probe card assembly. Each signal conductor can be disposed between a pair of the guard conductors. The probe card assembly can include a plurality of probes disposed to contact an electronic device to be tested. The signal conductors can be part of electrical paths within the probe card assembly to the probes.
US08130004B2 Probe apparatus and method for correcting contact position by adjusting overdriving amount
A probe apparatus includes a movable mounting table for supporting an object to be tested; a probe card disposed above the mounting table and having a plurality of probes to come into contact with electrodes of the object; a support body for supporting the probe card; and a control unit for controlling the mounting table. Electrical characteristics of the object are tested based on a signal from a tester by bringing the object and the probes into electrical contact with each other by overdriving the mounting table in a state where a test head is electrically connected with the probe card by a predetermined load. Further, one or more distance measuring devices for measuring a current overdriving amount of the mounting table are provided at one or more locations of the test head or the probe card.
US08130000B2 Methods and apparatus for battery monitoring
A battery monitoring system is provided to monitor a battery stack having multiple cells connected in series. The monitoring system includes monitor modules to monitor respective subsets of the cells of the battery stack, each monitor module, in response to one or more control signals, measuring cell voltages of the respective subset of cells and providing at least one readout signal that represents the sampled cell voltages, the monitor modules being electrically connected in a stack such that each monitor module is referenced to the voltage of the respective subset of cells, and the control signals and the readout signal are connected through the monitor modules of the stack, and a system control unit to provide the control signals to the monitor modules and to receive the readout signals from the monitor modules.
US08129998B2 Performance degradation analyzer and method of the same
An AC impedance meter measures an AC impedance of fuel cells against at least a specific frequency. A sensor group detects at least one operating condition of the fuel cells. A detection unit compares a degradation reference value corresponding to the detected operating condition with a resistance value led from the measured AC impedance and detects performance degradation in the fuel cells based on a result of the comparison. This arrangement enables easy detection of performance degradation in the fuel cells, irrespective of a variation in operating condition of the fuel cells.
US08129997B2 Battery cell voltage measuring apparatus and method
Disclosed is a battery cell voltage measuring apparatus and method. The battery cell voltage measuring apparatus comprises a plurality of floating capacitors provided corresponding to a plurality of cells contained in a battery pack; a plurality of switching units provided corresponding to each cell of the battery pack and switchable into a charge mode or a measurement mode; and a cell voltage detector for measuring the voltage of each cell by switching each switching unit into a charge mode to charge the voltage of each cell on each corresponding floating capacitor and time-differentially switching each switching unit into a measurement mode to apply the cell voltage charged on the floating capacitor between a reference potential and a common cell voltage measuring line.
US08129990B2 Image processing apparatus and computer program product
An image processing apparatus includes a recognition unit that recognizes each cell area corresponding to a living cell from a series of observation images captured at observation time points; a measurement unit that measures cell characteristic amounts of each cell; a tracking unit that determines whether a cell area captured at a processing target time point and a cell area captured earlier than the processing target time point has an identity with each other, and associates the cell areas which have an identity with each other; and a cell division detection processing unit that measures relative position information between a target cell area to be processed and a peripheral cell area positioned around the target cell area, determines whether cell division has occurred in a living cell based on at least the relative position information, and detects a target cell area on which cell division has occurred.
US08129986B2 Angle sensor device
An angle sensor device is for determining information of a movable object. The information includes angular position information and/or angular speed information. The angle sensor device includes (a) at least one magnetically encoded region arranged on the movable object, (b) at least one magnetic field detector, and (c) a unit. The at least one magnetic field detector is adapted to detect a signal generated by the at least one magnetically encoded region when the at least one magnetically encoded region moving with the movable object passes a surrounding area of the at least one magnetic field detector. The unit is adapted to determine the information based on the detected signal.
US08129985B2 Position encoder
An inductive position encoder is described having first and second members which are relatively moveable over a measurement path, a magnetic device mounted on the first member; a plurality of first windings mounted on the second member; and a second winding. The magnetic device is operable to interact with the windings such that upon the energization of either the second winding or the first windings, there is generated a plurality of sensor signals each being associated with a respective one of said first windings and varying with the relative position between said magnetic device and the associated first winding and hence with the relative position between said first and second members. Additionally, the plurality of first windings are arranged along said measurement path so that the sensor signals vary substantially in accordance with a predetermined Gray code.
US08129983B2 Method and apparatus for controlling charging of a battery in a communication device
The application discloses a method and apparatus for controlling the charging of a battery in a communication device. The method includes sensing temperature of the battery while charging the battery, and determining that the temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold value. The method then includes monitoring a charging status of the battery when the determined temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature threshold value. The charging status indicates an amount of charge in the battery. The method further includes determining that the amount of charge in the battery is less than a predetermined charge threshold value. The method then includes suspending charging of the battery, until the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature threshold value, when the determined amount of charge in the battery is less than the predetermined charge threshold value.
US08129977B2 Reference voltage generating circuit and DC-DC converter including the same
A reference voltage generator includes a reference voltage generating circuit that outputs a second reference voltage; and a DA converter that DA-converts a digital signal from outside in accordance with the second reference voltage. The circuit includes a first constant voltage circuit that operates on a DC voltage and outputs a first constant voltage; a second voltage divider that divides the first constant voltage at a second dividing ratio and outputs a second partial voltage; an output transistor that operates on the DC voltage and allows current to flow therethrough according to a signal applied to its control electrode; a current-voltage converter that converts the current from the output transistor into a voltage and outputs the voltage (second reference voltage); and a second op-amplifier that operates on the first constant voltage and controls the output transistor so that the second reference voltage equals to the second partial voltage.
US08129974B1 Systems and methods for self-recycling power
A power system includes a switch, a capacitor and a comparator circuit. The power system receives a signal to turn off power supplied to the power system, turns off the switch that is used to supply power to the system and discharges the capacitor. The power system also compares a voltage across the discharging capacitor to a threshold voltage value, and turns on the switch to allow power to be supplied to the power system when the compared voltage across the discharging capacitor equals the threshold voltage value.
US08129970B2 Switching regulator with reverse current detection
A switching regulator that includes an inductor, a first step-down switch to store charge in the inductor, a second step-down switch to discharge the charge, a first step-up switch to store charge in the inductor, a second step-up switch to discharge the charge, a reverse current detector to detect a reverse current from an output terminal to the inductor through the second step-up switch, or an indication of the reverse current, based on a detection voltage, and a controller to control the first and second step-down switches, and the first and second step-up switches to output a predetermined constant voltage, and to shut off the second step-up switch to make shutdown condition when the detector detects the reverse current or an indication of the reverse current. The reverse current detector may have a threshold value in the step-down operation that is different from a threshold value in the step-up operation.
US08129969B1 Hysteretic inductive switching regulator with power supply compensation
A voltage regulator includes a converter module, N comparators, and a decoder module. The converter module includes (N+1) resistors connected in series between a supply voltage and a common voltage, where N is an integer greater than 1. Each of the (N+1) resistors has a value that is different than values of others of the (N+1) resistors. The N comparators have first inputs connected to a reference voltage, and second inputs respectively connected to N nodes between the (N+1) resistors. The decoder module receives outputs of the N comparators and generates an R-bit output, where R is an integer greater than 1. Each bit of the R-bit output indicates a different one of R voltage ranges. A present value of the supply voltage lies in one of the R voltage ranges.
US08129966B2 Voltage regulator circuit and control method therefor
A voltage regulator circuit and control method therefor. The circuit includes input and output terminals, an output transistor to pass a current from the input terminal to the output terminal according to a control signal, a reference voltage generator unit to generate and output a reference voltage, an output voltage detector unit to detect an output voltage output from the output terminal and generate and output a proportional voltage proportional to a detected voltage, a first error amplifier unit to control the output transistor to make the proportional voltage equal to the reference voltage, and a second error amplifier unit to respond to fluctuation in the output voltage faster than the first error amplifier unit and increase the output current from the output transistor for a period of time when the output voltage rapidly drops. Current consumption of the second error amplifier unit is changed according to the output current.
US08129965B2 Quick-start low dropout regulator
A low dropout regulator includes an error amplifier, an N-type depletion MOSFET, a first switch, a second switch, a low-pass filter resistor, and a low-pass filter capacitor. By switching on both the first switch and the second switch, a voltage level of an output node at a negative input terminal of the error amplifier may be rapidly raised to be close to and lower than a voltage level of an input node at a gate of the N-type depletion MOSFET. Both the first switch and the second switch are then switched off immediately so that the voltage level of the output node is gradually raised to be equal to the voltage level of the input node through the low-pass filter resistor.
US08129962B2 Low dropout voltage regulator with clamping
Apparatus and methods for reducing output load transients of a low dropout voltage regulator (“LDO”) are disclosed herein. A voltage regulator includes an output driver coupled to a regulator output pin, the output driver provides current to a load external to the regulator. A clamping device is coupled between the output pin and an internal node of the regulator. The clamping device forces a voltage at a control input of the output driver to follow the voltage at the output pin when the output driver is disabled.
US08129959B1 Start-up circuitry and method for power converter
In one embodiment, circuitry is provided for startup of a power converter. The circuitry includes a bias capacitor operable to be charged for providing energy to a controller of the power converter. A divider circuit is coupled to a voltage source. Current flows through the divider circuit. A switch, coupled to the divider circuit, is operable to be turned on and off to divert current flow in the divider circuit for charging the bias capacitor. This provides energy to the controller of the power converter at startup without employing an external bias source or high value bleeder resistor.
US08129958B2 Transition mode power factor correction device with built-in automatic total harmonic distortion reduction feature
A controller for reducing the harmonics contents in the AC-to-DC converter that is capable of minimizing THD due to crossover distortion. The controller can approximate the shape of the current running through boost inductor to the sinusoidal waveform of the rectified line input voltage and in the meantime to keep the valley of rectified sinusoidal waveform line voltage close to local ground value. The controller can be used in a transition mode power factor correction device suitable for a wide range of AC line input voltage and output loading application.
US08129956B2 Method for measuring a temperature in an electronic device having a battery and a memory device
A temperature sensing device can be embedded in a memory circuit in order to sense the temperature of the memory circuit. One oscillator generates a temperature variable signal that increases frequency as the temperature of the oscillator increases and decreases frequency when the temperature of the oscillator decreases. A temperature invariant oscillator generates a fixed width signal that is controlled by an oscillator read logic and indicates a temperature sense cycle. An n-bit counter is clocked by the temperature variable signal while the fixed width signal enables/inhibits the counter. The faster the counter counts, the larger the count value at the end of the sense cycle indicated by the fixed width signal. A larger count value indicates a warmer temperature. A smaller count value indicates a colder temperature.
US08129953B2 Power management unit for a wireless device
A method and apparatus is disclosed to regulate an input voltage to provide a regulated output power. The regulated output power may include a smooth direct current (DC) component and an undesired alternating current (AC) component, the smooth DC component being an average of the regulated output power. A buck regulator module of the present invention regulates the smooth DC component to approximate a reference voltage. The buck regulator module additionally replicates the undesired AC component embedded within the regulated output power. A replicated undesired AC component is combined with the regulated output power to reduce the undesired AC component embedded within the output power.
US08129951B2 Power charging assembly and method that includes a low voltage electrical device operable with pulse width modulation (PWM) control
A power charging assembly and methods are provided to provide a pre-charge low-current state, a steady-state, high-current charging state, and an unconnect state for an electrical load of an electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV). The power charging assembly includes a positive contactor device, a negative contactor device, and a non-contactor device means. The rate at which that electrical load is pre-charged may be effectively controlled by using a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal received by the non-contactor device means. A current-only carrying positive or negative contactor may be configured with the non-contactor device means to further prevent electrical arcing of the contacts of the positive and the negative contactor during power charging assembly operation.
US08129948B2 Protective circuits for secondary battery packs
This invention discloses a charging/discharging protective circuit for a secondary battery pack, having an over-charging/discharging voltage comparator, a reference voltage source and a battery status decision circuit. There is also a sampling circuit having a sequential pulse generator for generating pulses for selecting one of the batteries in the battery pack for testing purposes. The pulse generator provides M-channel gating pulses to the selection circuit of the battery under test and provides sampling pulses to the over-charging/discharging voltage comparators. The reference voltage source has a regulated output circuit. This invention uses time division inspection methods to provide a cost-effective solution for inspecting batteries in a battery pack.
US08129947B2 Method and system for utilizing a memory control circuit for controlling data transfer to and from a memory system
Methods and systems are disclosed for utilizing a memory control circuit for controlling transfer of data to and from a memory system. A memory control circuit with a back up battery and control circuits is provided. Battery health is determined through a discharge cycle of the back up battery. A power supply generated from the back up battery is provided to circuitry of the memory control card during normal operations of the memory control circuit during a non-power loss state. The power supplied from the back up battery during the non-power loss state of the memory control circuit is utilized by at least a first circuit of the memory control circuit as part of normal memory controller card operations during the battery health discharge cycle. When the system is not performing a battery health cycle the first circuit receives normal system power. The memory control circuit may be a RAID card. The first circuit may be memory circuitry. The backup battery discharge rate may be regulated during the battery health discharge cycle by switching the power source for the circuitry of the memory control card between the backup battery and the normal system power.
US08129946B2 Method and system for regulating current discharge during battery discharge conditioning cycle
Methods and systems are disclosed for utilizing a memory control circuit for controlling transfer of data to and from a memory system. A memory control circuit with a back up battery and control circuits is provided. Battery health is determined through a discharge cycle of the back up battery. A power supply generated from the back up battery is provided to circuitry of the memory control card during normal operations of the memory control circuit during a non-power loss state. The power supplied from the back up battery during the non-power loss state of the memory control circuit is utilized by at least a first circuit of the memory control circuit as part of normal memory controller card operations during the battery health discharge cycle. When the system is not performing a battery health cycle the first circuit receives normal system power. The memory control circuit may be a RAID card. The first circuit may be memory circuitry. The backup battery discharge rate may be regulated during the battery health discharge cycle by switching the power source for the circuitry of the memory control card between the backup battery and the normal system power.
US08129945B2 System and method for balancing a state of charge of series connected cells
A system and method for charging an undercharged cell of a bank of series connected cells utilizes a charging circuit. The charging circuit includes an inductor that receives current from the entire bank of cells and then provides current to the undercharged cell. Pulse width modulation is utilized to turn the switches on and off to regulate the current that flows to the inductor and thus is provided to the undercharged cell.
US08129943B2 Induction charger for charging electronic device
An induction charger for charging an electronic device includes a carrying car, a transmission assembly, a permanent magnet, an alternating current power supply, and an induction coil. The carrying car includes a base defined at least four slots scatted therein, a cover defining a through hole, at least two rotatable shaft, and at least two pairs of wheels positioned on a corresponding rotatable shaft and received in and passed through one corresponding slot. The transmission assembly includes a gear case defining a first through hole and a second through hole, a first hollow shaft non-rotatably fixed to the permanent magnet, and a second hollow shaft being inserted into a corresponding rotatable shaft. The induction coil is positioned in the base and aligned with and substantially parallel to the permanent magnet, and is electrically connected to the alternating current power supply.
US08129941B2 Power supply with regulation of voltage boosting time
A multi-voltage power supply includes a transformer connecting to an AC power source to regulate voltage and deliver voltage-transformed electric power, a rectification output circuit connecting to the transformer to rectify the voltage-transformed electric power and output first DC power, and at least one voltage regulation circuit to receive the first DC power from a first DC power output line and regulate to become second DC power. The first DC power on the first DC power output line reaches a first potential after a voltage boosting period. The rectification output circuit has a rear end installing a hysteresis unit which adds a delay time in the voltage boosting period to defer the time of the first DC power reaching the first potential. Thereby the time difference between delivering DC power output of the first DC power and the second DC power can be regulated to avoid abnormal start of computers.
US08129940B2 Vehicle control system for controlling charging and discharging control of a battery
A vehicle control system has a battery mounted to a vehicle, a vehicle alternator charging the battery, a battery current detection device detecting a charging/discharging current of the battery, a voltage regulation device regulating an output voltage of the vehicle alternator to a specified output voltage, and a temperature sensor mounted to the inside of the battery current detection device. One terminal of a shunt resistance is connected to a negative terminal of the battery through a battery clump, and the other terminal of the shunt resistance is grounded. The temperature sensor is placed close to the shunt resistance. This structure enables the temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the battery with a high accuracy while considering the temperature characteristics of the shunt resistance.
US08129938B2 Multi power supply system for a portable device
The present invention discloses a multi power supply system for a portable device, particularly a power supply system having a multi power input interface and a universal serial bus (USB) power output interface and capable of receiving a solar electric power and a general battery power. The invention not only provides a multiple of power transmission interfaces of a rechargeable battery of an electric backup power source for supplying power to the portable device, but also achieves the rectification and protection effects.
US08129937B2 Driving device and energy management module
A driving device for driving a load and including a secondary cell, a fuel cell, and an energy management module. The energy management module is coupled to the secondary cell and the fuel cell and generates a first current or a second current to the load according to the voltage of the fuel cell.
US08129930B2 Induction actuated container
A method of controlling an operation of an induction actuated container cover includes the steps of (a) normally retaining a cover panel of the container cover in a closed position; (b) detecting a target movement of a user by a sensor; (c) generating a first actuating signal to an actuation unit when the sensor detects the target movement of the user; (d) generating an actuation output from the actuation unit to the cover panel of the container cover, wherein the actuation output contains a decelerating and torque enhancing force which moves the cover panel of the container cover at an opened position; (e) pivotally actuating the cover panel of the container cover at the opened position via the actuation output to expose a storage cavity, and (f) generating a second actuating signal to pivotally actuate the cover panel of the container cover back to the closed position.
US08129928B2 Power branching system and power branching method
Provided is a power branching system for driving a plurality of motors by use of a single servo driver, the power branching system capable of protecting each of the motors.The power branching system of the present invention has power lines 15 branched at some midpoint to connect the plural motors 5 and the servo driver 12; a plurality of current sensors 21 provided at branched power lines 15b for detecting currents supplied to the respective motors 5; and controlling means 22 for receiving current data detected by the plural current sensors 21, determining whether or not the detected currents are balanced and generating an alarm signal when the currents are unbalanced.
US08129927B2 Driving device and driving method of electric discharge lamp, light source device, and image display apparatus
A driving device of an electric discharge lamp includes: a discharge lamp lighting unit which supplies power to the electric discharge lamp while alternately switching polarity of voltage applied between two electrodes of the electric discharge lamp to lighting the electric discharge lamp; and an anode duty ratio modulating unit which sets at least a first retention period and a second retention period having an anode duty ratio different from that of the first retention period and provided after the first retention period to modulate the anode duty ratios, assuming that each of the retention periods is a period for retaining an anode duty ratio as ratio of an anode period in which one of the electrodes operates as anode at a constant value in one cycle of the polarity switching, wherein the anode duty ratio modulating unit has a first modulation mode for operating the electric discharge lamp in steady condition and a second modulation mode for providing larger change of the anode duty ratio between the first retention period and the second retention period than change of the first modulation mode.
US08129921B2 Switchegear, system for controlling a lamp, and light control system for a building comprising at least one light
The invention introduces the concept of priorities into DALI technology. A switchgear (18) used to this end comprises two inputs (28, 22) to which a DALI bus (40, 38) can respectively be connected, and an output (24) to which another DALI bus (26) can be connected. A data processing unit (56) allocates priorities to the signals entering via the two inputs (28, 22) according to pre-determined criteria, and supplies the signals to the output according to their priority, through which they are then forwarded to electronic ballasts (14). The switchgear (18), especially the data processing unit (56), decides which instruction is carried out by means of the priority assignment in the event of collision conflicts between different instructions, for example central building control instructions and local control instructions.
US08129917B2 Light emitting device for AC operation
An AC light emitting device is disclosed. The AC light emitting device includes at least four substrates. Serial arrays each of which has a plurality of light emitting cells connected in series are positioned on the substrates, respectively. Meanwhile, first connector means electrically connect the serial arrays formed on respective different substrates. At least two array groups each of which has at least two of the serial arrays connected in series by the first connector means are formed. The at least two array groups are connected in reverse parallel to operate. Accordingly, there is provided an AC light emitting device capable of being driven under an AC power source.
US08129916B2 Light emitting driver circuit with bypass and method
A light emitting driver circuit, system, and method are provided. The driver circuit system and method can be implemented in various ways. An embodiment includes a bypass circuit which diverts current from the LEDs whenever a switch coupled to the LEDs incurs residual current when turned off. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the residual current can be sensed and the amount of residual current used to trigger fetching of a compensation value. That compensation value can change a dimming function forwarded to the switch in order to compensate for, offset, or substantially eliminate the residual current through that switch.
US08129911B2 Magnetron
A magnetron has an anode 3 surrounding a tubular hollow cathode 4 which contains a heater 9. The cathode is supported by radial arms at each end. At one end of the cathode, the heater is supplied with one terminal of its D.C. supply by means of a radial arm 5, which also serves to support that end of the cathode. The arm has a portion 5a offset towards the cathode, and a cover of conducting material is interposed between the heater connection and the adjacent end wall 1 of the vacuum envelope. The cover may have a folded portion so that it can be carried by the arm.
US08129909B1 Protected trailer lighting converter
A trailer light converter that is configured to operate lights of a towed vehicle from signals supplied from lighting circuits of a towing vehicle includes at least one input that is adapted to be connected with the lighting circuits of a towing vehicle and at least one output that is adapted to be connected with the lights of a towed vehicle. At least one switch is provided that is responsive to a signal applied to the at least one input to supply electrical power to the at least one output to illuminate at least one light of the towed vehicle. The at least one switch includes a switching transistor and an overload protector. The at least one switch is responsive to the signal applied to the at least one input to change to a low impedance state to supply power to the at least one output. The overload protector is responsive to an overload condition on the at least one output to turn the at least one switch to a high impedance state to remove power from the least one output.
US08129907B2 Plasma display panel
The plasma display panel includes: a front panel having a front substrate and display electrodes; and a rear panel having a rear substrate, a barrier rib, a data electrode and a phosphor layer. The rear substrate faces the front substrate to form a discharge space therebetween. The barrier rib is disposed on the rear substrate to divide the discharge space. The data electrode intersects the display electrodes. The phosphor layer is disposed between the barrier ribs. Further, the display electrodes are formed at a plurality of divided areas separately. The plurality of divided areas is the areas that the front substrate is divided into by a boundary intersecting the display electrodes. The display electrodes formed in the plurality of divided areas have unevenesses in profiles thereof at the boundary between the plurality of divided areas. This configuration easily provides a plasma display panel having a large screen and high resolution as display quality.
US08129905B2 Phosphor and light emitting device using the phosphor
The present invention provides a phosphor having high luminance, a property of low luminance degradation during driving of a light-emitting device, and chromaticity y comparable to that of BAM:Eu. The present invention is a phosphor represented by the general formula aAO.bEuO.DO.cSiO2, where A is at least one selected from Ca, Sr and Ba, D is at least one selected from Mg and Zn, and 2.970≦a≦3.500, 0.001≦b≦0.030, and 1.900≦c≦2.100 are satisfied. In this phosphor, a peak intensity at 1490 cm−1 is 0.02 to 0.8 when a peak intensity at 565 cm−1 is set to 1 in a spectrum obtained by measurement using photoacoustic spectroscopy.
US08129902B2 Organic EL display device comprising moisture diffusion reduction banks structure
An organic EL display device includes a substrate, pixel regions, each having a first electrode, a light emitting material layer, and a second electrode, and a bank film formed by a laminated structure of a plurality of inorganic material films having different etching rates from one another formed above the substrate to separate pixel regions from one another. The bank film has openings exposing upper surfaces of the first electrodes to the light emitting material layers, and the second electrode is formed over the openings in common with the pixel regions. A side wall of the bank film around the openings thereof is sloped at an angle 10 to 85 degrees (°) with respect to a principal surface of the substrate to prevent deterioration of the light emitting material layer and disconnection of the second electrode at steps of the bank film in the vicinity of the openings.
US08129900B2 Display device and method for manufacturing the same
According to one aspect of the present invention, a laminated structure of conductive transparent oxide layers containing silicon or silicon oxide is applied as an electrode on the side of injecting a hole (a hole injection electrode; an anode) instead of the conventional conductive transparent oxide layer such as ITO. In addition, according to another aspect of the invention, a laminated structure of conductive transparent oxide layers containing silicon or silicon oxide, each of which content is different, is applied as a hole injection electrode. Preferably, silicon or a silicon oxide concentration of the conductive layer on the side where it is connected to a TFT ranges from 1 atomic % to 6 atomic % and a silicon or silicon oxide concentration on the side of a layer containing an organic compound ranges from 7 atomic % to 15 atomic %.
US08129898B2 Flexible organic electro-luminescence display device and manufacturing method thereof
A flexible organic electro-luminescence device is adapted to improve its flexibility and to completely and substantially exclude the intrusion of external moisture and/or oxygen. The flexible organic electro-luminescence device includes: a substrate of a thickness of about 0.05 mm˜0.2 mm; a planarization layer on the substrate; a thin film transistor on the planarization layer; a passivation layer on the planarization layer and the thin film transistor, with a contact hole exposing a drain electrode of the thin film transistor; a reflective layer on the passivation layer; an anode electrode on the reflective layer, electrically connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistor; a bank layer on the edge region of the anode electrode and the passivation layer, including an organic material; an organic light emitting layer on the anode electrode; a cathode electrode on the bank layer and the organic light emitting layer; and a seal layer on the cathode electrode, including an organic film, an inorganic film, an adhesive film and a protective film.
US08129897B2 Organic electroluminescence element
The present invention provides an organic electroluminescence element having at least a light-emitting layer disposed between a pair of electrodes, wherein the light-emitting layer includes at least two electron transporting materials and a hole transporting host material, with at least one of the electron transporting materials being an electron transporting light-emitting material, and a total concentration of the at least two electron transporting materials in the light-emitting layer decreases from a cathode side toward an anode side.
US08129895B2 Field emission device with fine local dimming
Provided is a field emission device (FED) capable of fine local dimming. In the FED, a cathode substrate is comprised of a plurality of cathode layers, and a plurality of interconnections are disposed on each of the cathode layers, so that fine local dimming is enabled using a plurality of cathode blocks without limiting the number of the cathode blocks. Also, since RC delays of the respective cathode blocks can be synchronized according to the design of the interconnections, current control signals can be simultaneously transmitted to the respective cathode blocks, thereby improving the characteristics of the FED.
US08129892B2 Light emitter substrate and image displaying apparatus using the same
In a light emitter substrate which has a resistor for connecting electrodes adjacent in a row direction, it aims to improve withstand discharge performance of the resistor. In the substrate comprising a substrate, plural light emitting members which are positioned in matrix on the substrate, plural electrodes each of which covers at least one of the light emitting members and which are positioned in matrix, and a row-direction striped resistor which is positioned between the electrodes adjacent in a column direction and connects the electrodes adjacent in a row direction and the column direction, a row-direction separated distance Gx′ between the electrodes adjacent in the row direction at a connecting portion between the electrodes and the resistor is made larger than a row-direction separated distance Gx between the electrodes adjacent in the row direction at a portion covering the light emitting members (Gx′>Gx).
US08129888B2 Sealing member of piezoelectric resonator device and manufacturing method therefor
A sealing member of a piezoelectric resonator device is configured to hermetically seal a driving electrode formed on a piezoelectric resonator plate. In the sealing member, a through hole is formed so that an electrode pattern formed on both major surfaces of the substrate is brought into conduction; and a conductive member fills in the through hole. The through hole has a smaller diameter at a portion thereof inside the substrate than at both end portions thereof at the major surfaces of the sealing member. Both end faces of the conductive member have a concave shape with respect to the major surfaces of the substrate of the sealing member.
US08129884B2 Piezoelectric actuator unit including a casting compound disposed in a sleeve
A piezoelectric actuator unit includes a piezoactuator and a casting compound enclosing the piezoactuator. The casting compound is disposed in a sleeve that includes a hydrophobic material.
US08129883B2 Piezoelectric stack and method for producing a piezoelectric stack
A piezoelectric stack (1) has alternately successive piezoelectric layers (2) and inner electrode layers (3, 4) which are alternately electrically connected to two outer electrodes (7, 8) which are arranged on the outer side (5, 6) of the piezoelectric stack (1). The piezoelectric stack (1) also has at least one safety layer (9, 40, 50) which is arranged between two successive piezoelectric layers (2) instead of one of the inner electrode layers (3, 4). The safety layer (9, 40, 50) is structured in such a manner that it has an internal interruption (13, 44, 45, 53) which is configured in such a manner that the safety layer (9, 40, 50) does not form an electrical contact between the two outer electrodes (7, 8) if it contact-connects both outer electrodes (7, 8) and is electrically conductive.
US08129882B2 Thermoelectric generator and method of generating electricity
A generator device for converting thermal energy to electric energy. A magnetic circuit includes at least a portion made of a magnetic material. A temperature-varying device varied the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below a phase transition temperature of the magnetic material to thereby vary the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. A coil is arranged around the magnetic circuit, in which electric energy is induced in response to a varying magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A magnetic flux generator creates magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. The temperature-varying device alternately passes hot and cold fluid by, or through holes in, the portion made of the magnetic material of the magnetic circuit in a single direction to thereby vary the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below the phase transition temperature of the magnetic material.
US08129881B2 Ring motor
A ring motor (1) as a direct drive, particularly for vertical mills or rod mills, has a stator (6) and a rotor (12) configured as a rotating milling body (10), wherein the stator (6) has at least two different excitation systems, and the milling body (10) has only a toothed structure, which electromagnetically interacts with the excitation systems of the stator (6) and thus brings about a rotation of the milling body (10).
US08129875B2 Motor cooling structure
A motor cooling structure includes a coil end cover interposed between a coil end and a motor case, a liquid passage, in which a cooling liquid flows, formed between the coil end cover and the coil end or the motor case. A micro-gap into which part of the cooling liquid in the liquid passage flows, is formed between the coil end cover and the coil end or the motor case by sandwiching the coil end cover between the coil end and the motor case instead of attaching the coil end cover to the coil end or the motor case.
US08129865B2 Inductive systems for non-contact transmission of electrical energy
An inductive rotary joint for non-contact transmission of electrical energy between a stationary part and a rotating part of the rotary joint comprises a power generator for generating an alternating voltage or an alternating current, which feeds a load by means of a rotatable power transmitter. An electrical parameter on the primary side of the power transmitter is determined with a measurement means, and from this, the condition of another electrical parameter at the load is approximated by means of a functional unit. Regulation of the power generator is effected with this approximated value.
US08129864B2 Inductive power supply with duty cycle control
An inductive power supply that maintains resonance and adjusts duty cycle based on feedback from a secondary circuit. A controller, driver circuit and switching circuit cooperate to generate an AC signal at a selected operating frequency and duty cycle. The AC signal is applied to the tank circuit to create an inductive field for powering the secondary. The secondary communicates feedback about the received power back to the primary controller. The power transfer efficiency may be optimized by maintaining the operating frequency substantially at resonance, and the amount of power transferred may be controlled by adjusting the duty cycle.
US08129863B2 Connection apparatus for parallel running generators
In an apparatus for connecting two generators to run in parallel, having plugs connectable to each generator output socket, an output socket connected to an electrical load, conductive paths that connect the plugs to the output socket while merging to a common path at a junction before the output socket, and a switching circuit that opens/closes the conductive paths, there are equipped with a connecting path that interconnects the conductive paths before the junction, a dummy load installed at the connecting path and current sensors installed at each conductive path. Disconnection of the plug from the socket is detected from the detected currents and the conductive paths are opened not to connect the generators to the electrical load, thereby preventing an output of the other of the generators from appearing at the terminals of the disconnected plug, and further preventing misjudging current change of the instantaneous no load condition as plug disconnection.
US08129862B2 Scalable highest available voltage selector circuit
A scalable highest available voltage selector circuit determines the highest of n input voltages and connects the highest voltage to an output. The circuit has at least n circuit branches, each of which comprises n−1 “comparator” FETs connected between an input voltage and an output node, and a diode-connected FET connected between the output node and a current source. The junction of the diode-connected transistor and current source provides a control signal used by the other branches. Each of a branch's comparator FETs have their gates connected to a respective one of the other branches' control signals, such that they are driven on regeneratively when the applied input voltage is the highest of the n input voltages. Each branch also includes n−1 “shorting” FETs connected across the diode-connected transistor, arranged to be driven off when the applied input voltage is the highest, but which are otherwise driven on.
US08129861B2 Electrical voltage supply
A voltage supply has a plurality of voltage sources to supply output connections. To achieve closed-loop control of the output voltage at the output connections, a closed-loop control circuit is provided that has an actuating element for each voltage source, and each respective actuating element has a current path via which a connection of the respective voltage source can be connected to an output connection. Each actuating element has an actuating signal input for setting the electrical conductivity of its current path. The closed-loop control circuit has a closed-loop controller to which the output voltage and a desired voltage signal are supplied. When a deviation occurs between the output voltage and the desired voltage signal, the closed-loop controller interacts with at least one actuating signal input in order to reduce the deviation. The actuating signal inputs are connected to a control device that is designed in such a way, that the current path of at least one actuating element is enabled for control by the closed-loop controller if the output current that is drawn at the output connections is present in a predetermined value range assigned to the respective actuating element, and the current path is disabled if the output current that is drawn at the output connections does not lie in the predetermined value range.
US08129859B2 Extension cord with wireless timing function
In an extension cord with wireless timing function, there are included a receptacle housing having more than one flush plug receptacles and internally including a current converter, a power switch and a plurality of electronic relays corresponding to the receptacles; a programmable logic controller in the receptacle housing for controlling the ON/OFF state of the receptacles; a wireless transmission module in the receptacle housing for receiving a wireless signal from a remote device; a power cord connected at an end to the power switch; and an operation and control module located on the receptacle housing and connected to the controller. Thus, timed power supply by each of the receptacles can be set and recorded at the remote device. When the power switch is turned to off, the controller automatically resets the receptacles to ON; and when the power switch is turned to on again, the receptacles will remain to “ON”.
US08129856B2 Sensor arrangement and method of supplying power to sensors therein
One aspect of the invention relates to a method of supplying power to a sensor arrangement including a first sensor and at least one second sensor which in each case have a first and a second supply terminal, and which can be operated in a first and a second operating mode. The first and at least one second sensor can be connected via their supply terminals to a voltage supply arrangement in the first operating mode. The first and at least one second sensor can be connected in series with one another via their supply terminals in the second operating mode and the series circuit with the first and at least one second sensor is connected in series with a current source.
US08129846B2 Board adapted to mount an electronic device, semiconductor module and manufacturing method therefor, and portable device
A board adapted to mount an electronic device includes an insulating resin layer, a wiring layer of a predetermined pattern provided on one surface of the insulating resin layer, a bump electrode provided on an insulating-resin-layer-side surface of the wiring layer, and a covering, formed of a metal layer, which covers a top surface of the bump electrode and a region, at a side surface of the bump electrode, continuous with the top surface excluding a region in contact with the wiring layer.
US08129844B2 Method of forming a metal silicide layer, devices incorporating metal silicide layers and design structures for the devices
Electronic devices and design structures of electronic devices containing metal silicide layers. The devices include: a thin silicide layer between two dielectric layers, at least one metal wire abutting a less than whole region of the silicide layer and in electrical contact with the silicide layer.
US08129843B2 Methods to mitigate plasma damage in organosilicate dielectrics using a protective sidewall spacer
Plasma damage in ultra low k dielectric materials during formation of a dual damascene metal interconnect structure is reduced by providing a protective spacer on sidewalls of a line trench. A densified trench bottom region may be additionally formed directly beneath an exposed horizontal surface of the line trench. The protective spacer and/or the densified trench bottom region protects an ultra low k intermetal dielectric layer from plasma damage during a plasma strip process that is used to remove a disposable via fill plug employed in the dual damascene metal interconnect structure.
US08129842B2 Enhanced interconnect structure
The present invention provides a semiconductor interconnect structure with improved mechanical strength at the capping layer/dielectric layer/diffusion barrier interface. The interconnect structure has Cu diffusion barrier material embedded in the Cu capping material. The barrier can be either partially embedded in the cap layer or completely embedded in the capping layer.
US08129841B2 Solder joint flip chip interconnection
A flip chip interconnect has a tapering interconnect structure, and the area of contact of the interconnect structure with the site on the substrate metallization is less than the area of contact of the interconnect structure with the die pad. Also, a bond-on-lead or bond-on-narrow pad or bond on a small area of a contact pad interconnection includes such tapering flip chip interconnects. Also, methods for making the interconnect structure include providing a die having interconnect pads, providing a substrate having interconnect sites on a patterned conductive layer, providing a bump on a die pad, providing a fusible electrically conductive material either at the interconnect site or on the bump, mating the bump to the interconnect site, and heating to melt the fusible material.
US08129839B2 Electronic device package structures
A sealing layer is provided on a surface of a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer. The sealing layer includes apertures which expose external contact locations for semiconductor dice formed on the wafer. Solder paste is deposited in the apertures and reflowed to form discrete conductive elements for attachment of electronic devices to higher level circuit structures. The wafer is then divided or “singulated” to provide individual semiconductor dice having their active surfaces covered by the sealing layer. In this manner, the sealing layer initially acts as a stencil for forming the discrete conductive elements and subsequently forms a chip scale package structure to protect the semiconductor dice from the environment.
US08129838B2 Housed active microstructures with direct contacting to a substrate
A microstructured component with microsensors or other active microcomponent is provided. The microstructured component includes a substrate and at least one housing arranged on the substrate with one or more active microstructures situated on it.
US08129836B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is composed of a pair of semiconductor chips (402, 404) arranged parallel on the same flat plane; a high voltage bus bar (21) bonded on the surface on the collector side of one semiconductor chip (402); a low voltage bus bar (23) connected to the surface on the emitter side of the other semiconductor chip (404) with a bonding wire (27); a first metal wiring board (24-1) connected to the surface on the emitter side of the semiconductor chip (402) with a bonding wire (26); a second metal wiring board (24-2) bonded on the surface on the collector side of the semiconductor chip (404); a third metal wiring board (24-3) connected to the first metal wiring board (24-1); a fourth metal wiring board (24-4) connected by being bent from an end portion of the second metal wiring board (24-2); and an output bus bar (24) having output terminals (405) extending from each end portion of the third metal wiring board (24-3) and that of the fourth metal wiring board (24-4).
US08129834B2 Integral metal structure with conductive post portions
A plurality of FPGA dice is disposed upon a semiconductor substrate. In order to supply the immense power required by the plurality of FPGA dice, power is routed through the semiconductor substrate vertically from thick metal layers and large integral metal structures located on the other side of the semiconductor substrate. Because the semiconductor substrate has a different coefficient of thermal linear expansion than metal layers in contact with the substrate, delamination may occur when the structure is subject to changes in temperature. To prevent delamination of metal layers connected to the semiconductor substrate and in electrical contact with the integral metal structures, the integral metal structures are manufactured with an array of post portions. During changes in temperature, the post portions of the integral metal structures bend and slide relative to metal layers connected to the semiconductor substrate and prevent linear stresses that may otherwise cause delamination.
US08129829B2 Package substrate having embedded photosensitive semiconductor chip and fabrication method thereof
A packaging substrate with an embedded photosensitive semiconductor chip and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The method includes the steps of: disposing the semiconductor chip in an through cavity of a core board with the photosensitive portion of the semiconductor chip being exposed from the through cavity; forming a first circuit layer on the core board at a side opposite to the photosensitive portion so as to electrically connect the electrode pads of the semiconductor chip; and forming a light-permeable layer on the core board at the same side with the photosensitive portion via an adhesion layer so as to allow light to penetrate through the light-permeable layer and reach the photosensitive portion of the semiconductor chip. When fabricated by the method, the packaging substrate dispenses with conductive wires and a surrounding dam and thus is efficiently downsized.
US08129827B2 Integrated circuit package system with package encapsulation having recess
An integrated circuit package system includes: forming an external interconnect; connecting an integrated circuit die and the external interconnect; forming a package encapsulation, having a recess, covering the integrated circuit die with a portion of the external interconnect exposed by the recess; and connecting an integrated circuit device and the external interconnect in the recess.
US08129826B2 Semiconductor package apparatus having redistribution layer
Provided is a semiconductor package apparatus having a redistribution layer. The apparatus includes at least one or more semiconductor chips, a packing part protecting the semiconductor chips, and a support part supporting the semiconductor chips. The apparatus also includes external terminals extending outside the packing part, redistribution layers installed between the semiconductor chips and the support part and including redistribution paths, first signal transmitting units, and second signal transmitting units. The first signal transmitting units transmitting electrical signals generated from the semiconductor chips to the redistribution paths of the redistribution layers, and the second signal transmitting units transmit the electrical signals from the redistribution paths to the external terminals. Therefore, a size and a thickness of the semiconductor package apparatus can be reduced, and processes can be simplified to improve productivity.
US08129824B1 Shielding for a semiconductor package
A semiconductor device has a substrate. A first die is electrically attached to a first surface of the substrate. A shield spacer having a first and second surface is provided wherein the second surface of the shield spacer is attached to a first surface of the first die. A plurality of wirebonds are attached to the shield spacer and to the substrate. A mold compound is provided for encapsulating the first die, the shield spacer, and the wirebonds.
US08129822B2 Template for three-dimensional thin-film solar cell manufacturing and methods of use
A template 100 for three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate formation for use in three-dimensional thin-film solar cells. The template 100 comprises a substrate which comprises a plurality of posts 102 and a plurality of trenches 104 between said plurality of posts 102. The template 100 forms an environment for three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate formation.
US08129821B2 Reacted conductive gate electrodes
A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device involve a semiconductor layer that includes a first material and a second material. The first and second materials can be silicon and germanium. A contact of the device has a portion proximal to the semiconductor layer and a portion distal to the semiconductor layer. The distal portion includes the first material and the second material. A metal layer formed adjacent to the relaxed semiconductor layer and adjacent to the distal portion of the contact is simultaneously reacted with the relaxed semiconductor layer and with the distal portion of the contact to provide metallic contact material.
US08129809B2 Image sensor and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed are an image sensor and a manufacturing method thereof. The image sensor includes a circuit layer on a first surface of a semiconductor substrate, a metal interconnection layer on the circuit layer, trenches formed in a second surface of the semiconductor substrate along a boundary of a pixel, and a light blocking layer in the trenches. The backside illumination type image sensor according to the embodiment has a light blocking structure at a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, thereby improving sensing efficiency while inhibiting interference between adjacent pixels.
US08129804B2 Electronic device, resonator, oscillator and method for manufacturing electronic device
An electronic device includes a substrate, a functional structural body formed on the substrate and a covering structure for defining a cavity part having the functional structural body disposed therein, wherein the covering structure is provided with a side wall provided on the substrate and comprising an interlayer insulating layer surrounding the cavity part and a wiring layer; a first covering layer covering an upper portion of the cavity part and having an opening penetrating through the cavity part and composed of a laminated structure including a corrosion-resistant layer; and a second covering layer for closing the opening.
US08129802B2 Integrated micro electro-mechanical system and manufacturing method thereof
In the manufacturing technology of an integrated MEMS in which a semiconductor integrated circuit (CMOS or the like) and a micro machine are monolithically integrated on a semiconductor substrate, a technology capable of manufacturing the integrated MEMS without using a special process different from the normal manufacturing technology of a semiconductor integrated circuit is provided. A MEMS structure is formed together with an integrated circuit by using the CMOS integrated circuit process. For example, when forming an acceleration sensor, a structure composed of a movable mass, an elastic beam and a fixed beam is formed by using the CMOS interconnect technology. Thereafter, an interlayer dielectric and the like are etched by using the CMOS process to form a cavity. Then, fine holes used in the etching are sealed with a dielectric.
US08129799B2 Semiconductor device
A field-effect transistor (142) includes a lowly p-doped region 110 formed on a surface of a substrate (102), an n-doped drain region 112 and n-doped source region 114 arranged on a surface of the lowly p-doped region 110, and a device isolation insulating film 132 and device isolation insulating film 134. Here, the device isolation insulating film 132 is formed greater in film thickness than the device isolation insulating film 134; and in the n-doped source region 114, the peak concentration section having a highest dopant concentration is formed in a deeper position than in the n-doped drain region 112.
US08129794B2 Semiconductor device including MISFETs having different threshold voltages
A semiconductor device includes a first MIS transistor, and a second MIS transistor having a threshold voltage higher than that of the first MIS transistor. The first MIS transistor includes a first gate insulating film made of a high-k insulating film formed on a first channel region, and a first gate electrode having a first conductive portion provided on and contacting the first gate insulating film and a second conductive portion. The second MIS transistor includes a second gate insulating film made of the high-k insulating film formed on a second channel region, and a second gate electrode having a third conductive portion provided on and contacting the second gate insulating film and a fourth conductive portion. The third conductive portion has a film thickness smaller than that of the first conductive portion, and is made of the same composition material as that of the first conductive portion.
US08129791B2 Semiconductor device having a contact plug and manufacturing method thereof
There is provided a semiconductor device that includes: a transistor having a gate electrode, a source region, and a drain region; a first inter-layer insulation film covering the transistor; a first contact plug formed penetrating through the first inter-layer insulation film and connected to either the source region or the drain region; a second inter-layer insulation film covering the first contact plug; a groove extending in the second inter-layer insulation film in a same direction as an extending direction of the gate electrode and exposing a top surface of the first contact plug at a bottom thereof; a second contact plug connected to the first contact plug and formed in the groove; and a wiring pattern extending on the second inter-layer insulation film so as to traverse the groove and integrated with the second contact plug.
US08129790B2 HOT process STI in SRAM device and method of manufacturing
A structure and method for forming SRAMs on HOT substrates with STI is described. Logic circuits may also be fabricated on the same chip with some devices on the SOI regions and other devices on the SOI regions.
US08129787B2 Method and apparatus for use in improving linearity of MOSFETs using an accumulated charge sink
A method and apparatus for use in improving the linearity characteristics of MOSFET devices using an accumulated charge sink (ACS) are disclosed. The method and apparatus are adapted to remove, reduce, or otherwise control accumulated charge in SOI MOSFETs, thereby yielding improvements in FET performance characteristics. In one exemplary embodiment, a circuit having at least one SOI MOSFET is configured to operate in an accumulated charge regime. An accumulated charge sink, operatively coupled to the body of the SOI MOSFET, eliminates, removes or otherwise controls accumulated charge when the FET is operated in the accumulated charge regime, thereby reducing the nonlinearity of the parasitic off-state source-to-drain capacitance of the SOI MOSFET. In RF switch circuits implemented with the improved SOI MOSFET devices, harmonic and intermodulation distortion is reduced by removing or otherwise controlling the accumulated charge when the SOI MOSFET operates in an accumulated charge regime.
US08129783B2 Lateral power MOSFET with high breakdown voltage and low on-resistance
A semiconductor device with high breakdown voltage and low on-resistance is provided. An embodiment comprises a substrate having a buried layer in a portion of the top region of the substrate in order to extend the drift region. A layer is formed over the buried layer and the substrate, and high-voltage N-well and P-well regions are formed adjacent to each other. Field dielectrics are located over portions of the high-voltage N-wells and P-wells, and a gate dielectric and a gate conductor are formed over the channel region between the high-voltage P-well and the high-voltage N-well. Source and drain regions for the transistor are located in the high-voltage P-well and high-voltage N-well. Optionally, a P field ring is formed in the N-well region under the field dielectric. In another embodiment, a lateral power superjunction MOSFET with partition regions located in the high-voltage N-well is manufactured with an extended drift region.
US08129781B2 Method of forming memory devices by performing halogen ion implantation and diffusion processes
Disclosed is a method of forming memory devices employing halogen ion implantation and diffusion processes. In one illustrative embodiment, the method includes forming a plurality of word line structures above a semiconducting substrate, each of the word line structures comprising a gate insulation layer, performing an LDD ion implantation process to form LDD doped regions in the substrate between the word line structures, performing a halogen ion implantation process to implant atoms of halogen into the semiconducting substrate between the word line structures, and performing at least one anneal process to cause at least some of the atoms of halogen to diffuse into the gate insulation layers on adjacent word line structures.
US08129771B2 Semiconductor memory device
In a full CMOS SRAM having a lateral type cell (memory cell having three partitioned wells arranged side by side in a word line extending direction and longer in the word line direction than in the bit line direction) including first and second driver MOS transistors, first and second load MOS transistors and first and second access MOS transistors, two capacitors are arranged spaced apart from each other on embedded interconnections to be storage nodes, with lower and upper cell plates cross-coupled to each other.
US08129767B2 Ferroelectric polymer memory module
Ferroelectric polymer memory modules are described. In an example, a module has a first set of layers including a first ILD layer defining trenches therein, a first electrode layer disposed in the trenches of the first ILD layer, a first conductive polymer layer disposed on the first electrode layer and in the trenches of the first ILD layer, and a ferroelectric polymer layer disposed on the first conductive polymer layer, in and extending beyond the trenches of the first ILD layer. The module also has a second set of layers disposed on the first set of layers to define memory cells therewith. The second set of layers includes a second ILD layer defining trenches therein, a second conductive polymer layer disposed in the trenches of the second ILD layer, and a second electrode layer disposed on the second conductive polymer layer.
US08129766B2 Semiconductor memory device comprising shifted contact plugs
A memory includes first contact plugs; ferroelectric capacitors above the first contact plugs; second contact plugs in a first interlayer film being below an area which is between two adjacent ferroelectric capacitors, the second contact plug; first interconnections connected to the second contact plugs, the first interconnections extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to an arrangement direction, in which the two ferroelectric capacitors are arranged, on the first interlayer film; a second interlayer film above the first interlayer film and the first interconnection; third contact plugs in the second interlayer film, the third contact plugs being respectively connected to the first interconnections at positions shifted from the second contact plugs in the first direction; and second interconnections electrically connecting the third contact plug to the upper electrodes of the two ferroelectric capacitors.
US08129758B2 Semiconductor element and manufacturing method therefor
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layer including silicon carbide, which has been formed on a substrate; a semiconductor region 15 of a first conductivity type defined on the surface of the semiconductor layer 10; a semiconductor region 14 of a second conductivity type, which is defined on the surface 10s of the semiconductor layer so as to surround the semiconductor region 15 of the first conductivity type; and a conductor 19 with a conductive surface 19s that contacts with the semiconductor regions 15 and 14 of the first and second conductivity types. On the surface 10s of the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor region 15 of the first conductivity type has at least one first strip portion 60 that runs along a first axis i. The width C1 of the semiconductor region 15 of the first conductivity type as measured along the first axis i is greater than the width A1 of the conductive surface 19s as measured along the first axis i. And the periphery of the conductive surface 19s crosses the at least one first strip portion 60, 61.
US08129753B2 Integrated circuit including gate electrode level region including at least seven linear-shaped conductive structures of equal length positioned at equal pitch with at least two linear-shaped conductive structures each forming one transistor and having extending portion sized greater than gate portion
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 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 total number of the PMOS and NMOS transistor devices in the cell is greater than or equal to eight.
US08129752B2 Integrated circuit including a linear-shaped conductive structure forming one gate electrode and having length greater than or equal to one-half the length of linear-shaped conductive structure forming two gate electrodes
A semiconductor device includes a substrate portion including a plurality of diffusion regions defined in a non-symmetrical manner relative to a virtual bisecting line. A gate electrode level region above the substrate portion includes a number of conductive features that extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent conductive features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are fabricated from respective originating layout features separated by an equal and minimal sized end-to-end spacing. Conductive features are defined along at least four different virtual lines of extent in the first parallel direction. A width of the conductive features within a photolithographic interaction radius is less than a wavelength of light of 193 nanometers as used in a photolithography process for their fabrication. The photolithographic interaction radius is five times the wavelength of light used in the photolithography process.
US08129750B2 Integrated circuit including at least six linear-shaped conductive structures forming gate electrodes of transistors with at least two linear-shaped conductive structures of different length
A semiconductor device includes a substrate portion having a plurality of diffusion regions defined therein in a non-symmetrical manner relative to a virtual line defined to bisect the substrate portion. The semiconductor device includes a gate electrode level region 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 region includes conductive features defined along at least four different virtual lines of extent in the first parallel direction.
US08129749B2 Double quantum well structures for transistors
Double quantum well structures for transistors are generally described. In one example, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, one or more buffer layers coupled to the semiconductor substrate, a first barrier layer coupled to the one or more buffer layers, a first quantum well channel coupled with the first barrier layer wherein the first quantum well channel includes a group III-V semiconductor material or a group II-VI semiconductor material, or combinations thereof, a second barrier layer coupled to the first quantum well channel, and a second quantum well channel coupled to the barrier layer wherein the second quantum well channel includes a group III-V semiconductor material or a group II-VI semiconductor material, or combinations thereof.
US08129748B2 Nitride semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A nitride semiconductor device includes: a first nitride semiconductor layer; a second nitride semiconductor layer formed on the first nitride semiconductor layer and having a wider band gap than the first nitride semiconductor layer; and a third nitride semiconductor layer formed on the second nitride semiconductor layer. A region of the third nitride semiconductor layer located below the gate electrode is formed with a control region having a p-type conductivity, and a region of the third nitride semiconductor layer located between the gate electrode and each of the source electrode and the drain electrode is formed with a high resistive region having a higher resistance than the that of the control region.
US08129746B2 Phase change memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A phase change memory device having a strain transistor and a method of making the same are presented. The phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a junction word line, switching diodes, and a strain transistor. The semiconductor substrate includes a cell area and a core/peri area. The junction word line is formed in the cell area of the semiconductor substrate and includes a strain stress supplying layer doped with impurities. The switching diodes are electrically coupled to the junction word line. The strain transistor is formed in the core/peri area of the substrate and acts as a driving transistor.
US08129741B2 Light emitting diode package
The present invention provides a light emitting diode package including: a package mold having a first cavity and a second cavity with a smaller size than that of the first cavity; first and second electrode pads provided on the bottom surfaces of the first cavity and the second cavity, respectively; an LED chip mounted on the first electrode pad; a wire for providing electrical connection between the LED chip and the second electrode pad; and a molding material filled within the first cavity and the second cavity.
US08129738B2 Optoelectronic device with periodic grating microstructure
This invention relates to optoelectronic devices of improved efficiency. In particular it relates to light emitting diodes, photodiodes and photovoltaics. By careful design of periodic microstructures, e.g. gratings, associated with such devices more efficient light generation or detection is achieved.
US08129737B2 Optoelectronic component
Described is an optoelectronic component with at least one semiconductor body having an active region for generating electromagnetic radiation, and with a housing comprising a filter element that is disposed after the active region in the emission direction, in which the filter element selectively transmits a primary radiation fraction having a predetermined primary radiation property.
US08129736B2 Light-emitting diode
The invention discloses a light-emitting diode which includes a substrate on which a first conducting-type semiconductor layer, an illuminating layer and a second conducting-type semiconductor layer are formed sequentially, a transparent insulating material, a first transparent conducting layer, and a second transparent conducting layer. The top surface of the first conducting-type semiconductor layer includes a first region and a second region surrounded by the first region. Plural pillar-like holes are formed at the first region and protrude into the first conducting-type semiconductor layer. The transparent insulating material fills up the holes. The first transparent conducting layer is formed on the second conducting-type semiconductor layer, and the second transparent conducting layer is formed on the top surface of the transparent insulating material and on the first region.
US08129735B2 LED with controlled angular non-uniformity
A light source that uses a light emitting diode with a wavelength converting element is configured to produce a non-uniform angular color distribution, e.g., Δu′v′>0.015 within an angular distribution from 0° to 90°, that can be used with specific light based device that translate the angular color distribution into a uniform color distribution. The ratio of height and width for the wavelength converting element is selected to produce the desired non-uniform angular color distribution. The use of a controlled angular color non-uniformity in the light source and using it in applications that translate the non-uniformity into a uniform color distribution, e.g., with a uniformity of Δu′v′<0.01, increases the efficiency of the system compared to conventional systems in which a uniform angular light emitting diode is used.
US08129734B2 LED package with stepped aperture
A light emitting diode (LED) package for high temperature operation which includes a printed wire board and a heat sink. The LED package may include a formed heat sink layer, which may be thermally coupled to an external heat sink. The printed wire board may include apertures that correspond to the heat sink such that the heat sink is integrated with the printed wire board layer. The LED package may include castellations for mounting the package on a secondary component such as a printed wire board. The LED package may further comprise an isolator disposed between a base metal layer and one or more LED die. Optionally, the LED die may be mounted directly on a base metal layer. The LED package may include a PWB assembly having a stepped cavity, in which one or more LED die are disposed. The LED package is advantageously laminated together using a pre-punched pre-preg material or a pressure sensitive adhesive.
US08129732B2 Nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and method for fabrication thereof
An adhesion layer of a hexagonal crystal is laid on a facet an optical resonator of a nitride semiconductor laser bar having a nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductor layer, and a facet coat is laid on the adhesion layer. In this way, a structure in which the facet coat is laid on the adhesion layer is obtained.
US08129730B2 Solid state light sheet and bare die semiconductor circuits with series connected bare die circuit elements
An electronically active sheet includes a bottom substrate having a bottom electrically conductive surface. A top substrate having a top electrically conductive surface is disposed facing the bottom electrically conductive surface. An electrical insulator separates the bottom electrically conductive surface from the top electrically conductive surface. At least one bare die electronic element is provided having a top conductive side and a bottom conductive side. Each bare die electronic element is disposed so that the top conductive side is in electrical communication with the top electrically conductive surface and so that the bottom conductive side is in electrical communication with the bottom electrically conductive surface.
US08129729B2 Light emitting device having light emitting elements and an air bridge line
A light-emitting device operating on a high drive voltage and a small drive current. LEDs (1) are two-dimensionally formed on an insulating substrate (10) of e.g., sapphire monolithically and connected in series to form an LED array. Two such LED arrays are connected to electrodes (32) in inverse parallel. Air-bridge wiring (28) is formed between the LEDs (1) and between the LEDs (1) and electrodes (32). The LED arrays are arranged zigzag to form a plurality of LEDs (1) to produce a high drive voltage and a small drive current. Two LED arrays are connected in inverse parallel, and therefore an AC power supply can be used as the power supply.
US08129724B2 Display device including first, second, and third semiconductor films
A display device including a transparent substrate, and a plurality of thin film transistors formed on the transparent substrate, wherein each of the thin film transistors have a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a first semiconductor film, an insulation film, a second semiconductor film, and a third semiconductor film. The third semiconductor film is connected with the source electrode and the drain electrode by an ohmic contact, and the second semiconductor film is formed below the third semiconductor film and has a resistance higher than resistance of the third semiconductor film.
US08129719B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the semiconductor device
An object is to provide favorable interface characteristics of a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer without mixing of an impurity such as moisture. Another object is to provide a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor having excellent electric characteristics and high reliability, and a method by which a semiconductor device can be manufactured with high productivity. A main point is to perform oxygen radical treatment on a surface of a gate insulating layer. Accordingly, there is a peak of the oxygen concentration at an interface between the gate insulating layer and a semiconductor layer, and the oxygen concentration of the gate insulating layer has a concentration gradient. The oxygen concentration is increased toward the interface between the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor layer.
US08129716B2 OTFT and MIM capacitor using silk protein as dielectric material and methods for manufacturing the same
An organic thin film transistor (OTFT) and a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor using silk protein as a dielectric material, and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The OTFT of the present invention comprises: a substrate; a gate electrode disposed on the substrate; a gate insulating layer containing silk protein, which is disposed on the substrate and covers the gate electrode; an organic semiconductor layer; and a source electrode and a drain electrode, wherein the organic semiconductor layer, the source electrode and the drain electrode are disposed over the gate insulating layer.
US08129713B2 Photoelectric conversion element, method for manufacturing photoelectric conversion element, and electronic apparatus
A photoelectric conversion element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion element provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric conversion element includes a polymer. The polymer includes at least one light absorber which absorbs light and generates at least one kind of carrier. An end part of the polymer combines with a surface, which faces the second electrode, of the first electrode.
US08129712B2 Organic EL panel
Each pixel includes a region where a lower reflection film is not present. In each pixel, there is a region where a microcavity structure is formed between a counter electrode and a lower reflection film and another region where the microcavity structure is not formed. The regions differentiated in cavity length can differently enhance the peak wavelength so as to improve the viewing angle dependence. Furthermore, in each of R, G, and B light emitting pixels, the area ratio of a region where the microcavity structure is present and another region where the microcavity structure is not present can be adjusted so as to eliminate the differences caused by the microcavity structure.
US08129711B2 Nitride semiconductor light emitting device and fabrication method thereof
The present invention relates to a GaN based nitride based light emitting device improved in Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) tolerance (withstanding property) and a method for fabricating the same including a substrate and a V-shaped distortion structure made of an n-type nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer on the substrate and formed with reference to the n-type nitride semiconductor layer.
US08129709B2 Nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device (21) is provided with a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of active regions (3) formed on the semiconductor substrate and extending in a band, a plurality of select active elements (23) formed in the active regions (3) and having a first impurity diffusion region and a second impurity diffusion region, a plurality of first electrodes (13) electrically connected to the first impurity diffusion region, a variable resistance layer (12) electrically connected to the first electrodes (13), and a plurality of second electrodes electrically connected to the variable resistance layer (12). Among the plurality of first electrodes (13) and the plurality of second electrodes, an array direction of at least one pair of the first electrodes (13) and the second electrodes that are electrically connected to the same variable resistance layer (12), and a direction of extension of the activation regions (3) are not parallel.
US08129704B2 Non-volatile resistive-switching memories
Non-volatile resistive-switching memories are described, including a memory element having a first electrode, a second electrode, a metal oxide between the first electrode and the second electrode. The metal oxide switches using bulk-mediated switching, has a bandgap greater than 4 electron volts (eV), has a set voltage for a set operation of at least one volt per one hundred angstroms of a thickness of the metal oxide, and has a leakage current density less than 40 amps per square centimeter (A/cm2) measured at 0.5 volts (V) per twenty angstroms of the thickness of the metal oxide.
US08129699B2 Multi-field charged particle cancer therapy method and apparatus coordinated with patient respiration
The invention relates generally to treatment of solid cancers. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-field imaging and/or a multi-field charged particle cancer therapy method and apparatus coordinated with patient respiration via use of feedback sensors used to monitor and/or control patient respiration. Preferably, the multi-field imaging, such as X-ray imaging, and the charged particle therapy are performed on a patient in a partially immobilized and repositionable position. X-ray and/or proton delivery is timed to patient respiration via control of charged particle beam injection, acceleration, extraction, and/or targeting methods and apparatus.
US08129697B2 Laser scanning microscope
The present invention relates to a laser scanning microscope capable of acquiring suitable fluorescent images. A fluorescence detection unit 26 measures a plurality of intensities of fluorescent light of different wavelengths that is excited by irradiation of laser light and emitted from a sample 12. Moreover, a CLEM processing unit 28 performs control, for each single pixel scanning time that is the amount of time during which a range corresponding to a single pixel of the image is scanned, to discontinue irradiation of the laser light in at least one of the case in which all of the plurality of intensities of fluorescent light are less than a lower limit threshold value at a lower limit value judgment time that is shorter than the time during which a range corresponding to a single pixel of the image is scanned, and the case in which any one of the plurality of intensities of fluorescent light exceeds an upper limit threshold value during the time during which a range corresponding to a single pixel of the image is scanned.
US08129696B2 Wastewater treatment system and method using high energy light
Embodiments of systems including wastewater treatment systems that utilize high energy light to destruct organics in wastewater are provided. In some embodiments, such systems may include a gas purifier that is configured to purify a gas. The wastewater treatment system treats wastewater from the gas purifier via the use of ultraviolet light. Accordingly, the wastewater treatment system may include an ultraviolet light system that directs ultraviolet light through the wastewater.
US08129695B2 System and method for controlling deflection of a charged particle beam within a graded electrostatic lens
A method and apparatus for controlling deflection, deceleration, and focus of an ion beam are disclosed. The apparatus may include a graded deflection/deceleration lens including a plurality of upper and lower electrodes disposed on opposite sides of an ion beam, as well as a control system for adjusting the voltages applied to the electrodes. The difference in potential between pairs of upper and lower electrodes are varied using a set of “virtual knobs” that are operable to independently control deflection and deceleration of the ion beam. The virtual knobs include control of beam focus and residual energy contamination, control of upstream electron suppression, control of beam deflection, and fine tuning of the final deflection angle of the beam while constraining the beam's position at the exit of the lens. In one embodiment, this is done by fine tuning beam deflection while constraining the beam position at the exit of the VEEF. In another embodiment, this is done by fine tuning beam deflection while measuring the beam position and angle at the wafer plane. In a further embodiment, this is done by tuning a deflection factor to achieve a centered beam at the wafer plane.
US08129693B2 Charged particle beam column and method of operating same
A charged particle beam column includes a charged particle beam source to generate a charged particle beam; an objective lens to focus the charged particle beam in an object plane; a first condenser lens disposed in a beam path of the charged particle beam between the charged particle beam source and the objective lens; a deflector disposed in the beam path between the first condenser lens and the objective lens and configured to change an angle of incidence of the charged particle beam in an object plane; and an aberration corrector disposed in the beam path between the deflector and the objective lens and configured to compensate aberrations introduced by the objective lens. The aberration corrector is also configured to not compensate aberrations introduced by the first condenser lens.
US08129692B2 Method for monitoring fouling in a cooling tower
Fouling in the fill portion of a cooling tower is monitored by transmitting radiation through a cooling tower, detecting the amount of radiation that has penetrated the cooling tower, and calculating the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower based on the detected radiation. A higher than expected density indicates the presence of fouling on the fill portion of the cooling tower. A rate of fouling may be established by monitoring the density of the fill portion of the cooling tower over time.
US08129691B2 Security inspection door
A security inspection door comprising a narcotic drug/explosive detecting subsystem, a radioactive substance detecting subsystem and a metal detecting subsystem which are provided in a tank body is disclosed, wherein electromagnetic radiation shields are respectively provided around the three detecting subsystems, so that they are isolated from one another and are not interfered with one another. The three detecting subsystems are combined together to form a novel security inspection door, so the narcotic drugs/the explosives, the radioactive substances and the dangerous metal articles can be detected at the same time. Further, electromagnetic radiation shields are respectively provided around the three detecting subsystems, so that the three detecting subsystems are isolated from one another and are not interfered with one another, and thus, the inspection reliability and the inspection accuracy are improved.
US08129688B2 Method and apparatus for a radiation detector
The invention is directed at a radiation detector which includes a grid electrode located within the detector to assist in the charge collection process. The grid electrode is preferably embedded within a semiconductor layer between two electrode layers, one of the electrode layers being a charge collecting electrode and the other being a common electrode.
US08129686B2 Mask for coded aperture systems
A coded aperture includes a position sensitive detector configured to observe the location of emitted high energy radiation, and a mask disposed in front of the position sensitive detector, wherein the mask has a non-linear shape configured to define a perimeter around position sensitive detector, wherein the mask comprises a plurality of attenuating and transparent elements of a predetermined configuration, positioned such that the emitted radiation is detected by the position sensitive detector after passage through the mask.
US08129680B2 Charged particle beam apparatus including aberration corrector
A focused charged particle beam apparatus including an aberration corrector, capable of finding the absolute value of the aberration coefficient at high speed, and capable of making high-accuracy adjustments at high speed. A deflection coil tilts the input beam relative to the object point, and measures the defocus data and aberration quantity at high speed while the beam is tilted from one image, and perform least squares fitting on these results to find the absolute value of the aberration coefficient prior to tilting the beam, and to adjust the aberration corrector.
US08129677B2 Method and apparatus for surface desorption ionization by charged particles
An apparatus and method for generating analyte ions from a sample. An ion generating device is provided having a chamber with an outlet and a surface having a material and means for applying a high velocity gas flow through the chamber toward the outlet such that charged particles are produced by physical interaction between the high velocity gas and the material. The charged particles then induce the generation of primary ions by interaction with molecules of the high velocity gas. The primary ions are emitted from the outlet of the ion generating device toward a sample-bearing surface and analyte ions are generated by impact of the primary ions on the analyte sample on the surface.
US08129676B2 Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection with ion separation pre-filter
Detecting and identifying ions using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and an ion separation pre-filter, such as an ion spectrometer, are provided. The combination of an ion separator as a pre-filter for SERS provides a highly sensitive detector with very low false alarm rates. Target ions from an ionized sample are identified and separated by the ion separator. The target ions are steered and deposited onto a SERS substrate for Raman spectroscopic analysis with an optical probe. The Raman spectrum is compared with reference spectra and the composition of the sample is identified. The ion current from the target ions can also be measured, preferably concurrently with the Raman spectrum measurement. Types of ion separators include a differential ion mobility spectrometer, an ion mobility spectrometer, or a mass spectrometer.
US08129675B2 Neutral/ion reactor in adiabatic supersonic gas flow for ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometry
The content of the invention comprises a concept of reactor for isolated ion transformations induced by collisions with neutral species. This reactor is also an interface between mobility cell and orthogonal injection TOFMS based on supersonic adiabatic gas flow with variable controlled composition directed along the axis of a multipole ion guide with sectioned rods for possibility of creating of controlled distributions of RF, DC and AC rotating fields.
US08129673B2 Methods for calibration of pulsed neutron logging
A method for logging a subsurface formation includes acquiring neutron capture data using a pulsed neutron tool at a plurality of locations along a borehole penetrating the subsurface formation, wherein the plurality of locations include a formation zone that contains water; comparing an apparent water salinity or an apparent water sigma value estimated from the neutron capture data acquired in the formation zone that contains water with a water salinity or water sigma value of a water sample from the subsurface formation to produce a calibration parameter for the neutron capture data; and correcting the neutron capture data, based on the calibration parameter, to produce corrected neutron capture data. The method may further include determining a water saturation from the corrected neutron capture data.