Document Document Title
US08165500B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes: a belt unit that includes a first roller member, a second roller member provided above the first roller member, a belt member rotating while laid around these roller members, and a positioning member rotatably holding the first roller member and used for positioning the first roller member; a pressure member provided below the first roller member and coming into pressure-contact with an outer peripheral surface of the belt member at a position where the pressure member faces the first roller member, thereby to form a fixing pressure portion; a first housing that supports the positioning member and includes a concave portion opening toward a lateral direction and a sloping portion sloping downward from a lower edge portion of the concave portion; and a second housing pressing the positioning member to fit into the concave portion, along with a closing operation with respect to the first housing.
US08165498B2 Image forming device
An image forming device is disclosed that is able to enlarge a gap of a nipping portion with a simple and inexpensive structure, and able to reduce impact when a front end of a recording sheet runs into or a back end of the recording sheet passes through the nipping portion. The image forming device includes an image carrying unit, an image forming unit, a transfer unit, a conveyance unit, a determination unit that determines whether a thickness of the recording sheet is greater than a threshold value, and a cam member that rotates to enlarge or reduce the gap of the nipping portion between the image carrying unit and the transfer unit according to rotational positions of the cam member. When the thickness of the recording sheet is greater than the threshold, the cam member rotates so that the gap of the nipping portion is enlarged.
US08165496B2 Powder material cartridge, image forming section, image forming apparatus
A powder material cartridge includes a waste toner chamber that prevents the waste toner from spilling. A receiving section is provided in the chamber and includes a first opening therein through which the powder material is received into the chamber. A first shutter is rotatably received in the receiving section and includes a second opening formed therein. The first shutter is rotatable either to a first opening position where the second opening is in alignment with the first opening, or to a first closing position where the second opening is not in alignment with the first opening. A second shutter is received in the first shutter and is slidable straight in the first shutter. When the second shutter slides to a second closing position, the second shutter closes the second opening. When the second shutter slides to a second opening position, the second shutter opens the second opening.
US08165495B2 Devices and methods for retracting a cartridge in an image forming devices
The present application is directed to methods and devices for moving a cartridge between engaged and disengaged positions in an image forming device. The image forming device may include a bias control arm movable between first and second positions. When the bias control arm is in one of the first and second positions, a biasing force on the cartridge is reduced and the cartridge moves to the disengaged position. When the bias control arm is in the other of the first and second positions, a biasing force on the cartridge is increased and the cartridge is moved to the engaged position. In one embodiment, the bias control arm moves in a first direction, and the cartridge moves in a second direction different than the first direction.
US08165492B2 Developer cartridge, developing unit and image forming apparatus
A developer cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame, which confronts the first frame. The second frame includes an opening, through which developer is passed, and which is openable and closable by the first frame in accordance with a relative movement between the second frame and the first frame, and a seal member, which is provided around the opening, and which does not overlap the first frame as viewed from a direction in which the developer passes the opening when the opening is opened.
US08165490B2 Image forming apparatus including a collecting portion inside guide members to collect and store liquid droplets
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit, a fixing unit, a discharging unit, and multiple guide members. The transfer unit transfers an image onto a transfer sheet. The fixing unit fixes the image to the transfer sheet by application of heat and conveys the fixed transfer sheet to a further downstream portion of the image forming apparatus. The discharging unit discharges the transfer sheet to an external portion of the image forming apparatus. The multiple guide members form a sheet conveyance path that has first and second paths including a hollow portion defined by the multiple guide members to enable an air current generated during image forming to pass therethrough.
US08165485B2 Fixing apparatus having heating element and image forming apparatus having the fixing element
A fixing apparatus includes a heating element with an NTC characteristic in which an electric resistance value decreases as a temperature increases, which extends (i) in a direction parallel to a recording paper and (ii) in a width direction perpendicular to a carrying direction of the recording paper, and which has a longer length, in the width direction, than a width of the recording paper. The fixing apparatus further includes electrode sections provided in close proximity to both ends of the heating element in the width direction), the electrode sections being connected to the heating element, so that a current flows in the heating element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the carrying direction of the recording paper. This makes it possible to restrain excessive increase in temperature at the both ends of the heating element and to obtain a uniform temperature distribution.
US08165483B2 Image forming apparatus with control unit and for control method for controlling the same
An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member a surface of which is rotated, a charging device, an irradiating device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a control unit. The control unit controls the image forming apparatus to perform subsequent image formation in accordance with a subsequent image forming request when determining that the subsequent image forming request is present at a predetermined determination time after completion of previous image formation, and controls the image forming apparatus to shut down certain predetermined operations including at least rotation of the surface of the latent image bearing member and application of a charging bias from the charging device and a developing bias from the developing device in accordance with a predetermined shutdown sequence when determining that the subsequent image forming request is not present at the predetermined determination time.
US08165479B2 Processing apparatus, control method and storage medium
A processing apparatus that can accept logs from external processing apparatuses efficiently without degrading the performance of its own. The processing apparatus is connected with a plurality of external processing apparatuses for sending a first log including information on frequency of usage and a second log including information on an error, and collects the first and second logs from the external processing apparatuses. A receiving unit receives the first log sent from each of the external processing apparatuses. A calculation unit calculates a priority of each the external processing apparatuses based on the operating situation of each of the external processing apparatuses determined from the first log received by the receiving unit. A determination unit determines whether or not the second log sent by each of the external processing apparatuses should be stored based on the priority calculated by the calculation unit.
US08165478B2 Optical receiver
An optical receiver of wide-dynamic range characteristic that stably reproduces a burst signal having different light receiving levels. A preamplifier converts an output from a light receiving element into a voltage signal. A level detecting circuit includes: a first level detecting unit having a shorter time constant; and a second level detecting unit having a longer time constant and switching over to any of the level detecting units in response to a time constant switching signal to detect a voltage level of an output voltage signal output from the preamplifier. An amplifier variably controls conversion gain of the preamplifier based on the detecting result. A time constant switching control outputs the time constant switching signal to the level detecting unit based on the output voltage signal from the preamplifier, to select the first level detecting unit or the second detecting unit based on a number of consecutive identical digits being equal to, smaller, or larger than the predetermined number.
US08165476B2 Optical phase locked loop
A single sideband modulator uses a radio-frequency signal output by a voltage controlled oscillator to modulate a reference optical signal output by a local light source, thereby obtaining several sideband signals, and combines the sideband signals into a single reproduced optical signal. The optical coupler couples the reproduced optical signal with a received optical signal to generate an optical beat signal, from which a photoelectric transducer and loop filter generate a control voltage for the voltage controlled oscillator. These components operate as an optical phase locked loop that efficiently locks the reproduced optical signal in frequency and phase with the received optical signal by using the energy of all sidebands of the reference optical signal. The phase locked loop is useful for coherent detection of the received optical signal.
US08165473B2 Optical-time-division-multiplexing differential phase shift keying signal generating apparatus
An apparatus detecting an optical carrier phase difference between adjacent optical pulses structuring an OTDM-DPSK signal, by generally-used optical and electrical elements, is provided. An OTDM-DPSK signal generating section has an optical splitter, a first phase modulator, a second phase modulator, an optical coupler, and a monitor signal branching device, and generates and outputs an OTDM-DPSK signal and a monitor signal. An optical carrier phase difference detecting section has an optical carrier interferometer, and an interference signal detecting section including a optical-to-electrical converter and a peak detection circuit. The monitor signal is inputted to the optical carrier interferometer, and an interference monitor signal is outputted. The interference monitor signal is inputted to the optical-to-electrical converter, and an electrical interference monitor signal is outputted. The electrical interference monitor signal is inputted to the peak detection circuit, and an optical carrier phase difference detection signal is generated and outputted.
US08165471B2 Form factor adapter module
According to one example embodiment, a form factor adapter module may include a small form factor (SFF) host connector, an X2 or XENPAK edge finger connector, and a serial to XAUI transceiver. The SFF host connector may be configured receive a small form factor pluggable (SFP or SFP+) module and to transmit and receive data according to a Serial Gigabit Media Independent Interface (SGMII) or Serializer-deserializer Framer Interface (SFI) protocol. The X2 or XENPAK edge finger connector may be configured to mate with an X2 or XENPAK edge finger socket and to transmit and receive data according to a Ten Gigabit Ethernet Attachment Unit Interface (XAUI) protocol. The serial to XAUI transceiver may be coupled to both the SFF host connector and the X2 or XENPAK edge finger connector. The serial to XAUI transceiver may be configured to convert data between the SGMII or SFI protocol and the XAUI protocol.
US08165469B1 Cascade and ring measurement sensor with fixed and variant wavelength encoding
An optical add drop multiplexer (OADM) for use in a sensing system has the OADMs arranged either in a cascade or in a ring, with each OADM accepting a source input and generating a source output, and accepting a signal input and generating a signal output, where the source input includes a broadband optical source for use in providing optical power to a plurality of sensor gratings arranged in a series string, each sensor grating responsive to a physical parameter at a unique wavelength. The series string of sensors is excited by optical power coupled from the broadband source port, and returns optical signal response to a sensor port of the OADM, which optical energy is added to optical energy at the signal input port to form the signal output port. In another embodiment for a ring topology, the source ports and signal ports include a clockwise and counterclockwise set of source and sensor signals, and the sensor signals for CW and CCW each include a primary and secondary signal.
US08165468B2 Methods and apparatus for performing directionless wavelength addition and subtraction within a ROADM based optical node
In today's reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) based optical node, transponders associated with the ROADMs' add/drop ports are dedicated to a given network node interface. Dedicated transponders reduce the flexibility to route around network failures. Example embodiments of the invention includes an optical node and corresponding method for routing optical signals within an optical node. The optical node may include at least two ROADMs to transmit respective wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals onto at least two inter-node network paths and at least one add/drop module including add ports to direct add wavelengths received from tributary network paths to each of the ROADMs via intra-node network paths to allow the wavelengths to be available to be added to the inter-node network paths. Advantageously, a transponder may transmit and receive to and from different network node interfaces within the optical node, thereby improving the optical node's ability to route around network failures.
US08165466B2 Network operating system with topology autodiscovery
The network operating system includes an embedded platform for controlling operation of an agile optical network at the physical layer level. At the module embedded level, each module (card-pack) is provided with an embedded controller EC that monitors and control operation of the optical modules. At the next level, each shelf is provided with a shelf processor SP that monitors and control operation of the ECs over a backplane network. All optical modules are connected over an optical trace channel to send/receive trace messages that can then be used to determine network connectivity. At the next, link management level, a network services controller NSC controls the SPs in a negotiated span of control, over a link network. The control is address-based; each NSC receives ranges of addresses for the entities in its control, and distributes these addresses to the SPs, which in turn distribute addresses to the ECs in their control. One of the SPs operates as a router on the link network to relay signaling and control to all entities based on their address. Each NSC constructs, from queried information, a network topology fragment for the embedded elements under its control. A distributed topology system (DTS) shares this topology information with neighboring NSC's to build a complete network view, which can be used by all interested network applications.
US08165464B2 Image pickup apparatus with AF sensor unit
An image pickup apparatus with an AF sensor unit fixed thereto promptly with high precision by a parallax adjustment method. The image pickup apparatus with the AF sensor has a stationary cylinder. The stationary cylinder constitutes an image pickup lens barrel with a first axis and a second axis that are perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens barrel and are perpendicular to each other. An AF sensor holder is configured to hold said AF sensor. An AF sensor holder-mounting unit is mounted on the stationary cylinder through a first axis rotation-adjusting mechanism rotatably with respect to the first axis, and configured to support said AF sensor holder through a second axis rotation-adjusting mechanism rotatably with respect to the second axis. The first axis rotation-adjusting mechanism and the second axis rotation-adjusting mechanism are directed in the same direction at operation sides thereof, respectively.
US08165460B2 Coated filament for evaporation/condensation aerosol generation of therapeutic agents and methods for using
An apparatus for generating an aerosol of a therapeutic agent and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a heating element having a surface and a composition coating at least a portion of the heating element surface. The composition comprises a carrier and a therapeutic agent, wherein when the heating element surface is heated to at least the vaporization point of the carrier, the carrier vaporizes and releases the therapeutic agent from the composition as an aerosol. The heating element can be a coiled filament. The therapeutic agent can be a small molecule, a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, or a recombinant virus. The apparatus can be incorporated into a delivery device, such as a metered dose inhaler or an exposure chamber.
US08165452B2 Recording medium, reproduction device, program, reproduction method, and integrated circuit
A BD-ROM on which an AVClip and a Java™ application are recorded. The AVClip includes a video stream and an audio stream multiplexed therein. On the BD-ROM recorded further are management information and the Mixing_On flag corresponding to the management information. The management information indicates a playback control of the AVClip that is to be played back when the Java™ application is executed. The Mixing_On flag indicates whether or not when a user performs an operation on the Java™ application being executed while the AVClip is under the playback control, mixing of the click sound with an audio output of the AVClip is available.
US08165449B2 DV metadata extraction
A set of interfaces, data structures and events represent a DV metadata extraction tool. The DV metadata extraction tool includes an API (application programming interface) for describing DV metadata packs that are to be extracted from a DV data stream. The extraction API supports methods for specifying and removing DV metadata packs to be extracted from DV frames. The DV metadata extraction tool also includes an API for describing a container that holds DV metadata once it has been extracted from a DV frame. The container API supports methods for adding and removing DV structures to the container and for retrieving data from the container, removing data from the container, and iterating through the container. The DV metadata extraction tool also includes a collection of higher-level structures that represent unpacked DV metadata packs.
US08165448B2 System using multiple display screens for multiple video streams
Multiple video streams, or other image information, from a DVD or other single source are selectively directed among two or more display screens. The video streams can be directed automatically, manually or by a combination of automatic and manual techniques. This allows the streams to be viewed simultaneously on different display screens to, e.g., increase the viewing area, provide selectable enhancement and control of video viewing, or for other purposes.
US08165446B2 Indication of trickplay availability via remote control device
A user is able to select a multimedia stream from a plurality of multimedia streams available at a multimedia receiver. The availability of one or more trickplay features for the selected multimedia stream is determined in response to the selection of the multimedia stream. A visual indicator, an audible indicator, or both are selectively provided for display/output based on the determined availability status of the corresponding trickplay feature. The selective provision of a trickplay indicator can include providing a first trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available and providing a second, different trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable. Alternately, the selective provision of a trickplay indicator includes providing the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is unavailable and omitting provision of the trickplay indicator when the trickplay feature is available, or vice versa.
US08165440B2 Laser based frequency standards and their applications
Frequency standards based on mode-locked fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers and fiber-based ultra-broad bandwidth light sources, and applications of the same.
US08165433B2 Optical routing device comprising hollow waveguides and MEMS reflective elements
An optical routing device is described that comprises a semiconductor substrate (52) having at least one optical input (4), a plurality of optical outputs (6,8) and an array of MEMS moveable reflective elements (58;102). The array of moveable reflective elements (58;102) are configurable such that light can be selectively routed from any one optical input (4) to any one of two or more of said plurality of optical outputs (6,8). Light selectively routed from any one optical input to any one of two or more of said plurality of optical outputs (6,8) is guided within a hollow core waveguide (54). In one embodiment, a cross-connect optical matrix switch is described.
US08165429B2 Optical interconnection structure and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to an optical interconnection structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention provides an optical interconnection structure comprising: a substrate on which a hole penetrating through a predetermined region is formed; and an optical guide member fixed to the inside of the hole of the substrate, wherein the optical guide member and the substrate are fixed by metal oxide. The present invention provides the optical interconnection structure that can facilitate the optical interconnection between the active optoelectronic devices that transmit/receive the optical signals and the optical waveguide, making it possible to enhance heat dissipation efficiency and improve operation speed.
US08165423B2 Portable device having vibration reduction function and vibration reduction methode thereof
A portable device includes a central processing unit, a vibration sensor to sense vibration of the portable device, an image processing unit to process image data, and a memory unit storing a vibration reduction module. The vibration reduction module includes a vibration signal collecting sub-module to collect a vibration signal of the portable device, a filter sub-module to filter noise of the vibration signal, a vibration offset calculating sub-module to calculate a vibration offset of the portable device according to the filtered vibration signal, a vibration compensation calculating sub-module to calculate a compensation value corresponding to the vibration offset of the portable device, and an image controlling sub-module to control images of the portable device to move a distance which is equal to the compensation value via the image processing unit, to make the images of the portable device keep a fixed position.
US08165421B2 Method and apparatus for image processing by using stored image
Provided are a method and apparatus for correcting an image under conditions where degradation of an image occurs. The method includes receiving an input image; comparing the input image with a stored image related to the input image, according to a predetermined standard; and selectively correcting the input image based on the stored image according to the result of the comparison.
US08165419B2 Histogram stretching apparatus and histogram stretching method for enhancing contrast of image
A histogram stretching apparatus and a histogram stretching method are disclosed to enhance image contrast by stretching a histogram of an input image within a range of a preset maximum expansion level and a preset minimum expansion level. The histogram stretching apparatus performs proper stretching suitable for a characteristic of the input image in due consideration of a saturation portion and a distribution range of a histogram of the input image. The histogram stretching apparatus can improve stretching effects by removing the saturated portion of the input image, and can prevent image distortion even for a monochromatic image. The histogram apparatus can improve histogram stretching effects by adjusting entire image levels of an image having a histogram frequency distribution skewed to a dark or bright side before a stretching operation.
US08165411B2 Method of and apparatus for encoding/decoding data
Provided is a method of and apparatus for compressing/decompressing data, in which lossless compression is applied to a raw data transfer mode in order to decompress data into high-quality data in a encoder/decoder (CODEC) system. A method of encoding data includes performing intraprediction within a current frame and performing interprediction between the current frame and a reference frame, applying lossless compression in input data in a raw data transfer mode in which raw data is transferred within an input frame, and comparing a predetermined parameter generated by the intraprediction and the interprediction with a predetermined parameter generated by the lossless compression, in order to select one of a prediction mode and a lossless compression mode.
US08165400B2 Image data processing system and image data processing method for generating arrangement pattern representing arrangement of representative value in pixel block including pixel in image
An image data processing system includes an extracting unit extracting from an image signal corresponding to one image a signal corresponding to a pixel block including plural pixels in the image, a threshold calculating unit calculating a threshold for classifying the plural pixels into plural segments by linear calculation of display values of the plural pixels, a representative value calculating unit calculating plural representative values corresponding to the plural segments, a generating unit generating an arrangement pattern representing an arrangement of the representative values in the pixel block, and a transmitting unit transmitting the representative values and the arrangement pattern.
US08165396B2 Digital image editing system and method for combining a foreground image with a background image
A digital image editing method includes: reading a foreground image and a background image, where the foreground image has a foreground portion; calculating three correction constants each of which is used to correct one of three components of the foreground portion of the foreground image using color information of the foreground and background images; correcting color of the foreground portion of the foreground image using the three correction constants; and pasting the foreground portion of the foreground image onto the background image.
US08165395B2 Automatic image color tone correction
A method of image color tone correction is disclosed, which may include the steps of (a) providing a reference image and one or more source images, wherein all images are comprised of pixels of a scene; (b) correcting a designated portion of one of the source images based on the reference image to create a color tone corrected image; and (c) outputting the color tone corrected image to a computer readable medium. The designated portion may be any subset of one of the source images, and may be a simple cropping, interlace, or other form of selection, such as areas of interest in the scene. Additionally, the designated portion may be used for determining a set of coefficients for overall color image correction of the complement of the source images. This method brings the increased tonal and saturation qualities of still images to those in motion.
US08165393B2 High dynamic range texture compression
A method for compressing a high dynamic range (HDR) texture. A first block of texels of the HDR texture in a red-green-blue (RGB) space may be transformed to a second block of texels in a luminance-chrominance space. The first block may have red values, green values and blue values. The second block may have luminance values and chrominance values. The chrominance values may be based on a sum of the red values, a sum of the green values and a sum of the blue values. The luminance values and the chrominance values may be converted to an 8-bit integer format. The luminance values may be modified to restore a local linearity property to the second block. The second block may be compressed.
US08165391B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method to correct color misregistration near a boundary
If a pixel of interest on a line of interest is located in an attribute region different from that in which a pixel immediately preceding the pixel of interest is located, the luminance value and color difference values of the pixel of interest are recorded in this order adjacent to data recorded in a data packet set for the line of interest (S811). If the pixel of interest is located in the same attribute region as that in which the preceding pixel is located, the luminance value of the pixel of interest is recorded adjacent to the data recorded in the data packet (S812). The data packet generated by executing the above recording process on each pixel forming the line is output.
US08165386B1 Apparatus and method for measuring audience data from image stream using dynamically-configurable hardware architecture
The present invention is an embedded audience measurement platform, which is called HAM. The HAM includes hardware, apparatus, and method for measuring audience data from image stream using dynamically-configurable hardware architecture. The HAM provides an end-to-end solution for audience measurement, wherein reconfigurable computational modules are used as engines per node to power the complete solution implemented in a flexible hardware architecture. The HAM is also a complete system for broad audience measurement, which has various components built into the system. Examples of the components comprise demographics classification, gaze estimation, emotion recognition, behavior analysis, and impression measurement.
US08165385B2 System and method for three-dimensional image rendering and analysis
The present invention relates to methods and systems for conducting three-dimensional image analysis and diagnosis and possible treatment relating thereto. The invention includes methods of handling signals containing information (data) relating to three-dimensional representation of objects scanned by a scanning medium. The invention also includes methods of making and analyzing volumetric measurements and changes in volumetric measurements which can be used for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment.
US08165379B2 Method of processing radiological images, and, in particular, mammographic images
A method of processing a radiological image of an organ. The method may comprise generating a recombined image (R) from at least one previously acquired low energy image (L) and one high energy image (H) of a portion of the organ. The recombined image comprises a background and one or more areas corresponding to the presence of a contrast medium in the organ. The method may further comprise correcting the recombined image (R) by compensating (C) for the nonuniformities present in the background to obtain a compensated recombined image in which the background has a substantially uniform grey level.
US08165378B2 Method and apparatus for visualizing tubular anatomical structures, in particular vessel structures, in medical 3D image records
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for visualizing tubular anatomical structures, in particular vessel structures, in medical 3D image records. The method according to at least one embodiment of the invention includes: providing 3D image data of the tubular anatomical structure; determining a centerline of the tubular anatomical structure in the 3D image data; selecting a point of the centerline; generating a 2D slice image assigned to the point, the 2D slice image representing a sectional plane in the 3D image data, which sectional plane is arranged relative to a section of the centerline, including the point and a prescribable section start point and section end point of the section, such that an orthogonal distance from the sectional plane for each centerline point of the section is less than or equal to a prescribed value R, the value R being selected to be greater than a value Rkrit, and Rkrit specifying the value for which precisely one such sectional plane can be determined; and visually displaying the 2D slice image.
US08165376B2 System and method for automatic detection of rib metastasis in computed tomography volume
A method and system for automatically detecting rib metastasis in a thoracic CT volume is disclosed. The ribs are segmented in said CT volume by recursive tracing. A series of cross-sectional images are then generated along a centerline of each rib. Cortical and trabecular bone structures are segmented in each of the cross-sectional images for each rib. Features are calculated for each cross-sectional image based on characteristics of the cortical and trabecular bone structures, and alterations are detected in the cross-sectional images based on the features. Rib metastasis is detected in a rib when an alteration is detected in a number of consecutive cross-sectional images along the centerline of the rib.
US08165375B2 Method and system for registering CT data sets
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for registering data points in data sets representing scan data. Data points corresponding to a physical feature represented in the scan data are automatically detected. The detected data points in one data set are correlated with detected data points in another data set. A group of similarity transformations between the correlated detected data points is then calculated. The group of similarity transformations is then combined. In one advantageous embodiment, the physical feature is vertebras.
US08165374B1 System and method for capsule camera with capture control and motion-compensated video compression
Systems and methods for a capsule camera having on-board storage or wireless transmission to control image capture using motion information and to encode captured images based on motion compensated video compression are disclosed. In order to conserve the precious storage and power resources, the capsule camera measures motion metric to select a skip mode or a capture mode. In order to reduce computations related motion metric derivation, the motion metric is based on sub-images corresponding to a current frame and a previous captured frame instead of full-size images. When the skip mode is selected, the capsule camera exercises storage space/power conservation by skipping unnecessary image capture and/or reducing luminous energy of a light source or other means for power conservation. When the capture mode is selected, a full-size full-resolution frame is captured and compressed using motion-compensated video compression to achieve high compression ratio.
US08165373B2 Method of and system for blind extraction of more pure components than mixtures in 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry combining sparse component analysis and single component points
A computer-implemented data processing system for blind extraction of more pure components than mixtures recorded in 1D or 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Sparse component analysis is combined with single component points (SCPs) to blind decomposition of mixtures data X into pure components S and concentration matrix A, whereas the number of pure components S is greater than number of mixtures X. NMR mixtures are transformed into wavelet domain, where pure components are sparser than in time domain and where SCPs are detected. Mass spectrometry (MS) mixtures are extended to analytical continuation in order to detect SCPs. SCPs are used to estimate number of pure components and concentration matrix. Pure components are estimated in frequency domain (NMR data) or m/z domain (MS data) by means of constrained convex programming methods. Estimated pure components are ranked using negentropy-based criterion.
US08165366B2 Determining correspondence object pairs for medical navigation
A system and method for determining the position of correspondence object pairs including A-objects and B-objects that represent the same objects of the same anatomical body structure in two different reference frames A and B, including: defining A-objects and B-objects that each represent different objects of the body structure in their respective reference frames; determining geometric relationship data A and geometric relationship data B that describe a geometric relationship between the A-objects based on positions of the A-objects in the reference frame A and the B-objects in the B reference frame; and providing data derived or extracted from the geometric relationship data A and from the geometric relationship data B to allow a comparison of a geometric relationship between at least two A-objects to a geometric relationship between at least two B-objects.
US08165362B2 Neurodegenerative disease detection method, detecting program, and detector
A method of detecting a neurodegenerative disease includes (a) a standardization step of creating a first image by applying anatomical standardization to a brain nuclear medical image; (b) a conversion step of creating a second image by converting the pixel value of each pixel of an image based on the first image into a z score or a t value; (c) an addition step of calculating the sum of the pixel values of individual pixels in a predetermined region of interest in the second image; and (d) a detection step of obtaining the results of the detection of the neurodegenerative disease through an operation of comparison of the sum with a predetermined threshold.
US08165360B2 X-ray identification of interventional tools
A system and method enhance the visibility of medical devices shown in internal images. A medical device may be inserted into a patient. Internal images of the patient may then be acquired via various medical imaging techniques. However, the medical device may only be partially visible in the images, if at all. For instance, the images may be acquired with minimal radiation exposure to the patient and/or the medical device may be thin or made of translucent material. Model data may be associated with the geometry or other characteristics of the medical device. The model data may be adapted, such as rotated, resized, bent, or otherwise modified, to form a “best fit” with the medical device as actually shown in the internal images. The adapted model data may be superimposed onto a display of the medical device as shown in the internal images to enhance visibility of the medical device.
US08165359B2 Method of constructing gray value or geometric models of anatomic entity in medical image
A gray value model is generated encoding photometric knowledge at landmark positions. This step exploits intensity correlation in neighborhoods sampled around landmark positions. A geometric model is generated encoding geometric knowledge between landmarks. This step exploits spatial correlation between landmarks of segmented anatomic entities.
US08165357B2 Two camera biometric imaging
Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric measurement on an individual. A purported skin site of the individual is illuminated under a plurality of distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session. Light scattered beneath a surface of the purported skin site is received separately for each of the plurality of distinct optical conditions. A multispectral image of the purported skin site is derived from the received light. A biometric function is performed with the derived multispectral image.
US08165356B2 Apparatus and method for determining the acceptability of a fingerprint image to be analyzed
A method of determining acceptability of an image of a fingerprint to be analyzed, includes dividing the image into a plurality of blocks, determining a focus for each block, determining a validity of a block, the block being valid if the focus is sufficient, otherwise the block being invalid, totaling a number of valid blocks in the image, and determining a validity of the image, the image being valid if a number of valid blocks is sufficient.
US08165351B2 Method of structured light-based measurement
A method of determining the distance to an object can use a video inspection device comprising a first light emitter and a second light emitter, wherein the first light emitter can emit light through an opening with at least one shadow-forming element. The method can comprise capturing at least one first emitter image with the first light emitter activated and the second light emitter deactivated, capturing at least one second emitter image with the second light emitter activated and the first light emitter deactivated, determining a first plurality of luminance values of the pixels in the at least one first emitter image, determining a second plurality of luminance values of the pixels in the at least one second emitter image, determining the brightness ratios of the second plurality of luminance values to the first plurality of luminance values, and determining an object distance using the brightness ratios.
US08165345B2 Method, system, and computer program for detecting and characterizing motion
A method for motion detection/characterization is provided including the steps of (a) capturing a series of time lapsed images of the target, wherein the target moves between at least two of such images; (b) generating a motion distribution in relation to the target across the series of images; and (c) identifying motion of the target based on analysis of the motion distribution. In a further aspect of motion detection/characterization in accordance with the invention, motion is detected/characterized based on calculation of a color distribution for a series of images. A system and computer program for presenting an augmented environment based on the motion detection/characterization is also provided. An interface means based on the motion detection/characterization is also provided.
US08165341B2 Methods and apparatus to process imagery or audio content
The presently claimed invention relates generally to digital watermarking, and processing imagery (e.g., including video) or audio content. One claim recites a method including: obtaining first media comprising imagery or audio; obtaining second media comprising imagery or audio; aggregating the first media and the second media to yield a unit; and using a programmed electronic processor, examining the unit for the presence of a digital watermark. Another claim recites a method comprising: upon encountering imagery or audio content, performing a screening operation on the imagery or audio content; based at least in part on the result of the screening operation, determining whether to derive or extract identifying data from the imagery or audio content, said act of determining uses a programmed electronic processor; providing the identifying data for storage in an electronic data record. Still another claim recites a method comprising: using a programmed electronic processor, extracting identifying data from data representing imagery or from data representing audio; automatically dialing a telephone number; providing the identifying data for telephonic communication to a device hosting the telephone number; receiving signals representing a human voice command; and providing signals for telephonic communication to a device hosting the telephone number. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.
US08165333B2 Modular speaker system
A modular speaker system includes a base assembly having a longitudinally extending, central support member and a support leg extending therefrom in a manner supporting the central support member in a generally upright configuration. The central support member includes a first end and a second end. A first woofer is secured to the base assembly, and a base assembly amplifier is mounted within the central support member and connected to the first woofer. An auxiliary speaker assembly includes a longitudinally extending, auxiliary support member having a first end a second end, the first end being shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with the second end of the central support member. A first driver is secured to the auxiliary speaker assembly and an amplifier is mounted within the auxiliary support member and is connected to the first driver.
US08165329B2 Hearing instrument with user interface
A hearing instrument includes a microphone for converting sound into an electric audio signal, a signal processor unit coupled to the microphone, the signal processor unit configured for operating in a plurality of states that include at least a first state and a second state, wherein the signal processor unit is configured for automatically switching at least between the first state and the second state according to a switching strategy, a speaker coupled to the signal processor unit, and a user interface that is configured to receive a user feedback regarding an automatic switching between the first state and the second state, wherein the user interface is communicatively connected to the signal processor unit and is configured to provide at least one control signal to the signal processor unit in response to the user feedback, wherein the signal processor unit is configured to receive the control signal in a predetermined input period upon the automatic switching between the first state and the second state.
US08165326B2 Sound field control apparatus
In a sound field control apparatus, a storage unit stores position information of a plurality of speakers disposed in a three-dimensional space and position information of a sound receiving point. An input unit inputs an audio signal and position information of a virtual audio source. A localization controller localizes the audio signal at a position of the virtual audio source. The localization controller defines a virtual polyhedral solid that has vertices at respective positions of the plurality of the speakers, selects a face of the virtual polyhedral solid through which a directional line from the sound receiving point to the virtual audio source passes, selects speakers located at vertices of the selected face as speakers to which the audio signal is output, and determines ratios of levels of the audio signals to be provided to the speakers located at the vertices of the selected face based on ratios of respective angles between the directional line and straight lines directed from the sound receiving point to the vertices of the selected face.
US08165316B2 Portable terminal
According to an aspect of the invention, a portable terminal includes: a first audio input-output unit and a second audio input-output unit configured to receive audio when a mode is set as an input mode and output audio when the mode is set as an output mode; and a setting unit configured to set the respective modes of the first audio input-output unit and the second audio input-output unit.
US08165314B2 Audio output apparatus and audio output method
An audio output apparatus includes a masking band determining unit configured to determine a first frequency band in which masking due to environmental sounds is likely to occur in audio signal output sounds; a band-component extracting unit configured to extract a signal component from an input audio signal in the first frequency band determined by the masking band determining unit; a pitch shift unit configured to perform pitch shifting of the signal component in the first frequency band extracted by the band-component extracting unit and generate a pitch shift signal containing a signal component of at least a doubled frequency; and a signal output unit configured to supply an audio signal containing the pitch shift signal acquired by the pitch shift unit to a connected speaker.
US08165313B2 ANR settings triple-buffering
An ANR circuit employs first, second and third buffers to buffer ANR settings in preparation for configuring one or more components of the ANR circuit during operation and in synchronization with the transfer of at least one piece of digital data within the ANR circuit. The first and second buffers are alternately used to carry out such configuring, while the third buffer stores a “failsafe” ANR settings to be automatically used in configuring the one or more components of the ANR circuit in response to an indication of instability in the provision feedback-based ANR, feedforward-based ANR and/or pass-through audio being detected.
US08165307B2 Audio electronic device
An audio electronic device includes a player, an output device, a detector, and an automatic turn-off module. The player is for reproducing audio data. The output device is for transforming the audio data to audible sound. The detector is for detecting positional shift of the output device. The automatic turn-off module is for turning off the player based on the positional shift. An automatic turn-off method is also disclosed.
US08165306B2 Information retrieving method, information retrieving device, information storing method and information storage device
A sound characteristic parameter is obtained for an audio signal to be analyzed by analyzing the signal by means of a sound characteristic parameter analyzing section arranged upstream relative to a similarity determining section. A sound signal operation as retrieving key is read out from a retrieving key storage area of a retrieving key memory by a retrieving key audio signal reading section and analyzed by a retrieving key sound characteristic parameter analyzing section to obtain a retrieving key sound characteristic parameter. The similarity determining section compares the sound characteristic parameter obtained from said sound characteristic parameter analyzing section and the retrieving key sound characteristic parameter obtained from said retrieving key sound parameter reading section and determines the similarity of them to retrieve a part of the audio signal to be analyzed that resembles the audio signal operating as retrieving key and obtained from the sound source of the retrieving key.
US08165298B2 Quantum cryptography communication apparatus and communication terminal
In a quantum cryptography communication apparatus, a light pulse is generated by a light source and split into a signal light pulse and a reference light pulse on a receiving side. The signal light pulse and the reference light pulse are transmitted to a sending side via a communication channel. On the sending side, the received reference light is passed through a first optical path and phase-modulated by a randomly selected amount. Communication information is acquired on the basis of the reference light passed through the first optical path and the signal light passed via a second optical path. Frequencies of the signal light pulse and the reference light pulse are shifted. The intensity of the signal light pulses is attenuated and phase-modulated by an amount corresponding to the communication information. The resultant signal light pulse and the reference light pulse are returned back to the receiving side.
US08165296B2 Time of day encryption using TDMA timing
Embodiments of the invention provide for encryption and decryption of data in a TDMA network using TDMA time values. In some embodiments, TDMA time values can be transmitted to terminals from a network controller using a burst time plan. These TDMA time values along with other data and/or counters can be combined to create a one-time key, which can be used to both encrypt data and/or decrypt data. Embodiments of the invention can decrease communication overhead by using the TDMA time value for TDMA purposes as well as for encryption purposes.
US08165292B2 Method and system for secure distribution of audiovisual data encapsulated according to a plurality of transport protocols
Methods and systems for secure distribution of an original audiovisual stream constituted of a set of transport packets encapsulated according to a plurality of transport protocols suitable to be transmitted to a receiving device compatible with one of the said transport protocols include the steps of: generating a protected audiovisual stream from the original stream by modifying at least one of the original transport packets, and a complementary stream including digital information suitable from the protected stream, reconstituting on the receiving device the original audiovisual stream from the protected stream as function of the complementary stream, wherein the protected audiovisual stream includes a set of modified transport packets that are different from the corresponding original transport packets at modification positions, and the modification positions are in the complementary stream, the modification positions being generated according to each transport protocol of the plurality of transport protocols of the original stream.
US08165288B2 Cryptographic processing apparatus and cryptographic processing method, and computer program
In extended Feistel type common key block cipher processing, a configuration is realized in which an encryption function and a decryption function are commonly used. In a cryptographic processing configuration to which an extended Feistel structure in which the number of data lines d is set to an integer satisfying d≧3 is applied, involution properties, that is, the application of a common function to encryption processing and decryption processing, can be achieved. With a configuration in which round keys are permuted or F-functions are permuted in the decryption processing, processing using a common function can be performed by setting swap functions for the encryption processing and the decryption processing to have the same processing style.
US08165283B2 Advanced ADSL splitter
A telecommunication filter arrangement comprising two similar filter cells (T1, S1a, S1b, R1a, R1b; T2, S2a, S2b, R2a, R2b) coupled in cascade to provide a POTS/ADSL splitter. The filter arrangement further comprises at third filter cell (C3, R3, S3) coupled in-between the two other filter cells and comprising a cell capacitor (C3) series coupled with the parallel connection of a cell coil (S3) and a cell resistor (R3). A 3rd order filter is so provided and the filter arrangement behaves as known 5th order filter but with a fixed “switchable insertion loss circuit”. This filter arrangement is thereby cheap, simple and has a small size with respect to the known filter arrangements, while providing good performances.
US08165278B2 Enhanced service levels for call-processing services
Service levels for call-processing are enhanced based on the subscriber status of at least one of the calling party and the called party. In one example, a calling party (caller) places a call to a called party (recipient). At least one of the parties subscribes to a call-processing service and the call normally would be processed according to a predetermined service level. However, the service level is enhanced in response to a subscriber status for at least one of the parties, and the call is processed according to the enhanced service level.
US08165274B1 System for digitally notifying customers of a utility
A digital notification and response system for digitally notifying customers of an utility. The system includes a plurality of user contact devices, an application programming interface, and a dynamic information database. Real time digital user data comprising bank identified grouping information for forming user groups, user contact device information for each contact device, and utility provided user contact device priority information is received by the application programming interface and stored in the dynamic information database. The user contact device priority information is used to form a first and second group of user contact devices. Messages are transmitted through at least two industry standard gateways to the user contact devices, wherein the messages are simultaneously transmitted to the first group of user contact devices before the second group of user contact devices. Responses from the contact devices are received by the application programming interface and stored in the dynamic information database.
US08165270B2 X-ray optical grating and method for the production thereof, and X-ray detector embodying same
In a method for the production of x-ray-optical gratings composed of a first material forming of periodically arranged grating webs and grating openings, a second material is applied by electroplating to fill the grid openings. The electroplating is continued until a cohesive layer of the second material with uniform height is created over the grating webs with this layer having a large absorption coefficient, the absorption properties of the grating structure of the grating are homogenized, so an improvement of the measurement signals that are generated with this grating is improved. Moreover, the mechanical stability of gratings produced in such a manner is improved.
US08165269B2 X-ray target with high strength bond
In one example, an x-ray target comprises a substrate, a target core, and a target track. The substrate and target core are attached together utilizing a carbide layer and a braze layer.
US08165268B1 Material analysis based on imaging effective atomic numbers
Effective atomic numbers associated with pixels in a region are received. An effective atomic number is associated with each pixel in the region. X-ray data for the region is received, and an item within the region is identified from the x-ray data. Some of the pixels in the region are correlated with the item such that the item is associated with an effective atomic number. An image of the region is rendered. The pixels of the item have a display style based on the effective atomic number of the item.
US08165264B2 Method of pre-reconstruction decomposition for fast kV-switching acquisition in dual energy computed tomography (CT)
Fast kV-switching is a dual energy acquisition technique in computed tomography (CT) in which alternating views correspond to the low and high tube voltages. Its high temporal resolution and its suitability to a variety of source trajectories make it an attractive option for dual energy data acquisition. Its disadvantages include a one-view misregistration between the data for high and low voltages, the potentially poor spectrum separation due to the more-like a sine wave rather than the desired square wave in fast kV-switching, and the higher noise in the low voltage data because of the technical difficulty in swinging the tube current to counter the loss of x-ray production efficiency and loss of penetration at lower tube voltages. Despite the disadvantages, symmetric view matching according to the current invention substantially improves streaks and other artifacts due to the view misregistration, sufficient spectrum separation even in a sinusoidal waveform swinging between 80 kV and 135 kV, and contrast-to-noise for the simulated imaging task maximized at monochromatic energy of 75 keV.
US08165263B2 Counting circuit and address counter using the same
A counting circuit includes first to fifth flip-flops (FFs) and a logic operation unit. Each of the first to fourth FFs has an initial value based on a preset control signal input through a 4-bit set terminal. Each of the first to fourth FFs receives a signal at a corresponding input terminal. And each of the first to fourth FFs outputs a signal at a corresponding output terminal according to a clock signal. The fifth FF is coupled to the output terminal of the fourth FF and is configured to output the output signal of the fourth FF synchronously with the clock signal. The logic operation unit logically combines the output signals of the second to fourth FFs and outputs first and second counting signals.
US08165258B2 Clock generating device and method thereof
A clock generating device includes: a frequency divider having an input node coupled to a transmission interface for generating a reference clock signal according to an input data received from the transmission interface; and a clock/data recovery circuit having a data input node coupled to the transmission interface and a reference clock input node coupled to an output node of the frequency divider, for generating an output clock signal according to one of the input data received at the data input node and the reference clock signal received at the reference clock input node.
US08165250B2 Automatic gain control device, signal receiving apparatus, and signal receiving method
An apparatus and method of receiving signal are provided. The apparatus includes an amplifier that controls a gain according to a gain control signal and amplifies a received signal to generate an amplified signal, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter that converts the amplified signal into a digital signal, a Fourier transform unit that performs Fourier transform of the digital signal to a frequency domain signal to generate a Fourier transform signal, a demodulator that demodulates the Fourier transform signal to generate a demodulated signal, and an automatic gain control unit that divides the Fourier transform signal into a noise period and a symbol period, calculates the signal level of the noise period based on the signal level of the symbol period, and generates the gain control signal according to the signal levels of the symbol period and the noise period.
US08165249B2 Apparatus and method for estimating and compensating time offset and/or carrier frequency offset in MIMO system based OFDM/OFDMA
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for estimating and compensating for a time offset and a carrier frequency offset in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communication system that supports Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (OFDMA). According to the present invention, a phase difference of pilot signals of the same transmitting antenna, which are received through receiving antennas, is calculated. An arc tangent operation is then carried out on the phase difference of the pilot signals to calculate a time offset linear phase and/or a carrier frequency offset linear phase. Further, a time offset compensation value and/or a carrier frequency offset compensation value are found by employing the time offset linear phase and/or the carrier frequency offset linear phase. A time offset and/or a carrier frequency offset with respect to pilots and data are compensated for by employing the time offset compensation value and/or the carrier frequency offset compensation value.
US08165247B1 Unfolded decision-directed loop, architectures, apparatuses and systems including the same, and methods, algorithms and software for reducing latency in decision-directed loops
Unfolded adaptive/decision-directed loops and correction circuits therefor, architectures, apparatuses and systems including the same, and methods, algorithms and software for reducing latency in an adaptive and/or decision-directed loop. Disclosed embodiments advantageously reduce effects of loop latency, improve the accuracy of corrections in an adaptive loop, and minimize overhead and delays associated with such improvements.
US08165246B1 Training sequence for low latency LMS implementation
Use of a training sequence having terms that are orthogonal to each other are employed to considerably speed up execution of the LMS algorithm. Such orthogonal sequences are developed for a channel that is described as a finite impulse response (FIR) filter having a length Mnew from the already existing orthogonal training sequences for at least two channels that have respective lengths Mold1 and Mold2 each that is less than Mnew such that the product of Mold1 and Mold2 is equal to Mnew when Mold1 and Mo1d2 have no common prime number factor. More specifically, a set of initial existing orthogonal training sequences is found, e.g., using those that were known in the prior art or by performing a computer search over known symbol constellations given a channel of length M. Thereafter, an orthogonal training sequence of length Mnew is developed, where the product of Mold1 and Mold2 is equal to Mnew by repeating the training sequence old1 Mold2 number of times to form a first concatenated sequence and repeating the training sequence old2 Mold1 number of times to form a second concatenated sequence, so that both the first concatenated sequence and the second concatenated sequence have the same length. Each term of the first concatenated sequence is multiplied by the correspondingly located term in the second concatenated sequence which is placed in the same location in a new sequence made up of the resulting Mnew products. This new sequence is an orthogonal sequence of length Mnew.
US08165245B2 Method and apparatus for controlling transmission power in a communication system
In a communication system, a mobile terminal compares a first modulation/Forward Error Correction (FEC) rate level, which is a modulation/FEC rate level used in a previously transmitted signal, with a second modulation/FEC rate level, which is a modulation/FEC rate level to be used in a currently transmitted signal. If the second modulation/FEC rate level is higher than the first modulation/FEC rate level, the mobile terminal determines the transmission power using a normalized Carrier to Noise ratio (C/N) corresponding to the second modulation/FEC rate level on an ascending normalized C/N table, while if the second modulation/FEC rate level is lower than the first modulation/FEC rate level, the mobile terminal determines the transmission power using a normalized C/N corresponding to the second modulation/FEC rate level on a descending normalized C/N table.
US08165244B2 Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system
The present invention provides a data processing method. The data processing method includes receiving a broadcast signal in which main service data and mobile service data are multiplexed, acquiring transmission-parameter-channel signaling information including transmission parameter information of the mobile service data, and fast-information-channel signaling information, acquiring binding information describing a relationship between at least one ensemble transferring the mobile service data and a first virtual channel contained in any of the at least one ensemble by decoding fast-information-channel signaling information, acquiring ensemble identification information transferring the first virtual channel using the binding information, and receiving at least one mobile service data group transferring an ensemble according to the ensemble identification information, parsing service table information contained in the ensemble and decoding content data contained in the first virtual channel using the parsed service table information, and displaying the decoded content data.
US08165243B2 Method and system for generating wavelets
A method (1300) is provided for generating one or more waveforms (130, 140). The method includes: generating a first toggle signal (1130, 1330) in response to a clock signal (1110), the first toggle signal having one of a first positive shape, a null shape, and a first negative shape for each cycle of the clock signal; multiplying the first toggle signal by a first coefficient signal to create a first intermediate signal (1440); generating a second toggle signal (1140, 1330) in response to the clock signal, the second toggle signal having one of a second positive shape, the null shape, and a second negative shape for each cycle of the clock signal; multiplying the second toggle signal by a second coefficient signal to create a second intermediate signal (1440); and generating a first output signal (1170) by adding the first intermediate signal and the second intermediate signal together (1350).
US08165238B2 Bi-directional communication system, communication apparatus, and control method of communication apparatus
Each of two communication apparatuses in a bi-directional communication system transmits to a partner communication apparatus as an OFDM signal at a predetermined carrier frequency an OFDM symbol having a guard interval length determined in advance and an effective symbol length determined in advance; receives the OFDM signal that has been transmitted by the partner communication apparatus; and carries out demodulation processing on the received OFDM signal in a period that does not include a symbol boundary of the received OFDM signal. A transmission timing of an OFDM signal in at least one of these communication apparatuses is controlled to a timing that precedes a symbol timing of the received OFDM signal by a predetermined time shorter than a total of transmission times of the bi-directional OFDM signal in the bi-directional communication.
US08165237B2 DTMB-based carrier mode detection system and receiving system having the same
A Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting (DTMB)-based carrier mode detection system includes first and second TPS decoders, first and second carrier calculators and a determinator. The first and second TPS decoders respectively receive NTPS input signals to thereby produce the corresponding NTPS mask signals and to respectively perform an absolute operation on the corresponding NTPS mask signals to accordingly select a maximum result as first and second absolute maximum mask signals for output. The first and second carrier calculators respectively receive NCS input signals and produce first and second absolute summation carrier signals. The determinator is based on the first absolute maximum mask signal, the first absolute summation carrier signal, the second absolute maximum mask signal and the second absolute summation carrier signal to accordingly determine that the carrier mode is of a multi- or single-carrier mode.
US08165227B2 Method of keying for broadcast using OFDM
A method of modulation, which is applied to a communication system transmitting data in one frequency band using at least two orthogonal subcarriers, is disclosed. The present invention includes the steps of adding information bits indicating an amplitude reference and a phase reference to an input bit sequence by a specific time interval unit and carrying out differential amplitude phase shift keying (DAPSK) on the input bit sequence using the amplitude and phase references. The present invention prevents the waste of power and bandwidth due to insertion of a plurality of pilot toes in the related art 1β-QAM system.
US08165225B2 Image data transfer circuit
An image data transfer circuit and an image data transfer method capable of exception processing without affecting image data of normal frames when an error is detected in image data. Image data applied to an input processing section is filtered by a filter, stored in an FIFO buffer, and sequentially read from an output section for transfer to the outside. In this event, two frame counters count numbers of frames which are being processed in input processing and output processing, respectively. When an error is detected in the input processing section, a stop controller does not output a stop request signal if the two count values do not match, and outputs the stop request signal at the time the two count values match. In this way, operations on error data are stopped after all image data of normal frames stored in the FIFO buffer has been transferred to the outside.
US08165224B2 Device and method for improved lost frame concealment
Various embodiments are described herein that make use of a lost frame concealment method for processing data frames received from transmission over a communications channel. The method involves determining whether a current data frame is a bad frame, performing source decoding on the current data frame with one or more parameters that are limited by a first set of one or more values if the current data frame is a bad frame, and performing source decoding on the current data frame with one or more parameters that are not limited if the current data frame is a good frame.
US08165222B2 Video coder employing pixel transposition
A video encoding method and apparatus is shown wherein image information is represented as a plurality of pixels, the pixels are organized into blocks, pixels transposition is performed on image information at the boundaries of the blocks, the blocks are transform coded and quantized. Pixel transposition involves transposition of alternate pixels at the boundaries of blocks with pixels of neighboring blocks found in a pre-determined direction. The pre-determined direction may be fixed by a system or may be applied on an image by image basis. In the event that the pre-determined direction is not established by a system, a pixel transposition circuit includes a transposition keyword in the output bit stream which is used by a decoded to determine the direction of pixel transposition.
US08165219B2 Memory word array organization and prediction combination for memory access
Described systems and methods allow a reduction in the memory bandwidth required in video coding (decoding/encoding) applications. According to a first aspect, the data assigned to each memory word is chosen to correspond to a 2D subarray of a larger array such as a macroblock. An array memory word organization allows reducing both the average and worst-case bandwidth required to retrieve predictions from memory in video coding applications, particularly for memory word sizes (memory bus widths) larger than the size of typical predictions. According to a second aspect, two or more 2D subarrays such as video predictions are retrieved from memory simultaneously as part of a larger 2D array, if retrieving the larger array requires fewer clock cycles than retrieving the subarrays individually. Allowing the combination of multiple predictions in one memory access operation can lead to a reduction in the average bandwidth required to retrieve predictions from memory.
US08165218B2 Method and system to improve the transport of compressed video data in real time
A variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence is segmented based on a plurality of time intervals. For each of at least two of the time intervals, the method comprises: determining which of the packets, denoted by Pp, in the VBR representation within the presently-considered time interval has a number of blocks of information per unit time greater than a baseline value; determining which of the packets, denoted by Pn, in the VBR representation within the presently-considered time interval has a number of blocks of information per unit time less than the baseline value; and creating a second representation of the image sequence in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from at least one Pp packet and interlaced with blocks of information in at least one Pn packet to produce reformatted packets.
US08165217B2 Image decoding apparatus and method for decoding prediction encoded image data
An image data decoding method for decoding compression encoded image data which includes a plurality of image pictures, includes: a selection step of selecting, when one of the plurality of image pictures are to be decoded, and when a first reference picture to be referred to by that image picture to be decoded is not decoded, a second reference picture from a picture already decoded as an alternative reference; and a decoding step of decoding the image picture to be decoded with reference to the second reference picture as an alternative to the first reference picture.
US08165216B2 System and method for implementing efficient decoded buffer management in multi-view video coding
A system and method for encoding a first picture sequence and a second picture sequence into coded pictures, with the first picture sequence and the second picture sequence being different, and with at least one coded picture of the second picture sequence being predicted from at least one picture in the first picture sequence. According to various embodiments of the present invention, signal element is encoded into a coded picture of the second picture sequence. The signal element indicates whether a picture in the first picture sequence is used for prediction of the coded picture of the second picture sequence.
US08165211B2 Method and apparatus of de-interlacing video
The presently claimed invention adaptively selects a local de-interlacing method according to information from a compressed video bitstream. According to one embodiment, successive images from a video bitstream are first reconstructed. Syntax elements, selected from a macroblock type, a macroblock partition, a motion vector, a distance from a reference frame, the existence of non-zero transform coefficients and the distribution of transform coefficients, are then extracted from this bitstream. Based on the syntax elements, a de-interlacing algorithm is decided from an algorithm set for each image region in a video frame. Algorithms in the algorithm set include motion compensation, edge-based line averaging, and line averaging. Each image region is thereby interpolated using the de-interlacing algorithm and complementary motion compensation. The complementary motion compensation de-interlaces the image region using an inverse of motion vectors extracted from a bitstream clip representing neighboring frames.
US08165196B2 System, method, and apparatus for display manager
A system, method, and apparatus for decoding and displaying images utilizing two processors and two memory units. The decode process receives images which are encoded according to a predetermined standard. Included with the encoded images are parameters which facilitate the decode and display processes. The decode process decodes the encoded images and the encoded parameters and stores each image in a separate image buffer, and each set of associated parameters in a buffer descriptor structure associated with the image buffer. The decode process is carried on by the first processor. The display process utilizes the parameters associated with the image to determine the appropriate display order for each image, and then display the image accordingly on a display device, based on the associated parameters. The first processor carries on the display of the image on the display device. The second processor determines the display order for the images. The second processor and the second memory are off-chip.
US08165194B2 Space-time encoding method for a multi-antenna communication system of the UWB pulse type
The present invention relates to a space-time coding method for a UWB transmission system comprising at least two radiated elements. This method codes a block of information symbols S=(a1, a2 . . . , aP2)) belonging to a 2-PPM modulation or 2-PPM-M′-PAM composite modulation alphabet with M′≧2, into a sequence of vectors (sl,j,Ωsi,j), the components of a vector being intended to modulate a UWB pulse signal for a radiative element of said system and for a given transmission interval (Tƒ).
US08165193B2 Method for wireless data transmission between a base station and a passive transponder, as well as a passive transponder
A method for wireless data transmission, in, for example, RFID systems, between a base station and a passive transponder, as well as a passive transponder is provided by inductive coupling, as well as a passive transponder. It is possible to transmit data from the base station to the transponder by a first data transmission protocol type and by at least one second data transmission protocol type, whereby the first or the at least second data transmission protocol type is selected by writing a configuration register in the transponder.
US08165192B2 Waveform equalizer
Tap coefficients of an FIR filter are prevented from converging to wrong values. A waveform equalizer for performing waveform equalization of an input signal and outputting a waveform equalization result as an output signal includes: an FIR filter for performing a convolution operation between the input signal and a plurality of tap coefficients; an IIR filter for performing a convolution operation between the output signal and a plurality of tap coefficients; an adding section for adding an operation result of the FIR filter and an operation result of the IIR filter and outputting an addition result as the output signal; an error detecting section for detecting an error of the output signal; and a tap coefficient updating section for updating respective tap coefficients of the FIR filter and the IIR filter based on the error. The tap coefficient updating section sets a step size for updating the tap coefficients of the FIR filter to a value smaller than a step size for updating the tap coefficients of the IIR filter during a period from start of operation of the waveform equalizer until a predetermined condition is satisfied.
US08165186B2 Channel estimation for wireless communication
Techniques for deriving channel estimates with different channel estimation filters are described. In one scheme, a filter selection metric is determined for a signal to be recovered, a channel estimation filter is selected based on the filter selection metric, and a channel estimate is derived with the selected channel estimation filter. In another scheme, a first channel estimate is derived with a first channel estimation filter having a first filter response, a first signal is recovered with the first channel estimate, and interference due to the first signal is estimated and removed. A second channel estimate is derived with a second channel estimation filter having a second filter response that is different from the first filter response.
US08165185B2 Physical layer data unit format
In a wireless communication system wherein communication devices exchange information utilizing data units that conform to a first format, wherein the first format includes a short training field (STF) spread with a first spread code and a first cover code, a method is for generating a physical layer (PHY) data unit that conforms to a second format, wherein the PHY data unit is for transmitting PHY information. A first portion of the PHY data unit is generated to indicate the PHY data unit conforms to the second format, wherein the first portion of the PHY data unit includes an STF spread with at least one of a second spread code different than the first spread code or a second cover code different than the first cover code. A second portion of the PHY data unit is generated according to the second format, wherein the second portion of the PHY data unit includes PHY information elements not specified by the first format.
US08165182B2 Solid-state laser
In order to improve a solid-state laser, in particular a solid-state disc laser, comprising a resonator (40) that defines a resonator radiation field (30) and at least one solid-state disc (12) with the resonator radiation field (30) passing through it, in such a manner that the thermal lens effect can be at least substantially compensated, it is proposed that in reflection the resonator radiation field (30) strikes at least one first adaptive mirror unit (50, 70), with which a distortion of the resonator radiation field (30) as a result of a thermal lens effect of the at least one solid-state disc (12) can be substantially compensated. An adaptive mirror unit (50) can be configured by a heated (58a, 58b) glass sheet (54) with an HR layer (52), for example, or by a pressure-induced deformation by means a fluid (78) in a space (76), which is enclosed with the mirror (72, 74).
US08165181B2 Polarization purity control device and gas laser apparatus provided with the same
A degree of polarization control device includes: a calcium fluoride crystal substrate for transmitting a laser beam; a polarization monitor for measuring the degree of polarization of a laser beam transmitted through the calcium fluoride crystal substrate; and a controller for controlling the rotation angle of the calcium fluoride crystal substrate according to the degree of polarization measured by the polarization monitor; the calcium fluoride crystal substrate being formed by a flat plate having a laser beam entering surface and a laser beam exiting surface running in parallel with the (111) crystal face, the Brewster angle being selected for the incident angle, the rotation angle around the [111] axis operating as a central axis being controlled by the controller.
US08165178B2 Method and apparatus for pumping and operating optical parametric oscillators using DFB fiber lasers
An optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is described that efficiently converts a near-infrared laser beam to tunable mid-infrared wavelength output. In some embodiments, the OPO includes an optical resonator containing a nonlinear crystal, such as periodically-poled lithium niobate. The OPO is pumped by a continuous-wave fiber-laser source having a low-power oscillator and a high-power amplifier, or using just a power oscillator. The fiber oscillator produces a single-frequency output defined by a distributed-feedback (DFB) structure of the fiber. The DFB-fiber-laser output is amplified to a pump level consistent with exceeding an oscillation threshold in the OPO in which only one of two generated waves (“signal” and “idler”) is resonant within the optical cavity. This pump source provides the capability to tune the DFB fiber laser by straining the fiber (using an attached piezoelectric element or by other means) that allows the OPO to be continuously tuned over substantial ranges, enabling rapid, wide continuous tuning of the OPO output frequency or frequencies.
US08165167B2 Time tracking for a communication system
A method for characterizing a communication channel is disclosed. A detection window is moved through a channel profile to accumulate tap energies in the channel profile within the detection window into an accumulated energy curve. A peak at a maximum in the accumulated energy curve is determined. A band relative to the accumulated energy curve is defined. A first arriving path (FAP) is determined using a trailing edge found near a second end of a zone in the accumulated energy curve. A leading edge is found near a first end of the zone of the accumulated energy curve. The last arriving path (LAP) is determined using the leading edge. The band defines a zone of the accumulated energy curve at or near the maximum that is within the band.
US08165165B2 Apparatus for dynamic header compression and method thereof
Provided are an apparatus for a dynamic header compression and a method thereof. The method for a dynamic header compression includes: receiving a received packet having a header from an upper layer; comparing header information of the received packet with header information of a previous packet; when a suppression part of the received packet is the same as a suppression part of the previous packet, compressing the received packet based on a predetermined header suppression rule; and when the suppression part of the received packet is not the same as the suppression part of the previous packet, transmitting the received packet without compression.
US08165164B1 In-system reconfigurable circuit for mapping data words of different lengths
A mapping circuit is provided for mapping first data words into frames of second data words, wherein the first and second data words are of different length. In addition, a de-mapping circuit is provided for de-mapping the frames of second data words into the first data words. The mapping and de-mapping is responsive to address signals that may be stored in a memory such that a desired mapping or de-mapping corresponds to a particular programming of the memory. In this fashion, the mapping and de-mapping is in-system reconfigurable.
US08165162B2 Method and system for optimizing fragment size for aggregation at the physical layer
Aspects of a system for optimizing fragment size for aggregation at the physical layer may include one more switch ICs and/or physical (PHY) layer ICs that enable reception of data packets via a medium access control layer protocol entity. Each received data packet may be fragmented into a plurality of fragment payloads, wherein a length of each of the plurality of fragment payloads is selected from a plurality of candidate lengths. Each of the plurality of fragment payloads may be sent via a PHY layer protocol entity instance selected from a plurality of PHY layer protocol entity instances.
US08165160B2 Method and system to validate a write for a device on a serial bus
A method and system, the method including, in some embodiments, calculating, by a message originator, a first check sum byte, appending the first check sum byte to the message, sending the message from the originator to a client over a single wire serial bus, and determining, by the client, a validity of the message from the originator by comparing the first check sum byte with a second check sum calculated by the client.
US08165158B2 Method/system for processing messages and converged service system
A method/system for processing messages and a converged service system are provided. The method for processing messages comprises: a converged service system receives a message request sent from a traditional message service user via a traditional message service system and performs a converged service message format conversion on the message request (step S102); the converged service system determines an ID of the traditional message service system sending the message request according to the message request, and sends a converged service user the ID of the traditional message service system included in the converted message request (step S104); the converged service system receives a predefined service message from the converged service user, wherein the ID of the traditional message service system is included in the predefined service message (step S106); the converged service system performs a traditional message service format conversion on the predefined service message and sends the converted predefined service message to a traditional message service system corresponding to the ID of the traditional message service system in the predefined service message (step S108). By using the invention, the service experience of the user is improved.
US08165149B2 Medium reservation with channel selectivity
A medium-reservation mechanism improves transmission efficiency in a multiple-channel network that includes stations with limited-selectivity receivers. The mechanism employs a medium-request signal that conveys channel information. In this network, stations check the channel information in the medium-request signal to decide whether or not to comply with the medium-request signal. If the channel information identifies the channel that is close to the channel that the station is presently operating on, the station then complies with the medium-request signal. If the channel information identifies a channel other than the channel that the station is presently operating on, the station ignores the medium-request signal.
US08165148B2 System and method for rate assignment
A system and method for a time-scalable priority-based scheduler. A flexible scheduling algorithm utilizing variable scheduling durations enables better system capacity utilization. A rate request is transmitted if data arrives in a buffer, data in the buffer exceeds a buffer depth, and sufficient power exists to transmit at the rate requested. A rate assignment responsive to the rate request indicates a scheduled duration and a scheduled rate applicable for the scheduled duration. The scheduled duration is less than or equal to a scheduling period. The scheduling period is an interval of time and after which a scheduler makes a scheduling decision. The scheduling period is variable and the scheduled duration is variable.
US08165147B2 Flexible bandwidth allocation in high-capacity grooming switches
Apparatus for flexible sharing of bandwidth in switches with input buffering by dividing time into a plurality of frames of time slots, wherein each frame has a specified integer value of time slots. The apparatus includes modules where inputs sequentially select available outputs to which the inputs send packets in specified future time slots. The selection of outputs by the inputs is done using a pipeline technique and a schedule is calculated within multiple time slots.
US08165146B1 System and method for storing/caching, searching for, and accessing data
A system for persistently maintaining data using a network for data packets is provided. The system includes a transmission medium associated with the network, a plurality of switches operatively connected to the transmission medium. Each switch has an intelligent network controller adapted for delivering the data packets to a device operatively connected to the intelligent network controller in response to a request for the data packets from the device and further adapted for re-transmitting unexpired data packets over the network.
US08165145B1 Switching device
A switching device in a network system for transferring data includes one or more source line cards, one or more destination line cards and a switching fabric coupled to the source line cards and the destination line cards to enable data communication between any source line card and destination line card. Each source line card includes a request generator to generate a request signal to be transmitted in order to obtain an authorization to transmit data. Each destination line card includes a grant generator to generate and send back a grant signal to the source line card in response to the request signal received at the destination line card to authorize the source line card to transmit a data cell to the destination line card.
US08165142B2 Handling of multimedia call sessions and attachments using multi-network simulcasting
A method and apparatus supporting the handling of multimedia information using simulcasting using a broadband access gateway are disclosed. A broadband access gateway supporting both a personal area network and a broadband network may receive multimedia information during exchanges between access devices over a wireless wide area network. The wireless wide area network may intercept multimedia information, and may, for example, determine that the access device of the recipient is incompatible with the multimedia information. The wide area network may then redirect the multimedia information to a broadband access gateway that may cause the storage of the received multimedia information. In another representative embodiment of the present invention, the wide area network may adapt intercepted multimedia information to be compatible with the access device of the recipient, and may also redirect the original intercepted multimedia information to a broadband access gateway. The broadband access gateway may then cause the original intercepted multimedia information to be stored for later access. A recipient of the multimedia attachment or information may be notified of the redirection of the multimedia attachment or information, and may retrieve the stored multimedia information using a wired or wireless access device.
US08165140B2 Network address translation gateway for local area networks using local IP addresses and non-translatable port addresses
A network address translation gateway provides normal network translation for IP datagrams traveling from a local area network using local IP addresses to an external network, but suspends source service address (port) translation when the port is reserved for a specific protocol, such as the ISAKMP “handshaking” protocol that is part of the IPSec protocol model. ISAKMP exchanges require both source and target computers to use the same service address (port). By providing a network interface that does not translate the source service address (port), this gateway enables the initiation and maintenance of secure, encrypted transmissions using IPSec protocol between a local area network using local IP addresses and servers on the internet.
US08165134B2 Monitoring control system, monitoring device, monitoring control method, and monitoring control program
A monitoring control system including a monitoring device to monitor communication data communicated between communication terminals via a communication infrastructure. The monitoring device includes an address conversion table for storing a transmission source address and a transfer destination address in a corresponding relationship; a transfer unit receiving the communication data, obtaining a transfer destination address corresponding to a transmission source address of the received communication data from the address conversion table, and transferring the received communication data based on the obtained transfer destination address; and monitoring unit monitoring the received communication data.
US08165129B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating re-transmitting unacknowledged packets
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating re-transmitting packets in a communication network. During operation, the system transmits one or more acknowledgments to a neighbor in a designated time slot. Next, the system receives one or more acknowledgments from the neighbor, where a respective acknowledgment confirms that the data packets in a given past time slot have been processed by the neighbor. The system also receives a processed-through-counter (PTC) from the neighbor. Next, the system identifies a time slot up to the time slot indicated in the PTC and which has not been acknowledged by the neighbor. After identifying the time slot, the system re-transmits previously transmitted packets associated with the identified time slot to the neighbor without using a re-transmit timer.
US08165127B1 Distributing packets more evenly over trunked network links
Routing nodes in communications networks use policies and certain fields, called selection fields, in packet headers to make routing decisions. When routing over a trunk, a specific trunked link over which to forward a packet must be selected. Policies and selection fields can be used in a way that causes the packets in data streams to be distributed more evenly across the trunked links than is currently done.
US08165125B2 Apparatus and method of classifying packets
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of classifying packets that can support a quality of service (QoS) in a network system. An apparatus for classifying packets according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first unit that analyzes input data packets, extracts pluralities of specific fields from the data packets using an analyzed result, and outputs the pluralities of specific fields; pluralities of second units that compare data of a first portion of the pluralities of extracted specific fields with data in a table, determine whether items that satisfy a predetermined condition exist in the table, and output hit signals and pointers indicating positions of the items that satisfy the predetermined condition when the items that satisfy the predetermined condition exist in the table; and a third unit that compares data of a second portion of the pluralities of extracted specific fields and key data including the pointers input from the pluralities of second units and rule data in a rule table and outputs classes corresponding to the items when the key data and the rule data are matched.
US08165124B2 Message compression methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for compressing messages used to support mobile communications are described. After transmission of a first mobile IP message which may be a conventional mobile IP message, a compressed mobile IP message is transmitted. The compressed message includes a new “compressed message” indicator and information which is to replace information in the previous message or to be added to the previous message to construct a new message. In some embodiments, the compressed message includes a mask field, e.g., a sequence of bits, each bit corresponding to one field of a standard registration request message or binding update message. If the mask flag bit corresponding to a field is set, it indicates that the compressed message includes information to replace the content in the corresponding field of the previous message or to be added to the previous message as a field corresponding to the asserted bit.
US08165122B2 System and method for converting unicast client requests into multicast client requests
A system and method converting a unicast client request into a multicast client request is provided, the method comprising: receiving the unicast client request; mapping the unicast client request destination IP address and unicast client request destination port to a multicast record, wherein the multicast record contains a multicast destination internet protocol (IP) address and wherein the multicast destination IP address corresponds to the unicast client request destination IP address and unicast client request destination port; and transmitting the multicast client request that mirrors the received unicast client request to a plurality of destination servers using the multicast destination IP address that corresponds to the unicast client request destination IP address and unicast client request destination port.
US08165117B2 Trunking in a matrix
A multistage switch includes a matrix of coupled switch devices. A logical link comprising a plurality of physical links couples a destination through the plurality of physical links to a plurality of ports in the multistage switch. Each switch device performs trunk aware forwarding to reduce the forwarding of received frames through the matrix of coupled switch devices to the destination in order to reduce unnecessary traffic in the multistage switch.
US08165116B2 Method and system to provide contact services in a communication network
A communication system includes an application server that includes logic to recognize that preference data in each of a plurality of data record entries of a subscriber record has a common value. Each data record entry includes a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), and the subscriber record is stored in a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server. The application server also includes logic to issue a command to initiate contact concurrently with devices identified by URIs in the subscriber record via an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).
US08165114B2 Voice over IP capturing
An apparatus for Voice over IP capturing in a network, comprising: a data receiver, tapping the network and configured to receive at least one data packet transmitted in the network, a VoIP identifier, associated with the data receiver, configured to determine if the received data packet is a VoIP data packet qualifying for forwarding to a capture device, and a forwarder, associated with the VoIP identifier, configured to forward a copy of the qualifying VoIP data packet to at least one capture device, and to forward the received data packets back to the network.
US08165110B1 Method and apparatus for accessing a telephone network from the internet
A subscriber in communication with an IP network (12) such as the Internet, through a terminal (14) may launch an application on a Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN) (16) by entering a data packet that takes the format of a telephone number that identifies the PSTN application. An IP gateway (22) couples the IP network (12) to the PSTN (16) and serves to recognize the data packet in the format of the PSTN application telephone number as well as translate the packet yield a stream of DTMF or other signals corresponding to the PSTN application telephone number. The IP gateway (22) then launches the stream of signals to dial the telephone number of the PSTN application. The gateway may also request information or control PSTN calls via the signaling/data channel between the gateway and the PSTN.
US08165109B2 Method for managing the quality of encrypted voice over IP to teleagents
A voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) system and more particularly, an improved VoIP system serving a distributed group of teleagents. Network parameters that affect voice quality over broadband connections are rapidly detected by generating both detected and subjective alerts when problems with the quality of a IP telephone connection are detected and correcting the detected problems. Network parameters are monitored during an actual VoIP telephone call or by using synthetic traffic. If the voice quality degrades for a particular teleagent, the teleagent is removed from the pool of available agents until voice quality improves. Alternatively, the voice quality of each teleagent may be ranked according to the service provided.
US08165108B1 Graphical communications device using translator
A communication system includes a plurality of network devices that communicate using one or more protocols, such as SIP. Graphical terminals (30) communicate with the network devices. Graphical servers (32) provide a graphical user interface for the graphics terminals (30) responsive to signaling messages received by the graphical terminals (30) and forwarded to the graphical server (32) in a service request. As the user operates the interface to perform functions, graphical information on the user's actions is sent to the associated graphical server (32). The graphical server (32) interprets the graphical information and updates the graphical interface and/or generates service requests for signaling messages to create, modify and terminate communication sessions as desired by the user, using the appropriate protocol.
US08165107B2 Method and system for obtaining path information, path computation element
A method and a system for obtaining path information as well as a PCE are disclosed herein. All the PCEs from the source PCE to the confluent PCE compute the shortest path from the source node to the egress border node of the domain covered by the respective PCE one by one, and send the computation result to the next-hop PCE until the confluent PCE. Meanwhile, all the PCEs from the destination PCE to the confluent PCE compute the shortest path from the destination node to the ingress border node of the domain covered by the respective PCE one by one, and send the computation result to the previous-hop PCE until the confluent PCE. After receiving computation results from the previous-hop PCE and the next-hop PCE, the confluent PCE computes the shortest path between the source node and the destination node, and sends the shortest path to the source PCE.
US08165106B2 Apparatus and method for detecting a ranging signal in a wireless communication system
An apparatus for a base station of a wireless communication network includes a detector to detect an access code received from a mobile station in each of a plurality of time durations and to detect a timing offset of the access code detected in each of the plurality of time durations, an estimator to estimate a carrier-to-interference noise ratio (CINR) during each of the plurality of time durations, and a determining unit to determine a timing offset correction value to be applied to subsequent signals from the mobile station using the CINR, the timing offset, and the access code detected in each of the plurality of time durations.
US08165099B2 Continuous packet connectivity (CPC) scheduler
A base station establishes a data channel in an uplink between the base station and a user equipment, establishes a control channel in the uplink between the base station and the user equipment, and determines a gating configuration associated with the control channel. The base station also transmits the gating configuration to the user equipment, receives a gated control signal, via the control channel, based on the gating configuration, and synchronizes time slots for signal bursts associated with the gated control signal and time slots for data packets associated with the data channel. The base station further schedules transmissions of the data packets based on the synchronized time slots, generates an absolute grant based on the scheduled transmissions of the data packets, and transmits the absolute grant to the user equipment.
US08165098B2 Method for allocating resources in cell-edge bands of OFDMA networks
A method allocates bandwidth from a radio frequency spectrum in a cellular network including a set of cells. Each cell includes a base station for serving a set of mobile stations in the cell. An area around each base station is partitioned into a center region and an edge region. In each base station, cell-center bandwidth for use by the mobile stations in the center region is reserved according to an inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC) protocol, and cell-edge bandwidth for use by the mobile stations in the edge region is reserved according to the ICIC protocol. The bandwidth can be fixed or adaptive to reduce the signaling overhead. The adaptive bandwidth can be further partitioned into reserved and the free bands. Mobile stations are classified as primary and secondary users, depending on whether they use or are assigned the fixed or adaptive band radio resources.
US08165095B2 System and method to improve RF simulations
A system (100) and method (400) for improving Radio Frequency (RF) Antenna Simulation is provided. The method can include determining (402) a proximity of an antenna (250) to a scattering structure (210), determining (410) a switching distance to the scattering structure that establishes when to switch the antenna on (416) and off (418) from a composite antenna pattern to a free space antenna pattern, and predicting RF coverage of the antenna responsive to the switching. The switching distance can be a function of a material type and a surface geometry of the scattering structure and a wavelength of the antenna. The method can also include evaluating a sensory mismatch in the antenna, and using a composite antenna pattern corresponding to the sensory mismatch.
US08165092B2 System and method for adaptive proactive scanning to support fast handoffs in mobile networks
A scanning technique to select the best channel a mobile handset needs when approaching handoff is described. More specifically a system and method for an adaptive proactive scanning mechanism in which the rate of scanning is determined by the necessity to handoff and battery power is disclosed.
US08165090B2 Efficient handover of media communications in heterogeneous IP networks
Methods and systems are provided for efficient handover of a media session between heterogeneous Internet protocol (IP) networks. A mobile device with Internet access can operate a software program to communicate with a corresponding node. The corresponding node may access the Internet through either (i) a Network Address Translation (NAT) router or (ii) a public IP address. The mobile device establishes a media session with a corresponding node via the transmission of a first media stream and receipt of a second media stream, and a media control channel can optionally be implemented. The mobile device can acquire Internet access through a second IP address, and packets routed between the second IP address and the Internet may traverse a NAT router. A software routine can determine that handover of the media session from the first IP address to the second IP address is preferred. The mobile device may begin transmitting a third media stream to the corresponding node before the first media stream stops. The corresponding node can transmit a fourth media stream to the second IP address before terminating the transmission of the second stream to the first IP address. Software operating at the mobile device may include a handover predictive jitter buffer.
US08165088B2 MIH protocol state machine
The preferred embodiments relate to, among other things, systems and methods for a media-independent-handover (MIH) Protocol State Machine. The present application provides, among other things, a MIH protocol state machine system and method for both source and receiver nodes. A system and/or method is described for facilitating media independent handover of a mobile node within or between network infrastructure, comprising: a media independent handover protocol state machine configured to provide states of a source node or a destination node during a transaction, said state machine addressing requests or responses both with and without an AckReq.
US08165087B2 Location context service handoff
A location service providing system and method for repeatedly providing a location service.
US08165086B2 Method of providing improved integrated communication system data service
Some embodiments provide a method and apparatus for seamlessly providing voice and data services across a licensed wireless network while accessing a second different communication network through a user equipment. The first and second communication networks include licensed wireless networks, unlicensed wireless networks, or Internet Protocol (IP) networks, to name a few. Furthermore, some embodiments of the second communication network include a modified interface for directly interfacing with components of the first communication network in order to pass and retrieve data packets from the user equipment.
US08165085B2 Wireless communication base station apparatus and control channel allocation method
A wireless communication base station apparatus that allows the number of times of blind decodings at a mobile station to be reduced without increasing the overhead caused by notifying information. In this apparatus, a CCE allocation part (104) allocates allocation information allocated to a PDCCH received from modulation parts (103-1 to 103-K) to a particular one of a plurality of search spaces that is corresponding to a CCE aggregation size of the PDCCH. A placement part (108) then places the allocation information in one of downstream line resources, reserved for the PDCCH, that is corresponding to the CCE of the particular search space to which the allocation information has been allocated. A radio transmission part (111) then transmits an OFDM symbol, in which the allocation information has been placed, to the mobile station from an antenna (112).
US08165079B2 System and method for connection identifier synchronization in a communication system
A method for synchronizing connection identifiers (CIDs) in a communication system includes sending a first message for requesting addition of a service flow identified by a CID; sending a second message and, at the same time, setting a number of a frame where the second message is transmitted as a first start frame number; sending a third message and, at the same time, setting a number of a frame where the third message is transmitted as a second start frame number; performing a modulo operation on a frame having the first or second start frame number and its succeeding frames using a positive integer for each frame, and detecting a number of a frame where a result value of the modulo operation becomes zero; and simultaneously updating CID lists at a frame having the detected frame number with regard to a CID of the added service flow.
US08165077B2 Delegation of mobile communication to external device
Delegating voice and/or data traffic communication from a mobile computing device to an external proxy device. The mobile computing device obtains identification of a traffic channel and a time slot and provides the information to the proxy device. The proxy device monitors a cellular network on the identified traffic channel during the identified time slot while the mobile computing device goes into signaling mode. The proxy device exchanges voice and/or data traffic between the user and the cellular network In some embodiments, the proxy device includes a speaker and microphone. In other embodiments, the proxy device sends the voice and/or data traffic to the user via the mobile computing device or another device. By delegating the voice and/or data traffic communication to the proxy device, the battery life of the mobile computing device is preserved.
US08165076B2 Resource allocation method for multi-users multiple input multiple output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system and apparaus thereof
The present invention is direct to the resource allocation method for MU-MIMO-OFDM system and the apparatus thereof. The MU-MIMO-OFDM system has a plurality of users and a plurality of sub-channels. The sub-channels are assigned to the users according to the capacity ratio constraints and a scheduling rule, and then the power of the user is determined according to the limit power of the MU-MIMO-OFDM system. Wherein the values of power of the sub-channels assigned to the user are the same, the scheduling rule may be Max-Min or Max Sum-Rate rule, and the allocation of the sub-channels may be user-oriented or sub-channel oriented.
US08165070B2 Heterogeneous network system, network node and mobile host
The invention relates to a system that dynamically integrates a set of communication networks to increase the overall heterogeneous network system performance and capabilities. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique of providing a Dynamic Heterogeneous Network System, and providing a Network Node entity and a Mobile Host entity into the system to support the heterogeneous network. The network system according to the present invention has an architecture that includes at least five building blocks including a mobile host (1), an access network (7), a network node (2), an AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting) node (13), and an external network (3).
US08165068B2 User equipment detach with multiple packet data network connectivity
A system is provided that includes a component configured to promote detachment of a user equipment (UE) from a plurality of packet data network (PDN) gateways by sending a message to each of the plurality of PDN gateways to which the UE has at least one active bearer. The message requests that at least one of the plurality of PDN gateways delete the at least one active bearer.
US08165065B2 Ad-hoc network acquisition using chaotic sequence spread waveform
Method and system for identifying neighbor nodes in an ad-hoc wireless network including two or more nodes. The method involves generating a beacon signal at a first node of the network for alerting other nodes in the network of the presence of the first node. A digitally generated first spreading sequence is also generated at the first node. Thereafter, the beacon signal is modulated with the first spreading sequence to produce a spread spectrum signal which is then transmitted. The spreading sequence is selected to be a chaotic sequence.
US08165064B2 Enhancements to the positioning pilot channel
A method for communicating transmitter identification in an interlace structure of a communication network system using positioning pilot channels (PPC), comprising: a) encoding pilot information on a first portion of a plurality of subcarriers in a positioning pilot channel symbol for an active transmitter; and b) encoding transmitter identification information on a second portion of a plurality of subcarriers of the symbol; wherein the first portion of the plurality of subcarriers comprises at least first and second interlaces and the second portion of the plurality of subcarriers comprises at least a third interlace; the pilot information is scrambled in the first interlace with a wide area identifier and scrambled in the at least second interlaces with the wide area identifier and a local area identifier; and wherein at least one of the interlace includes the transmitter identification information in the form of one or more transmitter location coordinates in a free interlace.
US08165063B2 System and method for performing location management using home subscriber server in VoIP service
Provided is a system and method for performing location management using a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. The system includes a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) terminal unit sending and receiving a SIP call, by which a VoIP telephone can be used, by being connected to a broadband VoIP network, an HSS controller having a Database (DB) storing an ID of a device which the SIP terminal unit initially accesses according to an access network to which the SIP terminal unit is connected in the broadband VoIP network, location information of the SIP terminal unit, which contains a location code and address of the device, and location information of a destination terminal to which the SIP terminal unit desires to connect, and a Call Session Control Function (CSCF) controller connecting the SIP terminal unit and the destination terminal in a VoIP telephone service using the location information stored in the HSS controller in the broadband VoIP network. Accordingly, a method of registering a location of a VoIP telephone and a location management service are provided, and a process of providing a short-distance call routing service in a representative number service, which is a location-based service, is suggested using the location registration method.
US08165062B1 WiMAX R6 control architecture
Within an access services network (ASN) operable for providing wireless access services to an access terminal and including a base station communicatively coupled to an ASN gateway, a new functional process identified as an “R6 controller” is provided within the framework. The R6 controller includes both a controlling entity process residing and executing within the ASN gateway and an agent entity process residing and executing within the base station. The R6 controller entities monitor the R6 reference point between these two peer instances of the R6 controller, including executing a keep-alive procedure for determining the status of the R6 interface. If a problem is detected, interested client applications are notified and further actions (e.g., initiate handover process, notify ATs, etc.) may be taken. Optionally, the R6 controller entities function as gateways enabling centralized processing for message transmitted between peer instances of other client application processes spanning the base station—ASN gateway pair.
US08165057B2 Wireless telecommunications method
A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures which processors run the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data.
US08165055B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving time stamp to provide multicast service in communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting a time stamp to provide a multicast service by a base station in a communication system is provided. Upon receipt of a multicast service request from a first terminal, the base station determines whether a second terminal exists that was receiving data of the multicast service before the multicast service request is received. The base station determines whether the multicast service data is being transmitted to the second terminal in a unicast manner when the second terminal exists. The base station allocates a first multicast Connection Identifier (CID) and a first time stamp of an earliest order to the second terminal when the multicast service data is being transmitted to the second terminal in a unicast manner. After allocating the first time stamp to the second terminal, the base station allocates the first multicast CID and a second time stamp having a next earliest order to the first terminal. The base station transmits the first time stamp and the second time stamp using a resource allocation message. The first time stamp and the second time stamp represent different playback times of the multicast service data.
US08165046B2 Framing for an adaptive modulation communication system
A system and method for mapping a combined frequency division duplexing (FDD) Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)/Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) downlink subframe for use with half-duplex and full-duplex terminals in a communication system. Embodiments of the downlink subframe vary Forward Error Correction (FEC) types for a given modulation scheme as well as support the implementation of a smart antennae at a base station in the communication system. Embodiments of the system are also used in a TDD communication system to support the implementation of smart antennae. A scheduling algorithm allows TDM and TDMA portions of a downlink to efficiently co-exist in the same downlink subframe and simultaneously support full and half-duplex terminals. The algorithm further allows the TDM of multiple terminals in a TDMA burst to minimize the number of map entries in a downlink map. The algorithm limits the number of downlink map entries to not exceed 2n+1, where n is the number of DL PHY modes (modulation/FEC combinations) employed by the communication system.
US08165044B2 Maintaining multiple, simultaneous wireless network connections using a single radio
A method and apparatus for managing simultaneous virtual connections with multiple wireless networks. A plurality of ports in a hardware driver may be each associated with a corresponding wireless network and maintain a unique MAC state relative to other ports. Each port may have a corresponding virtual NIC that communicates directly with the radio hardware via a hardware virtualization layer that multiplexes communication between the virtual NICs and the radio hardware. Simultaneous virtual connections may be made with one or more infrastructure networks or adhoc networks, and/or the computer may function as an access point for one or more of the networks.
US08165039B2 Wireless communication system, communication apparatus and communication method
A communication apparatus holds information concerning a second network reported from a specific wireless terminal that has left a first network. In accordance with predetermined criteria, the communication apparatus decides a wireless terminal that is to be allowed to join the second network and notifies this wireless terminal so as to cause the specific wireless terminal to return to the first network. This wireless terminal uses the held information concerning the second network to discriminate the communication status of the second network and requests the specific wireless terminal to return in accordance with the communication status discriminated.
US08165035B2 ACK/NACK DTX detection
In a first aspect of the invention there is a method, apparatus, and executable software product for receiving scheduling information, determining that at least one downlink allocation of the scheduling information was not received, sending a reply to the received scheduling that comprises an indication of discontinuous transmission in response to the determining. In another aspect of the invention there is a method an apparatus to send scheduling information, and receive a reply to the scheduling information comprising an indication of discontinuous transmission that at least one downlink allocation of the scheduling information was not received.
US08165033B1 Method and apparatus for performing generalized processor sharing scheduling
A scheduler includes a sorting unit that has n comparators to identify a smallest virtual finish time (VFT) value from 2n VFT entries. Each of the VFT entries may include a valid bit to indicate its validity.
US08165031B2 Multi-point and rooted multi-point protection switching
The present invention relates to techniques for allowing one or more edge nodes in a backbone network to quickly and efficiently switch traffic delivery from a first virtual network to a second virtual network in response to a failure occurring in association with the first virtual network. In certain embodiments, an edge node is capable of independently detecting that a failure has occurred on the first virtual network and quickly transitioning from the first virtual network to the second virtual network for receiving or delivering traffic. Upon detecting the failure in the first virtual network, the edge node will begin delivering traffic over the second virtual network. If control messages are not already being provided over the second network, the edge node may begin providing the control messages over the second virtual network.
US08165030B2 System and method for monitoring a network communication at multiple network layers
A network monitor gets a (layer 7) media path bill of materials for a communication between two communication devices. The network monitor also gets a (layer 7) signaling path bill of materials. The media path bill of materials and the signaling path bill of materials comprise a plurality of items that are involved in the communication (e.g. hardware, software, links). The media path bill of materials and the signaling path bill of materials comprise a communication path bill of materials. The network monitor sends at least one configuration packet to a plurality of network analyzers to monitor packets that contain a status of the communication in relation one or more items in the communication path bill of materials. The status of the communication is output and displayed in relation to the items in the communication path bill of materials.
US08165029B2 Method of parallel detection for ethernet protocol
The invention, in part, provides technology (e.g., a method, an apparatus, software, etc.) according to the Ethernet communication protocol, a method of parallel detection, the method comprising: providing a local link partner device having a local terminal advertisement register including a half duplex capability portion, determining whether auto-negotiation is supported; selecting, if auto-negotiation is not supported by at least one participating terminal, half duplex mode; and updating the value of the half duplex capability portion to indicate half duplex mode.
US08165027B2 Test apparatus and test method
There is provided a test apparatus for testing at least one device under test, including a packet list storing section that stores a plurality of packet lists each of which includes a series of packets communicated between the test apparatus and the at least one device under test, a flow control section that designates an order of executing the plurality of packet lists in accordance with an execution flow of a test program that is designed to test the at least one device under test, and a packet communicating section that sequentially communicates the series of packets included in packet lists sequentially designated by the flow control section between the test apparatus and the at least one device under test, to test the at least one device under test.
US08165023B2 Methods for the secured interconnection of VNET sites over WAN
One embodiment provides a method to interconnect virtual network segments (VNETs) defined for a local-area network (LAN) infrastructure separated by a wide-area network infrastructure. The technique involves the routing device at the LAN-WAN interconnection points to impose or dispose the VNET-shim, which encodes the VNET-id information in a Layer 4 portion of the packet. In a data plane, a new IP protocol value may be used to signify the presence of the VNET-shim followed by cryptography specific information in an IP packet. In a control plane, the routing protocol is expanded to exchange the routing information along with the VNET information.
US08165021B2 Policy-based resource management
In one embodiment, a network device receives a request from a client in association with a connection, where the request indicates an amount of one or more resources that is requested to support the connection. The network device determines whether the amount of the resources is available. The network device may then allocate a level of the resources to the connection according to whether the amount of the resources is available.
US08165020B2 Network interface system with filtering function
A network interface system for transferring a data packet between a host system and a network includes multiple matchers and multiple queues. The matchers match the data packet with multiple rules from the host system to generate multiple matching results and allocate a transferring priority to the data packet according to the rules. The queues correspond to the matchers respectively. A queue of the queues stores information indicating the transferring priority for the data packet according to the matching results and priorities of matchers.
US08165015B1 Modifying a rate based on at least one performance characteristic
Network operating methods provide a first packet switch configured to send a plurality of packets from the first packet switch to a second packet switch via a network path traversing one or more intermediate packet switches, access data describing at least one performance characteristic of the network path, and based on the data, modify a rate at which the first packet switch sends the plurality of packets to the second packet switch via the path. Network management methods receive data describing at least one performance characteristic of a network path having a first endpoint on a first packet switch, a second endpoint on a second packet switch, the network path traversing one or more intermediate packet switches and, based on the received data, instruct the first packet switch to modify a rate at which the first packet switch sends packets to the second packet switch via the network path.
US08165012B2 Protection mechanisms for a communications network
A method of path protection for a connection-oriented packet switched communications network is described using a protection hub in communication with a worker hub via a core protection path. Both the worker hub and the protection hub communicate with at least one provider edge device via a respective worker and protection paths. The method detects a failure in the communications network, indicates the failure to the at least one of the provider edge device, the worker hub, and the protection hub. The method then employs the core protection path if a failure occurs along a worker path is detected, or a worker path and a protection path in parallel if a failure occurs along the core protection path.
US08165008B2 High-data-rate communication link using multiple lower rate modems
A method for communication includes receiving a composite signal, which carries data at a first data rate and includes multiple sub-signals that are interleaved in a time domain and are separated by boundary indicators. The received composite signal is demultiplexed into the sub-signals by automatically detecting the boundary indicators between the sub-signals in the composite signal. The sub-signals are demodulated using multiple respective demodulators operating at second data rates that are lower than the first data rate so as to generate respective output data streams. The output data streams are combined so as to reconstruct the data at the first data rate.
US08165006B2 Optical disc device and data reproduction method for the same
Prevention of deletion of data in an unintended recording layer of an optical disc is ensured even when servo deviation occurs while controlling data reproduction. A light source outputs a light beam with light intensity according to a driving current on which a high frequency signal is superimposed. The light beam is collected on a recording layer of an optical disc. As triggered by detection of servo deviation during data reproduction, a light intensity controller adjusts a superimposed amount of the high frequency signal in the driving current to suit to a specific recording layer with the lowest reproduction tolerance in the optical disc and thereby controls the light intensity of the light beam output from the light source.
US08165004B2 Optical pickup device
An optical pickup device capable of eliminating interlayer crosstalk which is responsible for fluctuation in control signals and error rate in data signals, thereby ensuring stable action for a multilayered recording disc with a narrow interlayer spacing. The reflected beam coming from the multilayered disc is divided along the central line into two parallel portions by the dividing optical system and then condensed. The reflected beam coming from the active layer, which has been condensed, is reflected by the reflecting plane whose reflecting region is limited and the thus reflected beam is detected by the optical detector. The reflected beam coming from other layers is not reflected by the reflecting plane, so that interlayer crosstalk is reduced.
US08165001B2 Optical recording medium, information recording method, and information reproducing method
According to one embodiment, an optical recording medium is provided in which interlayer crosstalk is low and in which stable and high-quality recording characteristics can be obtained. To this end, an optical recording medium comprises a first recording part which includes a first recording layer and a first light reflecting layer and which is disposed on a side closer to a light receiving surface, and a second recording part which includes a second recording layer and a second light reflecting layer and which is disposed on a side farther from the light receiving surface, the first recording part and the second recording part being stacked, wherein the thickness of the second light reflecting layer is larger than the thickness of the first light reflecting layer.
US08164995B2 Enhanced linearity DVD writing current circuit
A writing current circuit (42) supplies a controlled electrical current to a laser diode (34) for recording data swiftly onto a DVD (16). A plurality of current sources (62) in the writing current circuit (42) supply electrical current directly to the laser diode (34). Each current source (62) respectively receives a single output signal from a current control register (52) included in the writing current circuit (42) which activates or deactivates the current source (62) for supplying a particular quantity of current to the laser diode (34). In one aspect, a pair of current reference signals received by the current source (62) control electrical current supply to the diode (34). Incorporated into these controlling reference signals is a simulation of electrical characteristics of the diode (34). In another aspect, each current source (62) responds to a logical inverse of the output signal from the current control register (52) for controlling overshoot in voltage applied across the diode (34).
US08164981B2 Ultrasonic distance-measuring sensor with gap and partition between vibrating surfaces
An ultrasonic distance-measuring sensor assembly and an ultrasonic distance-measuring sensor thereof are disclosed. The ultrasonic distance-measuring sensor includes at least two piezoelectric actuators and a member. The member includes a side wall, at least two vibration generating/receiving surfaces and a partition. The vibration generating/receiving surfaces accommodate the piezoelectric actuators as sources. The side wall surrounds the vibration generating/receiving surfaces. The partition is disposed between the vibration generating/receiving surfaces and includes a slot. The slot is disposed between the vibration sending/receiving surfaces.
US08164980B2 Methods and apparatuses for data collection and communication in drill string components
A drill string component includes a box-end and a pin-end. Each end includes a signal transceiver, which are operably coupled together. Each signal transceiver communicates with another signal transceiver in another component to form a communication network in the drillstring. An end-cap may be placed in the central bore of the pin-end of a component to form an annular chamber between a side of the end-cap and a wall of the central bore of the pin-end when the end-cap is disposed in the central bore. In some embodiments, an electronics module may be placed in the annular chamber and configured to communicate with one of the signal transceivers. Accelerometer data, as well as other sensor data, at various locations along the drillstring may be sampled by the electronics module and communicated to a remote computer. Drillstring motion dynamics, such as vibration, may be determined based on the accelerometer data.
US08164979B2 System and method for acquisition and processing of elastic wavefield seismic data
A system and method of acquiring and processing full elastic waveform data from a vertical-force source comprises providing seismic waves into the earth from the vertical-force source, sensing reflections of the seismic waves at multi-component geophones placed along the surface of the earth, and processing the reflections of the seismic waves to generate full elastic waveform data.
US08164978B2 Interbed multiple prediction
A method and apparatus for predicting interbed multiples is described herein. Trace geometries may be generated for one or more desired shot-side traces, one or more desired receiver-side traces, and one or more desired interbed multiple generator traces, for a first target trace. A first set of reflections at the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired interbed multiple generator traces. A second set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired shot-side traces. A third set of reflections below the interbed multiple generator layer may be extracted from one or more recorded traces closest to the desired receiver-side traces. The interbed multiples for the first target trace may be estimated based on the first set, the second set, and the third set.
US08164975B2 Data capture system and method, and memory controllers and devices
Embodiments of a data capture system and method may be used in a variety of devices, such as in memory controllers and memory devices. The data capture system and method may generate a first set of periodic signals and a second set of periodic signals that differs from the first set. Either the first set of periodic signals or the second set of periodic signals may be selected and used to generate a set of data capture signals. The selection of either the first set or the second set may be made on the basis of the number of serial data digits in a previously captured burst of data. The data capture signals may then be used to capture a burst of serial data digits.
US08164974B2 Memory circuits, systems, and method of interleaving accesses thereof
An interleaved memory circuit includes a first memory bank having a first memory cell. A first local control circuit is coupled with the first memory bank. A second memory bank includes a second memory cell. A second local control circuit is coupled with the second memory bank. An IO block is coupled with the first memory bank and the second memory bank. A global control circuit is coupled with the first and second local control circuits. An interleaving access includes a clock signal having a first cycle and a second cycle for accessing the first memory cell and the second memory cell, respectively, wherein the second cycle is capable of enabling the first local control circuit to trigger a first transition of a first read column select signal RSSL for accessing the first memory cell.
US08164973B2 Storage apparatus and method of controlling storage apparatus
A storage apparatus includes: a plurality of storage sections each of which corresponds to each of a plurality of addresses; a read pointer register that outputs a read pointer indicating an address of a storage section from which data is read; a write pointer register that outputs a write pointer indicating an address of a storage section to which data is written; a control circuit that receives first clock signals of a first frequency and second clock signals of a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, determines selection signals indicating either the first clock signals or the second clock signals on the basis of the read pointer or the write pointer for each of the plurality of storage sections, and outputs the selection signals; and selection circuits selects signals indicated by the selection signals, and outputs the selected signals.
US08164970B2 Third dimensional memory with compress engine
An integrated circuit and method for modifying data by compressing the data in third dimensional memory technology is disclosed. In a specific embodiment, an integrated circuit is configured to perform compression of data disposed in third dimensional memory. For example, the integrated circuit can include a third dimensional memory array configured to store an input independent of storing a compressed copy of the input, a processor configured to compress the input to form the compressed copy of the input, and a controller configured to control access between the processor and the third dimensional memory array. The third dimension memory array can include one or more layers of non-volatile re-writeable two-terminal cross-point memory arrays fabricated back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) over a logic layer fabricated front-end-of-the-line (FEOL). The logic layer includes active circuitry for data operations (e.g., read and write operations) and data compression operations on the third dimension memory array.
US08164969B2 Ultra-low power hybrid circuits
The present invention provides a solution to avoid the robustness problems of sub-threshold circuits by switching small parts of circuits to nominal-voltage only when they are being used, and switching them back to sub-threshold levels when the operation finishes. Such “hybrid sub-threshold” approach is capable of supporting ultra-low power operation without the disadvantages of sub-threshold circuits. Hybrid power saving mode for logic circuits provide significant power saving and fast recovery time without performance degradation.
US08164967B2 Systems and methods for refreshing non-volatile memory
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as a flash memory. To prevent data errors due to leakage effects, the NVM may be refreshed. For example, a reserved portion of the NVM may be selected, and a predetermined pattern can be stored into the reserved portion. The reserved portion can then be monitored for storage deterioration over time. After determining that storage deterioration of the reserved portion has occurred, the NVM can be refreshed. In some embodiments, a controller can attempt to distinguish data errors due to leakage effects from data errors due to disturb issues.
US08164966B2 Variable-loop-path ring oscillator test circuit and systems and methods utilizing same
Circuitry for determining timing characteristics, for example, access time, setup time, hold time, recovery time and removal time, of as-manufactured digital circuit elements, such as latches, flip-flops and memory cells. Each element under test is embodied in variable-loop-path ring oscillator circuitry that includes multiple ring-oscillator loop paths, each of which differs from the other(s) in terms of inclusion and exclusion of ones of a data input and a data output of the element under test. Each loop path is caused to oscillate at each of a plurality of frequencies, and data regarding the oscillation frequencies is used to determine one or more timing characteristics of the element under test. The variable-loop-path ring oscillator circuitry can be incorporated into a variety of test systems, including automated testing equipment, and built-in self test structures and can be used in performing model-to-hardware correlation of library cells that include testable as-manufactured digital circuit elements.
US08164962B2 Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes an SRAM circuit having first SRAM cells that store data and second SRAM cells that amplify a potential difference of the data and store the potential difference, a word line driver circuit that outputs a first control signal for selecting one of the first SRAM cells to be read/written the data and a second control signal for selecting one of the second SRAM cells to be read/written the potential difference, a sense amplifier circuit that amplifies a potential difference of a read signal output from a bit line pair of the second SRAM cell selected according to the second control signal, and a write driver circuit that outputs a write signal to the bit line pair of the second SRAM cell selected according to the second control signal, and the write signal has a potential difference between bit lines larger than the read signal.
US08164955B2 NOR flash memory device and method for fabricating the same
Embodiments of a NOR flash memory and method for fabricating the same are provided. Bit lines can be formed as self-aligned source and drain regions between adjacent first polysilicon patterns. Contacts for the source and drain regions can be provided according to bit line instead of per cell. Word lines can be formed as second polysilicon patterns, which are used as control gates, and are provided perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bit lines. During formation of the second polysilicon patterns, a dielectric film and exposed regions of the first polysilicon patterns can be etched to form floating gates below the second polysilicon patterns.
US08164950B2 Reduction of punch-through disturb during programming of a memory device
A punch-through disturb effect in a memory device can be reduced by biasing a selected word line at a program voltage to program a selected memory cell, biasing word lines on the drain side of the series string with a Vpass voltage, turning off an adjacent memory cell to the selected memory cell, and biasing remaining word lines on the source side of the turned-off memory cell with a Vlow voltage that is less than Vpass.
US08164948B2 Spintronic devices with integrated transistors
The semiconductor industry seeks to replace traditional volatile memory devices with improved non-volatile memory devices. The increased demand for a significantly advanced, efficient, and non-volatile data retention technique has driven the development of integrated Giant-Magneto-resistive (GMR) structures. The present teachings relates to integrated latch memory and logic devices and, in particular, concerns a spin dependent logic device that may be integrated with conventional semiconductor-based logic devices to construct high-speed non-volatile static random access memory (SRAM) cells.
US08164945B2 8T SRAM cell with two single sided ports
A dual port SRAM cell includes an auxiliary driver transistor on each data node. The SRAM cell is capable of single sided write to each data node. The auxiliary driver transistors in addressed cells may be biased independently of half-addressed cells. During write and read operations, the auxiliary driver transistors may be floated or biased. Auxiliary driver transistors in half-addressed SRAM cells may be biased. During standby modes, the auxiliary driver transistors may be floated. During sleep modes, the auxiliary driver transistors may be biased at reduced voltages. The auxiliary driver transistors in each cell may be independent or may have a common source node within each cell. Additional single sided write ports and read buffers may be added. A process of operating an integrated circuit that includes performing a single-sided write bit-side low, a single-sided write bit-side high, and a read bit-side operation.
US08164931B2 Rectifier circuit with a voltage sensor
A rectifier circuit with a synchronously controlled semiconductor element comprising at least one field effect transistor with a control electrode and two switching electrodes. The control electrode operates the reverse state and the forward state between the switching electrodes. For this, the rectifier circuit comprises at least one driver which cooperates with a voltage sensor of the field effect transistor. During the diode operating state of the field effect transistor, the driver operates this to the forward state. The voltage sensor thereby forms at least one part of a non-linear voltage divider which comprises at least one monolithically integrated measuring capacitance.
US08164930B2 Power factor correction circuit
A power factor correction circuit having an input current for reducing the distortion and harmonics generated in a power line feeding power supply. The power factor correction circuit includes a control switch (such as an IGBT) for producing a control switch current and virtual short circuit; a load for acting as power demand from a load and producing a load current; and one or more of resistors for measuring current within said circuit.
US08164928B2 Method and apparatus of operating a primary-side-regulation power converter at both continuous current mode and discontinuous current mode
A method and an apparatus of operating a primary-side-regulation power converter at both continuous current mode and discontinuous current mode are provided. The apparatus includes a switching circuit, a signal generator, a correlation circuit, and a feedback modulator. The signal generator generates a half signal and a second sampling pulse in response to a switching signal. The correlation circuit receives the half signal, the second sampling pulse and a switching-current signal for generating a modulating current. The feedback modulator modulates a feedback signal in response to the modulating current, a detection signal and the switching signal. The detection signal obtained from a transformer is correlated to an output voltage of the primary-side-regulation power converter. An on-period of the half signal is half of an on-period of the switching signal. The switching-current signal is sampled at a falling-edge of the half signal.
US08164924B2 Frame and display device with same
A frame includes a main body, a sidewall extending substantially from an edge of the main body, and a position-limiting mechanism disposed at an inner surface of the sidewall. The position-limiting mechanism includes an elastic portion, an abutting portion extending from the elastic portion, and a stopping portion extending from the abutting portion. A gap is defined between the inner surface of the sidewall and the stopping portion when the elastic portion is in a relaxed state. A display device employing a frame is also provided.
US08164923B2 Device for the protection of an electronic component
The invention relates to a protection device fixed to a support and covering an electronic component. The protection device comprises at least a first wall corresponding to a first portion of printed circuit comprising at least a first conductive track, the first wall comprising at least a first mechanical guide element; at least a second wall corresponding to a second portion of printed circuit comprising at least a second conductive track, the second wall comprising at least a second mechanical guide element which interacts with the first guide element; and spot welds connecting the first wall to the second wall, at least one of the spot welds also electrically connecting the first conductive track to the second conductive track.
US08164920B2 Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a mounting portion on which a dual core processor including two processor cores in a single chip can be mounted, power supply lines, ground lines, and a first layered capacitor and a second layered capacitor that are independently provided for each of the processor cores, respectively. Accordingly, even when the electric potentials of the processor cores instantaneously drop, an instantaneous drop of the electric potential can be suppressed by action of the layered capacitors corresponding to the processor cores, respectively. In addition, even when the voltage of one of the processor cores varies, the variation in the voltage does not affect the other processor core, and thus malfunctioning does not occur.
US08164919B2 Motherboard and relay device thereon
A motherboard includes a main body and two relay devices attached on the main body. The main body includes a signal output terminal, a signal input terminal, a first connector module, and a second connector module. Each relay device includes a circuit board, a relay, and a third connector module. The input terminal outputs an input signal to the corresponding relay via the first and the third connector modules in turn. The relay corresponding to the signal input terminal outputs the input signal to the signal output terminal via the third connector module corresponding to the signal input terminal, the first connector module, the second connector module and the third connector module corresponding to the signal output terminal in turn.
US08164915B2 System for electronic components mounted on a circuit board
A system for electronic components mounted on a circuit board is disclosed. One embodiment provides placing an elastic, anisotropically conductive material on top of a printed circuit board. An electronic component is placed over the elastic, anisotropically conductive material, fixing the electronic component on the printed circuit board.
US08164914B2 Circuit board fixing device
The present invention discloses a circuit board fixing device for fixing a circuit board. The device comprises a chassis for supporting the circuit board, at least one first hook setting on the supporting surface, and at least one second hook setting on the supporting surface. The first hook has a first contact surface for clamping a first type circuit board on the supporting surface. A first distance is between the first contact surface and the supporting surface. Additionally, the second hook has a second contact surface for clamping a second type circuit board on the supporting surface. A second distance is between the second contact surface and the supporting surface. The thickness of the first type circuit board is thicker than that of the second type circuit board, and the first distance is larger than the second distance.
US08164912B2 Security protection box
The present invention is adapted for field of electronic circuit protection and provides a security protection box, for enclosing the protected region of a protected circuit board in order to protect the elements in the protected region. The security protection box comprises a circuit board. The circuit board with thin center and thick periphery forms a box shape, and has the circuit routing layers. The circuit routing layers trigger the associated circuit to erase or destroy the information in the elements in the protected region when the circuit routing layers are physically attacked. The present invention protects the elements in the protected region through covering the protected region on the protected circuit board with a circuit board having thin center and thick periphery.
US08164911B2 Lightweight electronic device for automotive applications and method
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The major components and subassemblies self-ground by establishing an interference fit with exposed, resilient, embossed portions of wire mesh.
US08164910B2 Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, a wiring, a wiring holder, and a wall portion. The housing houses a plurality of components including a first component and a second component located near the first component The wiring is installed around the second component in the housing and connected to at least one of the components. The wiring holder is located around the second component in the housing to hold the wiring. The wall portion includes a cover that covers the second component and an opening. The opening includes a first area where the first component is exposed and a second area where a periphery of the wiring holder is exposed. The second area is formed around the cover continuously from the first area.
US08164900B2 Enclosure of electronic device
An enclosure of an electronic device includes a bottom plate, a rear plate connected to the bottom plate, and a power supply unit. A heat generation apparatus is located on the bottom plate. An opening is defined in the rear plate. A power supply unit includes a wide first receiver portion and a narrow second receiver portion. A fan is mounted in the wide first receiver portion. The wide first receiver portion includes a rear wall located in the opening and a first front wall that is parallel to the rear wall. The first front wall and the rear wall define vent holes. The narrow second receiver portion includes a second side wall perpendicular to the first front wall. The second side wall and the heat generation apparatus form an air flow channel therebetween. The fan drives air flow through the air flow channel.
US08164896B1 Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus is disclosed, which comprises: a casing, a cap, a data storage unit and an ejecting module. The casing has an accommodation space formed by the enclosure of two sidewalls of the casing. The accommodation space is further configured with an opening that can be covered by the cap so as to seal the accommodation space. The ejecting module is comprised of: a holder, pivotally coupled to one of the two sidewalls while clamping the data storage unit; and a first elastic element, disposed at a position for allowing the same to be compress when the opening is covered by the cap, and consequently, enabling the first elastic element to be released from the compression when the cap is removed from the opening, and thus bringing along the holder to rotate in a specific direction for lifting and exposing the data storage unit out of the accommodation space.
US08164895B2 Portable electronic device with hard disc drive protection
A portable electronic device includes a main body and a first shock absorbing assembly. The main body defines a receiving space to receive a hard disc drive. The first shock absorbing assembly includes a supporting post, a connecting member, a clipping element, and at least one pressing post. The supporting post protrudes from a bottom of the receiving space. The connecting element is moveably connected to the supporting post and includes a first elastic member arranged around the connecting element. The supporting post resists one end of the first elastic member to cause the first elastic member to be compressed. The clipping element is secured to the connecting element. The clipping element clips the hard disc drive under the spring force of the first elastic member. The at least one pressing post is secured to the clipping element and presses the hard disc drive.
US08164889B2 Sliding and tilting mechanism and portable electronic device using the same
A portable electronic device is disclosed including a first part, a second part, and a sliding and tilting mechanism. The sliding and tilting mechanism includes a lower board fixed to the second part, an upper board fixed to the first part, an intermediate board positioned between the lower board and the upper board. The sliding and tilting mechanism further includes two elastic assemblies, a swinging member, and a cam member, all of which engage with each other to tilt the intermediate board and the upper board relative to the lower board after the upper board slides over a predetermined distance along the intermediate board.
US08164887B2 Keypad mechanism for portable electronic device and method for assembling the same
A portable electronic device includes a housing, a button assembly, two positioning elements, and a resisting plate. The housing defines a plurality of through holes. The button assembly includes buttons arranged in button rows. Each button row is received in one of the through hole. The positioning elements each are positioned at one side of the housing. The resisting plate and the positioning elements fix the button assembly to the housing.
US08164883B2 Stacked solid electrolytic capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same
A stacked solid electrolytic capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The stacked solid electrolytic capacitor includes two capacitor sets, a positive electrode conducting device, a negative electrode conducting device, and a package unit. Each capacitor set includes at least one capacitor unit. The front side of the positive electrode portion of the capacitor set extends to form a positive electrode pin. The positive electrode conducting device has at least one first positive electrode conducting lead frame and at least one second positive electrode conducting lead frame. The first positive electrode conducting lead frame is electrically connected with the second positive electrode conducting lead frame. The negative electrode conducting device has at least one negative electrode conducting lead frame, and is electrically connected with the negative electrode of the two capacitor sets by using metal conductive material.
US08164879B2 Step down dechucking
A method and an apparatus for dechucking an electrostatic chuck are disclosed. The gas escapes through an opening between a wafer and a chuck in each stage of a multi-stages process. In each stage, during at least a portion of the stage, the chucking voltage is reduced to a value less than the least threshold voltage needed for holding the wafer, so that the wafer is pushed away from the chuck by the gas. Hence, the gas can escape from an opening between the wafer and the chuck, thereby increasing the dechucking rate. By controlling the decrement and/or the duration of the reduced voltage, any potential damages due to the pushed-away wafer can be minimized.
US08164878B2 Power distribution unit
A power distribution unit includes a communication unit. The communication unit includes a communication port and a protection circuit. The communication unit includes a ground pin and a plurality of signal pins. The ground pin is connected to a digital ground of the power distribution unit. The signal pins are connected together to receive a voltage signal outputted by a hi-pot tester. The protection circuit includes a plurality of resistors connected between the signal pins and an analog ground of the power distribution unit.
US08164875B1 Portable motorized frame remote racking tool
A portable motorized racking tool and a method for installing, removing and testing electrical equipment is described herein. A circuit breaker having a frame can be attached to a metal surface around the electrical equipment with magnets. The frame can support a solenoid with a plunger, a motor control for operating a motor with a gear assembly that rotates a tool first in one direction, then in a second direction, while the operator controls the framed tool by using a remote switch operator. The remote switch operator can supply power and signals to the framed tool, while the operator can maintain a position outside an arc flash hazard zone.
US08164872B2 Power supply clamp circuit
A power supply clamp circuit includes a first transistor including a metal silicide layer that is formed in a substrate between a first electrode coupling part in a first drain region and a first gate electrode, and a second transistor including a first metal silicide layer and a second metal silicide layer each of which is formed in a substrate between a second electrode coupling part in a second drain region and a second gate electrode, wherein the first metal silicide layer and the second metal silicide layer are spaced apart from each other.
US08164865B2 System and method for quickly discharging a DC relay
A system and method for quickly discharging a DC relay is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to circuit for discharging a relay coil, the circuit including a first suppression circuit coupled across a control power source, a switch, a relay coil in series with the switch, wherein the relay coil and the switch are coupled across the control power source, and a second suppression circuit coupled across the relay coil, wherein the relay coil is configured to actuate at least one load switch when sufficiently energized by the control power source, wherein the first suppression circuit is configured to discharge energy stored in the relay coil, and wherein the second suppression circuit is configured to discharge energy stored in the relay coil.
US08164861B2 Spin torque oscillator sensor employing antiparallel coupled oscilation layers
A spin torque magnetoresistive sensor having a very small gap thickness. The sensor operates by measuring the change in frequency of a spin torque induced magnetic oscillation in magnetic layers of the sensor to detect the presence of a magnetic field. The sensor includes a pair of free magnetic layers that are antiparallel coupled by a thin non-magnetic coupling layer there-between. The sensor does not include a pinned layer structure nor an associated AFM pinning layer, which allows the sensor to be constructed much thinner than prior art sensors.
US08164858B1 Read head having conductive filler in insulated hole through substrate
A novel read head includes a substrate having a trailing face and a leading face opposite the trailing face. The substrate includes a first hole therethrough that extends continuously from the trailing face to the leading face. The read head also includes a read transducer disposed on the trailing face, and a first plurality of electrically conductive trailing connection pads disposed on the trailing face. A first insulative layer is disposed on an inner surface of the first hole. A first electrically conductive filler is disposed in the first hole but is insulated from the substrate by the first insulative layer. A first electrically conductive leading connection pad is disposed on the leading face and is electrically connected to the first conductive filler.
US08164856B2 Magnetic tape apparatus
A magnetic tape apparatus includes a feeding unit for feeding a magnetic tape; a take-up unit for taking up the magnetic tape, a magnetic head disposed the downstream of the feeding unit and the upstream of the winding unit, in a traveling path of the magnetic tape from the feeding unit to the take-up unit, and having the moving magnetic tape abut to the magnetic head; a fixed guide unit disposed adjacent to the magnetic head at least in the upstream on downstream of the traveling direction of the magnetic tape traveling on the traveling path toward the magnetic head and guiding the magnetic tape to the traveling path by abutting to the magnetic tape; and a controlling unit disposed on the fixed guide unit for controlling the movement of the magnetic tape in the tape width direction. On a contact surface which abuts on the magnetic tape in the fixed guide unit, there is provided a space for excluding the air lying between the moving magnetic tape and the contact surface.
US08164851B2 Base unit for use in storage disk drive apparatus, spindle motor including the base unit, and storage disk drive apparatus including the spindle motor
A base unit for use in a storage disk drive apparatus includes a base portion; a stator core including a plurality of teeth; U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase coils; U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase common wires; and a circuit board. The U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase coils are wound on the teeth and arranged to define a U phase, a V phase, and a W phase, respectively. The U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase common wires are arranged to define the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase, respectively. Each of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase common wires is arranged to pass through a separate one of through holes to be drawn out beyond a lower surface of the base portion and electrically connected to the circuit board. Each of the through holes is sealed with a sealant such that the base unit is airtight.
US08164850B2 Fluid dynamic bearing device, spindle motor, and disk drive apparatus including nickel coated bearing housing
A fluid dynamic bearing device includes a sleeve having a bearing hole into which a shaft is inserted, the sleeve rotatably supporting the shaft to make relative rotation about a center axis and a bearing housing made of a cold-rolled steel plate or a galvanized steel plate, the sleeve being received within the bearing housing. The bearing housing is filled with lubricating oil mainly composed of ester. A radial dynamic pressure bearing portion is provided between an outer circumferential surface of the shaft and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve, the radial dynamic pressure bearing portion having radial dynamic pressure grooves for holding the lubricating oil as working fluid and for inducing a fluid dynamic pressure in the lubricating oil during the relative rotation. At least a surface region of the bearing housing remaining in contact with the lubricating oil is coated with a layer mainly composed of nickel.
US08164848B2 Snubber for disc drive for prevention of user reported defects
A disc drive snubber for protection of a disc drive disc from mechanical shock, the snubber positioned to limit the deflection of the disc in the operational mode, the position of the disc snubber determined in response to user reported defects. The snubber, positioned beneath the disc in near proximity to the outer diameter of the disc, extends along about a 60 degree segment of the disc and is made of a FIPG material.
US08164840B2 Photographing optical lens assembly
This invention provides a photographing optical lens assembly comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric; a third lens element having a concave image-side surface, the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric, at least one inflection point formed on the image-side surface; wherein there are three lens elements with refractive power. Such an arrangement of lens elements can effectively reduce the total track length of the lens assembly, attenuate the sensitivity of the optical system and obtain higher resolution.
US08164836B2 Objective lens for endoscopes
The inventive objective lens for endoscopes has independently a zooming function and a focusing function, and is capable of magnified viewing. The objective lens has an angle of view (2ω) of 100° or greater, and comprises a positive first group G1, a negative second group G2 and a positive third group G3. The third group G3 comprises a positive first (3-1) subgroup G31 and a positive second (3-2) subgroup G32. A subgroup in at least the second group G2 moves to (1) bring about a change in the focal length of the whole system and (2) correct an image position for movement in association with a focal length change, and one subgroup in the second group G2 and the third group G3 moves to the image side from a longer side toward a shorter side of the working distance (WD) to (3) correct the focal position for movement in association with a working distance change.
US08164832B2 Programmable optical computing device employing LED array transducers and stacked light modulator elements in fractional fourier planes
A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor or optical information processing system having at least one LED array and plurality of light modulating array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each light modulating array element lies in a different fractional Fourier transform plane. In some implementations, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of element materials. In an implementation, a segment of graded index material lies between consecutive light modulating array elements. In an implementation, an LED array is used as an image source and another LED array is used as an image sensor to transform the processed image into an electrical output.
US08164831B2 Optical depolarizers and DGD generators based on optical delay
Techniques and devices for depolarizing light and producing a variable differential group delays in optical signals. In one implementation, an input optical beam is split into first and second beams with orthogonal polarizations. One or two optical reflectors are then used to cause the first and second optical beams to undergo different optical path lengths before they are recombined into a single output beam. An adjustment mechanism may used implemented to adjust the difference in the optical path lengths of the first and second beams to produce a variable DGD. When the depolarization of light is desired, the difference in the optical path lengths of the first and second beams is set to be greater than the coherence length of the input optical beam.
US08164828B2 Observable centrifugal apparatus and observation apparatus
Disclosed is an observable centrifugal apparatus capable of checking in real time a state of a sample during reaction of separation or synthesization in the form of a stable and high-quality image at a high frame rate. An observable centrifugal apparatus A has a rotary disc 4 rotating about a rotary shaft 2, a reactor 6 disposed on the rotary disc and rotating together with the rotary disc while accommodating a sample, and a microscope 8 for observing a state of the sample within the reactor, in which predetermined substances of the sample are separated or synthesized by applying a centrifugal force to the sample within the reactor. The microscope is fixed in a predetermined position on the rotary disc so as to enable the state of the sample within the reactor to be observed, and the rotary disc is fitted with an imaging device 19 for photographing the state of the sample, caught by the microscope, within the reactor and a microscope image, and with an image wireless transmission device 12 for wirelessly transmitting in real time the photographed image of the microscope image photographed by the imaging device as a dynamic image.
US08164823B2 Display system, manufacture method thereof and display medium
A display system is built up of at least one display cell comprising an assembly which has at least a first electrode and a second electrode and in which there are mutually non-miscible first and second liquids filled, wherein either one of the first and second electrodes is electrically insulated from the first and second liquids, the first liquid has electrical conductivity or polarity, and voltage is applied to one or both of the first and second electrodes, whereby the first liquid and the second liquid can vary in position to produce a display. Even after an applied voltage is shut off at a position to which the first and second liquids have migrated, the positions of the first and second liquids that have migrated are retained to keep memory capability going on.
US08164822B2 Display device, method of manufacturing display device and electronic apparatus
A display device having a display surface, comprises: a contact particle-containing layer including a wall portion with an inner surface for defining a space, contact particles electrically charged and provided within the space in a contact state that the contact particles are in contact with the inner surface of the wall portion, the contact particles having a hue, and a scattering medium for scattering light or a colored medium having a different hue from the hue of the contact particles which is provided within the space; and a pair of electrodes that, when applied with an electrical voltage, generate electrical fields to act on the contact particles, wherein the display device is configured so that when the electrical voltage is applied to between the pair of electrodes, the contact particles are moved along the inner surface of the wall portion while maintaining the contact state.
US08164817B2 Method of forming a mirrored bent cut glass shape for vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly
A method of forming a mirrored bent cut glass shape includes bending a flat sheet of glass to establish a curved sheet of glass. A machine vision system determines a surface profile of the curved sheet of glass, and a computer numerical controlled cutting tool is positioned at the curved sheet of glass and its cutting wheel is maintained at or close to 90 degrees to the tangential plane of the curved sheet of glass. At least one of (a) the cutting wheel and (b) the curved sheet of glass is controlled in three dimensions to cut a bent cut glass shape from the curved sheet of glass, and such controlling is, at least in part, responsive to the surface profile of the curved sheet of glass. A mirror reflector is established at a surface of the bent cut glass shape to form a mirrored bent cut glass shape.
US08164816B1 Stabilizing optical resonators
Techniques and devices that stabilize optical resonators.
US08164815B2 MEMS cavity-coating layers and methods
Devices, methods, and systems comprising a MEMS device, for example, an interferometric modulator, that comprises a cavity in which a layer coats multiple surfaces. The layer is conformal or non-conformal. In some embodiments, the layer is formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Preferably, the layer comprises a dielectric material. In some embodiments, the MEMS device also exhibits improved characteristics, such as improved electrical insulation between moving electrodes, reduced stiction, and/or improved mechanical properties.
US08164812B2 Optical scanning mirror, semiconductor structure and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor structure provided with an insulation structure in a moving unit is manufactured easily. An optical scanning mirror (semiconductor structure) is formed by processing an SOI substrate consists of a first silicon layer, an oxide film and a second silicon layer. A moving unit, which is supported on a fixed frame through first hinges, is formed on the first silicon layer. The moving unit is divided into a plurality of regions by forming trenches (insulation structure). A supporting member formed of the oxide film and the second silicon layer is formed just below the trenches. The plurality of regions of the moving frame divided by the trenches are joined to the supporting member, so that the moving unit is swingable with the supporting member. Thereby, the supporting member is formed by simple etching processes, and thus, mechanical strength of the moving unit is ensured.
US08164803B2 Infrared heat source tied to image scanner for transitional document erasing
A device which can be used to handle documents which can be written to and erased can include a scan head which can output a first light source for scanning a document and a second light source for erasing an image from a printed document. In one embodiment, the device can further include a third light source for writing or imaging a pattern onto a page.
US08164801B2 Providing updated versions of printed documents from two-dimensional barcodes associated with the updated versions
Providing an updated version of a printed document comprising storing data for generating an original version of a printed document, including a two-dimensional barcode that contains: data identifying the original version of the document, as well as at least a portion of the data for generating the original version of the document. The invention also enables the updating of the stored data so that a later version of the printed document may be generated including a new barcode for identifying and generating the later version. The barcode of a version of the document is scanned to determine if the scanned barcode identifies the later version of the document. If the barcode does not identify the later version, then the later version of the document is generated and printed. If the barcode does identify that the scanned document is the later version, the document is not printed and the user may be notified that the scanned version is the latest version.
US08164797B2 Process and device for digitising a document
The invention relates to a process for digitizing document in which the document (4) is feed driven in front of a sensor (2) by a drive mechanism (3) comprising a plurality of elements (31-36) which come into contact with the document (4) while it is fed, wherein the sensor (2) is capable of generating digital data from an image on the document (4), wherein the process comprises steps consisting of: —detecting when the contact is established or broken between the document (4) and one of the elements (32), —correcting the digital data by applying to the data a distortion correction function which takes into account the position of the sensor (2) with respect to the image when the detection takes place.
US08164795B2 Device, method, and computer program product for creating print data
A device for creating print data utilized by a printer is disclosed. The print data includes a coordinate at which a dot is to be formed on a print medium by the printer. The print data creating device is provided with a first device and a second device. The first device chooses a first coordinate from bit-mapped data. The bit-mapped data includes a plurality of combinations of the first coordinate and color information. The first device chooses the first coordinate based on the color information being combined with the first coordinate. The second device creates the print data by converting the first coordinate chosen by the first device into at least two second coordinates which are randomly chosen from at least three second coordinates located in the neighborhood of the first coordinate.
US08164786B2 Print data generating apparatus and computer usable medium therefor, and image processing apparatus and computer usable medium therefor
A print data generating apparatus to generate print data used for printing in a printing apparatus based on image data representing an image to be printed on a recording medium is provided. The print data generating apparatus comprises a data inputting system, by which application color setting data is inputted in the print data generating apparatus, a color substituting system, in which color information of each of the pixels configuring the image data is substituted with color information of an application color to print each of the pixels configuring the image data based on the application color setting data, and a print data generating system, in which print data to be used for printing is generated based on the image data wherein the color information of each of the pixels is substituted with the color information of the application color in the color substituting system.
US08164782B2 Transforming partially specified processing instructions and PDL data into a product description
A rule based system can produce a formal product description when only partially specified processing instructions and page description language (PDL) files are available. The PDL files contain product content data and can contain product description data. The partially specified processing instructions can be obtained from PDL file metadata or from other sources such as a Job Definition Format (JDF) Graybox. A knowledge based reasoning module can use the product description data and partially specified processing instructions to produce a formal product description from which a process network can be automatically produced.
US08164771B2 Image processing apparatus for treating recording medium provided with RFID chip
An image processing system includes a host computer which generates print data and a printer which prints an image based on the print data. The host computer sets attribute information which indicates a part of the print data which is allowed to be visualized and a part of the print data which is prohibited to be visualized. In addition, the host computer also sets authentication information required for reading the part prohibited to be visualized, and transmits the print data, the attribute information, and the authentication information to the printer. The printer prints a visual image of the part allowed to be visualized on a paper medium provided with an RFID chip and stores the part prohibited to be visualized in the RFID chip. In addition, the printer prints the information stored in the RFID chip on another paper medium as a visual image after authentication with the authentication information.
US08164770B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing system with remote login
An image processing apparatus is connected via a network to a terminal device having a recording medium loaded therein, receives a remote login from the terminal device, and executes an image processing job. When an operator who has logged in to the image processing apparatus is the same person as a user who is remotely logged in to the image processing apparatus from the terminal device, the image processing apparatus performs one of operations A and B after the image processing apparatus is granted access permission by the terminal device with use of a network address of the terminal device, which is acquired upon the remote login, the operation A being to acquire an image file stored in the recording medium, the operation B being to cause an image file stored in the apparatus to be stored in the recording medium.
US08164769B2 Image forming apparatus with vibration detection and control
A Multi-Functional Peripheral (MFP) comprising: a registration adjuster for making a registration adjustment by adjusting an image forming position of each color; a detector for detecting an intensity of a vibration; a transmitter for transmitting the image data to another apparatus via a network; and a controller for (i) interrupting an image formation if the intensity of the vibration is judged to be larger than a first threshold, (ii) instructing the transmitter to transmit the image data of the interrupted image formation to the another apparatus if the intensity of the vibration is judged to be larger than a second threshold that is larger than the first threshold, and (iii) after the vibration has ceased, instructing the registration adjuster to make the registration adjustment and then restarting the interrupted image formation.
US08164766B2 Electronic format file content sensitive user interface
A method is provided for enabling adaptive print job content processing as a function of the electronic format and content of files, received by a digital print production environment providing access to a display in the form of a user interface able to select job content processing options. The method includes receiving a print job in one or more electronic format files, with the print job including supplementary information for one or more electronic format files. Depending on the electronic format of the files, job programming options are structured, with options including parameter(s), parameter value(s), and parameter selectability. Programming options are presented on the user interface for review and possible modification by an operator. A determination is made as to whether any operator modifications have been indicated. If operator modifications have been indicated, the parameter value(s) affected are adjusted.
US08164762B2 Intelligent text driven document sizing
A method for automatically magnifying a copy job to result in a copied text that is not smaller than a user specified minimum size. An original document is automatically scanned and an analysis performed to determine, the smallest text size within the original document. A magnification for rendering the document can then be set. Media size can then be selected appropriately, and an image magnification ratio and output document size selections optimized to create a text size in the resulting rendering document which are as close as possible to a user's minimum text size selection when the user selected minimum text size cannot be achieved.
US08164760B2 Method and system for interrogating the thickness of a carbon layer
A method and system for interrogating a thickness of a carbon layer are described. The carbon layer resides on at least one of a magnetic recording head and a magnetic recording disk. The method and system include providing an enhancement film on the carbon layer. The enhancement film is continuous across a portion of the carbon layer. The method and system also include exposing the enhancement film to light from a light source and detecting scattered light from the carbon layer to provide a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) spectrum. The enhancement film resides between the light source and the carbon layer. The method and system also include determining the thickness of the carbon layer based on the SERS spectrum.
US08164759B2 Imaging microoptics for measuring the position of an aerial image
An imaging microoptics, which is compact and robust, includes at least one aspherical member and has a folded beam path. The imaging microoptics provides a magnification |β′| of >800 by magnitude. Furthermore, a system for positioning a wafer with respect to a projection optics includes the imaging microoptics, an image sensor positionable in the image plane of the imaging microoptics, for measuring a position of an aerial image of the projection optics, and a wafer stage with an actuator and a controller for positioning the wafer in dependence of an output signal of the image sensor.
US08164755B2 Method for determining an analyte in a sample
In one aspect of the invention, a method or apparatus is described for determining concentration(s) of one or more analytes in a sample using plasmonic excitations. In another aspect, a method relates to designing systems for such concentration determination, wherein metallic nanostructures are used in combination with local electrical detection of such plasmon resonances via a semiconducting photodetector. In certain aspects, the method exploits the coupling of said metallic nanostructure(s) to a semiconducting photodetector, said detector being placed in the “metallic structure's” near field. Surface plasmon excitation can be transduced efficiently into an electrical signal through absorption of light that is evanescently coupled or scattered in a semiconductor volume. This local detection technique allows the construction of sensitive nanoscale bioprobes and arrays thereof.
US08164753B2 Alignment mark arrangement and alignment mark structure
An alignment mark arrangement includes: a first alignment pattern comprising a plurality of parallel first stripes on a substrate, wherein each of the first stripes includes a first dimension; and a second alignment pattern positioned directly above and overlapping with the first alignment pattern, the second alignment pattern including a plurality of parallel second stripes, wherein each of the second stripes of the second alignment pattern has a second dimension that is larger than the first dimension of each of the first stripes of the first alignment pattern.
US08164752B2 Alignment apparatus for aligning multi-layer structures
An exemplary alignment apparatus can align a first layer with a second layer. The first layer has a first alignment pattern. The second layer has a second alignment pattern. The alignment apparatus includes a supporting device for supporting the first layer and the second layer, a light pervious reference plate, and a viewing and adjusting mechanism. The light pervious reference plate has a first reference pattern spatially corresponding to the first alignment pattern on the first layer, and a second reference pattern spatially corresponding to the second alignment pattern on the second layer. The viewing and adjusting mechanism is adapted for assisting a human operator to align the first reference pattern with the first alignment pattern and the second reference pattern with the second alignment pattern.
US08164751B2 Optical system, method, and computer readable medium for determining thickness of a medium
An optical system includes a light sending section that sends light to an object having a scattering medium and a lower medium positioned below the scattering medium, where the scattering medium scatters light and the lower medium feeds back polarized light in response to light incident thereon, a light receiving section that receives (i) light that is sent from the light sending section and then scattered by the scattering medium and (ii) light from the lower medium, and a thickness calculating section that calculates a thickness of the scattering medium, by referring to at least one of a non-polarization component and a polarization component of the light received by the light receiving section.
US08164743B2 Miniaturized system and method for measuring optical characteristics
A miniaturized spectrometer/spectrophotometer system and methods are disclosed. A probe tip including one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers is provided. A first spectrometer system receives light from a first set of the plurality of light receivers. A second spectrometer system receives light from a second set of the plurality of light receivers. A processor, wherein the processor receives data generated by the first spectrometer system and the second spectrometer system, wherein an optical measurement of a sample under test is produced based on the data generated by the first and second spectrometer systems.
US08164741B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus includes a phase adjuster to adjust a phase of an optical wave traversing an optical element of the phase adjuster during exposure of a pattern on a substrate. In an embodiment, the optical element is a heat controllable optical element in a projection system of the lithographic apparatus. In use, the pattern is illuminated with an illumination mode including an off-axis radiation beam. This beam is diffracted into zeroth-order and first-order diffracted beams oppositely and asymmetrically inclined with respect to an optical axis. An area is identified where the first-order diffracted beam traverses the optical element. An image characteristic of an image of the pattern is optimized by calculating a desired optical phase of the first-order diffracted beam in relation to the optical phase of the zeroth-order diffracted beam. The phase adjuster is controlled to apply the desired optical phase to the first order diffracted beam.
US08164740B2 Illumination system coherence remover with two sets of stepped mirrors
A coherence remover is provided. In an embodiment the coherence remover includes a first mirror and a second mirror coupled to the first mirror. The coherence remover is configured to receive an input beam. Each of the first and second mirrors is configured to reflect a respective portion of the input beam to produce respective one or more intermediate beams. The intermediate beams collectively form an output beam that has a reduced coherence compared to the input beam.
US08164738B2 Illumination optical system, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
In an illumination optical system arranged to illuminate an illumination target plane by using light from a light source, the illumination optical system includes a prism unit arranged to refract the light, an optical integrator arranged to form a plurality of light sources with light emerging from the prism unit, and an optical system arranged to introduce light emerging from the optical integrator to the illumination target plane. The prism unit includes a pair of conical refractive surface having a conical concave refractive surface and a conical convex refractive surface, and a pair of pyramidal refractive surface having a pyramidal concave refractive surface and a pyramidal convex refractive surface. At least one of the concave refractive surface and the convex refractive surface of the one pair is disposed between the concave refractive surface of the other pair and the convex refractive surface of the other pair.
US08164736B2 Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device
An exposure method includes measuring coordinates of alignment marks before and after exposing a first wafer to determine a fluctuation amount of a parameter of the alignment; measuring coordinates of alignment marks before exposing a second wafer to determine a parameter of the alignment; and aligning and exposing the second wafer based on a parameter obtained by correcting the parameter with the fluctuation amount determined for the first wafer. A high overlay accuracy can be obtained even when the alignment information is gradually changed, for example, due to the linear expansion and contraction of the substrate during the exposure of the substrate.
US08164724B2 Liquid crystal display substrate with patterned area at periphery region thereof
An exemplary liquid crystal display substrate (210) includes a display region (212), a periphery region (214) around the display region, a sealant adhering region (215), and an alignment film (260) formed on or over the display region and the periphery region. The sealant adhering region is between the display region and the periphery region. The alignment film at the periphery region includes a patterned area (213) adjacent to the sealant adhering region. The patterned area has a groove structure.
US08164723B2 Liquid crystal display having a thin gasket and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a liquid crystal alignment layer between the substrate and the liquid crystal layer, a barrier layer between the liquid crystal alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer, and a gasket formed around the perimeter of the liquid crystal layer and abutting the barrier layer. The gasket has a width less than or equal to 400 micrometers. A second substrate also includes a liquid crystal alignment layer and a barrier layer formed over the liquid crystal alignment layer. The gasket also abuts the barrier layer of the second substrate. In a particular embodiment, the substrate is a reflective display backplane, and the second substrate is a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode layer. The gasket of the present invention is much narrower than gaskets of the prior art, which enables LCD devices to be made smaller and cheaper because more LCD devices can be produced per wafer.
US08164719B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of preventing the occurrence of dark currents in photodiodes. Thus, the liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel 1 including an active matrix substrate and a backlight 13 for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel. The active matrix substrate 1 includes a photodiode 7 formed by a silicon film and a light shielding film 8 for shielding the photodiode 7 against illumination light from the backlight 13. The photodiode 7 and the light shielding film 8 are provided on a base substrate 5. The light shielding film 8 is formed by a semiconductor or an insulator. Preferably, the photodiode 7 is made of, for example, polycrystalline silicon or continuous grain silicon so as to have a characteristic that its sensitivity increases as the wavelength of light entering the photodiode becomes shorter. The light-shielding film 8 is formed by a silicon film, for example amorphous silicon, that reduces the transmittance of light entering the light shielding film as the wavelength of the light becomes shorter.
US08164717B2 Liquid crystal display and display
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate disposed on an observer side with respect to the first substrate and opposed to the first substrate, a liquid crystal held between the first substrate and the second substrate, an upper polarizing plate disposed on the observer side with respect to the second substrate, and a resin film disposed on the observer side with respect to the upper polarizing plate and affixed in contact with the upper polarizing plate. The resin film is higher in surface hardness than the upper polarizing plate and has a surface hardness of at least 3H in terms of surface pencil hardness. At least one of the first and second substrates has a thickness of no greater than 0.5 mm, and a total thickness of the liquid crystal display panel is no greater than 2 mm.
US08164713B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for driving same
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display device that includes a normally-black liquid crystal panel whose transmittance takes a minimum value when no voltage is applied and a cold cathode fluorescent lamp used as a light source of a backlight of the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal display device including a light irradiator configured to carry out light irradiation of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp in a period from device activation to first lighting of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp.
US08164704B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel; a light guide plate disposed under the liquid crystal panel; a light emitting diode (LED) assembly disposed at a side of the light guide plate and including an LED and a printed circuit board (PCB), the LED arranged on the PCB to face the light guide plate; an LED heat sink surrounding the LED assembly and including a first portion, where the PCB is attached, and a second portion covering a bottom surface of the PCB; a bottom frame disposed under the light guide plate and including a bottom portion and a side portion, the bottom portion contacting the second portion of the LED heat sink, the bottom frame formed of an electrolytic galvanized iron (EGI); a top frame surrounding edges of the liquid crystal panel; and a main frame surrounding sides of the liquid crystal panel and combining with the top and bottom frames.
US08164703B2 Optical module and positioning frame thereof
An optical module with an optical film and a positioning frame is disclosed. The positioning frame firmly fixes the optical film of the optical module so as to prevent the deviation of the optical film. The optical film has at least a first lug with a base portion and an expansion portion extending outwardly, wherein the width of the expansion portion is wider than the base portion. The positioning frame has a side wall and a flange. The flange is disposed on the side wall and has a first opening. The flange located at one side of the first opening has a first protrusion extending outwardly the side wall on the two sides of the first opening. The first opening is used to contain the base portion of the first lug, and the expansion portion of the first lug can be disposed under the first protrusion.
US08164701B2 Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having a thin film transistor (TFT), the TFT includes a source electrode, a drain electrode and a semiconductor layer. At least one of the source electrode and drain electrode includes a first layer including copper and a second layer forming an oxide layer and covering the first layer. The semiconductor layer has a substantially linear current-voltage relationship with said source electrode or drain electrode including said first and second layers, when a voltage is applied between the semiconductor layer and said source electrode or drain electrode.
US08164697B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes: a pair of substrates each disposed on each opposing plane and having an electrode of a predetermine shape; a vertical alignment film formed covering each of the electrodes of the pair of substrates and subjected to a rubbing alignment process; an insulating film formed between the electrode and the vertical alignment film in each of the pair of substrates and having necessary insulation; and liquid crystal sandwiched between the pair of substrates and having a negative dielectric anisotropy Δ∈ and a specific resistance ρc1 of 1.0×1014 Ωcm to 1.0×1015 Ωcm, wherein a structure between the electrodes is selected to satisfy conditions of T≦5.2×τc1×1/(1×1012) sec and T≦500 sec, where T is a charge resident time until a display image disappears completely after static electricity of 10 kV is applied between the electrodes of the pair of substrate and the display image is tuned on. It is possible to prevent alignment defects to be caused by static electricity generated by rubbing of a liquid crystal display device.
US08164696B2 Apparatus and method of displaying an image
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a first polarization part, and a second polarization part. The display panel includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate and an electro-optical material layer disposed between the array substrate and the opposite substrate. The electro-optical material layer reflects first circularly polarized light having a wavelength of a predetermined range and transmits second circularly polarized light having a phase difference with the first circularly polarized light. The first polarization part faces a rear face of the array substrate and converts incident light of the rear face into the first circularly polarized light. The second polarization part faces a front face of the opposite substrate and blocks the first circularly polarized light reflected from the electro-optical material layer and transmits the second circularly polarized light transmitted through the electro-optical material layer.
US08164694B2 Channel scanning method
A method for operating a demodulator to demodulate a first channel is provided. The demodulator stores parameters of a second channel that is scanned before the first channel. The method comprises the following steps. First, the demodulator is reset. Second, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing acquisition is processed to search Transmission Parameter Signaling and mode/guard interval parameters for the first channel and using the parameters of the second channel to process a forward error correction acquisition for the first channel. Third, a determining step is performed to determine whether or not the forward error correction for the first channel is locked and the Transmission Parameter Signaling for the first channel are not locked. Finally, the parameters of the second channel is used to demodulate the first channel when the forward error correction of the first channel is locked and the Transmission Parameter Signaling of the first channel are not locked.
US08164689B2 Synchronizing signal control circuit and synchronizing signal control method
A synchronizing signal control circuit includes: a phase detecting section configured to detect a phase difference between a display synchronizing signal and an input synchronizing signal; an adding section configured to add a set value for setting a synchronization compensation period and the detected phase difference; a synchronization phase correcting section configured to correct the phase of the input synchronizing signal on the basis of the output signal of the adding section; a gate signal generating section configured to generate a gate signal representing the synchronization compensation period based on the display synchronizing signal; a synchronization determining section configured to determine whether the synchronization can be effected, by detecting whether the input synchronizing signal exists within the synchronization compensation period; and a selecting section configured to perform switching to the corrected input synchronizing signal on the basis of the determination result of the synchronization determining section.
US08164681B2 Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device configured to capture an image regarding an object image; an object detector detecting a specific object in the captured image; an image-capturing-information obtaining unit obtaining image capturing information from a predetermined area set in an image capturing area; a determiner determining whether or not the image capturing information regarding the specific object is obtainable from the predetermined area; and a display controller controlling a position display shown on a display unit, the position display indicating a position of the specific object. The display controller changes a display mode of the position display in accordance with the result of the determination performed by the determiner.
US08164680B2 Imaging system and camera body
An imaging system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes a second communication unit capable of communicating with a first communication unit, an imaging element operable to generate an image signal from the optical image, and a main body controller operable to transmit a reference signal for providing a reference of a driving start timing of the focus lens to the lens controller through the second and first communication units. The main body controller transmits the reference signal to the lens controller during a period for which neither communication of predetermined signals other than the reference signal nor process related to the communication is performed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit.
US08164679B2 Image-capturing device, camera, method for constructing image-capturing device and image-capturing method for executing display of a live view and a focus detection operation simultaneously
An image-capturing device includes: a plurality of first pixels disposed along a first direction; a plurality of second pixels different from the first pixels disposed along the first direction in admixture with the plurality of first pixels; and an adder that adds a plurality of outputs provided by a plurality of first selected pixels selected from the plurality of first pixels to each other and a plurality of outputs provided by a plurality of second selected pixels selected from the plurality of second pixels to each other in such a manner that outputs provided by the first pixels and outputs provided by the second pixels are not added one to another. Disposition of the plurality of second pixels conforms to positional relationship of the plurality of first selected pixels in the plurality of first pixels.
US08164678B2 Optical photographing lens assembly
This invention provides an optical photographing lens assembly comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, at least one of the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric; a second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; a third lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; and a fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface on which at least one inflection point is formed, the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric; wherein a stop is disposed between an imaged object and the first lens element and an electronic sensor is disposed at an image plane for forming images of the imaged object; and wherein the optical photographing lens assembly further comprises another stop disposed between the second and fourth lens elements.
US08164677B2 Lens module with gas pressure control device and camera module having same
An exemplary lens module includes a barrel, a first lens fixedly disposed in the barrel, a second lens movably received in the barrel, and a pressure control device. The barrel includes a peripheral side wall. A hole is defined in the peripheral side wall. The first lens, the second lens, and the barrel together define a chamber. The chamber communicates with the hole. The pressure control device communicates with the hole so as to change the gas pressure of the chamber, thereby moving the second lens relative to the first lens.
US08164676B2 Camera module providing reliable long term adherence
An camera module includes a substrate, an image sensor chip, and a lens module. The image sensor chip is disposed on and electrically connected to the substrate. The lens module is mounted on the base via an adhesive layer. The lens module includes a bottom surface contacting with the substrate. The bottom surface defines at least one sloped surfaces thereon. At least one gap is defined between the substrate and the at least one sloped surface. The adhesive layer is disposed between the bottom surface and the substrate, the gap is capable of accepting adhesive when the lens module and substrate are pressed together.
US08164675B2 Apparatus and method for removing moire pattern of digital imaging device
An apparatus for and a method of removing a moire pattern of a digital imaging device are provided. It is determined whether or not a moire pattern is created based on an image frequency of a preview image and a spatial frequency of an image sensor, and when it is determined that a moire pattern is generated, an optical path of light incident to an image sensor is slightly changed to remove the moire pattern. Accordingly, image quality deterioration can be improved, and a problem of unnecessary filtering that causes deterioration of resolution even when there is no moire pattern can be enhanced.
US08164670B2 Remote status monitor for high speed video camera
A high speed video camera 10 comprises a camera body 20 and a camera lens 30. The rear of the camera body 20 is formed with a handle 40 adjacent to rear face 50 of the camera. Mounted upon or within the handle 40 is a plurality of status LED 60, preferably in a horizontal row. A camera micro processor controls an LED driver which drives the status LED 60 commonly but independently. This permits various different patterns or sequences to be generated, in turn to provide an indication, to a remote user, a plurality of different camera statuses.
US08164669B2 Charge-coupled device image sensor with efficient binning of same-color pixels
A CCD image sensor comprises photosensitive elements arranged in rows and columns, vertical CCDs each having vertical shift elements associated with respective ones of the photosensitive elements of a corresponding one of the columns, and a horizontal CCD coupled to each of the vertical CCDs. The horizontal CCD comprises horizontal shift elements of two different types interspersed with one another. The horizontal shift elements of the first type are configured to receive shifted charge packets directly from respective ones of the vertical CCDs. The horizontal shift elements of the second type are configured not to receive shifted charge packets directly from any of the vertical CCDs. This configuration facilitates binning of same-color pixels for both sparse CFA patterns and Bayer CFA patterns.
US08164668B2 Photoelectric conversion device and image capturing system
A photoelectric conversion device includes an isolation portion defining an active region, a photoelectric converter arranged in the active region and including a charge accumulation region containing an impurity of a first conductivity type, a charge voltage converter arranged in the active region, and a transfer electrode arranged on the active region and configured to form a channel to transfer charges generated by the photoelectric converter to the charge voltage converter. In addition, a first semiconductor region is arranged in the active region between the photoelectric converter and the charge voltage converter and is covered with the transfer electrode and contains the impurity of the first conductivity type at a concentration lower than that in the charge accumulation region. A second semiconductor region extends in the active region along an interface of the isolation portion facing at least the first semiconductor region and is of a second conductivity type.
US08164666B2 Device and method for providing a reference signal
A device that includes a pixel array, an interfacing circuit and a sample and hold circuit. The interfacing circuit directs to at least one pixel of the pixel array a sampled voltage that is outputted from the sample and hold circuit. The sample and hold circuit includes an NMOS transistor, a bootstrap circuit, a capacitor, sample phase switches and hold phase switches. During the sample phase the source of the NMOS transistor receives the input voltage; the gate of the NMIS transistor receives, from the bootstrap circuit a gate voltage that exceeds a supply voltage and a capacitor of the sample and hold circuit is charged to the input voltage to provide the sampled voltage. During a hold phase the capacitor stores the sampled voltage; the gate, source and drain of the NMOS transistor are maintained at the same potential and the source of the NMOS transistor is disconnected from an input port through which the input voltage was provided.
US08164662B2 Image-processing device for color image data and method for the image processing of color image data
A digital image-processing device with a Bayer sensor and an image memory is provided in which the image data of the sensor is written into an image memory, and from this image memory, image data in the Bayer format with a length L and a width B is written continuously into a data buffer, and in which the sample values are combined by means of a computational device with the help of adders, in each case symmetrically to a central point of one or more (2n+1)×(2n+1) neighborhoods, and one or more (n+1)×(n+1) matrices are derived by means of the computational device, and from this (n+1)×(n+1) matrix or these matrices, with the help of additional adders, at least one n×n matrix is formed, and a first color component is in each case calculated from this by means of an adder network.
US08164661B2 Method and apparatus for eliminating defective pixels and noise
A method and apparatus for eliminating defective pixels and noise in which each pixel value of an image is extracted using a color filter. A mean value of the extracted image is calculated A noise variance, a first threshold for determining whether a pixel is defective, and a second threshold for calculating a weight value for a pixel are all estimated from the mean value. There is a determination as to whether each pixel is defective, and a weight value, a weighted signal mean and a weighted signal variance of the each pixel are all calculated, and noise eliminated from the image using the noise variance, the weighted signal mean, and the weighted signal variance.
US08164659B2 Image pickup apparatus, image display apparatus, and image display system
An image display system has a capsule endoscope for capturing an in-vivo image of a subject, a receiving device for receiving the in-vivo image from the capsule endoscope, and an image display apparatus for displaying a group of in-vivo images of the subject. The capsule endoscope has an imaging unit having a black region which optical rays do not reach in an effective pixel region contributing to image capture. By the imaging unit, an in-vivo image including the signal level of the black region is detected. The receiving device receives an image signal of the in-vivo image. The image display apparatus obtains an in-vivo image group from the receiving device. The image display apparatus does not display an in-vivo image in the in-vivo image group determined as an image influenced by fluctuations in the power source voltage but displays a stable in-vivo image which is not influenced by fluctuations in the power source voltage.
US08164653B2 Image-processing device for recording image data with consecutive-photographing and a controlling method thereof
An image-processing device generates image data in consecutive-photographing mode and stores the image data and file-management information in a removable recording medium. Data on images photographed consecutively is stored in an internal memory of a device in sequence and written into the removable recording medium in sequence. To reduce the number of writing data into the removable recording medium while in the consecutive-photographing mode, the file-management information used for managing a file including the image data is written into the removable recording medium only when a predetermined condition is satisfied while the file-management information is stored and updated in the internal memory.
US08164652B2 MOS sensor and drive method thereof
To provide a drive method for finding out an optimum storage period quickly.In the method for driving the MOS sensor having a plurality of pixels, after all the plurality of pixels are simultaneously reset, signals are then sequentially outputted from said plurality of pixels. The period from the reset time to the time just before said plurality of pixels output saturated signals is termed as the storage period.
US08164650B2 Image processing apparatus and method thereof
A white point of a shooting condition corresponding to image data is acquired, and information of a local white point corresponding to a pixel of interest of the image data is calculated using surrounding pixels of the pixel of interest. An adapting white point corresponding to the pixel of interest is calculated based on the white point of the shooting condition and the information of the local white point. Image data of the pixel of interest is corrected using the adapting white point.
US08164644B2 Method and apparatus for generating media signal by using state information
Provided are a method and apparatus for generating a media signal by using state information. The method using the apparatus includes acquiring at least one type of state information selected from state information about a subject and state information about the apparatus, and generating a media signal by using the at least one type of state information.
US08164639B2 Driving apparatus and image pickup apparatus using the same
A driving apparatus includes: a first member including a first linear groove; a second member including a second linear groove; a plurality of first rolling bodies held between the first and the second linear grooves; a pressing member for pressing the first and second members; a pressing force applying member for pressing the pressing member; and second rolling bodies arranged on the same plane between the second member and the pressing member. A third linear groove for guiding the second rolling bodies is formed on one of the second member and the pressing member. At least one or more of the second rolling bodies are arranged on both sides of the central axis of the first rolling bodies, and the pressing force applying member applies a pressing force to the second rolling bodies such that rotational moment around the axis line is zero.
US08164638B2 Communication system and method thereof
The present invention makes it possible to process at high speed the foreground component image and the background component image of picked up images on a network platform. A client computer 27 outputs information specifying image data desired to separate to a separation server 11. The separation server 11 obtains the specified image data from a storage server 18 and outputs it to a motion detecting server 12 to perform motion detection processing. Thereafter, the image data, motion vector and positional information are output to an area specifying server 13. The area specifying server 13 generates area information of the image data and outputs the area information to a mixture ratio calculating server 14 in addition to the image data, the motion vector and the positional information. The mixture ratio calculating server 14 calculates a mixture ratio on the basis of the image data, the motion vector, the positional information and the area information, and a foreground/background image separation server 15 separates foreground and background of the input image on the basis of such information. The present invention may be employed in a business model for image processing.
US08164637B2 Driving apparatus and image pickup apparatus
An X-axis driving mechanism section as one of driving sources of a driving apparatus including: a transducer for generating an elliptical vibration on a driving section in response to application of a predetermined frequency voltage signal; a bottom case having a holding section for holding the transducer; a pressing mechanism arranged on the bottom case to press the driving section of the transducer; and a rod relatively driven by the elliptical vibration of the transducer while being pressed by the pressing mechanism and with a moving direction being restricted by a guiding section of the holding member; wherein a weight is fixed to an end portion of the rod. The X-axis driving mechanism section constitutes the driving apparatus which is small and provides a large driving force, is capable of stable driving with higher efficiency without producing audible noise, and can retain the rod position and has high responsiveness with high accuracy.
US08164635B2 Vibration correction control circuit for correcting displacement of optical axis caused by vibration, and image pickup apparatus provided with said vibration correction control circuit
In a vibration correction control circuit mounted on an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup unit, provided with lenses, image pickup devices and vibration detecting element, and a driver element for adjusting the position of the image pickup unit, the equalizer generates a drive signal used to move the image pickup unit in a direction along which to reduce the vibration applied to the image pickup unit, based on the output signal of the vibration detecting element. A verifying-signal input circuit supplies a dummy vibration-component signal to the equalizer.
US08164633B2 Calibration apparatus and method for imaging devices and computer program
The present invention relates to calibration of camera parameters for converting a world coordinate system, which indicates a position in the real space, to a coordinate used in an image and vice versa. The apparatus according to the invention has a detection unit, which determines corresponding pixel pairs from the captured image and the model image and outputs corresponding data indicating determined pixel pairs, and a selection unit, which selects pixel pairs to be left in the corresponding data and removes data related to an unselected pixel pair from the corresponding data for generating selected corresponding data. The apparatus further has a calculation unit, which calculates camera parameters based on the selected corresponding data.
US08164631B2 Method for controlling the movement of a mobile part of an x-ray recording system, and an x-ray recording system coupled to video cameras
With an x-ray imaging system with a moveable part, obstacles can stand in the way of the movement of the moveable part. In accordance with the invention, video cameras capture the occupation of the space by objects using volume elements. It is possible to determine at a target movement of the moveable part which volume elements are passed through during this. If one of these volume elements proves to be a volume element occupied by an object, the movement of the moveable part is prevented, otherwise it is enabled or actively implemented.
US08164630B2 Method for intelligently displaying sports game video for multimedia mobile terminal
Disclosed is a method for intelligently displaying a sports game video for a multimedia mobile terminal, the method including the steps of: determining if a camera shot existing in the sports game video is a long-shot; when the camera shot is determined as a long-shot, determining a ROI within an image frame of the sports game video; and when the camera shot is determined as a non-long-shot, displaying the image frame on the mobile terminal, and, when the camera shot is determined as a long-shot, enlarging and displaying the ROI on the mobile terminal.
US08164629B1 Linear system based, qualitative independent motion detection from compressed mpeg surveillance video
The present invention features a qualitative method to detect independent motion revealed in successive frames of a compressed surveillance MPEG video stream using linear system consistency analysis without decompression of the stream, identifying the segments containing independent motion in a real-time or faster manner, for the retrieval of these segments. The linear system is constructed using the macroblocks of MPEG compressed video frames. The normal flow value of the macroblock is obtained by taking the dot product between the macroblock gradient vector, computed by averaging the four block gradient vectors, and the motion vector of this macroblock. The normal flow value is filtered for inclusion in the linear system, and the statistic of the matrices of the resulting linear system is determined, filtered to screen out false negatives and outliers, and used to determine the presence or absence of independent motion.
US08164626B2 Monitoring camera device
The present invention provides a monitoring camera apparatus which can measure camera installation height easily with a simple configuration. The monitoring camera apparatus includes a distance detecting unit and direction detecting unit. The distance detecting unit detects subject distance D to a subject using an autofocus function. The direction detecting unit detects a shooting direction θ of the imaging unit rotated by a rotating mechanism. A height calculating unit calculates camera installation height H by converting the detected subject distance D into vertical length using the shooting direction θ in which the subject distance D is detected.
US08164624B2 Data converting device, method thereof, and liquid crystal display device having the same
Provided are a data converting device for improving image quality, a method thereof, and an LCD device having the same. The data converting device includes a polarity signal generating part and a data varying part. The polarity signal generating part generates a polarity signal inverting polarity of a data signal in turns by a period of n fields. The data varying part differently varies data signals corresponding to respective field periods within the period of the n fields.
US08164623B2 Microscope image processing device and program for determining a type of an optical element
An unit for switchable arranging an arbitrary optical element on an optical path of fluorescence from among a plurality of types of the optical elements that transmit an excitation beam for exciting a sample and fluorescence emitted from the sample; an unit for picking up the observation image via the optical element arranged; and an unit for determining a type of the optical element arranged on the basis of the observation image picked up are prepared in order to provide a microscope image processing device, a program product, a program transmission medium and a method are provided, by which an optical element such as a fluorescence cube set on a fluorescence microscope can be identified on the basis of a detection result of an image pick up device that picks up an image of a sample to be observed by using the fluorescence microscope.
US08164619B2 Recording medium, playback device, and integrated circuit
A recording medium records a main-view stream, a sub-view stream, and management information. The management information includes a system rate for each stream, and each stream is divided into a plurality of data blocks that form a plurality of extent blocks. In each extent block, main-view data blocks and sub-view data blocks are in a continuous interleaved arrangement. A main-view data block and sub-view data block forming a single pair each have a maximum size that is determined by the following conditions: (i) the system rate of the sub-view stream, (ii) whether the pair is the top pair within the extent block, and (iii) whether a long jump region exists between the recording areas of two extent blocks that are to be read continuously.
US08164616B2 Video conference system
A videoconference system includes a head office controller (2) and a plurality of local controllers (3A, 3B) which are connected to a conference server (1) by the Internet and a camera-equipped microphone (4) connected to each of the controllers (2, 3A, 3B). Each of the controllers (2, 3A, 3B) includes an operation panel (17) having an utterance request operation means, a reproduction means for reproducing video/audio, a selection means for selecting the camera-equipped microphone (4) or the local controllers (3A, 3B), and an utterance request indicating means for indicating the local position which has made the utterance request.
US08164608B2 Thermal printer
A thermal printer comprising a printing control unit for correcting current dot printing data supplied from a host based on a previous dot history, and supplying the dot printing data to a print head unit. In accordance with the invention, the printing control unit comprises a line buffer unit for accumulating the current dot printing data; a shift register unit for getting and passing the current dot printing data and previous dot history data from the line buffer unit to a logic circuit unit, which is capable of changing data logic for driving the print head unit based on output from the shift register unit; a configuration registration unit for storing configuration data for setting the data logic of the logic circuit unit according to an energizing pattern; a node control circuit unit for switching the logic circuit unit to output data to the print head unit; and a sequencer unit for controlling the timing of the shift register units, the logic circuit units, and the node control circuit unit.
US08164605B2 Liquid crystal display panel and display devices
A liquid crystal display panel includes a substrate and a plurality of display units. Each display unit includes a first sub-display unit and a second sub-display unit. The first sub-display unit includes a first sub-pixel unit corresponding to a first color, a second sub-pixel unit corresponding to a second color, a third sub-pixel unit corresponding to a third color, and a fourth sub-pixel unit corresponding to a fourth color. The second sub-display unit includes a fifth sub-pixel unit corresponding to the third color, a sixth sub-pixel unit corresponding to the fourth color, a seventh sub-pixel unit corresponding to the first color, and a eighth sub-pixel unit corresponding to the second color.
US08164601B2 Graphics display system with anti-flutter filtering and vertical scaling feature
A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, and graphics input. The chip includes a single polyphase filter that preferably provides both anti-flutter filtering and scaling of graphics. Anti-flutter filtering may help reduce display flicker due to the interlaced nature of television displays. The scaling of graphics may be used to convert the normally square pixel aspect ratio of graphics to the normally rectangular pixel aspect ratio of video.
US08164600B2 Method and system for combining images generated by separate sources
A system and method for combining images generated by separate sources. The system comprises a plurality of video image data sources that generate separate video images. The video images are captured and scaled by image processing hardware to fit within the viewports of a target window generated by a computing device. The parameters of the viewports are associated with the parameters of the target window such that changes to the target window result in corresponding changes to the viewports. The method comprises scaling the separate images to fit within the viewports using redundant data within each video image to interpolate pixel data at the boundary regions of adjacent images to eliminate artifacts at the boundary regions.
US08164599B1 Systems and methods for collecting and providing map images
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to collecting images of maps at plurality of client devices, orienting the images with respect to the Earth, and providing the oriented maps to users. The map images may be collected by users who orient the maps by arranging the position of the image over a picture of the Earth. In another example, users may orient the maps by using “pushpins” to indicate the location of two or more points in the map image to two or more locations on the image of the Earth. The images may be processed in order to generate high quality images which may then be downloaded and used by other users.
US08164596B1 Style sheet animation creation tool with timeline interface
Techniques are provided for automatically creating style sheet animations including keyframe information. In some embodiments, a style sheet animation creation tool with a timeline-based interface is provided. By interacting with the user-interface, the user can select a point on a timeline for an animation object to add a keyframe to an animation of the animation object. In response to the user's selection of the keyframe time point, the style sheet animation creation tool displays an interactive keyframe indicator on the timeline to indicate the selected time point. With the style sheet animation creation tool, a user can generate a style sheet animation without having to author style sheet language text statements by hand.
US08164593B2 Systems and methods for graphical rendering
A method of rendering a graphical scene includes determining a plurality of functions that contribute to a light transport model of the scene, projecting each function of the plurality of functions into the wavelet domain, encoding basis coefficients of each function in a wavelet tree, each function being encoded in at least one wavelet tree such that the plurality of functions are represented in the wavelet domain by a plurality of wavelet trees, traversing direct paths through the plurality of wavelet trees, along which direct paths an integral coefficient may be nonzero, to determine the radiance of a point in the scene, and rendering the scene.
US08164589B2 Image resource loading system and method which carries out loading of object for renewal of game screen
Disclosed are image resource loading system and method, the system comprising a basic recording space for partitioning a game map into at least one cell and maintaining an object by unit of the cell, a loading target identification unit identifying a cell becoming a target for loading and an object associated with the cell in the basic recording space, in case that a loading event occurs, an order determination unit giving a loading order to the object associated with the cell in accordance with a predetermined determination criterion, and a processor unit loading the object by referring to the given loading order, wherein the order determination unit determines the loading order by considering the size of the object or whether the object is positioned within a predetermined range of the visual field.
US08164585B2 Digital video and photo greeting card
The present invention provides a digital video greeting card including video, photos and voice information as well as text, by inserting a main panel for outputting video and voice data into cards such as a greeting card, invitation card, etc. To this end, the present invention proposes a method of making the main panel thin and provides a switch for allowing the main panel to be operated according to the folding and unfolding operation of an outer cover. Further, an external data input section is formed in the video greeting card of the present invention so as to provide a function of connecting to an additional memory card, a memory device, etc. Accordingly, the present invention can provide a digital video greeting card compatible with other devices, etc.
US08164584B2 Touch pen and portable electronic device using the same
A portable electronic device includes a touch pen comprising a main body, a first pen head, a first elastic member, and a first sleeve. The first elastic member interconnects the main body and the first pen head. The first sleeve is slidably sleeved on the main body or the first elastic member so as to expose at least a part of the first elastic member. The first elastic member is bendable.
US08164578B2 Linear shape processing device, linear shape processing method, information recording medium, and program
In a line shape processing device (201) for receiving an entry of a line shape via a mouse, a touch panel, etc. and processing the line shape, an entry receiving unit (202) receives an entry of information indicating whether a touch pen pushes the touch panel or not, and the pushed position if so. When pushing continuously occurs, a coordinate storage unit (203) stores, for each position included in a line segment joining a place pushed immediately before and a place pushed currently, the y-coordinate value of that position in association with the x-coordinate value of that position. A display unit (205) displays the line shape by acquiring, in an order regarding the x-coordinate values, the x-coordinate values and y-coordinate values stored in the coordinate storage unit (203), and plotting dots at positions within a screen designated by the x-coordinate values and the y-coordinate values.
US08164576B2 Correcting coordinates on touch panel to true display coordinates
Detect four sets of first touch coordinates (A, B, C, D) on a touch panel. Divide an area delimited by the detected four sets into two areas of triangles (ABD, BCD). For each area of triangle, obtain a first correction factor. Detect a set of second touch coordinates (P, Q) selected within a respective one of the areas of triangles. Convert the detected set of second touch coordinates into a set of first corrected coordinates. Detect a difference between the set of first corrected coordinates and a set of true display coordinates. Where the detected difference is greater than a predetermined threshold value, further divide the area of triangle (BCD) into three areas of triangles (QBD, QBC, QCD). Obtain a second correction factor using the set of second touch coordinates and the sets of first touch coordinates corresponding to the vertices.
US08164574B2 Touch panel input system for vehicle
An input operation system for use in a vehicle has a protruding marking on a surface of a touch panel, and displays a composite image generated by superposing an outline of user's finger on a switch operation screen. The composite image of the switch operation screen is backed by an image of the protruding marking on the surface of the touch panel, and the user's finger receives a tactile feedback from the protruding marking on the surface of the touch panel to cause sensations of an intuitive positioning in the switch operation screen for controlling a menu item that is displayed on a display unit for an input operation of vehicular devices.
US08164572B2 Image forming apparatus and method of displaying multilingual keyboard using the same
An image forming apparatus and method of displaying a multilingual keyboard uses an identifier of a language-specific entity, such as a country-code top-level domain of a domain name in an e-mail address to automatically output an input device configuration, such as a keyboard configuration, in accordance with stored keyboard table information corresponding to country identification information of a target recipient using the e-mail address of the target recipient, thereby increasing the convenience of use. The image forming apparatus receives an input email address of a target recipient, detects country identification information in the email address, searches stored keyboard information for that corresponding to the detected country identification information, and displays the keyboard in the language corresponding to the country identification information found in the searching of the stored country identification information.
US08164564B2 Liquid crystal display and method of controlling the same
A liquid crystal display and control method thereof, having a liquid crystal display panel, a light emitting diode device which is disposed on the rear of the liquid crystal display panel and which is divided into a plurality of partitioned areas that are capable of being driven independently, a light guide part disposed for each of the partitioned areas, an image calculating part for dividing the liquid crystal display panel into a plurality of regions and calculating the brightness of each region by using image data, and an inverter and an inverter controller to provide differentiated power to the partitioned areas based on the calculated brightness.
US08164563B2 Data multiplexer architecture for realizing dot inversion mode for use in a liquid crystal display device and associated driving method
A liquid crystal display device includes a gate driver for generating a first scan signal voltage and a second scan signal voltage, a source driver for generating a first polarity data voltage and a second polarity data voltage, and a liquid crystal display panel having a first pixel set and a second pixel set. Each first and second pixel set includes a first pixel and a second pixel. Both the first pixel of the first pixel set and the second pixel of the second pixel set display grey level based on the first polarity data voltage in response to the first scan signal voltage. Both the second pixel of the first pixel set and the first pixel of the second pixel set display grey level based on the second polarity data voltage in response to the second scan signal voltage.
US08164562B2 Display device and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes: a plurality of gate lines which transmits gate signals having a gate-on voltage and a gate-off voltage; a plurality of data lines which transmits data voltages; a plurality of storage electrode lines which transmits storage signals; a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels includes a liquid crystal capacitor connected to a switching element and a common voltage, and a storage capacitor connected to the switching element and a storage electrode line of the plurality of storage electrode lines; a gate driver which generates the gate signals; and a plurality of signal generating circuits which generates the storage signals based on at least one control signal and at least one gate signal. The storage signal applied to each pixel has a voltage level which changes after a charging of the data voltage into the liquid crystal capacitor and the storage capacitor.
US08164559B2 Gate driving circuit including a controller for controlling a threshold voltage and display device including the same
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device having a display panel in which gate lines are formed and a gate driving circuit which is connected to the gate lines and outputs gate signals. The gate driving circuit includes a first stage, a second stage which is positioned in rear of the first stage, and a third stage which is positioned in rear of the second stage. The second stage includes a driving controller, a driver, a sustain part, and a controller.
US08164557B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
In the case of conducting an overdriving with a liquid crystal display device, the circuit for comparing the previous and present gray-scale data, the circuit for converting the gray-scale data upon the comparison result, and the like complicate the structure of the liquid crystal display device. Further, since hold driving by which the voltage applied is kept throughout one frame period is conducted in a liquid crystal display device, it is not sufficient to decrease the rise time due to high applied voltage for a countermeasure against blur of moving images. In the present invention, in one frame period, a high voltage is applied to a liquid crystal element and a constant voltage is applied after the high voltage is applied. The absolute value of the high voltage is equal to or higher than the constant voltage, in other words, equal to or higher than a reference voltage. Further, a rectangular wave within the high voltage application period (also referred to as a pulse) has a plurality of pulses having periods shorter than the rise time τON.
US08164556B2 Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines crossing the plurality of data lines, and a plurality of liquid crystal cells defined as a first and second liquid crystal cell groups, a data driving circuit to supply a data voltage to the data lines in response to a polarity control signal, a gate driving circuit to supply a scanning pulse that swings between a gate high voltage and a gate low voltage to the gate lines, a first logic circuit to generate the polarity control signal differently for each frame period to maintain a polarity of the data voltage charged in the first liquid crystal cell group, and to invert one time a polarity of the data voltage charged in the second liquid crystal cell group for two frame periods, and a second logic circuit to control the gate driving circuit to decrease the gate high voltage of the scanning pulse to a modulated voltage between the gate high voltage and the gate low voltage for a predetermined modulation time.
US08164552B2 Display device and display medium using the same
A display system is built up of at least one display cell including an assembly containing a set of substrates at least one of which is transparent, a wall portion for supporting the set of substrates in opposition to one another defining a liquid confining space, a 1st-A electrode and a 1st-B electrode located on the side of the substrate facing the liquid confining space in a mutually electrically independent way, an insulating layer for covering the 1st-A electrode and the 1st-B electrode, an intermediate partition located at a boundary site between the 1st-A electrode and the 1st-B electrode and the second electrode located on the side of another substrate facing the liquid confining space, such that θ1 <θ2 <θ3, where θ1, θ2 and θ3 relate to hydrophilicity of the exposed wall portion, hydrophilicity of the intermediate partition, and hydrophilicity of the insulating layer.
US08164550B2 Liquid crystal display device
In a display device used in a compact mobile apparatus that uses a battery or the like as the poser supply, the display device consumes less power even when the display state is not switched for a long period of time. A memory element is provided in each pixel, but the number of the parts does not increase and the aperture ratio is maintained at a high level.A low power-consumption liquid crystal display device is achieved by providing the memory element in each pixel and transferring no image signal. The voltage held in the pixel memory in the liquid crystal display panel is used to generate an alternating drive signal in the pixel. Even when the image signal is not rewritten, the alternating drive avoids liquid crystal degradation and performs display operations. The simply configured memory element allows a liquid crystal display device without aperture ratio penalty to be achieved.
US08164546B2 Display device, electronic device, and driving method
A display device includes data lines and pixels. Each pixel includes a driving transistor, a switch between one of the data lines and a gate of the driving transistor, and a luminescence element connected to the driving transistor. A first circuit path former flows a first test current from the one of the data lines through the first transistor and a second test current from the one of the data lines through the luminescence element. A second circuit path former generates a first voltage and a second voltage in the one of the data lines. The first voltage corresponds to a gate voltage of the first transistor generated by the first test current. The second voltage corresponds to a luminescence voltage of the luminescence element generated by the second test current. A voltage detector detects the first voltage and the second voltage in the one of the data lines.
US08164543B2 Night vision on full windshield head-up display
A system to display graphical images upon a windscreen of a vehicle including night vision includes a transparent windscreen head up display, a night vision system, and an enhanced vision system system manager monitoring data from the night vision system, analyzing the monitored data identifying critical information, and determining display requirements based upon the critical information. A graphics system generates the graphical images to be displayed based upon the display requirements, and a graphics projection system communicates with the graphics system and displays the graphical images.
US08164542B2 Antenna using a PBG (photonic band gap) material, and system and method using this antenna
An antenna uses a photonic forbidden band (PFB) material in which, by default, a surface (26) for injecting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves in a resonance cavity of the antenna (8) has at least a width or a length of a diameter higher than or equal to the wavelength of the working frequency.
US08164540B2 Antenna device
An improved antenna device is has an external length compensation device, permitting a differing length expansion of the housing/radome relative to at least one of the at least two external mounting devices for fixing the antenna device. At least one of the two mounting devices has an external length compensation device, which covers at least one mounting device and a guide device by means of which the housing/radome may be adjusted relative to the mounting device in one direction of the antenna housing/radome. At least for one path length and the external length compensation device with the guide device is designed such that even with fastened screws, play remains between a section of the housing/radome and a section of the mounting device in order to permit an unhindered compensation movement between the mounting device and the housing/radome.
US08164539B2 Mobile wireless communications device with reduced interfering RF energy into RF metal shield secured on circuit board
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board carried by the housing and having RF circuitry comprising at least one RF component and plurality of other components mounted on the circuit board. An RF metal shield is secured to the circuit board and surrounds and isolates the at least one RF component and plurality of other components within the RF metal shield. An RF absorber is positioned adjacent an area of the RF component that radiates energy to aid in reducing energy radiated from the RF component into the RF metal shield.
US08164535B2 Coplanar waveguide FED planar log-periodic antenna
A CPW fed planar log-periodic antenna is provided. The antenna includes: an upper substrate; a planar log-periodic antenna structure formed beneath the upper substrate; a CPW-fed structure formed on the upper substrate for feeding energy into the planar log-periodic antenna structure; a lower substrate disposed beneath the upper substrate; and a wire structure formed beneath the lower substrate. The antenna of the present invention features efficient reduction of cross polarized radiation and thereby enhancing the performance.
US08164528B2 Self-contained counterpoise compound loop antenna
The present invention relates to a self-contained counterpoise compound field antenna. Improvements relate particularly, but not exclusively, to compound loop antennas having coplanar electric field radiators and magnetic loops with electric fields orthogonal to magnetic fields that achieve performance benefits in higher bandwidth (lower Q), greater radiation intensity/power/gain, and greater efficiency. Embodiments of the self-contained antenna include a transition formed on the magnetic loop and having a transition width greater than the width of the magnetic loop. The transition substantially isolates a counterpoise formed on the magnetic loop opposite or adjacent the electric field radiator.
US08164523B2 Compact antenna
An antenna 1 for a hand held or small radio communication device such as a cellular radio handset, laptop computer or hand held computer, or GPS device. The antenna has a resonating element 12 over a ceramic material 14, comprised of a high dielectric ceramic, such as barium strontium titanate, for example. The ceramic 14 is in contact with a ground plane 15 such as a grounded metal plate or grounded thin film that is formed on a substrate, such as an FR4 PCB substrate. The ceramic 14 is biased by a voltage source applied through an electrode plate 13 that is connected to a high voltage source 16 with respect to ground plate 15. The voltage applied through the conductor or electrode 13 is controlled to provide a predetermined bias voltage that changes the electrostatic field of the ceramic 14.
US08164522B2 Localization method and system thereof
A positioning method for a sensor node is provided, and the method includes steps of: providing a first antenna having a first omnidirectional radiation pattern on a first plane; rotating the first antenna about an axis substantially parallel to the first plane; transmitting a wireless signal while the first antenna rotates about the axis for every a predetermined central angle; receiving the wireless signal at the sensor node; obtaining Received Signal Strength Indications (RSSIs) of the respective wireless signals; and determining a location of the sensor node according to the RSSIs.
US08164520B2 Master antenna controller
A Master Antenna Controller is provided comprising a RET Master which may replace several devices, provide full RET control based on the AISG 1.1 and 2.0 standards, provide extensive, screen-guided, intuitive RET diagnostics functionality, and provide an alignment tool free from the problems of magnetic deviation and cumbersome differential GPS antennae. The RET diagnostics functionality may include measurements of voltage, current, and AISG protocol commands. The RET Master may also include multiple different pre-defined tests (e.g. test one actuator, test one RET cable, test AISG signal from TMA) and also some standard electrical tests, e.g. measuring voltage, current etc. Users will be guided on the screen about how to test and what steps to do and the software will guide the user through several steps for an easy and quick trouble-shooting process.
US08164517B2 Global positioning system receiver timeline management
Satellite positioning system (SATPS) receiver that has a plurality of modes and channels, where a timeline module configures the channels based on the mode of operation of the SATPS receiver and reconfigures the channels if the mode of operation of the SATPS changes.
US08164512B2 Gaussian model adaptive processing in the time domain
Embodiments of the present invention provide a Gaussian adaptive filter for ground clutter filtering and signal parameter estimation for weather radars in the time domain. In some embodiments, the filtering can be applied to dual polarization radar systems. In some embodiments, the clutter component of the signal can be transformed to noise. An interpolation procedure can then be used to recover the transformed part of the weather. A unique filter can be designed to use for both H and V channels for dual-polarization parameter estimation. In addition, the filter can be directly extended for staggered PRT 2/3 sampling scheme.
US08164508B2 Proximity sensor for a parking area
A proximity sensor for a parking area designed to detect the presence of an obstacle constituted by a parked vehicle, comprises a transmitting radar, designed to send electromagnetic pulses towards the obstacle, a receiving radar, designed to receive the pulses reflected by the obstacle, and a processing circuit, designed to compare samples detected in a certain condition of absence of an obstacle in a calibration step with those detected in a condition of detection of an obstacle to determine the presence/absence of the obstacle.
US08164505B2 Structure for reducing scattering of electromagnetic waves
A structure made of in certain frequency bands invisible material includes a transmission line network. The structure has a matching layer at the boundary of the material, supporting structures inside the transmission line network and that the transmission line network has been matched with the surrounding space.
US08164501B2 Method and system for time interleaved digital to analog conversion for a cable modem
Provided is a transmitter in a communications system including a plurality of digital to analog converters. Also included is a plurality of clocks, each being communicably coupled to a corresponding one of the digital to analog converters.
US08164500B2 Jitter cancellation method for continuous-time sigma-delta modulators
A continuous-time delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is disclosed. The ADC includes a loop filter, a loop quantizer, and a clock-jitter tolerant digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The clock-jitter tolerant DAC includes a dual switched-current (SI) DAC, a switched-capacitor (SC) DAC, an adder, and a switched-capacitor-resistor (SCR) injection circuit. The dual SI DAC provides two identical analog signals from the feedback digital signal of a loop quantizer within the ADC. The SC DAC provides an error-free reference signal from the feedback digital signal. The adder subtracts one of the two analog signals from the error-free reference signal to obtain an inverted jitter-induced error signal. The SCR injection circuit then injects the inverted jitter-induced error signal, delayed by one clock-cycle, in the form of a half-delay return-to-zero exponentially decaying waveform into the loop filter.
US08164496B2 Mismatch compensators and methods for mismatch compensation
In a compensator for compensating mismatches, and in methods for such compensation, the compensator compensates for mismatches in output signals of a system with mismatches during normal operation of the system with mismatches. The compensator comprises: a mismatch estimator that monitors at least two mismatched signals output by the system with mismatches during normal operation and that generates matching parameters indicating an amount of mismatch between the at least two mismatched signals, the mismatch estimator updating the matching parameters during normal operation of the system with mismatches, and a mismatch equalizer that compensates mismatches in the mismatched signals output by the system with mismatches during normal operation of the system with mismatches in response to the matching parameters.
US08164494B2 Method and device for digitally correcting DC offset
There is provided a digital Direct Current (DC) offset correction method and device. The device includes a digital-analog converter charging a load capacitor according to an input code value and generating an initial voltage value of the load capacitor; a comparator comparing an output DC offset value of a discrete-time amplifier and filter on the basis of the initial voltage value with a preset output DC offset value when the discrete-time amplifier and filter and the load capacitor are connected to each other; and a controller changing the input code value of the digital-analog converter according to comparison result of the comparator.
US08164493B2 High-resolution circular interpolation time-to-digital converter
A time-to-digital converter includes a circular delay chain, a phase interpolator, and a time-to-digital (TDC) core. The circular delay chain receives a first input clock and generates a first set of multi-phase clocks by propagating the first input clock through delay cells in the delay chain. The phase interpolator performs phase interpolation with a second input clock and another clock to generate a second set of multi-phase clocks. The other clock may be a delayed version of the second input clock. The TDC core uses the first and second set of multi-phase clocks to determine the time difference between the first and second input clocks.
US08164491B2 Coefficient multiplier and digital delta-sigma modulator using the same
Provided are a coefficient multiplier and digital delta-sigma modulator using the same. The coefficient multiplier has the average of output signals of respective dependent multipliers as an effective coefficient using a coefficient averaging technique without employing an adder that has a complex structure and occupies a large chip area. Accordingly, the coefficient multiplier has a simple hardware constitution and small chip area in comparison with a canonical signed digit (CSD) coefficient multiplier, and the digital delta-sigma modulator employing the coefficient multiplier has a simple structure and small size.
US08164486B2 Process and apparatus for aiding in the conception of texts for a pilot or a conductor
A network of nodes, in which each node is associated with a choice, is used in designing text to be displayed to a user. At least part of the nodes correspond to a choice of a type of text. At least part of the nodes correspond to a choice of a text display context. At least part of the nodes correspond to a determination of whether the text is provided in response to an action of the user. At least part of the nodes correspond to a determination that the message display originates from a transducer. Text design rules are associated with at least part of the nodes. Pathfinding is performed by a designer, using the network of nodes, based on a response to a choice associated with each node encountered in the network of nodes. For each network node encountered during pathfinding, each rule associated with the encountered network node is made available to the designer.
US08164485B2 System and method for aiding pilot preview, rehearsal, review, and real-time visual acquisition of flight mission progress
Embodiments of the invention permit flight paths (current and planned) to be viewed from various orientations to provide improved path and terrain awareness via graphical two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective display formats. By coupling the flight path information with a terrain database, uncompromising terrain awareness relative to the path and ownship is provided. In addition, missed approaches, path deviations, and any navigational path can be reviewed and rehearsed before performing the actual task. By rehearsing a particular mission, check list items can be reviewed, terrain awareness can be highlighted, and missed approach procedures can be discussed by the flight crew. Further, the use of Controller Pilot Datalink Communications enables data-linked path, flight plan changes, and Air Traffic Control requests to be integrated into the flight display of the present invention.
US08164482B2 Vehicle exterior rearview mirror system with indicator module
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly and a unitary indicator module disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The unitary indicator module includes a plurality of illumination sources disposed behind an at least partially light transmitting portion of the unitary indicator module. Light emitted by any of the illumination sources passes through the at least partially light transmitting portion for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The unitary indicator module is responsive to a control signal to indicate to the driver of the equipped vehicle a detected presence of another vehicle at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle. The unitary indicator module is operable to indicate a degree of hazard at least one of alongside the equipped vehicle and rearward of the equipped vehicle.
US08164480B2 Remote module for utility meters
The present invention relates to a remote display module (RDM) for display a resource consumption value synchronized with a resource consumption value indicated by a meter metering resource consumption. The RDM is configured with one or more inputs that are electrically associated with the pulse output for a utility meter. The RDM tracks continuous values and associated customer-values. Customers-values may be reset by a customer allowing the customer to easily track resource consumption.
US08164478B2 Data logger having detachable battery for supplying power for outer sensors and rebroadcasting system using thereof
A data logging apparatus is provided with a separate power supply for driving external sensors, a main module including an acceleration sensor, a memory unit, a control unit embedded with a clock unit for operating a measurement value of the acceleration sensor and storing the operated measurement value into the memory unit in a time series, and a first battery for supplying power to the acceleration sensor, the memory unit, and the control unit; a second battery detachably installed at one side main unit; and a sensor mounting module installed with a plurality of sensor resting units so that sensors can be attached and detached, for receiving the second battery inside so that power of the second battery can be supplied to the sensors installed in the sensor resting units, and transferring measurement signals of the sensors to the control unit.
US08164475B2 Downhole communication
A downhole signal receiving system where a pair of setting devices (51) are used to electrically connect with downhole structure and are connected to one another by a bulk conductor (52). Signals are extracted by using a detecting means (53) that does not interrupt the conduction path. The tool provides a low impedance conduction path along which signals from the surrounding structure can flow to facilitate detection.
US08164471B2 System and method for detecting a falling state of an electronic device
A system and method for detecting a falling state of an electronic device include setting a time interval to collect position information of the electronic device and one or more alarm means, activating a global position system to locate a position of the electronic device, and acquiring position information of the electronic device at each time interval. The system and method further include calculating an acceleration of the electronic device, and activating one or more of the alarm means if the calculated acceleration is larger or equal to the acceleration of gravity.
US08164470B2 Bathing system controller having abnormal operational condition identification capabilities
A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system is provided. The controller includes a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component in the bathing system. The controller also includes a processing unit for modifying the measurements stored in the memory unit and for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit. In specific implementations, sensing circuitry adapted for obtaining measurements associated to components, such as relays and fuses, is provided. This sensing circuitry allows identify components on the controller, such as relays and fuses for example, and bathing unit components in the bathing system as potential causes of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system.
US08164464B2 Method and system of aircraft pilot assessment
A method and system are disclosed for assessing the capability of a pilot to operate an aircraft. The system senses the value of at least one operator information parameter for assessing the fitness of the pilot operating the aircraft and at least one aircraft information parameter relating to the position and motion of the aircraft. The operator information parameters include electroencephalogram information, electrocardiogram information, heart rate information, respiratory rate information, eye motion information, eyelid position information, eyelid motion information, expired gas mixture information, blood oxygen content information, blood oxygen saturation information and blood pressure information for the person operating the aircraft, and/or information about actions taken by the person operating the aircraft. Based on these parameters, the system determines if the pilot is capable of properly operating the aircraft and, if not, control of the aircraft is assumed by an alternate source of control which lands the aircraft safely.
US08164462B1 Geese chasing system
The geese chasing system includes of a housing encasing a visual signaling capability, sensor, and audio signaling capability. A plurality of housings can be installed upon the nose and wings of an aircraft in order to direct more signaling strength as well as to accommodate larger aircraft. The geese chasing system also include a cockpit alarm that provides a manual override as well as an automated signaling capability.
US08164461B2 Monitoring task performance
One system embodiment includes providing a number of sensors for monitoring an individual in performing a number of tasks from a list of tasks to be completed, the number of tasks each including, an associated number of steps to be completed by the individual, monitoring the performance of a task from the list by using at least one of the number of sensors, providing the individual with a number of step instruction prompts associated with the steps of the task, and obtaining task performance information corresponding to the performance of the task by the individual. The task performance information includes step prompt information including the number of step instruction prompts provided during performance of the task, sensor data from the at least one of the number of sensors, and adjusting the list of tasks to be completed based on the task performance information of the task.
US08164459B2 Gateway radio frequency identification tag system
A system and method are disclosed for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Optical Line Termination (OLT) for exchanging data traffic in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) having a controller programmed to generate a timeslot schedule for transport of a desired bandwidth of constant bit rate (CBR) data traffic by selecting one or more timeslots from periodic frame clusters operating according to a GPON Transmission Convergence (GTC) protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08164455B2 Backscatter communication system with reflector for transmitting a modulated signal to a reader
The present invention provides a communication system of a backscatter type, the communication system including: a reflector for transmitting data by a reflected wave formed by subjecting a non-modulated wave to a modulation process; and a reflected wave reader for reading the data from the modulated reflected wave signal from the reflector.
US08164454B2 ID proximity monitoring of inventory objects
ID proximity systems and methods for monitoring a movement of an object. A method comprises the steps of: using a second transponder to receive data transmitted by a first transponder attached to the object; and modifying the data based on at least one characteristic of the second transponder, wherein the second transponder is situated within a predetermined distance from the first transponder. The second transponder modifies the data by adding an identifier that corresponds to an operator. The second transponder may be worn by the operator.
US08164453B2 Physical audit system with radio frequency identification and method thereof
The present invention relates to a physical audit system with radio frequency identification (RFID) and a method thereof, which perform physical audit by means of RFID. First, a plurality of electronic tags is set in a physical system and all the physical units included in the physical system, respectively. The plurality of electronic tags records physical configuration data related to the physical system and the physical units, respectively. A radio-frequency writer unit writes the physical configuration data of a newer version according to the physical system and the physical units. Then, a radio-frequency reader unit reads the physical configuration data of the plurality of electronic tags, and transmits the physical configuration data to an integrated data processing device for analyzing and comparing the physical configuration data. It is judged if the physical configuration is identical to comparison data in the integrated data processing device.
US08164451B2 Cash handling facility management
Cash handling facilities, such as cash vaults, receive and process large quantities of cash. The cash handling facility may have a plurality of custody points at which the amount of cash being processed is verified, counted, stored, or otherwise processed. Cash handling personnel that are handling the cash may be verified, detected, or otherwise documented as handling the cash. Automatic identification techniques may be implemented to track the cash and cash handling personnel at various custody points within the cash handling facility. A centralized tracking system may use the information obtained at each of the custody points to track, count, and verify the cash while it is located within the cash handling facility.
US08164449B2 Clip alarm
The clip alarm (100) is a retaining clip attachable to personal items in order to function as a loss prevention device capable of emitting an audible and/or visual alarm in response to the clip and attached item being dislodged from a user's person. Upon dislodgment from a person or other support, a top clip member (105) of the device is pivoted towards an opposing, bottom clip member (110) through spring tensioning to make electrical contact with a battery (118) powering the alarm. The bottom surface of the bottom clip member (110) may have a permanently attached hook and loop fastener (200) to enable attachment of the clip to an item having a complementary hook and loop fastener. A recessed switch (120) is provided to turn the unit off when the user desires to intentionally remove it from his/her person or other object.
US08164448B2 Security fence for swimming pools
A security fence for swimming pools is provided to be so positioned as to surround the water of a swimming pool. The security fence comprises fence sections which are linked to an alarm system. The fence sections are moveable between a non-signaling position and an alarm signaling position. When the fence sections are in the non-signaling position and a given fence section is engaged with sufficient force it is moved to the alarm signaling position thereby signaling the alarm. The foregoing prevents a user, such as a child, from entering the pool water when the alarm system has been activated.
US08164438B2 Systems and methods for providing emergency information
In one general aspect, emergency information for a person is received from a user. A unique identifier for the person is generated. The unique identifier is associated with the emergency information. The emergency information is stored on an emergency information device. The unique identifier is associated with the emergency information device. The emergency information device is sent to the user.
US08164435B2 Subscribing to alarms and events in a hierarchy
An alarm provision system comprises a recognizer component that receives an alarm/event and recognizes the alarm/event. A provision component analyzes hierarchical relationships associated with an industrial environment and automatically provides a subscribing entity with the alarm/event and at least one other alarm/event that is related to the received alarm/event, the provision of the at least one other alarm/event is based at least in part upon the analysis of the hierarchical relationships.
US08164432B2 Apparatus, method for detecting critical areas and pedestrian detection apparatus using the same
An apparatus, method for detecting critical areas and a pedestrian detection apparatus using the same are provided. An application of the pedestrian detection system is provided to help limit critical urban environment to particular areas. Contrary to traditional pedestrian detection systems that localize every pedestrians appearing in front of the subject vehicle, the apparatus first finds critical areas from urban environment and performs a focused search of pedestrians. The environment is reconstructed using a standard laser scanner but the subsequent checking for the presence of pedestrians is performed by incorporating a vision system. The apparatus identifies pedestrians within substantially limited image areas and results in boosts of timing performance, since no evaluation of critical degrees is necessary until an actual pedestrian is informed to the driver or onboard computer.
US08164431B2 Automated geo-fence boundary configuration and activation
A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof.
US08164429B2 Operational-state responsive audiovisual systems
A children's ride-on vehicle is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include at least one driven wheel and a drive assembly adapted to selectively drive the rotation of the at least one driven wheel. The drive assembly may include at least one electric motor, a battery assembly including at least one battery and adapted to provide a plurality of voltages to the at least one electric motor, and at least one user input device positioned to receive inputs from a child sitting on the at least one seat, and adapted to select among the plurality of voltages and to apply that selected voltage to the at least one electric motor; and an electronics system adapted to detect the applied voltage to the at least one electric motor and to generate at least one of an audio output and a visual output based, at least in part, on the applied voltage.
US08164428B2 Power control device
A controllable light bulb comprises an electrical connector, a receiver module, an electronic switch, a translucent casing, and a light producing element. The electrical connector receives a power signal. The receiver module is powered by the power signal received via the electrical connector and determines control parameters based upon on/off modulation of the power signal. The receiver module generates a control signal based upon the control parameters while the power signal is on. The electronic switch outputs an output power signal and reduces the output power signal based on the control signal. The translucent casing encloses the light producing element. The light producing element receives the output power signal.
US08164418B2 Automobile anti-theft remote control device and a charger therefor
An automobile anti-theft remote control device and a charger therefor in the field of automobile electronic anti-theft technology and more particularly pertains to a chargeable automobile anti-theft remote control device with a voice prompt function and a charger therefor. The chargeable battery is disposed in the anti-theft remote control device and its body has a charging socket. The remote control device comprises a voice prompt circuit, a vibration circuit and a display unit. The charger for the remote control device is disposed with a charging plug which is adapted to engage with the charging socket of the remote control device and to charge the chargeable battery in the remote control device. The power source input plug of the charger is adapted to engage with the car cigarette lighter socket for the power source input. The charger comprises a voltage detection circuit and a charging indication unit.
US08164417B2 In-vehicle apparatus remote control system and in-vehicle apparatus remote control method
A vehicle remote control system includes an in-vehicle transmission unit which transmits an authentication-use inquiry signal and a presence-check inquiry signal; two or more mobile apparatuses, each comprising a reception unit which receives the presence-check inquiry signal and the authentication-use inquiry signal and a transmission unit which transmits to the in-vehicle apparatus a response signal to the presence-check inquiry signal and the authentication-use inquiry signal; an in-vehicle reception unit which receives the response signals transmitted from the transmission units of the two or more mobile apparatuses; and an in-vehicle operation control unit which controls an operation state of the in-vehicle apparatus when a response code in at least one of the response signals received by the in-vehicle apparatus has been compared.
US08164415B2 PTC device
There is provided a PTC device which allows compact connection as much as possible. Such PTC device includes a polymer PTC element (102) including (A) a polymer PTC component (112) an electrically conductive filler, and a polymer material; and (B) a metal electrode (104) placed on at least one surface of the polymer PTC component. Also present are a lead (106) of which at least a part is positioned on the metal electrode of the PTC element; a protective coating (108) which surrounds an exposed area of the PTC element, and a hardened solder paste which is present as a connection area (110) which electrically connects the metal electrode and said at least a part of the lead.
US08164410B2 Low-loss ferrite and electronic device formed by such ferrite
A low-loss ferrite comprising as main components 46.5-49.5% by mol of Fe2O3, 17-26% by mol of ZnO, 4-12% by mol of CuO, and 0.2% or more and less than 1.2% by mol of CoO, the balance being NiO, and 0.03-1.4% by mass (as SnO2) of Sn based on 100% by mass of the main components, and having an average crystal grain size of 0.7-2.5 μm, and an electronic device obtained by integrally sintering pluralities of layers of this low-loss ferrite and coil-shaped electrodes formed in the laminate.
US08164408B2 Planar transformer
There is provided a planar transformer having a dual-bobbin structure. The planar transformer includes a core unit including a pair of cores that are electromagnetically coupled to each other, and a bobbin unit including an inner bobbin part and a board part. The inner bobbin part includes a bobbin body having a predetermined volume and having a through hole into which the core is inserted, and a first winding wound around an outer circumferential surface of the bobbin body, and the board part includes at least one board including a board body having a predetermined surface area and having a through hole into which the inner bobbin part and the core are inserted, and a second winding formed on at least one surface of the board body and causing electromagnetic action with the first winding.
US08164404B2 Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes a resin case, a coil, a movable contact; a fixed contact, a flat recess, a ventilation hole, a cooling member and a flat passage. The resin case has a housing space therein. The movable contact is within the housing space and is actuated by the coil. The fixed contact is within the housing space. The flat recess is formed at the case to communicate with the housing space. The ventilation hole is formed at the case to provide communication between the recess and an exterior of the case. The cooling member is within the recess to cool flame that passes through the recess. The flat passage is formed between the cooling member and an internal wall surface of the recess and has a clearance dimension such that flame is extinguished.
US08164399B2 Thin film piezoelectric vibrator, thin film piezoelectric bulk acoustic wave resonator, and radio-frequency filter using such resonator
A thin film piezoelectric bulk acoustic wave resonator has a multilayer structure including a piezoelectric thin film, a first metal electrode film, and a second metal electrode film. At least a part of the piezoelectric thin film is interposed between the first and second metal electrodes. A resonance part and a connection part are formed on an insulating substrate as films by a thin film forming apparatus. The resonance part vibrates in radial extension mode with a center of the piezoelectric thin film used as a node, the piezoelectric thin film of two resonance parts is polarized in a direction perpendicular to a film surface, and a width of the connection part is one-fourth or less of a width of two resonance parts.
US08164396B2 Harmonic processing circuit and amplifying circuit using the same
The present invention provides a harmonic processing circuit capable of miniaturizing a circuit, and an amplifier circuit using this harmonic processing circuit.A first impedance adjustment section and a second impedance adjustment section are provided. The first impedance adjustment section is provided with a coupled distributed constant line CT. The coupled distributed constant line CT receive as input the output of an amplification transistor S, and have a length of ¼ the wavelength (λ) of the fundamental wave at the output of the amplification transistor S. Further, the first impedance adjusting section is configured to adjust input impedance with respect to the even harmonics to one of effectively infinity or zero. The first impedance adjusting section and the second impedance adjustment section are configured to adjust input impedance with respect to the odd harmonics to the other of effectively infinity or zero.
US08164389B2 Overdrive protection circuit
Embodiments of circuits, apparatuses, and systems for an overdrive protection circuit arranged at an input to a primary power transistor to protect against overdrive conditions, where the overdrive protection circuit includes a sensing resistor. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08164385B2 Amplifier circuit
An amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier amplifying an input signal and outputting a first amplified signal, a second amplifier amplifying the first amplified signal and outputting a second amplified signal, and a feedback circuitry feeding back the second amplified signal to the input of the second amplifier. The feedback circuitry includes a feedback transistor that keeps the input level of the second amplifier constant.
US08164383B1 Circuits and methods for amplifying signals
In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes an amplifier comprising first and second output stages. The first output stage receives first power supply voltages and the second output stage receives second power supply voltages greater than the first power supply voltages. A switching stage configures the output stages to provide a first current to an amplifier output node from the first output stage when a magnitude of a voltage on the output node is below a first value, provide a second current to the output node from the second output stage when the magnitude of the voltage on the output node is above a second value greater than the first value, and provide a third current to the output node from both the first output stage and the second output stage when the magnitude of the voltage on the output node is between the first value and the second value.
US08164377B1 Signal dependent compensation with matched detectors
A detector circuit includes a main path having a first detector to generate an output signal in response to an input signal, and a reference path having a second detector matched to the first detector to generate a reference signal in response to the input signal. The reference signal may be used to compensate the output signal for variations in operating frequency, temperature, or the like. The reference path may be arranged to reuse a signal available in the main path so that the signal applied to the second detector experiences the same operating effects as that applied to the first detector.
US08164371B2 Duty detection circuit, clock generation circuit including the duty detection circuit, and semiconductor device
To provide a duty detection circuit including: a plurality of duty detectors that detect a duty ratio of internal clocks; a controller that controls the plurality of duty detectors so that the plurality of duty detectors operates in different phases from one another; and an output selecting unit that selects one of duty detection signals from the plurality of duty detectors. According to the present invention, since the duty detectors operate in the different phases from one another, the output selecting unit can output a duty detection signal with a higher frequency than a generation frequency with which each duty detector generates the duty detection signal. Accordingly, when the duty detection circuit according to the present invention is used to adjust a clock of the DLL circuit, a control period of the DLL circuit can be reduced.
US08164368B2 Power savings mode for memory systems
A system and method are disclosed to accomplish power savings in an electronic device, such as a memory chip, by performing selective frequency locking and subsequent instantaneous frequency switching in the DLL (delay locked loop) used for clock synchronization in the electronic device. By locking the DLL at a slow clock frequency, the operational frequency may be substantially instantaneously switched to an integer-multiplied frequency of the initial locking frequency without losing the DLL lock point. This DLL locking methodology allows for faster frequency changes from higher (during normal operation) to lower (during a power saving mode) clock frequencies without resorting to gradual frequency slewing to conserve power and maintain DLL locking. Hence, a large power reduction may be accomplished substantially instantaneously without adding complexity to the system clock generator. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used in construing the claims.
US08164365B2 Non-resistive load driver
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus to drive non-resistive loads. The non-resistive load driver may include two or more drivers, such as a high-drive circuit and a low-drive circuit, to drive rail-to-rail output voltages and to stabilize the output voltages at a substantially constant level. The high-drive circuit may drive the output voltage of the non-resistive load driver to a threshold level, whereas the low-drive circuit may modify the output voltage of the non-resistive load driver to approximate an input voltage of the non-resistive load driver, and compensate any leakage associated with the non-resistive loads to provide a substantially constant output voltage. The low-drive circuit consumes less current than the high-drive circuit. The non-resistive load driver consumes less power and use less chip space. Alternatively, the non-resistive load driver may be implemented using a single driver with multiple modes, such as a low-drive mode and a high-drive mode, by changing a bias current of the non-resistive load driver between a high current mode and a low current mode.
US08164363B1 Aysmmetric sense-amp flip-flop
An Asymmetric Sense-Amp Flip-Flop (ASAFF) is disclosed that may achieve zero setup time and short clock-to-Q delays. The ASAFF captures input data at a clock transition by setting values of a first node and a second node in a manner that is input data value dependent. If the input data is at the first input data value, the first node is set and held at a first storage value after a first delay, and the second node is set and held at a second storage value after a second delay, and if the input data is at a second input data value, the first node is set and held at a third storage value after a third delay, and the second node is set and held at a fourth storage value, after a fourth delay. This internal-path dependent difference in delay enables ASAFF to achieve zero setup time.
US08164355B2 Electronic component pressing device and electronic component test apparatus
An electronic component pressing device includes a first pressing member for pressing a predetermined first region of the electronic component to be tested; a second pressing member for pressing a predetermined second region other than the first region of the electronic component to be tested; a gimbal mechanism for adhering the first pressing member to the first region when the first pressing member presses the first region of the electronic component to be tested; first pressing load applying means for applying a pressing load on the gimbal mechanism; and second pressing load applying means for applying a pressing load on the second pressing member.
US08164350B2 Capacitive angle encoder and withdrawable feeder for circuit board component insertion machines
The invention relates to a capacitive angle encoder for detecting a rotational position of a rotatable object relative to a stationary object as well as a withdrawable feeder for circuit board component insertion machines, said withdrawable feeder being equipped with an angle encoder according to the invention. The angle encoder comprises a stator that supports first and second transmitting electrodes and first and second receiving electrodes, and a rotor which supports an incremental coupling electrode and an absolute value-coupling electrode. The incremental coupling electrode is designed such that the first electrostatic field is modulated by a change in capacitance in response to a change in the rotational position of the rotor, while the absolute value-coupling electrode is designed such that the second electrostatic field is modulated by a change in capacitance in response to an absolute rotational position of the rotor. A signal processing circuit detects the first and second modulated electrostatic field and determines a measured value for the position in response to the detected field. The at least one first and second transmitting electrode and the at least one first and second receiving electrode are coplanar to one another.
US08164349B2 Capacitively-coupled electrostatic (CCE) probe arrangement for detecting strike step in a plasma processing chamber and methods thereof
A method for identifying a stabilized plasma within a processing chamber of a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes executing a strike step within the processing chamber to generate a plasma. The strike step includes applying a substantially high gas pressure within the processing chamber and maintaining a low radio frequency (RF) power within the processing chamber. The method also includes employing a probe head to collect a set of characteristic parameter measurements during the strike step, the probe head being on a surface of the processing chamber, wherein the surface is within close proximity to a substrate surface. The method further includes comparing the set of characteristic parameter measurements against a pre-defined range. If the set of characteristic parameter measurements is within the pre-defined range, the stabilized plasma exists.
US08164346B2 Orientation detection circuit and electronic device using the same
An orientation detection circuit is provided. The circuit includes a processor, a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, and a vibration switch. The processor comprises a first input pin and a second input pin. The second resistor has a resistance value greater than that of the first resistor. The third resistor has a resistance value greater than that to the second resistor. The switch comprises a first terminal connected to a power source and a second terminal connected to the second input pin and connected to ground via the third resistor. The switch includes a third terminal connected to the first terminal via the second resistor, and a fourth terminal connected to the first input pin and connected to ground via the first resistor. The switch also includes a fifth terminal connected to the fourth terminal, and a conductive ball for contacting two or three of the terminals.
US08164345B2 Spectral and information theoretic method of test point, partial-scan, and full-scan flip-flop insertion to improve integrated circuit testability
Design for testability (DFT) algorithms, which use both gradient descent and linear programming (LP) algorithms to insert test points (TPs) and/or scanned flip-flops (SFFs) into large circuits to make them testable are described. Scanning of either all flip-flops or a subset of flip-flops is supported. The algorithms measure testability using probabilities computed from logic simulation, Shannon's entropy measure (from information theory), and spectral analysis of the circuit in the frequency domain. The DFT hardware inserter methods uses toggling rates of the flip-flops (analyzed using digital signal processing (DSP) methods) and Shannon entropy measures of flip-flops to select flip-flops for scan. The optimal insertion of the DFT hardware reduces the amount of DFT hardware, since the gradient descent and linear program optimizations trade off inserting a TP versus inserting an SFF. The linear programs find the optimal solution to the optimization, and the entropy measures are used to maximize information flow through the circuit-under-test (CUT). The methods limit the amount of additional circuit hardware for test points and scan flip-flops.
US08164340B2 Method for determining electromagnetic survey sensor orientation
A method for determining orientation of an electromagnetic survey sensor includes deploying the sensor at a selected position on the bottom of a body of water. An electromagnetic field is generated at a selected position in the body of water. A portion of the electromagnetic field is detected along at least two orthogonal directions at the sensor. A portion of the detected electromagnetic field is selected as having traveled only in a vertical plane which includes both source position and sensor position. The polarization direction of the selected portion of the electromagnetic field is determined from the selected portion. The determined polarization direction is used to determine the sensor orientation.
US08164335B2 Method for acquiring and displaying medical image data
A method is disclosed for acquiring and displaying image data, in particular MR image data. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning an examination object by way of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner and generating first (MR) image data of the examination object, wherein scanning parameters during the scan are selected such that the regions of interest in the scanned examination object have high image data values, and the regions which are not of interest in the examination object have, relative thereto, low image data values in the first MR image data; generating a mask on the basis of the first image data by means of which mask regions in the first MR image data which have the low image data values can be hidden; scanning the examination object by way of a medical imaging system and generating second image data of the examination object; applying the mask to the first and/or second image data; and displaying the first and/or second image data processed by the mask.
US08164334B2 Position detection system
A position detection system that does not require calibration measurement to be performed in advance and reduces the work required for detecting a position and so on is provided. The provided position detection system includes a device having a magnetic inductance coil; a drive coil that has a position-calculating frequency near a resonant frequency of the magnetic inductance coil and generates an alternating magnetic field which acts on the magnetic inductance coil; a plurality of magnetic-field sensors that is disposed outside the operating range of the device and detects an induced magnetic field generated by the magnetic inductance coil; amplitude-component detection section for detecting amplitude components whose phase is substantially orthogonal to the alternating magnetic field from the outputs of the magnetic sensors acquired by the plurality of magnetic sensors; and position analyzing section for calculating at least one of a position and an orientation of the device on the basis of the amplitude components.
US08164327B2 Steering angle sensor
A steering angle sensor assembly 10 for determining absolute angular position of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and includes a multi-axis detector 24 having an active operating mode and a standby operating mode and being adapted to measure speed and direction of rotation of the steering wheel. The steering angle sensor assembly 10 further includes at least one second detector 26 arranged to form a quadrature encoder to detect movement and direction of the steering wheel when the multi-axis detector 24 is in the standby or powered down operating mode.
US08164324B2 Rotation sensor
A rotation sensor includes a detecting portion, a rotational state determining portion and a pulse generating portion. The detecting portion detects a rotation of a rotational member and outputs a detection signal. The rotational state determining portion determines a rotational state of the rotational member on the basis of the detection signal in a predetermined period. The pulse generating portion generates and outputs a first pulse and a second pulse, of which waveforms differ from each other, in response to a rotational direction of the rotational member after the predetermined period. The pulse generating portion further generates and outputs a third pulse regardless of the rotational state of the rotational member in the predetermined period.
US08164322B2 Phase-difference-corresponding-value measurement device, gain imbalance measurement device, method, program, and recording medium
A modulation error measurement device according to the present invention receives a demodulated signal containing a demodulated I signal and a demodulated Q signal from a quadrature demodulator receiving an RF signal output by a quadrature modulator and applying the quadrature demodulation to the received RF signal, and measures a quadrature error corresponding to a phase difference between an I component and a Q component of the modulated signal. The quadrature modulator applies quadrature modulation to an original I signal (ω1) and an original Q signal (ω2) having frequencies different from each other. The modulation error measurement device includes an I-frequency-phase deriving unit 14I which derives the phase of a component of an I frequency (ω1) of the demodulated signal, an opposite-sign I-frequency-phase deriving unit which derives the phase of a component of an opposite-sign I frequency (−ω1) of the demodulated signal, a Q-frequency-phase deriving unit which derives the phase of a component of a Q frequency (ω2) of the demodulated signal, and an opposite-sign Q-frequency-phase deriving unit which derives a phase of a component of an opposite-sign Q frequency (−ω2) of the demodulated signal.
US08164320B2 Methods and systems for control of switches in power regulators/power amplifiers
A system includes a first switch connected to a voltage input and a switching node. A second switch is connected to the switching node and a reference potential. A first circuit generates first rising edges and first falling edges by comparing a voltage at the switching node to a first voltage reference. The first voltage reference is between the reference potential and the voltage input. A second circuit generates second rising edges and second falling edges by comparing the switching node voltage to a second voltage reference. The second voltage reference is less than the reference potential. The controller calculates delay times based on the first rising edges, the first falling edges, the second rising edges and the second falling edges. The controller generates drive signals for the first switch and the second switch based on a duty cycle and the delay times.
US08164319B2 System and method for adapting clocking pulse widths for DC-to-DC converters
A system and method for adapting a width of a clocking pulse for clocking a DC-DC converter, wherein the width of the clocking pulse is selected based upon the duty cycle of the DC-DC converter. When the DC-DC converter operates below a predefined threshold duty cycle, a clocking pulse of a first width is selected to allow operation of the converter at a minimum predefined duty cycle with a clocking frequency that minimizes output voltage ripple. The first width corresponds to an on-time of a switching transistor of the DC-DC converter when the converter is operated at the minimum duty cycle. When the DC-DC converter operates above the predefined threshold duty cycle, a clocking pulse of a second width is selected to allow operation of the converter at high duty cycles while simultaneously avoiding missed inductor current pulses and generation of sub-harmonic voltage oscillations.
US08164318B2 Digital control switching power supply unit
A digital control switching power supply unit converts an input voltage into a desired output voltage using a digitally controlled pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to a switching cycle. The power supply unit includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC converts a result of a comparison between an output voltage and a reference voltage to a digital signal during a conversion cycle. The ADC includes a circuit for outputting a phase difference between a switching cycle and the conversion cycle, and a delay circuit. The delay circuit generates a delay output current based on a result of the comparison and the phase difference and determines the conversion time delay according to the delay output current. The delay circuit also generates a delay reference current based on the reference voltage and the phase difference and determining the duration of the conversion cycle according to the delay reference current.
US08164316B2 DC/DC converter
A conventional DC/DC converter with both a step-up function and a step-down function has a drawback that its output voltage will be discontinuous when its operations are switched. An error signal, which is representative of a difference between a target voltage and a present voltage, is inputted to both a step-down switching control circuit and a step-up switching control circuit. When the difference between the target voltage and the present voltage is below a predetermined value, the switching of the step-down and step-up converters by the step-down and step-up switching control circuits, respectively, are caused to concurrently run in a time division manner.
US08164315B2 Power supply circuit
When an output of an overall output terminal (18) of a power supply circuit (10) is switched from a series regulator section (14) to a switching regulator section (12), a fifth switch (55) is switched OFF, to temporarily open a feedback loop of the switching regulator section (12), a sixth switch (56) is maintained at an ON state, to output the output of the series regulator section (14) to the overall output terminal (18), and an artificial feedback loop is formed between an output terminal of an error amplifier (24) and a second terminal of the error amplifier (24), to output a voltage corresponding to the output of the series regulator section (14) to the output terminal of the error amplifier (24) and charge a phase compensating capacitor (26) of the switching regulator section (12).
US08164313B2 Power generation controlling device for vehicles, which device has bi-directional communication function with external control unit
A power generation controlling device for vehicle includes a communication controlling circuit, a power generation voltage and excitation current controlling circuit, and a communication frame processing circuit. The communication controlling circuit communicates with an ECU using a communication frame. The power generation voltage and excitation current controlling circuit controls power generation based on power generation control information in the received communication frame. The communication frame processing circuit decodes contents of power generation control information (i.e., signal switching data) included in the communication frame based on a signal switching bit in the same communication frame. Two types of contents or more that are switched based on the signal switching bit are assigned to the power generation control information in the communication frame. The power generation voltage and excitation current controlling circuit controls power generation based on the power generation control information of which the contents are specified by the switching information.
US08164312B1 Reduction in generator-sourced fault current contribution
An approach for reduction in generator-sourced fault current contribution is disclosed. In one aspect, automatic excitation control of a generator is coordinated with a generator step-up transformer operating on maximized tap selection to reduce generator fault current contribution to an electrical power distribution network.
US08164311B2 Control device for electric rotating machine
A control device has a unit for selecting each of states of an inverter applying a voltage to a generator, a unit for predicting a first current of the generator, flowing at a second time elapsed by one control period from a first time, from a detected current and the state of the inverter at the first time, a unit for predicting a second current of the generator at a third time elapsed by one control period from the second time while using the first current as an initial value of the second current, from information indicating one selected state set at the second time, for each selected state, a unit for determining one state corresponding to the second current nearest to instruction, and a unit for setting the inverter in the determined state at the second time to control current of the generator.
US08164310B2 Battery temperature regulator incorporating casing or terminal temperature sensor
A temperature regulator is provided for a battery which includes an electrode body, a terminal electrically connected to the electrode body, and a casing that receives the electrode body and supports the terminal with an end portion of the terminal protruding outside of the casing. The casing is electrically and thermally insulated from the terminal. The temperature regulator includes a flow producer, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The flow producer produces a flow of a heat transfer medium for exchanging heat between the heat transfer medium and one of the terminal and casing. The temperature sensor senses the temperature of the other of the terminal and casing. The controller controls, based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the flow producer to adjust the flow rate of the heat transfer medium, thereby regulating the temperature of the electrode body to fall within a predetermined range.
US08164308B2 Apparatus and method for capturing cosmic background radiation and converting the same to electricity
There is provided an apparatus for capturing cosmic background radiation and for converting cosmic background radiation into electricity. An antenna is configured so as to capture cosmic background radiation. An electrostatic electron multiplier is connected to the antenna. A high voltage power supply is connected to the electrostatic electron multiplier whereby cosmic background radiation is converted to electricity.
US08164307B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring the voltage of a battery
One aspect of the invention involves: monitoring a voltage of a battery over time; evaluating whether a rate of voltage decrease of the battery is in excess of a threshold; and indicating that the battery is subject to a low voltage condition when the rate of voltage decrease exceeds the threshold. Another aspect of the invention involves: causing a circuit powered by a battery to respond to battery replacement by thereafter applying a selected load to the battery during a selected time interval. A further aspect involves: periodically sampling a voltage of a battery; and applying a load to the battery during a selected time interval before each sampling of the battery voltage.
US08164306B2 Battery charge control device and marine vessel including the same
A battery charge control device for a marine vessel is arranged to control charging of a plurality of batteries, which include a main battery arranged to supply power for operating an engine of a propulsion device, and an accessory battery which is arranged to supply power for devices other than the engine. The main battery and the accessory battery are connected in parallel to a power generator attached to the engine. The charge control device includes a switching element arranged to short-circuit the power generator, a first control unit arranged to execute first control to short-circuit the power generator by driving the switching element when a voltage of the main battery exceeds a first upper limit, in a first control period, and a second control unit arranged to execute second control to short-circuit the power generator by driving the switching element when a voltage of the accessory battery exceeds a second upper limit, in a second control period which is longer than the first control period.
US08164304B2 Electrical appliance and charger
An apparatus includes a charger (104) and a portable appliance such as a flashlight (102). The flashlight includes first and second flashlight electrical contacts. The charger includes first (122a) and second (122b) flashlight supports or jaws that support the flashlight in a flashlight receiving region of the charger (104). The flashlight supports (122) include a tapered surface that varies a dimension of the battery receiving region as a function of a longitudinal position of the flashlight supports (122). The charger (104) also includes a light source (120) that indicates when the flashlight (102) has been correctly inserted in the charger (104).
US08164303B2 Charging socket
A charging socket has a base and a holding body covering the base. The holding body has an opening receiving recess, and a first holding plate. A gear element has a ring-like body mounted in the base. The ring-like body has gear teeth at an outer periphery thereof, and a connecting portion connected with the base by a connecting spring for forcing the ring-like body to rotate. A swingable arm pivoted to the base has a ratchet tooth engaged with the gear teeth for stopping the ring-like body from being pulled by the connecting spring to rotate. A movable element has a basic plate slidably received in the receiving recess, and a second holding plate. A side of the basic plate is connected with a rack parallel to a sliding direction of the movable element and is lower than a bottom of the basic plate, engaging with the gear teeth.
US08164301B2 Charging control apparatus for electrically powered vehicle, electrically powered vehicle, method for charging control for electrically powered vehicle, and computer-readable recording medium having program recorded thereon for computer to execute the charging control
An energy cost prediction unit predicts an energy cost for the next travel. A lifetime prediction unit uses a charge amount—lifetime map to predict the lifetime of a power storage device according to an amount of charge to the power storage device. A usage cost prediction unit predicts the cost of using the power storage device according to the amount of charge to the power storage device, based on the lifetime of the power storage device predicted by the lifetime prediction unit. The predicted cost associated with the amount of charge to the power storage device is indicated on a display device. In accordance with an instruction from a user, the power storage device is charged from a charging station.
US08164297B2 Power converter and motor driving system
An object of the present invention is to provide a power converter in which the open-phase can be detected in a broader frequency region even if a predetermined relation is kept between the output voltage and the frequency. In order to achieve the above objects, a power converter including: an inverter unit having phase unit inverters provided with a plurality of multiple connected single-phase cell inverters for every phase; an inverter controller for controlling the inverter unit so that a predetermined relation is kept between an output voltage and a frequency; and a plurality of transformers for detecting output voltages of the plurality of phase unit inverters, in which the inverter controller is provided with a fault detection unit for detecting whether a phase-to-phase voltage deviation calculated by the output voltage is within range of an allowable voltage deviation calculated as a function of the frequency is provided.
US08164296B2 Method and apparatus for determining a field current in brushless electrical machines
A method and an apparatus are described for determining a field current through a field winding in an electrical machine with a stator and a rotor. The electrical machine includes a field-circuit transformer to produce, by induction of an electrical current on the rotor side, field current with which a field winding is energized in order to generate an excitation magnetic field. The method includes driving the primary side of the field-circuit transformer to produce a field current in the rotor, which is derived from the current induced on the secondary side in the field-circuit transformer; measuring one or more phase currents in one or more primary-side phases of the field-circuit transformer; determining a maximum value depending on the one or more measured phase currents; determining the field current through the field winding depending on the determined maximum value.
US08164295B2 Stepping motor controlling device, method, and storage medium
A stepping motor controlling device includes first and second clock signal generators, plural drivers, and a controller. The first clock signal generator generates a reference clock signal for rotationally driving of plural stepping motors. The second clock signal generator generates, on the basis of the reference clock signal, for each of the stepping motors, speed control clock signals. The plural drivers are provided respectively for the stepping motors and, on the basis of the speed control clock signals for the respective stepping motors, generate pulse excitation signals and input the pulse excitation signals to the stepping motors to rotationally drive the stepping motors. The controller controls the second clock signal generator to generate the speed control clock signals such that phases of the respective speed control clock signals for the stepping motors differ from one another.
US08164287B2 Motor drive control apparatus and method
In application of a square wave voltage to a motor MG2 to make the motor MG2 output a torque equivalent to a torque command Tm2*, the procedure of square wave control corrects reference phases ψb and −ψb as phases for maximizing an absolute value of the output torque of the motor MG2 with a rotational position detection error θerr and sets the results of the correction to an upper limit phase ψul and a lower limit phase ψll of the square wave voltage (step S110). A target voltage phase ψ* is set within a phase range defined by the upper limit phase ψul and the lower limit phase ψll, in order to reduce a torque difference between the torque command Tm2* and a torque estimate Tm2est (steps S120 and S130). An inverter 42 is controlled based on the target voltage phase ψ* and a rotational angle θ of the motor MG2.
US08164286B2 Method for starting a permanent magnet single-phase synchronous electric motor and electronic device for implementing said method
Method for starting a single-phase synchronous electric motor using permanent magnets with simple and cost-effective implementation, said method comprising a step of application of a control logic of the switch that provides a first and a second condition for switching on:the first condition being verified when a detected counter electromotive force signal has the same sign as an electrical grid voltage signal;the second condition being verified when said counter electromotive force signal has the same sign as its first derivative value.
US08164285B2 External disturbance detection system and method for two-phase motor control systems
A system includes a power control module, a period determination module, and a control module. The power control module controls current through stator coils of a motor to rotate a rotor. The period determination module determines a first length of time between a first set of induced stator coil voltages and determines a second length of time between a second set of induced stator coil voltages. The control module determines whether an external disturbance disturbs rotation of the rotor based on a difference between the first and second lengths of time.
US08164275B2 Drive circuit for high-brightness light emitting diodes
A drive circuit includes a DC/DC converter, an outer control loop providing an output voltage representing a comparison between a load current and a reference voltage, a multiplier multiplying the outer control loop output voltage with a sample of the rectified output and provide an output current, a current amplifier comparing an input line current sample and the multiplier output current, a comparator driving the switch with a modulated output based on the current amplifier output and a sawtooth reference, and an upper voltage limit loop having an output in electrical communication with the outer control loop output, wherein the outer control loop output voltage is impacted by the upper voltage limit loop output during a zero load scenario. The drive circuit also includes a line voltage transformer and a lightning suppression circuit coupled to the voltage rectifier output.
US08164274B2 Product display system, and method for illuminating a product
The invention provides a product display system and a method for illuminating a product. The product display system 1′ comprises a product carrier (20, 4′) and a lighting device comprising a plurality of light sources (10), each having two or more LEDs of different light color, and a control device (26). The control device (26) can control the various light sources (10), and even the various LEDs in the light sources, in order, in this way, to achieve a different luminosity and/or light color per light source. Thus, a flexible and energy-efficient system is obtained, by means of which special light effects can be obtained, such as promoting products by means of very bright lighting, or increasing the appeal of a product by adapting the lighting color to the color of the product (14, 16). For this purpose, the control device (26) reads a product information carrier coupled to the product, and adjusts a light source which illuminates a place of the product carrier designed for the product on the basis of information read from the product information carrier.
US08164265B2 Lighting method of microwave excitation discharge lamp
To prevent the continuation of the abnormal state occurring immediately after the lighting start of the electrodeless discharge lamp excited by a DC driven magnetron and to recover promptly from the abnormal state at the steady state period. Lighting start of an electrodeless discharge lamp is performed in soft start mode. Increasing the power supply to the magnetron gradually, the lamp is turned into a lighting state for longer time than the time for the luminescence medium to evaporate fully absorbing microwave. At that period, the output of DC power supply is periodically cut off momentarily, resetting the abnormal state. Then, stable DC power is supplied. At the steady state period, the anode current of the magnetron is controlled to be constant. When rise of the operation voltage of the magnetron is detected, the output of DC power supply is cut off momentary to recover to the steady state.
US08164264B2 Lamp
A bandpass filter comprises an air filled aluminum chamber having a lid and a cuboid resonant cavity having a central iris. At opposite end nodes of the cavity, perfect electric conductors (PECs) are provided. Threaded tuning projections opposite the PECs and in the iris are provided, whereby the pass band and the transmission characteristics of the filter in the pass band can be tuned to match the input impedance of the band pass filter and the wave guide to the output impedance of a microwave drive circuit. It is mounted on one end of the filter chamber, with an electrodeless bulb in a central cavity directed axially away from the chamber and the radiator in a further cavity set to one side of the central cavity. When the filter is driven, the wave guide resonates driving the bulb.
US08164263B2 Excimer discharge lamp
An excimer discharge lamp comprises an electric discharge container having an electric discharge space, a pair of electrodes provided on an outer face of the electric discharge container, and an electric discharge gas enclosed in the electric discharge space. Further the electric discharge container comprises a tubular side wall on which the pair of electrodes is formed, one end wall for sealing one end of the side wall, and another end wall that is provided on the other side of the side wall. The side wall and the end walls are made of sapphire, YAG, or single crystal yttria. A chip pipe is provided on the another end wall, and a partition member made of sapphire, YAG, or single crystal yttria is formed between a shortest distance of the chip pipe and the inner face of the side wall.
US08164250B2 Light emitting device with improved conversion layer
A light emitting device includes a substrate layer and a light conversion layer located on said substrate layer. The light conversion layer is a polycrystalline ceramic layer, and is positioned on the substrate layer by sintering.
US08164249B2 Display device
A display device including a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, a fiber layer, a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer is provided. The fiber layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and includes a plurality of fibers and a display medium disposed therein. The first electrode layer is disposed adjacent to the first substrate, and the second electrode layer is disposed adjacent to the second substrate. The display medium is driven by the change of electric field between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer to be moved in the fibers for displaying a frame.
US08164248B2 Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes a rear plate including electron emitting devices; a face plate including light emitting members, anode electrodes, partition members each disposed between adjacent light emitting members, and strip-shaped resistive members disposed on the partition members and connecting adjacent anode electrodes to one another; and a spacer disposed between the rear plate and the face plate, wherein the partition members include protrusions protruding so as to be closer to the rear plate than portions of the partition members on which the strip-shaped resistive members are disposed, and the spacer contacts the protrusions of the partition members.
US08164245B2 Plasma display panel and field emission display having anti-reflection layer comprising pyramidal projections and a protective layer
It is an object to provide a plasma display and a field emission display that each have high visibility and an anti-reflection function that can further reduce reflection of incident light from external. Reflection of light can be prevented by having an anti-reflection layer that geometrically includes a plurality of adjacent pyramidal projections. In addition, a plurality of hexagonal pyramidal projections, each of which is provided with a protective layer formed of a material having a lower refractive index than a refractive index of the pyramidal projection so as to fill a space among the plurality of pyramidal projections, can be provided to be packed together without any spaces. Further, six sides of a pyramidal projection face different directions with respect to a base. Therefore, light can be diffused in many directions efficiently.
US08164243B2 Spark plug for internal combustion engine
A spark plug having a center electrode; an insulator having an axial hole extending in the direction of an axis; a metallic shell; a ground electrode extending from a front end portion of the metallic shell; a center-electrode-side noble metal chip joined to a distal end surface of the center electrode; and a ground-electrode-side noble metal chip joined to a distal end surface of the ground electrode, the ground-electrode-side noble metal chip having a distal end surface facing toward a side surface portion of the center-electrode-side noble metal chip, and the ground electrode being bent at an angle that falls within a range of 120° to 140° inclusive.
US08164242B2 Spark plug
A spark plug (100) includes: a center electrode (2); and a ground electrode (30) which is to be exposed in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and which forms a spark discharge gap with the center electrode (2), wherein at least one of the center electrode (20) and the ground electrode (30) contains an electrode material whose principal component is Ni and in which an intermetallic compound is precipitated at least intergranularly and intragranularly.
US08164238B2 Light emitting diode (LED) lamp
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a standardized connector; an LED module; a heat dissipating module; an angle adjusting ring; and an isolating ring. The LED module is electrically connected to the standardized connector and includes a circuit board and at least one LED unit electrically connected to the circuit board. The heat dissipating module is for preventing the LED module from overheating and includes at least one heat pipe on which the LED unit is disposed, a rear heat dissipating shield, a piston module, a transmission module, a heat dissipating fan, and a convection fan. The angle adjusting ring is disposed between the LED module and the standardized connector for rotating the LED module so as to change a light emitting direction of the LED module. The isolating ring is used to avoid the electrical connection of the angle adjusting ring and the standardized connector.
US08164233B2 Drive apparatus
A drive apparatus includes a first, a second, and a third frame, and a first and a second drive mechanism. The second frame is supported movably in a first direction with respect to the first frame. The third frame is supported movably in a second direction that intersects the first direction with respect to the second frame. The first drive mechanism is provided between the first and the second frames, and configured to move the first and the second frames relative to each other. The second drive mechanism is provided between the second and the third frames, and configured to move the second and the third frames relative to each other. Each of the first and second drive mechanism has a drive generator configured to generate drive with a piezoelectric element, and a drive receiver pressed relative to the drive generator and receive the drive generated by the drive generator.
US08164229B2 Armature for rotating electrical machine and manufacturing method thereof
An armature for a rotating electrical machine, the armature includes a cylindrical core having a plurality of longitudinally extending slots that are dispersedly arranged in a circumferential direction; and coils wound around the slots, wherein each of the slots is formed such that an inner circumferential opening thereof that is open radially inwardly is smaller in a circumferential width than a slot interior positioned on a radially outer side of the inner circumferential opening, and linear conductors forming the coils are each formed to be larger in the circumferential width than the inner circumferential opening.
US08164226B2 Radiator for power generator coil
A radiator for power generator coil, which is composed of a housing, a front cover, a rotating axle, a plurality of fan blades and a coil disk; wherein the coil disk is provided interiorly with a coil set, and provided at the periphery with flanges; the peripheral wall inside of the front cover is provided with grooves, thereby said flanges of the coil disk can be fastened into the front cover and disposed between the housing and the front cover; the rotating axle goes through a front rotating disk provided with a plurality of magnets, the coil disk interiorly provided with coil set, and then a rear rotating disk provided with a plurality of magnets; the rotating axle has a step, the periphery of which is provided with at least one groove, whereas the periphery of the coil disk has many openings; thus by way of the grooves and openings, the heat occurred during operation of the power generator can be guided and dispersed into air current.
US08164225B2 Multiple pass axial cooled generator
A generator includes a housing and a stator arranged within the housing. The stator includes a first end that extends to a second end, and a plurality of axial flow passages extending between the first and second ends. The generator also includes at least one air flow re-direction member provided on at least one of the first and second ends of the stator. The at least one air flow re-direction member fluidly connects adjacent ones of the plurality of axial flow passages. The at least one air flow re-direction member guides an air flow passing though one of the plurality of axial flow passages in a first direction into an adjacent one of the plurality of axial flow passages in a second direction, the second direction being distinct from the first direction.
US08164224B2 Vibration motor
A vibration motor comprises a permanent magnet supported by a spring and an electromagnet. The electromagnet generates an alternating second magnetic field which exerts a torque on the permanent magnet and causes said permanent magnet to rotate and vibrate. The supporting spring transfers the vibration energy from the permanent magnet to the housing and ultimately to the user.
US08164220B2 Apparatus, system and method for a UPS
According to one aspect of the invention, a UPS includes an input configured to be coupled to an AC power source, a DC power source, an output configured to receive power from at least one of the AC power source and the DC power source, a first switched receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a first electrical load and a second receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a second electrical load. According to some embodiments, the UPS also includes a control unit configurable to provide a first configuration associated with the first switched receptacle outlet, where the first configuration is employed by the control unit to control a connection of the first switched receptacle outlet to the output independent of the second receptacle outlet.
US08164214B2 Vehicle control apparatus having function for preventing erroneous operation due to delay in activation of other vehicle control apparatus
In a control system in which a first vehicle control apparatus becomes activated prior to activation of a second vehicle control apparatus, and is coupled for communication with the second vehicle control apparatus and has a storage medium for storing data received from the second vehicle control apparatus, the first vehicle control apparatus inhibits processing using data stored in the storage medium, during a delay interval that precedes activation of the second vehicle control apparatus.
US08164213B2 Orbital track wind turbine
An orbital track wind turbine for generation of electrical energy from wind power is provided. The wind turbine includes a plurality of spaced vertical supports to which at least two parallel spaced circular tracks are fixedly secured. These circular tracks are coaxial with one another and are positioned in parallel horizontal planes. A plurality of trucks extend between the circular tracks, the trucks having at least two grooved rollers which partially surround the circular tracks and operate in rolling engagement therewith. A circular power takeoff ring is coaxial with said circular tracks, and the power takeoff ring is attached to the truck which is rotatable in a horizontal plane about its central axis. A plurality of vertical airfoils extends around the circular power takeoff ring, with each of the airfoils being attached to a truck and the power takeoff ring. One or more generators are connected to the power takeoff ring, thereby converting wind generated rotation of the power takeoff ring to electrical energy.
US08164211B2 Wind turbine generator
A wind-driven generator whose yaw system (10A) installed at the upper part of a support (2) is reduced in the number of its components and weight. The wind-driven generator has the yaw system (10A) equipped with a yaw driving device (30), a yaw slewing ring, and a yaw brake and slewing a nacelle installed at the upper part of the support (2) according to the direction of the wind. A yaw slewing ring fixed to a nacelle table plate (12) through a bracket (23A) having a nearly L-shaped cross section functions as the slide bearing (20A). Thus, the slide bearing (20A) slidably supports a flange part (2a) formed at the upper end of the support (2) with slide pads (22) held by the bracket (23A).
US08164209B2 Method and apparatus for creating internal directional underwater falls and generating electrical energy therefrom
Creation of internal underwater falls and generation of electrical energy therefrom includes providing a hollow tank having a substantially vertical axis; locating a rotatable turbine in an interior of said tank and orienting said rotatable turbine so that its axis of rotation is an axis selected from consisting of a vertical axis of rotation and a horizontal axis of rotation; providing a directional flow of water into said tank forming a directional underwater fall in said tank, and directing the underwater fall onto blades of the turbine to rotate the turbine; connecting an electrical generator with a shaft of the turbine so that the rotation of the shaft of the turbine is transmitted to the electrical generator which thereby generates electricity; and evacuating water from an interior of the tank after water passes through the turbine, so as to leave under the turbine a space sufficient for a continuous flow of water into said tank, formation of the underwater fall into said tank, and flow of water out of said tank.
US08164208B2 Systems involving multi-spool generators and variable speed electrical generators
A system comprises a turbine engine having a first spool connected to a compressor portion, a power turbine spool, a first generator connected to the power turbine spool, and a second generator connected to the first spool.
US08164206B2 Methods and systems for engine start control
Methods and systems are provided for starting an engine in a vehicle. In one example, two or more energy storage devices are coupled in series to improve engine starting. The method and system may reduce engine starting time.
US08164204B2 Electrical generator apparatus, particularly for use on a vehicle roadway
An electrical generator apparatus, which is configured to convert an external actuation force applied by a vehicle traveling on a roadway into electrical energy, includes a rotatable top portion adapted to receive the external actuation force applied by the vehicle traveling on the roadway; a plurality of linkage members operatively connected to one another in succession, the rotatable top portion being operatively coupled to a first one of the plurality of linkage members operatively connected to one another in succession; a first wheel operatively coupled to a last one of the plurality of linkage members operatively connected to one another in succession; a second wheel operatively coupled to the first wheel via a tangential coupling element; a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the second wheel; at least one flywheel operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft; and at least one electrical generator operatively coupled to the rotatable shaft, the electrical generator adapted to convert a rotational movement of the rotatable shaft into electrical energy. The second wheel of the electrical generator apparatus is configured to rotate at a higher angular velocity than the first wheel.
US08164203B2 Leadframe, semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing the same
A leadframe has a die pad, first marks, and second marks, and the die pad allows thereon mounting of a first semiconductor chip. The first marks indicate a mounting region for the first semiconductor chip, the second marks indicate a mounting region for the second semiconductor chip, and the first marks and the second marks are different from each other in at least either one of size and geometry.
US08164196B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a low dielectric constant layer formed on the substrate, a first protection insulating layer formed on the low dielectric constant layer, and a trench with an interconnect embedded in formed in the first protection insulating layer and the low dielectric constant layer. The sidewall of the trench has a structure that the surface of the first protection insulating layer protrudes from the surface of the low dielectric constant layer, a second protection insulating layer formed by a chemical vapor deposition technique is embedded at the surface of the low dielectric constant layer in an area below the first protection insulating layer, and the sidewall of the trench is constituted by the second protection insulating layer and the first protection insulating layer.
US08164194B2 Data line structure in lead region
An embodiment of the invention provides a data line structure in a lead region of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). The data line structure in the lead region comprises a substrate and a gate layer data line segment, a dielectric layer, a data line lead, and a passivation layer, which are formed sequentially in the lead region on the substrate. The gate layer data line segment extends corresponding to the data line lead; the data line lead is formed with a via hole therein; a portion of the gate insulating layer and a portion of the passivation layer in a position corresponding to the via hole are removed so as to form a connection hole together with the via hole; a connection line segment is formed in the connection hole, and the gate layer data line segment and the data line lead are connected by the connection line segment in the connection hole.
US08164192B2 Thermo-compression bonded electrical interconnect structure
An electrical structure and method for forming. The electrical structure includes a first substrate comprising a first electrically conductive pad, a second substrate comprising a second electrically conductive pad, and an interconnect structure electrically and mechanically connecting the first electrically conductive pad to the second electrically conductive pad. The interconnect structure comprises a non-solder metallic core structure and a first solder structure. The first solder structure electrically and mechanically connects a first portion of the non-solder metallic core structure to the first electrically conductive pad. A second portion of the non-solder metallic core structure is thermo-compression bonded to the second electrically conductive pad.
US08164191B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor element and a functional member fixed thereto with an adhesive film is provided, where the performance or reliability degradation due to moisture entered by way of the adhesive film itself or the interfaces between the adhesive film and members adjacent thereto can be suppressed with a simple structure. The semiconductor element has an active region for realizing a predetermined function, formed on a surface of the element. The functional member has a predetermined function and is fixed on a surface side of the semiconductor element with the adhesive film. A metal film covers a region including at least all outer side faces of the semiconductor element, all outer side faces of the adhesive film, an interface between the adhesive film and the semiconductor element, and an interface between the adhesive film and the functional member.
US08164190B2 Structure of power grid for semiconductor devices and method of making the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor structure, which may include a stud of a first conductive material formed inside a dielectric layer; a via of a second conductive material having a bottom and sidewalls with the bottom and the sidewalls being covered by a conductive liner, and the bottom being formed directly on top of the stud and being in contact with the via through the conductive liner; and one or more conductive paths of a third conductive material connecting to the via through the conductive liner at the sidewalls of said the. A method of making the semiconductor structure is also provided.
US08164188B2 Methods of forming solder connections and structure thereof
A method comprises depositing a first metal containing layer into a trench structure, which contacts a metalized area of a semiconductor structure. The method further includes patterning at least one opening in a resist to the first metal containing layer. The opening should be in alignment with the trench structure. At least a pad metal containing layer is formed within the at least one opening (preferably by electroplating processes). The resist and the first metal layer underlying the resist are then etched (with the second metal layer acting as a mask, in embodiments). The method includes flowing solder material within the trench and on pad metal containing layer after the etching process. The structure is a controlled collapse chip connection (C4) structure comprising at least one electroplated metal layer formed in a resist pattern to form at least one ball limiting metallurgical layer. The structure further includes an underlying metal layer devoid of undercuts.
US08164182B2 Hyper thermally enhanced semiconductor package system comprising heat slugs on opposite surfaces of a semiconductor chip
A semiconductor package system is provided including mounting a semiconductor chip to a substrate having a substrate opening. A first heat slug is attached to a first surface of the semiconductor chip at least partially encapsulating the semiconductor chip. A second heat slug is attached to the second surface of the semiconductor chip through the substrate opening.
US08164181B2 Semiconductor device packaging structure
A semiconductor device packaging structure is disclosed that can improve reliability of a performance test for the semiconductor device and prevent damage to the semiconductor device during transportation or packaging for shipment. An IC cover is attached to the semiconductor device, which has height unevenness because it includes semiconductor chips and electric parts having different heights. The IC cover includes projecting portions and a base portion. After being attached to the semiconductor device, the projecting portions stand in a free area in the semiconductor device, and the base portion is supported by the projections to be separated from the semiconductor chips and electric parts in the semiconductor device. The IC cover is detachably attached to the semiconductor device.
US08164180B2 Functional element package and fabrication method therefor
A functional element package includes a silicon substrate with a functional element having one of a mobile portion and a sensor thereon; a seal member being bonded with the silicon substrate to form an airtightly sealed space therein, and including a step portion in its height direction; a first wiring portion being connected with the functional element and extending from the airtightly sealed space to an outside thereof; a second wiring portion being different from the first wiring portion and extending from the step portion to an upper surface of the seal member; and a bump on the second wiring portion, in which the first wiring portion is bent towards the airtightly sealed space and connected via a photoconductive member with the second wiring portion on the step portion.
US08164179B2 Chip scale package structure with can attachment
A chip scale package (CSP) device includes a CSP having a semiconductor die electrically coupled to a plurality of solder balls. A can having an inside top surface and one or more side walls defines a chamber. The CSP is housed in the chamber and is attached to the inside top surface of the can. A printed circuit board is attached to the solder balls and to the one or more side walls to provide support to the CSP and to the can. The CSP may be a Wafer-Level CSP. The can may be built from a metallic substance or from a non-metallic substance. The can provides stress relief to the CSP during a drop test and during a thermal cycle test.
US08164178B2 Chip-type semiconductor ceramic electronic component
A chip-type semiconductor ceramic electronic component including a ceramic body made of a semiconductor ceramic, first external electrodes formed on opposite end surfaces of the ceramic body, and second external electrodes extending to cover surfaces of the first external electrodes and part of side surfaces of the ceramic body. A curvature radius of a corner portion of the ceramic body is R (μm), a maximum thickness of a layer of the first external electrode layer, which is in contact with the ceramic body, measured from the end surface of the ceramic body is y (μm), and a minimum thickness of a layer of the second external electrode, which is in contact with the side surface of the ceramic body, measured from an apex of the corner portion of the ceramic body is x (μm), and 20≦R≦50, −0.4 x+0.6≦y≦0.4 is satisfied when 0.5≦x≦1.1, and −0.0076 x+0.16836≦y≦0.4 is satisfied when 1.1≦x≦9.0.
US08164176B2 Semiconductor module arrangement
A semiconductor arrangement has a silicon body with a first surface and a second surface and a thick metal layer arranged on at least one surface of the silicon body. The thickness of the thick metal-layer is at least 10 micrometers (μm).
US08164173B2 Panel, semiconductor device and method for the production thereof
A panel has a baseplate with an upper first metallic layer and a multiplicity of a vertical semiconductor components. The vertical semiconductor components in each case have a first side with a first load electrode and a control electrode and an opposite second side with a second load electrode. The second side of the semiconductor components is in each case mounted on the metallic layer of the baseplate. The semiconductor components are arranged in such a way that edge sides of adjacent semiconductor components are separated from one another. A second metallic layer is arranged in separating regions between the semiconductor components.
US08164170B2 Devices with faraday cages and internal flexibility sipes
A computer or microchip comprising an outer chamber and at least one inner chamber inside the outer chamber. The outer chamber and the inner chamber being separated at least in part by an internal sipe, and at least a portion of a surface of the outer chamber forming at least a portion of a surface of the internal sipe. The internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and therefore can move relative to each other, and at least a portion of the opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in a unloaded condition. The outer chamber including a Faraday Cage. A computer, comprising a semiconductor wafer having a multitude of microchips. The multitude of microchips forming a plurality of independently functioning computers, each computer having independent communication capabilities.
US08164169B2 Cooling devices in semiconductor packages
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to fabricate a cover assembly. A cover has a base plate and sidewalls attached to perimeter of the base plate. The sidewalls have a height. A plurality of devices is attached to underside of the base plate. The devices have length corresponding to the height such that the devices are sealed within the cover when the cover is attached to a surface.
US08164166B2 Interfacial roughness reducing film, wiring layer, semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
An interfacial roughness reducing film which is in contact, on one side thereof, with an insulating film and in contact, on a side opposite from the one side, with wiring comprises a Si—O bond, and is formed using a composition containing a silicon compound that comprises at least one bond of Si—N bonds and Si—Cl bonds wherein the number of Si—N bonds and Si—Cl bonds combined per molecule of the compound is at least two. An interfacial roughness between the interfacial roughness reducing film and the wiring is smaller than that between the interfacial roughness reducing film and the insulating film.
US08164163B2 Semiconductor device having sealing ring
A semiconductor device includes: an interlayer insulating film formed on a substrate; a wiring formed in the interlayer insulating film in a chip region of the substrate; a seal ring formed in the interlayer insulating film in a periphery of the chip region and continuously surrounding the chip region; and a first protective film formed on the interlayer insulating film having the wiring and the seal ring formed therein. A first opening is formed in the first protective film in a region located outside the seal ring when viewed from the chip region, and the interlayer insulating film is exposed in the first opening.
US08164161B2 Structure of trench capacitor and method for manufacturing the same
A structure of trench capacitor and method for manufacturing the trench capacitor is provided. The collar oxide layer of the trench capacitor is formed by a thermal oxidation process. Moreover, a protective layer such as silicon nitride covers the collar oxide layer. A failure analysis of the collar oxide layer can be operated by detecting the protective layer. If the protective layer is detected, the collar oxide layer is therefore at a suitable thickness. Furthermore, a mask layer rather than the collar oxide layer is used as a mask during the trench formation.
US08164158B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming integrated passive device
An IPD semiconductor device has a capacitor formed over and electrically connected to a semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited over the capacitor and around the semiconductor die. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first surface of the encapsulant by forming a first conductive layer, forming a first insulating layer over the first conductive layer, and forming a second conductive layer over the first insulating layer. The second conductive layer has a portion formed over the encapsulant at least 50 micrometer away from a footprint of the semiconductor die and wound to operate as an inductor. The portion of the second conductive layer is electrically connected to the capacitor by the first conductive layer. A second interconnect structure is formed over a second surface of the encapsulant. A conductive pillar is formed within the encapsulant between the first and second interconnect structures.
US08164142B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, an impurity diffusion region formed in an area of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate electrode to a first depth to the semiconductor substrate, the impurity diffusion region containing impurity, an inert substance containing region formed in the area of the semiconductor substrate to a second depth deeper than the first depth, the inert substance containing region containing an inert substance, and a diffusion suppressing region formed in the area of the semiconductor substrate to a third depth deeper than the second depth, the diffusion suppressing region containing a diffusion suppressing substance suppressing diffusion of the impurity.
US08164141B2 Opening structure with sidewall of an opening covered with a dielectric thin film
An opening structure includes a semiconductor substrate, at least one dielectric layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the dielectric layer has a plurality of openings exposing the semiconductor substrate, and each of the openings has a sidewall, a dielectric thin film covering at least a portion of the sidewall of each of the openings, and a metal layer filled in the openings.
US08164138B2 Recessed channel transistor
A recessed channel transistor includes an isolation layer provided in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. A trench is provided in the semiconductor substrate to extend across the active region. A gate insulation layer covers a sidewall and a bottom face of the trench and an upper face of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to an upper edge of the trench, wherein a portion of the gate insulation layer on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the upper edge of the trench and on the sidewall of the trench extending to a first distance downwardly from the upper edge of the trench has a thickness greater than that of a portion of the gate insulation layer on the remaining sidewall and the bottom face of the trench. A gate electrode fills up the trench having the gate insulation layer formed therein.
US08164132B2 Methods of forming integrated circuit devices
The invention includes methods of forming semiconductor constructions and methods of forming pluralities of capacitor devices. An exemplary method of the invention includes forming conductive material within openings in an insulative material to form capacitor electrode structures. A lattice is formed in physical contact with at least some of the electrode structures, a protective cap is formed over the lattice, and subsequently some of the insulative material is removed to expose outer surfaces of the electrode structures. The lattice can alleviate toppling or other loss of structural integrity of the electrode structures, and the protective cap can protect covered portions of the insulative material from the etch. After the outer sidewalls of the electrode structures are exposed, the protective cap is removed. The electrode structures are then incorporated into capacitor constructions.
US08164131B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a first semiconductor region having first conductivity; a channel formation region in which a channel inversion layer having second conductivity is formed; a second semiconductor region having the second conductivity; a third semiconductor region having the second conductivity; a laminated insulating film formed on the channel formation region; and a control electrode formed on the laminated insulating film. The laminated insulating film includes a first insulating film, a charge storage film, and a second insulating film in order from the channel formation region side. The control electrode extends to above one of the second semiconductor region and the third semiconductor region. The charge storage film present between an extended portion of the control electrode and the second semiconductor region or the third semiconductor region is removed and a portion where the charge storage film is removed is filled with a third insulating film.
US08164129B2 Semiconductor device enabling further microfabrication
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of MOS transistors and wiring connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode of the plurality of MOS transistors and, the wiring being provided in the same layer as the source electrode and the drain electrode in a substrate, or in a position deeper than a surface of the substrate.
US08164126B2 CMOS image sensors including backside illumination structure
An image sensor having a backside illumination structure can include a photo diode unit in a first wafer, where the photo diode unit includes photo diodes and transfer gate transistors coupled to respective ones of the photo diodes. A wiring line unit can be included on a second wafer that is bonded to the photo diode unit, where the wiring line unit includes wiring lines and transistors configured to process signals provided by the photo diode unit and configured to control the photo diode unit. A supporting substrate is bonded to the wiring line unit and a filter unit is located under the first wafer.
US08164125B2 Integrated transistor and anti-fuse as programming element for a high-voltage integrated circuit
A semiconductor device includes an N type well region in a P type substrate. A source region of a MOSFET is laterally separated from a boundary of the well region, which includes the drain of the MOSFET. An insulated gate of the MOSFET extends laterally from the source region to at least just past the boundary of the well region. A polysilicon layer, which forms a first plate of a capacitive anti-fuse, is insulated from an area of the well region, which forms the second plate of the anti-fuse. The anti-fuse is programmed by application of a voltage across the first and second capacitive plates sufficient to destroy at least a portion of the second dielectric layer, thereby electrically shorting the polysilicon layer to the drain of the HVFET.
US08164123B2 Biosensor and method of driving the same
Provided are a biosensor and a method of driving the same. The biosensor includes a transistor including a substrate including a source, a drain, and a channel formed between the source and the drain, a gate insulating layer formed on the channel, and a source electrode and a drain electrode respectively connected with the source and the drain, a fluid line for covering the transistor to have an inner space together with the transistor and in which a sample solution including target molecules flows, a reference electrode formed on an inner wall of the fluid line, and a probe molecule layer attached on the reference electrode and reacting with the target molecules. Accordingly, the reference electrode is formed on the inner wall of the fluid line, enabling miniaturization of the bio device. Also, the probe molecules are formed on the reference electrode to measure a change in threshold voltage according to a change in electric potential between the reference electrode and the gate insulating layer, such that the sensitivity and reaction rate can be remarkably improved.
US08164122B2 Thin film field effect transistor with dual semiconductor layers
A thin film field effect transistor is disclosed which provides improved time-based channel stability. The field effect transistor includes first and second disordered semiconductor layers separated by an insulator. In an embodiment a carrier injection terminal is provided in a thin semiconductor layer closest to the gate terminal. An electric field is established in the thin semiconductor layer. At sufficient field strength, the electric field extends into the second semiconductor layer, which is in contact with the source and drain terminals. At sufficient field strength a channel is established in the second semiconductor layer, permitting current to flow between source and drain terminals. Above a certain gate voltage, there is sufficient free charge is induced in the first semiconductor layer so that the field does not extend into the second semiconductor, effectively shutting off current between source and drain. Single-device transition detection (as well as other applications) may be obtained.
US08164120B2 Semiconductor device with capacitor and fuse and its manufacture
An upper electrode of a capacitor has a two-layer structure of first and second upper electrodes. A gate electrode of a MOS field effect transistor and a fuse are formed by patterning conductive layers used to form the lower electrode, first upper electrode and second upper electrode of the capacitor. In forming a capacitor and a fuse on a semiconductor substrate by a conventional method, at least three etching masks are selectively used to pattern respective layers to form the capacitor and fuse before wiring connection. The number of etching masks can be reduced in manufacturing a semiconductor device having capacitors, fuses and MOS field effect transistors so that the number of processes can be reduced and it becomes easy to improve the productivity and reduce the manufacture cost.
US08164119B2 Semiconductor device including conductive lines with fine line width and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate including a first core region and a second core region between which a cell array region is interposed, a first conductive line and a second conductive line extending to the first core region across the cell array region, and a third conductive line and a fourth conductive line extending to the second core region across the cell array region, wherein a line width of the first through fourth conductive lines is smaller than a resolution limit in a lithography process.
US08164114B2 Semiconductor devices with gate-source ESD diode and gate-drain clamp diode
A semiconductor power device integrated with a Gate-Source ESD diode for providing an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and a Gate-Drain clamp diode for drain-source avalanche protection. The semiconductor power device further includes a Nitride layer underneath the diodes and a thick oxide layer as an etching stopper layer for protecting a thin oxide layer on top surface of body region from over-etching.
US08164112B2 Electostatic discharge protection circuit coupled on I/O pad
An I/O pad ESD protection circuit is composed of a SCR circuit, a first diode, a second diode, and an anti-latch-up circuit. The SCR circuit has a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal, respectively coupled to the I/O pad and the ground voltage, so as to discharge the electrostatic charges. The anti-latch-up circuit has two terminals, which are respectively coupled to the voltage source and the ground voltage, and another connection terminal, used to send an anti-latch-up signal to the SCR for changing the activating rate. The latch-up phenomenon is avoided.
US08164109B2 Nitride semiconductor element and method for producing the same
A nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting device 100 includes: a GaN substrate 10 with an m-plane surface 12; a semiconductor multilayer structure 20 provided on the m-plane surface 12 of the GaN substrate 10; and an electrode 30 provided on the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. The electrode 30 includes a Zn layer 32 and a metal layer 34 provided on the Zn layer 32. The Zn layer 32 is in contact with a surface of a p-type semiconductor region of the semiconductor multilayer structure 20.
US08164108B2 Light emitting diode chip and manufacturing method thereof
A light emitting diode chip includes a thermal conductive substrate, an epi-layer, a thin-type ohmic contacting film, a transparent conducting layer, and an electrode pad. The epi-layer includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer. The n-type semiconductor layer includes a stepped surface at a side thereof facing away from the substrate, and the stepped surface includes a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The n-type semiconductor layer has a thickness decreasing along directions from a center thereof to opposite lateral peripheries thereof. The ohmic contacting film is arranged on the stepped surface. The conducting layer is arranged on the ohmic contacting film. The electrode pad is arranged on the conducting layer and located corresponding to the central portion of the stepped surface.
US08164106B2 AIGaInP light emitting diode
A light emitting diode which includes a laminate including an n-type cladding layer, an emission layer which has a quantum well structure having a well layer and a barrier layer, an intermediate layer and a p-type cladding layer in this order, wherein the composition of each of the layers is represented by the composition formula: (AlXGa1-X)YIn1-YP (0≦X≦1, 0
US08164101B2 Light-emitting device, display and light-emitting method
A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting portion and an oxygen concentration control portion. The light-emitting portion includes a surface. The light-emitting portion emits light with an intensity corresponding to an oxygen concentration on the surface when receiving light energy. The oxygen concentration control portion controls the oxygen concentration on the surface of the light-emitting portion.
US08164100B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor device is provided in which the contact resistance of the interface between an electrode and the semiconductor substrate is reduced. The semiconductor device includes a 4H polytype SiC substrate, and an electrode formed on a surface of the substrate. A 3C polytype layer, which extends obliquely relative to the surface of the substrate and whose end portion at the substrate surface is in contact with the electrode, is formed at the surface of the substrate. The 3C polytype layer has a lower bandgap than 4H polytype. Hence, electrons present in the 4H polytype region pass through the 3C polytype layer and reach the electrode. More precisely, the width of the passageway of the electrons is determined by the thickness of the 3C polytype layer. Consequently, with this semiconductor device, in which the passageway of the electrons is narrow, the electrons are able to reach the electrode at a speed close to the theoretical value, by the quantum wire effect. In this way, the contact resistance can be reduced in the semiconductor device.
US08164098B2 Semiconductor element, organic transistor, light-emitting device, and electronic device
It is an object of the present invention to provide an organic transistor having a low drive voltage. It is also another object of the present invention to provide an organic transistor, in which light emission can be obtained, which can be manufactured simply and easily. According to an organic light-emitting transistor, a composite layer containing an organic compound having a hole-transporting property and a metal oxide is used as part of the electrode that injects holes among source and drain electrodes, and a composite layer containing an organic compound having an electron-transporting property and an alkaline metal or an alkaline earth metal is used as part of the electrode that injects electrons, where either composite layer has a structure of being in contact with an organic semiconductor layer.
US08164096B2 Organic light emitting diode flat panel display device having uniform electrical characteristics and method of manufacturing the same
A flat panel display device, more particularly, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display device having uniform electrical characteristics and a method of fabricating the same include: a thin film transistor of which a semiconductor layer including a source, a drain, and a channel region formed in a super grain silicon (SGS) crystallization growth region; a capacitor formed in an SGS crystallization seed region; and an OLED electrically connected to the thin film transistor. Further, a length of the channel region of the silicon layer is parallel with the growth direction in the SGS growth region to improve the electrical properties thereof.
US08164095B2 Semiconductor device wherein a property of a first semiconductor layer is different from a property of a second semiconductor layer
It is an object to provide a semiconductor device which has a large size and operates at high speed. A top gate transistor which includes a semiconductor layer of single-crystal and a bottom gate transistor which includes a semiconductor layer of amorphous silicon (microcrystalline silicon) are formed over the same substrate. Then, gate electrodes of each transistor are formed with the same layer, and source and drain electrodes are also formed with the same layer. Thus, manufacturing steps are reduced. In other words, two types of transistors can be manufactured by adding only a few steps to the manufacturing process of a bottom gate transistor.
US08164088B2 Light emitting element with layers having complementary colors for absorbing light
A light emitting element with a high contrast is realized. A light emitting device with a high contrast is achieved by using the light emitting element with an excellent contrast. The light emitting element has a layer containing a light emitting substance interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode, and the layer containing the light emitting substance includes a light emitting layer, a layer containing a first organic compound, and a layer containing a second organic compound. The first electrode has a light-transmitting property, and the layer containing the first organic compound and the layer containing the second organic compound are interposed between the second electrode and the light emitting layer. Furthermore, color of the first organic compound and color of the second organic compound are complementary.
US08164085B2 Semiconductor device and production method thereof
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed that is able to suppress a short channel effect and improve carrier mobility. In the method, trenches are formed in a silicon substrate corresponding to a source region and a drain region. When epitaxially growing p-type semiconductor mixed crystal layers to fill up the trenches, the surfaces of the trenches are demarcated by facets, and extended portions of the semiconductor mixed crystal layers are formed between bottom surfaces of second side wall insulating films and a surface of the silicon substrate, and extended portion are in contact with a source extension region and a drain extension region.
US08164084B2 Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device with a tunneling structure and a current spreading layer is disclosed. It includes an electrically conductive permanent substrate, an adhesive layer, an epitaxial structure, a tunneling structure and a current spreading layer. The adhesive layer is on the electrically conductive permanent substrate. The epitaxial structure on the adhesive layer at least comprises an upper cladding layer, an active layer, and a lower cladding layer. The tunneling structure on the epitaxial structure comprises a first conductivity type semiconductor layer with a first doping concentration and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer with a second doping concentration. The current spreading layer is on the tunneling structure.
US08164079B2 Phase change memory
A method of fabricating a phase change memory includes forming a lower electrode on a semiconductor substrate, forming a phase change pattern, an upper electrode, and a hard mask pattern sequentially on the lower electrode, a width of a bottom surface of the hard mask pattern being greater than a width of a top surface of the hard mask pattern, the bottom surface of the hard mask pattern facing the upper electrode and being opposite the top surface of the hard mask pattern, and forming a capping layer to cover the top surface of the hard mask pattern and sidewalls of the hard mask pattern, phase change pattern, and upper electrode.
US08164077B2 Optical element for radiation in the EUV and/or soft X-ray region and an optical system with at least one optical element
An optical element, especially a normal-incidence collector mirror, for radiation in the EUV and/or soft X-ray region of wavelengths is described. The element has a substrate, a multilayer coating with an optically active region, and a capacitor, having a first and a second capacitor electrode. At least one layer of the multilayer coating serves as the first capacitor electrode. At least one dielectric layer is provided between the two capacitor electrodes. Also described is an optical system with at least one optical element, having a first electrode arranged in the vicinity of the optical element.
US08164074B2 Ionizing-radiation-responsive compositions, methods, and systems
A method, composition and system respond to ionizing radiation to adjust biological activity. In some approaches the ionizing radiation is X-ray or extreme ultraviolet radiation that produces luminescent responses that induce biologically active responses.
US08164073B2 Method for the inactivation of pathogens in donor blood, blood plasma or erythrocyte concentrates in flexible containers under agitation
The invention relates to a method for the inactivation of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses in donor blood, blood plasma and erythrocyte concentrates by photodynamic treatment and/or irradiation with ultraviolet light in flexible irradiation bags under intense movement.
US08164070B2 Collimator magnet for ion implantation system
A collimator magnet (CM) usable in an ion implantation system provides an exit ion beam with a large aperture, substantially parallel in one plane or orthogonal planes. The CM includes identical poles, defined by an incident edge receiving an ion beam, and an exit edge outputting the ion beam for implantation. Ion beam deflection takes place due to magnetic forces inside the CM and magnetic field fringe effects outside the CM. The CM incident and/or exit edge is shaped by solving a differential equation to compensate for magnetic field fringe effects and optionally, space charge effects and ion beam initial non-parallelism. The CM shape is obtained by imposing that the incidence or exit angle is substantially constant, or, incidence and exit angles have opposite sign but equal absolute values for each ray in the beam; or the sum of incidence and exit angles is a constant or a non-constant function.
US08164068B2 Mask health monitor using a faraday probe
In an ion implanter, an ion current measurement device is disposed behind a mask co-planarly with respect to a surface of a target substrate as if said target substrate was positioned on a platen. The ion current measurement device is translated across the ion beam. The current of the ion beam directed through a plurality of apertures of the mask is measured using the ion current measurement device. In this manner, the position of the mask with respect to the ion beam as well as the condition of the mask may be determined based on the ion current profile measured by the ion current measurement device.
US08164064B2 Localization of a radioactive source within a body of a subject
A computerized system for locating a device including a sensor module and a processor. A radioactive source, associated with the device, produces a signal in the form of radioactive disintegrations. The sensor module includes a radiation detector capable of receiving a signal from the source attached to the device. The sensor module produces an output signal. The processor receives output signal(s) and translates output into information relating to a position of source.
US08164063B2 Time of flight measurements in positron emission tomography
A positron emission tomography apparatus (100) includes a plurality of radiation sensitive detector systems (106) and selective trigger systems (120). The selective trigger systems identify detector signals resulting from detected gamma radiation (310) while disregarding spurious detector signals (310). In one implementation, the apparatus (100) includes a time to digital converter which decomposes a measurement time interval (Tmax) according to a binary hierarchical decomposition of level H, where H is an integer greater than equal to one.
US08164061B2 Method and apparatus for a universal infrared analyzer
A universal infrared analyzer that includes a tunable optical filter capable of being tuned to one of a selectable set of wavelengths of radiation by a controller accessing a database of a plurality of function specific settings and function specific signatures. The plurality of function specific settings includes settings for al least one of intruder detection, chemical detection, structural integrity detection, medical applications detection, and gas detection. The analyzer also includes a user input interface, for manually selecting one of the function specific settings and one of the function specific signatures. The controller tunes the tunable optical filter to one of the selectable set of wavelengths of radiation based upon the selected one of the function specific settings and a focal plane array generates a signature based upon a target detected by the focal plane array.
US08164059B2 In-chamber electron detector
A secondary particle detector 302 for a charged particle beam system 300 includes a scintillator 304 and a transducer 312, such as a photomultiplier tube, positioned within a vacuum chamber 107. Unlike prior art Everhart-Thornley detectors, the photomultiplier is positioned within the vacuum chamber, which improves detection by eliminating optical couplings and provides flexibility in positioning the detector.
US08164058B2 Specimen observation method
It is an object of the present invention to provide a specimen observation method, an image processing device, and a charged-particle beam device which are preferable for selecting, based on an image acquired by an optical microscope, an image area that should be acquired in a charged-particle beam device the representative of which is an electron microscope. In the present invention, in order to accomplish the above-described object, there are provided a method and a device for determining the position for detection of charged particles by making the comparison between a stained optical microscope image and an elemental mapping image formed based on X-rays detected by irradiation with the charged-particle beam.
US08164055B2 Sample plate designs for MALDI and DESI for molecular imaging of coated medical devices on the applied biosystems Qstar/Voyager MALDI mass spectrometer
Holding devices for securely holding medical devices, such as stents, are utilized in performing molecular imaging of the medical devices.
US08164054B2 Mass analysis method and mass analysis system
A measurement is performed in a no-passing mode, in which ions having different masses are prevented from making a complete turn through a loop orbit, to obtain a time-of-flight spectrum without the passing of ions having different masses (S1 and S2). From the time of flight and other information of the peaks appearing on the time-of-flight spectrum (S3), the number of turns and the time of flight in the loop-turn mode are predicted. Based on this prediction, a set of segments are defined on a time-of-flight spectrum in the loop-turn mode. The time widths of those segments are determined taking into account the spreads of the time widths of the aforementioned peaks. Since the number of turns is unique within each segment, the numbers of turns and the masses of the peaks can be uniquely determined as long as none of the segments overlap each other. Accordingly, it is determined whether there is any overlapped portion in the segments defined on the time-of-flight spectrum in the loop-turn mode under provisionally predetermined conditions. When a condition under which no overlapping occurs has been found, the segment setting is fixed (S4-S6). As a result, the timing for switching an ejection switch, which is used for ejecting ions from the loop orbit, is also determined. Based on this timing, a measurement in the loop-turn mode is performed (S7).
US08164048B2 Nuclear gauges and methods of configuration and calibration of nuclear gauges
Nuclear gauges and method of configuration and methods of calibrations of the nuclear gauges are provided. The nuclear gauges are used in measuring the density and/or moisture of construction-related materials. The nuclear gauge can include a gauge housing having a vertical cavity therethrough and at least one radiation detector located within the housing. The nuclear gauge can include a vertically moveable source rod and a radiation source operatively positioned within a distal end of the source rod.
US08164046B2 Illumination system for illuminating a mask in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
An illumination system for illuminating a mask in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an array of mirrors or other beam deflecting elements. Each beam deflecting element produces on the surface a projection light spot at a position that is variable by changing a deflection angle produced by the beam deflecting element. A spot shape measuring unit measures the shapes of spots which are produced on the spot measuring unit by the beam deflecting elements. The spot shape measuring unit is arranged outside of every possible path projection light is allowed to take between the array and the mask. A control unit controls the beam deflecting elements such that, at a given instant during an exposure operation of the apparatus, at least one beam deflecting element directs projection light exclusively on the spot shape measuring unit, and at least some beam deflecting elements direct projection light exclusively on the surface.
US08164042B2 Color filter arrays and image sensors using the same
Color filter arrays (CFA) and image sensors using same are provided. A color filter array includes a plurality of first color filter patterns respectively interlaced with a plurality of second color filter patterns, wherein the first and second color filter patterns comprise a plurality of color filters of at least three different colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) filters, and the first and second color filter patterns are not mirror symmetrical, and a blue (B) filter in one of the first color filter patterns is adjoined by a red (R) filter in one of the second color filter patterns adjacent thereto and/or a red (R) filter in one of the first color filter patterns is adjoined by a blue filter in one of the color filter patterns adjacent thereto.
US08164040B2 Saturation optics
An imaging system includes a detector for receiving electromagnetic energy and generating sampled data in accordance with the electromagnetic energy so received. The detector is characterized by a threshold point such that the sampled data is in one of two states: i) below threshold, when the intensity of the electromagnetic energy so received is less than the threshold point; and ii) above threshold, when the intensity of the electromagnetic energy is greater than the threshold point. The imaging system also includes saturation optics for providing a characteristic of the sampled data, wherein the characteristic of the sampled data when below threshold is different from the characteristic of the sampled data when above threshold.
US08164039B2 Method and apparatus for detecting spiculated masses in mammography
A method and apparatus detects one or more spiculated masses in an image using a processor. The image is received in the processor. The received image is filtered using one or more Gaussian filters to detect one or more central mass regions. The received image is also filtered using one or more spiculated lesion filters to detect where the one or more spiculated masses converge. In addition, the received image is filtered using one or more Difference-of-Gaussian filters to suppress one or more linear structures. An enhanced image showing the detected spiculated masses is created by combining an output from all of the filtering steps. The enhanced image is then provided to an output of the processor.
US08164037B2 Co-boresighted dual-mode SAL/IR seeker including a SAL spreader
In a co-boresighted SAL/IR seeker, the optical system and particularly the secondary lens and position of the SAL detector are configured to produce a well-corrected spot of laser energy at the SAL detector. A spreader is positioned between the secondary mirror/lens and the SAL detector, possibly on the secondary mirror, away from the aperture stop and not in the optical path to the IR detector. The spreader is configured to spatially homogenize the laser energy to increase the size of the spot of focused laser energy at the SAL detector to set the system transfer function to meet slope requirements. Spatial homogenization serves to reduce both boresight shift and slope non-linearities. This approach greatly simplifies the time and labor intensive calibration of the SAL detector's system transfer function.
US08164036B2 Cooking apparatus
A cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking cavity, an upper space formed above the cooking cavity, lateral side spaces formed to at opposite lateral sides of the cooking cavity, a rear space formed behind the cooking cavity, and a lower space formed below the cooking cavity. A fan provided in the rear space generates a cooling flow that cools components housed in the rear space. A cooling flow path extends from the rear space and into the upper space and lateral side spaces. Flow from the upper space enters the door to cool the door and is exhausted through a lower portion of the door. Flow from the lateral side spaces, which includes an exhaust flow from the cooking cavity, is guided to the lower space and exhausted. In this manner, the cooking apparatus can be completely cooled and cooking odors and heat appropriately exhausted by the cooling fan positioned in the rear space.
US08164034B2 Electrically heatable honeycomb configuration having support pins
A configuration contains a first honeycomb body, which is formed by at least one convoluted or wound stack and has a plurality of channels allowing a flow, wherein a first end of the stack is connected to an electric connection and a second end is connected to an electric ground. The stack contains a plurality of sheet metal foils in electric contact with each other, the foils being structured at least in some regions. At the same time, the honeycomb body has support pins for connecting to a second honeycomb body, the pins have a distance of at least 25 mm from each other along the course of the stack at least outside an inner region. A method introduces support pins into the honeycomb body and a device receives a honeycomb body and/or for positioning support pins. The device enables the installation of the support pins in the honeycomb body.
US08164032B2 Cooktop control and method for manually adjusting the setting on an operating line
A cooktop has a plurality of reflection-sensitive infrared sensors. A plurality of IR receiving elements is arranged along an operating line having a density such that an operator's finger placed on the operating line necessarily covers at least one of the IR receiving elements. A smaller number of IR transmitter diodes is arranged in correspondingly lower density next to the operating line. In the setting process, two effects are used on the operating line, specifically both the radiation of the optical transmitter reflected by the finger and also the radiation of the ambient light that is thrown into shadow by the finger. The resultant signal distribution on the optical receivers can be used for reliable evaluation of the finger's position in nearly all environmental conditions.
US08164030B2 Heating cooker with touch panel having user guiding illumination function
An appliance including a top plate has its operability improved and prevents an operation error. The appliance includes electrostatic touch keys provided on a lower surface of the top plate, the electrostatic touch keys including electrodes made of conductive films having predetermined light-blocking property, respectively, operation-unit illuminators emitting light toward the electrodes, which are partially cut, from a direction opposite to the top plate, respectively, and an illumination controller controlling illumination of the operation-unit illuminators. The illumination controller changes the illumination state of the shapes of key indicators above the electrodes to allow a user to identify function and validity of the electrostatic touch keys. The illumination controller controls the illumination state of operation-unit illuminators, such as lighting-on, blinking, lighting-off, and adjusting the brightness, to provide information required for operation.
US08164029B2 Magnetic safety feature for cookware and cooking stoves
Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burner, in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top.
US08164025B1 Method and system for marking a material using a laser marking system
A laser marking system for marking a length of material includes a laser device for emitting a marking beam. A motor moves the length of material relative to the laser device. A sensing system detects a predetermined movement of the length of the material and provides a speed signal and a distance signal, and a controller is provided in operative communication with the sensing system and the laser device for receiving the speed signal and the distance signal and responsively directing the marking beam of the laser system onto the length of material in a predetermined pattern.
US08164023B2 Method for making backlight module frame
An exemplary method for making backlight module frame includes: providing a plurality of metallic sheets cooperatively defining a frame shape, and a positioning device comprising a worktable and a plurality of positioning portions defined at corners of the worktable, wherein each metallic sheet comprises a first positioning protrusion corresponding to the positioning portions, positioning the metallic sheets on the worktable of the positioning device with the first positioning protrusions of the metallic sheets engaging with the positioning portions of the positioning device, welding the metallic sheets together to form a semi-manufactured frame, and pressing the semi-manufactured frame to form a backlight module frame.
US08164022B2 Optical sensor for quality monitoring of a welding process
Disclosed is the design and working principle of a welding monitoring system that can monitor the spectra of zinc and iron in the plasma generated during a welding process involving zinc-coated steel. The monitoring system is capable of monitoring multiple parameters, including spectral line intensity, electron temperature, and ratio of zinc and iron composition in the plasma. The results can then be used individually or in combination to predict resulting weld quality and generate appropriate feedback control signals.
US08164016B2 Switching apparatus
The invention relates to a switching apparatus (10) for switching a load on and off, in particular a motor or the like in a vehicle, having a housing (20), an operating element (30), a switching element (40), wherein the switching element (40) can be activated by the operating element (30), and at least one switching signal for a control unit can be produced by means of the switching element (40), and the operating element (30) has a symbol element (50). The invention provides for a first optical waveguide element (60) to carry a first light (71) from at least one first light source (70) such that the symbol element (50) is uniformly illuminated.
US08164014B2 Light guiding sheet and movable contact body using the same
A concavo-convex light emitting section provided on an under surface of a base material is formed of a synthetic resin with inorganic oxide dispersed therein. A larger amount of light is reflected by inorganic oxide having a large refractive index and dispersed inside the synthetic resin, to cause a plurality of light emitting sections to emit bright light with a small number of light emitting elements. A light guiding sheet capable of making bright and uniform illumination and a movable contact body using the same are realized with a simple configuration.
US08164012B2 One-touch stop-lamp switch of vehicle
A one-touch stop-lamp switch of a vehicle can contribute to reducing manufacturing costs of a vehicle and ensuring stable and durable quality by quickly and simply mounting the stop-lamp switch at an appropriate position with respect to a brake pedal and stably maintaining the position.