| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08175431B2 |
Multi-core ferrule and optical fiber connection structure
An optical fiber connection structure includes a single-core plug holding a single-core ferrule, a multi-core plug holding a multi-core ferrule, and an adaptor having a tubular sleeve. The single-core ferrule made of zirconia (ZrO2) has a cylindrical shape and is held in a holder made of stainless steel (SUS). The single-core ferrule has a convex end surface whose curvature radius R1 is at least 50 mm. The multi-core ferrule made of zirconia (ZrO2) has a cylindrical shape and is held in a holder made of stainless steel (SUS). The multi-core ferrule has a convex end surface whose curvature radius R2 is at least 18.3 mm and at most 38.7 mm. When the first and second plugs are attached to the adaptor, the singe-core ferrule and the multi-core ferrule are respectively inserted from the opposite ends into the sleeve, and both of the end surfaces of the ferrules are pressed against each other. |
| US08175425B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing an automated patch panel
An approach is provided for an automated patch panel. A command is received to change a connection state of an optic patch cord. A robotic arm is controlled to change the connection state of the optic patch cord with respect to a particular port of a plurality of ports disposed about a disk-shaped face of a docking panel. |
| US08175423B2 |
Filtered fiber optic probe
A fiber optic probe assembly which incorporate a series of graduated shaped and nestable members, e.g. cylindrical annular members which enable uniform and repetitive construction and assembly of the probes resulting in a high degree of quality control. |
| US08175422B2 |
Optical modulator
In an optical modulator, a first electrode portion having a plurality of first electrodes is provided on the upper surface of a base part having a periodically-poled structure and a second electrode portion is provided on the lower surface thereof, and voltage is applied in one direction between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, to thereby cause a periodic change of the refractive index in a polarization-part array direction in the periodically-poled structure and diffract light which enters the base part. This allows reduction in the voltage applied between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion, and it is thereby possible to form a desired electric field inside the periodically-poled structure while achieving a high-density channel arrangement. By reducing the voltage, the rate of the optical modulation performed by the optical modulator can be increased. |
| US08175419B2 |
Image search apparatus, image search method, and storage medium storing a program for causing a search apparatus to execute a search method
In an image search apparatus, a data manager responds to an instruction for a first search condition issued via a user interface to manage data of a target model acquired from a database and generates an image to be displayed on a user interface. A determination processor responds to an instruction for a second search condition issued by positioning a pointer on the whole model image to compare a closed area defined by the specified position with boundary information of each part image, retrieves candidate part images, and prioritizes the candidate part images in order of increasing area calculated based on the boundary information. A parts selection processor displays the retrieved candidate part images on the user interface according to the order of increasing area in response to an instruction for a third search condition for choosing a target part image from among the candidate part images. |
| US08175418B1 |
Method of and system for enhanced data storage
A method of and system for enhanced storage allows more data to be backed up than would otherwise be possible. Instead of storing uncompressed base images and incremental images, differentials of non-current base images are compressed and stored. Furthermore, incremental images that are older than the current base image are removed. By only saving differential base images that are compressed, aside from the newest base image, and deleting older incremental images, a significant amount of space is saved. A removable drive is used as temporary storage in the process of generating a compressed differential base for previous base images. Additionally, a process ensures that previous base images are differentials of the most recent base image and not each other. |
| US08175415B2 |
Image processing device and computer-accessible recording medium containing program therefor
An image processing device changes a size of original image represented by an original image data to create size-changed image data representing a size-changed image and outputs the size-changed image data to an output device. The image processing device has an image size determination unit determines a target image size based on a ratio of a predetermined standard character size to a character size regarding character data included in the original image data and based on an image size of the original image data. An image data creating unit changes the size of the original image to create the size-changed image data based on the determined target size. An output control unit controls an output of the created size-changed image data to the output device such that the size-changed image is shown within the image formation area in the output image. |
| US08175412B2 |
Method and apparatus for matching portions of input images
A method and apparatus for finding correspondence between portions of two images that first subjects the two images to segmentation by weighted aggregation (10), then constructs directed acylic graphs (16,18) from the output of the segmentation by weighted aggregation to obtain hierarchical graphs of aggregates (20,22), and finally applies a maximally weighted subgraph isomorphism to the hierarchical graphs of aggregates to find matches between them (24). Two algorithms are described; one seeks a one-to-one matching between regions, and the other computes a soft matching, in which is an aggregate may have more than one corresponding aggregate. A method and apparatus for image segmentation based on motion cues. Motion provides a strong cue for segmentation. The method begins with local, ambiguous optical flow measurements. It uses a process of aggregation to resolve the ambiguities and reach reliable estimates of the motion. In addition, as the process of aggregation proceeds and larger aggregates are identified, it employs a progressively more complex model to describe the motion. In particular, the method proceeds by recovering translational motion at fine levels, through affine transformation at intermediate levels, to 3D motion (described by a fundamental matrix) at the coarsest levels. Finally, the method is integrated with a segmentation method that uses intensity cues. The utility of the method is demonstrated on both random dot and real motion sequences. |
| US08175410B2 |
Illumination normalizing method and apparatus
An illumination normalizing apparatus and a method are disclosed. The illumination normalizing apparatus measures a discontinuity of each pixel of an input image, the discontinuity including a spatial gradient and a local inhomogeneity, produces a weight of each pixel from the discontinuity by using a transfer function, produces an estimated illumination by repeating a convolution operation on each weight, and subtracts the estimated illumination from the input image. |
| US08175409B1 |
Coherent image selection and modification
A method includes receiving a selection input to define a selection mask with respect to digital data. The selection input is used to generate the selection mask with respect to the digital data. An icon is automatically associated with the selection mask, the icon being selectable to select the selection mask. |
| US08175407B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and program for clustering data
A clustering unit calculates, for clusters in a descending order of the number of pixels belonging thereto, a distance from a feature vector of a processing object pixel and a representative feature vector of an object cluster, and compares the distance with a first threshold. The processing object pixel is stored in a memory or the like as a pixel belonging to an object cluster when the distance is determined to be less than or equal to the first threshold. |
| US08175405B1 |
Adaptive MPEG noise reducer
The disclosed technology provides a system and a method for adaptive MPEG noise reduction. In particular, the disclosed technology provides a system and a method for reducing blocking artifacts and mosquito noise in an MPEG video signal. An overall MPEG noise detector may be used to determine the presence of noise in one or more frames of a video signal. When a sufficient amount of noise is detected in the one or more frames of the video signal, portions of the video signal that contain noise may be located and filtered to reduce the amount of noise present in the video signal. |
| US08175404B2 |
Method and device for estimating image quality of compressed images and/or video sequences
A method for estimating quality of images compressed with a transformation based compression method. The estimation method uses estimated errors generated by quantization to obtain an image quality indicator and does not require use of a reference image. The estimation method includes calculating a probability of at least one specific quantized transformation coefficient value for at least all coefficients representing one identical two-dimensional frequency, and estimating identifying parameters of at least one probability density function of non-quantized coefficient values from the quantized coefficient value probabilities, with a type of probability density function being preset. The estimation method further includes calculating an image quality indicator from errors introduced by quantization, which are derived from probability density function parameters and quantization parameters. |
| US08175403B1 |
Iterative backward reference selection with reduced entropy for image compression
A system (and a method) are disclosed for optimizing lossless data compression in digital images systems iteratively. The system includes a backward reference module and an entropy encoder. The backward reference module comprises three sub-modules: a backward reference selection module, a backward reference statistics measurement module and a backward reference selection control module. The backward reference selection module initially selects backward references that have shorter backward distances. The statistics measurement module analyzes the backward references of input data. The backward reference selection module updates the backward references based on the statistics of previously generated backward references at subsequent selection iterations. The backward reference selection control module controls the number of selection iterations needed for optimized data compression performance. |
| US08175395B2 |
System and method for dynamically switching quality settings of a codec to maintain a target data rate
A video compression system includes a compression module to compress each of a plurality of segments of an input signal using an initial quality setting. A rate calculation module calculates, for each compressed segment, a data rate for an output signal that would result from adding a compressed segment to the output signal. A selection module automatically selects, in response to the calculated data rate deviating from a target range, a quality setting for each segment that results in a data rate this is within the target range when a segment compressed using the automatically-selected quality setting is added to the output signal. |
| US08175393B2 |
Multi-phenomenology object detection
Method and system for utilizing multiple phenomenological techniques to resolve closely spaced objects during imaging includes detecting a plurality of closely spaced objects through the imaging of a target area by an array, and spreading electromagnetic radiation received from the target area across several pixels. During the imaging, different phenomenological techniques may be applied to capture discriminating features that may affect a centroid of the electromagnetic radiation received on the array. Comparing the locations of the centroids over multiple images may be used to resolve a number of objects imaged by the array. Examples of such phenomenological discriminating techniques may include imaging the target area in multiple polarities of light or in multiple spectral bands of light. Another embodiment includes time-lapse imaging of the target area, to compare time lapse centroids for multiple movement signal characteristics over pluralities of pixels on the array. |
| US08175390B2 |
System and method for illumination invariant image segmentation
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file, identifying a boundary in the image, calculating a representation of the boundary extending to segments of the image at either side of the boundary, performing feature calculations on the representation and classifying the boundary as caused by a material change, as a function of the feature calculations. |
| US08175389B2 |
Recognizing handwritten words
Recognizing handwritten words at an electronic device. A plurality of strokes is received at a common input region of an electronic device. The plurality of strokes in combination defines a word comprising a plurality of symbols, a relative geometry of a first subset of the plurality of strokes defines a first symbol and a relative geometry of a second subset of the plurality of strokes defines a second symbol such that the relative geometry of the first subset of the plurality of strokes is not related to the relative geometry of the second subset of the plurality of strokes, and at least one stroke of the first subset of the plurality of strokes is spatially superimposed over at least one stroke of the second subset of the plurality of strokes. The word is determined using a processor of the electronic device based on the plurality of strokes without requiring recognition of the plurality of symbols, wherein a word is determined based at least in part on an entry sequence of subsets of the plurality of strokes. |
| US08175382B2 |
Learning image enhancement
Image enhancement techniques are described to enhance an image in accordance with a set of training images. In an implementation, an image color tone map is generated for a facial region included in an image. The image color tone map may be normalized to a color tone map for a set of training images so that the image color tone map matches the map for the training images. The normalized color tone map may be applied to the image to enhance the in-question image. In further implementations, the procedure may be updated when the average color intensity in non-facial regions differs from an accumulated mean by a threshold amount. |
| US08175378B2 |
Method and system for noise management for spatial processing in digital image/video capture systems
A computer-implemented method for noise management in a digital image system measures noise levels of pixel data. The noise levels are adjusted with at least one of an intensity gain setting, a spatial gain setting, and a global gain setting to calculate noise adaptive thresholds for use during spatial processing of the pixel data. |
| US08175375B2 |
Method of compression of video telephony images
A method of compression of videotelephony images characterized by: creating (10) a learning base containing images; centering the learning base about zero; determining component images by principal component analysis (12); and keeping a number of significant principal components (14). |
| US08175373B2 |
Use of design information and defect image information in defect classification
Defects observed by imaging tools may be classified by automatic comparison of features observed in a defect image with design information relating to corresponding portions of the image. Defect information may be generated from a defect image from a defect imaging tool. Design information relating to one or more structures to be formed on the substrate in a vicinity of the defect may be retrieved. The defect may be classified based on a combination of the defect information from the defect image and design information relating to one or more structures to be formed on the substrate in the vicinity of the defect. |
| US08175371B2 |
Method for imaging and differential analysis of cells
Provided are methods for determining and analyzing photometric and morphogenic features of small objects, such as cells to, for example, identify different cell states. In particularly, methods are provided for identifying apoptotic cells, and for distinguishing between cells undergoing apoptosis versus necrosis. |
| US08175370B2 |
Automatic cell analyzer and automatic cell analyzing method
A sharp image showing a thin projecting part is acquired without using a complex dyeing method, and the analysis accuracy is improved. An automatic cell analyzer (1) comprises: an imaging unit (4) for capturing fluorescence emitted from a cell (S) and acquiring a cell image; an exposure changing section (5) for changing the exposure condition when the imaging unit (4) captures cell images; and a processing section (5) for analyzing the cell (S) on the basis of a plurality of cell images respectively captured under the changed exposure conditions. |
| US08175369B2 |
Multi-nucleated cell classification and micronuclei scoring
Methods and systems for counting nuclei for cells in a cell-containing sample are disclosed, such as carried out on a computer. The methods comprise: receiving a raw image of the cell-containing sample; transforming the raw image into a segmented image comprising one or more nuclei clusters. The methods further comprise: for each of the one or more nuclei clusters, obtaining a convex hull of the nuclei cluster; locating any indentations on the nuclei cluster by comparing the nuclei cluster to the convex hull of the nuclei cluster; calculating a first nuclei count based on a tally of the indentations; and assigning the nuclei cluster to a cell among the plurality of cells. The methods further comprise: calculating a second nuclei count for each cell by totaling the first nuclei counts of its constituent nuclei clusters; and presenting a result based on the second nuclei count for at least one of the plurality of cells. |
| US08175366B2 |
Method for obtaining spatial images through MRI and processing the resulting spatial images and product
A method for recording a set of MRI images of a tissue pixel by pixel that evolve with time in a specific manner described by a function; processing the recorded MRI images by aggregating the pixels thereof according to a preselected aspect of time behavior; best fitting the aggregated pixels to a predetermined pixel function to obtain the parameters of the function; and presenting the parameters visually. A computer readable medium containing executable program instructions for carrying out the method. |
| US08175363B2 |
System and method for additive spatial/intensity decomposition of medical images
A method for decomposing digital medical images includes providing a digital medical image, segmenting the image into one or more biological structures, extracting one or more segmented biological structures from the image by extracting all voxels within a spatial extent of each of the biological structures to construct one or more new component volumes of the biological structures. For each of the one or more new component volumes, generate a sequence of 2-dimensional projective views by moving a projection viewpoint around each the biological structure in the one or more new component images, and generate a 2-dimensional projective view from each viewpoint, and display a cine loop of the sequence of projective views where the biological structures appear to be rotating in the display. |
| US08175362B2 |
Display of classifier output and confidence measure in an image
Systems and methods are described for displaying classifier output and confidence measure in an image. The confidence measure advantageously provides additional information to the user indicating the accuracy of the classification result. Based on the classification accuracy, the user may accept or reject the classification result. In an exemplary embodiment, the classifier output is displayed on the image by color coding regions in the image based on their classifications. The confidence measure is displayed by adjusting the transparencies of the color coded regions according to their confidence measures. In one embodiment, only the classifications having confidence measures above a threshold are displayed. In other embodiments, the classifier output and confidence measure may be displayed separately, contour lines may be drawn through image regions having similar confidence measures, and the confidence measure may be displayed for a region under a pointer that the user can move within the image. |
| US08175360B2 |
Method and system of multivariate analysis on normalized volume-wise data in the sinogram domain for improved quality in positron emission tomography studies
A method and system are provided for improving the quality in positron emission tomography (PET) images. PET input data is masked using raw dynamic PET data (sinograms) as input for primary component analysis (PCA) that generates primary components which in turn are used to create a mask. This mask can be used to allow object pixel data to be extracted from the sinograms into masked sinograms where background pixels outside the reference object are set to zero. A volume-wise approach to PCA uses masked sinograms as input data. Pixel-wise noise pre-normalization may then be performed generating pre-normalized sinograms from the masked PET input data. PCA is then performed on the pre-normalized sinograms resulting in PCA sinograms recreated into PCA-modified sinograms by adding background pixel values of zero. These PCA-modified sinograms may optionally be scaled and may then be reconstructed into dynamic PET images with improved image quality. |
| US08175358B2 |
Apparatus and method for the processing of perfusion images
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the reconstruction of time-dependent cross-sectional images and may be applied for example in perfusion imaging in the vessel system (2) of a patient. According to the method, projections pij are generated from a number M of different directions di and at different times tij. Moreover, the time-dependent intensity function I(x,t) of the reconstructed volume is approximated by a predetermined model function I*(a(x),t), wherein the unknown parameter vector a(x) is estimated for each voxel x. This estimation may be done using the update functions of known reconstruction algorithms like ART for at least N projections pij in each iteration step. |
| US08175355B2 |
Factor analysis in medical imaging
A method for estimating kinetic parameters from image data includes using a processor to execute instructions for providing a model of kinetic contributions from first and second physiological regions; grouping voxels of the image data into first and second groups; determining an average value of the factors associated with the first group, the factors corresponding to blood-flow time activity curves; incorporating the average value of the factors associated with the first group into the model of kinetic contributions from the first and second physiological regions; and estimating the kinetic parameters based on the model of kinetic contributions. |
| US08175354B2 |
System and method for interactive liver lobe segmentation
Methods and systems for separating a 3D liver object are disclosed. A 3D liver object and selected associated vascular and other anatomic structures are displayed in a 3D space which is rendered on a 2D display screen. One or more 3D separating surfaces are placed in the 3D space based on anatomic structural landmarks that are segmented automatically or interactively, where each of the 3D separating surfaces intersects with the 3D liver object at a corresponding 3D pose. The 3D liver object into at least two sub-segments based on the 3D separating surfaces, which can be individually and independently adjusted directly in the 3D space, in real-time, and interactively by a user based on 3D and/or 2D information related to the 3D liver object, and the selected associated vascular and other anatomic structures. |
| US08175343B2 |
Imaging device, image processing device, control method, and program
An imaging device supports the taking of an image with a suitable composition without requiring user operation. The imaging device detects, using a face detection circuit, face regions of faces in an image input from the image input unit. When a plurality of face regions have been detected, the imaging device, using the selection unit, judges, for each of the detected face regions, whether a face region overlaps with any of the first through fourth judgment frames that are defined by two types of golden ratios. When it judges that the face region overlaps with any of the first through fourth judgment frames, the imaging device assigns to the face regions, and selects a face region corresponding to the largest weight as the main object. |
| US08175342B2 |
Two stage detection for photographic eye artifacts
The detection of red-eye defects is enhanced in digital images for embedded image acquisition and processing systems. A two-stage redeye filtering system includes a speed optimized filter that performs initial segmentation of candidate redeye regions and optionally applies a speed-optimized set of falsing/verification filters to determine a first set of confirmed redeye regions for correction. Some of the candidate regions which are rejected during the first stage are recorded and re-analyzed during a second stage by an alternative set of analysis-optimized filters to determine a second set of confirmed redeye regions. |
| US08175341B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus thereof
In case of an image region having a property of abrupt changes in luminance and tint, even when a region made up of pixels having luminance values and tint levels similar to those of one point designated by the user is extracted as a correction region with reference to the user designated point, it is difficult to extract a region to be corrected without omission. To solve this problem, a user instruction indicating a point inside or near an image region which is to undergo correction is input, and a plurality of origin pixels corresponding to start points of region expansion are set in a region which includes the input point and has a predetermined size. The region expansion is executed from each origin pixel, and a correction region is decided according to the result of the region expansion. |
| US08175339B1 |
Scoring items
A system identifies an image and determines whether the image contains inappropriate content based on first data associated with the image, second data associated with a document that contains the image or refers to the image, and/or third data associated with a group of documents with which the image is associated. |
| US08175338B2 |
Map-based aesthetic evaluation of document layouts
A method is disclosed for determining the aesthetic quality of a document page. The method partitions the document page into a plurality of regions according to a predetermined map. Each region is then evaluated to determine whether the region is of acceptable aesthetic quality according to a predetermined profile corresponding to the region and defined by the map. The profile comprises (i) one or more measures of region properties; (ii) an acceptability rule corresponding to each measure; and (iii) a region decision rule (435, 440) based on the results of one or more of the acceptability rules. The method then determines the aesthetic quality for the document page based on the aesthetic quality acceptability of each region and a predetermined page rule defined by the map. |
| US08175337B2 |
Apparatus and method of measuring distance using structured light
Provided are an apparatus and method of measuring a distance using structured light. The apparatus includes a binarization unit binarizing an image, an image identification unit identifying an image having connected pixels in the binarized image, a length ratio calculation unit obtaining the length ratio of the major axis of the image having the connected pixels to a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis, a pixel mean calculation unit obtaining the mean of pixel values of the image having the connected pixels, and an image extraction unit extracting an image formed by the light irradiated from the light source, from the images having connected pixels using the length ratio and the mean of the pixel values. |
| US08175335B2 |
Content adaptive detection of images with stand-out object
Content adaptive detection of images having stand-out objects involves block variance-based detection and determining if an object includes a stand-out object. The images with a stand-out object are further processed to isolate an object of interest. The images without a detected stand-out object are further processed with a transition map-based detection method which includes generating a transition map. If an object portrait is determined from the transition map, then the image is further processed to isolate the object of interest. |
| US08175334B2 |
Vehicle environment recognition apparatus and preceding-vehicle follow-up control system
A vehicle environment recognition apparatus includes stereo-image taking means for outputting a reference image of the surroundings of a subject vehicle, stereo matching means for correlating a parallax with each pixel block in the reference image by stereo matching, preceding-vehicle detecting means for detecting a preceding vehicle from the reference image on the basis of the parallax or the like, and smear determining means for searching a pixel column vertically extending in the reference image for brightnesses of pixels, the pixel column including a pixel block having a parallax less than or equal to a long-distance parallax threshold value corresponding to the long distance including infinity, and determining that a smear occurs when a ratio of the number of pixels having brightnesses more than or equal to a predetermined brightness to the total number of pixels in the pixel column is more than or equal to a predetermined ratio. |
| US08175333B2 |
Estimator identifier component for behavioral recognition system
An estimator/identifier component for a computer vision engine of a machine-learning based behavior-recognition system is disclosed. The estimator/identifier component may be configured to classify an object being one of two or more classification types, e.g., as being a vehicle or a person. Once classified, the estimator/identifier may evaluate the object to determine a set of kinematic data, static data, and a current pose of the object. The output of the estimator/identifier component may include the classifications assigned to a tracked object, as well as the derived information and object attributes. |
| US08175332B2 |
Upper troposphere and lower stratosphere wind direction, speed, and turbidity monitoring using digital imaging and motion tracking
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for monitoring wind direction, speed, and turbidity. The visible sky is monitored by a set of cameras for contrails produced by a high-altitude aircraft. In response to identifying a contrail, the contrail is tracked across the field of view of the camera. Contrail data generated when the contrail is identified and during the tracking of the contrail is stored. The contrail data describes characteristics of the contrail including the spread of the contrail and the movement of the contrail across the field of view of the camera. Coordinates of the high-altitude aircraft are determined and compared with the contrail data to identify wind conditions. |
| US08175331B2 |
Vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus, method, and program
A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus, method, and program capable of reducing a possibility of overlap between a detection object and a background object in a standard image when detecting objects around the vehicle from images obtained by a plurality of image sensors so as to detect the objects accurately. The vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus detects the objects existing around the vehicle (10) from the images obtained by the image sensors (2R, 2L) mounted on the vehicle (10). The vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus includes an object extraction process unit (1) which performs a process of extracting the objects for a predetermined standard image of the images obtained by the image sensors (2R, 2L), a driving environment detection process unit (1) which detects a driving environment of the vehicle (10), and a standard image selection process unit (1) which selects the standard image for use in the process of the object extraction process unit (1) anew according to the detected driving environment. |
| US08175327B2 |
System to determine in near real-time product density in a continuous dispensing product flow
A system for determining in near real-time the product density value of a zone of preferable small fungible products within an acceptable size range in a flow of products includes a sample input piping from a bin or piping of products, a sampling volume for fixing the size of a sample, a scale, a processor, an imaging table and an associated camera. The system may include a sample output pipe, and may include or be associated with a bagger/scale. Operation of these components provides for successively sampling of each zone in the bin to determine the quantity of acceptable product per unit weight and to control the flow of those products. The system therefore can compensate for variations among supplying entities where product supplies are subsequently piled atop one another. The system makes the density calculation available to the plant information system and an automated packaging system, which may be via a 16 bit scaled analoge or a serial interface, among other systems. In addition the image information is stored for future analysis, audit support, and process improvement activities. |
| US08175324B2 |
Reversible data hiding
Methods for reversible data hiding are disclosed herein. These methods may be applied to images for reversible image data hiding. In one embodiment, a method for reversible data hiding comprises identifying carrier data having a plurality of components and establishing prediction-errors for each of the components of the carrier data. A first threshold and a second threshold are established. The prediction-errors of the components are evaluated against the first threshold to identify components for possible hiding. The components identified for possible hiding are evaluated against the second threshold to identify components for hiding. To-be embedded data is embedded into the carrier data identified for hiding to create marked data. The marked data is evaluated for overflow or underflow. If overflow or underflow is detected, histogram modification is performed. Marked data is then established. |
| US08175323B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
In an image processing apparatus for creating synthetic image information by embedding sub-information in an invisible state in main image information in a visible state, attention pixels in the main image information are set, a specific pixel block is created by assigning a first specific pixel to the attention pixel of a first color and a second specific pixel to the attention pixel of a second color, first key information is selected for a first value of the sub-information constituted by binary information and second key information is selected for a second value, color difference modulation processing is performed on the selected key information based on a predetermined color difference amount, and the color-difference-modulated key information is superposed on the specific pixel block to thereby create the synthetic image information in which the sub-information in an invisible state is embedded in the main image information. |
| US08175322B2 |
Method of digital watermark and the corresponding device, and digital camera which can append watermark
A digital camera comprising a watermark-adding device, which comprises a device for obtaining the signal values of digital signals, a bits dividing device, an altered regions initializing device, an eigenvalue calculating device, an encrypting device and a watermark embedding device. The bits dividing device divides the data recording each pixel point of the digital image, on the basis of bit, into bits for calculating the eigenvalue of the image, bits for hiding the watermark and bits for locating altered regions. The altered regions initializing device can set all the data of the bits for locating altered regions to 0 or 1. The eigenvalue calculating device can calculate the eigenvalue of digital signals. The encryption device encrypts the calculated eigenvalue. The watermark embedding device embeds the eigenvalue information in the digital signals. |
| US08175319B2 |
Interchangeable magnet loudspeaker
A moving coil loudspeaker has an interchangeable magnet assembly with a plurality of interchangeable magnet segments configured to be circumferentially disposed about a voice coil within the loudspeaker. Heat sink members can be arranged in between the magnet segments to absorb excess heat generated during operation of the loud speaker. In one embodiment, the magnet assembly has at least one annular magnetic member made up of the plurality of magnet segments, a plurality of heat sink members disposed in between the magnet segments, an annular first plate adjacent a first side of the annular magnetic member, and a yoke member having a second plate adjacent a second side of the annular magnetic member and a central cylindrical portion configured to pass through a central opening in the annular magnetic member. |
| US08175315B2 |
Headphone set and method of producing the same
A headphone set has at least one speaker unit and a housing that encloses the speaker unit. The housing has an elastic protruding portion having a cavity therein. A sound-emitting portion is formed as protruding from a vibrating zone of the speaker unit. |
| US08175314B1 |
Tactical microphone support systems
A tactical microphone support system to attach a tactical microphone to a law enforcement uniform and keep it supported in place, particularly when a law enforcement officer is being physically active, such as, for example, while pursuing a suspect. Preferably, the tactical microphone support attaches to at least one button on a law enforcement shirt. The tactical microphone support provides for center, right or left handed attachment. |
| US08175313B2 |
Electronic anti-sabotage microphone grommet
A tamper detection apparatus includes a housing defining an internal cavity. A sensing device embodied as a microphone is positioned within the internal cavity of the housing, which may also be a protective grommet. A conductive element spans the internal cavity and is positioned in front of the microphone. The conductive element initiates a fault signal when a specified electrical condition is met to indicate a tampering or an attempted tampering with the microphone. |
| US08175307B2 |
Method for attenuating interfering noise and corresponding hearing device
Transient interfering sounds are to have a less disturbing effect in hearing devices. For this purpose, it is provided that an envelope curve of an input signal of a hearing device, particularly of a hearing aid, is detected. The slope and/or the height of edges of the envelope curve is continuously determined. The output signal of the hearing device is then attenuated in dependence on the slope and/or height of the respective edge determined. Transient sounds of high level are thus transmitted only in an attenuated manner by the hearing device. |
| US08175305B2 |
Hearing aid with a drop safeguard
A hearing aid with a drop safeguard has an accelerometer, an electrical circuit, and a memory. The accelerometer generates an electrical signal in dependence on an acceleration of the hearing aid. The signal is transmitted to the electrical circuit which uses this to determine a jerky acceleration of the hearing aid. The electrical circuit saves the respectively current settings of the hearing aid to the memory in the case of a jerky acceleration of the hearing aid. After the hearing aid is dropped, the settings can be reconstructed from the memory so that as a result this prevents the settings of the hearing aid from being changed. |
| US08175303B2 |
Electronic apparatus for vehicle, and method and system for optimally correcting sound field in vehicle
A sound field in a vehicle can be further readily and optimally corrected without forcing a user to do troublesome work. As an embodiment of the present invention, a measurement sound emitted through a left speaker or a right speaker at a further position in a view from a driver's listening point that was assumed on the head touching surface of the headrest of the driver's seat or the passenger seat is picked up, with a microphone provided as buried on a front panel of a head unit to be attached to the almost center position between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the vehicle. And the frequency characteristic of the above sound is corrected, based on a tendency that the frequency characteristic of an audio sound reaching from the left speaker or the right speaker to the microphone is almost approximate to the virtual frequency characteristic of an audio sound that will reach from the left speaker or the right speaker to the driver's listening point assumed on the head touching surface. |
| US08175302B2 |
Device for and method of generating a vibration source-driving-signal
A device (100) for generating a vibration source driving signal (DS) is described, which device (100) comprises an input (101) for receiving an input signal (IS) and an output (102) for providing said driving signal (DS), generating means (103; 803) for generating a control signal (CS) which is representative of dynamic signal changes of the input signal (IS), and a processing unit (105; 201; 301; 401; 804) adapted to process a source signal (SRS; IAS) based on the control signal (CS) yielding said driving signal (DS). |
| US08175301B2 |
Loudspeaker driver
A loudspeaker driver that includes a suspended diaphragm and at least one voice coil disposed lateral to the suspended diaphragm, suspended in a magnetic field and coupled to the diaphragm. |
| US08175298B2 |
Audio output system control method and audio output system
In an audio output system including a TV, an AV amplifier, a DVD player, and the like, a simple control program decides an audio output mode setting, i.e., whether to output audio from a built-in speaker of the TV or output audio from an external speaker connected to the AV amplifier by linking operations of the respective devices. A control unit of a DVD player transmits a request signal concerning the audio output mode to a control unit of a TV. According to a request from the DVD player, the control unit of the TV instructs a control unit of an AV amplifier to be set to a mode for outputting audio from an external speaker connected to the AV amplifier or a mode for not outputting audio and sets a built-in speaker of the TV to a state opposite to the state of the external speaker. |
| US08175296B2 |
Articulated amplifier
An audio amplifier having a variably configurable housing, which may be mounted to an interior surface of a motor vehicle. The housing is formed in two complementing housing sections mutually joined by a hinge, tether, or other connector. A power supply is contained in one housing section and an audio output module is contained in the other housing section. The power supply and audio output module may be connected by flexible signal conductors to accommodate pivot of the two housing sections relative to one another. A heat sink comprising cooling fins and communications and power terminals may be disposed on the exterior of the housing sections to enable conventional connection to an associated audio system. The hinge may incorporate a fixing element which releasably holds the two housing sections at a selected degree of pivot. |
| US08175287B2 |
Sound device
A sound device includes an input terminal for electronic signal input; a line out terminal adapted to output electronic signals input on the input terminal to an external area; a delay arrangement adapted to delay electronic signals input on the input terminal for a certain time; a main output arrangement adapted to output electronic signals delayed by the delay arrangement. The delay arrangement delays signals in order to accommodate a time difference between (1) electronic signals output from an external sound device connected with the line output terminal and (2) electronic signals output from the main output arrangement. The time difference between sound that is output from the sound device and the one that is output from an external sound device that is connected with line connection terminal can be eliminated. Thus, it can prevent sound quality decrease due to time difference from happening. |
| US08175286B2 |
Recording, synthesis and reproduction of sound fields in an enclosure
The invention relates to simulation of sound fields in enclosures, for instance for application in listening tests, where test subjects assess the sound quality or other sound perception characteristics of the sound field. According to a specific embodiment, the system comprises a binaural synthesis portion which synthesizes sound for instance from a sound-reproduction equipment based on measured impulse responses of an actual room stored in a data base (31) and a binaural recording portion comprising a data base 32 for storing binaural recordings of other sound signals made in the room. Data from these databases are mixed (41) and reproduced by means of a headphone (39) provided with a head tracker (42) for tracking the movements of the listener's head. The invention furthermore comprises the use of cross-fading functions (36, 37) to enable the dynamic listening conditions, where the movements of the listener's head are taken into account during the simulation process. |
| US08175283B2 |
Sound analyzer based on a biomorphic design
A device and a method for analyzing sound based on a biomorphic design are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of amplification/filtering stages (S1, . . . , Sn) connected in a series configuration. Each amplification/filtering stage comprises at least one nonlinear amplification module (100a, . . . , 100c), preferably a Hopf amplifier, and at least one filter module (200a′ . . . , 200c; 200a′, . . . 200c′) providing high-frequency attenuation. |
| US08175279B2 |
Integrated vehicle audio system
A loudspeaker, amplifier, media source, user interface, and mechanical interface are all contained in a single unit. The unit has a first portion configured to mount in a vehicle radio mounting location and a second portion configured to extend significantly outside the vehicle radio mounting location. |
| US08175278B2 |
Key management messages for secure broadcast
The present invention involves establishing a top-level key and optionally also a verification tag. The top-level key is used as the MDP key for encrypting a broadcast medium. Only the part of the key message that contains the encrypted top-level key is authenticated, e.g. using a signature or a Message Access Code (MAC). Any known group-key distribution protocol can be used that is based on the creation of a hierarchy of keys. Examples of such methods are the LKH and SD methods. The group-key distribution protocol output key H, traditionally used as the MDP key, or a derivative thereof is used to encrypt the top-level MDP-key. The invention, further, includes optimization of a group-key message by eliminating unnecessary message components relative a specified group or sub-group of users. The optimization can be made in dependence of contextual data such as user profile, network status, or operator policies. |
| US08175277B2 |
Intercepting a communication session in a telecommunication network
Intercepting a secure communication session includes distributing a key from a key distribution point to establish a secure communication session between a first endpoint and a second endpoint. A secure channel is established between the key distribution point and an intercepting point. The intercepting endpoint may be determined to be authorized to intercept the secure communication session. The key is provided to the intercepting endpoint only if the intercepting endpoint is authorized to intercept the secure communication session, where the key provides the intercepting endpoint with access to intercept the secure communication session. |
| US08175276B2 |
Encryption apparatus with diverse key retention schemes
An encryption apparatus (14) includes a secure processing system (12) in the form of an integrated circuit. The secure processing system (12) includes an on-chip secure memory system (30). The secure memory system (30) includes a non-volatile, read-only, permanent key register (62) in which a permanent cryptographic key (64) is stored. The secure memory system (30) also includes a non-volatile, read-write, erasable key register (56) in which an erasable cryptographic key (60) is stored. Symmetric cryptographic operations take place in an encryption engine (46) using an operating cryptographic key (68) formed by combining (96) the permanent and erasable keys (64, 60). A tamper detection circuit (70) detects tampering and erases the erasable key (60) when a tamper event is detected. |
| US08175274B2 |
Range measurement apparatus and method using chaotic UWB wireless communication
An apparatus for measuring a range based on a chaotic ultra wideband (UWB) wireless communication technology is disclosed. The Apparatus includes a chaotic signal generating/modulating unit, a transceiving unit, a detecting unit, a transform unit, a comparison unit, and a range measurement unit. The transform unit converts the analog voltage signal from the detecting unit into digital signals based on a first sampling period. The comparison unit compares the analog voltage signal from the detecting unit with a predetermined threshold value and to output a comparison signal. The range measurement unit is configured to calculate a time point corresponding to a leading edge, which is a moment when initial data of a packet payload arrive, by using the digital signals based on the threshold value and by using the comparison signal, and to perform a range measurement calculation based on the time point corresponding to the leading edge. |
| US08175268B2 |
Generating and securing archive keys
Described herein is a method and apparatus for managing archives. The archive management process receives a passphrase and an indicator of an archive to be managed. The passphrase is used to encipher or decipher an archive key dependent on whether data is to be inserted or extracted from the archive key. The passphrase can be changed by re-enciphering the archive key. |
| US08175266B2 |
System and method of performing authentication
Disclosed herein are systems, method and computer readable medium for providing authentication of an entity B by an entity A. In the method, entity A selects a value p, a range [a, b] and a granularity epsilon. Entity A sends p, [a, b], and epsilon to entity B. Entity B initializes a value yB=0 and for each x in {a, a+epsilon, . . . , b−epsilon, b} and computes z=E(x)*x. The function E(x) is an encryption scheme and the multiplication is carried out mod p. Entity B updates yB=yB+z. After processing each x, entity B sends yB to entity A. Entity A performs the same calculation and generates a yA value and compares yA with yB. If yB=yA, Entity A authenticate entity B. In one aspect, a light HMAC scheme splits an input x into n blocks with key expansion. |
| US08175265B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing block cipher algorithms on attacker-controlled systems
Systems and methods for an implementation of block cipher algorithms (e.g., AES) use lookup tables to obscure key information, increasing difficulty for those with privileged access to a system performing the AES algorithm to obtain such key information. The implementation encodes round key information into a first plurality of tables (T1), which when used for lookup operations also complete SubBytes operations, and output state in an encoded format. A Shiftrows operation is performed arithmetically on the state output from the T1 table lookups. A second plurality of tables (T2) are used to perform a polynomial multiplication portion of MixColumns to state from Shiftrows, and an XOR portion of MixColumns is performed arithmetically on the columns outputted from using the T2 tables. Encoding from the T1 tables is made to match a decoding built into the T2 tables. Subsets of the T1 tables use the same T2 tables, reducing a memory footprint for the T2 tables. Multiple AES keys can be embedded in different sets of T1 tables that encode for the same set of T2 tables. |
| US08175263B2 |
Integrated thin client and telephony device
A telephony apparatus connectable to a communication network and printed circuit board are provided. The telephony apparatus includes a package having a telephone footprint and comprising at least one connector to the communication network; a thin client device housed within the package, the thin client device connectable to a thin client display and a thin client input device; a stimulus telephony device housed within the package, the stimulus telephony device comprising a telephony display and telephony input device, the stimulus telephony device connectable to an audio input device; and the thin client device and the stimulus telephony device are further connectable to the communication network via the at least one connector. |
| US08175262B1 |
Per tone coprocessor architecture
A system for processing subscriber line data signals uses a coprocessor to receive signals in a pre-determined order from a plurality of line interface cards. The coprocessor uses the pre-determined order to sort the data signals by tone and process all received signals on the same tone at the same time. Because all signals on a tone, or those on a tone with known crosstalk issues, are processed together, the signal improvement is better than prior art methods. When not used, the coprocessor may be replaced with a loop-back circuit to reduce cost when crosstalk is not a significant issue. |
| US08175256B2 |
Call center system and method for obtaining interface invoke information
The present invention discloses a call center system and a method for obtaining interface invoke information to realize automatic analysis of the user behaviors. The method includes steps of sending a connection establishment request message to a user interface server by a call center client after a service is activated; allocating a connection identification for the activated service and sending a response message after the user interface server receives the connection request message; performing interactions between the call center client and the user interface server and recording the interaction message according to the connection identification attached in the interaction message; and decomposing the recorded interaction message and obtaining the information on the application programming interface invoked by each service according to the name of the application programming interface corresponding to the interface identification obtained from each message. |
| US08175252B2 |
Ringback tone bookmark request by calling party
A ringback tone is played to a calling party on a call to a called party. Identification information of the ringback tone is stored, upon receipt of a bookmark request from the calling party, for later access by the calling party to the ringback tone and/or information related to the ringback tone. |
| US08175251B2 |
Method and system to bypass ENUM to reach a callee via a PSTN or a PLMN
At least one telephone network element receives an attempt of a caller to place a telephone call to a callee. A telephone number for the call is registered in a telephone number mapping (ENUM) database to receive incoming telephone calls via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. The at least one telephone network element receives an indication of a preference of the caller to carry the telephone call via one of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a public land mobile network (PLMN), instead of via the VoIP network. Based on the preference, the method inhibits an ENUM query of the ENUM database for the telephone call and forwards the telephone call to a gateway to carry the telephone call to the callee via one of the PSTN and the PLMN instead of via the VoIP network. |
| US08175249B2 |
Technique for effectively collecting and analyzing data in providing information assistance services
In an information/call center where calls are received, requesting information concerning entities, goods and services, directions to a given destination, etc., data is collected in processing such calls. In accordance with the invention, the collected data is analyzed to generate dynamic data to supplement and/or improve the traditional databases, typically searched by an operator for responses to the information requests. In providing a public information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., the most popular movies, restaurants, requested categories, etc. In providing a personalized information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., previous telephone connections made for a subscriber, the most popular telephone connections requested by a subscriber, etc. In addition, based on the past search behavior, “fuzzy” logic is developed for correlating between search terms. When one search term is used in a search, the correlated search term may be suggested for adoption, in accordance with the fuzzy logic. |
| US08175248B2 |
Method and an apparatus to disambiguate requests
A method and an apparatus to disambiguate requests are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for information from a user. Then data is retrieved from a back-end database in response to the request. Based on a predetermined configuration of a disambiguation system and the data retrieved, the ambiguity within the request is dynamically resolved. |
| US08175247B2 |
Call waiting priority alert
A method for delivering a priority call waiting alert service to a telephone subscriber. An embodiment of the present invention may be implemented on an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). When a call intended the subscriber is received by a service switching point from a calling party while the telephone line is already engaged in a first communication between the subscriber and a third party, the calling party is solicited to supply a priority code. If the priority code is recognized by a service control point, a call waiting tone or a priority alert signal associated with the priority code is played to alert the subscriber that a priority call has been received. |
| US08175246B2 |
System and method for providing advanced call forwarding functionality
A system and method for providing call forwarding. Telephone information of one or more telephones assigned to a user may be stored, where the telephone information may include location coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates). Telephone information, including location coordinates, of one or more telephones assigned to an organization of which the user is associated may be stored. The organization may be an employer of the user, for example. If call forwarding is enabled by the user, then a call to a wireless device of the user may cause a determination as to whether the wireless device is within a predetermined range of a telephone assigned to either the user or organization may be made. A distinctive ring may be generated to notify the user that a call forwarding call is being received. |
| US08175243B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating teleconferencing without pre-reservation of conference resources
A teleconferencing system is provided comprising a telephony interface for answering telephony events routed thereto from a router or switch, and one or more signal processing mechanisms coupled to the telephony interface and locatable by the system. The system includes a characteristic of allowing a user to initiate a teleconference to occur on the system, the pending teleconference unbeknown to the system until a first telephony event representing a teleconference participant for the pending teleconference is received at the telephony interface. |
| US08175242B2 |
Voice conference historical monitor
A method includes determining information regarding a conference among a plurality of participants. The information may include a respective cumulative talk time of each of the plurality of participants. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the respective cumulative talk times of each of the plurality of participants is graphically presented to at least one of the plurality of participants. |
| US08175238B2 |
System and method of providing number identification in an intelligent telephone network
In a particular embodiment, a method of managing calls to a toll-free telephone number is disclosed. The method includes modifying a calling party identification (ID) privacy indicator associated with a received telephone call directed to a toll-free number. The calling party ID privacy indicator is modified based at least in part on a day that the telephone call is received. |
| US08175236B2 |
IMS and SMS interworking
Providing for inter-working between SMS network architectures and IMS network architectures in a mobile environment is described herein. By way of example, a next generation (NG) short message service center (SMSC) is provided that can receive SMS messages in mobile application protocol (MAP) and convert such messages to IMS protocol. In addition, the NG SMSC can also receive IMS data and convert the IMS data to an SMS MAP message. The NG SMSC can reference an IMS or an SMS location registry to determine a location of the target device, and convert from IMS to SMS MAP, and vice versa, as suitable. Accordingly, the NG SMSC can provide an efficient interface between legacy SMS and NG IMS network components while preserving legacy protocols associated with such networks. |
| US08175232B2 |
Push voicemail via “always on”
Solutions which address a growing and compelling need recognized in connection with rendering VOIP systems on laptops, or even on other mobile devices, even more versatile and user-friendly so as to even better replicate the advantages of cell phones. Broadly contemplated herein two modes of network access and two modes of user interface, which modes can be combined in any way as deemed suitable or appropriate. Preferably, a commonality between the contemplated network access and user interface modes is the use of a low-powered secondary processor, a secondary operating system, and non volatile storage applications which could be networking applications (e.g., an Always On subsystem). |
| US08175231B2 |
Toll-free directory assistance with automatic selection of an advertisement from a category
The current invention is a system for providing telephone directory assistance service in which a telephone user calls to the system and the system will, based on the requested number or type of service, hear a recorded advertisement. The advertisements are selected from a databank, which may include any number advertisements categorized within the category associated with the service, according to selection criteria. After the advertising announcement is completed, the directory assistance call is processed as usual. The selection criteria can include the use of SIC codes. |
| US08175229B2 |
Enhancing messaging services using translation gateways
In one embodiment, a translation gateway is for use between a network of a messaging service provider and a hostile data network. The gateway is to forward messages using a secure connection through the hostile network, to a customer's network. Different types of inbound messages (e.g., voice; fax) can be delivered to a single client process running on a customer machine on the customer network. In addition, the translation gateway may be used to securely forward different types of outbound messages originating from the client process to the service provider's network (where the messages are retransmitted as voice calls or facsimiles into a telephone network). Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08175228B2 |
Systems, methods and computer products for internet protocol television message waiting indication
Systems, methods and computer products for Internet Protocol Television message waiting indication. Exemplary embodiments include a method for providing messages to an Internet-Protocol-enabled device, the method including receiving a communication that a message to a recipient party has been deposited in a message infrastructure, mapping a recipient party message address to an Internet Protocol-enabled device address of the recipient party, retrieving sending party identification information and sending a message waiting indication to the Internet Protocol-enabled device address. |
| US08175225B2 |
Preventing emergency communication system notification congestion
The invention discloses a method and system for preventing emergency communication system notification congestion by automatically identifying the telecommunications site transmitting an emergency call or through reporting of an address from which the call is made. |
| US08175223B2 |
Intelligent self-healing networks and advanced troubleshooting of communication service problems
A problem detection and repair system receives a trouble indication indicating a problem with a network. The trouble indication may be the result of automated monitoring of the network, or a user of communication services contacting an operator of the network to report trouble. Communication services may include telephone service, television service, Internet service, and other services delivered via a network. The trouble indication may be paired with the user's account, and one or more status determinations may be made prior to handing the user to a support person. Based on the results of the status determinations, problems may be detected, and repairs automatically attempted. If needed, the user may be forwarded to a support person along with the results of the status determinations and any attempted repairs. |
| US08175222B2 |
Electron emitter and method of making same
One example embodiment includes an electron emitter. The electron emitter comprises a conductive member that defines a plurality of filament segments that are integral with each other. Each filament segment includes an intermediate portion and an interconnecting portion attached to an adjacent filament segment. The intermediate portions are substantially coplanar with each other and each intermediate portion includes a substantially planar electron emission surface. |
| US08175220B2 |
Method and apparatus for shortening footprint of multi-modality imaging system
A multi-modality imaging system includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system that is different from the first imaging system. The first and second imaging systems are slidingly mounted on at least one rail. A table has a movable pallet configured to extend through a scan range of the first imaging system while the first and second imaging systems are positioned proximate each other at one position along the at least one rail. The pallet is further configured to extend through a scan range of the second imaging system while the first and second imaging systems are positioned proximate each other at a different position along the at least one rail. At least a portion of the scan ranges overlap each other. |
| US08175216B2 |
Shift register circuit
A shift register circuit is provided that can decrease a power consumption caused by a clock signal and can achieve a high driving capacity. A unit shift register has a first transistor that activates an output signal when a power supply potential is provided to an output terminal. A pull-up driving circuit for driving the first transistor has a second transistor for providing a clock signal to a node connected to the gate of the first transistor and a boosting circuit for the node. When an output signal of a preceding stage is activated, the second transistor turns on. Thereafter, when the clock signal is activated, and the node is charged, the second transistor turns off. The boosting circuit increases the potential at the node when the second transistor turns off. Therefore, the first transistor can operate in non-saturation region and activate the output signal. |
| US08175215B2 |
Shift register
A shift register includes multiple cascade-connected stages. Each stage generates an output signal in response to a clock signal and a first control signal. Each stage includes a pull-up module, a pull-up driving module, a first pull-down module, a second pull-down module, and a third pull-down module. The pull-up module is used for providing the output signal based on the clock signal. The pull-up driving module turns on the pull-up module in response to a first control signal. The first pull-down module adjusts voltage level on the first node to a first supply voltage in response to a second control signal. The second pull-down module adjusts voltage level on the output end to a second supply voltage in response to the second control signal. The third pull-down module adjusts voltage level on the second node to a third supply voltage in response to a third control signal. |
| US08175213B2 |
System and method for setting counter threshold value
A system and method for configuring threshold values for fixed time delay counters of a System on a Chip (SoC) uses a reference clock signal and one or more frequency sub-range control signals corresponding to a frequency sub-range of the reference clock signal. A frequency sub-range of the reference clock signal is determined using the frequency sub-range control signals and the determined frequency sub-range is used to select a counter threshold value. The selected counter threshold value is provided to a counter and the counter then is updated at each cycle of the reference clock signal for a predetermined count based on the counter threshold value. |
| US08175210B2 |
Gamma thermometer axial apparatus and method for monitoring reactor core in nuclear power plant
A method for collecting data regarding the operating condition of a nuclear reactor core including: positioning a first linear array of gamma thermometer (GT) sensors in a first instrument housing; positioning a second linear array of GT sensors in a second instrument housing, wherein the GT sensors are arranged asymmetrically along the linear arrays and the second linear array is asymmetrical with respect to the first linear array; positioning the first instrument housing in the reactor core at a first core location and positioning the second instrument housing at a second core location symmetrical with respect to the first core location; collecting core condition data from at least one of the GT sensors in the first linear array of GT sensors, and applying the collected core condition data as data collected from the second linear array. |
| US08175207B2 |
ISI pattern-weighted early-late phase detector with jitter correction
An inter-symbol interference (ISI) pattern-weighted early-late phase detector is provided. I and Q clocks are generated. The I clock frequency is divided by n, creating a reference clock. A serial data stream is sequentially sampled with the I clock, and with Q clocks having fixed and varied phase delays from the I clock, creating digital I-bit and Q-bit values. The I-bit values and Q-bit values are segmented into n-bit digital words. I clock phase corrections are identified and a modulation factor is determined in response to comparing Q-bit values sampled by the varied delay Q clock. Also identified are bit sequence patterns associated with each I-bit value. Each I-bit value is weighted in response to the identified bit sequence pattern and the identified I clock phase correction. The modulation factor is applied to the weighted average, and I and Q clock phase error signal are generated. |
| US08175204B2 |
Receiving device, signal processing method, and program
A receiving device includes: a pilot extracting section; a first estimating section; a second estimating section; a third estimating section; a distortion correcting section; and a filter controlling section. |
| US08175198B2 |
Matched filter and receiver
A matched filter and receiver is provided to delete the tap coefficients of a matched filter used in an OFDM receiver. In the matched filter and receiver, a transmitting signal is generated by using a symmetric series (Y) obtained from C[k]=exp[j*π*M/N*(k+0.5)^2], where X=[0, C[N/2], C[N/2+1], . . . , C[N−1], 0, 0, . . . , 0, C[0], C[1], . . . , C[N/2−1]], and Y=inverse FFT (X) as a base symbol. The matched filter, which detects the signal, reduces the number of multipliers by using the coefficient symmetric property. |
| US08175196B2 |
Channel equalizer and method of processing broadcast signal in receiving system
A channel equalizer includes an overlap unit, an estimator, a calculator, a compensator, and a save unit. The overlap unit overlaps a group of data packets in a broadcast signal. The group data packets include a head, a body, and a tail, and a known data sequence is periodically included in the body. The estimator estimates a CIR of each data region the body using the known data sequence, and it further estimates CIRs of data regions in the head or tail using the CIRs obtained for the data regions in the body. The calculator calculates equalization coefficients based on the CIRs estimated by the estimator, and the compensator compensates channel distortion of the overlapped data using the equalization coefficients. The save unit saves the compensated data. |
| US08175194B2 |
Signal receiving apparatus and signal processing method
According to one embodiment, a signal receiving apparatus includes a first setting module, a calculator, a detection module, a generator, and a determination module. The first setting module is configured to set a rising or falling of an arbitrary high pulse as a starting point. The calculator is configured to calculate a sampling period based on intervals between a plurality of high pulses. The detector is configured to set a multiple of the sampling period from the starting point as reference points and to detect positions where the plurality of high pulses are generated from each of the reference points. The generator is configured to generate a histogram for the positions where the plurality of high pulses are generated. The determination module is configured to determine positions obtained by adding a value of a peak in the histogram to each of the reference points as sampling points. |
| US08175192B2 |
Method and system for determining and removing DC offset in communication signals
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method and system for determining and removing DC offset in an AC signal includes receiving an AC signal having a first-channel and a second-channel, e.g. an I-channel and a Q-channel, receiving a plurality of first-channel and second-channel samples, storing a negative first-channel sample corresponding to a first sign change in the plurality of second-channel samples, and storing a positive first-channel sample corresponding to a second sign change in the plurality of second-channel samples. The method further includes determining an average value of the negative first-channel sample and the positive first-channel sample, where the average value is the DC offset in the first-channel. The method can further include subtracting the determined DC offset from samples received in the first-channel (or the second-channel) prior to demodulation. The method and system can be implemented in, for example, a Bluetooth receiver. |
| US08175191B2 |
Combined sensing methods for cognitive radio
Embodiments of cognitive radio technology can recover and utilize under-utilized portions of statically-allocated radio-frequency spectrum. A plurality of sensing methods can be employed. Transmission power control can be responsive to adjacent channel measurements. Digital pre-distortion techniques can enhance performance. Embodiments of a high dynamic range transceiver architecture can be employed. |
| US08175190B2 |
Managing spectra of modulated signals in a communication network
Information is modulated onto frequency components of a signal. The resulting modulated signal includes at least some redundancy in frequency enabling a portion of the information modulated onto selected frequency components to be recovered from fewer than all of the selected frequency components. Controlling the spectrum of the modulated signal includes enabling the amplitude of at least some frequency components of the modulated signal to be set below a predetermined amplitude used for modulating the information. |
| US08175186B1 |
Preserving the content of a communication signal corrupted by interference during transmission
A communication signal including a plurality of bursts that individually include a plurality of data symbols is processed by both interleaving diversity and duplication diversity prior to transmission in order to preserve the content of the signal when the signal is corrupted by interference during transmission of the signal. A received communication signal having a plurality of bursts that individually include a plurality of data symbols which have been processed for transmission by interleaving diversity is processed to recover the content of the signal when the signal is corrupted by interference during transmission of the signal. Upon determining that the received communication signal may have been corrupted by interference during transmission, the received signal is processed by inserting erasure symbols into a deinterleaver prior to deinterleaving of the data symbols. The erasure symbols are necessary for recovering the content of the transmitted interleaved data symbols. |
| US08175180B2 |
Pre-encoding and pre-decoding apparatuses and methods thereof
A pre-encoding apparatus and a pre-decoding apparatus are provided. The pre-encoding apparatus adopts a cascade structure constituted by a plurality of pre-encoding units and a plurality of interleavers for pre-encoding, and the pre-decoding apparatus adopts a cascade structure constituted by a plurality of pre-decoding units and a plurality of de-interleavers for pre-decoding. Therefore, the pre-decoding apparatus is featured with a lower error rate. Also, each of the pre-decoding units can be alternatively composed of a plurality of low dimensional pre-decoders so that a computation complexity of the pre-decoding apparatus can be reduced accordingly. |
| US08175178B2 |
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communications device and method that incorporates low PAPR preamble and variable number of OFDM subcarriers
A communications device includes communications data and a training sequence corresponding to a preamble. A modulation and mapping circuit modulates the communications data and training sequence into a plurality of multiple subcarriers that are orthogonal to each other to form an OFDM communication signal having modulated subcarriers carrying the communications data forming a data payload and modulated subcarriers forming the preamble. A circuit turns OFF and ON selected subcarriers based on an encryption algorithm to increase transmit power and signal-to-noise ratio and reduce the Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI). The modulation and mapping circuit applies a quadratic modulation to the subcarriers carrying the training sequences to produce a low peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) preamble with a PAPR value of approximately 2.6 decibels (dB). |
| US08175175B1 |
Method and system for rate-shaping and transmitting media streams
A method for rate-shaping media streams; the method includes: receiving multiple input media streams, transmission parameters, wired transmission limitations and wireless transmission limitations that represent a current status of a wireless medium; and rate-shaping at least one input media stream out of the multiple input media streams, in response to: (i) the transmission parameters, (ii) the wireless transmission limitations, and (iiii) input media stream parameters. A system for processing media streams; the system includes: a controller, adapted to determine rate-shaping parameters in response to: (i) the transmission parameters, (ii) the wireless transmission limitations, and (iii) input media stream parameters; and a rate-shaper, connected to the processor, adapted to receive multiple input media streams and perform rate-shaping according to the rate-shaping parameters. |
| US08175174B2 |
Communication system, communication method, transmitting apparatus and receiving apparatus
A communication system, communication method, transmitting apparatus, and receiving apparatus are disclosed herein. The communication system includes: a first clock correlating unit, adapted to correlate a clock to be transmitted with a clock of a data frame at a transmitter of a clock transparent-transmission network; and a second clock correlating unit, adapted to correlate a clock of a data frame at a receiver of a clock transparent-transmission network with a clock to be recovered. The method includes: correlating the clock to be transmitted with the clock of the data frame at the transmitter of the clock transparent-transmission network, and correlating the clock of the data frame at the receiver of the clock transparent-transmission network with the clock to be recovered. |
| US08175167B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for use in multimedia signal encoding
The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, systems for use in encoding and/or formatting content, such as multimedia content. Some embodiments provide methods for use in encoding content. These methods receive source content, encode the source content producing encoded content, evaluate a first encoded segment of the encoded content relative to a plurality of buffer models, determine whether the first segment of encoded content is to be re-encoded relative to one or more of the plurality of buffer models based on the evaluation; and re-encode the first segment when it is determined that the first segment is to be re encoded. |
| US08175165B2 |
Methods and apparatus for deriving an order-16 integer transform
Apparatus, systems and techniques based on an integer transform for encoding and decoding video or image signals, including an order-16 integer transform from a Microsoft Media Video order-8 integer transform with a high energy-packing ability and an improved data compression in the field of image and video coding. For example, a method and an apparatus are provided for deriving an order-16 integer transform from an order-8 integer transform in the standard transform of Microsoft Media Video. Eight additions and eight subtractions are used to assign the data elements to be transformed to an intermediate matrix; and then two fast algorithms for the computation of the order-8 transform may be applied to the first 8 vectors of the intermediate matrix, and the last 8 vectors of the intermediate matrix, respectively. The derived order-16 integer transform tends to produce small magnitude and high frequency transformed coefficients, and thus achieve high compressibility. |
| US08175161B1 |
System and method for motion estimation
A parallel processor for motion estimation including: a matrix of elementary processors configured in rows and columns, local connections between the elementary processors for transmitting partial results, and row outputs for outputting a set of best match values (for example, SAD values), one value for each pixel row of a current block of image pixels; and search area delay buffers coupled to each row inputs, for accepting pixels of the search area as input and forming a reference block row. The processor further includes current block delay buffers coupled to each row inputs, for accepting pixels of the current block as input; a sum module coupled to the row outputs for computing a final match value from the row outputs; and a sorting module for sequentially selecting a best match value from the final match values outputted from the sum module, and generating a corresponding motion vector. |
| US08175160B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for refining motion vectors
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for refining motion vectors. In operation, a plurality of motion vectors associated with a current frame and a first resolution are created. Furthermore, the motion vectors are refined utilizing information including at least one of first information describing motion vectors associated with a previous frame and second information describing motion vectors associated with the current frame and a second resolution. |
| US08175157B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling data write/read in image processing system
An apparatus and method for writing and/or reading data in an image processing system are provided. The apparatus for writing data includes: a memory formed with at least one or more banks capable of being accessed independently; and a memory control unit controlling so that a luminance component, a first chrominance component and a second chrominance component belonging to one macroblock are written based on respective structures different to each other, in the memory. The apparatus for reading data includes: a memory formed with one or more banks capable of being accessed independently in which a luminance component, a first chrominance component, and a second chrominance component belonging to one macroblock are written based on respective structures different to each other, in each bank of the memory; and a memory control unit controlling so that a luminance component, a first chrominance component, and a second chrominance component required are read from the memory. |
| US08175156B2 |
Eight pixels integer transform
A method of video coding/decoding that includes transforming to/from transform coefficients and residual pixel data in moving pictures by a set of vectors. Two alternative vector sets are disclosed both providing an optimal balance between good performance and simplified computation. |
| US08175151B2 |
Encoders and image encoding methods
An encoder. A first encoding unit discrete cosine transforms an input frame, quantizes the transformation result, and generates a first frame according to a motion vector. The first encoding unit includes a first feedback unit dequantizing the transformation result, generating a processing signal and a first reconstruction signal according to the dequantization result, and re-quantizing the processing signal to generate a requantization signal. A second encoding unit encodes according to the first reconstruction signal to generate a second frame and an encoding signal. The third encoding unit generates a third frame according to the encoding signal and the re-quantization signal. |
| US08175149B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling bitrate of scalable video stream
Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling a bit-rates in which an amount of generated bits is adjusted according to the complexity of each frame, and a bit-rate within a frame can be further effectively adjusted by applying different quantization parameter (QP) values to respective macro blocks. In the apparatus for controlling a bit-rate, a motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTP) operation is performed for each group of pictures (GOP) in an input scalable layer, and thereafter bits are allocated to respective frames in consideration of frame type and frame complexity. Furthermore, a QP is adaptively determined in the unit of a macro block on the basis of the allocated bits. |
| US08175145B2 |
Post-processing for reducing quantization noise of an encoder during decoding
The invention relates to the processing of a signal that is compression encoded (COD) according to a predetermined encoding type applying a quantification operation (Q) and then decoded (DEC) so that the quantification noise is present in the decoded signal (S*). The signal processing of the invention comprises applying a quantification noise reduction (TBQ) to the decoded signal (S), preferably in the following manner: first obtaining information (INF) on the type of compression encoding, selecting a model for the reduction of the quantification noise adapted to said information by estimating the quantification noise (BQ) that the encoding may have generated; and applying to the decoded signal (S*) a processing for reducing the quantification noise (FIL) according to the selected model. |
| US08175144B2 |
Method and apparatus for cached adaptive transforms for compressing data streams, computing similarity, and recognizing patterns
A method and apparatus for cached adaptive transforms for compressing data streams, computing similarity, and recognizing patterns have been disclosed.In one embodiment of the invention an encoder and decoder begin with a baseline transform. As data is transferred an algorithm is arranged so that the encoder and decoder adapt toward a superior basis than the baseline, with a corresponding reduction in the encoding bit rate. That is the algorithm adapts to the incoming data stream and can use a custom basis. We deliberately avoid having to send the custom basis itself (when possible), because sending the basis vectors consumes precious bandwidth and may defeat the goal of compression. The encoder and decoder can bootstrap themselves into using one or more better bases.In one embodiment of the invention there is no beginning baseline transform shared between the encoder and the decoder. |
| US08175143B1 |
Adaptive equalization using data level detection
A method, and circuitry, for choosing the correct equalization curve in adaptive equalization uses a feedback loop in which the incoming high-speed serial data are digitized and deserialized for use in the remainder of the device, and also are used by an adaptive state machine to both extract the reference levels for digitization and to control the equalization curve. Detection of the reference level and selection of the equalization curve may be performed at a different rates to avoid interfering with one another. The state machine preferably is programmable. This is useful in any device, but is particularly well-suited for a programmable device, such as a PLD or other programmable integrated circuit device, where conditions may vary according a user logic design. |
| US08175140B2 |
Systems and methods for a multicarrier transceiver with radio frequency interference reduction
A multi-carrier information transceiver that exhibits robustness against radio frequency interference (RFI) signals present in the communications channel. The transceiver includes a RFI mitigation technique that operates not only during the steady state operation of the transceiver but also during the training stage of the transceiver. That requires dynamically modifying the training signals when the presence of RFI is detected. The modification of the training signals facilitates the estimation of RFI, improving the performance of the multi-carrier transceiver. |
| US08175139B2 |
Multimode multicarrier modem system and method of communication over the same
An alternative approach to coping with the ever increasing demand for faster communications hardware is to design modems that are capable of operating its speeds at a higher data rate than a speed required for a single port of the standard communication rate for that modem. Basically, by utilizing a resource manager, that directs the data in and out of the various portions of the modem in an orderly manner, keeping track of which of the ports is being operated at any given point in time, a standard single port modem can be reconfigured, for example, at an over clocked rate, to manipulate the data input and output of a modem. |
| US08175138B2 |
Power efficient FHSS base-band hardware architecture
The present invention provides a power efficient FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spreading Spectrum) base-band hardware architecture, and more particularly to a combinational design to reduce the system jitter of a frequency hopping communication system and bring system synchronization to higher level of performance, thereby achieving better immunity to faulty access header recognition, data corruption by sending and tracking the package header of each package more precise, therefore reduces the uncertain window of access header check. With above-mentioned features, this invention has less error packets resend over wireless link, and maintain same system functionality using MCU clocked at relative lower frequency. Hence it becomes possible to reduce the area of the silicon implementation, extend standby time when used in mobile device, and save power consumption system wide. Moreover, the present invention is applicable for use in various types of base-band hardware communication architectures or similar architectures. |
| US08175136B2 |
Noise cancellation method, receiver circuit, and electronic instrument
A noise cancellation method includes: inputting an interference wave signal detected near a receiver section, and changing the phase and the amplitude of the input signal to generate a cancellation signal that cancels the input signal; performing correlation calculations on a signal obtained by adding the cancellation signal to a communication signal received by the receiver section and a code replica of a PRN code used for the communication signal, within a given correlation calculation target range that is included within a code phase range and a frequency range; and performing the correlation calculations within a non-signal range outside the correlation calculation target range, and controlling a phase shift amount and an amplitude change rate of the input signal based on the correlation calculation result. |
| US08175133B2 |
Laser-induced optical wiring apparatus
A laser-induced optical wiring apparatus is provided wherein optical wiring is realized by digital operations of a laser oscillator. The apparatus includes optical ring resonator formed of a loop-shaped optical waveguide on substrate. At least two optical gain sections are provided on the optical ring resonator. When each optical gain section is activated, a laser oscillator including the optical ring resonator and optical gain sections is enabled to oscillate. In this state, the gain of at least one of the optical gain sections is changed in accordance with an input signal, thereby changing the optical route gain of the optical ring resonator to change the oscillation state of the laser oscillator. A change in the laser oscillation state is detected by the optical gain section other than the at least one optical gain section, whereby an output signal is acquired. |
| US08175128B2 |
Semiconductor laser element and semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser element is provided which includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer having a current injection region, a second semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer, and an electrode for injecting a current into the active layer. In the semiconductor laser element, the first semiconductor layer, the active layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the third semiconductor layer are laminated in that order on a substrate, the first semiconductor layer has a current constriction layer which constricts the current injection region of the active layer, the third semiconductor layer is formed on an upper surface of the second semiconductor layer in a region corresponding to the current injection region of the active layer, and the electrode is formed on the upper surface of the second semiconductor layer in a region other than that of the third semiconductor layer. |
| US08175125B2 |
Laser device
A laser device includes an outcoupling mirror, a laser medium, a phase-conjugate mirror based on stimulated Brillouin scattering, and an end mirror all arranged along an optical axis of the laser device. A controllable modulator is positioned between the phase-conjugate mirror and the end mirror. The outcoupling mirror and the end mirror form a start cavity. The outcoupling mirror and the phase-conjugate mirror form a main cavity. |
| US08175117B2 |
Method and system of data packet transmission timing for controlling bandwidth
A method and system for determining a wait time (tw) to be used between successive transmissions of packets of a content to achieve a selected target bandwidth BT for the transmission. The wait time between successive packets of a content being transmitted is determined as a function of the selected target bandwidth (BT) to be achieved during the transmission and the size (P) of the packets based on the algorithm t w = P B T The invention provides bandwidth control at the source (the sending device) without relying on network Quality of Service (QoS) facilities. |
| US08175112B1 |
Monitoring and control of an Ethernet link using pseudo-wire interfaces
A communication system uses an Ethernet link to provide services to a user. The services have service priorities and bandwidth allocations on the Ethernet link. A pseudo-wire interface exchanges user communications for the services over the Ethernet link and transfers performance information indicating the performance of the Ethernet link. A management system processes the performance information and the service priorities to determine if a bandwidth adjustment should be made. The management system processes the performance information, the service priorities, and any bandwidth adjustment to determine if a status message should be transferred to the Ethernet service provider and to determine a message priority for the status message. The speed of response by the Ethernet service provider to the status message is indicated by the message priority. |
| US08175110B2 |
Sending station, receiving station, and radio communication method
A transmitting station includes: an error detecting code attachment block that attaches error detecting codes respectively to a plurality of data pieces; a transmitter block that transmits the plurality of data pieces with the error detecting codes attached thereto to a receiving station by using different radio frequencies, respectively; a receiver block that receives, from the receiving station, the results of error detections that the receiving station applies respectively to the plurality of data pieces on the basis of the error detecting codes attached respectively to the plurality of data pieces; and a transmission data managing block that controls retransmission of the data to the receiving station on the basis of the received results of the error detection. |
| US08175109B2 |
Beaconless communication system
The present invention relates to an energy efficient mechanism for establishing and maintaining a communication between nodes (A . . . F) in a wireless communication system. In particular, it relates to a distributed low power medium access control (MAC) mechanism for sharing the communication means in a wireless communication system. According to the present invention a destination node (A) listens to a communication channel periodically. For requesting services from the destination node (A), a wake-up signal (WU) is transmitted from a source node (B) to the destination node (A) via the communication channel, wherein the wake-up signal (WU) is formed by a preamble (WP) and an information for controlling the communication between nodes (A . . . F). The WU signal duration and content is adapted depending on the system operation context to reduce either idle times, power consumption, latency or network blocking (collision avoidance). |
| US08175108B2 |
Wirelessly configurable memory device
A configurable memory includes an interface section, a plurality of memory modules, and an internal configuration section. The interface section includes a millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver and interfaces with one or more external components. Each the plurality of memory modules includes a memory MMW transceiver and a plurality of memory cells. The internal configuration section includes a memory management unit and a memory management MMW transceiver. The memory management unit is operable to determine configuration of at least some of the plurality of memory modules to form a memory block, identify an interface MMW transceiver to provide a wireless link to the memory block, and generate a configuration signal based on the determined configuration and the identified interface MMW transceiver. The memory management MMW transmits the MMW configuration signal to the identified interface MMW transceiver and the MMW transceivers of the memory modules. |
| US08175105B2 |
Pushing documents to wireless data devices
A system pushes documents to one or more wireless data devices. The system receives a push request from a user to push a specified document to one or more identified wireless data devices. The system then constructs a wireless gateway server request for each identified wireless data device, and the document is subsequently pushed to the devices. |
| US08175102B2 |
Neighbor discovery method and apparatus for mobile node in heterogeneous network environment
A neighbor discovery method and apparatus for performing network-transparent neighbor discovery in a heterogeneous network environment is provided. A neighbor discovery method for a multi-mode mobile node includes determining a type of a network, with which a mobile node is in communication, in response to a detection of a request for sending a neighbor solicitation message, retrieving, if the network type identifies a self-processing network, information about the network from a database, determining whether a tentative address contained in the neighbor solicitation message is already in use by another node with reference to the information about the network, and generating, when the tentative address is already in use, a neighbor advertisement message. |
| US08175096B2 |
Device for protection against illegal communications and network system thereof
A communication device, an illegal communication protection device, and network system for providing protection from illegal communications. A communication device is connected to a network, for receiving packets sent and received over networks, and transmitting packets based on the packet destination, includes a control unit, and a storage unit for storing a routing table that stores the destination information. When there is a connection request from a packet that was received, the control unit stores the transmit source address of that packet and the line number where that packet was received, into a routing table, and where there is no connection request from the received packet, the control unit refers to the routing table, acquires the line number linked to an address matching the destination address of that packet, and sends the applicable packet via the acquired line number. |
| US08175094B2 |
Method and system for personalizing a multimedia program broadcasted through IP network
A method and a system. A Medium Access Control (MAC) frame includes an embedded Internet Protocol (IP) frame and a MAC address. The IP frame includes content of a second multimedia program and a second multicast address of the second multimedia program, the MAC address having been resolved from the second multicast address. The second multicast address is determined to be linked to a first multicast address of a first multimedia program of a television channel being played at a user host. The IP frame is forwarded from the MAC frame to an IP layer where the second multicast address is ascertained to be a multicast sub group address of the first multimedia program and is replaced in the IP frame with the first multicast address, after which the IP frame is transmitted to the user host to replace or be inserted into the first multimedia program being played. |
| US08175093B2 |
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. |
| US08175090B2 |
Outer coding methods for broadcast/multicast content and related apparatus
Transmission techniques are provided that improve service continuity and reduce interruptions in delivery of content that can be caused by transitions that occur when the User Equipment (UE) moves from one cell to the other, or when the delivery of content changes from a Point-to-Point (PTP) connection to a Point-to-Multipoint (PTM) connection in the same serving cell, and vice-versa. Such transmission techniques enable seamless delivery of content across cell borders and/or between different transmission schemes such as Point-to-Multipoint (PTM) and Point-to-Point (PTP). Mechanisms for adjusting different streams and for recovering content from each data block during such transitions are also provided so that data is not lost during a transition. In addition, mechanisms for realigning data during decoding at a receiving terminal are also provided. |
| US08175086B2 |
Switching fabrics and control protocols for them
A network unit for use in a switching fabric includes multiple units collectively constituting a single network entity, each having ports for the reception and forwarding of data packets. The network unit has at least one fabric port for connection to a partner port on another one of the units by at least one link. The network unit is organized to send and receive via the at least one fabric port protocol packets which contain information on the path costs between said units in the fabric and to perform an algorithm to determine, on the basis of said information, routes for data packets within the fabric to other units of the fabric. |
| US08175085B2 |
Bus scaling device
A scaling device or striper improves the lane efficiency of switch fabric. The striper controls or adjusts transfer modes and payload sizes of a large variety of devices operating with different protocols. The striper interfaces between network devices and the switch fabric, and the resulting switching system is configurable by a single controller. A source device sends a data packet to its corresponding striper for transmission across the switch fabric to a destination device. The corresponding striper parses the packet to determine its type and payload length, and divides the packet into numerous smaller segments when the payload length exceeds a predetermined length. The segments may be stored in the striper to adapt to the available bandwidth of the switch. The segments are sent across the switch fabric and reassembled at a destination striper. The packet as reassembled is forwarded to the destination device. |
| US08175084B2 |
Data device to speech service bridge
The present invention provides a data device to speech service bridge. The bridge allows packet-based devices, such as, for example, the PDA and 2.5/3G cellular phone, to access voice services. |
| US08175082B2 |
Technique for communicating information over a broadband communications network
A system and method for enabling communications to be transmitted between at least two associated counterpart devices at different locations, e.g., at work and home. One or more communications devices having a first identification code applicable to a first communications network are associated with one or more counterpart devices having a second identification code applicable to a second communications network. |
| US08175079B2 |
Device and method for reestablishing a wireless connection in a wireless network
A device and method enable reestablishing a wireless connection in a wireless network. A first wireless device detects that a previous wireless connection has been lost with a second wireless device that employs dynamic frequency selection (DFS). The first wireless device then uses a routing table to identify a third wireless device as a next hop of a route to the second wireless device, and transmits a request message to the third wireless device, where the request message requests identification of a current DFS channel over which the second wireless device is operating. Next, the first wireless device receives a response message from the third wireless device, where the response message identifies the current DFS channel over which the second wireless device is operating. Using the current DFS channel, the first wireless device establishes a new wireless connection with the second wireless device. |
| US08175078B2 |
Redundant pseudowires between Ethernet access domains
A computer network includes first and second Ethernet access domain networks, each of Ethernet access domain networks including a user-facing provider edge (u-PE) device, and a stack group of network-facing provider edge (n-PE) devices coupled with the u-PE device, the n-PE devices running a bidding protocol to select one of the n-PE devices as a primary n-PE device for a single pseudowire connection path between the first and second Ethernet access domain networks. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08175077B2 |
Mapping schemes for secondary synchronization signal scrambling
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transmitter, a receiver and methods of operating a transmitter and a receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitter includes a synchronization unit configured to provide a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal having first and second segments. The transmitter also includes a secondary scrambling unit configured to provide a scrambled secondary synchronization signal, wherein scrambling agents for the first and second segments are derived from a primary synchronization sequence of the primary synchronization signal. The secondary scrambling unit is further configured to provide an additional scrambling of one of the first and second segments, wherein a second scrambling agent is derived from the remaining segment of a secondary synchronization sequence of the secondary synchronization signal. The transmitter further includes a transmit unit configured to transmit the primary synchronization signal and the scrambled secondary synchronization signal. |
| US08175074B2 |
Method and devices for specifying the quality of service in a transmission of data packets
A system and method for specifying the quality of service in a transmission of data packets between a service entity and a user equipment is provided. A plurality of service classes relating to the quality of service are preconfigured and a selected service class is selected. A first transmission context, associated with a first set of attributes, is established between a core network node and the user equipment. A second transmission context, associated with a second set of attributes, is established between an access node and the user equipment. The selected service class is specified by a third set of attributes, which is forwarded to the core network node and the access node. The third set of attributes is used to determine the first set of attributes and/or the second set of attributes. |
| US08175073B1 |
System and method for adjusting power used in reception in a wireless packet network
A system and method allows devices to send and receive packets while using power to do so in a manner that responds to events, such as receipt or other identification of different parameters that control how packets are sent and received. |
| US08175071B2 |
Intercell interference mitigation apparatus and method
There is provided an intercell interference mitigation apparatus for use in a terminal having a single reception antenna in a multi-cell downlink of an OFDMA system. The apparatus includes one or more parallel interference cancellers for canceling intercell interference by respreading soft decision values of cells other than a self cell; one or more LLR creation blocks for creating channel LLRs required for the soft decision for each of subcarriers, and producing channel soft outputs; one or more soft deciders for performing a soft decision of a self user symbol of the self cell in which interferences from other users are mitigated, and producing the soft decision values; and one or more channel estimation blocks for performing iterative channel estimation by respreading symbols of the soft decision values produced from the soft deciders. |
| US08175066B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing packet data service using heterogeneous networks
An apparatus and method for providing a packet data service by using a plurality of heterogeneous networks is provided. The apparatus includes: a controller for allocating a representative IP address to the terminal and for binding sub-IP address, which are allocated to the terminal by the heterogeneous wireless networks, to the representative IP address; a copy unit for copying an IP packet received from an IP network according to the number of wireless networks to which the terminal is currently connected; and a converter for performing packet conversion on the copied IP packets by using corresponding sub-IP addresses and for transmitting the converted IP packets to the heterogeneous wireless networks. Accordingly, a seamless data service can be provided to a terminal in a service environment where a plurality of wireless communication systems is used. |
| US08175063B2 |
System and method for circulating the assignment of walsh codes among mobile units in control/hold states
Systems and methods for Walsh code assignment are provided. In accordance with the disclosed exemplary embodiments, when a set of mobile communication units (MU) is in a control/hold state, instead of a base transceiver station (BTS) assigning Walsh codes for respective dedicated control channels (dcch ) to the set of mobile communication units (MU) on a one-to-one basis, the base transceiver station (BTS) circulates the Walsh codes among the set of mobile communication units (MU). Thus, at a given time, the base transceiver station (BTS) has assigned the available Walsh codes to only a subset of the mobile communication units (MU) in the control/hold state. Accordingly, this Walsh code assignment allows the system to support more mobile communication units (MU) in the control/hold state. |
| US08175051B2 |
Hybrid scheme for DL link adaptation
A system and method of a hybrid scheme of DL link adaptation in a network having mobile stations (MSs) in communication with a base station (BS). The system may include a mode decision module associated with the base station. The mode decision module may include one or more processors configured to select a first mode configuration for use during transmission of a first communication from the base station. The BS may receive first feedback information associated with the first communication, where the first feedback information includes a first mode recommendation and first channel information. Based on the first feedback information, the BS may generate a BS-derived mode configuration based on the first channel information and compare the first mode recommendation and the BS-derived mode configuration. Based on the comparison, the BS may determine a second mode configuration to use to configure a second communication. |
| US08175049B2 |
Method and apparatus for reference transport channel selection
A method and apparatus for reference transport channel (TrCH) selection includes tracking characteristics on each of a TrCH. Whether or not any TrCHs meet a predetermined criteria is determined. A reference TrCH is selected based upon the determination of TrCHs that meet the predetermined criteria. |
| US08175044B2 |
Wireless communication system and wireless communication method
The present invention is a wireless communication system having a mobile station and a wireless base station, wherein the wireless base station further having a scheduling processing unit which divides system bandwidth into a plurality of wireless resource blocks in a frequency domain, performs scheduling so that other channels are not assigned to the wireless resource blocks which are adjacent to a first channel when the first channel whose frequency characteristic is not orthogonal to the other channels is assigned to a certain wireless resource block resulting from the division, and creates scheduling information on the scheduling that is performed; and a transmission unit which transmits the scheduling information created by the scheduling processing unit to the mobile station, and the mobile station transmits a channel signal to the wireless base station on the basis of the scheduling information and the wireless base station receives the channel signal transmitted from the mobile station. |
| US08175043B2 |
Method and system for establishing disparate connection paths from a mobile user device to a base station through a mobile peer-to-peer (PTP) network
A system and method for establishing and/or maintaining one or more disparate connection paths from a originating mobile user device to a base station via a mobile peer-to-peer (PTP) network including an originating mobile user device configured to broadcasting at least one of a path establishment request signal and one or more path confirmation request signals to one or more intermediate mobile user devices; a mobile peer-to-peer network including the one or more intermediate mobile user devices configured to forwarding the at least one of the path establishment request signal, one or more path establishment response signals, the one or more path confirmation request signal, and one or more path confirmation response signals, via one or more disparate connection paths; and a base station configured to broadcasting at least one of the one or more path establishment response signals and the one or more path confirmation response signals to the originating mobile user device via the one or more disparate connection paths within the mobile peer-to-peer network. |
| US08175040B2 |
Random access request extension for an additional resource request
Methods and apparatuses enable sending a fast access request in a preamble of a random access request. The fast access request provides for an uplink assignment having bandwidth sufficient to allow the transmission of data with a scheduling request. The fast access request can indicate, for example, a traffic class of a message to be sent. Based on traffic class information, up to a certain additional amount of bandwidth can be allocated for a scheduling procedure for the requesting user device. |
| US08175039B2 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling assignment of uplink packet transmission in mobile telecommunication system
A method and an apparatus for reporting a buffer status of a buffer storing packet data to be transmitted by a user equipment for a scheduling assignment of an uplink packet data service in a mobile communication system supporting the uplink packet data service are disclosed. A user equipment stores packet data having a priority corresponding to a plurality of priority queues having inherent priorities and relating to at least one service, and transmits buffer status information containing queue identifiers of the priority queues and buffer payload information representing an amount of the packet data stored in the priority queues. Herein, the user equipment inserts the buffer status information into a header part of a protocol data unit for the uplink packet data service, inserts the packet data into a payload part of the protocol data unit, and then transmits the protocol data unit. |
| US08175037B2 |
Method for updating a routing entry
The present invention concerns method for updating a routing entry BC for a communication partner node CN communicating with a communication originating node MN via a network containing at least one routing node HA, the method comprising the steps of: requesting 1. a routing entry update from said communication originating node MN to said communication partner node CN, wherein said update request contains at least an identification BUIN of the request, submitting 2. request verification information, associated to said identification BUIN of the update request, from said communication originating node MN to said at least one routing node, requesting 4. verification of said routing entry update by said communication partner node CN to said routing node HA using said identification BUIN of the update request, retrieving 5. said request verification information from said routing node based on said identification BUIN of the update request. |
| US08175036B2 |
Multimedia wireless distribution systems and methods
An access point for wireless transmission of packets to user devices includes an application module and a radio module. If the radio module fails to successfully transmit a packet to a user device, the application module takes the packet from its queue and places it in the radio buffer for retransmission. This greatly increases the speed of retransmission. The application module can obtain information on the success of transmitting the packet directly from the radio module. |
| US08175035B2 |
Dynamic fractional frequency reuse in OFDMA networks
A method allocates resources in an orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) network including a set of base stations (BSs), and a set of mobile stations (MSs) for each BS. Each cell includes a center and edge zone. A node weighted constraint graph is constructed for the network. Maximal independent sets in the graph are searched as sub-channels are allocated to the MSs in edge zones. Remaining bandwidth is allocated to the MSs in the center zones. Power is assigned to the sub-channels so that inter-cell interference is minimized and traffic load is maximized. |
| US08175033B2 |
Apparatus and method for changing network attach mode in mobile communication terminal
Provided are an apparatus and a method for changing a network attach mode in a mobile communication terminal using a GSM (Global System for Mobile) scheme and a GPRS scheme. The method includes determining whether a GPRS attach procedure fails due to a network problem in a predetermined auto attach mode; and changing the predetermined auto attach mode into a manual attach mode when the GPRS attach procedure fails due to the network problem. |
| US08175032B2 |
System and method for radio frequency resource allocation
Systems and methods for allocating radio frequency resources are provided. The radio frequency resources are allocated to a mobile station in time or frequency alignment based on signal quality measures. In an orthogonal frequency division multiple access system, the allocated radio frequency resources include one or more tones and one or more symbols. |
| US08175026B2 |
Resource management in mesh satellite communication systems
A method of allocating resources in a mesh-connected communication network comprising a plurality of terminals, and a limited quantity of communication resources for allocation between said terminals, comprises: a request phase in which a plurality of terminals calculate their requirements for resources and issue the same as requests; a distribution phase in which the requests are distributed to all other requesting terminals over the mesh; and a calculation phase in which each requesting terminal uses all available requests and calculates resource allocation over the mesh. Thus each requesting terminal determines the resource allocation. |
| US08175022B2 |
Transmission of system configuration information in mobile WiMAX systems
The particular frame in a super-frame using orthogonal frequency division multiple access techniques will contain system configuration information in the super-frame header. This super-frame header may be located at a fixed offset from the initial preamble of the frame. In some embodiments, the system configuration information may be located in a broadcast channel section of the super-frame header. In some embodiments, the particular frame may overlap a legacy OFDMA frame in time and in OFDMA sub-channels, so that the two frames share some time and sub-channel resources. |
| US08175017B2 |
Method of operation in a wireless communication system
A method of operation (300) of a wireless communication system (100) includes: a client node sending (301) to the infrastructure node a message indicating that it intends to enter an unassociated state and a message requesting (303) the infrastructure node to store for the client node data of at least one multicast or broadcast transmission to be sent by the infrastructure node while the client node is in an unattached state; the client node entering (317) an unattached state and missing (319) at least one multicast or broadcast transmission while in the unattached state; the infrastructure node storing (323) for the client node while the client node is in the unattached state the data of the at least one missed multicast or broadcast transmission; and the infrastructure node sending (331) the stored data to the client node when the client node is in an associated state. |
| US08175016B1 |
Systems, methods and computer readable media for energy conservation in sensor networks
Systems, methods and computer readable media consistent with the present invention address this and other needs by providing mechanisms for minimizing an energy cost within a wireless network having a plurality of nodes, including a plurality of transmitting nodes and a plurality of receiving nodes. An energy cost, including at least an overhearing cost, is determined. A transmission power assignment of a transmitting node is then adjusted to reduce the energy cost. These determining and adjusting stages are repeated to reduce the energy cost. |
| US08175011B2 |
Integrated home service network
The present invention provides a centralized home controller that is used to coordinate a plurality of associated packet communication clients. The home controller provides a centralized and unified control and messaging system for the various packet communication clients. The home controller also allows the packet communication clients to establish and control packet sessions among the associated packet communication clients, as well as between any one of the packet communication clients and remote clients. The packet communication clients are provided in consumer electronics devices, and the associated packet sessions support data, voice, audio, or video content. In one embodiment, the home controller acts as a proxy for the various communications between the packet communication clients. |
| US08175008B1 |
Auto MEP ID assignment within CFM maintenance association
A device may include a maintenance association endpoint configured to select a maintenance association endpoint identifier, transmit the maintenance association endpoint identifier to one or more other maintenance association endpoints, and automatically assign the maintenance association endpoint identifier to the maintenance association endpoint if it is determined that the maintenance association endpoint identifier is available based on a conflict message received from one of the one more other maintenance association endpoints. |
| US08174996B2 |
Adaptive test system for network function and performance evaluation
A method may include receiving a first set of parameters associated with a test environment, the test environment including a test system for testing a network, receiving a test objective, conducting a first test case based on the received first set of parameters and the test objective, automatically determining, by the test system, whether the test objective has been satisfied based on a first test result associated with the first test case, and automatically adapting, by the test system, a second test case based on the first test result when it is determined that the test objective has not been satisfied. |
| US08174993B2 |
System, method and device for tuning a switched transmission line for ethernet local area network-on-motherboard (LOM)
A method, system and device are disclosed for compensating or tuning one or more communication pathways between an external network and an information handling system. In one aspect, one or more inductive devices may be coupled to one or more transmission lines coupling a physical layer transceiver (PHY) to one of a plurality of external network communication ports via a board-mounted communication switch. Selection and placement, such as serial placement, of the one or more inductive devices depends, at least in part, upon one or more electrical characteristics of the transmission lines, the PHY, the communication switch and requirements of the external network. |
| US08174992B2 |
Fault localisation in multiple spanning tree based architectures
A method of localizing a fault in a network is disclosed. The network comprises nodes (SW1 . . . SW4) links, and edge-nodes (EN1 . . . EN4) arranged as a plurality of spanning trees (T1, T2,T3), the spanning trees being partially disjoint. The network further comprises means for network management. The method comprising the steps of receiving information on the configuration of the plurality of tree topologies in the network; monitoring connectivity in the network; upon detection of a loss of connectivity in the network, identifying the failed tree(s), and determining the network elements common to the failed tree(s). |
| US08174990B2 |
Mechanism and system for programmable measurement of aggregate metrics from a dynamic set of nodes
A method for measuring performance of system. The method includes the steps of retrieving a metric definition from a declarative metrics specification, obtaining a list of computing nodes from a database that are currently assigned to the metric definition, obtaining resource data provided by the computing nodes in the list of computing nodes and determining the metric of system performance based on the metric definition and the resource data. The computing nodes in the list of computing nodes are nodes of a cluster of nodes having a dynamically varying node count. |
| US08174988B1 |
Quality-of-service control on a wireless communication device that controls the communication paths used by a communication network
A wireless communication device receives a media request from a user and transfers a message to a media server. The media server receives the message, and in response, transfers media to the wireless device in a first set of packets that have a first sequence of packet addresses. The wireless device receives the first set of packets and displays the media. The wireless device displays a QoS control and receives a QoS level from the user, and in response, transfers a message indicating the QoS level to the media server. The media server receives the message, and in response, translates the QoS level into a second sequence of packet addresses and transfers the media to the wireless device in a second set of packets that each have the second sequence of packet addresses. The wireless communication device receives the second set of packets and displays the media. |
| US08174984B2 |
Managing traffic on virtualized lanes between a network switch and a virtual machine
A computer readable medium comprising software instructions for managing resources on a host, wherein the software instructions comprise functionality to: configure a classifier located on a NIC, to forward packets addressed to a first destination address to a first HRR mapped to a first VNIC, wherein packets addressed to the first destination address are associated with a first PFC lane; configure the classifier to forward packets addressed to a second destination address to a second HRR, wherein packets addressed to the second destination address are associated with a second PFC lane; and transmit, by the first VNIC, a pause frame associated with the first PFC lane to a switch operatively connected to the physical NIC, wherein the switch, in response to receiving the pause frame, stores packets associated with the first PFC lane in a buffer without transmitting the packets. |
| US08174982B2 |
Integrated web cache
A gateway for mobile communications comprises a cache for storing network data recently downloaded from a network, a foreign agent, and a packet filter that directs requests for the network data from a mobile node to the cache. The packet filter directs the requested network data from the cache to the mobile node by way of the foreign agent, without forwarding the requested network data to a home agent of the mobile node. |
| US08174980B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for dynamically rate limiting slowpath processing of exception packets
The subject matter described herein includes methods and systems for dynamically rate limiting slowpath processing of exception packets. According to one embodiment, a method includes monitoring processing resources in a packet forwarding device used for performing slowpath processing of exception packets at the packet forwarding device. It is determined whether usage of the processing resources used for slowpath processing exceeds a first threshold and, in response to determining that the processing resources exceed the first threshold, rate limiting the slowpath processing of the exception packets. |
| US08174974B2 |
Voluntary admission control for traffic yield management
Embodiments are directed towards employing an admission controller (AC) network device to coordinate voluntary requests by traffic source devices (TSDs) to transmit traffic over a network. The TSDs submit voluntary requests to transmit network traffic during an allocated time frame to the AC. The AC monitors historical network traffic data and, based on various allocation policies, provides permission to at least some of the TSDs in the form of a nonexclusive lease of bandwidth with a rate cap for an allocated time frame. The TSDs receiving the lease voluntarily agree to transmit traffic not exceeding the rate cap for the time frame of the lease. TSDs that receive a zero rate cap voluntarily agree not to transmit. However, urgent network traffic bypasses the AC. The allocation policies used to determine the rate cap and number of permitted senders include a reactive approach, a predictive approach, and a predictive-reactive approach. |
| US08174973B2 |
Procedure for wireless network management and station supporting the procedure
There is provided a procedure for wireless network management and a station supporting the procedure. In the procedure, non-AP station which wants to us a traffic filter service (TFS) transmits a TFS request message including one or more TFS request elements for defining information about the requesting traffic filters to an access point (AP). And, the non-AP station receives, from the AP in response to the first TFS request message, a TFS response message including one or more TFS response elements for defining information about the status of the requesting traffic filters. |
| US08174956B2 |
Systems and method for orthogonal frequency divisional multiplexing
Systems and methods for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing are provided. In one embodiment, a multi-carrier modem comprises: a transmitter configured to modulate symbols onto at least one of a plurality of the spectrally overlapping carrier signals; a processor coupled to the transmitter, wherein the processor outputs data for transmission by the transmitter, wherein the processor applies an inverse Fourier transform to the data transmitted by the transmitter; the processor modulating a first carrier of the plurality of spectrally overlapping carrier signals based on a first modulation scheme while modulating a second carrier of the plurality of spectrally overlapping carrier signals based on a second modulation scheme. |
| US08174954B2 |
Optical information recording and reproducing method and optical information recording and reproducing apparatus
An optical information recording and reproducing method for recording or reproducing information by irradiating pulsed laser diode light from a laser diode (LD) light source in which the resistance value of the LD light source is measured in an operating state, the measured LD light source resistance value is compared with a target resistance value, and the LD light source is heated when the LD light source resistance value is higher than the target resistance value, in order to maintain the LD light source resistance at a specified value or less. |
| US08174949B2 |
Systems and methods for format efficient timing recovery in a read channel
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and media formats for processing user data derived from a storage medium. As an example, a system is described that includes a storage medium with a series of data. The series of data includes a servo data and a user data region. The user data region includes a first synchronization pattern and a second synchronization pattern located a distance from the first synchronization pattern. A storage buffer is provided that is operable to receive at least a portion of the series of data. A retiming circuit calculates an initial phase offset and frequency offset for a defined bit within the storage buffer using a first location of the first synchronization pattern and a second location of the second synchronization pattern. An error correction loop circuit re-samples the series of data from the storage buffer based at least in part on the initial phase offset and a frequency offset. |
| US08174948B2 |
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. |
| US08174947B2 |
Evaluation apparatus and evaluation method
An evaluation apparatus includes: a signal reading block; a first waveform equalization block; a boundary detection block; a selective output block; and an evaluation value generation block. |
| US08174945B2 |
Multi-layered optical disk and optical disk device capable of addressing a focus lead-in operation
There are provided a multi-layered optical disk and an optical disk device capable of swiftly reproducing control information recorded into a predetermined recording layer in advance. The object can be accomplished by employing the following configuration: When the optical disk device performs a focus lead-in operation into the multi-layered optical disk, the device positions its optical pickup at a BCA radius position, and takes advantage of a signal which is generated such that an influence exerted on the signal by BCA is avoided. Also, the object can be accomplished by employing the following configuration: An angle index unit for indicating a rotation reference position is provided in the multi-layered optical disk, and a partial area of the BCA is selected as an unrecording area. The optical disk device starts the focus lead-in operation in synchronization with rotation angle information created from the rotation reference position. |
| US08174942B2 |
Data recording method capable of replacing defective data on different location in spare areas
Disclosed data recording techniques prevent extremely decreasing writing/reading speed due to consecutive defects, which often occur when using a disk of large storage capacity, while allowing the size of a spare area used for alternate processing of a recordable optical disk to be changed. The disclosed data recording method comprises receiving from a higher-level device a write command to write data at a first address in a user area; writing the data at the first address; and reading the written data to thereby judge whether or not the first address is defective. If the first address is defective, a second address in a spare area is determined by use of a flag value that has been written to a lead-in area or a lead-out area at the time of initialization; and the data is written at the second address received from the higher-level device. |
| US08174939B2 |
Optical head and optical disc device
An optical head includes a diffraction element capable of improving the quality of a TE signal by a DPP method even if light amounts of two sub-spots are unbalanced for optical discs having different groove pitches. In a three-beam optical head, a diffraction element is divided in a radial direction of an optical disc into a first area, a second area and a third area, wherein the second area is further divided into a fourth area and a fifth area. The periodic structure of the first area is displaced from that of the fourth area by a ¼ period, the periodic structure of the third area is displaced from that of the first area by a ½ period, and the periodic structure of the fifth area is displaced from that of the third area by a ¼ period and from that of the fourth area by a ½ period. |
| US08174936B2 |
Timepiece with ringing mechanism
A timepiece includes a movement and a current-time ringing mechanism that includes: an hour cam (40) for providing information on the hour of the current time to an hour sampler, quarter cam (28) for providing information on the quarters of the current time to a quarter sampler, a minute cam (22) for providing information on the minutes of the current time to a minute sampler, wherein the cams are adapted to be driven by the movement, the quarter cam (28) and the minute cam (22) being pivotally mounted and being free relative to each other, and the minute cam (22) including a snail including a single row of 60/N stages and being adapted to be driven by the movement at N revolutions per hour. |
| US08174929B2 |
Spindle for mud pulse telemetry applications
The present disclosure describes a spindle for a mud pulse telemetry tool. The spindle includes a seal section having an outer surface for contacting a lip seal of a spindle housing in which the spindle is mounted; a top section attachable to at least part of a valve assembly for generating mud pulses; and a base section having a proximal end attachable to a drive motor for moving the spindle and a distal end attachable to the top section such that the seal section is fixed between the top and base sections. The seal section can be made of a ceramic material such as yttrium-stabilized zirconia. |
| US08174928B2 |
Reducing a number of required channels for seismic sensors
To reduce a number of required channels for a survey system having seismic sensors, the seismic sensors are partitioned into groups of corresponding seismic sensors. An aggregation unit applies different transformations of signals of the seismic sensors within a particular one of the groups. The differently transformed signals within the particular group are aggregated to form an aggregated signal. The aggregated signal for the particular group is transmitted, over a channel of the survey system, to a processing system. |
| US08174922B2 |
Anti-fuse memory cell and semiconductor memory device
An anti-fuse memory cell includes: a first transistor connected with a word line and configured to output a second voltage based on a first voltage supplied to the word line in a write mode; a second transistor connected with a bit line, and configured to output a third voltage supplied to the bit line when the second voltage is supplied to a gate of the second transistor in the write mode; and an anti-fuse element connected to a ground line, and having an insulator film. The insulator film is set to a conductive state with the third voltage supplied from the second transistor. |
| US08174920B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and driving method of the same
A memory includes a first and a second bit lines (BL); a first and a second sense nodes (SN); a first transfer gate between the 1st-BL and the 1st-SN; a second transfer gate (TG) between the 2nd-BL and the 2nd-SN; a latch circuit latching data to the 1st and 2nd-SN; a first data line (DQ) from the 1st-SN to outside; and a 2nd-DQ from the 2nd-SN to outside, wherein write data is transmitted from the 1st and 2nd-DQ to the 1st and 2nd-SN corresponding to selected cells before the 1st and 2nd-TG are set to be a conductive state, when writing data into the selected cells to be written out of the cells, and write data in the 1st and 2nd-SN corresponding to the selected cells are started to be written into the selected cells, when the 1st and 2nd-TG are set to be a conductive state. |
| US08174917B2 |
Semiconductor memory for disconnecting a bit line from sense amplifier in a standby period and memory system including the semiconductor memory
Each memory block has a plurality of memory cells, and word lines and bit lines connected to the memory cells. Precharge switches connect the bit lines to a precharge line. A switch control circuit controls an operation of the precharge switches and sets a cutoff function that turns off connection switches in a standby period in which no access operation of the memory cells is performed. Since connections of the bit lines and the precharge switch and those of the bit lines and the sense amplifier are cut off in the standby period, if a short circuit failure is present between a word line and a bit line, a leak current can be prevented from flowing from the word line to a precharge voltage line and so on. |
| US08174912B2 |
Systems and methods for circular buffering control in a memory device
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and circuits for memories and utilization thereof. As one example, memory devices are disclosed that include a plurality of non-volatile memory blocks, and a memory write circuit. The memory write circuit is operable to write subsets of the plurality of non-volatile memory blocks at locations identified by a pointer, and to update the pointer to implement a circular buffer in the plurality of non-volatile memory blocks. In some cases, the non-volatile memory blocks are flash memory blocks. |
| US08174910B2 |
Semiconductor device and system for switching between high-voltage and low-voltage operation circuits
A semiconductor device includes a first input circuit to which a first supply voltage is supplied, a second input circuit to which a second supply voltage that is lower than the first supply voltage is supplied, and a control circuit which activates the first input circuit in a first mode and activates the second input circuit in a second mode. The control circuit controls the first input circuit and the second input circuit such that the first input circuit and the second input circuit are activated during a certain time period when switching between the first mode and the second mode. |
| US08174909B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and method for testing the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory, includes a nonvolatile memory array, a voltage generator circuit that generates a drive voltage which changes depending on a supply voltage and a code, a control circuit that applies the generated drive voltage to the nonvolatile memory array, and a code output circuit that outputs any one of a plurality of codes to the voltage generator circuit, wherein the plurality of codes includes a first code and a second code, wherein the second code is different from the first code, wherein, in a first state, the code output circuit outputs the first code to the voltage generator circuit, and the voltage generator circuit generates the drive voltage according to the first code, and wherein, in a second state, the code output circuit outputs the second code to the voltage generator circuit, and the voltage generator circuit generates the drive voltage according to the second code. |
| US08174900B2 |
Wordline voltage transfer apparatus, systems, and methods
The apparatus and systems described herein may comprise a plurality of memory cells coupled to a local wordline, and a wordline drive circuit that includes a regulator coupled to a plurality of pass transistors and a string driver. The regulator may comprise a regulator transistor having a threshold voltage that is substantially the same as the threshold voltage of the string driver during memory cell program operations. In some embodiments, the regulator may comprise a cascode-connected pair of transistors. Methods of manufacturing and operating the apparatus and systems are also described. |
| US08174893B2 |
Independent well bias management in a memory device
Methods for programming a memory device, memory devices configured to perform the disclosed programming methods, and memory systems having a memory device configured to perform the disclosed programming methods, for example, are provided. According to at least one such method, multiple independent semiconductor well regions each having strings of memory cells are independently biased during a programming operation performed on a memory device. Reduced charge leakage may be realized during a programming operation in response to independent well biasing methods. |
| US08174892B2 |
Increased NAND flash memory read throughput
A method of reading sequential pages of flash memory from alternating memory blocks comprises loading data from a first page into a first primary data cache and a second page into a second primary data cache simultaneously, the first and second pages loaded from different blocks of flash memory. Data from the first primary data cache is stored in a first secondary data cache, and data from the second primary data cache is stored in a second secondary data cache. Data is sequentially provided from the first and second secondary data caches by a multiplexer coupled to the first and second data caches. |
| US08174889B2 |
Programming memory devices
A target memory cell of a memory device is programmed by applying a programming voltage to a word line that includes the target memory cell, determining whether the target memory cell is programmed, and increasing the programming voltage by a step voltage if it is determined that the target memory cell is not programmed. An initial programming voltage and the step voltage are each selectable after fabrication of the memory device. |
| US08174887B2 |
Adjusting for charge loss in a memory
Memory and methods of operating a memory adjusting an output voltage of an analog storage device, such as a data cache capacitor holding a voltage level representative of data, in response to an estimated charge loss are useful for compensating for the effects of charge leakage from the analog storage devices. |
| US08174886B2 |
Semiconductor memory having electrically floating body transistor
A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell; a first region in electrical contact with said floating body region; a second region in electrical contact with said floating body region and spaced apart from said first region; a gate positioned between said first and second regions; and a back-bias region configured to inject charge into or extract charge out of said floating body region to maintain said state of the memory cell. Application of back bias to the back bias region offsets charge leakage out of the floating body and performs a holding operation on the cell. The cell may be a multi-level cell. Arrays of memory cells are disclosed for making a memory device. |
| US08174883B2 |
Semiconductor memory device capable of preventing a shift of threshold voltage
A memory cell array is connected to a word line and a bit line, and configured so that a plurality of memory cells storing one level of n levels (n is a natural number more than 4) in one memory cell are arrayed in a matrix. A control circuit controls a potential of the word line and the bit line in accordance with input data, and writs data in the memory cell. The control circuit applies a write voltage corresponding to write data to a memory cell. The write voltage differs for each write data. A verify operation is executed for each write data after a write voltage application operation ends with respect to all n levels. |
| US08174882B2 |
Method of programming a non-volatile memory device for enhancing a channel boosting of a bit line inhibited from programming
A method of programming a non-volatile memory device includes applying a first pass voltage to word lines in a direction of a source select line based on a first word line selected for a program operation, wherein the word lines do not include a second word line adjacent to the first word line in a direction of the source select line; and applying a first voltage, a program voltage and a second pass voltage when the first pass voltage reaches a given level. The first voltage is applied to the second word line, the program voltage is provided to the first word line, and the second pass voltage is applied to word lines in a direction of a drain select line on the basis of the first word line. |
| US08174881B2 |
Techniques for reducing disturbance in a semiconductor device
Techniques for reducing disturbance in a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a semiconductor memory device having reduced disturbance. The semiconductor memory device may comprise a plurality of memory cells arranged in arrays of rows and columns. The semiconductor memory device may also comprise a plurality of data sense amplifiers, coupled to the plurality of memory cells, configured to perform one or more operations during an operation/access cycle, wherein the operation/access cycle may comprise an operation segment and a disturbance recovery segment. |
| US08174875B2 |
Memory devices including multi-bit memory cells having magnetic and resistive memory elements and related methods
An integrated circuit memory device may include an integrated circuit substrate, and a multi-bit memory cell on the integrated circuit substrate. The multi-bit memory cell may be configured to store a first bit of data by changing a first characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell and to store a second bit of data by changing a second characteristic of the multi-bit memory cell. Moreover, the first and second characteristics may be different. Related methods are also discussed. |
| US08174874B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes bit line pairs extending in a column direction, each of the bit line pairs includes a first bit line and a second bit line, and memory cell groups connected to the bit line pairs, respectively, and each includes memory cells. Each of the memory cells comprises a first transistor, a second transistor and a resistive memory element. One end of the resistive memory element is connected to the first bit line. A drain region of the first transistor and a drain region of the second transistor are connected to each other and connected to the other end of the resistive memory element. A source region of the first transistor and a source region of the second transistor are connected to the second bit line. |
| US08174872B2 |
Nonvolatile latch circuit
A nonvolatile latch circuit includes: first and second inverters cross-coupled to hold 1-bit data; first and second magnetoresistive elements each having first to third terminals; and a current supply circuitry configured to supply a magnetization reversal current for changing the magnetization states of the first and second maqnetoresistive elements in response to the 1-bit data. The power terminal of the first inverter is connected to the first terminal of the first magnetoresistive element and the power terminal of the second inverter is connected to the first terminal of the second magnetoresistive element. The current supply circuitry is configured to supply the magnetization reversal current to the second terminals of the first and second magnetoresistive elements. The third terminal of the first magnetoresistive element is electrically connected to the third terminal of the second magnetoresistive element. |
| US08174871B2 |
Memory cell array
Disclosed is a memory cell array including word and first bit lines and second bit lines respectively connected to memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a MOS transistor and switching element having first and second conductive layers and a gap in which a resistance value changes by applying a predetermined voltage, and data is written by specifying the first bit line to connect it to a ground, specifying the word line and supplying a write voltage to the second bit lines, and read by specifying the word line, and specifying the first bit line to supply a read voltage lower than the write voltage to the second bit lines, and the word line is specified when the voltage of the word line becomes a gate threshold value voltage or more and a sum of a drive voltage and the gate threshold value voltage or less. |
| US08174870B2 |
Magnetic recording element
A magnetic recording element is disclosed for which current density required for writing is low and structure of the element is simple. It comprises a ferromagnetic fine wire formed on a Si substrate, current electrodes that contact ends of the ferromagnetic fine wire, and voltage electrodes joined to the ferromagnetic fine wire and current electrodes to measure voltage across part of the ferromagnetic fine wire in cooperation with the current electrodes. A magnetic domain wall is induced in the ferromagnetic fine wire when the element is manufactured. A depression is formed in the surface on top of the ferromagnetic fine wire between the voltage electrodes, and between one of the current electrodes and one of the voltage electrodes. Voltage is measured between the two voltage electrodes when reading current is applied, to determine whether the magnetic domain wall is present between the two voltage electrodes, whereby recorded data can be identified. |
| US08174867B2 |
Negative-voltage generator with power tracking for improved SRAM write ability
An integrated circuit structure includes a static random access memory (SRAM) cell; a first power supply node connected to the SRAM cell, wherein the first power supply node is configured to provide a first positive power supply voltage to the SRAM cell; and a bit-line connected to the SRAM cell. A negative-voltage generator is coupled to, and configured to output a negative voltage to, the bit-line, wherein the negative-voltage generator is so configured that the negative voltage decreases in response to a decrease in the first positive power supply voltage and increases in response to an increase in the first positive supply voltage. |
| US08174863B1 |
Circuits and methods for multiple programmable memory using one-time programmable memory
Circuits and methods for utilizing multiple programmable memory using one-time programmable (OTP) memory in a fan controller. The fan controller generally includes a plurality of OTP memories, each capable of being programmed once and only once; a state machine configured to enable writing updated parameter information to an available OTP memory and to provide a control signal indicating a next OTP memory to which next received data are to be written, and read logic coupled to the plurality of OTP memories, the read logic configured to read an output from a most recently programmed OTP memory. The method generally includes receiving updated parameter information to be stored in the memory, programming one of a plurality of one-time programmable (OTP) memories with the updated parameter information, indicating an availability of a next OTP memory, and reading an output from a most recently programmed OTP memory. |
| US08174862B2 |
Fuse circuit and redundancy circuit
A fuse circuit or a redundancy circuit is capable of detecting a fuse with a crack. The fuse circuit includes a fuse block configured to drive an output node through a current path including a fuse in response to a fuse enable signal, and a voltage detection block configured to detect a voltage level of the output node based on a critical voltage adjusted according to a test mode signal, thereby generating a fuse condition signal. |
| US08174859B2 |
Memory device interface methods, apparatus, and systems
Apparatus and systems may include a substrate and a first memory device coupled to the substrate using a through wafer interconnect (TWI). An example may include an interface chip having a via to accommodate connection of the memory device to the substrate. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08174852B2 |
Asymmetric switch forward converter
A switching circuit for use in a power converter in one aspect includes a first and second active switch and a first and second passive switch. The first active switch can be coupled to a first terminal of a primary winding of a transformer. The second active switch can be coupled to a second terminal of the primary winding of the transformer. The output capacitance of the first active switch is greater than the output capacitance of the second active switch. The first passive switch can be coupled to the second active switch and to the second terminal of the primary winding. The second passive switch can be coupled to the first active switch and to the first terminal of the primary winding. The reverse recovery time of the first passive switch is greater than the reverse recovery time of the second passive switch. |
| US08174837B2 |
Wireless enable/disable locking system
A wireless enable/disable locking system comprises a locking element configured to physically cooperate with a switch, the switch for enabling/disabling a wireless communication capability of a device, to lock the wireless communication state of the switch to either enabled or disabled. |
| US08174836B2 |
Data card
A data card includes a casing provided with a circuit board therein. One end of the casing is provided with a plug electrically connected with the circuit board. The data card further includes a connecting part and a cap part. One end of the connecting part is connected with the casing, while the other end is connected with the cap part. The cap part can cover the plug. An antenna which is electrically connected with the circuit board is provided on the connecting part and/or the cap part. The invention mainly use in wireless data signal receiving or transmitting device. |
| US08174835B2 |
Hot swappable computer card carrier
Embodiments are described including a device comprising a carrier frame. The device includes a first connector on a first side of the carrier frame, and the first connector connects to a host system when the carrier frame is inserted into the host system. The device includes a second connector on a second side of the carrier frame, where the second side of the carrier frame is perpendicular to the first side. The second connector electrically couples to the first connector and connects to an input/output (I/O) adapter card inserted into a third side of the carrier frame, where the third side perpendicular to the first side. Consequently, the device has a flat structure that receives an adapter card and reorients the electrical connection of the adapter card. The device includes external visual status indicators and a switch for hot-swapping of the adapter card carrier in a running host system. |
| US08174834B2 |
Molded housing used in force fit method
A molded housing for an electronic circuit, for installation in electronic devices and/or sensors or pick-ups includes at least one force-fit zone, and a force-fit component assigned each of said at least one force-fit zone. The force-fit component is mounted by welding on a die pad of the molded housing. |
| US08174833B2 |
Electric power converting apparatus
A cooling device for cooling a plurality of switching elements included in each of a converter unit and an inverter unit includes a fin base that serves as a switching element attachment plane on which the switching elements are mounted and a plurality of fins arranged on a plane opposite to the switching element attachment plane. When an electric power converting circuit is a single- or multi-phase bridge circuit including a plurality of sets of legs each formed with a positive-side arm and a negative-side arm, the switching elements constituting the legs of different phases are arranged in a row on the fin base in a traveling direction of a railway electric car. |
| US08174832B2 |
Structure of heat dissipation substrate for power light emitting diode (LED) and a device using same
A structure of a heat dissipation substrate of power LEDs and a device made by using the same overcomes drawbacks such as complex structure of power LEDs, strict manufacturing process, low production efficiency, high production cost, and unreliable product quality. The structure of the heat dissipation substrate includes a one-piece circuit board having a counterbore and metal lines thereon, wherein the counterbore is formed by a through hole and a blind hole communicating with each other. The through hole is smaller than the blind hole, and both of them share the same direction of axis. The heat sink has a one-piece terraced structure formed by a upper terrace and a lower terrace; the heat sink matches the counterbore to form a firm fit. |
| US08174831B2 |
Heating circuit and electronics assembly
A heating circuit and an electronics assembly for use in a vehicle includes an external housing having outer walls and an internal wall dividing the external housing into an electronics cavity and a non-electronics cavity. A heat generating electronics assembly is located in the electronics cavity adjacent to the internal wall. A control electronics assembly is located in the electronics cavity adjacent to the heat generating electronics assembly, with the control electronics portion controlling the heat generating electronics assembly; and an internal heat shield extending between and shielding the control electronics assembly from the heat generating electronics assembly, with the internal heat shield being made of a thermally conductive material and having a contact portion attached to the internal wall, whereby heat absorbed by the internal heat shield transmitted to the internal wall. |
| US08174830B2 |
System and method for a substrate with internal pumped liquid metal for thermal spreading and cooling
A circuit board includes a pump and a channel. The channel includes a liquid metal and a coating. The liquid metal is pumped through the channel by the pump and the coating reduces diffusion and chemical reaction between the liquid metal and at least portions of the channel. The liquid metal can carry thermal energy to act as a heat transfer mechanism between two or more locations on the substrate. The substrate may include electrical interconnects to allow electrical components to be populated onto the substrate to form an electronics assembly. |
| US08174829B1 |
Cooling electronic devices provided in rows of racks
To cool racks of electronic devices, the racks are arranged in a plurality of rows to define at least a first aisle and a second aisle, where the second aisle has air cooler than air in the first aisle, and where the fans of the electronic devices cause air to flow from the second aisle to the first aisle. A cooling coil assembly contains a coolant to cool air received from the first aisle, wherein cooled air exits the cooling coil assembly and flows to the second aisle. A temperature of the coolant in the cooling coil assembly is maintained above a dew point of an environment in which the racks are located. |
| US08174825B2 |
Apparatus and methods for managing connection cables of portable optical drives
Apparatus and methods for managing a connection cable that is used for interconnecting a small form factor (SFF) portable optical disk drive (ODD) or other similarly configured ODD to an information handling system such as notebook or desktop computer. A retractable fixed connection cable may be provided inside an internal cavity within the external enclosure of a portable ODD apparatus that has an inner chassis with a disk receiving section that is configured to receive an optical disk media and that extends beyond the outer boundary of an electronics section of the inner chassis of an ODD that contains electronic components so as to form a cut-out section that defines the internal cavity between the inner ODD chassis and the inside of an outer ODD enclosure when these components are assembled together. |
| US08174824B2 |
Enclosure with access panel
Techniques for accessing an enclosure are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an enclosure is configured for rack mounting. The enclosure includes an access panel disposed in a top surface of the enclosure. The access panel is moveably coupled to the enclosure and configured to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. |
| US08174823B2 |
Computer monitor with a shelf
A computer monitor is supported by a stand connected to the back of the monitor. A shelf is positioned behind the computer monitor, where the shelf is connected to either the stand or the computer monitor back surface. The shelf has a flat portion which is essentially horizontal for holding various items. |
| US08174820B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor and method for manufacturing same
An element for a solid electrolytic capacitor having low equivalent series resistance (ESR) and high capacitance per unit volume obtained by controlling the composition or the thickness of the silver paste forming a laminated structure on the anode substrate having a carbon paste layer on the surface. Using two kinds of silver pastes each having different wettability on the carbon paste layer and applying each silver paste on the side (edge) portions and face portions of an anode substrate, respectively, a desired layer thickness can be obtained as a whole. A solid electrolytic capacitor element preferably has a silver paste layer coating the side (edge) portions of the anode substrate which is thicker than the silver paste layer covering the face portions of the anode substrate, wherein a silver paste of composition having a water amount of 0.5 mass % or less is preferably used. |
| US08174814B2 |
Wire electrode type ionizer
An ionizer includes positive and negative wire electrodes each formed of a conductive wire with a circular cross section. The wire electrodes are arranged in parallel with each other, each having circumferential surfaces serving as a discharge surface on which a corona discharge occurs upon application of positive and negative high voltages for discharging positive and negative ions. |
| US08174813B2 |
Protection patch panel
An access control system dissipates voltage transients while allowing access control equipment to operate normally. The access control system utilizes an isolation patch panel which is provided with circuitry to prevent voltage transients from damaging access control equipment, while also enabling the access control equipment to be wired with standard Ethernet cabling. |
| US08174812B2 |
Mechanically interlocked transfer switch
A transfer switch apparatus has first, second, and third electrical terminals extending outwardly from a housing. A first vacuum bottle is positioned in the housing and has a pair of contactors therein. A second vacuum bottle is positioned in the housing and has a pair of contactors therein. A mechanical linkage is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position electrically connects the first electrical terminal to the second electrical terminal. The second position electrically connects the third electrical terminal to the second electrical terminal. The first vacuum bottle and the second vacuum bottle are longitudinally aligned. The mechanical linkage is interposed between the first and second vacuum bottles. |
| US08174811B2 |
Overheat protection device and electrical system having same
The present invention provides an overheat protection device which is capable of effectively preventing a secondary battery from overheating. In the overheat protection device (20), a variable resistive element(s) (11) of which resistance varies depending on a temperature is located on and thermally combined with a certain position(s) of an electrical system (1), and a switching element (15) for controlling a current depending on an applied voltage thereto is arranged so as to control the current flowing through the electrical system (1). When the certain position of the electrical system (1) comes to be under a high temperature condition, the variable resistive element (11) interrupts the current flowing through the electrical system (1) by changing the applied voltage to the switching element (15). |
| US08174806B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection element and electrostatic discharge protection circuit including the same
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection element includes a first diode, a second diode, and a poly resistor. The first diode is connected between a first voltage and an input/output (I/O) pad. The second diode is connected between the I/O pad and a second voltage. The poly resistor is formed on the second diode. |
| US08174801B2 |
Controlling arc energy in a hybrid high voltage DC contactor
A high voltage direct current (HVDC) power distribution system comprises at least one power bus; at least one load conductor; and a hybrid contactor for interconnecting the at least one power bus and the at least one load conductor and through which inductive energy passes upon disconnection of the at least one load conductor from the at least one power bus. A first portion of the inductive energy passes through the hybrid contactor as an arc. A second portion of the inductive energy passes through the hybrid contactor as resistively dissipated heat. |
| US08174799B2 |
Differential magnetoresistive magnetic head
Embodiments of the present invention help to provide a single element type differential magnetoresistive magnetic head capable of achieving high resolution and high manufacturing stability. According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive layered film is formed by stacking an underlayer film, an antiferromagnetic film, a ferromagnetic pinned layer, a non-magnetic intermediate layer, a soft magnetic free layer, a long distance antiparallel coupling layered film, and a differential soft magnetic free layer. The long distance antiparallel coupling layered film exchange-couples the soft magnetic free layer and the differential soft magnetic free layer in an antiparallel state with a distance of about 3 nanometers through 20 nanometers. By manufacturing the single element type differential magnetoresistive magnetic head using the magnetoresistive layered film, it becomes possible to achieve the high resolution and the high manufacturing stability without spoiling the GMR effect. |
| US08174786B1 |
Equalization and detection
Devices, systems, and techniques for equalization include, in at least some implementations, a first equalizer that produces first equalized data responsive to input data by reducing a total power of both noise and inter symbol interference components of the input data, a first detector that produces first output data responsive to the first equalized data, a second equalizer that produces second equalized data responsive to the first output data by maximizing bit error rate performance, and a second detector that produces second output data responsive to the second equalized data. |
| US08174780B1 |
Disk drive biasing a refresh monitor with write parameter of a write operation
A disk drive is disclosed including a disk, and a head actuated over the disk. Control circuitry within the disk drive is operable to receive a write operation for a refresh zone of the disk, measure a write operation quality parameter that affects the quality of the write operation, and perform the write operation. An update function is enabled in connection with performing the write operation, wherein the update function is operable to update a refresh monitor as a function of the write operation and the write operation quality parameter. Data stored in the refresh zone of the disk is refreshed in response to the refresh monitor. |
| US08174776B2 |
Array of concentrating lenses and method of manufacture
The method described provides a unique solar energy concentrating structure. This structure is intended to be employed in conjunction with complementary high efficiency solar cell elements to produce solar electric power. In its usual embodiment it contributes to a system of exterior window concentrators and solar cells that provide good visibility and control excess heat transmission providing benefits beyond low-e glass performance. |
| US08174775B2 |
Lens barrel and imaging device
A lens barrel which allows efficient interlock between a cylindrical member such as a moving cam ring and a component such as a viewfinder cam plate or a strobe cam plate, without size-increasing. The lens barrel comprises a first cylindrical member, and a second cylindrical member that is disposed so as to receive the first cylindrical member, and includes a guiding part at an inner circumferential surface thereof. The guiding part includes a groove-form hole part that penetrates the second cylindrical member, and the first cylindrical member includes a follower part that follows the guiding part having the groove-form hole part. |
| US08174773B2 |
Anamorphotic imaging objective
An anamorphic imaging objective having multiple effective optical surfaces. One of the effective surfaces is implemented as anamorphic and one of the effective surfaces is implemented as a free-form surface, which has an aspheric contour in at least one of the two main sections and which has precisely two planes of mirror symmetry, the main sections lying in the planes of mirror symmetry. |
| US08174770B2 |
Optical component and method for producing the same
A concave lens as an optical component is made of glass containing 20 to 22% of B2O3, 30 to 40% of La2O3, and 19 to 25% of ZnO, expressed as wt %. The concave lens has a thickness t1 in its center portion of 0.5 mm or less, and a ratio (W/t1) of a diameter W with respect to the thickness t1 of 24 or more. The concave lens can be produced suitably by press forming. |
| US08174768B2 |
Optical arrangement for tracking detector
A system and method of reducing turbulence sensitivity in a laser spot detector. Embodiments may include using beam splitters, reflectors, and beam deviators. The reflectors may be trihedral reflectors and the beam deviators may be segmented wedge plates having predetermined physical angles and angle directions in each wedge segment designed to produce opposing blurs for each segment of the aperture. A predetermined blur introduced into each line of sight eliminates the need for de-focus, thereby mitigating effects such as centroid shift caused by turbulence or dirty/damaged sensor apertures. |
| US08174765B2 |
Molded product
A molded product having a phase separation structure formed by photopolymerization of a photopomerizable composition and imparting a sharp diffraction spot at a high diffraction efficiency, and a method for manufacturing same are provided. The molded product (1) comprises a matrix (2) and a multiple columnar structures (3) disposed within the matrix (2) and having an index of refraction different from the matrix (2), wherein the half width of a diffraction spot is 0.6° or less and diffraction efficiency is 10% or greater in an angular spectrum obtained by irradiation with a laser beam having an intensity distribution of standard normal distribution and a half width of the intensity distribution of 0.5°. The multiple columnar structures (3) are oriented in approximately the same direction, and are aligned in a regular lattice on a plane perpendicular to said orientation direction. |
| US08174763B2 |
Methods and systems for controlably scanning a cytological specimen
Methods and systems for scanning a cytological specimen carried by a slide. Movement or positioning of a motorized stage of an automated screening system may be controlled manually by a user such that the user controls movement, e.g., controlling speed, position, and/or timing, of the motorized stage along a first scan line to controllably scan a first portion of the specimen along the scan line. The user may then index the motorized stage from the first scan line to the next scan line and manually control movement of the stage along the second scan line to controllably scan another portion of the specimen. Stage indexing may also be automatic such that the user does not control or initiate indexing. |
| US08174758B2 |
Optical amplifier
An optical amplifier for amplifying light includes a light source for emitting pump light in accordance with current amount; a rare earth element doped optical fiber doped rare earth element, the rare earth element doped optical fiber pumped by the pump light from the light source; a detector for detecting upconversion light leaked from the rare earth element doped optical fiber; a memory for storing correspondence relationship data of the current amount for the light source and an intensity of the upconversion light in normal state of the light source; a difference calculator for calculating a difference between the intensity of the upconversion light being detected by the detector and an amount being obtained by converting the current amount for the light source by the use of the correspondence relationship data; and a discriminator for discriminating whether the difference calculated at the difference calculator exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US08174756B1 |
Rhomb beam splitter in optical communication
Rhomb beam splitters are used to implement various optical demodulators, in particular PSK and DPSK demodulators. The parallel beam-splitting and reflective surfaces of the rhomb structure produce reflection and transmission beams that exit the beam splitter parallel to one another and with a relative phase shift determined by the distance between the surfaces. These features afford the advantages of low cost, compactness, easily tunable, and temperature-insensitive optical structures for constructing a variety of optical demodulators. |
| US08174755B2 |
Microcapsules for electrophoretic display devices, and processes for their production, and their applications
The microcapsules for electrophoretic display devices according to the present invention each enclose a dispersion containing electrophoretic particles and a solvent in a shell having an inner shell made of a mercapto group-containing amino resin and an outer shell made of an epoxy resin. Alternatively, the microcapsules for electrophoretic display devices according to the present invention each have a capsule strength of 0.6 MPa or higher. These microcapsules are produced by dispersing a dispersion containing electrophoretic particles and a solvent as a core substance in a water-based medium, and subsequently forming at least one shell on the surface of the core substance. These microcapsules can be used, as their applications, for sheets for electrophoretic display devices, electrophoretic display devices using the sheets, and electronic equipments using the electrophoretic display devices. |
| US08174751B2 |
Two frequency resonantly excited MEMS mirror for diode-laser marker
Apparatus for marking a bitmap image on tape includes a scanning mirror which is incorporated in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). The MEMS is torsionally resonant at two frequencies one being about three time the other. The MEMS is excited to resonance by applying an AC signal to the actuators, causing the mirror to oscillate. The AC signal has components at the two frequencies. The magnitude and phase-relationship of the components can be selected such that the mirror oscillates in an approximation of a triangle-wave. |
| US08174750B2 |
Optical deflector, optical scanner, image forming apparatus, and image projector
An optical deflector, including a fixed base; a mirror having a light reflection surface; a pair of elastic support members oscillatably supporting the mirror; and a pair of drive beams formed of a beam-shaped member on which a piezoelectric is fixed, wherein the elastic support members and the drive beams in longitudinal directions are almost orthogonally located and connected with each other, other ends of the drive beams are fixed on the fixed base, the mirror and the pair of elastic support members are cantilevered by the pair of drive beams relative to the fixed base, and bending oscillation of the drive beams causes torsional deformation of the elastic members to rotationally oscillate the mirror. |
| US08174749B2 |
Light-beam-scanning system utilizing counter-rotating prism wheels
A light-beam-scanning system includes two counter-rotating prism wheels. Each prism wheel has a set of prisms at its periphery, selected so that prisms of equal half-angle deflections are sequentially aligned. A light transceiver structure directs a light beam parallel to the rotational axes of the prism wheels and at a distance from the rotational axes so that the light beam passes through the aligned prisms. A prism-wheel drive is operable to drive the prism wheels in opposite rotational directions. |
| US08174745B2 |
Optical unit, method for controlling drive, and holographic apparatus
An optical unit includes an acousto-optic deflector and a drive control unit. The drive control unit controls the acousto-optic deflector by changing a frequency of a voltage applied to an acousto-optic medium of the acousto-optic deflector to a frequency in a first frequency range during a first period representing a deflection control period and changing the frequency of the voltage to a frequency in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range during a second period representing a transmittance control period. |
| US08174738B2 |
Image read-out device and image forming device
The image read-out device comprises an integrally formed scanning optical unit in which a light source which emits light toward a document, a plurality of reflective mirrors reflecting the light which is emitted from the light source to the document and then reflected, an image forming lens converging the light reflected by a final reflective mirror which finally reflects the light, among the plurality of mirrors, and a light receiving sensor for receiving the light converged by the image forming lens are integrally mounted on a housing, the integrally formed scanning optical unit moving in a scanning direction and reading out an image of the document, wherein an opening is provided on each of top and bottom surfaces of the housing, and wherein the area of the opening provided on the bottom surface is equal or more than that of the opening provided on the top surface. |
| US08174736B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus is configured to read an image of a document. The image reading apparatus includes a main body, a document receiving surface configured to receive a document to be read, an operation panel disposed on the main body and a document cover configured to move between a first position covering the document receiving surface and a second position exposing the document receiving surface. The operation panel has a first inclined surface inclined relative to the document receiving surface and operation keys arranged on the first inclined surface. The document cover has a second inclined surface inclined relative to the document receiving surface. When the document cover is in the first position, the second inclined surface may generally align with the first inclined surface, may be immediately adjacent to the first inclined surface, and may be inclined less than the first inclined surface relative to the document receiving surface. |
| US08174734B2 |
Reduction of memory size required for correction of displacement of scan positions
An apparatus for correcting a scanned image includes a delay circuit configured to delay first image data by a delay amount corresponding to an integer multiple of a line interval, an interpolation circuit configured to perform an interpolation computation responsive to interpolation coefficients with respect to two or more lines included in the first image data delayed by the delay circuit, and a control circuit configured to set the delay amount to the delay circuit and the interpolation coefficients to the interpolation circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to set the delay amount to an amount corresponding to integer m smaller than integer n and set the interpolation coefficients such that the interpolation computation becomes equivalent to a computation introducing a delay equal to n−m lines if an interval between the first image data and second image data is n times the line interval. |
| US08174728B2 |
Image processing method and device
An image processing method for forming a color conversion table to convert plural input colors into output colors, the method including the steps of: extracting color values of plural gray scales wherein in input and output characteristic data, a signal value of one color is variable and signal values of other colors are fixed; creating a model with which difference values between input and output color values are outputted by inputting the extracted color values; and estimating the output color values corresponding to the input color values to create the color conversion table to convert plural input colors into output colors, after shifting the color values by adding or subtracting the difference values which are obtained by inputting the color values into the model with respect to every output color values. |
| US08174727B2 |
Image forming apparatus that displays finished graphical image indicating multiple draft images arranged in matrix form
A first display area and a second display area are disposed in each setting screen concerning setting of photocopy processing, a draft graphical image and a finished graphical image are set in which present set contents are reflected every time the set contents are changed in response to user's operation, the set draft graphical image is displayed in the first display area, and the set finished graphical image is displayed in the second display area. |
| US08174722B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that minimizes the consumption of power during physical formatting of the hard disk drive or the deletion of data therefrom and to a control method thereof. The image forming apparatus has a non-volatile storage unit that stores image data and a controller that executes at least one of the operations of initialization of the storage unit and deletion of the image data stored in the storage unit, and further includes as operating modes an image forming mode during which image formation is enabled and a power-saving mode during which power consumption is minimized, wherein the controller switches the operating mode to power-saving mode when initialization processing or image data deletion processing is begun. |
| US08174721B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for outputting image, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program
A system for outputting an image includes first and second image output apparatuses. The first image output apparatus includes a display processing portion that displays an image to be outputted on electronic paper based on a first condition under which a job to output the image is executed, a conditions storing processing portion that stores, in a conditions storage, the first condition in association with a job identifier for identifying the job, and a job identifier storing processing portion that stores the job identifier in the electronic paper. The second image output apparatus includes a reading portion that reads out the job identifier from the electronic paper, an obtaining portion that obtains, from the conditions storage portion, the first condition corresponding to the job identifier thus read out, and a job execution portion that executes a whole or a part of the job based on the first condition thus obtained. |
| US08174720B2 |
Packaging digital front end
A package assembly method and system may include a processor, a more printing device, an assembly device, a knowledge base containing a structural design ontology, and a memory structure. A memory structure may contain instructions that instruct the processor to query the knowledge base to obtain a two dimensional package model based on a known three dimensional package model and a set of intents, convert a three dimensional graphic representation to a two dimensional graphic representation using a semantic structure, access a packaging rule set to obtain rules for assembly of a three dimensional package from the model, instruct a printing device to apply the two dimensional graphic representation to the two dimensional package model, and instruct the assembly device to apply the rules for assembly to create the three dimensional package. |
| US08174718B2 |
Facsimile machine and control method thereof
A facsimile machine includes an image data generating unit that reads a original and generates image data, an information transmitting and receiving unit that transmits and receive the digital data, a first data generating unit that generates first digital data used for a real-time communication method without using analog data, and a second data generating unit that generates second digital data used for a deemed voice communication method without using analog data.when using the real-time communication method, the first data generating unit generates the first digital data and the information transmitting and receiving unit transmits the first digital data to the destination.When using the deemed voice communication method, the second data generating unit generates the second digital data and the information transmitting and receiving unit transmits the second digital data to the destination. |
| US08174714B2 |
System and method for management of consumable items in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus of an embodiment of the invention includes a first storage unit to store, based on stored information stored in wireless tags attached to a plurality of consumable items, an application to manage the stock number of the plurality of consumable items, a second storage unit to store replacement information to indicate replacement from a first consumable item installed in the image forming apparatus to a second consumable item included in the plurality of consumable items, a notification unit to notify the replacement information stored in the second storage unit, and a read unit to read, based on the replacement from the first consumable item to the second consumable item, the first stored information stored in a first wireless tag attached to the second consumable item. |
| US08174713B2 |
Image processing system with an information transmitting system, image processing device and data processing program therefor
In a communication system having a client and a server capable of communicating with each other via a network, the server can transmit a command to the client in response to a command request transmitted from the client to the server. The server may include a replying unit that transmits replaying data in response to the command received from the client in such a manner that (a) if there is a command to be transmitted to the client, replying data including the command is transmitted to the client, and (b) if there is not a command to be transmitted to the client, replying data, which does not include a command is transmitted to the client. Further, the replying unit may transmit the replying data without a command to the client when a no-command status lasts a predetermined standby period after receipt of the command request. |
| US08174709B2 |
Image processing apparatus, computer program product, and preview image displaying method
The image data processing apparatus includes a storage unit to store image data having a process setting. The image data processing apparatus includes a selection screen display unit to display the one or more image data stored in the storage unit and to display a selection screen to select whether to use a process content associated with image data selected from the displayed image data if the one segment of image data is used. The image data processing apparatus includes a display control unit to display, on the display device, a preview image reflecting the process content based on the associated process content. |
| US08174708B2 |
Analysis of molecular interactions on and/or in thin layers
The invention relates to a carrier for a thin layer and a method for the analysis of molecular interactions on and/or in such a thin layer. A thin layer disposed on a carrier is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation from at least one radiation source and a reflected radiation part on boundary surfaces of the thin layer is detected by means of an optoelectronic converter that converts the detected radiation into a frequency- and intensity-dependant photocurrent. A reading voltage is applied to the optoelectronic converter. By changing the reading voltage, the spectral sensitivity of the optoelectronic converter is varied such that a substantially constant photocurrent is obtained. Alternatively or in addition to varying the spectral sensitivity by changing the reading voltage, the reflected radiation part is detected with an optoelectronic converter that is designed as a sensor layer in the carrier. The carrier is particularly characterized in that it comprises a substrate on which at least one sensor layer with optoelectronic properties is disposed. |
| US08174703B2 |
Method for fabricating a sensor, a sensor, and a method for sensing
A method for fabricating a sensor, a sensor so fabricated, and a method for sensing a stimulus are provided. The method includes providing an elongated open channel, such as, a V-groove, in a substrate, the open channel providing a first surface; removing at least some material from at least a portion of the open channel to provide a second surface displaced from the first surface; positioning a diaphragm on the second surface; and positioning an elongated wave-guide having a beveled end in the elongated open channel wherein the beveled end is positioned over the diaphragm to define an interferometric cavity between the diaphragm and the outer surface of the wave-guide. The sensor so fabricated can provide an effective sensor for detecting acoustic emission waves, among other pressure waves. |
| US08174702B2 |
Speckle reduction in optical coherence tomography by path length encoded angular compounding
Speckle, a factor reducing image quality in optical coherence tomography (“OCT”), can limit the ability to identify cellular structures that are important for the diagnosis of a variety of diseases. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can facilitate an implementation of an angular compounding, angular compounding by path length encoding (“ACPE”) for reducing speckle in OCT images. By averaging images obtained at different incident angles, with each image encoded by path length, ACPE maintains high-speed image acquisition and implements minimal modifications to OCT probe optics. ACPE images obtained from tissue phantoms and human skin in vivo demonstrate a qualitative improvement over traditional OCT and an increased signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”). Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of an apparatus probe catheter and method can be provided for irradiating a structure. In particular, an interferometer may forward forwarding an electromagnetic radiation. In addition, a sample arm may receive the electromagnetic radiation, and can include an arrangement which facilitates a production of at least two radiations from the electromagnetic radiation so as to irradiate the structure. Such exemplary arrangement can be configured to delay a first radiation of the at least two radiations with respect to a second radiation of the at least two radiations. |
| US08174701B2 |
Optical tomographic imaging system
The optical tomographic imaging system includes a main body for acquiring an optical tomographic image, an optical probe having a rotary optical fiber for guiding the measuring and returning light, a measuring unit, and a sheath rotatably holding the rotary optical fiber and the measuring unit, a rotary drive unit for rotatably coupling the rotary optical fiber to a stationary optical fiber connected with the main body, an extra length handling mechanism for winding the optical probe into a loop having at least a minimum diameter and an attaching unit removably attaching the optical probe. The extra length handling mechanism winds an extra length of the optical probe by a length depending upon a length up to the location to be examined. The system eliminates the need to change the optical probe depending upon the location to be examined and the need to adjust the optical path length of reference light. |
| US08174697B2 |
Non-orthogonal particle detection systems and methods
Described herein is a particle detection system capable of spatially resolving the interaction of particles with a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Using a specific electromagnetic beam cross sectional shape and orientation, the detection sensitivity of a particle detection system can be improved. Also provided are methods for detecting and sizing particles in a manner that has low background signal and allows for spatially resolving the scattering or emission of electromagnetic radiation from particles. |
| US08174694B2 |
Hyperspectral imaging systems
Hyperspectral imaging system and methods that may be used for imaging objects in three-dimensions are disclosed. A cylindrical lens array and/or a slit array may be used to re-image and divide a field of view into multiple channels. The multiple channels are dispersed into multiple spectral signatures and observed on a two-dimensional focal plane array in real time. The entire hyperspectral data cube is collected simultaneously. |
| US08174692B2 |
High spatial resolution imaging of a structure of interest in a specimen
In high spatial resolution imaging, a structure in a specimen is marked with a substance which, in a first electronic state, is excited by light of one wavelength to emit fluorescent light, which is also converted from its first into a second electronic state by that light, and which returns from its second into its first electronic state. The specimen is imaged onto a sensor at a spatial resolution not resolving an average spacing between neighboring molecules of the substance, and exposed to the light at such an intensity that the molecules in the first state are alternately excited to emit fluorescent light and converted into their second state, and that at least 10% of the molecules presently in their first state lie at a distance from their closest neighboring molecules in their first state which is greater than the spatial resolution of the imaging onto the sensor. |
| US08174691B1 |
Detection of a component of interest with an ultraviolet laser and method of using the same
A device is provided for detection and analysis of a component of interest in a sample comprising a small sample cell used with an ultra violet laser. The energy of the laser is spread over an area such that energy density is above desorption threshold, but the sample not ablated. The device provides for rapid and reliable detection of a component of interest, and a method of using the same. The sample cell provides decreased dispersion of the sample. |
| US08174690B2 |
Apparatus for characterizing a surface structure
An apparatus for optically characterizing a surface structure of a board or sheet, includes a light source arranged at a first side of a said board and adapted to illuminate a first area of a surface of said board or sheet by emitting towards said surface a collimated light beam at a first, oblique angle of incidence relative to said surface of said board or sheet. A light receiver arranged at a second side of a said board or sheet, said second side being substantially opposite to said first side in respect of said board or sheet, is adapted to receive at least a part of said collimated light beam being reflected off said first area of said surface of said board or sheet, and includes a spatial detector adapted to receive by different parts of said detector light of said collimated light beam being reflected off respective, different parts of said first area. |
| US08174689B2 |
Apparatus for inspecting defects of honeycomb structure
According to an apparatus for inspecting defects of a honeycomb structure that is provided with a current plate and an air current formation means (air source and a header tube), fine defects or defects taking place in the vicinity of an outer periphery of the honeycomb structure can be detected with high sensitivity. |
| US08174684B2 |
Modular measuring head system
In a modular measuring head system comprising a central module having the shape of a parallelepiped block with six sides, the central module encloses an interior space and is provided on at least five sides with attachment sites, each having at least one opening leading to the interior space. Together with additional modules, the central module forms a modular building structure based on a highly diverse optical measuring head including at least several of an illumination module, a lens module, a mirror module and a camera module. Each of these optional modules can be at least indirectly attached to at least one of the attachment sites. |
| US08174683B2 |
Vehicle positioning measurement system and method
A vehicle position measurement system (100) and method to determine the (relative) position of a vehicle (110) and an object (120) are proposed. The system comprises at least two light sources (131, 132) capable of emitting light and positioned at a predetermined distance (140) to each other. Furthermore the system comprises at least one detector (150/151, 152) capable of measuring the light emitted. The light emitted by the light sources comprises synchronized light source identification codes. The detector is arranged to determine the position of the vehicle (110) and object (120) on the basis of a phase-difference measurement between the light originating from the individual light sources (131, 132) and a comparison phase. The vehicle (110) may comprise the at least two light sources (131, 132) and the detector (151, 152), while the phase-difference is measured between light reflected from the object (120) and the comparison phase. Alternatively, the vehicle (110) may comprise the at least two light sources (131, 132) while the object (120) comprises the detector (150) and the detector is arranged to obtain the comparison phase from the light received from one of the light sources (131, 132). The object may be a vehicle. |
| US08174682B2 |
Shape measuring instrument with light source control
An optical system of a shape measuring instrument includes a laser diode, a first optical system irradiating an object to be measured with laser beam, a second optical system focusing reflected light from the object to be measured, and a CCD line sensor portion for detecting a laser beam from the second optical system, where the first optical system includes an optical path displacing unit for displacing an optical path for laser beam, the optical path displacing unit includes a glass plate rotating about a rotating axis extending in a direction perpendicular to a displacement plane of the optical path, a rotating unit for the glass plate, and a rotating unit controller, and the rotating unit controller causes a rotation angle of the rotating unit to coincide with a rotation angle of the rotating unit obtained when the maximum value of an amount of light received by the CCD line sensor according to rotation of the rotating unit is measured by the rotating unit controller. |
| US08174677B2 |
Illumination optical system for microlithography
The disclosure provides an illumination optical system for microlithography that is designed so that, even with a change of illumination setting (e.g., a change in the given illumination conditions in the object field), variation of illumination parameters over the object field is confined within predetermined tolerances. |
| US08174676B2 |
Method for correcting a lithography projection objective, and such a projection objective
A method for correcting at least one image defect of a projection objective of a lithography projection exposure machine, the projection objective comprising an optical arrangement composed of a plurality of lenses and at least one mirror, the at least one mirror having an optically operative surface that can be defective and is thus responsible for the at least one image defect, comprises the steps of: at least approximately determining a ratio VM of principal ray height hMH to marginal ray height hMR at the optically operative surface of the at least one mirror, at least approximately determining at least one optically operative lens surface among the lens surfaces of the lenses, at which the magnitude of a ratio VL of principal ray height hLH to marginal ray height hLR comes at least closest to the ratio VM, and selecting the at least one determined lens surface for the correction of the image defect. |
| US08174674B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithography apparatus includes a liquid supply system configured to supply a liquid to a space through which a beam of radiation passes, the liquid having an optical property that can be tuned by a tuner. The space may be located between the projection system and the substrate. The tuner is arranged to adjust one or more properties of the liquid such as the shape, composition, refractive index and/or absorptivity as a function of space and/or time in order to change the imaging performance of the lithography apparatus. |
| US08174671B2 |
Lithographic projection apparatus and method for controlling a support structure
A control system controls a support structure of a lithographic apparatus. A first measurement system measures the position of a substrate supported by the support structure, in a first coordinate system. A second measurement system measures the position of the support structure in a second coordinate system, the first measurement system having a presumed position in the second coordinate system. A controller controls the position of the support structure based on measurements by the second measurement system, to convert the measured position of the substrate into a converted position of the support structure in the second coordinate system, to position the support structure based on the converted position, to receive a position error signal indicative of a difference between the presumed position and an actual position of the first measurement system in the second coordinate system, and to position the support structure dependent upon the position error signal. |
| US08174670B2 |
Measurement method and exposure apparatus
A method of measuring an optical characteristic of an optical system using a measurement apparatus, comprises determining a position of each of object points by arranging, on a side of the object plane, an object point measurement device array, and sequentially inserting the object point measurement devices in an optical path, determining a position of each of image points by arranging, on a side of the image plane, an image point measurement device array, and sequentially inserting the image point measurement devices in the optical path, calculating an error attributed to the measurement apparatus based on the positions of object points and the positions of the image points, obtaining a measured value by measurement to obtain information representing the optical characteristic of the optical system using the measurement apparatus, and correcting the measured value based on the error. |
| US08174668B2 |
Exposure apparatus and method for producing device
A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table which holds a substrate, a projection system which projects a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate, the projection system having a final optical element adjacent the substrate, a liquid supply system which provides a liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate table, and a cleaning system which cleans the substrate table. |
| US08174665B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method for manufacturing the same, capable of maintaining a cell gap and preventing press defects caused by application of a predetermined external pressure via the use of ball spacers. |
| US08174662B2 |
Display circuits
A display circuit for a display panel is disclosed. The display circuit comprises a circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), and a driver. The circuit board has at least one test pad. The flexible printed circuit board is electrically connected and disposed between the circuit board and the display panel. The driver is disposed on the flexible printed circuit board and has at least one test pin. The at least one test pin is electrically connected to the at least one test pad. |
| US08174661B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a first insulating substrate including a display area and a peripheral area, a display area signal line in the display area of the first insulating substrate. a peripheral area signal line in the peripheral area of the first insulating substrate, a driving circuit portion in the peripheral area of the first insulating substrate, receiving an input signal through the peripheral area signal line, and thereby generating an output signal to supply to the display area signal line, a second insulating substrate facing the first insulating substrate and having a common electrode, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate, and a first sealant disposed between the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate and sealing the liquid crystal layer, wherein the common electrode is disposed on a whole surface of the second insulating substrate, and the first sealant is closer to the display area than the peripheral area signal line. |
| US08174660B2 |
Metal line, method of forming the same, and a display using the same
Provided are a metal line, a method of forming the same, and a display using the same. To increase resistance of a metal line having a multilayered structure of CuO/Cu and prevent blister formation, a plasma treatment is performed using a nitrogen-containing gas and a silicon-containing gas or using a hydrogen or argon as and the silicon-containing gas. Accordingly, a plasma treatment layer such as a SiNx or Si layer is thinly formed on the copper layer, thereby preventing an increase in resistance of the copper layer and also preventing blister formation caused by the damage of a copper oxide layer. Consequently, it is possible to improve the reliability of a copper line and thus enhance the reliability of a device. |
| US08174657B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An LCD include a gate line, a first data line and a second data line arranged to cross each other, thereby defining a unit pixel region, a TFT disposed at a region where the gate line, the first data line and the second data line cross, and having a passivation layer on an exposed channel layer, a common line disposed in parallel to the gate line, a first storage electrode integrally formed with the common line for forming a storage capacitance in the unit pixel region, a second storage electrode disposed to overlap with the first storage electrode, common electrodes branched from the first storage electrode and disposed at the unit pixel region, and pixel electrodes branched from the second storage electrode and alternately disposed with the common electrodes. |
| US08174653B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device comprising, a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer provided between the substrates, a first alignment film provided on the liquid crystal layer side surface of the first substrate, and a second alignment film provided on the liquid crystal layer side surface of the second substrate, wherein the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules with negative dielectric anisotropy, the first alignment film and the second alignment film align the liquid crystal molecules substantially vertically to the alignment film surfaces and align the liquid crystal molecules near the first alignment film and the second alignment film such that alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules near the first and second alignment films are perpendicular to each other, and the first alignment film and the second alignment film are photo-alignment films made of a material having a photosensitive group. |
| US08174648B2 |
Cellulose acylate film, process for producing the same, and polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device having the same
Disclosed is a cellulose acylate film comprising a cellulose acylate satisfying relations of 2.0≦A+B≦2.45, (II): and 0.8≦A≦1.4, and (III): 0.6≦B≦1.65 where “A” represents a degree of acetyl substitution of hydroxy in a glucose unit of cellulose acylate; and “B” represents a degree of with C3 or longer acyl substitution of hydroxy in a glucose unit of cellulose acylate; and satisfying relations of 50 nm≦Re(590)≦70 nm, 100 nm≦Rth(590)≦120 nm, and (VI): 1.4≦Rth(590)/Re(590)≦2.6. |
| US08174647B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display comprising a dielectric layer between the first and second electrodes in the transmissive region
A display includes a plurality of pixel circuits, each pixel circuit including a first electrode, a second electrode, a reflective region, and a transmissive region. The reflective region reflects ambient light and includes a first portion of a liquid crystal layer and a polarization dependent reflector. The transmissive region transmits backlight and includes a second portion of the liquid crystal layer. A dielectric layer is between the first and second electrodes in one of the reflective region and the transmissive region, the dielectric layer configured such that when a pixel voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes, the percentage of the pixel voltage applied across the first portion of the liquid crystal layer is different from the percentage of the pixel voltage applied across the second portion of the liquid crystal layer. The display includes a backlight module to generate the backlight. |
| US08174646B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal panel of the present invention comprise a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer arranged on one of both sides of the liquid crystal cell, and a second polarizer arranged on the other side of the liquid crystal cell, wherein at least one of the first and the second polarizers is dyed with a dichroic material, and the dichroic ratio thereof is from 40 to 100. At least one of the polarizers preferably has a polarization degree of 99% or more and a single transmittance of 35% to 45%. Further, at least one of the polarizers preferably exhibits the following birefringence: Δnxy is from 0.015 to 0.030.The liquid crystal panel of the present invention has the above polarizers, therefore the liquid crystal panel attains high contrast ratio in oblique directions and excellent display characteristics. |
| US08174641B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel with microlens array, its manufacturing method, and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal display panel including an electrical element substrate on which switching elements for controlling the light transmittance of a liquid crystal layer are formed so as to respectively correspond to pixels; a microlens array provided on a light-incident side of the liquid crystal display panel; a support provided on the light-incident side of the liquid crystal display panel so as to be in a peripheral region of the microlens array; a rear-face side optical film attached to the liquid crystal display panel via the support; and a wiring connection substrate mounted to the electrical element substrate. The electrical element substrate includes an overhang which projects from the support in the direction of the wiring connection substrate, and the wiring connection substrate is mounted to the overhang. |
| US08174639B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a cabinet, a device main body, a printed wiring board, an electric terminal, and a holder plate. The electric terminal is disposed on a first face of the printed wiring board. The electric terminal includes a terminal body and a connector. The holder plate includes a terminal hole, first and second engagement portions, and a restricting portion. The connector of the electric terminal is disposed through the terminal hole. The first and second engagement portions extend from an inner face of the holder plate. The restricting portion extends from the inner face of the holder plate. The restricting portion faces a top face of the terminal body of the electric terminal in a direction perpendicular to the printed wiring board. |
| US08174637B2 |
Thin-film transistor substrate comprising a repair pattern
A thin-film transistor substrate includes; gate lines which extend in a first direction, the gate lines including a first gate line and a second gate line, the first gate line disposed adjacent to and previous to the second gate line, data lines which are insulated from the gate lines and extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a pixel electrode formed in a region where the first gate line and the second gate lines cross the data lines and connected to the second gate line, and a repair pattern which at least partially overlaps the first gate line, the repair pattern comprising a plurality of connection patterns, wherein the connection patterns extend from the pixel electrode in the second direction toward the first gate line, have a predetermined width measured in the first direction, and are arranged at predetermined intervals along the first direction. |
| US08174635B2 |
Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display having top gate thin film transistors wherein each gate electrode contacts an auxilliary electrode
An electrostatic discharge protection element, a liquid crystal display device having the same, and a manufacturing method. A first ESD organic TFT, a second ESD organic TFT, a third ESD organic TFT each have a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode in which the source electrode and drain electrode of the first and second ESD organic TFTs and the gate electrode of the third ESD organic TFT are electrically connected. The gate electrode and the source electrode of the first ESD organic TFT are electrically connected to a first array line and the gate electrode and the drain electrode of the second ESD organic TFT are electrically connected to a second array line. The source electrode of the third ESD organic TFT is electrically connected to a data line or a gate line and the drain of the third ESD organic TFT are electrically connected to a common voltage line. |
| US08174630B2 |
Reflective liquid crystal display panel capable of being photo-programmed and restored by polarized lights
A reflective liquid crystal display panel capable of performing data programming and/or data erasing via a polarized light is provided. The reflective liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a transflective film, a retarder and a polarizer. The second substrate is disposed over the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is located between the first substrate and the second substrate and an optical aligned material is doped in the liquid crystal layer. The transflective film is disposed below the first substrate, and the transflective film allows the polarized light to pass through, so that the orientation of the optical aligned material doped liquid crystal layer can be controlled by the polarized light. The transflective film reflects external light source. The retarder is disposed between the transflective film and the first substrate. The polarizer is disposed on the second substrate. |
| US08174629B2 |
Display system equipped with untwisting function and return function for unfolding state
A vehicle display system having both an untwisting function and a position restoring function is provided. The vehicle display system includes a main body, a display panel, one or more drive means, a microcontroller, one or more clutch means, and windup springs. The main body is mounted on the ceiling of a vehicle. The display panel is coupled to the main body so as to be rotated. The drive means rotate two connection members connected to respective ends of the display panel. The microcontroller operates the drive means so that the display panel is unfolded when receiving basic signals. Each of the clutch means causes a corresponding connection member to run idle over a corresponding rotational shaft. Each of the windup springs is mounted to the corresponding rotational shaft and is wound when the display panel is unfolded. |
| US08174619B2 |
Reception apparatus and method of controlling image output by reception apparatus
Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus including: a signal reception section configured to receive a video signal transmitted via a transmission path; an image display section configured to process the video signal to display an image; a timing information acquisition section configured to acquire timing information in connection with reception of the video signal, the timing information concerning timing that affects the image displayed by the image display section; a reference time length adjustment section configured to adjust a reference time length based on the timing information, the reference time length being used as a reference for a length of a time period from the reception of the video signal to start of image display; and a display control section configured to control timing at which the image display is started, based on the reference time length adjusted by the reference time length adjustment section. |
| US08174613B2 |
Substrate mounting structure for a camera device
The present invention provides a camera device including: an image pickup element; a substrate mounted with the image pickup element thereon; and a housing accommodating the image pickup element therein. The housing is provided with a plurality of support members which extend upright and to which an external edge portion of the substrate is stuck with an adhesive. The substrate is provided with an application area to which the adhesive is applied, at the external edge portion stuck with the support members. |
| US08174610B2 |
Camera
A camera includes an image sensor, and a plurality of metering areas are assigned to an object scene captured by the image sensor. A CPU evaluates a luminance of the object scene for each metering area, and binarizes each of the plurality of obtained luminance evaluated values. Furthermore, on the basis of the plurality of binarized luminance evaluated values, a width of a high luminance area included in the object scene is calculated while a width of an adjacent area adjacent to the high luminance area out of a low luminance area included in the object scene is calculated. Then, each of the plurality of luminance evaluated values is corrected on the basis of a ratio between the width of the calculated adjacent area and the width of the calculated high luminance area. An exposure amount to the image sensor is adjusted on the basis of the luminance evaluated values thus corrected. |
| US08174605B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
There is provided an image processing apparatus allowing a user to easily process a captured image. This image processing apparatus displays an image generated based on image data and an item representing processing for the image data on a screen, detects a change in the orientation thereof, and performs processing upon the image data corresponding to the displayed image based on a detection result of the change in the orientation thereof. |
| US08174603B2 |
Image sensors and methods with antiblooming channels and two side driving of control signals
An image sensor of various embodiments includes a pixel array. The pixel array includes a pixel having a photodiode and a transfer gate. The pixel array in various embodiments further includes an antiblooming channel extending from the photodiode to either (i) a pixel output area, or (ii) a drain of a source follower transistor. A method of some embodiments includes (i) driving from a first row driver one or more control signals over one or more control lines to one or more pixels, and (ii) driving from a second row driver the one or more control signals over the one or more control lines to the one or more pixels. |
| US08174595B2 |
Drive unit for image sensor, and drive method for imaging device
A drive unit for an image sensor of the present invention comprises, for horizontal scanning, a drive section performing addition and readout of a first FD (floating diffusion) shared by two pixels of the same color that are adjacent in a diagonal direction by simultaneously transferring electrical charge of the two pixels of the same color, and for a second FD shared by two pixels of different colors that are adjacent in a diagonal direction, transferring and reading out electrical charge of a pixel of one color among the two pixels of different colors. |
| US08174592B2 |
Color interpolation device and color interpolation method
A color interpolation device may include a gradient grade calculation block calculating horizontal derivatives and vertical derivatives using composite video signals output from a current pixel and adjacent pixels and calculating a gradient grade using a linear composition of the horizontal derivatives and vertical derivatives, a horizontal/vertical YUV calculation block calculating horizontal YUV components and vertical YUV components of the current pixel from the composite video signals, and a YUV/RGB conversion circuit mixing the horizontal YUV components and the vertical YUV components based on the gradient grade and converting mixed YUV components generated as a result of the mixing to RGB components. |
| US08174591B2 |
Photographing apparatus and photographing method
Disclosed is a photographing apparatus of interlace transferring type comprising a photographing device which carries out transfer of electrification of all pixels stored in the photographing device by dividing into a plurality of fields when transferring the electrification, which has a plurality of color filters and which includes a color signal of at least RGB or YeCyMgG in the transfer data of each field for transferring the electrification, an extraction unit for extracting characteristic data of an image from transferred data before processing for the image is started, a generating unit for generating control value carrying out correction of image based on the extracted characteristic data, and a photographing processing unit for processing the image by use of a control value formed by said characteristic data. |
| US08174589B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and control method therefor
A period of periodical noise caused by a period of a drive signal of a CMOS sensor and a period of a signal generated by driving of a circuit other than the CMOS sensor is acquired, and a length of a horizontal blanking period is adjusted so that one horizontal period of a drive signal of the CMOS sensor becomes an integer multiple of the periodical noise period. Then, column noise is detected from an image signal read out by driving the CMOS sensor with a drive signal based on one horizontal period after the adjustment and the detected column noise is subtracted from the image signal. |
| US08174585B2 |
Color conversion coefficient calculation apparatus, computer readable recording medium for recording color conversion coefficient calculation program, and color conversion coefficient calculation method
A color conversion coefficient calculation apparatus includes: a conversion coefficient calculation section that calculates, as a color conversion coefficient for converting a first color signal made up of a plurality of chrominance signals into a second color signal made up of a plurality of chrominance signals, a color conversion coefficient for converting a first spectral characteristic which characterizes the first color signal in a standard fashion into a second spectral characteristic which characterizes the second color signal; a correction coefficient calculation section that calculates a correction coefficient for approximating a base color signal which is the first color signal corresponding to a plurality of base colors into a reference color signal obtained based on the first spectral characteristic corresponding to a plurality of base colors; and a conversion coefficient correction section that corrects the color conversion coefficient by using the correction coefficient. |
| US08174583B2 |
Optical image stabilizer for camera module assembly
Provided is an optical image stabilizer for a camera module assembly including at least one or more guide portions for guiding linear movement while preventing friction in first and second drive portions. The optical image stabilizer includes a first drive portion including a tip provided between a housing and a first drive plate to drive the first drive plate in a first direction, a second drive portion including a tip provided between the first drive plate and a second drive plate to drive the second drive plate in a second direction, and first and second guide portions formed in the first and second drive plates in positions corresponding to the tips of the first and second drive portions such that the first and second guide portions guide linear movement of the tips and prevent friction when the first and second drive portions are driven in the first and second directions. |
| US08174581B2 |
Moving object image tracking apparatus and method
An apparatus includes a computation unit computing a moving velocity of a moving object (MO) by differentiation on a first angle of a first-rotation unit and a second angle of a second-rotation unit, a setting unit setting a first-angular velocity of the first-rotation unit and a second-angular velocity of the second-rotation unit as angular-velocity-instruction values when the MO falls outside a correction range, and setting the second-angular velocity and a third-angular velocity as the angular-velocity-instruction values when the MO falls within the correction range, a detection unit detecting a fourth-angular velocity and a fifth-angular velocity of the first-rotation unit and the second-rotation unit, and a control unit controlling a driving unit to eliminate a difference between the fourth-angular velocity and an angular velocity corresponding to the first-rotation unit, and controlling the driving unit to eliminate a difference between the fifth-angular velocity and an angular velocity corresponding to the second-rotation unit. |
| US08174579B2 |
Related scene addition apparatus and related scene addition method
A related scene addition apparatus, capable of extracting a related scene even when information on a moving image content having no information related to each scene, such as text information, has been retrieved, includes: an operation record storage unit (105) storing operation records of information retrieval by the user who is watching the video; a retrieved result storage unit (103) storing a result of the information retrieval to be transmitted to another terminal; a retrieval start time estimating unit (107) estimating the time when the user starts retrieving information corresponding to the result, using the operation records stored by the operation record storage unit (105); a related scene extracting unit (108) extracting a scene of the video at the estimated retrieval start time; and a retrieval result output unit (111) providing the result of information added with the related scene in order to transmit the provided result to another terminal. |
| US08174574B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An optical apparatus includes a zoom lens unit, a pan/tilt unit configured to at least one of pan the zoom lens unit and tilt the zoom lens unit, and a center-shift information storage portion configured to store a shift amount of an optical axis for every zooming position, and has a mechanism configured to correct a shift of the optical axis caused by zooming, by driving the pan/tilt unit by the shift amount of the optical axis stored in the center-shift information storage portion. |
| US08174568B2 |
Unified framework for precise vision-aided navigation
A system and method for efficiently locating in 3D an object of interest in a target scene using video information captured by a plurality of cameras. The system and method provide for multi-camera visual odometry wherein pose estimates are generated for each camera by all of the cameras in the multi-camera configuration. Furthermore, the system and method can locate and identify salient landmarks in the target scene using any of the cameras in the multi-camera configuration and compare the identified landmark against a database of previously identified landmarks. In addition, the system and method provide for the integration of video-based pose estimations with position measurement data captured by one or more secondary measurement sensors, such as, for example, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and Global Positioning System (GPS) units. |
| US08174567B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus, method of controlling the apparatus, and recording medium having recorded thereon program for executing the method
A digital photographing apparatus is provided that reduces the number of instances in which an image including a subject having closed eyes is obtained. A method of controlling the apparatus and a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method are also provided. The apparatus includes an image capture device that generates data from light incident thereon, and a blink determination unit that determines whether eyes are closed in an image from the generated data. The blink determination unit performs the determination as to whether eyes are closed only on an image from first still image data obtained in response to a signal received from a user. If the blink determination unit determines that eyes are closed in an image from still image data generated by the image capture device, still image data is obtained again from light incident on the image capture device. |
| US08174566B2 |
Stereoscopic image display apparatus of net pattern
A stereoscopic image display apparatus is provided which includes an image display panel and a parallax barrier having parallax barrier pieces in the front of the image display panel. In the stereoscopic image display apparatus, the image display panel has a pixel pattern in which left-eye sub pixels and right-eye sub pixels are alternately arranged in horizontal and vertical directions. The parallax barrier is spaced apart from the image display panel by a predetermined distance and the parallax barrier pieces with a predetermined size are arranged at a predetermined interval in the horizontal and vertical directions so as to allow a left eye and a right eye to separately recognize a left-eye image and a right-eye image formed by the left-eye sub pixels and the right-eye sub pixels, respectively. Accordingly, since a strip pattern is removed from s stereoscopic image, it is possible to obtain a natural stereoscopic image. In addition, since a strip pattern and a color mixing phenomenon are removed from s stereoscopic image, it is possible to obtain a natural and clear stereoscopic image. |
| US08174565B2 |
Three-dimensional image display system
Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional image display system, including: a multi-parallax image reproduction apparatus configured to reproduce two-dimensional images, which include a plurality of parallax images within one frame, at a first frame rate; and a three-dimensional display apparatus configured to carry out multi-parallax stereoscopic moving picture display at a second frame rate based on a plurality of parallax images reproduced by the multi-parallax image reproduction apparatus where one frame of stereoscopic moving pictures is formed from a multi-parallax image formed from a predetermined number of parallax images; the multi-parallax image reproduction apparatus reproducing an image wherein control information is included in any of the parallax images for every one frame or every plurality of frames, the three-dimensional image display apparatus carrying out control in accordance with the control information included in the parallax images to carry out the multi-parallax stereoscopic moving picture display. |
| US08174563B2 |
Object detecting system
An object detecting system includes stereo-image taking means for taking images of an object and outputting the images as a reference image and a comparative image, stereo matching means for calculating parallaxes by stereo matching, and determination means for setting regions of objects in the reference image on the basis of the parallaxes grouped by grouping means, and performing stereo matching again for an area on the left side of a comparative pixel block specified on an epipolar line in the comparative image corresponding to a reference pixel block in a left end portion of each region. When a comparative pixel block that is different from the specified comparative pixel block and provides the local minimum SAD value less than or equal to a threshold value is detected, the determination means determines that the object in the region is mismatched. |
| US08174560B2 |
Video camera
A video camera can be configured to highly compress video data in a visually lossless manner. The camera can be configured to transform blue and red image data in a manner that enhances the compressibility of the data. The data can then be compressed and stored in this form. This allows a user to reconstruct the red and blue data to obtain the original raw data for a modified version of the original raw data that is visually lossless when demosaiced. Additionally, the data can be processed in a manner in which the green image elements are demosaiced first and then the red and blue elements are reconstructed based on values of the demosaiced green image elements. |
| US08174559B2 |
Videoconferencing systems with recognition ability
A videoconferencing system which encodes different streams of information. The information may include video, audio, speech recognized versions of the audio, and language translated versions of the audio. Text may be sent as part of the videoconference. |
| US08174558B2 |
Automatically calibrating a video conference system
A method of automatically calibrating a video conference environment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes initiating a calibration sequence in the video conferencing system, routing a test signal through the audio and video components of the video conferencing system, measuring a time delay associated with the test signal and utilizing the time delay to calibrate subsequent audio and video signal transmissions by the video conferencing system. |
| US08174557B2 |
Deployable sensor device, sensor system, and method of collecting environmental information
A system for obtaining and displaying such images and environmental information from environments is disclosed, as well as a sensor device and a host configured for use in the system, the sensor device having camera assemblies, environmental sensors, and being connected to the host via a wireless communications link. Methods for obtaining and presenting the images and environmental information using system 100 are also disclosed. |
| US08174556B1 |
Videoconferencing arrangement having multi-purpose digital still camera
A videoconferencing system uses a modular terminal that includes a conventional digital still camera coupled to the input port of the videocommunicator, such as a set top box. There are various features provided by this arrangement, including using the digital still camera to present video information to the videocommunicator with a split screen image representing the still image, a receiver arrangement permitting the digital still camera to fit securely and adjacent to the videocommunicator, and pan/tilt/zoom camera features provided electronically. |
| US08174555B2 |
Portable video communication system
A method and device for adapting a display image on a hand-held portable wireless display and digital capture device. The device includes a camera for capturing a digital video and/or still image of a user, means for adjusting the captured digital image in response to poor image capture angle of said image capture device so as to create a modified captured digital image; and means for transmitting said modified captured digital image over a wireless communication network to a second hand-held portable wireless display and digital capture device. |
| US08174554B2 |
Optical scanning device and printing apparatus using a threshold matrix to improve image quality
An optical scanning device includes: an emission unit which emits a light beam; an oscillating mirror which deflects the light beam to reciprocate on a scanning surface; and a controller which controls the emission unit to be on and off to form a pattern of dots in each cell of a plurality of cells defined on the scanning surface, the pattern being formed according to a gradation of the cell and based on a dot-concentrated threshold matrix. The threshold matrix is defined such that the pattern of dots to be formed in the cell includes a plurality of pairs of adjacent dots in a sub-scanning direction. Among the plurality of pairs of adjacent dots to be formed, a number of pairs of adjacent dots which are closer than an interval of adjacent ideal scanning lines is equal to a number of pairs of adjacent dots which are further than the interval. |
| US08174551B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method which utilizes a trapping process
Curve information is set in accordance with curving of a scanning line that occurs when an image is formed. A value of a target pixel is corrected on the basis of image data that is provided in a reference window having the target pixel and peripheral pixels, thereby transforming a region having a color of a specified image. The reference window that is used in the transformation is corrected in accordance with the curve information with respect to a main scanning position for pixels that are to be processed. |
| US08174550B2 |
Printer
A printer includes a feeding unit, a conveying unit, a print unit to print information on an intermediate transfer film or a print medium, a transfer unit to transfer the information printed on the intermediate transfer film to a transferred article, a winding unit, a discharge unit, a detection unit structured so as to detect the intermediate transfer film or the print medium and inform the detection information to a setting unit, and the setting unit to decide an intermediate transfer film mode to operate the feeding unit, conveying unit, print unit, transfer unit, and winding unit when the detection information sent from the detection unit indicates that the intermediate transfer film is detected or decide a direct medium mode to operate the feeding unit, conveying unit, print unit, and discharge unit when the detection information sent from the detection unit indicates that the print medium is detected. |
| US08174548B2 |
Exposure head and an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, includes: a latent image carrier that moves in a first direction; an exposure head that includes a first imaging optical system, a second imaging optical system that is distanced from the first imaging optical system in the first direction, a light emitting element that emits a light to be imaged on the latent image carrier by the first imaging optical system and a light emitting element that emits a light to be imaged on the latent image carrier by the second imaging optical system; and a controller that is adapted to control a light quantity of the light emitting element that emits a light to be imaged on the latent image carrier by the first imaging optical system in accordance with an imaging characteristic of the first imaging optical system. |
| US08174543B2 |
Display device driving circuit of which power consumption is reduced, control method thereof, and display device using the same
A display device driving circuit includes: a grayscale signal output circuit, grayscale signal lines, a grayscale voltage output circuit, grayscale voltage lines, a digital-analog conversion circuit, a first to third switches. The grayscale signal output circuit outputs complementary signals as a digital grayscale signal. The grayscale signal lines receive the complementary signals. The grayscale voltage output circuit outputs analog grayscale voltages. The grayscale voltage lines receive the analog grayscale voltages. The digital-analog conversion circuit selects and outputs one of the analog grayscale voltages in response to the complementary signals. The first switch shuts off a first connection path between the grayscale signal output circuit and the digital-analog conversion circuit. The second switch shuts off a second connection path between the grayscale voltage output circuit and the digital-analog conversion circuit. The third switch connects a third connection path between one of a pair of the grayscale signal lines to the other. The pair transfers a pair of the complementary signals. |
| US08174540B1 |
Consistency checking of user-settable isolated parameters in a graphical model
In one embodiment, a method for checking consistency of user-settable isolated parameters among a first graphical modeling component and a second graphical modeling component in an executable graphical model is provided. The method includes designating that the first graphical modeling component and the second graphical modeling component are related; checking consistency between a first user-settable isolated parameter of the first graphical modeling component and a corresponding second user-settable isolated parameter of the second graphical modeling component; and displaying an error when the first user-settable isolated parameter and the corresponding second user-settable isolated parameter are not consistent with each other. |
| US08174538B2 |
Structure-preserving clone brush
The invention provides tools and techniques for clone brushing pixels in an image while accounting for inconsistencies in apparent depth and orientation within the image. The techniques do not require any depth information to be present in the image, and the data structure of the image is preserved. The techniques allow for color compensation between source and destination regions. A snapping technique is also provided to facilitate increased accuracy in selecting source and destination positions. |
| US08174537B2 |
System and method for adaptive color space conversion
A method and system for adaptive color space conversion includes a color space converter, a brightness adaptive controller and a soft clipper. The color space converter receives a first color space format signal and converts the first color space format signal into a second color space format signal. The brightness adaptive controller is connected to the color space converter in order to produce a gain and an offset based on a brightness value. The soft clipper is connected to the color space converter and the brightness adaptive controller in order to clip the second color space format signal based on the gain and the offset to thereby produce a corrected second color space format signal. |
| US08174536B2 |
Color difference display control apparatus, color difference display control method, and control program
This invention provides a display control apparatus and control method, which allow the operator to easily identify the correspondence between the patch icons and their color difference values. To accomplish this, the display control method of this invention includes an icon displaying step of displaying a plurality of color difference values computed based on a first data group and second data group associated with spectral reflectance characteristics as a plurality of patch icons. The display control method includes a numeric value displaying step of displaying the color difference values represented by the patch icons in one of a first display format that displays, as numeric values, the color difference values within display regions of the patch icons, and a second display format that displays, as numeric values, the color difference values above display regions of a plurality of patch icons. |
| US08174529B2 |
Graphics processing unit and information processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a graphics processing unit detects characteristics of video data by analyzing frames of the video data by using at least one first processing core of a plurality of processing cores, and applies a process, which is associated with the detected characteristics of the video data, to audio data on a memory, by using at least one second processing core of the plurality of processing cores. The graphics processing unit includes an audio signal output interface and outputs an audio signal corresponding to the audio data, to which the process has been applied, to a sound device. |
| US08174528B1 |
Retaining a surface detail
Among other disclosure, a computer-implemented method for retaining a surface detail includes identifying a surface that is to be used for generating an image in a rendering process. The surface includes polygons to be changed from an initial size to a larger size as the surface is changed to a lower resolution as part of tessellating the surface. The surface includes at least one surface detail smaller than the larger polygon size. The method includes storing information corresponding to at least a portion of the surface that includes polygons forming the surface detail. The method includes tesselating the surface, wherein the surface assumes the lower resolution. The method includes determining, while the image is at the lower resolution and using the stored information, a shading sample for at least one of the polygons of the larger size that includes the surface detail. The method includes storing the shading sample. |
| US08174527B2 |
Environment mapping
A system and method for environment mapping determines a computer-generated object's reflective appearance, based upon position and orientation of a camera with respect to the object's location. An embodiment of the present invention is implemented as a real-time environment mapping for polygon rendering, however, the scope of the invention covers other rendering schemes. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a vector processing unit (VPU) uses a modified reflection formula—r=e−(e·(n+eo))(n+eo)/(1−nz)=e−(e·[nx, ny, nz−1])[nx, ny, nz−1]/(1−nz), wherein eo=[0,0,−1], and nx, ny, and nz are the components of the surface normal vector n—to compute reflective properties of an object. |
| US08174525B2 |
Tetrahedral mesh generating method for finite-element analysis and finite-element analyzing system using its method
A tetrahedral mesh generating method for finite-element analysis executable by a computer, using edge collapse and quality conserve arrangements. |
| US08174522B2 |
Three-dimensional (3D) structure data creation method, 3D structure data creation apparatus, computer-readable record media and computer system
A three-dimensional (3D) structure data creation technique capable of readily creating 3D structure data is disclosed. This method is for producing data of a 3D structure which is made up of a plurality of elements. The method includes the steps of preparing first and second two-dimensional (2D) sectional images different in normal vector from each other, forming first and second unit graphics based on these 2D images, partitioning each unit graphic on a per-element basis, performing layout arrangement of two unit graphics in accordance with normal vectors, expanding these unit graphics for conversion to 3D objects, and allocating a selected element to a region in which elements of the unit graphics failing to coincide with each other, which region is included in and specified from those regions with intersection of respective partitioned parts of the unit graphics, thereby to create the 3D structure data required. |
| US08174521B2 |
Product modeling system and method
A product modeling system and method are provided. On one embodiment, the product modeling system is used to model a piece of apparel, such as a shirt, with a design wherein the model with the design is used to display the piece of apparel with the design to a consumer. |
| US08174520B2 |
Driving circuit of an LCD panel and data transmission method thereof
A driving circuit includes a receiving module, a data mapping module, a shift register module, a plurality of output channels, and a switching module. The receiving module receives data from a first number of parallel inputs. The data mapping module is coupled to the receiving module for mapping the data from the first number of parallel inputs to a second number of data buses according to a bus mode signal. The shift register module is used for generating a plurality of shift control signals. Each of the output channels latches data on the data buses based on the corresponding shift control signal. The switching module is connected between the shift register module and the output channels for outputting the shift control signals to the plurality of output channels according to the bus mode signal. |
| US08174518B2 |
Organic light emitting display and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting display including pixels, each including an organic light emitting diode and a pixel circuit for controlling a supply of an electric current to the organic light emitting diode; and a sensing unit for converting a voltage applied to the organic light emitting diode to a digital value during a sensing period during a sampling period, and for sinking a second current from the pixel corresponding to the digital value to compensate a degradation of the organic light emitting diode during a sampling period. |
| US08174517B2 |
Integrated circuit device and electronic equipment
An integrated circuit device includes: a plurality of data line driving circuits that drive a plurality of data voltage supply lines; a comparator that compares a data voltage corresponding to a data line driving circuit to be corrected among the plurality of data line driving circuits with a comparator reference voltage; a correction data calculation section that calculates correction data for correcting a difference in the data voltage based on a comparison result given from the comparator; and a plurality of correction circuits that each correct image data based on the correction data given from the correction data calculation section, and output the image data after correction processing to a corresponding data line driving circuit among the plurality of data line driving circuits. |
| US08174510B2 |
Capacitive touch screen
One embodiment in accordance with the invention can include a capacitive touch screen. The capacitive touch screen includes a substantially transparent substrate and a plurality of electrodes formed on the substantially transparent substrate. The plurality of electrodes are substantially parallel in a first direction and each of the plurality of electrodes includes a layer of light altering material. |
| US08174493B2 |
Electrophoresis display pixel and display apparatus
An electrophoresis display pixel including an electrophoresis display film, a substrate, a first active device, a second active device, a first electrode, and a second electrode is provided. The substrate is disposed on the electrophoresis display film, and the substrate has a transparent region and a non-transparent region. The first active device and the second active device are disposed on the substrate and located in the non-transparent region. The first electrode is disposed on the substrate, located in the transparent region, and electrically connected to the first active device. The second electrode is disposed on the substrate, located in the non-transparent region, and electrically connected to the second active device. A light passes through the transparent region and enters the electrophoresis display film to be displayed. A display apparatus including the abovementioned electrophoresis display pixel is also provided. |
| US08174487B2 |
Display unit and backlight unit
The disclosure includes various embodiments including, for example: (i) a color liquid crystal display unit has a color display panel of transmissive type and a backlight unit placed behind the color display panel; (ii) a backlight unit has a plurality of LEDs connected in series and a drive unit to drive the LEDs; (iii) a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of LEDs; (iv) groups of LEDs are arranged in regions where the display unit has the same temperature; and (v) a drive unit controls current to be supplied to LEDs in response to temperature detected by the temperature sensor so that the LEDs retain the constant brightness even when the LEDs fluctuate in temperature. |
| US08174484B2 |
Signal processing circuit and method
A signal processing method is provided and includes the following steps. A first synchronizing signal having a synchronizing frequency and a next expected pulse with an expected rising edge is provided. A second synchronizing signal having a selected frequency being within a frequency range is produced when the synchronizing frequency of the first synchronizing signal is out of a frequency range. A third synchronizing signal having a first pulse with a first rising edge is produced when the synchronizing frequency is within the frequency range, wherein the first rising edge is produced at an expected time point. Whether the next expected pulse appears in a period from the expected time point to a certain time point is detected as a detecting result. And a first falling edge of the first pulse is produced based on the detecting result. A picture-field flicker phenomenon of an LCD is eliminated through the method. |
| US08174483B2 |
Automatic display unit activation
The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for controlling the brightness of a display unit based on detected movement of an external object such as a user. An apparatus includes a display, e.g., a color liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED). A proximity circuit generates a transmitted signal and a received signal. The received signal results from the transmitted signal being reflected by an external object. A control unit processes the received signal to determine a degree of motion of the external object. When the degree of motion is greater than a first predetermined threshold but not greater than a second predetermined threshold, the display is activated and operating at partial intensity. When the degree of motion is greater than the second predetermined threshold, the display is activated at full intensity. The degree of motion may be determined from the variation of the received signal. |
| US08174482B1 |
Techniques to control brightness in a display
A node to receive a first current and to couple a first or a second backlighting medium to the node. The first backlighting medium is to conduct the first current and the second backlighting medium to conduct a second current. A switch is coupled to the node and to the first or the second backlighting medium. The switch is to receive a control input signal and to conduct a third current if the second backlighting medium is coupled to the node. |
| US08174478B2 |
Gate driving circuit and display apparatus having the same
A gate driving circuit and a display apparatus having the gate driving circuit include a pull-up part and a carry part pull up a present gate signal and a present carry signal, respectively, to a first clock during a first period within one frame. A pull-down part receives a next gate signal to discharge the present gate signal to a source power voltage. A pull-up driving part is connected to control terminals of the carry part and pull-up part (Q-node) to turn the carry part and pull-up part on and off. A floating preventing part prevents an output terminal of the carry part from being floated in response to the first clock during a second period within the one frame. |
| US08174474B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and method for driving the same
A voltage having the positive polarity and a voltage having the negative polarity are alternately applied to a pixel between a counter electrode and a pixel electrode. A counter electrode voltage (Vcom) generating circuit or a source signal generating section is provided each of which controls effective voltages to be applied to the pixel for an identical tone so that an effective voltage having the positive polarity and an effective voltage having the negative polarity are asymmetrically applied to the pixel for all of the tones which can be displayed. The counter electrode voltage (Vcom) generating circuit or the source signal generating section shifts a counter electrode voltage Vcom-A or a source voltage by 0.3 V or more from a voltage causing the effective voltages to be symmetrically applied to the pixel. |
| US08174472B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a first gate electrode, a storage electrode having a body and an extension, a first semiconductor formed on a gate insulating layer, a first drain electrode formed on the first semiconductor, separated from a first source electrode, and having an end portion overlapping the first gate electrode, and an expansion overlapping the body of the storage electrode and distanced from the end portion with a connection connecting the end portion and the expansion and overlapping the extension of the storage electrode, a passivation layer having a contact hole exposing the expansion of the first drain electrode, and a first field-generating electrode connected to the first drain electrode through the contact hole. |
| US08174470B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An LCD device, which is cost effective, is discussed. According to one embodiment, the LCD device includes a timing controller to generate an initial POL signal; a signal stabilizer to receive the initial POL signal from the timing controller and a constant voltage from a source, and to generate a stabilized POL signal using the received constant voltage and the received initial POL signal; and a common voltage generator to generate a common voltage signal using the stabilized POL signal and to supply the generated common voltage signal to an LCD panel. |
| US08174469B2 |
Dynamic driver IC and display panel configuration
A display device which can provide configuration information to the driver circuit and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display device comprises a display array and a collection of links configured to store information related to the display array. |
| US08174462B2 |
System and method for updating electronic label displays
An electronic label wirelessly connected to an information updating system having a server. The electronic label includes a wireless communication interface to receive information from the server to be displayed on a display, a means for label processing connected to the communication interface, a means for updating the display connected to the means for label processing, and at least one dot matrix display to display a dot matrix image, where the dot matrix display is connected to the means for updating the display. The communication interface receives the information to be displayed from the information updating system. The label includes a layout script such that the means for label processing generates the dot matrix image from the received information using the layout script. |
| US08174460B2 |
Variable antenna matching network for an implantable antenna
An implantable medical device can include an implantable antenna for communication with external devices or other internal devices. Changes in the patient's body position, weight, composition or other factors may change the efficiency of the implantable antenna and hinder communication. The disclosed circuit can calculate a value for a matching network for an implantable telemetry circuit to decrease an impedance difference between the implantable telemetry circuit and the implantable antenna or increase or maximize a communication power transfer value associated with the implantable medical device. |
| US08174458B2 |
Dual-feed antenna
The invention relates to a dual-feed antenna. The dual-feed antenna includes a substrate, a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit. The second antenna unit includes a second radiating unit and a second grounding unit. The second radiating unit includes a second radiator which has a first groove. The first groove has a first bottom and a pair of first arms. The second grounding unit includes a first sub-grounding-area and a second sub-grounding-area. The second sub-grounding-area has a second groove which includes a second bottom and a pair of second arms. The first sub-grounding-area is cross-wise connected with the second sub-grounding-area at the bottom of the groove, and the second arms symmetrically distribute to both sides of the first sub-grounding-area, and the first groove has an opening direction opposite to the opening direction of the second groove. |
| US08174457B1 |
Broadband television antenna
A broadband antenna apparatus that is generally disposed along a plane. The antenna apparatus includes a ground plate with an edge and an inverted “L” antenna that has a base leg and an elongated leg, which define an interior corner. The interior corner is filled with a triangulated portion for broadening the bandwidth of the antenna. There is an antenna feed point at a distal end of the base leg. The antenna is oriented so that the distal end of the base leg is adjacent to the edge, forming a first dielectric gap therebetween, and further oriented with the elongated leg parallel to the edge. A first parasitic ground element extends from the edge and is positioned adjacent to the base leg, forming a second dielectric gap therebetween. The antenna apparatus also includes a second parasitic ground element extending from the edge of the ground plate. |
| US08174456B2 |
Control system and method for reducing directional error of antenna with biaxial gimbal structure
An antenna pointing control apparatus and method that reduce a pointing error of an antenna having a two-axis gimbal structure. An antenna installed on a ship hull is controlled to point toward a satellite by an antenna pointing control apparatus having a two-axis mechanism. Movement of the ship hull are recognized every prescribed cycle time, a satellite bearing is measured, and a pointing error of a directional antenna with respect to a satellite is detected. If it is determined that the satellite will not pass within a prescribed region A about an extension line of an azimuth angle (AZ) axis of the ship's hull, then a two-axis control is executed. However, if the satellite will pass within the prescribed region A, then a virtual three-axis control is executed. |
| US08174449B2 |
Non-woven textile microwave patch antennas and components
A microwave patch antenna comprising: a plurality of conductive antenna patterns; a plurality of groundplanes; a plurality of feed elements; a plurality of feed slots to allow feed elements to pass through the non-woven dielectric spacers; and a plurality of dielectric separator layers comprised of corrugated non-woven fabric as necessary to form a patch antenna construction. |
| US08174448B2 |
Multilateration apparatus
In a multilateration apparatus a correlator is provided with a time of arrival correlation window which is set to cater for the path lengths that may be experienced before a signal from an object to be located is received by receivers in the system. This may be on the basis of the largest possible path length in the system or on a receiver by receiver basis. |
| US08174447B2 |
Concept for localizing a position on a path
An apparatus for localizing a position on a path, radio signals of fixedly positioned radio transmitters being receivable along the path, the apparatus including a determiner for determining properties of the radio signals of the fixedly positioned radio transmitters at the position, and a comparator for comparing the determined electromagnetic properties with previously recorded properties which characterize a reference path, and for determining a relation between the position and the reference path on the basis of a result of the comparison. |
| US08174444B2 |
Method of correlating known image data of moving transmitters with measured radio signals
Systems and methods of correlating potential transmitters with received radio signals is provided. Image data is provided including paths traveled by potential transmitter. Potential transmitters are identified within the image data along with path segments traveled by potential transmitters. A first and second transmitter calculate certain parameters of received signals assuming that signals originated along the path segments. The calculated signal parameters are then compared to measured signal parameter to determine whether a transmitter is associated with a particular path. |
| US08174438B2 |
Positioning apparatus and method
A positioning apparatus and the associated positioning method are provided. The positioning apparatus includes a wireless communication unit, a storage unit, a positioning module and a control unit. The wireless communication unit generates a detection signal. The storage unit coupled to the wireless communication module stores assistance positioning data. The positioning module coupled to the storage unit generates coordinate information according to a satellite signal and the assistance positioning data. The control unit coupled to the wireless communication module, the storage unit and the positioning module determines whether the assistance positioning data is valid. When the assistance positioning data is invalid, the control unit controls the wireless communication module to generate the detection signal. |
| US08174433B1 |
Bias estimation and orbit determination
According to one embodiment, bias estimation and orbit determination include receiving measurements in real time. The measurements include radar measurements and radar array orientation measurements. The radar measurements are generated by a radar system and indicate the location of a target. The radar array orientation measurements are generated by a navigation system and indicate the orientation of a radar array of the radar system. A state variable set is used. The state variable set includes measurement variables and dynamic bias variables. For example, a state variable set may include orbit position, orbit velocity, radar orientation, and radar measurement variables, which in turn may include dynamic bias variables such as orientation bias variables and measurement bias variables. A measurement variable is associated with a measurement, and a dynamic bias variable is associated with bias of a measurement. The following are performed for a number of iterations to yield state value sets for the state variable set: updating a state value set according to the measurements to yield an updated state value set; and predicting a next state value set in accordance with the updated state value set. An orbit path is of the target determined from the state value sets in real time. |
| US08174428B2 |
Compression of signals in base transceiver systems
A signal compression method and apparatus for a base transceiver system (BTS) in a wireless communication network provides efficient transfer of compressed signal samples over serial data links in the system. For the uplink, an RF unit of the BTS compresses signal samples resulting from analog to digital conversion of an analog signal received via an antenna. The RF unit transfers the compressed signal samples over the serial data link to the base station processor where they are decompressed prior to the normal signal processing operations. For the downlink, the base station processor compresses signal samples and transfers the compressed signal samples over the serial data link to the RF unit. The RF unit decompresses the compressed samples and converts the decompressed samples to an analog signal for transmission over an antenna. Compression and decompression can be incorporated into operations of conventional base stations and distributed antenna systems. |
| US08174424B2 |
Image sensing system
In general, a method includes comparing a first input signal with a second input signal to produce an output signal. The first input signal corresponds to an amount of light detected by a sensor, and the second input signal corresponds to an aggregated value of the output signal. The method may also include aggregating the output signal in a digital accumulator and converting a digital signal from an output of the digital accumulator to an analog signal. |
| US08174422B2 |
Power-supply-noise cancelling circuit and solid-state imaging device
A reference voltage generation circuit generates a reference voltage and outputs it to an amplifier reference voltage line. A power-supply-noise adding circuit adds power supply noise superimposed on a power supply to the reference voltage generated by the reference voltage generation circuit. A differential amplifier amplifies a difference between a voltage of a vertical signal line and a voltage of an amplifier reference voltage line and outputs the amplified voltage. |
| US08174421B2 |
Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus, includes: a plurality of processor means respectively including storage means for storing analog information and comparison means for comparing analog information stored in the storage means with an inputted reference analog value; input means for inputting the reference analog value to the plurality of processor means while changing the reference analog value in synchronization with a clock signal; and counter means for updating a count value in synchronization with the clock signal and outputting the count value when the analog information and the reference analog value become consistent at a corresponding comparison means. |
| US08174420B2 |
Video encoding apparatus and method having output restriction function
A video encoding apparatus receives a digital video data signal, converts the digital video data signal into an analog video signal and outputs the analog video signal to an externally connected image device. An encoding processor converts the digital video data signal into the analog video signal. A resolution determination unit compares the resolution of an image represented by the digital video data signal with an externally defined resolution. An output controller refers to a result of comparison by the resolution determination unit and, if the externally defined resolution matches the resolution of the image represented by the digital video data signal, outputs the analog video signal. If the resolutions do not match, the output controller restricts the output of the analog video signal. |
| US08174415B2 |
Broadcast AM receiver, FM receiver and/or FM transmitter with integrated stereo audio codec, headphone drivers and/or speaker drivers
An apparatus includes processor and a control interface. The processor is adapted to in a first mode of operation, operate as part of one of a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter and in a second mode of operation. The processor also processes a first audio band signal to generate a second audio band signal. The control interface selects one of the first and second modes of operation. |
| US08174412B2 |
Combined hash for variable data chunks
A method comprises obtaining a plurality of variable size chunks of data, calculating a first hash for each variable size chunk of data, determining a length representation for each variable size chunk of data, determining a second hash of a subset of each variable size chunk of data, and forming a signature of each variable size chunk of data that is comprised of the first hash, the length representation and the second hash. |
| US08174411B2 |
Interactive web-based codeset selection and development tool
A system, such as a web server, in communication with the database, includes a configurator application for providing data from the database to a consumer to thereby allow the consumer to configure a controlling device whereupon the controlling device will be adapted to command functional operations of one or more appliances and a builder application for providing data from the database to a developer to thereby allow the developer to develop one or more codesets to be provisioned to a controlling device to thereby allow the controlling device to be adapted to command functional operations of one or more appliances. |
| US08174402B2 |
Machine condition indication system
A machine condition monitor resides in close proximity to a machine train, such as an AC inductive electric motor coupled to a driven unit such as a centrifugal pump or fan. A plurality of sensing devices are connected to the machine and the machine condition monitor. Machine state and condition parameters sensed by these devices are utilized by the machine condition monitor to derive machine condition values for each component and for the machine train as a whole. These derived condition values are transmitted via an industrial communications network to a control center where they can be trended and monitored. With no particular knowledge of machine analysis techniques or severity of specific machine faults, and no special training, Operators and Production Planners can use the condition values to plan production schedules, adjust process parameters, and request appropriate maintenance action. |
| US08174399B1 |
Methods to detect hazardous conditions in a safety ground circuit in the presence of ground loop currents and electrical noise
The invention comprises a set of methods to detect the resistance of a connection to safety ground and to detect the presence of voltage hazardous to people in systems where an unknown amount of current intermittently flows in the safety ground circuit. Samples of voltage between two points in the safety ground circuit are taken repeatedly. When the voltage caused by the unknown currents in the safety ground circuit is below a preset threshold, a known current is applied and another voltage sample is taken to detect the electrical resistance of the safety ground circuit. If an excessive resistance or voltage is detected, one or more outputs are activated or deactivated to indicate the problem and remove power from the system. The invention requires no current sensor for its operation. |
| US08174393B2 |
RFID tag assembly and method of managing a race
A race management system which includes an RFID tag located between an inner and outer layer and is removably secured to a participant's bib through a mounting film. The inner layer is secured to a second inner layer having at least one fold line and an adhesive portion outward of the at least one fold line. The RFID tag is secured around a portion of the participant's shoe and is activated by at least one antenna to transmit identification data encoded on the tag. The encoded data corresponds to indicia printed on the bib and allows automatic collection of running times. |
| US08174392B1 |
RFID medical item hanging storage system
A medical item hanging storage system for medical items having stand-off readable tags, such as RFID tags, comprises storage devices comprising fixtures for holding hanging medical items, and readers for reading tags associated with each of the medical items, and tags that attached to the hanging medical items to be read by the readers. Tagging devices are used for attaching the RFID tags. The tagging devices each comprise a substrate, possibly including a hook, an adhesive portion for attaching the substrate to the medical item, and at least one spreader for separating RFID tags of adjacent medical items and/or other tags to facilitate reading of the tags. |
| US08174388B2 |
Method and system for deactivation of combination EAS/RFID tags
A combination Electronic Article Surveillance/Radio Frequency Identification (“EAS/RFID”) tag and method and system for deactivating said combination EAS/RFID tags without the need to physically contact the tag with a deactivation device. The EAS/RFID tag replaces the conventional diode with a non-linear device such as a capacitor with a given breakdown voltage threshold. Inducing a predetermined voltage across the capacitor results in destruction of the capacitor rendering the EAS/RFID tag undetectable in the interrogation systems. |
| US08174386B2 |
RFID reader controlling device, interlocking method for RFID reader, and RFID reader controlling method
An RFID reader controlling device based on a plurality of RFID reader protocols receives control instructions for controlling RFID readers from application devices providing services, and confirms RFID reader protocol types corresponding to control instructions to confirm whether communication channels corresponding to RFID reader protocols are generated. Further, the RFID reader controlling device transmits the control instructions to the RFID readers through the communication channels and transmits the control results of the RFID readers corresponding to the control instructions. |
| US08174378B2 |
Human guard enhancing multiple site security system
Provided is a human guard enhancing multiple site security system comprising one or more human guards, peripheral equipment positioned at one or more sites, said peripheral equipment comprising one or more of a plurality of sensors, video cameras, positioning systems, and mobile communication and data processing equipment, said peripheral equipment being further capable of collecting and transmitting event-related and environmental data, one or more checkpoint systems capable of receiving, processing into a standardized protocol, and further relaying the data received from said peripheral equipment, and of providing said one or more guards with information based on the data, and one or more stations capable of logging, processing, and reporting the data relayed from said one or more checkpoint systems to provide a security system status and to facilitate human supervision, situation analysis, decision making, and intervention. The system includes a computer implemented communications protocol, which is an XML based communications protocol for real time security alert monitoring purposes. The XML based communications protocol consists of numerous modules which receive and convert data messages from varying security devices and sensors, standardize, translate and send converted messages, and encrypt and decrypt said data messages. |
| US08174376B2 |
Device for state dependent output of tone sequences in a motor vehicle
A device for state-dependent output of tone sequences in a motor vehicle, which is capable of outputting tone sequences assigned to specific vehicle states and determinable from tone data stored in a memory unit assigned to the motor vehicle, is also capable of directly or indirectly coupling to a computing unit not permanently assigned to the motor vehicle. The set of tone sequences which may be output is changeable as a function of data which may be received from such a computing unit. |
| US08174375B2 |
Detection system for assisting a driver when driving a vehicle using a plurality of image capturing devices
A detection system (5) for assisting a driver when driving a vehicle, the system (5) comprising: a plurality of image capturing devices (98) mounted to the vehicle to capture images of the external environment of the vehicle; an image processing module (95) to identify potential hazards in real-time from the captured images and to superimpose information of the external environment relating to the identified potential hazards; and at least one display device (92) to display images processed by the image processing module in real-time; wherein the superimposed information is provided in an area of the display device (92) to ensure visual clarity of the images of the external environment. |
| US08174373B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensory stimulation
An apparatus for producing an electrosensory sensation to a body member (120). The apparatus comprises one or more conducting electrodes (106), each of which is provided with an insulator (108). When the body member (120) is proximate to the conducting electrode, the insulator prevents flow of direct current from the conducting electrode to the body member. A capacitive coupling over the insulator (108) is formed between the conducting electrode (106) and the body member (120). The conducting electrodes are driven by an electrical input which comprises a low-frequency component (114) in a frequency range between 10 Hz and 500 Hz. The capacitive coupling and electrical input are dimensioned to produce an electrosensory sensation. The apparatus is capable of producing the electrosensory sensation independently of any mechanical vibration of the one or more conducting electrodes (106) or insulators (108). |
| US08174371B2 |
Portable vibrating device and method of use
A vibrating device that operates without the need for replacement batteries is disclosed. An apparatus is disclosed for generating electrical power and supplying electrical power to a portable vibrating device. A portable vibrating device in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention is adapted to generate and store its own electrical energy, and is adapted to vibrate to alert a user of the device, or to provide various forms of stimulation to a user of the device. |
| US08174370B1 |
Automated dosage reminder console
An automated dosage reminder console uses a plurality of trays with dosage medication compartments, each dosage medication compartment including a basket having an integrally formed light pipe. Each compartment is selectively illuminated through the use of a program which controls corresponding light emitting diodes for alerting a user to consume a preselected dosage of medication on a preselected day at a preselected time. Sample pill identification boxes are aligned with corresponding dosage medication compartments to indicate the medication found in each basket. |
| US08174367B1 |
Causing RFID tags to backscatter more codes
RFID reader systems, readers, components, software and methods for causing RFID tags to backscatter a combination made from at least portions of a first code and a second code stored in tag memory, without transmitting any commands in the interim. In a number of embodiments, therefore, a separate command does not have to be sent for also reading the second code, thereby saving time in inventorying the tags. Plus, the combination can enable reading tag codes during tag manufacturing that are not otherwise readily available to read in the field. |
| US08174365B2 |
IC tag, method of controlling the IC tag, and IC tag system
To provide an IC tag, a method of controlling the IC tag, and an IC tag system which can reduce a communication sequence between the reader/writer and the IC tag and can shorten a communication period or a period necessary for executing the command. According to an embodiment of the invention, an IC tag that executes a command processing based on a command received from a redder/writer, includes: a command analyzing unit determining an execution condition of the command received from the redder/writer; and a command execution unit executing a first command processing if the execution condition is met, and executing a second command processing different from the first command processing if the execution condition is not met. |
| US08174361B2 |
Phase shifters, interrogators, methods of shifting a phase angle of a signal, and methods of operating an interrogator
Aspects of a communication system include phase shifters, interrogators, methods of shifting a phase angle of a signal, and methods of operating an interrogator. One example provides a phase shifter that include a first power divider configured to receive a signal and provide plural quadrature components of the signal; plural mixers coupled with the first power divider and configured to scale the quadrature components using a phase shift angle; and a second power divider coupled with the mixers and configured to combine the scaled quadrature components to shift the phase angle of the input signal by the phase shift angle. |
| US08174360B2 |
Communication apparatus for setting up a data connection between intelligent devices
The invention relates to a communication apparatus for automatically setting up a data connection between two intelligent devices (10, 20, 30). The apparatus comprises a coil (13, 23, 33) for carrying out a contactless data exchange which is part of a transmission oscillator (50), a communication element (12, 22) which is connected to the coil (13, 23, 33) and the data processing component (11, 21) of an intelligent device (10, 20, 30) and emits search signals via the coil (13, 23, 33) to receive a response from another intelligent device (10, 20, 30), a measuring device (14, 24) for monitoring a property of the transmission oscillator (50), which outputs a control signal when ascertaining a change in the monitored property, and a switching apparatus (15, 25) which is connected to the measuring device (14, 24) and the communication element (12, 22) and which switches on the communication element (12, 22) when it has received a control signal from the measuring device (14, 24). |
| US08174357B2 |
System and method for training a transmitter to control a remote control system
A method for training a trainable RF transmitter to transmit variable code signals used to actuate a remote device having a receiver where the transmitter includes a memory that has stored variable code characteristics for a plurality of different remote devices includes initiating a training sequence and generating at least one RF carrier signal having the variable code characteristics associated with one remote device of the plurality of different remote devices. The method further includes transmitting the at least one RF carrier signal to the receiver of the remote device and repeating the generating and transmitting steps for the variable code characteristics of each remote device in the plurality of different remote device until feedback is received from a user that the remote device is activated. Upon receiving an indication that the remote device is activated, the transmitter stores an identifier of the variable code characteristics that activated the remote device. |
| US08174356B2 |
RFID enabled access control system
An access control system with at least one entrance lane (4) has two or more antenna coils (12 to 15) arranged in pairs mutually opposing each other. Each antenna coil pair (12, 13 or 14, 15) is actuated by a reading device (20) for reading out a transponder (22) carried by the user, the transponder (22) having a transponder coil (24) coupleable with the antenna coils (12 to 15). The two mutually opposing antenna coils (12, 13 or 14, 15) of a pair are actuated at the same time, but alternately either in an in-phase or antiphase operation mode. For reading out the transponder (22) carried by the user the one operation mode, with which the transponder (22) is detected, is maintained until the reading transaction is completed. |
| US08174355B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A resistor R1 formed by forming a first resistor layer 5a of 20 nm thickness including a tantalum nitride film at a concentration of nitrogen of less than 30 at % and a second resistor layer of 5 nm thickness including a tantalum nitride film at a concentration of nitrogen of 30 at % or more successively by a reactive DC sputtering method using tantalum as a sputtering target material and using a gas mixture of argon and nitrogen as a sputtering gas, and then fabricating the first and the second resistor layers, in which the resistance change ratio of the resistor can be suppressed to less than 1% even when a thermal load is applied in the interconnection step, by the provision of the upper region at a concentration of nitrogen of 30 at % or more. |
| US08174354B2 |
Method and apparatus for control of failed thermistor devices
A thermistor device includes include supports, contacts and offset posts configured to assist the fracturing of failed thermistor “pills” and to distribute the fragments of the fractured pills into compartment away from electrically conductive contacts in order to minimize arcing and overheating. |
| US08174353B2 |
Varistor and varistor apparatus
A varistor comprises a main body having first and second external terminals formed on the outer surface thereof, a first withdrawn terminal plate joined to the first external terminal, and a second withdrawn terminal plate joined to the second external terminal, wherein the melting point of a second bonding material for allowing the second withdrawn terminal plate and the second external terminal to be joined to each other is lower than that of a first bonding material for allowing the first withdrawn terminal plate and the first external terminal to be joined to each other. |
| US08174348B2 |
Two-phase coupled inductors which promote improved printed circuit board layout
Two-phase coupled inductors including a magnetic core, at least a first winding, and at least three solder tabs. Power supplies including a printed circuit board, a two-phase coupled inductor affixed to the printed circuit board, and first and second switching circuits affixed to the printed circuit board. Each of the first and second switching circuits are electrically coupled to a respective solder tab of the two-phase coupled inductor affixed to the printed circuit board. |
| US08174346B1 |
Portable magnetizer systems
Portable magnetizer systems designed for on-site use, related to magnetizing magnetizable sheets, enclosed in a case which is hand-carryable. |
| US08174345B2 |
Vibration generator
A vibration generator 1 has an attachment structure of a spring by which the attachment error of the spring elastically supporting a mover composed of a magnet and a yoke does not become the error of the span of the spring to make it possible to improve the ease and yield of manufacture. The vibration generator 1 includes a mover which is composed of a magnet 5 and yokes 4, 7a and 7b, and a spring 6 which is composed of an integrally molded article made of an elastomeric material and elastically supports the mover to allow the mover to vibrate in the central axis direction C. The spring is arranged on the outside of a coil 3 in a radial direction thereof and extends along the radial direction. An outer end portion 6a in the radial direction is nipped by two parts 2 and 8 in the central axis direction to be fixed to the housings 2 and 8, and an inner end portion 6b in the radial direction is nipped by two parts 7a and 7b constituting the outer circumferential part of the yoke in the central axis direction to be fixed to the outer circumferential part of the yoke. The outer end portion and the inner end portion have projecting parts formed to project from an elastic deformation section 6c, connecting the outer end portion and the inner end portion to each other, into two directions along the central axis. |
| US08174344B2 |
Linear electromagnetic actuator
First and second projections are formed to protrude toward a guide rail from both sides of a slide table. Third and fourth projections are formed to protrude toward the slide table from both sides of the guide rail. A plurality of balls are arranged in clearances between the first and second projections and the third and fourth projections. |
| US08174331B2 |
Temperature compensated crystal oscillator, printed-circuit board, and electronic device
A temperature compensated crystal oscillator includes an oscillation circuit including a crystal oscillator; a variable capacitor inserted in series in the oscillation circuit; a thermosensitive circuit element whose resistance value changes in accordance with a temperature of the crystal oscillator, the thermosensitive circuit element being formed on the crystal oscillator by vapor deposition; and a correction circuit configured to correct capacitance of the variable capacitor based on a current value that is used when applying current to the thermosensitive circuit element. |
| US08174326B1 |
Phase lock loop control error selection system and method
In one embodiment, a cross zero best error selection system includes an error input interface, a most significant bit summation component and a multiplexer. The error input interface in coupled to a most significant bit summation component which in turn is coupled to a multiplexer. The error input interface receives a plurality of future error values. The most significant bit summation component sums most significant bits of said future error values. The multiplexer for selects error value based upon said summation of said most significant bits. |
| US08174324B2 |
Digital phase detector, and digital phase locked loop including the same
A digital phase detector includes a quantization unit that quantizes a frequency of a reference signal to generate reference delay information and reference integer phase information, and quantizes a frequency of an oscillation signal to generate oscillation delay information and oscillation integer phase information. A first conversion unit converts the frequency of the reference signal into reference frequency information based upon the reference delay information and the reference integer phase information. A second conversion unit converts the frequency of the oscillation signal into oscillation frequency information based upon the oscillation delay information and the oscillation integer phase information. A calculation unit converts the reference frequency information and the oscillation frequency information into first and second phase information, respectively, and outputs a digital phase difference between the first phase information and the second phase information. |
| US08174321B1 |
Apparatus and method for miller compensation for multi-stage amplifier
An amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier stage having a first output node; a second amplifier stage having a second output node; and a compensation block electrically coupled between the first and second output nodes. The compensation block has a compensation capacitor electrically coupled to the first node and electrically connectable to the second node, and has an impedance electrically connectable to the compensation capacitor. The compensation capacitor is electrically coupled via a switch to the impedance such that the compensation capacitor can contribute a zero to shunt branch formed by the compensation capacitor and impedance when the compensation capacitor is disconnected from the second node. |
| US08174316B2 |
Switching amplifier
A switching amplifier is disclosed and comprises: a power supply (Vcc); input circuits (Va, Vb); switch transistors (M1, M2) connected with each other in series; driving circuits (I1, I2) coupled with the switch transistors (M1, M2) respectively; a bootstrap circuit for supplying operation voltage to the driving circuit (I1). The switching amplifier also comprises: leakage circuits (M1a, M2a) or auxiliary switching circuits (M1′, M2′). With the switching amplifier of the invention, the fluctuation of the bootstrap potential can be suppressed and the signal distortion of the switching amplifier can be prevented. |
| US08174308B2 |
DC slope generator
A system for generating a tunable DC slope includes: a first stage, supplied with an external voltage, for receiving a process, voltage and temperature (PVT) insensitive reference voltage and generating a voltage independent current; a second stage, coupled to the first stage and supplied with the external voltage, for generating a voltage dependent current and summing the voltage dependent current and the voltage independent current to generate a sloped voltage; and a third stage, coupled to the second stage and supplied with the external voltage, for amplifying the sloped voltage, and tapping the resultant sloped voltage at a desired point for generating the output DC slope. |
| US08174306B2 |
Electrostatic actuator apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator apparatus includes a first voltage generation circuit configured to generate a first voltage, a first switch connected between the first voltage generation circuit and a first node, a second voltage generation circuit configured to generate a second voltage, a second switch connected between the second voltage generation circuit and a second node, a capacitor connected between the first node and the second node, an electrostatic actuator having a drive electrode connected to the first node, and a control circuit configured to perform an operation of sequentially turning on the first switch, turning off the first switch and turning on the second switch when the electrostatic actuator is driven. |
| US08174305B2 |
System, devices and methods for coupling qubits
A ladder structure is ferromagnetically coupled to a first qubit where the ladder structure has a monostable energy potential in use, such that the first qubit and the ladder structure effectively operate as a single qubit. The ladder structure and first qubit may be coupled via a superconducting flux coupler. The ladder structure may be a chain of at least two ferromagnetically coupled ladder elements. A value for each ladder element may be less than about 1. |
| US08174302B2 |
Pulse signal generator, and method of generating pulse signal
A pulse signal generator includes a period setting unit that receives a period set signal including an information indicative of a pulse period, and that outputs a period control signal controlling the pulse period, a duty ratio setting unit that receives a duty ratio set signal including an information indicative of a duty ratio of a pulse, that receives a signal including the pulse period set in the period setting unit, and that generates a duty ratio control signal controlling the duty ratio of the pulse on a basis of the pulse period and the duty ratio set signal, and a pulse generation unit that generates a pulse signal including the pulse period and the duty ratio of the pulse on a basis of the period control signal and the duty ratio control signal. |
| US08174301B2 |
Phase-error reduction circuitry for an IQ generator
Phase-error-reduction circuitry for an IQ generator, wherein the phase-error-reduction circuitry is arranged to receive I and Q input signals from the IQ generator and to produce I and Q output signals, and wherein the phase-error-reduction circuitry is arranged to sample the I and Q input signals to tend to reduce a phase error between the I and Q output signals. |
| US08174296B2 |
Buffer circuit having switch circuit capable of outputting two and more different high voltage potentials
A buffer circuit includes a first power source node receiving a first voltage, a second power source node receiving a second voltage lower than the first voltage, an output node driving the first and second voltage, a first transistor coupled between the first power source node and the output node, the first transistor being controlled by a first voltage swing, a second transistor coupled between the second power source node and the output node, the second transistor being controlled by a second voltage swing smaller than the first voltage swing and a switch circuit coupled between the output node and the second transistor, the switch circuit being controlled by a third voltage swing larger than the second voltage swing. |
| US08174295B2 |
Circuit for discharging an electrical load, power output stage comprising such a discharge circuit for the control of plasma display cells; and related system and method
An embodiment of a discharge circuit comprises an output circuit with one output connected to an electrical load to absorb a discharge current given by the load when a logic signal commands a discharge of the load. The discharge circuit also comprises a control circuit to give the output circuit an appropriate control signal so that a slope of an output potential of the output circuit diminishes gradually when the logic signal commands a discharge of the load. Limiting the slope of the output potential gradually (and not suddenly) may limit the electromagnetic radiation generated by these variations. |
| US08174293B2 |
Time to digital converter
A time to digital converter includes: a delay circuit having a plurality of delay stages that delay an input clock signal in multiple stages, at least one of the delay stages being a variable delay stage; a plurality of flip flops that capture outputs of the delay stages corresponding thereto in a one-to-one relation in response to input of a reference signal; an edge detecting circuit that detects changing edges of respective outputs of the flip flops; a counter circuit that counts a number of edges detected by the edge detecting circuit; and a control circuit that controls a delay amount of the variable delay stage according to the number of edges counted by the counter circuit. |
| US08174290B2 |
Noise reduction circuit and semiconductor device provided with noise reduction circuit
A noise reduction circuit includes first and second reset signal generation circuits that generate first and second reset signals that are activated when a data input signal goes to a low level or a high level and are deactivated in synchronization with a clock signal when a high level or a low level is maintained, and first and second counter circuits that count an inverted signal of the clock signal, and are reset by the first or second reset signal. The noise reduction circuit further includes a data output circuit that includes a selector circuit and an output flip-flop circuit that outputs a signal selected by the selector circuit in synchronization with the clock, wherein the selector circuit selects and outputs any of: a signal fixed at a high level or a low level, and an output signal of the output flip-flop circuit, according to logic levels of output signals of the first and second counter circuit. |
| US08174287B2 |
Processor programmable PLD device
A device including a PLD with at least one interface logic block connection for passing data between (i) a bus arranged for receiving data from an external processor and (ii) at least one I/O register connected with a JTAG interface of the PLD, wherein said interface logic block includes logic for translating data on the bus into a data format for the I/O register. A processor programmable PLD appliance comprising (a) a programmable PLD having a JTAG programming interface supporting real-time re-programming of the PLD while the PLD functions as programmed; and (b) an I/O register interfacing an I/O register and connected with the JTAG programming interface, wherein a PLD logic design implementation of the I/O register is externally accessible through an interface logic block of the PLD, and wherein the interface logic block includes a PLD path between (i) an external processor interface and (ii) the PLD-implemented I/O register. |
| US08174282B2 |
Leak current detection circuit, body bias control circuit, semiconductor device, and semiconductor device testing method
A leak current detection circuit that improves the accuracy for detecting a leak current in a MOS transistor without enlarging the circuit scale. The leak current detection circuit includes at least one P-channel MOS transistor which is coupled to a high potential power supply and which is normally inactivated and generates a first leak current, at least one N-channel MOS transistor which is coupled between a low potential power and at least the one P-channel MOS transistor and which is normally inactivated and generates a second leak current, and a detector which detects a potential generated at a node between the at least one P-channel MOS transistor and the at least one N-channel MOS transistor in accordance with the first and second leak currents. |
| US08174279B2 |
Socket connector for connection lead of semiconductor device under test with tester
A socket connector for electrically connecting a lead of a semiconductor device under test (DUT) with a tester includes a container having a chamber, a conductive end or plug that seals the chamber at one end, and a conductive membrane that seals the chamber at another end. A liquid conductive material fills the chamber. The conductive plug is arranged to be in electrical contact with the tester. The lead of the semiconductor DUT is in electrical contact with the conductive membrane and thus with the tester via the conductive membrane, the liquid conductive material and the conductive plug. |
| US08174272B2 |
Analysis of a material with capacitive technology
Several apparatuses and a method for enabling of analysis of a material based on capacitive technology are disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a first conductive surface. A second conductive surface is located substantially parallel to the first conductive surface. A measurement module measures a change in capacitance produced when a material is passed between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The apparatus may include a database comprising a capacitance value of the material. A change in capacitance may be compared to the database to generate an identity of the material. A reference capacitor may enable the measurement module to adjust the measurement based on an environmental condition. |
| US08174266B2 |
Multi-resolution borehole resistivity imaging
An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for obtaining a resistivity image of an earth formation. The apparatus includes a downhole assembly configured to be conveyed in a borehole penetrating the earth formation; a plurality of sensor electrodes on the downhole assembly, each of the plurality of sensor electrodes having a different capacitance to a wall of the borehole; and at least one processor configured to: (i) process measurements using each of the sensor electrodes; (ii) process a subset of the measurements substantially unaffected by the different capacitances to produce an image of the borehole wall; and (iii) record the image on a suitable medium. |
| US08174265B2 |
Antenna cutout in a downhole tubular
In some embodiments, an apparatus (200) includes a tubular to operate downhole. The tubular has a longitudinal axis and has a cutout (210N) that has a direction that is other than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the tubular. The apparatus also includes an antenna (202A) positioned in the cutout of the tubular. The antenna is to perform at least one of a transmission or reception of an electromagnetic signal that has a path that is to traverse a subsurface formation. |
| US08174264B2 |
Magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, magnetic resonance diagnostic main unit and coil unit
An magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus which includes a main unit and a coil unit, the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus including a sampling clock generating unit which generates a sampling clock signal, a sampling clock transmitting unit wirelessly transmits the sampling clock signal, a sampling clock receiving unit which receives the transmitted sampling clock signal, a receiving coil which outputs an electrical magnetic resonance signal in response to a magnetic resonance signal emitted from a subject as electromagnetic radiation, a digitization unit which digitizes, synchronously with the received sampling clock signal, the outputted magnetic resonance signal, a resonance signal transmitting unit which wirelessly transmits the digitized magnetic resonance signal, a resonance signal receiving unit which receives the transmitted magnetic resonance signal, and a reconstruction unit which processes, synchronously with the generated sampling clock signal, the received magnetic resonance signal and thereby reconstructs an image of the subject. |
| US08174256B2 |
Methods and systems for magnetic field sensing
One embodiment relates to a sensor. The sensor includes a first magnet having a first surface and a second magnet having a second surface. A differential sensing element extends alongside the first and second surfaces. The differential sensing element includes a first sensing element and a second sensing element. In addition, a layer of ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material runs between the first and second magnets and spaces the first and second magnets from one another. Other apparatuses and methods are also set forth. |
| US08174254B2 |
Measuring device with negative-feedback DC voltage amplifier
A measuring device having a detector with at least one detector element and, connected downstream of the detector, a DC voltage amplifier with at least one input (and at least one output. The DC voltage amplifier provides at least one negative-feedback path, which extends from its at least one output to its at least one input, wherein at least one further detector element is disposed in the negative-feedback path. |
| US08174253B2 |
Systems and methods that detect changes in incident optical radiation
Systems, methods and sensors detect changes in incident optical radiation. Voltage is applied across one or more active areas of a detector while the incident optical radiation illuminates the active areas. Current is sensed across one or more of the active areas, a change in the current being indicative of the changes in incident optical radiation. |
| US08174242B2 |
Apparatus and method for pre-charging in charging/discharging equipment for an energy-storage device
An apparatus includes a switching circuit operable with an arrangement configured to effectuate a charging or discharging of an energy-storage device to a circuit including electrically-parallel condenser. The switching circuit includes a main switch electrically connectable to the condenser, and a control circuit electrically connected in parallel with the main switch, and electrically connectable to the condenser. The main switch and control circuit are each configured to independently, switchably pass current from the energy-storage device to the condenser and a power load/source. In this regard, the main switch and control circuit are controllable to pass current from the energy-storage device to the power load, and in a manner whereby current from the energy-storage device to the condenser is diverted from passing through the main switch for a period during which a voltage disparity between the condenser and energy-storage device decreases to within a predetermined range. |
| US08174237B2 |
Battery module
In a battery system, battery modules (3a, 3b) connected to each other in series respectively include: one or more single cells (3a1 to 3an, 3b1 to 3b-n) connected to one another in any one of series, parallel, and series-parallel; cell voltage switches (7a, 7b) for detecting voltages respectively of the one or more single cells; module monitoring control units (9a, 9b) each for monitoring the detected voltages respectively of the one or more signal cells; and communications level converter circuits (14a, 14b). The battery system includes a master unit (8a) for receiving information on the voltages respectively of the one or more single cells from the module monitoring control units via the communications level converter circuits. One of the communications level converter circuits includes a switch element (Q32) for transmitting a signal of a low-potential battery module to a high-potential battery module. A series circuit includes resistors R1′, R2′ and R5 as well as the switch element is connected between a positive electrode of the highest-potential single cell in the high potential battery module and a negative electrode of the lowest-potential single cell in the low-potential battery cell. |
| US08174233B2 |
Magnetically coupled battery charging system
Inductively coupled battery charging systems and methods are provided. Transmit circuitry can include a transmit coil operatively part of a transmit resonant circuit that exhibits resonance at a transmit resonant frequency and an unloaded Q value of at least about 20. Transmit coil can generate a magnetic field at about the transmit resonant frequency. Rechargeable battery assembly can include a receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, and circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to a storage cell. Receive coil can be part of a receive resonant circuit that exhibits resonance at about the transmit resonant frequency and an unloaded Q value of at least about 10. Transmit circuitry can include multiple transmit coils and can selectively discontinue production of alternating current in the coils generating fields that are not most strongly coupled to the receive coil. |
| US08174229B2 |
Sample stage apparatus and method of controlling the same
The present invention provides a stage apparatus capable of reducing a positioning time without increasing a positional deviation. A positioning control method of a sample stage apparatus includes: a high-speed movement step of moving a table to a high-speed movement target position at a first movement speed; a positional deviation correcting step of moving the table to a low-speed positioning step start position at a second movement speed that is lower than the first movement speed; a low-speed positioning step of moving the table to a target position at a third movement speed that is lower than the second movement speed. After the low-speed positioning step is completed, a rod connected to a motor returns to its original position to separate a pin of the rod side from a concave portion of the table side. |
| US08174227B2 |
Fan control system
A fan control system includes a temperature detecting circuit and a rotation rate control circuit. The detecting circuit includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a thermistor. The control circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The detecting circuit detects temperature and outputs a voltage signal. The control circuit receives the voltage signal and controls the rotation rate of the fan according to the voltage signal. |
| US08174226B2 |
Current limit control method of DC motor and related device and circuit
A control method of a current limit of a DC motor includes generating a reference voltage according to a preset current limit value of a DC motor; comparing the reference voltage with the voltage drop of a power control switch which drives the DC motor to generate a compare result; and controlling the power delivered to the DC motor according to the compare result in order to limit the current of the DC motor. |
| US08174225B2 |
Limiting peak electrical power drawn by mining excavators
The maximum electrical power drawn from an electrical power source by a mining excavator comprising electric motors is reduced by supplying supplementary electrical power from an electrical energy storage unit. The input electrical power drawn by the mining excavator is cyclic. An upper limit is set for the electrical power drawn from the electrical power source. When the input electrical power drawn by the mining excavator exceeds the upper limit, electrical power is supplied by the electrical energy storage unit, such as an ultracapacitor bank. The ultracapacitor bank may be charged by the electrical power source during off-peak intervals. Electrical power generated by electrical motors operating in a regeneration interval may also be recaptured and stored in the electrical energy storage unit. |
| US08174224B2 |
Torque production in an electric motor in response to current sensor error
Methods and systems are provided for producing a commanded torque in an electric motor in a vehicle. A method comprises obtaining a torque command, obtaining a speed of the electric motor, and operating the inverter based at least in part on a voltage command that corresponds to minimal current through the electric motor for producing the commanded torque at the instantaneous speed of the electric motor. |
| US08174222B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus for dynamically controlling an electric motor that drives an oil pump
Methods, system and apparatus are provided for sensorless control of a vector controlled motor drive system that includes an electric motor used to drive an auxiliary oil pump. |
| US08174221B2 |
Motor control apparatus and control apparatus for hybrid electric vehicles
To provide a motor control apparatus that uses an inverter to drive an AC motor and hybrid automotive control apparatus adapted to drive an AC motor by use of an inverter while reducing torque pulsations during switching from PWM driving to rectangular-wave driving. The motor control apparatus 100 has a PWM driving mode in which to input a PWM signal to the inverter 8 and perform PWM driving of the AC motor 4, and a rectangular-wave driving mode in which to input a rectangular-wave signal to the inverter 8 and perform rectangular-wave driving of the AC motor 4. For switching from the PWM driving mode to the rectangular-wave driving mode, a driving-pulse switching block 140 performs the switching process within a maximum pulse-width range of high-level or low-level pulses developed in the PWM driving mode. |
| US08174217B2 |
Sensorless control apparatus and method for induction motor
A control apparatus for an induction motor is provided and includes a rotating-speed locked loop and a feed-forward magnetizing-axis angular position emulator. The rotating-speed locked loop emulates a speed control loop of the induction motor for producing an emulated torque current and an emulated rotor angular speed. The feed-forward magnetizing-axis angular position emulator receives the emulated torque current and the emulated rotor angular speed for producing a feed-forward estimated magnetizing-axis angular position, wherein according to the feed-forward estimated magnetizing-axis angular position, a first voltage controlling the induction motor is transformed from a synchronous reference coordinate system of the induction motor to a static reference coordinate system of the induction motor, and a two-phase current detected from the induction motor is transformed from the static reference coordinate system to the synchronous reference coordinate system. The state the stator angular frequency is at zero can be skipped through the apparatus. |
| US08174211B2 |
Method and system for operating a discharge lamp such as to detect defective operation of the lamp
A method for detecting defective operation of a discharge lamp includes determining the lamp impedance and establishing that the lamp is operating in an incandescent mode if it is found that the lamp has a positive impedance. |
| US08174209B2 |
DC-DC converter and method for minimizing battery peak pulse loading
The invention relates to an electronic device, comprising a DC-DC converter for converting a primary supply voltage into an output voltage at an output node to be coupled to a super capacitor and a control stage for operating the regulated DC-DC converter in a forward direction in a boost mode providing a boost voltage level at the output node and for operating the regulated DC-DC converter in a reverse direction in a buck mode providing a buck voltage level at an auxiliary node arranged between a primary voltage supply providing the primary supply voltage and the output node, wherein the control stage is adapted to control the DC-DC converter when operating in reverse direction to provide a current to the auxiliary node using the super capacitor as a power source. |
| US08174208B2 |
Driver for operating a gas discharge lamp
The present invention relates to a driver for driving a gas discharge lamp. In use, the tips of a conventional lamp's electrodes are subject to tip growth and tip destruction, resulting in decreased or increased arc length, respectively. This has an undesirable effect on the light output of the lamp. The driver of the present invention includes a controller for controlling a current source to the electrodes of the lamp whereby parameters of the current are varied in such a way that tip growth and tip destruction are alternated. As a result, arc length variations stay within certain limits over the lifetime of the lamp. |
| US08174206B2 |
Encoding device for light-emitting-diode lamp, lamp, and controlled lighting system
A controlled lighting system includes an encoding device and a lamp. The encoding device includes a rectifier for rectifying an AC voltage input to result in a rectified signal, and an encoder for generating an encoded signal from the rectified signal and display data. The encoded signal has consecutive signal regions with a waveform of a positive half-cycle of an AC sinusoidal wave or a low potential. The lamp includes a LED unit and a decoding device. The decoding device includes a direct current converter for extracting a direct current voltage from the encoded signal, a detecting circuit for extracting a wave signal from the encoded signal, a processor for generating decoded data related to a light-emitting operation according to the wave signal, and a driver for driving the LED unit according to the direct current voltage from the direct current converter and the decoded data from the processor. |
| US08174205B2 |
Lighting devices and methods for lighting
A lighting device comprises groups of solid state light emitters, a sensor and circuitry. If the emitters are illuminated, the sensor is exposed to combined light from the groups, and senses only a portion of the combined light. The circuitry adjusts current applied to at least one of the emitters based on an intensity of the light sensed. Also, a device comprising emitters, a circuit board and a sensor, at least one of the emitters being positioned on the first circuit board and the sensor being spaced from the circuit board. Also, a lighting device comprising emitters, a sensor, and circuitry which adjusts current applied an emitters based on detection by the first sensor, the circuitry comprising a differential amplifier circuit. Also, a lighting device, comprising light emitters and circuitry which adjusts current applied to only some of the emitters based on ambient temperature. Also, methods of lighting. |
| US08174204B2 |
Lighting system with power factor correction control data determined from a phase modulated signal
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system includes a power factor correction (PFC) controller that determines at least one power factor correction control parameter from phase delays of a phase modulated signal. In at least one embodiment, a peak voltage of the phase modulated signal is a PFC control parameter used bit the PFC controller to control power factor correction and generation of a link voltage by a PFC LED driver circuit. The phase delays are related to a peak voltage of the phase modulated signal. Thus, in at least one embodiment, detecting the phase delay in one or more cycles of the phase modulated signal allows the PFC controller to determine the peak voltage of the phase modulated signal. |
| US08174201B2 |
Self-oscillating transformerless electronic ballast
An electronic ballast includes a rectifier circuit having a first output terminal for coupling with a lamp; a first inductor coupled with a first node; a resonant network coupled with the first node; a first capacitor coupled with the first node; a first resistor coupled with a second node; a second resistor coupled with a second output terminal of the rectifier circuit; a power switch having an output end, a ground end and a control end, wherein the output end is coupled with the first node and the ground end is coupled with the second resistor; a voltage divider for driving the power switch; and a second inductor coupled between the second node and the control end of the power switch. |
| US08174200B2 |
Piezoelectric transformer driving device, cold-cathode tube inverter, cold-cathode tube driving device, and image forming apparatus
A piezoelectric transformer driving device including: an oscillator; a frequency-divider outputting a pulse by dividing a clock signal from the oscillator by a frequency-divide ratio received thereto; a switching element driven by the pulse and intermittently applying a voltage to a primary side of a piezoelectric transformer; a frequency-divide ratio instructing unit holding a frequency-divide ratio instruction value of a real number having an integer part and an fractional part; a binarization unit binarizing the frequency-divide ratio instruction value into two different integer frequency-divide ratios and selectively outputting the frequency-divide ratios. The binarization unit adjusts an appearance ratio of the frequency-divide ratios such that an average of the frequency-divide ratios output from the binarization unit is equal to an average of the frequency-divide ratio instruction value. |
| US08174198B2 |
Image display apparatus and method for driving the same
An image display apparatus includes a rear plate including electron-emitting devices, a face plate including an anode electrode, a voltage applying unit configured to apply a voltage to the anode electrode, a switching unit configured to switch between a display state of displaying an image and a non-display state of displaying no image, and a timing unit. The timing unit measures a non-display time, which is an amount of time that the switching unit allows the non-display state to continue. After the timing unit has measured a certain non-display time, the voltage applying unit applies, to the anode electrode, a second voltage lower than a first voltage to be applied in the display state, to enable the electron-emitting devices to emit electrons. |
| US08174196B2 |
Alternating current light emitting diode device
An alternating light diode device is provided and includes a substrate, a rectifier and a light emitting diode. The rectifier, a bridge rectifier with four diodes, includes a first alternating terminal and a second alternating terminal receiving an alternating signal and a first electrode and a second electrode outputting a rectified signal. The light emitting diode is electrically connected with the first electrode and the second electrode. Furthermore, the rectifier and the light emitting diode are mounted on the hexagonal star-shaped aluminum substrate wherein the rectifier is arranged around the substrate. |
| US08174192B2 |
Plasma display panel
A plasma display panel includes a front panel having a front substrate having a plurality of arrays of display electrodes each including a scanning electrode and a sustain electrode opposed to each other with a discharge gap being defined therebetween and a rear panel having a rear substrate opposed to a front substrate and having partition walls for partitioning a discharge space between the rear panel and the front panel, data electrodes formed between partition walls in such a fashion that the data electrodes intersect with the display electrodes, and phosphor layers formed between partition walls, wherein the rear panel forms partition walls so as to divide the discharge space in a plurality of regions along a direction parallel to the data electrodes, and blue phosphor layers are formed on boundary parts of the plural regions. |
| US08174191B2 |
Dielectric barrier discharge lamp configured as a coaxial double tube having a getter
A dielectric barrier discharge lamp (1) configured as a coaxial double tube comprises an inner tube (3), which is disposed coaxially inside an outer tube (2). The inner tube (3) comprises an inner electrode tube (8) provided for receiving the inner electrode (7) and a getter tube (10) provided for receiving getter material (9). The inner electrode tube (8) and getter tube (10) are separated from each other in a gastight manner by a partition (11). |
| US08174185B2 |
Charge transport materials for luminescent applications
There is provided a charge transport compound having Formula I: wherein: R1 through R5 are the same or different at each occurrence and can be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, halogen, hydroxyl, aryloxy, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, alkylthio, phosphino, silyl, —COR, —COOR, —PO3R2, —OPO3R2, or CN; R6 can be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, and arylalkyl; R is the same or different at each occurrence and can be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; and n is an integer from 0-3. |
| US08174184B2 |
Organic light emitting diode with organic multi-layer structure having a non-linear potential distribution
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic multi-layer structure disposed between the anode and the cathode. The inner potential distribution of the organic multi-layer structure has a non-linear profile. |
| US08174182B2 |
Selecting white point for OLED devices
A method for selecting two different light-emitting materials for use in an OLED device, each of which produces different color light, which combine to produce white light. Each light emitting material has its own point on a chromaticity diagram, and the light-emitting materials are selected such that, when a line is drawn between the first point and the second point, it passes through a desired white area defined on a chromaticity diagram. |
| US08174178B2 |
Semiconductor device and light-emitting device
The present invention provides a semiconductor device by which a light-emitting device that is unlikely to cause defects such as a short circuit, can be manufactured. One feature of a semiconductor device of the present invention is to include an electrode that serves as an electrode of a light-emitting element. The electrode includes a first layer and a second layer. Further, end portions of the electrode are covered with a partition layer having an opening portion. Moreover, a part of the electrode is exposed by the opening portion of the partition layer. One feature of a semiconductor device of the present invention is to include an electrode that serves as an electrode of a light-emitting element and a transistor. The electrode and the transistor are connected electrically to each other. The electrode includes a first layer and a second layer. Further, end portions of the electrode are covered with a partition layer having an opening portion. Moreover, the second layer is exposed by the opening portion of the partition layer. |
| US08174167B2 |
Bistable piezoelectric generator
The invention concerns a bistable piezoelectric generator comprising at least one element in piezoelectric material, with at least one end fixed at a base and having the other end with a mass capable of making oscillations between two distinct positions, respectively a first equilibrium position and a second position opposed to the first, said at least one element being subjected to nonlinear bistable oscillations, the kinetic energy of such bistable oscillations being converted into electric energy and transformed through an electronic circuit in a suitable form for the powering of electric and/or electronic devices. |
| US08174165B2 |
Surface acoustic wave device and manufacturing method of the same surface acoustic wave device
A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric element, an IDT electrode formed on the piezoelectric element for exciting a principal wave, a reflection film formed on the piezoelectric element having a higher reflectivity than the reflectivity of the piezoelectric element in a visible light wavelength region, and a light permeable dielectric layer formed on the piezoelectric element, at least a part of the IDT electrode, and the reflection film. Accordingly, when measuring the film thickness of the light permeable dielectric layer by light interference method, the reflected light from the reflection film having a higher reflectivity than the reflectivity of the piezoelectric element in a visible light wavelength region can be utilized, so that the film thickness can be measured more accurately. |
| US08174164B2 |
System and method for power conversion employing an electrostatic motor driving an electromechanical battery
A system for generating electrical power supply signals includes at least one heat engine having a chamber that undergoes heating/cooling cycle and corresponding pressure variations. At least one piezoelectric transducer is deformed in response to the pressure variations of the heat engine. A power converter transforms the electric signals generated in response to deformation of the piezoelectric transducer(s) to a desired electrical power supply signal. The heat engine preferably uses a geothermal source of cold and an ambient source of hot or vice-versa. Hydrogen can be used as a working fluid, and metal hydride material can be used for absorbing and desorbing hydrogen during the cycle of heating and cooling of the heat engine. A phase change material can also be used. The power converter preferably includes an electromechanical battery with a flywheel storing rotational energy and possibly an electrostatic motor that adds rotational energy to the flywheel. |
| US08174163B2 |
Device for assisting relative movements between two parts of a mechanical system, forming a variable capacitance device
A device for assisting a relative movement of two parts of a mechanical system, for example a ball bearing or a gear device, configured to form a device with variable capacity, thereby enabling mechanical energy to be recovered and converted into electrical energy. At least one among driving and driven elements of the device includes a conductive zone separated by a variable distance during the relative movements of the elements with respect to each other of the conductive parts of the device, the conductive zone and the conductive parts being coupled to different equipotentials. |
| US08174161B2 |
Stator for an electric motor
Disclosed is a stator for an electric motor, especially a stepping motor, comprising at least two stator parts (14, 16, 18) which jointly surround a stator hole (12) and are interconnected, connecting sections being provided for connecting the stator parts (14, 16, 18). The stator is characterized in that the connecting sections (13, 15, 17) are tapered relative to the adjacent sections of the adjoining stator parts (14, 16, 18) in an axial direction, parallel to the axis (A) of the stator hole (12), and form isthmi between the adjoining stator parts. |
| US08174158B2 |
Methods and apparatus for a permanent magnet machine with asymmetrical rotor magnets
In general, the various embodiments are directed to a permanent magnet machine (“PM machine”), and more specifically an internal permanent magnet machine (“IPM machine”) that includes rotor magnets configured asymmetrically with respect to the rotor periphery, thereby producing an averaging effect similar to that achieved through traditional skewing of the rotor magnets. In alternate embodiments, the span, placement and/or shape of the magnets may vary from one pole to the next. |
| US08174157B2 |
Electrically commutated DC motor for a liquid pump
An electrically commutated DC motor (1) for a liquid pump (2) with a pump housing (3) with a suction connector (4) and a pressure connector (5) for connection to a hydraulic circuit, an essentially disk-like pump rotor (6) mounted to rotate in the pump housing, consisting of an impeller (7) with several pump vanes and a permanent magnet (8), a partition (11) separating a pump space (9) from a dry space (10), in which the partition is arranged in an axial gap (12) between the pump rotor (6) and several axially aligned wound stator poles (14) of the DC motor. The present invention configures a DC motor, so that it can be installed simply and reliably, is designed particularly robust and therefore has a very long operating lifetime. |
| US08174155B2 |
Stepping motor with a coded pole pattern
The present invention relates to a stepping motor with a magnet pole pattern having a predetermined pattern around the circumference of the stepping motor. In one embodiment, the pattern relates to a code having a unique single maximum autocorrelation peak over the period of the code. Example codes include Barker codes, PN codes, Kasami codes, Golomb ruler codes, and other codes. In one embodiment, the rotor and stator have a matching pole pattern. In one embodiment, the drive is arranged to align the poles in an inline configuration, alternatively, the drive may be arranged to align the poles in a diagonal configuration. In a further embodiment, one or more sets of poles are provided on the stator, each set being offset rotationally by a partial pole spacing. In one embodiment, the rotor is initially synchronized with the stator by capturing the rotor using a single unambiguous lock-in position based on the code autocorrelation. |
| US08174154B2 |
Air bushing linear stage system
A linear stage system is provided. The linear stage system includes a base, a carriage plate, a first shaft, a first air bushing coupled to the base, a first motor coupled to the base and the carriage plate, and a first position encoder. The first air bushing is configured to support the carriage plate via the first shaft, wherein the first air bushing utilizes the first shaft as a guide surface and is configured to support positioning of the carriage plate along an axis. The first motor is configured to create a linear motion parallel to the axis in a first motor element coupled to the carriage plate to position the carriage plate along the axis in response to a first control signal. The first position encoder is configured to determine a position of the carriage plate relative to the base. |
| US08174153B2 |
Communication interface between a control unit and a high voltage unit
A communication interface, between a control unit and a high voltage unit, includes a serial communication link between the control unit and the high voltage unit. The interface includes a signal transformer arranged as an isolation barrier between the control unit and the high voltage unit to ensure personal safety. |
| US08174147B2 |
Electrical power supplying device having a ring-like power assembly for receiving electrical power plugs and/or power adapters associated with a plurality of electrical appliances, and an un-interrupted power supply (UPS) unit having a battery componenent mounted within a centrally-disposed structure passing through a central aperture in said ring-like power assembly
An electrical power supplying device for supplying electrical power to a group of electrical appliances located in an environment. The electrical power supplying device includes a base housing portion having a bottom surface and a 3D interior volume. A power-ring subassembly is supported within the base housing portion, has a central aperture defining the boundaries of the 3D interior volume, and is adapted for supporting a plurality of electrical receptacles and one or more electronic circuits, which are electrically connected to a power supply cord. A power-ring housing portion covers the power-ring subassembly and has a set of plug apertures, aligned with the electrical receptacles, and allows appliance power plugs associated with the electrical appliances to plug into the electrical receptacles. A power cord portal allows a group of electrical power cords associated with the group of electrical appliances to enter/exit the 3D interior volume in a bundled manner. A cover housing portion is provided and adapted to cover the central aperture of the power-ring subassembly, and conceal appliance power plugs plugged into the electrical receptacles and appliance power cords associated with the electrical appliances. A centrally-located structure is supported on the bottom base, has a hollow interior volume, and projects through the central aperture. An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit is provided, having a battery component mounted within the hollow interior volume of the centralized structure, which is capable of supplying conditioned electrical power to the electrical appliances when power interruptions occur along the power supply cord plugged into the standard power receptacle. |
| US08174145B2 |
Power supply and communications system for a passenger aircarft
The invention relates to a combined supply and communications system for transferring data between a data server and at least one of several terminal devices over a power supply cable wherein the data server and each of the several terminal devices are each connected to the power supply cable over an incoupling/decoupling unit.In order to enable an optimum supply of consumers spread out around the aircraft both with electrical energy and with the desired communications resources and at the same time to minimize the cabling expense, the power supply cable comprises according to the invention at least four conductors wherein at least one conductor corresponds to a transfer channel in the downward direction and at least one conductor corresponds to a transfer channel in the upward direction. |
| US08174144B2 |
Bearings having radial half cage
A bearing is provided having an inner ring with one or more inner raceways, and an outer ring positioned substantially radially outward from the inner ring. The outer ring has one or more outer raceways. A plurality of rolling elements is positioned between the inner raceways and the outer raceways. A cage for maintaining separation between neighboring rolling elements is oriented substantially radially and extending around at least a portion of each of the plurality of rolling elements. |
| US08174143B2 |
Control device of wind turbine generator and control method thereof
A control device of a wind turbine generator capable of controlling an active power based on an instruction value, includes a measurement means configured to measure a frequency of a utility grid. The instruction value for controlling the active power is generated to a direction suppressing a variation of the frequency of the utility grid based on conversion information which indicates a predetermined relation between the variation of the frequency and the instruction value when the variation of the frequency of the utility grid measured by the measurement means exceeds a predetermined standard. A wind turbine generator which controls suppression of a disturbance of a grid in its initial stage is realized. |
| US08174140B2 |
Multipurpose engine having electrical wiring connected inside connector box
A multipurpose engine has a wiring structure between the generator and electrical components. A connector box is provided in a gap defined directly between the generator and the fuel tank. A plurality of electrical wirings is interconnected inside the connector box. |
| US08174135B1 |
Marine energy hybrid
A marine energy hybrid includes a support structure locatable at or near the surface of a body of water and at least two of (a) a hubless upper carriage movable along an upper track of the support structure with at least one wind vane mounted at the upper carriage to induce motion of the upper carriage relative to the support structure by reaction with the wind stream, (b) a hubless lower carriage movable along a lower track of the support structure with at least one water vane mounted at the lower carriage to induce motion of the lower carriage relative to the support structure by reaction with the water current, and (c) at least one wave energy conversion device integral with the support structure and operable to generate electrical or mechanical power in response to wave motion of the body of water. |
| US08174134B2 |
Systems for contactless power transfer
A system includes a first coil mechanically coupled to a first component and electrically coupled to a power source. The system further includes a second coil mechanically coupled to a second component and configured to receive power from the first coil via a magnetic field. At least one of the first and second components includes a rotatable component. The system also includes a field focusing element disposed between the first coil and the second coil and configured as a self resonant coil having a standing wave current distribution to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil. |
| US08174132B2 |
Folded surface capacitor in-line assembly
An in-line capacitor, having a pair of inner conductor segments, each of the inner conductor segments having a mating surface. A dielectric spacer positioned between the mating surfaces, each of the mating surfaces having corresponding folds formed thereon. |
| US08174131B2 |
Semiconductor device having a filled trench structure and methods for fabricating the same
Methods are provided for packaging a semiconductor die having a first surface. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method comprises the steps of forming a trench in the first surface of the die, electrically and physically coupling the die to a packaging substrate, forming a sealant layer on the first surface of the die, forming an engagement structure within the trench, and infusing underfill between the sealant layer and the engagement structure and the packaging substrate. |
| US08174128B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor package having a first board, second boards electrically connected to both sides of the first board, and at least one component connected to the first board by a flip chip method
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package that includes: forming a first board; forming second boards, in each of which at least one cavity is formed; attaching the second boards to both sides of the first board, such that the second boards are electrically connected with the first board; and connecting at least one component with the first board by a flip chip method by embedding the component in the cavity. The method can prevent damage to the semiconductor chips and lower manufacturing costs, while the connection material may also mitigate stresses, to prevent cracking in the boards and semiconductor chips, while preventing defects such as bending and warpage. Defects caused by temperature changes may also be avoided. Furthermore, it is not necessary to use an underfill in the portions where the semiconductor chips are connected with the printed circuit board, which allows for easier reworking and lower costs. |
| US08174126B2 |
Stacked multi-chip
A stacked multi-chip comprises a base layer, a first chip, a first stacked chip and at least one second stacked chip. The base layer comprises a mounting panel and a redistributed layer. The redistributed layer is mounted on the mounting panel. The first chip comprises an electrically non-conductive layer and a connective layer. The electrically non-conductive layer comprises a TSV channel. The connective layer abuts the redistributed layer. The first stacked chip is mounted on the first chip and comprises an electrically non-conductive layer and a connective layer. The electrically non-conductive layer comprises a TSV channel that is connected to the TSV channel of the first chip. The second stacked chip is mounted on the first stacked chip and comprises an electrically non-conductive layer and a connective layer. The electrically non-conductive layer comprises a TSV channel. The connective layer is connected to the connective layer of the first stacked chip. |
| US08174125B2 |
Manufacturing method of a semiconductor device
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprises: providing a first insulating film whose relative dielectric constant is at most a predetermined value above a substrate; providing a second insulating film whose relative dielectric constant is greater than the predetermined value on a surface of the first insulating film; forming a recess for a wire through the second insulating film and extending into the first insulating film, and also forming a recess for a dummy wire through the second insulating film and extending into the first insulating film spaced from a formed area of the recess for the wire; providing a conductive material inside the recess for the wire and the recess for the dummy wire; and providing a wire inside the recess for the wire and providing a dummy wire inside the recess for the dummy wire by polishing and removing the conductive material. |
| US08174118B2 |
Detection device and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a detection device includes the steps of providing bonding bumps on at least one of a light-receiving element array and a read-out circuit multiplexer, fixing a bump height adjusting member for adjusting the heights of the bumps to the light-receiving element array and/or the read-out circuit multiplexer on which the bumps are provided, and pressing a flat plate on the tops of the bumps and deforming the bumps until the flat plate comes in contact with the end of the bump height adjusting member. |
| US08174114B2 |
Semiconductor package structure with constraint stiffener for cleaning and underfilling efficiency
A semiconductor package structure with a heat dissipating stiffener and method of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, the package structure comprises a substrate having a front side and a back side; a semiconductor chip mounted on the front surface of the substrate; a thermally-conductive stiffener mounted over the front surface of the substrate and surrounding the chip, the stiffener having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion so as to allow for easy egress of a dispenser into a gap between the chip and the substrate; an underfill layer filled and cured in the gap; and a plurality of solder balls mounted on the back surface of the substrate. |
| US08174112B1 |
Integrated circuit device with low capacitance and high thermal conductivity interface
An integrated circuit device includes an integrated circuit formed in a semiconductor die and an integrated circuit package containing the semiconductor die. The integrated circuit package includes a thermal interface material substantially between the semiconductor die and a heat spreader of the integrated circuit device for conducting heat from the semiconductor die to the heat spreader. The thermal interface material includes diamond particles and has a thickness selected to reduce capacitance between the semiconductor die and the heat spreader over that of a conventional integrated circuit device without reducing the rate of thermal conduction from the semiconductor die to the heat spreader. As a result, the integrated circuit device has improved electrostatic discharge immunity. |
| US08174111B2 |
Vertical mount package for MEMS sensors
A vertical mount pre-molded type package for use with a MEMS sensor may be formed with a low moisture permeable molding material that surrounds a portion of the leadframes and forms a cavity in which one or multiple dies may be held. The package includes structures to reduce package vibration, reduce die stress, increase vertical mount stability, and improve solder joint reliability. The vertical mount package includes a first leadframe having first leads and molding material substantially surrounding at least a portion of the first leads. The molding material forms a cavity for holding the MEMS sensor and forms a package mounting plane for mounting the package on a base. The cavity has a die mounting plane that is substantially non-parallel to the package mounting plane. The first leads are configured to provide electrical contacts within the cavity and to provide electrical contacts to the base. |
| US08174109B2 |
Electronic device and method of manufacturing same
An electronic device includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes a first electronic component, a first sealing resin, and a first multilayer interconnection structure including a first interconnection pattern directly connected to a first electrode pad of the first electronic component. The second semiconductor device includes a second electronic component, a second sealing resin, and a second multilayer interconnection structure including a second interconnection pattern directly connected to a second electrode pad of the second electronic component. The first semiconductor device is stacked on and bonded to the second semiconductor device through an adhesive layer with the first multilayer interconnection structure of the first semiconductor device facing toward the second sealing resin of the second semiconductor device. The first interconnection pattern and the second interconnection pattern are connected through a through electrode provided through the adhesive layer and the second sealing resin. |
| US08174108B2 |
Method for facilitating the stacking of integrated circuits having different areas and an integrated circuit package constructed by the method
An integrated circuit package comprises a package substrate, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having a first area and formed on a first wafer made from a select semiconductor material, a second wafer of the select semiconductor material, and a supplemental-integrated circuit. The supplemental-integrated circuit has a second area different from the first area. The first wafer includes a through-wafer via to couple the ASIC to the package substrate. An active surface of the ASIC is coupled to the second wafer. The second wafer is arranged with a window there through that is sized to closely receive and align one or more bonding interfaces of the supplemental-integrated circuit to respective bonding interfaces of the ASIC. A corresponding method for assembling a die-stacked integrated circuit package is disclosed. |
| US08174107B2 |
Stacked semiconductor devices and a method for fabricating the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor device that includes semiconductor packages arranged in a stacked configuration. A plurality of leads are drawn from the stacked semiconductor packages and folded around the outer shape of each semiconductor package such that the leads extend over the upper surfaces of the semiconductor package. Holders affix the stacked semiconductor packages so that first and second leads contact each other, the first leads being drawn from a first one of the stacked semiconductor packages at a lower stacking stage, and the second leads being drawn from a second one of the stacked semiconductor packages at an adjacent, upper stacking stage. |
| US08174106B2 |
Through board stacking of multiple LGA-connected components
A package design is provided where a chip module is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) via a land grid array (LGA) on the top surface of the PCB, and where a power supply is connected to the PCB via a second LGA on the bottom surface of the PCB. The stack of the chip module, power supply, and LGA is held in place and compressed with actuation hardware forming an adjustable frame. The package allows field replacibility of either the module, or the PS, and provides the shortest possible wiring distance from the PS to the module leading to higher performance. |
| US08174104B2 |
Semiconductor arrangement having specially fashioned bond wires
A semiconductor arrangement includes first and second integrated circuits (dies), an electrically conductive intermediate element, and one or more bond conductors. The first and the second integrated circuits are arranged in a package. The first integrated circuit has a first contact pad. The second integrated circuit has a second contact pad. The intermediate element is disposed on the second contact pad. The conductors electrically connect the first and the second integrated circuits. At least one of the bond conductors has a first end electrically connected to the first contact pad, and a second wedge shaped end electrically connected to the intermediate element. The bond conductor is made of a first material and the intermediate element is made of a second material which is softer than the first material. |
| US08174099B2 |
Leadless package with internally extended package leads
A DFN package includes internally extended package leads. One or more package pads are physically and electrically extended from a first edge of the package to a second, opposite edge of the package. These extended package leads can terminate at the edges of the leadframe. The package pads and the extended package leads where the IC die is attached can have full leadframe thickness. Other extended package lead features can have a reduced leadframe thickness (e.g., about half the leadframe thickness). Leadframe features can be physically and electrically connected to a tie-bar feature which can be an integral part of a leadframe matrix. The tie-bar can stabilize the leadframe features during assembly. The tie-bar can also provide electrical connectivity for post assembly leadframe plating. The tie-bar can be removed during package singulation by sawing or punching techniques to free the leadframe features both physically and electrically. |
| US08174098B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of providing a thermal dissipation path through RDL and conductive via
A semiconductor device has a conductive via formed around a perimeter of the semiconductor die. First and second conductive layers are formed on opposite sides of the semiconductor die and thermally connected to the conductive via. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor die. Openings in the insulating layer expose the first conductive layer and a thermal dissipation region of semiconductor die. A thermal via is formed through the insulating layer to the first conductive layer. A thermally conductive layer is formed over the thermal dissipation region and thermal via. A thermal conduction path is formed from the thermal dissipation region through the thermally conductive layer, thermal via, first conductive layer, conductive via, and second conductive layer. The thermal conduction path terminates in an external thermal ground point. The thermally conductive layer provides shielding for electromagnetic interference. |
| US08174093B2 |
Multichip semiconductor device, chip therefor and method of formation thereof
A multichip semiconductor device is disclosed in which chips are stacked each of which comprises a semiconductor substrate formed on top with circuit components and an interlayer insulating film formed on the top of the semiconductor substrate. At least one of the chips has a connect plug of a metal formed in a through hole that passes through the semiconductor substrate and the interlayer insulating film. The chip with the connect plug is electrically connected with another chip by that connect plug. |
| US08174091B2 |
Fuse structure
An electrical fuse and a method of forming the same are presented. A first-layer conductive line is formed over a base material. A via is formed over the first-layer conductive line. The via preferably comprises a barrier layer and a conductive material. A second-layer conductive line is formed over the via. A first external pad is formed coupling to the first-layer conductive line. A second external pad is formed coupling to the second-layer conductive line. The via, the first conductive line and the second conductive line are adapted to be an electrical fuse. The electrical fuse can be burned out by applying a current. The vertical structure of the preferred embodiment is suitable to be formed in any layer. |
| US08174088B2 |
Solid state imaging device
Storage capacitors Ctd and Cts are provided alternately side by side sequentially in a row direction. Each of the storage capacitors Ctd and Cts has an electrode layer 21 constituting a signal electrode and an upper side electrode layer 23 and a lower side electrode layer 28 constituting a fixed potential electrode. The signal electrodes of the respective storage capacitors Ctd and Cts are electrically independent of each other. The fixed potential electrodes of the respective storage capacitors Ctd and Cts are electrically connected to each other and connected to the ground etc. Contact holes 26a and 26b that connect the electrode layers 23 and 28 are provided between the electrode layers 21 of the neighboring storage capacitors Ctd and Cts so as to occupy 52% or more of the opposed area of the second electrode sections of two neighboring storage capacitors. |
| US08174087B2 |
Electromagnectic wave detecting element
The present invention is to provide an electromagnetic wave detecting element that can prevent a decrease in light utilization efficiency at sensor portions. The sensor portions are provided so as to correspond to respective intersection portions of scan lines and signal lines, and have semiconductor layer that generate charges due to electromagnetic waves being irradiated, and at whose electromagnetic wave irradiation surface sides upper electrodes are formed, and at whose electromagnetic wave non-irradiation surface sides lower electrodes are formed. Bias voltage is supplied to the respective upper electrodes via respective contact holes by a common electrode line that is formed further toward an electromagnetic wave downstream side than the semiconductor layer. |
| US08174082B2 |
Micromechanical component having multiple caverns, and manufacturing method
A micromechanical component having at least two caverns is provided, the caverns being delimited by the micromechanical component and a cap, and the caverns having different internal atmospheric pressures. The micromechanical component and cap are hermetically joined to one another at a first specifiable atmospheric pressure, then an access to at least one cavern is produced, and subsequently the access is hermetically closed off at a second specifiable atmospheric pressure. |
| US08174081B2 |
Fully depleted silicon-on-insulator CMOS logic
A extractor implanted region is used in a silicon-on-insulator CMOS memory device. The extractor region is reversed biased to remove minority carriers from the body region of partially depleted memory cells. This causes the body region to be fully depleted without the adverse floating body effects. |
| US08174078B2 |
Flat-panel display semiconductor process for efficient manufacturing
An embodiment is a method and apparatus to fabricate a flat panel display. A poly-last structure is formed for a display panel using an amorphous silicon or amorphous silicon compatible process. The poly-last structure has a channel silicon precursor. The display panel is formed from the poly-last structure using a polysilicon specific or polysilicon compatible process. |
| US08174074B2 |
Asymmetric embedded silicon germanium field effect transistor
A semiconductor device, an integrated circuit, and method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack formed on an active region of a silicon-on-insulator substrate. A gate spacer is formed over the gate stack. A source region that includes embedded silicon germanium is formed within the semiconductor layer. A drain region that includes embedded silicon germanium is formed within the semiconductor layer. The source region includes an angled implantation region that extends into the embedded silicon germanium of the source region, and is asymmetric relative to the drain region. |
| US08174073B2 |
Integrated circuit structures with multiple FinFETs
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; and a first Fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) and a second FinFET at a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first FinFET includes a first fin; and a first gate electrode over a top surface and sidewalls of the first fin. The second FinFET includes a second fin spaced apart from the first fin by a fin space; and a second gate electrode over a top surface and sidewalls of the second fin. The second gate electrode is electrically disconnected from the first gate electrode. The first and the second gate electrodes have a gate height greater than about one half of the fin space. |
| US08174071B2 |
High voltage LDMOS transistor
An LDMOS transistor structure and methods of making the same are provided. The structure includes a gate electrode extended on an upper boundary of an extension dielectric region that separates the gate electrode from the drain region of the LDMOS transistor. Moreover, at an area close to an edge of the extended gate electrode portion, the gate electrode further projects downwards into a convex-shaped recess or groove in the upper boundary of the extension dielectric region, forming a tongue. LDMOS transistors with this structure may provide improved suppression of hot carrier effects. |
| US08174063B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device with intrinsic charge trapping layer
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a first gate formed on a first region of a surface of the substrate, a second gate formed on a second region of the surface of the substrate, a charge storage layer filled between the first gate and the second gate, a first diffusion region formed on a first side of the charge storage layer, and a second diffusion region formed opposite the charge storage layer from the first diffusion region. The first region and the second region are separated by a distance sufficient for forming a self-aligning charge storage layer therebetween. |
| US08174061B2 |
Floating-gate structure with dielectric component
Floating-gate memory cells having a floating gate with a conductive portion and a dielectric portion facilitate increased levels of charge trapping sites within the floating gate. The conductive portion includes a continuous component providing bulk conductivity to the floating gate. The dielectric portion is discontinuous within the conductive portion and may include islands of dielectric material and/or one or more contiguous layers of dielectric material having discontinuities. |
| US08174057B2 |
CMOS image device with local impurity region
According to a CMOS image device and a method of manufacturing same, dark current is decreased by a local impurity region. The image device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a transfer gate formed on a predetermined portion of the semiconductor substrate and electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate. A photodiode is formed in the semiconductor substrate on one side of the transfer gate, and a floating diffusion region is formed on the semiconductor substrate in the other side of the transfer gate. A local impurity region of a first conductivity type is formed to be partially overlapped the transfer gate between the photodiode and the floating diffusion region. |
| US08174055B2 |
Formation of FinFET gate spacer
Gate spacers are formed in FinFETS having a bottom portion of a first material extending to the height of the fins, and a top portion of a second material extending above the fins. An embodiment includes forming a fin structure on a substrate, the fin structure having a height and having a top surface and side surfaces, forming a gate substantially perpendicular to the fin structure over a portion of the top and side surfaces, for example over a center portion, forming a planarizing layer over the gate, the fin structure, and the substrate, removing the planarizing layer from the substrate, gate, and fin structure down to the height of the fin structure, and forming spacers on the fin structure and on the planarizing layer, adjacent the gate. |
| US08174054B2 |
Field effect transistor with interdigitated fingers and method of manufacturing thereof
A field effect transistor comprising a semiconductor substrate comprising an electrically conducting channel layer therein; a plurality of source and drain fingers on a first face of the substrate, each finger separated from the adjacent finger by a gate channel; the gate channels comprising at least one active gate channel defined by a source finger and a drain finger arranged on the first face such that current is free to flow between them via the electrically conducting channel layer, and, a plurality of inactive gate channels, each inactive gate channel being defined by either two fingers of the same type or a source finger and a drain finger, the source finger and drain finger being arranged on the first face such that current is not free to flow between them via the electrically conducting channel layer; the gate channels being arranged such that each active gate channel has a gate channel on each side; each active gate channel comprising a gate therein for controlling current flow in the electrically conducting channel layer. |
| US08174043B2 |
Light emitting apparatus
In a light-emitting apparatus using a silicone resin as a sealant of its light-emitting element, it is intended to prevent discoloration of its lead frame. A light-emitting element fixed to a lead frame is sealed with a sealed portion formed by a silicone resin. An average spin-spin relaxation time of the silicone resin is equal to or smaller than 100 microseconds at 25° C. at a resonance frequency of 25 MHz. |
| US08174040B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device is provided. The light emitting device comprises: a reflective layer; and a semiconductor layer including a light emitting layer on the reflective layer. A distance between the reflective layer and a center of the light emitting layer corresponds to a constructive interference condition. |
| US08174035B2 |
Nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device
An object is to provide a nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device capable of preventing a Schottky barrier from being formed at an interface between a contact layer and an electrode. LD 1 is provided as a nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device provided with a GaN substrate 3, a hexagonal GaN-based semiconductor region 5 provided on a primary surface S1 of the GaN substrate 3 and including a light emitting layer 11, and a p-electrode 21 provided on the GaN-based semiconductor region 5 and comprised of metal. The GaN-based semiconductor region 5 includes a contact layer 17 involving strain, the contact layer 17 is in contact with the p-electrode, the primary surface S1 extends along a reference plane S5 inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ from a plane perpendicular to the c-axis direction of the GaN substrate 3, and the inclination angle θ is either in the range of more than 40° and less than 90° or in the range of not less than 150° and less than 180°. The GaN-based semiconductor region 5 is lattice-matched with the GaN substrate 3. |
| US08174034B2 |
OLED with color conversion
An OLED is thus specified which includes a layer construction comprising at least an anode, a cathode and a functional layer arranged in between, the layer construction being arranged on a substrate. At least one electrode, selected from the anode and cathode, is transmissive to the light emitted by the functional layer and is arranged on the light-emitting side, emission side, of the layer construction. The at least one color conversion layer has quantum dots and is arranged on the emission side above or below the layer construction. |
| US08174030B2 |
Luminous devices, packages and systems containing the same, and fabricating methods thereof
The present invention is directed to a vertical-type luminous device and high through-put methods of manufacturing the luminous device. These luminous devices can be utilized in a variety of luminous packages, which can be placed in luminous systems. The luminous devices are designed to maximize light emitting efficiency and/or thermal dissipation. Other improvements include an embedded zener diode to protect against harmful reverse bias voltages. |
| US08174027B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor light emitting device, includes: a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface including a recess and a protrusion, the second major surface being formed on a side opposite to the first major surface; a first electrode provided on the first major surface; a semiconductor light emitting element provided on the first electrode and electrically connected to the first electrode; a second electrode provided on the second major surface; and a through-electrode provided to pass through the substrate at the recess and electrically connect the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08174026B2 |
Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
A light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The light emitting device comprises a first conductive type lower semiconductor layer, a current diffusion layer, a first conductive type upper semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer. The current diffusion layer is formed on the first conductive type lower semiconductor layer. The first conductive type upper semiconductor layer is formed on the current diffusion layer. The active layer is formed on the first conductive type upper semiconductor layer. The second conductive type semiconductor layer is formed on the active layer. |
| US08174025B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device including porous layer
A light emitting device includes a semiconductor structure having a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A porous region is disposed between the light emitting layer and a contact electrically connected to one of the n-type region and the p-type region. The porous region scatters light away from the absorbing contact, which may improve light extraction from the device. In some embodiments the porous region is an n-type semiconductor material such as GaN or GaP. |
| US08174024B2 |
Gallium nitride device with a diamond layer
In one aspect, a device includes a gallium nitride (GaN) layer, a first diamond layer disposed on the GaN layer, a gate structure disposed in contact with the GaN layer and the first diamond layer, and a second diamond layer having a first thermal conductivity and disposed on a second surface of the GaN layer. The gate and the first diamond layer are disposed on a first surface of the GaN layer opposite the second surface of the GaN layer. |
| US08174023B2 |
Method of fabricating memory cell
A method of fabricating a memory cell includes following steps. First, a substrate is provided, and a control gate is formed on the substrate. Then, a dielectric layer is formed to cover the control gate and the substrate. Afterward, an α-SiGe layer is formed on the dielectric layer. After that, a laser annealing process is performed to oxidize the α-SiGe layer into a silicon oxide layer, so as to separate out Ge atoms from the α-SiGe layer to form a Ge quantum dot layer between the silicon oxide layer and the dielectric layer. A poly-Si island is then formed on the silicon oxide layer, wherein the poly-Si island includes a source doped region, a drain doped region, and a channel region located therebetween. |