Document Document Title
US08180000B2 GNSS receiver
A GNSS receiver including a processing unit adapted to process radio signals transmitted from an active set of signal sources and based thereon produce position/time related data. The signals of the active set are processed in parallel with respect to a real-time signal data rate of the signals by a respective tracking channel resource allocated for each signal source. The processing unit also has a monitoring channel resource adapted to process radio signals transmitted from each of at least two signal sources in an additional set of signal sources different from the signal sources in the active set. The processing unit is adapted to process the radio signals of the additional set according to a cyclic processing sequence such that the signals from any of the signal sources in the additional set can be included into a navigation solution without delay.
US08179999B2 Decoding of blocks in radio communications
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for decoding expected block messages transmitted as radio signals over an air interface in interleaved bursts from a shorter received burst. A method for detecting certain expected messages from received bursts is described, comprising: receiving a one to m bursts of n bursts of an interleaved block message; retrieving stored values for the expected m+1 to n bursts of the interleaved block message; forming an expected interleaved block message; deinterleaving and decoding the expected block message; determining from an error checking whether the expected block message is valid; and if valid, indicating the expected block message was received after receiving only the m bursts. Apparatuses are described for a receiver configured to detect an expected message after receiving m transmitted bursts of an interleaved n burst block message. The expected message may be an empty paging channel or broadcast message.
US08179998B2 Communication signal receiver for estimating an imaginary-part component of a complex data signal and method thereof
A communication signal receiver includes a feed-forward filter and a coefficient adjusting circuit. The feed-forward filter generates an estimated imaginary-part component signal according to a real-part component of a complex data signal by using tap coefficients of the feed-forward filter. The coefficient adjusting circuit adjusts the tap coefficients of the feed-forward filter according to a control information, wherein the control information comprises a phase error information. The phase error information changes as a phase of the complex data signal changes, wherein the phase is adjusted or not adjusted by the coefficient adjusting circuit.
US08179995B2 Reception device, transmission device, radio transmission/reception system, and radio reception method
Orthogonal converters perform orthogonal conversion on the N time-series data extracted from a received radio signal. Multi-user detectors extract transmitted signals from respective transmission devices, from the time-series data which has been subjected to the orthogonal conversion. Inverse orthogonal converters perform inverse orthogonal conversion on the extracted transmitted signal. Rectangular filter circuits remove Mh time-series data at the front end and Mt time-series data at the rear end, from the transmitted signal which has been subjected to the inverse orthogonal conversion, so as to extract Nw time-series data. Deinterleaver circuits deinterleave the aforementioned time-series data. Decoders decode the time-series data for output.
US08179991B2 Near-optimal low-complexity decoding of space-time codes for fixed wireless applications
An improved multi-antenna receiver is realized for detecting signals transmitted by a multi-antenna transmitter by summing signals received at the plurality of receiver antennas after multiplying each by a respective constant. The summed signal is applied to a maximum likelihood detector. The respective constants, λj, where j is an index designating a particular receiver antenna, are determined by evaluating the largest eigenvector of the matrix A, where Λ is a vector containing values λj, and A is a matrix containing elements αij, which is the transfer function between the ith transmitter antenna to the jth receiver antenna. The αij terms are determined in the receiver in conventional ways.
US08179987B2 Method and device for transferring data in a multi-carrier system having parallel concatenated encoding and modulation
The invention relates to a transmitter-receiver pair for improved data transmission in a multi-carrier system and to a corresponding method, according to which a chain coding is used. To this end, a transmitter has a first coding stage, a transmission-demultiplexer stage, a second coding stage, a modulator stage, a transmission multiplexer stage and a multi-carrier modulator, whereby said transmission-demultiplexer stage and the transmission multiplexer stage are controlled by a bit loading device. Similarly, the receiver has a multi-carrier demodulator, a receiver demultiplexer stage, a first decoding stage, a receiver multiplexer stage and a second decoding stage, whereby the receiver multiplexer stage and demultiplexer stage are in turn controlled by the bit loading device.
US08179985B2 Method and apparatus for providing time-frequency diversity in OFDM wireless communication systems
A method for transmitting signals using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a wireless communication system, includes: selecting a plurality of OFDM symbols as a symbol group in time dimension; and multiplying a scrambling pattern with the symbol group.
US08179984B2 Multifunctional transmitters
Multifunctional transmitters capable of transmitting signals of different specifications in different modes are provided, in which N output units are provided and each output unit comprises a serializer and an output driver. A control unit, according to a mode selection signal, selects a first set of output units from the N output units to transmit a first video data compatible with a first transmission interface under a first transmission mode and selects a second set of output units from the first set of output units to transmit a second video data compatible with a second transmission interface which is different from the first transmission interface under a second transmission mode.
US08179983B2 Video processing system with layered video coding for fast channel change and methods for use therewith
A video processing system includes a video encoder that encodes a video stream into a independent video layer stream and a first dependent video layer stream based on a motion vector data or grayscale and color data.
US08179982B2 Transmitting additional information in the headers of encapsulating data packets in mobile/handheld (M/H) DTV signals
Apparatus for transmitting digital data in an 8-vestigial sideband (8-VSB) signal format for reception by mobile/handheld (M/H) receivers is described. The apparatus for transmitting digital data includes a generator of MHE packet headers that include additional information about at least part of the digital data and a packet formatter that installs the MHE packet headers in the MHE packets. Apparatus for receiving the digital data and recovering the additional information from the MHE packet headers to be used for modifying operation of the receiving apparatus is also described.
US08179980B2 Robust DTV signals that can overcome burst errors up to 1040 bytes or more in length
Electromagnetic signals for transmitting television and other information more robustly have amplitudes modulated in accordance with a digital signal generated by convolutional interleaving and trellis coding of segments of successive data fields, each of which segments contains a prescribed number of bytes. In improvements of these signals, respective fractional portions of a Reed-Solomon forward-error-correction codeword are transmitted in respective ones of a plurality of the segments of the successive data fields. The respective ones of the plurality of segments are separated from each other within the successive data fields, such that their individual bytes do not interleave with each other after the convolutional interleaving and trellis coding are completed.
US08179979B2 Detection and compensation of discontinuities in data stream
In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes receiving a video stream that includes a temporal discontinuity. Checkpoints are distributed in a non-linear fashion with unequal spacing between the checkpoints. The temporal discontinuity is then detected at one of the checkpoints.
US08179976B2 Control of video decoder for reverse playback operation
A video decoder includes a mode of operation for reverse playback that includes dividing a sequence of coded video data into groups of pictures (GOPs) and further subdividing the groups of pictures into a plurality of spans. GOPs extend in coding order from a first key frame to a terminal frame that precedes another key frame in coding order. Each span is processed in reverse coding order by decoding the first key frame and any reference frames that precede the currently processed span in coding order, selecting a plurality of frames from the currently processed span for decode and display and further selecting for decode but not display any reference frames from the currently processed span that were omitted by the first selection. All selected frames are decoded but only those marked for display are rendered at a display device. The method accommodates control parameters that define the number of spans selected from each GOP and the number of frames selected from each span for decoded and display. Via these control parameters, operation of the method may be tuned to local decoding environments for which processing resources and decoded picture buffer sizes may be unknown.
US08179974B2 Multi-level representation of reordered transform coefficients
Techniques and tools for encoding and decoding a block of frequency coefficients are presented. An encoder selects a scan order from multiple available scan orders and then applies the selected scan order to a two-dimensional matrix of transform coefficients, grouping non-zero values of the frequency coefficients together in a one-dimensional string. The encoder entropy encodes the one-dimensional string of coefficient values according to a multi-level nested set representation. In decoding, a decoder entropy decodes the one-dimensional string of coefficient values from the multi-level nested set representation. The decoder selects the scan order from among multiple available scan orders and then reorders the coefficients back into a two-dimensional matrix using the selected scan order.
US08179970B2 Low power video compression chipset for protable application
A data reading method for motion estimation in a video processing chipset is provided. The video processing chipset is coupled to an external memory device, wherein a first frame is stored in the external memory device. In the data reading method, a second frame is first divided into M×N sub frame sets, wherein each of the sub frame sets includes O×P sub frames. Then, each of the sub frame sets is selected in a calculation sequence, wherein the selected sub frame set is stored into an internal memory. Next, a predicted search path of each sub frame in the selected sub frame set is calculated. Thereafter, a predicted reading range is determined, wherein the predicted reading range includes the predicted search paths of the sub frames. Finally, a comparison data is read from the first frame according to the predicted reading range.
US08179967B2 Method and device for detecting movement of an entity provided with an image sensor
An image sequence sensor senses images. To associate a motion vector with an image of the sequence currently being processed, k candidate vectors are generated by adding, to a reference motion vector, respectively k search vectors. Then, a motion vector is selected from among the k candidate vectors as a function of a selection rule. Thereafter, the previous two steps are repeated m times, the reference motion vector being on the one hand, for a first iteration of the first step, an initial reference vector selected from among a set of vectors comprising at least one motion vector associated with a previous processed image and being on the other hand, for the m repetitions of the first step, the motion vector selected in the second step preceding the first step. Then, the vector obtained in the third step is associated with the image currently being processed.
US08179964B1 Efficient transcoding between formats using macroblock buffer
Transcoder chip having a buffer for temporarily storing decoded macroblocks and compressed domain parameters. A video decoding module of the transcoding chip decodes and stores the decoded macroblocks in the buffer in a first sequence. The video encoding module then reads the data from the buffer in a second sequence different from the first sequence to encode the macroblocks in a different format. The buffer can also be used for deblocking the macroblocks and for filtering motion vectors. By using the buffer, data traffic between the transcoding chip and external memory is reduced, increasing the speed for transcoding a video sequence from one format to another.
US08179963B2 Coding mode determining apparatus, image coding apparatus, coding mode determining method and coding mode determining program
The invention provides an apparatus enabling a selection of an appropriate coding mod. This apparatus determines one of a plurality of candidate coding modes of an image block. A full-pel prediction step derives a coding cost of each coding mode, based on motion estimation with integer pixel accuracy for small blocks, which are obtained with division methods of each coding mode. A candidate division method selecting step selects a subset of candidate division methods of a plurality of coding modes, based on the coding costs derived by the full-pel prediction). A sub-pel prediction step derives a coding cost of each candidate division method, based on motion estimation with non-integer pixel accuracy for the small blocks obtained with a subset of the subset of candidate division methods. A division method determining step determines a division method of the image block, based on the coding costs derived by the sub-pel prediction.
US08179957B2 Quadrature pulse-width modulation methods and apparatus
Switched-mode amplifiers and devices having such amplifiers include quadrature pulse-width modulation that is based on cartesian (as opposed to polar) coordinates. Two sets of pulses that represent respective in-phase and quadrature components of a conventional cartesian-coordinates input signal can be combined such that the combined set of pulses can be provided to a switched-mode amplifier without nonlinear cartesian-to-polar transformation and its associated wider internal bandwidth and other problems.
US08179956B2 Adaptive equalizer and adaptive equalization method
An adaptive equalizer includes an adaptive filter and a control unit. The adaptive filter performs an adaptive equalization processing for an input signal so as to make an amplitude of an equalized output signal constant, the input signal being modulated by a modulation system that produces a modulation signal with constant amplitude characteristics. The control unit gradually changes equalization ability of the adaptive equalization processing of the adaptive filter in accordance with characteristics of the input signal.
US08179955B2 Low density parity check (LDPC) coding for a 32K mode interleaver in a digital video broadcasting (DVB) standard
A data processing apparatus communicates data bits on a predetermined number of sub-carrier signals of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbol. The data processing apparatus comprises a parity interleaver operable to perform parity interleaving on Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoded data bits obtained by performing LDPC encoding according to a parity check matrix of an LDPC code including a parity matrix corresponding to parity bits of the LDPC code, the parity matrix having a stepwise structure, so that a parity bit of the LDPC encoded data bits is interleaved to a different parity bit position. A mapping unit maps the parity interleaved bits onto data symbols corresponding to modulation symbols of a modulation scheme of the OFDM sub-carrier signals.
US08179954B2 Odd interleaving only of an odd-even interleaver when half or less data subcarriers are active in a digital video broadcasting (DVB) standard
A data processing apparatus is arranged to map input data symbols to be communicated onto a predetermined number of sub-carrier signals of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed OFDM symbols. The predetermined number of sub-carrier signals is determined in accordance with one of a plurality of operating modes and the input data symbols are divided into first sets of input data symbols and second sets of input data symbols. The data processing apparatus comprises an interleaver operable to perform an odd interleaving process which interleaves the first sets of input data symbols on to the sub-carrier signals of first OFDM symbols and an even interleaving process which interleaves the second sets of input data symbols on to the sub-carrier signals of second OFDM symbols.
US08179944B2 Adhesive protective coating with supressed reflectivity
The disclosure is directed to a thin-film for use in below 300 nm laser systems that can be applied to a variety of substrate types. The thin film consists of a blocking layer of a selected material and a matching structure, the matching structure consisting of 1-7 layers of a selected material. The blocking layer serves to minimize or eliminate the transmission of below 300 nm laser light into an adhesive that is used to bond the substrate to a holder. The matching layer(s) minimize internal reflectance of below 300 nm laser light from the blocking layer back into the substrate.
US08179943B2 Semiconductor saturable absorber reflector and method to fabricate thereof
A design of a semiconductor saturable absorber that offers a convenient and reliable way to control/decrease the recovery time of the absorption. The absorption recovery time is controlled during the epitaxial growth by using lattice-mismatched layer(s) to induce dislocations, and implicitly non-radiative recombination centers within the nonlinear absorbing region. These lattice reformation layer(s) are interposed between the distributed Bragg reflector and the nonlinear absorption region, containing quantum-wells, quantum-dots or bulk semiconductor material. The thickness and composition of the lattice reformation layer(s) is an instrumental to control the amount of non-radiative recombination centers used to trap the optically excited carriers generated in the absorption region.
US08179937B2 High speed light emitting semiconductor methods and devices
A method for producing a high frequency optical signal component representative of a high frequency electrical input signal component, includes the following steps: providing a semiconductor transistor structure that includes a base region of a first semiconductor type between semiconductor emitter and collector regions of a second semiconductor type; providing, in the base region, at least one region exhibiting quantum size effects; providing emitter, base, and collector electrodes respectively coupled with the emitter, base, and collector regions; applying electrical signals, including the high frequency electrical signal component, with respect to the emitter, base, and collector electrodes to produce output spontaneous light emission from the base region, aided by the quantum size region, the output spontaneous light emission including the high frequency optical signal component representative of the high frequency electrical signal component; providing an optical cavity for the light emission in the region between the base and emitter electrodes; and scaling the lateral dimensions of the optical cavity to control the speed of light emission response to the high frequency electrical signal component.
US08179935B2 Tunable optical resonator
An optical apparatus includes a substrate comprising a layer of thermally insulating material disposed thereon; an optical resonator disposed on the layer of thermally insulating material; and a trench in the thermally insulating material disposed around at least a portion of the optical resonator. The optical resonator is substantially thermally isolated from the substrate.
US08179934B2 Frequency conversion laser head
A laser assembly is configured with a frequency conversion laser head operative to shift a fundamental frequency of input light to the desired frequency of an output light. The frequency conversion laser head includes a dump means operative to guide an unconverted output light at the fundamental frequency outside the case of the frequency conversion laser head. The dump means is configured with a guide optics operative to couple the output light at the fundamental frequency to a fiber terminating outside the case of the frequency conversion laser head.
US08179929B2 Apparatus and method for side mode suppression in slave-master laser by single mode fiber amplifier
A laser system for effective injection seeding is configured with a master oscillator lasing a narrowband seed radiation which is characterized by a single longitudinal master mode injected into a slave oscillator so that the latter generates a broadband slave radiation with a dominant slave mode and side slave modes. The slave radiation is coupled into an input of a SM fiber laser amplifier operative to output an amplified radiation with the spectra which is substantially as narrow as the spectra of the slave radiation.
US08179928B2 Passive coherent array using distributed fiber lasers
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first laser cavity including a set of high-reflector gratings coupled in series and a second laser cavity including a set of high-reflector gratings coupled in series. Each high-reflector grating has an associated spectral bandwidth. The first laser cavity is configured to receive at a first end optical energy having a first spectral bandwidth and the second laser cavity is configured to receive at a first end optical energy having a second spectral bandwidth. A fiber coupler is coupled to a second end of the first laser cavity and to a second end of the second laser cavity. The fiber coupler is configured to receive optical energy from the first laser cavity having a third spectral bandwidth greater than the first spectral bandwidth, and receive optical energy from the second laser cavity having a fourth spectral bandwidth greater than the second spectral bandwidth.
US08179926B2 Mobile communication system, and base transceiver station apparatus and mobile station apparatus used in mobile communication system
A phase error detector in a base transceiver station detects a phase error caused by a Doppler shift in a received wave from a mobile station. A phase rotator rotates a phase of a transmission symbol in a base band region so as to cancel the Doppler shift, which occurs in a downlink from a base transceiver station to a mobile station based on the phase error detected by the phase error detector.
US08179923B2 System and method for transmitting real-time-critical and non-real-time-critical data in a distributed industrial automation system
A system and a method provide a real-time-critical communication and a non-real-time-critical communication in a switched data network consisting of users and switching units, for example a distributed automation system, by a cyclic operation. In a transmission cycle, there exists for all users and switching units of the switched data network in each case at least one section for transmitting real-time-critical data and at least one section for transmitting non-real-time-critical data, as a result of which the real-time-critical communication is separated from the non-real-time-critical communication. Since all users and switching units are always synchronized to a common time base, the respective sections for transmitting data in each case take place at the same time for all users and switching units, i.e. the real-time-critical communication takes place independently in time from the non-real-time-critical communication.
US08179920B2 High efficiency preambles for communications systems over pseudo-stationary communication channels
A method includes appending a preamble to a data packet and transmitting the preamble and data packet over a communication channel in the network. The preamble may be a Beacon, Admission, Broadcast, or High-Throughput Preamble. The Beacon Preamble includes the following symbols SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, CP0, CEBeacon, CEBeacon. The Admission Preamble includes the following symbols SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, CP0, CE, CE. The Broadcast Preamble includes the following symbols LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, CP0, CE, CE. The high-throughput preamble includes the following symbols CP0, CE. The SS symbol includes 64 bits, the LS1, LS2, and CP0 symbols include 192 bits, the CE symbol includes 512 bits, and the CEBeacon symbol is a subset of CE.
US08179919B2 Method and apparatus for data package in broadcast networks
Disclosed relates to a method and apparatus for data transmission in broadcast networks, in which N×K pieces of inputted application data are segmented into a matrix BN×K formed by N blocks B1-BN. Each of N blocks contains K pieces of application data, and both N and K are greater than 1. A matrix CM×N with full column rank N is selected, where M≧N. After that, an encoded data module consisting of M row matrix E1-EM is generated by performing a matrix multiplication on CM×N and BN×K. Then, for each I, 1≦I≦M, two row matrixes CI and EI are packaged, and all of the M packaged data (CI, EI) are sent out.
US08179914B1 Network slot synchronization scheme for a computer network communication channel
Synchronization within a common communication channel having designated transmission time slots for various devices of a computer network is maintained by allowing transmissions within the channel outside of a network device's designated time slot when a clear channel assessment indicates that a previous time slot is not being utilized by its associated device and/or upon receipt of an indication of the end of a transmission of another device in the network. The clear channel assessment preferably takes into account the device's designated transmission time slot within the communication channel with respect to those of other network devices and may be a time period that is the product of a predetermined clear channel waiting time and a numerical representation of the device's designated transmission time slot within the communication channel with respect to those of other network devices. The clear channel waiting time itself may be specified by a network master device as part of a network connection process. The network device may be configured to construct one or more packets for transmission within the network in advance of its designated time slot to accommodate these early transmissions.
US08179905B1 Method and apparatus for providing communication for virtual private networks
A method and apparatus for providing communication for virtual private networks in networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) are disclosed. The present method enables Service Border Routers (SBRs) to perform mapping of VPN routes between two or more autonomous systems based on Virtual Route Forwarding (VRF) tables configured on each Autonomous System (AS). The method configures cross-connect tables in SBRs for coupling one or more VRF tables in one autonomous system with one or more VRF tables in other autonomous systems.
US08179904B2 Packet transfer device and transfer control method thereof
A first issue is to provide a packet transfer device for identifying a connection such as a TCP connection linked to a bandwidth control means, and provide a proxy acknowledgment for each identified connection such as TCP. A second issue is to provide a packet transfer device for providing a proxy acknowledgment for a connection such as TCP, and capable of improving throughput such as for TCP just by being installed at a network edge section connected to the communication terminal. As a means to resolve the first issue, a packet transfer device is provided that contains a means for identifying flows such as TCP flows for deciding if the proxy acknowledgment means requires proxy acknowledgment or not, based on the bandwidth conformance flow reported from the bandwidth control means. As a means to resolve the second issue, a packet transfer device is provided that contains a means for converting stored packets to a protocol that does make a proxy acknowledgment, and a means for transmitting the converted packets to a packet transfer device installed on the network edge oriented towards the oncoming packets.
US08179903B2 Providing multiple levels of service for wireless communication devices communicating with a small coverage access point
Local breakout is provided by one or more nodes (e.g., a local access point and/or a local gateway) in a wireless network to facilitate access to one or more local services. In conjunction with local breakout, multiple IP points of presence relating to different levels of service may be provided for an access point. For example, one point of presence may relate to a local service while another point of presence may relate to a core network service. IP point of presence may be identified for an over-the-air packet to indicate a termination point for the packet. Also, different mobility management functionality may be provided at different nodes in a system whereby mobility management for a given node may be provided by a different node for different types of traffic. Thus, an access terminal may support multiple NAS instances. In addition, different types of paging may be provided for different types of traffic. Furthermore, messages associated with one protocol may be carried over another protocol to reduce complexity in the system.
US08179899B2 Endpoint selection for a call completion response
Techniques for selecting a call completion response from a group of call completion responses based on weights associated with the call completion responses, are provided. A server processes a call invitation for a callee by forwarding the call invitation to each of the callee's endpoints. Each of the callee's endpoints associates a weight to its call completion response it generates to accept or reject the call invitation. The server waits to receive the call completion responses from each of the callee's endpoints or for a predetermined period of time (i.e., a timeout), and uses the weights associated with the received call completion responses to decide which of the received call completion responses to use to complete the call invitation.
US08179896B2 Network processors and pipeline optimization methods
A network processor of an embodiment includes a packet classification engine, a processing pipeline, and a controller. The packet classification engine allows for classifying each of a plurality of packets according to packet type. The processing pipeline has a plurality of stages for processing each of the plurality of packets in a pipelined manner, where each stage includes one or more processors. The controller allows for providing the plurality of packets to the processing pipeline in an order that is based at least partially on: (i) packet types of the plurality of packets as classified by the packet classification engine and (ii) estimates of processing times for processing packets of the packet types at each stage of the plurality of stages of the processing pipeline. A method in a network processor allows for prefetching instructions into a cache for processing a packet based on a packet type of the packet.
US08179894B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program product for reducing session setup latency
An apparatus for reducing session setup latency includes a processing element. The processing element is configured to determine a status with respect to a response message made in response to an invite message associated with a communication session, determine a status with respect to media packets being communicated between nodes of a network, make a determination with respect to an acknowledgment message based at least in part on the status determination with respect to the response message and the status determination with respect to media packets, and control setup of a communication session based on the determination with respect to the acknowledgement message.
US08179891B2 Method and apparatus for interdomain multicast routing
An apparatus bridges a plurality of domains and routes multicast datastreams between them. The apparatus includes a receiver which receives a client request signal via a multicast access protocol from a user connected within a first domain. A transmitter requests multicast content using a multicast transmission protocol from a provider within a second domain. A processor processes the multicast content received from the provider. The transmitter relays the multicast content from the second domain to the first domain for access by the user.
US08179889B2 SIP servlet applications co-hosting
Methods, devices, and systems are provided for allowing a single machine, such as a server, to co-host multi-SIP Archive (SAR) applications offering SIP servlet based products. The concept of a Root Application Router is introduced that is adapted to coordinate other Sub-Application Routers rather than individual SARs. These other Sub-Application Routers are fully fledged Application Routers in their own right, but are unaware of the controlling Root Application Router.
US08179888B2 Telecommunications apparatus and method
A telecommunications system for communicating internet packet data in accordance with a first internet protocol (IPV6) via a packet radio network operable in accordance a second internet protocol (IPV4). The system comprises a user equipment operable to request a bearer for communicating internet protocol data according to the second internet protocol (IPV4) to and from a gateway support node of the packet radio network. The gateway support node is operable to establish a tunnelling protocol bearer for communicating the internet packet data to and from the user equipment across the packet radio network. The user equipment is operable in combination with the gateway support node to form an address which is compatible with the first internet protocol (IPv6). The address includes an interface identifier having a tunnel endpoint identifier of the tunnelling protocol bearer which ends at the gateway support node of the packet radio network. The internet packet data is communicated to and from a correspondent node via the gateway support node and the established bearer using internet protocol address which is compatible with the first internet protocol (Ipv6). Systems according to the present invention are arranged to generate an address, which is compatible with a first internet protocol which can be used to communicate internet packet data via a packet radio network which has been arranged to support internet packets data according to a second internet protocol. The first internet protocol may be the IPv6 and the second internet protocol may be IPv4.
US08179886B2 System for supporting analog telephones in an IP telephone network
An integrated VoIP phone that seamlessly integrates POTS phones and IP phones is provided. In an embodiment, the integrated VoIP phone includes a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”) registrar, a SIP session border control (“SBC”), a SIP proxy, a SIP feature server, a SIP-PSTN gateway, a user interface and VoIP telephony functionality found in traditional VoIP phones. In an embodiment, the integrated VoIP phone includes one or more analog telephone adaptors. Other VoIP entities, such as FXS adaptors, register themselves with the integrated VoIP phone through the SIP SBC. These other entities appear as extensions on the integrated VoIP phone and the outside network will only directly communicated with the integrated VoIP phone.
US08179884B1 System and method for asymmetric communications and control in a wireless wide area network
An access point for a wireless wide area network might receive a request from a wireless device to establish a session on the wireless wide area network. In response, the access point might establish a circuit switched uplink channel and a packet switched downlink channel for communications with the wireless device during the session. The access point might communicate with other wireless devices in this manner as well. Additionally, the access point might employ power control methods for the circuit switched uplink channels, and it might employ rate control methods for the packet switched downlink channels.
US08179880B2 Wireless communication method and wireless communication system
A time synchronizing signal for synchronizing the times of wireless nodes capable of wireless communication is transmitted to the wireless nodes by multihop. Optional information is transferred by multihop from a predetermined wireless node to an optional node along the same path as the transfer path of the time synchronizing signal by the wireless nodes. Information to respond the optional information is transferred by multihop from the optional wireless node to the predetermined wireless node along the reverse path to the transfer path of the time synchronizing signal.
US08179871B2 Method and system for channel access control for transmission of video information over wireless channels
A method and system for channel access control for transmission of uncompressed video information over wireless channels. A contention-free period (CFP) for high-rate and low-rate channels is divided into schedules in which one or multiple periodical channel time blocks are reserved for wireless transmission of isochronous streams.
US08179866B2 Throughput optimized carrier allocation
A cell plan operation, a Routine and a base station are disclosed wherein user entities are allocated to at least two carriers (C1; C2) in at least one cell (A; B) of a system (node B), the first carrier (C1) having at least a first channel (DPCH), the second carrier (C2) having at least a second channel (DPCH), the at least two carriers not causing interference to one another, wherein user entities (UE) may be selectively assigned to either first channel and/or the second channel. Information is gathered on respective measures relating to the noise enduring capability (MAX ROT(UEn)) of respective prevalent users within the at least one cell. Prevalent user entities are ordered according to their respective noise enduring capabilities (MAX_ROT(UEn)_UE). User entities with low noise enduring capabilities are allocated to a channel on the first carrier (C1), while user entities with high noise enduring capabilities (MAX_ROT(UEn)) are allocated to a channel on the second carrier (C2).
US08179865B2 Method and apparatus for cancelling other cell interference in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for reducing other cell interference in a wireless communication system are provided, in which a symbol generator for generating at least one modulation symbols to be transmitted, a resource mapper for mapping and assigning the modulation symbols into a resource block common to a Base Station (BS) and at least one neighboring Base Station (BS), and a spreader for spreading the mapped modulation symbol with an BS-specific code allocated to the BS, the BS-specific codes of the BS being one of orthogonal and quasi-orthogonal to an BS-specific code allocated to the neighbor BS.
US08179864B2 Method of controlling a communications link
The present invention is directed to a method of controlling a communications link and apparatus configured to perform this method. This invention is particularly related to but in no way limited to MIMO (multiple inputs multiple outputs) wireless communications systems. The method comprises the steps of determining at the receiver the quality of the communications link and based on this, selecting a group of transmission parameters and an element from this group. These selections are then communicated to the transmitter. The transmission parameter may be the transmission configuration such as the modulation and coding scheme. The invention minimizes the required feedback signalling from the receiver to the transmitter by exploiting temporal correlation of the parameter being controlled, while allowing rapid selection of the parameter.
US08179863B2 Wireless communication apparatus and method
A wireless communication apparatus comprises a determination unit to determine whether to increase the number of reference signals to be included in a downlink signal based on an uplink signal. The wireless communication apparatus further comprises a mapping unit to map reference signals based on a determination made by the determination unit.
US08179859B2 Roaming encoded information reading terminal
A portable encoded information reading (EIR) terminal for incorporation in a data collection system having a host computer, a plurality of peer EIR terminals, and a plurality of interconnected networks including one or more wireless networks, can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, an encoded information reading (EIR) device configured to output raw message data containing an encoded message or decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message, and at least one wireless communication interface. The EIR terminal can provide IEEE 802.11-conformant wireless distribution system services, including association, disassociation, distribution, integration, and re-association, to the peer EIR terminals. The EIR terminal can be associated with a home network and have a home address belonging to the address range associated with the home network. The EIR terminal can participate in one or more communication sessions and exchange messages, at least one of which can include decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message, with the host computer. The EIR terminal can maintain active communication sessions using its home address when roaming between the interconnected networks.
US08179858B2 Method for avoiding interruptions of push to talk services
A method of controlling the cell re-selection of a mobile station (4) between cells (1) of a cellular-based radio access network (6). The method comprises the steps of determining when a cell re-selection for the mobile station (4) is appropriate, determining whether or not the mobile station (4) is involved in a push to talk service comprising a series of talk bursts, and if the mobile station is involved in a push to talk service, delaying the cell re-selection until such time as a period of silence between talk bursts occurs.
US08179857B2 Method of transmitting scheduling request in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a scheduling request which is used to request a radio resource for uplink transmission includes configuring an uplink control channel for transmission of a scheduling request in a subframe, the subframe comprising two consecutive slots, a slot comprising a plurality of single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols, the scheduling request being carried by presence or absence of transmission of the uplink control channel, and transmitting the scheduling request on the uplink control channel.
US08179853B2 Method of scheduling data transmission in a radio network
In a method and apparatus for scheduling users in radio network system, the scheduling priority for each user of a group of users is made dependent on the unusable time for each user. Scheduling of the users is performed in accordance with the determined scheduling priority.
US08179849B2 Mapping of distributed resource block indices to physical resource blocks
An apparatus for communication using a wireless communication network includes an interleaver and a transceiver. The interleaver co-exists with a localized transmission arrangement if the localized transmission arrangement is present and interleaves data packets for a distributed transmission arrangement by mapping a set of logical indices to a set of physical resource blocks. The set of logical indices include sequential logical indices that are separated by a maximum spacing within the set. The transceiver is in electrical communication with the interleaver. The transceiver is operable to transmit and receive data packets through the wireless communication network.
US08179842B2 Encapsulating upper layers of CDMA signaling between a multi-mode device and a signaling gateway
Methods and systems are provided for encapsulating upper layers of CDMA signaling messages between a multi-mode device and a signaling gateway. In an exemplary embodiment, a multi-mode device has a CDMA mode and a Wi-Fi mode. In Wi-Fi mode, the device generates an upper-layer portion of a CDMA signaling message. The device then encapsulates the first upper-layer portion in at least one packet-switched-protocol, such as SIP. The device then transmits the encapsulated upper-layer portion of the CDMA signaling message via a Wi-Fi network and a packet-switched network to a signaling gateway, which then translates the upper-layer portion into an SS7 message, and transmits the SS7 message over an SS7 network.
US08179838B2 Wi-Fi enabled router having uplink bandwith sharing capability
A method and apparatus is provided for forwarding data traffic to a broadband network. The method includes receiving at a local broadband wireless router data traffic to be forwarded to a broadband network and acquiring over a wireless communications link current bandwidth utilization rates for one or more neighboring broadband wireless routers. Based at least in part on the current bandwidth utilization rate of the local router and the current bandwidth utilization rate acquired from the one or more neighboring wireless routers, the data traffic is forwarded to the broadband network over a broadband interface of the local router or to a selected one of the neighboring routers over a wireless interface of the local router.
US08179835B2 System and method for efficiently allocating wireless resources
Dynamic resource allocation is performed by first generating a plurality of slot sequences. A figure of merit based on weighted interference signal code power (ISCP) and weighted resource units is then generated for each timeslot of each slot sequence. The timeslots within each slot sequence are then arranged in a decreasing figure of merit. The slot sequences are the processed to determine whether they can support the code to be transmitted.
US08179831B2 Communication systems
A transmission method for use in a multi-hop wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a source apparatus, a destination apparatus and two or more intermediate apparatuses. The system has access to a time-frequency format for use in assigning available transmission frequency bandwidth during a discrete transmission interval, said format defining a plurality of transmission windows within such an interval. Each window occupies a different part of that interval and has a frequency bandwidth profile within said available transmission frequency bandwidth over its part of that interval. Each said window is assignable for such a transmission interval to one of said apparatuses for use in transmission. The method for use in this system includes employing said format for one or more such transmission intervals to transmit information along at least three consecutive said links as a set of successive transmission signals, link by link, each said signal being transmitted in an available transmission window of said interval(s) and at least two of said signals being transmitted during the same said transmission interval such that said information is transmitted along said consecutive links in fewer transmission intervals than said number of consecutive links.
US08179830B2 Transmission control method and transmission control device
A transmission control device determines cells, each of which has the number of reception users larger than a predetermined value, as a first group and sends data to the first group cells in the point-to-multipoint transmission mode. The transmission control device also determines cells, each of which has a few MBMS reception users and whose neighboring cell is a first group cell, as a second group and sends data to those cells in the point-to-multipoint transmission mode. The transmission control device sends data to other cells in the point-to-point transmission mode. In this way, the transmission control device selects cells to which data is sent in the point-to-multipoint transmission mode and, at the same time, allows a mobile station near the boundary of those cells to acquire a combining effect. Resource consumption amounts and improve coverage rate can be reduced when same data is sent to multiple mobile stations located in multiple cells.
US08179827B2 Data processing apparatus and method for transmitting data in a data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus and method for transmitting data in a data processing apparatus are provided. A data processing apparatus provided has a data input for receiving data, a processor for processing the data with an input, a data supply suppression unit which is connected between the data input and the input and suppresses or permits supply of the data from the data input to the input, and a control unit coupled to the data supply suppression unit for producing a control signal. The control signal represents at least one operating condition or a quiescent condition for the processor. The data supply suppression unit is suitable for suppressing or permitting supply of the data from the data input to the input. It is set up such that it suppresses supply of the data from the data input to the input when the control signal represents a quiescent condition for the processor.
US08179826B2 System and apparatus for adapting operations of a communication device
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a base unit operable in part as a femtocell having a controller to detect a cellular phone, wirelessly establish communications with the cellular phone, establish communications with a cellular communication system by way of a broadband interface, and enable one or more landline phones communicatively couplable to the base unit to communicate with the cellular communication system responsive to establishing communications with the cellular phone. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08179821B2 Identifying participants of an audio conference call
An apparatus for identifying participants of a conference call in a telephony network, each participant using a respective channel to participate in the conference call, the apparatus including: a sampler, deployed in the telephony network, and configured to continuously sample each of the channels during the conference call, a dominant channel identifier, in communication with the sampler, and configured to identify in real time a dominant one of the sampled channels, and a current speaker data disseminator, in communication with the dominant channel identifier, and configured to disseminate, in real time, data pertaining to a participant who uses the dominant channel to at least one remaining participant of the conference call, so as to identify the participant who uses the dominant channel as a current speaker to the remaining participant.
US08179820B2 Architecture and method for using IEEE 802.11-like wireless LAN system to emulate private land mobile radio system (PLMRS) radio service
An architecture is described for providing IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) serving a plurality of subscriber terminals (STs), having at least one broadband access network terminal (BANT), the BANT coupled to and interacting with at least one of a plurality of Access Points (APs) via a local area network (LAN), the plurality of APs in communication with the plurality of subscriber terminals; a multicast-enabled network, the multicast-enabled network coupled to and interacting with at least one BANT via a broadband access network; an IP network coupled to, and interacting with, the multicast-enabled network via an edge router; and a WLAN mobile radio service (WLMRS) controller (WLMRSC) coupled to and interacting with the IP network via a multicast-enabled router (MR).
US08179819B2 Method for transmitting and receiving signals using collaborative MIMO scheme
A method for reducing inter-cell interference and a method for transmitting a signal by a collaborative MIMO scheme, in a communication system having a multi-cell environment are disclosed. An example of a method for transmitting, by a mobile station, precoding information in a collaborative MIMO communication system includes determining a precoding matrix set including precoding matrices of one more base stations including a serving base station, based on signal strength of the serving base station, and transmitting information about the precoding matrix set to the serving base station. A mobile station in an edge of a cell performs a collaborative MIMO mode or inter-cell interference mitigation mode using the information about the precoding matrix set collaboratively with neighboring base stations.
US08179814B2 Automatic return path switching for a signal conditioning device
A premise signal conditioning device is provided that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system on a premise of a user. The device includes at least a first diplexer set, each diplexer set including a supplier side diplexer and a premise side diplexer creating a return path for an upstream bandwidth and a forward path for a downstream bandwidth there between. The device further includes a detector configured to measure a level of signals present in a first segment of frequencies between the upstream bandwidth and the downstream bandwidth. The device further includes a switch controller configured to alter a width of the return path from a first width to a second width in response to a level of the signals exceeding a predetermined threshold level.
US08179811B2 Data attachment point selection
An algorithm for improving efficiency of data attachment points (DAPs) in a wireless access network (AN) is provided herein. By way of example, the algorithm can identify a serving access point (APs) coupling an access terminal (AT) to the wireless AN. A cost metric for the serving AP can be determined with respect to at least one data network access gateway (AGW) of the wireless AN. The cost metric can be compared with a similar cost metric of a current or default DAP assigned to the AT. If the cost metric of the serving AP is lower than the cost metric of the current/default DAP, the DAP can be re-assigned to the serving AP, minimizing wireless AN resource costs associated with the DAP.
US08179809B1 Approach for allocating resources to an apparatus based on suspendable resource requirements
An approach for allocating resources to an apparatus based on suspendable resource requirements generally involves a resource allocator determining that a particular resource requirement for an apparatus is to no longer be satisfied, such as for a suspendable resource requirement. The resource allocator de-allocates the one or more resources that satisfy the particular resource requirement from the apparatus. The resource allocator obtains and stores state information for a de-allocated resource so that another resource, which may or may not be the same as the resource that was de-allocated, can be allocated to the apparatus based on the stored state information with an acceptable loss of state.
US08179808B2 Network path tracing method
Systems and methods for gathering troubleshooting information through one or more networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises a switch port configured to receive a frame that has information added by another switch. As the frame traverses the network, control logic in the switch adds additional information into the frame from the current switch.
US08179806B2 Device, method, and program for estimating quality-degraded location of communication network, and communication network system
Estimation is carried out with high accuracy based on flow quality information in a situation where, although a set of links that may have a flow passing through is known, which of such links the flow passed through cannot be identified, such as multi-paths routing, load distribution routing, and the like. A device for estimating a quality-degraded location includes a flow quality information collecting section that collects communication quality of a flow of a network, a routing information collecting section that collects routing information of the network, a determining section for determining a quality-degraded flow and a quality-non-degraded flow based on the flow quality information to determine a link through which the flow passes from the routing information of the network, a non-degraded link elimination section that eliminates a link not configuring multi-paths as a non-degraded link without eliminating a link configuring multi-paths as a non-degraded link, for a link on a path of the flow, with respect to the quality-non-degraded flow, and a degraded link determining section for determining a degraded link from links not eliminated as the non-degraded links.
US08179805B2 Method and system for wireless communication by spatial reuse
Wireless communication between a first transmitter and a first receiver for a new transmission is established on the same wireless data channel used for ongoing transmission between a second transmitter and a second receiver. This is achieved by determining if the second receiver can receive signals from the first transmitter, and determining if the first receiver can receive signals from the second transmitter. If the second receiver cannot receive signals from the first transmitter, and the first receiver cannot receive signals from the second transmitter, then a new transmission is performed from the first transmitter to the first receiver by spatial reuse of the wireless data channel at least partially concurrently with the ongoing transmission on the data channel.
US08179802B2 Method and apparatus for managing audio contention in networks
A method and an apparatus for managing an audio contention are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request by a device, and enters into a first state by the device, wherein the first state allows the device to use an audio channel in an upstream direction, wherein the device in the first state determines at least one of: a failure outcome for the request, a success outcome for the request or a continue outcome for the request.
US08179801B2 Routing-based proximity for communication networks
A node in an overlay network requests a ranked list of other nodes in multiple areas of the overlay network that can provide a desired piece of content or service to the requesting node. A separate node such as a router generates the ranked list using a routing algorithm, returning the list to the requesting node so that the requesting node may acquire the desired content or service from the nearest node in the overlay network.
US08179800B1 Elastic traffic marking for multi-priority packet streams in a communications network
Routers in a communications network mark packets of a multi-priority stream to establish a drop precedence of the packets during network congestion. For each packet received, a router employs one of two types of packet-marking mechanisms to associate low drop precedence with a high-priority, out-of-profile packet. One type, called “token bucket with loan bucket,” uses a token bucket to determine whether a packet is in conformance, i.e., in-profile, with a traffic profile and at least one loan bucket to determine whether a high priority, out-of-profile packet may borrow bandwidth. Another mechanism type, called “token bucket with color-exchange queue,” uses a color-exchange queue to delay packet forwarding for a fixed period. During this delay, a high-drop-precedence marking of an out-of-profile, high-priority packet may be exchanged with a low-drop-precedence marking of an in-profile, low-priority packet. The packet-marking mechanisms are useful in improving the quality of video viewing.
US08179799B2 Method for partitioning network flows based on their time information
To organize flows records into buckets and optimize their indexed access to/from storage medium, a bucket identifier is associated with each flow record. The bucket identifier is derived from some other characteristic of the network flow, such as a timestamp or source identification associated with the network flow. In this way, contention is decreased as analysis can occur on the aggregated flow records, while new flow records are stored.
US08179794B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing quality of service brokering in a network
Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, and computer program products for providing quality of service brokering in a network. Methods include receiving a data packet at a router in an Internet protocol (IP) network. The data packet includes a data packet QoS class and a data packet destination. A storage mechanism that includes possible routes to the data packet destination at the data packet QoS class is accessed. One of the possible routes is selected. The data packet is transmitted along the selected route to the data packet destination.
US08179793B2 Method for managing data transmission according to a quality of service in a network assembly and a computer network system
The invention relates to a new type of quality of service architecture for a network assembly and a corresponding computer network system. The Internet technology as approved by the IETF organization has defined different services. One is the integrated services (IntServ) and the other the differentiated services (DiffServ) architecture. Another is the RSVP Protocol according to which Quality of Service can be implemented with accuracy and richer functionality.The invention shows a way how less sophisticated QoS managers inside the network with only DiffServ or Intserv capability, can be used for enhancing the QoS functionality based on so-called RSVP shadowing messages, and easy to implement RSVP shadowing stacks.
US08179786B2 Dynamic traffic rearrangement and restoration for MPLS networks with differentiated services capabilities
At least one substitute path is provided in place of a plurality of existing paths of a network to reallocate traffic carried by the plurality of existing paths. The total bandwidth needed to carry the traffic of the plurality of existing paths is determined. A proposed route is generated from the available links in the network. A portion of the bandwidth of a proposed route may be allocated to the needed bandwidth when the bandwidth of a proposed route is greater than or equal to the needed bandwidth. When the bandwidth of the proposed route is less than the needed bandwidth, at least one further route is generated, and the needed bandwidth is divided among the proposed route and the at least one further route such that a minimum number of further routes are generated.
US08179785B1 Deterministic switching protection over aggregated links
An apparatus and method for improving network efficiency during an automatic switchover are disclosed. Upon receipt of a switching request from a first network peer (“NP”) transmitted via a connection containing multiple links, a process capable of providing automatic switchover protection (“ASP”), in one embodiment, bring down all or multiple links simultaneously at the second NP in response to the switching request. When the links are ready to be brought up in accordance with APS pending state, the process temporarily suppresses network alarms to avoid higher level entities from entering link reset renegotiations.
US08179784B2 Method and apparatus for recovering a communications connection
A method and apparatus for recovering a communications connection by storing a state variable that pertains to the status of a connection. When there is a need to restore the connection, the state variable is retrieved and used to restore the state of a protocol stack.
US08179783B2 System and method of modulation and coding scheme adjustment for a LTE shared data channel
A system, method and node for modulation and coding scheme adjustment for a Long Term Evolution (LTE) shared Data Channel. The method determines an actual number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, NOS utilized for the shared Data Channel. A modulation order for transmission of data on the shared Data Channel is increased when the actual number of OFDM symbols NOS is less than 11 and decreased when NOS is more than 11. A modulation and coding scheme field (IMCS) of a downlink control information of the shared Data Channel may also be determined. If 0≦IMCS+11−NOS≦28, the modulation order is modified by utilizing a factor of (IMCS+11−NOS) in a standardized modulation scheme. If it is determined that IMCS+11−NOS<0, the modulation order is set to Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK). If it is determined that IMCS+11−NOS>28, the modulation order is set to 64 Quadtrative Amplitude Modulation (64QAM).
US08179782B2 Signal judgment apparatus and signal judgment method
An FFT unit (170) separates a received symbol by Fourier conversion into a plurality of subcarriers, and a phase difference detection unit (193) detects a phase difference between 4 pilot carriers and data carriers adjacent to the pilot carriers (adjacent carriers) The decision unit (194) decides whether the phase differences between the pilot carriers and the adjacent carriers detected by the phase difference detection unit (193) fulfill a phase difference condition. Then, the decision unit (194) decides that the received symbol is an HTSIG if the number of phase differences that fulfill the phase difference condition is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, and decides that the received symbol is either a SIG or a DATA if the number of phase differences that fulfill the phase difference condition is less than the predetermined number.
US08179780B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information to randomize inter-cell interference in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information in an SC-FDMA system are provided. Different orthogonal codes are generated for different slots each including a plurality of SC-FDMA symbols in a subframe. A control channel signal is generated by multiplying control symbols carrying control information by a sequence allocated for CDM of the control information. The control channel signal is multiplied by chips of the orthogonal codes on an SC-FDMA symbol basis and transmitted in the SC-FDMA symbols.
US08179778B2 Method and system for effective adaptive coding and modulation in satellite communication system
A Second Generation Digital Video Broadcasting via Satellite (DVB-S2) system is provided. More particularly, a method and apparatus for maintaining synchronization of a signal by changing an Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) method that is used for a conventional DVB-S2 system are provided. In the apparatus and method, an FEC frame of a variable length is formed by turbo encoding rather than Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) and Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoding, and a Physical Layer (PL) frame of a specific length is formed regardless of a modulation method, so that a satellite terminal receives a signal transmitted at a specific length regardless of a modulation method or a coding rate to easily maintain synchronization without interruption and efficiently transmit the signal.
US08179776B2 OFDM transmission/reception apparatus
Modulation section 201 performs modulation processing on transmission data. Mapping control section 202 controls mapping of the baseband signal onto the subcarriers so that the important information conventionally transmitted by one subcarrier is transmitted by two subcarriers and one of the two subcarriers should be the subcarrier with a carrier frequency signal of frequency 0 which was conventionally not used. IFFT section 203 performs IFFT processing on the modulated transmission data. Transmission section 204 performs transmission processing on the IFFT-processed transmission data and transmits the processed transmission data from antenna 205.
US08179774B2 Cross-talk coefficient updating in vector transmission
Embodiments related to far-end cross-talk coefficient updating in vector transmission systems are depicted and described herein.
US08179771B2 Method and apparatus for tuning an analog filter
A method for automatically tuning an analog filter includes the steps of making an analog filter filter an input signal to output a filtered signal according to a filtering characteristic, sampling the filtered signal to generate sampled data, computing a sector data number of the sampled data that does not complying with a specified data format, and tuning the filtering characteristic of the analog filter according to the sector data number.
US08179770B2 Optical pickup apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a collimating lens configured to convert laser light emitted from a laser diode, from diffused light into parallel light; an objective lens; and a prism configured to guide the laser light emitted from the collimating lens to the objective lens, the prism including: a first face that the laser light emitted from the collimating lens enters; a second face that reflects the laser light entering the first face; and a third face that reflects the laser light reflected from the second face in a direction of the second face, and emits the laser light reflected again from the second face in a direction of the objective lens.
US08179769B2 Optical head device, optical information device, computer, disc player, car navigation system, optical disc recorder, and vehicle
An optical head device compatible to different types of optical discs and capable of guaranteeing a sufficiently wide dynamic range for a low density optical disc, and the like are provided.The optical head device includes a plurality of light sources switchably usable; an objective lens for converging light emitted from one of the plurality of light sources to an information recording layer of an optical disc; and a light detector for receiving the light reflected by the information recording layer and outputting an electric signal based on the amount of the received light. The plurality of light sources include a first light source for emitting light having a first wavelength and a second light source for emitting light having a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength. In the optical head device, a defocus detection range of a focusing error signal obtained based on the light having the first wavelength is set to be wider than a defocus detection range of a focusing error signal obtained based on the light having the second wavelength.
US08179765B2 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.
US08179763B2 Optical disc, information recording method, and information reproducing method
According to one embodiment, a re-recordable write-once optical disc by which recording/reproducing can be properly done with a short-wavelength blue laser is provided. The disc has recording layers on which marks are recorded by the laser power of a modulated short wavelength, with a space formed between the recorded marks. The recording layer of the disc uses an organic dye material by which no physical modification or no physical change substantially occurs in an area of the recorded marks.
US08179762B2 Information processor, optical disc failure analysis method, and computer product
According to one embodiment, an information processor includes an optical disc drive, an acquiring module, a storage module, and a determination module. The acquiring module acquires identification information that uniquely identifies an optical disc loaded in the optical disc drive based on information read from the optical disc. The storage module obtains information related to failure analysis of the optical disc contained in state information indicating reading state or writing state upon reading from or writing to the optical disc, and stores the information related to failure analysis in association with the identification information. The determination module calculates values each indicating a level of failure of the optical disc based on pieces of information related to failure analysis of the optical disc stored until just recently in association with the identification information and, when the values satisfy a predetermined condition, determines that there is a risk of failure in the optical disc.
US08179760B2 Reproduction signal evaluation method, information recording medium, reproduction apparatus and recording apparatus
A reproduction signal evaluation method according to the present invention relates to adjustment of an edge portion between a shortest mark and a shortest space in a data sequence including marks and spaces in combination that is recordable on an information recording medium. In a pattern including a shortest mark and a shortest space adjacent before or after the shortest mark, a shift amount of an edge of the shortest mark is obtained from a differential metric calculated regarding one of a first pattern in which a space adjacent to the shortest mark and not adjacent to the shortest space is longer than the shortest space; and a second pattern in which a mark adjacent to the shortest space and not adjacent to the shortest mark is longer than the shortest mark.
US08179759B2 Information storage medium and recording/reproducing apparatus and method using the same
An information storage medium and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method, the information storage medium includes: an area for recording information regarding a predetermined function applied thereto, wherein the information regarding the predetermined function includes specific information in which set information regarding the predetermined function is set by a recording/reproducing apparatus that can recognize the predetermined function, and common information set by the recording/reproducing apparatus that can recognize the predetermined function based on corresponding information dependent upon the set information so that a recording/reproducing apparatus that cannot recognize the predetermined function can use the predetermined function. Accordingly, a recording/reproducing apparatus that cannot recognize a predetermined function can properly use a medium having the predetermined function.
US08179758B2 Optical disc having tracking polarity information, and apparatuses and methods for recording and reproducing user data on the same
An optical disc includes tracking polarity information. The optical disc includes a clamping area, a lead-in area, a data area, and burst cutting area (BCA). The BCA is present between the clamping area and the lead-in area and in which information regarding the optical disc is recorded, and the information is read before performing tracking in the data area. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the tracking polarity information and/or reflectivity information without trial and error and directly record or reproduce user data in a data area of the optical disc
US08179750B2 Optical pickup device and optical disc device
An optical pickup device includes a plurality of laser light sources emitting laser beams of different oscillation wavelengths, and a plurality of objective lenses on which the laser beams in the form of diverging beams emitted by the plurality of laser light sources are incident, and which directly focus the laser beams onto a recording surface of an optical disc. A rising mirror reflects a laser beam in the form of a diverging beam emitted by a laser light source of a predetermined oscillation wavelength among the plurality of laser light sources so as to lead the laser beam to one of the plurality of objective lenses, and transmits the laser beam in the form of a diverging beam emitted by the other laser light source. As the rising mirror transmits the laser beam in the form of the diverging beam emitted by said other laser light source, astigmatism is generated so as to correct existing astigmatism of the laser beam emitted by said other laser light source.
US08179749B2 Medium transporting mechanism and medium processing apparatus having the same
A medium transporting mechanism for transporting one of stacked media each of which has a hole is provided. A holder is provided on a movable transporting arm and holds the one of the media. A guide is provided in the transporting arm, the guide has a tapered surface that is inclined with respect to an axis of the guide. The tapered surface is configured to be brought into contact with an inner surface of the hole of the one of the media when the guide is inserted into the hole of the one of the media. The tapered surface includes a first surface on a tip end portion of the guide and a second surface on a base end portion of the guide. An inclined angle of the first surface with respect to the axis of the guide is greater than an inclined angle of the second surface with respect to the axis of the guide.
US08179748B2 Limiting switch control method including an appended-function unit
A limit switch controlling method and apparatus used in an optical drive are disclosed. When the optical drive is executing a tray-in/tray-out action or a move-sled home action, a detect-tray-in-switch pin, a detect-tray-out-switch pin, or a detect-sled-limit-switch pin of a controlling chip is used to receive a signal from a limit switch. When the optical drive is not executing the tray-in/tray-out action or the move-sled-home action, the detect-tray-in-switch pin, the-detect tray-out-switch pin, or the detect-sled-limit-switch pin of the controlling chip is used as an I/O port.
US08179746B2 Near-field optical recording apparatus, method and medium
An apparatus, a method and a recording medium for optical near-field recording are proposed. The apparatus includes a light source for generating a reading light beam, which is illuminated onto a near-field optical recording medium. The apparatus further includes a detector for generating a gap error signal from a light beam returning from the near-field optical recording medium. A data signal is derived from an output signal of the detector by a signal processor.
US08179745B2 Head gimbal assembly and disk drive
A head gimbal assembly including a gimbal provided with a tongue comprising a stage; a sub-mount comprising a laser diode, wherein the laser diode is disposed internally in the sub-mount, and wherein the sub-mount is mounted on said stage; a head slider for thermally assisted recording, wherein the head slider is disposed on the sub-mount; a first piezoelectric element; a second piezoelectric element; and a plurality of lead wires.
US08179742B1 Listening with multiple computing devices
A computer-implemented method is executable by a first computing device to perform functions including retrieving, from the first computing device, sound information for the first computing device; receiving sound information from one or more second computing devices located in an area within a communication range of first computing device; generating a characterization of the sound information from (i) the first computing device, and (ii) the one or more second computing devices; and determining, based on the characterization, an attribute of one or more third computing devices.
US08179740B2 Time reverse reservoir localization with borehole data
A method and system for processing synchronous array seismic data includes acquiring synchronous passive seismic data from a plurality of sensors to obtain synchronized array measurements. A reverse-time data process is applied to the synchronized array measurements to obtain a plurality of dynamic particle parameters associated with subsurface locations. These dynamic particle parameters are stored in a form for display. Maximum values of the dynamic particle parameters may be interpreted as reservoir locations. The dynamic particle parameters may be particle displacement values, particle velocity values, particle acceleration values or particle pressure values. The sensors may be three-component sensors. Zero-phase frequency filtering of different ranges of interest may be applied. The data may be resampled to facilitate efficient data processing.
US08179739B2 Semiconductor device and its manufacturing method
A technique capable of manufacturing a semiconductor device without posing contamination in a manufacturing apparatus regarding a phase change memory including a memory cell array formed of memory cells using a storage element (RE) by a variable resistor and a select transistor (CT). A buffer cell is arranged between a sense amplifier (SA) and a memory cell array (MCA) and between a word driver (WDB) and the memory cell array. The buffer cell is formed of the resistive storage element (RE) and the select transistor (CT) same as those of the memory cell. The resistive storage element in the memory cell is connected to a bit-line via a contact formed above the resistive storage element. Meanwhile, in the buffer cell, the contact is not formed above the resistive storage element, and a state of being covered with an insulator is kept upon processing the contact in the memory cell. By such a processing method, exposure and sublimation of a chalcogenide film used in the resistive storage element can be avoided.
US08179734B2 Semiconductor device
A charge pump circuit, whose output is connected to a first node, starts a boosting operation after start of a test period. A load current application circuit supplies a load current to the first node during the test period. A voltage of the first node is a write voltage. A memory circuit stops application of the write voltage to a memory cell during the test period, and applies the write voltage to the memory cell after end of the test period. A high voltage detection unit compares the write voltage and a predetermined voltage to determine whether or not the write voltage is increased to the predetermined voltage. If the write voltage is less than the predetermined voltage at the end of the test period, the high voltage detection unit activates a disable signal. If the disable signal is activated, the charge pump circuit stops the boosting operation.
US08179729B2 Memory circuit and voltage detection circuit including the same
Provided are a memory circuit having a small circuit scale and a voltage detection circuit including the memory circuit. An NMOS transistor (21) is in an off state during loading and writing and is in an on state during reading. An NMOS transistor (22) is turned on when a high level input is received and turned off when a low level input is received. An NMOS transistor (23) is in the off state during loading and writing and is in the on state during reading. A PMOS transistor (26) is in the on state during loading and is in the off state during writing and reading. A PMOS transistor (27) is turned off when the high level input is received during loading, is turned on when the low level input is received during loading, and is in the on state during writing and reading.
US08179728B2 Interleaving charge pumps for programmable memories
Systems and methods, including computer software for performing operations enable interleaving of charging operations in a charging pump. A first charge pump is charged to a predetermined level, and a first operation is performed using a charge stored in the first charge pump after it reaches the predetermined level. A second charge pump is charged during a time that overlaps with performing the first operation. A second operation is performed using a charge stored in the second charge pump as a result of charging the second charge pump.
US08179726B2 Method and apparatus for programming flash memory
A method and apparatus that provides the ability to control programming pulses having different widths and/or voltages in a flash memory device. The widths and/or voltage levels of programming pulses are set to achieve programming of all memory cells of an array using a minimum number of programming pulses.
US08179719B1 Systems and methods for improving error distributions in multi-level cell memory systems
A memory system includes a state set module that provides a first state set having a plurality of states, each being assigned to represent a particular data sequence, and a second state set having a same number of states as the first state set, wherein an assignment of one or more particular data sequences among the states of the second state set is different relative to that set forth in the first state set. The memory system further includes a write module that writes first data to a first multi-level memory cell of the memory system based on the first state set, the first multi-level cell being located on a wordline of the memory system, and that writes second data to a second multi-level memory cell of the memory system based on the second state set, the second multi-level cell being located on the wordline of the memory system.
US08179716B2 Non-volatile programmable logic gates and adders
Spin torque magnetic logic device having at least one input element and an output element. Current is applied through the input element(s), and the resulting resistance or voltage across the output element is measured. The input element(s) include a free layer and the output element includes a free layer that is electrically connected to the free layer of the input element. The free layers of the input element and the output element may be electrically connected via magnetostatic coupling, or may be physically coupled. In some embodiments, the output element may have more than one free layer.
US08179712B2 Non-volatile memory with metal-polymer bi-layer
A resistive memory cell that includes a metal-polymer bi-layer proximate a CMOS gate. The memory cell has a substrate having a source contact connected to a source line and a drain contact connected to a drain line, a CMOS gate proximate the substrate electrically connecting the source contact and the drain contact, the bi-layer adjacent the CMOS gate, the bi-layer comprising a thin metal layer and a polymer layer, and a word line connected to the bi-layer.
US08179710B2 Semiconductor memory device
A memory includes memory cells on a semiconductor layer, in which each of the memory cells includes a source layer and a drain layer in the semiconductor layer; an electrically floating body region provided in the semiconductor layer between the source layer and the drain layer and configured to accumulate or discharge electric charges in order to store logical data; a gate dielectric film provided on the body region and comprising a ferroelectric film with polarization characteristics; and a gate electrode provided on the gate dielectric film above the body region, wherein each memory cell stores a plurality of logical data depending on an amount of electric charges accumulated in the body region and on a polarization state of the ferroelectric film.
US08179707B2 Semiconductor memory devices and methods of arranging memory cell arrays thereof
Semiconductor memory devices with a memory cell array including a first word line and a second word line arranged in a first direction, a source line arranged in the first direction between the first word line and the second word line, a bit line pair including a first bit line and a second bit line arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first memory cell including a gate connected to the first word line and first and second regions respectively connected to the second bit line and the source line, and arranged in a third direction between the first direction and the second direction, and a second memory cell including a gate connected to the second word line, a third region and the second region respectively connected to the first bit line and the source line, and arranged in the third direction.
US08179706B2 Method for modifying data more than once in a multi-level cell memory location within a memory array
A method and apparatus for marking a block of multi-level memory cells for performance of a block management function by programming at least one bit in a lower page of the memory cell block such that a first logic state is stored in the at least one bit in the lower page; programming at least one bit in an upper page of the memory cell block such that the first logic state is stored in the at least one bit in the upper page; reprogramming the at least one bit in the upper page such that the at least one bit transitions from the first logic state to a second logic state; identifying the first logic state in the at least one bit of a lower page and the transition of at least one corresponding bit in the upper page from the first logic state to the second logic state; and in response, marking the corresponding memory cell block for performance of a block management function.
US08179705B2 Apparatus and method of optimizing power system efficiency using a power loss model
A power subsystem is actively optimized to improve total subsystem efficiency in a way that is responsive to changes in load requirements, power supply variations, and subsystem temperature variations. Detailed, multidimensional power loss models are developed for constituent devices which are then combined into a power subsystem containing a controller and circuity for measuring device operating parameters such as input and output voltage, output current, and temperature. Operating parameters are continually monitored, and set points are correspondingly changed based on the detailed power loss models to achieve maximum overall efficiency for the instantaneous operating state of the system.
US08179703B2 Power factor correction converter
A power factor correction converter includes an output voltage error amplifier which functions as a proportioning device in a low-frequency range in order to stabilize the output voltage by feedback control and obtains a reference current amplitude value vm by multiplying an error ev between a desired output voltage value Vref and a detected output voltage value vo by a predetermined proportionality factor. A factor element multiplies the reference current amplitude value by a predetermined factor and adds the resulting value to a reference value to obtain a desired output voltage value. The factor element functions as a low-pass filter by changing the desired output voltage value Vref in accordance with the reference current amplitude value vm in a low-frequency range and reducing the factor value in a high-frequency range.
US08179695B2 Mirror image shielding structure
A mirror image shielding structure is provided, which includes an electronic element and a ground shielding plane below the electronic element. The shape of the ground shielding plane is identical to the projection shape of the electronic element, and the horizontal size of the ground shielding plane is greater than or equal to that of the electronic element. Thus, the parasitic effect between the electronic element and the ground shielding plane is effectively reduced, and the vertical coupling effect between electronic elements is also reduced. Furthermore, the vertical impact on the signal integrity of the embedded elements caused by the layout of the transmission lines is prevented.
US08179694B2 Magnetic induction grid as an early warning mechanism for space based microelectronics
A system for protecting an electronic device from cosmic rays includes a frame in which the circuit is disposed, a cosmic ray detection circuit and a protection circuit. The cosmic ray detection circuit is supported by the frame and is spaced apart from the circuit. The cosmic ray detection circuit is configured to assert an incoming cosmic ray signal when a cosmic ray interacts with the cosmic ray detection device. The protection circuit is coupled to the incoming cosmic ray signal and is configured to cause the electronic device to enter a protected state when the cosmic ray signal is asserted.
US08179686B2 Mounted structural body and method of manufacturing the same
Including a wiring board having an electronic component mounted at least on a first surface, a resin applied at least between the electronic component and the wiring board, and a through-hole provided in a region corresponding to the mounting position of the electronic component in the wiring board, a protrusion is formed on the wiring board so as to overlap at least with the electronic component, around a region corresponding to the mounting position of the electronic component.
US08179684B2 Sliding adapter panel with living hinge and forward/rearward locking
An adapter panel including a chassis and a plurality of sliding adapter packs that define a front adapter field of the adapter panel. The sliding adapter packs includes a frame assembly having a living hinge and a lever arm. The living hinge locks the sliding adapter packs into both a forward and a rearward position. The living hinge is activated by either pulling or pushing the lever arm.
US08179683B2 Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a flexible printed circuit and a back light module. The flexible printed circuit is suitable for supporting the driving element and is electrically connected to the display panel. The back light module includes at least one light source, a first frame and a second frame. The second frame surrounds the light source, the first frame surrounds the second frame, and the display panel and the flexible printed circuit are disposed at one side of the first frame, wherein the first frame has at least an opening, the second frame has a element contacting surface, the driving element is disposed on the flexible printed circuit, and the element contacting surface protrudes from the opening for being connected to the driving element.
US08179682B2 Multilayer circuit board and use of a multilayer circuit board
A multilayer circuit board having a security cell having security-related electronic components disposed thereon. The security cell is covered by a circuit path arrangement having circuit path segments disposed close to one another, and by an insulation layer. Penetration and thus manipulation of the security-related components is thus largely prevented.
US08179680B1 Method and apparatus for controlling removal of a circuit board module from a chassis
A method and apparatus for controlling removal of a circuit board module from a chassis comprising an actuator and an electrical switch. The actuator having a locked state and an unlocked state, where the circuit board module is removable from the chassis when the actuator is in the unlocked state and the circuit board module is not removable when the actuator is in the locked state. The electrical switch is coupled to the actuator to produce a first signal indicating the locked state and a second signal indicating the unlocked state.
US08179678B2 Electronic component module
Provided is an electronic component module which has high reliability and is capable of suppressing reduction in handling performance of a mounting machine. An electronic component module includes a plurality of electronic components mounted on a top surface of a module substrate, a planar top plate covering the electronic components, and a top plate holding member for holding the top plate. The plurality of electronic components include a quartz resonator, and a RF-IC which has a height smaller than that of the quartz resonator and is disposed on the top surface of the module substrate so as to be side by side with the quartz resonator. In addition, the top plate is fixed to the quartz resonator, and the top plate holding member for holding the top plate is disposed between the RF-IC and the top plate.
US08179677B2 Immersion-cooling apparatus and method for an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack
Cooling apparatus and method are provided for immersion-cooling of an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a sealed compartment about the electronic subsystem and a dielectric fluid disposed within the sealed compartment, with the electronic subsystem being immersed within the dielectric fluid. A liquid-cooled vapor condenser is provided which includes a plurality of thermally conductive condenser fins extending within the sealed compartment in an upper portion of the compartment. The condenser fins facilitate cooling of dielectric fluid vapor rising to the upper portion of the compartment. A filler material is disposed within the sealed compartment to reduce the amount of dielectric fluid required within the compartment to achieve immersion-cooling of the electronic subsystem, and the filler material includes a shaped surface to direct dielectric fluid vapor within the compartment towards the condenser fins.
US08179670B2 Memory stick
A memory stick includes a -shaped metal plate member having two tenones respectively protruded from an inner wall thereof at two opposite sides and aimed at each other, each tenon being formed on the -shaped metal plate member by means of punching the inner wall of the -shaped metal plate member with a punch to form a protrusion and then punching the protrusion with a punch rod to extend the height of the protrusion and to deform the protrusion into a tubular configuration, and a casing accommodating a PC board that has a USB connector at its one end and having two pivot holders symmetrically located on two opposite sides thereof and respectively pivotally coupled to the tenones of the -shaped metal plate member for enabling the -shaped metal plate member to be turned relative to the casing to close or open the USB connector.
US08179669B2 Retractable USB memory stick
A retractable USB memory stick includes a metal casing formed of a seamless flat tube having opposing front opening and rear opening, a sliding slot located on one peripheral wall thereof, and first and second locating holes located on the sliding slot, a PC board having a front USB interface circuit and a rear memory IC package, and an insulation PC board holder holding the PC board and slidably mounted in the metal casing. The insulation PC board holder has a spring strip bridged on the outside wall thereof, a sliding block located on the spring strip and forced by the spring power of the spring strip into the sliding slot of the metal casing, and a retaining block protruded from the sliding block for selectively engaging the first locating hole or second locating hole of the metal casing to lock the insulation PC board holder to the metal casing in the extended position and received position.
US08179667B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a capacitor element coated with an enclosure resin, and an insulating substrate in which an anode terminal and a cathode terminal are formed. The anode terminal includes a first anode section formed on a first surface of the insulating substrate, a second anode section formed on a second surface of the insulating substrate, and an anode conductive layer which is formed on a side edge surface of the insulating substrate to electrically connect there anode sections to each other. The cathode terminal includes a first cathode section formed on the first surface, a second cathode section formed on the second surface, and a cathode conductive layer which is formed on the side edge surface of the insulating substrate to electrically connect there cathode sections to each other. And the anode conductive layer and the cathode conductive layer are exposed from the enclosure resin.
US08179664B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor comprises an insulating substrate in which an anode terminal and a cathode terminal are formed. A first anode section and a first cathode section are formed on a first surface of the insulating substrate, so as to be spaced from each other in a first predetermined direction. A second anode section and a second cathode section are formed on a second surface of the insulating substrate, so as to be spaced from each other in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. The anode terminal comprises the first and second anode sections, which are electrically connected to each other. The cathode terminal comprises the first and second cathode sections, which are electrically connected to each other. A capacitor element is arranged on the first surface of the insulating substrate with an anode section thereof being oriented in the first direction.
US08179662B2 Monolithic ceramic capacitor
A monolithic ceramic capacitor includes dielectric ceramic layers having a thickness of less than 1 μm. When this thickness is t and the crystal grains of a dielectric ceramic of the layers have a mean diameter of r, a mean number N of grain boundaries satisfies 0
US08179659B2 Placement configuration of MIM type capacitance element
A placement configuration of MIM type capacitance elements comprises a group of first capacitance elements in which the first capacitance elements as the MIM type capacitance elements are placed in tandem and a group of second capacitance elements in which the second capacitance elements as the MIM type capacitance elements are placed in tandem, wherein the group of first capacitance elements and the group of second capacitance elements are alternately placed in parallel with each other with an equal interval therebetween.
US08179658B2 Electromagnetic interference filter and method for attaching a lead and/or a ferrule to capacitor electrodes
A discoidal feedthrough capacitor has its active electrode plates disposed within a dielectric body so that an edge of the active electrode plates is exposed at a surface of a through-hole for a conductive lead. The conductive lead is conductively coupled to the exposed edge of the electrode plates without an intervening conductive termination surface. Similarly, a ground electrode plate set of the feedthrough capacitor may have an edge exposed at the outer periphery of the capacitor for conductively coupling the exposed edge of the ground electrode plate to a conductive ferrule without an intervening conductive termination surface.
US08179657B2 Emission analyzer
After a switching element 13 is turned on, a charge controller 16 determines whether or not a current detected by an excitation current detector 15 has reached a predetermined level, and turns off the switching element 13 if the predetermined level has been reached. When the excitation current is controlled to a constant level, the excitation energy stored in a flyback transformer 12 also becomes constant, and this constant energy is stored in a capacitor 22 every time the switching element 13 is turned off. The charge control section 16 repeats the on/off operation of the switching element 13 a predetermined number of times at predetermined intervals of time before discontinuing the charging operation. Consequently, a constant amount of energy is held in the capacitor 22 when the charging operation is discontinued, and the period of time from the beginning to the completion of charging also becomes constant. Thus, the same conditions are constantly created while the spark discharge is repeated, so that the accuracy and reproducibility of the analysis are enhanced.
US08179655B2 Surge protection apparatus and methods
Improved over-voltage protection apparatus and associated methods useful in e.g., telecommunications applications. In one embodiment, the over voltage protection apparatus comprises a gas discharge tube, common mode inductor, coupled inductor, secondary over-voltage protection device, filter circuitry, coupled inductor and common mode inductor. In one embodiment the over voltage protection apparatus comprises a gas discharge tube, common mode inductor, coupled inductor, secondary over-voltage protection device and filter circuitry. The arrangement of said inductive components being optimally connected in such a manner as to provide a high impedance circuit for all surge events to the gas discharge tube, so as to protect the filtering circuitry. Methods for the manufacture of the filter protection apparatus so as to be maximally independent of component tolerances are also disclosed.
US08179653B2 Multiple operating voltage electrical surge protection apparatus
A component of an electrical system capable of operation at any of two or more different nominal normal operating voltages is protected from a transient overvoltage condition by an apparatus having at least one phase-to-ground array of surge protection devices (SPDs) connected in series with one another to define a series of tap points on opposite sides of the SPDs and having at least two sets of electrical conductors for coupling the electrical system to a user-selectable one of the tap points which corresponds to a desired one of the nominal operating voltages. An array of capacitors connected electrically in series with one another is connected between each of the tap points and a monitoring circuit to provide impedance for dropping each nominal operating voltage to a suitable voltage for powering the monitoring circuit with low energy loss.
US08179651B2 Overload protection for a circuit arrangement having a transistor
In an embodiment, a drive circuit for a transistor includes an output for providing a drive signal to the transistor. The drive circuit monitors the transistor for an occurrence of an overload, changes into an overload protection state in which the drive circuit drives the transistor in an ON state upon detection of the overload of the transistor. The drive circuit further changes into a voltage limiting state in which a voltage of the transistor is limited.
US08179646B2 Integrated circuit provided with a large area protection against electrostatic discharges
An integrated circuit protected against electrostatic discharges, including: first and second supply rails; first and second intermediary rails normally connected to the first and second supply rails; inverters formed of a P-channel MOS transistor series-connected to an N-channel MOS transistor, the sources of the P-channel and N-channel MOS transistors being respectively connected to the first and second supply rails and the bodies of the P-channel and N-channel transistors being respectively connected to the first and second intermediary rails; a positive overvoltage detector between the first and second supply rails; and a switch for connecting the first and second intermediary rails to the second and first supply rails when a positive overvoltage is detected.
US08179644B2 Two-way electrostatic discharge protection circuit
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit electrically connected to a first conductive line and a second conductive line is provided. The ESD protection circuit has a first ESD protection circuit unit, wherein the first ESD circuit unit includes a first coupled capacitor and a first active device. The first coupled capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is electrically connected to the first conductive line. The first active device includes a first gate, a first source and a first drain, wherein the first gate is electrically connected to the second electrode. In addition, the first source and the first electrode are electrically connected to the first conductive line, and the first drain is electrically connected to the second conductive line. Therefore, the conduction efficiency of the ESD protection circuit is improved.
US08179642B2 Magnetoresistive effect element in CPP structure and magnetic disk device
An MR element in a CPP structure includes an MR part configured with a nonmagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer that functions as first free layer and a second ferromagnetic layer that functions as a second free layer, and first and second ferromagnetic layers are laminated to sandwich the nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a sense current flows in a lamination direction of the MR part, an orthogonalizing bias function part, which influences a substantial orthogonalization function for magnetization directions of the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, is formed on the rear side the MR part, side shield layers are disposed on both sides in the width direction of the MR part, the side shield layers are perpendicular magnetized layers with a magnetic shield function, and magnetization directions of the perpendicular magnetized layers are in an orthogonal direction that corresponds to the thickness direction.
US08179641B2 Disk drive apparatus and head assembly using a resin member to accommodate a wire structure
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention allow a resin member accommodating therein a trace, to have a small thickness. An HDD according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a resin accommodation member fixed to a side surface of arms. Part of a trace is accommodated in a slit formed in the accommodation member. Accommodating part of the trace in the slit helps suppress fluttering of the trace and improve head positioning accuracy. A corrugated surface structure is formed on each of surfaces of the arms and the accommodation member in abutment with each other. The corrugated surface structure is used to position the accommodation member in a pivot direction. The accommodation member, having the corrugated surface structure for positioning on the surface being fixed, can be made to have a thin wall.
US08179638B2 Head with slider suppressing back flow, head suspension assembly, and disk device provided with the same
According to one embodiment, a slider of a magnetic head is provided with a negative-pressure cavity formed in a facing surface, a leading step portion situated on the upstream side of the negative-pressure cavity, a pair of side portions opposed to each other, a trailing step portion situated on the outlet end side of the negative-pressure cavity, and a pair of embossed portions formed on the facing surface so as to project from the negative-pressure cavity and provided on the outlet side of the negative-pressure cavity with respect to an airflow. The embossed portions individually extend along a second direction so as to be situated individually on the opposite sides of the trailing step portion and are formed so as to be lower than the trailing step portion with respect to the negative-pressure cavity and flush with an outlet-side end surface of the slider.
US08179634B2 Perpendicular magnetic recording writer main pole having imbedded non-magnetic core and de-coupled pole tip
Methods and structures for the fabrication of a thin film, perpendicular recording write head are disclosed. The structure provides a pole tip separated from a rear pole by a non-magnetic separation layer located adjacent the flare point. The rear pole contains an imbedded non-magnetic layer. The separated pole tip and imbedded layer aid in the high data rate recording as well as the erasure performance of the write pole structure. The fabrication involves the deposition of two different oxide layers which have mutually high etch selectivities. This characteristic allows a write pole structure to be built wherein the track width is independent of the location of the flare point. The process also produces a structure wherein the placement of the throat height of the shield is self aligned to the flare point of the write pole.
US08179629B2 Flexure based shock and vibration sensor for head suspensions in hard disk drives
Systems and methods for flexure based shock and vibration sensor for head suspensions in hard disk drives. Specifically, this invention deals with operational shock and vibration management within a hard disk drive. In one implementation, the assembly includes a circuit embedded optical waveguide sensor that includes a flexible electrical circuit board with a configuration of either a single or multi layers of conductor traces, a thin flexure gimbal for carrying and flying a HDD slider, a consecutive sensing layer constructed by an optical core and by clad construction with a configuration of either a single core array or a plural core array, an optical loop formed by light input and an output core, optical grating disposed on the consecutive sensing layer forming an optical grating waveguide sensor, a light emitter for injecting light into the optical core, and a receiver receiving the output light from the optical core.
US08179626B1 Adaptive shock detection
Adaptive shock detection systems are provided according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, an adaptive shock detection system comprises a shock sensing circuit, and a controller configured to receive shock detection signals from the shock sensing circuit and to dynamically adjust a sensitivity of the shock sensing circuit based the received shock detection signals.
US08179625B1 Method for fast verification of servo patterns and test on magnetic media
High density magnetic disks are each placed on testers. Each tester tests a portion of the disk. If the tester finds an error, a new disk is placed on the tester. The tester goes to the allocated portion of the disk and tests whether the error is on the new disk. This process may be repeated several times to confirm the error. After an error is confirmed an alarm is sent indicating that there may be a defect in the disk manufacturing process.
US08179622B2 Photosensitive transfer material, member for display device, process for producing the member, black matrix, color filter, process for producing the color filter, substrate for display device, and display device
A photosensitive transfer material including, on or above a temporary support, in the following order from the temporary support side, at least a thermoplastic resin layer and a photosensitive resin layer, wherein the tensile elongation at break of the thermoplastic resin layer is 6% or more, the yield stress or breaking strength thereof is 5×106 Pa or more, and the melt viscosity η at 110° C. thereof is 6000 Pa·s or less.
US08179616B1 Optical lens assembly for image taking
An optical lens assembly for image taking, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, comprises: the first lens element with refractive power, the second lens element with positive refractive power, the third lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, the fourth lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface. The optical lens assembly further comprises a stop and an image sensor on an image plane. Each of the third and the fourth lens elements can have at least one aspherical surface. When the optical lens assembly utilizes the thickness conditions provided in the present invention, along with a favorable entrance pupil diameter ratio, fine aberration corrections, wide-angle of view, and functionalities for common image pickup cameras or those used with infrared settings can be achieved.
US08179614B1 Image pickup optical lens assembly
An image pickup optical lens assembly, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, comprises the first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, the second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, the third lens element with refractive power, the fourth lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, the fifth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface with at least one inflection point, and a stop. Each of the five lens elements may be made of plastic with bi-aspherical surfaces. Additionally, the image pickup optical lens assembly satisfies conditions of shortening the total length and reducing the sensitivity for usage in compact cameras and mobile phones with camera functionalities.
US08179613B2 Image pickup lens, image pickup apparatus and portable terminal
The image pickup lens includes a first positive lens (focal distance: f1) having the convex surface facing the object side, a second negative lens having the concave surface facing the image side, a third positive lens (focal distance: f3) having the convex surface facing the image side, a fourth positive meniscus lens having the convex surface facing the image side, and a fifth negative lens having the concave surface facing the image side, arranged in that order as viewed from the object side. The surface of the fifth lens on the image side is aspherical, and an inflection point is located at a position other than the intersection point with the optical axis. The aperture stop is located closer to the image than the first lens, and the conditional expression (1) is met: 0.8
US08179612B2 Retractable lens barrel unit
A lens barrel unit includes a lens holding cylinder, a cam cylinder, and a straightforward movement cylinder. The lens holding cylinder includes a ring-shaped step that projects outward in a radial direction. In an image pickup state, a surface of the ring-shaped step which is an end of an object side in the ring-shaped step is closer to an object than a surface of the straightforward movement cylinder which is an end of an object side in the straightforward movement cylinder.
US08179610B2 Zoom lens and information device
A zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, which are disposed in order from an object side, and an aperture stop disposed at an object side of the third lens group. When changing the magnification from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, an interval between the first and second lens groups increases, an interval between the second and third lens groups decreases, and an interval between the third and fourth lens groups increases. The first lens group includes a negative lens, a positive lens, and a positive lens, in order from the object side. Predetermined conditions of a refractive index of the negative lens E1 for a d line, an Abbe number for d line, and a relative partial dispersion are satisfied.
US08179609B2 Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
Provided is a zoom lens including, in order from an object side to an image side: a positive first lens unit without moving for zooming; a negative second lens unit moving during zooming; a negative third lens unit moving during zooming; a positive fourth lens unit moving during zooming; and a positive fifth lens unit without moving for zooming, in which the second lens unit moves to the image side during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, while the third lens unit moves along a locus convex toward the object side, and, when fw denotes a focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end, Z a zoom ratio, and fz a focal length of the entire system at a zoom position where the third lens unit is in the position closest to the object side, the following conditional expression is satisfied: fw×Z0.07
US08179607B2 Projection zoom lens and projection-type display apparatus
A projection zoom lens projects an optical image of rays, which are irradiated from a light source onto a light valve and are modulated by a predetermined image displayed on the light valve, onto a screen. The projection zoom lens includes a plurality of lens groups that is formed as a telecentric system on the reduction side thereof and includes at least two movable lens groups which are movable during zooming. In the projection zoom lens, the plurality of lens groups is arranged to include, in order from a magnification side, at least a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group has a negative refractive power, remains stationary during zooming, and performs focusing. The second lens group has a negative refractive power and remains stationary during zooming and focusing.
US08179605B2 Optical element
An optical element includes: an optically functional part having a first convex surface and a second convex surface intersecting with an optical axis and facing opposite to each other; and an outer peripheral part provided around the optically functional part, the outer peripheral part having a first outer peripheral surface extending from a periphery of the first convex surface and a second outer peripheral surface extending from a periphery of the second convex surface. The first outer peripheral surface and the second outer peripheral surface each are formed to be tapered. A thickness of the outer peripheral part in an optical axis direction is reduced toward a direction moving away from the optical axis.
US08179604B1 Wearable marker for passive interaction
In accordance with example embodiments, a wearable marker may be used for passive interaction with a wearable computing device. A wearable marker may take the form of a ring, a bracelet, an artificial fingernail configured to be affixed to a fingernail, a decal configured to be affixed to a fingernail, or a glove, among other possible wearable items. A wearable marker may further include an infrared (IR) reflective surface in the form of a surface pattern that is substantially optically invisible. A wearable computing device may include a head-mounted display (HMD) equipped with an IR camera device capable of detecting IR radiation reflected from the surface pattern on a wearable marker. The HMD and the IR camera device can function together to track position and motion of the wearable marker via reflection, and by doing so can recognize known patterns of motion that correspond to known hand gestures.
US08179603B2 Optical element and optical system having the same
An optical element that has a fine textured structure formed on an exit surface thereof. The fine textured structure satisfies the following conditions: λmin/1.71nsub
US08179602B2 Optical apparatus with image stabilizing system
An optical apparatus 101 includes shake detecting means 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b, and 105 that detect a shake, an image stabilizing means 108a that operates so as to suppress an image shake, a drive means 115 that drives the image stabilizing means based on an output from the shake detecting means, a control means 104 that stops power supply to the drive means while continuing power supply to the shake detecting means in accordance with elapse of a predetermined time after the image stabilizing means starts the operation, and a power detecting means 116 that detects a remaining amount of a power source. The controller changes the predetermined time in accordance with the remaining amount of the power source detected by the power detecting means.
US08179592B2 Semiconductor optical amplifier, method for manufacturing the same, and semiconductor optical integrated device
A semiconductor optical amplifier is provided having polarization independent optical amplification characteristics and a flat gain spectrum over a wide wavelength region. In the semiconductor optical amplifier including a multi-quantum well active layer formed of well layers and barrier layers alternately laminated to each other on an InP substrate, the well layers and the barrier layers each have a tensile strain, and the tensile strain of each of the barrier layers is larger than the tensile strain of each of the well layers.
US08179587B2 Electrochromic device
An electrode that includes a transparent substrate having a first and second surface; a conductive layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate; and an electrode layer disposed on the conductive layer, wherein the electrode layer includes doped tin oxide nanoparticles and an organic binder, and wherein the electrode layer is transparent. Also disclosed is a method of making such an electrode and electrochromic articles including such an electrode.
US08179586B2 Rearview mirror assembly for vehicle
A rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. The reflective element includes a resin material disposed at least at a portion of a fourth surface of the rear substrate. While the resin material is in its uncured state at the rear substrate, an electrical connector is engaged with the uncured resin material. The electrical connector is electrically conductively connected with the resin material and is substantially affixed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate via curing of the resin material while the electrical connector is engaged with the resin material. The electrical connector may establish electrical conductivity between the cured resin material and one of (i) a transparent electrically conductive coating at the second surface of the front substrate and (ii) a mirror reflector at the third surface of the rear substrate.
US08179582B2 Micro electro mechanical device having an opening between a fixing portion and a torsion bar
A micro electro mechanical device includes an inner frame provided with a movable part and an outer frame provided in a circumference of the inner frame. The outer frame has a fixing part fixed by a joining material. A first torsion bar is provided between the outer frame and the inner frame so as to swingably support the inner frame on the outer frame. A first opening is formed in the outer frame in a vicinity of the first torsion bar. The first opening is positioned between the fixing part of the outer frame and the first torsion bar.
US08179581B1 Electrostatically-addressed MEMS array system and method of use
The present invention provides an improved electrostatic micro actuator array system comprising a plurality of electrostatic micro actuators, each of the micro actuators further comprising at least one hold-down electrode and at least two pull-down electrodes positioned to actuate the micro actuator. A hold-down signal line is then coupled to each of the hold-down electrodes of each of the plurality of micro actuators and a plurality of first pull-down signal lines coupled to one of the at least two pull-down electrodes of each micro actuator and a plurality of second pull-down signal lines coupled to another of the at least two pull-down electrodes of each micro actuator, the first pull-down signal lines and the second pull-down signal lines configured in a cross-point matrix such that a unique pair of first pull-down signal lines and second pull-down signal lines is associated with each of the plurality of micro actuators. The system and method of the present invention reduces the number of driving lines required for the micro actuator array. In a particular embodiment, a reconfigurable microelectromechanical (MEMS) micromirror array system capable of deflecting incident light onto or away from a detector is described.
US08179574B2 Image reading device, image reading method, and image reading program
There is provided an image reading device including a tag information reading unit for reading information recorded in an IC tag by performing radio communication with the IC tag attached or embedded at a predetermined position of a medium that becomes a target of image reading and an image reading unit for creating image data of an image recorded on the medium by scanning the medium. The image reading unit determines an area for the scanning based on area information related to the medium among information read by the tag information reading unit and, and scans the determined area.
US08179570B2 Generating image embedded with UV fluorescent watermark by combining binary images generated using different halftone strategies
Methods are provided for creating a fluorescent watermark within an image on a substrate, such as paper. The method involves creating a halftone image using two different halftone strategies. The halftone method is combined with a binary watermark mask to form two color patterns (e.g., one in a background region of the image and one in a watermark region of the image) and two successive-filling halftone algorithms, such that the ink droplets deposited by one color pattern cover more of the substrate than the ink droplets deposited by the other color pattern, with the two color patterns having approximately the same reflectance under normal light. However, under UV illumination, a visible difference (e.g., the watermark) is seen in the two patterns.
US08179565B2 Document color and shades of gray optimization using outlining
Methods, apparatus, software, and systems of the present invention allow for optimization of color and shades of gray documents prior to their conversion to a monochrome format. If color/gray elements are identified in the document, the distance between them and their intensity is determined. If there are elements with the same or similar intensity in close proximity to each other, colors of some of the elements may be replaced with solid monochrome colors, and/or dithered surfaces, and/or monochrome patterns. Further, the elements may be outlined. These improvements make elements in the document more distinguishable after its conversion to a monochrome format. The described color optimization and outlining may have wide applicability in the Internet Fax technology.
US08179561B2 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus using the same
An optical scanning device includes an input optical system having an input optical element, for projecting a light beam from a light source device onto a deflecting surface of an optical deflector, and an imaging optical system having an imaging optical element, for imaging the light beam scanningly deflected by the deflecting surface of the optical deflector, on a surface to be scanned, wherein the light beam is obliquely incident on the deflecting surface in a sub-scan section, wherein the imaging optical element has at least one optical surface which is decentered in the sub-scan section, wherein the input optical element has at least one optical surface having an asymmetric and aspherical surface shape, wherein the input optical element has a thickness dm1 in the sub-scan section and at a position where a first marginal light ray of the light beam passing through the input optical system, which first marginal light ray is closer to an optical reference axis than the principal ray of that light beam is, passes, as well as a thickness dm2 at a position where a second marginal light ray further remote from the optical reference axis than the principal light ray of the light beam is, passes, and wherein dm1
US08179559B2 Image forming apparatus with a substitute recording medium for an unavailable recording medium and method thereof
Methods and apparatuses for forming images on recording media of different sizes are provided. The image forming procedure may include reading setting information which includes the size of a substitute recording medium for each user from a memory and, when the size of the recording medium specified by the print instruction is not available, executing a print instruction by automatically changing the size of a recording medium to be used to the size of the substitute recording medium based on the setting information. Additional computer-readable storage media storing image forming procedures are also provided.
US08179557B2 Image forming apparatus for reading information from and writing information to a non-contact medium
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a controller that controls the image forming unit to form, on a recording medium, an image based on image data in accordance with a first print setting; and a data recording unit that records original data of the image data and the first print setting on a non-contact tag attached to the recording medium.
US08179554B2 Printer, control method of a printer and computer-readable recording medium
In a printer, when a file is received from a personal computer connected by way of a USB port, an ordinary storage region in a FLASH ROM is recognized as a removable drive by the personal computer, which disables the writing management by a management table for managing the writing operation into the ordinary storage region in the FLASH ROM by USB standard, the received file is stored in a temporary storage region in a RAM, the attribute of the received file is determined, and when the received file is a printing file, the received file is transferred from the temporary storage region in the RAM, and written into a position in a printing memory layout region in the FLASH ROM obtained by referring to an address table.
US08179551B2 Print control apparatus, print controlling method and medium
A print control apparatus comprising a storage unit configured to store restriction information which restricts print functions, a determination unit configured to refer to the data storage location specified by the restriction information, compare the attributes of the electronic data stored in the data storage location and the attributes of the print data, and determine whether or not a condition specified in the restriction information is met, and a control unit configured to restrict printing of the print data when it is determined that the condition is met, and configured not to restrict printing of the print data when it is determined that the condition is not met.
US08179550B2 Management apparatus for transmitting data to a virtual device and method
A management apparatus includes a management unit configured to manage information associating each of a plurality of image processing apparatuses constituting a virtual device with a function executed by the each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, a control unit configured to provide a display for setting a virtual device as a transmission destination of transmission data, an identification unit configured, if a virtual device is set as the transmission destination of the transmission data, to identify an image processing apparatus that executes a function corresponding to a type of the transmission data from among the plurality of image processing apparatuses constituting the set virtual device based on the information managed by the management unit, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the transmission data to the image processing apparatus identified by the identification unit.
US08179537B2 Image forming apparatus, printing-mode setting method, and printer driver
In an image forming apparatus enabling communication through a network and having a monochrome-printing mode and a color-printing mode, by, in a case where printing of a Web page downloaded through the network is instructed, determining whether or not there is any color image in the Web page, and by, if there is any color image, setting a printing mode for the Web page in accordance with information on the size of the image, whether color printing is printed or monochrome printing is implemented can be automatically determined in consideration of users' convenience.
US08179532B1 Method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a projector lamp
A method and apparatus are set forth for monitoring lamp condition, comprising directing a beam of light at the lamp, detecting percent transmission of the beam through the lamp, wherein the percent transmission is indicative of lamp blackening, and repeating the directing and detecting of the beam of light periodically to provide an indication of lamp blackening over time, wherein the lamp blackening thereby provides an indication of lamp condition over time.
US08179528B2 Assembly comprising a portable device having fluid-fillable container and a holder
An assembly including a holder and a fluid-fillable container. The holder is adapted for holding at least the container and includes a system for filling the container with a fluid from a fluid source. The holder further includes a detector for detecting the fluid level inside the container, a light source for at least locally illuminating the interior of the container and an optical detector. The detector is arranged outside the container and for detecting a fluid level inside the container by detecting light scattered inside the container resulting from the light emitted by the light source.
US08179525B2 Mirror mounted inside filter block of a fluorescence microscope to perform SERS and method thereof
The present invention relates to spectroscopy, more particularly relates to a mirror made of glass plate and is coated with dielectric material, which is mounted inside filter block of fluorescence microscope to perform Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy [SERS].
US08179523B2 Photomask mounting/housing device and resist inspection method and resist inspection apparatus using same
A resist inspection apparatus is provided which has a configuration in which a reticle is separated from a pellicle. A reticle cassette is made up of two pieces of plate members. A hollowed portion with a shape allowing the reticle to be inserted into the plate member. Another hollowed portion having a shape being slightly larger than that of the resist of the reticle is formed on the plate member. In the circumference of the hollowed portion is placed a pellicle frame on which a protective film is formed in a stretched manner. In the concave portion is housed in the reticle with a resist on the reticle directed toward the hollowed portion. The reticle is put in sealed space.
US08179518B2 Exposure apparatus to correct position between reticle and substrate according to propagation time and shifting rate
A scanning exposure apparatus projects a pattern of an original onto a substrate via a projection optical system and shifts the original and the substrate in synchronization with each other with respect to an optical axis of the projection optical system so as to transfer the pattern of the original to the substrate by exposure. The scanning exposure apparatus includes a unit configured to correct a relative position between the original and the substrate by a correction amount according to a shifting rate at which the original and the substrate are shifted in synchronization with each other.
US08179512B2 Liquid crystal display device having particular pixel structure to decrease parasitic capacitance
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The first substrate includes first and second electrodes separated by an insulation interlayer provided for each pixel. The second electrode has a plurality of slits. An alignment of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is controlled by operation of first and second transistors to control an electric field between the first and second electrodes. The first transistor includes a drain electrode coupled to the first electrode, and the second transistor includes a drain electrode coupled to the second electrode. The second transistor is switched in synchronization with the first transistor.
US08179510B2 Liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof
A liquid crystal display device having first and second substrates; a gate line on the first substrate; a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel area, the gate line and the data line having a gate insulating film there between; a thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a semiconductor layer for defining a channel between the source electrode and the drain electrode; a common line in parallel to the gate line on the first substrate; a common electrode extended from the common line in the pixel area; and a pixel electrode spaced apart from the common line and the common electrode in the pixel area to be defined in a pixel hole passing through the gate insulating film, wherein the semiconductor layer overlaps with a source and drain metal pattern including the data line, the source electrode and the drain electrode, and wherein the drain electrode protrudes from the semiconductor layer toward an upper portion of the pixel electrode to be connected to the pixel electrode.
US08179507B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate including a transmission part and a reflection part; a common electrode disposed on the transmission part and the reflection part; a plurality of first pixel electrodes disposed on the transmission part and having a first electrode direction; a plurality of second pixel electrodes disposed on the reflection part and having a second electrode direction, the first electrode direction and the second electrode direction creating an acute angle; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates.
US08179506B2 Method for fabricating a pixel structure and the pixel structure
A transparent conductive layer and a first conductive layer are formed. A first photoresist layer having a first part and a second part with different thicknesses is as a mask to remove a portion of the first conductive layers to form a composite gate, and expose the transparent conductive layer of the pixel transmissive area and a portion of the transparent conductive layer in the pixel reflective area. The first photoresist layer is removed. A gate insulating layer and a semiconductor layer are formed. A second photoresist layer having a third part and a fourth part with different thicknesses is taken as a mask to remove a portion of the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer to form a contact opening and a channel layer. The second photoresist layer is removed. A patterned second conductive layer comprising a drain, a source and a reflective pattern is formed.
US08179504B2 Liquid crystal display with a light selective reflection filter
A liquid crystal display having a wide color reproduction range is provided. A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel driven based on image signals, a light source emitting light for illuminating the liquid crystal panel, and a light selective transmission filter, which has wavelength selective transmission characteristics corresponding to spectral characteristics of the light source, selectively transmits light generated from the light source in the specific wavelength regions based on the wavelength selective transmission characteristics, and guides the transmitted light to the liquid crystal panel.
US08179503B2 Pixel structure, 3D image/multiple view liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A pixel structure, a 3D image/multiple view liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The pixel structure comprises a first substrate, a second substrate being parallel with the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a reflecting structure, and a light angle control structure. The reflecting structure is disposed on the first substrate, and the light angle control structure is disposed on the second substrate. The light angle control structure is configured to reflect a light entering from the first substrate to the reflecting structure, and the reflecting structure is configured to reflect the light again such that the light exits from the pixel structure in a predetermined direction.
US08179498B2 Liquid crystal display device, television receiver, and lighting device
In an embodiment of the present invention, in a liquid crystal display device which controls a light luminance of each of lighting regions, each of lighting regions of a backlight has a smaller width in a horizontal direction than in a vertical direction. This makes it possible to cause a reduction in contrast due to spatial distribution of light luminances, which spatial distribution is generated due to cross talk between lighting regions, to be less perceivable to an observer positioned in an oblique viewing direction.
US08179497B2 Liquid crystal display device
An object of the present invention is to provide a simply configured liquid crystal display device capable of providing a high front luminance when light obliquely enters a micro lens array. The liquid crystal display device comprises: a pair of polarizing plates which sandwich a pair of substrates; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched by the pair of substrates; transmission openings formed in a pixel to limit the quantity of light which penetrates the liquid crystal layer; condensing elements formed on the side of one of the substrates, opposite to the side on which the liquid crystal layer is disposed, to condense light to the transmission openings; and a planar light-emitting element which emits light to be applied to the condensing elements; wherein the light to be emitted from the planar light-emitting element forms a certain angle with respect to its perpendicular when emitted; and wherein the position of the transmission opening is relatively shifted with respect to that of the condensing element so as to increase the quantity of light which penetrates the transmission opening, in association with the light-emitting direction of the planar light-emitting element.
US08179492B2 Liquid crystal display device
The invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and provides a liquid crystal display device which can achieve high display quality. A liquid crystal display device is provided with first and second TFTs each having a gate electrode connected to an nth gate bus line and a drain electrode connected to a drain bus line; a first pixel electrode connected to a source electrode of the first TFT; a second pixel electrode connected to a source electrode of the second TFT; a third TFT having a gate electrode connected to an (n+1)th gate bus line and a source electrode connected to the second pixel electrode; and a buffer capacitance portion having a buffer capacitance electrode which is formed in the same layer as the first and second pixel electrodes and is connected to a drain electrode of the third TFT and a buffer capacitance electrode connected to a storage capacitance bus line. The buffer capacitance portion establishes capacitive coupling between the drain electrode of the third TFT and the storage capacitance bus line.
US08179488B2 Liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel includes a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of pixels. Each scan line has a signal-input end, and each pixel includes a gate electrode, a drain electrode, an extending electrode and a coupling capacitor. The extending electrode is an extending part of the drain electrode, and does not overlap the gate electrode. Each coupling capacitor is coupled between each extending electrode and the corresponding scan line. In each scan line, capacitances of the coupling capacitors between the extending electrodes and the corresponding scan line increase as distances between the extending electrodes and the corresponding signal-input end increase.
US08179487B2 Thin film transistor array substrate
A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate including a substrate, a plurality of scan lines disposed on the substrate, a plurality of data lines disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of pixels arranged in array on the substrate is provided. Each scan line is connected to a row of pixels. Each pixel includes a TFT and a pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode is connected to one of the scan lines and one of the data lines through the TFT. In the same column of pixels, the TFTs are connected to two adjacent data lines alternatively and aligned in the column direction. At least one of the pixels further includes a capacitance compensating line. In the pixel having the capacitance compensating line, the TFT is connected to one of the adjacent two data lines, and the capacitance compensating line is connected to the other one.
US08179484B2 Display medium and writing apparatus
The present invention provides a display medium which prevents a decrease in reflectance during storage at high temperatures, and a writing apparatus using the display medium. A photoconductive layer 24, a selective light transmission layer 22, and a liquid crystal layer 20 are laminated between substrates 12 and 14, which have electrodes 16 and 18, respectively, to form a display medium 10. The selective light transmission layer 22 as a color layer is composed of a deionized material. The ion concentration of the selective light transmission layer 22 is controlled to be within a predetermined range.
US08179482B2 Touch panel display and method of manufacturing the same
A display having a touch panel capability is provided. The display includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposing each other, a thin-film transistor for pixel driving formed on the first substrate, and a thin-film transistor for touch position detection including a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the first substrate, and a gate electrode formed on the second substrate.
US08179471B2 Focusing device and image pickup apparatus
A focusing device includes a distance information acquisition section acquiring information on a distance to a subject based on a plurality of image data acquired by taking images of the subject at a plurality of different viewpoint positions. A subject detection section detects a first area and a second area based on the distance information and threshold information for the distance range within which a subject of interest that obstructs a main subject in the subject is present. In the first area, the subject of interest is present in each of the plurality of image data. In the second area, the subject of interest is not present. A focusing estimation section estimates the focusing of the main subject based on the distance information on the second area in each of the plurality of image data.
US08179470B2 Image-capturing lens assembly
This invention provides an image-capturing lens assembly comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens element with negative refractive power; a third lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric; a fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface on which at least one inflection point is formed, the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric; and a stop disposed between an imaged object and the first lens element; wherein there are four lens elements with refractive power. Such an arrangement of optical elements can effectively reduce the size of the lens assembly, mitigate the sensitivity of the optical system and enable the lens assembly to obtain a higher resolution.
US08179466B2 Capture of video with motion-speed determination and variable capture rate
A method of capturing a video of a scene depending on the speed of motion in the scene, includes capturing a video of the scene; determining the relative speed of motion within a first region of the video of the scene with respect to the speed of motion within a second region of the video of the scene; and causing a capture rate of the first region of the video of the scene to be greater than a capture rate of the second region of the video of the scene, or causing an exposure time of the first region to be less than exposure time of the second region.
US08179465B2 Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are provided. The solid-state imaging device capable of performing an intermittent operation includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout unit for reading out a pixel signal from the pixel unit in units of a plurality of pixels for each column. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators and a plurality of counters whose operations are controlled by outputs of the comparators. Each of the comparators includes an initializing switch for determining an operating point for each column at a start of row operation, and is configured so that an initialization signal to be applied to the initializing switch is controlled independently in parallel only a basic unit of the initialization signal used for a horizontal intermittent operation, and the initializing switch is held in an off-state at a start of non-operating row.
US08179463B1 Image sensor with shared node
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an image sensor comprises a plurality of pixel sensing circuits. Each pixel sensing circuit includes a photodiode and a storage node. Each pixel sensing circuit further includes a first transistor coupled between the photodiode and the storage node and a second transistor coupled between the photodiode and a shared node. The shared node is coupled to the plurality of pixel sensing circuits. The image sensor may include a reset transistor and/or a read-out circuit coupled to the shared node.
US08179459B2 Imaging apparatus and processing method thereof
A solid-state imaging apparatus of a dynamic range enlarged by reading out a carrier accumulated in a carrier accumulation unit at a plurality of times during a single carrier accumulation time period.
US08179456B2 Image sensors, color filter arrays included in the image sensors, and image pickup apparatuses including the image sensors
A color filter array may include two or more yellow filter pixels, one or more green filter pixels, and one or more cyan filter pixels. The two or more yellow filter pixels may be disposed in a first row or rows in a first direction. The one or more green filter pixels and the one or more cyan filter pixels may be disposed in a second row or rows in the first direction. The first row or rows and the second row or rows may alternate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the second direction, either the one or more green filter pixels and at least one of the two or more yellow filter pixels alternate or the one or more cyan filter pixels and at least one of the two or more yellow filter pixels alternate.
US08179455B2 Optical black-level cancellation for optical sensors using open-loop sample calibration amplifier
A Optical Black Pixel (OBP) cancellation circuit corrects offsets in sensors in a CCD/CMOS image sensor when reading dark pixels such at the periphery. A pixel voltage is switched to a sampling capacitor during two phases of the same pixel pulse. Sampling capacitors and feedback capacitors connect to differential inputs of an amplifier. An accumulating capacitor accumulates voltage differences and generates a common-mode voltage that is fed back to another sampling capacitor that stores an amplifier offset. The sampling capacitor and accumulating capacitor and their associated switches form a discrete-time first-order low-pass filter that filters the pixel voltage during the first phase. In the second phase the amplifier acts as a unity-gain amplifier to output an average of the pixel voltage differences generated during an OBP time when blackened or covered pixels are read from the image sensor.
US08179450B2 Electronic camera
An electronic camera includes an imager. The imager, having an imaging surface capturing an object scene, outputs an object scene image. A CPU searches a face portion of a person from the object scene based on the object scene image outputted from the imager. Moreover, the CPU sets to the imaging surface a cross area having a shape different depending on each attitude of the discovered face portion, in a manner to correspond to the discovered face portion. The CPU refers to an image of the cross area thus set so as to adjust imaging parameters such as a focus and an exposure amount.
US08179446B2 Video stabilization and reduction of rolling shutter distortion
A method of processing a digital video sequence is provided that includes estimating compensated motion parameters and compensated distortion parameters (compensated M/D parameters) of a compensated motion/distortion (M/D) affine transformation for a block of pixels in the digital video sequence, and applying the compensated M/D affine transformation to the block of pixels using the estimated compensated M/D parameters to generate an output block of pixels, wherein translational and rotational jitter in the block of pixels is stabilized in the output block of pixels and distortion due to skew, horizontal scaling, vertical scaling, and wobble in the block of pixels is reduced in the output block of pixels.
US08179442B2 Imaging device and method for performing surveillance by infrared radiation measurement
It is possible to definitely identify a relative position of a moving subject in an infrared image captured by an infrared camera in a relation with the background of the moving subject. The present invention provides an imaging device including an infrared camera for imaging an area under surveillance by infrared radiation measurement, a moving-subject detector for detecting a moving subject in the surveillance area on the basis of an infrared image signal acquired by the infrared camera, an image signal processor for coloring a moving part of the infrared image signal, detected by the moving-subject detector, with a predetermined color, and an image display for displaying an image resulted from the coloring of the moving part of the infrared image signal by the image signal processor.
US08179441B2 Hand-off monitoring method and hand-off monitoring system
A hand-off monitoring method is provided for monitoring a space divided into several monitoring regions. Each of the monitoring regions is monitored by a surveillance camera. The hand-off monitoring method comprises receiving a warning signal from a location and identifying a first surveillance camera related to the location according to the warning signal. Then, an object triggering the warning signal is identified according to a video signal provided by the first surveillance camera. A moving path of the object is predicted according to a non-linear movement prediction model. Then, a control operation is performed, according to the moving path, to control the surveillance cameras in the monitoring regions where the moving path passes so as to hand-off monitor the object.
US08179439B2 Security system
A security system includes at least first and second monitoring units, each having a motion sensor for detecting motion, a camera for obtaining visual data, a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor in data communication with the motion sensor, camera, transmitter, and receiver. The security system includes means for outputting visual data from the first unit camera when the first unit motion sensor detects motion more recently than the second unit motion sensor detects motion. The security system includes programming for outputting the visual data from the second unit camera when the second unit motion sensor detects motion more recently than the first unit motion sensor detects motion. The system includes a telephone interface for transmitting visual data captured by a respective camera. A unit's camera is only activated when its associated motion detector detects motion and is deactivated when another unit's motion detector detects motion more recently.
US08179428B2 Imaging apparatus for electronic endoscope and electronic endoscope
An imaging apparatus for an electronic endoscope includes a bare chip of CCD, a circuit board with approximately the same thickness as the bare chip, and a conducting plate with no less than 1/4 width of the bare chip. The bare chip has terminals on the surface with an imaging surface. The terminals are arranged near the edge facing the rear end of an insertion section of the electronic endoscope. The circuit board has terminals on the surface near the edge facing the front end of the insertion section. These terminals are connected by wire bonding. The conducting plate is attached along one side of the rear surface of the CCD and the circuit board for electrical connection. A forceps channel is provided such that its outer circumference fits partially into a cut portion formed on the rear surfaces of the CCD and the circuit board by the conducting plate.
US08179425B2 Alignment of elements of a display apparatus
To align a display substrate comprising an array of pixels with a component substrate comprising an array of optical components, the display substrate is divided from a display motherglass formed with an array of panels each comprising an array of pixels sufficient for a single display substrate and with, in respect of each panel, a first alignment feature having a surface relief aligned with the array of pixels. The component substrate is formed with an array of optical components and a second alignment feature aligned with the array of optical components, the second alignment feature having a surface relief shaped to register with the first alignment feature. The display substrates is attached to the component substrate with the first and second alignment features in registration with each other. The alignment of the first alignment feature with the array of pixels may be carried out at the motherglass stage in respect of the entire motherglass. The registration of the alignment features during attachment is a straightforward mating process which does not require precision alignment apparatus. Thus the yield can be increased.
US08179421B2 Image synthesizing device and method and computer readable medium
There is provided with an image synthesizing device, including: a connection unit configured to connect to another image synthesizing device; a layout storage configured to store the image layout information of one or more synthesized image where a plurality of input images input into the image synthesizing device and the another image synthesizing device are laid out in desired positions; and one or more synthesized image generating units configured to generate one or more synthesized images using the image information read by a reading control unit of the image synthesizing device and the image information received by an image information receiving unit from the another image synthesizing device.
US08179420B2 Minimal decoding method for spatially multiplexing digital video pictures
Multiple video picture frames are combined into a spatial multiplex video picture frame that may be fully decoded and displayed. The video display of the spatial multiplex video picture frame is a composite combination of all of the video picture frames that have been combined, and may have an appearance such as a mosaic. Multiplexing the video picture frames involves removing picture headers, creating a picture header for the spatial multiplex video picture frame, and altering the headers of individual components of each video picture frame. The new header for the spatial multiplex video picture frame indicates a slice format frame, and headers of the individual components are altered to provide a slice format based picture position for each video picture frame. The headers of the individual components are altered to become slice based, such as in accordance with the ITU-T H.263 video standard, prior to establishing the slice based picture position if the frames are not already of the slice format.
US08179417B2 Video collaboration
A video collaboration method includes examining a video image to locate therein a strip segment containing desired facial features of a second collaborator. The method also includes causing a display of the strip segment in a second frame positioned above a first frame for communicating shared collaboration content on a display device positioned for a first collaborator.
US08179410B2 Paper sheet sensor adjusting method
In a state where a sheet exists, an current I is gradually increased. When an voltage V reaches a light receiving level Vx, the current I at the time is stored as I1. The voltage V immediately before the voltage V reaches the light receiving level Vx is stored as V1. In a state where no sheet exists, the current I is gradually decreased from the above I1. When the voltage V reaches a non-light receiving level Vy, the current I at the time is stored as I2. The voltage V immediately before the voltage V reaches the non-light receiving level Vy is stored as V2. Then, the current I at the time of normal operation is set within a range between I1 and I2. A reference voltage Vs is set within a range between V1 and V2.
US08179409B2 Thermal printer
A print-dot counting section counts a number of print dots of print data. An adjusting section adjusts to reduce, according to the number of print dots counted by the print-dot counting section, one of conveying speed of a print medium by a conveying unit and energization time of energization to heat generating elements for forming one dot on the print medium and adjusts to reduce the other when the one reaches a lower limit value in an adjustable range. The conveying unit and a thermal head are driven by using the conveying speed and the energization time adjusted in this way to perform printing on the print medium.
US08179408B2 Projective capacitive touch apparatus, and method for identifying distinctive positions
A projective capacitive touch apparatus and a method for identifying multi-touched positions are provided. The multi-touched positions are touched on a projective capacitive touch panel. The method comprises the following steps: generating a first set of reference values according to the first touch position; generating a plurality of second sets of reference values according to a second touch position, and filtering out at least one ghost second set of reference values from the second sets of reference values. Furthermore, the plurality of second sets of reference values comprise a real second set of reference value and at least one ghost second set of reference values, while the ghost second set of reference values comprises parts of the first set of reference values.
US08179407B2 Method of driving a display apparatus, and display apparatus and timing controller for performing the method
A method of driving a display apparatus for an embodiment comprises a light source module divided into a plurality of light-emitting blocks to provide light to a display panel, a local dimming driving part driving the light-emitting blocks, and a timing controller controlling the driving timing of the display panel and the local dimming driving part. The timing controller transmits a luminance pulse having representative grayscale values of an image corresponding to the light-emitting blocks and a synchronization signal including information of a start position of the representative grayscale values to the local dimming driving part. The local dimming driving part drives the light-emitting blocks using the representative grayscale values obtained from the luminance pulse.
US08179406B2 Control apparatus and method for image display
A detection unit which includes an image display panel, brightness averaging unit, scene changeover detection unit, and brightness suppression unit in order to provide an image display apparatus having an ABL that does not give the observer any visual sense of incompatibility without increasing the circuit scale determines the presence/absence of a scene changeover on the basis of the frame differential or second order differential of the average brightness. If a scene changeover takes place, the display brightness is changed quickly, and if no scene changeover occurs, changed slowly.
US08179405B2 Compact flat panel color calibration system
A compact flat panel color calibration system includes a lens prism optic able to pass a narrow, perpendicular, and uniform cone angle of incoming light to a spectrally non-selective photodetector. The calibration system also includes a microprocessor operable to determine the luminance of the display based upon the information gathered by the photodetector. A software module included in the calibration system is then operable to process the luminance information in order to adjust the flat panel display.
US08179404B2 Remote control system and appliance for use in the remote control system
An appliance according to the present invention is operative under instructions from a plurality of control units, which includes a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit outputs a first control signal to the appliance to instruct the appliance to perform a predetermined operation. The second control unit outputs a second control signal to the appliance to instruct the appliance to perform the predetermined operation. The appliance includes a receiving section that receives the first and second control signals and an image control section that changes sizes of a particular image to be presented during the predetermined operation depending on whether the receiving section has received the first control signal or the second control signal.
US08179403B2 Image synthesis device, image synthesis method, image synthesis program, integrated circuit
When composite image data including parts that were respectively in different data formats before combining, is conventionally edited, the whole composite image data is edited by using a same algorithm. The algorithm may not be an optimum algorithm for a certain part of the composite image data. In an improved structure, the format conversion unit 142 converts the format of the combining target image data, attaches, to each piece of pixel data, a flag indicating the data format before the conversion, and outputs the pixel data with the flag. The combining engine 143 combines together the image data output from the format conversion unit 142.
US08179402B2 Generating colorimetric profiles from spectral data and user input
A profile generation module which generates colorimetric color profiles based on spectral data and user input on viewing conditions, light source, and medium. In situations where the available color profiles are colorimetric, the colorimetric color profiles are passed to the color management system. In situations where spectral color profiles are available, the profile generation module accesses the spectral profile and the user input. If the user input specifies a medium, the profile generation module also accesses the media module to predict spectral reflectance data for the specified medium. The profile generation module generates the calorimetric color appearance profile based on the user input, and generates the calorimetric color device profile based on the user input and the spectral data. In this way, calorimetric color profiles are generated as needed, and spectral data can be used with calorimetrically based color management systems.
US08179396B2 System and methods for rule-based volume rendition and navigation
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for clinical presentation of a radiological study including: associating a customizable set of rules with image data corresponding to at least a portion of the radiological study; and rendering automatically the image data to form volumetric data; and navigating automatically the volumetric data with the customizable set of rules to present a navigated the at least a portion of the radiological study to a user. In an embodiment, the system further includes halting the navigating automatically the volumetric data from an interaction by the user. In an embodiment, the rendering automatically the image data is initiated from an interaction by the user. In an embodiment, the navigating automatically the volumetric data is initiated from an interaction by the user. In an embodiment, both the rendering automatically the image data and the navigating automatically the volumetric data are initiated an interaction by the user. In an embodiment, the customizable set of rules includes at least one of: a rendering rule and a navigation rule.
US08179390B2 Light emitting display
A light emitting display includes a substrate, a pixel area, a first power source line to supply a first power signal to each pixel on a first side of the pixel area, a second power source line to supply the first power signal to each pixel on a second side of the pixel area, and an impedance compensator for compensating a difference in a voltage drop between the first power source line and the second power source line. A voltage drop caused by line resistance that depends on the length of the first and second power source line that supply the first power signal to a lower and upper side of a pixel area, respectively, is equalized, thereby minimizing the voltage drop of the first power signal supplied to all pixels, and minimizing non-uniformity of brightness due to the voltage drop differences at each pixel.
US08179386B2 Optical sensor and display device provided with the same
The present invention provides an optical sensor at least some part of which is formed monolithically in an active matrix substrate of a display device. In order to detect ambient light with high accuracy by eliminating the influences of stray light and of property variations between photodetecting elements, the optical sensor includes a detection photodiode (11) and a reference photodiode (12) covered with a shielding film (15). The optical sensor further includes a differential amplifier (16) one input terminal of which is connected to the cathode of the detection photodiode (11) and the other input terminal is connected to the cathode of the reference photodiode (12), an integration capacitor (19) and a reset switch (22). The optical sensor further includes a comparator (21) and a low-pass filter (20) for making the electric potentials of the anodes of the reference photodiode (12) and detection photodiode (11) larger than the electric potential of the cathode of the reference photodiode (12) by the open-circuit voltage VOC.
US08179382B2 Visual communication system
A visual communication system that is suitable for use in connection with a display surface is disclosed. The system includes a camera or other data-capturing device that can be remotely positioned from the display surface. A control unit receives image data from the camera or data-capturing device and processes the image data to create an electronic image of the display surface.
US08179379B2 Flat display device unified with touch panel
A flat display device unified with a touch panel which is adaptive to improve its reliability is disclosed. The flat display device unified with touch panel includes: a liquid crystal display panel having a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor substrate; and the touch panel disposed on the liquid crystal display panel. The touch panel includes: an upper sheet extended to oppose to a driver area of the liquid crystal display panel; a first transparent conduction film formed on the upper sheet; a second transparent conduction film formed on the color filter substrate of the liquid crystal display panel; and a connector connected to the upper sheet.
US08179374B2 Touch sensing device and method for correcting output thereof
A touch sensing device for increasing the sensitivity of a touch sensor is disclosed. The touch sensing device comprises: a touch sensor array including a plurality of touch sensors; and a swing level correction unit for correcting each of touch data from the touch sensor array by a difference value with neighboring another touch data to generate correction values and correcting the swing levels of the touch data by adding an offset value to the correction values.
US08179373B2 Method for detecting touch points of touch control device
A method for detecting touch points of touch control device is disclosed. The touch control device comprises a first substrate having a first conductive layer and a second substrate having a second conductive layer. The first and second conductive layers are respectively connected to a control circuit which is coupled to a microcontroller. The control circuit performs driving on the first conductive layer to generate a gradient potential, and performs scanning on the second conductive layer to determine a first-axis coordinates. Then the control circuit drives the second conductive layer to generate a gradient potential, and performs scanning on the first conductive layer to determine the second-axis coordinates.
US08179371B2 Method, system, and graphical user interface for selecting a soft keyboard
A portable electronic device may display one of a plurality of soft keyboards in a first display area and input characters in a second display area. The user may select a key on the soft keyboard, causing a plurality of objects corresponding to the plurality of soft keyboards to be displayed. The user may then select one of the objects, and the soft keyboard corresponding to the selected object is displayed and made operational. The soft keyboards corresponding to the objects not selected are not made operational.
US08179365B2 Electrophoretic display device having improved color gamut
An electrophoretic display device has a first substrate that defines a plurality of sub-pixel areas; with shaped pixel electrodes formed in the sub-pixel areas. A second substrate is attached in facing relation to the first substrate during mass production. The second substrate has color filters of different colors (e.g., R, G, B). The areas of the color filters are less than the areas of their corresponding sub-pixel electrodes so as to thereby avoid or reduce a color mixture effect that may arise from mass production misalignment between the first and second substrates. In one class of embodiments, area consumed by the color filters is less than about 75% but more than about 45% of area consumed by respective pixel areas. Each pixel area comprises a white (W) sub-pixel area in addition to the differently colored sub-pixel areas (e.g., R, G, B).
US08179364B2 Display device and light source
A display device in accordance with the present invention includes: a gate driver for carrying out display scanning on pixels sequentially in a first direction of a TFT liquid crystal panel so as to set pixels to display states thereof according to information to be displayed by the pixels in the TFT liquid crystal panel, the pixels being arranged in two dimensions and being individually controllable in terms of the display state through illumination; and a backlight unit for illuminating the individual pixels with intensity of light which increases and subsequently decreases in synchronism with the display scanning carried out by the gate driver, but only after the display scanning. The arrangement enables the backlight flashing period to be determined independently from a TFT panel scanning period or response time of liquid crystal, ensures an extended operating time of a TFT panel, effects a display period equal to, or longer than, the black blanking type, and achieves higher contrast than the black blanking type.
US08179357B2 Semiconductor circuit, scanning circuit and display device using these circuits
In a semiconductor circuit a floating node is set to any voltage by utilizing a control signal applied to a refresh terminal and has a period shorter than that of a clock signal. The circuit includes first and second transistors connected between a first clock terminal and first power supply terminal, third and fourth transistors connected between the refresh terminal and the first power supply terminal, and fifth and sixth transistors connected between a second power supply terminal and the first power supply. Gates of the fourth and fifth transistors are connected to an input terminal, a gate of the third transistor is connected to a second clock terminal, a gate of the first transistor is connected to a node between the fifth and sixth transistors, gates of the second and sixth transistors are connected, and a node between the first and second transistors is connected to an output terminal.
US08179354B2 Liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display applying the same
A liquid crystal display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, scan lines, data lines, pixel unit sets, and a liquid crystal layer is provided. The scan lines, data lines, and pixel unit sets are disposed on the first substrate. A first gap is formed between two adjacent pixel unit sets. Each of the pixel unit sets includes pixel units, and a second main space is formed between two adjacent pixel units. Each of the pixel units includes an active device electrically connected to a scan line and a data line, and a transparent pixel electrode has slits and electrically connected to the active device. The width of the first gap is greater than that of the second gap.
US08179351B2 Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display and a method of driving the same are disclosed. A timing controller of the liquid crystal display controls a polarity control signal to have a different phase in each frame and allows liquid crystal cells to be divided into a first liquid crystal cell group charged to a data voltage of a same polarity during two frame periods and a second liquid crystal cell group charged during a current frame period to the data voltage with a polarity opposite a polarity of the data voltage charged during a previous frame period. The liquid crystal cells belonging to the first liquid crystal cell group are successively charged to the data voltage of the same polarity during three or more frame periods at intervals of a predetermined time equal to or longer than two frame periods.
US08179350B2 Display device
A display device including a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix including rows and columns and a plurality switching elements coupled with the pixel electrodes; a plurality of gate lines coupled with the switching elements and extending in a row direction, at least two gate lines assigned to a row; and a plurality of data lines coupled with the switching elements and extending in a column direction, a data line assigned to at least two columns, wherein each of the pixel electrodes has a first side and a second side that is farther from a data line than the first side, and the switching elements are disposed near the second sides of the pixel electrodes.
US08179349B2 Pixel structure and driving method thereof
A pixel structure includes a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel includes a first switching transistor and a first liquid crystal capacitor, wherein when the first switching transistor is turned on, the first liquid crystal capacitor is biased to a first gray level voltage. The second sub-pixel includes a second switching transistor, a second liquid crystal capacitor, a third switching transistor, a charge sharing capacitor and a fourth switching transistor, wherein when the second switching transistor is turned on, the second liquid crystal capacitor is biased to the first gray level voltage; when the fourth switching transistor is turned on, the charge sharing capacitor is reset to a predetermined voltage; and when the third switching transistor is turned on, the second liquid crystal capacitor and the charge sharing capacitor are charge-shared to a second gray level voltage through the third switching transistor.
US08179342B2 Method and apparatus for driving plasma display panel
Provided are a method and apparatus for driving a PDP for widening a driving margin and improving contrast. The method for driving a PDP includes a first step of forming wall charges in cells with a set-up discharge using a set-up signal in a first sub-field and erasing the wall charges with a set-down discharge using a first set-down signal to initialize the cells, and a second step of erasing the wall charges with a set-down discharge generated using a second set-down signal different from the first set-down signal in a second sub-field, to initialize the cells. The method and apparatus for driving a PDP uniformly initialize sub-fields to widen the driving margin of PDP and remove a set-up discharge in at least one sub-field to improve the contrast of PDP.
US08179341B2 Plasma display device with power consumption features
An image signal processing circuit of a plasma display device includes an image data replacement circuit for replacing image data for a predetermined subfield with image data having less power consumption in a data electrode drive circuit; a power calculating circuit for calculating power consumption in the data electrode drive circuit and outputting power consumption for each field as field power; a power predicting circuit for predicting the field power when the number of predetermined subfields is decreased and outputting it as predicted field power; and an SF determination circuit. The SF determination circuit increases the number of predetermined subfields when the field power is not less than a predetermined power threshold, and decreases the number of predetermined subfields when the field power is less than the predetermined power threshold and the predicted field power is less than the predetermined power threshold.
US08179339B2 Electronic display device
Disclosed herein is a display device including: a plurality of sub-pixels configured to be arranged in a matrix and each include an electro-optical element having a structure in which a display functional layer is sandwiched between an upper electrode and a lower electrode; and an auxiliary interconnect contact configured to be formed in a pixel area in which the plurality of sub-pixels are arranged in a matrix and electrically connect the upper electrode to an auxiliary interconnect, wherein m (m is an integer equal to or larger than two) sub-pixels adjacent to each other along an arrangement direction of the sub-pixels are regarded as one group, and n (n is a natural number smaller than m) auxiliary interconnect contacts are formed for each group.
US08179334B2 Electrical connector with frequency-tuned groundplane
An electrical connector with a frequency-tuned groundplane is disclosed. The connector includes a signal medium to communicate an electrical signal and a frequency-tuned groundplane medium to communicate a reference voltage (i.e., ground). The groundplane medium differentially supplies the reference voltage to the groundplane second end, responsive to the frequency of the electrical signal. In one aspect, the first groundplane layer conductive trace includes a transmission line pattern, and the second groundplane layer conductive trace is connected to the first groundplane layer conductive trace through a plurality of conductive vias. For example, the first groundplane layer may include a plurality of conductive patches, some of which have a via connection to the second groundplane layer conductive trace.
US08179333B2 Antennas using chip-package interconnections for millimeter-wave wireless communication
A compact millimeter-wave transmitter and receiver make use of interconnections within a chip-containing package for providing an integrated antenna. Due to shorter wavelength of millimeter-waves, these interconnections can be used as antennas for radiation of electromagnetic waves. A dielectric cover or lens is provided within the package to increase the antenna's directivity and to provide a mechanical shield for the chip.
US08179332B2 Antenna coil and antenna device
An antenna device is constructed such that an antenna coil including a magnetic core and a flexible substrate is mounted to a circuit board. A first coil portion having a coil axis parallel or substantially parallel with a main surface of the magnetic core includes a first coil and a third coil. A second coil portion includes a second coil and a fourth coil. A conductor-free portion is located between the first and second coil portions. The flexible substrate includes a projection, and first to fourth coil connections are drawn out at the projection. The antenna device is constructed such that each of the coils is connected on the circuit board by connecting to a conductor pattern on the circuit board at the projection of the flexible substrate.
US08179329B2 Composite antenna
A composite antenna achieves favorable radiation characteristics and favorable communication performance, and can be used in short distance communication as well as long distance communication. The composite antenna includes a dipole antenna having an elongated shape, a loop antenna including at least one pair of opposing end portions, and a connection portion arranged to connect the dipole antenna and a point of the loop antenna at which the amplitude of a current flowing in the loop antenna has a maximum value. The dipole antenna performs long distance communication utilizing an electric field, and the loop antenna performs short distance communication utilizing a magnetic field. This composite antenna may be used as a wireless IC device in RFID systems.
US08179325B2 Planar tripolar antenna
A tripolar antenna is described having at least two electromagnetic signal transmitting/receiving elements arranged such that their axes of signal transmission/reception sensitivity are not parallel, wherein said elements are provided on or at least partially in a substrate of dielectric material so portions of said at least two elements are coplanar and dielectrically isolated from one another. In a preferred arrangement, two dipoles are provided on the substrate in perpendicular orientation and in the plane containing of the surface of said dielectric material. Most preferably a further third element is provided so as to render the antenna tripolar, said third element comprising a first circular disk element secured to an upper surface of the dielectric material, and a second slightly larger circular disk element, concentrically positioned on the corresponding opposite and lower surface of the dielectric.
US08179323B2 Low cost integrated antenna assembly and methods for fabrication thereof
A conductive layer is applied to a thermoformed plastic component to form an integrated antenna assembly. The conductive layer is on a flexible layer and adhered or attached to the rigid thermoformed plastic carrier. Features are designed into the thermoformed plastic carrier to provide electrical contacts from the conductive layer to the circuit board of the communication device and to mechanically attach the carrier to the circuit board. Multiple conductive layers can be applied to a multi-layered thermoformed structure to form a multi-antenna assembly.
US08179321B2 Context sensitive mobile device utilization tracking
A method and apparatus for generating context sensitive mobile device utilization data. The method comprises retrieving mobile device utilization data from a mobile device utilization and tracking device, retrieving location data from the tracking device, retrieving context sensitive data relevant to the device, and analyzing the retrieved data to determine context sensitive mobile device utilization.
US08179316B2 Set mode passive location in TOA/TDOA modes
The present invention addresses the resolving of the problems associated with the passive location of targets in TOA (Time of Arrival) or TDOA (Time Difference of Arrivals) mode. The method of passively locating a target in TOA or TDOA mode implements a meshing (subdivision) into blocks of the space in which the location area is situated. The set of the blocks that form this mesh is analyzed iteratively. On each iteration, each block of interest is subdivided into smaller identical subblocks. A block of interest is, according to the invention, a block including at least one point belonging to the location area being sought for which the shape is to be determined. The iterative process is stopped when the size of the subblocks obtained on the current iteration corresponds to the desired resolution. The invention applies in particular to the 2D or 3D location systems that include TOA and TDOA modes or mixed modes.
US08179313B1 Antenna tracking profile estimation
Estimation of a desired antenna tracking profile is provided for a radio frequency autotracked (RFAT) antenna in the absence of a ground reference. A first RFAT antenna subsystem has a first antenna and a first antenna positioning mechanism (APM), each mounted on a vehicle, and a first ground-based RF beacon; a second RFAT antenna subsystem has a second antenna and a second APM, each mounted on the vehicle, and a second ground-based RF beacon. A controller stores an accumulated record of actuations of the second APM as a function of time under normal operation, calculates a desired antenna tracking profile for the second antenna, from a first ground-based RF beacon and from the accumulated record, excluding any real-time data from the second ground-based RF beacon, and transmits actuation commands to the second APM so as to cause the second antenna to track the desired antenna tracking profile.
US08179311B2 Method for the acquisition of signals of a global navigation satellite system
A method of acquisition of a received signal received from a global navigation satellite system, includes: obtaining a snapshot of the received signal; correlating the snapshot with a locally-generated signal, wherein the correlating includes: trying a phase delay value indicative of a hypothesized phase delay of the locally-generated signal with respect to the snapshot; and obtaining a partition of the snapshot and the locally-generated signal into corresponding pluralities of blocks, and calculating partial correlation integrals for each block of the plurality of blocks. The corresponding pluralities of blocks each include a first block having a time duration related to the phase delay value.
US08179310B2 Method for sensing a threat
A method employed for threat analysis based on the passive-radar principle, using the transmitter in navigation satellites, a plurality of receiving stations, which are operated distributed over wide regions, and at least one evaluation center. The receiving stations act as wake-up sensors, transmit their received signals to at least one evaluation center for comparison with expected signals from each navigation satellite and sensing of a threat. Depending on the result, radar systems are operated on a stationary or mobile basis, can then be used with their higher-quality antenna systems on a three-dimensional basis to obtain more precise details relating to a conspicuous entity and the threat which may possibly originate from it in a possible target region or to a mobile or stationary threatened object, and then to make it possible to decide on any currently required protective or defensive measures.
US08179308B2 Method and apparatus for optimizing the accuracy of position determination and reducing the integrity risk of a receiver in a global satellite navigation system
In a method for optimizing the accuracy of position determination, and/or for reducing the integrity risk, of a receiver in a global satellite navigation system having a plurality of satellites, for at least one satellite that is visible to the receiver (E), a deviation error (AF) is determined which is a function of the geometric orientation of the satellite relative to the receiver, and of at least one system parameter. The deviation error is determined based on an additional deviation error generated by an error projection into a coordinate system of the receiver. A first or a second value, whichever is smaller of the two, is used as the deviation error. The first value for the at least one system parameter is determined using a respective specified parameter value. The second value is determined for the at least one system parameter, using a modified parameter value which is modified with respect to the specified parameter value in such a way that a lower error in the modified parameter value of the at least one system parameter is accepted as true.
US08179307B2 Method for the multipath passive radar processing of an FM opportunity signal
A signal processing method performs operations of coherent processing making it possible notably to purge the useful signal of the spurious signals (in particular the reference signal and its multiple reflections), to regenerate the transmission signal and to perform a coherent integration of the signal received by computing the cross-ambiguity between the signal received and the regenerated transmission signal. It also performs operations of non-coherent processing making it possible in particular to carry out extraction and Doppler distance purification operations making it possible to form blips and to eliminate the spurious blips present among the blips formed. The method applies notably to passive radars operating on non-cooperating opportunity transmissions, such as FM transmissions intended for the public.
US08179303B2 Signal processing apparatus, radar apparatus, and signal processing method
A signal processing apparatus for a radar transceiver, which receives a reflected signal generated by a target object in response to a frequency modulated transmission signal, and generates a beat signal having a frequency difference between the transmission signal and a reception signal, includes: an azimuth angle detection unit that detects an azimuth angle of the target object on the basis of a peak signal in a frequency spectrum of the beat signal; a peak signal extraction unit that prioritizes extraction of a peak signal corresponding to a predetermined azimuth angle range and a predetermined relative distance range of the target object; and a target object detection unit that detects the target object from the extracted peak signal.
US08179301B2 Image processor and image processing method for synthetic aperture radar
An image processor and an image processing method for a synthetic aperture radar searching for a target are provided. A high resolution processing unit performs high resolution processing up to an area equivalent to a small target or smaller to thereby acquire information held by the small target. Next, a maximum value filter processing unit develops the information of the small target acquired through the high resolution processing in one pixel of low resolution processing with a maximum value. Then, a display unit displays the minimum area of the low resolution processing as one pixel on a screen. Since the information originally held by the small target can be displayed without damaging it as described above, it is easily distinguishable from the background information, enabling to improve the detection capability as a radar.
US08179297B2 Remote control device
A remote control device which can remotely control drive quantities of apparatuses arranged two-dimensionally and better matches a sense of adjustment of a user with being excellent in usability. The remote control device comprises an acceleration sensor unit including an acceleration sensor to detect three-dimensional acceleration; a specified area determining unit that determines one of the plurality of areas to be a specified area based on detected acceleration of the acceleration sensor unit in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction in the plane; and a drive quantity determining unit that determines a drive quantity of one of the subject apparatuses placed in the specified area according to a detected acceleration of the acceleration sensor unit in a third direction perpendicular to the plane.
US08179294B2 Apparatus and method for the calibration of delta-sigma modulators
The application relates to a calibration apparatus and calibration method for a tuneable resonator of a delta-sigma modulator of the continuous time, band pass type. The calibration apparatus comprises: a resonator driver capable of causing an oscillating behavior in a resonator output signal, a reference signal source that provides a reference signal, a frequency detector that provides a frequency relation signal corresponding to the frequency relation between the resonator output signal and the reference signal, and a controller that controls the tuneable resonator in dependence from the frequency relation signal so as to reduce frequency deviation.
US08179292B2 Data modulation apparatus, data modulation method, data modulation program, and recording medium
A data modulation apparatus includes: insertion means for inserting information bits into data at a predetermined interval; conversion means for converting the data into which the information bits are inserted into an RLL code based on a modulation table that has a variable-length conversion rule; setting means for setting a control section that is used for calculating a value of the information bit; and determination means for determining the value of the information bit inserted into the control section that is different from a calculation target by calculating the code of the control section.
US08179287B2 Method and apparatus for communicating map and route guidance information for vehicle navigation
A route information supply system comprises a reception module which receives information on a current position and a destination from a terminal device by communication, a map data storage module storing at least detailed map data and summary map data, a traffic information storage module which stores traffic information, a route search module which searches for a guidance route based on the current position and the destination, a map information generation module which generates map information on an area containing the searched route by use of the map data storage module, and an output module which outputs the generated map information to the terminal device. When an event satisfying a prescribed condition regarding the traffic information exists in the area, the map information generation module generates map information on an area in the vicinity of a point where the event has occurred by use of the detailed map data.
US08179282B1 Consensus based vehicle detector verification system
A method, system and computer program product are provided for automating the task of data collection and reduction for highway vehicle detector testing. To evaluate the performance of each detector under test, a set of detection data is accumulated concurrently from each of the detectors. This data consists, at a minimum, of the time of arrival of each vehicle as reported by each detector and a digitized video image of the vehicle at the position-compensated time of detection. The data reduction process allows for applying weighting coefficients to each detection result in the formation of a consensus. These coefficients may be either fixed or adaptively adjusted based upon the learned accuracy of each detector under test. A ground truth reference data set is then generated using the weighted consensus determined from the data generated by all detectors under test. The accuracy of each detector under test is then ascertained by comparison with the ground truth data set, and these comparison results are automatically reported as indications of the accuracy of each detector under test.
US08179280B2 Intelligent transport (IT) system using wireless communication between a roadside device and an in-vehicle device
In order to realize road-road communications, a roadside device is provided with an MS function unit and a BS function unit that have a termination function of a signal. In a case of performing road-road communications, any of plural roadside devices can function as a BS, and others as an MS. In a wireless communication system that only enables wireless communications between MS and BS, road-road communication can be performed. In order to realize vehicle-vehicle communication, an in-vehicle device has the BS function unit and the MS function unit having a termination function of the signal and performs the same operations as the road-road communication. In road-vehicle communication, any of the roadside devices can function as the BS, and other roadside devices and in-vehicle devices are operated as the MS.
US08179277B2 Alignment of flagstaffs in the marching formations
A device for maintaining a flag in a desired position, and comprising a position transducer is disclosed. A support mounts the position transducer on a flagstaff. An alarm indicates a deviation in the position of the transducer from the desired position. The alarm has an audio output. The audio output of the alarm optionally indicates the direction of the deviation whereby a user may correct the position of the flag. The position transducer may comprise a central conductive member and a plurality of contacts surrounding that central conductive member. More particularly, the central conductive member may be a conductive ball resting on a concave conductive electrode.
US08179275B2 Spring failure detection system and method
A movable barrier that is at least partially counterbalanced by a spring is moved from a first position to a second position while substantially simultaneously monitoring at least one characteristic associated with moving the movable barrier to provide at least one monitored characteristic. The at least one monitored characteristic is compared to a predetermined criterion. When the at least one monitored characteristic does not meet the predetermined criterion, an alarm condition is set to indicate a failure of the spring.
US08179274B2 Child seat monitoring system
A vehicle system for communicating with a child seat is provided with a receiver configured for receiving a seat sensor signal from a child seat controller. A controller is configured for communicating with the receiver for analyzing the seat sensor signal and comparing the seat sensor signal to pre-existing guidelines to determine a status message. A user interface is configured for communicating with the controller for displaying the status message. The child seat is provided with a plurality of seat sensors for measuring different adjustable features of the seat including; a harness sensor for measuring a tension within a harness; a buckle switch for measuring a connection of a buckle; and a level sensor for measuring an inclination of a seat sub-assembly. The seat controller is provided for receiving measurement signals from the seat sensors and transmitting the seat sensor signal.
US08179272B2 Tank fluid level monitor and refill indicator
A device and system for monitoring a fluid level within a tank and for indicating when the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined minimum level. The device includes a strobe light, which is switched on when a sensor determines that the fluid level within the tank has dropped below a predetermined level. The flashing strobe light can be viewed during the day and at night from any viewing angle, and can thereby alert an observer that the tank needs to be filled before the tank becomes empty.
US08179266B2 Sensor with RFID data carrier
In order to provide a sensor that is employable in an advantageous manner and which comprises at least one sensitive element and a housing within which the at least one sensitive element is arranged, it is proposed that at least one RFID data carrier be arranged below a surface of the housing, said data carrier storing sensor properties in a non-volatile manner and being adapted to be read out in a non-contact making manner.
US08179262B2 Article management system, RFID tag, and apparatus for communicating with RFID tag
An article management system includes a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit elements respectively handled in association with articles to be managed; and an apparatus for communicating with an RFID tag, each of the RFID tag circuit elements having an IC circuit part storing tag identification information, own target information, and management position information, and the apparatus having a communicating device; a position-information obtainment portion configured to obtain the management position information; and a position-information display output portion configured to output a signal for displaying the management position information.
US08179261B2 Identification and surveillance device, system and method for individual item level tracking
There are provided an identification and surveillance device, a system and a method using active RFID technology to accurately and automatically track inventory at the item-level across the supply chain in real-time and at a distance. The device is provided with an attaching device for attaching to the item and a radio-frequency device securely mounted with the attaching device. The radio-frequency device comprises storage for storing data therein, the data comprising individual tag-related information, a transmitter, an antenna and a power source for powering the device. The radio-frequency device, with the help of the transmitter, is able to communicate with a corresponding radio-frequency receiver for tracking the item.
US08179252B2 Tornado alarm system
A severe weather alarm configured for actuation by the occurrence of a single type of weather phenomena is disclosed. In one embodiment an alarm includes a portable housing; an audio siren configured to actuate upon an occurrence of a predetermined event; a receiver to receive signals and Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) messages at one or more National Weather Service (NWS) weather radio frequencies; a digital decoder coupled to the receiver and configured to filter out all SAME messages except for a single weather warning message event code and a Required Weekly Test (RWT) code; a processor coupled to the receiver and the digital decoder to control the receiver and decoder and to actuate the audio siren upon the occurrence of the predetermined event; a power source; and a memory for storing signal values, frequencies, message values, and geographical codes.
US08179245B2 Plug-in vehicle with recharging port having display and lights
A plug-in vehicle includes a vehicle body having an outer panel, a propulsion unit such as an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, a recharging port supported on the outer panel to receive power from an external electric power source, and a display subassembly connected to the battery. The display subassembly has a plurality of lights positioned around the recharging port to illuminate the recharging port and to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a condition of the battery.
US08179244B2 Remote control system and method having reduced vulnerability to noise
A remote control system and method having reduced vulnerability to noise. In an environment having noise at a frequency of infrared signals transmitted by a remote controller, errors and malfunctions in a remote control receiving device such as a set top box are controlled by selectively transmitting an entire code including header pulses and data pulses, or a repeat code including header pulses, data pulses and repeater pulses from the remote controller, and receiving and using the entire code or repeat code at the remote receiving device.
US08179243B2 Lane departure warning method and system thereof
A lane departure warning method and system thereof are provided. First a driver model is established, wherein the driver model is established according to a lateral position error of a vehicle being driven and a steering angle generated by a driver for controlling the vehicle. Next, a system identification process is performed on the lateral position error and the steering angle, so as to obtain specific information of the driver model. An estimation process is performed on the specific information and a plurality of raw statistical data, so as to obtain a time to lane crossing (TLC). A decision process is performed on the TLC and a driver drowsiness index, so as to obtain a lane departure warning strategy.
US08179241B2 Vehicle-use visual field assistance system in which information dispatch apparatus transmits images of blind spots to vehicles
A camera of a ground-based information dispatch apparatus captures a blind-spot image, showing a region that is a blind spot with respect to a vehicle driver. A vehicle-mounted camera captures a forward-view image corresponding to the viewpoint of the driver, and the forward-view image is transmitted to the information dispatch apparatus together with vehicle position and direction information and camera parameters. Based on the received information, the blind-spot image is converted to a corresponding image having the viewpoint of the vehicle driver, and the forward-view image and viewpoint-converted blind-spot image are combined to form a synthesized image, which is transmitted to the vehicle.
US08179240B1 Motorcycle detection and notification system and associated method
The present invention concerns that of a new and improved motorcycle-emergency vehicle detection and notification system for use when a motorcycle is in operation in vehicular traffic. As a result, costly and tragic accidents are prevented and, more importantly, precious lives are saved as the system gives a clear indication to avoid a lane change, and to yield to the motorcyclist or emergency vehicle as they approach. By offering both an audible and visual indication that it is, or is not, safe to change lanes, the present invention adds significantly to the safety of a vehicle when driving along streets and highways, which are becoming increasingly congested.
US08179232B2 RFID interrogator with adjustable signal characteristics
A radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator housed in a portable platform that includes at least one antenna, a transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal through the antenna, and a controller in communication with the transceiver for adjusting power and direction of the transmitted RF signal. The controller can be configured to adjust the antenna orientation, and can also selectively activate and deactivate one or more antennas.
US08179231B1 Transmission delay based RFID tag
A chipless RFID tag system having a transmitter sending an input signal and a tag substrate. The tag substrate has at least one microstrip and the microstrip has a first portion with a first impedance and a second portion with a second impedance different from the first impedance. The system further includes a receiver detecting at least two reflections from an interface of the first and second impedances and identifying relative time domain positions of the reflections to one another.
US08179229B2 System and methods for automatically moving access barriers initiated by mobile transmitter devices
An operator system provides a mobile transmitter configured to communicate with a base operator to automatically open and close an access barrier based on the position of a carrying device that maintains the mobile transmitter. The mobile transmitter periodically transmits a mobile open signal as it moves away from the reception range of the base operator until that signal is lost. When the base operator again receives the open signal, the access barrier is automatically opened. In addition, the mobile transmitter is configured to monitor the change in position of the carrying device as it moves away from the enclosure. When the angular and/or linear position of the carrying device changes by an amount greater than a predetermined threshold, the mobile transmitter automatically transmits a mobile close signal to the base operator to close the access barrier.
US08179225B2 Ceramic electronic component, manufacturing method of ceramic electronic component, and packaging method of ceramic electronic components
A ceramic electronic component has a chip element body having a conductor arranged inside, external electrodes, and a discrimination layer. The chip element body has first and second end faces facing each other, first and second side faces being perpendicular to the first and second end faces and facing each other, and third and fourth side faces being perpendicular to the first and second end faces and to the first and second side faces and facing each other. The external electrodes are formed on the first and second end faces, respectively, of the chip element body. The discrimination layer is provided on at least one side face out of the first side face and the second side face in the chip element body. The chip element body is comprised of a first ceramic. The discrimination layer is comprised of a second ceramic different from the first ceramic and has a color different from that of the third and fourth side faces.
US08179222B2 Transformer with conductive plate winding structure
A transformer with a conductive plate winding structure includes a hollow core pillar, a partition, a conductive plate winding structure, and an insulating layer. The partition is fixed at the hollow core pillar for partitioning the hollow core pillar into two winding areas. The conductive plate winding structure is sheathed to the hollow core pillar and disposed at one of the two winding areas, and comprised of a plurality of conductive plates, and each conductive plate includes a ring having an opening and two conductive terminals extended out from the opening of the ring. The insulating layer is clamped between any two adjacent conductive plates, such that the conductive plates are stacked to from a winding for increasing the rated normal current and enhancing the assembling convenience.
US08179219B2 Field emission system and method
An improved field emission system and method is provided that involves field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces between field emission structures correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and the spatial force function.
US08179218B2 Magnetizing system and superconducting magnet to be magnetized therewith
A magnet magnetizing system and a superconducting magnet to be magnetized, for magnetizing a superconducting magnet to be magnetized, comprises: a magnetizing magnetic field generating means for generating and distinguishing a static magnetic field; a cooling means having an electromotive motor within the static magnetic field, which is generated from the magnetizing magnet generating means; and a bulk superconductor to be magnetized, which is thermally connected with a low-temperature portion of the cooling means, wherein the magnetizing magnetic field generating means is made up with a magnetizing superconducting bulk magnet, building other magnetizing bulk superconductor therein, the bulk superconductor to be magnetized before magnetization thereof is inserted within a space of the static magnetic field, which is generated by the magnetizing superconducting bulk magnet magnetized, and the magnetic field of the magnetizing superconducting bulk magnet is distinguished by the means for cooling the bulk superconductor inserted, down to be equal or lower than superconducting temperature, thereby magnetizing the bulk superconductor to be magnetized.
US08179217B2 Electromagnet device
A polar electromagnet device has a drive shaft comprising an axis center supported so as to reciprocate in an axis center direction at a center hole of a spool wound with a coil, and a movable iron core attached to a lower end of the drive shaft on the axis center. The drive shaft is reciprocated with the movable iron core which reciprocates based on excitation and demagnetization of the coil. A permanent magnet is integrally arranged at the movable iron core on the same axis center.
US08179215B2 MEMS device with integral packaging
A MEMS device and method of making same is disclosed. In one embodiment, a micro-switch includes a base assembly comprising a movable structure bearing a contact pad. The base assembly is wafer-scale bonded to a lid assembly comprising an activator and a signal path. The movable structure moves within a sealed cavity formed during the bonding process. The signal path includes an input line and an output line separated by a gap, which prevents signals from propagating through the micro-switch when the switch is deactivated. In operation, a signal is launched into the signal path. When the micro-switch is activated, a force is established by the actuator, which pulls a portion of the movable structure upwards towards the gap in the signal path, until the contact pad bridges the gap between the input line and output line, allowing the signal to propagate through the micro-switch. Prior to bonding, the MEMS structures are annealed on a first wafer and the conductive traces and other metals are annealed on a second wafer to allow each wafer to be processed separately using different processes, e.g., different annealing temperatures.
US08179212B2 Frequency tunable filter
A frequency tunable filter comprises a housing having a plurality of walls therein defining a plurality of cavities; a cover mounted on the housing; a plurality of resonators contained in the cavities; at least one sliding member located between the cover and the resonators; and a plurality of metal tuning elements attached to a lower part of the sliding member, wherein frequency tuning is performed by sliding of the sliding member.
US08179210B2 Electrical multilayer component with shielding and resistance structures
An electrical multilayer component includes a basic body having at least one stack of dielectric layers and electrode layers arranged alternately one above another. The component also includes an electrically non-connected shielding structure.
US08179206B2 Low-voltage control high-frequency switch and composite high-frequency component
In a transmission/reception selection switch, a first diode is arranged in series with a transmission signal line and a second diode is arranged in shunt with a reception signal line. A first current route where a direct current passes through the first diode is connected in parallel to a second current route where a direct current passes through the second diode. When a predetermined positive voltage is applied to a control terminal, the diodes are turned ON and a direct current flows through, in order, the control terminal, a resistor, an inductor, the diode, a strip line, and an inductor), and a direct current flows through, in order, the control terminal, the resistor, the second diode, and the inductor.
US08179205B2 Linearization systems and methods for variable attenuators
Systems and methods for provided for linearization systems and methods for variable attenuators. The variable attenuators can include series transistors along a main signal path from the input to output, as well as shunt transistors. A bootstrapping body bias circuit can be used with one or of the series transistors to allow the body of a connected transistor to swing responsive to a received RF input signal. As the RF signal increases and affects the gate-to-source voltage difference of a transistor, a bootstrapping body bias circuit can adaptively adjust the threshold voltage of the connected transistor and compensate the channel resistance variation resulting from gate-to-source voltage swing. The bootstrapping body bias circuit can be implemented using passive elements, active elements, or a combination thereof.
US08179203B2 Wireless electrical device using open-circuit elements having no electrical connections
A wireless electrical device includes an electrically unconnected electrical conductor and at least one electrically unconnected electrode spaced apart from the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the electrical conductor so-shaped resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses. Each electrode is at a location lying within the magnetic field response so-generated and is constructed such that a linear movement of electric charges is generated in each electrode due to the magnetic field response so-generated.
US08179200B2 Amplifier circuit and light receiving amplifier circuit using the same
An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier unit that amplifies a signal received by an input terminal and outputs the amplified signal to an output terminal, a feedback capacitor that is connected between the input terminal of the amplifier and the output terminal, and a controller that varies a capacitance in the feedback capacitor for a certain period when a potential of the output terminal in the amplifier unit becomes higher or lower than a certain potential.
US08179198B2 Variable gain amplifier having automatic power consumption optimization
A variable gain amplifier may include a master amplifier that may be configured to generate a first current and a diode coupled with the master amplifier so that the first current passes through the diode which, when the first current is passing through the diode, generates a diode voltage signal. According to embodiments, an error amplifier may include a first input configured to receive a gain control voltage signal and a second input configured to receive the diode voltage signal. The output of the error amplifier may provide a feedback signal. The amplifier may include a circuit configured to generate at least one voltage control signal based on the feedback signal and a slave amplifier configured to adjust a gain amount based on the at least one voltage control signal.
US08179195B1 Current-feedback instrumentation amplifiers
Current-feedback instrumentation amplifiers that include dynamic element matching for the input transconductance amplifiers by periodically swapping the transconductance amplifiers between the instrumentation amplifier input and the feedback input. The instrumentation amplifiers may include a gain error reduction loop, which loop corrects differences in the gains of the input transconductance amplifiers and eliminates the ripple in the instrumentation amplifier output caused by the dynamic element matching. If chopper stabilization is used, the amplifiers may also include an offset reduction loop. Various embodiments are disclosed.
US08179194B2 System and method for a reference generator
In one embodiment, a circuit for generating a reference voltage between a first output and a second output, has a first follower transistor that includes a first control node, a first follower node coupled to a first output, and a first supply node, and a second follower transistor that includes a second control node, a second follower node coupled to a second output and a second supply node. A first voltage drop circuit is coupled between a circuit supply node and the second supply node. The circuit is biased such that the voltage between the circuit supply node and the second supply node is greater than the voltage between the circuit supply node and the first supply node, and such that the voltage between the circuit supply node and the second control node is greater than the voltage between the circuit supply node and the first control node.
US08179192B2 Signal processor comprising a reference voltage circuit
A signal processor comprises a reference voltage circuit (RVC) for imposing a reference voltage (VR) onto a capacitance (Cr). The reference voltage circuit (RVC) comprises a negative slope module (NSM) for providing a negative slope signal (SN), which has a magnitude that decreases when a voltage that is present on the capacitance (Cr) increases. A positive slope module (PSM) provides a positive slope signal (SP), which has a magnitude that increases when the voltage that is present on the capacitance (Cr) increases. A minimum selection module (MSM) controls a maximum current (IMX) that the reference voltage circuit (RVC) can apply to the capacitance (Cr) substantially in dependence on the negative slope signal (SN), if the magnitude of the negative slope signal (SN) is smaller than that of the positive slope signal (SP). The minimum selection module (MSM) controls the maximum current substantially in dependence on the positive slope signal (SP), if the magnitude of the positive slope signal (SP) is smaller than that of the negative slope signal (SN).
US08179191B2 Booster circuit, semiconductor device, and electronic apparatus
A conventional circuit requires a booster circuit for generating a voltage higher than an external power supply voltage, thus low power consumption is difficult to be achieved. In addition, a display device incorporating the aforementioned conventional switching element for booster circuit has problems in that the current load is increased and the power supply becomes unstable with a higher output current. The invention provides a booster circuit including a first transistor, a second transistor, a first capacitor element, a second capacitor element, a diode, and an inverter, wherein one electrode of the first transistor is maintained at a predetermined potential, the output of the inverter is connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor and one electrode of the second transistor through the second capacitor element, the input of the inverter is connected to the other electrode of the first transistor through the first capacitor element and connected to the gate electrode of the second transistor, and the diode is connected between the other electrode of the first transistor and the other electrode of the second transistor so as to be forwardly biased.
US08179188B2 Method for operating semiconductor device
A method for operating a semiconductor device including a lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) with a first source, a common drain and a first gate, a junction field effect transistor (JFET) with a second source, the common drain and a second gate wherein the second source is electrically connected to the first gate and an inner circuit electrically connected to the first source is provided. The first source provides the inner circuit with an inner current to generate an inner voltage by means of the lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor, and the lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor turns off when the inner voltage is elevated substantially as high as the first gate voltage.
US08179184B2 System and method for charge integration
An arrangement for charge integration comprises an input (1) for the provision of a charge-dependent signal and an integrator (30) to integrate a signal present at its input. In addition, a coupling circuit (20) that can adopt at least two operating states is provided to couple the input (1) to the integrator (30) which has a temperature-dependent coupling characteristic. A correction circuit (10) that can be operated by a clock signal is coupled to the input (1) in order to transfer a quantity of charge, and has a temperature characteristic that is derived from the coupling characteristic of the coupling circuit (20).
US08179183B2 Low-consumption switched-capacitor circuit
A switched-capacitor circuit including at least one first capacitor and a circuit for switching at least one armature of the first capacitor alternately to one and the other of two terminals at a switching frequency. The circuit further includes a second capacitor connected to the first capacitor at a node; and a filtering circuit connecting the node to a virtual ground only for frequencies belonging to a frequency range.
US08179180B2 Device and method for detecting an approach or contact
A device for detecting an approach or a touch related to at least one sensor element, in particular in an electrical appliance, the device comprising an input side and an output side, between which a first signal path with a first input and a first output and a second signal path with a second input and a second output are arranged, wherein the first signal path comprises a delay device with a delay, the delay device configured to delay a digital first input signal at the first input into a digital first output signal at the first output, wherein the delay is dependent on a capacitance value resulting from the approach or the touch related to the sensor element, and wherein the second signal path comprises an XOR-element, which is configured to generate an edge in a digital second output signal at the second output, when the digital first output signal outputted by the delay device exhibits an edge.
US08179179B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a reset signal generator configured to change the number of activated signals among a plurality of reset signals according to a frequency of an external clock, a plurality of mixing control signal generators configured to generate a plurality of first and second mixing control signals, and a clock mixer configured to generate a mixing clock by mixing a first driving clock and a second driving clock, wherein the first driving clock is generated by driving a positive clock of the external clock according to the plurality of first mixing control signals, and the second driving clock is generated by driving a negative clock of the external clock according to the plurality of second mixing control signals.
US08179175B2 Reliable charge pump circuit
A reliable charge pump circuit includes an operational amplifier; an upper current mirror; a lower current mirror; a startup circuit; and an anti-lock circuit, wherein the anti-lock circuit includes a current source and a diode-connected NMOS transistor, which increases the driving strength of the operational amplifier to two NMOS transistors connected to an output node of the operational amplifier, so as to prevent deadlock caused by multiple stable status and improve production yield.
US08179171B1 Power up circuit
Power up circuit. An example power up circuit includes a switch for charging a power node of an electronic device. A level detector is used for monitoring charge level of the power node. Further, the power up circuit includes one or more power switches for providing current to the electronic device based on the charge level.
US08179165B2 Precision sampling circuit
A sampling circuit including a number of state elements or flip-flops. The state elements or flip-flops are each clocked by a signal that causes them to sample their inputs at a predetermined time. In sampling a plurality of digital inputs, a captured delay chain value is stored by the sampling circuit. Each flip-flop holds one bit and together the total number of bits represent this captured delay chain value. Each flip-flop is provided with a data and a data complement signal as an input, the data and data complement signal being substantially simultaneous. In operation each flip-flop includes a direct connection of the data and data complement signals to a pair of transistors that further operate to capture the logical value carried by the input.
US08179163B2 Method and apparatus for charge pump linearization in fractional-N PLLs
Efficient techniques improve the linearity of a charge pump in fractional-N PLLs. A feedback clock pulse several VCO clock periods wide is formed and supplied to a phase frequency detector (PFD). The down pulse generated by the PFD is fixed to eliminate the nonlinearity associated with up and down current source mismatch. The up pulse is made to fall when the down pulse falls, that is, when the feedback clock pulse falls.
US08179159B1 Configuration interface to stacked FPGA
A method of configuring a stacked integrated circuit (“IC”) having a first IC die with configurable logic and a second IC die electrically coupled to the first IC die through an array of inter-chip contacts includes: providing a frame having frame data and a frame address in a frame header to the first IC die; storing the frame data in a frame data register of the first IC die; processing the frame header to determine whether a frame destination is in the first IC die or the second IC die; in response to determining that the frame destination is in the second IC die, providing the frame address to the second IC die through an inter-chip frame address bus including a first plurality of the array of inter-chip contacts; and writing the frame data from the frame data register of the first IC die to the frame destination through an inter-chip frame data bus including a second plurality of the array of inter-chip contacts.
US08179158B2 Printed circuit board having a termination of a T-shaped signal line
Printed circuit board having a termination of a T-shaped signal line having at least two line ends, one line end being terminated using a terminating resistor against a supply voltage, and the other line end being terminated against the reference potential of the supply voltage.
US08179155B2 Layout structure of electronic elements and method for addressing to detect electronic elements
A layout structure of electronic elements includes M*N electronic elements in a form of a matrix, a first test pad group disposed on a first side of the matrix and all electronic elements in the same linear section in the matrix electrically connect to a corresponding test pad in the first test pad group, and a second test pad group disposed on a second side of the matrix and all electronic elements in the same linear section in the matrix electrically connect to a corresponding test pad in the second test pad group.
US08179154B2 Device, test apparatus and test method
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test. The device under test includes: a circuit under test; and a switching section that that connects an internal terminal being tested, from among one or more internal terminals of the circuit under test, to external terminals connected to the test apparatus. The test apparatus includes: a measuring section that controls a relay section, which provides a connection or a disconnect between two of the external terminals such that a transmission characteristic of the relay section in a connected state serves as a basis for calculating the transmission characteristic between each external terminal and each internal terminal of the circuit under test, to be in a connected state and measures the transmission characteristic of the relay section via the two external terminals; and a compensating section that compensates a signal to be supplied to the circuit under test via an external terminal and the switching section and/or a signal acquired from the circuit under test via the switching section and an external terminal, based on the measured transmission characteristic of the relay section.
US08179150B2 Monitoring system in real time of the state of capacitance graded bushings of power transformers, power reactors, current transformers, circuit breakers and similar
Monitoring system in real time of the state of capacitance graded bushings of power transformers, powers reactors, current transformers, circuit breakers and similar, it is applied preferentially by power transformers; power reactors; chain transformers, circuit breakers and similar, being the system passible of accomplish the monitoring in real time of capacitance graded bushings (1), each one resulted from a capacitive “tap” to which connects a “tap” adapter (3) that, then, connects to a measuring module (4) which receives signals coming from capacitive “tap” (2) of three graded bushings (1) which form a triphase group. One or more measuring modules (4) can, if connect to an only interface man-machine module (5), by means of a serial communication (6), forming a modular system.
US08179144B1 Cable tester
A network device including a physical layer (PHY) device and an autonegotiation module. The PHY device is configured to interface with N cable pairs, where N is greater than 1. The PHY device includes a cable test module configured to diagnose a short circuit in one of the N cable pairs. The autonegotiation module is configured to i) selectively perform autonegotiation to establish a link with a link partner at one of a first link speed and a second link speed that is lower than the first link speed, and ii) select between the first link speed and the second link speed in response to the cable test module diagnosing the short circuit.
US08179142B2 Trailer signal converter
A signal converter and method of converting a signal are provided. The converter includes a power supply, microcontroller and current sensor. The microcontroller is connected to a power supply and is configured to receive inputs from a vehicle and output signals to loads of a second vehicle. The sensor is connected to the microcontroller to monitor current flow at the loads. The output channels are configured to stagger activity on the output signals. The microcontroller reduces the duty cycle of the output signals if the current flow rises above a first threshold and resumes the output signal to full strength once the current flow falls below a second threshold. The method includes receiving an input signal, sending an output signal, measuring current flow, measuring temperature, reducing the power of the output signal, and restoring the output signal.
US08179138B2 CRT test system
A cathode ray tube (CRT) test system for testing a CRT device is disclosed. The CRT test system comprises a connecting device, a power module, a control module, a first test module, and an illumination module. The connecting device detachably and electrically connects with the CRT device; the power module electrically connects with the connecting device; the control module electrically connects with the connecting device; and the control module comprises test program. After the CRT device receives a control signal transmitted from the test program, the CRT device generates a response signal and transmits the response signal to the first test module. When the first test module detects that the control signal and the response signal fit in with a first test signal status, the illumination module displays a first light sign; when the control signal and the response signal do not fit in with the first test signal status, the illumination module displays a second light sign.
US08179136B2 Radio frequency (RF) coil array with double asymmetric saddle coil pairs
A radio frequency (RF) coil array includes a plurality of RF coil sections arranged in a superior-inferior direction. Each RF coil section includes a plurality of asymmetric saddle coil pairs configured in an overlapping arrangement in a left-right direction. The plurality of asymmetric saddle coil pairs may include three asymmetric saddle coil pairs arranged in a left-right direction. The position of the asymmetric saddle coil pairs on the left and right may be shifted in the superior-inferior direction with respect to the middle asymmetric saddle coil pair. In an alternative configuration, each RF coil section includes a first loop coil, an asymmetric saddle coil pair and a second loop coil arranged in a left-right direction.
US08179131B2 Method and arrangement for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action by rotating magnetic drive vector
A method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action includes generating a magnetic selection field having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength such that a first sub-zone having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a higher magnetic field strength are formed in the region of action. The method further includes changing the position in space of the two sub-zones in the region of action by means of a magnetic drive field so that the magnetization of the magnetic particles change locally, and acquiring signals that depend on the magnetization in the region of action. The magnetization is influenced by the change in the position in space of the first and second sub-zone. The magnetic drive vector of the magnetic drive field is rotated in at least one rotation plane.
US08179129B2 Position/displacement measuring system with an encoded scale body
Position/displacement measuring system, comprising a sensor head and an encoded scale body, the scale body extending in a first direction and in a second direction lying transversely to the first direction, and the scale body having a region for incremental position determination with an encoding in the first direction and a region for absolute position determination with an encoding in the second direction, the sensor head having a first sensor device with a sensor resolution parallel to the first direction, which is associated with the region for incremental position determination, and the sensor head having a second sensor device with a sensor resolution in a second direction, which is associated with the region for absolute position determination.
US08179126B2 Hall rotary transformer and hall rotation angle encoder made of it
A hall rotary transformer comprises a rotary transformer stator (1), linear Hall components (3), a PCB (4) and a permanent magnet magnetic ring (5). A ring shape soft iron core (2) is installed on the PCB (4). Plural grooves (8) are uniformly distributed inside the peripheral surface of the ring shape soft iron core (2) and have the same number as the linear Hall components (3). Every linear Hall component (3) is installed in its corresponding groove (8) and soldered on the PCB (4). The magnetic sensitive surface of each linear Hall component (3) is aligned with the magnetic pole surface of the permanent magnet magnetic ring (5) each other. A Hall rotation angle encoder is made of the Hall rotary transformer.
US08179124B2 Inductive proximity sensor for embedded mounting and method of design
The invention relates to an inductive proximity sensor for embedding in a mild steel mounting plate, comprising an enclosure with a front wall of synthetic material forming a sensing face at a front end of the enclosure, an oscillator comprising a sensor coil with a core made of a material with a relative magnetic permeability larger than 1, typically a ferrite, which is arranged within the enclosure behind the front wall so that an open side of the core is directed towards the sensing face in order to direct the magnetic field of the coil towards a target in front of the sensing face, a hollow cylindrical metal member arranged perpendicular to the sensing face and surrounding the core, and a measuring circuit for measuring an attenuation of the oscillator due to eddy currents. The core is radially surrounded by a metal layer with a low electrical resistivity of less than 15 μΩ·cm and with a thickness of less than 40 μm, in order to improve the embeddability of the sensor. Alternatively, this thin metal layer may be omitted, if the electrical resistivity of the metal member is adjusted to a value in the range of 15 μΩ·cm-50 μΩ·cm.
US08179122B2 Current/voltage detection printed board and current/voltage detector
A printed board, includes: a first shield portion, configured to reduce an influence of an electric field in combination with a casing accommodating the printed board, at least a part of the first shield portion being formed with a plurality of through holes; and a second shield portion, configured to reduce the influence of the electric field in combination with the casing, at least a part of the second shield portion being formed with a plurality of through holes, wherein the second shield portion is arranged alongside of the first shield portion.
US08179121B2 Bridge sensor with collocated electronics and two-wire interface
A transducer, including: a housing; a bridge sensor circuit disposed within the housing and including at least one micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensing elements and first and second output ports; circuitry disposed within the housing; and an input/output (I/O) line electrically connected to the circuitry, accessible at an exterior of the housing, and adapted for receipt of input voltage or current. The circuitry is for generating a single data signal that combines respective outputs of the first and second output ports, and transmitting the DC-coupled single data signal on the I/O line. The circuitry is for generating and transmitting to the bridge sensor circuit an excitation current or voltage using the input voltage or current.
US08179120B2 Single level of metal test structure for differential timing and variability measurements of integrated circuits
A test structure for an integrated circuit device includes one or more experiments selectively configured to receive one or more high-speed input signals as inputs thereto and to output at least one high-speed output signal therefrom, the one or more experiments each including two or more logic gates configured to determine differential delay characteristics of individual circuit devices, at a precision level on the order of picoseconds to less than 1 picosecond; and wherein the one or more sets of experiments are disposed, and are fully testable, at a first level of metal wiring (M1) in the integrated circuit device.
US08179118B2 Wide-bandwidth spectrum analysis of transient signals using a real-time spectrum analyzer
A system and method for performing wide-band spectral analysis of transient signals using a real-time spectrum analyzer (RTSA). A frequency window is selected for RTSA acquisition, the frequency window being narrower in bandwidth than the frequency spectrum of interest. An RTSA is successively tuned to a plurality of different frequencies within the frequency spectrum of interest, where such successive tuning is controlled based on a characteristic of the signal. The RF signal is received, and, for each of the plurality of different frequencies, power data is acquired for the signal in a band centered on the frequency and having a bandwidth equal to that of the frequency window. A representation of the frequency spectrum of interest is then constructed from the power data acquired during the successive tunings of the RTSA.
US08179117B2 Pulse detection device and pulse detection method
A pulse detection device detects a pulse signal having an intermediate potential in a predefined period. Furthermore, the pulse detection device includes a signal fixing section that fixes the intermediate potential of the pulse signal at a low level or a high level. Furthermore, the signal fixing section is preferably a pull-down resistor or a pull-up resistor connected to an input signal line to which the pulse signal is input. Note that a pulse detection method may fix the intermediate potential of the pulse signal at a low level or a high level.
US08179111B2 Methods, systems, and devices for power-on sequence for a circuit
Methods, systems, and devices are described for a power-on sequence for a circuit. A sequence generator for an electronic system may control various power domains to enter known states and prevent unwanted states as other domains of the system power-up. Regulator modules may be controlled to remain in an inoperable state until a reference voltage stabilizes at a predetermined reference level. The regulator modules regulate a received voltage supply to output a regulated voltage at the reference level, the regulated voltage set via a comparison to the reference voltage. Various analog and digital modules may be controlled to remain in an known state until the regulated voltage stabilizes at substantially the reference level. Additional sequencing is described for other dependencies, as well.
US08179110B2 Adjustable constant current source with continuous conduction mode (“CCM”) and discontinuous conduction mode (“DCM”) operation
A converter system and method of operating a converter system are disclosed. The converter system comprises a converter power stage that can operate in a Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) in a range of output currents and a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) in another range of output currents. The converter power stage includes at least an inductor with an inductor value and a control switch. The converter power stage provides an average current. A current controller is coupled to the converter power stage. When the converter power stage operates in DCM, the converter power stage provides the average current and the current controller is configured to measure the inductor value of the inductor. Furthermore, the current controller can also be configured to measure an input-to-output conversion ratio from the converter power stage.
US08179107B2 Power supply circuit and electronic equipment
A power supply circuit comprising: a voltage generating circuit configured to generate an output voltage of a target level from an input voltage; an overcurrent protection circuit configured to control the voltage generating circuit so as to stop an output current, when a level of the output current generated at a time of generating the output voltage is greater than a reference level; and a reference-level change circuit configured to change the reference level in the overcurrent protection circuit to be at a second level higher than a first level from the first level for a predetermined period, when the overcurrent protection circuit detects that the level of the output current is greater than the reference level.
US08179106B2 DC-DC converter
A synchronous-rectifier type DC-DC converter includes a high-side main switch element, a low-side rectifying switch element, and a control drive circuit. The rectifying switch element includes a rectifying transistor element and a rectifying diode element connected in antiparallel with the rectifying transistor element. The control drive circuit detects an input voltage to the main switch element and determines the input voltage or a rate of increase in the input voltage. When the determined value exceeds a predetermined reference value, a complementary ON/OFF operation of the main switch element and the rectifying transistor element is released, and a state where both the main switch element and the rectifying transistor element are kept OFF for a time period that is longer than a dead-time during the complementary ON/OFF operation is set.
US08179104B2 Automatic self-adjusting voltage controller
An apparatus (14/18) for controlling a voltage on a transmission line (10). The apparatus (14/18) comprises a first voltage sourced converter controller (18) connected to a first node (22) of the transmission line (10); a second voltage sourced converter controller (14) connected to a second node (20) of the transmission line (10), the second node (20) spaced apart from the first node (22) wherein the first voltage sourced converter controller (18) supplies capacitive reactive current and the second voltage sourced converter controller (14) absorbs inductive reactive current to control the voltage.
US08179101B2 Charging apparatus
A charging apparatus includes a power supply circuit converting AC input into DC output, a secondary battery, having a plurality of batteries connected in series, which is charged by an output voltage of the power supply circuit, a charging control circuit that controls charging in a constant-current mode for charging the secondary battery with a constant current and, when a terminal voltage of the secondary battery reaches a predetermined voltage, switches the charging in the constant-current mode to a constant-voltage mode for charging the secondary battery to a constant voltage, and a plurality of voltage control circuits, each of which adjusts the voltage of each of the plurality of batteries to a set voltage. The plurality of voltage control circuits respectively detect voltage rises of the plurality of batteries, and one of the voltage control circuits, first detecting attainment of the set voltage, performs subsequent voltage control.
US08179100B2 Battery charger using the phase shift by a pair of forward converting circuits
A technique for dynamically adjusting an output voltage of forward converter circuits for a battery charging operation is provided. The technique allows for varying voltage at the charging battery by manipulating the duty cycles of two forward converter circuits. Method and systems allow for increasing synchronized duty cycles in a pair of forward converter circuits in response to a changing battery charge state that requires a higher voltage output then changing a phase shift between the duty cycles in response to further increases in output voltage demand. The methods and systems also allow for setting a phase shift between duty cycles in a pair of forward converter circuits based on battery rating and then altering pulse width in response to changing battery charge state.
US08179099B2 Battery state monitoring circuit and battery device
Provided is a battery state monitoring circuit including a control circuit that applies, to a gate of a signal output transistor provided at a terminal for transmitting an overcharge detection signal, a potential at which the signal output transistor is turned off at a voltage lower than a minimum circuit operating voltage. Accordingly, in a battery device that uses the cascade-connected battery state monitoring circuits, charge is inhibited securely even at a power supply voltage lower than the minimum circuit operating voltage.
US08179094B2 Device and method for improved battery condition learn cycle
Embodiments of the invention include a device and method for improved battery learn cycles for battery backup units within data storage devices. The backup unit includes a first battery pack, a corresponding charge capacity gauge, one or more second battery packs, a corresponding charge capacity gauge, and a controller switch configured to select only one battery pack for a learn cycle at any given time. The charge capacity gauges are such that, at the end of the learn cycle discharge phase, the depth of discharge of the learn cycle battery pack is such that the charge capacity of the learn cycle battery pack combined with the full charge capacity of the remaining battery packs is sufficient for the device cached data to be off-loaded to a physical data storage device, and the data storage device does not have to switch from a write-back cache mode to a write-through cache mode.
US08179093B2 Handheld electronic device with holster having a notification device
A handheld electronic device that includes a first battery and a holster that includes a second battery and a charging apparatus. When the handheld electronic device and the holster are electrically connected together, the charging apparatus charges the first battery on the handheld electronic device from the second battery on the holster when the first battery charge has been depleted to a given level and the second battery charge is above a second given level. Alternatively, if the first battery charge is above a third given level the first battery charges the second battery if the second battery is not fully charged. The holster further includes a microcontroller that communicates with a microprocessor on the handheld electronic device to identify alerts and activate a notification device powered by the second battery on the holster.
US08179086B2 Control apparatus and control method
To properly resume charging when insertion and removal of a charging cable connector are repeated, a control apparatus includes a power control unit that turns on a charging mode signal when a signal state changes from a state with no change for a certain period of time to a changed state, to activate a charging control unit, and turns off the charging mode signal when detecting a charging completion signal turned on by the charging control unit and outputted from a signal generating unit included in the charging cable which connects an external power source to the vehicle; and the charging control unit turns on the charging completion signal when the charging has been completed, and thereafter turns off the charging completion signal when detecting that the charging mode signal has been turned off by the power control unit.
US08179079B2 Rotation angle detection device and electric power steering apparatus employing the same
The rotation angle detection device detects the rotation angle of a rotary member by employing, at the least, either a sine wave signal or a cosine wave signal that is generated as the rotary member is rotated, and employs a change per unit time in the sine wave signal or cosine wave signal to determine whether an output abnormality has occurred in the rotation angle detection device. Further, this rotation angle device is employed to detect the motor angle of an electric power steering apparatus.
US08179078B2 Handheld or vehicle-mounted platform stabilization system
A hand-held or vehicle-mounted stabilization system including a platform supported by two or more rotatably-coupled gimbal frames each having a pivot assembly disposed at its rotation axis to couple an actuator to a rotation sensor having a rotation-sensitive sensor axis that is preferably fixedly disposed with respect to the rotation axis, and a controller for accepting the sensor signals and for producing each motor signal needed to dispose the platform in a predetermined angular position with respect to each rotation axis independent of changes in mount orientation. An alternative embodiment includes a controller for accepting an external slew signal sequence and for producing the motor signals needed to move the platform along a predetermined sequence of positions represented by the slew signal sequence.
US08179075B2 Motor driving integrated circuit
A motor driving integrated circuit comprising: a speed control circuit configured to control a rotation speed of a motor according to a speed control signal; a detecting circuit configured to detect whether the speed control signal indicates stop of rotation of the motor; and a shut-off circuit configured to shut off power supply to a circuit included in the motor driving integrated circuit when the detecting circuit detects that the speed control signal indicates stop of rotation of the motor.
US08179069B2 Electric power tool, control unit and recording medium
An electric power tool includes a direct current motor, at least one switching device, a trigger switch, a control unit, and a drive unit. The control unit sets a driving duty ratio for PWM controlling the direct current motor so as to increase the driving duty ratio in a stepwise manner in accordance with an operation continuation time of the trigger switch during a period from when an operation of the trigger switch is started until when a predetermined start-up time has elapsed.
US08179068B2 Variable-flux motor drive system
A variable-flux motor drive system including a permanent-magnet motor including a permanent magnet, an inverter to drive the permanent-magnet motor, and a magnetize device to pass a magnetizing current for controlling flux of the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is a variable magnet whose flux density is variable depending on a magnetizing current from the inverter. The magnetize device passes a magnetizing current that is over a magnetization saturation zone of magnetic material of the variable magnet. This system improves a flux repeatability of the variable magnet and a torque accuracy.
US08179065B2 Position sensorless control of permanent magnet motor
Systems and methods of controlling a permanent magnet motor without a mechanical position sensor are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a motor control system includes an inverter configured to receive direct current (DC) power and output a power waveform to a permanent magnet motor, driver circuitry configured to receive control signals and drive the inverter based upon the control signals, a current sensor configured to determine a sampled current value associated with the power waveform, and control circuitry configured to generate the control signals based at least in part upon a comparison of a flux-producing component of the sampled current value and a flux-producing component of a command reference current value.
US08179059B2 Circuit and method for controlling light emitting device, and integrated circuit therefor
The present invention discloses a circuit and a method for controlling a light emitting device, and an integrated circuit therefore. The circuit for controlling a light emitting device comprises: a power stage controller circuit controlling a power stage circuit to convert an input voltage to an output voltage, which is supplied to at least one light emitting device channel including at least one light emitting device; a transistor switch in the light emitting device channel; and a current source circuit controlling a current through the light emitting device channel, wherein the power stage controller circuit and the current source circuit are integrated in an integrated circuit which provides a control voltage to control a gate of the transistor switch.
US08179054B1 LED power supply
An LED power supply (LPS) (10) that is designed to replace conventional fluorescent lamps, which also include Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). The LPS (10) is comprised of three major elements: a power input circuit (PIC) (12), an LED Power Control Circuit (LPCC) (14) and an LED load 16. The PIC (12) can consist of either a d-c voltage source (12A) or an a-c voltage source (12B). The a-c voltage source (12B) is rectified and filtered to produce a filtered d-c voltage output (11′) prior to being applied to an OR gate (12D) from where a filtered d-c voltage (21) is produced and applied to the LPCC (14) for further processing. The CPCC (14) functions to automatically monitor and adjust both the voltage and the current that is applied to a plurality of LEDS 71 that comprise the LED load 16. The LED load is typically configured in a series-parallel configuration.
US08179053B2 Power supply for an LCD display
A power supply system is provided for a multiple lamp LCD panel. In one aspect, the power supply includes a plurality of transformers for driving a plurality of respective CCFLs. The primary sides of each transformer are coupled in series to thereby reduce the stress on each transformer. For LCD panels that include longer CCFLs, a power supply is provided that includes a plurality of transformers for driving a plurality of respective CCFLs. The primary sides of each transformer are coupled in series and each lamp is coupled to two secondary sides of the transformers, thereby reducing the problems associated with longer CCFL tubes. In any of the embodiments, the power supply can be adapted to convert a high voltage DC signal to high voltage AC used to power the lamps.
US08179048B2 High frequency helical amplifier and oscillator
Disclosed herein is a class of mm and sub mm wavelength amplifiers and oscillators operating with miniature helical slow wave circuits manufactured using micro fabrication technology. The helices are supported by diamond dielectric support rods. Diamond is the best possible thermal conductor, and it can be bonded to the helix. The electron beam is transmitted, not through the center of the helix, but around the outside. In some configurations the RF power produced may be radiated directly from the slow wave circuit. The method of fabrication, which is applicable above 60 GHz, is compatible with mass production.
US08179046B2 Ultraviolet lamp system with cooling air filter
A microwave-excited ultraviolet lamp system includes a microwave chamber cooled with air drawn through the chamber by a negative pressure source. A filter provided at an inlet of the lamp system prevents particulate material from entering the microwave chamber.
US08179042B2 Plasma display panel, plasma display panel unit, and method of manufacturing plasma display panel
A plasma display panel has a first plate and a second plate facing each other via a discharge space. A plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes extending in a first direction, and a plurality of address electrodes extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction are provided at the first plate. Also, a plurality of first barrier ribs extending in the second direction are integrally formed with the second plate at the first plate side of the second plate. Further, the plasma display panel has, for example, an antireflective film formed on a surface of the second plate at an opposite side of a surface facing the first plate. As a result, a contrast of an image can be improved.
US08179041B2 Plasma display panel
A plasma display panel (PDP) includes a first plate, and a second plate disposed to face the first plate via a discharge space and providing barrier ribs. A plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes extending in a first direction, and a dielectric layer covering the first electrodes and the second electrodes are provided on the first plate. A plurality of address electrodes extending in a second direction, and a protective layer covering the dielectric layer and the address electrodes and exposing at least a part of the protective layer to the discharge space are provided on the dielectric layer. The address electrodes are made up by including a conductive layer formed by either one of aluminum and an alloy containing aluminum and copper and by not including a layer of a simple substance of copper.
US08179039B2 Light emitting device, method of manufacturing the same, light emitting device package, and illumination system
Disclosed are a light emitting device, a method of manufacturing the same, a light emitting device package, and an illumination system. The light emitting device includes a transmissive substrate, an ohmic layer on the transmissive substrate, a light emitting structure on the ohmic layer and including a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first and second semiconductor layers, a electrode layer on a bottom surface of the transmissive substrate, and a conductive via electrically connecting the light emitting structure with the electrode layer through the transmissive substrate wherein an area of the transmissive substrate is increased toward an upper portion thereof from a lower portion.
US08179035B2 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.
US08179034B2 Light extraction film for organic light emitting diode display and lighting devices
A multifunctional optical film for enhancing light extraction includes a flexible substrate, a structured layer, and a backfill layer. The structured layer effectively uses microreplicated diffractive or scattering nanostructures located near enough to the light generation region to enable extraction of an evanescent wave from an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device. The backfill layer has a material having an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the structured layer. The backfill layer also provides a planarizing layer over the structured layer in order to conform the light extraction film to a layer of an OLED lighting device such as solid state lighting devices or backlight units. The film may have additional layers added to or incorporated within it to an emissive surface in order to effect additional functionalities beyond improvement of light extraction efficiency.
US08179032B2 Ellipsoidal microcavity plasma devices and powder blasting formation
The invention provides microcavity plasma devices and arrays that are formed in layers that also seal the plasma medium, i.e., gas(es) and/or vapors. No separate packaging layers are required and additional packaging can be omitted if it is desirable to do so. A preferred microcavity plasma device includes first and second thin layers that are joined together. A half ellipsoid microcavity or plurality of half ellipsoid microcavities is defined in one or both of the first and second thin layers, and electrodes are arranged with respect to the microcavity to excite a plasma within said microcavities upon application of a predetermined voltage to the electrodes. A method for forming a microcavity plasma device having a plurality of half or full ellipsoid microcavities in one or both of first and second thin layers is also provided by a preferred embodiment. The method includes defining a pattern of protective polymer on the first thin layer. Powder blasting forms half ellipsoid microcavities in the first thin layer. The second thin layer is joined to the first layer. The patterning can be conducted lithographically or can be conduced with a simple screen.
US08179031B2 Surface light source, method of driving the same, and backlight unit having the same
A surface light source includes a plate type light source body having a sealed discharging space formed therein, a plate type electrode unit having a plurality of regions adjacent to at least one major surface of the light source body, and a multiple voltage applying unit operable to apply voltages independently to each of the plurality of regions. In this way, brightness of the surface light source can be controlled independently in each of the plurality of regions and a local dimming for a surface light source can be realized.
US08179030B2 Oxide multilayers for high temperature applications and lamps
Disclosed herein are optical interference multilayer coatings employing a high refractive index material comprising a NbTaZr oxide. Such coatings provide enhanced retention of favorable optical and physical properties at high temperatures. Also disclosed herein are lamps comprising a light-transmissive envelope, at least a portion of the surface of the light-transmissive envelope being provided with the optical interference multilayer coating noted above. Such coatings, when used on lamps, may advantageously offer improved energy efficiencies for such lamps.
US08179029B2 Light emitting device including multiple OLEDs
The present invention relates to a light emitting device (30) having at least a first (10) and a second light emitting element (20), with the first light emitting element (10) emitting a first light (1) and the second light emitting element (20) emitting a second light (2), each light emitting element (10,20) being an OLED (10,20), the OLED (10,20) comprising a sandwich structure with a substrate (14,24), a first (11,21) and a second electrode (12,22) and an organic layer (13,23) being provided between the first (11,21) and the second electrode (12,22), a light (3) leaving the light emitting device (30), wherein at least a part of said light (3) is provided by a superposition of the first (1) and the second light (2).
US08179027B2 Coating for actuator and method of applying coating
A method includes applying a lip, comprised of a first material, along at least a portion of an actuator of an electronic device, and applying a coating, comprised of an elastic material, to cover a part of the actuator, the coating disposed to facilitate actuation of the actuator.
US08179025B1 Lead-free piezoceramic materials
The present invention relates to lead-free piezoelectric ceramic materials comprising crystalline (and preferably perovskite crystalline) structures of the formula Bi1-x(RE)xFeO3, where RE is one or more of La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, and 0≦x≦0.3. The materials are at or near the morphotropic phase boundary and display enhanced piezoelectric and dielectric properties.
US08179017B2 Boundary acoustic wave device having three-medium structure
A boundary acoustic wave device that has a three-medium structure and that prevents a high-order mode spurious response includes a piezoelectric substrate, a first dielectric layer laminated on the piezoelectric substrate, a second dielectric layer laminated on the first dielectric layer, and an IDT electrode provided at an interface between the piezoelectric substrate and the first dielectric layer. The boundary acoustic wave device utilizes a Stoneley wave that propagates along the interface. Where V1 denotes an acoustic velocity of a slow transversal bulk wave in the piezoelectric substrate and Va denotes an acoustic velocity at an anti-resonant point in a high-order mode of the Stoneley wave, Va>V1 is satisfied.
US08179016B2 Motor and compressor
A motor includes a rotating shaft, a rotor fixed to the rotating shaft and first and second stators facing each other on opposite axial sides of the rotor with a gap in between. Each of the first and second stators includes a back yoke, teeth circumferentially arranged on a gap side of a respective one of the back yokes and coils wound around the teeth. The back yoke of the first stator has a portion facing an end face of the rotating shaft, and the back yoke of the second stator has a shaft hole through which the rotating shaft passes. The thickness Ty1 of the back yoke of the first stator is set smaller than the thickness Ty12 of the back yoke of the second stator.
US08179013B2 Stator for dynamoelectric machine and method of manufacturing same
A stator for a dynamoelectric machine includes a stator core and a stator coil. The stator coil is made up of wave-shaped electric wires mounted on the stator core. Each of the electric wires has in-slot portions, each of which is received in one of slots of the stator core, and connecting portions each of which is located outside of the slots to connect one adjacent pair of the in-slot portions. Each of the connecting portions includes an apex part that is located axially furthest in the connecting portion from the stator core and includes an oblique section extending obliquely with respect to the radial direction of the stator core. Further, the oblique sections of the electric wires on one side of the stator core in the axial direction of the stator core are oblique in the same direction as those on the other side of the stator core.
US08179012B2 Electro-mechanical transducer of small dimensions, in particular a timepiece generator
The electromechanical transducer (2) includes a rotor (4) and two coil (6, 8), the rotor being formed of first, second and third parts (10, 11, 12) made of magnetic material with respectively first, second and third superposed central zones (14, 15, 16), a first, axially polarized, bipolar magnet (18) being arranged between the first and second central zones and a second bipolar magnet (20) axially polarized in an opposite direction to that of the first magnet being arranged between the second and third central zones. The first and third parts each include N tongues, where N is a number greater than one (N>1), which extend radially from the central zone and the second part including 2N tongues, of which N first tongues are folded such that their respective end zones are arranged in a first geometrical plane (26) in which the tongues of said first part are located, and of which N second tongues are folded such that their respective end zones are arranged approximately in a second geometrical plane (28) in which the tongues of said third part are located. The N first tongues of the second part are located respectively opposite the N tongues of the third part whereas the N second tongues of said second part are located opposite the N tongues of the first part. The two coils are located between the first and second geometrical planes of the rotor such that, when the rotor is rotating, the end zones of the rotor tongues pass opposite said at least one coil.
US08179008B2 Axial gap rotary electric machine
An axial gap rotary electric machine includes a rotor, an armature and a stator. The rotor is capable of rotating in a circumferential direction about a rotation axis. The rotor includes permanent magnets and magnetic plates which cover those from the armature side. The armature includes an armature coil opposed to the rotor from one side in a rotation axis direction parallel to the rotation axis. The stator is opposed to the rotor from the other side in the rotation axis direction.
US08179006B2 Motor
A motor is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the motor includes a base, a shaft, which has an end part thereof coupled to the base, a stopper, which is coupled to the shaft and has a latch protruded in a direction of diameter of the shaft, a housing, which includes a hollow part, a ledge and an entrance and exit groove, and a rotor case, which is coupled with the housing. Here, the other end part of the shaft is inserted into the hollow part, the ledge is protruded inwardly in the hollow part such that the latch is caught, and the entrance and exit groove is penetrated through the ledge so as to allow the latch to enter and exit the entrance and exit groove.
US08179004B2 Motor assembly with switch module
A new motor assembly uses a switch module to facilitate the assembly of an electric motor. The switch module can be prefabricated, and is connected to a terminal block on the motor by plug and socket connectors on the terminal block and on a terminal end of the module. The switch module is pre-wired with a power inlet and a switch, eliminating the need for a worker on the motor assembly line to make difficult electrical connections to a traditional terminal block. The switch is arranged in a switch housing that fits within an extension on the motor housing. An interior support wall on the housing fits within a channel between the switch housing and the rest of the switch module, helping to hold the assembly in position. The power inlet is positioned laterally outward from the terminal end and laterally inward of the switch.
US08179003B2 Motor with wire fixing plate
A motor with a wire fixing plate, has a stator core, a stator winding, a lead wire, and a wire fixing plate including multiple fixed portions. The wire fixing plate is made of insulating plastics, and the lead wire is fixed on the wire fixing plate via the fixed portions. The motor features firm fixation and good insulating property of a lead wire and a simple production process.
US08178999B2 Controllable change-over apparatus for a solar module
Controllable change-over apparatus for a solar module comprises an output terminal, a DC/DC converter, a controllable switching device and a control. The controllable switching device is implemented with a first switch position and a second switch position, wherein, in the first switch position, a power output of the solar module is connected to the output terminal via the DC/DC converter, and, in the second switch position, the power output of the solar module is connected to the output terminal by bypassing the DC/DC converter. The control switches the controllable switching device by using a performance characteristic for switching the same to the first or second switch position. In particular, the control is implemented to connect the solar module directly to its output terminal in the case of high power dissipation of the same, i.e. at strong solar radiation, and to connect the solar module to the output terminal via the DC/DC converter in the case of weak power dissipation of the same, i.e. during shading, which significantly increases the efficiency compared to a fixed connection of the solar module.
US08178998B2 Magnetically integrated current reactor
A system and method for delivering electrical power-on-demand to at least one load circuit wherein the system operates primarily with reactive power. The method includes inductively coupling power from a source in a primary circuit to one or more load circuits. The system is arranged to store magnetic energy in a core surrounded by planar coils positioned in parallel. The magnetic circuit is toroidal, symmetrical and circuitous. Magnetic energy is transferred between loads through the system. Back currents from the loads are able to be converted to magnetic field energy contributing to the total of stored energy available to the loads. Since the combined energy held in the system is primarily reactive, internal energy losses are small.
US08178997B2 Supplying grid ancillary services using controllable loads
A method includes determining a desired power draw for a plurality of loads connected to an electrical grid, each of the plurality of loads connected to the electrical grid through a load supply control and being able to obtain a desired amount of energy from the grid in a desired time period, and transmitting a plurality of instructions through a communication network to a plurality of load supply controls to cause at least some of the loads in the plurality of loads to receive power from the electrical grid at different rates than other loads of the plurality of loads such that the desired power draw is obtained and such that each load of the plurality of loads receives its corresponding desired amount of energy in the desired time period.
US08178995B2 Power supply system and method of controlling power supply system
A power supply system that includes: a power supply coil and a power supply-side resonance coil that are provided at a facility; a power receiving coil and a power receiving-side resonance coil that are provided for a mobile unit; a power supply-side detection unit that detects a position of the power supply-side resonance coil; a power receiving-side detection unit that detects a position of the power receiving-side resonance coil; and an adjustment unit that adjusts a relative position of the power supply coil with respect to the power supply-side resonance coil and a relative position of the power receiving coil with respect to the power receiving-side resonance coil on the basis of the position of the power supply-side resonance coil and the position of the power receiving-side resonance coil.
US08178992B1 Axial flux alternator with air gap maintaining arrangement
Axial flux alternator for a wind turbine arrangement includes at least one magnetic disk including magnets and at least one coil disk including electromagnetic assemblies. One or both disks are mounted to wind turbines such that adjacent disks rotate in opposite directions, or such that the magnets of a magnetic disk move relative to the electromagnetic assemblies of an adjacent coil disk which may move or be stationary, or vice versa. Between adjacent disks, rolling elements on one disk roll, slide or move on or against the surface of the opposite disk in order to fix and maintain air gaps between the magnets on a magnetic disk and magnetic cores of the electromagnetic assemblies on the coil disk, and thus enable continued motion and use of the alternator.
US08178991B2 Wind power generation system
The inventive technology described herein generally relates to the field of renewable energy production and/or more particularly wind power generation. More specifically, methods and apparatus for wind power generation utilizing perhaps multiple generators coupled through a radius adjustable coupler to at least one rotational movement element such that said coupled connection is dynamically movable across the surface the rotational movement element so as to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator rotation(s) per minute (RPM) according to the varying rotational velocity along the radius of a rotational movement element. In some embodiments such coupled generators may be sequentially loaded and disengaged to such rotational movement element to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator RPM. The inventive technology may be particularly suited to accomplishing such wind power generation across a broad range of wind and turbine rotational velocities.
US08178988B2 Direct-drive wind turbine generator and bearing structure
A direct-drive wind turbine generator is provided with: a main shaft having one end connected to a rotor head of a wind turbine rotor; a generator having a stator, a stator casing for supporting the stator, and a rotor connected to the other end of the main shaft; first and second bearings positioned between the rotor head and the generator to rotatably support the main shaft; and a torque support for supporting the stator casing. The second bearing is positioned closer to the generator than the first bearing. The first bearing is a bearing with an aligning capability, and the second bearing is a bearing with no aligning capability.
US08178987B2 Wind turbine
A wind turbine includes a rotary shaft having an axis of rotation, a plurality of turbine blades supported for rotary motion by the shaft, and a plurality of magnets supported by and spaced outwardly from the rotary shaft. The blades are mounted to the shaft by a mount that is radially inward of the magnets wherein the magnets have an annular velocity of at least the annular velocity of the blades. The turbine also includes a conductive coil, which is located outwardly from the magnets and the blades, wherein the coil surrounds the magnets and the blades and which is sufficiently close to the magnets such that rotary movement of the magnets induces current flow in the coil.
US08178986B2 Wind turbine operation system and method
A method of operating a wind turbine comprises obtaining current wind speed, forecasting wind speeds by creating probability density functions of wind speeds at a series of time points in the future based on the obtained current wind speed and past wind speeds, determining operating parameters of the wind turbine for the forecasted wind speeds, and controlling the wind turbine based on the determined operating parameters.
US08178984B2 Flip chip with interposer
A device is disclosed which includes a die comprising an integrated circuit and an interposer that is coupled to the die, the interposer having a smaller footprint than that of the die. A method is disclosed which includes operatively coupling an interposer to a die comprising an integrated circuit, the interposer having a smaller footprint than that of the die, and filling a space between the interposer and the die with an underfill material.
US08178982B2 Dual molded multi-chip package system
A dual molded multi-chip package system is provided including forming an embedded integrated circuit package system having a first encapsulation partially covering a first integrated circuit die and a lead connected thereto, mounting a semiconductor device over the first encapsulation and connected to the lead, and forming a second encapsulation over the semiconductor device and the embedded integrated circuit package system.
US08178978B2 Support mounted electrically interconnected die assembly
Stacked die assemblies are electrically connected to connection sites on any support, without electrical connection to any interposed substrate or leadframe, and without solder.
US08178976B2 IC device having low resistance TSV comprising ground connection
A semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit (IC) die including a substrate, and at least one through substrate via (TSV) that extends through the substrate to a protruding integral tip that includes sidewalls and a distal end. The protruding integral tip has a tip height between 1 and 50 μm. A metal layer is on the bottom surface of the IC die, and the sidewalls and the distal end of the protruding integral tips. A semiconductor device can include an IC die that includes TSVs and a package substrate such as a lead-frame, where the IC die includes a metal layer and an electrically conductive die attach adhesive layer, such as a solder filled polymer wherein the solder is arranged in an electrically interconnected network, between the metal layer and the die pad of the lead-frame.
US08178972B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
A semiconductor device is obtained, in which excellent characteristics are achieved, the reliability is improved, and an SiC wafer can also be used for the fabrication. A plurality of Schottky-barrier-diode units 10 is formed on an SiC chip 9, and each of the units 10 has an external output electrode 4 independently of each other. Bumps 11 (the diameter is from several tens to several hundreds of μm) are formed only on the external output electrodes 4 of non-defective units among the units 10 formed on the SiC chip 9, meanwhile bumps are not formed on the external output electrodes 4 of defective units in which the withstand voltage is too low, or the leakage current is too much. Because the bumps are not formed on the defective units, Schottky-barrier-side electrodes 3 are connected in parallel to the exterior of the device through the bumps 11, and a wiring layer 13 and an external lead 13a of a wiring substrate 12; thus, only the external output electrodes 4 of the non-defective units 10 are connected in parallel with each other.
US08178966B2 Integrated coolant circuit arrangement, operating method and production method
An integrated circuit arrangement and method of fabricating the integrated circuit arrangement is provided. At least one integrated electronic component is arranged at a main area of a substrate. The component is arranged in the substrate or is isolated from the substrate by an electrically insulating region. Main channels are formed in the substrate and arranged along the main area. Each main channel is completely surrounded by the substrate transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis. Transverse channels are arranged transversely with respect to the main channels. Each transverse channel opens into at least one main channel. More than about ten transverse channels open into a main channel.
US08178965B2 Semiconductor module having deflecting conductive layer over a spacer structure
A module includes a semiconductor chip and a conductive layer arranged over the semiconductor chip. The module also includes a spacer structure arranged to deflect the conductive layer away from the semiconductor chip.
US08178957B2 Electronic component device, and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing an electronic component device, includes the steps of preparing a wiring substrate, which includes a silicon substrate, a concave portion provided on its upper surface side, a through hole formed to penetrate the silicon substrate on a bottom surface side of the concave portion, an insulating layer formed on the silicon substrate, a penetration electrode constructed by a lower conductor portion formed to a halfway position of a height direction from a bottom portion of the through hole and a connection metal member (indium layer) formed on the lower conductor portion in the through hole, and an electronic component having a terminal metal member (gold bump) on a lower surface side, and softening the connection metal member of the wiring substrate in a heating atmosphere and then sticking the terminal metal member of the electronic component into the connection metal member and connecting thereto.
US08178955B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element; a die pad with the semiconductor element mounted thereon; a plurality of electrode terminals each having a connecting portion electrically connected with the semiconductor element; and a sealing resin for sealing the semiconductor element, the die pad and the electrode terminals so that a surface of each electrode terminal on an opposite side from a surface having the connecting portion is exposed as an external terminal surface. A recess having a planar shape of a circle is formed on the surface of each electrode terminal with the connecting portion, and the recess is arranged between an end portion of the electrode terminal exposed from an outer edge side face of the sealing resin and the connecting portion. While a function of the configuration for suppressing the peeling between the electrode terminal and the sealing resin can be maintained by mitigating an external force applied to the electrode terminal, the semiconductor device can be downsized.
US08178954B2 Structure of mixed semiconductor encapsulation structure with multiple chips and capacitors
A semiconductor package for power converter application comprises a low-side MOSFET chip and a high-side MOSFET chip stacking one over the other. The semiconductor package may further enclose a capacitor whereas the capacitor may be a discrete component or an integrated component on chip level with the low-side MOSFET. The semiconductor package may further comprise a PIC chip to provide a complete power converter on semiconductor chip assembly package level.
US08178948B2 Electrostatic discharge protection circuit
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a substrate, and a plurality of unit bipolar transistors formed in the substrate. Each of the plurality of unit bipolar transistors may include a first-conductivity-type buried layer formed in the substrate, a first-conductivity-type well formed over the first-conductivity-type buried layer, a second-conductivity-type well formed in the first-conductivity-type well, a first-conductivity-type vertical doping layer vertically formed from the surface of the substrate to the first-conductivity-type buried layer so as to surround the first-conductivity-type well, and a first-conductivity-type doping layer and a second conductivity-type doping layer formed in the second-conductivity-type well. The first-conductivity-type doping layer of any one of the adjacent unit bipolar transistors and the first-conductivity-type vertical doping layer of another one of the adjacent unit bipolar transistors may be connected to each other.
US08178947B2 Semiconductor device
There is provided a semiconductor device in which an amount of fluctuations in output capacitance and feedback capacitance is reduced. In a trench-type insulated gate semiconductor device, a width of a portion of an electric charge storage layer in a direction along which a gate electrode and a dummy gate are aligned is set to be at most 1.4 μm.
US08178942B2 Electrically alterable circuit for use in an integrated circuit device
An electrically alterable circuit (EAC), suitable for use in an integrated circuit, includes a first interconnect, a link element, and a second interconnect. A first set of interconnect vias provides an electrically conductive connection between the first interconnect and a first end of the link element; A second set of interconnect vias provides an electrically conductive connection between the second interconnect and a second end of the link element. The EAC further includes a third interconnect and a one or more fuse vias that provide an electrical connection between the third interconnect and the link element. A conductance of the one or more fuse vias is less than a conductance of the first set of interconnect vias, a conductance of the second set of interconnect vias, or both.
US08178940B2 Schottky barrier diode and method for using the same
An intermediate metal film is formed between a Schottky electrode and a pad electrode. A Schottky barrier height between the intermediate metal film and a silicon carbide epitaxial film is equivalent to or higher than a Schottky barrier height between the Schottky electrode and the silicon carbide epitaxial film. By this configuration, an excess current and a leak current through a pin-hole can be suppressed even in the case in which a Schottky barrier height between the pad electrode and the silicon carbide epitaxial film is less than the Schottky barrier height between the Schottky electrode and the silicon carbide epitaxial film.
US08178937B2 Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed are an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same. The image sensor includes an isolation trench formed in a semiconductor substrate corresponding to a logic region and a pixel separating trench formed on the semiconductor substrate corresponding to a pixel region and having a depth shallower than a depth of the isolation trench of the logic region, a barrier region formed below the pixel separating trench, a pixel separator formed inside the pixel separating trench, a gate formed above the semiconductor substrate, a first doped region formed at a deep region of the semiconductor substrate corresponding to one side of the gate, an additionally-doped region interposed between the first doped region and the barrier region, and a second doped region formed at a shallow region of the semiconductor substrate such that the second doped region makes contact with the first doped region.
US08178936B2 Double-side mountable MEMS package
The MEMS package has a mounting substrate on which one or more transducer chips are mounted wherein the mounting substrate has an opening. A top cover is attached to and separated from the mounting substrate by a spacer forming a housing enclosed by the top cover, the spacer, and the mounting substrate and accessed by the opening. Electrical connections are made between the one or more transducer chips and the mounting substrate and/or between the one or more transducer chips and the top cover. A bottom cover can be mounted on a bottom surface of the mounting substrate wherein a hollow chamber is formed between the mounting substrate and the bottom cover, wherein a second opening in the bottom cover is not aligned with the first opening. Pads on outside surfaces of the top and bottom covers can be used for further attachment to printed circuit boards. The top and bottom covers can be a flexible printed circuit board folded under the mounting substrate.
US08178935B2 MEMS chip and package method thereof
The present invention proposes a MEMS chip and a package method thereof. The package method comprises: making a capping wafer by: providing a first substrate and forming an etch stop layer on the first substrate; making a device wafer by: providing a second substrate and forming a MEMS device and a material layer surrounding the MEMS device on the second substrate; bonding the capping wafer and the device wafer; after bonding, etching the first substrate to form at least one via; etching the etch stop layer through the via; etch the material layer; and forming a sealing layer on the first substrate.
US08178928B2 Intermediate structures having reduced width contact holes that are formed during manufacture of memory cells having contact structures
Intermediate structures are provided that are formed during the manufacture of a memory device. These structures include first and second spaced apart gate patterns on a semiconductor substrate. A source/drain region is provided in the semiconductor substrate between the first and second gate patterns. An etch stop layer is provided on first and second sidewalls of the first gate pattern. The first and second sidewalls face each other to define a gap region between the etch stop layer on the first sidewall and the etch stop layer on the second sidewall. A dielectric layer is provided in the gap region. Finally, a preliminary contact hole is provided in the dielectric layer.
US08178925B2 Semiconductor diode structure operation method
A semiconductor structure operation method. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes first, second, third, and fourth doped semiconductor regions. The second doped semiconductor region is in direct physical contact with the first and third doped semiconductor regions. The fourth doped semiconductor region is in direct physical contact with the third doped semiconductor region. The first and second doped semiconductor regions are doped with a first doping polarity. The third and fourth doped semiconductor regions are doped with a second doping polarity. The method further includes (i) electrically coupling the first and fourth doped semiconductor regions to a first node and a second node of the semiconductor structure, respectively, and (ii) electrically charging the first and second nodes to first and second electric potentials, respectively. The first electric potential is different from the second electric potential.
US08178923B2 Power semiconductor device having low gate input resistance
A power semiconductor device having low gate input resistance and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The power semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least a trench transistor, a conductive layer, a metal contact plug, an insulating layer, an interlayer dielectric, a gate metal layer, and a source metal layer. The metal contact plug can serve as a buried gate metal bus line, and the metal contact plug can pass under the source metal layer and keeps the area of the source metal layer complete. Accordingly, the present invention can provide a lower gate input resistance without dividing the source metal layer, so the source metal layer can have a larger and complete area for the following packaging and bonding process.
US08178922B2 Trench MOSFET with ultra high cell density and manufacture thereof
A trench MOSFET structure with ultra high cell density is disclosed, wherein the source regions and the body regions are located in different regions to save the mesa area between every two adjacent gate trenches in the active area. Furthermore, the inventive trench MOSFET is composed of stripe cells to further increase cell packing density and decrease on resistance Rds between the drain region and the source region.
US08178919B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, includes: a stacked structural unit including electrode films alternately stacked with inter-electrode insulating films; first and second semiconductor pillars piercing the stacked structural unit; a connection portion semiconductor layer electrically connect the first and second semiconductor pillars; a connection portion conductive layer provided to oppose the connection portion semiconductor layer; a memory layer and an inner insulating film provided between the first and semiconductor pillars and each of the electrode films, and between the connection portion conductive layer and the connection portion semiconductor layer; an outer insulating film provided between the memory layer and each of the electrode films; and a connection portion outer insulating film provided between the memory layer and the connection portion conductive layer. The connection portion outer insulating film has a film thickness thicker than a film thickness of the outer insulating film.
US08178918B2 Charge trap type non-volatile memory device and method for fabricating the same
There is provided a charge trap type non-volatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same, the charge trap type non-volatile memory device including: a tunnel insulation layer formed over a substrate; a charge trap layer formed over the tunnel insulation layer, the charge trap layer including a charge trap polysilicon thin layer and a charge trap nitride-based layer; a charge barrier layer formed over the charge trap layer; a gate electrode formed over the charge barrier layer; and an oxide-based spacer formed over sidewalls of the charge trap layer and provided to isolate the charge trap layer.
US08178915B1 Unitary floating-gate electrode with both N-type and P-type gates
An analog floating-gate electrode in an integrated circuit, and method of fabricating the same, in which trapped charge can be stored for long durations. The analog floating-gate electrode is formed in a polycrystalline silicon gate level, and includes n-type and p-type doped portions serving as gate electrodes of n-channel and p-channel MOS transistors, respectively; a plate of a metal-to-poly storage capacitor; and a plate of poly-to-active tunneling capacitors. Silicide-block silicon dioxide blocks the formation of silicide cladding on the electrode, while other polysilicon structures in the integrated circuit are silicide-clad. An opening at the surface of the analog floating-gate electrode, at the location at which n-type and p-type doped portions of the floating gate electrode abut, allow formation of silicide at that location, shorting the p-n junction.
US08178912B2 Image sensor for minimizing a dark current and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor includes a first substrate, readout circuitry, an electrical junction region, a metal interconnection and an image sensing device. The readout circuitry is formed on and/or over the first substrate and the electrical junction region is formed in the first substrate and electrically connected to the readout circuitry. The metal interconnection is electrically connected to the electrical junction region. The image sensing device is formed on and/or over the metal interconnection.
US08178910B2 Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes an SJMOSFET having a plurality of base regions formed at an interval from each other and an SBD (Schottky Barrier Diode) having a Schottky junction between the plurality of base regions. The SBD is provided in parallel with a parasitic diode of the SJMOSFET.
US08178902B2 CMOS transistor with dual high-k gate dielectric and method of manufacture thereof
A CMOS device with transistors having different gate dielectric materials and a method of manufacture thereof. A CMOS device is formed on a workpiece having a first region and a second region. A first gate dielectric material is deposited over the second region. A first gate material is deposited over the first gate dielectric material. A second gate dielectric material comprising a different material than the first gate dielectric material is deposited over the first region of the workpiece. A second gate material is deposited over the second gate dielectric material. The first gate material, the first gate dielectric material, the second gate material, and the second gate dielectric material are then patterned to form a CMOS device having a symmetric Vt for the PMOS and NMOS FETs.
US08178901B2 Integrated circuit assembly with passive integration substrate for power and ground line routing on top of an integrated circuit chip
An integrated circuit assembly (ICA) comprises: a digital and/or analog integrated circuit (S1) having a core with input and/or output pins and at least one power supply connection pad (PP) and one ground connection pad (GP) connected to a chosen one of the input and/or output pins and respectively connected to power supply and ground connection zones (MZ1) of a printed circuit board (PCB), and a passive integration substrate (S2) set on top of the digital and/or analog integrated circuit (S1) and comprising i) at least first and second input zones respectively connected to the ground (GP) and power supply (PP) connection pads to be fed with input ground and supply voltages, ii) input and/or output zones connected to chosen core input and/or output pins, and Ëi) a passive integrated circuit (PIC) connected to the first and second input zones and arranged to feed the substrate input and/or output zones with chosen ground and supply voltages defined from the input ground and supply voltages.
US08178900B2 Semiconductor device having GaN-based semiconductor layer and select composition ratio insulating film
A semiconductor device includes a GaN-based semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, and an insulating film composed of any one of silicon nitride in which the composition ratio of silicon to nitrogen is 0.85 to 3.0, silicon oxide in which the composition ratio of silicon to oxygen is 0.6 to 3.0, or silicon oxide nitride in which the composition ratio of silicon to nitrogen and oxygen is 0.6 to 3.0 that is formed on a surface of the GaN-based semiconductor layer, a gate electrode formed on the GaN-based semiconductor layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed with the gate electrode therebetween.
US08178895B2 Semiconductor light-emiting device and method
A semiconductor light-emitting device can include a submount on which a semiconductor light-emitting element is mounted. The device can have a high light utilization efficiency with high reliability and can achieve a reduction in manufacturing cost as well as a decrease in size. The submount can have a reverse trapezoidal cross section having an upper surface that is larger than a bottom surface of the semiconductor light-emitting element. An adhesive can be used to fix the submount to the base board such that, when the submount is observed from above the semiconductor light-emitting element, the adhesive is not seen from above. In this state, the semiconductor light-emitting element can be connected to the base board via a bonding wire.
US08178893B2 Semiconductor element mounting substrate, semiconductor device using the same, and method for manufacturing semiconductor element mounting substrate
The invention provides a semiconductor element mounting substrate that, by virtue of an improvement in thermal conduction efficiency between the substrate and another member, can reliably prevent, for example, a light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser from causing a defective operation by heat generation of itself, by taking full advantage of high thermal conductivity of a diamond composite material. In the semiconductor element mounting substrate, a connecting surface to be connected with the light emitting element or the like is finished such that the number, per unit area, of at least either recesses or protrusions having a depth or height of 10 μm to 40 μm and a surface-direction diametrical size of 10 μm to 3 mm is 50/cm2 or less, and on the connecting surface, a coating layer, which is formed of a solder or a brazing material, has a thickness of 1 μm to 30 μm, an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of a roughness curve showing a surface roughness of Ra≦2 μm, and a maximum height roughness Rz of Rz≦15 μm, and fills and covers the recesses or protrusions, is formed.
US08178890B2 Light emitting diode package structure
A light-emitting diode (LED) package structure including a carrier substrate, at least one LED chip, an optical element and a highly thermal-conductive transparent liquid is provided. The LED chip is disposed on the carrier substrate and has an active layer. The optical element is disposed on the substrate and forms a sealed space with the carrier substrate, and the LED chip is disposed in the sealed space. The highly thermal-conductive transparent liquid fills up the sealed space.
US08178887B2 Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a semiconductor light emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor light emitting device comprises: a first conductive type semiconductor layer; an active layer on the first conductive type semiconductor layer; an undoped semiconductor layer on the active layer; a first delta-doped layer on the undoped semiconductor layer; and a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the first delta-doped layer.
US08178878B2 Mother thin film transistor array substrate and thin film transistor array substrate fabricated therefrom
A mother thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate includes an insulating substrate, at least two TFT arrays and printed wirings. The TFT array includes TFTs formed on the insulating substrate. The printed wirings are connected to the TFT arrays. The printed wiring includes a discontinuous metal layer and at least one bridge layer connecting the discontinuous metal layer. The bridge layer is made from corrosion-resistant material.
US08178877B2 Thin film transistor and method for fabricating thin film transistor
Disclosed are a thin film transistor having high reliability and providing a simplified fabricating process, and a method of fabricating the thin film transistor. In the method, a dielectric substrate is prepared, a semiconductor layer is formed on the dielectric substrate, a gate dielectric film is formed on the semiconductor layer, a first gate electrode is formed on the gate dielectric film, a second gate electrode contacting a side wall of the first gate electrode is formed, and impurities are implanted into the semiconductor layer using the first gate electrode as a mask.
US08178871B2 Organic transistor and method for producing the same
An organic transistor comprising: at least a gate electrode and a gate insulating layer formed on the gate electrode, the gate insulating layer including, on a surface of the gate electrode, a stacked molecular film composed of a first organic molecular layer binding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the gate electrode through a first covalent bond and a second organic molecular layer binding to an unreacted end of the first organic molecular layer through a second covalent bond, wherein the second covalent bond and another second covalent bond adjacent to each other form a hydrogen bond in a direction of a surface perpendicular to a major axis direction of the stacked molecule.
US08178866B2 Optoelectronic memory device and method for manufacturing and measuring the same
The present invention provides an optoelectronic memory device, the method for manufacturing and evaluating the same. The optoelectronic memory device according to the present invention includes a substrate, an insulation layer, an active layer, source electrode and drain electrode. The substrate includes a gate, and the insulation layer is formed on the substrate. The active layer is formed on the insulation layer, and more particularly, the active layer is formed of a composite material comprising conjugated conductive polymers and quantum dots. Moreover, both of the source and the drain are formed on the insulation layer, and electrically connected to the active layer.
US08178856B2 Charged particle beam writing apparatus and method thereof
A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a charge amount distribution calculation unit configured to calculate a charge amount distribution which is charged by irradiation of a charged particle beam onto a writing region of a target workpiece, by using a charge decay amount and a charge decay time constant both of which depend on a pattern area density, a position displacement amount distribution calculation unit configured to calculate a position displacement amount of each writing position due to charge amounts of the charge amount distribution by performing convolution of each charge amount of the charge amount distribution with a response function, and a writing unit configured to write a pattern on the each writing position where the position displacement amount has been corrected, using a charged particle beam.
US08178854B1 Germicidal cigar humidifier
The present invention relates to a cigar humidor, comprising: a hollow housing; a lid connected to the housing; a germicidal light assembly positioned inside the housing for disinfecting cigars; and a platform transparent to ultraviolet light produced by the assembly.
US08178850B2 Chromatic aberration corrector for charged-particle beam system and correction method therefor
An aberration corrector has two stages of multipole elements each of which has a thickness along the optical axis. Each multipole element produces a static electric or magnetic field of 3-fold symmetry and a static electromagnetic field of 2- or 3-fold symmetry superimposed on the static electric or magnetic field. In each of the multipole elements, the static electromagnetic field is so set that magnetic and electric deflecting forces on an electron beam accelerated by a given accelerating voltage substantially cancel out each other. Thus, chromatic aberration is corrected. Also, spherical aberration is corrected by the static electric or magnetic fields of 3-fold symmetry produced by the multipole elements.
US08178849B2 Objective lens
An objective lens for focussing charged particles includes a magnetic lens and an electrostatic lens whose components are displaceable relative to each other. The bore of the outer pole piece of the magnetic lens exhibits a diameter Da which is larger than a diameter Di of the bore of the inner pole piece of the magnetic lens. The following relationship is satisfied: 1.5·Di≦Da≦3·Di. The lower end of the inner pole piece is disposed in a distance of at least 2 mm offset from the inner end of the outer pole piece in a direction of the optical axis.
US08178847B2 Data processing using reduced onboard memory
Raw data (e.g., image data) can be captured and fed into a data processing unit (e.g., a frame grabber), which can process the raw data using data that is retrieved from, for example, the main memory of a computer system instead of from memory onboard the data processing unit. The processed data can then be stored in the main memory or in another memory location.
US08178845B2 Collimator and related methods
A collimator and related methods are shown and described. The collimator can be a multi-divergent-beam collimator having a plurality of inverted, ordered sections of a cone-beam collimator reassembled in a substantially reversed order relative to the ordering of the cone-beam collimator.
US08178835B2 Prolonged ion resonance collision induced dissociation in a quadrupole ion trap
A technique is disclosed for conducting collision induced dissociation (CID) in a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) having higher order field components. In order to compensate for the shift in the frequency of motion with amplitude of the excited ions arising from the influence of higher-order field components, the amplitude of the RF voltages applied to the QIT is monotonically varied during the excitation period to prolong the condition of resonance, resulting in higher average kinetic energies of the excited ions. Thus, higher fragmentation efficiencies may be obtained, or a targeted level of fragmentation may be achieved in less time relative to conventional CID.
US08178832B1 Re-calibration methodology for NDIR gas sensors
A re-calibration method for a dual-beam NDIR gas sensor uses a calibration curve based upon a combination of physics and sensor measurement components of the sensor to calculate sample gas concentration, then determines a second gas concentration measurement by a secondary gas standard which is used with a reversed calibration curve algorithm to adjust the sensor measurement component. The calibration curve is based upon a gamma ratio (“G”) that has been normalized by G when no sample gas is present in the sample chamber (“G0”), G being a ratio of a signal channel output (“VS”) of the sensor divided by a reference channel output (“VR”) of the sensor. The concentration (“P”) of sample gas in the sensor is calculated through use of the calibration curve by a gas detection equation of P=F(x)=F(y/G0), where x is a normalized ratio of VS/VR and y is G. The reversed calibration curve algorithm is P=F(x)=F(y/G0N), where G0N=y1/x2, y1=G for the sensor, x2=F−1 (P2) and P2 is the second gas concentration of the sample gas.
US08178829B2 Wafer prescence detector with end effectors having optical couplers and fibers
The presence of a workpiece on an end effector of a vacuum robotic handler is detecting using any of a number of non-contact techniques in which some or all of the detection hardware is positioned outside a vacuum chamber that encloses the vacuum robotic handler. Various deployments include laser beam breaking, analysis of radar reflection signals, or analysis of radio frequency identification tag signatures. By providing non-physical couplings between hardware inside and outside of a vacuum environment, integrity of the vacuum is improved. These non-contact techniques are further adapted as described herein to multi-wafer and multi-end effector environments so that independent detection of multiple wafers (e.g., for each end effector) can be performed.
US08178827B2 Universal LED testing device
Apparatus for optically testing LEDs or other light-emitting components in a wide variety of test environments and to the degree necessary pertinent to the type(s) of faults encountered. In one embodiment, the present invention includes one or more fiber optic probes coupled to a multi-mode sensor unit, incorporating a photo-sensor coupled to a processor which may be programmed to provide a variety of test modes including simple on/off testing, color determination, color matching, wavelength and relative intensity among others. An extremely high sensitivity test mode is also provided for testing LEDs which emit very low intensity light in the microcandela range in products such as automobile/aircraft cockpit control panel lighted push-buttons for night-time viewing. The multi-mode sensor unit operates over a wide dynamic range and is capable of accurately testing LEDs that may be very dim to very bright without adjustment. In another embodiment, a voltage protection circuit is provided which enables the multi-mode sensor unit to safely operate from a supply voltage in the range of approximately 5 volts DC to approximately 40 volts DC while protecting the multi-mode sensor unit from a potentially damaging overvoltage condition. The voltage protection circuit also protects the multi-mode sensor unit against potential damage caused by reverse polarity voltage spikes, or accidental steady-state reverse polarity voltages.
US08178824B2 Cooking device
A cooking device that cooks food and drink by using heat generation of a heater, or a heat source such as microwaves. A cooking device is provided in which the radiation of microwaves can be varied depending on load, such as cooking objects, when microwaves are used as a heat source. The cooking device includes a stirring shaft provided to rotate within a cooking chamber, a stirring shaft power source to rotate the stirring shaft, and a stirring vane coupled to the stirring shaft through a hinge unit and configured to rotate by a centrifugal force according to a rotation speed of the stirring shaft. The radiation of microwaves can be varied depending on a load such as a cooking object, and a cooking device having an optimized performance can be provided.
US08178822B2 Variable serving size insulated packaging
A package for heating a microwave food item is provided.
US08178821B2 Substrate treating apparatus
A substrate treating apparatus for treating substrates with a treating liquid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a treating tank for storing the treating liquid, and treating the substrates as immersed in the treating liquid, a chamber surrounding the treating tank, a supply device for supplying an inert gas containing an organic solvent into the chamber, a lift mechanism vertically movable, while supporting the substrates, between a process position in the treating tank and a wait position above the treating tank and inside the chamber, a tank temperature control device for controlling temperature of the treating tank, a chamber temperature control device for controlling temperature of the chamber, and a control device for causing the tank temperature control device and the chamber temperature control device to perform heating treatment at least while the inert gas containing the organic solvent is supplied from the supply device.
US08178820B2 Method and heat treatment apparatus for uniformly heating a substrate during a bake process
A heat treatment apparatus and associated method are provided for heating a substrate. The apparatus includes a processing chamber containing a process space, first and second substrate supports, and first and second heating sources. The first substrate support is configured to support the substrate in a spaced relationship with the first heating source to define a heat exchange gap and to transfer heat energy through the heat exchange gap to elevate a temperature of the substrate to an offset temperature below a process target temperature. The second substrate support is configured to support the substrate in a spaced relationship with a second heating source to define a heat exchange gap between the second heating source and the substrate and to transfer heat energy through the heat exchange gap to elevate the temperature of the substrate from the offset temperature to the process target temperature in controlled increments.
US08178819B2 Thermal flux processing by scanning a focused line beam
The thermal processing device includes a stage, a continuous wave electromagnetic radiation source, a series of lenses, a translation mechanism, a detection module, a three-dimensional auto-focus, and a computer system. The stage is configured to receive a substrate thereon. The continuous wave electromagnetic radiation source is disposed adjacent the stage, and is configured to emit continuous wave electromagnetic radiation along a path towards the substrate. The series of lenses is disposed between the continuous wave electromagnetic radiation source and the stage, and are configured to condense the continuous wave electromagnetic radiation into a line of continuous wave electromagnetic radiation on a surface of the substrate. The translation mechanism is configured to translate the stage and the line of continuous wave electromagnetic radiation relative to one another. The detection module is positioned within the path, and is configured to detect continuous wave electromagnetic radiation.
US08178817B2 Spot welding tongs for robotic applications in resistance welding of workpieces
Spot welding tongs for robotic applications in resistance welding of workpieces, in particular sheets, comprise tong arms, mounted such as to pivot on a base body. These tongs which may be adjusted and to which electrode holders for the electrodes are fixed and a winding device with a pay-out roller and a wind-in roller, for the winding in and out of a strip to protect at least one electrode. These spot welding tongs may be produced, in which access is not seriously affected and with a very simple and compact construction, whereby the pay-out roller and the wind-in roller of the winding device are arranged on the base body, or the tongs arm and at least one guide groove, for guiding the strip, is arranged in the tongs arm and/or the electrode holder.
US08178810B2 Electric-switch activated by sensing a touch through a large variety of cover-plate materials
An electric switch may include a sensing cube including circuitry for sensing a touch and activating the electric switch in response to said sensing. The circuitry may include a sensing circuit including a multi-dielectric configuration circuit configured with a plurality of impedance settings. A cover plate may be made of any of a plurality of materials and of a variable thickness. The circuitry is tuned (e.g., auto-calibrated) to one of the plurality of impedance settings based on a dielectric constant of the material and the thickness of the cover plate. The sensing circuit may be attached to a circuit board offset a distance from a capacitance target and an epoxy may encase the circuitry. The impedance settings may further be based on the distance and/or a dielectric constant of the epoxy.
US08178809B2 Railroad toggle switch
The present invention relates to a railroad toggle switch for a plurality of switching positions, the toggle switch comprising a housing, an operating lever supported on the housing and having a pivot axis, a switching cylinder supported on the housing and having a rotational axis, a plurality of microswitches and an engaging mechanism for engagement of the operating lever in the switching positions. The switching cylinder is here provided with a plurality of cam disks for operating the microswitches. According to the invention the pivot axis of the operating lever is located in the area of the housing top side and is different from the rotational axis of the switching cylinder, the operating lever being in engagement with the switching cylinder.
US08178806B2 Device for mounting an accessory device to a circuit breaker
A coupling between a motor operator and a circuit breaker includes a base plate of the motor operator having a top side and a bottom side, the base plate comprising an aperture, and a pin having a first end, the pin being captured within the aperture such that the first end of the pin protrudes through a first surface of the bottom side of the base plate, wherein the pin is further configured to engage the circuit breaker.
US08178801B2 Electrical switching apparatus including a carrier, and pole for the same
An electrical switching apparatus includes a number of poles each having an elongated conductor with a first end and an opposite second end with a first terminal member. A circuit interrupter is electrically connected in series with the elongated conductor at the first end. A second terminal member electrically engages the first terminal member. A number of insulative skirts are disposed on the elongated conductor between opposite ends thereof. An insulative tube receives the insulative skirts and includes a first open end and an opposite second end carrying the second terminal member. A carrier carries the poles between (a) a first position in which the first terminal member electrically engages the second terminal member and the insulative tube receives the insulative skirts, and (b) a second position in which the first terminal member is electrically disconnected from the second terminal member and the skirts are withdrawn from the insulative tube.
US08178796B2 Mailing machine transport system including a guide to reduce the impact on the weighing device caused by the trailing edge of the mailpeice
A mail processing system having a transport that reduces the amount of oscillation of the scale to allow for faster weighing of mail pieces is provided. A mailing machine includes a plurality of different modules through which mail pieces are fed by a transport system. A guide piece is provided in the transport path between the weighing module and the subsequent module, e.g., a printing module. The guide piece is structured such that forces imparted on the weighing platform of the weighing module by the trail edge of a mail piece being transported off of the weighing platform are reduced. Because of the reduction in this significant external force on the weighing platform, a faster weighing algorithm can be used on more mail pieces, thereby increasing the throughput of the mailing machine.
US08178795B2 Method for retrofitting air plenum grommets
A new and improved method is provided for repairing or retrofitting cable management apparatus used in raised flooring systems constructed to deliver a source of building air, or HVAC, while managing cables passing through an access port constructed in the raised flooring structure without jeopardizing the underfloor plenum air delivery systems. A raised floor grommet assembly provides a grommet locking mechanism defining an assembly retention system that lockingly engages and removeably disengages a first section and a second section of the grommet assembly, and an access port locking mechanism that lockingly engages and removeably disengages an access port constructed in the raised flooring structure. The unique grommet assembly provides an efficient and effective method and apparatus designed for retrofitting cable management systems and accommodates system upgrades, workstation relocation, and HVAC management.
US08178793B2 Chassis, electronic equipment and manufacturing method for chassis
A chassis includes: a flat plate portion including a first major surface and a second major surface facing the first major surface; a protruding portion provided on an outer edge of the flat plate portion and protruding in a direction crossing the first and second major surfaces; and a seal portion provided on the outer edge of the flat plate portion.
US08178791B2 Wiring substrate including conductive core substrate, and manufacturing method thereof
A wiring substrate includes a core substrate having a first main surface and a mutually opposing second main surface, the second main surface having a conductive property. A first through hole penetrates a core substrate. A first conductive layer extends from the first main surface to the second main surface via the first through hole. An insulating layer is formed on the first conductive layer. A second through hole has the insulating layer as an interior wall. And a second conductive layer is formed inside the second through hole.
US08178787B2 Circuit board including aligned nanostructures
A circuit board includes a substrate, a polar molecular layer pattern and a nonpolar molecular layer pattern, which are disposed on the substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode, which are disposed on the substrate, and one or more channels disposed on the polar molecular layer pattern and including linear nanostructures. The one or more channels facilitate to electrically couple the first electrode to the second electrode.
US08178785B2 Flexible electric cable
An electrical line for the connection of non-stationary electrical loads to a power source is specified which has a line core surrounded by a jacket (8) of insulating material. Four wires (1), stranded together to form one star quad (S), for the transmission of data, and also two wires (2) stranded together to form a pair of wires (A) and used for supplying power are placed in the line core. The star quad (S) and the pair of wires (A) are stranded together as stranding elements for forming the line core and, over the same, a layer (5) of insulating material is placed, over which a braid or a stranded cover layer of copper wires is arranged in a first layer (6) as part of an electrical screen. At least one layer of a fleece material consisting of synthetic material and made electrically conductive is placed over the first layer (6) as second layer (7) of the electrical screen and the fleece material is surrounded by the jacket (8) of insulating material.
US08178783B2 Sealant-filled enclosures and methods for environmentally protecting a connection
A sealant-filled enclosure for environmentally sealing a connection includes a first cover member and a second cover member. The first cover member defines a first cavity having a first bottom. The second cover member is pivotally connected to the first cover member for movement between an open position and a closed position. The second cover member defines a second cavity having a second bottom. A first sealant is positioned in the first cavity and extends up to a first level relative to the first bottom without a connection disposed in the first cavity. A second sealant is positioned in the second cavity and extends up to a second level relative to the second bottom without a connection disposed in the second cavity. The first and second levels together exceed a height from the first bottom to the second bottom in the closed position. The first and second sealants may be gels.
US08178780B2 Electric insulation material, an electric device comprising the insulation material and a transformer
An electric insulation material for an electric device includes one or several electrical conductors and an electric insulation material arranged around the conductor or between the conductors, which insulation material is impregnated with a dielectric insulation liquid. The electric insulation material includes a main layer that is provided with a surface layer that has a dielectric constant that is lower than the dielectric constant of the main layer.
US08178778B2 Photovoltaic conversion element and manufacturing method therefor, and photovoltaic conversion module using same
A photovoltaic conversion element includes a one conductivity-type crystalline Si semiconductor; an opposite conductivity-type semiconductor which is joined to the crystalline Si semiconductor to form a pn junction therebetween; an electrode provided on the opposite conductivity-type semiconductor; and a depletion region formed from the side of the one conductivity-type crystalline Si semiconductor to the side of the opposite conductivity-type semiconductor across the pn junction formed therebetween. The depletion region has a first depletion region located inside the crystalline Si semiconductor and under the electrode, and the first depletion region has an oxygen concentration of 1E18 [atoms/cm3] or less.
US08178777B2 Method of manufacturing solar cell and solar cell manufactured thereby
A solar cell attaining high efficiency in photoelectric conversion is provided. A method of manufacturing a solar cell having a grid electrode and a main electrode for external output of electric power from the grid electrode includes the steps of forming a small-width grid electrode on a light-receiving surface of a substrate having a pn junction by sintering a metal paste material, and forming a bar-shaped main electrode electrically connected to the grid electrode.
US08178776B2 Photovoltaic module and method for manufacturing photovoltaic module
An object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic module that achieves a reduction in adverse influence of damage accumulated in a collector electrode provided on the light receiving surface side, and a method for manufacturing the photovoltaic module. To this end, in a photovoltaic module of the present invention, the degree of cross-linkage of the second region of the sealing material that is in contact with the back surface of the solar cell is smaller than that of the first region of the sealing material that is in contact with the light receiving surface of the solar cell.
US08178773B2 System and methods for the creation and performance of enriched musical composition
A System and method for the creation and performance of enriched musical composition. One aspect of the invention allows a composer to associate content with one or more triggers, and to define behavior characteristics that control the functioning of each trigger. Another aspect of the invention provides a variety of user interfaces through which a performer can cause content to be presented to an audience.
US08178772B2 Resonance sound adding apparatus for keyboard instrument
Resonators generate resonance sound data of given resonant frequencies based on sound signal data corresponding to a pitch of a key. Each resonator includes a delay circuit which delays an input based on delay time data, a second adder which adds an output from the delay circuit to input sound signal data, and a low-pass filter which performs filtering depending on a filter control signal on the output from the second adder. An output from the low-pass filter is input to the delay circuit, and a first adder adds outputs from the resonators. A storage device stores a coefficient table containing items of delay time data to be provided to the resonators, and the items of the delay time data do not match with frequencies corresponding to pitches of keys.
US08178767B1 Pick for playing stringed musical instruments
A hand-held pick for playing guitars and other musical instruments includes a pick body and a plurality of string engaging protrusions. The pick body is flexible and may be used in either a straight condition or a bent condition. The protrusions can be simultaneously engaged with a plurality of strings and simultaneously pluck the strings.
US08178766B2 String-replacement assembly for musical instruments
A string-replacement assembly may be installed within an inner cavity of a body of a guitar. The assembly includes a plurality of cartridges each configured to contain a supply of replacement string therein, corresponding to a particular gauge of string for the guitar. Each supply of replacement string is rotatably mounted within a cartridge. A free end of each supply of the replacement string can be threaded through an exit opening in the body of the guitar for installation on a topside of the guitar. When string breaks or needs to be replaced on the topside of the guitar, a portion of the supply of the replacement string may be readily advanced from a corresponding cartridge to a desired length, and installed in a playing position on the topside of the guitar, to replace a removed portion (associated with the breakage or replacement) of the string.
US08178763B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH570457
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH570457. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH570457, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH570457 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH570457.
US08178762B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH640520
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH640520. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH640520, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH640520 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH640520.
US08178760B1 Inbred corn line NPIE6267
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPIE6267, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPIE6267 with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPIE6267 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPIE6267 and plants produced according to these methods.
US08178758B2 Tomato line PSQ24-2182
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid PS02431185 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid PS02431185 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08178751B2 Use of stomatin (STM1) polynucleotides for achieving a pathogen resistance in plants
The invention relates to a method of generating or increasing a pathogen resistance in plants by reducing the expression of at least one stomatin polypeptide or a functional equivalent thereof. The invention relates to novel nucleic acid sequences coding for a Hordeum vulgare stomatin (HvSTM1) polynucleotide and describes homologous sequences (STM1) thereof, and to their use in methods for obtaining a pathogen resistance in plants, and to nucleic acid constructs, expression cassettes and vectors which comprise these sequences and which are suitable for mediating a fungal resistance in plants. The invention furthermore relates to transgenic organisms, in particular plants, which are transformed with these expression cassettes or vectors, and to cultures, parts or transgenic propagation material derived therefrom.
US08178750B2 Nucleotide sequences mediating male fertility and method of using same
Nucleotide sequences mediating male fertility in plants are described, with DNA molecule and amino acid sequences set forth. Promoter sequences and their essential regions are also identified. The nucleotide sequences and promoter sequences are useful in methods mediating male fertility in plants, as described. Vectors, plant cells, and plants comprising the nucleotide sequences and/or promoter regions are also provided.
US08178749B2 Process for the production of recombinant proteins using carnivorous plants
The present application relates to the provision of process for producing at least one protein, comprising the cultivation of a carnivorous plant, characterized in that said plant has been genetically modified to express said protein or proteins, and said protein or proteins are collected from the digestive secretions of said carnivorous plant traps, in particular glue, pitcher, trumpet or bladder traps. The proteins of interest are functional, despite the existence of digestive enzymes.
US08178744B1 Method and apparatus to demilitarize small caliber ammunition
A method and apparatus for the demilitarization of ammunition. The apparatus is comprised of an elongated tubular ammunition conveying chamber having a wall, an inlet opening, and a discharge opening; a heater in thermal communication with the elongated tubular chamber; and a first discharge barrier obstructing at least a first portion of the discharge opening of the elongated tubular chamber.
US08178743B2 Method of chemical treatment of soils containing hazardous substances susceptible to nucleophillic attack
A method for remediating hazardous materials susceptible to nucleophillic attack is disclosed wherein sodium hydroxide is applied to a treatment zone in situ for raising the pH of the treatment zone to at least about 12.5 so that alkaline hydrolysis effectively breaks down the hazardous substance by replacing a leaving group with a nucleophile. The method is well suited for in situ use in the vadose zone to treat contaminated soil and groundwater.
US08178739B2 Tuning an oligomerizing step to produce a base oil with selected properties
A process, comprising: a. selecting a kinematic viscosity; b. feeding an olefin feed comprising a propylene to an oligomerization zone; c. tuning an oligomerizing step to produce a base oil having the kinematic viscosity and a viscosity index from 20 to 90. A process, comprising: a. selecting a kinematic viscosity that is greater than 20 mm2/s; b. feeding a feed comprising propylene to an oligomerization zone; and c. adding a Brönsted acid to produce a base oil. A process, comprising tuning a step in an oligomerization zone comprising a propylene and an ionic liquid catalyst to produce a base oil having: a. a high kinematic viscosity; b. a viscosity index from 25 to 90; and c. a low pour point. A base oil, comprising oligomerized olefins, wherein the base oil has: a. a high kinematic viscosity; b. a viscosity index from 25 to 90; and c. a low pour point.
US08178738B2 Method for extending catalyst life in processes for preparing vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons
Methods and systems for extending the life of a dehydrogenation catalyst are described herein. For example, one embodiment includes providing an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon feed stream to a reaction chamber, contacting the feed stream with a dehydrogenation catalyst to form a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, the dehydrogenation catalyst including iron oxide and an alkali metal catalysis promoter and supplying a catalyst life extender to at least one reaction chamber, the reaction chamber loaded with the dehydrogenation catalyst, wherein the catalyst life extender includes a potassium salt of a carboxylic acid.
US08178737B2 Propylene production
A process for producing propylene from ethylene and a feed stream comprising 1-butene, 2-butene, n-butane, and isobutane is disclosed. A butenes stream (1-butene and 2-butene) is produced from the feed stream by removing the paraffins. The butenes stream is reacted in the presence of an isomerization catalyst to produce an isomerized stream with increased concentration of 2-butene. The isomerized stream is reacted with ethylene in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to produce a reaction mixture comprising propylene; the propylene may be isolated from the reaction mixture by distillation. The removal of paraffins from the feed stream improves the catalyst productivity and the plant throughput.
US08178736B2 Process and system for the production of isoprene
Disclosed herein is a process for producing isoprene that includes reacting a mixed C4 metathesis feed stream comprising isobutylene and at least one of 1-butene and 2-pentene in a first metathesis reactor in the presence of a first metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce an intermediate product stream comprising at least 30 wt. % 2-methyl-2-pentene based upon the olefin content of fresh feed in the mixed C4 feed stream, and at least one of ethylene and propylene, separating the 2-methyl-2-pentene, subjecting the separated 2-methyl-2-pentene to pyrolysis to produce a reaction product stream comprising isoprene, and separating the isoprene into an isoprene product stream using fractionation. A system used in producing isoprene is also disclosed.
US08178735B2 Process for the preparation of multimetallic catalysts that can be used in reactions for transformation of hydrocarbons
A process for the treatment of an olefinic fraction, using a catalyst prepared by a process comprising: a) The preparation of a colloidal oxide suspension of a first metal M1 by the neutralization of a basic solution by an acidic mineral solution that contains the precursor of the metal M1, b) Bringing into contact the precursor of the promoter M2, either directly in its crystallized form or after dissolution in aqueous phase, with the colloidal suspension that is obtained in stage a), c) Bringing into contact the colloidal suspension that is obtained in stage b) with the substrate, d) Drying at a temperature of between 30° C. and 200° C., under a flow of air.
US08178732B2 Perfuming ingredients imparting sap and/or earthy type notes
The present invention relates to the field of perfumery. More particularly, it concerns specific derivatives of 1-alkenyl cyclopentanol, or 1-alkenyl cyclohexanol, wherein the alkenyle group is branched. These compounds are useful perfuming ingredients capable of imparting sap and/or earthy notes.
US08178728B2 Process for producing cyclohexylbenzene
In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, benzene and hydrogen are contacted under hydroalkylation conditions with a catalyst system comprising a MCM-22 family molecular sieve and at least one hydrogenation metal. The conditions comprise a temperature of about 140° C. to about 175° C., a pressure of about 135 psig to about 175 psig (931 kPag to 1207 kPag), a hydrogen to benzene molar ratio of about 0.30 to about 0.65 and a weight hourly space velocity of benzene of about 0.26 to about 1.05 hr−1.
US08178726B2 High functionality amine compounds and uses therefor
In another exemplary embodiment, an amine functional curing agent has an Amine Hydrogen Functionality (AHF) of at least 7 and an Amine-Hydrogen Equivalent Weight (AHEW) of at least about 50.
US08178725B2 Method of separating and collecting optically active amino acid amide
A method for efficiently separating and collecting an optically active amino acid amide and an optically active amino acid from an aqueous solution containing the optically active amino acid amide and the optically active amino acid includes separating and collecting an optically active amino acid amide from an aqueous solution containing the optically active amino acid amide and an optically active amino acid, utilizing a difference in solubility in an organic solvent between the optically active amino acid amide and the optically active amino acid, without desalting the aqueous solution or after desalting the same, under such a condition that a ratio (C/A) of the total equivalent (C) of cations to the total equivalent (A) of anions contained in the aqueous solution falls within the range from 0.95 to 1.05 when the aqueous solution is not desalted, and the range from 0.5 to 1.5 when the aqueous solution is desalted.
US08178724B2 Compounds for inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine reuptake or for treatment of depression disorders, their preparation processes and uses thereof
The present invention discloses compounds of formula (I), their optical isomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, their preparation and uses thereof, wherein the definitions of R1, R2, R3 and R4 are shown in the description. These compounds are optical isomers or racemic mixtures. After these compounds are uptaken, they are metabolically transformated in vivo into 1-[2-dimethylamino-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-cyclohexanol that has neuropharmacological activity, by interrupting reuptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and/or norepinephrine (NA), which is used for treating diseases associated with central nerve system, such as depression, etc.
US08178722B2 Method for producing theanine
A method for producing theanine including reacting a glutamic acid alkyl ester represented by general Formula (1): where R1 represents an alkyl group, with a ketone represented by general Formula (2): where R2 represents a hydrogen atom, R3 represents a lower alkanoyl group or a benzoyl group, and R2 and R3 may form a cycloalkanone ring in combination with the vicinal carbon atom, in the presence of t-butylamine, a secondary amine or a tertiary amine, reacting the resultant compound represented by general Formula (3): where R1, R2 and R3 are the same as defined above, with ethylamine, and then being subjected to heating in the presence of the ethylamine or reaction with a fatty acid.
US08178717B2 Process for production of (meth)acrylic acid with high boiling fraction work-up by means of crystallization
A process for production of (meth)acrylic acid is disclosed. The process includes synthesizing and distillatively working-up a crude (meth)acrylic acid phase to obtain a (meth)acrylic acid phase and a dimer phase including (meth)acrylic acid dimers and/or (meth)acrylic acid oligomers. At least a part of the (meth)acrylic acid dimers and/or of the (meth)acrylic acid oligomers from the dimer phase is split to obtain a (meth)acrylic acid including a low-boiling phase and a high-boiling phase including less (meth)acrylic acid than the low-boiling phase. At least a part of the (meth)acrylic acid from the low-boiling phase is separated by forming of one or more crystals to obtain a pure (meth)acrylic acid and a residue. Also disclosed is a device for production of (meth)acrylic acid, a process for production of a polymer as well as chemical products based on or including (meth)acrylic acid or a polymer as well as the use of (meth)acrylic acid or polymers in chemical products.
US08178711B2 Method for the purification of triorganophosphites by treatment with a basic additive
One or more triorganophosphite components are separated from a crude phosphite mixture containing acidic hydrolysis products. The crude phosphite mixture is contacted with a basic additive to produce a second mixture comprising a first phase and a second phase. The first phase comprises the basic additive and one or more acidic hydrolysis products and the second phase comprises one or more triorganophosphite components.
US08178709B2 Iron preparation suitable for pharmaceutical formulation and process for the preparation thereof
New iron preparations comprising stable, unpolymerized iron(III) citrate complex compositions and methods for their preparation are provided. Further, the invention involves the use stable, unpolymerized iron(III) citrate complex compositions of the invention as a food additive, nutritional supplement, dietary supplement, medical food, nutrient, iron fortificant, and source of iron in the fields of nutrition for humans, animals, fish, and birds and of diagnostics. The invention further involves the use of stable, unpolymerized iron(III) citrate complex compositions of the invention as a pharmaceutical and pharmacologically active ingredient for human clinical and veterinary applications.
US08178708B2 Lipid derivatives
The present invention relates to lipid compounds of the general formula (I): wherein -n=0-2, —R1 and R2 are the same or different and may be selected from a group of substituents consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a halogen atom, and an alkoxy group; -, X is COR3 or CH2OR4, wherein —R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, and amino, —wherein X further comprises carboxylic acid derivatives when R3 is hydroxy and —R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl or acyl, —Y is a C9 to C21 alkene with one or more double bonds with E or Z configuration; or any pharmaceutically acceptable complex, solvate or pro-drug thereof. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such lipid compounds, and to such lipid compounds for use as medicaments or for diagnostic purposes.
US08178707B2 Co-precipitated salts of fatty acids
A co-salt of a polyunsaturated fatty acid and a non-fatty acid is formed as a precipitate. The co-salt formed is free flowing and does not tend to agglomerate (cake) in storage. The resultant co-salt product will be easy to blend with other products to produce dietary supplements. These novel co-salt products may also tablet very well and may be added to current dietary supplement tablets.
US08178702B2 Composition, method of authenticating, methods of making authenticatable compositions, authenticatable articles made there from
A composition comprising compound of formula I, a process for preparing the composition comprising compound of formula I, methods of authentication for an article comprising compound of formula I or compound of formula II, authentication technology for polymer based articles comprising compound of formula I or formula II, methods of facilitating such authentication and method of making articles capable of authentication.
US08178698B2 Methods of synthesizing cyclic nitro compounds
The present invention provides cyclic nitro compounds, pharmaceutical compositions of cyclic nitro compounds and methods of using cyclic nitro compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent diseases or disorders characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease.
US08178697B2 Method for the preparation of atorvastatin and intermediates used therein
The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing atorvastatin. According to the present invention, provided are a novel intermediate of the preparation of atorvastatin and a method of preparing large amounts of atorvastatin in a safe manner using the intermediate.
US08178695B2 4-(3-aminobenzoyl)-1,3-dimethylpyrazoles and their use as herbicides
What is described are 4-(3-aminobenzoyl)-1,3-dimethylpyrazoles of the general formula (I) and their use as herbicides. In this general formula (I), R1 and R2 are radicals such as hydrogen and organic radicals, such as alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl. Y is hydrogen or a protective group, such as tosyl.
US08178691B2 Methods for production of 1,2,4-triazol-3-one
Novel methods for producing 1,2,4-triazol-3-one from semicarbazide hydrochloride and formic acid are provided. In methods of this invention, water is used in removal of unreacted formic acid to increase yield and purity of produced 1,2,4-triazol-3-one.
US08178690B2 Compounds and methods for inhibiting the interaction of BCL proteins with binding partners
The invention relates to isoxazolidine containing compounds that bind to bcl proteins and inhibit Bcl function. The compounds may be used for treating and modulating disorders associated with hyperproliferation, such as cancer.
US08178687B2 Derivatives of pyrroloindole which are inhibitors of Hsp90, compositions containing same, and use thereof
Pyrroloindoles of formula (I) are provided wherein Het is an aromatic or partially unsaturated, monocyclic or bicyclic heterocycle containing between 1 and 4 heteroatoms N, O or S, optionally substituted by R1 or R′1 which are the same or different; R is X-(A-B)n-CONH2, X-(A-B)n-O—CONH2, X-(A-B)n-NH—CONH2, X—(CH2)m-heterocycloalkyl, X(CH2)m-aryl and X—(CH2)m-heteroaryl wherein X is —O—C(O), —NH—C(O), NH—CS, —NH—CO—CH2-O—; —NH—COCH2-S—CH2-CO—NH—; —NH—CO—(CH2)2-SO2-; and —NH—CO—CH2-N(CH3)-CO—; A and B are the same or different and are each independently a single bond, CH2, CH-alkyl, and CH-aralkyl; n=1, 2 and m=0, 1; R1 and/or R′1 are H, halogen, CF3, nitro, cyano, alkyle, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxy, alkylthio, and carboxy, free or esterified by an alkyl, carboxamide, CONH(alkyl), CON(alkyl)2, NH—CO-alkyl, sulfonamide, NH—SO2-alkyl, S(O)2-NHalkyl, and S(O2)-N(alkyl)2 group, all of said alkyl, alcoxy and alkylthio groups being optionally substituted themselves, said products being in all isomer forms and salts, as medicaments.
US08178679B2 Derivatives of 4-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)phenol as agonists of the β2 adrenergic receptors
The present disclosure relates to 4-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)phenol derivatives of formula (I) as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and their use in therapy as agonists of the β2 adrenergic receptor.
US08178678B2 Bis-quaternary ammonium salts and methods for modulating neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Provided are bis-quaternary ammonium compounds which are modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for modulating the function of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and for the prevention and/or treatment of central nervous system disorders, substance use and/or abuse, and or gastrointestinal tract disorders.
US08178677B2 Hydroxyalkyl substituted imidazoquinolines
Certain imidazoquinolines with a hydroxymethyl or hydroxyethyl substituent at the 2-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for preferentially inducing IFN-α biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases are disclosed.
US08178675B2 Compounds for the treatment of metabolic disorders
Agents useful for the treatment of various metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance syndrome, diabetes, hyper-lipidemia, fatty liver disease, cachexia, obesity, atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are disclosed as Formula (I).
US08178674B2 Process for the preparation of ziprasidone
The invention relates to processes for the preparation of substantially pure ziprasidone. The invention also relates to the preparation of acid addition salts of ziprasidone. More particularly, it relates to the preparation of substantially pure hydrochloride salt of ziprasidone. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions that include the substantially pure ziprasidone or ziprasidone hydrochloride and use of said compositions for treating schizophrenia.
US08178671B2 Methods of treating or preventing autoimmune diseases with 2, 4-pyrimidinediamine compounds
The present invention provides methods of treating or preventing autoimmune diseases with 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, as well as methods of treating, preventing or ameliorating symptoms associated with such diseases. Specific examples of autoimmune diseases that can be treated or prevented with the compounds include rheumatoid arthritis and/or its associated symptoms, systemic lups erythematosis and/or its associated symptoms and multiple sclerosis and/or its associated symptoms.
US08178666B2 2-aminobenzoxazole process
A method for forming an optionally substituted 2-aminobenzoxazole compound includes: contacting an optionally substituted 2-aminophenol compound with (1) an amine of the formula NHR2R3, wherein R2 and R3 are each independently selected from H, an optionally substituted alkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group, or R2 and R3, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring; and (2) a reactant selected from the group consisting of: (a) C(OR)4, wherein R represents an alkyl group; (b) C(OAr)4, wherein Ar represents an aryl group; and (c) CCl2(OAr)2, wherein Ar represents an aryl group, in combination with a base; thereby forming the optionally substituted 2-aminobenzoxazole compound.
US08178665B2 Process for the production of ezetimibe and intermediates used in this process
A process for the production of 1-(4-3(R)-[3(S)-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl]-4(S)-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone (ezetimibe) according to the following reaction scheme: (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), (VIII), (IX), (X), (XI) where the substances of the general Formulas II, IV, VI, VIII, IX, X and XI are new, Formula III is a non-isolated intermediate, R1, R2 and R3 are represented by the compounds of Formulas Va-Vd, (Va), (Vb), (Vc), (Vd) and R4 is a silyl, e.g., tert-butyl-dimethyl-silyl, tert-butyl-diphenyl-silyl group.
US08178664B2 Preparation of metal mesoporphyrin compounds
A method of preparing metal mesoporphyrin halide compounds is described. The metal mesoporphyrin halide compound may be formed by forming a novel mesoporphyrin IX intermediate compound and then converting the mesoporphyrin IX intermediate to the metal mesoporphyrin halide through metal insertion. The novel intermediate compound may be formed by a catalytic hydrogenation of hemin in acid and subsequent recovery.
US08178663B2 Ester derivatives of hyaluronic acid for the preparation of hydrogel materials by photocuring
The present invention relates to hyaluronic acid ester derivatives, whose carboxylic groups are partially esterified with hydroxy groups of propiophenone derivatives, to the hydrogel materials consisting of the said hyaluronic acid ester derivatives, to their preparation process by photocuring of the hyaluronic acid ester derivatives, and their use in the biomedical, sanitary and surgical fields, and in the medical field as controlled release systems for drugs.
US08178662B2 Isolated AEBP1 genomic polynucleotide fragments from chromosome 7 and their uses
The invention is directed to isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments that encode human SNARE YKT6, human glucokinase, human adipocyte enhancer binding protein (AEBP1) and DNA directed 50 kD regulatory subunit (POLD2), vectors and hosts containing these fragments and fragments hybridizing to noncoding regions as well as antisense oligonucleotides to these fragments. The invention is further directed to methods of using these fragments to obtain SNARE YKT6, human glucokinase, AEBP1 protein and POLD2 and to diagnose, treat, prevent and/or ameliorate a pathological disorder.
US08178660B2 Vaccines and immunotherapeutics using codon optimized IL-15 and methods for using the same
Nucleic acid molecules that encode IL-15 or fragments thereof, which express protein at a higher level than nucleic acid molecules with native coding sequences for IL-15 are disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules with additional modifications such as the absence of coding sequences for IL-15 signal sequences and/or the absence of IL-15 untranslated sequences and/or inclusion of non-IL-15 signal sequences are also disclosed. Vectors, including plasmids and viral vectors, comprising such nucleic acid molecules; and to host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules are disclosed as well as methods of using such nucleic acid molecules alone or in combination with nucleic acid sequences encoding immunogens which are part of the nucleic acid molecules and/or part of a different nucleic acid molecule. Recombinant vaccines and live attenuated pathogens encoding fusion proteins, and methods of using the same, are disclosed.
US08178653B2 Recombinant vaccines and use thereof
The present invention relates to fusion molecules of antigens, the nucleic acids coding therefor and the use of such fusion molecules and nucleic acids. In particular, said invention relates to fusion molecules, comprising an antigen and the transmembrane region and cytoplasmic region of a MHC molecule and/or the cytoplasmic region of a MHC or a SNARE molecule.
US08178647B2 Copolyester ether elastomer compositions and methods of making copolyester ether elastomer compositions
Copolyester ether elastomer compositions and methods for preparing copolyester ether elastomer compositions. Such compositions can comprise a copolyester ether, a thermoplastic elastomer, and a compatibilizer resin. Improved properties of such compositions can be useful in making various articles of manufacture, such as, for example, laboratory and medical application tubing.
US08178641B2 Amino group-containing conjugated diene polymer and method for producing the same, and block copolymer and method for producing the same
A method for producing an amino group-containing conjugated diene polymer includes polymerizing a conjugated diene compound in the presence of a reaction product of 1,3-bis(diphenylethenyl)benzene or a derivative thereof and an organolithium compound to obtain a conjugated diene polymer, and reacting the conjugated diene polymer with a modifier.
US08178639B2 Polymer for forming organic anti-reflective coating layer
A polymer for forming an organic anti-reflective coating layer, which is soluble in alkali solutions so that an additional etching process of anti-reflective coating layer is not required, and a composition including the same are disclosed. The polymer for forming an organic anti-reflective coating layer has the following formula. Wherein, R1 is a hydrogen atom (H) or a methyl group (—CH3), R2 is a sulfur atom (S) or an oxygen atom (O), R3 is a group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and a terminal hydroxyl group, R4 is an alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group, and if necessary, a hetero atom is contained therein, and a, b and c independently represent weight % of repeating units constituting the polymer, and are 1 to 98 weight %, 1 to 98 weight %, and 1 to 98 weight %, respectively.
US08178638B2 Poly(meth)acrylamides and poly(meth)acrylates containing fluorinated amide
A composition comprising a copolymer having repeating units in any sequence of Formula I wherein Rf is a straight or branched perfluoroalkyl group which is optionally interrupted by at least one oxygen atom, X3 is oxygen or X1, each X1 is independently an organic divalent linking group, G is F or CF3, A is an amide, X2 is an organic linking group, Y is O, N or S, Z is H, a straight or branched alkyl group or halide, B is H or wherein Rf, X1, X3, G, and A are as defined above, and each W is independently various copolymer units.
US08178636B2 Process for the preparation of atactic 1-butene polymers
A process for obtaining atactic 1-butene polymer optionally containing at least one comonomer selected from ethylene, propylene or an alpha-olefin of formula CH2═CHRo, wherein Ro is a linear or branched C3-C20 alkyl group, comprising the step of polymerizing 1-butene and optionally ethylene, propylene or said alpha-olefin, in the presence of a catalyst system obtainable by contacting: a) at least one metallocene compound of formula (I) in its meso or meso-like form wherein M is an atom of a transition metal; p is an integer from 0 to 3; X, same or different, is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a hydrocarbon group; L is a divalent C1-C40 hydrocarbon radical optionally containing heteroatoms belonging to groups 13-17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; R1 and R2, are C1-C40 hydrocarbon radicals; T, equal to or different from each other, is a moiety of formula (IIa) or (IIb): wherein R3 is a C1-C40 hydrocarbon radical; R4 and R6, are hydrogen atoms or C1-C40 hydrocarbon radicals; R5 is a C1-C40 hydrocarbon radical; R7 and R8, equal to or different from each other, are hydrogen atoms or C1-C40 hydrocarbon radicals; and b) an alumoxane or a compound capable of forming an alkyl metallocene cation.
US08178634B2 Polyolefins prepared from a metallocene and a new single site catalyst component in a single reactor
The present invention discloses a catalyst system based on a metallocene catalyst component and a new single site catalyst component for the production in a single reactor of improved polyolefins having a bimodal molecular weight distribution.
US08178629B2 Conjugated polymer fiber, preparation and use thereof
Described are conjugated polymer fibers and nanofibers, methods of making, and methods of use thereof. The conjugated polymer fibers and nanofibers can be prepared by an electrostatic spinning process followed by crosslinking.
US08178627B2 Oxymethylene copolymer composition for stretching material, stretching material, structures, and process for producing the same
Provided is an oxymethylene copolymer composition for a stretched material having a high strength and a high elastic modulus, the composition including: an oxymethylene copolymer; and a crosslinkable compound to be blended with the oxymethylene copolymer in an amount of 0.001 to 0.05 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the oxymethylene copolymer. The present invention also relates to a stretched material obtained by using the oxymethylene copolymer composition. Further, the present invention relates to a structure obtained by the secondary processing of the above stretched material, and a structure obtained by using the above oxymethylene copolymer composition in a bonding layer of the structure. The present invention also relates to a method of producing a structure, the method including: using the oxymethylene copolymer composition in a bonding layer of the structure; and removing a polyalkylene glycol component with water or a solvent.
US08178624B2 Coloured composition with increased stress cracking resistance
The invention relates to a composition containing, in relation to the total weight of said composition, A) between 50.0% by weight and 99.5% by weight of at least one (meth)acrylate (co)polymer and B) between 0.5% by weight and 50.0% by weight of at least one copolymer, obtained by the polymerization of a monomer mixture consisting of i. between 70% by weight and 92% by weight of a vinyl aromatic monomer and ii. between 8% by weight and 30% by weight of acryl nitrile or methacryl nitrile or mixtures thereof iii. between 0% by weight and 22% by weight of at least one other monomer, the composition having at 50° C. a ΔE of less than 0.15, ΔE being defined according to the relationship (1): (1) in which ΔL*: the modification of the color co-ordinates L* compared with the color co-ordinates L* at 23° C., Δa*: the modification of the color co-ordinates a* compared with the color co-ordinates a* at 23° C., Δb*: the modification of the color co-ordinates b* compared to the color co-ordinates b* at 23° C., and the composition contains at least one (meth)acrylate (co)polymer a) with a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25° C. (ISO 1628 part 6) greater than 55 ml/g. The molded bodies that can be obtained from the composition are characterized in particular by improved stress cracking resistance and are suitable in particular for use in coatings, paints or films.
US08178622B2 Amphiphilic block copolymer, method for manufacturing the same, and polymer electrolyte membrane using the same
The present invention provides an amphiphilic block copolymer, a method for manufacturing the same, and a fuel cell membrane using the same. According to preferred embodiments, the amphiphilic block copolymer may contain poly(arylene sulfone ether ketone) (PSEK) as a hydrophobic component and poly(sulfonated styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PSSAN) as a hydrophilic component. According to other preferred embodiments, polymer electrolyte membrane manufactured using the amphiphilic block copolymer has certain advantages in that the hydrogen ion conductivity is not reduced even at a high temperature of more than 100° C. but is rather increased and the thermal and chemical dimensional stability is excellent.
US08178621B2 Composition for crosslinkable polyimide precusor, method of manufacturing cross-linked polyimide, and polyimide film
A polyimide precursor composition includes an oligomer or polymer having a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl group only in a side chain and a diamine compound. A method of manufacturing a polyimide, and a polyimide film, are also disclosed.
US08178618B2 Process for production of a modified acetalated polyvinyl alcohol
The invention relates to a method for modifying acetalated polyvinyl alcohols comprising reacting a melt acetalated polyvinyl alcohols with epoxides. The invention also relates to uses of the resultant modifying acetalated polyvinyl alcohols, including uses in ceramic applications.
US08178614B2 Laminate containing solvent resistant polyurethane adhesive compositions
A laminate includes a backing material coated with a solvent resistant adhesive composition. The adhesive composition includes a hydroxyl or urea or hydrocarbon terminated unsaturated polyurethane or polyurethane-urea polymer and a peroxide or a silicone hydride.
US08178613B2 Acryloxy-functional silicone composition curable by high-energy radiation
An acryloxy-functional silicone composition curable by high-energy radiation, which is characterized by excellent storage stability of the composition and by improved resistance to scratching, transparency, water repellency, and adhesiveness in a hard cured coating film produced from the aforementioned composition. This composition comprises (A) a polyfunctional acrylate of at least one type; an amino-modified organopolysiloxane (B) or a product (F) of a Michael addition reaction between at least one type of a polyfunctional acrylate and amino-modified organopolysiloxane; (C) an organoalkoxysilane having an aliphatic unsaturated bond, (D) a colloidal silica; and (E) an alcohol-containing organic solvent.
US08178610B2 Polyamide/poly(arylene ether) composition, method, and article
A polyamide/poly(arylene ether) composition includes specific amounts of a block copolymer, glass fibers, and a compatibilized blend of at least two polyamides and a poly(arylene ether). The composition is particularly useful for molding automotive under-the-hood components that exhibit an improved balance of moldability, heat resistance, and resistance to brittle failure.
US08178609B2 Isoflavones for treating mucopolysaccharidoses
A method of treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis, the method including administering to a patient in the need of such treatment-a therapeutically effective amount of a natural isoflavone of formula (I), a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition including a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient; and a natural isoflavone of formula (I), a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the natural isoflavone, the derivative thereof, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt threof being in a therapeutically effective amount for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis.
US08178608B2 Thermoplastic resin composition and resin molded article
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin (component A) and 1 to 400 parts by weight of a granular inorganic filler (component B) comprising an inorganic filler having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 100 μm and a water-soluble polyester resin binder, and having a bulk density of 0.4 to 1.5 g/mL; and a resin molded article obtained by molding the thermoplastic resin composition. The thermoplastic resin composition is improved in various properties such as extrusion moldability, rigidity, impact resistance, thermal stability and hue, and exhibits an excellent balance between these properties.