| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08223931B1 |
Systems and methods for visual presentation and selection of IVR menu
Embodiments of the invention provide a system for enhancing user interaction with Interactive Voice Response (IVR) destinations, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising: data encoding a database, the database comprising a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing an IVR; instructions executable by the processor for automatically communicating with at least one user; and instructions executable by the processor to pull at least one menu from the database and display the menu to the at least one user, wherein the menu is associated with a telephone number dialed by the at least one user, and wherein the menu comprises at least one icon. |
| US08223927B2 |
Lawful interception of non-local subscribers
The present application relates to monitoring non-local originating calls in a telecommunication system having a local network part and a non-local network part. A monitoring centre is attached to an Intercept Access Point in the local network part. A monitoring request comprising an external target identification is received from the monitoring centre to the Intercept Access point. A call is set-up of from an originating subscriber in the non-local network part, towards the local network part. An Initial Address Message comprising the originating subscriber's identity is received to the Intercept Access point from the non-local network part. A match is found between the Initial Address Message and the received target identification. Monitoring information related to the matched target is transferred from the Intercept Access Point to the monitoring centre. |
| US08223926B2 |
Resilient registration with a call manager
Registering with a call manager includes connecting to a first call manager and a second call manager. The endpoints register with the first call manager and send keep-alive signals to the first call manager and the second call manager. If a failure is detected in the first call manager, the system initiates a failover process. The endpoints re-register with the first call manager when the first call manager regains operability. |
| US08223925B2 |
Compact collimating device
A collimating device is described. The collimating device includes a housing defining an interior surface and an exterior surface of the collimating device. The housing includes an inlet and an outlet and a cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet. The collimating device also includes a plurality of ridges extending from the interior surface of the housing toward a center of the cavity. The plurality of ridges form a plurality of slits within the cavity configured to collimate radiation entering the inlet and exiting the outlet. |
| US08223919B2 |
X-ray tomographic inspection systems for the identification of specific target items
The present specification discloses an X-ray scanning system with a non-rotating X-ray scanner that generates scanning data defining a tomographic X-ray image of the object and a processor executing programmatic instructions where the executing processor analyzes the scanning data to extract at least one parameter of the tomographic X-ray image and where the processor is configured to determine if the object comprises a liquid, sharp object, narcotic, currency, nuclear materials, cigarettes or fire-arms. |
| US08223917B2 |
Method of quantitative analysis of hexavalent chromium in chromate coating and method for controlling hazardous element in encapsulating resin of resin encapsulation semiconductor device
A method for controlling a hazardous element in an encapsulating resin of a resin encapsulation semiconductor device includes subjecting the device to qualitative analysis with a fluorescent X-ray analyzer to judge whether the hazardous element is contained in the encapsulating resin, aligning a plurality of devices with each of upper and lower surfaces of the devices brought into a plane, setting the surfaces of the devices to cover a full X-ray irradiation plane and subjecting the devices to quantitative analysis with the fluorescent X-ray analyzer to obtain an analytical value of the hazardous element in the encapsulating resin for upper and lower surfaces of the devices, and judging whether the analytical value of the hazardous element which is less influenced by a coexistent element of the analytical values for the upper and lower surfaces of the devices exceeds a threshold value. |
| US08223916B2 |
Computer-aided detection of anatomical abnormalities in x-ray tomosynthesis images
Methods, systems, and related computer program products for computer-aided detection (CAD) of anatomical abnormalities in a breast volume based on a plurality of two-dimensional x-ray tomosynthesis projection images thereof is described. Each projection image is processed according to at least one predetermined feature extraction algorithm to generate at least one projection feature array corresponding thereto. For each of the at least one predetermined features extracted, the plurality of corresponding projection feature arrays is backprojected according to a predetermined tomosynthesis reconstruction algorithm to form a plurality of two-dimensional tomosynthesis reconstructed feature arrays. Each pixel in the three-dimensional breast geometry is then individually classified as being either a pixel of interest, or not a pixel of interest, based upon the at least one tomosynthesis reconstructed feature array value corresponding to that pixel. CAD detections for the breast volume are then generated based on the identified pixels of interest. |
| US08223913B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting high-energy radiation using a pulse mode ion chamber
A method for measuring high-energy radiation includes applying a voltage pulse to electrodes in an ion chamber filled with a gas capable of forming charged ions by the high-energy radiation; measuring an ion current signal related to ion currents induced by the voltage pulse; and determining a magnitude of the high-energy radiation based on the ion current signal. |
| US08223911B2 |
Self-compensating drift-free high-frequency phase detector circuit
The present invention relates to a phase detector circuit (10) having an RF distribution device (20) which is intended to receive two sinusoidal high-frequency signals (RF, LO) with an input phase difference (φRF(t)−φLO(t)) and comprises two power splitters (21, 22) in order to split the two high-frequency signals (RF, LO) into two respective parts, a self-calibrating phase detector module (30) which is configured to receive one respective part of the two high-frequency signals which have been split, a low-noise phase detector module (40) which is configured to receive the respective other part of the high-frequency signals which have been split, and a complementary filter device (50) which is configured to receive the output signals from the self-calibrating phase detector module (30) and the low-noise phase detector module (40) and to output a signal which indicates the time-dependent input phase difference between the two high-frequency signals (RF, LO). |
| US08223901B2 |
Interference in communication devices
A wideband signal comprising both a wanted signal and narrowband interference is received in a wideband receiver. The receiver comprises an interference detection unit comprising a set of sub-band filters. With the aid of the sub-band filters the received signal is processed to detect a sub-band containing the narrowband interference in time domain. |
| US08223899B2 |
Methods and apparatus for initial acquisition gain control in a communication system
Methods and apparatus for initial acquisition gain control in a communication system a method for use in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A disclosed methodology includes measuring the power of a signal received by a transceiver a number of times over a prescribed time period, the signal including a number of symbols. A gain of the transceiver is unidirectionally adjusted when a currently measured power is greater than a previously measured power during the prescribed time period until a maximal power level is measured. By adjusting the gain to accommodate a maximal power value, which is the same as the power level of an acquisition pilot symbol, overshoot and distortion by the transceiver are avoided during initial timing and frequency acquisition. Corresponding apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US08223891B2 |
Method and system for a reference symbol (RS) frequency control loop for TCXO synchronization and tracking
Aspects of a method and system for an RS frequency control loop for TCXO synchronization and tracking may include tracking a carrier frequency in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signal based on at least a reference symbol set. A receiver frequency may be adjusted based on at least the tracked carrier frequency. The carrier frequency may be tracked by generating an output signal as a function of a frequency offset Δf in a frequency discrimination feedback loop. The reference symbol (RS) set may be generated in an RS extraction module or circuit, from at least a fast Fourier transform of the received OFDM signal. The receiver frequency may be coarsely adjusted and then finely adjusted. The coarse receiver frequency adjustment may be based on processing at least a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal. |
| US08223888B2 |
Method and receiving unit for the detection of data symbols
A method and device is provided for the detection of data symbols contained in a received radio signal, whereby each data symbol is allocated transmit-side a symbol value-specific PN sequence of successive PN chips in the chip clock and the PN sequences allocated to the data symbols are offset QPSK modulated. The method of the invention for incoherent detection provides for converting the received radio signal into a complex baseband signal sampled in the chip clock, generating a demodulated signal by differential demodulation of the complex baseband signal sampled in the chip clock, providing the derived sequences, calculating correlation results by correlating the demodulated signal with the derived sequences, and deriving, i.e., detecting, the values of the data symbols by evaluating the correlation results. In this case, each derived sequence is assigned to a PN sequence allocable transmit-side and includes derived chips, whose values in each case correspond to a logic linking of particular PN chips of the PN sequence allocable transmit-side that is assigned the derived sequence. The invention relates furthermore to a corresponding receiving unit. |
| US08223885B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device with separate In-phase (I) and Quadrature (Q) phase power amplification and power amplifier pre-distortion and IQ balance compensation
A communications device, in one aspect as a portable wireless communications device, includes an in-phase modulator and power amplifier that receives a baseband I signal and modulates and amplifies the I signal. A quadrature modulator and power amplifier receives a baseband Q signal and modulates and amplifies the Q signal. A power combiner sums and outputs the I and Q signals. An I demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the I power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated I signals. A Q demodulator circuit receives a signal fed back from the Q power amplifier and demodulates the fed back signal to produce demodulated Q signals. A processor compares the digital, baseband I and Q signals with a demodulated I and Q signals to compensate for amplitude, frequency and phase modulation errors. |
| US08223881B2 |
Transmitter and receiver for a wireless audio transmission system
There is provided a transmitter for a wireless audio transmission system comprising at least one analog/digital converter unit for analog/digital conversion of the analog audio signals to be transmitted, at least one digital signal processing unit with a compressing/encoding device for compressing and encoding the digitized signal to be transmitted, a digital/analog converter unit for digital/analog conversion of the digital output signals of the digital signal processing unit into analog signals, and a transmitting unit for wirelessly transmitting the output signals of the digital/analog converter unit. There is further provided a receiver for a wireless audio transmission system comprising a receiving unit for receiving wirelessly transmitted analog HF signals, an intermediate frequency unit for mixing the HF signals onto intermediate frequency signals, at least one analog/digital converter unit for analog/digital conversion of the wirelessly received signals, at least one digital signal processing unit with an expanding/decoding device for expanding and decoding the signals digitised by the at least one analog/digital converter unit, and at least one digital/analog converter unit for converting the digital output signals of the digital signal processing unit into analog signals. |
| US08223878B2 |
Transmitter apparatus, receiver apparatus, and wireless communication method
When space-time block code signals are to be transmitted, the patterns thereof are changed in accordance with data to be transmitted. This advantageously allows a good-quality data transmission to be achieved by the space-time block code signals. In addition, since data can be transmitted by use of the patterns of the space-time block code signals, the data transmission efficiency can be improved. |
| US08223874B2 |
Full diversity high-rate coded transmit beamforming techniques using partial-algebraic precoding, and associated near-optimal low-complexity receivers
A system for transmitting data from a transmitter comprising at least two transmitting antennas, an encoder following an error correcting code structure and a transmit beamforming technique to a receiver comprising at least two receiving antennas and a decoder defined according to the error correcting code structure over a transmit beamformed MIMO channel. The coding rate Rc of the encoder (ENC), the parameters of the transmit beamformed MIMO channel and a target diversity order of the system are selected dependently one from each other. |
| US08223872B1 |
Reuse of a matrix equalizer for the purpose of transmit beamforming in a wireless MIMO communication system
An equalizer is applied to a signal to be transmitted via at least one multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) channel or received via at least one MIMO channel using a matrix equalizer computational device. Channel state information (CSI) is received, and the CSI is provided to the matrix equalizer computational device when the matrix equalizer computational device is not needed for matrix equalization. One or more transmit beamsteering codewords are selected from a transmit beamsteering codebook based on output generated by the matrix equalizer computational device in response to the CSI provided to the matrix equalizer computational device. |
| US08223869B2 |
Control channel detection scheme
A method for detection of a control channel includes receiving data transmitted via the control channel. A control channel receive quality is estimated based on a metric difference between a metric of a known final trellis state and a minimum metric amongst the metrics of the trellis states based on the received data. It is decided whether or not to detect the control channel depending on the estimated control channel receive quality. |
| US08223868B2 |
Method of determining a variable quantization step size for improving channel decoding, method and apparatus of performing channel decoding operation based on a variable quantization step size
A method of determining a variable quantization step size is disclosed. In the method of determining a variable quantization step size, a channel characteristic parameter is obtained in order to calculate a quantization step size (Δ) used in channel decoding. The quantization step size (Δ) is variably determined based on the channel characteristic parameter. Therefore, the method of determining a variable quantization step size may improve channel decoding. |
| US08223865B2 |
Method for the blind estimation of OFDM signal parameters by adapted filtering
The present invention relates to a method for the blind estimation of at least one parameter of an OFDM signal by maximizing an objective function depending on said parameter. The objective function implements a parameterized model of the OFDM modulation and a matched filtering corresponding to that model. The OFDM signal, baseband demodulated and then sampled in an observation window, is the object of the adapted filtering to calculate the objective function.It is also proposed to include, in the parameterized model, the temporal offset between the observation window and an OFDM symbol as well as the frequency offset between the frequency of the OFDM signal carrier and the baseband demodulation frequency. |
| US08223860B2 |
OFDM system and data transmission method therefor
An OFDM system includes a frequency-time transformer configured to receive and transform input data to be transmitted to a time-domain sequence; a serial/parallel transformer configured to divide the time-domain sequence into plural sequences; a phase rotating module configured to perform phase rotation in respects to each of the divided time-domain sequences; and a minimum PAPR signal selector configured to select a sequence having a minimum peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) among the sequences outputted from the phase rotating module. |
| US08223856B2 |
Radio communication system carrying out transmission and reception of multicarrier signal, transmission terminal, and reception terminal
A radio communication system includes a transmission terminal and a reception terminal. The transmission terminal divides and outputs transmission data, modulates the output data to a plurality of subcarriers, converts the modulated data to a temporal waveform of a multicarrier signal, and copies divided transmission data a predetermined number of times such that the number of divided transmission data, subsequent to being copied the predetermined number of times, is equal to the number corresponding to the plurality of subcarriers. |
| US08223855B2 |
Method for blindly detecting a precoding matrix index
A method for blindly detecting a precoding matrix index used to transmit a data or control signal is provided. The method includes receiving at a mobile station (102) a common reference signal and user specific data and control signal weighted by precoding matrix. An objective function is applied to the received reference signal and user specific data and control signal that minimizes the objective function for each of at least one rank used to transmit the received user specific data and control signal and each of known possible modulation constellations used to transmit the received data/control signal to determine the precoding matrix index (PMI). |
| US08223850B2 |
Method of obtaining a filtered pixel value from a reference pixel group
In one embodiment, the method includes determining a reference pixel group including a pixel to be filtered. The reference pixel group includes at least three successive pixels. Two of the three successive pixels are in a first block and one of the three successive pixels is in a second block. The second block is adjacent to the first block. The method further includes applying weight factors to at least each of the three successive reference pixels. The weight factors are different according to pixel position. A filtered value is obtained by summing at least the three weighted successive pixels. |
| US08223846B2 |
Low-complexity and high-quality error concealment techniques for video sequence transmissions
A spatial error concealment (SEC) method for concealing a spatial image error of an encoded image frame caused by a damaged macroblock (MB) is provided. The SEC method selects a proper SEC algorithm by adaptively classifying a plurality of correct MBs adjacent to the damaged MB, so as to execute interpolation pixel compensation or matching block copying, thus obtaining image data of the damaged MB. In such a way, the damaged MB is processed to apply the least affection to the entire image frame. The SEC algorithm is selected from bilinear interpolation (BI) method, directional interpolation (DI) method, multi-directional interpolation (MDI) method, and best neighborhood matching (BNM) method. The SEC method further includes a fast determination calculation, which utilizes image directional data related to the damaged MB in coding data of the original frame to execute a direct SEC process, for saving time on determination calculation, thus accelerating the processing speed. |
| US08223845B1 |
Multithread processing of video frames
Method for determining frame slice sizes of a frame for multithreaded decoding. The frame is encoded using at least two different slice types based on size where a large-type slice is at least two times larger than a small-type slice and/or the large-type slices comprise 70-90% of the frame. In some embodiments, the number of large-type slices is equal to the number of threads available for decoding and comprise the beginning slices of the frame to be decoded before the small-type slices. Methods for multithreaded deblocking of the frame under the H.264 codec is provided where first and second threads processes first and second sections of the frame in parallel. The first section comprises macroblocks on one side of a diagonal line and the second section comprises the remainder, the diagonal line extending from a first corner of a sub-frame to a second corner of the sub-frame. |
| US08223844B2 |
High frequency emphasis in decoding of encoded signals
A decoder adapted to generate an intermediate decoded version of a video frame from an encoded version of the video frame, determine either an amount of high frequency basis functions or coefficients below a quantization threshold for at least one block of the video frame, and generate a final decoded version of the video frame based at least in part on the intermediate decoded version of the video frame and the determined amount(s) for the one or more blocks of the video frame, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the decoder may be incorporated as a part of a video system. |
| US08223842B2 |
Dynamic image decoding device
A moving image decoding device decodes moving image data encoded by a predictive encoding method. In decoding a block that has been encoded by an inter-screen predictive encoding, if a reference block is not stored in frame memory, the moving image decoding device decodes the block assuming that the block has been encoded by an intra-screen predictive encoding. |
| US08223841B2 |
Moving picture coding method and a moving picture decoding method
A moving picture coding apparatus includes a motion estimation unit (101) for performing motion estimation by fixing the one of two reference pictures as a reference picture indicated by an inputted default reference picture number DefRefNo and a variable length coding unit (107) for performing variable length coding on coded residual data ERes, a prediction type PredType, a reference picture number RefNo2 and motion vectors MV1, MV2 on a block-by-block basis, and outputting them as coded moving picture data Str. |
| US08223838B2 |
Parallel processing circuit for intra-frame prediction
The present invention provides a functional block that executes video coding and video decoding based on H.264/AVC. The functional block includes two moving picture processing units, and a memory unit that stores therein data related to the results of processing of first plural macroblocks arranged within one row of one picture by the first moving picture processing unit. Data related to the results of processing of plural adjacent macroblocks, which are selected from the data stored in the memory unit, are transferred to the second moving picture processing unit. The second moving picture processing unit performs processing of one macroblock of second plural macroblocks arranged in the following row, using the transferred data. |
| US08223836B2 |
Constant-quality rate control system and algorithm for regions of interest
A constant-quality rate control system and algorithm for multiple encoders with a single video source are disclosed. The system comprises a base encoder, a region of interest (ROI) detector, and at least one ROI encoder. The base encoder encodes a base video sequence which is a down-sampled version of a video sequence and sends the base video sequence to a multiplexer. The ROI detector extracts an ROI video sequence from the original video sequence. The ROI encoder encodes the ROI video sequence and sends it to the multiplexer. The ROI encoder uses information obtained during encoding of the base video sequence to improve the encoding of the ROI video sequence. The information of the base video sequence are used to better control the bit-rate and the quality of the ROI video sequence. |
| US08223835B2 |
Categorizing moving objects into familiar colors in video
An improved solution for categorizing moving objects into familiar colors in video is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for categorizing moving objects into familiar colors in video comprises: receiving a video input; determining at least one object track of the video input; creating a normalized cumulative histogram of the at least one object track; and one of: performing a parameterization quantization of the histogram including separating the histogram into regions based on at least one surface curve derived from one of saturation and intensity; or identifying a significant color of the quantized histogram. |
| US08223832B2 |
Resolution increasing apparatus
A resolution increasing apparatus including: a motion image decoding unit that sets a reference frame and a pixel of attention; a provisional-high-resolution-image generating unit that generates a provisional high-resolution image having the number of pixels larger than that of the reference frame; a determining unit that determines whether correction of a pixel value of a corresponding position of the provisional high-resolution image corresponding to the pixel of attention should be performed; and a high-resolution-image correcting unit that performs, when the determining unit determines that the correction is performed, predetermined correction processing and outputs, when the determining unit determines that the correction is not performed, the pixel value of the corresponding position of the provisional high-resolution image as a high-resolution image. |
| US08223829B2 |
Adaptive digital filter, signal processing method, FM receiver, and program
An adaptive digital filter is provided with a filter unit for generating and supplying an output signal by means of a convolution operation of an input signal and a filter coefficient, or a filter unit for taking as input signal a complex signal in which one of two signals that are generated from one real signal and that have phases that differ by 90° is a real part and the other signal is an imaginary part for generating and supplying an output signal that is a complex signal by means of a convolution operation of the input signal and a filter coefficient that is the real signal; and the update amount of the filter coefficient is controlled based on the estimated value of the amplitude of at least one of the input signal and output signal of the adaptive digital filter. |
| US08223825B2 |
Method and computer program for estimating signal quality value, and signal quality estimator, receiver and communication apparatus
A method of estimating a signal quality value in a receiver, the method comprising receiving a plurality of reference symbols; determining error rate for the plurality of received reference symbols; mapping the determined error rate to a signal quality value model; and determining mapped signal quality from the model to be signal quality value estimate. A signal quality estimator, a receiver, a communication apparatus, and a computer program for estimating signal quality are also disclosed. |
| US08223821B2 |
Uplink signal detection in RF repeaters
A method for detecting an IS-95 signal without knowledge of a spreading code for the IS-95 signal is provided. A received baseband signal is rotated through a plurality of phase-shifts. For each phase-shifted baseband signal, an in-phase component or a quadrature component of the phase-shifted baseband signal is realigned. The in-phase and quadrature components are multiplied by a PN short code to partially despread the components. The partially despread in-phase and quadrature components are multiplied and integrated. The integrated despread in-phase and quadrature components are compared to a threshold value. In response to exceeding the threshold value, the received baseband signal is identified as an IS-95 signal. The method may be implemented on a repeater for repeating signals between multiple sources. |
| US08223820B2 |
Method and apparatus for symbol synchronization for an 802.15.4 radio platform
A technique for receiving a data stream including a spreading sequence packet of information containing a data payload and, in addition to the data payload, packet overhead including at least periodic information and at least one unique section of known coded information that defines a unique position within the packet, includes performing a plurality of processing steps to detect the position of the unique section within the packet of information. The steps include detecting the periodicity of the periodic information in a first processing step; in a second processing step after periodicity in the received data stream has been determined, estimating the position of the unique section within the packet of information; and in a third processing step, correlating the information in the packet of information about the estimated position with the known coded information. |
| US08223813B2 |
Semiconductor laser pumped solid-state laser device
A compact semiconductor laser pumped solid-state laser device is provided that can suppress unnecessary parasitic oscillation in a microchip and efficiently extract energy. The semiconductor laser pumped solid-state laser device comprises: a solid-state laser core 1 disposed in the center and formed of a laser medium containing neodymium (Nd) as a laser oscillation element; a light guide region 2 integrally formed around the solid-state laser core 1, having approximately rectangular shape with four linear light entrance windows formed on the outer periphery thereof, and containing samarium (Sm) as a laser oscillation element; and a heat sink 4 disposed on one face of the light guide region 2 including the solid-state core 1, wherein laser oscillation is performed by introducing a pumping light 14 through the light entrance windows 3 and propagating the pumping light 14 through the light guide region 2 to pump the solid-state laser core 1, and wherein a laser oscillation light is extracted from the upper face of the solid-state laser core 1 opposite to the face contacting the heat sink 4. |
| US08223811B2 |
Narrow surface corrugated grating
Narrow surface corrugated gratings for integrated optical components and their method of manufacture. An embodiment includes a grating having a width narrower than a width of the waveguide on which the grating is formed. In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, masked photolithography is employed to form narrowed gratings having a desired grating strength. In an embodiment, an optical cavity of a laser is formed with a reflector grating having a width narrower than a width of the waveguide. In another embodiment an integrated optical communication system includes one or more narrow surface corrugated gratings. |
| US08223810B2 |
Method and system for generating laser pulses
A method of generating laser pulses having a predefined amplitude, phase and/or polarization at a distal end of an optical transmission system having at least one optical fiber, includes the steps of: generating laser pulses and inputting the laser pulses into a pulse shaper; calculating a control signal for controlling the pulse shaper, wherein at least one physical parameter of the optical fiber is taken into account; applying the control signal to the pulse shaper and modulating the amplitude, phase and/or polarization of the laser pulses whereby modulated laser pulses are formed; and inputting the modulated laser pulses into a proximal end of the optical transmission system. |
| US08223807B2 |
Synchronizing data transmission over wireless networks
Techniques for providing an uninterrupted data stream to a mobile node are disclosed. In a first technique, a time stamp is inserted at some point in the wireless network and the time stamp is used along with a tolerance value to determine when to transmit a packet in a data stream. By transmitting the packets at the same adjusted time, transmission to mobile nodes is synchronized. A second technique uses duplication of data stream content to avoid an interruption in the data stream at a mobile node. A third technique uses an error correcting code to avoid interruption of the data stream at a mobile node. A fourth technique uses a sequence number inserted into packets in the data stream at the content server to synchronize transmission to mobile nodes. |
| US08223804B2 |
Synchronized communication system
A synchronized communication system is provided in which even when communication devices are connected in series to a transmission path, devices connected to the communication devices are synchronized so that a communication cycle can be reduced. A second communication device includes a relay path and a return path which do not pass through a storage device, and a path selection switch therefor. A first communication device instructs switching of the return path from the transmission path, measures a transmission path delay time, notifies the second communication device of it, and sends a reference time of the first communication device for each communication cycle. The second communication device corrects its reference time using the transmission path delay time and the reference time. When a new second communication device is found during synchronized communication, the first communication device also performs transmission path delay measurement using the remaining time in the communication cycle. |
| US08223802B2 |
Primary user detection
A low complexity primary user detection system is disclosed. Signals are filtered to reduce the number of signals that must be processed. Width and PRI of the signals are used to match a constellation associated with a primary user. If the constellation is matched, communication parameters are adjusted to make way for the primary user. |
| US08223800B2 |
Telephone communication system over a single telephone line
A network for coupling at least one telephone service signal to at least one telephone device over a wiring. The network includes: a wiring having at least two conductors for carrying multiple time-domain multiplexed digitized voice channels; an exchange side device coupled to the wiring and operative to couple at least one telephone service signal to at least one digitized voice channel; and at least one subscriber side device coupled to the wiring and operative to couple the at least one telephone device to at least one digitized voice channel. |
| US08223797B2 |
Method and system for setting up header compression communication, header compression policy function entity
A method and a system for setting up header compression communication and a header compression policy function entity are disclosed herein. The method includes: a header compression enforcement function entity receives a header compression indication from a header compression policy function entity; and the header compression enforcement function entity negotiates header compression channel parameters with the other corresponding header compression enforcement function entity to set up header compression channel. A communication system and a header compression policy function entity are disclosed. The embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the failure of implementing the header compression communication in the prior art. |
| US08223794B2 |
Method and apparatus for routing a call to a dual mode wireless device
Disclosed is a system and method for routing a call to a dual mode wireless device. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a network node receives a call. The network node determines that the call is associated with a dual mode wireless device. Once this determination is made, the network node then selects one of a plurality of networks (e.g., cellular network or packet-based network, such as a VoIP network) for use in connecting the call to the dual mode wireless device. The network node then routes the call to the dual mode wireless device via the selected network. During the call, the network node re-routes the call to another network if the network node determines that this other network is now better suited for the call. |
| US08223793B2 |
Method for transmitting line signals via a line device, and transmission apparatus
A transmission apparatus for line signals is provided having a line device for transmitting the line signals at prescribed signal levels and having a line driver device which has an amplifier unit and a control unit. A determination unit is used to change over the operating mode of the amplifier unit when a signal level for the line signals exceeds a prescribed reference level by virtue of a determination unit having established that a prescribed reference signal level has been exceeded by the signal level of the line signals. |
| US08223791B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for performing random access in a telecommunications systems
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses (radio base station and UE) for enabling a UE to perform a contention-based random access. According to embodiments of the present invention, a non-dedicated random access preamble identifier is determined by a radio base station and the determined preamble is transmitted in a message to the UE which selects a non-dedicated random access preamble based on the received preamble identifier and performs a contention-based random access using the selected preamble. |
| US08223787B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcasting system includes a baseband processor, a management processor, and a presentation processor. The baseband processor receives broadcast signals including mobile service data and main service data. Herein, the mobile service data may configure a RS frame, which includes mobile service data and table information describing channel configuration information and IP access information of an ensemble level corresponding to the RS frame. The table information is encapsulated to a UDP/IP header. The management processor processes table information from the RS frame to acquire channel configuration information and IP access information of an ensemble level, and accesses mobile service data requested to be received from the RS frame, based upon the acquired information. The presentation processor decodes the accessed mobile service data and outputs the decoded data to a display screen and/or a speaker. |
| US08223780B2 |
Method for forwarding data packet, system, and device
A method for forwarding data packet, a communication system, a Carrier Grade Network Address Translation (CGN) device, and an access gateway are provided. The CGN device communicates with the access gateway through an Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) network and is used for receiving a first data packet forwarded by the access gateway and determining whether the first data packet is an IPv4 packet or an IPv6-over-IPv4 tunnel packet; forwarding the first data packet to the IPv4 network if the first data packet is the IPv4 packet; and decapsulating the first data packet if the first data packet is the IPv6-over-IPv4 tunnel packet to a first IPv6 packet, and sending the first IPv6 packet to an IPv6 network or the IPv4 network. Therefore, technical problems of fully utilizing the IPv4 network and, gradually increasing deployment of the IPv6 network, and realizing communication are solved. |
| US08223777B2 |
Gateway for achieving low latency and high availability in a real time event processing system
Methods, machine-readable media, and apparatuses are disclosed for interfacing computer networks. According to one embodiment, a method for interfacing a first network using a first protocol with a second network using a second protocol can comprise receiving an event in the form of a first message from the first network, where the first message is encoded using the first protocol. The first message can be translated into a second message, where the second message is encoded using the second protocol. The second message can be transmitted to the second network. If a response is not received from the second network within a configurable interval, the event can be processed based upon at least one rule that is responsive to the event. A third message can then be transmitted to the first network, where the third message is responsive to the first message and is encoded in the first protocol. |
| US08223775B2 |
Architecture for a flexible and high-performance gateway cable modem
A cable modem system and architecture. A cable modem engine performs all cable modem functions, and a data networking engine performs all data and home networking functions. The cable modem engine is completely partitioned from the data networking engine. DOCSIS and VoIP functionality is implemented in the cable modem engine. The VoIP functionality may be in accordance with the PacketCable specification. The data networking functionality provided by the data networking engine may be in accordance with the CableHome specification. |
| US08223774B2 |
Cellular DSL modem
An apparatus includes an converter for changing network data into asynchronous transfer mode data for cellular transmission as a digital subscriber line signal, and for reconstructing network data from a cellular reception of a digital subscriber line signal. |
| US08223773B2 |
Optical line terminal in gigabit passive optical network and method for transmitting broadcast frame using the same
Disclosed are an optical line terminal in a gigabit passive optical network and a method for transmitting a broadcast frame using the same. The optical line terminal allocates second port identifiers to optical network units such that a broadcast frame is prevented from being retransmitted to an optical network unit which has transmitted the broadcast frame to the optical line terminal. |
| US08223770B2 |
Network virtualization
A virtual network has virtual machines on physical devices connected to network interfaces each coupled by tunnels (100) through a forwarding network (40), each interface having a forwarding address in an address space of the forwarding network, each network interface having a reconfigurable address mapper (320) for determining a forwarding address for a packet, and encapsulating the packet with its forwarding address so that the forwarding network can deliver the data packet to the remote physical device having that forwarding address. Such encapsulation enables virtual machines on different physical devices to communicate transparently to the underlying forwarding network. Virtual networks can be created to suit their applications yet use or share existing forwarding networks, while protecting the forwarding network from interference by the virtual machines, and maintaining isolation between virtual machines. |
| US08223768B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enabling communication between network elements that operate at different bit rates
An apparatus and method for transmitting electronic data between two networks communicating at different bit rates, where the bit rate of the faster network divided by the bit rate of the slower network is a non-integer. The two networks communicate with each other through a set of lanes each communicating at a bit rate that is a common denominator of the bit rates for the two networks. The lanes communicate with two sets of transceivers, one set of the transceivers communicates with the faster network at the faster bit rate and the other (larger) set of transceivers communicates with the slower network at the slower bit rate. Each transceiver is structured so that the total bit rate of the lanes communicating with that transceiver is equal to the bit rate of the network on which the transceiver operates. |
| US08223765B2 |
Method and system for processing multicast in unicast-based VoIP system
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for providing multicast service in a unicast-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system. The system and method include a VoIP call server receiving subnet information from VoIP terminals authenticated by an authentication server, generating multicast group information, and providing the multicast group information to the respective authenticated VoIP terminals. The VoIP call server searches a list of grouped VoIP terminals, selects a VoIP terminal of a corresponding subnet, transmits multicast session information to the selected VoIP terminal to set the VoIP terminal as a relay VoIP terminal, and requests a media server to transmit group message data to the relay VoIP terminal. According to this system and method, it is possible to implement a multicast service in a unicast-based VoIP system without adding additional equipment. |
| US08223761B2 |
Method for diagnosing the router which supports policy-based routing
A route diagnosis method which supports policy-based routing is applied in the network which includes a router supporting policy-based routing, which comprises: adding stream description information of service stream in diagnosis-protocol-message, and containing a router warning option in IP head of the said diagnosis-protocol-message; based on the router supporting policy-based routing receiving said diagnosis-protocol-message, routing according to said stream description information in the said diagnosis-protocol-message; said diagnosis-protocol-message is processed as standard diagnosis-protocol-message by the router which is independent of policy-based routing. Employing the method of the present invention, the middle router which supports policy-based routing is able to transfer the message independent of IP head of the said diagnosis-protocol-message, but select routing according to said stream description information included in the message, thereby being capable of keeping the consistency between the diagnosis-protocol-message and routing of the service stream. The purpose that is actually diagnosing routing or correctly diagnosing route is achieved. |
| US08223756B2 |
Network device and computer product
A filter-information transmitting/receiving unit transmits path information with the filter information when the filter information is set by a filter setting unit, and receives the path information when the filter information is set in other network device. A filter-combining determining unit determines whether redundant filter information with the other network device is to be combined or deleted, based on the filter information and the path information. A filter control unit issues a filter-setting request or a filter release request based on a result of determination by the filter-combining determining unit. |
| US08223755B2 |
Node reputation based on knowledge of PSTN calls
A system may provide trust relationship information for a telephone number, where the trust relationship information may indicate whether one or more nodes consider a target node as including or as being associated with a VoIP call agent for the telephone number based on demonstrated knowledge of a PSTN call. The system may determine a target trust relationship to the target node based on the trust relationship information, where the target trust relationship indicates a level of trust a validating node has in the target node being associated with or including the VoIP call agent for the telephone number, and where validating node and the one or more nodes may be in different respective administrative domains of a network. |
| US08223753B2 |
Apparatus for a terminal to access an IMS system and the method thereof
An apparatus and method for realizing the access of a legacy terminal to an IMS system. The apparatus includes a session control module, a downlink signaling interface function module, a downlink bearer interface function module, an uplink signaling interface function module, an uplink bearer interface function module and a media interworking module. The session control module registers the terminal that has entered service status to the I-CSCF on IMS side. During the session, the uplink signaling interface function module provides SIP signaling interaction with the CSCF function entity of IMS core network; the downlink signaling interface function module provides signaling interaction with the legacy terminal; the media interworking module provides the connection and media adaptation between the uplink bearer interface function module and the downlink bearer interface function module. The invention enables the services of the legacy networks such as PSTN/ISDN and the like to be integrated with those of IMS networks, thus reducing the cost of network construction and operation. |
| US08223752B2 |
Method for accessing service resource items that are for use in a telecommunications system
Service resource items for use in call setup in a telephone system are held on servers that are connected to a computer network which is logically distinct from the telephone system infrastructure; this computer network may, for example, make use of the Internet. Each service item is locatable on the network at a corresponding URI and is associated with a particular telephone number. A mapping is provided between telephone numbers and the URIs of associated service resource items. When it is desired to access a service resource item associated with a particular telephone number, this mapping is used to retrieve the corresponding URI which is then used to access the desired service resource item. |
| US08223748B2 |
Enhanced refresh in SIP network
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for refreshing a session. A session is refreshed using a refresh message that is enhanced for a refresh. For example, the refresh message does not include an SDP or any other message body. The message includes only a reduced header. This reduces time spent building and parsing the refresh message. Also, less bandwidth is used in sending the refresh messages. |
| US08223741B1 |
Acting on data packets in a mobile telecommunications network based on inner headers
Methods, system, and medium are provided for referencing the original source or destination information of data packets on a mobile telecommunications network, including information in inner headers of data packets. The present invention enables monitoring of data traffic, or directing and balancing data packets in a mobile network, based on inner-header information. |
| US08223739B2 |
Method and apparatus of dynamic bandwidth management
A wireless communication device, a wireless communication system and a method of transmitting by a piconet controller (PNC) a poll request frame using beamforming techniques to one or more devices, wherein the poll request frame includes a time offset for sending a poll response frame by the device. The PNC receives the poll response frame with a channel bandwidth allocation request and dynamically allocating a channel bandwidth to the one or more devices according to the channel bandwidth allocation request. |
| US08223738B2 |
Heterogeneous MAC protocol for multiple base stations in wireless networks
This disclosure describes a new Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that combines contention-free and contention-based MAC protocols into a heterogeneous MAC protocol used for forwarding VoIP traffic in VoIP systems on wireless networks using multiple base stations which addresses the need to transport high bit-rate data to multiple users over wired and wireless means. |
| US08223733B2 |
Multi-platform wireless communication system for a variety of different user types
A mobile wireless communications system including a plurality of individual transponding nodes of various types, all in communication with a central processing hub. A local user signal is processed by the central processing hub and radiated through multiple paths to a plurality of the plurality of individual transponding platforms simultaneously. The signal is then re-radiated by each of the plurality of the plurality of individual transponding platforms to a mobile terminal that receives the re-radiated signal from the plurality of the plurality of individual transponding platforms coherently and in phase. The number of transponders and codes used to transmit each user signal can be readily adapted to user requirements. |
| US08223732B2 |
Method and apparatus for balancing load across access devices in a wireless network
Apparatus and methods are provided for balancing a load across access devices in a wireless network. A method comprises receiving an association request at a first access device of a plurality of access devices, and determining, in response to the association request, if the first access device is the least-loaded access device among the plurality of access devices. The method further comprises granting the association request if the first access device is the least-loaded access device. If the first access device is not the least-loaded access device, the method may further comprise denying the association request. |
| US08223731B2 |
Method and system for authentication of WLAN terminal interworking with broadband wireless access network
A method and a system for interworking with a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) terminal. According to the method, a relay station for connecting the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) terminal with the Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network sets a connection with the Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network through an initialization process. A user authentication with the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) terminal is performed by the relay station in compliance with a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocol. A user authentication with a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network Access Control Router (ACR) is performed in compliance with a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network protocol by the relay station in place of the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) terminal. |
| US08223730B2 |
System and method for the monitoring of grouped objects
A system and a method for monitoring grouped objects with a gateway and a plurality of radio nodes attachable to the objects. Each radio node has a computing unit, a short-range communications unit and an energy supply unit. One of the radio nodes or the gateway has a localization unit. Optionally, one of the radio nodes also has a long-range communications unit. The computing unit contains a control program for the processing of predetermined tasks in radio nodes, which is designed for the control of bi-directional communications between the radio nodes via the short-range communications unit for the formation of an ad hoc network. The control program undertakes the control of a tuning process between the radio nodes and selects one of the radio nodes for the processing of one of the predetermined tasks, the selected node at that instant being best suited for the task according to predetermined criteria. |
| US08223723B2 |
Method and system for generating antenna selection signals in wireless networks
Embodiments of the invention describe a method for joint resource blocks assignment and antenna selection (AS) in a wireless communication network, the network comprising user equipment (UE), wherein the UE comprises a plurality of subsets of antennas, the UE is configured to transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) from a subset of antennas at a time. The method transmits a first SRS from a first subset of antennas and a second SRS from a second subset of antennas. Upon receiving, in response to the transmitting of the first SRS and the second SRS, information related to an optimal subset of antennas, and information related to an optimal subset of resource blocks, the method transmits a data symbol from the optimal subset of antennas using the optimal resource block. |
| US08223711B1 |
Efficient message delivery to wireless communication devices
What is discloses is a method of operating a wireless access node controller, where the wireless access node controller is supporting a first communication session with a wireless communication device. The method includes transferring communications of the first communication session for delivery to the wireless communication device over a plurality of forward links, and receiving a user content message of a second communication session for delivery to the wireless communication device. The method also includes determining a weakest of the plurality of the forward links, and transferring the user content message for delivery to the wireless communication device over the weakest of the plurality of the forward links. |
| US08223709B2 |
Audience response system and method with frequency agile transmission protocol
A frequency agile wireless response system and method of retrieving user response data from a plurality of users includes providing a base unit and a plurality of handheld response units, each communicating with the base unit over a wireless communication link using a frequency agile communication protocol. Base signals are sent with the base unit to the response units over the wireless communication link. Response signals are sent from the response units to the base unit over the wireless communication link. The base signals include a master transmission and at least occasionally include an extension transmission. The master transmission includes information establishing a time mark for the response units. The master transmission also includes information enabling the response units to receive any extension transmission associated with that base signal. |
| US08223707B2 |
Method and apparatus for resource allocation in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system
A method and Node B are disclosed for allocation of “sticky” resources in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing communication system. The Node B comprises a scheduler that is configured to make a sticky resource allocation to a user equipment, determine that a transmit power level allocated for transmissions to the user equipment should be adjusted, determine whether the resources allocated to the user equipment comprise a Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation scheme, and in response to determining that the resources allocated to the user equipment comprise a QPSK modulation scheme, adjust the allocated transmit power level without informing the user equipment of the adjustment. The Node B further may condition the determination to adjust the allocated transmit power level without informing the UE of the adjustment based on a size of the adjustment. |
| US08223706B2 |
Method for transmitting/receiving data in a mobile communication system
A method for transmitting/receiving data in a mobile communication system and a method for efficiently using more radio resource if allocation of the more radio resource is required in addition to a predetermined radio resource are disclosed. An example of a method for receiving data in a mobile communication system includes receiving first control information using a first identifier, receiving second control information transmitted in the same time period with the first control information using a second identifier, and receiving the data via at least one of a first radio resource indicated by the first control information and a second radio resource indicated by the second control information. |
| US08223704B2 |
Apparatus and method for assigning subchannels in an OFDMA communication system
An apparatus and method for assigning subchannels of a transmitter in a communication system. The method includes dividing an entire frequency band into m subcarrier groups; mapping each of the m subcarrier groups to a subcarrier group index, wherein a subchannel includes n subcarriers selected from each of the m subcarrier groups corresponding to a subcarrier group index sequence; determining that a first data is needed to transmit in a first timing point; and assigning a first subchannel in the first timing point using a first subcarrier group index sequence. The first subcarrier group index sequence is different from a second subcarrier group index sequence used for assigning a second subchannel in a second timing point. |
| US08223703B2 |
Scheduling method and communication apparatus
A scheduling method in which a communication apparatus communicates data with a plurality of users by preferentially allocating a data sequence to a default subchannel segment that is different from another-cell allocation subchannel segment. As many data sequences as can be allocated to the default subchannel segment are selected and the selected data sequences allocated to the default subchannel segment. In downlink scheduling, the data sequences are selected in order from a data sequence subjected to a maximum level of interference from an adjacent base station. In uplink scheduling, the data sequences are selected in order from a data sequence that causes a maximum level of interference to the adjacent base station because of data communication. A data sequence not allocated to the default subchannel segment is allocated to the other-cell allocation subchannel segment when allocation of all the data sequences to the default subchannel segment fails. |
| US08223693B2 |
PTA method and apparatus utilizing the same
An apparatus includes a first and a second wireless communication modules and a packet traffic arbitration (PTA) module. The first wireless communication module issues a first request for a first transmission or reception operation in a first time period, wherein the first request includes information regarding a first power level for performing the first TX or RX operation. The second wireless communication module issues a second request for a second TX or RX operation in a second time period, wherein the second request includes information regarding a second power level for performing the second TX or RX operation. The packet traffic arbitration module receives the first request and the second request, and grants one or both of the first request and the second request according to the first power level and the second power level when the first time period is overlapped with the second time period. |
| US08223686B2 |
Apparatus and method for hybrid automatic repeat request signaling in broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) signaling in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. A communication method of a Base Station (BS) includes transmitting a Fixed Allocation (FA) message containing bitmap index information for all Mobile Stations (MSs) allocated with fixed resources; and transmitting bitmap information indicating whether packets to be transmitted to the MSs are Retransmission (Rtx) packets or new packets. Accordingly, when HARQ is carried out using a fixed resource allocation scheme, a bitmap is used to indicate whether HARQ packets transmitted in a current frame are new packets or Rtx packets. Therefore, a receiving end can be prevented from incorrectly decoding the packets. |
| US08223685B2 |
Method of selecting a communication system for operating with a communication device in an idle mode, and communication device
A method of selecting a communication system (2, 4) for operating with a communication device (100) during an idle mode of operation of the communication device is described. The communication device (100) is capable of operating with at least two communication systems. The method comprises determining (302, 304, 306) the one communication system of the at least two communication systems (2, 4) with which the communication device (100) has a smallest power consumption when operating in the idle mode of operation, and selecting the determined one communication system for operation with the communication device during the idle mode of operation. |
| US08223682B2 |
Transmitting/receiving system and method of processing data in the transmitting/receiving system
A receiving system and a data processing method are disclosed. The receiving system includes a receiving unit, a demodulator, a first handler, a second handler, and a third handler. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal comprising fast information channel (FIC) data, transmission parameter channel (TPC) data, and mobile service data packetized into an RS frame. The demodulator demodulates the broadcast signal. The first handler configures an ensemble from the RS frame, so as to acquire first signaling information including access information of the mobile service. The second handler receives second signaling information of the mobile service, so as to acquire content identification information of a second data type from the received second signaling information. And, the third handler extracts a mobile service identifier and a content identifier of a first data type from the first signaling information and constructs content identification information of a second data type. |
| US08223681B2 |
Base station, mobile station, and method for wideband wireless access system
A base station includes a deciding part configured to decide a period of performing data transmission/reception and a period of not performing data transmission/reception when performing intermittent communications, a generating part configured to generate a predetermined signal to a mobile station, and an adjusting part configured to adjust the period of performing data transmission/reception and/or the period of not performing data transmission/reception according to a response signal transmitted from the mobile station in response to the predetermined signal. |
| US08223679B2 |
System and method for registration of a network access device during loss of power
A system and method for registration of a network access device including a processor configured to identify power loss at a network access device, initiate backup power at the network access device, identify when the backup power at the network access device decreases to or below a first predetermined level, and identify when backup power at the network access device is restored to or above a second predetermined level, and a transmitter configured to transmit, to a server, a registration extension message to reconfigure conditions for handling inbound communications and a registration extension cancellation message to restore original conditions for handling inbound communications. |
| US08223678B2 |
Power management of periodic transmissions from networking applications
Methods and apparatus relating to power management of periodic transmissions from networking applications are described. In one embodiment, a periodic transmission manager coupled between one or more network applications and one or more network interfaces may control the flow of periodic transmissions from the one or more network applications to the one or more network interfaces. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08223676B2 |
Wireless transmission system and a method thereof
A wireless transmission system includes a control unit, a first transmission unit, a second transmission unit, a plurality of switches, and a plurality of RF ends. The first transmission unit includes a first transceiver module and a first MAC module. The second transmission unit includes a second transceiver module and a second MAC module. The plurality of RF ends has a plurality of streams for transmitting a wireless signal. The control unit controls the plurality of switches to connect the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit respectively with the plurality of RF ends to distribute the plurality of streams, and controls the first transceiver module and the second transceiver module to manage the plurality of streams. |
| US08223671B2 |
Network system supporting spanning tree protocol, relay apparatus thereof, and method of creating spanning tree topology thereof
Provided are a network system supporting a spanning tree protocol (STP), a relay apparatus thereof, and a method of creating a spanning tree. Proposed is a method of creating a tree topology, between AVB bridges, using a STP message including a group MAC address which is different from that used in a non-AVB (Audio Video Bridging) bridge (that is, a bridge without the function of AVB), in order to form a minimum number of AVB clouds. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently ensure transmission quality of a multimedia stream such as an AVB stream. |
| US08223666B2 |
Method of constructing a forwarding database for a data communications network
A method of constructing a forwarding database for a data communications network comprising a plurality of network components and supporting at least first and second topologies having one or more common network components is described. The forwarding database includes a plurality of entries providing forwarding information for data destined for a related network component. The method comprises the step, performed at a constructing network component, of deriving topology dependent forwarding information for data destined for a network component. The method further comprises the step of including the topology dependent forwarding information at the related forwarding database entry. |
| US08223665B2 |
Mobile IPTV system and method of providing mobile IPTV service
A mobile IPTV system and a method of providing a mobile IPTV service are provided. The mobile IPTV system includes an IPTV head end, a base station, and a mobile terminal. The IPTV head end encodes data for an IPTV stream into a base layer and an enhancement layer and outputs the encoded data. The base station receives the IPTV stream from the IPV head end and partially truncates the enhancement layer of the IPTV stream according to a combination of a modulation technique and a cording rate which are determined in advance and outputs a transmission IPTV stream. The mobile terminal receives the transmission IPTV stream from the base station. Since an IPTV service is provided in view of a user distribution characteristic of a network, user can be efficiently provided with satisfactory QoS. |
| US08223664B2 |
Adaptive uplink protocol
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to method and apparatus for efficient wireless adaptive uplink protocols for communication networks. |
| US08223661B2 |
Packet tag for support of remote network function/ packet classification
A method and system for creating an ethernet-formatted packet from an upstream DOCSIS packet. The upstream packet is first received along with packet characteristic data that is contained in physical layer prepend data and in the packet header. A packet tag is then created, based on the packet characteristic data. The packet characteristic data includes identifiers for the transmitting remote device and the channel over which the transmission is sent. Packet characteristic data also includes information about the physical characteristics of the transmission signal, such as the power level and time offset. The packet characteristic data also includes administrative information, such as the minislot count at which the packet is received and whether the packet was received in contention. The packet tag is appended to the payload of the upstream packet. Also appended to the payload is an encapsulation tag, and source and destination address headers. The result is a packet in an ethernet format. The resulting packet can therefore be sent using the ethernet protocol. The packet includes information that characterizes a DOCSIS packet. In a distributed cable modem termination system, this additional characterizing information can be used by processes further upstream, such as packet classification. An analogous operation can take place with respect to packets going downstream. Here, a DOCSIS packet is formed at an intermediate node, on the basis of a received ethernet-formatted packet. |
| US08223658B2 |
Method for operating a mesh-type network, particularly as defined in an IEEE 802.11S standard, formed by a plurality of network nodes
Embodiments of the invention relates to a method for operating a mesh-type network, particularly as defined in an IEEE 802.11s standard, formed by a plurality of network nodes, said network operating at least a first network node that functions as access point for stations which are dissociated from the network and a second network node that functions as connector point for stations that are dissociated from the network. When switching a dissociated station from a radio service area of the first network node to the radio service area of the second network node in said mesh network, an updating of allocation information of nodes based on a route error message which is defined according to a routing protocol valid for the mesh network is carried out. |
| US08223652B2 |
Storage system, path management method and path management device
Proposed are a storage system, a path management method and a path management device capable of ensuring the processing performance demanded by a user while seeking to improve the access performance from a host system to a storage apparatus. Path switching control for dynamically switching the path to be used by the host system according to the loaded condition of the respective paths between the host system and the storage apparatus is executed; and a path is selected as needed according to a policy containing path switching rules created by a user, and path switching control for excluding the selected path from the target and dynamically switching the path to be used by the host system is executed. |
| US08223640B2 |
Synchronous traffic shaping
A method, a system, and a computer program product implements traffic shaping by processing as a synchronous request, tasks representing one or more units of work contained within the request. Before a request is sent through the network, the request is inspected in order to derive the amount of work that the request would generate in the network. A traffic manager queries the amount of work in that request compared to the amount of work that the network can support and generates a number of traffic envelopes. Based on the results of this query, “task pruning” may be implemented to break the request into smaller manageable task that fit into the traffic envelopes. Task pruning may also enable only a subset of the work to be performed. Thus, a measure of the amount of work, rather than the amount of data, within a request is considered when scheduling the request. |
| US08223639B2 |
Method and device for transmission opportunity truncation
A method and device for communicating in a contention-based communication network. The method includes upon an early termination of a previously obtained transmission opportunity (TXOP) for communications with one of a mobile device and a base station, transmitting a contention free end (CF-End) frame to the base station for further broadcasting to the network by the base station. Also, a method and device for communicating in a contention-based communication system. The method includes receiving in a base station a first contention free end (CF-End) frame from a first mobile device indicating an early termination of a transmission opportunity (TXOP) previously obtained by the first mobile terminal for communications between the first mobile device and one of the base station and a second mobile device; and omnidirectionally broadcasting a second CF-End frame with a duration field having a value equal to zero. |
| US08223636B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of number of connection setup requests to be initiated to be processed
A method, performed in a network element having a control card and a plurality of linecards of processing a plurality of different types of connection setup requests. A latency of processing each of the plurality of the different types of the connection setup requests is determined. A number of connection setup requests to be initiated to be processed by the control card is dynamically adjusted based on the determined latencies of processing each of the plurality of the different types of the connection setup requests. Other methods and network elements are also disclosed. |
| US08223635B2 |
Metropolitan area network resource control system and method, access resource admission and control device
A metropolitan area network (MAN) resource control system, method and Access-Resource and Admission Control Function (A-RACF) device are disclosed, wherein, the A-RACF device comprises a MAN resource and policy control function (RPCF) module. The MAN network device comprises a MAN resource control enforcement function (RCEF) module. The system is connected via the MAN RPC module with the MAN RCEF module which needs to be controlled to control the QoS of the MAN resource. The MAN RPC module is used to make a MAN resource control strategy and generate the QoS policy. The MAN RCEF module is used to execute the QoS control according to the QoS policy sent by the A-RACF device. |
| US08223632B2 |
Method and system for prioritized rerouting of logical circuit data in a data network
A method and system are provided for prioritized rerouting of logical circuit data in a data network. A logical circuit failure is identified in the data network. Following the identification of the logical circuit failure, a quality of service parameter for the communication of data in the failed logical circuit is determined. The quality of service parameter may include a traffic descriptor indicating the quality of the data communicated in the logical circuit. Then, a logical failover circuit comprising an alternate communication path for communicating the data in the failed logical circuit is identified. Next, a quality of service parameter for the communication of data in the logical failover circuit is determined. If the quality of service parameter for the failed logical circuit is equal to the quality of service parameter for the logical failover circuit, then the data from the failed logical circuit is rerouted to the logical failover circuit. In this manner, the quality of the data in the logical failover circuit is communicated at the same level of service provisioned for the failed logical circuit. |
| US08223631B2 |
Systems and methods to monitor and analyze customer equipment downtime in a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service network
Systems and methods to monitor and analyze customer premises equipment downtime in a Voice over Internet Protocol service network are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving an indication of an internet protocol (IP) address change, determining whether a network transaction is a failed network transaction associated with the IP address change, and when the network transaction is a failed network transaction associated with the IP address change, storing the failed network transaction to a database entry associated with the IP address change. |
| US08223627B2 |
Signaling method in an OFDM multiple access system
A method for reducing the peak-to-average ratio in an OFDM communication signal is provided. The method includes defining a constellation having a plurality of symbols, defining a symbol duration for the OFDM communication signal, and defining a plurality of time instants in the symbol duration. A plurality of tones are allocated to a particular communication device, and a discrete signal is constructed in the time domain by mapping symbols from the constellation to the time instants. A continuous signal is generated by applying an interpolation function to the discrete signal such that the continuous signal only includes sinusoids having frequencies which are equal to the allocated tones. |
| US08223625B2 |
Acquisition in frequency division multiple access systems
Systems and methods allow cell acquisition in a wireless communication system in frequency division multiple access mode of operation. Code sequences transmitted over primary synchronization channel (P-SCH) enable detection of symbol boundary, cyclic prefix duration, and indication of broadcast channel bandwidth. Sequences transmitted over secondary synchronization channel (S-SCH) afford radio frame boundary detection, cell identification, and broadcast channel bandwidth indication. Cell identification can be conveyed jointly between P-SCH and S-SCH codes. Broadcast channel sequences convey cyclic prefix timing, system bandwidth and other system information. Relay of cell acquisition information, as well as multiple-cell acquisition when wireless system operates with frequency reuse are described. |
| US08223624B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a data symbol stream
A transmitter comprises a block generator (109) which divides a data symbol stream into data symbol blocks. A divide processor (111) divides each block into a first set of data symbols stored in a first set buffer (113) and a second set of data symbols stored in a second set buffer (115). A space time block encoder (117) codes the first set in accordance with a space time block code to generate a coded set of data symbols. A parallel processor (119) then creates a plurality of parallel data streams from the coded set and the second set. Each of the parallel data streams is allocated to one of a plurality of antennas (129-135). A plurality of parallel stream transmitters (121-127) transmits the parallel data streams in parallel in a communication channel from the plurality of transmit antennas (129-135). |
| US08223622B2 |
Methods and systems for mobile WiMAX three-way downlink concurrent processing and three-way handover
Methods and apparatus for establishing multiple connections between a wireless device and multiple base stations and transferring data using these connections via different segments of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame are provided. The multiple connections may be used for multi-way (e.g., three-way) concurrent processing, multi-way (e.g., three-way) handover, or a hybrid between concurrent processing and multi-way handover in an effort to increase data throughput for the wireless device. |
| US08223617B2 |
Device for reducing power consumption of optical drive and method for the same
A device and method for reducing power consumption of an optical drive are proposed. The present invention samples a carrier control signal and then compares the samples of the signals with predetermined threshold signals. According to the comparison result, the present invention produces at least one diphase excitation control signal. The diphase excitation control signal comprises at least one impulse signal, and a negative edge of the impulse signal is adjusted to a predetermined level during the period of the diphase excitation control signal. The present invention reduces the time for outputting the control signals and greatly reduces the power consumption of the optical drive thereby. |
| US08223612B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor laser, an objective lens, a grating, and a light detecting device. The grating is installed between the semiconductor laser and the objective lens to divide the light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser into three beams or more including a main beam and a sub-beam. The light detecting device receives the divided light reflected by the optical recording medium. The grating includes a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating. The first diffraction grating has patterns formed for dividing a sub-beam with respect to a first optical recording medium having a first track pitch, and second diffraction grating has patterns formed for dividing the sub-beam divided by the first diffraction grating into sub-beams with respect to a second optical recording medium having a second track pitch. |
| US08223608B2 |
Optical pickup adjusting apparatus and adjusting method
Disclosed is an adjustment apparatus for adjusting an optical pickup capable of recording and/or reproducing plural optical discs of different sorts. The adjustment apparatus is an optical disc for adjustment (1) having a first signal recording layer (5) having a physical format in common with a CD and a second signal recording layer (7) having a physical format in common with a DVD. On the first and second signal recording layers, there are concentrically recorded EFM modulated data. The respective signal recording layers are provided with recording areas (8), (9) not overlapped with each other. |
| US08223607B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing a overwrite recording on optical disc write once
The present invention provides an overwrite method of a write-once optical disc and apparatus thereof, by which a logical overwrite is enabled by varying an overwrite system according to a recording mode to enhance efficiency of disc use. The present invention includes the step of performing a replacement recording on a data area within the optical disc with overwrite-requested data in a specific recording-completed area within the optical disc in a sequential recording mode (SRM) wherein a logical overwrite is executed to maintain continuity of a user data area by the replacement recording. And, the present invention includes the step of performing a replacement recording on a spare area within the optical disc with overwrite-requested data in a specific recording-completed area within the optical disc in a random recording mode (RRM) wherein a size of the spare area for allocation is determined on disc initialization for the replacement recording. |
| US08223606B2 |
Device and method for detecting disc defect
A method for detecting a typical defect area on a disc track includes the following steps. Firstly, a source signal is provided. Then, first and second signals are generated according to the source signal. The first and second signals are held at the peak level of the source signal and respectively decreased at first and second drop rates. Then, first and second threshold values are subtracted from the first and second signals to generate first and second slice signals, respectively. Afterwards, the source signal is compared with either the first slice signal or the second slice signal. When the first slice signal is larger than the source signal, a typical defect signal is changed from a first level to a second level. Whereas, the typical defect signal is changed from the second level to the first level when the second slice signal is smaller than the source signal. |
| US08223605B2 |
Optical disc recording method, optical disc recording/playback device, and optical disc
An optical disc recording method includes: determining that an optical disc to be recorded is an optical disc including a recording layer comprising organic dye; and controlling a laser such that space formation power Ps necessary for space formation is equal to or smaller than bias power Pbw. In a case wherein the relation of Ps |
| US08223604B2 |
Recording and/or reproducing apparatus, recording and/or reproducing method and information storage medium therefor
A recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a recording and/or reproducing method, and an information storage medium, wherein the recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes: a writing and/or reading unit writing data to or reading data from an information storage medium having one or more information recording layers; and a control unit controlling the writing and/or reading unit to write the data to the information storage medium by referring to one or more disk information structures including recording related parameter information corresponding to recording characteristics of the information storage medium, and recording characteristic information to which the recording related parameters are applied. According to the apparatus and method, parameters of recording characteristics appropriate to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus and compatibility between different specifications can be achieved. |
| US08223597B2 |
Thermally assisted head having reflection mirror for propagating light
A magnetic head includes a magnetic head slider; and a laser diode that is positioned on a surface of a side opposite to a substrate of the magnetic head slider and that generates laser light; the magnetic head slider including: a core through which the laser light emitted from the laser diode propagates as propagating light; a cladding that covers the core and that has a refractive index that is smaller than that of the core; a near field light generating means that generates near field light from the propagating light on an air bearing surface; and a main pole for recording that is disposed adjacent to the near field light generating means and of which an edge part is positioned on the air bearing surface. The core includes a reflection layer and a seed layer, the reflection layer has a refractive index smaller than that of the core, and has a reflection surface on which laser light emitted from the laser diode reflects so as to enter the core as the propagating light, and the seed layer is positioned on a back surface of the reflection surface of the reflection layer and suppresses plasmon generation on the reflection surface. |
| US08223595B2 |
Optical scanning device and method for scanning
An optical scanning device is adapted for scanning a record carrier having an outer face. The optical scanning device comprises a radiation source for generating a radiation beam, and an objective system having an exit face arranged for evanescent coupling of the radiation beam between the exit face and the outer face and for converging the radiation beam to a focus. A gap servo maintains a distance between the exit face and the outer face at a predetermined gap height. The optical scanning device includes a control unit for setting the predetermined gap height at at least two different values. |
| US08223593B2 |
Electronic timepiece and control method for an electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece includes a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites; a manual reception process unit that starts operation of the reception unit and executes a manual reception process when an external operating member is operated; an automatic reception process unit that automatically operates the reception unit and executes an automatic reception process when a predetermined condition is satisfied; a simple time adjustment process unit that executes such a process to receive a satellite signal from one positioning information satellite, acquire time information from the received satellite signal, and adjust an internal time; and a high precision time adjustment process unit that executes such a process to receive satellite signals from a plurality of positioning information satellites, acquire time and positioning information from the received satellite signals and determine the location, and adjust the internal time to the time acquired based on the positioning result. The simple time adjustment process is executed when the automatic reception process executes. The high precision time adjustment process is executed when the manual reception process executes, after voltage detection of the battery is detected and if the so detected voltage is greater than a prescribed voltage. |
| US08223589B2 |
Gesture recognition apparatus and method
The disclosure provides a gesture recognition apparatus and method. The gesture recognition apparatus includes an ultrasound transmitter, an ultrasound receiver, a dividing module, a computing module, a gesture library, and a recognition module. The dividing module is configured to divide reflected ultrasound signals into a plurality of frames according to time intervals. The computing module is configured to obtain an eigenvalue of each frame. The classifying module is configured to filter the eigenvalues to obtain gesture eigenvalues, and to obtain a matrix of probabilities of the gesture eigenvalues. The recognition module is configured to search reference matrices of probabilities from the gesture library for matching with the matrix of probabilities, and to recognize the gesture eigenvalues as a reference gesture corresponding to the reference matrix of probabilities if the reference matrix of probabilities is found. |
| US08223588B2 |
Acoustic doppler dual current profiler system and method
An AD2CP includes at least one transducer assembly emitting sets of slanted directional acoustic beams and receiving the echoes; and electronics that processes the echoes into depth cells and computes velocity in each depth cell. The AD2CP is configured so that each beam set has a profiling catenation, at least two of which are different, and the AD2CP is configured so that the emitting, receiving and processing operate contemporaneously. |
| US08223581B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of first wirings, a plurality of second wirings intersecting with the first wirings, and a plurality of memory cells respectively arranged at intersections of the first and second wirings; a plurality of drivers that drive the first wirings; a dummy wiring continuously extending in a direction of the first wirings and in a direction of the second wirings, a part of the dummy wiring extending in the direction of the second wirings being connected to the plurality of drivers; a plurality of switch circuits connected to respective connection portions of the plurality of drivers and the dummy wiring; and a replica line extending in the direction of the second wirings and connected to the dummy wiring through the plurality of switch circuits. |
| US08223578B2 |
Semiconductor device including multi-chip
In order to implement a memory having a large storage capacity and a reduced data retention current, a non-volatile memory, an SRAM, a DRAM, and a control circuit are modularized into one package. The control circuit conducts assignment of addresses to the SRAM and DRAM, and stores data that must be retained over a long period of time in the SRAM. In the DRAM, a plurality of banks are divided into two sets, and mapped to the same address space, and sets are refreshed alternately. A plurality of chips of them are stacked and disposed, and wired by using the BGA and chip-to-chip bonding. |
| US08223576B2 |
Regulators regulating charge pump and memory circuits thereof
A regulator for regulating a charge pump is provided. The regulator includes a comparator having a first input end capable of receiving a first voltage and a second input end capable of receiving a second voltage for determining enabling or disabling the charge pump. The first voltage is associated with an output voltage of the charge pump. The second voltage is associated with an internal power voltage and a reference voltage Vref. |
| US08223569B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory array, an address counter, an address detecting circuit and a control circuit. The memory array has a plurality of memory cells arranged at crossing positions of word lines and bit lines. The address counter increments an address including a row address and a column address in synchronism with a clock to sequentially output the incremented addresses. The address detecting circuit detects an address previous to an address including a row address to which the row address is switched at the address output from the address counter to output a detection signal. The control circuit performs a precharging operation to the bit lines connected to the memory cells according to the detection signal output from the address detecting circuit. |
| US08223565B2 |
Resistance change memory with current control and voltage control during a write operation, and write method of the same
A resistance change memory includes a resistance change element having a high-resistance state and a low-resistance state in accordance with write information, and a write circuit configured to supply a write current that the write current flowing through the resistance change element is held constant before and after the resistance change element is changed from the high-resistance state to the low-resistance state, and apply a write voltage that the write voltage applied to the resistance change element is held constant before and after the resistance change element is changed from the low-resistance state to the high-resistance state. |
| US08223562B2 |
Method and system for a serial peripheral interface
Dual I/O data read is performed in an integrated circuit which includes a serial peripheral interface memory device. In one example, a second page read address is transmitted to the memory device using a first input pin and a second input pin concurrently, while transferring data from the memory device associated with a first page read address using a first output pin and a second output pin concurrently. The first page read address is associated with a first location in the memory device and the second page read address is associated with a second location in the memory device. |
| US08223558B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A NAND cell unit includes memory cells which are connected in series. An erase operation is effected on all memory cells. Then, a soft-program voltage, which is opposite in polarity to the erase voltage applied in an erase operation, is applied to all memory cells, thereby setting all memory cells out of an over-erased state. Thereafter, a program voltage of 20V is applied to the control gate of a selected memory cell, 0V is applied to the control gates of the two memory cells provided adjacent to the selected memory cell, and 11V is applied to the control gates of the remaining memory cells. Data is thereby programmed into the selected memory cell. The time for which the program voltage is applied to the selected memory cell is adjusted in accordance with the data to be programmed into the selected memory cell. Hence, data “0” can be correctly programmed into the selected memory cell, multi-value data can be read from any selected memory cell at high speed. |
| US08223553B2 |
Systems and methods for programming a memory device
A multi-Level Cell (MLC) can be used to store, for example, 4 bits per cell by storing two bits on each of two sides. Each side can store, e.g., four different current level states that can be determined by the number of holes injected into, e.g., nitride layer, during programming. As more holes are injected the current decreases for a given voltage. The current can be low, therefore, it can be advantageous in one embodiment to use a current amplifier. The current amplifier can be a BJT, MOS or other type of device. |
| US08223547B2 |
Flash EEprom system with simultaneous multiple data sector programming and storage of physical block characteristics in other designated blocks
A non-volatile memory system is formed of floating gate memory cells arranged in blocks as the smallest unit of memory cells that are erasable together. The system includes a number of features that may be implemented individually or in various cooperative combinations. One feature is the storage in separate blocks of the characteristics of a large number of blocks of cells in which user data is stored. These characteristics for user data blocks being accessed may, during operation of the memory system by its controller, be stored in a random access memory for ease of access and updating. According to another feature, multiple sectors of user data are stored at one time by alternately streaming chunks of data from the sectors to multiple memory blocks. Bytes of data in the stream may be shifted to avoid defective locations in the memory such as bad columns. Error correction codes may also be generated from the streaming data with a single generation circuit for the multiple sectors of data. The stream of data may further be transformed in order to tend to even out the wear among the blocks of memory. Yet another feature, for memory systems having multiple memory integrated circuit chips, provides a single system record that includes the capacity of each of the chips and assigned contiguous logical address ranges of user data blocks within the chips which the memory controller accesses when addressing a block, making it easier to manufacture a memory system with memory chips having different capacities. A typical form of the memory system is as a card that is removably connectable with a host system but may alternatively be implemented in a memory embedded in a host system. The memory cells may be operated with multiple states in order to store more than one bit of data per cell. |
| US08223545B1 |
Systems and methods for data page management of NAND flash memory arrangements
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for providing a NAND flash memory arrangement that comprises a source select line (SSL), a drain select line (DSL) and a plurality of NAND memory cells arranged to provide a plurality of data pages. The method further includes defining a first set of data pages in close proximity to the SSL, defining a second set of data pages in close proximity to the DSL, and differentiating the first set of data pages and the second set of data pages from at least the remaining data pages. |
| US08223544B2 |
Memory system, program method thereof, and computing system including the same
Disclosed is a memory system and a method of programming a multi-bit flash memory device which includes memory cells configured to store multi-bit data, where the method includes and the system is configured for determining whether data to be stored in a selected memory cell is an LSB data; and if data to be stored in a selected memory cell is not an LSB data, backing up lower data stored in the selected memory cell to a backup memory block of the multi-bit flash memory device. |
| US08223542B2 |
Method of reading data in semiconductor memory device with charge accumulation layer
According to one embodiment, a method of reading data in a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cells associated with rows and columns and a plurality of latch circuits associated with the columns includes reading flag data from the memory cells associated with one of the columns into associated one of the latch circuits, selecting one of the latch circuits sequentially, while shifting one of the latch circuits to be selected, and reading the flag data from one of the latch circuits selected in an Nth one of the shifts. N is an integer not less than 0). |
| US08223538B2 |
Semiconductor phast change memory using multiple phase change layers
In accordance with some embodiments, a phase change memory may be formed in which the thermal conductivity in the region outside the programmed volume of phase change material is reduced. This may reduce the power consumption of the resulting phase change memory. The reduction in power consumption may be achieved by forming distinct layers of phase change material that have little or no mixing between them outside the programmed volume. For example, in one embodiment, a diffusion barrier layer may be maintained between the two distinct phase change layers. In another embodiment, a face centered cubic chalcogenide structure may be utilized. |
| US08223537B2 |
State machine sensing of memory cells
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for sensing memory cells using a state machine. One method embodiment includes generating a first sensing reference according to a first output of a state machine. The method includes bifurcating a range of possible programmed levels to which a memory cell can be programmed with the first sensing reference. The method also includes generating a second sensing reference according to a second output of the state machine. The method further includes determining a programmed level of the memory cell with the second generated sensing reference. |
| US08223530B2 |
Variable-resistance memory device and its operation method
A variable-resistance memory device includes: memory cells; first wires; a second wire; a drive/control section; and a sense amplifier. |
| US08223529B2 |
Resistive memory devices, memory systems and methods of controlling input and output operations of the same
A resistive memory device includes a resistive memory cell array, an output circuit and an input circuit. The resistive memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells that are coupled to bitlines. The output circuit generates a sensing output signal during a write operation by sensing a bitline voltage, and generates output data during a read operation by sensing the bitline voltage. The input circuit controls the bitline voltage based on input data for the write operation, and limits the bitline voltage in response to the sensing output signal during the write operation. The memory cells are protected by effectually limiting bitline voltage. |
| US08223522B2 |
Bi-directional regulator for regulating power
A regulated power supply apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an input power converting circuit for generating a rectified voltage signal, an output power converting circuit comprising a plurality of switching elements, the output power converting circuit coupled to receive the rectified voltage signal, an output power storing element coupled with the output power converting circuit, and an output power bidirectional regulating circuit comprising an integrated circuit coupled with the output power converting circuit, the bidirectional regulating circuit including control signals for operating the switching elements to store power on the output power storing element and to deliver power to an output load from the output power storing element. An integrated circuit controlled regulator circuit is provided for controlling a plurality of switches a boost and buck converter. A method of regulating power supply is also provided. |
| US08223521B2 |
Inverter device
In a 2-shunt system, accurate sensorless vector control can be realized without increasing shunt resistors. There is disclosed an inverter device including an inverter main circuit obtained by connecting, in a three-phase bridge-like manner, three arms formed by coupling, in series with a direct-current power source, two switching elements which perform mutually opposite on/off operations, to apply three-phase pseudo alternating-current voltages of a three-phase PWM system to an electric motor; shunt resistors connected to the direct-current power source in series with at least two of the three arms of the inverter main circuit; and a controller for detecting currents flowing through the shunt resistors in a predetermined cycle to control the on/off operations of the switching elements of the inverter main circuit based on the detected currents. The controller converts, into the current value of a specific angle range, a current value detected at a time before approximately 180° corresponding to the specific angle range where the on-time of the switching elements is continuously not more than a predetermined value, and then uses the converted current value. |
| US08223513B2 |
Inverter for a liquid crystal display device with soft start circuit to overcome power loss in transistor switching
An inverter includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit, a direct current (DC) voltage input terminal, a storage capacitor, a first transformer, a soft start circuit, and a first transistor. The PWM circuit includes a first output terminal. The first transformer includes a first primary winding. The first primary winding includes a first terminal and a second terminal capable of being grounded via the storage capacitor. The soft start circuit includes an inductor and a first capacitor. A gate electrode of the first transistor is connected to the first output terminal. A source electrode of the first transistor is connected to the first terminal of the first transformer via the inductor. A drain electrode of the first transistor is connected to the DC voltage input terminal and connected to the source electrode via the capacitor. |
| US08223510B2 |
Switching mode power supply and a method of operating the power supply in a power save mode
A switching mode power supply and a method of operating the power supply in a power save mode. The switching mode power supply includes a first PWM controller and a second PWM controller that are driven by different driving voltages and control first and the second voltages to be output, respectively, a first transformer that is controlled by the first PWM controller to output the first voltage and having a primary coil, a secondary coil to induce the first voltage, and an auxiliary winding, and a rectifier that rectifies and smoothes a current flowing through the auxiliary winding of the first transformer, generates a power save mode voltage based on the respective driving voltages of the first and the second PWM controllers, and supplies the power save mode voltage to the first and the second PWM controllers. Accordingly, the power save mode is operated using a voltage difference without requiring an extra controller. |
| US08223506B2 |
Power semiconductor module
A power semiconductor module is disclosed, comprising: a substrate mounted with a power semiconductor device and formed with a pattern; and an integrated terminal unit integrally assembled with a power terminal for applying power to the substrate and a body in which a signal terminal for inputting a signal to or outputting the signal from the substrate is made of an insulated resin material, wherein the integrated terminal unit can be mounted to the substrate to allow the power terminal and the signal terminal to be simultaneously connected to the substrate. |
| US08223505B2 |
Flexible printed circuit board holder
A holder for holding a flexible printed circuit board includes a main body and at least one securing member. The main body includes a hook portion and a holding member, wherein one of the securing member and the holding member comprises at least one magnet, and the other comprises at least one magnetic portion, at least one magnet or combination thereof such that the securing member capable of being magnetically attached to the holding member. |
| US08223503B2 |
Security cover for protecting the components mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) against being attached
The present invention is available for the field of electronic circuit protection, and provides a security cover for enclosing a protective area on the protected PCB and protecting the components in this area. The security cover comprises a flexible PCB that is folded with a receiving space and an opening in a side in the space. The flexible PCB is covered on the protective area of the protected PCB and encloses the components in the protective area. The flexible PCB triggers the related circuits to remove or destroy the information on the components in this protective area in case of physical attack. The present invention is to enclose the key components on PCB via the flexible PCB with the receiving space so as to prevent the key components from being attacked. |
| US08223500B2 |
Memory card and method for manufacturing the same
A memory card includes a circuit board, semiconductor chips mounted on different areas on the circuit board, a semiconductor chip with a semiconductor electrode on its top face and being fixed such that at least a part of its bottom face faces at least a part of a top face of the semiconductor chip, a wire for connecting the semiconductor electrode and a board electrode on the circuit board to achieve a mounting state of the semiconductor chip, and a cover for covering a circuit formation area from an upper side of the circuit board. The circuit formation area includes three semiconductor chips and the wire. At least a part of each of three semiconductor chips, at least a part of the circuit board, and the wire are covered with secondary sealing resin and primary sealing resin. |
| US08223499B2 |
Automated mechanical disconnection of an electrical converter module in a frequency converter arrangement
An arrangement is described for receiving an electrical converter module for converting a first frequency of an electrical input signal into a second frequency of an electrical output signal. A rack includes input terminals for receiving the electrical input signal and output terminals for providing the electrical output signal. A slot receives the converter module in a first and second positions where in first position the converter module is electrically connected both to the input and output terminals and in the second position the converter module is electrically disconnected both from the input and output terminals. An actuator, which is mounted to the rack and which, in response to a disconnect trigger signal, is adapted to move the electrical converter module from the first position to the second position. A frequency converter system equipped with such an arrangement and a method for disconnecting a converter module are provided. |
| US08223492B2 |
Horizontal subrack and communication cabinet
A horizontal subrack includes a ventilation box, a fan box and a board area. The ventilation box is located on the top and/or at the bottom of the board area, and includes an air partition plate, an air inlet, and a first air outlet; the air partition plate is set inside the ventilation box, and divides the ventilation box into an air-in chamber and an air-out chamber; the fan box is installed in the air-in chamber, and a fan is installed on the fan box; the air inlet is set on the front wall of the ventilation box; and the first air outlet is set on the rear wall of the ventilation box. The board area includes board slots, an air-in duct and an air-out duct. The air-in duct is located on one side of the board slots, and the air-out duct is located on the other side of the board slots. The air-in duct is linked to the air-in chamber, and the air-out duct is linked to the air-out chamber. The horizontal subrack extends the trail between the fan box and the board area, improves the evenness of the air volume distributed to the slots of the horizontal subrack, and overcomes the bottleneck of enhancing the heat dissipation capability of the horizontal subrack. |
| US08223491B2 |
Fastener for securing computer storage device
A fastener for securing computer storage devices is revealed. The fastener is arranged at a storage device of computers. The fastener for securing computer storage devices consists of a first fix member, a second fix member and a connection part. The first fix member and the second fix member respectively are disposed on two sides of the storage device. The first fix member as well as the second fix member respectively has at least one first groove and at least one second groove. A first mount member and a second mount member of a housing respectively are mounted into the first groove and the second groove. The storage device is fixed by the first fix member and the second fix member. The storage device is mounted in the housing of computers more stably by the assembling of the first mount member and the second mount member with the first groove and the second groove respectively. |
| US08223486B2 |
Electronic device restraint mechanism
A docking station comprises a sliding member accessible to a user of the docking station and coupled to a post. The station also comprises a locking mechanism configured to couple to a lock and comprising a stop surface and an apparatus capable of physically restraining an electronic device to the docking station. When the locking mechanism and the lock are locked together, and when the sliding member is adjusted from an unlocked status to a locked status, the stop surface is fixed in a locked state, the stop surface thereby fixing the post in a locked position, the post thereby fixing the sliding member in the locked status. When the sliding member is fixed in the locked status, the apparatus physically restrains the electronic device to the docking station. |
| US08223485B2 |
Slide mechanism for slide-type portable electronic device
A slide mechanism includes a main plate, a slide plate, a locking module, a releasing module and a button. The slide plate is installed on the main plate and slidable relative to the main plate. The locking module locks with the main plate and the slide plate. The releasing module is attached to the slide plate to unlock the locking module. The button operates the releasing module to force the locking module to unlock the slide plate. |
| US08223484B2 |
Cover mechanism and electronic device using same
A cover mechanism is for an electronic device, and the cover mechanism includes a base member and a cover member. The base member defines a hole and a receiving groove. The cover member is received in the receiving groove. The connecting arm extends through the base member and is latched with another side of the base member. The connecting arm is elastically bent to allow the cover portion to cover the hole. |
| US08223482B2 |
Portable hard drive and mounting structure for same
A portable computing device having an outer housing, and internal hard disk drive and a shock damping mounting assembly is disclosed. Multiple outer dimensions of the portable computing device can be less than the width of the hard drive due to a diagonal arrangement of the hard drive within the overall device. The hard drive can comply with a standardized form factor, such as a 3.5 inch form factor. A mounting assembly located within the outer housing and coupled to the hard drive can include one or more components adapted to damp a mechanical shock to the hard drive, which components can be mounted to corners and/or edges of the hard drive. Mounting assembly components can includes a first stage spring comprising a finger geometry that provides initial damping of the mechanical shock and a second stage spring comprising an elastic block that provides final damping of the mechanical shock. |
| US08223480B2 |
Pendant mounting structure and portable electronic device using same
A pendant mounting structure comprises a main body, a hook and two latching elements. The main body includes an upper surface and opposite side surfaces perpendicular to the upper surface and positioned at two side of the main body. The hook protrudes from the upper surface. The latching elements protrude from two sides of the main body. The pendant mounting is separately manufactured and latched to a housing. Thus, when an external force exerted on the hook is more than the structural limit of the hook, the hook could be break to protect the housing from damage. |
| US08223479B2 |
Server enclosure and connection element thereof
A server enclosure includes a power input terminal to receive power signals, a number of connection elements, a number of lead terminals, and a number of power output terminals. Each connection element includes a connection portion and two fixing arms extending from opposite ends of the connection portion. The connection portion is engaged with the power input terminal to receive the power signals and output the power signals to the two fixing arms. Each lead terminal includes a first connection portion fixed to one fixing arm along an extending direction of the fixing arm to receive the power signals and a second connection portion to receive the power signals. Each power output terminal is connected to one of the second connection portions to receive the power signals. |
| US08223477B2 |
Slidable portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a base, a cover, a plurality of first positioning element, a plurality of second positioning element, and a connecting element. The first positioning elements attach to the cover. The second positioning element attach to the base. The connecting element slidably and rotatably connects the base to the cover. The first positioning elements attract the second positioning elements by magnetic force. |
| US08223476B2 |
Field rephaseable modular metering devices
A field rephaseable metering device is provided including at least three distribution buses including two side buses and a center bus, the center bus having a vertical center line. At least one meter socket is provided having a vertical center line offset from the vertical center line of said center bus, each meter socket including a first line terminal and a second line terminal. At least two line straps are provided, each having a first end configured for connecting with one of the first or second line terminals, and a second elongate end configured to be selectively connectable to one of the side buses associated with its line terminal or the center bus. When each line strap is positioned to connect one of the line terminals with one of the distribution buses, a longitudinal axis of each line strap is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of each distribution bus. |
| US08223473B2 |
Electrolytic capacitor containing a liquid electrolyte
An electrolytic capacitor that contains an anodically oxidized porous anode, cathode, and an electrolyte that contains an alkali metal salt and ionically conductive polymer is provided. The alkali metal salt forms a complex with the ionically conductive polymer and thereby improves its ionic conductivity, particularly at higher temperatures. The electrolyte also contains an organic solvent that reduces the viscosity of the electrolyte and helps lower the potential barrier to metal ion transport within the electrolyte to improve conductivity. By selectively controlling the relative amount of each of these components, the present inventors have discovered that a highly ionically conductive electrolyte may be formed that is also in the form of a viscous liquid. The liquid nature of the electrolyte enables it to more readily enter the pores of the anode via capillary forces and improve specific capacitance. Further, although a liquid, its viscous nature may inhibit the likelihood of leakage. |
| US08223472B1 |
Norbornylene-based polymer systems for dielectric applications
A capacitor having at least one electrode pair being separated by a dielectric component, with the dielectric component being made of a polymer such as a norbornylene-containing polymer with a dielectric constant greater than 3 and a dissipation factor less than 0.1 where the capacitor has an operating temperature greater than 100° C. and less than 170° C. |
| US08223471B2 |
Multilayer capacitor
A multilayer capacitor is provided which can efficiently prevent chattering noises from occurring in a simple structure.In the multilayer capacitor, a metal terminal is disposed about a capacitor element body. Even when an electrostrictive vibration is generated in the multilayer capacitor upon voltage application, a joint surface joining a substrate connecting surface and a terminal connecting surface together in the metal terminal can flex, so as to mitigate the electrostrictive vibration, thereby preventing chattering noises from occurring. In the multilayer capacitor, the terminal connecting surface and joint surface form a rising part having a height which is about half that of the capacitor element body. Therefore, the joint surface joins together the terminal connecting surface and substrate connecting surface that are positioned on different side faces of the capacitor element body, whereby a sufficient length can be secured in the joint surface, thus improving the efficiency of mitigating electrostrictive vibrations. Further, a simple procedure of just mounting the bottom face of the capacitor element body onto the front side of the capacitor element body supporting surface can easily attach the metal terminal to the capacitor element body. |
| US08223467B2 |
Transient blocking unit using normally-off device to detect current trip threshold
An isolation device having normally off detection is provided. The isolation device having normally off detection includes a transient blocking unit (TBU) having at least one depletion mode device disposed between a pair of sense terminals, and at least one normally off transition element disposed to drive a gate of the depletion mode device in the TBU, where the normally off transition element transitions from a first resistive state to a second resistive state and one depletion mode device is connected to one sense terminal, and the normally off transition element transitions by detection of a current through the TBU. The TBU can be unidirectional or bidirectional. |
| US08223463B2 |
Magnetic read head
A magnetoresistive head which has a high head SNR by reducing generated mag-noise without deteriorating an output comprises, according to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive sensor having a laminated structure which includes an antiferromagnetic layer, a magnetization pinned layer, a non-magnetic intermediate layer, a magnetization free layer, and a magnetization stable layer arranged adjacent to the magnetization free layer. The magnetization stable layer comprises non-magnetic coupling layer, a first ferromagnetic stable layer, an antiparallel coupling layer, and a second ferromagnetic stable layer. A magnetization quantity of a first ferromagnetic stable layer and a second ferromagnetic stable layer are substantially equal, and the magnetization of the first ferromagnetic stable layer and the second ferromagnetic stable layer are magnetically coupled in the antiparallel direction from each other. The magnetizations of the first ferromagnetic stable layer and the free layer are coupled in an antiferromagnetic or a ferromagnetic alignment. |
| US08223456B2 |
Method for manufacturing a magnetic head with mini-outriggers
An exemplary magnetic head assembly for use with magnetic recording media is provided. In one example, a head includes a data island associated with at least one data transducer, the data island having a width along a direction of media transport and a radius of curvature. The magnetic head further includes a mini-outrigger placed adjacent to the data island and separated by a void, wherein a width of the mini-outrigger along the direction of media transport is less than the width of the data island. Additionally, in one example, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger is less than the radius of curvature of the data island. The wrap angle of magnetic storage tape to the data island may be less than 3 degrees. Further, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger may be less than one-half the radius of curvature of the data island. |
| US08223454B2 |
Cooling system for an electronic unit with plural heat-generating sections
An electronic apparatus 1 in which is mounted an electronic unit having a plurality of heat-generating sections including at least a first heat-generating section and a second heat-generating section includes: a hold frame 9 for holding the electronic unit, a first heat-conducting member 11 for transmitting heat generated by the first heat-generating section, a second heat-conducting member 11 for transmitting heat generated by the second heat-generating section, and a cooling unit 8 for releasing the heat transmitted through the first and second heat-generating sections; in which apparatus, the first heat-conducting member 11 is heat-connected to the cooling unit 8, and the second heat-conducting member 11 is heat-connected to the cooling unit 8 via the hold frame 9. |
| US08223451B2 |
Data storage apparatus and method
A data storage apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises a mounting structure, a motor mechanically attached to mounting structure, and a data storage platter mechanically attached to the motor. The apparatus additionally comprises a single actuator arm comprising a first and second read/write data head or multiple radial movement mechanisms each comprising a read/write data head. The single actuator arm is configured to move axially along an arc and across a top surface of the data storage platter such that the first read/write data head has access to a first section and a second section of the data storage platter and the second read/write data head only has access to the second section of data storage platter. Each radial movement mechanism moves a different read/write data head radially all along a radius of the data storage platter and over and across different sections of the data storage platter. |
| US08223449B2 |
Disk drive track address encoded with a servo sector address
A servo sector address and a track address of a recording medium of a disk drive are encoded into a combined address value. The combined address value is stored in a combined address field that has fewer bits than the total bits required to uniquely encode the servo sector address and the track address. The position of a transducer head, indicated by the servo sector address and the track address, is determined by reading encoded values from two consecutive servo sectors on the recording medium and then decoding the encoded values. |
| US08223446B2 |
Device for temperature-dependent axial movement of optical components
A device for the temperature-dependent axial movement of an optical component including a monolithic mounting unit having an outer mounting part forming a fixed holder having an axis and an inner mounting part forming a mount adapted to support the optical component. The mount is movable along the axis. A moving mechanism is connected to the fixed holder and the movable mount. The moving mechanism includes at least one external expansion element including a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and at least one internal expansion element including a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion, where the first coefficient of thermal expansion is larger than the second coefficient of thermal expansion. A number of connecting links is disposed in a star-shaped formation and join a respective one of the at least one external expansion element to a respective one of the internal expansion element. Each connecting link is disposed at a prescribed pitch angle with respect to the axis that differs from 90°. |
| US08223442B2 |
Objective lens for optical pick-up
There is provided an objective lens for an optical pick-up. The objective lens is formed to be a single-element plastic lens having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to have, within an effective diameter, an inflection point at which a second derivative of a sag of the first surface takes a value of 0. Further, the objective lens having a numerical aperture larger than or equal to 0.75. |
| US08223438B2 |
Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera
A zoom lens system of the present invention has a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element and, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a first lens unit having negative optical power and composed of two lens elements; a second lens unit having positive optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein in zooming, the lens units are moved such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit should decrease and that an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit should increase, so that magnification change is achieved, and wherein the condition is satisfied: 0.10 |
| US08223433B2 |
Stationary sunlight redirecting element and system
A low-cost sunlight redirecting element including multiple substantially identical redirecting structures uniformly arranged and fixedly disposed on a base, where each redirecting structure includes multiple optical surface regions that are cooperatively formed and arranged such that, when the sunlight redirecting element is operably fixedly oriented relative to a stationary target with sunlight directed along an incident direction onto the redirecting structures, at least some of the sunlight is transmitted between the corresponding optical surface regions of each redirecting structure, and redirected from the corresponding optical surface regions toward the target's surface. The optical surface regions are shaped and arranged to redirect the sunlight toward the fixed target surface even when the sunlight's incident angle direction changes during the course of a year. A stationary sunlight redirecting system (e.g., an architectural daylighting arrangement or PV farm) includes the sunlight redirecting element maintained in a fixed relationship to the stationary target surface. |
| US08223431B2 |
Reflective screen and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a reflective screen. The reflective screen can be widely and commercially used, easily manufactured at low costs, and realize a sufficient reflection image. The reflective screen includes a substrate, a light diffusion layer in front of the substrate, a light reflecting material reflecting projection light, a light absorbing material absorbing external light, and a light absorption reflection layer containing at least the light reflecting material and the light absorbing material together. The light absorption reflection layer being disposed in the rear of the substrate. |
| US08223429B2 |
Accessory for attenuated total internal reflective (ATR) spectroscopy
An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be fixed to the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting member (100) is carried by the support (40). A sample supporting member (60) is disposed below the location of the ATR crystal (106). The sample supporting member (60) is carried on the support (40) such that it can be moved to restricted extent relative to the support and defines a sub-stage which can be moved relative to the main stage (20) of the microscope. |
| US08223425B2 |
Plasmonic device tuned using physical modulation
A plasmonic display device is provided that uses physical modulation mechanisms. The device is made from an electrically conductive bottom electrode and a first dielectric layer overlying the bottom electrode. The first dielectric layer is a piezoelectric material having an index of expansion responsive to an electric field. An electrically conductive top electrode overlies the first dielectric layer. A first plasmonic layer, including a plurality of discrete plasmonic particles, is interposed between the top and bottom electrodes and in contact with the first dielectric layer. In one aspect, the plasmonic particles are an expandable polymer material covered with a metal coating having a size responsive to an electric field. |
| US08223424B2 |
Interferometric modulator array with integrated MEMS electrical switches
An iterferometric modulator array is integrated with collapsible cavity MEMS electrical switches. The electrical switches may have similar physical geometry as the display elements. The switches may form row or column select functions for the display. |
| US08223423B2 |
Dynamic reflectarray technology for electro-optical sensors
An array of two or more tunable electro-optical reflecting elements where the phase response of one or more elements may be adjusted by a variety of approaches including, but not limited to: a liquid crystal superstrate, schottky contact(s), ultra-violet radiation pulses, and illumination of photoconductive substrates. Methods and apparatus for direct and/or adaptive control of phase response via the above approaches are also discussed. |
| US08223419B2 |
Scanning optical system, optical scanning device, and image forming device
A scanning optical system is provided with a light source device (1), a deflection optical system (5) that deflects the light flux from the light source device (1) to carry our a scan in a main-scanning direction (y), and a scanning and image-forming optical system (8) that forms the light flux deflected by the deflection optical system (5) into an image on a scanning surface (H). The scanning and image-forming optical system (8) includes at least a first lens (6). The scanning optical system satisfies a predetermined condition relating to a numerical aperture of a light flux entering the deflection optical system (8) in a sub-scanning direction (z), and a distance between the deflection optical system (5) and the first lens (6). The first lens (6) is a plastic lens made of a predetermined resin as a base material. |
| US08223417B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes a diffractive optical element. The diffractive optical element is a hybrid lens in which a resin layer is joined to a glass-lens base material, and a diffractive surface is provided in the resin layer. The diffractive surface has a multi-step structure including a plurality of zonal surfaces and a plurality of step surfaces. |
| US08223416B2 |
Scanning optical apparatus
In a scanning optical apparatus, light emitted from each of a plurality of light sources is converted by a first optical element into a beam of light, which in turn is converted by a second optical element into a linear image extending in a main scanning direction incident on a deflecting mirror at which the beams of light are deflected in the main scanning direction. A third optical element configured to convert the beams from the deflecting mirror into spot-like images is a single lens, and each of opposite lens surfaces thereof has a curvature in a sub-scanning direction varying continuously from a position corresponding to an optical axis thereof outward in the main scanning direction in such a manner that MTF values in a sub-scanning direction of an image formed on the scanned surface vary less with image height. |
| US08223413B2 |
Hologram recorder
A hologram recorder includes a signal beam irradiator to irradiate a signal beam, which is optically modulated in accordance with information to be recorded, to a recording medium at a predetermined incident angle. The hologram recorder also includes a recording prism provided with surfaces including an incident surface, a reflective surface and an emission surface for light so that a recording reference beam is guided to the recording medium by way of these surfaces. A pivot mechanism of the hologram recorder causes the recording prism to pivot above the recording medium for changing the incident angle of the recording reference beam at the recording medium, with the recording reference beam kept to overlap the signal beam. |
| US08223408B2 |
Image forming apparatus having scanning function and scanning method thereof
An image forming apparatus is capable of scanning a document having a larger size than the flat. For example, it is possible to scan an A3 document using a scanning sensor having a slight larger size than an A4 document, and also it is possible to obtain a high quality of the A3 document image. |
| US08223407B1 |
Sheet media stack imaging system
An imaging system that includes a sheet media stack over a recording unit. Image data is generated in response to radiation received from a field of view encompassing sheet media edges of individual media within the sheet media stack. Edges of individual media are detected within the image data. |
| US08223406B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes an image reading portion that moves in a predetermined direction. The image reading portion includes an image reading sensor that reads an image on a sheet. The image reading apparatus also includes a sheet feeder that feeds the sheet, a first transparent member with a reference surface that supports the sheet thereon, and a second transparent member that contacts the sheet fed by the sheet feeder. The second transparent member is positioned in an inclined position with respect to the reference surface of the first transparent member. The image reading portion moves along a lower surface of the first transparent member and a lower surface of the second transparent member. |
| US08223404B2 |
Image forming system, computer readable recording medium storing image forming program and image forming method
An image forming system according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a component data acquiring unit that acquires a component from color lookup table data; a verifying unit that determines whether or not the component of the color lookup table data acquired by the component data acquiring unit has been generated according to a predetermined generating rule; and a download data generating unit that downloads the color lookup table data and generates download data to be used in image forming processing from the color lookup table data after the verifying unit determines that the component has been generated according to the generating rule. |
| US08223399B1 |
Printer including output matching
A printing system includes a first module configured for capturing an image of a target printer test page including a plurality of color patches and configured to provide color data for each color patch; and a second module configured for generating a color modification based on the color data for each color patch of the target printer test page and color data for a reference printer, wherein the target printer is configured to print images converted using the color modification such that an output of the target printer substantially matches an output of the reference printer. |
| US08223396B2 |
Color conversion device for applying clipping to color values outside a color reproduction range and which satisfy a predetermined condition
A color processing device includes a color range conversion component, a control component and a color conversion and clipping component. The color range conversion component performs a color range conversion of input color signals in accordance with a specified color range conversion condition. The control component excludes from objects of the color range conversion by the color range conversion component a color value, of the input color signals, of which a position in a predetermined color space is outside a color reproduction range and which satisfies a predetermined condition. The color conversion and clipping component, after a color space conversion, applies clipping to a color value that falls outside the color reproduction range of the designated device in the color space dependent on the designated device, including rounding off such that the color value falls in the color reproduction range. |
| US08223395B2 |
Methods and systems for refining text color in a digital image
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for refining text color in a digital image. A pixel of interest from a first plurality of pixels in a digital image may be selected, and the first plurality of pixels may be separated into a second plurality of pixels and a third plurality of pixels based on the color value of the pixel of interest. A refinement color value may be calculated based on the second plurality of pixels when the second plurality of pixels meets a quantity threshold. When the second plurality of pixels does not meet the quantity threshold, the refinement color value may be calculated based on the third plurality of pixels. The refinement color value may be assigned to the pixel of interest. |
| US08223393B2 |
Post rip image rendering for microprinting
A method of rendering the appearance of microprint contained within a printed input digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising identifying one or two pixel lines or both and reassigning their digital value. |
| US08223391B2 |
System and method for producing print instruction information to be transmitted to a printing device
An image processor according to the present invention includes a reference information acquisition unit that acquires reference information for specifying a reference source and a reference target associated with the reference source from an electronic document having the reference information indicated therein, and a print instruction information production unit that produces print instruction information including an instruction for causing a printing device to print a reference source index for representing a reference source in a margin region located at a peripheral edge of a reference source page specified based on the reference information, and an instruction for causing the printing device to print a reference target index for representing a reference target in a region overlapping the region where the reference source index is printed in a margin region located at a peripheral edge of a reference target page specified based on the reference information. |
| US08223378B2 |
Printing system, job processing method, printing apparatus, storage medium, and program
A printing system capable of increasing the working efficiency of an operator engaged in a post-process necessary after printing can be provided. For this purpose, the user interface unit can execute a display which allows the operator to explicitly input, for each job, instruction information in consideration of a post-process necessary after a printing process in a job requiring a printing process by a printing apparatus in a printing system capable of stacking, on a stacking unit, printed materials having undergone the printing process. When the job to be processed is a job for which the operator inputs the instruction information via the display, printed materials of the job for which the operator inputs the instruction information are stacked on the stacking unit while the printed materials are classified every printed materials on the basis of the instruction information input by the operator for the job. |
| US08223376B2 |
Image forming apparatus performing image formation on print data, image processing system including plurality of image forming apparatuses, print data output method executed on image forming apparatus, and print data output program product
In order to prevent leakage of confidential information, MFP includes a communication I/F to receive print data, an image forming portion to perform image formation on print data, and a CPU to prohibit the image forming portion from performing image formation on the print data before the print data is subjected to image formation by the image forming portion, when a prescribed time has passed since the print data was received or when an input of an instruction to protect the print data is accepted, and to store the print data in a storage device, and to allow the image forming portion to perform image formation on the print data in response to accepting a log-in instruction. |
| US08223375B2 |
Reception management apparatus, reception management method and computer program product
In a reception management apparatus, when a print button is operated after scheduled visitor information is selected, a badge ID representing print number is assigned to the selected scheduled visitor information and thereby print data of an entry pass associated with the scheduled visitor information is created and output to a printer. At the same time, the badge ID is assigned to and displayed in the scheduled visitor information in the appointment list display window. Further, when a shared button is operated after the scheduled visitor information is selected, the badge ID representing print number is assigned to the selected scheduled visitor information and thereby print data of the entry pass associated with the scheduled visitor information is created and output to the printer. At the same time, the personal information corresponding to the scheduled visitor information is stored in the entry-permitted list as entry-permitted visitor information. |
| US08223373B2 |
Image editing pipelines for automatic editing and printing of online images
A method having corresponding apparatus and computer-readable media embodying instructions executable by a computer to perform the method comprises: in response to a request to print an image stored on a first website, automatically downloading an image editing pipeline for the image from a second website in response to the request, wherein the image editing pipeline describes one or more image editing operations for the image; automatically downloading the image from the first website; automatically generating an edited image based on the image and the image editing pipeline; and automatically printing the edited image on a printer. |
| US08223371B2 |
Image forming apparatus, data processing method, program, and storage medium
In a data processing method, import request data transmitted from a client is received. By comparing the application list against information indicating license settings of the application that are stored in advance, a determination is made as to whether or not the processing specified in a workflow is executable. A temporary workflow list is created, and a determination is made as to whether or not the upper limit for the registerable workflow number and data size is exceeded. When it is determined as registerable, execution data for executing respective workflows and display data for controlling display included in the temporary workflow list are acquired from the client, and the display is controlled so as to display the executable workflow and the inexecutable workflow in a fashion such that the executable workflow and the inexecutable workflow can be identified. |
| US08223368B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
An apparatus for executing image processing by a plurality of serially connected image processing modules stores, in memory, set values for the plurality of image processing modules and image data to be processed by the plurality of image processing modules, adds headers to respective ones of the set values and image data that have been read out of the memory and transmits the result to a top image processing module among the plurality of image processing modules. |
| US08223365B2 |
Apparatus and method for metering and monitoring print usage at non-network printers
The invention relates to a printer component for monitoring usage on non-network printers. The printer component includes a desktop component installed on a network computer to which a non-network printer is attached. The desktop component is for obtaining printer status information from each non-network printer attached to the network computer. The printer component also includes a server component installed on an external server. During installation of the desktop component, a job listener is attached to the network computer to obtain printer status information for each non-network printer. When the desktop component obtains printer status information, a socket server is started to listen to a port and return non-network printer objects. The server component mergers information obtained from the desktop component with previously stored printer information to provide printer status information for all network and non-network printers within an enterprise. |
| US08223359B2 |
Printing device and printing method
The printing device receives the printing data for confidential printing, and determines an output destination of the printing data received for confidential printing to be either a lockable output bin or a digital output bin. The lockable output bin can be locked and unlocked by a key and the print data can be output to the lockable output bin in a form of being printed on recording medium. The digital output bin holds the printing data and allows the printing data being held therein to be read out for printing when a user is verified. When the lockable output bin is assigned as the output destination and the lockable output bin of the printing device that received the printing data is in an unusable state, another printing device having a lockable output bin that can be used is searched and the printing data is transferred to the other printing device. |
| US08223357B2 |
Method and system for printing image using template and recording medium storing the method
A method and apparatus for printing an image using minimum memory and various templates are provided. The method includes: if a template list is received from the contents providing server, the image storing device selecting a template based on the received template list; if information on the selected template is downloaded from the contents providing server, the image storing device transmitting the downloaded template information to the printing device; and the image storing device transmitting information of an original image to be combined with the template to the printing device. |
| US08223353B2 |
Multiple processor print driver
A system and method for an adaptable print driver that adapts its behavior to make use of multiple processors when they are available on the host computer. In particular, during installation or initialization of the print driver, the driver will query the operating system for the number and type of processors present. If the print driver detects that multiple processors are present, it will operate in a way that makes explicit use of the multiple processors. |
| US08223351B2 |
Method and system for continuous feed printing systems
A method of measuring and correcting the Young's Modulus inline to eliminate its impact on image length variation during print runtime. The method includes intentionally perturbing the nominal operating condition of the web printing system which is controlled by the double reflex printing controller. The perturbation creates misregistration in a control target printed image that is detectable by in-situ sensors, from which Young's Modulus is estimated. Specifically, the web tension before the print zone is set differently from the web tension in the print zone to create misregistration. The error is detected by the inline sensors, and it is used to calculate the actual Young's Modulus. The implementation of the method consists of measuring the Young's Modulus at various frequencies. The correct Young's Modulus in then incorporated into the double reflex printing algorithm. |
| US08223347B2 |
Inspection method and apparatus, lithographic apparatus, lithographic processing cell and device manufacturing method
A method of determining an overlay error between two successive layers produced by a lithographic process on a substrate, including using the lithographic process to form a calibration structure including a periodic structure of the same pitch on each of the layers, such that an overlaid pair of periodic structures is formed, the structures being parallel, but offset relative to each other by an overlay amount. A spectrum produced by directing a beam of radiation onto the calibration structure is measured and compared with one or more modeled spectra so as to determine values of the grating parameters for the calibration structure from the measured spectrum. The lithographic process is used to form further overlaid periodic structures on the same or one or more subsequent substrates, the determined grating parameter values for the calibration structure being used to determine overlay amounts for the further overlaid periodic structures. |
| US08223335B2 |
System for alignment measurement for rolling embossed double-sided optical film and method thereof
A system for alignment measurement for a rolling embossed double-sided optical film, the system comprising: a first roller with a first brightness enhancement film pattern and a first alignment pattern thereon, a second roller with a second brightness enhancement film pattern and a second alignment pattern thereon; a measuring unit for measuring diffraction patterns in the first alignment region and the second alignment region, respectively; and a control unit electrically connected to the first roller, the second roller and the measuring unit to adjust the relative position between the first roller and the second roller according to the diffraction patterns measured by the measuring unit. |
| US08223333B2 |
Apparatus and method of testing liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device testing apparatus that comprises a stage configured in an air-floating structure to feed a liquid crystal panel including combined upper and lower substrates, a backlight unit configured to include a light source for an emission of light disposed under the stage, a protective film formed to encompass and protect the light source, and a lower polarizing plate formed on the protective film to firstly polarize light emitted from the light source in a fixed axis direction, an upper polarizing plate separated from the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel by a fixed distance to secondarily polarize light from the liquid crystal panel in the fixed axis direction; and a charge couple device (CCD) camera disposed on the upper polarizing plate to scan an image on the liquid crystal panel using light secondarily polarized by the upper polarizing plate. |
| US08223331B2 |
Signal-amplification device for surface enhanced raman spectroscopy
A signal-amplification device for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The signal-amplification device includes a non-SERS-active (NSA) substrate, a plurality of multi-tiered non-SERS-active nanowire (MNSANW) structures and a plurality of metallic SERS-active nanoparticles. In addition, a MNSANW structure of the plurality of MNSANW structures includes a main arm of a plurality of main arms and a plurality of arms of at least secondary order. The plurality of main arms is disposed on the NSA substrate; and, a secondary arm of the plurality of arms is disposed on the main arm. Moreover, a metallic SERS-active nanoparticle of the plurality of metallic SERS-active nanoparticles is disposed on a surface of the MNSANW structure. |
| US08223328B2 |
Surface inspecting apparatus and surface inspecting method
A surface inspecting apparatus includes an illumination optical system irradiating linearly polarized light to a wafer surface under a plurality of inspection conditions; an imaging optical system capturing an image of the wafer formed by polarization components having an oscillation direction different from that of the linearly polarized light as part of reflected light from the wafer surface irradiated by the linearly polarized light under the plurality of inspection conditions; and an image-processing apparatus for extracting for individual pixels an image having the smallest signal intensity from among images of the wafer captured under the plurality of inspection conditions by the imaging optical system, and for inspecting for the presence of defects in a repeated pattern of the wafer based on an inspection image of the wafer generated by connecting each of the extracted pixels. |
| US08223320B2 |
Exposing method using variable shaped beam, and pattern forming method using the same
Provided is an exposing method using a variable shaped beam that may minimize a critical dimension (CD) distribution and a mean to target (MTT) difference generated during a process by correcting CD linearity of the design CD of a circuit pattern, and a pattern forming method using the exposing method. In the exposing method, a determination is made as to whether the design size of a beam shot used to expose a circuit pattern is less than a value, or greater than the value. If the design size is greater than the value, the size of the beam shot may be linearly corrected. When the design size is less than the value, the size of the beam shot may be non-linearly corrected. |
| US08223319B2 |
Exposure device
An exposure device is provided. The exposure device includes an alignment stage unit, an exposure processing unit and a workpiece moving mechanism. The alignment stage unit includes: an alignment stage that holds a workpiece having workpiece marks thereon; at least one first alignment microscope that detects the workpiece marks of the workpiece; and a first moving mechanism that relatively moves the alignment stage and the first alignment microscope in an 1-axis direction by a width of the workpiece. The exposure processing unit includes: a mask stage that holds a mask having mask marks thereon; a second alignment microscope that detects the mask marks of the mask; and an exposure stage that holds the workpiece. The workpiece moving mechanism moves the workpiece from the alignment stage unit to the exposure processing unit. |
| US08223317B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method controlling shutter based on intensity of reflected light
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to radiant energy includes a holder configured to hold the substrate, a shutter for regulating exposure time for the substrate, and a controller configured to control an operation of the shutter. The controller is configured to control the operation of the shutter based on information having a correlation with intensity of light reflected from the holder and the substrate held by the holder. |
| US08223316B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus includes an optical path in which a plurality of optical units are arranged and which includes a portion of projecting a pattern of an original onto a substrate to expose the substrate to light, and a controller configured to monitor deteriorations, due to light, of the plurality of optical units, wherein the controller is configured to monitor each of a plurality of sections of the optical path each of which includes at least one optical unit, for deterioration of the at least one optical unit belonging to a corresponding section. |
| US08223315B2 |
Measuring apparatus and exposure apparatus having the same
A measuring apparatus for measuring an optical performance of an optical system under test that has a numerical aperture of more than 0.6 at a light exit side, said measuring apparatus includes a numerical aperture decreasing part for decreasing the numerical aperture of a light exited from the optical system under test to 0.6 or less, and a detector for detecting an interference fringes formed by the light that passes through the numerical aperture decreasing part. |
| US08223312B2 |
Method of manufacturing a display device using a barrier layer to form an ohmic contact layer
An embodiment of the invention provides a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) array substrate comprising: a gate line and a data line that intersect with each other to define a pixel region; and a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor formed in the pixel region. The thin film transistor comprises: a gate electrode connected with the gate line; a semiconductor island positioned above the gate electrode; and a source electrode and a drain electrode that are formed on the semiconductor island. A surface of the semiconductor island contacting with the source electrode and the drain electrode comprises ohmic contact regions subject to a surface treatment and a region of the semiconductor layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode is covered with a barrier layer. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) array substrate. |
| US08223305B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate which is disposed to face the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode which are formed on the first substrate, and a protrusion which is disposed under one of the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid crystal layer having an isotropic state when there is no applied electric field, and an anisotropic state when an electric field is applied. |
| US08223302B2 |
Display panel, electro-optical apparatus, and methods for manufacturing the same
A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, signal lines, sub-pixels, and at least one thickness adjusting layer. The second substrate is disposed above the first substrate and has a transparent electrode layer thereon. The signal lines are disposed on the first substrate. The sub-pixels are arranged between the first and second substrates. The sub-pixels are electrically connected with the signal lines, and parts of them have at least one transparent area and at least one reflective area. The transparent area has a transparent electrode therein, and the reflective area has a reflective electrode therein, respectively. The thickness adjusting layer is disposed above the reflective electrode and located at the reflective area of the part of the sub-pixels. |
| US08223300B2 |
Color filters and display device having color filters
A color filter may include a red pigment as a main component of a pigment, and at least one of a green pigment and a blue pigment as an additional pigment at 0.5-10 wt % among the entire pigment. The color filter may include a green pigment as a main component of a pigment, and at least one of a red pigment, a blue pigment, and a violet pigment at 0.5-10 wt % as an additional pigment among the entire pigment. The color filter may include a blue pigment as the main component of the pigment, and at least one of a red pigment and a green pigment as the additional pigment at 0.5-10 wt % among the entire pigment. |
| US08223299B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The OCB mode liquid crystal display device applies a black display voltage V(Tr) with temperature characteristic requirements expressed by: V(T)= |
| US08223297B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and a method for fabricating the same, and the liquid crystal display device may be configured by including a light guide plate with a plurality of movement prevention structures at both sides thereof, respectively; a lower cover with opening portions at the positions corresponding to the plurality of movement prevention structures, and on which the light guide plate being disposed; a light source unit disposed at a side of the light guide plate; a support main with insertion portions for inserting and mounting the movement prevention structures at the positions corresponding to the opening portions; a diffuser sheet and an optical sheet disposed on the light guide plate; and a liquid crystal panel disposed at an upper portion of the support main. |
| US08223292B2 |
Lighting device for use with display apparatus and display apparatus
A lighting device 12 in accordance with the present invention is for use with a display apparatus. The lighting device 12 includes a light source 17, a plate shaped chassis 14 that covers the light source 17, and an inverter board 30 attached to the chassis 14. The lighting device 12 is characterized in that, accompanying slide of the inverter board 30 in a direction parallel to the chassis, the inverter board 30 is attached and detached. |
| US08223286B2 |
Display panel
The present invention provides a display panel including a plurality of dual-gate pixel units connected to each other through data lines, gate lines and common lines. Each dual-gate pixel unit includes a first pixel and a second pixel respectively connected to a first gate line and a second gate line, and shares a common line and a data line. The first pixel and the second pixel are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the common line, and they are also respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the first data line and the second gate line. The data lines transfer data signals into pixels, and the gate lines control the pixels to receive the data signals. The present invention raises an aperture ratio of each pixel of the display panel, and reduces the probability of the gate line and the common line being short-circuited. |
| US08223279B2 |
Three-dimensional (3D) display system and method
A three-dimensional (3D) display system is provided for displaying a 3D image. The 3D image includes at least a first image and a second image, with a parallax between the first image and the second image. The 3D display system includes a display device, and a liquid crystal lens array. Further, the display device is configured to display at least two combined images of the 3D image in a single display period, and each of the two combined images includes a part of the first image and a part of the second image. The liquid crystal lens array has a plurality of lens units configured to separate the part of the first image and the part of the second image in each of the two combined images into predetermined viewing directions, respectively, such that a complete first image and a complete second image are displayed without losing resolution. |
| US08223275B2 |
Projector and correction method
A projector includes a projecting unit that projects a calibration image containing a plurality of types of pattern images having different shapes, a storing unit that stores correction data showing a correction value for each of the pattern images, a selecting unit that receives selection of a pattern image selected by a user from the pattern images, and a correcting unit that corrects distortion of an image projected by the projecting unit based on the correction value corresponding to the selection. |
| US08223272B2 |
Image processing circuit and image processing method thereof
An image processing circuit and an image processing method thereof are disclosed. A difference value adaptor of the image processing circuit produces a weighing value and a flag value corresponding to the pixel according to the pixel difference value of each pixel of an input video signal. The image processing circuit judges which area among a first area, a second area and a third area the pixel difference value of each pixel falls in according to the flag value. The image processing circuit performs a low-pass filtering processing on the pixel having the pixel difference value falling in the first area, performs a high-pass filtering processing on the pixel having the pixel difference value falling in the second area and performs a luminance transient improvement processing (LTI processing) on the pixel having the pixel difference value falling in the third area. |
| US08223271B2 |
Video processing apparatus and video processing method
A video processing apparatus includes: a reception module configured to selectively receive signals; a signal processing module configured to perform signal processing on a signal received by the reception module; a video processor configured to process the signal performed with the signal processing to output a video signal for displaying an image contained in the signal; and a control module configured to control the reception module, the signal processing module, and the video processor, wherein the control module includes: a storing module configured to store pieces of video size information being set for respective categories; and a video size switching module configured to switch the video size based on the pieces of video size information stored in the storing module. |
| US08223268B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method and recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a generation unit configured to generate image signals for displaying a plurality of screens on one display surface; an operation signal acquisition unit configured to acquire an operation signal from a user; and a control unit configured to scale a focused one of the plurality of screens, when the operation signal common to the plurality of screens to scale the screen is acquired from the user. |
| US08223266B2 |
Display and television apparatus
A display includes a mode switching portion capable of switching between mixed mode performing both processing of the analog broadcasting and processing of the digital broadcasting and digital mode preferentially performing the processing of the digital broadcasting and a control portion controlling the mode switching portion so as to switch the mixed mode to the digital mode when the analog broadcasting is terminated. |
| US08223264B2 |
Method for video deinterlacing and format conversion
A method for deinterlacing a picture is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a plurality of primary scores by searching along a plurality of primary angles for an edge in the picture proximate a location interlaced with a field of the picture, (B) generating a plurality of neighbor scores by searching for the edge along a plurality of neighbor angles proximate a particular angle of the primary angles corresponding to a particular score of the primary scores having a best value and (C) identifying a best score from a group of scores consisting of the particular score and the neighbor scores to generate an interpolated sample at the location. |
| US08223262B2 |
Charging and use scheme for a hand-held electronics device
One embodiment sets forth a method for modifying video content stored on a hand-held digital video camera (DVC). The method includes transmitting video data to a computer system to which the hand-held DVC is coupled via a data connector, receiving a request for a set of instructions related to a processing operation being performed on the computer system and involving the video data, transmitting the set of instructions to the computer system via the data connector. The method also includes drawing power from the computer system via the data connector and charging at least in part a battery associated with the hand-held DVC with the power drawn from the computer system, where the hand-held DVC remains coupled to the computer system via the data connector for the steps of transmitting, receiving, drawing and charging. |
| US08223261B2 |
Image capture device and control method thereof
An image capture device includes an image capture unit, a calculation unit, an assist unit, a determination unit, a storage unit, a processing unit and a first assist light control unit. The image capture unit captures information under current ambient illumination conditions. The calculation unit calculates brightness of the current ambient illumination conditions. The assist light compensates the current ambient illumination. The determination unit determines whether the current ambient illumination is sufficient and whether the current ambient illumination has been compensated. The storage unit stores a first control table. The processing unit activates the first assist light control unit when the current ambient illumination is insufficient. The first assist light control unit looks up a corresponding setting in the first control table using the calculated current ambient illumination, and controls the assist light using the acquired setting. |
| US08223260B2 |
Electronic device having a camera and method of controlling a flash
A method of controlling a flash output for capturing an image in a portable electronic device having a digital camera includes receiving light at an image sensor, determining a flash output adjusted for color and brightness based on the light received at the image sensor, providing the flash output, and capturing a resultant image at a digital image processor. |
| US08223259B2 |
Increasing temporal resolution of signals
Embodiments of invention disclose a system and a method for increasing a temporal resolution of a substantially periodic signal. The method acquires a signal as an input sequence of frames having a first temporal resolution, wherein the signal is a substantially periodic signal, wherein the frames in the input sequence of frames are encoded according to an encoded pattern; and transforms the input sequence of frames into an output sequence of frames having a second temporal resolution, such that the second temporal resolution is greater than the first temporal resolution, wherein the transforming is based on a sparsity of the signal in Fourier domain. |
| US08223258B2 |
Backlight photographing method
A backlight photographing method is applicable in a digital camera. In the backlight photographing method, a backlight detection program is first executed to obtain a backlight flag. Next, when the backlight flag is in a backlight status, a flash is emitted and a photo is photographed. In addition, photographing parameters of the digital camera may be adjusted according to a low brightness characteristic value acquired by the backlight detection program, so as to obtain a photo having a foreground with a preferred exposure effect. |
| US08223256B2 |
Correlation calculation method, correlation calculation device, focus detection device and image-capturing apparatus
A focus detection device includes: a light-receiving unit that receives a pair of images and outputs a first signal string and a second signal string; a decision-making unit that determines a condition assumed as the light-receiving unit receives the pair of images; a selection unit that selects a correlation operation expression among a plurality of correlation operation expressions in correspondence to the condition; a correlation calculation unit that calculates a correlation quantity between a plurality of first/second signals included in the first/second signal string by applying the correlation operation expression selected; a shift amount detection unit that detects a shift amount between the pair of images; and a focus detection unit that detects a focusing condition. The selection unit selects the correlation operation expression to reduce an extent to which signal intensity difference between the first and the second signal strings affects the correlation quantity. |
| US08223255B2 |
Imaging apparatus, auto-focusing method and recording medium
An imaging apparatus including an imaging function having an imaging section configured such that a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, images a subject; a detecting function for detecting whether the imaging apparatus including the imaging section is held vertically or horizontally; a readout function for reading out the pixels information of the plurality of the pixels from the imaging section; a first readout controlling function for controlling a readout process of the pixel information executed by the readout function, in accordance with a detection result from the detecting section; a calculating function for calculating an auto-focus evaluation value in accordance with the pixel information read out by the first readout controlling function; and a focusing function for focusing in accordance with the auto-focus evaluation value calculated by the calculating function. |
| US08223254B2 |
Camera body
A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an imaging unit, a contrast detection unit, a defocusing amount detection unit, and a body microcomputer. The contrast detection unit is configured to detect a contrast value from an image signal of a subject acquired by the imaging unit, and is configured to detect the focal state of an optical image on the basis of the contrast value. The defocusing amount detection unit is configured to detect the focal state of the optical image by phase difference detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select either the contrast detection unit or the defocusing amount detection unit on the basis of lens information on the interchangeable lens side. |
| US08223253B2 |
Image pickup device and method of controlling same
If a subject change button of a device is pressed after a face image is detected from moving image data and the number of identified face images is counted, the value of the operation count becomes +1 so that a single face image can be selected. Then, a face image for selection is changed in sequence at the press of the subject change button. If the operation count number exceeds the identified face number of the time, it is determined that a round of the face selection is completed, so that the counted operation number is cleared, the face selection is cancelled, and the device is put on standby. |
| US08223250B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device
A solid-state image sensing device comprises: a light receiving unit for receiving light; a microlens formed above the light receiving unit; a fluorine-containing resin material layer formed on the microlens; and a transparent substrate provided over the fluorine-containing resin material layer. A resin layer adheres the fluorine-containing resin material layer and the transparent substrate. |
| US08223249B2 |
Image sensing module with passive components and camera module having same
An exemplary image sensing module includes a base, a transparent plate, many first electrically conductive poles, an image sensor, and many passive components. The base includes a top surface and a recess defined in the top surface. The transparent plate is mounted on the top surface of the base, and covers the recess. The transparent plate includes a first surface facing away from the recess. The first electrically conductive poles extend through the transparent plate. The image sensor is received in the recess of the base. The passive components are attached on the first surface of the transparent plate, and surround the image sensor. The passive elements are connected electrically with the image sensor via the first electrically conductive poles. |
| US08223246B2 |
Reduced-component digital image capturing apparatus
Provided is a digital image capturing apparatus which has a reduced number of components so that manufacture thereof is simplified and manufacturing costs are reduced. The digital image capturing apparatus includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) on which a charge-coupled device (CCD) and a control component for controlling the digital image capturing apparatus are directly mounted. A lens barrel is aligned with the CCD and directly connected with the main PCB. |
| US08223245B2 |
Imaging lens and image pickup apparatus
Disclosed is an imaging lens capable of improving weatherability, reducing performance degradation, and obtaining an optical performance excellent across a wide wavelength region from the visible wavelength region to the near-infrared wavelength region. An imaging lens for forming an image of visible and near-infrared light includes, in order from the object side: a front group that has a positive power; an aperture stop; and a rear group that has a negative power. In the imaging lens, the rear group includes a negative meniscus lens that is disposed closer to the object side and has a surface convex toward the object side, and a biconvex lens that is disposed closer to the image side. In addition, all the lenses constituting the imaging lens are single lenses. |
| US08223239B2 |
Clock signal generation circuit, display panel module, image sensor apparatus, and electronic apparatus
A clock signal generation circuit of a delay locked loop type includes a delay line configured to delay a first clock signal to generate a second clock signal; a delay amount controller configured to change the amount of delay in the delay line in such a manner that a phase of the second clock signal is in synchronization with a phase of the first clock signal; a pseudo-lock detection section configured to detect a pseudo-locked state of the first clock signal and the second clock signal; and a pseudo-locked state release section configured to change the amount of delay in the delay line in a case that the pseudo-locked state is detected. |
| US08223237B2 |
Solid-state imaging device in which a transfer signal line is held at a constant voltage to prevent crosstalk and electronic device with such solid-state imaging device
Disclosed is a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion portion photoelectrically converting incident light into signal charge and accumulate the signal charge, a plurality of signal lines including a transfer signal line to which a transfer signal for reading the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion portion to a floating diffusion region is input, a driver circuit inputting a plurality of desired signals into the plurality of signal lines including the transfer signal line, and a terminal circuit connected to a side opposite to a side of the transfer signal line where the driver circuit is connected and to which a control signal for securing the transfer signal line at a constant voltage is input before a desired signal of the plurality of desired signals with respect to a signal line adjacent to the transfer signal line of the plurality of signal lines is input to the signal line adjacent to the transfer signal line. |
| US08223234B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus having pixels portions over a substrate
A solid-state imaging device includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel portions arranged over the substrate, each of the pixel portions includes a photoelectric conversion portion provided over the substrate and a color filter provided over the photoelectric conversion portion, the solid-state imaging device includes partitions provided between the color filters of the adjoining pixel portions so as to cover side surfaces of the color filters, each of the photoelectric conversion portions includes a lower electrode provided over the substrate, an upper electrode provided over the lower electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer provided between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, each of the pixel portions further includes a protective layer provided between the color filter and the upper electrode, and the protective layer has a thickness of greater than 0 μm and smaller than or equal to 1.0 μm. |
| US08223233B2 |
Imaging device and method of driving solid state imaging element
An imaging device includes a solid state imaging element that includes a plurality of pixels; and a driving unit; wherein each pixel includes: a photoelectric converting element includes a pair of electrodes stacked above a semiconductor substrate and a photoelectric converting layer arranged between the electrodes; a connecting portion that is arranged in the semiconductor substrate; a potential barrier portion; a first charge accumulating portion; and a signal output circuit, and wherein the driving unit drives the solid state imaging element so that the connecting portion and the potential barrier portion are set to a same potential by injecting charges into the connecting portion. |
| US08223231B2 |
Imaging apparatus and image processing program
There is provided an imaging apparatus capable of creating RAW data subsequent to predetermined processing including distortion correction and reduction/enlargement processing of an image. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging device operable to create image data in a first color arrangement pattern (for example, Bayer array) by converting an optical signal to an electrical signal; a color arrangement conversion unit operable to convert a color arrangement pattern of the image data from the first color arrangement pattern to a second color arrangement pattern; an image processing unit operable to perform predetermined processing (enlargement, distortion correction and the like) on the image data converted by the color arrangement conversion unit; and a color arrangement reverse-conversion unit operable to convert reversely the color arrangement pattern of the image data processed by the image processing unit from the second color arrangement pattern back to the first color arrangement pattern. |
| US08223226B2 |
Image processing apparatus and storage medium storing image processing program
An image processing apparatus that performs noise reduction processing to image signals comprises a separation and extraction unit that separates a present image signal into a luminance signal and a color signal and extracts regions having a predetermined size sequentially, a representative luminance calculation unit that calculates a representative luminance value, a representative hue calculation unit that calculates a representative hue value of the region, a color noise estimation unit that estimates a color noise amount based upon the representative luminance value and the representative hue value, a differential color signal calculation unit that calculates a differential color signal from the color signal of the region and a color signal of a past region after noise reduction processing and a color noise reduction unit that performs color noise reduction processing to the color signal of the region based upon the color noise amount and the differential color signal. |
| US08223223B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and image sensing method
An image sensing apparatus senses first and second images, and produces a merged image by merging the first and second images together. An exposure time for the second image is longer than an exposure time for the first image. By sensing the first image before the second image, the first image is prevented from being sensed during a camera-shake-increase period starting a long time after the input of a image-sensing-start instruction. Also, by waiting for an image-sensing standby time to elapse before sensing the first image, the first image can be sensed during a period of a particularly small camera shake. |
| US08223219B2 |
Imaging device, image processing method, image processing program and semiconductor integrated circuit
A line-by-line filter process is performed to extract luminance data and color carrier data from an original image (i.e., a CCDRAW image) obtained from a single-sensor color imaging element, without separating the original image into R, G, and B data corresponding to a Bayer array. A color difference data demodulation process and a median noise removal process are performed with respect to the color carrier data to obtain color difference data. Band limitation filter processes having different characteristics are performed with respect to the luminance data and the color difference data, respectively. Moreover, separate resizing processes are performed with respect to the luminance data and the color difference data, respectively. A modulation process is performed to convert the resized color difference data to color carrier data. A color array reproduction process is performed to recombine the color carrier data and the resized luminance signal. |
| US08223215B2 |
Adaptive neighborhood filtering (ANF) system and method for 3D time of flight cameras
A method for filtering distance information from a 3D-measurement camera system comprises comparing amplitude and/or distance information for pixels to adjacent pixels and averaging distance information for the pixels with the adjacent pixels when amplitude and/or distance information for the pixels is within a range of the amplitudes and/or distances for the adjacent pixels. In addition to that the range of distances may or may not be defined as a function depending on the amplitudes. |
| US08223212B2 |
Hand movement correction apparatus, medium storing hand movement correction program, image pickup apparatus, and medium storing image pickup program
The hand movement correction apparatus 10 which is capable of correcting hand movement includes: a position variation signal acquisition sections 13 and 17 that acquire a position variation signal; a gain controller 12 that controls the gain of the position variation signal; an exposure determination section 14 that determines whether exposure operation is in progress; a position variation signal switching section 14 that switches the position variation signal; and a hand movement amount calculation section 15 that calculates a hand movement correction amount based on the position variation signal. |
| US08223209B2 |
Parameter configuration apparatus and method
An image corresponding to an image processing parameter value currently configured in an image input device is displayed in an area. Images obtained when the image parameter value is changed to different values are displayed in areas around the area. A user can configure the parameter value in the image input device by selecting a desired image. |
| US08223206B2 |
Infrared camera filter wheel systems and methods
Various techniques are provided for identifying filters used with infrared cameras. A plurality of filters may be installed in a filter wheel of an infrared camera. Identifiers associated with the filters may be read by the infrared camera to identify the various types of filters currently installed in the filter wheel. The installed filters can be selected by the camera or a user for use in particular applications as desired. For example, filters may be selected based on associations between the filters, filter identifiers, and targets stored in a table or other record maintained by the infrared camera. Settings of the infrared camera may be adjusted in response to filter selections. |
| US08223205B2 |
Secure implementation of network-based sensors
Sensing apparatus includes a network camera, which is configured to capture images of a scene and to output a sequence of data packets containing digitized video data responsively to the images. A one-way link is coupled to the network camera so as to transmit the data packets from the network camera to a packet communication network. |
| US08223204B2 |
Maneuvering aid and method for aiding drivers of vehicles or vehicle combinations comprising articulated vehicle elements
When maneuvering a vehicle, due to the seated position of the driver, the problem arises that a large portion of the space to the rear of the vehicle to be observed is hidden by the vehicle body itself. Therefore, the vehicle driver is presented with a display of a camera image of the space to the rear of the vehicle with a perspective overlay of the driving path and/or the towing path of the vehicle (1). Said driver support system is configured such that it is also suitable for guiding a vehicle or vehicle combination (1) in which the trailer comprises a plurality of vehicle elements (2, 3) that are bendable relative to one another. In order to detect the steering angle (7) of at least one steerable axis (6) of the vehicle (1), and in order to determine the bending angle (5) between at least two vehicle elements (2, 3) bendable relative to one another, sensors are provided. Using the data regarding the steering and bending angles (5, 7) and taking into account at least the geometry of the vehicle (1), the future driving path of the vehicle (1) is predicted in the processor module for the limits of the driving path and/or towing path and is superimposed on the image data captured by the camera. The image data thus processed is then displayed to the driver of the vehicle (1) on a display as a maneuvering aid. |
| US08223203B2 |
Camera for mounting in motor vehicle
Disclosed herein is a vehicle-mounted type of camera capable of being reduced in the space required for installation on the windshield of a vehicle.An imaging unit 15 is provided on a substrate 19 and has an optical axis in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. The substrate 19 is set up in parallel with respect to the windshield of the vehicle. A lens 14 is disposed on the optical axis. A mirror 16 is also provided on the optical axis of the imaging unit 15, and is adapted to change a direction of the optical axis to a frontward direction of the vehicle, thus guiding frontward visual field information of the vehicle to the imaging unit 15. The mirror 16 is retained in an attachment 11. The attachment 11 can be engaged with and disengaged from an enclosure 12 that holds the lens 14. |
| US08223201B2 |
Voice and video over internet protocol enabled security system
A method and apparatus are provided for operating a security system. The method includes the steps of providing a security panel coupled to a plurality of security sensors, a central monitoring station monitoring the security panel, coupling the security panel to the central panel through an Ethernet connection and periodically generating a heartbeat within the security panel that is periodically sent to the central station to confirm the operability of the Ethernet connection. The Ethernet connection may include a voice over Internet protocol connection or a voice and video over Internet protocol connection. |
| US08223197B2 |
Multi-person stereo display system
The multi-person stereo display system permits several independent viewers to see different stereo images on a single projection surface. This is accomplished through the innovative use of video multiplexing, software, control electronics, and special viewing glasses. The system is particularly useful in situations where the viewers see computer generated images from their own independent perspectives. |
| US08223194B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus
The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes an image capturing unit generating a plurality of images at different visual points and a three-dimensional image processing unit extracting depth information using the plurality of images. |
| US08223190B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus includes: a main information receiver which receives main information; a video processor which processes a main video corresponding to the received main information; a display unit which displays the main video thereon; a sub information communicator which receives sub information comprising at least one of a video, an audio and text through Internet Protocol; and a controller which controls the video processor to process a sub video corresponding to the sub information received through the sub information communicator and display the sub video on the display unit. |
| US08223183B2 |
Image formation device and image formation method
When forming an image by developing a color development layer that reacts to a light, the image formation processes (color development, color erasure, and/or fixing) that can be performed simultaneously with information recording are performed in the same period as that of the information recording to reduce the time required for image formation. An image formation device that forms an image by developing a color development layer reacting to a light comprises a color development unit that develops colors by focusing a light on the color development layer, color erasure units that selectively erase the developed colors by focusing a light on the developed color development layer, and a fixing unit that fixes an image formed by the color erasure wherein the color development unit and/or the fixing unit performs processing in a period in which information is recorded on the recording medium on which the color development layer is provided. |
| US08223182B2 |
Printer and method of determining print start position
A printer includes: a nonvolatile storage section configured to be capable of keeping stored content even if a power supply is turned off; a sheet storing section configured to store a label sheet wound in a roll shape; a thermal head configured to heat a label stuck to a base sheet of the label sheet and perform printing in a process in which the label sheet, which is stored in the sheet storing section, is drawn out and conveyed in a sub-scanning direction by using a motor as a driving source; a label-position detecting section provided in a sheet conveying path, which connects between the position of the sheet storing section and the position where the thermal head is arranged, and configured to detect a label position of the label sheet; an information storing section configured to store a position of the label sheet detected by the label-position detecting section when the power supply is turned off in the nonvolatile storage section as stop position information; and a position setting section configured to set the stop position information, which is stored in the nonvolatile storage section, as a print start position for printing by the thermal head. |
| US08223177B2 |
Method and system for driving a pixel circuit in an active matrix display
A method and system for driving a pixel circuit in an active matrix display is provided. The system implements a feedback driving scheme to enhance programming speed of the pixel circuit. The system includes a column driver for driving the pixel circuit with feedback. A controller controls a signal on a programming signal line during a programming cycle. For example, the driver may include a model for reducing the settling time of a pixel current. During the programming mode, an accelerating pulse may be provided to accelerate the programming of the pixel circuit. |
| US08223174B2 |
White balance correction circuit and correction method for display apparatus that displays color image by controlling number of emissions or intensity thereof in accordance with plurality of primary color video signals
A display apparatus, which displays a color image by controlling the number of emissions or the intensity thereof in accordance with primary color video signals input thereto, has a detection portion and a white balance correction portion. The detection portion is used to detect the number of emissions or the intensity, and the white balance correction portion is used to correct white balance by adjusting the amplitudes of the primary color video signals in accordance with the detected number of emissions or the detected intensity. Therefore, correct white balance can be maintained regardless of the number of emissions or the intensity of emission. |
| US08223172B1 |
Regional map zoom tables
A graphics or image rendering system builds application-oriented tables on a server that are downloaded to a client device responsive to a request for map data from the client device in association with a mapping application at the client device. The table or tables specify by geographic region which zoom levels have map data different from other zoom levels and may apply to many types of map data including map vector data, map label data, satellite image data, traffic data, transit status, etc. The table or tables allow the mapping application to skip zoom levels for which no new data is available, or conversely, reuse data from other levels when rendering a level not requiring new data from the server. |
| US08223166B2 |
Input gamma dithering systems and methods
Displays systems and methods for dithering input image data to reduce quantization errors in a display system include inputting input image data to be rendered by said display system; applying a gamma table to the input image data to create a first intermediate image data; applying a dithering pattern, the dithering pattern comprising a checkerboard pattern, the checkerboard pattern depending upon the subpixel layout of the display. The display system may include a separate gamma table for each input color channel and apply the separate gamma table to perform white point adjustments for the display system. |
| US08223164B2 |
Booting method of computer system and boot logo processing method thereof
A boot logo processing method includes the following steps. Palette data and a boot graphic including plurality colors are provided, and the colors include corresponding color values respectively in color gamut of the boot graphic. A boot graphic is provided, and it may be composed of plurality colors. When the number of the colors composing the boot graphic is greater than a default value of the number of the colors provided by the palette data, color value of every color is operated with color values of other colors to obtain plurality operating values. Thereby, in the processing method of the invention, part of the colors in the color gamut of the boot graphic are merged into a single color according to the operating values to decrease the number of the colors composing the boot graphic, and produce the boot logo at least according to the latest boot graphic. |
| US08223162B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program thereof, display device, and image display system
An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program thereof, and a display device are provided, in which reproduction of a secret image from one dispersed image is difficult. A secret image and a reverse image included in at least two types of images are in a relationship of forming image data of an image not correlated with the secret image when luminance values of image data respectively are added pixel by pixel. Included are: a memory 101 that stores the inputted image data; a dispersed image creating/data allocating circuit 102 that creates image data of a plurality of dispersed images in which the secret image is formed when luminance values are added pixel by pixel based on the image data of the secret image and grayscales different from grayscale values of the secret image are allocated to the pixels respectively; and a shutter spectacle control signal creating circuit 103 that outputs a shutter control signal for setting a light shutter to a light transmission state only in a time for outputting image signals in accordance with the image data of the dispersed images. |
| US08223161B2 |
Electronic alignment of primary color pixels in a scanned display
An image generation apparatus provides correction for color offsets. Color offsets may be caused by misalignments in laser diodes or optics assemblies in a laser projector. The offsets may be measured during or after manufacture of the laser projector. An image buffer is responsive to the offset data to translate each color plane separately. The image buffer may include separately addressable portions for each color. Further, variable delay elements on the output of the image buffer may provide color offset correction. Interpolation provides further offset correction. |
| US08223156B2 |
Time dependent virtual universe avatar rendering
Methods, devices, program products and systems are disclosed for displaying multiple virtual universe avatar states. Each of a plurality of avatar states of a first avatar of a first virtual universe user are stored in a storage medium as a function of a time of each state. A first avatar is displayed in a current state to a second user of an engaging second avatar, the engaging instigating a selecting and a retrieving of a subset of plurality of states from the storage medium, each of the subset states different from each other and the current state. Selected subset states are visually displayed to the second user, each of the displayed states visually distinct from another and the current state. The first avatar current state is stored in the storage medium associated with the engagement. |
| US08223152B2 |
Apparatus and method of authoring animation through storyboard
An animation authoring apparatus and method of authoring an animation including a storyboard editor to provide a storyboard editing screen, to interact with a user to edit a storyboard, and to store the edited storyboard, a parser to parse syntax of the edited storyboard, and a rendering engine to convert the edited storyboard into a graphic animation based on the parsed syntax of the edited storyboard. |
| US08223151B2 |
Mark extension for analysis of long record length data
A method of analysis of long record length data using mark duration includes displaying together with a portion of the long record length data each mark that identifies a specified feature of interest together with the mark duration. Associated with the mark may be text identifying the feature of interest, measurement values associated with the duration of the mark, or a combination thereof. Multiple sets of marks may be generated for the long record length data, which sets may be combined to generate new marks with duration. The marks also may be filtered to further refine the marks to be displayed according to user specified criteria. In this way analysis of long record length data representing an acquired signal may be readily automated so a user may move from one interesting event to another without having to pan through the long record length data. |
| US08223150B2 |
Translation of register-combiner state into shader microcode
An apparatus and method for translating fixed function state into a shader program. Fixed function state is received and stored and when a new shader program is detected the fixed function state is translated into shader program instructions. Registers specified by the program instructions are allocated for processing in the shader program. The registers may be remapped for more efficient use of the register storage space. |
| US08223148B1 |
Method and apparatus for computing indirect lighting for global illumination rendering in 3-D computer graphics
A method and apparatus for diffuse indirect lighting computation in a scene is described. An irradiance caching algorithm may be implemented in an indirect lighting module that sparsely computes irradiance in the environment and then interpolates irradiance values between these sparsely computed points. The method for diffuse indirect lighting computation may use cosine weighting in determining nearby sample irradiance points to be used in interpolation. If an object detected by a ray is directly overhead, embodiments may assume a significant amount of occlusion or indirect illumination of that surface point, and thus may weight the ray more heavily. If an object is off to the side, and thus at a shallow angle to a normal of the surface point under test, the ray is given less weight. By using cosine weighting, the indirect lighting module tends to space out sample irradiance points better around edges and cracks than conventional techniques. |
| US08223143B2 |
User interface for efficiently displaying relevant OCT imaging data
The present invention is an OCT imaging system user interface for efficiently providing relevant image displays to the user. These displays are used during image acquisition to align patients and verify acquisition image quality. During image analysis, these displays indicate positional relationships between displayed data images, automatically display suspicious analysis, automatically display diagnostic data, simultaneously display similar data from multiple visits, improve access to archived data, and provide other improvements for efficient data presentation of relevant information. |
| US08223140B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display and power supply device for the same
A power supply device for an organic electroluminescent display includes an inductor charging a first power source, a power supply unit including an input terminal and output terminals, the power supply unit receiving the first power source from the inductor through the input terminal, generating second power sources of different voltage levels, and outputting the second power sources through the output terminals, and a Schottky diode between the input terminal and one of the output terminals. |
| US08223136B2 |
Error detection and prevention inacoustic data
A stream of raw acoustic data can be received at a client device. The client device can frame the stream of raw acoustic data at particular intervals with alignment information to create framed acoustic data, and buffer the framed acoustic data while waiting for a data request from a host device. In response to receiving the data request, the client device can provide the framed acoustic data to the host device. |
| US08223134B1 |
Portable electronic device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying electronic lists and documents
In a computer-implemented method, a portion of an electronic document is displayed on the touch screen display. The displayed portion of the electronic document has a vertical position in the electronic document. An object is detected on or near the displayed portion of the electronic document. In response to detecting the object on or near the displayed portion of the electronic document, a vertical bar is displayed on top of the displayed portion of the electronic document. The vertical bar has a vertical position on top of the displayed portion of the electronic document that corresponds to the vertical position in the electronic document of the displayed portion of the electronic document. After a predetermined condition is met, display of the vertical bar is ceased. The vertical bar is displayed for a predetermined time period when the portion of the electronic document is initially displayed. |
| US08223131B2 |
Disappearing interface system
A disappearing interface system for a device, such as an appliance (e.g., a cooking range) having an interactive user interface, a light-emitting device (e.g., a LED), a microprocessor based LED fader electronic control system that uses a PWM signal to drive an A/D circuit to control the intensity (e.g., fade in/out) of the light-emitting device. |
| US08223127B2 |
Virtual wheel interface for mobile terminal and character input method using the same
A virtual wheel interface structure of a mobile terminal having a wheel input unit and a character input. A virtual keypad in a wheel shape is displayed on a display unit adjacent to the wheel input unit having a wheel, a selection, and navigation keys. The virtual wheel keypad includes a plurality of virtual keys disposed in the wheel rotation direction. A screen highlight and a cursor are displayed on the display unit. The screen highlight is located at a specific position on the virtual wheel keypad to select a virtual key, and the cursor indicates a character input position. If the wheel key rotates, the virtual wheel keypad rotates correspondingly and the screen highlight is located at a specific virtual key. A character allocated to the virtual key in the screen highlight is input by pressing the selection key or a navigation key, or by rotating the wheel key. |
| US08223125B2 |
Multipurpose wireless touchpad mouse
A multipurpose wireless touchpad mouse includes a mouse body, a first button set and a second button set respectively mounted in the top and bottom sides of the mouse body, and a control module mounted in an accommodation chamber inside the mouse body and electrically connected with the first button set and the second button set for sensing the upside-up position or upside-down position of the mouse body by means of a direction sensor and for enabling a changeover switch controller thereof to switch between the first button set and the second button set subject to the upside-up or upside-down position of the mouse body sensed by the direction sensor so that the mouse body can be used with the first button set as a mouse, or used with the second button set as a remote controller, laser pointer, A/V controller, presentation remote controller, direction controller or game controller. |
| US08223120B2 |
Computer readable recording medium recording image processing program and image processing apparatus
Displayed region size data indicating a size of a screen of a display device, or a size of a region in which an image of a virtual space is displayed on the screen, is obtained. Distance data indicating a distance between a user and the display device is obtained. A position and an angle of view of the virtual camera in the virtual space are set based on the displayed region size data and the distance data. |
| US08223118B2 |
Electro-optic device and electronic instrument
An electro-optic device includes spaced apart pixel electrodes in respective unit areas arranged in a plane defined by dividing the plane into common shapes without gaps, and an electro-optic layer facing the pixel electrodes. In response to an applied first electric potential to the pixel electrodes, the electro-optic layer expresses a first grayscale, and in response to an applied second electric potential, it expresses a second grayscale. The distance between adjacent pixel electrodes is selected so that a boundary between an area expressing the first grayscale and an area expressing the second grayscale is substantially identical to a boundary between the unit area provided with one of the adjacent pixel electrodes and the unit area provided with another of the adjacent pixel electrodes. |
| US08223116B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
An LCD device adapted to apply an optimized luminance in correspondence with a brightness of each divisional region of image is disclosed. The LCD device uses dimming curves, which are provided differently from each other, for divisional regions which are divided from one frame and have different pixel numbers. Therefore, the LCD device can a luminance optimized to a brightness of each divisional region of image, thereby preventing a luminance mismatching phenomenon and a luminance nullity phenomenon. |
| US08223112B2 |
Shift register receiving all-on signal and display device
At least one embodiment of the present invention is directed to, even when external noise is applied to a shift register during all-on operation, preventing through-current from flowing in unit circuits and also to prevent increase in load on all-on control signal lines. When a high-level all-on control signal is provided to a unit circuit of a shift register, a transistor T3 is brought into off-state, so that a transistor T2 cannot output an on-voltage to a first output terminal. However, a transistor T24 is brought into on-state, so that the first output terminal outputs an on-voltage to the exterior. On the other hand, a transistor T32 is brought into on-state, so that a second output terminal outputs an off-voltage to a unit circuit 11 in the next stage. At this time, the transistor T3 is kept in off-state, so that no through-current flows to the transistors T24 and T3. |
| US08223110B2 |
Displays
A display includes a glass substrate, a source driver and a gate driver. The glass substrate includes multiple pixels. The source driver is used to drives the pixels, and the gate driver disposed on the glass substrate enables the pixels. The gate driver has (N+1) shift registers. The nth shift register includes an input unit, an output unit, an output pull-down unit and a threshold voltage memory unit. When an output signal of the (n+1)th shift register is at a high voltage level, the threshold voltage memory unit turns on the output pull-down unit such that an output signal of the nth shift register is changed to and maintained at a low voltage level. The threshold voltage memory unit stores a characteristic voltage relating to a threshold voltage of the output pull-down unit. |
| US08223107B2 |
Data driver and display apparatus using the same including clock control circuit and shift register circuit
A data driver circuit includes a clock control circuit configured to generate a shift clock signal in synchronization to a clock signal; a shift register circuit having flip-flops in cascade-connection and configured to shift a pulse signal in synchronization with the shift clock signal, and a control circuit configured to receive a display data in response to the shifted pulse signal from the shift register circuit and to drive data lines of a display section based on display data to display the display data on the display section. The flip-flops are grouped in units of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) flip-flops into M (M is an integer of 2 or more) partial shift registers, and the shift register circuit is reset in units of partial shift registers. |
| US08223105B2 |
LCD controller and LCD control method
A liquid crystal display (LCD) controller includes a plurality of segment/key source control circuits connected with an LCD panel and a key matrix through a plurality of segment/key source terminals, to periodically output a signal for one frame which contains a display output period and a key source output period. The plurality of segment/key source control circuits output to the plurality of segment/key source terminals during the display output period, segment signals having display drive voltages indicating a maximum value, a minimum value, and intermediate values between the maximum value and the minimum value. The plurality of segment/key source control circuits output first key scan pulse signals varying between the maximum value and the minimum value to the plurality of segment/key source terminals during the key source output period in a key scan state when the key matrix has been operated, and then, second key scan pulse signals obtained by inverting the first key scan pulse signals to the corresponding segment/key source terminal. |
| US08223104B2 |
Display device and electronic device having the same
A display device includes a phase comparator which compares whether phases of two signals which are input are different from each other or not; a counter circuit which counts the number of the cases where a phase shift is detected in the phase comparator; and a phase shift circuit which can output a signal in which the phase shift is restored by shifting a phase of one of the two signals in accordance with a degree of the number of phase shifts which is counted in the counter circuit. |
| US08223102B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array panel including a substrate, gate lines and data lines formed on the substrate, and thin film transistors each with a control terminal, an input terminal, and an output terminal. The control and input terminals of the thin film transistor are connected to the gate and data lines. A barrier rib is formed on the gate lines, the data lines, and the thin film transistors. The output terminal of the thin film transistor has an opening, and a portion of the barrier rib formed on the output terminal has an output opening. The barrier rib output terminal portion has the same pattern as the output terminal. A barrier rib for forming contact holes is formed through exposing an organic layer formed on a passivation layer to light from the backside of a substrate using drain electrodes with openings as a light blocking film. |
| US08223098B2 |
Image displaying method and image displaying apparatus
In on embodiment of the present invention, an image displaying apparatus is disclosed which divides 1 frame into plural sub-frame periods, and modifies the image signals in the following manner in the case of receiving an image of a frame in which a region denoted by an image signal α or an image signal close to the image signal α and a region of another image signal β or an image signal close to the image signal β are adjacent to each other. Specifically, the image displaying apparatus carries out display, in at least one sub-frames period A, with a modified image signal so that the difference with the image signal of the other region becomes smaller, and in at least one other sub-frames period B, with a modified image signal so that the difference with the image signal of the other region becomes more significant, in the vicinity of the boundary between the region of the image signal α and the region of the image signal β. In this way, an embodiment of the present invention provides an effect of improvement in moving picture quality of a hold-type display device without causing a decrease in luminance or flicker. |
| US08223097B2 |
Pixel array structure, flat display panel and method for driving flat display panel thereof
A pixel array structure, a flat display panel and a method for driving a flat display panel thereof are provided. The structure of the pixel array structure and the flat display panel is the structure of the half source driving (HSD). Therefore, by skillfully arranging the coupled relationship between each pixel and each data line, the pixel array structure provided in the present invention can be driven by the gate driver directly disposed on the substrate of the pixel array. Accordingly, not only the fabrication cost of the flat display panel can be reduced, but the manner of the timing controller controlling the gate driver and source driver can also be reduced. |
| US08223096B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting device including a first pixel, a second pixel and a third pixel displaying different colors from each other according to the present invention, the organic light emitting device includes a reflecting electrode and a translucent member forming a micro-cavity along with the reflecting electrode, wherein a optical path length is an interval between the reflecting electrode and the translucent member, and wherein the light path lengths of at least two pixels among the first pixel, the second pixel and the third pixel are the same. |
| US08223094B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
Display devices and methods capable of reversing brightness deterioration in electroluminescence elements while maintaining display quality, with simple pixel circuits and no manufacturing yield reduction, are provided. A display device includes luminescence pixels that each include a driving transistor, a luminescence element, and a switching transistor which switches between conduction and non-conduction states between a data line and the luminescence element. A data driving circuit supplies a signal voltage to the data line and a bias supplying circuit supplies a specified bias voltage to the data line. A control unit applies the specified bias voltage to an anode or cathode of the luminescence element by causing conduction between the data line and the data driving circuit, causing non-conduction between the data line and the bias supplying circuit, and turning the switching transistor ON, all within a period in which a signal current does not flow to the luminescence element. |
| US08223089B2 |
Image display apparatus that allows viewing of three-dimensional image from directions
An image display apparatus includes an image display device having pixels to display right- and left-eye images for a three-dimensional image, a first and second optical shutter devices located on rear and front sides of the image display device. The pixels include pixel pairs that have pixels arranged across first light-shielding portions and that are arrayed across second light-shielding portions. The first shutter device includes first light-transmitting portions that cause image light beams passing through the pixels to strike the right and left eyes of a viewer located in a first direction, and first shutter portions to control transmission/shielding of light. The second shutter device includes second light-transmitting portions that cause image light beams passing through the pixels to strike right eyes and left eyes of viewers located in second and third directions, and second shutter portions to control transmission/shielding of light. |
| US08223080B2 |
Transmission and reception module
A transmission and reception module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an antenna, a transmission circuit, a wave detection circuit, a high-frequency switch, a small-signal high-frequency diode limiter circuit, and a first power amplifier. The antenna transmits a transmission wave, or receives a reception wave. The transmission circuit is connected to the antenna via a circulator and supplies the transmission wave to the antenna. The wave detection circuit is connected to the antenna via the circulator and branches the reception wave received by the antenna to generate a control signal based on one branched reception wave. The high-frequency switch is connected to the wave detection circuit and suppresses a power of the other branched reception wave when the control signal is input thereto. The small-signal high-frequency diode limiter circuit is connected to the high-frequency switch and further suppresses the power of the other branched reception wave output from the high-frequency switch. The first power amplifier is connected to the small-signal high-frequency diode limiter circuit and amplifies the power of the other branched reception wave whose power has been suppressed by the small-signal high-frequency diode limiter circuit. |
| US08223079B2 |
Antenna with a metallic holder disposed between an antenna element and a circuit board
An antenna device includes an antenna, the antenna including an antenna element, a circuit board, and a planar metallic holder disposed between the antenna element and the circuit board. The antenna device further includes an antenna case accommodating the antenna, and the antenna case include a top cover and a bottom plate serving as a base. The metallic holder supports the antenna element on the base, and includes a flat-shaped portion mounting a bottom surface of the antenna element and a plurality of tabs extending upwards from peripheral edges of the flat-shaped portion. The plurality of tabs includes a pair of front tabs and a pair of rear tabs, and a distance between the pair of front tabs is shorter than a distance between the pair of rear tabs. |
| US08223074B2 |
Systems and methods for using a satellite positioning system to detect moved WLAN access points
The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods and, more specifically, systems and methods of detecting moved WLAN assess points using a wireless local area network based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite-based positioning system (SPS) with at least two satellites measurement. |
| US08223072B2 |
Multi-pattern wireless frame transmission
Multi-pattern transmission of wireless frames. A digital device contains a transmitter feeding an electronically steerable antenna system where the radiation pattern produced by the antenna system may be selected. Different antenna radiation patterns are used in transmitting a first portion of a wireless frame and a second portion of a wireless frame in a wireless digital network. In one embodiment, a first portion of a wireless frame is transmitted using a wide radiation pattern while the second portion of the frame is transmitted using a second radiation pattern. Switching among radiation patterns in the electronically steerable antenna system may be accomplished by switching between antenna types, such as an omnidirectional antenna for the wide pattern, and beam-steered or sectorized antennas for the second radiation pattern. Beam-forming and/or phasing approaches may also be used. The first and second portions of the frame may be transmitted at different power levels. For high throughput (HT) frames such as IEEE 802.11n frames, the non-HT preamble and L-Sig are taken as the first portion of the frame, with the HT-Sig, HT-training and HT-data portions of the frame taken as the second portion of the frame, transmitted using a narrower radiation pattern. |
| US08223071B2 |
Handheld electronic apparatus and method thereof
A handheld electronic apparatus includes a positioning module, a sensing module, a constellation database, and a processing module. The positioning module generates location information associated with the handheld electronic apparatus according to a satellite signal received by the handheld electronic apparatus. The sensing module detects a vertical tilted angle and a horizontal observing direction associated with a positioned state of the handheld electronic apparatus. The processing module retrieves corresponding real-time constellation information from constellation data stored in the constellation database according to timing information, the location information, the vertical tilted angle, and the horizontal observing direction. |
| US08223063B2 |
System and method for presenting wind speed information in a planar representation
A system and method for presenting wind speed information in a manner so as to be easily understood and appreciated by viewers of televised weather report presentations and the like. Wind speed information is presented as a planar representation of three-dimensional wind speed data using contour lines, delineating areas with a planar location in the three dimensional data, overlaid on a geographic map display either alone, or in combination with radar reflectivity information. Wind velocity information received from a weather radar system, such as NEXRAD, relative to the weather radar is converted to absolute wind speed information for display. |
| US08223055B2 |
Reduced-switching dynamic element matching apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods disclosed herein operate to reducing switching artifacts associated with dynamic element matching by sorting a set of unit elements to establish a priority order of selection of a subset of the set of unit elements to use in a next single-sample integration operation. Sorting is achieved by demoting unit elements during the sorting if a usage value associated with the unit element is greater than or equal to a maximum allowable usage spread parameter value. A unit element is promoted during the sorting if a usage value associated with the unit element is less than the maximum allowable usage spread parameter value and the unit element was used in an immediately previous single-sample integration operation. |
| US08223053B2 |
2-phase gain calibration and scaling scheme for switched capacitor sigma-delta modulator
A sigma-delta modulator may have a plurality of capacitor pairs, a plurality of switches to couple any pair of capacitors from the plurality of capacitor pairs selectively to an input signal or a reference signal, and a control unit operable to control sampling through the switches to perform a charge transfer in two phases wherein any pair of capacitors can be selected to be assigned to the input signal or the reference signal, and wherein after a plurality of charge transfers a gain error cancellation is performed by rotating the capacitor pairs cyclically such that after a rotation cycle, each capacitor pair has been assigned a first predetermined number of times to the input signal, and has also been assigned a second predetermined number of times to the reference signal. |
| US08223051B2 |
Multi-bit sigma-delta modulator with reduced number of bits in feedback path
A sigma-delta modulator (200) for an ADC, passes an input signal to a loop filter (20), then to a multi-bit quantizer (30) of the modulator (200). An output of the quantizer (30) is passed to a digital filter (50), and a feedback signal is passed back to the loop filter (20), the feedback signal having fewer bits than are produced by the multi-bit quantizer (30). No separate feedback loop for the digital filter (50) is used, so as to reduce the need to adjust the loop filter for stable operation. The digital filter (50) can have an order greater than one in the passband of the sigma-delta modulator (200). |
| US08223047B2 |
ADC calibration
An analog to digital convertor (ADC) includes a plurality of comparators one of which is referred to as an auxiliary comparator (e.g., comparator “Aux”). This comparator Aux is calibrated in the background while other comparators function as usual. Once having been calibrated, the comparator Aux replaces a first comparator, which becomes a new comparator Aux, is calibrated, and replaces the second comparator. This second comparator becomes the new comparator Aux, is calibrated, and replaces the third comparator, etc., until all comparators are calibrated. In effect, at any one point in time, a comparator may be calibrated as desire while other comparators and thus the ADC are operating as usual. |
| US08223045B2 |
D/A converter and electron beam exposure apparatus
A D/A converter includes a D/A converter base part having a first D/A converter unit performing D/A conversion of high order bits and a second D/A converter unit performing D/A conversion of low order bits and including an auxiliary bit assigned an identical weight to a least significant bit, a correction D/A converter part, an error detection processing section generating a digital code supplied to a correction D/A converter unit in the correction D/A converter part, and a control section. The control section compares one bit current source with another bit current source in a lower order than the one bit current source, and corrects a value of the one bit current source by causing to supply the digital code to the correction D/A converter unit when the value of the one bit current source changes. |
| US08223043B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressing nucleotide sequence data
The invention provides a data compression method, comprising: (a) obtaining a first reading sequence and a second reading sequence from an identical source by a receiving unit; (b) comparing the first reading sequence with the second reading sequence according to a comparison condition to generate a sequence comparison result by the processor; (c) outputting a final template sequence according to the sequence comparison result by the processor; (d) comparing the final template sequence to each of the first and second reading sequences, to generate a respective difference between the final template sequence and each of the first and second reading sequences by the processor; and (e) compressing the first and second reading sequences according to the final template sequences and all generated differences between the final template sequence and the first and second reading sequences, to generate a compression file by the processor. |
| US08223039B2 |
Method and a device for detecting a thrust dissymmetry of an aircraft during landing
A method and a device for detecting a thrust dissymmetry of an aircraft during a landing are disclosed. The detection device (6) comprises means (7) for detecting, upon a landing, that at least one of the engine control levers occupies an intermediary position comprised between a position threshold and a maximum speed position, as well as at least another engine control lever occupies an idling position, and means (9, 13) for triggering a warning when a landing condition is validated and at least one of the control levers occupies said intermediary position, at least another control lever occupying said idling position. |
| US08223037B2 |
Method and apparatus for warning of emergency vehicles in emergency service
A method and an apparatus for warning of emergency vehicles in emergency service. The emergency vehicles use vehicle-to-vehicle communication to transmit warning messages which are received by other vehicles and are indicated to the driver of the receiving vehicle. In order to allow rapid orientation of the driver, provision is made for the warning message from the emergency vehicle to have a position statement for the emergency vehicle and for the position statement to be evaluated in the vehicle which receives the warning message, wherein the position of the emergency vehicle is indicated relative to the position of the receiving vehicle. |
| US08223034B2 |
Horizontal pit mount interface device
A mounting assembly for an automatic meter reading (AMR) unit includes a body having a head and an elongate stem extending from a bottom surface of the head. The elongate stem is sized and configured to be received in and extend through a hole formed in a cover of a pit, and the head has a size greater than a size of the hole formed in the cover of the pit. A nut defines a central aperture sized and configured to receive the elongate stem of the body, and a support channel has a pair of spaced apart arms each including a ledge configured to be received in a slot formed in the elongate stem of the body. The support channel defines an opening that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the AMR unit therein. |
| US08223027B2 |
Wireless tank monitoring system having satellite communications capability
A wireless tank monitoring system for remotely monitoring a plurality of storage tanks is provided. This tank monitoring system utilizes wireless communication from individual tank level monitors to a single SatComm Gateway. The SatComm Gateway then utilizes a low-Earth Orbit satellite constellation to transmit information to a central data collection center. The data collection center then provides access to this information to clients. These clients also have the capability of controlling individual monitors via the bi-directional communications path through the satellite link to the SatComm Gateway to the individual monitors. The SatComm Gateway packages the information from each of the monitors to optimize the communications through the satellite link to decrease the cost of transmission. Intrinsic safety is provided by each of the individual tank level monitors. |
| US08223025B2 |
Data center thermal monitoring
A measurement indicative of a temperature of a computer is received and a thermal health value for the computer is calculated based on the measurement. |
| US08223023B2 |
Within-patient algorithm to predict heart failure decompensation
This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for predicting heart failure decompensation using within-patient diagnostics. A method comprises detecting an alert status of each of one or more sensors; calculating an alert score by combining the detected alerts; and calculating a composite alert score, the composite alert score being indicative of a physiological condition and comprising a combination of two or more alert scores. |
| US08223022B2 |
Security tag assembly
A security tag assembly and security system associated therewith to prevent the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area, such as a retail establishment. The security tag assembly comprises a base and at least one tag member removably connected in an operative position on the merchandise being protected. A locking assembly is structured to restrict detachment of the tag member and is forcibly disposed out of a locking orientation relative to said tag member. A detachment assembly and a data registering processor may include a two-way communication link which facilitates processing of the merchandise data disposed on the security tag assembly, such that the purchasing of the merchandise and the removal of the security tag assembly can be effectively accomplished without jeopardizing the security of the merchandise being sold. |
| US08223021B2 |
RF tag on test strips, test strip vials and boxes
A glucose monitoring system, includes a glucose sensor strip or package of strips. The strip includes a substrate and a glucose monitoring circuit that has electrodes and a bodily fluid application portion of selected chemical composition. An antenna is integrated with the glucose sensor strip. A RFID sensor chip is coupled with the glucose sensor strip and the antenna. The chip has a memory containing digitally-encoded data representing calibration and/or expiration date information for the strip. |
| US08223018B2 |
RFID ionosphere
A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed wherein an RFID transponder response signal is coupled with a data file as an identifier. The RFID transponder response signal is used in its raw, or a digitized version of its raw, state. |
| US08223016B2 |
Capacitive occupant detection system
A capacitive occupant detection system comprises a capacitive sensor and a seat frame located under the capacitive sensor through a seat cushion. The seat frame is electrically connected with the ground potential level of the vehicle. A water proof layer is placed above the seat frame. The water proof layer prevents water from penetrating the seat cushion to reach to the seat frame, even if water poured on the seating part. The water proof layer suppresses resistance decrease of resistive component between the capacitive sensor and the seat frame resulting from water poured on the seat. |
| US08223011B2 |
Processes and system for detection of abnormal situations of a person in a living space
Method and system for detecting abnormal situations of a person in a living place. One such method involves: receiving information provided by a sensor carried by the person, which information relates to at least one vital variable of the person, receiving information originating from a series of motion sensors provided at various locations in the living place, and comparing said information with predetermined rules involving timeouts established as a function of the location and of the period of the day, or else different timeouts depending on whether an anomaly has been detected at the level of the vital variable, or else according to a common process relaunched upon each arrival in a new location although no abnormal situation exists, and in response to the previous step, triggering or otherwise a signalling of abnormal situation. Application in particular to the telesurveillance of the elderly, with improved discrimination between normal, anomalous and alert situations. |
| US08223005B2 |
Driver information and dialog system
A driver information and dialog system disposed in a vehicle and relating to driver behavior data and driver condition data, having a data acquisition device and an input/output device, the output device informing the driver about a collecting, storage, use, processing, and or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data, and the input device allowing the driver to transmit his decision consenting to or denying the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data. Furthermore, a method for informing the driver and for dialog with the driver regarding driver behavior data and driver condition data collected in a vehicle, the driver being informed about the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data, and the driver making decisions about the collecting, storage, use, processing, and/or transmission of driver behavior data and driver condition data. |
| US08223003B2 |
Swinging device and apparatus for detecting rotating status and information displaying device using the same
The present disclosure provides a swinging device having a swinging mechanism disposed on an energy provider, wherein volume and shape of the swinging mechanism and a distance between the swinging mechanism and the energy provider are adjusted so as to control the ratio of the distance and a characteristic value corresponding to the swinging mechanism in a specific range such that the swinging mechanism is capable of resonating with respect to the rotation of the energy provider. The swinging mechanism is capable of detecting the rotating frequency of the energy provider as well as combining with a display unit which is capable of displaying information with respect to the rotating status or displaying image patterns controlled according to the rotating status. |
| US08222997B2 |
Method of preventing collisions between RFID readers in RFID system
Disclosed herein is a method of preventing collisions between readers in an RFID system. The method includes a first step of RFID readers selecting transmitting channels by examining channels, a second step of transmitting signals via the selected transmitting channels, a third step of receiving signals via channels having the same frequencies as the selected transmitting channels; a fourth step of determining whether a collision has occurred by examining the status of the signals that are received via the transmitting channels; a fifth step of, if, as a result of the determination at the fourth step, it is determined that a collision between the readers has occurred, repeating the first to fourth steps after delays of random time periods based on a predetermined equation, and a sixth step of, if, as a result of the fourth step, no collision between readers is detected, communicating with the corresponding RFID tags. |
| US08222996B2 |
Radio frequency identification tags adapted for localization and state indication
An embodiment of the present invention provides a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) that is controlled by the RFID's logic and powered by the RFID's power harvesting circuit, wherein the RFID tag is capable of being interrogated by an RFID reader and reporting its unique identification number by RF backscatter and/or controlling the illumination state of the at least one LED. |
| US08222995B1 |
System and method for transmitting messages received from a paging network on a paging device to electronic devices
Systems, methods, and media are provided for transmitting a message received from a paging network on a paging device to wireless or other electronic devices. The paging device establishes a radio connection with the wireless device and transmits the received messages to the wireless device through the established radio connection. In response to receiving a message from the paging device, the wireless device sends an acknowledgment to the paging network that the message was received and displays the message. |
| US08222994B1 |
Techniques to provide automatic reminders
Techniques to provide automatic reminders are described. A mobile computing device may comprise a memo database and a memo application. The memo application may be arranged to set a memo reminder value for a memo, store the memo with the memo reminder value in the memo database, and provide a memo reminder for the memo with the memo reminder value. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08222993B2 |
Lock actuating device for a lock mechanism of a lock, and a method of providing wireless control of a lock
In one embodiment of the present invention, a lock actuating device for a lock mechanism of a lock has a transceiver capable of interaction with a wireless key device, a controller coupled to the transceiver and capable of generating a control signal, and a lock actuator adapted for actuation of the lock mechanism upon receipt of the control signal from the controller. The controller has a sleep mode and an operational mode. The lock actuating device also has a wake-up arrangement including a sensor and associated circuitry. The sensor is positioned to detect the presence of a user in a vicinity of the lock actuating device. The circuitry is adapted to generate a wake-up control signal to the controller upon detection of the user, so as to cause the controller to switch from sleep mode to operational mode. |
| US08222991B2 |
System, apparatus and method for supplying electric power, apparatus and method for receiving electric power, storage medium and program
An electric power supply system includes an electric power reception apparatus and an electric power supply apparatus adapted to supply electric power to the electric power reception apparatus when the electric power reception apparatus is placed on the electric power supply apparatus. The electric power supply apparatus includes a plurality of electric power supply units adapted to supply electric power by electromagnetic induction to the electric power reception apparatus. A selection unit of the electric power supply apparatus selects, from the total plurality of electric power supply units, a plurality of electric power supply units whose location corresponds to a position where the electric power reception apparatus is placed, and a control unit controls the supply of electric power such that electric power is supplied to the electric power reception apparatus from the selected plurality of electric power supply units. |
| US08222988B2 |
Porous device for optical and electronic applications and method of fabricating the porous device
A porous device for optical and electronic applications comprises a single crystal substrate and a porous single crystal structure epitaxially disposed on the substrate, where the porous single crystal structure includes a three-dimensional arrangement of pores. The three-dimensional arrangement may also be a periodic arrangement. A method of fabricating such a device includes forming a scaffold comprising interconnected elements on a single crystal substrate, where the interconnected elements are separated by voids. A first material is grown epitaxially on the substrate and into the voids. The scaffold is then removed to obtain a porous single crystal structure epitaxially disposed on the substrate, where the single crystal structure comprises the first material and includes pores defined by the interconnected elements of the scaffold. |
| US08222985B2 |
Compact superconducting magnet configuration with active shielding having a shielding coil contributing to field formation
A superconducting magnet configuration (4; 14) for generating a homogeneous magnetic field B0 in an examination volume (4b), has an interior radial superconducting main field coil (1) which is disposed rotationally symmetrically about an axis (z-axis) and an oppositely driven coaxial radially exterior superconducting shielding coil (2) is characterized in that the magnet configuration (4; 14) consists of the main field coil (1), the shielding coil (2), a ferromagnetic field formation device (3; 18) and a ferromagnetic shielding body (AK), wherein the ferromagnetic field formation device (3; 18) is located at the radially inside of the main field coil (1) and the ferromagnetic shielding device (AK) surrounds the main field coil (1) and the shielding coil (2) in a radial and axial direction, the main field coil (1) consisting of an unstructured solenoid coil or of several radially nested unstructured solenoid coils (15, 16) which are driven in the same direction, the axial extent Labs of the shielding coil (2) being smaller than the axial extent Lhaupt of the main field coil (1), wherein the axial magnetic field profile (5) generated by the main field coil (1) and the shielding coil (2) during operation has a minimum of the field strength along the axis (z-axis) in the center (4a) and a maximum of the field strength on each side of the center (4a), and wherein the axial magnetic field profile (6) generated by the ferromagnetic field formation device (3; 18) and the ferromagnetic shielding body (AK) during operation has a maximum of the field strength along the axis (z-axis) in the center (4a) and a minimum of the field strength on each side of the center (4a). The magnet configuration in accordance with the invention has a very simple structure. |
| US08222980B2 |
Sealed contact device
A sealed contact device includes an electromagnet block 2 including a coil bobbin 21, a movable iron core 25, a yoke 26, and a return spring 27; a contact block 3 including a sealing container 31, fixed contact points 32, a movable contact member 35 arranged within the sealing container 31 and composed of a rectangular body portion 35a, first and second protrusions 35b, 35c formed in longitudinal sides of the body portion 35a and movable contact points 34, and a shaft 37; and a case 4. The first and second protrusions 35b, 35c of the movable contact member 35 are formed in non-point symmetry with respect to a connection portion of the movable contact member 35 and the shaft 37 so that, when the movable contact member 35 is rotated, only one of the first and second protrusions 35b, 35c makes contact with the sealing container 31. |
| US08222978B2 |
Incorrect-circuit deactivation device of magnetic GFCI outlet
An incorrect-circuit deactivation device of a magnetic GFCI outlet includes an electromagnetic coil seat, a magneto-conductive core driven by the electromagnetic coil seat to displace, and two magnetic elements located on both sides of the magneto-conductive core. The magneto-conductive core is connected to a first electrical conductive end. The first electrical conductive end is positioned to face a second electrical conductive end. Electric power is supplied when the first electrical conductive end is brought into contact with the second electrical conductive end. The electromagnetic coil seat senses a reverse current to make the magneto-conductive core to displace toward one of the magnetic elements when there is a ground fault, thereby departing the first electrical conductive end from the second electrical conductive end to cut off the electric current. |
| US08222974B2 |
MEMS resonator structure including regions with different densities and method
A microelectromechanical resonator may include one or more resonator masses that oscillates in a bulk mode and that includes a first plurality of regions each having a density, and a second plurality of regions each having a density, the density of each of the second plurality of regions differing from the density of each of the first plurality of regions. The second plurality of regions may be disposed in a non-uniform arrangement. The oscillation may include a first state in which the resonator mass is contracted, at least in part, in a first and/or a second direction, and expanded, at least in part, in a third and/or a fourth direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction, the fourth direction being opposite the third direction. |
| US08222973B2 |
Elastic wave resonator, ladder filter and duplexer
An acoustic wave resonator that is excellent in terms of return loss characteristics at the resonant and anti-resonant frequencies and that is capable of effectively reducing loss includes an IDT electrode in which a plurality of first electrode fingers and a plurality of second dummy electrode fingers are connected to a first common electrode, a plurality of second electrode fingers and a plurality of first dummy electrode fingers are connected to a second common electrode. Apodization weighting is applied in the acoustic wave propagation direction. The metallization ratio of a non-crossing region is relatively high compared with the metallization ratio of a crossing region in the acoustic wave propagation direction. |
| US08222971B2 |
Acoustic wave filter device
An acoustic wave filter device includes a plurality of acoustic wave filters disposed on the same piezoelectric substrate, and achieves enlargement of out-of-passband attenuation without a large increase in its size. For at least the first acoustic wave filter, ends of second IDTs and of third IDTs connected to first and second balanced terminals, the ends being connected to a ground potential, are connected to a common connection line, the common connection line is connected to a ground terminal by a ground line, and a distance between a connection point, at which the ground line is connected to the common connection line, and the first balanced terminal, and a distance between the connection point and the second balanced terminal, is the same or substantially the same. |
| US08222969B2 |
Duplexer module
A duplexer module that is used for transmission and reception of a signal in at least two communication systems using different frequency bands includes a wiring board, dual transmission filters in a transmission filter unit that is provided on the wiring board and that includes a transmission filter, and dual reception filters in a reception filter unit that is provided on the wiring board and that includes a reception filter. Each of the dual reception filters includes at least two reception filters having different frequency bands, and the output side of the reception filters is shared between the reception filters such that a common output terminal is provided for the reception filters. |
| US08222966B2 |
System, method and apparatus for an open loop calibrated phase wrapping phase modulator for wideband RF outphasing/polar transmitters
A device article and method for an open loop calibrated phase wrapping phase modulator. A tapped delay line may provide a coarse resolution for one or more phases of a signal. A phase multiplexer may receive one or more coarse phases from the tapped delay line and select a coarse phase to send to the digitally controlled delay line. A digitally controlled delay line may provide a fine resolution to the coarse phase from the phase multiplexer. |
| US08222965B1 |
Radio frequency modulator
A modulator for modulating a radio frequency signal comprises a voltage controlled oscillator, a first feedback path, and a second feedback path. The first feedback path is coupled between a detector output and the voltage controlled oscillator. The second feedback path is coupled between the detector output and the voltage controlled oscillator. The detector is coupled to a divided down output of the voltage controlled oscillator and a reference clock. |
| US08222961B2 |
Time-domain measurement of PLL bandwidth
A method and a device for determining closed loop bandwidth characteristic of a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) (52) comprising a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (53) controlled by means of a tuning voltage (Vtune) is disclosed. An embodiment of the invention compares the VCO tuning voltage (Vtune) to a low threshold voltage (Vlow) and a high threshold voltage (Vhigh), creating an oscillation of the VCO tuning voltage by offsetting the divider value such that the PLL (52) forces the tuning voltage (Vtune) towards the high threshold voltage (Vhigh) when the low threshold voltage (Vlow) is reached, and offsetting the divider value such that said PLL (52) forces the tuning voltage (Vtune) towards the low threshold voltage (Vlow) when the high threshold voltage (Vhigh) is reached, measuring the period of the oscillation between the high and the low threshold voltage of the VCO tuning voltage by counting the number of cycles of a reference clock signal (clk), and comparing the number of reference clock cycles to a reference number of clock cycles to determine the relative loop bandwidth of the PLL (52). |
| US08222958B2 |
Operational amplifier
The present invention relates generally to an operational amplifier. In one embodiment, the present invention is an operational amplifier including a transimpedance input stage, the transimpedance input stage including a first stage connected to a first resistor and a second resistor, and an output stage connected to the transimpedance input stage. |
| US08222955B2 |
Compensated bandgap
An integrated circuit has an untrimmed bandgap generation circuit; and a bandgap generation circuit coupled to the untrimmed bandgap generation circuit. The bandgap generation circuit has a current source controlled by the untrimmed bandgap generation circuit and coupled in series with a resistor and a first bipolar diode device, one or more of bipolar diode devices, each bipolar diode device coupled in parallel with the first bipolar diode device, wherein a trimmed bandgap reference voltage output of the integrated circuit is a function of the number of bipolar diode devices. |
| US08222950B2 |
Temperature sensor of a CPU and PWM controller thereof
A power supply circuit includes a PWM controller, which is capable of providing pulse signals to the CPU, a temperature feedback circuit coupled to the PWM controller, and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is coupled to the temperature feedback circuit, the temperature sensor is located adjacent the CPU, and capable of detects a temperature of the CPU. The PWM controller is capable of adjusting the pulse signals to maintain the pulse signals stably when the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the CPU rising. |
| US08222946B2 |
Capacitive touching apparatus
The invention provides a capacitive touching apparatus, which includes at least an equivalent capacitor module, a first comparator, a first reference current generator, a first detection capacitor module and a selection switch module. The equivalent capacitor module receives a periodic driving signal and produces an output voltage according to the driving signal. The first comparator compares the output voltage with a first reference voltage and thereby produces a first comparison result. The first reference current generator produces a first reference current and a second reference current according to a base current, in which the first reference current generator decides whether to respectively output the first reference current and the second reference current according to the first comparison result, and the first reference current is output to the equivalent capacitor module. The first detection capacitor module produces a first detection output signal according to the second reference current. |
| US08222944B2 |
DC offset cancellation circuit
A DC offset cancellation circuit includes: a control signal generation unit generating i (i is a natural number) number of pulse signals having a pulse width corresponding to a DC offset amount; a current source supplying i number of currents each having a different current ratio; a switching unit determining a current quantity to be supplied to a feedback capacitor by adjusting a turn-on quantity of each of the i number of currents according to the pulse width of each of the i number of pulse signals; and an electric charge quantity regulation unit charging DC offset electric charges corresponding to current supplied from the switching unit through the feedback capacitor and transferring the DC offset electric charges charged in the feedback capacitor to a sampling capacitor through a rotary capacitor, to allow the sampling capacitor to primarily store the DC offset electric charges and then secondarily store electric charges corresponding to an input signal. |
| US08222943B2 |
Master-slave flip-flop with timing error correction
A digital logic circuit includes a logic element for providing a data signal, a clock for providing a clock signal and a master-slave flip-flop. The master-slave flip-flop includes a master latch for storing data on a master latch input at a first active edge of the clock signal and a slave latch for storing data on an output of the master latch at a second active edge of the clock signal following the first active edge. A timing error detector asserts an error signal in response to a change in the data signal during a detection period following the first active edge of the clock signal. A timing correction module selectively increases a propagation delay of the data signal from the logic element to the master latch input in response to the error signal. |
| US08222941B2 |
Phase selector
A phase selector including a plurality of buffers, a multiplexer, a first inverter, and a selecting circuit is provided. Each of the buffers provides a clock signal, and the clock signals have different phases. The multiplexer selectively outputs one of the clock signals as a switch signal according to a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is first portion of bits of a selecting signal. The input terminal of the first inverter receives a second control signal, wherein the second control signal is second portion of bits of the selecting signal, and the output terminal of the first inverter outputs an inverted signal. The selecting circuit transmits the second control signal of the selecting signal or the inverted signal to the output terminal of the phase selector according to the logic state of the switch signal. |
| US08222938B2 |
Delay locked loop semiconductor apparatus that models a delay of an internal clock path
A delay locked loop semiconductor apparatus that models a delay of an internal clock path is presented. The semiconductor apparatus includes: a DLL and a detection code output block. The DLL includes a delay model unit in which a delay value of an internal clock path is modeled and is configured to output a DLL clock signal of which the phase is controlled by reflecting the delay value of the internal clock path into an applied input clock signal. The detection code output block is configured to output a phase difference detection code having a code value corresponding to a phase difference between a first phase correction clock signal generated by reflecting a model delay value of the delay model unit into the DLL clock signal and a second phase correction clock signal generated by reflecting an actual delay value of the internal clock path into the DLL clock signal. |
| US08222936B2 |
Phase and frequency detector with output proportional to frequency difference
Phase and frequency detectors and techniques are disclosed. For example, apparatus comprises a first circuit for receiving first and second clock signals and for generating at least one signal indicative of a phase difference between the first and second clock signals. The apparatus also comprises a second circuit for receiving the at least one signal generated by the first circuit and, in response to the at least one received signal, generating at least one output signal, wherein a frequency associated with the at least one output signal is proportional to a frequency difference between the first and second clock signals. |
| US08222935B2 |
Communication system, phase-locked loop, movable body and communication method
A communication system includes a phase-locked loop that maintains synchronization of a reception signal. The phase-locked loop includes a loop filter that has a circuit configuration m for an m-th order phase-locked loop including a circuit configuration n for an n-th order phase-locked loop (m>n), and a switching section that switches circuit configurations, which are activated in the loop filter, between the circuit configuration n and the circuit configuration m. |
| US08222929B1 |
High voltage switch pre-driver circuit
Switch pre-driver systems and methods are described. The present switch pre-driver systems and methods facilitate switch driver breakdown protection, reduction of leakage current, and avoidance of false switching. In one embodiment, a switch system includes a switch driver, a switch pre-driver, and a mode detection circuit. The switch driver drives a voltage. The switch pre-driver controls the switch driver. The mode detection circuit notifies the switch pre-driver of a mode condition. |
| US08222928B2 |
Circuit arrangement including voltage supply circuit
One embodiment of a circuit arrangement includes first and second input voltage terminals for applying an input voltage, and at least one first semiconductor switching element having a drive terminal and a load path, the load path being connected between the input voltage terminals. A drive circuit is configured to receive a supply voltage, and has a drive output connected to the drive terminal of the at least one semiconductor switching element. A free-running oscillator is configured to generate an oscillating output voltage. A voltage supply circuit is provided for receiving the oscillating output voltage or a voltage dependent on the oscillating output voltage, and for providing the supply voltage of the drive circuit. |
| US08222927B2 |
Reference buffer circuit
A reference buffer circuit is provided, comprising a reference buffering stage and a driving stage. The buffering stage provides a first driving voltage based on a first input voltage. The driving stage is driven by the first driving voltage to output a first output voltage. In the buffering stage, a first operational amplifier has a first input end for receiving the first input voltage, a second input end, and an output end for outputting a first tracking voltage. A first level shifter is coupled to the output end of the first operational amplifier, shifting a level of the first tracking voltage to generate the first driving voltage. A first buffering transistor has a drain coupled to a first supply voltage, a source connected to the second input end of the first operational amplifier, and a gate coupled to the first charge pump for receiving the first driving voltage. |
| US08222925B2 |
Multimode Ethernet line driver
A multimode line driver circuit is provided. The multimode line driver circuit has a first driver circuit for receiving a first differential input signal and transmitting a first differential output signal, and a second driver circuit for receiving a second driver circuit for receiving a second differential input signal and transmitting a second differential output signal. The multimode line driver circuit also has a first switch coupling the first driver circuit to a first power supply and a second switch coupling the second driver circuit to a second power supply. The multimode line driver circuit also has a transformer coupled to the output interface for transforming the first differential output and the second differential output and a mode controller configured to close the first switch in the first mode and to close the second switch in the second mode. |
| US08222920B2 |
Dynamic phase alignment
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and integrate circuits with dynamic phase alignment between an input data signal and a clock signal. In some embodiments, a sampling window of the input data signal may be determined and timing of the input data signal may be adjusted to enable the input data signal to be sampled within the sampling window. Other embodiments may be disclosed and claimed. |
| US08222919B2 |
Multichannel interfacing device having a termination circuit
The invention relates to an interfacing device for transmission through interconnections used for sending a plurality of electrical signals.The interfacing device of the invention comprises signal terminals and a common terminal. A receiving circuit delivers, when the receiving circuit is in the activated state, “output signals of the receiving circuit” determined each by a linear combination of the voltages between one of the signal terminals and the common terminal, to the destination. A termination circuit is such that, when it is in the activated state, it is approximately equivalent, for the signal terminals and the common terminal, to a (m+1)-terminal network such that, for small signals, the impedance matrix, with respect to the common terminal, of the (m+1)-terminal network is equal to a wanted non-diagonal matrix of size m×m. |
| US08222917B2 |
Impedance matching and trimming apparatuses and methods using programmable resistance devices
Impedance matching and trimming apparatuses and methods using programmable resistance devices. According to one exemplary embodiment, the impedance matching circuit includes a programmable resistance element, a comparator, a resistor divider having a common node coupled to a first input of the comparator, and an impedance element control circuit coupled between an output of the comparator and the programmable resistance element. The programmable resistance element includes one or more programmable resistance devices (PRDs). Programmed resistances of the programmable resistance element combine with the resistance of an external reference resistor to provide an impedance matched termination. A change in the resistance of the termination impedance causes a change in the output of the comparator. The impedance element control circuit responds to changes in the output of the comparator by providing one or more program control output signals, which control the resistance values of one or more of the PRDs, thereby maintaining an impedance matched termination. |
| US08222911B2 |
Light-assisted testing of an optoelectronic module
The present invention relates to a device for testing an optoelectronic module, comprising a first source for generating an electromagnetic beam or particle beam, a second source for illuminating the optoelectronic module; and a detector. In addition, a method for testing an optoelectronic module is provided comprising illuminating the optoelectronic module, directing an electromagnetic beam or particle beam and detecting defects in the optoelectronic module. The illumination additional to the electromagnetic beam or particle beam makes defects visible which otherwise would not be detected. |
| US08222908B2 |
Capacitive detector for use in extrusion-based digital manufacturing systems
A detector for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the detector comprising a sense conductive component and an excitation conductive component to define a first gap that is configured to receive a consumable material used in the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, where the excitation conductive component is configured to generate a first electrical field across the first gap. |
| US08222907B2 |
Architecture and method to determine leakage impedance and leakage voltage node
A circuit, system, machine-readable storage medium and method for detecting the presence of a leakage path in a multi-cell voltage source is described. The system includes a detection circuit, the detection circuit having a first, second and third amplifiers, a first input of the first amplifier connected to a first terminal of the voltage source and the first input of the second amplifier connected to a second terminal of the voltage source, a second input of each of the first and second amplifiers connected to a reference capacitor, and an output of each of the first, second and third amplifiers connected to a respective first, second and third outputs of the detection circuit; and a processor having inputs connected to the first and second outputs of the detection circuit. |
| US08222905B2 |
Determination of field distribution
A method for determining field intensity for a particle on a substrate, the method comprising providing an incident wave, determining an electric vector of the field and a magnetic vector of the field inside and outside of the particle, and determining additional scattered fields inside and outside of the particle due to reflection of the incident wave from the substrate. |
| US08222903B2 |
Automatic testing device and method for computer system
An automatic testing device and method are provided to automatically test a computer system that has an electric component and a battery. First of all, a power control module controls the electricity supplied from the battery to the electric component. Next, when the computer system enters a designated mode, a battery-related component status is retrieved from a recording module through a connection interface. Afterwards, according to the battery-related component status, the computer system obtains testing information to determine whether the electric component operates normally. Since the power control module, the connection interface and the recording module are internal elements commonly configured computer system, the proposed device and method facilitate the testing tasks without any external instruments. |
| US08222900B2 |
Robust GRAPPA
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with robust GRAPPA (GeneRalized Auto-calibrating Partially Parallel Acquisitions) are described. One method embodiment includes acquiring k-space data from a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus having multiple coils and creating a set of over determined linear equations based on auto calibration signal (ACS) lines in the k-space data. The method embodiment includes calculating coil coefficients based on the set of ACS lines and then selectively manipulating a weight associated with an outlying data point to reduce the effect of the outlying data. The method embodiment includes calculating values for missing k-space data points, establishing a full k-space data set, and producing an image from the full k-space data set. |
| US08222899B2 |
Squid detected nuclear magnetic resonance and imaging at ultra-weak fields
The invention provides a high resolution proton nuclear magnetic reonance and imaging (NMR/MRI) in microtesla magnetic fields by using high critical temperature (high-Tc) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer via a flux transformer. Both the SQUID and the input coupling coil are installed inside a superconducting vessel which shields environmental noise and set the SQUID in a stable operation condition. The present invention also offers the advantages of preserving the NMR signal even if the sample is far away from the SQUID detector. |
| US08222898B1 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing magnetic field modulation to increase the operating frequency of sensors
A system for modulating a magnetic field sensor device comprising: a base; a magnetic sensor comprising a plurality of magnetic components; at least one coil for creating a magnetic field around the magnetic sensor; the at least one coil adapted to be connected to an alternating current source that passes through the coil to modulate the magnetic field at the magnetic sensor and drive at least one of the magnetic components of the magnetic sensor into and out of its region of increased magnetic response while shifting the frequency of the magnetic field that is sensed by the magnetic sensors a higher frequency to thereby minimize 1/f-type noise, where f is the frequency of operation of the magnetic sensor. The method comprises forming at least one coil around the magnetic sensor; connecting the coil to an alternating current power source; and modulating the current from the power source. |
| US08222897B2 |
Test circuit with sense elements having associated and unassociated primary windings
An apparatus for the nondestructive measurement of materials that includes at least two layers of electrical conductors. Within each layer, a meandering primary winding is used to create a magnetic field for interrogating a test material while sense elements or conducting loops within each meander provide a directional measurement of the test material condition in different orientations without requiring movement of the test circuit or apparatus. In a bidirectional implementation the meanders are oriented 90° apart while in a quadridirectional implementation the meanders are orientated at −45, 0, 45, and 90°. Multidirectional permeability measurements are used to assess the stress or torque on a component. These measurements are combined in a manner that removes temperature effects and hysteresis on the property measurements. This can be accomplished through a correction factor that accounts for the temperature dependence. After the correction, the permeability measurement is then used to assess the local stresses and strains in the material of interest. |
| US08222894B2 |
Sensing apparatus for detecting linear displacements
A sensing apparatus according to the present invention includes a movable part rotatably supported by a base, a first input unit that is part or all of a first member formed integrally with or secured to the movable part, a second input unit that is part or all of a second member formed integrally with or secured to the movable part, a turning member turning together with the movable part, and a sensing element that is secured to a reference position of the base, senses a direction of the turning member relative to the reference position, and outputs a signal determined on the basis of the detected direction to identify a first linear displacement and a second linear displacement. |
| US08222891B2 |
Compensating for position errors in displacement transducers
Methods of compensating for position errors due to signal scaling, linearity, and offset between first and second members in a displacement transducer are provided, including: producing a first signal at the first member; producing a second signal at the first member; modulating the first signal at the second member to include at least one region with an invariant amplitude as the first and second members are displaced relative to one another along a measurement axis; determining a relation between a sample of the second signal and the invariant amplitude of the first signal as an indication of an error parameter; and generating a compensated sample based upon the determined relation. |
| US08222888B2 |
Micro-power magnetic switch
A sensor having a power management mechanism controlled by an external trigger signal is presented. The sensor includes a magnetic field signal generating circuit and a control circuit coupled to the magnetic field signal generating circuit. The control circuit, responsive to an externally generated trigger signal, initiates a supply current pulse that activates the magnetic field signal generating circuit for a predetermined time interval. |
| US08222886B2 |
Voltage detecting apparatus and line voltage detecting apparatus having a detection electrode disposed facing a detected object
A voltage detector that detects an AC voltage in an object includes: an electrode disposed facing the object; a current-to-voltage converter that has a first input set at a reference voltage and a second input connected to the electrode and converts a detection current, which corresponds to a potential difference between the detected AC voltage and the reference voltage on a path including the electrode and a feedback circuit connected to the second input, to a detection signal; an integrating circuit that integrates the detection signal and outputs an integrated signal whose amplitude changes in accordance with the potential difference; an insulating circuit that inputs the detection signal or the integrated signal, and outputs the signal so as to be electrically insulated from the input; and a voltage generating circuit that generates the reference voltage by amplifying a signal based on the integrated signal to reduce the potential difference. |
| US08222884B2 |
Reference voltage generator with bootstrapping effect
An integrated electronic device for generating a reference voltage. The circuitry has a bias current generator for generating a first bias current, a diode element coupled to the bias current generator and fed by a second bias current derived from the first bias current for converting the second bias current into a reference voltage across the diode element, a supply voltage pre-regulator stage for regulating the supply voltage used for the bias current generator, and an output buffer coupled to the reference voltage for providing a low impedance output, wherein the reference voltage is coupled to the supply pre-regulator stage for biasing the supply pre-regulator stage by the reference voltage. |
| US08222882B2 |
Power supply controller with input voltage compensation for efficiency and maximum power output
A controller for a power supply includes a logic block and a time-to-frequency converter. The logic block is to generate a drive signal in response to a clock signal. The drive signal is to be coupled to control switching of a power switch of the power supply to regulate an output of the power supply. The time-to-frequency converter is coupled to the logic block and generates the clock signal having a frequency responsive to a time period of the drive signal. |
| US08222876B2 |
Power management chip with dual function pin
The present invention discloses a power management chip with a dual function pin, the power management chip outputting pulse-width-modulation signals to control the switching of an up-gate transistor and a low-gate transistor for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, the up-gate and low-gate transistors being electrically connected to a node, the power management chip comprising: a dual function pin for electrically connecting with the input voltage or the node; a voltage sensing circuit electrically connected with the dual function pin for detecting the level of the input voltage; and a clock detection circuit electrically connected with the dual function pin for determining whether the signal received by the dual function pin is an oscillation signal. |
| US08222875B2 |
Semiconductor circuit and switching power supply apparatus
The power supply apparatus realizes a high-speed response, a stable operation, and a low output ripple with low power consumption. The first stage switching regulator receives an input voltage and forms a first voltage. The second stage switching regulator receives the first voltage and forms a second voltage. The second stage switching regulator includes an N-phase (N is two or more) switching regulator, and the first voltage is set to be N times a target value of the second voltage. The input voltage is set to be higher than the first voltage. |
| US08222874B2 |
Current mode boost converter using slope compensation
A boost converter circuit that includes a power supply, an inductor coupled to the power supply to receive current from the power supply, a diode coupled to receive current from the inductor and coupled to provide current to a load as an output, an inductor switch coupled to a node between the inductor and the diode for selectively switching current from the inductor anyway from the diode, and a ramp circuit. The ramp circuit is coupled to the node between the inductor and the diode, and is configured to selectively sample a voltage at the node between the inductor and the diode via a sampling switch and use the sampled signal to produce a stabilization ramp to stabilize the output. |
| US08222871B2 |
Method and device for charging an electrical energy storage element, in particular an ultracapacitor
The device according to the invention for charging a first electrical energy storage element (1), in particular an ultracapacitor, from a second electrical energy storage element (2), in particular a battery, is of the type of those comprising a reversible DC/DC converter (3) arranged between the first and second elements (1,2). In accordance with the invention, the device moreover comprises a stepdown voltage converter (4) arranged between the DC/DC converter (3) and the first element (1). Advantageously, the device comprises means controlled (11,12,23) so as to charge with a low current the first element (1) from the second element (2), in particular a battery in a poor state of charge, so as to allow the starting of an engine of a motor vehicle even from a battery in a poor state of charge. |
| US08222869B2 |
System and method for battery charging
A charging circuit includes a pulse generator and a controller coupled to the pulse generator. The pulse generator is used to generate a plurality of pulses to control a charging switch. The controller is used to control a pulse density of the plurality of pulses. A charging current flowing through the charging switch can be adjusted according to the pulse density. |
| US08222859B2 |
Method for determining the charge state of a motor vehicle battery when the drive unit is switched off
A method is provided for determining the charge state of a motor vehicle battery. An electrical voltage of the motor vehicle battery is detected and the electrical charge state of the motor vehicle battery is determined on the basis of the detected voltage of the motor vehicle battery. According to the method, the temperature of the motor vehicle battery is detected using a sensor that is separated spatially from the motor vehicle battery, and the charge state of the battery is determined on the basis of the detected voltage of the motor vehicle battery and on the basis of the detected temperature of the motor vehicle battery. |
| US08222858B2 |
Electric power supply system
An electric power supply system can determine a sharing ratio of an electric power so as to increase and decrease an output electric power supplied by an electric power generator in accordance with an output electric power value required for the electric power supply system, in a fuel cell following region where a frequency of a magnitude of the electric power is equal to or higher than a predetermined value in a frequency distribution of a magnitude of the electric power, and can determine the sharing ratio of the electric power so as to increase an output electric power supplied by an electricity storage device, in an assist region where the frequency is lower than a predetermined value in the frequency distribution, and can prevent an excess of discharging from an electricity storage device. |
| US08222855B2 |
System and method for non-sinusoidal current waveform excitation of electrical machines
A system and method for exciting an electrical machine with instantaneous non-sinusoidal current waveforms is disclosed. The system includes an inverter that controls current flow and terminal voltages in an electrical machine. The controller is further programmed to receive feedback on an air gap magnetic field in the electrical machine generated by an initial sinusoidal current demand, generate a non-sinusoidal current demand based on received air gap magnetic field feedback, and input the non-sinusoidal current demand to the inverter, thereby causing the inverter to output a non-sinusoidal current. |
| US08222854B2 |
Optical apparatus
An optical apparatus ensuring smooth driving control of an optical member is disclosed. The optical apparatus includes an optical member, a stepping motor configured to drive the optical member, a driving commander configured to generate driving pulses supplied to the stepping motor, a pulse count generator configured to count the driving pulses output from the driving commander, a position detector configured to detect a position of the optical member, and a pulse count presetter configured to replace, based on an output of the pulse count presetter and an output of the position detector, a pulse count output from the pulse count presetter with a pulse count corresponding to the output of the position detector. |
| US08222851B2 |
Machine control device
A machine control device has a position regulator configured to enable modification of the proportional gain during regulation operations, and has proportional gain setting unit, which sends an instruction to modify the proportional gain to the position regulator based on a position instruction value which is an output of a position instruction unit. In the proportional gain setting unit, when the movement velocity based on the position instruction value from the position instruction unit decreases, that is, when the position instruction value is a value at which the movement distance is short, the proportional gain of the position regulator is set high, and when the movement velocity based on the position instruction value increases, that is, when the position instruction value is a value at which the movement distance is long, the proportional gain is set low. |
| US08222848B2 |
Time delay contactor for aircraft APU starter
A starter for an auxiliary power unit includes a direct current motor operably connectable to an auxiliary power unit. A clutch is arranged in an electrically parallel relationship and configured to operably connect the motor to the auxiliary power unit when engaged, the motor and the clutch powered by a common input line. A time delay switching element is located and configured to delay power delivery to the direct current motor thus providing for full engagement of the clutch prior to initiation of rotation of the motor. |
| US08222845B2 |
Method for operating a rotating electric machine
A method is disclosed for operating a rotating electric machine, wherein the rotating electric machine is connected by phases to a converter circuit having a direct-current circuit for switching at least two voltage levels, and the phases of the converter circuit are connected to the direct-current circuit according to a selected switch state combination of switch states of power semi-conductor switches of the converter circuit. Exemplary embodiments can reduce the switching frequency of the power semi-conductor switches, based on a prediction of further behavior of the overall system, and selection of an optimum switching state combination. |
| US08222843B2 |
Method for determining the angular position of the rotor of a mechanically commutated d.c. servo motor
Method for determining the angular position of the rotor of a mechanically commutated DC servo motor (5), which is arranged in the transverse branch of a bridge circuit, and the armature current of which is preset by an electromechanically activated switching device (28), —with a control and analysis unit (17) which analyzes the current ripple (3) present in the armature current (2) and attributable to the mechanical commutation, characterized in that—from each switch contact (6, 7) of the switching device (28), a contact-voltage feedback signal (9, 10) is fed back to the control and analysis device (17) by means of a feedback circuit (20), and in that the control and analysis unit (17), by using the at least one contact-voltage feedback signal (9, 10), determines a contact vibration time interval (4) and performs an estimate of current ripple (3) during this contact vibration time interval (4), during which an analysis of the current ripple due to contact vibrations which are caused by a switching process of at least one of the switch contacts (6, 7) is not possible. |
| US08222840B2 |
Fuel cell mount apparatus and electric power supply system
A fuel cell mount apparatus includes: a fuel cell system including a power generation unit for generating electric power by use of a fuel and air, a hydrogen occlusion cylinder for supplying the fuel to the power generation unit, an air supply means for supplying air to the power generation unit, and a control unit for controlling the power generating operation of the power generation unit; and a dog type robot mounted with the fuel cell system and operated by electric power outputted from the fuel cell, wherein a part of component elements of the fuel cell system and a part of component elements of the dog type robot are used in common with each other, i.e., one of the component elements functions also as the other of the component elements, whereby a component element can be made to function as both a part of an electronic apparatus and a part of the fuel cell, the wastefulness of component elements can be removed, and the fuel cell can be efficiently mounted on various electronic apparatuses. |
| US08222834B2 |
HID lamp ballast with controlled DC step down circuit
An electronic ballast is provided for powering a high intensity discharge lamp. A voltage step-down circuit is arranged to reduce an input DC voltage. An inverter circuit includes at least one high frequency switching element is and arranged to convert the reduced voltage to a high frequency AC voltage. A resonant circuit receives the high frequency voltage and is further coupled to the discharge lamp. A voltage step-down control circuit controls the DC voltage output from the voltage step-down circuit. A driving circuit supplies a driving signal to the switching element of the inverter, and further adjusts a driving frequency of the driving signal, thereby controlling the high-frequency voltage. The high frequency voltage in a first operating mode is controlled to a low level wherein the lamp is prevented from starting. The high frequency voltage in a second operating mode is controlled to a high level wherein the discharge lamp can be started. |
| US08222833B2 |
Illumination device for plants
An illumination device for plants includes a lighting unit mounted on a lamp seat and including a cold cathode fluorescent lamp and a light emitting diode (LED) unit. A driving unit is mounted to the lamp seat, is coupled to the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED unit, and is operable so as to drive the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED unit such that the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED emit respectively color lights having respective wavelengths. A dimming unit is coupled to the driving unit, and is operable so as to output a dimming output to the driving unit. The driving unit drives the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED unit based on the dimming output from the dimming unit so that the color light emitted by each of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp and the LED unit has a respective light intensity. |
| US08222830B2 |
Discharge lamp lighting device, lighting fixture, and lighting system
A discharge lamp lighting device includes: a direct current power supply circuit that outputs direct current power; an inverter circuit that converts the direct current power, which is outputted by the direct current power supply circuit, into alternating current power, and supplies the alternating current power to a discharge lamp; a control circuit that controls a frequency of an output of the inverter circuit (operation frequency); and a starting detection circuit that detects beginning (starting) of a discharge in the discharge lamp. The control circuit operates in a starting improvement mode, in which the operation frequency is lowered than an operation frequency in a lighting mode, during a predetermined time from when the starting of the discharge lamp is detected by the starting detection circuit 4 during a no-load mode. Thereafter, the control circuit shifts to the lighting mode in which lighting of the discharge lamp is maintained. In such a way, the discharge lamp can be smoothly shifted to stable lighting. |
| US08222828B2 |
Circuit arrangement for igniting and operating a discharge lamp
A circuit arrangement for starting and for operating a gas discharge lamp with an AC step-down converter or a half-bridge arrangement, which functions as a step-down inverter during quasi-resonant operation, a lamp inductor and a resonant capacitor, which form a resonant circuit, and a smoothing inductor, wherein the resonant capacitor is dimensioned in terms of its value such that, during normal operation of the lamp, a voltage ripple of over 100 V from maximum to maximum is present across said resonant capacitor, the smoothing inductor being dimensioned in such a way that it can filter the majority of the voltage ripple, and the switching frequency at the same time being between 200 kHz and 500 kHz. |
| US08222821B2 |
Pulse plasma matching systems and methods including impedance matching compensation
A pulse plasma matching system includes an RF matching box configured to receive an RF power pulse generated by an RF power source, configured to perform a plasma impedance matching, and configured to apply the RF power pulse to a process chamber, and a network analyzer configured to measure an impedance of plasma generated in a process chamber. A controller is configured to generate a capacitance control signal corresponding to a plasma impedance value measured by the network analyzer, configured to supply the capacitance control signal to the RF matching box, and configured to generate an impedance matching compensation pulse, and a phase shifter is configured to receive the impedance matching compensation pulse and to shift a phase of the impedance matching compensation pulse to synchronize the impedance matching compensation pulse to the RF power pulse. |
| US08222820B2 |
LED lamp with replaceable light unit
An LED lamp with replaceable light unit according to the invention includes a heat dissipation housing, a metal connector, a driver circuit board, a light unit slice, a pad and a shade. The heat dissipation housing has an opening at one end and a joint portion at another end. The metal connector is disposed to the joint portion of the heat dissipation housing. The driver circuit board disposed inside the heat dissipation housing to electrically connect with metal connector. The light unit slice and the pad are disposed inside the opening, and the light unit slice is electrically connected with the driver circuit board. The shade is disposed inside the opening. The LED lamp with replaceable light unit can be realized by the assembly of the above elements according to the different preferred embodiment of the present invention. |
| US08222810B2 |
Substrate, fabrication method thereof and a display using the same
A substrate board, a fabricating method thereof, and a display using the same are provided. The substrate board includes a substrate having at least a rigid area and at least a flexible area, and at least an electronic component disposed on a surface of the substrate, wherein the rigid area is thicker than the flexible area. A patterned high-extensive material may be additionally disposed on the substrate to improve reliability thereof. The rigid area and the flexible area may be formed by molds or cutters. By using an above structure, the electronic component is less affected when the substrate is under stress, so that good characteristics are maintained. |
| US08222809B2 |
Flat panel display apparatus
A flat panel display apparatus, including a substrate, a display unit disposed on the substrate, a first interconnecting line positioned on the substrate at an outer side of the display unit, a second interconnecting line located above the first interconnecting line, and at least two insulating layers interposed between the first and second interconnecting lines. |
| US08222807B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device and method of producing organic device
To provide an organic electroluminescence device that can suppress rise in the driving voltage at the time of constant-current energization and degradation in brightness at the time of energization, and thus excels in its driving lifetime, the organic electroluminescence device comprises: a substrate; an anode and a cathode overlying the substrate; and a plurality of organic layers disposed between the anode and the cathode, and the plurality of organic layers comprise at least: a first layer formed by means of polymerization of a polymerizable compound; and a second layer disposed adjacently to the first layer and containing a polymerization initiator. |
| US08222799B2 |
Surface deformation electroactive polymer transducers
The present invention provides electroactive polymer transducers configured for surface mode deformation to provide thickness mode actuation. The inventive transducers may find use in various applications, including but not limited to haptic feedback for user interface devices (e.g., key buttons, key pads, touch pads, touch screens, touch plates, touch sensors, etc.), fluid movement and control mechanism such as pumps and valves, breaking and clutch mechanisms, power generation, sensing, etc. |
| US08222797B2 |
Information processor and method for the production thereof
An information converter has at least two material layers having polygonal base surfaces, which are connected to each other in a shear-rigid way, wherein at least in one material layer a change of length can be induced. The polygonal base surface has at least two different interior angles. |
| US08222796B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical device with a piezoelectric actuator
A micro-electro-mechanical device including a substrate with a main surface, a piezoelectric actuator with a first side mechanically coupled to the substrate, an elastic member with a first end mechanically coupled to the substrate, and a transfer member mechanically coupling a second side of the piezoelectric actuator to the elastic member. The piezoelectric actuator is positioned lateral to an unfixed region of the elastic member. The method includes applying a voltage to a piezoelectric actuator altering the piezoelectric actuator's dimension vertical to the main surface of the substrate; and mechanically transferring the alteration to a coupling point of an elastic member. |
| US08222793B2 |
Acoustic power generator and method for manufacturing the same
An acoustic power generator and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises steps of: measuring a sonic frequency of a sound wave; determining a phononic crystal and a resonant cavity according to the measured sonic frequency; and determining at least a piezoelectric material according to the measured sonic frequency and installing the piezoelectric material inside the resonant cavity. |
| US08222791B2 |
Alignment of segmented stators for electric machines
A stator segment for a segmented stator of an electric machine includes insulative material configured for overlapping with insulative material of an adjacent stator segment to provide continuous insulation along a joint between the adjacent stator segments. Additionally, or alternatively, the stator segment can include one or more alignment tabs configured to engage a surface of an adjacent stator segment to inhibit relative axial movement between adjacent stator segments. |
| US08222790B2 |
Motor stator, motor and electric pump unit
There are provided a tubular stator core having a plurality of tooth portions which protrude radially inwards and slots which are defined between the respective tooth portions and coils which are disposed on circumferences of the tooth portions. An insulator is attached to the stator core from an axial direction thereof for isolating the coils from the stator core. A radius of curvature of a corner portion of the insulator around which the coil is wound decreases continuously as the tooth portion extends from a root portion to a distal portion thereof. |
| US08222786B2 |
Transverse and/or commutated flux systems having phase offset
Electrical machines, for example transverse flux machines and/or commutated flux machines, may be configured to achieve reduced overall cogging torque via implementation of a sixth-phase offset. Individual cogging torque waveforms in the electrical machine may be evenly distributed across one-sixth of a voltage phase or other suitable spacing, resulting in a reduced magnitude and/or increased sinusoidality of the overall cogging torque waveform for the electrical machine. |
| US08222785B2 |
High resistance magnet and motor using the same
A magnet comprising grains of a ferromagnetic material whose main component is iron and a fluorine compound layer or an oxy-fluorine compound layer of fluoride compound particles of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and rare earth elements, present on the surface of the ferromagnetic material grains, wherein an amount of iron atoms in the fluorine compound particles is 1 to 50 atomic %. |
| US08222783B2 |
Vibration motor holding structure and vibration motor
There is provided a holding structure to hold a vibration motor on a circuit board with a sufficient holding strength using an inexpensive and simple means such as caulking and bonding and a vibration motor held on a circuit board using the holding structure. The holding structure having a holder clamps a vibration motor body having an eccentric weight at an end of the rotation shaft around the outer periphery from the outside and supports the vibration motor at the lower part. |
| US08222780B2 |
Generator rotor main lead support and lead path configuration
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to lead path configurations in generator rotors and, more particularly, to a support apparatus for a main lead and generator rotors incorporating such a support apparatus. In one embodiment, the invention provides a support apparatus for a main lead of a generator rotor, the support apparatus comprising: a cross-sectionally L-shaped body having: a first portion; and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the first portion, wherein the first portion includes an arcuate first surface for interfacing with a centering ring of the generator rotor and an arcuate second surface adapted to be substantially parallel to a rotor shaft of the generator rotor; a main lead passage extending along the arcuate first surface of the first portion and through the second portion. |
| US08222774B2 |
System and method for enclosing information handling system component devices
An information handling system component contained within an information handling system housing uses the information handling system housing as at least a portion of a safety enclosure for hazardous functions of the component. A lock out device disables the hazardous function if the information handling system housing is moved relative to the component. For example, an optical disc drive laser is disabled if a Hall effect sensor in the chassis of the optical disc drive no longer senses a magnet placed in a portion of the information handling system housing used to enclose the optical disc drive. |
| US08222771B2 |
Illuminated pushbutton switch with electronic latching and blinking feature
Within an illuminating pushbutton switch, an electronic circuit replaces an electromagnetic holding coil for latching or releasing a state of the illuminated pushbutton switch, and further provides blinking functionality. The electronic circuit includes inputs receiving set, reset and toggle control signals, outputs delivering open, closed and blink control signals, latch logic controlled by the set and reset control signals and delivering signals maintaining the illuminated pushbutton switch in either an open or closed state, and a frequency divider and oscillator coupled together to deliver a blink control signal. The electronic circuit fits within the illuminated pushbutton switch housing in space sized to hold two snap action switching devices without increase in the length, weight or mounting depth of the illuminated pushbutton switch. The inputs and outputs are coupled to external pins from the illuminated pushbutton switch and may be remotely controlled. |
| US08222759B2 |
Rotor bearing for a wind turbine
A rotor bearing for a wind turbine with a machine housing rotatably received on a tower. The housing has a generator, a wind-driven rotor with a rotor hub carrying rotor blades and a large rolling bearing carrying the rotor. The large rolling bearing has a first bearing ring, which is non-rotatably fastened on the housing and arranged coaxially to the rotor hub, and a second hearing ring, which is rotatably held on the first bearing ring and fastened to the rotor hub, and rolling elements rolling between the bearing rings. The large rolling bearing is connected to a planetary gear which is connected to the generator and has a ring gear with a peripheral internal gear, planet gears received on planet carriers and a central sun gear. The radially inner bearing ring is also the ring gear connected to the generator, its interior being configured with the peripheral internal gear. |
| US08222757B2 |
Load identification system and method of assembling the same
A method of identifying a load on a wind turbine is provided. The method includes sensing accelerations of a rotor in a plurality of dimensions via at least one acceleration sensor and transmitting, from the acceleration sensor, signals indicative of the sensed accelerations to a control system. The method also includes receiving, at the control system, the transmitted signals from the acceleration sensor and identifying, via the control system, a load on the wind turbine based on the received signals. |
| US08222756B2 |
Power generation systems
A power generation system is provided that includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide rotational mechanical energy. A generator is configured to receive the rotational mechanical energy and generate electrical power in response to the rotational mechanical energy. A fluid medium is provided to the internal combustion engine and to the generator for removing thermal energy from the internal combustion engine and from the generator. |
| US08222753B2 |
General purpose engine with axial gap type motor/generator
A general purpose engine is provided with an engine main body, a rotary shaft, and an axial gap type motor/generator. The rotary shaft is rotated by a driving force of the engine main body. The rotary shaft includes a first shaft part disposed on one side portion of the engine main body and a second shaft part disposed on another side portion of the engine main body. The axial gap type motor/generator is attached integrally to the second shaft part. The axial gap type motor/generator is provided with a power generating rotor that rotates integrally with said rotary shaft, and a stator that is attached to the engine main body. The stator is disposed on a side closer to the engine main body than the power generating rotor and at a remove from the power generating rotor. |
| US08222748B2 |
Packaged electronic devices having die attach regions with selective thin dielectric layer
A packaged electronic device including a package substrate having a top substrate surface including a die attach region including at least one land pad thereon and a first dielectric layer positioned lateral to the land pad and a non-die attach region. The non-die attach region includes a second dielectric layer, wherein a thickness of the second dielectric layer is>a thickness of the first dielectric layer by at least 5 μm. An IC die has a top semiconductor surface including active circuitry and at least one bonding conductor formed on the top semiconductor surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bonding conductor of the IC die is joined to the land pad of the package substrate. An underfill layer is between the IC die and the die attach region. |
| US08222745B2 |
Integrated heat sink
An electronic device includes a heat dissipating component located over a substrate. An isolation trench is formed in the substrate adjacent the component. A contact region of the substrate is bounded by the trench. An electrically isolated contact is located over and in contact with the contact region. The electrically isolated contact and the contact region provide a thermally conductive path to the substrate. |
| US08222744B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a mounted body in which a wiring pattern is formed on a first main surface; a semiconductor chip mounted on the surface of the mounted body on which the wiring pattern is formed; an underfill material which is filled between the mounted body and the semiconductor chip and forms a fillet on an outer peripheral part of the semiconductor chip; and an injection section which is disposed on the mounted body and on an outside of a side section, on which the fillet is formed to be longest, of four side sections defining a chip mount area on which the semiconductor chip is mounted, and guides the underfill material to between the mounted body and the semiconductor chip. |
| US08222740B2 |
Zinc oxide based composites and methods for their fabrication
A transparent, electrically conductive composite includes a layer of molybdenum oxide or nickel oxide deposited on a layer of zinc oxide layer. The molybdenum component exists in a mixed valence state in the molybdenum oxide. The nickel component exists in a mixed valence state in the nickel oxide. The composite may be utilized in various electronic devices, including optoelectronic devices. In particular, the composite may be utilized as a transparent conductive electrode. As compared to conventional transparent conduct oxides such as indium tin oxide, the composite exhibits superior properties, including a higher work function. |
| US08222736B2 |
Semiconductor device with Al pad
A semiconductor device includes: a pad that is formed on a semiconductor layer, contains Al, and has an interconnection portion that is formed outside a bonding area; an interconnection layer that contains Au and is electrically connected to the interconnection portion of the pad, an edge of the interconnection layer being formed outside of the bonding area; and a barrier layer that is provided between the interconnection portion and the interconnection layer. |
| US08222730B2 |
Magnetic particle-based composite materials for semiconductor packages
A semiconductor package is described. The semiconductor package includes a substrate and an integrated heat spreader disposed above and coupled with the substrate. A cavity is disposed between the substrate and the integrated heat spreader. A semiconductor die is disposed above the substrate and in the cavity. An array of first-level solder joints is disposed between the substrate and the semiconductor die. A layer of magnetic particle-based composite material is also disposed in the cavity. |
| US08222728B2 |
Active solid heatsink device and fabricating method thereof
An active solid heatsink device and fabricating method thereof is related to a high-effective solid cooling device, where heat generated by a heat source with a small area and a high heat-generating density diffuses to a whole substrate using a heat conduction characteristic of hot electrons of a thermionic (TI) structure, and the thermionic (TI) structure and a thermo-electric (TE) structure share the substrate where the heat diffuses to. Further, the shared substrate serves as a cold end of the TE structure, and the heat diffusing to the shared substrate is pumped to another substrate of the TE structure serving as a hot end of the TE structure. |
| US08222726B2 |
Semiconductor device package having a jumper chip and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device package and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device package includes a substrate, a first chip, a jumper chip, a plurality of first bonding wires and a plurality of second bonding wires. The substrate has a plurality of contact pads. The first chip is disposed and electrically connected to the substrate via the first bonding wires. The jumper chip is disposed on the first chip and has a plurality of metal pads. Each of the metal pads is electrically connected to two contact pads of the substrate via two second bonding wires, respectively. |
| US08222724B2 |
Semiconductor element module and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a semiconductor element module having high reliability, superior electric connection and thermal connection and capable of securing sufficient cooling performance, and also to provide a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor element module (1) comprises an IGBT (2) and a diode (3) having electrodes formed on surfaces of both sides thereof, a ceramic substrate (7), in which thermal conductivity is high, having wiring circuit layers (4, 5) formed on the surface thereof for bonding to surfaces of one side of the IGBT (2) and the diode (3), a ceramic substrate (8), in which thermal conductivity is high, having a wiring circuit layer (6) formed on the surface thereof for bonding to surfaces of other side of the IGBT (2) and the diode (3), and a sealing member (11) which is sandwiched between the outer edges of the ceramic substrates (7, 8) for sealing inside thereof; and these members are bonded by room-temperature bonding. |
| US08222721B2 |
Integrated circuit suitable for use in radio receivers
An integrated circuit (500) includes a semiconductor substrate (400) and an integrated circuit package (530). The semiconductor substrate (400) has a first pair of bonding pads (442, 444) conducting a differential output signal thereon and adapted to be coupled to an input of a first external filter, and a second pair of bonding pads (452, 454) conducting a differential input signal thereon and adapted to be coupled to an output of said first external filter. The integrated circuit package (530) encapsulates the semiconductor substrate (400) and has first (452, 454) and second (552, 554) terminal pairs corresponding and coupled to the first (442, 444) and second (452, 454) pairs of bonding pads, respectively. The first (452, 454) and second (552, 554) terminal pairs are separated by a first predetermined distance is sufficient to maintain an input-to-output isolation therebetween of at least a first predetermined amount. |
| US08222720B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
There are constituted by a tab (1b) on which a semiconductor chip (2) is mounted, a sealing portion (3) formed by resin-sealing the semiconductor chip (2), a plurality of leads (1a) each having a mounted surface (1d) exposed to a peripheral portion of a rear surface (3a) of the sealing portion (3) and a sealing-portion forming surface (1g) disposed on an opposite side thereto, and a wire (4) for connecting a pad (2a) of the semiconductor chip (2) and a lead (1a), wherein the length (M) between inner ends (1h) of the sealing-portion forming surfaces (1g) of the leads (1a) disposed so as to oppose to each other is formed to be larger than the length (L) between inner ends (1h) of the mounted surfaces (1d). Thereby, a chip mounting region surrounded by the inner end (1h) of the sealing-portion forming surface (1g) of each lead (1a) can be expanded and the size of the mountable chip is increased. |
| US08222717B2 |
Embedded semiconductor die package and method of making the same using metal frame carrier
An embedded semiconductor die package is made by mounting a frame carrier to a temporary carrier with an adhesive. The frame carrier includes die mounting sites each having a leadframe interconnect structure around a cavity. A semiconductor die is disposed in each cavity. An encapsulant is deposited in the cavity over the die. A package interconnect structure is formed over the leadframe interconnect structure and encapsulant. The package interconnect structure and leadframe interconnect structure are electrically connected to the die. The frame carrier is singulated into individual embedded die packages. The semiconductor die can be vertically stacked or placed side-by-side within the cavity. The embedded die packages can be stacked and electrically interconnected through the leadframe interconnect structure. A semiconductor device can be mounted to the embedded die package and electrically connected to the die through the leadframe interconnect structure. |
| US08222712B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of manufacturing the same
To achieve a further reduction in the size of a finished product by reducing the number of externally embedded parts, the embedding of a Schottky barrier diode which is relatively large in the amount of current in a semiconductor integrated circuit device has been pursued. In such a case, it is general practice to densely arrange a large number of contact electrodes in a matrix over a Schottky junction region. It has been widely performed to perform a sputter etching process with respect to the surface of a silicide layer at the bottom of each contact hole before a barrier metal layer is deposited. However, in a structure in which electrodes are thus arranged over a Schottky junction region, a reverse leakage current in a Schottky barrier diode is varied by variations in the amount of sputter etching. The present invention is a semiconductor integrated circuit device having a Schottky barrier diode in which contact electrodes are arranged over a guard ring in contact with a peripheral isolation region. |
| US08222711B2 |
Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
Provided are an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same. According to an embodiment, a semiconductor substrate is provided comprising a readout circuit. An interconnection electrically connected to the readout circuit and an interlayer dielectric are disposed over the semiconductor substrate. An image sensing unit is disposed over the interlayer dielectric and comprises a first doping layer and a second doping layer stacked therein. A first via hole is formed, exposing the interconnection through the image sensing unit. A fourth metal contact is formed in the first via hole to electrically connect the interconnection and the first doping layer. A fifth metal contact is formed over the fourth metal contact, the fifth metal contact being electrically insulated from the fourth metal contact and electrically connected to the second doping layer. |
| US08222710B2 |
Sensor structure for optical performance enhancement
The present disclosure provides an image sensor semiconductor device. The image sensor semiconductor device includes an image sensor disposed in a semiconductor substrate, an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, inter-metal-dielectric (IMD) layers and multi-layer interconnects (MLI) formed on the ILD layer, and a color filter formed in at least one of the IMD layers and overlying the image sensor. |
| US08222708B2 |
Image sensor and method of fabricating the same
An image sensor and a method of fabricating the same are provided. A pad region is disposed on a substrate. The pad region has a higher concentration of impurity ions than the substrate. The pad region is selectively removed using the substrate as an etch mask, thereby forming a hole. A conductive pad is formed in the hole of the substrate. |
| US08222705B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device, method of manufacturing the same and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device including: a trench formed in an insulating film above a light-receiving portion; a first waveguide core portion provided on an inner wall side of the trench; a second waveguide core portion filled in the trench via the first waveguide core portion; and a rectangular lens formed of the same material as that of the second waveguide core portion and provided integrally with the second waveguide core portion. |
| US08222702B2 |
CMOS diodes with dual gate conductors, and methods for forming the same
The present invention provides an improved CMOS diode structure with dual gate conductors. Specifically, a substrate comprising a first n-doped region and a second p-doped region is formed. A third region of either n-type or p-type conductivity is located between the first and second regions. A first gate conductor of n-type conductivity and a second gate conductor of p-type conductivity are located over the substrate and adjacent to the first and second regions, respectively. Further, the second gate conductor is spaced apart and isolated from the first gate conductor by a dielectric isolation structure. An accumulation region with an underlying depletion region can be formed in such a diode structure between the third region and the second or the first region, and such an accumulation region preferably has a width that is positively correlated with that of the second or the first gate conductor. |
| US08222689B2 |
High-voltage metal oxide semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
A high-voltage metal oxide semiconductor device comprising a main body of a first conductivity type, a conductive structure, a first well of a second conductivity type, a source region of the first conductivity type, and a second well of the second conductivity type is provided. The conductive structure has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is extended from an upper surface of the main body into the main body. The second portion is extended along the upper surface of the main body. The first well is located in the main body and below the second portion. The first well is kept away from the first portion with a predetermined distance. The source region is located in the first well. The second well is located in the main body and extends from a bottom of the first portion to a place close to a drain region. |
| US08222684B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit using a selective disposal spacer technique and semiconductor integrated circuit manufactured thereby
Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit using selective disposable spacer technology and semiconductor integrated circuits manufactured thereby. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming gate patterns on the semiconductor substrate, wherein a first space and a second space wider than the first space are disposed between the gate patterns; forming a first impurity region in the semiconductor substrate under the first space and forming a second impurity region in the semiconductor substrate under the second space; forming insulation spacers on sidewalls of the gate patterns, wherein a portion of the second impurity region is exposed and the first impurity region is covered with the insulation spacers; etching the insulation spacers, wherein an opening width of the second impurity region is enlarged and wherein the etching is carried out with a wet etching process; and forming an interlayer insulating layer on the overall structure including the gate patterns. |
| US08222681B2 |
Bipolar semiconductor device and manufacturing method
A trench IGBT is disclosed. One embodiment includes an embedded structure arranged above a collector region and selected from a group consisting of a porous semiconductor region, a cavity, and a semiconductor region including additional scattering centers for holes, the embedded structure being arranged below the body contact region such that the embedded structure and the body contact region overlap in a horizontal projection. |
| US08222679B2 |
Semiconductor component with integrated hall effect sensor
A semiconductor device with an integrated circuit on a semiconductor substrate comprises a Hall effect sensor in a first active region and a lateral high voltage MOS transistor in a second active region. The semiconductor device of the present invention is characterized in that the structure of the integrated Hall effect sensor is strongly related with the structure of a high-voltage DMOS transistor. The integrated Hall effect sensor is in some features similar to a per se known high-voltage DMOS transistor having a double RESURF structure. The control contacts of the Hall effect sensor correspond to the source and drain contacts of the high-voltage DMOS transistor. The semiconductor device of the present invention allows a simplification of the process integration. |
| US08222678B2 |
Semiconductor structure
A semiconductor structure including a substrate, at least one power MOSFET, a floating diode or a body diode, and at least one Schottky diode is provided. The substrate has a first area, a second area and a third area. The second area is between the first area and the third area. The at least one power MOSFET is in the first area. The floating diode or the body diode is in the second area. The at least one Schottky diode is in the third area. Further, the contact plugs of the power MOSFET and the Schottky diode include tungsten and are electronically connected to each other. |
| US08222676B2 |
Transistor
A transistor and a semiconductor integrated circuit with a reduced layout area. Area reduction of a transistor is realized by arranging contacts at higher density. Specifically, in a transistor including a pair of impurity regions and a gate electrode 604 sandwiched therebetween, one of the impurity regions has respective contact holes (a first contact hole 601 and a second contact hole 602) and the other impurity region has a contact hole (a third contact hole 603), and contacts of the contact holes 601 to 603 or regions 605 to 607 each including a margin for a contact are arranged so as to be a triangular lattice except for the gate electrode 604. |
| US08222672B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device is configured so as to comprise a substrate, an n-type semiconductor layer or an undoped semiconductor layer on the substrate, and an ohmic electrode on the n-type semiconductor layer or the undoped semiconductor layer, and the ohmic electrode is configured so as to comprise a tantalum layer formed on the n-type semiconductor layer or the undoped semiconductor layer, an aluminum layer formed on the tantalum layer, and a metal layer formed on the aluminum layer and made of any one material of tantalum, nickel, palladium, and molybdenum. |
| US08222667B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting element, method for manufacturing the semiconductor light-emitting element and lamp that uses the semiconductor light-emitting element
Provided are a semiconductor light-emitting element that is capable of efficiently outputting blue color or ultraviolet light, and a lamp using the semiconductor light-emitting element.The semiconductor light-emitting element is obtained by a manufacturing method that, when manufacturing the semiconductor light-emitting element that comprises a compound semiconductor layer that includes at least a p-type semiconductor layer, and a transparent electrode that is provided on the p-type semiconductor layer, includes a step of forming a film comprising an oxide of indium and gallium, or forming a film comprising an oxide of indium, gallium and tin, in an amorphous state on the p-type semiconductor layer, so as to form a transparent conductive film, followed by a step of performing an annealing process on the transparent conductive film at a temperature of 200° C. to 480° C. |
| US08222659B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes (A) a light-emitting portion obtained by laminating in sequence a first compound semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second compound semiconductor layer; (B) a first electrode electrically connected to the first compound semiconductor layer; (C) a transparent conductive material layer formed on the second compound semiconductor layer; (D) an insulating layer composed of a transparent insulating material and having an opening, the insulating layer being formed on the transparent conductive material layer; and (E) a second electrode that reflects light from the light-emitting portion, the second electrode being formed on the transparent conductive material layer and on the insulating layer in a continuous manner, wherein, assuming that areas of the active layer, the transparent conductive material layer, the insulating layer, and the second electrode are respectively S1, S2, S3, and S4, S1≦S2 |
| US08222658B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element and method of manufacturing therefor
A semiconductor light emitting element of the present invention comprises: a zinc oxide (ZnO) single crystal substrate 12 with a substrate surface of a plane orientation insusceptible to a piezo electric field; a Lattice-matched layer 13 formed on the substrate surface to be lattice-matched with the ZnO single crystal substrate 12; an active layer 15 of indium gallium nitride (InxGa1-xN, 0 |
| US08222657B2 |
Light emitting apparatus
A light emitting apparatus may include a gate metal positioned between a p-type contact and an n-type contact, a gate oxide or other dielectric stack positioned below and attached to the gate metal, a Ge or Si1-zGez channel positioned below and attached to the gate dielectric stack, a buffer, and a silicon substrate positioned below and attached to the buffer. The light emitting apparatus may alternatively include a gate metal positioned between a p-type contact and an n-type contact, a wide bandgap semiconductor positioned below and attached to the gate metal, a Ge or Si1-zGez channel positioned below and attached to the wide bandgap semiconductor, a buffer, and a silicon substrate positioned below and attached to the buffer. Embodiments of the light emitting apparatus may be configured for use in current-injected on-chip lasers, light emitting diodes or other light emitting devices. |
| US08222654B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light emitting device and fabrication method thereof
The present invention relates to a nitride semiconductor light emitting device including: a substrate having a predetermined pattern formed on a surface thereof by an etch; a protruded portion disposed on a non-etched region of the substrate, and having a first buffer layer and a first nitride semiconductor layer stacked thereon; a second buffer layer formed on the etched region of the substrate; a second nitride semiconductor layer formed on the second buffer layer and the protruded portion; a third nitride semiconductor layer formed on the second nitride semiconductor layer; an active layer formed on the third nitride semiconductor layer to emit light; and a fourth nitride semiconductor layer formed on the active layer. According to the present invention, the optical extraction efficiency of the nitride semiconductor light emitting device can be enhanced. |
| US08222649B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, to appropriately determine an impurity concentration distribution of a field relieving region and reduce an ON-resistance. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first drift layer, a second drift layer, a first well region, a second well region, a current control region, and a field relieving region. The first well region is disposed continuously from an end portion adjacent to the vicinity of outer peripheral portion of the second drift layer to a portion of the first drift layer below the vicinity of outer peripheral portion. The field relieving region is so disposed in the first drift layer as to be adjacent to the first well region. |
| US08222648B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method for producing the same
A silicon carbide semiconductor device (90), includes: 1) a silicon carbide substrate (1); 2) a gate electrode (7) made of polycrystalline silicon; and 3) an ONO insulating film (9) sandwiched between the silicon carbide substrate (1) and the gate electrode (7) to thereby form a gate structure, the ONO insulating film (9) including the followings formed sequentially from the silicon carbide substrate (1): a) a first oxide silicon film (O) (10), b) an SiN film (N) (11), and c) an SiN thermally-oxidized film (O) (12, 12a, 12b). Nitrogen is included in at least one of the following places: i) in the first oxide silicon film (O) (10) and in a vicinity of the silicon carbide substrate (1), and ii) in an interface between the silicon carbide substrate (1) and the first oxide silicon film (O) (10). |
| US08222647B2 |
Method for making semiconductor apparatus and semiconductor apparatus obtained by the method, method for making thin film transistor substrate and thin film transistor substrate obtained by the method, and method for making display apparatus and display apparatus obtained by the method
A semiconductor apparatus having a substrate and a laminate structure formed on the substrate, the laminate structure including an insulating film made of a metal oxide and a semiconductor thin film, both the insulating film and the semiconductor thin film being crystallized. |
| US08222646B2 |
Thin-film transistors with metal source and drain and methods of fabrication
A thin-film transistor includes a source and a drain that have each been replaced with a metal by a heat-treatment at a temperature within the range of 250° C. and 500° C. |
| US08222641B2 |
Intercom headset connection and disconnection responses
A headset is able to be coupled via a cable to an intercom system, is able to be wirelessly coupled to a wireless device via a wireless transceiver of the headset, and is able to be connected to a wired device via another cable. A controller of the headset separately monitors the microphone conductors and audio conductors by which the headset may be coupled to the intercom system to detect whether or not one or both of a communications microphone and an acoustic driver of the headset are coupled to the intercom system, and monitors the operating state of the wireless transceiver to detect whether or not the wireless transceiver is inactive, on standby or in use; and selectively couples a system ground conductor to one of the microphone conductors, selectively provides a local sidetone, and/or selectively provides a local microphone bias voltage in response to what is observed through such monitoring. |
| US08222640B2 |
Display device and electronic device having the display device, and method for manufacturing thereof
To provide a display device including a thin film transistor in which high electric characteristics and reduction in off-current can be achieved. The display device having a thin film transistor includes a substrate, a gate electrode provided over the substrate, a gate insulating film provided over the gate electrode, a microcrystalline semiconductor film provided over the gate electrode with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween, a channel protection layer which is provided over and in contact with the microcrystalline semiconductor film, an amorphous semiconductor film provided over the gate insulating film and on a side surface of the microcrystalline semiconductor film and the channel protection layer, an impurity semiconductor layer provided over the amorphous semiconductor film, and a source electrode and a drain electrode provided over and in contact with the impurity semiconductor layer. The thickness of the amorphous semiconductor film is larger than that of the microcrystalline semiconductor film. |
| US08222637B2 |
Benzochrysene derivative and organic electroluminescence device using the same
A fused aromatic ring derivative shown by the following formula (1): wherein Ra and Rb are independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent, m and n are independently an integer of 1 to 13, and when m and n are two or more, Ras and Rbs may be independently the same or different, and L1 is a single bond or a substituted or unsubstituted divalent linking group, provided that the fused aromatic ring derivative shown by the formula (1) does not have an anthracene ring. |
| US08222629B2 |
Electronic device using quantum dot
An electronic device using quantum dots, which comprises a ferromagnetic micro magnet and performs individual ESR control on each multi-quantum bit in a power saving way. The electronic device comprising the ferromagnetic micro magnet (10) disposed in the vicinity of the quantum dots (8, 9) of a plurality of aligned semiconductor quantum dots, wherein a strong magnetic field is applied so as to induce electron spin resonance (ESR), and the layout of the ferromagnetic micro magnet (10) is changed, thereby controlling the resonance frequency of the quantum dots (8, 9). Under the condition where the resonance frequency of each quantum dot (8, 9) is controlled, swapping of the electron spins in the quantum dots (8, 9) is performed, thereby creating a quantum bit (QUBIT) required for quantum calculation. |
| US08222626B2 |
Semiconductor memory device, method of manufacturing the same, and method of screening the same
A semiconductor memory device includes first and second memory cells each including a variable resistance element and a diode and having a pillar shape, and an insulating layer provided between the first memory cell and the second memory cell and including a void. A central portion of the diode has a smaller width than widths of upper and lower portions of the diode. |
| US08222624B2 |
Shielded device containment vessel
A device containment apparatus includes a vessel for storing an explosive device and minimizing dispersal of radioactive material. The vessel includes an outer wall defining an interior area. A first frame supports the vessel and supports a first or outer radiation shield that is spaced from the vessel. A second or inner radiation shield can also be provided, supported adjacent the vessel's outer wall by a second frame that includes upper and lower frame rings. The vessel and the second radiation shield can be generally spherical, while the first frame is substantially rectangular, and the first radiation shield includes substantially planar sides. |
| US08222622B2 |
Electron irradiation apparatus of DC-type dielectric barrier discharge and electrical therapeutic apparatus
A DC power supply 1 is connected with the DC-type high voltage generator 2 that boosts the power supply. A negative output terminal 3 and a positive output terminal 6 of the generator 2 are respectively connected to a cathode electrode 5 and an anode electrode 7. A dielectric sheet 4 with appropriate relative permittivity and certain range of volume resistivity is closely attached on the cathode electrode surface opposed to the anode electrode. The cathode electrode 5 together with the dielectric sheet 4 constitutes a DC-type dielectric barrier electrode 9. The power supply 1 and the generator 2 are disposed on an upper surface of a belt-type attachment 15, and the discharge electrode 9 and the anode electrode 7 are disposed on the lower surface thereof. The electrodes 9 and 7 become opposed to each other upon wrapping the attachment 15 around the affected part of a subject. |
| US08222621B2 |
Method for maskless particle-beam exposure
In a maskless particle multibeam processing apparatus, a particle beam is projected through a pattern definition system producing a regular array of beamlets according to a desired pattern, which is projected onto a target which moves at continuous speed along a scanning direction with respect to the pattern definition system. During a sequence of uniformly timed exposure steps the beam image is moved along with the target along the scanning direction, and between exposure steps the location of the beam image is changed with respect to the target. During each exposure step the target covers a distance greater than the mutual distance of neighboring image elements on the target. The location of the beam image at consecutive exposure steps corresponds to a sequence of interlacing placement grids, and after each exposure step the beam image is shifted to a position associated with a different placement grid, with a change of location generally including a component across the scanning direction, thus cycling through the set of placement grids. |
| US08222619B2 |
Multi-column electron beam exposure apparatus and multi-column electron beam exposure method
A multi-column electron beam exposure apparatus includes: a plurality of column cells; a wafer stage including an electron-beam-property detecting unit for measuring an electron beam property; and a controller for measuring beam properties of electron beams used in all the column cells by using the electron-beam-property detecting unit, and for adjusting the electron beams of the respective column cells so that the properties of the electron beams used in the column cells may be approximately identical. The electron beam property may be any of a beam position, a beam intensity, and a beam shape of the electron beam to be emitted. The electron-beam-property detecting unit may be a chip for calibration with a reference mark formed thereon or a Faraday cup. |
| US08222618B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a microsample
An object of the invention is to realize a method and an apparatus for processing and observing a minute sample which can observe a section of a wafer in horizontal to vertical directions with high resolution, high accuracy and high throughput without splitting any wafer which is a sample. In an apparatus of the invention, there are included a focused ion beam optical system and an electron optical system in one vacuum container, and a minute sample containing a desired area of the sample is separated by forming processing with a charged particle beam, and there are included a manipulator for extracting the separated minute sample, and a manipulator controller for driving the manipulator independently of a wafer sample stage. |
| US08222612B2 |
Radiation image capturing apparatus
The present invention relates to a radiation image capturing apparatus, and includes a radiation image information detector for detecting radiation image information of a subject, a casing containing the radiation image information detector, a reading circuit for reading the radiation image information from the radiation image information detector, and a heat release unit for fastening the reading circuit and releasing heat generated by the reading circuit to the casing. |
| US08222609B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, radiation image pickup apparatus, and method for manufacturing same
An image pickup apparatus includes a base that has electric conductivity, at least one image pickup element, and at least one fixing member for fixing the image pickup element to the base. The base has at least one conducting portion on the surface thereof on the side of the fixing member, and the image pickup element has a conducting portion on the surface thereof on the side of the fixing member. The fixing member is formed of peelable resin for separating the image pickup element from the base by applying current. The area of the conducting portion of the base is larger than the area of the fixing region between the fixing member and the base. |
| US08222608B2 |
PET scanner and method for deciding arrangement of detectors
A PET scanner in which detector rings are arrayed in a multilayered manner so as to oppose each other in the body axis direction is provided. In the PET scanner, a predetermined number of detector units, each of which is made up of a predetermined number of detector rings, are arrayed so as to give each other a clearance, and a first ring set in which the clearance is less than or equal to a mean value of widths of two detector units forming each clearance and a second ring set constituted with a predetermined number of detector units are arrayed apart so as to give a clearance which is less than or equal to a mean value of the width of the first ring set and that of the second ring set, thereby imaging a field-of-view including the clearance and continuing in the body axis direction to an entire length of the first ring set and that of the second ring set. |
| US08222604B2 |
Detection of chemicals with infrared light
The present invention is directed to a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal made before and during or shortly after exciting the analyte. Another embodiment provides a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte, wherein the analyte is excited sufficiently to generate a vapor plume, and wherein the plume is examined to detect the presence of the analyte. Additionally, the present invention provides for a system for non-contact or stand off chemical detection. |
| US08222603B2 |
One chip image sensor for measuring vitality of subject
Provided is a one-chip vitality measuring image sensor. The image sensor includes one chip where a plurality of IR pixels and a plurality of visible pixels are alternately disposed, IR pass filters which are disposed on the IR pixels, and color pass filters which are disposed on the visible pixels. In the image sensor, IR strength and color strengths are obtained from light which is incident to the IR pixels and the visible pixels, and a vitality of a subject is measured by comparing the IR strength with the color strengths. |
| US08222601B2 |
Scanning electron microscope and method of imaging an object by using the scanning electron microscope
A scanning electron microscope capable of modifying the focal position of a condenser lens with high speed and high reproducibility in order that low-magnification images are obtained at large depths of focus and that high-magnification images are obtained at high resolution. The microscope has a specimen-holding portion, an electron beam source, a condenser lens for converging the electron beam, an objective lens for focusing the converged beam into a very small spot onto a specimen, scan coils, a detector for detecting a specimen signal emanating from the specimen, and a display portion for displaying the detected specimen signal as an image. An axisymmetric electrode is disposed within the magnetic field produced by the condenser lens. A voltage is applied to the electrode. |
| US08222598B2 |
Method for quantitative analysis of a material
A method and apparatus for quantitative analysis of a material in which an electron beam is caused to impinge upon the material are described. The method comprises detecting low loss electrons (LLEs) received from a first region of the material due to interaction with the electron beam and generating corresponding LLE data. The method further comprises detecting x-rays received from a second region of the material due to interaction with the electron beam and generating corresponding x-ray data, wherein the first and second regions overlap, and analysing the LLE data together with the x-ray data so as to generate compositional data representative of the composition of the first region. |
| US08222597B2 |
Ion guide for mass spectrometers
The present invention relates generally to mass spectrometry and the analysis of chemical samples, and more particularly to ion guides for use therein. The invention described herein comprises an improved method and apparatus for transporting ions from a first pressure region in a mass spectrometer to a second pressure region therein. More specifically, the present invention provides a segmented ion funnel for more efficient use in mass spectrometry (particularly with ionization sources) to transport ions from the first pressure region to the second pressure region. |
| US08222596B2 |
Analyzer constituted by gas chromatograph combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer
The invention provides a new GC/ICP-MS capable of preventing carbon deposition caused by the analysis sample or its solvent. With a GC/ICP-MS, it is effective to introduce oxygen continuously or during a specific period to the part where argon or other makeup gas is introduced to the ICP-MS, and this is achieved by introducing oxygen in air into the gas supply line using an oxygen permeable tube or oxygen permeable membrane. A selector valve is used to introduce permeated oxygen to the aforementioned gas supply line only during a desired period. |
| US08222595B2 |
Spectrometer apparatus
An ion mobility spectrometer has several electrodes spaced along its ion source region. Voltages are applied to the electrodes to produce a voltage gradient along the length of the ion source region. By varying the voltage gradient, the residence time of ions in the ion source region can be selectively varied. Typically, the spectrometer is arranged to reduce the residence time in response to a decrease in the amplitude, of an ion peak detected at the far end of the drift region. |
| US08222593B2 |
Stock thickness anomaly detection device
A detection device detects a thickness anomoly region within a strip of stock and includes a first roller operatively rotating as the strip of stock passes over a first roller surface; a pivotally mounted pinch roller positioned to operatively pivot about a pivot axis against the strip of stock passing over the first roller; a photoeye mask positioned to rotate about the pivot axis responsive to pivotal movement of the pinch roller; a photoeye slot within the photoeye mask extending between a slot leading end and a slot trailing end; and the transmitting and receiving optical devices positioned on opposite sides of the photoeye slot of the photoeye mask and operative in an photoeye mask-aligned position to project a centered through-beam through the photoeye slot between the transmitting and receiving optical devices. The through-beam is blocked by the photoeye mask as the photoeye mask operatively rotates a preset deflection angle in either direction out of the photoeye mask-aligned position and into a photoeye mask blocking position. first and second directions. The duration of the disruption of signal between the optical transmitting device and the receiving device indicates whether the anomaly encountered within the strip of stock is a splice or a stock-out occurrence. |
| US08222588B2 |
Vehicular image sensing system
An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor has a two-dimensional array of light sensing pixels, and has a forward field of view through the windshield of a vehicle equipped with the image sensing system to the exterior of the equipped vehicle. The imaging sensor is operable to capture image data and the control includes an image processor. The image sensing system determines an object of interest present in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor via processing of the captured image data by the image processor. The image processing includes spatial filtering. The spatial filtering may, at least in part, identify atmospheric conditions. The spatial filtering may include analysis of a spectral signature representative of at least one detected light source present in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor. |
| US08222587B2 |
Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
Provided are an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same. The image sensor comprises a readout circuitry, an interconnection, an image sensing device, a first conductive-type ion implantation layer, and a via plug. The readout circuitry is formed in a first substrate. The interconnection is formed over the first substrate. The interconnection is electrically connected to the readout circuitry. Then image sensing device is formed over the interconnection. The image sensing device comprises a first conductive-type conductive layer and a second conductive-type conductive layer. The first conductive-type ion implantation layer is formed in a portion of the second conductive-type conductive layer of the image sensing device. The via plug penetrates through the first conductive-type ion implantation layer and the first conductive-type conductive layer to electrically connect the first conductive-type conductive layer to the interconnection. |
| US08222586B2 |
3 transistors 4 shared step and repeat unit cell and 3 transistors 4 shared image sensor including the unit cells
A 3T-4S step & repeat unit cell obtained by combining four image sensor unit cells each including three transistors and a 3T-4S image sensor including the 3T-4S step & repeat unit cell are provided. The 3T-4S step & repeat unit cell includes first to fourth photodiodes. A first shared image sensor unit cell is obtained by combining the first and second photodiodes with four transistors. A second shared image sensor unit cell is obtained by combining the third and fourth photodiodes with four transistors. Signals corresponding to images incident onto the first and second photodiodes are output through a first common detection line. Signals corresponding to images incident onto the third and fourth photodiodes are output through a second common detection line. A terminal of each of the four photodiodes is connected to a first voltage source. Conversion voltages corresponding to image signals incident onto two photodiodes via green filters are output through a common detection line. Conversion voltages corresponding to image signals incident onto the other two photodiodes via red and blue filters are output through another common detection line. |
| US08222582B1 |
Celestial navigation using stellar narrow-band emission
A method is provided for characterizing luminous celestial objects (e.g., stars) in celestial navigation of a missile system. The method includes segmenting, assigning, measuring, computing, ratioing, producing, scaling, and determining operations. Segmenting includes subdividing wavelength range into discrete contiguous bins. Assigning arranges each bin into a plurality of color bands. Establishing sets a transmissivity to each bin of each color band. Computing calculates broad-based fluxes for a reference value as a reference flux. Ratioing computes a ratio between the target flux to the library flux as a color scale for each band. Squaring determines the library flux for each band as a library flux squared. Producing sums a spectral scale over the color bands, a second multiplication of the color scale and the library flux squared as a first sum product, and sums over all the bands the library flux squared as a second sum product and dividing the sum products. Scaling factors each measured intensity of the measured intensities as a scaled intensity by multiplying each target intensity by the spectral scale for each bin. Determining sums a scaled broad-band flux for each band over the bins, a third multiplication of the transmissivity and the scaled intensity. |
| US08222579B2 |
Microwave irradiation system
A microwave irradiation system includes first and second microwave generators, and an applicator which includes: a microwave transmission part connected to the first and second microwave generators; a reflecting plane, at an other end of the microwave transmission part of the applicator, configured to reflect microwaves from the first and the second microwave generators at such a location that a space of an object, in the microwave transmission part of the applicator between the end and the other end is irradiated with both a greater intensity of electric field and a smaller intensity of magnetic field generated by the first microwave generator and with both a greater intensity of magnetic field and a smaller intensity of electric field generated by the second microwave generator; and a filter part through which at least one of the first and second microwave generators is connected to the applicator. |
| US08222577B2 |
Method of treating a crankshaft
Method for treating a crank pin of a crank shaft. In the method hardness of the crank pin surface is measured and when the hardness is over a predetermined limit value, depth of the hard spot is measured. Heat treatment parameters are determined at least on the basis of the depth measurement and the hard spot is heat treated. During the heat treatment the hard spot is heated by an induction heating device. |
| US08222572B2 |
Steam generator for food processor
A steam generator for food processor comprising a shell separated into a sink and a steam generating chamber, wherein the sink has an inlet for importing water from a water source, and the bottom of the sink has an outlet in communication with the steam generating chamber, wherein the generating chamber comprises a heater inside for heating the flowed-in water, as well as a steam outlet. The steam generator is separated from the cavity of the food processor and will not be polluted by the food, so that the generated steam remains pure, which ensures food safety and the taste, and the heating unit of the steam generating device does not connect with the cavity of the microwave oven, so the cavity will not be distorted. |
| US08222569B2 |
Heat-treating apparatus, heat-treating method and storage medium
A heat treating apparatus utilizes a straightening plate provided in its central part with a gas exhaust opening and disposed under a heating plate. A temperature-reducing purge ring is disposed between the face plate and the straightening plate, and is provided in its inner circumference with plural gas jetting holes. A thin gap is formed between the temperature-reducing purge ring and the face plate. When a cooling gas is jetted radially inward through the gas jetting holes, a vacuum is created between the lower surface of the face plate and the upper surface of the temperature-reducing purge ring. Air is sucked into the space between the face plate and the straightening plate and flows together with the cooling gas to rapidly cool the face plate. |
| US08222566B2 |
Elongated intracorporal medical device
Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip constructions and/or designs including methods and techniques of construction are also disclosed. |
| US08222564B2 |
Methods of altering surgical fiber
The present disclosure relates to methods of altering a surgical fiber by irradiating the surgical fiber with an energy beam such that material is removed therefrom. |
| US08222559B2 |
Automatic soldering machine
An automatic soldering machine includes a frame assembly, an electric iron and a movable module fixed on the frame assembly. The movable module is used for making the electric iron connected with the movable module randomly move to a specified position at a predetermined area. The movable module includes a first driving unit having a first leading element movable along a first axis, a second driving unit having a second leading element movable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a third driving unit having a third leading element movable along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axis and a rotating unit capable of rotating around an axis thereof. The third driving unit is connected with the first leading element. The second driving unit is connected with the third leading element. The rotating unit is connected with the second leading element. |
| US08222556B2 |
Circuit breaker
A circuit breaker for high voltage applications, including: at least one breaking unit, a supporting insulator having one end on ground potential and the other end on high voltage potential, and the end on high voltage potential is mechanically connected to the breaking unit, and a fiber optic sensor for sensing the current through the breaking unit. The supporting insulator is removably connected to the breaking unit. The sensor has an optic fiber coil arranged in the high voltage end of the supporting insulator, and the circuit breaker includes a mechanism for conducting current from the breaking unit to the sensor so that the current passes through the sensor coil. |
| US08222550B2 |
Electric thermostat fitting control switch for actuating the fitting
The subject matter of the invention is an electric thermostat fitting control switch (10) for actuating the fitting. The switch (10) can be mounted in a bore (4) in a lining element, for example of a washstand or wall. The switch (10) is held in the bore (4) by the holder designed as a pad (30) firmly secured in the bore (30a) of the lining element. |
| US08222549B2 |
Input control module with adaptive actuators
An electronic input control assembly adjusts to the shape of a receiving assembly. The input control assembly includes an input control module and an actuator module. The actuator module has one or more actuators that are manually activated by a user. Advantageously, the input control module and the actuator module are moveably attached in a manner allowing relative motion which facilitates alignment when the input control assembly is placed within a receiving assembly. A garage door opener utilizes this adjustable design. A method of assembly the input control assembly is described. |
| US08222548B2 |
Automatic transfer switch
An automatic transfer switch apparatus for use with a stand-alone generator, for supplying emergency power to a residence or small business. The automatic transfer switch apparatus is configured to sense a utility line failure, start up and stabilize the generator, and switch over the household circuits from the utility to the generator, and switch back when the utility recovers. The transfer switches incorporate motor-driven switch interlock mechanisms in several embodiments, as well as various operational features. |
| US08222545B2 |
Keyboard
A keyboard includes: a membrane circuit board comprising a plurality of switches; at least one keycap provided with a plurality of contact portions, each of which corresponding to one of the plurality of switches of the membrane circuit board; and a base plate provided with a plurality of openings each of which being positioned at a location corresponding to one of the plurality of switches of the membrane circuit board and one of the plurality of contact portions of the keycap, a buffering portion being formed at a corner adjoining the base plate and one of the plurality of openings. |
| US08222542B2 |
Shielding assembly
A shielding assembly includes a frame and a cover mounted on the frame. The frame includes a plurality of first sidewalls, and at least one pair of resilient clips. Each resilient clip includes a protruding portion protruding from an exterior surface of a corresponding first sidewall, an extending portion extending from the protruding portion and along the exterior surface of the corresponding first sidewall, and a protrusion protruding from the extending portion and toward the exterior surface of the corresponding first sidewall. The cover includes a plane covering the frame, a plurality of second sidewalls extending perpendicularly from the plane and corresponding to the first sidewalls, at least one pair of stopper portions each protruding from one of second sidewalls and corresponding to one of the resilient clips. Each stopper portion is received between the protruding portion and the protrusion of the corresponding resilient clip. |
| US08222537B2 |
Simultaneous and selective partitioning of via structures using plating resist
Systems and methods for simultaneously partitioning a plurality of via structures into electrically isolated portions by using plating resist within a PCB stackup are disclosed. Such via structures are made by selectively depositing plating resist in one or more locations in a sub-composite structure. A plurality of sub-composite structures with plating resist deposited in varying locations are laminated to form a PCB stackup of a desired PCB design. Through-holes are drilled through the PCB stackup through conductive layers, dielectric layers and through the plating resist. Thus, the PCB panel has multiple through-holes that can then be plated simultaneously by placing the PCB panel into a seed bath, followed by immersion in an electroless copper bath. Such partitioned vias increase wiring density and limit stub formation in via structures. Such partitioned vias allow a plurality of electrical signals to traverse each electrically isolated portion without interference from each other. |
| US08222536B2 |
Wiring substrate
A wiring substrate is provided with a substrate, a conductive circuit formed on a surface of the substrate, and an insulating layer which covers the conductive circuit. In a fitting portion of the wiring substrate, the insulating layer is formed with an opening portion through which a portion of the conductive circuit is exposed or displayed as an exposed surface. On the exposed surface of the conductive circuit, an electrode layer is formed which is made of a conductive member. A bottom surface of the electrode layer is connected to the conductive circuit. An upper surface of the electrode layer is extended in the widthwise direction W of wirings of the conductive circuit so as to cover even a part of the insulating layer. |
| US08222535B2 |
Noise reducing circuit arrangement
A circuit arrangement comprising a set of signal layers, a set of first power layers, a set of second power layers, a set of signal vias, a set of first power vias, a set of second power vias, wherein a signal via of the set of signal vias provides a signal path for a high-frequency (HF) signal current, wherein at least a power via of the set of first power vias and at least a power via of the set of second power vias provide return paths for return currents associated with the signal current, wherein the return path provided by the power via of the set of second power vias is connected with a power layer of the set of second power layers, wherein at least one power layer of the set of first power layers is arranged between the power layer of the set of second power layers and each signal layer of the set of signal layers. |
| US08222534B2 |
Printed circuit board and manufacturing method thereof
A printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the printed circuit board are disclosed. The method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, by forming at least one bump for interlayer conduction on a surface of a board and stacking an insulation layer on the surface of the board, can include the operations of forming at least one dam on the surface of the board that surrounds a region corresponding to the bump, forming the bump by printing conductive paste onto the region corresponding to the bump, and stacking the insulation layer onto the surface of the board. This method can be utilized to improve productivity and resolve the problem of spreading. |
| US08222529B2 |
Ceramic substrate and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a ceramic substrate including: a ceramic stacked layer structure in which multiple ceramic layers are stacked to be interconnected through a via provided within each of the ceramic layers, the ceramic stacked layer structure having a hole provided therein to expose a top portion of the via provided within a ceramic layer of being a surface layer; a conductive material filled within the hole; and an external electrode formed on the surface of the ceramic stacked layer structure so that the external electrode is electrically connected to the conductive material, and a manufacturing method thereof. |
| US08222528B2 |
Circuit board structure for electrical testing and fabrication method thereof
The invention provides a circuit board structure for electrical testing and a fabrication method thereof. The circuit board structure includes: a core board having a plurality of first circuits, an electroplating conductive wires, and distributing wires for electrical connection thereof; a dielectric layer formed on the core board, the first circuits, the distributing wires and the electroplating conductive wires, wherein the dielectric layer is formed with at least one opening for exposing the distributing wires; a plurality of second circuit formed on the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first circuits; a solder mask layer formed on the dielectric layer and the second circuits; and at least one first opening formed in the solder mask layer, above the distributing wires, and deep into the dielectric layer to create a broken circuit between the distributing wires and the electroplating conductive wires, thus enabling electrical testing of the circuit board structure, and reducing noise interference. |
| US08222527B2 |
Multilayered wiring board and method for fabricating the same
In a multilayered wiring board constituted by laminating to form pluralities of layers of wiring layers 105, 108, 110 and insulating layers 104, 106, 107, in the plurality of laminated insulating layers 104, 106, 107, the insulating layer 106 disposed at a laminating center in a laminating direction is made to constitute an insulating layer with a reinforcing member including a reinforcing member. |
| US08222525B2 |
Pushable cable
A cable assembly may have a conductor core and a binding element. The binding element may be configured helically around the conductor core. In addition, the binding element may be configured to, when the cable assembly is pushed through a conduit having at least one sweep, eliminate buckling of the cable assembly. The binding element may be made of a material configured to be stretched to a predetermined percentage of a length of the material without breaking. |
| US08222524B2 |
Protective casing for a high voltage cable
A protective casing for a joint, termination or cross-connection of at least one high voltage cable. The protective casing includes a first material portion of a first metal material having good strength properties. The protective casing includes a second material portion of a second metal material which is fixedly attached to the first material portion. The second metal material has good soft soldering properties such that it is possible to provide a strong and tight connection between the second material portion of the protective casing and a sheath of at least one of the cable parts by a soft soldering process. |
| US08222522B1 |
Vapor-proof electrical face plate
An integral vapor barrier for use on electrical boxes located in external walls of structures is herein disclosed. The vapor barrier is applied to, or forming an integral part thereof, an interior surface of an electrical cover plate and particularly useful for exterior electrical boxes prior to installation. The vapor barrier extends outwardly therefrom the exterior periphery of the electrical cover plate at a distance to ensure a total barrier. It can be used on new construction as well as remodeling work. When in place, it greatly reduces heat loss or gain through electrical boxes and stops drafts around said boxes. It can be used in any wall or ceiling that is typically insulated. It can even be used on inside walls to help with noise control and abatement as well. |
| US08222521B2 |
Multi-piece coverplate assembly and modular device assembly
A multi-piece coverplate assembly provides a multi-piece coverplate and modular device assembly which is removably fastened to the multi-piece coverplate. |
| US08222517B2 |
Thin film solar cell
A solar cell is disclosed. The solar cell includes a substrate, a first electrode on the substrate, a second electrode, and a photoelectric transformation unit between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric transformation unit includes a first intrinsic (referred to as an i-type) semiconductor layer formed of amorphous silicon doped with at least one of carbon (C) and oxygen (O) as impurities and a second i-type semiconductor layer formed of germanium (Ge)-doped microcrystalline silicon. |
| US08222513B2 |
Collector grid, electrode structures and interconnect structures for photovoltaic arrays and methods of manufacture
The invention teaches novel structure and methods for producing electrical current collectors and electrical interconnection structure. Such articles find particular use in facile production of modular arrays of photovoltaic cells. The current collector and interconnecting structures may be initially produced separately from the photovoltaic cells thereby allowing the use of unique materials and manufacture. Subsequent combination of the structures with photovoltaic cells allows facile and efficient completion of modular arrays. Methods for combining the collector and interconnection structures with cells and final interconnecting into modular arrays are taught. |
| US08222512B2 |
Thermoelectric power generator for variable thermal power source
Traditional power generation systems using thermoelectric power generators are designed to operate most efficiently for a single operating condition. The present invention provides a power generation system in which the characteristics of the thermoelectrics, the flow of the thermal power, and the operational characteristics of the power generator are monitored and controlled such that higher operation efficiencies and/or higher output powers can be maintained with variably thermal power input. Such a system is particularly beneficial in variable thermal power source systems, such as recovering power from the waste heat generated in the exhaust of combustion engines. |
| US08222508B2 |
Tone signal creating apparatus and method
In the case where an automatic reading file composed of plural kinds of detailed parameters stored in a transportable storage device whose attachment is detected has been already read in an apparatus, it is determined whether update, to a currently-read automatic reading file, of an automatic reading file stored in a storage section is carried out or not in accordance with a user's instruction, and is controlled so as to carry out a process. Namely, in the case where an automatic reading file has not been read yet, the automatic reading file stored in the storage section is updated to the currently-read automatic reading file without any condition. On the other hand, if an automatic reading file has been already read, the automatic reading file stored in the storage section may be edited on the basis of it. |
| US08222506B1 |
Harmonica teaching system
A multimedia system for teaching how to play a harmonica and other musical instruments that graphically indicates a note to be sounded by using a letter symbol pointing to a hole on the harmonica. The symbol graphically indicates when to blow, when to draw, when to hold the note and when to use a slide when playing the note by using a plurality of graphical display modes and sounding the note in a correct manner. The system graphically cues a next note by displaying an indicator over the hole for the next note while pointing with the symbol to the currently played note. A display scrolls a plurality of tablature for the melody. The system runs on a cross-channel multimedia player on a plurality of operating systems that allows a sequence of notes to be selectively looped repeatedly, speeding up or slowing down the playing of a note sequence. |
| US08222503B2 |
Sound reverberator device for detachable connection to the strings of a string musical instrument
A sound reverberator device for detachable connection to the strings of a string musical instrument which has strings tensioned over a bridge piece connected to the top wall of the sound box or the instrument. The reverberator comprises three spaced apart metal coil springs secured side-by-side at a common end to a spring support. A metallic string attachment member is secured to a free end of each of the springs. The attachment member has string engaging fingers for engaging a respective one of a pair of adjacent strings of the musical instrument. The attachment member further has a bridge abutment portion for contact with the bridge piece. When the reverberator is connected to the musical instrument, the springs are tensioned with the attachment member connected to the strings whereby vibrations imparted to the strings will be transmitted to the bridge piece and the associated spring. The spring will then vibrate and transmit its vibrations to the sound box through the bridge piece whereby to modify the tonality sound generated by the sound box. A sound damping device also provides progressive sound damping produced by the springs. |
| US08222502B1 |
Maize variety hybrid 10216740
A novel maize variety designated 10216740 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10216740 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10216740 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10216740, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10216740. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10216740. |
| US08222499B1 |
Inbred corn line NPFA4734
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPFA4734, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPFA4734 with plants of another corn plants. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPFA4734 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPFA4734 and plants produced by said methods. |
| US08222498B1 |
Maize variety inbred PHPKE
A novel maize variety designated PHPKE and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHPKE with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHPKE through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHPKE or a locus conversion of PHPKE with another maize variety. |
| US08222496B2 |
Garden bean cultivar H37113
A novel garden bean cultivar, designated H37113, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of garden bean cultivar H37113, to the plants of garden bean line H37113 and to methods for producing a bean plant by crossing the cultivar H37113 with itself or another bean line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a bean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other garden bean lines derived from the cultivar H37113. |
| US08222494B1 |
Soybean variety XB30J10
A novel soybean variety, designated XB30J10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB30J10, cells from soybean variety XB30J10, plants of soybean XB30J10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB30J10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB30J10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB30J10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB30J10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB30J10 are further provided. |
| US08222492B1 |
Soybean variety XBP48006
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP48006 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP48006, cells from soybean variety XBP48006, plants of soybean XBP48006, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP48006. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP48006 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP48006, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP48006. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP48006 are further provided. |
| US08222490B2 |
Soybean variety A1016495
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016495. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016495. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016495 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016495 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08222489B2 |
Glyphosate-N-acetyltransferase (GAT) genes
Novel proteins are provided herein, including proteins capable of catalyzing the acetylation of glyphosate and other structurally related proteins. Also provided are novel polynucleotides capable of encoding these proteins, compositions that include one or more of these novel proteins and/or polynucleotides, recombinant cells and transgenic plants comprising these novel compounds, diversification methods involving the novel compounds, and methods of using the compounds. Some of the novel methods and compounds provided herein can be used to render an organism, such as a plant, resistant to glyphosate. |
| US08222484B2 |
Floral transition genes in maize and uses thereof
The invention provides isolated floral transition nucleic acids and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering floral transition in plants. The invention further provides regulatory elements, recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, and transgenic plants. |
| US08222481B2 |
Methods and compositions for selecting corn plants resistant to diplodia ear rot
The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and disease resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding corn plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with diplodia ear rot (DER), a fungal disease associated with Stenocarpella spp. The invention further includes germplasm and the use of germplasm containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring resistance for introgression into elite germplasm in a breeding program for resistance to DER. |
| US08222478B2 |
Conditional Mst overexpressing construct and conditional myostatin overexpressing transgenic mouse
Provided herein are novel nucleic acid sequences, vectors comprising such nucleic acid sequences, host cells comprising such vectors, and transgenic animals comprising such nucleic acid sequences, and related molecules and methods relating thereto. Such novel nucleic acid sequences, vectors comprising such nucleic acid sequences, host cells comprising such vectors, and transgenic animals comprising such nucleic acid sequences, and related molecules and methods provide conditional overexpression of genes, such as myostatin, and transgenic animals conditionally overexpression genes, such as myostatin. |
| US08222472B2 |
Method of producing 1,3-butadiene from N-butene using continuous-flow dual-bed reactor
A method of producing 1,3-butadiene by the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene using a continuous-flow dual-bed reactor designed such that two kinds of catalysts charged in a fixed-bed reactor are not physically mixed. More particularly, a method of producing 1,3-butadiene by the oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butene using a C4 mixture including n-butene and n-butane as reactants and using a continuous-flow dual-bed reactor in which a multi-component bismuth molybdate catalyst and a zinc ferrite catalyst having different reaction activity in the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of n-butene isomers (1-butene, trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene). |
| US08222471B2 |
Process for making a high viscosity base oil with an improved viscosity index
We provide a process, comprising oligomerizing one or more olefins having a boiling point less than 82° C. in a presence of an ionic liquid catalyst and one or more C5+ alpha olefins in a reactor to produce a base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 36 mm2/s or higher and a VI greater than 55; and wherein the one or more olefins having the boiling point less than 82° C. comprise greater than 50 wt % of a total mixture of olefins fed to the reactor. We provide a process, comprising oligomerizing olefins having a low boiling point in a presence of an ionic liquid catalyst and a mixture of C5+ alpha olefins derived from waste plastic to produce a base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. greater than 1100 mm2/s and a VI greater than 55. We also provide a base oil made by the process. |
| US08222469B2 |
Catalysts and processes for the formation of terminal olefins by ethenolysis
The present invention relates generally to catalysts and processes for the formation of terminal olefin(s) from internal olefin(s) via ethenolysis reactions. The ethenolysis reactions may proceed with high conversion, high turnover, and/or high selectivity. |