Document Document Title
US08234110B2 Voice conversion method and system
A method, system and computer program product for voice conversion. The method includes performing speech analysis on the speech of a source speaker to achieve speech information; performing spectral conversion based on said speech information, to at least achieve a first spectrum similar to the speech of a target speaker; performing unit selection on the speech of said target speaker at least using said first spectrum as a target; replacing at least part of said first spectrum with the spectrum of the selected target speaker's speech unit; and performing speech reconstruction at least based on the replaced spectrum.
US08234109B2 Method and system for hiding lost packets
A method and system for hiding lost packets are disclosed. The method includes: obtaining a time-domain signal segment from a frame prior to a lost signal and a frame subsequent to the lost signal respectively according to periodicity of pitch and phase of the signal, and performing transformation from a time domain to a frequency domain to obtain a frequency-domain coefficient of the prior frame and a frequency-domain coefficient of the subsequent frame; interpolating values into an amplitude value of the frequency-domain coefficient of the prior frame and an amplitude value of the frequency-domain coefficient of the subsequent frame to obtain an amplitude value of the frequency-domain coefficient of multiple reconstructed signals; selecting a phase most similar to the phase of the reconstructed signals from the prior frame and/or the subsequent frame as a phase value of the frequency-domain coefficient of the reconstructed signals; and performing transformation from the frequency domain to the time domain according to the amplitude value and the phase value of the frequency-domain coefficient of the reconstructed signals to obtain time-domain signals of the reconstructed signals, and superposing the time-domain signals of the reconstructed signals to recover the lost signal.
US08234108B2 Building and contracting a linguistic dictionary
A method for building and contracting a linguistic dictionary, the linguistic dictionary comprising a list of surface forms and a list of normalized forms, each normalized form being associated with a surface form, the method comprising the steps of: comparing each character of a surface form with each character of the surface form's normalized form; in response to the comparing step, determining an edit operation for each character compared; and generating a transform code from the set of the edit operations in order to transform the surface form to its normalized form.
US08234106B2 Building a translation lexicon from comparable, non-parallel corpora
A machine translation system may use non-parallel monolingual corpora to generate a translation lexicon. The system may identify identically spelled words in the two corpora, and use them as a seed lexicon. The system may use various clues, e.g., context and frequency, to identify and score other possible translation pairs, using the seed lexicon as a basis. An alternative system may use a small bilingual lexicon in addition to non-parallel corpora to learn translations of unknown words and to generate a parallel corpus.
US08234105B1 Mapping between code coverage and model coverage for a design
Coverage data may be collected for a model. The coverage data may include model coverage data and code coverage data for test cases input to the model. The coverage data may be presented to a user as data indicating a correspondence between coverage outcomes for the model and coverage outcomes for the code used to implement the model.
US08234103B2 Physical realizations of a universal adiabatic quantum computer
Devices, methods and articles advantageously allow communications between qubits to provide an architecture for universal adiabatic quantum computation. The architecture includes a first coupled basis A1B1 and a second coupled basis A2B2 that does not commute with the first basis A1B1.
US08234101B1 Apparatus and methods for importing hardware design and generating circuit interfaces
A system for designing a circuit, which includes a module, uses a computer. A user may program or adapt the computer to perform computer-aided design functions. The computer obtains a description of the module from the user. The computer parses the description of the module to identify a port of the module, and to obtain information about the port. The computer presents to the user the information that it has obtained about the port.
US08234098B2 Method and apparatus for integrated modeling, simulation and analysis of chemical and biochemical reactions
An integrated system for modeling, simulating and analyzing chemical and biochemical reactions includes a modeling environment for constructing a model of a chemical or biochemical reaction. The system also includes a simulation engine accepting as input the constructed model of the chemical or biochemical reaction and generating as output an expected result. An analysis environment communicates with the simulation engine and displays the expected result.
US08234097B2 Automated systems for manufacturing patient-specific orthopedic implants and instrumentation
Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods for the automated design and manufacture of patient-specific/patient-matched orthopedic implants. While the embodiments described herein specifically pertain to unicompartmental resurfacing implants for the knee, the principles described are applicable to other types of knee implants (including, without limitation, other resurfacing implants and joint replacement implants) as well as implants for other joints and other patient-specific orthopedic applications.
US08234096B2 Extraction of component models from PCB channel scattering parameter data by stochastic optimization
Various embodiments herein include one or more of systems, methods, software, and/or data structures to extract models of components (e.g., vias and traces) for PCB channels from measurements (or simulations) taken from physical PCB channels. By applying stochastic optimization to measurements of two PCB channels having different channel lengths, s-matrices (e.g., two-port, four-port, and the like) of the components of a PCB channel may be accurately determined by searching the multi-dimensional parameter space for parameters that comply with the measured values. Once the models for the components have been accurately determined, they may be utilized in constructing a model library that includes component models and is based on physical measurement data.
US08234081B2 System for optical fiber strain measure
A system measures the strain of an object. The system includes a laser source for generating an output radiation, a strainable optical fiber having first and second facets, and means for calculating a measure of a strain of the optical fiber. The first facet is coupled to the laser source to receive the output radiation and transmit a guided radiation over the optical fiber towards the second facet. The second facet is adapted to receive the guided radiation and to reflect a corresponding reflected radiation towards the first facet. The laser source is a self-mixing type adapted to receive at least part of the reflected radiation and to mix the output radiation with the received radiation. The calculating means calculate the measure of the strain of the optical fiber based on a self-mixing effect in the laser source that is caused by the linear displacement of the second section.
US08234080B2 Method for identifying a compound that modulates telomerase activity
The present invention embraces methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of telomerase. Compounds of the invention are identified by designing or screening for a compound which binds to at least one amino acid residue of the TRBD, “thumb,” “finger,” and/or “palm” domain; or FP-pocket, PT-pocket or Th-pocket of telomerase and testing the compound for its ability to modulate the activity of telomerase.
US08234076B2 Abnormal output detection system for a biosensor
A biosensor has an abnormal output detection system that determines whether an output signal from the redox reaction of an analyte has a normal or abnormal shape or configuration. The abnormal output detection system improves the accuracy and precision of the biosensor in determining whether an output signal has a shape or configuration that may not provide an accurate and/or precise analysis of a biological fluid. The biosensor generates an output signal in response to the redox reaction of the analyte. The biosensor normalizes the output signal and compares the normalized output signal with one or more control limits. The biosensor may generate an error signal when the normalized output signal is not within the control limits.
US08234074B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for simulating biomembrances using coarse grain models
A coarse grain model that mimics a lipid molecule, such as dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), is used to simulate self-assembly of a lamellar bilayer starting from a disordered configuration. The coarse grain model is orders of magnitude less demanding of CPU time compared to all-atom models. An initial bilayer-like structure is generated from a disordered configuration of the coarse grain models using a Monte Carlo simulation. The initial bilayer-like structure is refined using a molecular dynamics simulation. For relatively small systems, the molecular dynamics simulation can be performed under constant volume or constant pressure conditions. For larger systems, the molecular dynamics simulation is preferably performed under constant pressure conditions.
US08234073B2 System and method for estimating geological architecture of a geologic volume
The geological architecture of a geologic volume of interest is estimated through the generation and/or selection of one or more numerical analog models of the geologic volume of interest that represent characteristics of the geologic volume of interest as a function of position within the geologic volume of interest. The estimation of geological architecture of the geologic volume of interest may be implemented in reservoir exploration and/or development.
US08234072B2 Methods of identifying high neutron capture cross section doped proppant in induced subterranean formation fractures
Methods for determining the locations/heights of fractures in a subterranean formation use a post-fracture log obtained with a compensated neutron or pulsed neutron logging tool. Utilizing predetermined relationships between tool count rates and associated near/far count rate ratios, the methods detect the presence of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross-section material, substantially eliminating proppant determination uncertainty resulting from changes in formation hydrogen index. In an interval of a well with given borehole and formation conditions, and not containing proppant, a relationship is developed between detector count rate and near/far ratio. This relationship is used to compute count rate from the ratio in intervals of the well possibly containing proppant and which have similar formation and borehole conditions. The count rate computed from the ratio is compared with the observed detector count rate, with proppant indicated from suppression in observed count rate relative to count rate computed from the ratio.
US08234070B2 Apparatus, system, method, and computer program product for detecting projectiles
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention sets forth an apparatus for registering a scoring event. The apparatus includes a target having a surface; a sensor, positioned in proximity to the target, adapted to detect the occurrence of a scoring event caused by the presence of a projectile in the scoring area and to determine a trajectory of the projectile; a time tracking device adapted to keep track of time of the scoring event; a location sensing device adapted to identify a location of the apparatus; a true north detection device adapted to detect the direction of true north with respect to the surface of the target; and a controller, coupled to the sensor and the true north detection device.
US08234067B2 Methods and apparatus for swarm navigation of multiple agents
A swarm navigation system is disclosed. The swarm navigation system includes a plurality of mobile agents, each having a receiver and capable of receiving a collision avoidance signal or a target attraction signal from a remote source. A stereo antenna system and memory storing instructions cause the mobile agent to determine the intensity and direction of the received collision avoidance signal or the received target attraction signal and to navigate the mobile agent substantially towards the received target attraction signal and substantially away from the received collision avoidance signal. Each mobile agent may further include a collision avoidance beacon mounted to the mobile agent and adapted to broadcast a collision avoidance signal, and a target attraction beacon mounted to the mobile agent and adapted to selectively broadcast a target attraction signal.
US08234066B2 System and method for terminal charts, airport maps and aeronautical context display
The present disclosure relates to an aircraft that may have a fuselage and a cockpit located within the fuselage. A display may be located within the cockpit, with the display being controlled by a display control system. The display control system may have a graphical user interface module that generates at least one of a primary display or a context display, and receives at least one user input, and an image control module. The image control module may generate primary display data for display on the primary display based on the at least one user input. The image control module may determine, based on the primary display data, whether the context display is displayed, and may automatically display the context display as an overlay in a corner portion of the primary display when the at least one user input causes a portion of information associated therewith to be unavailable for display on the primary display.
US08234065B2 Vehicle navigation apparatus and method
A vehicle navigation apparatus includes an imaging device, a guidance point determining device, an object detecting device and a traveling guiding device. The imaging device takes an image of a periphery adjacent to a subject vehicle. The guidance point determining device determines the subject vehicle to be located at a traveling guidance point or not. The object detecting device detects a changing object by comparing two images of the periphery taken at a predetermined interval, when the guidance point determining device determines the subject vehicle to be located at the traveling guidance point. The traveling guiding device performs a traveling guidance by using the changing object as a target object of the traveling guidance.
US08234057B2 Inter-vehicle communication apparatus and inter-vehicle communication method
An inter-vehicle communication apparatus mounted to a subject vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes: reception section receiving information about a peripheral vehicle from the peripheral vehicle; a detection section configured to identify the peripheral vehicle that satisfies a predetermined condition as a same directing peripheral vehicle based on the information about the peripheral vehicle; a determination section configured to determine whether the subject vehicle is one of a lead vehicle and a tail vehicle in a group of vehicles including the subject vehicle and the same directing peripheral vehicle; and a transmission control section configured to control the transmission section based on the determination by the determination section.
US08234053B2 Fully-closed position learning method and vehicle motion control apparatus
According to the invention, erroneous learning of an accelerator pedal fully-closed position is reliably detected, problems originating from the erroneous learning are prevented from arising, and further improvements in reliability of vehicle motion are achieved. A fully-closed position learning process routine for an actual control in which a learning value of a fully-closed position of an accelerator pedal is supplied for actual motion control of a vehicle, and a fully-closed position learning process routine for monitoring used for determining erroneous learning of the learning value of the fully-closed position learning process routine for the actual motion control, are executed, independently, and it is determined that the actual control fully-closed position learning process routine is in an erroneous learning condition in which fuel is injected in an amount exceeding an actually required amount if the learning value in the actual control fully-closed position learning process routine is lower than the learning value in the monitoring fully-closed position learning process routine.
US08234052B2 Method for managing a torque applied to an output shaft of a combustion engine when one combustion chamber is deactivated, and corresponding management system
A method for managing a torque applied to an output shaft of a combustion engine, the combustion engine including combustion chambers, in each of which there is mounted a piston connected to the output shaft in order to apply a torque to it, the output shaft being connected to a rotary machine associated with a management member. The method involves detecting conditions of deactivation of one combustion chamber and controlling the rotary machine so as to apply to the output shaft, prior to the deactivation of one combustion chamber, a compensating torque which tends to cause a resultant torque applied to the output shaft to tend towards a deactivation torque applied by the combustion engine to the output shaft after deactivation of the combustion chamber.
US08234051B2 Driving-force control apparatus for vehicle
Several low-friction-coefficient road-surface determination devices determine whether a road surface has a low friction coefficient based on the highest and lowest wheel speeds; the wheel speeds of front and rear wheels; wheel speeds of a left-hand and right-hand driving wheels; and by comparing a reference vehicle-body acceleration calculated from a driving force of an engine with an actual vehicle-body acceleration calculated from a calculated number of revolutions of differential gears. A low-friction-coefficient road-surface total-determination device makes a total determination as to whether the road surface has a low friction coefficient based on the determination results of the low-friction-coefficient road-surface determination devices. Accordingly, each low-friction-coefficient road-surface determination device is capable of compensating for disadvantages of the other devices.
US08234050B2 Torque limiting clutch with engine torque management for thermal protection
A method for controlling slip across a torque limiting clutch includes determining a driveline slip threshold. A cut-off temperature is determined based on at least one of a clutch temperature, a steering wheel input and a vehicle speed. A driveline slip is determined. At least of a spark retardation and a throttle cut-off is initiated when the clutch temperature is greater than the cut-off temperature and the driveline slip is greater than the driveline slip threshold.
US08234049B2 ECM security strategy for rationalizing and controlling increasing transmission torque requests above driver command
A control module includes a predicted torque control module that determines a desired throttle area based on a transmission torque request and a desired predicted torque. A throttle security module determines a throttle limit based on the desired throttle area and the desired predicted torque and determines an adjusted desired throttle area based on the throttle limit. A throttle actuator module adjusts a throttle based on the adjusted desired throttle area.
US08234047B2 Transferring device and an agricultural vehicle
A transferring device includes controllable goods carrier conveying goods to a target area, a stereo camera for providing images of the target area and a control system for deriving information from the images and controlling the goods carrier taking into account the information derived from the images. The stereo camera has two objective lenses and defines a common base line with a tilt angle relative to a horizontal. The common base line is placed in a vertical plane. The transferring device also includes floodlight projectors that are placed at a distance of at least 0.5 m from the stereo camera. Preferably, the controllable goods carrier is an ejecting spout.
US08234046B2 Method and apparatus for selectively activated powered actuation of a hydraulic drive system
A method and apparatus for selectively activating a power down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the gravity down mode or power down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.
US08234043B2 Motion control device of vehicle
A motion control device of a vehicle comprises: a steering angle controller which controls a steering angle of a steering wheel so that an actual turning control variable becomes a target turning control variable; and a braking force controller which controls a vehicle braking force so that the actual turning control variable becomes the target turning control variable. The braking force controller selectively uses, as a steering angle signal for control, a first steering angle signal which reflects a steering angle compensation quantity compensated by the steering angle controller at the time of the oversteering of the vehicle is reflected, and a second steering angle signal which does not reflect the steering angle compensation quantity.
US08234037B2 Method and device for detecting oscillatory failures related to a servocontrol subsystem of an aircraft control surface
A method and device for detecting oscillatory faults relating to an aircraft airfoil slaving chain. The device includes units that count the number of overshoots of a threshold value by the current value of a quantity related to the positional slaving of an airfoil. Oscillatory fault is detected based on the number of overshoots of the threshold value being greater than the current value by a predetermined number.
US08234033B2 Guidance method for agricultural vehicle
An automated method and system includes an automatic guidance system (AGS) and swath pattern. The AGS steers a vehicle towing a rotary baler in an “S”, or oscillatory pattern around a predetermined approximate centerline of the swath path. The oscillatory pattern may be user defined. By steering the vehicle in an oscillatory pattern referenced to the A-B line, a windrow of crop material may be distributed into an even and optimal bale size and density by the baler. Bale chamber sensors detect an imbalance of crop density and in response, AGS adjusts an interval or amplitude of oscillatory pattern.
US08234022B2 Track transportation system
The essential feature of the present invention is the provision of a track transportation system in which a vehicle runs on a predetermined track, being automatically steered, having a simplified and lightweight structure so as to surely ensure a safety, and to be capable of carrying out efficient and high-speed operation. The track transportation system according to the present invention incorporates a steering mechanism for automatic steering by means of an M actuator, a protection guide rail laid on the track, protection guide wheels which travel together with the vehicle along the protection guide rail without making contact with the latter, and a control means for controlling automatic steering in accordance with a result of determination by a track data determining means for determining a straight portion, a curved portion, a turnout portion or the like of the track in view of vehicle position data, and steering caused by the protection wheels making contact with the protection guide rail.
US08234020B1 Systems and methods for generating alert signals in a terrain awareness and warning system
A terrain awareness and warning system (“TAWS”) provides input to a terrain alert (“TA”) processor from at least one real-time aircraft system or sensor and a source of terrain data; the processor determines a terrain clearance surface and a terrain airspace alert surface, and if one surface penetrates the other, the processor generates an alert signal and provides an alert signal to a crew alerting system. The two surfaces are determined by the processor by executing an algorithm(s) embedded in software containing the disclosed embodiments and methods. At least one criterion used to define an aircraft terrain alert surface is programmed to include real-time and/or static input factor data provided by at least one system or sensor input from an aircraft. Such input factor could be used to define a terrain clearance surface.
US08234019B2 Device and method for automatically generating a control order for an aircraft control surface
A device and a method for automatically generating a control order of an aircraft control surface. The device can include means for automatically calculating and transmitting, in the case of a suspected deficiency of a control surface control order, a limited auxiliary order, during a confirmation time of the deficiency.
US08234018B2 Energy management of appliance cycle longer than low rate period
An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation when a majority of the energy consumption of the operation is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately.
US08234017B2 Electronic smart meter enabling demand response and method for demand response
The electric smart meter enabling demand response and method for the demand response are disclosed capable of acquiring an option and response information from a subscriber for enabling an active demand control, and to this end, the electric smart meter is embedded therewithin at least one or more integrated monitoring modules and includes microprocessors for transmitting a power control command to a relevant integrated monitoring module in response to a power control program based on the rate system, and controllably transmitting the measured and monitored data stored in the memory to the master server side via the communication module as well.
US08234016B2 Power metadata transfer over power lines
The transfer and usage of a modulated carrier signal within a power signal on a power line communication system is described. The modulated signal comprises metadata which is transmitted at a different frequency than the transmitted power. The metadata, including such elements as energy costs, providers, renewable source status and originating location, may be used by consumers to make subsequent purchasing decisions. Additionally, the energy costs of any given computer node commonly distributed in a grid architecture may be collected by a workload dispatcher in order to make more accurate cost and energy source based dispatch decisions. The consumer may be able to communicate directly back to the power provider. The use of computer-readable medium and product containing instructions that are implemented on a computer is also covered. Finally, the invention may be deployed on behalf of the consumer by a third party service provider.
US08234014B1 Irrigation control system and method
An irrigation control system with a programmable controller having a high speed central processor and a touch screen monitor for independent and simultaneous operation of multiple watering stations and schedules. The touch screen monitor allows for quick entry of changes to irrigation schedules that can be made while the system is in use, thus preventing service interruption. The irrigation control system will accommodate multiple watering stations with precise accuracy and allows for independent start times for each station. Multiple output terminals permit connection to various watering stations as a pre-programmed, removable thumb drive containing the operating system and application software is connected through a USB port to a high speed central processor. The irrigation method describes using the controller for optimum plant growth and health.
US08234010B2 Tethered robot positioning
A system and method for positioning a mobile machine, such as a robot, using a tether line connected between two mobile machines. A first mobile machine, such as a boundary vehicle, is controlled to move along a path, such as a boundary defining an area. The first machine employs a localization device to determine and maintain its position on the path. A tether line is connected between the boundary vehicle and a second mobile machine, such as a roving vehicle. The first machine determines the position of the second machine relative to the first machine from a length of extension and angle of the tether line. The first machine controls movement of the second machine to perform a task or mission, such as a task performed in the area defined by the boundary.
US08234000B2 Method and apparatus for obtaining data for a dental component and a physical dental model
Methods for obtaining data and for manufacturing a dental component and a physical dental model of at least a part of a dental structure are provided which can improve processing times and provide sufficient manufacturing accuracy. An embodiment of the method can comprise obtaining a first data record for manufacturing the dental component and a second data record for manufacturing the physical dental model. The first data record can comprise data based on a portion of a digital dental model. The second data record can comprise data based on at least the portion of the digital dental model. In this regard, the data upon which the first and second data records are based can be obtained using first and second scanning resolutions in order to improve processing times and provide sufficient accuracy.
US08233998B2 Secure data write apparatus and methods for use in safety instrumented process control systems
Secure data write apparatus and methods for use in safety instrumented process control systems select a parameter associated with a process control element within the process control system and send first data associated with the parameter to the process control element. A confirmation associated with a request to write the first data to the process control element is received from a user and the second data is sent to the process control element in response to receiving the confirmation. The first and second data are compared at the process control element and the first or second data are written to a location in the process control element associated with the parameter if the first and second data are at least substantially identical.
US08233991B2 Method for programming implantable device
Methods for selecting Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), or other medical electrical stimulator, electrode configurations from a set of electrode configurations are provided. Each electrode configuration represents a polarity or a polarity percentage of the electrodes of an electrode array. The selected electrode configurations may be used in a medical electrical stimulator. Such methods of selecting electrode configurations results in a more efficient programming and use of the stimulation system.
US08233984B2 External presentation of electrical stimulation parameters
The invention is directed to a trial stimulation system and, more particularly, an indicator device within the trial stimulation system that measures and indicates energy amplitude levels for electrical stimulation therapy delivered to a patient. Specifically, the indicator device simultaneously indicates energy amplitude levels, such as electrical voltage, current, power, and electrical charge, as well as the polarity for each electrode in real-time without affecting the therapy delivered to the patient. For example, the indicator device may activate a number of lights in an array of lights in proportion to the measured energy amplitude level for each electrode and may activate a green LED or a red LED when a corresponding electrodes acts as a source or sink, respectively. In this manner, the indicator device allows a clinician to visualize the electrical fields produced by each electrode and, therefore, may assist stimulation steering, trouble shooting, and lead placement.
US08233975B2 Method utilizing two wire electrode oscillator system for determining body impedance
A method for measuring an impedance of a body includes the steps of electrically coupling first and second electrodes to the body and electrically biasing a variable frequency relaxation oscillator. The oscillator has both a positive resistive feedback network and a negative feedback network which includes the electrodes. The method further includes a step of measuring the period of oscillation of the variable frequency oscillator. The measured period of oscillation is indicative of the impedance of the body.
US08233973B2 Methods for detection of cardiac arrhythmias
A method for calculating a variability value that is indicative of AF by obtaining a signal sequence of a plurality of RR intervals by monitoring electrical activity of a patient's heart. Each RR interval is converted into an instantaneous heart rate value and sorted into ascending order. The difference between each successive heart rate is calculated, discarding the two largest differences. The variability value is calculated by adding the retained differences.
US08233971B2 Automated identification of culprit coronary artery
A diagnostic ECG system analyzes lead traces for evidence of ST elevation in the lead signals. The pattern of ST elevation in leads having predetermined vantage points to the electrical activity of the heart and, in some instances, the presence of ST depression in certain other leads, identifies a specific coronary artery or branch as the culprit coronary artery for an acute ischemic event. The identity of the culprit coronary artery or branch is presented to the interventional cardiologist so that the correct coronary artery is accessed and the obstruction cleared. The technique can be used with standard 12-lead ECG systems as well as with ECG systems using fewer or more leads.
US08233969B2 Wearable monitoring system
A system for measuring/monitoring the vital signs of a patient especially blood pressure, comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged at least in the waistband of an undergarment, and means for deriving measurements from the electrodes using pulse-transit times.
US08233968B1 Method and apparatus for high resolution dynamic digital infrared imaging
An infrared imaging camera (4) acquires a plurality of frames (94) of infrared radiation from a patient (P) positioned in a field-of-view (92) of the camera (4). Each frame (94) is acquired during a corresponding frame sample interval and each frame (94) corresponds to the infrared radiation acquired from an array of optical elements (90) in the field-of-view (92) during its frame sample interval. Plural rates of change are determined from infrared radiation received from the array of optical elements (90), with each rate of change corresponding to a change of infrared radiation received from the same optical element (90) in at least two frames (94). Each rate of change is mapped to a color or a shade of gray and the color or shade of gray of each rate of change is mapped to a position in an image corresponding to the position of the corresponding optical element (90) in the field-of-view (92). The camera (4) can be used for early detection of neoplastic disease process, detection of angiogenesis and/or identification of treatment sites for pain management therapeutic modalities.
US08233962B2 Rotational stereo roadmapping
An improved method is disclosed for imaging in an interventional medical procedure that is more advanced than a conventional 2D image processing application and less restrictive than a 3D reconstruction image processing application. In contrast to the prior art 2D imaging application in which a single 2D image is acquired, the inventive method acquires and stores a set of 2D anatomical images while rotating a C-arm/X-ray source using a single injection of contrast agent. In lieu of performing a 3D reconstruction, the multiplicity of anatomical views provided by the set of 2D anatomical images adequately serve as a visual “rotatable roadmap” to perform classical 2D-roadmapping navigation. The “rotatable roadmap” assists a user to locate an ideal working view of the patient's region of operative interest.
US08233954B2 Mucosal sensor for the assessment of tissue and blood constituents and technique for using the same
A sensor for physiological constituent detection may be adapted to include a mucoadhesive. A sensor is provided that is appropriate for use on mucosal tissue. The mucoadhesive provides a mechanism for holding the sensor on the mucous membrane in order to measure physiological constituent levels in the tissue and blood.
US08233950B2 Wireless portable device with reduced RF signal interference
A handheld device may include one or more antennas and a connector both disposed at a base of the handheld device. The connector may have a shell comprising a conductive material. The connector shell may include at least one opening in a portion of the conductive material to reduce electromagnetic interference between the connector shell and the one or more antennas.
US08233949B2 Mobile phone
A mobile phone switches the electrical connection between one of at least two SIM cards received in a slidable holder which is slidably received in a receiving groove having an electrical connector.
US08233944B2 Speaker apparatus and method in a wireless telephone
A method and apparatus for a wireless telephone having at least two speakers include a first speaker mounted on a folder housing of the wireless telephone; and a second speaker mounted on a body housing of the wireless telephone. The first and second speakers can be a telephone conversation speaker or a multimedia speaker, where the multimedia speaker outputs a message reception alert tone or a ringing tone. The method and apparatus further include a rotary section for rotating the folder housing, where the first or second speakers can be mounted on the rotary section.
US08233940B2 Base station equipment, base station control equipment and communication system
A technique of being capable to decrease the number of times of delivery and receipt of information on a common channel setup between a base station equipment and a base station control equipment. A communication system includes base station equipment and a base station control equipment which controls the base station equipment. The base station control equipment is capable of supplying information necessary for the common channel setup to the base station equipment, and the base station equipment produces a track-record notification signal indicating a track record of the common channel setup while performing the common channel setup on the basis of the information. The base station control equipment does not supply the information necessary for the common channel setup when receiving the track-record notification signal from the base station equipment.
US08233939B2 Multiuser sector micro diversity system
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for a multiuser sector micro diversity system are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08233938B1 Communication device
The communication device which includes a voice communicating implementer, a video game implementer, an auto time adjusting implementer, a moving picture displaying implementer, a calculating implementer, a bold formatting implementer, an italic formatting implementer, a stereo audio output implementer, a photo quality setting implementer, a multiple language implementer, and a caller's information displaying implementer.
US08233935B2 Method and system for sharing RF filters in systems supporting WCDMA and GSM
Aspects of a method and system for sharing RF filters in systems supporting WCDMA and GSM are provided. A receiver in a wireless device enables receiving WCDMA signals and GSM signals. The WCDMA signals may be received via at least one duplexer within the wireless device. A processing path for the received WCDMA signals or a processing path for the received GSM signals may be selected within the receiver. The processing paths may share bandpass filtering and signal amplification. A gain in the shared signal amplification may be adjusted after filtering the received signals. For received WCDMA signals, the gain adjustment may be based on a gain provided to the received WCDMA signals before applying the shared bandpass filtering. At least one signal may be generated for selecting the processing path and/or for adjusting the shared signal amplification gain.
US08233925B1 Method and system for mobile club opt-in
A method and system for qualifying and transmitting an invitation to a mobile phone number to receive digital communications is disclosed herein. A customer profile stored at a CRM database is analyzed and processed to determine if the data capable phone carrier and data capable communication device is associated with a phone number in the customer profile that has opted-in to receive digital communications such as for a mobile marketing campaign.
US08233921B2 Method and system for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system
A method and system for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system are provided, in which upon generation of IM service data to be transmitted to a second MS, a first MS requests paging to a second MS to an IM server, the IM server transmits a paging message to the second MS in response to the paging request, and the second MS receives the IM service data from the first MS, after receiving the paging message.
US08233916B2 Method of and system for virtual mobile game session discovery and player matching
A system for establishing multi-party wireless game sessions includes a game session broker and at least two wireless units. Each wireless unit includes a first wireless device having relatively low power consumption and a second wireless device having relatively high power consumption. The game session broker is configured to receive a session ready message that includes location information for a first player and search for a second player having location information matching the location information for the first player. Upon finding a matching player, the game session broker sends session available messages to the wireless units associated with the first and second players. Session ready messages are sent and session available message are received using the first wireless devices. Upon receiving the session available message, the first and second players can establish a wireless game session using their respective second wireless devices. Preferably, the second wireless devices are maintained powered-off until a session available message is received.
US08233915B2 Updating position assist data on a mobile computing device
A mobile computing device comprises a memory, a processor and a transceiver. The memory is configured to store at least one type of position assist data. The processor is configured to provide a position fix based on the position assist data. The transceiver is configured for wireless communication. The memory is configured to store updated position assist data for the type of position assist data. The processor is operable in a first operating mode in which the type of position assist data is not updated and operable in a second operating mode in which the type of position assist data is updated in response to at least one triggering event.
US08233913B2 Automatic place detection
Systems and methods are provided for obtaining a signature for a place. A server receives information about a place, such as name of the place, from client devices when the devices are at the place, and data related to wireless transmission stations detected by the client devices. The data comprises wireless transmission station identifiers and signal strength information. The server associates the information about the place with the data. Systems and methods are also provided for detecting a place for a client device. The server receives data related to one or more wireless transmission stations detected by the client device when the device is at the place. The data comprises wireless transmission station identifiers and signal strength information. The server compares the set of data with signatures of places, selects a signature based on the comparison, and transmits to the client device information about the place in the selected signature.
US08233911B2 Method and apparatus for estimating a position of a node in a communications network
A method and apparatus are provided for timed estimation-based positioning of a user equipment in LTE systems. The method includes estimating, by a mobile node, a plurality of reference signal time differences (RSTD) between the mobile node and a network node. The plurality of RSTD estimates define a first correlator. The method further includes determining a second correlator of RSTD estimates, and defining the second correlator with the first correlator based on a mean of the plurality of RSTD estimates. Further, the method includes determining a distribution of the plurality of RSTD estimates, and grouping clusters of RSTD estimates in the distribution. Additionally, the method includes selecting a cluster from the clusters of RSTD estimates. The cluster includes RSTD estimates closest to a center of the second correlator. The cluster is transmitted, by the mobile node, to the network node for positioning the mobile node in a communications network.
US08233903B2 Method for registering communication terminals with base station devices by using virtual appliances
A method for the registration of a communication terminal is provided. In some embodiments of the present invention, a communication terminal is registered with a base station by searching and executing a virtual appliance that contains base station software with which the communication terminal pre-subscribed. In some embodiments of the present invention, a communication terminal is registered as an endpoint device for a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) uniform resource identifier (URI) when the communication terminal registers with the base station.
US08233898B2 Wireless communications device providing temperature-compensated clock correction features and related methods
A wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a temperature-compensated clock circuit carried by the portable housing. The device may further include a wireless receiver carried by the portable housing for receiving timing signals, when available, from a wireless network, and a satellite positioning clock circuit carried by the portable housing. A clock correction circuit may be carried by the portable housing for correcting the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon timing signals from the wireless network when available, and storing historical correction values for corresponding temperatures. The clock correction circuit may also correct the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon the stored historical correction values when timing signals are unavailable from the wireless network, and correct the satellite positioning clock based upon the temperature-compensated clock circuit.
US08233892B1 Pager and pen implement
The present invention discloses a portable radio frequency (RF) paging system providing conventional beeping, vibration, and illumination alarms as well as playing or transmitting a pre-recorded message to a responder. The paging system comprises transmitter and receiver modules. The transmitter portion of the paging system is to be capable of digitally recording a verbal message for replay or transmission to the receiver upon initiation of a page. The receiver portion of the paging system is housed within a pen-shaped enclosure which may be conveniently attached to a responder's pocket while also functioning as a normal writing instrument.
US08233891B2 Telecommunications network
In a telecommunications network including a plurality of mobile terminals, a method of analysing missed call events in relation to at least one of the plurality of mobile terminals, the method including: determining the occurrence of a missed call event; recording the missed call event in a database, including an identity relating to the called terminal; determining and allocating a status of the called mobile terminal to the missed call event, the status selected from a plurality of options, with at least one option relating to an unreachable terminal situation; and analysing the missed call event data relating to unreachable situations to identify the existence of any patterns relating to a particular called terminal/user, called terminal type, location and/or time period. The method may also be embodied in a network element, such as a Call Alert Application Server.
US08233886B2 Accessing stored data objects using contact data corresponding to a remote communications party
Methods and apparatus for accessing data objects stored in a communication device are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises detecting a trigger event related to a remote communications party, retrieving contact data from a contacts database using a party identifier corresponding to the remote communications party, searching for stored data objects associated with the remote communications party, using the contact data as search parameters, and displaying the results of the search. The method may further include ranking the data objects by relevancy and formatting the display according to the ranking.
US08233885B2 Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced mobile messaging services
Various embodiments for providing enhanced mobile messaging services are described. In one or more embodiments, a mobile computing device may send and receive messages of different types. The wireless computing device may comprise a threading engine to determine a sender of a received message and/or a recipient of a sent message. The threading engine may be arranged to correlate received messages of different message types with a particular sender and sent messages of different types with a particular recipient. The wireless device may display a messaging thread comprising correlated messages of different message types in a messaging user interface supported by a messaging application. The different message types correlated within the message thread are not limited to a message type associated with the messaging application. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08233884B2 Information service phonebook update
A method of storing a phone number within a mobile phone that was received from an information service. The user places a call to an information service to obtain a requested phone number. The requested phone number returned from the information service is detected by the mobile phone and can be stored within the mobile phone. In one embodiment, the requested phone number is returned audibly from the information service to the mobile phone and is detected using voice recognition algorithms to parse the audible response returned from the information service into a series of numbers that make up the requested phone number. The mobile can then prompt the user whether to store the returned phone number permanently and where it should be stored. Another feature prompts the user if he would like the mobile phone to automatically dial the phone number just obtained from the information service. In addition, flags can be set to automatically store and dial the requested phone number without having to prompt the user.
US08233882B2 Providing security in mobile devices via a virtualization software layer
One embodiment is a method of providing security in a virtualized mobile device including virtualization software that supports one or more virtual machines, the method including: (a) receiving a security policy at the virtualized mobile device, which security policy includes one or more location or location-time scenarios for the virtualized mobile device, which scenarios identify applications to be curtailed, and how they are to be curtailed and applications that are to be enabled, and how they are to be enabled; (b) collecting one or more of mobile device location information or information related to time spent at the location; identifying a scenario that pertaining to the one or more of the location and time information; and (c) curtailing or enabling applications in accordance with the identified scenario.
US08233878B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for handset assisted resource utilization verification
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for handset assisted resource utilization verification are disclosed. According to one method, first usage information is obtained from a mobile handset in response to the mobile handset being operated at a first time. Second usage information is obtained from the mobile handset in response to the mobile handset being operated at a second time. Based on the first and second usage information, an indication of network resource utilization is determined for the mobile handset between the first and second times. The first and second usage information may be obtained by polling the handset by sending query messages for the usage information to the handset or by triggering the handset to send the usage information in response to the expiration of a handset-implemented timer.
US08233876B2 Scheduling data transmissions to improve power efficiency in a wireless network
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to scheduling data transmissions to improve power efficiency in a wireless network. In an example embodiment, uplink transmissions may be scheduled after the downlink transmissions within the frame sequence. One or more nodes having only scheduled downlink transmissions during the frame sequence may be scheduled for downlink transmissions at or near the start of the downlink transmissions. In another embodiment, one or more nodes having only scheduled uplink transmissions during the frame sequence may be scheduled for uplink transmissions at or near the end of the uplink transmissions. In yet another embodiment, one or more nodes having scheduled both downlink and uplink transmissions during the frame sequence may be scheduled for transmissions near a transition from downlink to uplink transmissions.
US08233875B2 Device beacon for handoff management of handoffs to access nodes
An access node receives a device beacon transmitted from a wireless communication device in accordance with a system timing of a wireless wide area network (WWAN). When transmitted within a WWAN uplink channel, the device beacon is mapped to designated beacon channels within the time-frequency space of the uplink WWAN channel assignment. In response to the reception of the device beacon, communications between the wireless communication device and the access node are established. In one example, the access node is a femtocell base station. In another example, the access node is a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point.
US08233874B2 Wireless communication apparatus
A wireless communication apparatus includes a local oscillator that generates a plurality of LO (Local Oschillation) signals corresponding to frequencies of a plurality of input RF (Radio Frequency) signals, an accumulator that accumulates the plurality of LO signals generated by the local oscillator to generate an accumulated signal, a mixer that mixes the plurality of RF signals and the accumulated signal generated by the accumulator and to generate a plurality of base band signals, and a first signal processing unit that executes a signal process with respect to the plurality of base band signals generated by the mixer.
US08233867B2 Method for obtaining field strength information
A method for obtaining field strength information from a received electromagnetic signal by a receiver unit, in which an input voltage is generated for an operational amplifier from the received signal in the receiver unit by an input resistance and an output voltage is generated by the operational amplifier by a fixed amplification factor. The input voltage is changed until the output voltage lies within a predefined interval that includes the value of the reference voltage, and hereby the input voltage is tapped at a divider node of a voltage divider and to adjust the output voltage to the reference voltage the gate voltage of the MOS transistor, operating within a nonlinear range, and connected to the divider node is changed in such a way that the forward resistance of the MOS transistor is changed substantially logarithmically and the field strength value received by the receiver unit is determined from a comparison of the value of the present gate voltage with the quantities assigned to the gate voltage values in a memory.
US08233866B2 Gain index based radio calibration
A wireless device includes an antenna, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry, and baseband processing circuitry. The baseband processing circuitry couples to the RF circuitry and is operable to determine operational calibrations settings that may include pre-distortion characteristics and RF signal path settings, both of which are determined via calibration operations. The calibration operations are initiated when an operational value of the wireless device compares unfavorably to at least one operational threshold. Monitoring circuitry coupled to the RF circuitry and to the baseband processing circuitry monitors operational characteristics of the RF circuitry. Calibration operations may be initiated based upon RF circuitry temperature, supply voltage, PA current, PA gain input level/average, among other triggers.
US08233863B2 Mobile terminal having electronic paper and method for controlling the same
A mobile terminal having electronic paper and a method for controlling the same are provided, wherein the mobile terminal comprises: a first display unit configured to implement a role of electronic paper; a second display unit configured to be mounted at one side of the first display unit for implementing a role of a light emitting display unit; a memory configured to store a program for implementing a predetermined menu; and a controller configured to display the menu on the first display unit or the second display unit.
US08233861B1 Switched impedance synthesis transmit antenna matching system for electrically small antenna radiators
A system for transmitting a broadband signal over an electrically short antenna which includes a plurality of switched impedance synthesis transmit antenna matching circuits which are dynamically controlled with knowledge of the transmitting broadband signal to match the dynamic impedance of the electrically short antenna during transmission.
US08233859B2 Apparatus and method for accurate and efficient transmit power control
A technique to provide accurate and efficient transmit power control by providing offset values to modify a base input gain value for a gain control circuit used to set a transmit power gain in a mobile phone. The modified gain value compensates for a ripple offset and power level offset caused by a difference in operating temperature and operating frequency from values obtained during calibration at a calibration frequency and temperature.
US08233858B2 RF power transmission, modulation, and amplification embodiments, including control circuitry for controlling power amplifier output stages
Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
US08233852B2 Calibration techniques for non-linear devices
An apparatus may include a non-linear module, a control module, and a calibration module. The non-linear module produces an output signal from an input signal. The control module selects, upon an occurrence of a calibration condition, a calibration operation from two or more calibration operations. Each of the two or more calibration operations may generate one or more correction values for the non-linear module. Further, each of the calibration operations produces the input signal from a pre-input signal. This selected calibration operation is performed by the calibration module. The two or more calibration operations include a first calibration operation and a second calibration operation. The first calibration operation produces the input signal from the pre-input signal according to a predictive technique. The second calibration operation produces the input signal from the pre-input signal according to a non-predictive technique.
US08233850B1 Broadband power amplifier with partial-envelope transference
A method for amplifying a modulated input signal includes separating a dominant low-frequency amplitude component from the modulated input signal. The method further includes separating, from the modulated input signal, a residual signal from which the dominant low-frequency amplitude component has been removed, wherein the residual signal retains the phase information of the input signal, and wherein the residual signal maintains a portion of the amplitude modulation of the input signal. The method yet further includes providing the residual signal to an amplifier while modulating an amplifier supply voltage as a function of the dominant low-frequency amplitude component.
US08233847B2 Transmit power management for a communication device and method for use therewith
In integrated circuit includes a processing module that determines a selected one of the plurality of power modes based on a function being currently performed by at least one non-transceiver module of a host device, and generates a power mode signal based on the selected one of the plurality of power modes. An RF transmitter generates a transmit signal at a selected one of the plurality of operating power levels based on the power mode signal and that operates from at least one transmitter power supply signal generated and selected by a power management circuit in response to the power mode signal.
US08233844B2 Apparatus and method for joint power control in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for joint power control in a wireless communication system are provided, in which customer premise equipments to be serviced are selected by scheduling, upon receipt of service requests from the customer premise equipments, the interference level of each of the selected customer premise equipments that affects an incumbent system is calculated, a total interference level affecting the incumbent system is calculated by summing the interference levels of the selected customer premise equipments, and a transmit power of the each customer premise equipment is reduced, if the total interference level is larger than a threshold.
US08233843B2 Information processing apparatus and capture image transmitting method
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a communication module which performs close proximity wireless transfer, a connection establishing module which establishes connection between the communication module and an external device, and a capture image transmission module which transmits screen capture image data to the external device when a command for requesting data transmission is received from the external device in a state where connection between the communication module and external device is established. The command is determined in a protocol for transmitting and receiving data between the communication module and the external device, and is added a parameter for specifying the attribute of requested data as images.
US08233838B2 Broadcast program scene notification system
A registration server (40) is connected to a mobile terminal (20) via a communication network (10) and registers desired scene information specifying a desired scene of a user in a broadcast program together with the communication address information (telephone number or mail address or the like) of the mobile terminal (20). A scene management server (42) classifies and manages the scene information on the real scene appearing in the broadcast program. A message transmission server (46) checks whether the real scene corresponds to the desired scene. If it does, the scene management server (42) transmits scene information indicating that broadcast of the desired scene is or has been started via the communication network (10) or the data broadcast to the user, i.e., the mobile terminal (20). In response to the notification of the scene information, the user of the mobile terminal (20) can view the scene substantially in real time by the TV On instruction without performing channel setting.
US08233837B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided and includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet at an image forming position; a regulating roller that conveys the recording sheet; a supply path from the regulating roller to the image forming position; an inversion path that is configured to merge with a position on the supply path between the regulating roller and the image forming position and bends and inverts the sheet; a return path that is configured on an opposite side of the regulating roller from the supply path to return the recording sheet to the supply path; and a control unit which rotates the regulating roller in a return rotational direction to convey the inverted recording sheet into the return path, and in a feed rotational direction to convey the recording sheet to the image forming position.
US08233835B2 Spring-loaded, friction-driven take-up roller for managing long scanned documents
This is a take-up roller assembly that is connected to paper exiting a scanner and collects this exiting paper. The take-up roller assembly is moved by movement of paper entering the scanner together with a paper pulling structure that is located in the scanner. This take-up roller assembly is uniquely suitable for use in a wide format imaging system that uses a scanner.
US08233834B2 Rake mechanism for distributing waste toner in a printer
The present invention provides a waste particulate toner collection container system for an image forming apparatus that includes a waste particulate toner spreading device movably disposed within the container in a reciprocating manner generally along its length, the device including a spine member having on a first end a first plurality of spaced apart raking tine members and on a second end a second plurality of spaced apart raking tine members disposed substantially transversely of the length of the spine member, and a crank arm attached at the first end of the spine member. A post disposed on an inner wall of the container supports the device at a point along the length of the spine member between the first and second pluralities of raking tine members, and a drive mechanism is operatively connected to the crank arm for imparting reciprocating movement to the device.
US08233833B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a flexible endless fixing member that travels in a prescribed direction and applies heat and melts a toner image, a pressure applying member that pressure contacts the fixing member and forms a nip for conveying a recording medium, and a resistance heat element secured inside an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, which applies heat to the fixing member. The resistance heat element is arranged not to pressure contact the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member.
US08233831B2 Fixing device with cleaning section for image forming apparatus
In a fixing device including a fixing roller, a pressure roller and an external heating section, a scraper is arranged to contact a circumferential surface of an external heating belt and scrape toner and the like on the circumferential surface to thereby clean the circumferential surface. In addition, a material that has higher adherence to toner than on a circumferential surface of the fixing roller is used for the external hating belt to thereby peel the toner and the like on the circumferential surface of the fixing roller and clean the circumferential surface of the fixing roller. Further, as a vibration applying section adapted to apply vibration to the scraper, a first contact/separation section adapted to contact/separate the external heating section with/from the fixing roller is provided. Vibration is applied to the scraper by the first contact/separation to peel the toner and the like off the scraper.
US08233830B2 Polypyrrole containing intermediate transfer components
An intermediate transfer media, such as a belt, that includes a polypyrrole associated with, attached to, and more specifically, chemically attached to a carbon black.
US08233829B2 Transfer belt unit and image forming apparatus
A transfer belt unit satisfies the following conditions. An intermediate transfer belt has a thickness not less than 100 micrometers and not more than 200 micrometers, a tension not less than 80 N/m and not more than 180 N/m, and a tensile elastic modulus not less than 1000 megapascals and not more than 2000 megapascals. A secondary-transfer bias roller has an Asker C hardness not less than 35 degrees and not more than 50 degrees. Stretching rollers for stretching the intermediate transfer belt have an outer diameter not less than 6 millimeters.
US08233828B2 Developing apparatus, imaging unit, and image forming apparatus including developer mixing container with auxiliary member to circulate developer
A developing apparatus includes a first rotation member having a rotation shaft to transfer developer in a first direction and a mixing and transfer member having a spiral wing shape to mix and transfer the developer to the center portion of the rotation shaft, a second rotation member having a rotation shaft including a mixing and transfer member to transfer the developer in a direction opposite to the first direction by the first rotation member and a circulation auxiliary member to transfer the developer to the center portion of the rotation shaft, two end portion partition walls formed along the circulation auxiliary member, and a center partition wall formed along the mixing and transfer member at a position separated from the end portion partitions wall.
US08233817B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; a conveyor belt arranged opposite to the plurality of photoconductor drums and configured to convey a recording sheet; a cleaning unit having a cleaning member positioned in contact with the conveyor belt to collect substance adhering to the conveyor belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the conveyor belt; and a positioning member configured to cause the cleaning member to be positioned at a contacting position where the cleaning member contacts with the conveyor belt and at a spaced-apart position where the cleaning member is away from the conveyor belt.
US08233814B2 Developer supplying apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same
A developer supplying apparatus can include a first chamber and a second chamber defined within a housing. Each of the first and second chambers may include an agitator disposed therein. A magnetic body may be disposed near the first chamber to receive toner from the first chamber. A controller can determine the level of developer received in the first chamber, and to based on the determined developer level control the operations of one or more of the agitators and the magnetic body in order to ensure sufficient supply of the developer in the first chamber to reduce the occurrences of image defects, such as, for example, auger marks.
US08233805B2 Laser drivers for closed path optical cables
Simplified laser drivers for closed path digital optical cables and digital optical cables including the simplified laser drivers. The laser driver can include less transistors than conventional laser drivers for optical communication cables. The laser can include a bias source and modulation source. The bias source can have a single constant current bias point for all laser diodes. The modulation current source can have a single temperature coefficient for all laser diodes. The laser driver can exclude, for example, any one of or combination of temperature compensation of the modulation or bias current sources, external programming of the modulation or bias current sources, power control based on output of the laser diode, and/or control based on feedback received from a monitor device or other sensor within the cables.
US08233803B2 Versatile remote control device and system
A radio-frequency (RF) remote control (10) has a user interface and transmits an RF signal (11) which designates a device (14) to be controlled and a command for that device. The RF signal is received by an intermediary device (12). The intermediary device, in turn, generates and broadcasts a plurality of high-power IR signals (13A-13F). These signals may be received directly by a controlled device (14A) or may be received indirectly by a controlled device (14B, 14C) after one or more reflections from objects (16A, 16B) and/or room surfaces (18). Thus, reliable control of the devices (14) is obtained even in situations where merely transmitting a typical IR signal may not provide reliable control of the device (14).
US08233800B2 Method and system for upgrading a fiber optics network
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing communications service in a communications ring undergoing an upgrade process includes increasing an existing rate of a node to a higher rate. With the increase, the node is operable to transmit a second frame at the higher rate. The second frame has a higher number of time slots than a first frame having a number of slots equal to N. The method also includes occupying a number of the time slots of the second frame equal to N using data to be received by an existing node. The method also includes providing at least one identifier to the existing node that will receive the second frame. The identifier identifies the occupied time slots of the second frame. The method also includes transmitting the second frame of data to the existing node.
US08233799B2 Method and apparatus for improving reception of optical signals
A method and apparatus for receiving digital information transmitted via an optical signal over an optical channel wherein the optical signal includes an optical carrier (402) and at least one information-bearing optical sideband (404) in the optical frequency domain. The transmitted optical power is distributed between the optical carrier (402) and the optical side band (404). The received optical signal is processed in order to increase the received power in the optical carrier (402) relative to the power in the optical side-band (404). The processed optical signal is detected in order to produce a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal is then processed in order to recover the digital information. Advantageously, increasing the optical carrier power relative to the power in the information-bearing sideband results in improved quality of the detected electrical signal, enabling an improved power budget to be achieved, which in turn allows for longer transmission distances, increased transmitted information rates, and/or improved transmission error performance as compared with conventional direct detection optical transmission systems.
US08233797B2 Single wavelength source-free OFDMA-PON communication systems and methods
Methods and systems for processing communication signals in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)-Passive Optical Network (PON) are disclosed. An optical carrier at a wavelength generated at an optical line terminal (OLT) may be reused by optical network units (ONUs) in the network for upstream transmission of data signals to the OLT. In addition, each ONU may perform carrier suppression to avoid broadband beating noise resulting from the simultaneous transmission of upstream data signals on the same wavelength. Further, the optical source at the OLT used to generate the optical carrier may be reused as a local oscillator for coherent detection of received upstream signals to minimize any frequency offsets.
US08233794B2 Hitless MxN wavelength selective switch
A wavelength selective switch (WSS) based on an array of MEMS mirrors tiltable in 1-dimension about only one axis exhibits “hitting” or unwanted port connections during switching. Two WSS's can be cascaded to create M×N switching functionality in a hitless manner by the inclusion of block ports at specified positions in one or both of the WSS's. Greater use efficiency of ports can be achieved if quasi-hitless performance is acceptable.
US08233791B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing virtual 1:N automatic protection switching (APS) and dynamic, in service configuration change for optical network interface equipment
The subject matter described herein includes providing virtual 1:N automatic protection switching and dynamic, in service configuration change for optical network interface equipment. According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a method for providing virtual 1:N automatic protection switching (APS) for optical network interface equipment is disclosed. The method includes configuring N optical network interface cards (ONICs) as working cards, each working card having sending and receiving optical interfaces, wherein N is an integer greater than 1. A single ONIC is configured as a protection card for providing N optical interfaces for providing redundant interface protection for each of the optical interfaces on the N working cards. In response to detecting a failure of one of the N working cards or a failure of one of the optical interfaces on one of the N working cards, optical networking communications that would have been sent to or received by the failed card are automatically sent and received using a protecting interface on the protection card that is associated with the failed card.
US08233788B2 Illumination device for photography and photographic device
An illumination device for photography which can photograph an image expressing a movement of the object is provided. The device comprises a light emission unit which emits, continuously and at an constant emission amount, an illumination light, and a light emission control unit which controls the emission unit and changes a light emission intensity during the acquisition of a single still image by exposing object light on an imaging unit provided in a photographic device, wherein the light emission control unit, during the acquisition of the single still image, causes the illumination light to emit continuously at a first light emission intensity in a first time period, and causes the illumination light to emit continuously at a second light emission intensity with a lower intensity than the first light emission intensity in a second time period after the elapse of the first time period.
US08233784B2 Radiant heater
A radiant heater includes a heater body having a box-like configuration, the body defining an inner cavity and including a base wall and an open end opposite the base wall. The body is fabricated from a ceramic material. The body also includes a heating element extending a length of the body and positioned to direct energy through the open end of the body.
US08233782B2 Grouped exposed metal heaters
A system for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The system includes two or more groups of elongated heaters. The group includes two or more heaters placed in two or more openings in the formation. The heaters in the group are electrically coupled below the surface of the formation. The openings include at least partially uncased wellbores in a hydrocarbon layer of the formation. The groups are electrically configured such that current flow through the formation between at least two groups is inhibited. The heaters are configured to provide heat to the formation.
US08233775B2 Information processing system, portable information terminal apparatus, information processing method, program information providing apparatus, program information providing method, recording/reproducing apparatus, recording/reproducing method, computer-program storage medium, and computer program
An object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows a user to preset a desired TV program for unattended recording by use of a PDA. A PDA acquires from a TV program information service provider TV program information by which to preset a desired TV program to be recorded unattended. When the user selects relevant TV information about the desired program, the PDA sends to a personal computer the information for presetting the TV program of interest for subsequent unattended recording. Based on the preset information sent from the PDA, the personal computer presets the specified TV program to be recorded unattended.
US08233773B2 Apparatus and method using compressed codes for scheduling broadcast information recording
Digital compressed codes, associated with advertisements enable a user to selectively record additional information, which would be broadcast on a television channel at a later time. The advertisement could be print advertisement or broadcast advertisement on television or radio. The user enters the digital code (I code) associated with an advertisement into a unit with a decoding means which automatically converts the code into CTL (channel, time and length). The unit within a twenty four hour period activates a VCR to record information on the television channel at the right time for the proper length of time. The decoded channel, time and length information can be communicated directly to a VCR and used by the VCR directly to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television information broadcast corresponding to the communicated channel, time and length. Alternately, the channel, time and length information can be decoded directly in a remote control unit and only start record, stop record and channel selection commands sent to the VCR at the appropriate times. Algorithms for decoding the I codes can be a function of time to ensure security of the decoding method. A method is included for use of the I codes with cable channels.
US08233771B2 Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing programs
Certain exemplary embodiments relate to a device and/or an associated method in which a recorded television or radio program can be played back from a recording of said program without additional programs, such as commercial breaks. A current program can be resumed once the recording has been played back. Processed program segments can be retrieved while repeated segments can be tuned out during playback. The current program can be resumed more quickly if processed program segments are retrieved during playback.
US08233770B2 Content reproducing apparatus, recording medium, content recording medium, and method for controlling content reproducing apparatus
A video disk player includes (i) a disk reading section for reading out video data, a program, synchronization timing information from an optical disk; (ii) a clock for generating a clock signal; (iii) a decoder for converting, in accordance with the clock signal, the video data into decompressed video data for reproduction output; (iv) a video reproducing section including a synchronization control section for transmitting, in accordance with the clock signal, a synchronization control signal to the program executing section at a timing specified by a field timing contained in the synchronization timing information, and (v) a program executing section for executing a program in accordance with the synchronization control signal received from the synchronization control section. This makes it possible to efficiently execute the program in synchronization with reproduction of AV data or the like.
US08233768B2 Hierarchical and reduced index structures for multimedia files
Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with indexes associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the indexes, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.
US08233766B2 Recording medium capable of interactive reproducing and reproduction system for the same
On an optical disk, video object sets (VTST_VOBS) to be reproduced and video title set information (VTSI) serving as management information on the video object sets have been stored. In each video object set (VTST_VOBS), many data cells, each containing video, audio, and sub-picture data, are arranged. Management information on programs chains, which are combinations of programs to be reproduced one after another, has been written in a video title set PGC table (VTS_PGCIT). By referring to the program chain table (VTS_PGCIT) according to the user's input, the playback order of program chains can be changed, enabling the program chains to be reproduced one after another in various modes.
US08233764B2 Program recording apparatus and program recording method
A program recording method receives and records a desired program, the recording of which is set based on at least a broadcast time period and a broadcast channel. The method includes obtaining an electronic program guide and, when the desired program recording is set, searching a character string in a predetermined region of the electronic program guide including the broadcast time and broadcast channel, and changing the broadcast time period to a new time period when a predetermined word is included in the character string. A program recording apparatus for performing the method is also provided. The program recording apparatus and method ensure that a situation does not occur in which an end portion of the desired program is not recorded.
US08233763B2 Flexible cover for cable trough system
Systems and methods for covering a trough member. A cover system can include a flexible cover coupled to a side wall of the trough member. The flexible cover is selectively removable from the side wall to allow access to an interior of the trough member. The flexible cover mounts with a snap arrangement. Support ribs are mounted to side walls of the trough member.
US08233761B2 Optical fiber and optical waveguide
An optical fiber includes a core region having a first refractive index and a cladding region having a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index on an outer circumference of the core region. The cladding region includes four holes formed to have a four-fold rotational symmetry with respect to a center axis around the core region in a longitudinal direction, such that a zero-dispersion wavelength is 900 nm to 1150 nm and a cutoff wavelength is equal to or shorter than 950 nm.
US08233760B2 Ultra low PMD fibers and method of making
A method for making low PMD fiber comprising the steps of: (i) making an initial fiber preform; (ii) modifying said initial fiber preform to introduce higher birefringence than that of the initial fiber preform into modified preform; and (iii) drawing an optical fiber from the modified preform and bi-directionally spinning the drawn fiber during draw.
US08233758B2 Nanotube based optical fuse device and method
An optical fuse or energy-switching-off device includes an optical waveguide having an input section and an output section, the two sections forming a pair of opposed surfaces extending transversely through the axes of the waveguide sections. A substantially transparent material is disposed between the opposed surfaces and comprises an electrically conductive nanotube web immersed in dielectric material, where the nanotubes are not in electrical contact with each other. The substantially transparent material forms a plasma when exposed to optical signals propagating within the optical waveguide with an optical power level above a predetermined threshold, and the plasma damages the opposed surfaces sufficiently to render the surfaces substantially opaque to light propagating within the input section of the optical waveguide so as to prevent the transmission of such light.
US08233757B2 Wafer based optical chassis and associated methods
An optical chassis includes a mount substrate an optoelectronic device on the mount substrate, a spacer substrate, and a sealer substrate. The mount substrate, the spacer substrate and the sealer substrate are vertically stacked and hermetically sealing the optoelectronic device. An external electrical contact for the optoelectronic device is provided outside the sealing. At least part of the optical chassis may be made on a wafer level. A passive optical element may be provided on the sealer substrate or on another substrate stacked and secured thereto.
US08233750B2 Image management system, report creation terminal, medical image management server, and image management method
Enhanced image data is stored, and medical image data contained in the enhanced image data and a screen for creating an interpretation report are displayed on a monitor. In response to a linking operation, link data containing image specification information specifying medical image data to link in the enhanced image data is generated and included into data of the interpretation report. In response to an operation of requesting linked medical image, based on the link data, medical image data indicated by the image specification information within the enhanced image data is specified from the enhanced image data, and the specified medical image data is outputted to a requesting destination of the linked medical image. Thus, a link can be set to medical image data that is one data element within enhanced image data, and only a linked data row can be extracted and read from the enhanced image data.
US08233748B2 Image-resolution-improvement apparatus and method
Provided is an image-resolution-improvement apparatus and method which can increase the resolution of an input image at a high magnification to thereby obtain a high-quality final image. The apparatus includes a textured-region-detection unit to detect a texture region in an input image; and a final-image-generation unit to synthesize a first intermediate image and a second intermediate image, which are obtained by applying different interpolation techniques to the texture region and a non-texture region excluding the texture region and generating a final image.
US08233746B2 Image processing device, image processing method and program
An image processing device is provided that includes an image acquisition unit that obtains video data that includes a plurality of consecutive frames, and also obtains image data that correspond to some of the frames and have a higher spatial resolution than the frames. The image processing device also includes a super resolution processing unit that uses a plurality of the frames to perform super resolution processing on the frames, and that generates super resolution images that correspond to the frames. The image processing device further includes a motion estimation unit that uses the video data to detect a motion vector between the super resolution images and an image generation unit that, based on the super resolution images corresponding to the image data and on the motion vector, generates motion compensated image data that corresponds to the frames.
US08233745B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus calculates estimated pixel values of respective pixels of a provisional high-resolution image by interpolation on basis of pixel values in a reference frame. Interior of the reference frame is segmentalized into an edge region, a texture region or a flat region and others on a basis of pixel values of respective pixels. The respective pixels in the reference frame are set as target pixels one by one in sequence. Corresponding positions on the provisional high-resolution image are calculated, of the respective target pixels in decimal accuracy on a basis of information on the segmented regions including the target values. The estimated pixel values are modified so that differences from the pixel values of the target pixels to provisionally estimated pixel values obtained from the estimated pixel values of the provisional high-resolution image for pixels around the corresponding positions of the target pixels, becomes smaller. Modified pixel values and then obtained.
US08233744B2 Image enlargement apparatus, method, integrated circuit, and program
An image enlargement apparatus (108) includes: an interpolation unit (104 and the like) that generates a high-resolution interpolation image (OL) from a low-resolution image (101); a synthesis unit (105) that generates a first high-resolution image (FIG. 11B, alternate long and short dash line data in a lower part of FIG. 45, and the like) by synthesizing the interpolation image and a correction amount; and a re-correction unit (106) that generates a second high-resolution image (FIG. 11D, solid line data in the lower part of FIG. 45, and the like) by re-correcting the first high-resolution image using a generated feature value.
US08233743B2 Method and device for detecting the orientation of an image
The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting the orientation of an image in a set of images. All images in this set of images contain at least one similar object. The method proposes to choose one image in this set of images as being a reference image. The orientation of the other images is detected based on the orientation of this reference image.
US08233735B2 Methods and apparatus for detection of fluorescently labeled materials
Fluorescently marked targets bind to a substrate 230 synthesized with polymer sequences at known locations. The targets are detected by exposing selected regions of the substrate 230 to light from a light source 100 and detecting the photons from the light fluoresced therefrom, and repeating the steps of exposure and detection until the substrate 230 is completely examined. The resulting data can be used to determine binding affinity of the targets to specific polymer sequences.
US08233729B2 Method and apparatus for generating coded block pattern for highpass coefficients
A method and an apparatus for generating a coded block pattern for highpass coefficients are provided. The method includes receiving a quantized highpass coefficient (HP), wherein the HP includes a macroblock data; dividing the macroblock into a plurality of blocks; performing lapped transform (LT) operations of two stages on the said block data, concurrently calculating a plurality of coded block patterns of the blocks corresponding to all possible HP prediction directions; performing a calculation to obtain selection information of the HP prediction directions according to lowpass coefficients (LPs) generated through LT operations of the two stages; selecting a corresponding coded block pattern among the said coded block patterns according to the above-mentioned selection information of the HP prediction directions and outputting the selected coded block pattern.
US08233728B2 Embedded image quality stamps
In an image generation and rendering system, a quality stamp indicative of image fidelity is embedded in image data units resulting from image data compression/encoding. At decoding, the image quality stamp is captured and when the decoded image is rendered, a fidelity indicator is displayed along with the image.
US08233726B1 Image-domain script and language identification
Disclosed herein is a method, computer system and computer program product for identifying a writing system associated with a document image containing one or more words written in the writing system. Initially, a document image fragment is identified based on the document image, wherein the document image fragment contains one or more pixels from one or more of the words in the document image. A set of sequential features associated with the document image fragment is generated, wherein each sequential feature describes one dimensional graphic information derived from the one or more pixels in the document image fragment. A classification score for the document image fragment is generated responsive at least in part to the set of sequential features, the classification score indicating a likelihood that the document image fragment is written in the writing system. The writing system associated with the document image is identified based at least in part on the classification score for the document image fragment.
US08233721B2 Image processing apparatus and method
A method of matching a pose of a synthesized representation of a human or animal body to a captured image of that human or animal body is provided, which can be used to generate a graphical model of the body when disposed on a plane, such as a synthesized model of a football player on a field of play. The method includes receiving the captured image data, determining from the captured image data a plurality of limb position estimates, each position estimate corresponding to an amount by which limbs of the body are separated with respect to each other and deriving from the plurality of limb positions an estimated gait phase of the body. The estimated gait phase is then applied to a basis gait model in order to provide an estimated pose of the body, the basis gait model comprising data which defines a displacement of the limbs or parts thereof with respect to a gait cycle period. The estimated pose is then matched to that of the synthesized representation of the body.
US08233720B2 Object detecting apparatus and learning apparatus for the same
An object detecting apparatus capable of suppressing an increase of processing loads with high accuracy and a learning apparatus for the same are provided. An object detecting apparatus includes an image window extracting portion (210) for extracting an image window as a partial area of an image in plural from an input image, and a network identifier (590) for detecting a presence of an object from extracted image windows respectively by using a node network in which nodes each having an identifier for identifying the object stored in a storing portion (502) are connected as a network.
US08233719B2 Method and apparatus for determining image content
A method and apparatus of processing image data comprises correlating received image data. Image statistics are computed based upon the correlated image and eccentricity is estimated based upon the computed image statistics. An entropy metric of the correlated received image data is determined. An interpretation based upon the image statistics, estimated eccentricity, and entropy metric is performed and a report including the content of the processed image data is generated.
US08233717B2 System and method for extracting feature data of dynamic objects
A system and method for extracting feature data of dynamic objects selects sequential N frames of a video file up front, where N is a positive integer, and divides each of the N frames into N*N squares. The system and method further selects any n frames from the N frames, selects any n rows and n columns of the n frames to obtain n*n*n squares, where n is a positive integer. The system and method further extracts feature data from the video file by computing averages and differences for pixel values of the n*n*n squares.
US08233712B2 Methods of segmenting a digital image
A method of segmenting a digital image comprising the steps of performing a preliminary segmentation of the image into sub objects, defining a model object by selecting sub objects that define the model object, providing sub-object and model object features, using a fuzzy logic inference system to calculate segmentation parameters based on at least one of the sub object and model object features, and performing segmentation of the image using the segmentation parameters.
US08233711B2 Locality-constrained linear coding systems and methods for image classification
Systems and methods are disclosed for classifying an input image by detecting one or more feature points on the input image; extracting one or more descriptors from each feature point; applying a codebook to quantize each descriptor and generate code from each descriptor; applying spatial pyramid matching to generate histograms; and concatenating histograms from all sub-regions to generate a final representation of the image for classification.
US08233708B2 Video scene classification device and video scene classification method
A picture classifying unit in a video scene classifying device classifies obtained plural pictures into plural clusters based on a classification index which indicates a feature of the pictures. A cluster selecting unit selects at least one cluster among the classified clusters. An index generating unit assigns the index to at least one picture among the pictures which constitute the selected cluster.
US08233705B2 Potential field-based gamut mapping
A method for adjusting a color in a color space comprises adjusting the color along a gradient path to a point in or on a color gamut. The gradient path is determined from a potential field derived from the color gamut consisting of gamut points in the color space. The potential field can be derived from one or more points in the color gamut and different functions may be used to determine the potentials due to different points in the gamut. The potential at a point in the color space due to the gamut point can be a function, including an inverse power, of distance of the point in the color space from the gamut point. The gradient path can be determined from the gradient of the potential field by quadric error-based surface simplification of a surface mesh representing a surface of the gamut.
US08233703B2 Method and device for selecting transform matrices for down-sampling DCT image using learning with forgetting algorithm
Down-sampling of an image may be performed in the DCT domain. A multiple layered network is used to select transform matrices for down-sampling a DCT image of size M×N to a DCT image of size I×J. A spatial domain down-sampling method is selected and applied to the DCT image to produce a down-sampled DCT reference image. A learning with forgetting algorithm is used to apply a decay to the elements of the transform matrix and select a transform matrices which solve an optimization problem. The optimization problem is a function of the visual quality of images obtained using the transform matrices and the computational complexity associated with using the transform matrices. The visual quality is a measure of the difference between the down-sampled DCT image obtained using the transform matrices and the visual quality of the DCT reference image obtained using a spatial domain down-sampling method.
US08233690B2 Dynamic tomographic image reconstruction and rendering on-demand
A method of dynamically reconstructing three dimensional (3D) tomographic images from a set of projection images is disclosed. The method includes the steps of loading a set of projection images into a memory device, determining a reconstruction method for the set of projection images, reconstructing a 3D tomographic image from the set of projection images to be displayed to a user; and performing any post reconstruction processing on the 3D tomographic image.
US08233686B2 Methods and systems for locating objects embedded in a body
A method of processing image data from an imaging system for locating a plurality N of objects embedded in a body includes receiving data for a first two-dimensional image of a region of interest of the body containing the plurality N of objects, the first two-dimensional image being obtained from a first imaging setting of the imaging system relative to the region of interest; receiving data for a second two-dimensional image of a region of interest of the body containing the plurality N of objects, the second two-dimensional image being obtained from a second imaging setting of the imaging system relative to the region of interest; and receiving data for a third two-dimensional image of a region of interest of the body containing the plurality N of objects, the third two-dimensional image being obtained from a third imaging setting of said imaging system relative to said region of interest.
US08233685B2 Three-dimensional microscopic magnetic resonance angiography
A method comprises performing a first T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) on a subject; injecting the subject with a contrast agent after performing the first T2WI; and waiting a predetermined period of time before performing a second T2WI on the subject. The first T2WI and second T2WI are then co-registered. The co-registered first T2WI and co-registered second T2WI are then trimmed. A ΔR2 map is then determined based on each pixel of the trimmed first T2WI and corresponding pixels of the trimmed second T2WI. A three-dimensional map is constructed based on the ΔR2 map.
US08233684B2 Systems and methods for automated diagnosis
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer instructions for detecting a pathological condition of a vasculature. Certain embodiments provide a method for detecting a pathological condition of a vasculature. The method includes accessing imaging data indicative of the vasculature and having a data type, selecting a detection process corresponding to the data type from among a plurality of detection processes, each of the detection processes processing data of a different data type. The method also includes processing the imaging data having the data type with the selected detection process, and superimposing the processed imaging data on the imaging data indicative of the pathological condition of the vasculature.
US08233683B2 Methods for non-linear image blending, adjustment and display
A method for generating and adjusting an image obtained based on computed tomography data using a non-linear blending function is provided. In one embodiment of the method, first image data is obtained using a first X-ray energy, and second image data is obtained using a second X-ray image energy. An image is generated by blending the first and second image data using the non-linear function. The first X-ray energy and the second X-ray energy are different.
US08233679B2 Detecting facial similarity based on human perception of facial similarity
Similar faces may be determined within images based on human perception of facial similarity. The user may provide an image including a query face to which the user wishes to find faces that are similar. Similar faces may be determined based on similarity information. Similarity information may be generated from information related to a human perception of facial similarity. Images that include faces determined to be similar, based on the similarity information, may be provided to the user as search result images. The user then may provide feedback to indicate the user's perception of similarity between the query face and the search result images.
US08233674B2 Red eye false positive filtering using face location and orientation
An image is acquired including a red eye defect and non red eye defect regions having a red color. An initial segmentation of candidate redeye regions is performed. A location and orientation of one or more faces within the image are determined. The candidate redeye regions are analyzed based on the determined location and orientation of the one or more faces to determine a probability that each redeye region appears at a position of an eye. Any confirmed redeye regions having at least a certain threshold probability of being a false positive are removed as candidate redeye defect regions. The remaining redeye defect regions are corrected and a red eye corrected image is generated.
US08233672B2 Apparatus and method for verifying the identity of an author
A method and apparatus for identifying the writer of a document, where identifying information for each of a plurality of registered human individuals is stored in a database, calls for capturing local images of an individual making writings and/or keyboard entries and determining whether the individual making these writings and/or keyboard entries is the same as one of the registered individuals whose identifying information is stored in the database. The identifying information stored in the database includes both an alphanumeric identifier and an image of a unique, visually observable biologic identifier on a body portion of each registered individual. The local images include both: (i) the making of the writings and/or keyboard entries by the individual whose identifying information may be stored in the database; and (ii) a body portion of this same individual on which is visible the biologic identifier.
US08233671B2 Reading device with hierarchal navigation
In some embodiments, disclosed is reading device that comprises a camera, at least one processor, and a user interface. The camera scans at least a portion of a document having text to generate a raster file. The processor processes the raster file to identify text blocks. The user interface allows a user to hierarchically navigate the text blocks when they are read to the user.
US08233661B2 Object tracking apparatus and object tracking method
Candidate contour curves for a tracking object in the current frame are determined using a particle filter, based on the existence probability distribution of the tracking object in a frame which is one frame previous to the current frame. To match a candidate curve against a contour image of the current frame, a processing to search for the closest contour to the candidate curves is divided for each knot constituting the candidate contour curve and is executed in parallel by a plurality of processors. Each image data on a search region for each knot to be processed are copied from a contour image stored in an image storage to the respective local memories.
US08233656B2 Headset
A headset with an elongated housing is provided with an in ear speaker that is suspended from the elongated housing so that it may assume a stowed position in which the in ear speaker is substantially in line with the elongated housing and may assume a deployed position in which the in ear speaker is disposed sidewards from said elongated housing. The in ear speaker may be suspended from the elongated housing by an arm, such as a simple arm or a parallel arm mechanism.
US08233648B2 Ad-hoc adaptive wireless mobile sound system
An ad-hoc Adaptive Wireless Mobile Sound System comprises mobile phone nodes and a Master device for sending a query to the nodes, to verify whether they hold in their memory a specific song/track and to learn their music playing capabilities, for conveying to the nodes that do not have a specific file in their memory, a compressed audio stream of the file, for selecting, based on an answer to the query, an appropriate surround scheme that considers the mobile nodes capabilities, for publishing the surround scheme by which a playing role is allocated for each of the nodes, and for synchronizing the mobile nodes and to order them to play a stream audio file according to the surround scheme. In one embodiment, the Master is operable to select a compensating surround scheme when one of the nodes is found incapable of executing its allocated role during play time.
US08233647B2 Television set
This television set includes a first speaker portion and a second speaker portion provided on prescribed left and right positions of a display screen portion respectively, a driving portion turning the display screen portion and a control portion controlling the first speaker portion and the second speaker portion so that the first speaker portion and the second speaker portion output different sounds enabling the user to identify the distances from the first and second speaker portions to the user respectively when the driving portion turns the display screen portion.
US08233646B2 Acoustic device and method of manufacturing same
An acoustic device (500), comprising an oscillatory membrane (501) which comprises a transducing element (503) and a frame (504) adapted for accommodating the membrane (501) in an accommodation plane, wherein the membrane (501) is accommodated in the frame (504) in such a manner that a translational motion of the membrane (501) in at least one direction of the accommodation plane is made possible.
US08233635B2 Audio signal transmitting apparatus, audio signal receiving apparatus, audio signal transmission system, audio signal transmission method, and program
According to the invention, there is provided an audio signal receiving apparatus which receives audio signals transmitted from external connection apparatuses through a plurality of channels, including an audio signal transmitting scheme determining unit which determines a transmitting scheme of the audio signal in the external connection apparatus on the basis of channel mapping information representing types of the audio signals transmitted by the external connection apparatuses. When the audio signal to be received is changed, a process to be executed is changed depending on the transmitting scheme of the audio signal.
US08233633B2 Noise control device
A noise control device includes a signal processor that detects a noise outputted from a noise source, and generates a control signal based on the noise and a control acoustic system that generates a control sound for canceling the noise, based on the control signal outputted from the signal processor. The noise control device also includes an output correction section that corrects the control signal outputted from the signal processor, in a frequency band for which a noise control process time τ, which is a time period from when the noise is outputted from the noise source to pass through the signal processor and the control acoustic system to when the control sound reaches the control point, is larger than a noise transfer time T, which is a time period from when the noise is outputted from the noise source to when the noise reaches the control point via the noise transfer system (τ>T).
US08233631B2 Medic voice data system
A medical voice data system includes a hand-held recording device, an electronic information carrier (EIC), and a host station. The hand-held device records medical information from a user that is examining a person in an extreme environment such as battlefield or disaster area. EICs are stored within a housing interior and can be dispensed therefrom by the user. Recording electronics within the housing interior are operably connected to at least one of the EICs. A microphone is operably connected to the recording electronics to record on a EIC medical information about the injured person. The EIC is configured to be attached to and travel with the person as they are evacuated so that the recorded medical information is immediately available to medical personnel at a care center via the host station. The medical voice data system may also employ a wireless EIC. A host station is used to receive and process the recorded information and convert it to text-based medical record.
US08233630B2 Test apparatus, test method, and computer program
A sound element is generated by synthesizing, from a base sound, a frequency component of a sinusoidal wave one octave higher than the base sound. The base sound is a frequency component of one sinusoidal wave with an integer multiple of periods thereof matching a sample count represented by a power of 2. Sound elements having a frequency serving as a musical scale in a temperament are selected from the sound elements. The selected sound element is outputted in a predetermined pattern of time and a musical scale, so that a test tone is produced in a melody-like fashion.
US08233625B2 Rolling code security system
A rolling code transmitter is useful in a security system for providing secure encrypted RF transmission comprising an interleaved trinary bit fixed code and rolling code. A receiver demodulates the encrypted RF transmission and recovers the fixed code and rolling code. Upon comparison of the fixed and rolling codes with stored codes and determining that the signal has emanated from an authorized transmitter, a signal is generated to actuate an electric motor to open or close a movable barrier.
US08233623B2 Methods and systems for blackout provisioning in a distribution network
Methods and systems for blackout provisioning in a communication network. In an aspect, a method is provided for blackout provisioning in a distribution network. The method includes determining one or more affected regions, and generating a blackout key based an original key and the affected regions. The method also includes encrypting content with the blackout key to produce encrypted content, and transmitting the encrypted content and an encrypted version of the original key over the distribution network. An apparatus is provided for blackout provisioning that includes provisioning logic to determine one or more affected regions, a key generator to generate a blackout key based an original key and the affected regions, encryption logic to encrypt content with the blackout key to produce encrypted content, and a transmitter to transmit the encrypted content and an encrypted version of the original key over the distribution network.
US08233621B2 Slice-based prioritized secure video streaming
Slice-based prioritized secure video streaming comprises a transmitter receiving a slice comprising a plurality of macroblocks and selecting an encryption key based at least in part on a relative importance of secure transmission of the macroblocks. If the importance is high, a master key is selected. If the importance is medium, a first key derivable by applying a one-way function to the master key is selected. If the importance is low, a second key derivable by applying the one-way function to the first key is selected. The slice is encrypted using the encryption key. A receiver receives the encrypted slice, decrypts a header of the slice using the master key, to obtain an indication of a relative importance of secure transmission of the macroblocks. The receiver selects a decryption key based at least in part on the indication, and decrypts the slice using the decryption key.
US08233617B2 Resilient cryptographic scheme
A system and method are provided for enabling a symmetric key to be derived, the method comprising: obtaining a plurality of key parts, wherein the plurality of key parts when combined equal the symmetric key; encrypting a first of the key parts using a first cryptographic algorithm to generate a first encrypted value; encrypting one or more remaining key parts of the plurality of key parts using respective cryptographic algorithms to generate one or more additional encrypted values, wherein each key part encrypted is encrypted using a different cryptographic algorithm; and providing the first encrypted value and the one or more additional encrypted values to an other entity to enable the other entity to derive the symmetric key.
US08233611B1 Member-initiated outbound call
A system and method employed in a call center provide a memory structure for use in maintaining a call queue including data representing a plurality of calls to be serviced, and the data is structured so as to represent an order in which the plurality of calls are to be serviced. The call queue data further indicates whether each call is to be handled as an inbound or an outbound call. When an incoming call is received by the call center and no service representative is currently available to service the call, the caller is prompted to elect to either wait on-line for a next available service representative or to disconnect the call and receive a call back at a later time. An aspect of this technology is that the caller does not lose his or her place in the queue and is not stuck on hold.
US08233609B2 Systems and methods for managing call processing for a specific agent
Systems and methods for managing calls, both inbound and outbound, for available agents over a plurality of lines, where each call received or placed is pre-identified to be connected to one specific agent and upon the automatic detection of the call being received or answered, the call is either connected to the specific agent or placed in a queue for that specific agent.
US08233608B2 Method of and system for automatically switching between free directory assistance service and chargeable directory assistance service
A method of redirecting a directory-assistance call includes receiving a directory-assistance request from a caller, determining via a free directory-assistance service whether information corresponding to the directory-assistance request is available, responsive to a determination that the information is available, presenting, to the caller, the information free of charge to the caller and, responsive to a determination that the information is not available, redirecting the directory-assistance call to a chargeable directory-assistance service.
US08233604B2 Automated call routing based on an active presence profile
A method and system for automatically routing a call to an identity of multiple identities based on an active presence profile. A subscription message is sent to a user's contact addresses. The contact addresses include identities of the user and indicators of remote servers that manage real time communication systems. A presence document that includes a presence status of a first identity of the user is received. The presence status indicates that the first identity is offline. A registration message is issued to a remote server, resulting in a call redirection from the first identity to a second identity. The second identity is included in an active presence profile and is associated with a computing system that receives the redirected call. If multiple presence profiles of the user are active, a matching algorithm selects a contact address of one of the active presence profiles to determine the call redirection.
US08233603B2 Method and apparatus for communicating with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number
A system for (and a method of) selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a wireless connect unit connected between an enterprise private branch exchange (PBX) network and a public switched telephone network. The wireless connect unit preferably serves as a gateway between the PBX and one or more remote communication devices. The remote devices can be used as standard PBX office telephones for both inbound and outbound telephone calls. Thus, features of the PBX network (e.g., voice mail, direct extension dialing, corporate calling plan, etc.) are available to the remote device even though they are not physically connected to the PBX. When the system receives an incoming call, it can route the call to an office telephone and one or more of the remote devices simultaneously or as desired by the user.
US08233602B2 Authentication apparatus
An authentication device for fitting at the entrance to a property includes an externally facing interface including a speaker and a microphone; an internally facing interface comprising a speaker, a microphone and a keypad; and a processing unit including electrical interfaces to both the internally and externally facing interfaces and to a telephone unit. The internally facing keypad includes a button which permits a user to cause the processing unit to initiate a call using the telephone unit to a remote voice verification center via the telephone unit and the PSTN to which it is interfaced when in use (via standard telephone socket). The processing unit is additionally operable to communicate audio signals between the remote voice verification center and at least the externally facing interface (i.e. the speaker and microphone thereof), whereby a visitor may be remotely verified by the remote voice verification center before the householder grants the visitor admission to the property.
US08233600B1 Automated creation of multiple provider services
A method may include receiving, at a service server, a request for services from a requesting device. The service server may identify one or more service options responsive to the request and send a list of the identified service options to the requesting device. The service server may receive a selected service option from the requesting device. The service server may collect payment information for the selected service option from the requesting device and providing accounting information to a service provider of the selected service option based on the payment information.
US08233596B2 Providing subscriber information in voice over IP (VoIP) system
Subscriber information is provided in a Voice over IP (VoIP) system by transmitting multimedia data (e.g., graphics data or image data) depending on Caller Identification (CID) information of respective IP terminals connected to the VoIP system to a called IP terminal, or to broadcast multimedia data to the respective IP terminals belonging to each group in response to a subscriber's request while managing address information of the respective IP terminals.
US08233592B2 Personal home voice portal
A method of accessing voice services through a personal computing system can include receiving, in the personal computing system, a telephone call from a user registered with the personal computing system, wherein the user is remotely located from the personal computing system, receiving a user spoken utterance over the telephone call, and speech recognizing the user spoken utterance to determine a request for a voice service. The method further can include formatting an electronic message according to the request for a voice service and sending the electronic message over a communications network to a remote computing system in accordance with the request for a voice service. Also, the method can include processing and formatting a response received from the remote computing system and playing back audio to the user over the telephone call.
US08233584B2 Shift register
An exemplary shift register includes a control circuit and an output transistor. The control circuit has a start pulse signal input terminal, a first clock pulse signal input terminal and a power supply voltage input terminal and includes a first control transistor and a second control transistor. The output transistor is electrically coupled to the first control transistor and includes a gate driving signal output terminal and a second clock pulse signal input terminal. Moreover, the first control transistor, the second control transistor and the output transistor all are negative threshold voltage transistors.
US08233577B1 Apparatus and method for routing of signals
A signal routing apparatus comprises a register bank to store a set of data signals. A delay locked loop generates a set of phase displaced clock signals. A phase controlled read circuit sequentially routes the set of data signals from the register bank in response to the phase displaced clock signals. A Low Voltage Differential Signaling buffer connected to the phase controlled read circuit transmits the data signals in a Low Voltage Differential Signaling mode. The phase displaced clock signals operate in lieu of a higher clock rate in order to reduce power consumption.
US08233576B2 System, apparatus, and method for a robust synchronization scheme for digital communication systems
A synchronization sequence (preamble) that is known to the receiver forms as an integral part of packet-based digital communication systems. The first operation in such digital communication systems is the detection of the beginning of a valid signal (packet). A system, apparatus, and method for a scheme to robustly detect the preamble are provided having a hierarchical cross-correlator in combination with a second stage delayed auto-correlator using the output of the cross-correlator as an input to the second stage correlator.
US08233575B2 Open loop cyclostationarity based timing recovery for accelerated timing acquisition in frequency selective channels
An error between the rate fsym at which data are received and the rate fs at which the data are sampled in is determined by processing a received signal with a nonlinear operator, performing a DFT on the processed signal to produce a plurality of DFT bins each characterized by a respective frequency, determining a dominant spectral component k0 from at least two of the DFT bins whose frequencies are substantially close to the frequency of the dominant spectral component k0, and determining the data rate fsym from the dominant spectral component k0.
US08233571B2 Reception device and reception method
A reception device includes reception antennas and an address generation unit that converts a write-in or read-out order of channel estimation values according to a rearrangement rule. A storage unit writes in or reads out channel estimation values in the converted order, and an address generation unit converts a data sequence write-in or read-out order according to the rearrangement rule. A signal storage unit writes in or reads out data sequences in the converted order, and a replica generation unit generates a replica signal by re-modulating the data sequence according to the channel estimation value. A cancel unit successively generates a stream signal in which a data sequence interference signal is cancelled, by using the channel estimation value, the data sequence, and the replica signal.
US08233569B2 Realtime spectrum trigger system on realtime oscilloscope
A realtime spectrum trigger system on a realtime oscilloscope considers both the magnitude and phase of an input signal having a periodic component so that successive acquisitions of the input signal are time aligned. A user inputs a frequency, threshold and phase for triggering on the periodic component. Input signal samples are filtered by quadrature filters according to the frequency input to produce quadrature signal components. The square of the magnitude of the input signal is computed from the quadrature signal components, as well as the phase ratio and sign, for comparison with calculated values. When enabled by the magnitude of the input signal, a phase crossing determinator compares the phase ratio and sign with calculated values to determine the phase crossing to generate a trigger, resulting in successive acquisitions of the input signal being in time alignment.
US08233568B2 Adaptive receiver for high-order modulated signals over fading channels
An adaptive receiver to provide reliable estimates of the symbols for the high-order MQAM and MPSK modulated signals received in the presence of amplitude fading and phase dynamics induced due to time-varying atmospheric or terrestrial multipath fading encountered in wireless communication channels. The adaptive receiver encompasses an adaptive tracking loop comprised of adaptive channel fade envelope estimator derived from the high-order modulated signal, a novel phase detector to separately estimate the phase due to the fading channel and the reference oscillator from that due to the data modulation present in the received signal without the need of any pilot symbol or pilot carrier, and a Kalman filter, a fixed-lag smoother and a smoothed symbol detector.
US08233566B2 Method and system for detecting narrowband signals using a receiver with a wideband frontend
A system (100) and method (300) detect the presence of a narrowband signal having a bandwidth ΔF2 in a wideband frequency channel having a bandwidth ΔF1>ΔF2. The method (300) includes digitizing (310) a signal received in the frequency channel; transforming (320) the digitized signal into N digital frequency domain components; averaging (330) the power spectrum of the N digital frequency domain components over a plurality of samples; filtering (340) the averaged power spectrum of the N digital frequency domain components with a filter having M non-zero values spanning a bandwidth, ΔF3, where N>M and ΔF1>ΔF3; computing (350) a mean, μk, a modified standard deviation, βk, and a peak value, PMAX of the filtered, averaged power; and detecting (360) the presence of the narrowband whenever PMAX>(k1*μk)+(k2*βk), where k1 and k2 are selected to provide a probability of detection, a probability of missed detection, and a probability of false alarm.
US08233565B2 Method and system for high speed wireless data transmission between communication devices
Herein described are at least a method and a system for transmitting high speed wireless data from a first communication device to a second communication device. The method comprises using a first physical layer for transmitting management data or control signals between the first and second devices. In one embodiment, the management data may be used to authenticate and assign an appropriate wireless communication channel between the first and second device. The wireless communication channel is established by implementing a second physical layer in each of the first and second devices. The wireless communication channel may be used to transmit the high speed wireless data. The system comprises a first communication device and a second communication device wherein each of the first communication device and the second communication device utilizes a first physical layer and a second physical layer.
US08233561B2 Image forming apparatus and data communication method
Data comprising a pulse signal is divided into predetermined data segments. The number of pulse-signal fluctuations in the data segment is counted. A transmitter transmits the unchanged data to a receiving portion in a case where the number of pulse-signal fluctuations does not exceed a predetermined number. On the other hand, in a case where the number of pulse-signal fluctuations exceeds the predetermined number, the pulse signal is converted so as to be unchanged at the fluctuation of the pulse signal but to be fluctuated when the pulse signal does not fluctuate. Then, the transmitter transmits the converted pulse signal to the receiving portion wherein only the converted pulse signal is converted to the original pulse signal.
US08233555B2 Time varying delay diversity of OFDM
Methods and apparatuses that apply a time-varying delay to symbols to be transmitted from one or more antennas are provided. One such method may include providing a first symbol comprising a first plurality of samples to a first antenna. The first symbol is provided to a second antenna after a first delay period. A second symbol comprising a second plurality of samples is provided to the first antenna. The second symbol is provided to the second antenna after a second delay period that is different than the first delay period.
US08233554B2 Increased capacity communications for OFDM-based wireless communications systems/methods/devices
Numerous embodiments are provided that may be used to provide enhanced capacity and/or Quality-of-Service for OFDM-based systems such as LTE and/or WiMAX. Various service/device modes and/or applications are also provided. According to embodiments of the invention, a transformation may be performed on a data vector by a transmitter, prior to the transmitter transmitting the data vector, to distribute elements of the data vector over an available frequency space, thus providing robustness to channel anomalies such as fading and/or interference. The transformation may be based upon a Fourier transform or a truncated Butler matrix. At a receiver, an inverse of the transformation may be applied to recover data. The receiver and/or transmitter may be configured with an antenna array that may comprise a two-dimensional lattice of antenna elements, and may further be configured to estimate a number of resolvable signal paths and to form a spatial filter/rake that is matched to the number of resolvable signal paths. Embodiments relating to architectures, systems, methods, devices, software, firmware and/or computer program products are provided.
US08233552B2 Method and system for utilizing givens rotation expressions for asymmetric beamforming matrices in explicit feedback information
Aspects of a method and system for utilizing Givens rotation expressions for asymmetric beamforming matrices in explicit feedback information are presented. In one aspect of the invention, Givens matrices may be utilized to reduce a quantity of information communicated in explicit feedback information via an uplink RF channel. The explicit feedback information may include specifications for a feedback beamforming matrix that may be utilized when transmitting signals via a corresponding downlink RF channel. The feedback beamforming matrix may represent a rotated version of an un-rotated matrix. The Givens matrices may be utilized to apply one or more Givens rotations to un-rotated matrix. The feedback beamforming matrix may be computed based on a matrix product of a plurality of Givens matrices. The feedback beamforming matrix may be encoded utilizing fewer bits than may be required to encode the un-rotated matrix.
US08233547B2 Method for activation and deactivation of infrequently changing sequence and picture parameter sets
A method for activating and deactivating parameter sets during decoding of a bitstream for display, comprising the steps of: (A) tagging a first picture parameter information set associated with a first identification value as active in response to a reference to the first identification value in a bitstream; (B) changing the tag of the first picture parameter information set from active to inactive and tagging a second picture parameter information set associated with a second identification value as active in response to a reference to the second identification value in the bitstream; and (C) tagging the second picture parameter information set as inactive and re-tagging the first picture parameter information set as active in response to a subsequent reference to the first identification value in the bitstream.
US08233546B2 Apparatus for removing a blocking phenomenon using properties of a second block adjacent a first block
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to obtain a block type of the second block, and determine whether the second block has non-zero transform coefficient information if the obtained block type of the second block is not an intra-coded block. The decoder is configured to determine a non-zero filter strength value based on the obtained coded block type of the second block and the determination of whether the second block has non-zero transform coefficient information, and is configured to remove the blocking phenomenon in the first block according to the filter strength value.
US08233543B2 Method of coding and decoding image
A method of simplifying the arithmetic operation in a global motion compensation process approximates the motion vector field of the whole image without using many parameters. Motion vectors in the global motion compensation are found by the interpolation and/or extrapolation of the motion vectors of a plurality of representative points 602, 603 and 604 having particular features in the spatial distance thereof. Since the shift operation can be substituted for the division for synthesizing a predicted image of global motion compensation, the processing using a computer or a dedicated hardware is simplified.
US08233537B2 Efficient implementation of H.264 4 by 4 intra prediction on a VLIW processor
This invention is useful in video compression standards support a rich set of intra prediction modes. This invention a unique table creation and lookup approach to software pipeline the prediction process for all pixels within a block. The table stores constant data and pointer data into a neighbor pixel table. Indexing into the table based upon the current intra prediction mode for each pixel of a block recalls constant data and other pixel data for calculation of an intra prediction value.
US08233532B2 Information signal, apparatus and method for encoding an information content, and apparatus and method for error correcting an information signal
A scalable information signal is protected in a more efficient and/or safe way by adopting the inter-relationship among the plurality of portions of different levels within the information signal in FEC protecting the information signal. In particular, portions of the information signal representing the information content at a higher level should have associated therewith redundancy information which is dependent not only on that part of this portion being disjoint to a respective overlapping lower level portion. Rather, redundancy information should also be dependent on the latter part so as to increase the chances of success of forward error correcting an error within the lower level portion at the reception side.
US08233529B2 Video decoder
A video decoder is provided. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts an analog video signal into a plurality of samples at a sampling rate. A main processing path collects a plurality of odd samples to provide a first decoded video output and synchronization information. A plurality of even samples is converted into a plurality of first converted samples at a first predetermined frequency by a sample rate converter, and then filtered by a filter to obtain a second Y signal. A buffer stores the second Y signal, and reads the second Y signal in response to the timing information. An output sample rate converter converts the buffered output into a plurality of second converted samples at a second predetermined frequency. A parallel-to-serial converter receives the first decoded video output and the plurality of second converted samples to drive a second decoded video output.
US08233528B2 Apparatus for removing blocking artifact using quantization information
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to obtain quantization information of a first block. The first block includes a pixel to be filtered. The decoder is configured to determine a filtering coefficient based on a value obtained from a table using the quantization information, and obtain four successive filtered pixel values based on the filtering coefficient. Two of the four successive filtered pixels are included in the first block and two of the four successive filtered pixels are included in a second block adjacent the first block.
US08233524B2 Radio transmitter IQ imbalance measurement and correction methods and apparatus
Embodiments include transceivers and transmit IQ imbalance correction methods. A transmitter lineup, which includes an equalizer and an RF modulator, receives a stream of baseband samples having real and imaginary components, processes the real components along a first channel, and processes the imaginary components along a second channel to produce processed real and imaginary components. The equalizer equalizes at least one of the processed real components and the processed imaginary components to compensate for offset frequency-dependent components of transmitter IQ imbalance. The RF modulator receives and modulates analog versions of the equalized samples, resulting in an analog RF signal. An embodiment also includes a balancer adapted to apply IQ gain and phase correction to the equalized samples to compensate for offset frequency-independent components of the transmitter IQ imbalance. A calibration processing subsystem determines filter coefficients used by the equalizer and IQ gain and phase correction values used by the balancer.
US08233520B2 Radio frequency signal transceiver and communication system employing the same
A radio frequency (RF) signal communication system provided with amplifier predistortion comprises an antenna for wireless communication. Through the antenna and a receiving path of the system, RF signals are received and transmitted to a baseband module. The transmission path of the system comprises a predistorter and an amplifier, in which the predistorter performs predistortion to compensate signal distortion under the amplification by the amplifier. A coupler is utilized to sample a portion of RF signals output by the amplifier as the feedbacks for the predistortion.
US08233518B2 Signals, system, method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method to produce a modulation signal comprising combining at least two modulation signals, for example, BOCs or derivatives thereof, having portions (chip or a number of chips) thereof with respective relative phases or states ({++, −−} and {+−, −+}) selected such that the average of a plurality of said portions at least reduces cross spectral terms of the composite complex spectrum of said at least two modulation signals.
US08233505B2 Coordination in wireless networks having devices with different physical layer transmission schemes
A wireless network (300) operates with at least two different types of wireless devices, including Type-A wireless devices (320) that communicate using a first transmission scheme and Type-B wireless devices (310) that communicate using a second transmission scheme. Type-A wireless devices (320) can transmit Type-A beacons (325) using the first transmission scheme. Type-B wireless devices (310) can transmit and receive Type-B beacons (315) using the second transmission scheme. Type-B wireless devices (310) can also transmit Type-A beacons (325) using the first transmission scheme, but cannot receive the Type-A beacons (325). Before establishing communications in a new channel, a Type-B wireless device (310) performs power sensing to detect the presence of any non-Type-B wireless devices (200), and if such wireless devices (200) are detected, it switches to another channel. Otherwise, it transmits a Type-A beacon (325) and a Type-B beacon (315) to establish communications in the channel.
US08233502B2 System and method for heuristically dropping packets in a multilink PPP bundle
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide a better fragment drop heuristic that determines a per-fragment determined “remainder time” value to trigger potential drops on the whole bundle. A per-bundle drop timeout value is assumed. This value is to be configured based on differential delay considerations of the various links that constitute the bundle. The arrival time of a fragment to a reassembly algorithm triggers a remainder timer. When the reassembly algorithm instance actually processes the fragment, the “remainder time,” which is difference of a bundle drop timeout and time elapsed on the remainder timer, is used to determine whether the fragment and the other fragments of the packet should be dropped.
US08233501B2 Transport block set segmentation
Data of a transport block set is to be transmitted in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system uses adaptive modulation and coding and has a physical layer hybrid automatic repeat request mechanism. Segmentation information for potential segmentation of the transport block set is provided. The transport block set is transmitted with a first specified modulation and coding scheme. The transport bock set is received and whether the received transport block set is determined to meet a specified quality. When the specified quality is not met, a repeat request is transmitted. The first specified modulation and coding set is changed to a second specified modulation and coding set. In response to the repeat request, the transmit block set is segmented into a plurality of segments supported by the second specified modulation and coding set in accordance with the provided segmentation information. The segments are transmitted and at least two of the segments are transmitted separately. The transmitted segments are received. The segmentation process may be applied more than once for a particular TBS transmission.
US08233496B2 Systems and methods for efficient multicast handling
A network device constructs a notification corresponding to a received multicast data unit, where the notification includes administrative data associated with the multicast data unit that does not include a payload of the multicast data unit. The network device replicates the notification at least three different processing elements at different locations in a processing path of the network device to produce multiple replicated data items and produces a copy of the multicast data unit for each of replicated notifications. The network device forwards each copy of the multicast data unit towards a multicast destination.
US08233493B2 Packet router having improved packet classification
A computer-implemented method for classifying received packets using a hardware cache of evolving rules and a software cache having an original rule set. The method including receiving a packet, processing the received packet through a hardware-based packet classifier having at least one evolving rule to identify at least one cache miss packet, and processing the cache miss packet through a software based packet classifier including an original rule set. Processing the cache miss packet includes determining whether to expand at least one of the at least one evolving rules in the hardware-based packet classifier based on the cache miss packet. The determination includes determining whether an evolving rule has both the same action and lies entirely within one of the rule of the original rule set.
US08233492B1 Voice gateway failure decoder
An apparatus including an operation manager for an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system. The operation manager is configured to identify a gateway which is associated with a system fault, and determine an impact of the system fault on the IP telephony system, or on an external network that is interfaced to the IP telephony system by the gateway. The impact of the system fault may be determined according to a dial pattern associated with a call routed to the gateway.
US08233488B2 Methods and systems for network address translation management
A method for network address translation (NAT) includes providing a first and a second NAT table. The method further includes receiving a network packet and classifying the network packet based on a type of network traffic. Additionally, an entry is added to the first NAT table based on the classification of the network packet.
US08233485B2 Network interoperability
The present invention relates to a method in a communication network for connecting at least one application server (AS) (213) of an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) (200) to an intelligent network (IN) (100) through an interface unit (301). The IMS (200) comprises a call server control function (CSCF) unit (205) connected to the at least one AS (213) arranged for processing call signaling. In the method the interface unit (301) directs the call signaling to the at least one AS (213) through the CSCF unit (205) and the at least one AS (213) processes the call signaling and sends the processed call signaling through the CSCF unit (205) back to the interface unit (301). Based on the information received in the call signaling processed by the at least one AS (213), the interface unit (301) then directs the call to a destination.
US08233484B2 Network address translation (NAT) traversal equipment for signal messages conforming to the SIP protocol by redundancy of address information
Method of setting up a communication session (fm) between a calling communication client (C1) and a called communication client (C2), through a communication network (SN1, SN, SN2) comprising at least one address translation equipment (NAT1, NAT2). It comprises steps for transmission of signal messages (fs), transiting through address translation equipment and enabling interchange of physical addresses of communication clients to set up the communication session. This method is characterized in that at least one client transmits at least one signal message containing a physical address in a first location, and coded information containing this particular physical address in a distinct second location.
US08233482B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for disabling an operative coupling to a network
Methods and systems are described for disabling an operative coupling to a network. In an aspect, first data received for forwarding is forwarded between a first node in a first network and a second node in a second network by a network relay via a first operative coupling to the first network of a first network interface hardware component in the network relay and via a second operative coupling to the second network of a second network interface hardware component in the network relay. A determination is made that a specified decoupling condition is met. The second operative coupling is disabled subsequent to the forwarding and in response to the determination while the first operative coupling remains enabled for receiving second data for forwarding.
US08233480B2 Network clustering
A network clustering facility is described. The network clustering facility receives a message having a location identification that identifies a destination for the message and comprises at least two components, selects a network node identified by the components of the location identification, determines whether a link exists to the selected network node, and identifies a best link to the selected network node. The network clustering facility comprises a clustering subsystem, an advertising subsystem, and a routing layer.
US08233479B2 Protocol independent multicast in a point-to-multipoint network
In one example embodiment, a method of using protocol independent multicast (PIM) in a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) label switched path is provided. In this method, a label uniquely identifying the P2MP label switched path from different P2MP label switched paths is advertised. In response to the advertisement, a PIM message is received by way of a point-to-point (P2P) label switched path. This PIM message includes the advertised label. The label included in the PIM message is identified to correspond with the P2MP label switched path and the PIM message is reflected by way of the P2MP label switched path based on the identification.
US08233476B2 SCP-controlled overlay between GSM and IMS
The invention relates to method of executing a service in a Media Gateway Control Function (12) for establishing a call between a calling party's terminal (8) served by a Mobile Switching Center (2), and an IP Multimedia Subsystem Service (20). The Media Gateway Control Function (12) is arranged to query a Service Control Point (10) on which an overlay process is loaded. The correct SCP (10) is identified by the MGCF (12) using a correlation identifier originally published by the SCP itself after having received an IN service trigger from an MSC or GMSC. The MGCF will receive call related data from the SCP, such as the original dialled number. This data is used by the MGCF to populate information elements in a SIP Invite message. The invention gives a solution for providing GSM specific information, e.g. dialled number, location information, to an IMS service. This information may not be available to the IMS service through present methods.
US08233475B2 Device initiated DQoS system and method
A Data-Over-Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) cable modem system is coupled to: i) via a local area internet protocol (IP) network, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) device operating Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for signaling a VoIP media session; and ii) via a DOCSIS network, a cable modem termination system (CMTS) via a network. The cable modem system comprises instructions stored in a memory and executed by a processor. The instructions comprise: i) in response to receiving a frame via the local area IP network, determining if the frame is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) invite message signaling a VoIP session with a remote endpoint; and ii) in response to determining that the frame is a SIP invite message, generating a DOCSIS message to the CMTS to request an addition of reserved bandwidth on the DOCSIS network for the VoIP session.
US08233468B2 Probability time division multiplexing polling method and wireless identifier reader controller thereof
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrate a probability time division multiplexing polling method and a wireless identifier reader controller thereof. The probability time division multiplexing polling method is used to control a plurality of wireless identifier readers to be turned on or off. First, one of the wireless identifier readers is randomly selected according to a probability model, wherein the probability model presents the probabilities for detecting an identifier tag of the wireless identifier readers. Then, the selected wireless identifier reader is turned on for a predetermined time period.
US08233461B1 Complementing network discovery with physical discovery
Methods and systems for complementing network discovery with physical discovery are provided. In one embodiment, a universal physical discovery layer and a legacy network discovery layer are provided. The legacy network discovery layer is implemented using a legacy network discovery protocol. The legacy network discovery layer is separate from and communicates with the universal physical discovery layer. Data representing a physical relationship type between the physical entities is obtained and used to establish the physical relationship type at the universal physical discovery layer.
US08233460B2 Communication system with map of information provided from controller to enable communication with nodes
A communication system is provided that includes a controller providing a map of information to enable communication with a plurality of nodes. The information includes identification of two separate time slots, one for random access requests when a node initially contacts a controller and another for exclusively assigned access to transmit messages. The map further provides information to enable identification of the nodes and assigns transmission frequencies.
US08233459B2 Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and paging information reception method
A disclosed transmitting apparatus includes a paging indicator information generating unit generating paging indicator information including a group ID of users who are to receive a paging channel and information indicating a radio resource in which the paging channel is transmitted; and a multiplexing unit multiplexing the paging indicator information.
US08233458B2 Method of controlling transmission power in a wireless communication system
A method of controlling transmission power in a wireless communication system includes allocating persistent radio resources, and transmitting transmission power control information multiplexed with data via a data channel according to the persistent resources. Transmission power can be simply controlled without reducing the capacity of a control channel according to persistent scheduling.
US08233453B2 Method for dropping packet data, radio communication device, and mobile communication system
A control method in a mobile communication system with a buffer unit for temporarily storing packet data to be sent, includes dropping the packet data stored in the buffer unit before sending when a drop timer corresponding to the packet data before sending reaches a given value or when a drop condition required by a drop mechanism accompanying the buffer unit is satisfied, and dropping the packet data stored in the buffer unit after sending when a drop timer corresponding to the packet data after sending reaches a given value.
US08233449B2 Method and apparatus for resource allocation in a shared wireless network
Resource allocation is performed in a shared wireless network that includes multiple cells, a shared wireless network QoS manager, and multiple local QoS managers. The shared wireless QoS manager receives from multiple ones of the local QoS managers on a per cell and per QoS service class basis (for a plurality of QoS service classes): an aggregation of current cell usage estimations; an aggregation of cell load level indicators, and an aggregation of additional resources needed. Using this received information, the shared wireless network QoS manager: determines a total capacity of each cell that is needed to satisfy a total resource need on a cell by cell basis for the local QoS managers; and based on a maximum capacity for each cell, allocates to each local QoS manager a percentage of their total resource need.
US08233445B2 Apparatus and method for dynamic resource allocation in broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for dynamic resource allocation in a wireless communication system are provided. A method of operating a Base Station (BS) includes configuring a bitmap to indicate whether radio resources are allocated to respective Access Terminals (ATs) according to resource scheduling, generating a resource allocation message including at least one of the configured bitmap, bit allocation information of the bitmap, and bit deallocation information of the bitmap, and transmitting the resource allocation message.
US08233441B2 Network initiated context establishment
The invention relates to a method for configuring a context for a connection delivering a packet data service to a mobile terminal via a target wireless access network. The mobile terminal is initially connected to an originating wireless access network and the packet data service may be provided to the mobile terminal via the originating wireless network. Moreover, the invention provides an authentication server, a packet data gateway and a packet data service support node which participate in the context configuration method. To provide a method that allows establishing connection for packet service delivery to a mobile terminal from a wireless access network, as for example a UMTS, as fast as possible the invention suggests to preconfigure service provision of the packet data service via the target wireless access network by establishing a context prior to the mobile terminal connecting to the target wireless access network.
US08233429B1 Method of providing targeted information using wireless subscription management
A wireless communication device receives targeted information and/or advertisements. The wireless communication device is preprogrammed with a generic network address only. To communicate over a network, the wireless communication sends an activation request message to the network, including its generic network address (GNA) and information indicative of the base station via which communication is taking place. Knowing the geographical location of the base station, it is possible to send to the wireless communication device via its GNA, or a subsequently provided unique network address (UNA), information or advertisements targeted to the geographical location or particular wireless device.
US08233426B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving packet data using multiple antennas in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving packet data using multiple antennas in a wireless communication system is provided. In a wireless communication, system using multiple antennas, the apparatus and method can efficiently transmit and receive packet data according to channel conditions without a waste of transmission bandwidth.
US08233422B2 Radio frequency multicasting
A method for radio frequency multicasting and a multicast site architecture are provided. The method includes assigning a different traffic multicast Internet Protocol (IP) address to each of a plurality of groups of LMR users and encapsulating the LMR content within IP packets. The method further includes transmitting the IP packets to one of the plurality of groups of LMR users using at least one of the assigned traffic multicast IP addresses.
US08233419B2 Uplink power control device and method
An uplink power control device and method, which uses power control technology for E-DCH channel in HSPA+ system, wherein, the user equipment reads TPC from Node B in the latest several time slots, the current transmission power of uplink channels and the modulation mode of E-DPDCH channel in next TTI; then selects a method for power control according to the modulation method of E-DPDCH channel in next TTI; calculates the transmission power of uplink channel used in next TTI according to the TPC received in the latest several time slots, the current transmission power, requirements for maximal transmission power and minimal transmission power, power control adjustment step and β factor corresponding to DPCCH of uplink channel; finally keeps the transmission powers of all or some of uplink channels constant in the whole TTI of E-DPDCH. The device and method can decrease crosstalk between I branch and Q branch signals.
US08233418B2 Mobile station and method for dynamically switching sleep cycles without deactivating a current power savings class (PSC)
Embodiments of a mobile station and method for dynamically changing a sleep cycle are generally described herein. The mobile station is configured to dynamically switch a sleep cycle without deactivating a current power savings class (PSC). In some embodiments, the mobile station may generate a dynamic sleep-cycle switching message to request a change in the sleep cycle of the mobile station when changes in downlink traffic are detected. The dynamic sleep-cycle switching message may indicate either one of a plurality of predefined sleep cycles or may indicate parameters defining a new sleep cycle. This may allow the sleep cycle of the currently active PSC to be changed without deactivation.
US08233408B2 Mobile cloud architecture based on open wireless architecture (OWA) platform
A simplified future mobile terminal system converging multiple wireless transmission technologies by utilizing a cost-effective and spectrum-efficient mobile cloud solution based on the innovative virtual mobile server system of the open wireless architecture (OWA) platform.
US08233406B1 Communication system and method for operating a control database for a wireless communication system
A method of operating a control database for a wireless communication system comprises receiving geographic coordinates for a wireless access hub and an identity of a wireless collector hub, retrieving geographic coordinates for the wireless collector hub, identifying a frequency band for wireless communication signals between a core communication network and the wireless collector hub, and identifying reserved time slots in the frequency band. The method also comprises selecting available time slots, processing the geographic coordinates to determine an azimuth and an angle for the wireless access and collector hubs to optimize signal strength, determining a power for the wireless communications signals between the wireless collector and access hubs, receiving a query for the wireless access and collector hubs, and transferring a response indicating the azimuth, the angle, the frequency band, the available time slots, and the power.
US08233405B2 Communication device and control method thereof
Capability information about communication devices joining a network is collected, and a determination as to whether to continue first processing is made on the basis of the collected capability information. If it is determined not to continue the first processing, an end message is sent to terminate the first processing.
US08233402B2 Multicast-based inference of temporal loss characteristics in packet data networks
Disclosed are method and apparatus for characterizing the temporal loss characteristics of a packet data network by multicast-based inference. Multicast probes are transmitted from a source node to a plurality of receiver nodes, which record the arrivals of the multicast probes. From the aggregate data comprising recorded arrivals of the end-to-end paths from the source node to each receiver node, temporal loss characteristics of individual links within the network may be calculated. In a network with a tree topology, the complexity of calculations may be reduced through a process of subtree partitioning.
US08233400B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for verifying the availability of an internet protocol (IP) media router during a call setup
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for verifying the availability of an IP media router during a call setup are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, from a first endpoint device, a call setup signaling message requesting to establish a call session with a second endpoint device. The method also includes selecting a first media router to establish a first call leg of the call session, performing a route query and MAC address resolution to determine if the first media router is available, and if the first media router is determined to be available, creating a first redirect stream to communicate media packets received from the second endpoint device to the first endpoint device via the first call leg.
US08233398B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting frame information in multi-hop relay broadband wireless access communication system
Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitting frame information in a wireless communication system using a relay scheme. In a method for transmitting frame information from an upper node in the wireless communication system, downlink section information for communication with the lower relay station for a relay service is transmitted to a lower relay station at the request of the lower relay station for an initial connection. After the initial connection, frame information for communication with the lower relay station for a relay service is transmitted to the lower relay station through the downlink section.
US08233392B2 Transaction boundary detection for reduction in timeout penalties
One or more flow control modules, implemented on various types of network topologies, provide a number of functionalities for controlling the flow of IP packets (such as TCP/IP packets) over a network connection. The flow control modules may be implemented within a sender and/or receiver or may be deployed into a network as a separate device without requiring significant additional resources.
US08233389B2 Method and protocol for congestion control in a vehicular network
In a vehicle ad-hoc network (VANET), a transceiver node is arranged in a vehicle. The node includes a protocol stack, which includes an application layer, a link layer; and a congestion control layer arranged between the application layer and the link layer. The congestion layer transfers short messages between the application layer and the link layer. The short messages are defined according to a standard for the VANET, and the congestion layer optimizes a network-wide rate allocation for the short messages.
US08233388B2 System and method for controlling and tracking network content flow
Systems and methods for controlling the flow of information content in a network are described. The system includes a tracking module that remembers a sensitivity level of the information content and a location of that information content with respect to the system. A marking module is included that receives the sensitivity level from the tracking module upon a call for the information content. The marking module marks a sensitivity tag in a packet header associated with the information content according to the sensitivity level. Flow of the information content in the network is controlled according to the sensitivity tag.
US08233386B2 Device that uses parameters to provide multi-channel serial data transmissions and method thereof
A device that uses parameters to provide multi-channel serial data transmissions and the method thereof are provided. A first serial device configures with the channel parameters corresponding to a procedure executed on a second serial device. The invention determines whether the data channel corresponding to the procedure requires sending/receiving data occupies a physical line. If so, the first serial device transmits data to the second serial device. Otherwise, the first serial device transmits a channel switch request to the second serial device. After the first serial device and the second serial device are both switched the data channel corresponding to the procedure to occupy the physical line, the first serial device and the procedure could exchange data. Therefore, the first serial device could establish new connection without closing original connection. It achieves the goal of using a single serial port to have data channels of different operation modes or connections.
US08233384B2 Geographic redundancy in communication networks
The present invention provides a redundancy mechanism for packet-based communication environments without requiring localized redundancy of session control entities. These session control entities are generally referred to as service nodes, which may act as proxies on behalf of the communication terminals being served. Instead of having a dedicated backup service node, other active service nodes, which primarily serve different groups of communication terminals, are configured to provide backup support when another service node fails. In operation, a communication terminal will periodically attempt to communicate with its primary service node. When the communication terminal detects that the attempts to communicate with the service node are unsuccessful, the communication terminal will attempt to register with a selected alternate service node, the alternate service node being a currently active service node primarily supporting another group of communication terminals. The alternate service node can then accept and support the communication terminal.
US08233381B1 VoIP telephone system with distributed account codes
A voice over internet protocol telephone system is described in which services for handling calls invoking account codes are distributed to voicemail servers in the system. If the voicemail server associated with a particular user does not have services for handling account code calls, then the request is forwarded to another voicemail server in accordance with a predefined procedure.
US08233380B2 RDMA QP simplex switchless connection
A local RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) network adapter that comprises a simplex switchless connection with a counterpart QP on a remote RDMA network adapter in an example is selected for a Queue Pair (QP). An apparatus in an example comprises a requester RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) session fail-over coordinator on a coherency domain that adds a session fail-over header to a front of a data payload sent by an RDMA computer program from the coherency domain. Upon termination, of an RDMA adapter not coherent with the coherency domain and in a communication path of the data payload, before delivery to the RDMA computer program of a receive completion notification for the data payload, the session fail-over header is employable by a responder RDMA session fail-over coordinator to reconstruct the receive completion notification.
US08233378B2 Method and apparatus for validating control and data plane association
A method and apparatus for validating control and data plane association is described. In one embodiment of the invention, a first provider edge (PE) network element negotiates a pseudowire with a second PE network element. The pseudowire is uniquely identifiable between the first and second PE network element with a unique pseudowire identifier. The first PE network element receives OAM (operations, administration, and management) packets each including a pseudowire identifier from the second PE network element over the negotiated pseudowire. If an OAM packet is received with a pseudowire identifier that does not match the negotiated pseudowire, the first PE network element determines a data plane fault is associated with the pseudowire on the second PE network element. However, if the OAM packets include the pseudowire identifier that matches the negotiated pseudowire, the control and data plane association of the second PE network element is validated. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08233376B2 Method, apparatus and system for estimating channel transfer matrices
A method, system and device for use in conjunction with Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) transmission systems, including Far-End Crosstalk (FEXT) cancellation circuitry. According to embodiments of the invention there is provided a system including a central office having a plurality of central modems, and at least one remote modem in communication with the plurality of central modems, the remote modem capable of automatic channel adjustment, and further capable of providing to the central office a channel adjustment parameter, wherein the central office includes a precoder to selectively precode symbols prior to transmission by each of the central modems with an estimation precoding matrix, and a controller to receive from the at least one remote modem respective channel adjustment parameters in response to transmitted symbols precoded with said estimation precoding matrix.
US08233375B2 Optical information recording medium, reproducing device for optical information recording medium, control method and control program for the reproducing device, and medium with the control program recorded therein
A super-resolution medium (1) has a medium identification information for specifying a type of medium recorded in a medium information area (3) by use of pre-pits having a length not shorter than a length of a resolution limit of an optical system in a reproducing device (10).
US08233373B2 Double electrode cantilever actuation for seek-scan-probe data access
A seek-scan-probe memory device, utilizing a media electrode to allow active cantilevers to contact the storage media, and a pull electrode to pull up cantilevers away from the storage media when in an inactive mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08233371B2 Objective lens, optical head and optical disc device
Provides an objective lens, an optical head and an optical disc apparatus (drive) capable of compensating for various types of aberrations including wavelength changes for a plurality of types of optical discs including high density optical discs, DVDs and CDs with a good wavelength dispersion compensation ability and thus capable of providing good recording or reproduction characteristics.The objective lens according to the present invention includes a first lens and a second lens substantially in close contact with each other such that optical axes thereof match each other, and acts as a convex lens as a whole. Each lens includes a central portion including the optical axis and a peripheral portion located in a periphery of the central portion. The central portion of the first lens acts as a convex lens; and the central portion of the second lens acts as a concave lens. Where the refractive index of the first lens at d line (wavelength: 587.56 nm) is nd1, the Abbe constant of the first lens represented using the refractive indices at d line, F line (wavelength: 486.13 nm) and C line (wavelength: 656.27 nm) is νd1, the refractive index of the second lens at d line is nd2, and the Abbe constant of the second lens represented using the refractive indices at d line, F line and C line is νd2, the objective lens fulfills nd1>nd2 and νd1>νd2.
US08233362B2 Information recording medium, method for recording information on information recording medium, method for reproducing information from information recording medium and method for producing information recording medium
The present invention provides a measure for getting read/write control information stored within a space of a predetermined size in a format that ensures compatibility with media of a lower order or an older generation even if the size of the read/write control information increases significantly as the storage densities of information storage media rise in the near future. On an information storage medium, a data sequence is writable as a combination of marks and spaces. The medium has at least one information storage layer, which has an information storage area to store information and a control information area for use to perform a read/write operation on the at least one information storage layer. The control information area stores at least one set of control information, which includes a first kind of write pulse information including information to be used as a reference value and a second kind of write pulse information including information to be used as an offset value. The size of the offset value is at least a half as large as that of the reference value.
US08233354B2 Radio-controlled timepiece and control method for a radio-controlled timepiece
A radio-controlled timepiece that receives a standard time signal containing a time code and adjusts internal time data, the radio-controlled timepiece including a reception unit that receives the standard time signal, and a control unit that controls the reception unit. The reception unit has an amplifier circuit that amplifies a reception signal of the standard time signal, and an analog/digital conversion circuit that digitizes the amplified reception signal and acquires a time code. The control unit sets the reception mode of the reception unit to a normal reception mode or to a high sensitivity reception mode that improves reception performance compared with the normal reception mode, sets the reception mode to the high sensitivity reception mode for a specific period that is set based on the time code of the standard time signal after establishing at least second synchronization with the time code of the standard time signal, and otherwise sets the reception mode to the normal reception mode.
US08233347B2 Semiconductor memory, semiconductor device, and system
A semiconductor memory includes: a voltage supply circuit which supplies a first voltage to a word line when an internal circuit is in a standby state, and supplies a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the word line when the internal circuit is in an active state; and a control circuit changes a drive capacity of the voltage supply circuit when changing from the standby state to the active state and the second voltage is supplied to the word line.
US08233345B2 Phase change memory cycle timer and method
A phase change memory (PCM) cycle timer and associated method are disclosed. A system includes at least one reference phase change element (PCE). The system also includes a circuit that performs a write operation on the at least one reference PCE and substantially immediately thereafter continuously senses and returns a value of a resistance of the at least one reference PCE throughout a settling time of the at least one reference PCE.
US08233334B2 Code address memory (CAM) cell read control circuit of semiconductor memory device and method of reading data of CAM cell
A Code Address Memory (CAM) cell read control circuit of a semiconductor memory device includes a CAM cell read circuit configured to read data stored in a CAM cell and to output the read data, an internal delay circuit configured to delay an externally input reset signal and to generate a number of internal command signals, and a signal generation unit configured to generate an internal ready/busy signal in response to the internal command signals. The internal ready/busy signal is generated after the externally input reset signal has reset the CAM cell read circuit.
US08233331B2 Single clock dynamic compare circuit
A compare circuit for comparing a first data word with a second data word includes a plurality of sub-circuits, each having a two-bit static compare stage and a dynamic complex logic stage; a dynamic compare node responsive to respective outputs of the sub-circuits; and an output latch that captures a comparison result in accordance with a logic state of the dynamic compare node. In an exemplary embodiment, a local clock generator provides a single controlling clock signal for clocking the output latch, precharging of the dynamic compare node, and clocking of the dynamic complex logic stage of the sub-circuits.
US08233330B2 Sense amplifier used in the write operations of SRAM
A static random access memory (SRAM) circuit includes a pair of complementary global bit-lines, and a pair of complementary local bit-lines. A global read/write circuit is coupled to, and configured to write a small-swing signal to, the pair of global bit-lines in a write operation. The SRAM circuit further includes a first multiplexer and a second multiplexer, each having a first input and a second input. The first input of the first multiplexer and the first input of the second multiplexer are coupled to different one of the pair of global bit-lines. A sense amplifier includes a first input coupled to an output of the first multiplexer, and a second input coupled to an output of the second multiplexer. The sense amplifier is configured to amplify the small-swing signal to a full-swing signal, and outputs the full-swing signal to the pair of local bit-lines in the write operation.
US08233329B2 Architecture and method for memory programming
Methods of programming a memory, memory devices, and systems are disclosed, for example. In one such method, each data line of a memory to be programmed is biased differently depending upon whether one or more of the data lines adjacent the data line are inhibited. In one such system, a connection circuit provides data corresponding to the inhibit status of a target data line to page buffers associated with data lines adjacent to the target data line.
US08233326B2 Semiconductor non-volatile memory, charge accumulating method for semiconductor non-volatile memory, charge accumulating program storage medium
There is provided a semiconductor non-volatile memory including: plural memory sections, a voltage application section, and a control section that controls the voltage application section wherein the control section controlling voltage application such that, based on a value of current detected by a current detection section, in a region where the current flowing in a channel region is greater than a predetermined target value at which a amount of charge accumulated has become a specific value in at least one of a first charge accumulating section or a second charge accumulating section, when a value of current flowing in the channel region approaches a target value, a rate of increase in the charge accumulating amount per time is decreased at least once.
US08233325B2 NAND flash memory
A method of controlling a programming of a flash memory with memory blocks. The method includes checking whether a selected block among the memory blocks belongs to a first group or a second group. The method further includes executing the programming from a least bit address when the selected block belongs to the first group. The method also includes executing the programming from a most bit address when the selected block belongs to the second group.
US08233322B2 Multi-partition memory with separated read and algorithm datalines
A multiple partition memory and architecture for concurrent operations reduces circuit overhead by providing a common read sense amplifier and program path for multiple partitions. Long separate datalines for read and algorithm operations allow concurrent operation and blockout of multiple operations in a single block of the memory.
US08233320B2 High speed high density NAND-based 2T-NOR flash memory design
A two transistor NOR flash memory cell has symmetrical source and drain structure manufactured by a NAND-based manufacturing process. The flash cell comprises a storage transistor made of a double-poly NMOS floating gate transistor and an access transistor made of a double-poly NMOS floating gate transistor, a poly1 NMOS transistor with poly1 and poly2 being shorted or a single-poly poly1 or poly2 NMOS transistor. The flash cell is programmed and erased by using a Fowler-Nordheim channel tunneling scheme. A NAND-based flash memory device includes an array of the flash cells arranged with parallel bit lines and source lines that are perpendicular to word lines. Write-row-decoder and read-row-decoder are designed for the flash memory device to provide appropriate voltages for the flash memory array in pre-program with verify, erase with verify, program and read operations in the unit of page, block, sector or chip.
US08233318B2 Phase change memory
The present disclosure includes devices and methods for operating resistance variable memory cells. One or more embodiments include applying a programming signal to a resistance variable material of a memory cell, and decreasing a magnitude of a trailing portion of the applied programming signal successively according to a number of particular decrements. The magnitude and the duration of the number of particular decrements correspond to particular programmed values.
US08233317B2 Phase change memory device suitable for high temperature operation
A phase change memory cell that includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode separated from the bottom electrode, and growth-dominated phase change material deposited between the bottom electrode and the top electrode and contacting the bottom electrode and the top electrode and surrounded by insulation material at sidewalls thereof. The phase change memory cell in a reset state only includes an amorphous phase of the growth-dominated phase change material within an active volume of the phase change memory cell.
US08233316B2 Memory architecture and cell design employing two access transistors
An improved memory array architecture and cell design in which the cell employs two access transistors. In one embodiment, the two access transistors in each cell are coupled at one of their channel terminals to a memory element, which in turn is connected to a bit line. The other of the channel terminals are effectively tied together via reference lines. The word lines (i.e., gates) of the two access transistors are also tied together. The result in a preferred embodiment is a cell having two access transistors wired and accessed in parallel. With such a configuration, the widths of the access transistors can be made one-half the width of more-traditional one-access-transistor designs, saving layout space in that (first) dimension. Moreover, because the word lines of adjacent cells will be deselected, the improved design does not require cell-to-cell isolation (e.g., trench isolation) in the other (second) dimension. The result, when applied to a phase change memory, comprises about a 37% reduction in layout area from previous cell designs.
US08233312B2 DRAM cell utilizing floating body effect and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses a DRAM cell utilizing floating body effect and a manufacturing method thereof. The DRAM cell includes a first N type semiconductor region provided on a buried oxide layer, a P type semiconductor region provided on the first N type semiconductor region, a gate region provided on the P type semiconductor region, and an electrical isolation region surrounding the P type semiconductor region and the N type semiconductor region. A diode is taken as a storage node. Via a tunneling effect between bands, holes gather in the floating body, which is defined as a first storage state; via forward bias of PN junction, holes are emitted out from the floating body or electrons are injected into the floating body, which is defined as a second storage state. The present invention provides a highly efficient DRAM cell utilizing floating body effect with high density, which has low power consumption, has simple manufacturing process, and is compatible to the conventional CMOS and conventional logic circuit manufacturing process.
US08233310B2 Resistance-change memory
According to one embodiment, a resistance-change memory includes bit lines running in a first direction, word lines running in a second direction, and a memory cell array includes memory cells each includes a selection transistor and a variable resistance element. In a layout of first to fourth variable resistance elements arranged in order in the first direction, the first variable resistance element and the second variable resistance element sandwich one word line therebetween, the third variable resistance element and the fourth variable resistance element sandwich one word line therebetween, a first pair includes the first and second variable resistance elements and a second pair includes the third and fourth variable resistance elements sandwich two word lines therebetween, and a column is constructed by repeating the layout in the first direction.
US08233308B2 Memory cell that employs a selectively deposited reversible resistance-switching element and methods of forming the same
In some aspects, a method of forming a memory cell is provided that includes (1) forming a first conductor above a substrate; (2) forming a diode above the first conductor; (3) forming a reversible resistance-switching element above the first conductor using a selective deposition process; and (4) forming a second conductor above the diode and the reversible resistance-switching element. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08233304B2 High speed memory module
A memory module may include a circuit board connectable to a system memory bus through a plurality of contacts disposed along one edge of the circuit board, the system memory bus having three positions for connecting memory modules. A plurality of memory chips may be mounted on the circuit board. The circuit board may include a plurality of D/Q traces to couple a corresponding plurality of D/Q signals from respective contacts to the plurality of memory chips or to one or more buffer chips that isolate the system memory bus from the memory chips. Each of the plurality of D/Q traces may have a predetermined trace impedance selected to provide a predetermined D/Q signal quality level when the memory module is installed in any of the three positions on the system memory bus and equivalent memory modules are installed in the other two positions.
US08233302B2 Content addressable memory with concurrent read and search/compare operations at the same memory cell
A content addressable memory (CAM) device includes an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns; compare circuitry configured to indicate match results of search data presented to each row of the array; and compare circuitry configured to indicate match results of search data presented to each column of the array, thereby resulting in a two-dimensional search capability of the array.
US08233300B2 Device for converting an electric current
A device for converting an electrical current includes at least one phase module with an AC voltage connection and at least one DC voltage connection, a phase module branch disposed between each DC voltage connection and the AC voltage connection and each phase module branch having a series circuit of submodules, each of which has an energy accumulator and at least one power semiconductor and closed-loop control means for regulating the device. The device can regulate circulating currents in a targeted manner by providing each phase module with at least one inductance and configuring the closed-loop control means to regulate a circulating current that flows through the phase modules.
US08233295B2 Methods, systems and apparatus for approximation of peak summed fundamental and third harmonic voltages in a multi-phase machine
Methods, system and apparatus are provided for quickly approximating a peak summed magnitude (A) of a phase voltage (Vph) waveform in a multi-phase system that implements third harmonic injection.
US08233294B2 Method and system for controlling a power converter system connected to a DC-bus capacitor
A method and system for controlling a power converter system with first, second, and third phase legs with respective first, second, and third associated phase currents determine direction of current flow in at least two phase legs and switch states of the power converter system in response to the current flow directions to reduce ripple current in a connected direct current (DC)-bus capacitor.
US08233293B2 Reverse current protection for power converters having synchronous rectifiers
A power supply includes an input, an output, a reverse current protection circuit, a synchronous rectifier and an output choke. The reverse current protection circuit is configured for detecting a flyback voltage indicative of reverse current, and for deactivating the synchronous rectifier in response to detecting the flyback voltage. The flyback voltage can be detected a variety of ways, including across the output choke, across a switch in the synchronous rectifier, across the secondary winding of a power transformer, etc.
US08233290B2 Unified control switch module for vehicles
A unified control switch module includes a printed circuit board, a waterproof pad, and one or more knobs. The printed circuit board includes switches and light-emitting elements mounted thereon. The waterproof pad is coupled to the printed circuit board, and is provided with first protrusions, which are formed at respective locations that correspond to the switches, and second protrusions having respective through-holes, which are formed at respective locations that correspond to the light-emitting elements. The knobs are located on the waterproof pad, and are provided with respective lower ends, which are formed to extend outwards from the through-holes.
US08233289B2 Multilayer wiring substrate and method for manufacturing the same
A multilayer wiring substrate of the present invention has a laminated structure composed of conductor layers and resin insulating layers stacked alternately. A plurality of surface connection terminals to which terminals of a chip component are to be surface-connected are formed on a main face of the laminated structure. A plurality of via conductors connected to the plurality of surface connection terminals are formed in the resin insulating layers. Each of the plurality of surface connection terminals has a structure in which a copper layer, a nickel layer, and a gold layer are stacked in this sequence. The gold layer is larger in diameter than at least the copper layer. The gold layer has an overhanging portion which extends radially outward from a circumference of the copper layer.
US08233288B2 Electronic component package, electronic component mounted apparatus, method of inspecting bonding portion therein, and circuit board
An electronic component package includes: an insulating carrier substrate; a connection wiring that is provided on one side of the carrier substrate; an IC chip that is connected to the connection wiring; an external connection land that is disposed on the other side of the carrier substrate and is connected to the connection wiring via a wiring in the carrier substrate; and a solder ball that is disposed on the external connection land. A region of the external connection land that can be bonded to the solder ball has an outer shape that includes at least one arc portion and at least one straight portion. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an electronic component mounted apparatus in which bonding failure of the external connection land and the circuit board-side land with the solder ball can be reduced, and the bonding state can be easily inspected, and a method of inspecting a bonding portion therein.
US08233285B2 Linecard to chassis securing
A holder secures a linecard to a chassis. The holder acts as a releasable expansion bolt. To alleviate tolerance requirements for the linecard and/or chassis, the holder secures with minimal additional pressure being applied to force the linecard against the chassis. Rather than screwing a linecard face plate to the chassis card guide, the holder locks the linecard in place without requiring movement of the face plate against the chassis card guide. A gap may remain between the face plate and the chassis, substantially allowing for a desired amount of insertion of electrical connectors without adverse pressure or movement caused by the securing.
US08233284B2 Grounding structure and electrical device
A grounding structure, for connecting to an opposite connecting electrical device with a metal casing, is assembled on a circuit board having at least one grounding component. The grounding structure includes a conductive mechanism electrically connected to the metal casing of the opposite connecting electrical device; and at least one conductive pad, disposed between the conductive mechanism and the circuit board, and contacting the conductive mechanism and the grounding component of the circuit board. The grounding structure of the invention can transmit the disturbance to be advantageous for signal transmitting between the opposite connecting electrical device and the circuit board.
US08233283B2 Power supply device
A power supply device (10) comprises a casing (26), a support structure (14) and driving means (42) for selectively rotating the casing (26) relative to the support structure (14). The casing (26) houses electrical equipment (36) and electrical sockets (30,32,34). The support structure (14) is attachable to the top (12) of an article of furniture and supports the casing (26) for rotation about an axis (28), parallel to the top (12). The casing (26) can be rotated by the driving means between an operative position in which the electrical sockets (30,32,34) face upwards and are accessible above the top (12), and a stowed position in which the electrical sockets (30,32,34) are not accessible from above the top (12). The casing (26) has a protuberance (40) that extends around the electrical sockets (30,32,34) and the protuberance (40) stands proud of the top (12) when the casing (26) is in its operative position.
US08233279B2 Wedge lock for use with a single board computer and method of assembling a computer system
A wedge lock for use with a single board computer includes a first portion configured to move in a first direction and a second portion configured to move in a plurality of directions in response to the movement of the first portion and to facilitate securing the single board computer in an operating environment and to facilitate conduction cooling of the single board computer.
US08233273B2 Electronic device
An electronic device is provided, including a processing unit and a G-sensor electrically connected thereto. The G-sensor detects the posture of the electronic device and outputs a measurement signal to the processing unit accordingly. The processing unit produces a thermal control signal according to the measurement signal, so as to reduce heat generated from the electronic device or increase cooling efficiency of the electronic device.
US08233272B2 Display units for use in monitoring patients and related systems and methods
Patient monitoring systems can include a docking station and a display unit. The display unit can be coupled with the docking station or decoupled from the docking station. Some display units can include one or more actuators that aid in decoupling the display unit from the docking station that can be actuated while the display unit is being gripped.
US08233268B2 Sealing a control device
A housing comprising at least one electrical connection through a housing wall that is particularly inexpensive to produce and allows the electronic components located on the internal face and the external face of the housing to be attached in a particularly variable manner. The electrical connection is directly surrounded by housing material while being additionally sealed by means of sealing material. The inventive housing seal is provided with a profiled seal encompassing at least two sealing lips. The sealing material is additionally used for sealing the cover and/or the bottom relative to the housing wall. The arrangement is also particularly well protected against oil and other aggressive media as a combination of housing material and sealing material is used for surrounding the electrical connection.
US08233264B2 Multilayer ceramic capacitor
There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor. The multilayer ceramic capacitor includes inner electrodes and dielectric layers stacked alternately with each other. When a continuity level of each of the inner electrodes is defined as B/A where A denotes a total length of the inner electrode and B denotes a length of the inner electrode excluding pores of the inner electrode, and a section of the inner electrode, having a predetermined length from each end of the inner electrode, is defined as an outer section, a section of the inner electrode excluding the outer section is defined as an inner section, and a section of the dielectric layers from each end of the inner electrode to a corresponding surface of the multilayer ceramic capacitor is defined as an edge section, a length of the outer section is 0.1 to 0.3 times that of the edge section, and the outer section of the inner electrode has a lower continuity level than that of the inner section of the inner electrode.
US08233248B1 Method and system for providing a magnetic recording transducer using a line hard mask
A method and system for fabricating a magnetic transducer is described. The transducer has a device region, a field region, and a magnetoresistive stack. The method and system include providing a hard mask on the magnetoresistive stack. The hard mask is inorganic and includes a sensor portion and a line frame. The sensor portion covers a first portion of the magnetoresistive stack corresponding to a magnetoresistive structure. The line frame covers a second portion of the magnetoresistive stack in the device region. The method and system include defining the magnetoresistive structure in a track width direction using the hard mask and providing at least one hard bias material after the magnetoresistive structure is defined. A first portion of the hard bias material(s) is substantially adjacent to the magnetoresistive structure in the track width direction. The method and system also include removing a second portion of the hard bias material(s).
US08233245B2 Piezoelectric element with electrode and head suspension
A piezoelectric element with electrode is capable of preventing an assembling error. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body configured to deform according to polarity in response to a voltage applied thereto, electrodes formed on surfaces of the piezoelectric body, respectively, a non-electrode part formed on at least one of the surfaces of the piezoelectric body, the non-electrode part continuing to the one electrode that is on the at least one surface of the piezoelectric body, and a boundary between the non-electrode part and the one electrode. The boundary has a pattern to indicate the polarity of the piezoelectric element.
US08233241B2 Positioning weight assemblies along a dynamic loop section of a flex cable to reduce flex cable oscillation
A method of reducing oscillation at the read write element of a hard disk drive, is described. In one embodiment, a flex cable for conducting data signals from a head stack assembly to a connector is provided. One or more weights are then coupled with the flex cable at one or more predetermined locations. The one or more predetermined locations are selected based upon mass distribution along the flex cable.
US08233238B2 Disk drive suspension
In a disk drive suspension including a baseplate and a load beam, a boss portion and protrusions are formed on the baseplate. The protrusions are formed in positions on a first surface of the baseplate off a reference mounting surface in contact with a suspension bearing surface of an actuator arm. Further, the protrusions are formed on a second surface located opposite from the first surface and project relative to the thickness of the baseplate. These protrusions serve to prevent a plurality of baseplates from closely contacting one another during their manufacture.
US08233234B2 Stepped main pole for perpendicular write heads in hard disk drives and method of making same
A stepped main pole for a perpendicular write head and methods of making the stepped main pole. The stepped main pole has a main pole tip and a base portion. The main pole tip has a surface that forms part of the ABS and a first thickness. The base portion extends from the main pole tip and has a thickness that varies from the first thickness to a second thickness to form a slanted surface with an apex angle adjacent the main pole tip. By placing the base portion away from the ABS and providing a thickness that increases in a direction away from the ABS, the stepped pole can provide the necessary magnetic flux for writing, while avoiding undesired leakage and fringing. To form embodiments of the stepped main pole of the invention, a fluorine-based reactive ion etch (RIE) may be used. By using an RIE to define the stepped main pole, the apex angle can be better controlled and tight edge control can be achieved.
US08233232B2 Method and data storage device with a snubber supported on an actuator and having a distal edge configured to have differing arcuate portions
A data storage apparatus and associated method is provided involving a data storage disc that is rotatable around a first axis. An actuator is rotatable around a second axis to operably position a data transfer member between an innermost radial location of the data storage disc and an outermost radial storage location of the data storage disc. A snubber is supported by the actuator and has a distal edge configured as being, in relation to a reference plane including the first axis and the second axis when the actuator is rotated to position the data transfer member at the innermost radial location, arcuate along a first radius on one side of the reference plane and arcuate along a second radius different than the first radius on the other side of the reference plane.
US08233231B2 Pre-use tape cartridge verification in a library system which utilizes a loading operation to bring the cartridge to a ready state to determine operable performance and usability of the cartridge
A method for verifying a tape cartridge is presented. One method includes introducing a tape cartridge into a tape library wherein when introduced, the tape cartridge can then be loaded in a tape drive in an attempt to bring the tape cartridge to a functionally ready state with the tape drive. In loading the tape cartridge in the tape drive, the loading performance of the first tape cartridge can be assessed based on bringing the first tape cartridge to a functionally ready state. A record of the performance information can then be stored on a central data base and/or on a medium auxiliary memory device located in the tape cartridge.
US08233228B2 DLC-head offset compensation while writing
In described embodiments, effects of frequency and phase error introduced at the outer diameter or inner diameter of the disk when a read head is used to maintain timing lock while the write head is used to write new data might be eliminated with a simple compensation circuit. Compensation circuits, modules or methods receive as input information i) write head radial position (e.g., from a wedge number that indicates the circumferential position of the heads), and ii) read head and write head relative physical offset. The timing error is measured by the system and might be automatically adjusted by the appropriate amount in order to reduce or to eliminate the differential head error when a write event (as opposed to a read event) is activated.
US08233227B2 Prism unit and a projection image display apparatus
A prism unit includes a prism having at least one optical surface in its inside, and a prism base disposing the prism, the prism base including at least three seating surfaces that are attached to a surface orthogonal to the optical surface of the prism, a seating surface bonded part that is bonded to the prism by an adhesive. At least the three seating surfaces and the seating surface bonded part are symmetrically arranged on the optical surface of the prism.
US08233223B2 Telephoto lens system and photographing device including the same
A telephoto lens system and a photographing device including the telephoto lens system. The telephoto lens system includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, which are sequentially disposed from an object side, wherein the second lens group performs focusing, and the third lens group includes a front lens group having a negative refractive power and a back lens group having a positive refractive power, and vibration correction is performed by moving the front lens group of the third lens group in a perpendicular direction to the optical axis.
US08233220B2 Polarization nulling interferometry
The invention relates to an optical system for providing on-axis destructive interference of light received from an object along a predetermined system optical axis. The system comprises a receiving and guiding optical structure and a combining optical structure. The receiving and guiding optical structure is for receiving and guiding at least three beams of light received from said object, the receiving and guiding optical structure arranged to provide a relative optical path difference between the at least three beams; the combining optical structure is for combining the at least three beams. According to the invention, a polarization varying optical structure is arranged between the receiving and guiding optical structure and the combining optical structure, for varying a polarization state of the beams relative to each other in order to provide on-axis destructive interference.
US08233219B2 Optical multilayer thin-film filters and methods for manufacturing same
Optical multilayer thin-film filters (OMTFFs) are disclosed. An exemplary filter includes a transparent substrate, a multilayer film (MF) on a surface of the substrate, and a top layer. The MF is of alternatingly laminated layers of a high-refractive-index (HRI) material and a low-refractive-index (LRI) material. The top layer is on an uppermost layer of the MF and is of a material having atoms of lower atomic weight than atoms of either the HRI or LRI materials. The OMTFFs are made in a vacuum environment by alternatingly laminating respective thin films of the HRI and LRI materials on the substrate. The top layer is formed on the MF. Between forming the MF and top layer is a suppression step in which the newly formed MF is exposed to moisture by briefly venting the vacuum to atmosphere. The moisture inhibits migration of the low-molecular-weight atoms into the HRI and LRI materials.
US08233216B2 Optical amplifier bandwidth alteration
The alteration of the bandwidth of an optical amplifier. Before alteration, optical signals having a first set of wavelengths are provided through a gain medium of the optical amplifier. In addition, a first pump having a set of pump wavelengths is propagated through the gain medium to thereby amplify the optical signals. After alteration, optical signals having at least a partially different set of wavelengths are able to be optically amplified by coupling a second pump into the optical medium. The second pump is at least partially distinct from the first pump in that the second pump includes at least one pump wavelength that was not included in the first pump.
US08233214B2 Optical fiber amplifier and a control method therefor
A fiber amplifier having two erbium doped fiber coils and a pump laser diode optically coupled, through a fiber array, to a planar lightwave circuit, is described. A photodetector array, a multiport free-space optical isolator, and a strip of thin-film gain flattening filter are attached to a side surface of the planar lightwave circuit, which has a tunable optical power splitter for variably splitting the optical pump power for the laser diode between the two erbium doped fiber coils, and variable tilters for correcting the gain tilt of the amplifier. The variable splitter and the tilters are thermally tunable Mach-Zehnder interferometers.
US08233211B2 Electrochromic display device and its manufacturing method
An electrochromic display device including a substrate including a dividing wall and a concave portion surrounded by the dividing wall, a first conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the concave portion, a second conductive layer formed on the dividing wall to electrically connect the first conductive layer within adjacent concave portions to each other in a predetermined direction, a third conductive layer disposed opposite to the first conductive layer, a first color-development layer and an electrolyte layer formed between the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer, and an insulating layer formed on the second conductive layer on the dividing wall.
US08233210B2 Illumination aperture for optical lithography
Embodiments of systems and methods for providing a hybrid illumination aperture in optical lithography are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08233209B2 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning system includes a light source, a polygon mirror, a first optical system, a second optical system, and a monitoring device. The light source includes a plurality of light-emitting units. The first optical system is arranged on an optical path of light beams, and guides the light beams from the light source to the polygon mirror. The second optical system guides the light beams deflected by the polygon mirror to a photosensitive drum. The monitoring device monitors light amount of light beams emitted from the light-emitting units. An optical axis of a coupling lens and a cylindrical lens is inclined from a normal of a deflection-reflection surface of the polygon mirror with respect to a sub-scanning direction.
US08233200B2 Curvature correction and image processing
A system and process for reading forms using a curvature distortion correction scheme is disclosed. A model image of a known form is partitioned into sectors defined by at least three alignment marks, and a transfer or correction function for each sector is generated by comparing the locations of alignment marks on a captured unread image of a form to those on a model image. The transfer function is then applied to the other marks within the sector to calculate a correct location of the marks. Each sector is sized to reasonably ensure curvature distortions are handled such that all the marks on a form are properly found and interpreted. Errors may be checked and, if they persist, smaller sectors may be defined and employed, if available.
US08233198B2 Image processing apparatus, method of controlling image processing apparatus, and computer program
An image processing apparatus, which can communicate with an external apparatus that provides WEB information, is provided. The apparatus comprises a storage unit configured to store a plurality of flow files that describe process contents of processes to be executed by the image processing apparatus, and an execution order; an acquisition unit configured to acquire WEB information from the external apparatus; a display unit configured to display a window based on the acquired WEB information; a selecting unit configured to select a flow file to be executed for the WEB information acquired by the acquisition unit; a processing unit configured to generate image data based on execution of the selected flow file; a storing unit configured to store the image generated data; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the image data stored in the storing unit to the external apparatus in accordance with a transmission instruction.
US08233187B2 Printer
When performing marginless printing for content data of a size which is the same as the sheet size, white streaks occur in the print result due to a convey error. Further, when object-data items included in the content data are simply magnified, a necessary object-data item may not be printed partly and/or entirely. Therefore, the present invention provides a printer magnifying the object-data items included in the content data appropriately on the printer side. The sheet size described in the content data is compared to the size of a sheet set in the printer and the content data is magnified so that an object-data item such as a text-data item considered as necessary for a user does not extend off the sheet size.
US08233184B2 System and method for determining print layout of images based on print medium being of fixed or undefined length
This invention relates to a host apparatus and an image editing method, which can reflect a user's desired layout design. The host apparatus, which is connected to a printing apparatus capable of placing and printing a plurality of images on a printing medium and transfers image data, lays out the plurality of images in the following way. The direction of a printing medium to be used for printing is specified. Then, the length of the printing medium to be used for printing is specified. Selectable placement orders of the plurality of images are determined, based on the specification, and are displayed on the screen. Finally, a desired placement order is selected from the displayed selectable placement orders.
US08233182B2 Printing apparatus and method for controlling the same in enabling use of paper information
A printing apparatus includes a CPU that determines whether or not to use operation information included in paper information received from another printing apparatus. If it is determined to use the operation information, the received paper information is registered as the paper information of Type 2. In addition, the CPU included in the printing apparatus selects one of a plurality of pieces of paper information and controls a printer unit such that the printer unit performs a printing process in an operating state based on the operation information included in the selected piece of paper information.
US08233181B2 System and method for processing a form
In a system and method for processing a form comprising a plurality of entry markings, an area-array image sensor may capture an image of the form in free-space without requiring relative movement of the sensor and the form. A processor may interpret the captured image to determine at least a first entry selection based, at least in part, on the position of at least one of the plurality of entry markings with respect to at least one other marking in the image.
US08233180B2 Methods for automatically determining workflow for print jobs
A method automatically determines a workflow for a print job via analysis of PDF documents is disclosed. A job synopsis comprising hashed information of a historical print job's document content along with a PDF document-level and object-level metadata and information about workflow nodes and parameters can be stored in a database. The job synopsis of a new incoming print job can then be compared to the historical print job synopses database. If the new print job matches the historical print job within a certain predefined similarity limit, then workflow and parameter information associated with the historical job can be utilized to augment an initial workflow for the incoming print job.
US08233170B2 Image processing apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing an operation control program capable of controlling preventing image data to be outputted
Devices and methods wherein if a predefined recognition dot pattern designed to prohibit an image data outputting is detected from image data acquired by an image data acquiring unit, outputting of the image data is prohibited, and if a predefined recognition mark to cancel image data outputting prohibition is detected, the outputting of the image data is permitted.
US08233169B2 Image forming apparatus
A control unit to set a priority level to operate the audio replay function so that the priority level is higher in an abnormal operation of the apparatus than in a normal operation of the apparatus is provided in the image forming apparatus 10 which comprises a plurality of functions including an image forming function and an audio replay function. For example, the priority level of the audio replay function to a lowest level in the normal operation, and sets to a highest level next to a priority level of the image forming function in the abnormal operation.
US08233167B2 Image forming device
An image forming device includes a scanner swingable between a closed position to close an upper side of a catch tray of a printer and an opened position to open the upper side of the catch tray, a positioning mechanism having a protruding section formed at one of the printer and the scanner and a recessed section formed at the other such that the protruding section is fitted thereinto in the closed position, and a lock mechanism configured with an engagement hole formed at one of the protruding section and the recessed section and an engagement portion formed at the other so as to hold the closed position by engagement therebetween. When the scanner is swung to the closed position, a contact portion of the protruding section contacts a contact portion of the recessed section before the engagement portion contacts the engagement hole or a region around the engagement hole.
US08233165B2 Document processing apparatus and document processing method
A document processing apparatus which is capable of causing predetermined processes to be performed using sheets of one fixed format, in both of the case of scanning a fixed format sheet which has a description entered therein and the case of scanning a sheet which has a description entered therein but is other than the fixed format sheet. When a fixed format sheet having an entry made thereto is scanned in, a multifunction machine executes a first document processing process. When a fixed format sheet has been previously scanned in, if a sheet other than the fixed format sheet is scanned in, the multifunction machine executes s second document processing process. When no fixed format sheet has not been previously scanned in, if a sheet other than the fixed format sheet is scanned in, the multifunction machine executes a usual process.
US08233160B2 Automatic rotated row placement in multiup imposition
A system and method for automatically placing a rotated row in a multi-up imposition. Calculations can be performed, which are required to execute an automated multi-up imposition. The dimensions of the input document can be then evaluated against the available area in the imposed layout to determine whether there is sufficient space to add a rotated row to the layout (e.g., the “Dutch Row” in Dutch imposition). If it is determined that there is sufficient space for a rotated row, a rotated page row can then be added to the imposed layout.
US08233156B2 Hybrid sensor
A sensor system and method for analyzing a feature in a sensing volume. The system imaging the feature with a first sensor and a second sensor that cooperate to form a contiguous sensing volume.
US08233153B2 Position detection system for the contactless interferometric detection of a location of a target object and scanning system equipped with the same
The invention relates to a position detection system for the contactless interferometric detection of the location of a target object. A target object unit comprises a reference light transmitter, which is configured such that it transmits a reference light beam having curved light wave fronts. The target object unit comprises at least one detector array having a plurality of detector pixels, which is fixed to the target object unit such that the reference light beam of the reference light transmitter impinges on the same.
US08233149B2 Biometric image pickup apparatus
A biometric image pickup apparatus includes: a light source section selectively switching between light of a first wavelength region with a high transmittance through a living organism and light of a second wavelength region with a lower transmittance through the living organism than light of the first wavelength region to apply the light of the first wavelength region and the light of the second wavelength region to the living organism; an image pickup lens section condensing light from the living organism; an image pickup device obtaining first image pickup data of the living organism on the basis of the light of the first wavelength region in light condensed by the image pickup lens, and obtaining second image pickup data on the basis of the light of the second wavelength region in the light condensed by the image pickup lens.
US08233143B2 Three dimensional image sensor
A depth sensor includes a light source, a detector, and a signal processor. The light source transmits a source signal to the target according to a transmit control signal having reference time points. The detector receives a reflected signal from the source signal being reflected from the target. The signal processor generates a plurality of sensed values by measuring respective portions of the reflected signal during respective time periods with different time delays from the reference time points. The signal processor determines a respective delay time for a maximum/minimum of the sensed values for determining the distance of the target.
US08233142B2 Monitoring method of exposure apparatus
In a monitoring method of an exposure apparatus, a top critical dimension (TCD) and a bottom critical dimension (BCD) of the test pattern formed on a photo-sensitive material layer are measured. A dose deviation (ΔE) and a focus deviation (ΔF) are calculated by following equations: TCD+BCD=αΔE+(TCD0+BCD0) TCD−BCD=β1ΔF+β2ΔF3 Here, α, β1 and β2 are constants, ΔE=E−E0, ΔF=F−F0, E represents a real exposure dose, F represents a real exposure focus, E0 represents a dose defined when a middle critical dimension of the test pattern is equal to a predetermined value, F0 represents a focus defined when TCD of the test pattern is equal to BCD thereof, and TCD0 and BCD0 are theoretical values in case of E0 and F0.
US08233141B2 Shutter pixel, shutter structure including the shutter pixel, and exposure apparatus including the shutter structure
The present invention provides a shutter pixel, a shutter structure including the shutter pixel, and an exposure apparatus including the shutter structure. The shutter pixel may include a lower substrate, an electrode disposed on the lower substrate, a spacer disposed on the edge of the electrode, a first mirror disposed on the spacer to be separated from the electrode and including a hole, an upper substrate disposed on the lower substrate to face the lower substrate, and a second mirror disposed at the upper substrate and overlapping the hole. Accordingly, a relatively simple structure may be provided.
US08233140B2 Measuring apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device fabrication method
The present invention provides a measuring apparatus which measures a shape of a surface of a measurement target object, comprising a light projecting optical system configured to split light from a light source into measurement light and reference light so that the measurement light enters the surface of the measurement target object and the reference light enters a reference mirror, a light receiving optical system configured to guide the measurement light reflected by the surface of the measurement target object and the reference light reflected by the reference mirror to a photoelectric conversion device, and a processing unit configured to calculate the shape of the surface of the measurement target object based on an interference pattern which is detected by the photoelectric conversion device and formed by the measurement light and the reference light.
US08233135B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a substrate supported by a substrate table; a liquid supply system configured to supply a space between the projection system and the substrate with a liquid; a closing surface configured to provide a confining surface for liquid supplied by the liquid supply system in place of the substrate; and a closing surface positioning device configured to create and maintain a gap between the liquid supply system and the closing surface so that the liquid flows in the gap when the closing surface is used to confine the liquid supplied by the liquid supply system.
US08233134B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. The projection system has a final element. The apparatus also includes a barrier member surrounding a space between the projection system and, in use, the substrate, to define in part with the final element a reservoir for liquid. The barrier member is spaced from the final element to define a gap therebetween. The apparatus further includes a deformable seal between a radially outer surface of the final element and a radially outer surface of the barrier member. The deformable seal is configured to substantially prevent a gas from flowing past the seal towards or away from the reservoir of liquid.
US08233116B2 Polarizing plate and liquid crystal display
To provide a polarizing plate which is adjusted in curling so as to cause no defectives during sticking to a liquid crystal cell while maintaining a high optical compensation capacity and a liquid crystal display comprising the polarizing plate excellent in viewing angle properties, a polarizing plate is provided and has a polarizing film and a protective film, which curls in an amount of from −30 mm to +15 mm at 25° C. and 60% RH.
US08233111B2 Liquid crystal display device
An LCD device is disclosed. The LCD device is configured to include a plurality of insulation films between a balancely printed circuit board and a bottom cover and to form a plurality of air layers between the plurality of insulation films. Accordingly, noise caused by vibrations from electric currents flowing through lamps can be minimized.
US08233109B2 Portable computer display housing
A display housing for a portable computing device that utilizes a plastic cover bonded to an internal metal frame is described. To account for thermal cycling issues and in particular to prevent bond slippage, multiple types of adhesives are employed to join the metal frame and the plastic cover. In particular, a very high bond (VHB) adhesive material is used in certain areas to bond the metal inner frame to the plastic cover and a liquid adhesive is used in other areas. The plastic cover can be translucent to light. A method of coating the plastic cover to block light, such as from a backlight used for the display, is described.
US08233095B2 Channel scan for terrestrial broadcast digital television receiver
A technique that allows a DTV receiver to perform a channel scan in a manner that is faster and more efficient than conventional channel scanning techniques. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the technique allows a DTV receiver to perform a scan of only those channels that are known to be available within a local terrestrial broadcast region. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the technique allows a DTV receiver that operates in conjunction with an antenna, such as a smart antenna designed to comply with EIA/CEA 909, to use the same antenna configuration parameters for different terrestrial broadcast signals in an instance where such signals are known to originate from the same antenna location.
US08233094B2 Methods, systems and apparatuses for motion detection using auto-focus statistics
Methods, systems and apparatuses for the detection of motion using statistics data already available within an imager, such as sharpness scores or brightness values. The method includes obtaining at least two sets of statistics data for respective image frames which include corresponding windows; initializing a motion counter; determining, for each window, a relative difference value for the particular window; comparing the relative difference value to a first threshold. If the relative difference value is greater than the first threshold, the method increments the motion counter; and determines if there is motion by comparing the value of the motion counter to a second threshold. The motion detection may further take into account the relative importance of certain areas of the image frame.
US08233093B2 Automatic video gain control circuit for positive and negative modulation and method thereof
Disclosed is an automatic video gain control circuit, which includes an analog to digital converter, an envelope detector and an extreme value detector. The analog to digital converter converts an analog video signal to a digital video signal. The envelope detector detects a baseband amplitude signal according to the digital video signal. The extreme value detector generates an extreme value to control RF signal gain.
US08233090B2 Method of linkage-viewing TV broadcasting program between mobile communication apparatus and digital TV, and mobile communication apparatus and digital TV thereof
A method of linkage-viewing a TV broadcasting program between a mobile communication apparatus and a digital TV, the method includes inputting a TV linkage-viewing command in order to successively view a TV broadcasting program which is being viewed on the mobile communication apparatus, on the digital TV; transmitting data information from the mobile communication apparatus to the digital TV according to the input of the TV linkage viewing command; and selecting a TV channel in the digital TV which is the same as a current channel which is being viewed on the mobile communication apparatus and changing to the selected TV channel based on the data information which the digital TV has received.
US08233088B2 Methods and systems for improved modulation of video signals
A method for modulating a video signal. Frames of a plurality of frames are selected for modulation. A first magnitude alternation pattern is designated for each of a first area of a field of the selected frames. A second magnitude alternation pattern is designated for each of a second area of the field of the selected frames. The intensity of a plurality of pixels of a plurality of scan lines of the field of the selected frames is altered as designated by either the first magnitude alternation pattern or the second magnitude alternation pattern.
US08233082B2 Camera casing including accessory shoe for allowing the attachment of various/plural external devices
The image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes a front plate 12 fitted to an outer cylindrical surface of a lens barrel 5b and a rear plate 13 placed on the backside of a liquid crystal panel 7, and an accessory shoe 11 is fixed to a rib 12a formed on the top of the front plate 12 and a rib 13a formed on the top of the rear plate 13. Consequently, it is possible to enhance the strength of attachment of the accessory shoe 11. Therefore, even when an external device with a large weight such as a strobe device 51 is attached to the accessory shoe 11, it is possible to avoid deformation or damage to the accessory shoe 11.
US08233081B2 Portable video conference camera
An image capturing device includes a main body which has a tab that extends therefrom. The main body houses a video capturing unit, and a communication unit which transfers video images to an electronic apparatus. A hinge friction joint is connected to the main body, and a leg member is connected to the main body by the hinge friction joint. The hinge friction joint is configured to maintain a predetermined angle between the main body and the leg member that is greater than zero.
US08233080B2 Electronic flash apparatus adjusting a light distribution field angle and camera provided with the same
To provide a flash apparatus and a camera provided with the same which can carry out more appropriate adjustment of the light distribution field angle. An electronic flash apparatus with a variable light distribution field angle wherein the light distribution field angle is determined according to a focal length of a photographic lens and a photographic region on an imaging area, comprising a plurality of light distribution field angles corresponding to one combination of one of the focal length and one of the photographic region, and one light distribution field angle is selectable from among the plurality of light distribution field angles.
US08233079B2 Environment recognition method and apparatus for a three-dimensional vision sensor
In an environment recognition apparatus including a light projector that intermittently projects a light pattern toward an object to be measured existing in an environmental space in accordance with a duty factor of a pulse train defining one frame, a camera that outputs a difference image between an image of the object taken at an exposure where the light pattern is projected and an image of the object taken at an exposure where the light pattern is not projected and the object is recognized based on the difference image, there is equipped with a timing controller that controls the projection timing by varying a pulse repetition period in the pulse train in one frame at random, thereby effectively avoiding the interference with the other while using a camera of ordinary sensitivity.
US08233073B2 Image capturing device with improved image quality
An image capturing device (1) is disclosed comprising an electronic image detector (17) having a detecting surface (15), an optical projection system (5) for projecting an object within a field of view onto the detecting surface (15), and, optionally, a computing unit (19) for manipulating electronic information obtained from the image detector (17), wherein, the projection system (5) is adapted to project the object in a distorted way such that, when compared with a standard lens system, the projected image is expanded in a center region of the field of view and is compressed in a border region of the field of view. Preferably, the projection system (5) is adapted such that its point spread function in the border region of the field of view has a full width at half maximum corresponding essentially to the size of corresponding pixels of the image detector (17).
US08233070B2 Variable dynamic range pixel sensor cell, design structure and method
A pixel sensor cell including a column circuit, a design structure for fabricating the pixel sensor cell including the column circuit and a method for operating the pixel sensor cell including the column circuit are predicated upon the measurement of multiple reference data point and signal data point pairs from a floating diffusion at a variable capacitance. The variable capacitance is provided by excluding or including a transfer gate transistor capacitance in addition to a floating diffusion capacitance. Such a variable capacitance provides variable dynamic ranges for the pixel sensor cell including the column circuit.
US08233068B2 Decimation filters, analog-to-digital converters including the same, and image sensors including the converters
An image sensor includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a decimation filter. The decimation filter includes a first digital data generator and a second digital data generator. The first digital data generator is configured to integrate sigma-delta modulated M-bit pixel data and output N-bit pixel data based on an integration result. The second digital data generator is configured to integrate the N-bit pixel data, generate P-bit pixel data based on an integration result, and output the P-bit pixel data as decimated data.
US08233067B2 Solid-state imaging device, signal processing method of solid-state imaging device, and image capturing apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixel circuits each including a photoelectric conversion element; reading signal lines connected to the pixel circuits; a reference signal output circuit outputting a reference signal whose voltage level varies; a reference signal line connected to the reference signal output circuit; and comparators each having a first input terminal and a second input terminal and each inverting its output depending on a voltage relation of the first input terminal and the second input terminal, wherein the first input terminals of some of the comparators are connected to the reading signal lines and the second input terminals thereof are connected to the reference signal line, and wherein the first input terminals of the other of the comparators are connected to the reference signal line and the second input terminals thereof are connected to the reading signal lines.
US08233061B1 System, method, and computer program product for reducing a number of requests required to retrieve portions of memory
A memory system, method, and computer program product are provided. In use, a plurality of portions of memory is arranged contiguously. Further, a number of requests required to retrieve the portions of memory is reduced utilizing the arrangement. In one possible embodiment, such technique may be used in the context of film grain technology (FGT), such that the portions of memory include portions of a film grain image stored in a film grain database (FGDB).
US08233060B2 Image data processing apparatus, image data processing method, and program
Image data are compressed such that they do not visually deteriorate. Nonlinear compression and DPCM compression are performed in series. A compressing unit 41 that uses nonlinear transform inputs image data (L bits per pixel) of each color component. Image data are compressed to M bits (M
US08233059B2 Image sensing apparatus
An image sensing apparatus includes: an image sensor which generates an electrical signal commensurate with an amount of incident light, and has a photoelectric conversion characteristic comprised of a linear characteristic area where the electrical signal is outputted after being linearly converted in relation to the amount of incident light, and a logarithmic characteristic area where the electrical signal is outputted after being logarithmically converted in relation to the amount of incident light; an exposure evaluation value detector which detects an exposure evaluation value based on luminance information acquired from a subject in sensing an image of the subject; and an exposure controller which acquires a setting value for exposure based on the exposure evaluation value detected by the exposure evaluation value detector to control exposure of the image sensing apparatus, wherein the exposure controller determines a subject luminance for exposure setting based on the exposure evaluation value, and controls the exposure in such a manner that an output of the image sensor corresponding to the subject luminance for exposure setting is obtained from the linear characteristic area of the image sensor.
US08233054B2 Scenery imaging apparatus, scenery imaging method, scenery imaging program, and computer-readable recording medium
A scenery imaging apparatus includes a dividing unit that divides, into plural cells, a scenery image captured in an arbitrary direction, as an initial scenery image, by an image capturing unit; a calculating unit that calculates respective distances to portions of initial scenery respectively corresponding to the cells; a determining unit that determines an image capturing direction based on the distances calculated by the calculating unit; and a judging unit that judges, based on the distances calculated by the calculating unit, whether a portion of the initial scenery corresponding to a cell is a distant view. The determining unit further determines the image capturing direction based on a portion judged to be a distant view.
US08233049B2 Imaging using an electromagnetic wave
An object of examination is irradiated with an electromagnetic wave including a frequency component from 30 GHz to 30 THz and a Fourier transform image of the transmitted or reflected electromagnetic wave from the object of examination is obtained. The obtained Fourier transform image is subjected to a spatial frequency filtering processing. This method can visualize only the part to be visualized in an imaging operation using a terahertz wave.
US08233043B2 Systems and methods for location of objects
Systems and methods that may be employed to visually locate and/or track objects equipped with active RFID tags. The disclosed systems and methods may employ an articulated camera/s, such as closed circuit television (“CCTV”) or other suitable type of articulated camera/s, that is equipped with an antenna array.
US08233041B2 Image processing device and image processing method for performing three dimensional measurements
An image processing device for the user to easily perform the setting for specifying the location to be performed with three dimensional measurement on the image where the photographed is shown, the device including an imaging section (1) with a first camera (C0), arranged with the optical axis directed in the vertical direction, for generating a front image of a work W, and a second camera (C1), arranged with the optical axis directed in a slanted direction, for generating a slant image of the work W. In the setting prior to the measurement, the setting object is photographed with each camera (C0, C1), and the setting is performed pm the specified region for specifying the position to be measured by the user using the front image from the first camera C0. In time of the measurement, the specified region is defined in the front image from the first camera (C0) based on the setting, and the process of specifying the position to be measured is performed in the relevant region. Furthermore, the position corresponding to the position specified in the front image is specified, and the process of calculating the three dimensional coordinate is performed with respect to the slant image from the second camera (C1).
US08233038B2 Image-signal processing unit
An image-signal processing unit comprising a first and second luminance calculation block, a correction-value calculation block, and a subtraction block, is provided. The first luminance calculation block calculates a first luminance corresponding to the sum of a plurality of primary color light components. Each of them is multiplied by a coefficient from a first coefficient combination. The second luminance calculation block calculates a second luminance corresponding to the sum of a plurality of the primary color light components. Each of them is multiplied by a coefficient from a second coefficient combination. The correction-value calculation block calculates a luminance correction value according to the second luminance if the first luminance is greater than a threshold value. The subtraction block calculates a corrected luminance by subtracting the luminance correction value from the first luminance.
US08233034B2 Multi-functional active matrix liquid crystal displays
A direct view display provides a light modulating panel and a backlight including first and second sets of spectral emitters. The first set of spectral emitters generate a first light bundle and the second set of spectral emitters generate a second light bundle. Several modes of operation may be provided including (1) an advanced 2D mode, (2) an enhanced color gamut mode employing simultaneous illumination of the first and second set of spectral emitters, (3) a privacy screen mode, (4) a channel multiplexed mode, and (5) a stereoscopic image mode. The latter three modes utilize the first and second set of spectral emitters to alternately illuminate a portion of the light modulating panel. Images and representations generated by the direct view display operating in the latter three modes are viewed using appropriate eyewear having filters with passband characteristics to transmit the respective light bundle.
US08233033B2 Supplementary visual display system
A visual display system includes a display device having an image display region for presenting images to a viewer. The system includes one or more illumination sources that at least partially peripherally surround the image display region and/or project illumination radiated therefrom so as to illuminate a region visually appearing to the viewer to at least partially peripherally surround the image display region. A control device controls light radiation emitted in use from the one or more illumination sources in response to at least one of image and audio indicative signals so as to provide at least a partial spatial extension of the image display region.
US08233032B2 Systems and methods for creating a three-dimensional image
A method for generating and displaying a three-dimensional image viewable from different angles includes the steps of generating a plurality of images of a three-dimensional object from a plurality of angles. Each image is displayed from an angle corresponding to the generated angle on a display surface of a screen, typically having a plurality of display surfaces. The screen is rotated such that each viewable angle of each image is displayed at least twenty-four times per second so as to appear constant.
US08233031B2 Object detecting system
An object detecting system includes stereo-image taking means for outputting a reference image and a comparative image, stereo matching means for performing stereo matching, object detecting means for detecting an object in the reference image, estimated-region setting means for setting estimated regions of the object in the current frame in the reference image and the comparative image, on the basis of a distance of the object in the reference image in the previous frame, and determination means for correlating information about the object detected in the estimated region of the reference image or information that the object is not detected with information that noise is included, when an absolute value of a difference between average luminances of the estimated regions is more than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.
US08233028B2 Dynamic visual background for call-center agents
A system is disclosed that enables a first call participant, such as an agent at a call center, to project a carefully-controlled appearance towards a second call participant, such as a customer calling for technical support, while on a video call. Using the real-time image of the first call participant while on a video call, as well as additional information, the system of the illustrative embodiment selects and superimposes a visual background that appears to the caller as being behind the agent. The visual background can be selected to cater towards what the caller expects or wants to see, or what the message is that the agent-represented business wants to convey. The system of the illustrative embodiment can dynamically change the visual background during a call or from one call to another, depending on factors related to the calling party, factors related to the called party, and so forth.
US08233023B2 Method and apparatus for controlling intra-refreshing in a video telephony communication system
A method and apparatus for controlling intra-refreshing in a video telephone communication system are provided. A reception apparatus checks a sequence number and a CRC for received video packet data to detect presence of a packet loss, decodes the received video data to check frame type information, generates a control signal for requesting intra-refreshing in accordance with the checked frame type information and the sequence number, and transmits the generated control signal for requesting intra-refreshing to a transmission apparatus. The transmission apparatus determines whether a control signal for requesting transmission of an I-frame obtained by compressing an independent image is received from the reception apparatus, checks frame type information and a sequence number of video data being compressed, determines whether to transmit a temporary I-frame corresponding to the received control signal or to transmit an I-frame based on a predetermined period, in accordance with the checked frame type information and the sequence number, and transmits the I-frame to the reception apparatus using a variable time according to the determination.
US08233021B2 Systems and methods for controlling polygon induced banding
Systems and methods for reducing the degradation of image quality due to banding in an image processing system by detection of both integrated intensity and peak intensity of a laser beam reflected from the polygon mirror facet(s) of a motor polygon assembly. A banding detector is adapted to enable measurement of peak intensity and integrated intensity of the laser beam(s) reflected from the polygon mirror facet(s). Polygon facet induced banding can be determined from the measurements and can be used for sorting/manufacturing raster output scanners and/or compensating for the induced banding.
US08233020B2 Enhanced imaging of features
Methods for imaging patterns of features by thermal transfer involve controlling intensities of a plurality of beams. The intensities of beams that image edge portions of a feature may be set to be different from the intensities of beams that image interior portions of the feature. Beams that image home and away edges of a feature may be controlled to have different intensities. Apparatus for imaging patterns of features may comprise a controller configured to maintain intensity information for channels of a multi-channel imaging head. The controller uses the intensity information to set intensities of those channels that correspond to edge portions of features being imaged in a current swath of the imaging head.
US08233018B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include a first casing and a second casing above the first casing. The second casing is provided with an upper surface including a generally horizontal surface, a lower surface extending beyond the upper surface in a generally horizontal direction and a side surface connecting an end edge of the upper surface and an end edge of the lower surface with each other over the whole area. The first casing is provided with an upper surface coming into contact with the lower surface of the second casing over the whole area and a side surface including a generally vertical surface. An inclined surface connecting the generally vertical surface of the first casing and the generally horizontal surface of the second casing with each other, is provided continuously along the first casing and the second casing.
US08233016B2 Image forming apparatus, and exposure control method therefor
An image forming apparatus of the invention includes an image carrier, an exposure device performing exposure for forming a toner image on a surface of the image carrier and having at least a first exposure light source and a second exposure light source, a sensor for detecting specified patterns, which are formed on the image carrier at a specified time with use of the first and second exposure light sources, a storing unit for storing a correlation, which is attained from a detection result by the sensor, between the first and second exposure light sources, and a controller for controlling the first and second exposure light sources based on the correlation.
US08233015B2 Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus includes first and second frames in which a display panel is seated and optical sheets are received, and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display panel displaying an image, a light source supplying light to the display panel, a first frame supporting the display panel and having the light source positioned therein, and a second frame combined with the first frame, wherein the second frame includes a cover portion that receives the light source, and a support portion, which extends from the cover portion along sidewalls of the first frame, where the support portion combines with the first frame, and includes an opening, the opening formed opposite to and facing the cover portion.
US08233013B2 Transmissive-type liquid crystal display device
In a transmissive-type liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel and a backlight, the liquid crystal panel has pixels each divided into four subpixels red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W). The backlight is a white backlight by which luminance of emitted light is controllable. A color-saturation reducing section carries out a process of reducing color saturation on a first RGB input signal, which is an original input signal, so that the first RGB input signal becomes a second RGB input signal. Thereafter, an output signal generating section obtains a transmissivity and a backlight value on the basis of the second RGB input signal.
US08233008B2 Method and system for distinctively displaying selected floor with sufficient details in a three-dimensional building model
A method, system and program product for distinctively displaying selected floors with sufficient details in a three-dimensional building model includes graphical metaphors that permit a selected or highlighted floor and their respective elements to be absolutely clear and distinct from the floors immediately above and below. The graphically displayed metaphors comprise “drawers”, “wireframe”, “expansion/compression”, “projected floor”, “sliding unselected floors”, “turning the pages”, “big map-small map”, and “fisheye” graphical configurations. Such graphically displayed metaphors can be utilized to highlight a selected floor, separate it from adjacent floors, and provide a graphical effect of depicting the floor's vertical position within a building.
US08233007B2 Display device, method for generating four or more primary color signals, and program causing computer to execute processing for generating four or more primary color signals
A display device using a number n of primary colors (where n is a natural number that is equal to or greater than four) includes a video signal converting section that receives an m-primary-color signal representing a number m of primary colors (where is m is also a natural number that is smaller than n) and that converts the m-primary-color signal into an n-primary -color signal representing the n primary colors. The n primary colors include a color that is complementary to a particular one of the m primary colors. The video signal converting section generates the n-primary-color signal such that if a color component representing the particular primary color of the m-primary-color signal has a negative level, the complementary primary color has an increased luminance and the other non-complementary primary colors have decreased luminances compared to a situation where the color component representing the particular primary color is zero.
US08233006B2 Texture level tracking, feedback, and clamping system for graphics processors
Embodiments include a texture mapping processor incorporating a dynamic level of detail map for use in a graphics processing system. Level of detail values are defined, with 0 being the finest and corresponding to the largest mipmap level. Each bound texture in a graphics object is assigned an identifier. This identifier is used as an index into a minimum-LOD value tracking table that is updated whenever a texel is fetched. A texture processing module controls when the tracking table is initialized and read back, and which identifiers are tracked. The minimum-LOD values in the tracking table are accompanied by a coarse region access mask to associate a minimum LOD value with a specific region of the image or object. A clamping table contains LOD clamp values for each region and a region code that specifies the coarseness of the LOD associated with each region of the texture.
US08233001B2 Display apparatus, information processing apparatus capable of communicating with display apparatus, and methods of controlling same
A peripheral device acquires the processing load of a display apparatus to which the peripheral device is connected via an interface. In accordance with the processing load acquired, the peripheral device generates a data command for adjusting the load of processing for rendering display data. The display apparatus alters the display data based upon the data command, renders the display data after the alteration thereof and displays the rendered data. As a result, when the peripheral device instructs the display apparatus to subject the display data to rendering process, an increase in length of time it takes to obtain the result of rendering is reduced.
US08232994B2 Viewing multi-dimensional data in two dimensions
Various technologies for visualizing a multi-dimensional view object in a two-dimensional format are described. In accordance with one described embodiment, an interface for visualizing a multi-dimensional view object in two dimensions includes a surface selection tree panel, a view object information panel, and a visualization panel. The surface selection tree panel displays a surface selection tree associated with the multi-dimensional view object. A number of other surface selection trees associated with the multi-dimensional view object also exist and can be displayed if selected. The surface selection trees include one or more surfaces associated with the multi-dimensional view object. The view object information panel complements the surface selection tree panel by displaying information associated with the multi-dimensional view object. Furthermore, the visualization panel displays an image or a spreadsheet-like numeric representation of the surface area that corresponds to a currently selected surface.
US08232992B2 Image processing system and method for silhouette rendering and display of images during interventional procedures
A medical viewing system in which 3DRA images of a body volume are acquired and two dimensional live image data is acquired within the body volume during an intervention. Direct volume silhouette rendering is performed in respect of the 3D image so as to generate a silhouette rendering of the 3D image comprised of values proportional to the translucency of voxels of the 3D image data, and the live sequence of 2D images (18) is displayed within the resultant silhouette rendering of the body volume. A user can control the levels of shading and/or contrast in the displayed silhouette rendering.
US08232990B2 Working with 3D objects
Three-dimensional objects can be generated based on two-dimensional objects. A first user input identifying a 2D object presented in a user interface can be detected, and a second user input including a 3D gesture input that includes a movement in proximity to a surface can be detected. A 3D object can be generated based on the 2D object according to the first and second user inputs, and the 3D object can be presented in the user interface.
US08232983B2 Method for driving plasma display panel, and plasma display device
In the method for driving a plasma display panel and the plasma display device, the scan electrodes of the plasma display panel are divided into two scan electrode groups, the address period of subfields is divided into two address periods corresponding to the two scan electrode groups, and at least in one address period, the scan electrodes belonging to the scan electrode group provided with scan pulses are sequentially provided with scan pulses shifting from second voltage higher than scan pulse voltage to scan pulse voltage and shifting again to second voltage, and the scan electrodes belonging to the scan electrode group not provided with scan pulses are provided with either third voltage higher than scan pulse voltage or fourth voltage higher than second voltage and third voltage, and with third voltage at least while scan pulse voltage is applied to adjacent scan electrodes.
US08232981B2 Beverage container stand
A beverage container stand has a housing with a portion configured for supporting a beverage container, a display for displaying images selected from the group consisting of moving images, stationary images, and both, and a unit for receiving the images and displaying the images on the display.
US08232979B2 Performing an action with respect to hand-formed expression
Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a signal originated by a handheld writing device and indicative of a handwriting on a surface. The method also includes receiving a signal indicative of a machine-distinguishable tag associated by a user with the handwriting. The machine-distinguishable tag selected from at least two machine-distinguishable defined tags. The method includes performing an action with respect to a representation of the handwriting in response to the machine-distinguishable tag.
US08232977B2 System and method for detection with a digitizer sensor
A method for detection on a digitizer sensor, the method comprises simultaneously transmitting orthogonal signals having the same frequency on at least two conductors of a digitizer sensor; sampling a signal on at least one other conductor crossing the at least two conductors, wherein the signal is responsive to capacitive coupling at cross-junctions formed between the at least two conductors and at least one other conductor; decomposing the sampled signal into orthogonal components; and analyzing the orthogonal components to detect user interaction at each cross junction.
US08232974B2 Liquid crystal display device
The liquid crystal display device is for recognizing a variation in liquid crystal capacitance according to a touch to be capable of sensing whether or not the device is touched and the position of a touched region and includes a first substrate and a second substrate being opposite to each other; a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines crossing each other on the first substrate to define pixel regions; pixel transistors respectively disposed at the intersections of the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines, and pixel electrodes respectively disposed in the pixel regions; a common electrode disposed on the entire surface of the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer filling a gap between the first and second substrates; liquid crystal capacitors between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode; first storage capacitors disposed between the pixel electrodes and first storage electrodes on the first substrate; second storage capacitors and sensing capacitors in series between the gate lines and the common electrode; a read out line being parallel with the data lines; and switching transistors, each of which is provided with a gate electrode connected to a node between the second storage capacitor and the sensing capacitor, a drain electrode connected to the read out line, and a source electrode connected to a power voltage line.
US08232971B2 Airplane window control
An electrically dimmable window (“EDW”) system comprising an EDW, a control switch, and a controller. The switch and controller control the light transmittance level of the EDW. State indicators indicate when the EDW is in transition from one light transmittance level to another level. When there is no transition in light transmittance level, the indicators may denote the current light transmittance level of the EDW.
US08232970B2 Scan sequence generator
A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes.
US08232969B2 Haptic feedback for button and scrolling action simulation in touch input devices
A planar touch control is used to provide input to a computer and haptic feedback is provided thereto. A touch control includes a touch input device with a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor associated with the computer based on a location of user implemented contact on the touch surface. The computer can position or modify a cursor or image in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user via the touch surface.
US08232967B2 Computer keyboard with processor for audio and telephony functions
A computer keyboard provides for one or more of processing, interfacing, input/output control with respect to the computer and/or one or more devices coupled to the keyboard, and/or for control of one or more devices coupled to the keyboard. The keyboard comprises at least one processor, and may also include one or more busses and/or other devices, that, individually in cooperation, perform such functions. In one embodiment, the processor receives telephony signals from the computer and provides telephony signals to the computer, performing the processing necessary to support telephony functions such as conversion of audio signals. Audio signals from computer sound cards and other audio signal sources may be mixed with telephony signals in keyboards according to the invention. Displays and associated input devices incorporated by the keyboard are provided to control telephony and other keyboard processor functions.
US08232965B2 Adjustable on-screen cursor sensitivity on a handheld communication device
Method and arrangement for adjusting sensitivity in the horizontal and/or vertical directions for the motion of a cursor on the display of a handheld electronic device incorporates a navigation tool as a user input device. The sensitivity can be user-defined, program-defined or a combination of the two. The sensitivity adjustment allows for special properties associated with dimensions of the display and/or with the navigation tool.
US08232961B2 Pixel driving structure of displaying three colors of particle display and its displaying colors method
A pixel driving structure of a particle display displaying three colors and a method for displaying colors thereof are provided. The pixel driving structure includes a first substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on a surface of the first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; a second electrode layer on the second substrate; a particle solution disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer and having a first color solution, a plurality of second color positive particles, and a plurality of third color negative particles; and an alternating/direct power supply connecting with the first and second electrode layers. A method for displaying color includes steps of applying an alternating voltage to display a first color; applying a first direct voltage to display a third color; and applying a second direct voltage to display a second color.
US08232960B2 Displaying electrophoretic particles
Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, displaying electrophoretic particles can be performed by configuring an electrophoretic display for directed spreading of electrophoretic particles across a number of substantially planar display electrodes. Such a configuration can be accomplished by controlling planar spreading of the electrophoretic particles in an electrophoretic pixel with an electrical field between an in-plane storage electrode and an in-plane activation electrode. The in-plane activation electrode can be connected to an in-plane display electrode, which extends across a first area in the electrophoretic pixel adjacent to a display aperture having a second area that is substantially coextensive with the first area.
US08232958B2 High-contrast backlight
A method and device for providing a display having increased viewability are provided. The display assembly includes a backlight layer, an electrochromic layer formed over the backlight layer, a surface layer formed over the electrochromic layer and including at least one substantially translucent graphical element thereon, and a power supply. The electrochromic layer is switchable between a substantially transparent state and a substantially reflective state upon application of a switching voltage from the power supply, where the state being selected is based on a lighting condition of the display assembly.
US08232957B2 Laser displays using phosphor screens emitting visible colored light
Laser display systems using at least one scanning laser beam to excite one or more fluorescent materials on a screen which emit light to form images. The fluorescent materials may include phosphor materials.
US08232952B2 Display element, method of driving the same, and electronic paper including the same
The present invention provides a display element capable of allowing a user to recognize the content of an image in a short time during screen rewriting, a method of driving the same, and an electronic paper including the same. At the time of image display, B and R pixels 12b(i, 1) to 12b(i, 320) and 12r(i, 1) to 12r(i, 320) in i-th rows of B and R display units 6b and 6r and G pixels 12g(241−i, 1) to 12g(241−i, 320) in a (241−i)-th row of a G display unit 6g are driven substantially at the same time.
US08232940B2 Organic electroluminescent display device and production method thereof
An organic electroluminescent display device is capable of flowing a constant electric current into each pixel and improving image qualities even if the device displays an image on a large screen. The organic electroluminescent display device including a lower electrode, an organic electroluminescent film, and an upper electrode on a substrate arranged in this order, wherein the upper electrode is divided in units of a pixel or dot by a partition having an insulating property.
US08232938B2 Driving device and driving method for display device
A driving method of a display device in which an image is displayed on a display panel having a display element arranged in a pixel matrix, includes comparing, among pixel data corresponding to a display content in each pixel, pixel data corresponding to an nth horizontal scan line of an Nth frame and pixel data corresponding to an nth horizontal scan line of an (N−1)th frame; and setting a brightness reduction ratio with respect to pixel data corresponding to the nth horizontal scan line of the Nth frame or a later horizontal scan line of the Nth frame based as a function of the comparison and all pixel data corresponding to the (N−1)th frame or all pixel data from the nth horizontal scan line of the (N−1)th frame to an (n−1)th horizontal scan line of the Nth frame and controlling power supplied.
US08232937B2 Display device and electronic equipment using the same
In an active matrix EL display device, pixels which are suitable for a constant current drive are structured. The pixel includes a first switch which has one end connected to a source signal line and the other end connected to a current-voltage conversion element, a second switch which has one end connected to the current-voltage conversion element and the other end connected to a voltage holding capacitor and to a voltage-current conversion element, and a pixel electrode connected to the current-voltage conversion element and to the voltage-current conversion element.
US08232932B2 Display device
The present invention suppresses the generation of a leak current that accompanies the polarity inversion of the voltage waveform of the opposing electrode. The display device that performs display by sequentially scanning a plurality of scan signal lines in a single cycle period comprises: a plurality of data signal lines that intersect the scan signal lines; a pixel electrode that is connected to the data signal lines; and an opposing electrode that is disposed opposite the pixel electrode and for which the polarity of an application voltage is inverted in each of the cycle periods. The cycle period includes a scan period in which one full scan of the scan signal lines is performed and a non-scan period in which the scan signal lines are not scanned. In the non-scan period, the absolute value across the gate and drain is held at or above a predetermined value and the decrease in a voltage difference between a pixel potential and a gate OFF potential caused by the polarity inversion of the application voltage to the opposing electrode is reduced. In a non-scan period, the polarity of the voltage applied to the opposing electrode is fixed at either polarity irrespective of the polarity inversion of the voltage of the opposing electrode in each cycle period.
US08232930B2 Display apparatus, wireless transmitting and receiving system, display method, display control program, and recording medium
A display apparatus of the present invention has been made so that: in cases where a video signal cannot be normally received, the display apparatus allows a display representing whether a video signal is not normally received due to presence of other wireless communication apparatus. The displaying is carried out when the video signal is not normally carried out. That is, the display apparatus of the present invention is a display apparatus for wirelessly receiving at least (i) a recognition information signal for determining whether or not the display apparatus is identified with a wireless transmitting apparatus and (ii) a video signal, the display apparatus, including: display means (12) for carrying out a display in accordance with at least the video signal; wireless receiving means (9) for receiving at least the recognition information signal and the video signal each transmitted wirelessly; recognition information signal detection means (15) for detecting the recognition information signal of the signals received by the wireless receiving means (9); and display control means (15) for outputting a signal causing the display means (12) to display display information which indicates that it is not possible to receive a signal and whose display format is changed according to the recognition information signal detected by the recognition information signal detection means (15).
US08232927B2 Antenna element
An antenna element is disclosed. A conductive plate is adapted to be electrically connected to an electric ground, and has a first edge. A second edge opposes the first edge and is formed with a first slit elongated in a first direction. A third edge intersects the first edge. A recessed part intersects the first edge and the third edge. A conductive member elongates from the second edge in the first direction.
US08232923B2 Antenna structure of a radio frequency identification system transponder
The present invention is an antenna structure of a radio frequency identification system transponder, especially an antenna structure wherein an insulation layer and a foldback circuit, an opening of which faces toward a coupling part, are provided at corresponding positions of an antenna body which is provided with the coupling part. The foldback circuit is provided with a radio frequency integrated circuit, such that radio signals can be transmitted by induction by the foldback circuit and the coupling part. By this foldback circuit, an issue of directivity of the radio signals can be reduced, an effective read range of the radio signals can be increased, as well as a near field induction function and a far field induction function can be provided at a same time. Therefore, when manufacturing an RFID transponder, a production speed can be increased and production cost can be reduced.
US08232918B2 Digital beam-forming apparatus and technique for a multi-beam global positioning system (GPS) receiver
An advanced multiple-beam GPS receiving system is achieved that is capable of simultaneously tracking multiple GPS satellites independently, detecting multiple interference signals individually, and suppressing directional gain in the antenna pattern of each beam in the interference directions. The GPS receiving system can be used for both planar and non-planar receiving arrays, including arrays that are conformally applied to the surface of a platform such as an aircraft. The GPS receiver combines spatial filtering and acquisition code correlation for enhanced rejection of interfering sources. Enhanced gain in the direction of GPS satellites and the ability to shape the beam patterns to suppress gain in the direction of interfering sources make the GPS receiving system largely insensitive to interfering and jamming signals that plague conventional GPS receivers.
US08232917B2 Post-mission high accuracy position and orientation system
A method of generating post-mission position and orientation data comprises generating position and orientation data representing positions and orientations of a mobile platform, based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data and inertial navigation system (INS) data acquired during a data acquisition period by the mobile platform, using a network real-time kinematic (RTK) subsystem to generate correction data associated with the data acquisition period, and correcting the position and orientation data based on the correction data. The RTK subsystem may implement a virtual reference station (VRS) technique to generate the correction data.
US08232916B2 Tilt compensation for GNSS antenna
A method and system of improving Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) results by compensating for antenna tilt in determining the location of the GNSS receiver is disclosed. In general, the angle of tilt of the antenna is determined. The actual elevation of a satellite is determined. The effective elevation of the satellite relative to the antenna is then calculated.
US08232915B2 Three quarter spatially variant apodization
A new spatially variant apodization (SVA) algorithm that uses a 3/4 filled aperture prior to two dimensional discrete Fourier transform (2-D DFT) to form the image. The algorithm can be used, for example, to improve contrast and resolution on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, with a lower degree of oversampling (and thus, fewer pixels) than other algorithms require. This can translate into more efficient use of radar displays and processor memory. Additional efficiencies of memory and computing power may be realized when Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) algorithms operate on this imagery. Embodiments of this invention use convolution kernels at two different spacings, which are better tuned to the local phase relationships of mainlobe and sidelobes with a 3/4 filled aperture. As such, these embodiments suppress sidelobes without sacrificing resolution, at an aperture-filling ratio of 3/4, rather than 1/2, as is usually used.
US08232914B2 Radar apparatus
A distance measuring apparatus comprising a transmission antenna to radiate a transmission radio wave; a reception antenna to receive a reflected signal from a target; an analog-to-digital converter to perform an analog-to-digital conversion for converting a reception signal; and a signal processing unit to process the converted signal and to detect the target, in which a transmission frequency of the transmission radio wave to be radiated is switched at a timing synchronized with a sampling frequency of the analog-to-digital conversion, the transmission frequency is switched in accordance with an arbitrary pattern within a frequency band, and the reception signal is rearranged in order on the basis of the arbitrary pattern at a time of the transmission to then be subject to a radar signal processing.
US08232908B2 Inverse synthetic aperture radar image processing
According to one embodiment, inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) image processing includes receiving an ISAR image from an inverse synthetic aperture radar. A standard deviation profile is generated from the ISAR image, where the standard deviation profile represents a standard deviation of the ISAR image. The standard deviation profile is normalized to form a normalized standard deviation profile. A mean value profile is generated from the ISAR image, where the mean value profile represents a mean value deviation of the ISAR image. The mean value profile is normalized to form a normalized mean value profile. The normalized standard deviation profile and the normalized mean value profile are combined to form a sum normalized range profile. The sum normalized range profile may be processed to classify a target in the ISAR image.
US08232905B2 Sequentially configured analog to digital converter
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) system and method. The ADC system includes a digital control circuit, an amplifier, a capacitor, and an evaluation circuit. The digital control circuit is configured to sequentially configure the ADC system in a first configuration and a second configuration to derive a digital representation of an analog signal value. The amplifier circuit includes an amplifier input terminal and an amplifier output terminal. The capacitor has a first capacitor terminal coupled to the amplifier input terminal in the first and second configurations of the ADC system. The capacitor further has a second capacitor terminal coupled to the amplifier output terminal in the first configuration of the ADC system. The evaluation circuit is configured to provide a first digital code to represent a first voltage level at the amplifier output terminal in the first configuration of the ADC system. The second capacitor terminal in the second configuration of the ADC system is coupled to a reference voltage potential selected according to the first digital code.
US08232902B2 Pulse modulation devices and methods
An embodiment method of generating an output pulse stream comprises first pulse modulating a first multi-bit input term to generate a first one-bit pulse stream, using a bitwise logic AND to combine the first one-bit pulse stream and a second multi-bit term, thereby generating a multi-bit AND output, and second pulse modulating the multi-bit AND output to generate a one-bit output pulse stream representing a product of the first and second multi-bit input terms.
US08232900B2 Navigation system and route guidance method
A navigation system provides guidance for performing a U-turn. The navigation system includes a processing unit, which acquires guidance route information and road information to determine whether the guidance route requires a turning around in a divided two-lane road. If a turning around is required, the processing unit specifies an extension distance of a connection road of the divided two-lane road. U-turn guidance is provided if the extension distance is at or below a predetermined length, or otherwise, to guidance is provided to prompt a double turn.
US08232898B2 E85 gas station locator applications using V2X peer-to-peer social networking
A system and method for wirelessly exchanging information concerning the location of E85 gas stations between E85 vehicles. The method includes transmitting messages from an E85 gas station that identifies the location of the E85 gas station, the time of the transmission and the price of the E85 gas, and receiving the messages by E85 vehicles that pass within a certain distance of the E85 gas station. The method also includes identifying that two E85 vehicles pass close to each other, where the vehicles periodically broadcast an E85 beacon identifying them as E85 vehicles. When two E85 vehicles are identified, the vehicles exchange information concerning a list of the E85 gas stations that they have stored from messages received from E85 gas stations and/or other E85 vehicles. The two vehicles update their lists to include those E85 gas stations that one vehicle may have that the other does not.
US08232896B2 Pedestrian signal housing with information display
A traditional pedestrian signal housing with a video display screen mounted to a pedestrian side of the traditional pedestrian signal housing is disclosed. The video display screen is mounted to the pedestrian side of the pedestrian signal housing by way of a face plate. Tunnel visors may be attached to the traditional pedestrian signal housing to prevent cross traffic from being distracted by the visual images displayed on the video display screen. The information displayed on the video display screen may be advertisements, information, directions, etc. Local or national entities may pay for advertisements to generate revenues for the cities or governmental entities.
US08232894B2 Mobile system for exacting parking tolls
Mobile systems are provided for charging electronic toll collection accounts for parking fees. The systems are configured to wirelessly request and receive tag data from an electronic toll device. Some embodiments include a vehicle and a boom, some embodiments include a handheld device, and other embodiments include combinations thereof. Methods of charging an electronic toll payment system are also provided. A mobile scan system wirelessly requests and receives tag data from an electronic toll device on a customer's vehicle which is checked for validity, and then an electronic toll collection account is charged a fee for parking.
US08232893B2 Parking assist apparatus and method
It is an object of the present invention to provide a parking assisting apparatus which can selectively determine an appropriate target parking position, which can be used for parking assisting, with an appropriate priority, by appropriately using obstacle detecting means and parking space detecting means in a coordinated fashion. The present invention is a parking assisting apparatus for assisting parking a vehicle, comprising the obstacle detecting means for detecting an obstacle near the vehicle; and parking section line detecting means for detecting a parking section line painted on the ground; wherein if the parking section line is detected by the parking section line detecting means, the apparatus calculates the target parking position based on the detected parking section line.
US08232888B2 Interactive magnetic marker field for safety systems and complex proximity warning system
The invention relates to a proximity detection system. The invention provides a proximity detection system comprising a generator that generates a magnetic field that establishes a boundary, where the generator is capable of receiving radio frequency signals. Also provided is a radio frequency device that sends radio frequency signals, the radio frequency device being capable of sensing the magnetic field and generating a radio frequency response. In the proximity detection system, the generator generates the magnetic field for a first predefined time period, and thereafter senses for a radio frequency response signal from the radio frequency device within a second predefined time period. The invention also provides for shaping proximity detection zones by overlaying magnetic field boundaries to produce a different boundary. The invention also provides for varying the strength of magnetic fields by adjusting a width of a timed pulse.
US08232887B2 Electronic monitoring of the on-board power supply system of a motor vehicle with respect to voltage peaks or voltage drops
A process is provided for the electronic monitoring of the on-board power supply system, or parts of the on-board power supply system, of a motor vehicle with respect to voltage peaks or voltage drops. The value of the electric voltage is continuously recorded, and a comparator circuit continuously compares a first earlier voltage value with a subsequently determined second voltage value. The comparator circuit keeps available for a predetermined time period the highest voltage value recorded up to that point-in-time.
US08232886B2 Battery management system for electric vehicle
The invention provides a battery management system which can reliably and easily manage a power unit of an electric vehicle. The power unit includes a plurality of battery modules. The battery management system includes: a power source for a motor, the power source being constituted by a plurality of battery modules having battery cells; battery module status sensors mounted on the battery modules on the one to one basis, detecting voltages and temperatures of the battery modules; and a control unit judging statuses of the battery modules on the basis of data detected by the battery module status sensors. The battery module status sensors are mutually connected in series by a communication line for transmitting numbering data, and each battery module status sensor assigning itself with an ID code on the basis of ID information received from an upstream battery module status sensor, and transmitting the ID information as well as the ID code to a downstream battery module status sensor. The control unit is connected to the battery module status sensors via the communication line for transmitting the numbering data and a communication line for transmitting various data except for the numbering data, and locates an abnormal battery module on the basis of detection information received via the communication line for transmitting the numbering data and the communication line for transmitting various data except for the numbering data.
US08232885B2 Photoelectric smoke detector
A photoelectric smoke detector is capable of preventing an erroneous alarm from being issued even when steam flows into a smoke detecting unit. The smoke detecting unit includes: an installation section; and a smoke inlet section. The installation section includes: a light emitting element for emitting light to an inside of the installation section; and a light receiving element for receiving the light emitted from the light emitting element. The smoke inlet section includes: a plurality of wall members for preventing external light from entering the smoke inlet section; and a smoke inlet formed between the plurality of wall members. The installation section and the smoke inlet section are arranged so as to overlap each other, with the smoke inlet section being positioned on a lower side of the installation section, and are communicated with each other through an opening.
US08232881B2 System for detecting an accident
A system integrated in a helmet or another headgear, for the registration of direct violence against the head/body that a wearer of the helmet is subjected to in connection with an accident, comprising at least one sensor (12) intended to detect movements, at least one sensor for measuring vital data, a unit (13) arranged to register and receive data from the sensor and calculate at least one parameter of the head movement, based on said calculations, the unit being arranged to identify when an accident has occurred and to store data a certain time before the accident and stop storing a certain time after the accident as well as to generate an alarm and transmit information related to the accident to a receiver. Furthermore, the system is arranged to recreate the course of events based on registered, stored and processed data in order to provide as correct a picture of the accident as possible, and to monitor how vital data are developing after the accident so that the ill-fated thereby should get as quick and correct care as possible.
US08232880B2 Semiconductor device
The present invention provides a battery as a power supply for supplying power in the RFID, and another antenna for charging the battery, in addition to an antenna which transmits and receives individual information to and from outside as a means for supplying power to the battery.
US08232874B1 Vehicle child seat safety system
A vehicle child seat safety system comprises a child seat sensor connected to a transmitter, a receiver in the vehicle connected to a processor controlling exterior lights, ignition switch, air conditioner, alarm and door locks, to advise a driver and passersby of a child left in the vehicle unattended, and provide for the access to the vehicle. The application is further directed to a method of informing of a child left unattended in a locked vehicle comprises providing a sensor in a child seat, starting the sensor when the ignition is turned off, generating a warning signal and transmitting same from a transmitter in the child seat after a predetermined time elapsed since starting the sensor, receiving the signal in the vehicle to direct a CPU of the vehicle to start an alarm sound signal and turn alarm lights on, and, if the sensor is not disabled, to further unlock door locks and start air conditioner.
US08232873B2 Driver assistance system and method for outputting at least one piece of information
A driver assistance system and method outputs, as a function of certain conditions, at least one piece of information, in particular a warning, to the driver of a motor vehicle. The driver assistance system can be transferred into a demonstration and/or learning mode, in which the conditions applied for outputting the piece of information are different from the normal mode of operation.
US08232867B2 Banknote acceptor with visual checking
A banknote acceptor for authenticating a banknote 2, has a sensing station S with detector 18 that produces image signals corresponding to a face the banknote. A processor 24 pre-processes the image signals and compares them with stored reference data corresponding to an acceptable banknote from memory 25 to determining the authenticity of the banknote and its denomination. A display device 29 displays an image 31 corresponding to the banknote under test based on the image signals from the detector 18, to allow the user to perform a visual check that the banknote detected at the sensing station corresponds to the banknote under test presented by the user. Also, the detected denomination of the banknote is displayed on device 32. The user can accept or reject the banknote using buttons 33 and 34, and retrieve images of previously accepted banknotes with button 35.
US08232863B2 Mobile device for vehicle
A mobile device for a vehicle includes a receiving unit that receives transmission signals transmitted from individual transmitting antennas of a vehicle-side device; a control unit that determines distances to the individual transmitting antennas using the signal strengths of the received transmission signals; and a transmitting unit that transmits, to the vehicle-side device using wireless communication, data items indicating the distances. In a time period in which communication is not performed between the mobile device and the vehicle-side device, the signal strength of a received signal is measured, thereby obtaining a measurement value, and the measurement value is stored as a noise element in a memory. When communication between the mobile device and the vehicle-side device is performed, correction for noise is performed on the signal strengths of the transmission signals transmitted from the transmitting antennas, and the distances are determined.
US08232862B2 Biometrically authenticated portable access device
A biometrically authenticated portable access device, includes a biometric sensor for measuring a live biometric parameter of an unverified user, an authenticator controlling a switch that enables and disables a conventional RFID tag and a stored biometric template corresponding to a previously measured biometric parameter of an authorized user. The authenticator compares the live biometric parameter of the unverified user to the stored biometric template and enables the RFID tag when the live biometric parameter matches the stored biometric template. The RFID tag is programmable in conventional RFID tag programmers that may be proprietary permitting the portable access device to be used with existing installed systems of proprietary and non-proprietary RFID tag programmers and readers.
US08232857B1 Flux-coupled transformer for power amplifier output matching
Embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods relating to a flux-coupled transformer for power amplifier output matching are disclosed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08232855B2 High energy density inductor
A substrate layer for use in an inductor is provided. The substrate layer comprises traces disposed on a first side of the substrate layer, wherein the traces are configured to facilitate conduction of current in a winding of the inductor, a sealing layer disposed on a second side of the substrate layer, wherein the sealing layer is configured to provide a sealing border for an electrically isolated cooling channel and an interconnect foil disposed on the second side of the substrate layer, wherein the interconnect foil is configured to facilitate operationally coupling the substrate layer to a second substrate layer. Further, the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer may be operationally coupled to form a winding for use in an inductor with an electrically isolated cooling channel in between.
US08232854B2 Target magnet mounting system
An embodiment is a target magnet mounting system including a magnet housing having first and second sets of spring clip mounting hooks on opposing sides of the housing and first and second spring clips mountable to the first and second spring clip mounting hook sets, respectively. Each of the spring clips includes a flexible strip having opposing first and second ends, each of the first and second ends including serrated teeth. The target magnet mounting system may be inserted into a channel to detachably engage the sidewalls of the channel to position a target magnet.
US08232852B2 Dual-track surface-wave filter
The present invention relates to an integrated dual-track surface-wave filter comprising two input interdigital transducers, an output interdigital transducer, and a shield stripe therebetween, which are integrated on a piezoelectric wafer. The integrated dual-track surface-wave filter is characterized in that the two input interdigital transducers share one output interdigital transducer and one comb-like electrode that has a bus bar arranged at the middle thereof, and in that main lobe regions of apodized envelope curves on the two parallel input interdigital transducers are staggered to be at cross overlapping positions, and in that the bus bar on the common comb-like electrode is segmented to connect respective fingers on the two input interdigital transducers. In this manner, the present invention effectively narrows the chip area occupied, consumes less substrate materials and decreases the volume of the encapsulated enclosure, thereby reducing the manufacture cost effectively.
US08232844B2 Synchronous oscillator, clock recovery apparatus, clock distribution circuit, and multi-mode injection circuit
Disclosed herein is a synchronous oscillator including at least one injection circuit having an injection signal input terminal, an internal clock signal input terminal, and a clock output terminal, and at least one delay circuit cascaded to the injection circuit.
US08232842B1 Output buffer
An output buffer including a differential amplifier, a first and a second output stage, and a first and a second control stage is provided. The differential amplifier receives an input and a feedback signal and accordingly adjusts the level of the first and second control signals. The first control stage determines to provide a first current to an output terminal of the output buffer according to the level of the first and second control signals. The first control stage is biased under a high voltage and outputs one of the first control signal and the high voltage. The second control stage is biased under the low voltage and outputs one of the second control signal and the low voltage. The second output stage determines to provide a second current to the output terminal of the output buffer according to the signal generated by the first and second control stages.
US08232841B1 Amplifier with output filtering
An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier including an inverting input that communicates with an input signal, a non-inverting input, and an output. A first feedback path communicates with the inverting input and the output of the amplifier. A second feedback path communicates with the inverting input and the output of the amplifier. The first feedback path provides feedback at a lower frequency than the second feedback path. A first resistance has one end that communicates with the output of the amplifier. A first capacitance has one end that communicates with an opposite end of the load resistance. A second resistance has one end that communicates with the inverting input and an opposite end that communicates with the opposite end of the first resistance.
US08232839B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and transmission and reception system
A semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising a linearizer that has a plurality of switchable first gain characteristics, the linearizer switching to the first gain characteristic to generate an intermediate signal from an input signal by using the switched first gain characteristic, and outputting the intermediate signal to a circuit having a second gain characteristic, wherein the linearizer includes: a linearization unit that has at least one of first rectifier, and linearizes the input signal; and a linearization reducing unit that has a plurality of second rectifiers having polarity opposite to polarity of the first rectifier and a first switching unit selecting at least one of the second rectifiers based on a control signal, the linearization reducing unit being connected in parallel to the linearization unit and reducing linearization of the input signal by the linearization unit.
US08232837B2 Communication device and battery pack containing communication device
A communication device includes a first JK flip-flop (FF) outputting a first output signal in response to a first input signal at a J-input and a reversed signal of the first input signal at a K-input, and a second JK FF outputting a second output signal in response to a second input signal at a J-input and a reversed signal of the second input signal at a K-input. A clock input to a NAND gate (12) is replaced by a reversed signal of a Q-output of the second JK FF. A clock input to a NAND gate (13) is replaced by the reversed signal of the second input signal. A clock input to a NAND gate (22) is replaced by a reversed signal of a Q-output of the first JK FF. A clock input to a NAND gate (23) is replaced by the reversed signal of the first input signal.
US08232832B2 Voltage adder circuit and D/A converter circuit
A voltage adder circuit includes an amplifier circuit having a first operational amplifier and into which a first voltage is input, a circuit that supplies an output current to the amplifier circuit, and a current providing section that detects the output current of the circuit and supplies an output current equal to the output current of the circuit in magnitude so that the output current of the circuit is prevented from inputting to or outputting from the first operational amplifier through an output terminal of the first operational amplifier. A second voltage is input into the circuit.
US08232825B2 Self-timed RS-trigger with the enhanced noise immunity
The invention describes self-timed RS-trigger with the enhanced noise immunity. Declared effect is achieved due to that circuit containing storage unit (1), indication unit (2), paraphase data input (3, 4), paraphase data output (5, 6), and indication output (7), is modified by adding two inverters (8, 9) and preindication unit (10). Inverters increase output capability of the trigger's paraphase data output and provide an electric isolation of the outputs of the storage unit from an external environment that leads to increasing immunity of the data stored in the trigger to influence of noises at signal wires. The preindication unit provides the trigger's indicatability.
US08232822B2 Charge pump and phase-detecting apparatus, phase-locked loop and delay-locked loop using the same
A charge pump including a first current source, a second current source, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, and a reset switch is provided. First terminals of the first and the third switch are coupled to the first current source. First terminals of the second and the fourth switch are coupled to the second current source. Second terminals of the first, the second, and the reset switch are coupled to an output terminal of the charge pump. A first terminal of the reset switch is coupled to the second terminals of the third and the fourth switch. Control terminals of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth switch respectively receive a first control signal, a second control signal, an inverted signal of the first control signal, and an inverted signal of the second control signal.
US08232818B2 Probe head for a microelectronic contactor assembly, the probe head having SMT electronic components thereon
A probe head for a microelectronic contactor assembly includes a space transformer substrate and a probe contactor substrate. Surface mount technology (SMT) electronic components are positioned close to conductive elements on the probe contactor substrate by placing the SMT electronic components in cavities in the probe contactor substrate, which cavities may be through-hole or non-through-hole cavities. In some cases, the SMT electronic components may be placed on pedestal substrates. SMT electronic components may also be positioned between the probe contactor and space transformer substrates.
US08232813B2 Sensor circuits
A circuit for operating an amperometric sensor having a reference electrode, a counter electrode and a work electrode. The circuit comprises an amplifier having a positive input and a negative input and an output. The positive input is coupled to a reference voltage source, and the negative input and the output are coupled together via a negative feedback loop. The circuit includes means for coupling the amperometric sensor into said negative feedback loop of the amplifier wherein, in a first configuration, the counter electrode is coupled to said output and the reference electrode is coupled to said negative input and, in a second configuration, the work electrode is coupled to said output and the reference electrode is coupled to said negative input.
US08232811B2 Electrostatic discharge device testing system and method
There is disclosed an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device tester and a method of operating the tester. In an embodiment, the method comprises operating the tester by uniquely identifying an ESD device to be tested using identification means provided on the tester; taking at least one test measurement of the uniquely identified ESD device using testing means provided on the tester, the testing means being configurable in dependence upon data associated with the uniquely identified ESD device; and storing the at least one test measurement in a storage means provided in the tester. A running average of test measurements for the uniquely identified ESD device may be stored on the tester in order to compare a test measurement against the running average. A test is repeated if a test measurement falls outside of a predetermined range of the running average.
US08232805B2 Battery sensor unit and method for manufacturing the battery sensor unit
A method is described for manufacturing a battery sensor unit, in particular a battery sensor unit for a motor vehicle battery, comprising a cable holder for a cable end of a cable. The method includes sliding a sleeve composed of a resistor material onto the cable end, at least one first measuring tap being installed between the cable end and an inner circumference of the sleeve. The cable end provided with the sleeve and the measuring tap is inserted into the cable holder and is permanently connected thereto to form a measuring device. A battery sensor unit is described having a fastening device for fastening the battery sensor unit to a contact of a battery, in particular a motor vehicle battery, and having a measuring device for detecting the state of the battery. The measuring device includes a cable end of a cable, a sleeve that is composed of a resistor material and encloses the cable end, at least one first measuring tap, which is installed between an inner circumference of the sleeve and the cable end, and a cable holder which accommodates the sleeve in a permanent connection.
US08232804B2 Time alert device for use together with an earth leakage protection device
This invention relates to a time alert device (1) for use with an earth leakage protection device comprising a microprocessor system (10) provided with a software controlled alert trigger timer (22). On time out of the alert trigger timer, the microprocessor system (10) initiates an audible and/or visual annunciation to remind the user of the earth leakage protection device to perform integrity test on the earth leakage protection device. If the earth leakage protection device fails the integrity test, the user detects that the earth leakage protection device could be faulty and needs expert attention. If the earth leakage device passes the integrity test, the alert trigger timer is reset for another predetermined time interval to remind the user to perform another integrity test on the earth leakage protection device. The time alert device can be further provided with a message display panel.
US08232800B2 Higher-order generalized series parallel imaging method for acquiring high spatio-temporal resolution functional magnetic resonance images
Disclosed are a high-order generalized series parallel imaging method for acquiring high spatio-temporal resolution functional magnetic resonance images and a sampling method. The higher-order generalized series parallel imaging method for acquiring high spatio-temporal resolution functional magnetic resonance images includes: performing sampling of an input image in k-space; applying a high-order generalized series (HGS) reconstruction procedure to data acquired as the sampling result to acquire a first reconstructed image; and applying a parallel magnetic resonance reconstruction procedure to the first reconstructed image to acquire a second reconstructed image.
US08232797B2 Device with separate emission/reception functions for making eddy current tests on an electrically conducting part
A device with separate emission/reception functions for making eddy current tests on an electrically conducting part comprising several emission rows (1-4) composed of emission windings (55), and several reception columns (a-h) each composed of reception windings (56) connected in series in at least one series, in which the emission windings associated with the reception windings in one series are powered by currents at different frequencies.
US08232796B2 Conduit sensor device with magnetic shunt and process for modifying a magnetic field
A conduit sensor device includes first and second pairs of permanent magnets. First and second rotor shunts include first and second rotatable magnets and interposed between the first and second pairs of permanent magnets, respectively. A shunt shaft includes a first helical worm gear and a second helical worm gear mounted thereon. The first rotor shunt includes a first rotatable magnet and a first rotor gear locked together. The first helical worm gear meshing with the first rotor gear driving the first rotor gear and the first rotatable magnet. The second rotor shunt includes a second rotatable magnet and a second rotor gear locked together. The second helical worm gear meshes with the second rotor gear driving the second rotor gear and the second rotatable magnet. The surface areas of the first and second pairs of permanent magnets equals the surface area of the first and second rotatable magnets.
US08232795B2 Magnetic sensor
A magnetic sensor includes a first detection unit and a second detection unit. The first detection unit calculates a first detection angle which is a detected value of a first angle that a direction of an external magnetic field in a first position forms with respect to a first direction. The second detection unit calculates a second detection angle which is a detected value of a second angle that the direction of the external magnetic field in a second position forms with respect to a second direction. The first detection angle includes a first angular error. The second detection angle includes a second angular error. The first angular error and the second angular error differ in phase by an odd number of times ½ of the error period.
US08232789B2 System and method for providing linear buck boost transitions within a buck boost converter
A voltage regulator, comprises first circuitry for generating an output voltage responsive to an input voltage and a plurality of switching control signal. Switching control circuitry generates the switching control signals responsive to the output voltage and at least one of a buck ramp signal and a boost ramp signal. Voltage ramp generation circuitry generates each of the buck ramp signal and the boost ramp signal. The boost ramp signal comprises the buck ramp signal offset by the peak value of the buck ramp signal.
US08232787B2 Pulse time detector, a controller for a switched mode power supply, and a switched mode power supply including such a controller
An apparatus for monitoring the pulse time of switches within a DC to DC power supply, comprising a timing circuit responsive to a switching confirmation signal to commence timing and to monitor for control signals being sent to the switch and to indicate whether elapsed period between the switching confirmation signal and the control signal is too long or too short.
US08232785B2 System and method using a current mirror to program an output voltage and current
A programmable AC/DC or DC/DC power supply adapted to compensate for voltage drop in a cable extending to a portable electronic device. The invention reduces the number and size of cable wires and tip components needed to remotely control an output voltage level and an output current limit. The voltage and current programming components are outside the compensation feedback loop.
US08232784B2 Circuits and methods for current sensing
A current sensing circuit includes a first resistor, a second resistor and a sense amplifier. The first resistor converts a current flowing through the first resistor to a voltage drop between positive and negative sides of the first resistor. The second resistor is coupled to the negative side of the first resistor. The sense amplifier is coupled to the positive side of the first resistor via a first pin of the sense amplifier, and coupled to the negative side of the first resistor through the second resistor via a second pin of the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier employs a negative feedback to generate a sensing current proportional to the current flowing through the first resistor.
US08232777B2 Inverter generator
In an inverter generator having an engine generator unit generating alternating current, a converter converting the alternating current to direct current, an inverter that converts the direct current to alternating current, an inverter driver that drives switching elements with a PWM signal generated using a reference sine wave of a desired output voltage waveform and a carrier and makes the alternating current to the alternating current of a predetermined frequency, the alternating current supplied to an electrical load is detected, gains Gn (n: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . m) of n-th harmonics of the reference sine wave and amplitudes An are calculated from the detected current, and the reference sine wave is corrected by a sum obtained by the calculated gains and amplitudes. With this, the reference sine wave is accurately corrected to reliably remove harmonic distortion components from the output voltage waveform.
US08232775B2 Limitation of vampiric power consumption with decoupling of an inductive power apparatus and an alternating current power source
Several methods and systems to perform limitation of vampiric power consumption with decoupling of an inductive power apparatus and an alternating current power source is disclosed. In an embodiment, an inductive battery charging system includes an inductive power apparatus that provides power to a target load when the inductive power apparatus is coupled to an alternating current power source. The system further includes an observation circuit to determine a power consumption associated with the target load, and a detection circuit to determine when a power consumption reaches a threshold level. The system also includes a separation circuit to decouple the inductive power apparatus and the alternating current power source when the power consumption is lower than a threshold level to limit vampiric power consumption of the inductive power apparatus.
US08232759B2 Pseudo current type 120-degree conduction inverter
[Problem] In a pseudo-current source inverter which drives a motor at a high speed, a current phase adjustment is assured and facilitated to perform a field-weakening control or suppress a terminal voltage saturation at a time of the high-speed motor drive.[Means For Solving Problem]A phase advance correction is carried out for a magnetic flux phase information from which a 120 degree conduction pattern is obtained with a motor terminal voltage as a reference phase. The phase advance correction includes the correction of differentiating the terminal voltage detection signals of the motor, the adjustment of enlarging the phase advance correction quantity in a case where the motor load current is large, and delays the gate signals of the 120 degree conduction pattern in accordance with the speed estimation value through a delay counter and carries out the phase advance correction as the rising edge timing of the subsequent gate signal at the subsequent step phase. Furthermore, the error correction is carried out for the phase advance correction quantity in accordance with a variation tendency of the speed estimation value and a detection value of a direct current of the inverter.
US08232758B2 Controller of electric motor having function of estimating inertia and friction simultaneously
A controller estimates Coulomb friction itself together with inertia and viscous friction, and reduces the influence of the Coulomb friction on the accuracy of the estimated inertia. In addition, the controller estimates inertia, viscous friction and Coulomb friction simultaneously with sequential adaptation in which a Fourier transformer is not used but an inverse transfer function model is used in order to minimize the estimated error. Data sampled for a predetermined time need not be accumulated, as a result, a large amount of data memory is unnecessary.
US08232756B2 Motor control apparatus
An object of the present invention is to provide a motor control apparatus that can perform an abnormality diagnosis of current sensors and achieve cost reduction. When the outputs from three current sensors, which detect individual phase currents of a 3-phase AC current supplied from an inverter to a 3-phase AC motor, indicate that the sum of the individual phase currents of the 3-phase AC current is greater than a predetermined value, a sensor abnormality judgment unit of a motor control unit judges that one of the three current sensors is abnormal. The sensor abnormality judgment unit identifies an abnormal current sensor, which is one of the three current sensors, and performs calculations in accordance with the remaining two normal current sensors to output the current in the phase detected by the abnormal current sensor.
US08232755B2 Motor with circuits for protecting motor from input power outages or surges
A DC motor is provided. The DC motor prevents rush or overload of current in the DC motor during and/or after power input irregularities to the DC motor. A control circuit of the DC motor is configured to control current provided to the DC motor. When power irregularities in the power input to the DC motor are detected by the control circuit, the control circuit stops generating PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) signals and stops the current provided to the DC motor. After the stoppage of PWM signals, the control circuit can perform a soft-start of the PWM signals when the power irregularities are no longer detected. The soft starting of the PWM signals generates gradual increase in current to the DC motor, thus, preventing sudden rush of current that cause malfunction of the DC motor.
US08232754B2 Control device for electrically driven door
A control device for an electrically driven door is provided that can enhance the sensitivity of detection of a door pinch state and that can prevent a passenger from being pressed when the door pinch state occurs. The control device includes a driving force instruction value producing unit that outputs a driving force instruction value of the electrically driven door, a state observing unit that estimates a mechanical resistant force to a door driving system, a reference model that determines a dynamic characteristic of the electrically driven door to the mechanical resistant force estimated by the state observing unit, a gain compensator that computes a control compensation value that makes an output of the reference model coincide with an actual speed of the electrically driven door; and an adder that adds the control compensation value computed by the gain compensator to the driving force instruction value outputted by the driving force instruction value producing unit.
US08232752B2 Electric motor control apparatus
An electric motor control apparatus that can quickly and accurately locate a short-circuit fault point. The electric motor control apparatus includes: a current controller determining respective phase voltage commands according to currents flowing in respective phases of an electric motor and a torque current command; a switching element drive circuit instructing, based on the respective phase voltage commands, an inverter to perform a switching operation; the inverter receiving a switching operation signal to drive the electric motor; current detectors disposed in series with the switching elements in the respective phases of the inverter; and a short-circuit point locating mechanism storing a test pattern indicative of a predetermined combination for turning on the switching elements of the inverter, and locating a short-circuit fault point based on the test pattern and current detection values in the respective phases detected by the current detectors in response to the test pattern.
US08232750B2 Broad turndown ratio traction drive
A traction drive system comprising a plurality of electric motors selectably connected to a main shaft by engagement devices, each motor or combination of motors provides distinct performance characteristics along a broad spectrum of performance characteristics; and a method of managing a traction drive system including sensing physical parameters of the fraction drive system, selecting an electric motor having well-suited performance profile based on pre-selected criteria against which the sensed parameter is compared, and engaging one or more of the corresponding motors to the main shaft.
US08232749B1 Dual slot resonance coupling for accelerators
A pair of cavities defined within a hollow elongate accelerator body include a first resonant cavity having a first resonant slot through an outer wall thereof, and a second resonant cavity having a second resonant slot through an outer wall thereof. The first resonant slot and the second resonant slot are separated by a void region that extends between the outer wall of the first cavity and the outer wall of the second cavity and is bounded in part by an inner surface of the hollow elongate member. The first and second cavities are coupled to each other through a dual slot coupling structure that includes the first resonant slot, the void region, and the second resonant slot.
US08232743B2 Voltage converter and driving method for use in a backlight module
A voltage converter for use in a backlight module stores energy of an input voltage using an inductor and outputs a plurality of output voltages accordingly. The charging path of the inductor is controlled according to the first output voltage so that the first output voltage can be stabilized. The discharging paths from the inductor to other output voltages are controlled according to the differences between other output voltages and the first output voltage so that other output voltages can also be stabilized.
US08232742B2 Method, apparatus and computer-readable media for controlling lighting devices
The present invention is directed to method, system and computer-readable media for controlling lighting devices. In some embodiments, a method for controlling pulse width modulated lighting devices within a lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of sets of lighting devices is disclosed. The method includes setting a counter for a first set of the plurality of sets of lighting devices using a master counter and an activation duration for one or more other sets of the plurality of sets of lighting devices. The method further includes determining an activation time period within a duty cycle for the first set of lighting devices using the counter for the first set of lighting devices and an activation duration for the first set of lighting devices. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lighting devices are light emitting diodes grouped into sets (or banks) and controlled to limit the magnitude and/or quantity of instantaneous current fluctuations in a power supply within the lighting apparatus.
US08232739B2 LED with integrated constant current driver
An LED package containing integrated circuitry for matching a power source voltage to the LED operating voltage, LEDs containing such integrated circuitry, systems containing such packages, and methods for matching the source and operating voltages are described. The integrated circuitry typically contains a power converter and a constant current circuit. The LED package may also contain other active or passive components such as pin-outs for integrated or external components, a transformer and rectifier, or a rectifier circuit. External components can include control systems for regulating the LED current level or the properties of light emitted by the LED. Integrating the power supply and current control components into the LED can provide for fabrication of relatively small LEDs using fewer and less device-specific components.
US08232738B2 Circuits and methods for driving light sources
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide circuits and methods for driving a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. In one embodiment, a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a bridge rectifier rectifying an AC voltage to a rectified AC voltage, an LED light source, and a first switch coupled to the LED light source in series controlling a current through the LED light source according to a predetermined current reference. The LED light source and the first switch coupled in series receive the rectified AC voltage while the first switch is controlled linearly. The circuit further includes a current path coupled in parallel with the LED light source and an illuminated switch coupled between the AC power source and the bridge rectifier.
US08232728B2 Method and device for igniting and generating an expanding diffuse microwave plasma and method and device for plasma treating surfaces and substances by using this plasma
The invention relates to a method for igniting and generating an expanding diffuse microwave plasma and to a device for carrying out such a method. The method is particularly suited for generating microwave plasmas for the purpose of carrying out plasma treatment of surfaces and substances, particularly three-dimensional objects as well as particles under atmospheric pressure. The aim of the invention is to provide a method for igniting and generating these plasmas that is, particularly under normal and high pressure, easy and operationally safe as well as, in principle, carried out without a flow of gas. The invention also relates to a method and device for carrying out plasma treatment of surfaces and substances by means of such a plasma, which makes an effective plasma treatment possible due to its high stability with regard to plasma generation and maintenance, low gas consumption and a high plasma volume. To this end, a plasma ignition ensues inside a wave-bound hollow structure by means of microwave launching over a resonant igniting structure, a simultaneous impelling of the plasma through the resonant igniting structure, however, is not possible. The ignited plasma is supplied with energy via a surrounding microwave field so that an expanding diffuse plasma forms. A particular embodiment in a coaxial arrangement makes it possible to generate a plasma exiting the device for the purpose of carrying out mobile plasma treatment.
US08232726B2 Plasma display apparatus with black matrices
The present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus. The plasma display apparatus comprises an upper substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode formed on the upper substrate, a lower substrate disposed to face the upper substrate, and a third electrode and a barrier rib formed in the lower substrate. First and second black matrices are formed in the upper substrate and are separated from each other on a same straight line. According to the present invention, while maintaining the function of improving a contrast ratio and reflectance of a black matrix, a short and a spotted pattern that may occur when simultaneous exposure is performed can be reduced, and so the picture quality, the cost of production, and efficiency can be improved.
US08232724B2 End cap assembly for a light tube
An end cap assembly for a light tube that has a circuit board with one or more solid state lighting devices mounted thereto and a lens covering the circuit board includes an end cap body having a lens engagement surface configured to engage the lens and an external mating interface configured to mate with a socket connector of a fixture. An end cap connector extends from the end cap body. The end cap connector holds contacts having first mating portions configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board and second mating portions configured to be electrically connected to the socket connector.
US08232723B2 Lighting device
One object is to provide a lighting device having a large irradiation range at low cost. One object is to provide a lighting device with improved light extraction efficiency at low cost. The lighting device includes a light-transmitting base, a first light-transmitting electrode formed over almost the whole area of a surface of the light-transmitting base, an EL layer over the first light-transmitting electrode, and a second electrode over the EL layer. The light-transmitting base has a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a prismatic shape, or a pyramidal shape whose bottom surface is the surface of the light-transmitting base.
US08232707B2 Flexural vibration piece and oscillator using the same
A flexural vibration piece includes a flexural vibrator that has a first region on which a compressive stress or a tensile stress acts due to vibration and a second region having a relationship in which a tensile stress acts thereon when a compressive stress acts on the first region and a compressive stress acts thereon when a tensile stress acts on the first region, and performs flexural vibration in a first plane. The flexural vibration piece also includes a heat conduction path, in the vicinity of the first region and the second region, that is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the flexural vibrator and thermally connects between the first region and the second region.
US08232701B2 Magnetic machine
To provide a magnetic machine capable of reducing the ripple and cogging of torque or thrust. An electric motor 1 includes three stators 6 to 8 each having an armature row, a rotor 3 having a permanent magnet row, and a rotor 10 having a soft magnetic material row. The respective phases in electrical angle between magnetic poles generated at respective armatures 6a to 8a of the armature row and the magnetic poles of the permanent magnet row are set to be each displaced in a predetermined direction by an electrical angle of 2π/3, and the respective phases in electrical angle between the magnetic poles generated at the respective armatures 6a to 8a of the armature row and soft magnetic material cores 11b to 13b of the soft magnetic material row are set to be each displaced in the predetermined direction by an electrical angle of π/3.
US08232699B2 Magnetically levitating vehicle
The magnetically levitating vehicle includes a frame, a control device, tire chambers, and tires. The frame includes a magnetic shield, a cabin, and an undercarriage. The control device includes a control stick and a mounting system. The control stick includes an accelerator, levitation, and brake button. The mounting system includes a horizontal piece, a vertical and base piece, and push button locks. The plurality of tire chambers includes a plurality of sensor and levitation electromagnet pairs, propulsion electromagnets and permanent propulsion magnets. The vertical piece and horizontal piece both include an inner and outer shaft, the latter of which includes a plurality of holes. The inner shell includes an orientation device, a plurality of permanent levitation magnets and sensor and propulsion electromagnet pairs, a plurality of permanent safety magnets, and an axle. The outer shell includes a tire tread.
US08232698B2 Step motor
Disclosed herein is a PM type step motor used to move a camera or an optical pickup lens of media related equipment. In the step motor, coupling holes are formed in the central portions of both sides of a casing unit thereof, a bushing is press-fitted or inserted into an associated coupling hole, and a ring member is press-fitted over the outer circumference of the bushing protruding outward from the coupling hole such that the bushing is secured to the casing unit, thus preventing the bushing from becoming separated from the casing unit. The step motor can be freely applied to peripheral device modules of various outer diameters using the ring member.
US08232686B2 Safety device for emergency interruption of drilling maneuvers
A safety device for the emergency interruption of the drilling maneuvering in a drilling machine is provided with a guide tower or mast (17) and a device (10) for realizing the driving in the ground of drilling elements. The device includes at least a frame (12) fixed to the mast and provided with at least an arm or a door (11) rotating around an axis (Y) with respect to the frame. A microswitch (23) is activated by the movements of rotation given to the door (11) for stopping at least some of the dangerous drilling maneuvering.
US08232682B2 High power bipolar pulse generators
A bipolar pulse generator is implemented in a simple structure while providing a high efficiency design having a relatively low total size, while still allowing access by fibers used to control a photoconductive switch that activates the generator. The bipolar pulse generator includes a stacked Blumlein generator structure with an additional transmission line connected to a load at its near end and short-circuited at its distal end. An extra transmission line is positioned between the Blumlein generator's structure and the load provides specified limited gap between positive and negative sub-pulses. The bipolar pulse generator further includes a bended Blumlein generator structure, in which an existing intrinsic “stray” transmission line is used to provide the bipolar pulse. Still further, bipolar pulse generator includes stepped transmission lines, with additional switches positioned between steps, which are charged by different voltages.
US08232681B2 Hybrid wind-solar inverters
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing a hybrid wind-solar inverter. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for directing power from alternative power sources to an electrical grid is provided. The method can include: receiving at least two input DC power signals from a plurality of power sources; receiving one or more control signals from the electrical grid; directing, based at least in part on the one or more control signals, at least some of the input DC power signals to an output DC power signal; and, transforming the output DC power signal to an output AC power signal for transmission via the electrical grid.
US08232676B2 Uninterruptible fuel cell system
An exemplary method of providing electrical power is provided. A first alternating current is received from a grid. The first alternating current is converted to a first direct current using a first inverter in electrical communication with the grid. The first inverter is also in electrical communication with a fuel cell system. The first direct current is converted to a second alternating current using a second inverter, and the second alternating current is provided to a load.
US08232675B2 Method and system for power load management
A method for power load management is provided in the present invention, wherein two different standard values are determined to be a basis for regulating power consumption. When power consumption exceeds a first standard value, a monitoring procedure is started to monitor consumption status. If the power consumption exceeds a second standard value, an unloading procedure is processed to reduce the power consumption of electrical devices under operation. In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a system for power load management comprising a control unit coupled to at least one electrical device and a power meter. By means of real-time recording of power consumption in the power meter, the control unit is capable of determining the power consumption status and determining whether it is necessary to unload or reload the at least one electrical device.
US08232674B2 Multiple output isolated DC/DC power converters
Methods of regulating an output voltage of a multi-output isolated power converter are disclosed. One method includes allowing the output voltage to vary unregulated when the output voltage is below a threshold value and preventing the output voltage from increasing when the output voltage reaches the threshold value. Additional methods and multi-output power supplies are also disclosed.
US08232673B2 Power conditioner and method of managing the same
A power conditioner includes a main converter to transform a voltage outputted from a power source into a first transformed voltage and output the first transformed voltage to supply power to a power using point; and an auxiliary converter to transform the first transformed voltage outputted from the main converter into a second transformed voltage and output the second transformed voltage to supply power to balance-of-plant (BOP) elements including driving devices of the power source. The main converter includes a first winding to transform the voltage outputted from the power source into the first transformed voltage and output the first transformed voltage to supply power to the power using point; and a second winding to transform the voltage outputted from the power source into a third transformed voltage and output the third transformed voltage to supply power directly to the BOP elements, thereby bypassing the auxiliary converter.
US08232660B2 Soundproof enclosed type generator
Reduce noises emitted from inlet and outlet of cooling air of a soundproof enclosed type generator. An inlet 20 and an outlet 26 of the cooling air are provided to the front and rear of a chassis 2, respectively. An air supply duct 8 is detachably mounted to the inlet 20, and an exhaust duct 9 is detachably mounted to the outlet 26. An air taking-in opening 8a facing downward is provided to the air supply duct 8 which guides the air towards horizontally opened inlet 20. The exhaust duct 9 is equipped with wall surface and a straightening vane 27 at a position opposed to the cooling air discharged from the outlet 26 to change the cooling air flow in complicated fashion to discharge it outside. Sound-absorption materials are pasted to the interior surface of the air supply duct 8 and the exhaust duct 9.
US08232659B2 Three dimensional IC device and alignment methods of IC device substrates
Alignment methods of IC device substrates. A first IC device substrate has a first front side for defining a plurality of first IC features, a first backside opposite the first front side, and a first alignment pattern formed on the first front side or the first backside. A second IC device substrate has a second front side for defining a plurality of second IC features, a second backside opposite the second front side, and a second alignment pattern formed on the second front side or the second backside. A first optical detector and a second optical detector are applied to detect the first and second alignment patterns, so as to align the first and second IC device substrates. Specifically, the first and second alignment patterns face toward the first and second optical detectors in opposite directions.
US08232657B2 Packaged semiconductor assemblies and methods for manufacturing such assemblies
Packaged semiconductor assemblies including interconnect structures and methods for forming such interconnect structures are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a packaged semiconductor assembly includes a support member having a first bond-site and a die carried by the support member having a second bond-site. An interconnect structure is connected between the first and second bond-sites and includes a wire that is coupled to at least one of the first and second bond-sites. The interconnect structure also includes a third bond-site coupled to the wire between the first and second bond-sites.
US08232656B2 Semiconductor device
Wire bonding method for reducing height of a wire loop in a semiconductor device, including a first bonding step of bonding an initial ball formed at a tip end of a wire onto a first bonding point using a capillary, thereby forming a pressure-bonded ball; a wire pushing step of pushing the wire obliquely downward toward the second bonding point at a plurality of positions by repeating a sequential movement for a plurality of times, the sequential movement including moving of the capillary substantially vertically upward and then obliquely downward toward the second bonding point by a distance shorter than a rising distance that the capillary has moved upward; and a second bonding step of moving the capillary upward and then toward the second bonding point, and bonding the wire onto the second bonding point by pressure-bonding.
US08232655B2 Bump pad metallurgy employing an electrolytic Cu / electorlytic Ni / electrolytic Cu stack
An electroless Cu layer is formed on each side of a packaging substrate containing a core, at least one front metal interconnect layer, and at least one backside metal interconnect layer. A photoresist is applied on both electroless Cu layers and lithographically patterned. First electrolytic Cu portions are formed on exposed surfaces of the electroless Cu layers, followed by formation of electrolytic Ni portions and second electrolytic Cu portions. The electrolytic Ni portions provide enhanced resistance to electromigration, while the second electrolytic Cu portions provide an adhesion layer for a solder mask and serves as an oxidation protection layer. Some of the first electrolytic Cu may be masked by lithographic means to block formation of electrolytic Ni portions and second electrolytic Cu portions thereupon as needed. Optionally, the electrolytic Ni portions may be formed directly on electroless Cu layers.
US08232654B2 Semiconductor package through-electrode suitable for a stacked semiconductor package and semiconductor package having the same
A semiconductor package including a through-electrode for stacked a semiconductor package and a semiconductor package having the same is disclosed. The semiconductor package through-electrode includes a first electrode having a recessed portion formed therein to pass through a semiconductor chip. A second electrode is disposed within the recess of the first electrode. The first electrode of the semiconductor package through-electrode includes a first metal having a first hardness, and a second electrode comprises a second metal having a second hardness lower than the first hardness. The through-electrode passes through the semiconductor chip body and may be formed with the first metal having the first hardness and/or a first melting point and the second metal having the second hardness and/or a second melting point which are lower than the first hardness and/or the first melting point. This through-electrode allows a plurality of semiconductor packages to be easily stacked.
US08232649B2 Structure for interconnect structure containing various capping materials for electrical fuse and other related applications
A design structure is provided for interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The structure includes a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure has second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure.
US08232647B2 Structure and process for metallization in high aspect ratio features
A high aspect ratio metallization structure is provided in which a noble metal-containing material is present at least within a lower portion of a contact opening located in a dielectric material and is in direct contact with a metal semiconductor alloy located on an upper surface of a material stack of at least one semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the noble metal-containing material is plug located within the lower region of the contact opening and an upper region of the contact opening includes a conductive metal-containing material. The conductive metal-containing material is separated from plug of noble metal-containing material by a bottom walled portion of a U-shaped diffusion barrier. In another embodiment, the noble metal-containing material is present throughout the entire contact opening.
US08232644B2 Wafer level package having a stress relief spacer and manufacturing method thereof
In a semiconductor device package having a stress relief spacer, and a manufacturing method thereof, metal interconnect fingers extend from the body of a chip provide for chip interconnection. The metal fingers are isolated from the body of the chip by a stress-relief spacer. In one example, such isolation takes the form of an air gap. In another example, such isolation takes the form of an elastomer material. In either case, mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion between the metal interconnect fingers and the body of the chip is avoided, alleviating the problems associated with cracking and delamination, and leading to improved device yield and device reliability.
US08232642B2 Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes a body part formed with connection pads on a first surface thereof; and a warpage compensating part formed over the first surface of the body part and having a height that increases from edges toward a center of the warpage compensating part so that an upper surface of the warpage compensating part facing away from the first surface of the body part is convex upward. The warpage compensating part comprises conductive layer patterns formed over the first surface of the body part to be electrically connected to the connection pads; and a solder resist formed over the first surface of the body part so as to expose the conductive layer patterns. The height of the solder resist gradually increases from both edges toward a center of the solder resist.
US08232641B2 Wiring substrate and semiconductor device having connection pads formed in non-solder mask defined structure
A wiring substrate includes: a semiconductor chip on which a plurality of bumps are mounted, and a plurality of connection pads which are joined to the bumps mounted on the semiconductor chip in a flip chip method, wherein the connection pads of a peripheral portion of the wiring substrate are formed in a non-solder mask defined structure, and the connection pads of a center portion of the wiring substrate are formed in a solder mask defined structure.
US08232635B2 Hermetic semiconductor package
A hermetically sealed semiconductor package that includes a power semiconductor die having electrodes thereof electrically connected to the external surface mountable terminals of the package without the use of wirebonds.
US08232632B2 Composite contact for fine pitch electrical interconnect assembly
An electrical interconnect assembly for electrically interconnecting terminals on a first circuit member with terminals on a second circuit member. The electrical interconnect assembly includes a housing having a plurality of through openings extending between a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of composite contacts are positioned in a plurality of the through openings. The composite contacts include a conductive member having a central portion and at least first and second interface portions. One or more polymeric layers extend along at least the central portion conductive member. One or more coupling features on the composite contacts engage with the housing. At least one engagement feature formed in the polymeric layers proximate the first interface portion mechanically couples with the terminals on the first circuit member.
US08232630B2 Contactless communication medium
Even when a mold part of an IC module is exposed from an opening provided in a substrate of an inlay, occurrence of malfunction, communication disorders or the like of the IC module due to the influence of an external impact or the like is prevented. By combining a sealing member including an insulating layer and an adhesive layer in a stacked manner to a shape covering a mold part of the IC module, occurrence of malfunction, communication disorders or the like of the IC module is prevented even if there is an influence of an external impact or the like. Meanwhile, by providing a sealing member, concentration of stress on the mold part in a line pressure test is alleviated by limiting the size of the sealing member, and also occurrence of cracks in the mold part can be prevented.
US08232628B2 Method for manufacturing a microelectronic package comprising at least one microelectronic device
A method for manufacturing a microelectronic package (1) comprises the steps of providing two parts (13, 14) comprising electrically insulating material such as plastic; providing members (21, 22, 23) comprising electrically conductive material; providing a microelectronic device (30); positioning the electrically conductive members (21, 22, 23) and the microelectronic device (30) on the electrically insulating parts (13, 14); and placing the electrically insulating parts (13, 14) against each other, wherein the microelectronic device (30) and portions of the electrically conductive members (21, 22, 23) are sandwiched between the electrically insulating parts (13, 14). The electrically conductive members (21, 22, 23) are intended to be used for realizing contact of the microelectronic device (30) arranged inside the package (1) to the external world. An important advantage of the method having steps as mentioned is that the electrically conductive members (21, 22, 23) as such are provided, wherein it is not necessary to provide a conventional lead frame which has the disadvantage of causing considerable waste of metal material during its manufacturing process.
US08232625B2 ESD network circuit with a through wafer via structure and a method of manufacture
The present invention generally relates to a circuit structure and a method of manufacturing a circuit, and more specifically to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit with a through wafer via structure and a method of manufacture. An ESD structure includes an ESD active device and at least one through wafer via structure providing a low series resistance path for the ESD active device to a substrate. An apparatus includes an input, at least one power rail and an ESD circuit electrically connected between the input and the at least one power rail, wherein the ESD circuit comprises at least one through wafer via structure providing a low series resistance path to a substrate. A method, includes forming an ESD active device on a substrate, forming a ground plane on a backside of the substrate and forming at least one through wafer via electrically connected to a negative power supply of the ESD active device and the ground plane to provide a low series resistance path to the substrate.
US08232624B2 Semiconductor structure having varactor with parallel DC path adjacent thereto
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first polarity and a second region of a second polarity adjacent to the first region; and a first terminal including: a first deep trench located in the first region, a first node dielectric abutting all but an upper portion of sidewalls and a bottom of the first deep trench; a first conductive inner electrode inside the first node dielectric and electrically insulated from the first region by the first node dielectric; and a first electrical contact electrically coupling the first conductive inner electrode to the first region.
US08232620B2 Electronic fuses in semiconductor integrated circuits
A structure. The structure includes: a substrate; a first electrode in the substrate; a dielectric layer on top of the substrate and the electrode; a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, said second dielectric layer comprising a second dielectric material; a fuse element buried in the first dielectric layer, wherein the fuse element (i) physically separates, (ii) is in direct physical contact with both, and (iii) is sandwiched between a first region and a second region of the dielectric layer; and a second electrode on top of the fuse element, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled to each other through the fuse element.
US08232619B2 Semiconductor IC having electrical fuse capable of preventing thermal diffusion
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises: a pair of interconnections; a fuse connecting the pair of interconnections; and one or more heat dissipation patterns connecting the pair of interconnections and are disposed around the fuse.
US08232617B2 Flexible lateral pin diodes and three-dimensional arrays and imaging devices made therefrom
Flexible lateral p-i-n (“PIN”) diodes, arrays of flexible PIN diodes and imaging devices incorporating arrays of PIN diodes are provided. The flexible lateral PIN diodes are fabricated from thin, flexible layers of single-crystalline semiconductor. A plurality of the PIN diodes can be patterned into a single semiconductor layer to provide a flexible photodetector array that can be formed into a three-dimensional imaging device.
US08232612B2 Semiconductor transistors having high-K gate dielectric layers, metal gate electrode regions, and low fringing capacitances
A semiconductor structure. The structure includes (i) a semiconductor substrate which includes a channel region, (ii) first and second source/drain regions on the semiconductor substrate, (iii) a gate dielectric region, and (iv) a gate electrode region, (v) a plurality of interconnect layers on the gate electrode region, and (vi) first and second spaces. The gate dielectric region is disposed between and in direct physical contact with the channel region and the gate electrode region. The gate electrode region is disposed between and in direct physical contact with the gate dielectric region and the interconnect layers. The first and second spaces are in direct physical contact with the gate electrode region. The first space is disposed between the first source/drain region and the gate electrode region. The second space is disposed between the second source/drain region and the gate electrode region.
US08232605B2 Method for gate leakage reduction and Vt shift control and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a method for gate leakage reduction and Vt shift control, in which a first ion implantation is performed on PMOS region and NMOS region of a substrate to implant fluorine ions, carbon ions, or both in the gate dielectric or the semiconductor substrate, and a second ion implantation is performed only on the NMOS region of the substrate to implant fluorine ions, carbon ions, or both in the gate dielectric or the semiconductor substrate in the NMOS region, with the PMOS region being covered by a mask layer. Thus, the doping concentrations obtained by the PMOS region and the NMOS region are different to compensate the side effect caused by the different equivalent oxide thickness and to avoid the Vt shift.
US08232603B2 Gated diode structure and method including relaxed liner
A gated diode structure and a method for fabricating the gated diode structure use a relaxed liner that is derived from a stressed liner that is typically used within the context of a field effect transistor formed simultaneously with the gated diode structure. The relaxed liner is formed incident to treatment, such as ion implantation treatment, of the stressed liner. The relaxed liner provides improved gated diode ideality in comparison with the stressed liner, absent any gated diode damage that may occur incident to stripping the stressed liner from the gated diode structure while using a reactive ion etch method.
US08232602B2 ESD protection device for high performance IC
The present invention includes a circuit structure for ESD protection and methods of making the circuit structure. The circuit structure can be used in an ESD protection circuitry to protect certain devices in an integrated circuit, and can be fabricated without extra processing steps in addition to the processing steps for fabricating the ESD protected devices in the integrated circuit.
US08232600B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a well 35 of a first conductivity type formed on a substrate 37; a first external terminal 10, a second external terminal 11, and a third external terminal 12 provided above the substrate 37; a first protection circuit 20 provided on an electrical path between the first external terminal 10 and the second external terminal 11; a second protection circuit 21 provided on an electrical path between the second external terminal 11 and the third external terminal 12; and a third protection circuit 22 provided on an electrical path between the third external terminal 12 and the first external terminal 10. A guard ring 40 is formed continuously in the well to surround at least two circuits among the first, second, and third protection circuits 20, 21, and 22, formed on the well 35.
US08232596B2 Semiconductor structure and fabrication method thereof
A method for fabrication of a semiconductor device is provided. A first type doped body region is formed in a first type substrate. A first type heavily-doped region is formed in the first type doped body region. A second type well region and second type bar regions are formed in the first type substrate with the second type bar regions between the second type well region and the first type doped body region. The first type doped body region, the second type well region, and each of the second type bar regions are separated from each other by the first type substrate. The second type bar regions are inter-diffused to form a second type continuous region adjoining the second type well region. A second type heavily-doped region is formed in the second type well region.
US08232591B2 Illuminating efficiency-increasable and light-erasable memory
An illuminating efficiency-increasable and light-erasable memory including a substrate, a memory device, many dielectric layers, and many cap layers is provided. The substrate includes a memory region. The memory device includes a select gate and a floating gate, and the select gate and the floating gate are disposed adjacently on the substrate in the memory region. The dielectric layers are disposed on the substrate and cover the memory device. The dielectric layers have an opening located above the floating gate. Each of the cap layers is disposed on each of the dielectric layers, respectively.
US08232590B2 Nonvolatile memory devices
Provided is a nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device includes: a tunnel insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate; a floating gate electrode including a bottom gate electrode doped with carbon and contacting the tunnel insulation layer and a top gate electrode on the bottom gate electrode; a gate interlayer insulation layer on the floating gate electrode; and a control gate electrode on the gate interlayer insulation layer.
US08232589B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device with reduced leakage current
The gate tunnel leakage current is increased in the up-to-date process, so that it is necessary to reduce the gate tunnel leakage current in the LSI which is driven by a battery for use in a cellular phone and which needs to be in a standby mode at a low leakage current. In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, the ground source electrode lines of logic and memory circuits are kept at a ground potential in an active mode, and are kept at a voltage higher than the ground potential in an unselected standby mode. The gate tunnel leakage current can be reduced without destroying data.
US08232575B2 Organic light emitting diode display and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a display substrate including a display substrate including an organic light emitting element and a pixel defining layer having an opening defining a light emitting region of the organic light emitting element, an encapsulation substrate arranged opposite to the display substrate, a sealant arranged at an edge between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate to seal a space between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate from an outside and a filler filling the space between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate, wherein the pixel defining layer has a thickness that varies by location, and a portion of the pixel defining layer closest to the sealant at edges of the display substrate having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the pixel defining layer at all other portions of the display.
US08232571B2 Light emitting device having plurality of light emitting cells and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed are a light emitting device having a plurality of light emitting cells and a method of fabricating the same. The light emitting device comprises a plurality of light emitting cells positioned on a substrate to be spaced apart from one another. Each of the light emitting cells comprises a first conductive-type upper semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive-type lower semiconductor layer. Electrodes are positioned between the substrate and the light emitting cells, and each of the electrodes has an extension extending toward adjacent one of the light emitting cells. An etching prevention layer is positioned in regions between the light emitting cells and between the electrodes. Each wire has one end connected to the upper semiconductor layer and the other end connected to the electrode through the etching prevention layer.
US08232565B2 Light emitting diode for AC operation
The present invention discloses a light emitting diode (LED) including a plurality of light emitting cells arranged on a substrate. The LED includes half-wave light emitting units each including at least one light emitting cell, each half-wave light emitting unit including first and second terminals respectively arranged at both ends thereof; and full-wave light emitting units each including at least one light emitting cell, each full-wave light emitting units including third and fourth terminals respectively formed at both ends thereof. The third terminal of each full-wave light emitting unit is electrically connected to the second terminals of two half-wave light emitting units, and the fourth terminal of each full-wave light emitting unit is electrically connected to the first terminals of other two half-wave light emitting units. Also, a first half-wave light emitting unit is connected in series between the third terminal of a first full-wave light emitting unit and the fourth terminal of a second full-wave light emitting units, and a second half-wave light emitting units is connected in series between the fourth terminal of the first full-wave light emitting unit and the third terminal of the second full-wave light emitting unit.
US08232561B2 Nanotube enabled, gate-voltage controlled light emitting diodes
Embodiments of the invention relate to vertical field effect transistor that is a light emitting transistor. The light emitting transistor incorporates a gate electrode for providing a gate field, a first electrode comprising a dilute nanotube network for injecting a charge, a second electrode for injecting a complementary charge, and an electroluminescent semiconductor layer disposed intermediate the nanotube network and the electron injecting layer. The charge injection is modulated by the gate field. The holes and electrons, combine to form photons, thereby causing the electroluminescent semiconductor layer to emit visible light. In other embodiments of the invention a vertical field effect transistor that employs an electrode comprising a conductive material with a low density of states such that the transistors contact barrier modulation comprises barrier height lowering of the Schottky contact between the electrode with a low density of states and the adjacent semiconductor by a Fermi level shift.
US08232559B2 Controlling diamond film surfaces and layering
A method comprising: providing at least one first diamond film comprising polycrystalline diamond, e.g., nanocrystalline or ultrananocrystalline diamond, disposed on a substrate, wherein the first diamond film comprises a surface comprising diamond asperities and having a first diamond film thickness, removing asperities from the first diamond film to form a second diamond film having a second diamond film thickness, wherein the second thickness is either substantially the same as the first thickness, or the second thickness is about 100 nm or less thinner than the first diamond film thickness, optionally patterning the second diamond film to expose substrate regions and, optionally, depositing semiconductor material on the exposed substrate regions, and depositing a solid layer on the second diamond film to form a first layered structure. Applications include for example dielectric isolation in the semiconductor industry, as well as surface acoustic wave devices, scanning probe microscope, and atomic force microscope devices.
US08232556B2 Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device in which damages of an element such as a transistor are reduced even when physical force such as bending is externally applied to generate stress in the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor film including a channel formation region and an impurity region, which is provided over a substrate, a first conductive film provided over the channel formation region with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween, a first interlayer insulating film provided to cover the first conductive film, a second conductive film provided over the first interlayer insulating film so as to overlap with at least part of the impurity region, a second interlayer insulating film provided over the second conductive film, and a third conductive film provided over the second interlayer insulating film so as to be electrically connected to the impurity region through an opening.
US08232553B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is protected from static electricity introduced through bump pads and probe test pads. The semiconductor device includes a bump pad through which data is inputted, a first electrostatic discharge unit configured to discharge static electricity introduced through the bump pad, a probe test pad through which data is inputted, the probe test pad having a larger size than the bump pad, a second electrostatic discharge unit configured to discharge static electricity introduced through the probe test pad, and an input buffer unit configured to buffer the data transferred through the bump pad or the probe test pad.
US08232550B2 Mixed solvent systems for deposition of organic semiconductors
Compositions that contain an organic semiconductor dissolved in a solvent mixture are described. More specifically, the solvent mixture includes an alkane having 9 to 16 carbon atoms in an amount equal to 1 to 20 weight percent and an aromatic compound in an amount equal to 80 to 99 weight percent. The semiconductor material is dissolved in the solvent mixture in an amount equal to at least 0.1 weight percent based on a total weight of the composition. Methods of making a semiconductor device using the compositions to form a semiconductor layer are also described.
US08232546B2 Fused polycyclic aromatic compound, process for producing the same, and use thereof
In one embodiment of the present invention, a novel fused polycyclic aromatic compound of the present invention is (a) a compound including a benzodichalcogenophenobenzodichalcogenophene (BXBX) skeleton further having an aromatic ring(s) located outside the BXBX skeleton, or (b) a compound including a BXBX skeleton in which a benzene ring is substituted with a heterocyclic ring. The compound can strengthen intermolecular interaction due to greater π electron orbits. This improves an electron field effect mobility of an organic semiconductor device that is manufactured by use of the compound as an organic semiconductor material. Further, since the number of fused rings included in the compound is small, the compound does not cause problems that generally occur in compounds having an extremely large number of fused rings, i.e., poor solubility in solvent and poor atmospheric stability due to high affinity to oxygen. As a result, the fused polycyclic aromatic compound of the present invention can be preferably used as an organic semiconductor material.
US08232544B2 Nanowire
A method comprises applying a first electric field pulse to a nanowire comprising a channel and a charge trapping region configured to control conductivity of the channel, the first electric field pulse having a first polarity and a relatively large magnitude of integral of electric field during the pulse and, thereafter, applying at least one further electric field pulse to the nanowire, each further electric pulse having a second, opposite polarity and each respective further electric field pulse having a relatively small magnitude of integral of electric field during the pulse.
US08232542B2 Phase change memory element with improved cyclability
A phase-change memory cell including, between two electrical contacts, a portion in a memory material with amorphous-crystalline phase-change and vice versa, as a stack with a central area located between two outmost areas. An interface, inert or quasi-inert from a physico-chemical point of view, is present between the active central area and each passive outmost area. Each passive outmost area is made in a material having a melting temperature higher than that of the material of the active central area.
US08232541B2 Optical sensors that reduce specular reflections
An optical sensor device comprises a light source, a light detector, and an opaque light barrier including a first portion to block light from being transmitted directly from the source to the detector. A second portion of the light barrier extends from the first portion in a direction towards the light source, such that a portion of the second portion covers at least a portion of light emitting element(s) of the source, to reduce an amount of specular reflections, if a light transmissive cover plate were placed over the sensor. Additionally, a third portion of the barrier can extend from the first portion, in a direction towards to the detector, such that a portion of the third portion covers at least a portion of light detecting element(s) of the detector, to reduce an amount of specular reflections that would be detected by the detecting element(s) of the detector, if a light transmissive cover plate were placed over the sensor. Additionally, an off-centered lens can cover a portion of the light source.
US08232536B2 Particle beam irradiation system and method for controlling the particle beam irradiation system
There is provided a particle beam irradiation system so as to provide the dose distribution having more accuracy. An irradiation control part comprises an energy setting controller that sets the energy of a charged particle beam, a beam scanning controller that controls a beam scanner, and a beam diameter changer to control a beam diameter changer, wherein the irradiation control part sets a beam diameter of the charged particle beam to be a first beam diameter by the beam diameter changer, the charged particle beam is scanned step-wise by the beam scanning controller so as to irradiate the charged particle beam on a predetermined region of the irradiation target, after that, the beam diameter of the charged particle beam is set by the beam diameter controller to be a second beam diameter that is different from the first beam diameter, and the charged particle beam is scanned step-wise by the beam scan controller so as to control the charged particle beam to irradiate on a region that is overlapped with at least a part of the predetermined part of the irradiation target.
US08232535B2 System and method of treating a patient with radiation therapy
A radiation therapy treatment system and method of treating a patient with radiation. The system integrates positioning of the patient, treatment planning, and delivery of the plan. As a result of the integration of imaging capabilities into the treatment apparatus, and efficient processes for contouring and planning, a patient can be treated in approximately 20 minutes or less. The method includes acquiring image data from the patient, defining a target region with one or more predefined shapes, generating a treatment plan based on the defined target region, and delivering radiation to the target region.
US08232532B2 Off-axis ion milling device for manufacture of magnetic recording media and method for using the same
A tool for patterning a disk such as a magnetic media disk for use in a disk drive system. The tool includes a chamber and a first and second series of magnets, each evenly spaced about the chamber wall. An ion beam source at an end of the chamber emits an ion beam toward the disk which is held within the chamber. The first series of magnets deflect the ion beam away from center and toward the chamber wall. The second ion beam source deflects the ion beam back toward the center so that the ion beam can strike the disk at an angle. In addition, to bending the ion beam, the magnets also rotate the bent ion beam so the movement of the ion beam revolves within the chamber.
US08232531B2 Corrosion barrier layer for photoconductive X-ray imagers
Improved corrosion resistance for direct X-ray imaging detectors is obtained by providing a pixelated, electrically conductive barrier layer between the X-ray sensitive material and the pixel electrodes. Each barrier layer can cover part or all of its corresponding pixel electrode. In cases where pixel electrodes makes contact to underlying circuitry through vertical vias, it is preferred for the barrier layers to cover the via sections of the pixel electrodes. The barrier layers for each pixel electrode can be spaced apart from each other, or they can all be included within a continuous film on top of the pixel electrodes. Such a continuous film can be pixelated by spatially modulating its properties (e.g., thickness, doping) to significantly reduce lateral conductivity from pixel to pixel.
US08232527B2 Image generation method and device for emission computed tomography
A first γ-ray generating in a body, caused by a PET pharmaceutical, and a second γ-ray emitted from a γ-ray source and transmitting through the body are detected with a radiation detector. The emission image information (E image information), E0, E1 and E2, at each of patient motion phases, 0, 1 and 2, which divided a respiration period, are prepared by using information obtained from the detected first γ-ray. The transmission image information (T image information), T0, T1 and T2, at each of patient motion phases, 0, 1 and 2, respectively, are prepared, by using information obtained from the detected second γ-ray. Relative displacements, ([F10], [F20]), are determined by superimposing, on T image information T0, other T image information, T1 and T2. The E image information, E1, E2, are superimposed on the E image information E0, by using this relative displacement.