| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08254672B2 |
Image compressing method, image compressing apparatus and image forming apparatus
When priority is placed on a small file size, the number N of kinds foreground identifiers used for identifying color information of respective pixels of a foreground of a color image is reduced to M, which is smaller than N. For this purpose, a foreground identifier corresponding to pixels in number not more than a prescribed number K of pixels is replaced with a background identifier. When M is not more than a prescribed number P, M binary images respectively corresponding to the M kinds of identifiers are generated on the basis of a foreground layer including the M kinds of foreground identifiers, the respective binary images are subjected to lossless compression, and a background layer generated on the basis of the foreground layer is subjected to lossy compression. |
| US08254671B1 |
System and method for shot boundary detection in video clips
A system and method for detecting shot boundaries in video clips may generate a color frequency histogram for each tile of each frame of the video clip, according to a regular grid. The method may include comparing histograms of a given frame to corresponding histograms of an adjacent frame and computing a divergence descriptor for the given frame dependent on the average difference between the histograms. Various heuristics may be applied to the descriptor for each frame and the computed average descriptor of two or more leading or trailing frames to detect a shot boundary or another type of divergence between frames. A GUI may provide tools usable to identify clips on which to apply shot boundary detection and mechanisms to specify parameter values of the operation. The method may be implemented by program instructions stored on a computer readable medium and executable by one or more CPUs and/or GPUs. |
| US08254670B2 |
Self-learning object detection and classification systems and methods
A method of object classification based upon fusion of a remote sensing system and a natural imaging system is provided. The method includes detecting an object using the remote sensing system. An angle of view of a video camera of the natural imaging system is varied. An image including the object is generated using the natural imaging system. The natural imaging system may zoom in on the object. The image represented in either pixel or transformed space is compared to a plurality of templates via a competition based neural network learning algorithm. Each template has an associated label determined statistically. The template with a closest match to the image is determined. The image may be assigned the label associated with the relative location of the object, the relative speed of the object, and the label of the template determined statistically to be the closest match to the image. |
| US08254669B2 |
Data processing apparatus, computer program product, and data processing method for predicting an optimum function based on a case database and image feature values calculated by a feature-value calculating unit
A data processing apparatus includes a feature-value calculating unit that calculates an image feature value indicating a feature of image data, a case database including a case set including a correspondence of image feature values and functions, and an optimum-function predicting unit that predicts an optimum function based on the case database and the image feature value calculated by the feature-value calculating unit. Due to the optimum-function predicting unit, work efficiency of a user can be improved. |
| US08254666B2 |
Method for the determination of the wheel geometry and/or axle geometry of motor vehicles
The invention relates to a method for determining the wheel geometry and/or axle geometry of motor vehicles by means of an optical measuring apparatus. According to said method, at least two recording points are assigned to each other and are referenced in relation to the measuring space with the aid of an image recording system, optionally taking into account reference characteristics and vehicle body characteristics, an object segment (6) comprising the wheel (5) that is to be measured is detected from different perspectives, and the position of wheel characteristics in the measuring space is evaluated during the measurement. In order to create an advantageous procedure regarding the operation and the accuracy of the measurement, a plurality of individual 3D pixels representing the three-dimensional surface of the object segment that is detected by the at least two image recording devices (2) are determined from the object segment using image processing methods by correlating images, and the wheel characteristics and/or reference characteristics and/or vehicle body characteristics are obtained therefrom. |
| US08254663B2 |
Ultrafine lithography pattern inspection using multi-stage TDI image sensors with false image removability
A workpiece inspection apparatus includes a measured image generator unit configured to measure a pattern of a workpiece and generate a measured image; and a comparator unit configured to compare the measured image to a fiducial image, wherein said measured image generator unit includes a light-receiving device having an interconnection of two or more time delay integration (TDI) sensors each being arranged by two or more line sensors each being arranged by two or more pixels, for generating as the measured image an average value of pixel values excluding an abnormal pixel value from pixels of each TDI sensor with respect to a position of the pattern of the workpiece. |
| US08254660B2 |
Method and device for inspecting a traveling wire cable
In a first embodiment, a picture is taken of the traveling wire cable in a stationary position at intervals that are equal to the ratio produced from the lay length or a multiple of the lay length and the travel speed of the wire cable, at least op one lay length or the above-mentioned multiple of the lay length, and the successive images are compared on at least one lay length or the above-mentioned multiple of the lay length and are monitored for changes in the image which are indicative of damages. In a second embodiment, the wire cable is instead of taking pictures exposed to flashes and the exposed image is detected on at least one lay length or the above-mentioned multiple of the lay length and monitored for changes in the image. Preferably, the respective repetition of the same outer stranded wire of the traveling wire cable is detected in the same location and every repetition or every other repetition or every third repetition is used for triggering the taking of a picture or for triggering the flash. In a third embodiment, a picture is taken of a large portion of the wire cable using a specialized camera and the image is split up into recurring units of length that correspond to the size of a lay length or a multiple of the lay length and the successive units of length are compared and inspected for changes in the image. |
| US08254652B2 |
Apparatus, method and system for computer tomography image processing
The present invention discloses apparatus, method, and system for CT image processing; said apparatus comprises: an interface unit for obtaining CT images; a target region separation unit for separating said target region from the CT images by means of judging the CT values of voxel points in said CT images, wherein points with CT values greater than or equal to the threshold for target region separation constitute the target region, and said target region comprises at least one separate region; a false positive region removing unit for removing false positive regions from said target region and obtaining the accurate target region. The present invention can be used to quickly and conveniently determine the target region to be detected, measure the characteristic data of the target region, and display the physical and relative positions of the target region in a three-dimensional manner; with a lower threshold for target region separation, the present invention can reduce the omission rate of detection; in addition, on that base, the present invention can remove possible false positive regions, thereby describing the target region accurately and improve accuracy of target information. |
| US08254648B2 |
Method for providing adaptive hanging protocols for image reading
Embodiments of the presently described technology provide a method for adapting a hanging protocol based on an efficiency of use. The method includes monitoring usage information for a hanging protocol, determining a productivity factor based on an efficiency of a first user during a reading of an imaging study, and recommending at least one of a hanging protocol selection and a hanging protocol change to a second user based on the productivity factor. The usage information includes at least one of a selection of a hanging protocol and a change to the hanging protocol by a first user during the reading of the imaging study. |
| US08254643B2 |
Image processing method and device for object recognition
An object image detection device is disclosed that is able to rapidly detect an object image from an input image. The object image detection device includes an image block generation unit to generate plural image blocks from the input image for detecting the object images, an image classification unit to determine whether each of the image blocks includes one or more of the object images by using one or more features of the object images, and acquire the image blocks including the object images to be object image candidates; and a detection unit to sequentially detect the object images from the object image candidates. The image classification unit acquires the object image candidates based on a relative positional relationship between the image blocks and already-acquired object image candidates. |
| US08254639B2 |
Image storage device, imaging device, image storage method, and program
An image storage device includes a facial-expression-correlation estimator configured to estimate a facial expression correlation representing a degree of correlation between a facial expression in a face image and a predetermined reference facial expression, the face image being included in time-varying image data; a facial-expression estimator configured to detect, through estimation based on transition of the facial expression correlation, a situation where the facial expression in the face image and the predetermined reference facial expression are expected to come to have a predetermined correlative relationship within a predetermined period; and an image-storage controller configured to exercise control so that the image data in the predetermined period from the detection is maintained in an image-data storage unit. |
| US08254638B2 |
Ranging apparatus and ranging method
A first ranging apparatus includes a light-emitting unit for emitting a series of first through fourth modulated lights which have respective different time lengths from a reference time to respective time points at which the first through fourth modulated lights start being emitted, a light-detecting unit for detecting reflected lights from an object that is irradiated with the first through fourth modulated lights, and a calculating unit for calculating the distance up to the object based on the phase difference between the first through fourth modulated lights and the reflected lights. The light-emitting unit comprises a start time controller for controlling the time lengths. The light-detecting units samples the amounts of the reflected lights in exposure periods established at a constant cycle length from the reference time. |
| US08254629B1 |
Methods and apparatus for measuring image stability in a video
A system identifies a change in a position of an object from a first frame to a second frame from a plurality of frames. The video is comprised of a plurality of frames. In one embodiment, the plurality is at least three frames. The image stability measuring process identifies a change in direction of the change in the position of the object. The change in direction is determined by utilizing a plurality of adjacent frames located near the first frame and the second frame. The image stability measuring process determines an image stability value for a subset of the plurality of frames. The image stability value is calculated based on the change in direction. The image stability measuring process renders a portion of the video within an automatic editing script. The portion of the video is selected based on a preferred image stability value identified within the automatic editing script. |
| US08254622B2 |
Portable electronic device with detachable speaker
A portable electronic device includes a audio player, a speaker, a fixing member and an engaging opening. The audio player is configured for playing audio files and videos. The speaker is detachably couple to the audio player. The fixing member is connected to one of the audio player and the speaker. The engaging opening is defined in the other of the audio player and the speaker. The engaging portion is detachably engaged in the engaging opening. |
| US08254620B2 |
Earphone assembly and portable electronic device using the same
An earphone assembly includes a casing, at least one secondary cable, at least one earphone, and at least one reel mechanism. The casing includes an assembly chamber. The earphone electrically connects to the casing by the secondary wire. The reel mechanism is received in the assembly chamber, and controls a length of the secondary cable extending from the assembly chamber. A portable electronic device using the earphone assembly is also provided. |
| US08254619B2 |
Microelectromechanical microphone carrier module
An MEM microphone carrier module is composed of a substrate and a cover plate. The substrate includes a space layer, a bottom layer, a recession recessed from a top side of the space layer, and a groove formed in the recession. The bottom layer has a metallic plate defining a predetermined pattern and exposed outside a surface thereof. The bottom layer is a single-layer structure formed by the molding of the metallic plate and the insulating glue, such that the substrate is thinner to need lower production cost and take less assembly time than the prior art. |
| US08254614B2 |
Horn speaker with hyperbolic paraboloid lens
The present invention is a new horn loudspeaker comprising multiple sound radiators mounted to the sidewalls of the horn. At least two sound radiators mounted to the sidewalls of the horn with a “Hyperbolic Paraboloid” (saddle point) shaped lens placed medially between the sound radiators creating an improved horn characteristics for more uniform directivity, improved power response, reduced beaming as a function of frequency and twice the power the power handling. |
| US08254613B2 |
Speaker apparatus
A speaker apparatus includes a speaker, a tubular duct extended in order to make the sound generated in the inside of the cabinet of the speaker get to the vicinity of the listener's ears and a support mechanism that rotatably supports the tubular duct in order to bring the front end aperture of the tubular duct to the vicinity of the ears of the listener. |
| US08254607B2 |
Hearing aid with acoustic damper
A hearing aid is provided. The hearing aid has a one- or multi-part carrying hook. The one- or multi-part carrying hook has a tip for connection to a sound tube, the tip being connected integrally to a damper extending across the internal cross-section of the tip, the damper preferably being designed as a membrane. |
| US08254606B2 |
Remote control of hearing assistance devices
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus of communicating instructions to a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. In various embodiments instructions are formed using tones sent to the hearing assistance device. The instructions can be used to control the operation of the hearing assistance device. The signals may include dual tone multifunction signals or other nonstandard signals. Various detection processes are provided which include but are not limited to using a modified complex Goertzel algorithm to detect tones. The remote device can be a standard device or can be modified to provide the proper signals. The following techniques can be applied to hearing assistance devices including, but not limited to completely-in-the-canal devices, in-the-canal devices, behind-the-ear devices, receiver-in-canal devices, and implanted devices, such as cochlear implants. |
| US08254600B2 |
Method and an apparatus for decoding an audio signal
The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof. The present invention includes receiving a downmix signal comprising plural objects, and a bitstream including object information and downmix gain information, obtaining level guide flag information for all frames indicating whether level guide information is present in the bitstream, obtaining the level guide information representing a limitation of object level applied to at least one object of the plural objects, from the bitstream, based on the level guide flag information, receiving mix information, generating modified mix information by modifying the mix information based on the level guide information and the downmix gain information, and generating at least one of downmix processing information and multi-channel information based on the modified mix information and the object information, wherein the mix information is estimated using object level for at least one object of the plural objects, and wherein the object information and the downmix gain information are determined when the downmix signal is generated.Accordingly, the present invention is able to prevent distortion of a sound quality according to panning and/or gain adjustment in a manner of providing a limited rage for the panning and/or gain adjustment. |
| US08254597B2 |
Audio signal processing circuit
Plural variable gain amplifiers amplify audio signals of plural channels for each channel. An interface receives, from outside, plural gain control data individually designating gain of each channel. Plural gain controllers respectively switch the gain of the plural variable gain amplifiers, based on the plural gain control data. The plural gain controllers arrange timing to change gain of a variable gain amplifier corresponding to gain control data received in a predetermined data entry period, among the plural gain control data that are inputted at different timing. |
| US08254596B2 |
Method and apparatus for mute control
System and method for muting an output terminal of an electronic device. In one embodiment, the process for can include receiving one or more signals received by the controller over the first terminal, detecting a mute control signal from the controller and controlling the state of a switch coupled to the output terminal to ground the output terminal based on detecting the mute control signal. |
| US08254588B2 |
System and method for providing step size control for subband affine projection filters for echo cancellation applications
A system and method for Acoustic Echo Cancellation. The system and method include a subband affine projection filter and a variable step size controller configured to cancel an estimated echo from a near-end signal. The system and method also include a divergence detector adapted to reset the subband affine projection filter in response to determining a divergence is occurring. Additionally, the system and method include a double talk detector adapted to transmit a signal to mask an output signal when double talk is detected. |
| US08254586B2 |
Method and apparatus for objective assessment of in-ear device acoustical performance
A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests. |
| US08254572B2 |
Secure provisioning of a portable device using a representation of a key
A portable device initially accesses a secure server and requests a certificate. The secure server generates a random key and encodes the generated key to generate a representation of the key, such as a two-dimensional bar code or an audio signal, and communicated to a local device, such as a laptop or desktop computer, using a web interface. The local device is used to present the representation of the key to a mobile device. The mobile device then captures the representation of the key from the local device, for example using an image capture device or audio capture device, and extracts the key by decoding the representation of the key. The key is then stored by the mobile device and used to securely communicate with the secure server without manually entering the key. |
| US08254561B1 |
Headset adapter with host phone detection and characterization
Systems and methods for a headset adapter circuit are disclosed. The headset adapter circuit generally includes a maximal length sequence generator circuit coupled to the adapter transmit signal line for injecting a maximal length sequence signal. A maximal length sequence cross-correlator circuit is coupled to the adapter receive signal line for capturing a receive signal sample and convolving the receive signal sample with the maximal length sequence signal to generate a host phone sidetone path impulse response. |
| US08254558B2 |
Contact handling systems including automated return contact response reminders
Many of the improvements in contact handling systems which may result from the teachings disclosed herein relate to accessing and tracking real-time data concerning company representative performance, proficiency, training, scheduling, current workflow, response to contacts, and estimated workflow. Moreover, many of the improvements in contact handling systems disclosed herein relate to automatically improving company representative performance proficiency, training, incentives, scheduling, ensuring timely customer response, and workflow. Thus, as a result of the teachings disclosed herein, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and revenue may be improved in the contact handling industry. |
| US08254551B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing quality of service using E.164 number mapping (ENUM) data in a communications network
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a quality of service (QoS) using E.164 number mapping (ENUM) data in a communications network. According to one method, a query message including an E.164 number can be received. Next, at least one uniform resource identifier (URI) associated with the E.164 number can be located. Afterwards, QoS data corresponding to the at least one URI is subsequently obtained. Further, the query message can be responded to with the URI and the corresponding QoS data. |
| US08254549B2 |
Method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous telephone calls
A method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous calls. The method and system includes an intercept system that intercepts erroneous calls and automatically routes them to a directory assistance service. The directory assistance service provides a least one advertisement and a variety of other services to the callers using a business subscriber information service, a white page database service; a yellow pages database service; a business intelligence database service; rule-based expert system service; and/or an Internet search service. The directory assistance service accepts fees from advertisers, businesses and providers of the variety of services to refer information to callers. |
| US08254548B2 |
Method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous telephone calls
A method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous calls. The method and system includes an intercept system that intercepts erroneous calls and automatically routes them to a directory assistance service. The directory assistance service provides a least one advertisement and a variety of other services to the callers using a rule-based expert system service. |
| US08254546B2 |
Method and system to proxy phone directories
A method (300) and system (100) are disclosed to proxy mobile and network originated call sessions. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method having the steps of simulating (302-314) a seamless phone directory, and simulating (318-344) a mobile originated call as a network originated call according to a selected identifier of the phone directory proxy. |
| US08254545B2 |
System and methods for enhanced multimedia in VoIP networks
Calls placed to a call recipient bypass the terminating messaging system, creating an enhanced message in the call originator's messaging system and delivering the enhanced message using alternate routing information. A caller creates enhanced messages for a call recipient even when the call recipient's messaging system does not support such functionality. The caller also embeds stored content and/or use links in the enhanced messages to allow the message to be modified and/or deleted before it is accessed by the call recipient. |
| US08254542B2 |
Phone key authentication
A phone key registration process between a user and an institution directed to establishing an audible sound or a collection of audible sounds recognizable to a user and stored with the institution. Subsequent to establishing the phone key, when the institution calls the user, the registered phone key may be played back to the user allowing the user to authenticate that the calling party is, indeed, the institution which the user registered the phone key with. Such a process may prevent an unauthorized party without knowledge of the phone key to call a user acting as the institution to illegally obtain private or sensitive information. |
| US08254538B1 |
Scalable and flexible internet fax architecture for processing outbound fax messages
Methods and systems for processing outbound fax messages in an efficient and scalable manner are provided. According to one embodiment, an Internet fax system receives a request to deliver a fax message. Source files representing content to be included as part of the fax message are stored to a shared storage area accessible by imaging systems and fax processing resources. An imaging system is selected to convert the source files into a digital representation suitable for faxing. A work request identifying the selected imaging system is stored on a centralized work queue within a database. The imaging systems poll the centralized work queue to retrieve pending work requests. Responsive to identifying the work request, the selected imaging system converts the source files, associates the resulting digital representation with an outbound fax job and causes the fax message to be delivered by submitting the outbound fax job to a fax modem. |
| US08254536B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for providing communications services
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a communication from an originating party, with the communication intended for a receiving party. A database of pre-created messages is accessed, with the database storing a pre-created message having a common association between the receiving party and the originating party. The pre-created message is then communicated. |
| US08254533B2 |
System and apparatus for processing a communications session
A system and apparatus for processing a communications session is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device can have a controller element to establish a voice communication session with a second communication device, and initiate an action to record the voice communication session for translation into a text memo that is analyzed to identify one or more actionable fields. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08254530B2 |
Authenticating personal identification number (PIN) users
In systems which support oral entry of Personal Identification Number (PIN) values in order to establish access to user accounts, a user is prompted to enter the PIN value for a particular account. The entered PIN value is analyzed by a speech recognition engine to extract both a multi-digit number and the user's expression of that number. The extracted multi-digit number is compared to a multi-digit number stored in a user record associated with the account. If the user previously specified that expression matching is required, the extracted expression of the multi-digit number is compared to a preferred expression stored in the user record. Matches must be found for both the numbers and the form in which those numbers are expressed in order for the user to be authenticated. The user may elect to dispense with the expression matching requirement. |
| US08254523B2 |
Imaging apparatus and control method thereof
An imaging apparatus having an X-ray detector and an image display unit comprises first and second display magnification calculation units and a selection unit. The first display magnification calculation unit receives information of the detected image size, a binning condition and a display frame size, and thereby calculating a first display magnification so as to maximize a display area of the detected image. The second display magnification calculation unit temporarily changes the received binning condition, and by using the temporarily changed binning condition and the received detected image size, and calculates a second display magnification so as to maximize a display area. The selection unit selects the first display magnifications and the temporarily change binning condition if the first display magnification is closer to one and the second display magnification with one. |
| US08254519B2 |
X-ray inspection apparatus and X-ray inspection method
An X-ray inspection apparatus includes a scanning X-ray source for emitting an X-ray, an X-ray detector drive unit having a plurality of X-ray detectors mounted thereon and being capable of independently driving the plurality of X-ray detectors, and an image acquisition control mechanism for controlling the X-ray detector drive unit and acquisition of image data from the X-ray detectors. The scanning X-ray source emits an X-ray by moving an X-ray focal point position of the X-ray source to each of originating point positions of X-ray emission, which are set for the X-ray detectors such that X-rays are transmitted through a plurality of prescribed inspection areas of an inspection object and enter the X-ray detectors. Image pickup by the X-ray detector and movement of another X-ray detector are concurrently performed in an alternate manner. The image acquisition control mechanism acquires image data, and an operation unit reconstructs an image. |
| US08254517B2 |
CT scanning and contraband detection
CT scanning of transportation containers is performed by generating X-rays at various points at the opposite sides of the containers, detecting the X-rays passing through the containers, and analyzing the data received to determine the presence of contraband. The X-rays are generated by modulating a magnetic field through which a high-energy electron beam passes to deflect the beam successively to different targets positioned around the sides of the container, while the electron beam source remains stationary. The X-rays are detected by an array of cells using X-ray responsive storage phosphor material to emit light which is sent to analyzing and comparing equipment. The targets and detectors and the cargo container are moved relative to one another to scan a selected volume of the container. |
| US08254516B2 |
Control rod drive outer filter removal tool
An outer filter removal tool for a boiling water reactor control rod drive that uses a mechanical advantage obtained through the use of lead screw threads to pull the outer filter off of the control rod drive. Fingers on the tool are closed around the upper flange of the outer filter by sliding a collar over the outwardly biased fingers. A shaft extending through the tool is rotated which in turn extends a push plate against the control rod drive index tube causing the fingers to pull against the upper flange on the outer filter until the filter is freed from the control rod drive. The tool will hold the filter in place until affirmatively released for proper disposal. |
| US08254515B2 |
Method for measuring phase locked loop bandwidth parameters for high-speed serial links
A method for measuring a phase locked loop bandwidth parameter for a high-speed serial link includes the steps of initiating a jitter frequency of a clock input of a phase locked loop equal to a reference frequency with a frequency generator; determining a reference jitter amplitude value of a clock output of the phase locked loop with a waveform analyzer at the reference frequency, the reference jitter amplitude value being a function of a time interval error jitter trend of the clock output at the reference frequency; and adjusting the jitter frequency of the clock input with the frequency generator until an adjusted jitter amplitude value of the clock output reaches a goal value as determined by the waveform analyzer, the adjusted jitter amplitude being a function of a time interval error trend of the clock output at the adjusted frequency. |
| US08254514B1 |
Early-late gate timing recovery
An early-late gate based ADC timing approach is described for performing early-late gate timing recovery despite the presence of multipath signal distortion. Multipath conditions may severely distort Barker correlator magnitudes generated for taps within two taps of a determined bit synchronization time. Exemplary embodiments of the described approach may combine Barker correlator magnitudes for several receive chains to calculate the timing error correction corresponding to a difference of early and late taps. The approach may be used to increase the size and stability of Barker correlator magnitudes generated for taps far away from a determined bit synchronization time. Such embodiments allow early-late differences to be generated using combined Barker correlator magnitudes generated at taps that are two or more chips from a determined bit synchronization time, thereby avoiding multipath distortion that may distort Barker correlator magnitudes generated within two or more chips from the determined bit synchronization time. |
| US08254513B2 |
Inter-device adaptable interfacing clock skewing
Inter-device adaptable interfacing clock skewing. The invention is operable in either one of both of a transmit mode and a receive mode to perform skewing of a transmitted and/or a received signal. The operational parameters including frequency and phase may be determined during auto detect/auto negotiation, they may be programmed externally, or they may be user selected in various embodiments. A device may include a clock generator, one or more divider, and one or more delay cells internally to the device. If desired, a high frequency clock is generated within the device and then divided down to generate the appropriate clock signal that supports the communication and interaction between multiple devices. Registers and/or pins may be used to select the clock frequency and phase of output clock signals. The present invention supports multiple Ethernet protocols between multiple devices including 10BaseT, 100BaseT, and 1000BaseT. |
| US08254511B2 |
Method and apparatus for equalization in clustered channels
This invention relates to an equalization apparatus and an equalization method. A plurality of equalizers is applied to the equalization apparatus to eliminate interferences of multiple clusters in a channel. The weights of the equalizers are calculated under minimum mean square error criterion by gains of delay paths of multiple clusters in the whole channel. Therefore, the interference of different clusters in the whole channel can be greatly eliminated. |
| US08254510B2 |
Apparatus and method for inter-carrier interference cancellation
A method for inter-carrier interference cancellation is provided. A time-domain received signal is detected to obtain information of an inter-symbol interference free region. Multiple cyclic useful symbols are obtained from the time-domain received signal according to the information of the inter-symbol interference free region and a set of multi-step windowing coefficients is generated. Adjusted cyclic useful symbols are obtained by multiplying the cyclic useful symbols by the set of multi-step windowing coefficients, respectively, and then combined in a time domain to obtain a time-domain combination signal. The inter-carrier interference of each of sub-carriers of the time-domain combination signal is centralized on neighboring D sub-carriers. The time-domain combination signal is transformed into a frequency-domain received signal. The frequency-domain received signal and its corresponding channel response matrix are divided into overlapped signal blocks according to D. Successive inter-carrier interference cancellation is performed on each signal block in parallel to obtain estimation data. |
| US08254504B2 |
Decision directed flicker noise cancellation
A decision directed flicker noise canceller for reducing flicker noise in a modulated input signal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a decision circuit, a conversion circuit, first and second adders and a filter. The decision circuit provides signal decisions based on the input signal. The conversion circuit provides selected signal values based on the signal decisions. The first adder subtracts the selected signal values from signals based on the input signal to provide a flicker noise estimate. The filter receives and filters the flicker noise estimate and the second adder subtracts the filtered flicker noise estimate from the input signal and provides a corrected input signal. In a feedback configuration, the second adder is located in a feedback position before the decision circuit in the signal processing path. In a feed-forward configuration, the second adder is located in a feed-forward position after the decision circuit. |
| US08254503B1 |
Tracking automatic gain control of orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing systems
An automatic gain control tracking system including a variable gain amplifier and an automatic gain control module. The variable gain amplifier is configured to amplify an input signal in accordance with a first gain, in which i) the input signal comprises a plurality of orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and ii) each of the plurality of orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the input signal is preceded by a respective cyclic prefix. The automatic gain control module configured to vary the first gain of the variable gain amplifier during the respective cyclic prefix preceding each of the plurality of orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the input signal. |
| US08254502B2 |
Post decoding soft interference cancellation
The present patent application discloses a method and apparatus for decoding, comprising decoding signals iteratively, mutually exchanging extrinsic information, calculating APP LLRs for both systematic and parity bits and making a hard decision after a plurality of iterations is completed based on accumulated soft information. The present patent application also discloses a method and apparatus for post decoding soft interference canceling, comprising generating updated a posteriori probabilities for systematic and parity bits from a turbo decoder, mapping the posteriori probabilities to soft symbols, quantizing the soft symbols, re-encoding a data packet, filtering a chip sequence, reconstructing an interference waveform, and scaling reconstruction filter coefficients using the symbols. |
| US08254499B2 |
Digital satellite broadcasting receiving tuner and satellite broadcasting receiving device including the same
When a satellite broadcasting receiving device 5 is initially set up, a receivable channel is searched for each satellite. In this search, a wider frequency acquisition range than a frequency acquisition range which is generally used is set for a QPSK demodulation IC 15, while the frequency of a PLL 9 is fixed. Then, in the wider frequency acquisition range, an offset is shifted by a frequency step Fstep′ by using a function for setting a frequency offset, the function being included in the QPSK demodulation IC 15. Thus, a signal search is carried out throughout a reception frequency range. |
| US08254494B2 |
Method and device for implementing data transmission
A method of implementing data transmission is provided, which comprises: A) comparing bit by bit data to be transmitted currently with previous transmitted data, and counting to obtain total number of different bits; and B) when it is determined that the total number of different bits is more than a half of number of bits of the data to be transmitted currently, inverting the data to be transmitted currently and then converting the inverted data into a differential signal for transmission. A device of implementing data transmission is also provided. The method and device provided by embodiments of the present invention can minimize electromagnetic interference during data transmission. |
| US08254490B2 |
Reducing transmit signal components of a receive signal of a transceiver using a shared DAC architecture
Embodiments of a method and apparatus of reducing transmit signal components of a receive signal of a transceiver are disclosed. One embodiment of an apparatus includes a transceiver that simultaneously transmits a transmit signal and receives a receive signal. The transceiver includes a transmit DAC that generates the transmit signal based on a transmit digital signal stream. The transmit DAC includes a plurality of transmit DAC circuit elements, and a plurality of transmit DAC switches that control which of the plurality of transmit DAC circuit elements contribute to generating the transmit signal. The transceiver additionally includes an echo cancellation DAC that generates an echo cancellation signal based on the transmit digital signal stream. The echo cancellation DAC includes a plurality of echo cancellation DAC circuit elements, and a plurality of echo cancellation DAC switches that control which of the plurality of echo cancellation DAC circuit elements contribute to generating the echo cancellation signal. A data controller receives the transmit digital signal stream, and controls both the plurality of transmit DAC switches and the plurality of echo cancellation DAC switches. A canceller (summer) cancels at least a portion of the receive signal by summing the echo cancellation signal with the receive signal. |
| US08254479B2 |
Method of detecting transmission channel and related wireless communication system
A method and related system of transmission channel detection condition in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The method includes receiving a symbol, performing a channel estimation operation to generate a channel estimation result according to the symbol, performing a cross correlation operation on the channel estimation result and an initial channel estimation result to generate an operation result, and determining whether the condition of the transmission channel have changed or not. |
| US08254477B2 |
OFDM communication device and guard interval length determining method
An OFDM communication device (10) includes: an REF/IF/BR unit (11) for receiving a series of symbols; a frequency fluctuation amount information acquisition unit (21) for acquiring frequency fluctuation amount information that indicates a frequency fluctuation amount of the received series of symbols; and a GI length determination/instruction unit (23) for determining a GI length in accordance with the frequency fluctuation amount information acquired by the frequency fluctuation amount information acquisition unit (21), and instructing a transmission device to transmit symbols with the determined GI length. |
| US08254470B2 |
Encoding and decoding of embedded data stream in analog video using copy protection pulses
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a stream of digital (binary) data on AGC (automatic gain control) pulses or back porch pulses of the type conventionally used for copy protection in the analog television or video realm. The data is encoded onto the tips of the AGC or back porch pulses added to blanking intervals of an analog video signal. Each pulse tip may define, for instance, 10 to 15 digital bits (1 or 0) in the form of square waves or rectangular waves with two states, high and low, representing respectively 1 and 0. In another version, the digital data is similarly encoded onto the pulse tip of back porch pulses present at the end of video fields for copy protection. This digital data conveyed in an analog signal may be read by an associated decoder in a consumer device and the resulting data decoded, for instance, for copy control, storage permission, network access, user identification, or carrying additional data, such as commentary or text relevant to the accompanying video. The data bandwidth here is substantial since each AGC or back porch pulse may carry, for instance, 15 bits of digital data and the AGC or back porch pulses may be present in each of the horizontal and vertical blanking intervals of a video signal. |
| US08254469B2 |
Error concealment for frame loss in multiple description coding
Systems and methodologies for concealing frame loss in a video transmission environment are provided herein. Multiple Description Coding (MDC) can be used as an Error Resilience technique for video coding. In case of transmission errors, Error Concealment can be combined with MDC to reconstruct a lost frame, such that the propagated error to following frames can be reduced. Further, multi-hypothesis decoding can be employed to enhance reconstructed video quality of MDC over packet loss networks. For instance, one or more frames after the lost frame in the same stream can be reconstructed using multi-hypothesis decoding, which combines directly decoding and temporally interpolating these frames. Moreover, output obtained from directly decoding and temporally interpolating each frame can be combined by generating a weighted sum of these hypotheses. Constant weights and/or adaptive weights (e.g., determined based on the minimum mean square error criterion) can be used for yielding the weighted sum. |
| US08254467B2 |
Method and system for scaling compressed image frames
A method and system for scaling frames of a compressed image stream, each frame including a mosaic of pixels. For each frame of the encoded image stream, the even-numbered lines of the frame are scaled as a first grouping of lines, while the odd-numbered lines of the frame are scaled as a second grouping of lines. This grouping of the lines of the frame may occur within the frame itself or by dividing the frame into sub-frames, in which case the even-numbered lines of the frame are scaled independently from the odd-numbered lines of the frame and a scaled version of the frame is then generated by merging the scaled even-numbered lines of the frame with the scaled odd-numbered lines of the frame. |
| US08254466B2 |
Method and device for texture based coding
For reducing the false contour effect the gravity center coding is utilized. However, a GCC with a few number of levels introduces noise in a picture. Therefore, each picture is divided into segments and such GCC is performed only in regions, where the false contour effect is critical. This is the case for skin areas of a picture. Such areas are detected by the color analysis and texture analysis. If this analysis leads to a skin area, a specific false contour mode for data processing is used. Otherwise, a standard mode is employed. |
| US08254465B2 |
Apparatus for encoding and decoding header data in picture signal transmission
A picture decoding method and apparatus for decoding a bit stream, the bit stream being compatible with MPEG 1 moving picture video standard. The method includes, receiving, via an input terminal, from a bit stream that includes extension data added in a header of a picture layer of the bit stream when the header includes control data that is newly added, in MPEG 2 standard format, the extension data of an anterior header of the picture layer. The method also includes decoding the bit stream in the picture layer using the extension data of an anterior header of the picture layer when an extension start code indicating the beginning of the extension data of the current header is not received from the bit stream. |
| US08254458B2 |
Moving picture encoding apparatus and method, moving picture decoding apparatus and method
A prediction mode is selected in accordance with a type of a moving picture. When an interframe prediction mode is selected as the prediction mode, a motion vector for the moving picture is detected. Motion compensation for the moving picture is performed based on the type of the moving picture, the prediction mode, and the motion vector. A spatial prediction section performs a spatial prediction for the moving picture based on the type of the moving picture and the prediction mode. An orthogonal transformation for a predictive residue signal obtained as a difference between the picture signal obtained by the motion compensation or the spatial prediction and the input picture signal is performed, based on the type of the moving picture and the prediction mode. Variable length encoding for the picture data after the orthogonal transformation is performed, based on the type of the moving picture and the prediction mode. |
| US08254455B2 |
Computing collocated macroblock information for direct mode macroblocks
Video decoding innovations for multithreading implementations and graphics processor unit (“GPU”) implementations are described. For example, for multithreaded decoding, a decoder uses innovations in the areas of layered data structures, picture extent discovery, a picture command queue, and/or task scheduling for multithreading. Or, for a GPU implementation, a decoder uses innovations in the areas of inverse transforms, inverse quantization, fractional interpolation, intra prediction using waves, loop filtering using waves, memory usage and/or performance-adaptive loop filtering. Innovations are also described in the areas of error handling and recovery, determination of neighbor availability for operations such as context modeling and intra prediction, CABAC decoding, computation of collocated information for direct mode macroblocks in B slices, reduction of memory consumption, implementation of trick play modes, and picture dropping for quality adjustment. |
| US08254454B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing temporal noise
Disclosed is a method for reducing temporal noise, comprising: performing motion detection on frames of a video data stream; calculating a pixel difference between pixels of frames in the video data stream to generate at least a pixel difference value; determining a set of weighting value for temporal filtering according to a result of the motion detection and a result of the pixel difference value calculation; and performing temporal filtering on frames in the video data stream according to the weighting values. |
| US08254452B2 |
Method of decoding a macroblock based on a macroblock level of the macroblock
In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a first reference frame picture list and a second reference frame picture list including multiple reference frame pictures respectively and determining a reference frame picture index based on display order information for the multiple reference frame pictures. A first reference field picture having a different parity from the macroblock is selected if the first reference field picture index is an odd number, and a second reference field picture having a same parity as the macroblock is selected if the second reference field picture index is an even number. The macroblock is decoded based on the first and second motion vector information and the selected first and second reference field pictures. |
| US08254445B2 |
Video transmission using video quality metrics
Video traffic transmission using video quality metrics may be provided. A video stream comprising a plurality of frames may be received. For each frame, a determination may be made whether or not to drop the frame rather than saving and/or transmitting it to an end user, thereby conserving network bandwidth. This determination may be made on the basis of a threshold metric, such as a size ratio between frames, an average frame size, an average quality metric. |
| US08254444B2 |
System and method for phase adaptive occlusion detection based on motion vector field in digital video
Systems and methods for efficiently reformatting video data in regions of video including occlusions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes determining multiple motion vectors that link/relate matching blocks of two reference frames and calculating a measure related to overlap area of the matching blocks in one or both of the reference frames with a block to be constructed in an intermediate frame. The measure related to overlap area takes into account a particular interpolation phase of the frame being constructed in relation to the two reference frames. In one embodiment, a ranking of the measure related to overlap areas is used to classify the block to be constructed according to a degree of occlusion. In another aspect the location of the matching blocks in one or both of the reference frames is used in the classification of the block to be constructed. |
| US08254443B2 |
Latency rate distortion optimisation
There is provided an improved latency rate distortion optimization apparatus comprising a forward quantize unit (1200) for processing input coefficients (Wij), an inverse quantize unit (1300) coupled to the forward quantize unit (1200), and at least one look-up-table (150) of quantize values for use by the forward (1200) and inverse (1300) quantize units, wherein the at least one look-up-table (150) of quantize values further includes any one or more of the following modified quantize multiplication factors: negative forward quantize multiplication factors (−MF); pre-shifted forward quantize multiplication factors (MFps); negative pre-shifted forward quantize multiplication factors (−MFps); negative inverse quantize multiplication factors (−V); pre-shifted inverse quantize multiplication factors (Vps); or negative pre-shifted inverse quantize multiplication factors (−Vps), and the forward quantize unit (1200) is arranged to operate on the input coefficients (Wij) using one of the modified forward quantize multiplication factors, and the inverse quantize unit (1300) is arranged to operate on the output of the forward quantize unit (1200) using one of the modified inverse quantize multiplication factors. |
| US08254442B2 |
Real time encoder with time and bit rate constraint, method, computer program product and corresponding storage means
A real time encoder with bit rate constraint, of the type including: a capture buffer memory storing frames waiting to be processed; an encoding module receiving frames issued from the capture buffer memory and delivering compressed frames; an intermediate buffer memory, storing the compressed frames issued from the encoding module; and an emission buffer memory, storing data packets, resulting from the division of the compressed frames issued from the intermediate buffer memory, and emitting, with a controlled bit rate, the data packets on a communication channel. The encoder includes a control module, which dynamically adjusts the maximum size of the capture buffer memory, permitting the maximum size of the capture buffer memory to be temporarily increased as long as the emission buffer memory is not empty. |
| US08254438B2 |
Video quality measurement
This application is concerned with a non-intrusive video quality measurement method, in particular where the video signal having: an original form; encoded form in which video signal has been encoded using a compression algorithm utilizing a variable quantiser step size such that the encoded signal includes a quantiser step size parameter; and, a decoded form in which the encoded video signal has been at least in part reconverted to the original form. The method comprises the steps of: a) generating a first quality measure which is a function of said quantiser step size parameter; b) generating a second quality measure which is a function of the spatial complexity of the frames represented by the video signal in the decoded form; and, c) combining the first and second measures in order to obtain an estimate for the subjective visual quality of the decoded video. |
| US08254437B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus and communication system
A transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus and communication system are disclosed, and great improvement in an S/N ratio, preventing an actual throughput from decreasing, and preventing the number of circuits for synchronizing spread spectrum signals from increasing can be expected at the receiving apparatus side. The transmitting apparatus includes a pulse generating circuit, pulse repetition cycle determining circuit, peak power determining circuit, and modulator. The pulse generating circuit generates pulse strings, pulse repetition cycle determining circuit determines, based on a clock signal, a pulse repetition cycle of the pulse string generated by the pulse generating circuit. The peak power determining circuit determines a pulse peak power of the pulse string. The modulator modulates the pulse string with transmission data, and then generates a transmission signal. |
| US08254432B2 |
Method and system for single antenna receiver system for W-CDMA
A receiver receives chip-level data items via a plurality of individual distinct path signals in a signal cluster that is wirelessly received. Channel estimates and timing reference signals, and lock indications of valid components values in the channel estimates are generated utilizing the received chip-level data items. Rake receiver fingers are assigned to the received individual distinct path signals based on the generated channel estimates and timing reference signals, and/or the lock indications. Each of the received chip-level data items corresponds to one of the assigned rake receiver fingers. At least a portion of the received chip-level data items may be combined utilizing the assigned rake receiver fingers. The generated one or more combined chip-level data items may be despreaded to generate corresponding symbol-level data. |
| US08254431B2 |
Wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for carrier offset recovery
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for carrier offset recovery. An adaptive matched filter produces a filtered signal. A rake receiver provides relative path values of multipath components. A mixer generates channel impulse response estimates. A channel despreader despreads the filtered signal using the pseudo-noise signal generated to produce a despread channel signal of the selected channel. A pilot channel despreader despreads the filtered signal using a pseudo-noise signal generator to produce a despread pilot signal of the pilot channel. A hard decision processor determines a symbol value of the despread channel signal. A complex conjugate processor generates a complex conjugate of the symbol value as a correction signal. A phase-locked loop produces a phase correction signal to recover carrier offset. |
| US08254430B1 |
Method and apparatus for detection and control of spread spectrum EMI reduction
A method and apparatus for enabling the operative association of electronic devices that each employ spread spectrum EMI noise reduction. The method includes the detection of frequency modulation and the generation of a modulation detection signal that conveys the modulation extent and type. The modulation detection signal is then used to accommodate the modulation technique and make it compatible with the receiving electronic device. The apparatus of the invention includes an FM modulator that creates an FM signal from an input signal, an FM detector that detects the FM content of the incoming signal and represent this information by means of either voltage or current signals, and a circuit to process this FM information and perform functions such as modification of the FM content and generating a new signal with this new content, complete removal of the content, and “no-action,” whereby the signal is passed on with no alteration to the content. |
| US08254416B2 |
Superfluorescent fiber source with enhanced mean wavelength stability
A doped superfluorescent fiber source (SFS) has an enhanced mean wavelength stability. A method stabilizes the mean wavelength of a SFS. The method includes pumping the SFS with pump light from a pump source having a wavelength dependent on the temperature of the pump source and dependent on the power of the pump light. The length of the fiber is selected to compromise between reduction of the dependence of the mean wavelength on the pump light power and reduction of the contribution of the forward amplified spantaneous emission light produced by the fiber to the output light. |
| US08254414B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method, communication system, and computer program
A communication system includes a plurality of communication stations arranged to respectively transmit a beacon on which beacon time information related to a beacon received from a peripheral communication station is placed at a predetermined transmission interval and control a beacon transmission timing of its own station while a collision with the beacon transmitted from the peripheral communication station is avoided on the basis of beacon information placed on the received beacon, in which at least a part of the communication stations includes means configured to decide a priority with respect to beacons received from at least one peripheral communication station and means configured to place beacon time information of a beacon having a high priority among the received beacons on a beacon of its own station, and transmits the beacon at a predetermined transmission interval. |
| US08254411B2 |
Data processing system, method and interconnect fabric having a flow governor
A data processing system includes a plurality of local hubs each coupled to a remote hub by a respective one a plurality of point-to-point communication links. Each of the plurality of local hubs queues requests for access to memory blocks for transmission on a respective one of the point-to-point communication links to a shared resource in the remote hub. Each of the plurality of local hubs transmits requests to the remote hub utilizing only a fractional portion of a bandwidth of its respective point-to-point communication link. The fractional portion that is utilized is determined by an allocation policy based at least in part upon a number of the plurality of local hubs and a number of processing units represented by each of the plurality of local hubs. The allocation policy prevents overruns of the shared resource. |
| US08254405B2 |
Method and transmitter for transmitting a signal in a time slot of a channel comprising a plurality of time slots employing a reference ramp pattern
A method, program and apparatus for transmitting a signal in a time slot of a channel comprising a plurality of time slots. Using a transmitter having a processor and a power amplifier, the method comprises: retrieving a reference ramp pattern from a memory; determining an output power level for the slot from a plurality of possible output power levels, each requiring a respective corresponding ramp pattern; executing software on the processor to apply a scaling function to the reference ramp pattern in dependence on the determined output power level, thus generating a scaled ramp pattern corresponding to the pattern required for that determined level; supplying the scaled ramp pattern to a control input of the power amplifier, to control the gain of the power amplifier during the time slot; and using the power amplifier, controlled according to the scaled ramp pattern, to transmit the signal in the time slot. |
| US08254404B2 |
Gateway with voice
In one aspect of the present invention, a network gateway is configured to facilitate on line and off line bi-directional communication between a number of near end data and telephony devices with far end data termination devices via a hybrid fiber coaxial network and a cable modem termination system. The described network gateway combines a QAM receiver, a transmitter, a DOCSIS MAC, a CPU, a voice and audio processor, an Ethernet MAC, and a USB controller to provide high performance and robust operation. |
| US08254403B2 |
Packet forwarding apparatus and controlling method
A packet forwarding apparatus identifies the class of the received packet, determines whether there is a capacity for storing the received packet, spending a dedicated free capacity corresponding to the identified class, stores the packet in the buffer, spending the corresponding dedicated free capacity if there is the capacity for storing the packet, determines whether the packet may be stored spending a jointly owned free capacity if the packet may not be stored spending the dedicated free capacity, stores the packet in the buffer, spending the corresponding jointly owned free capacity if there is the capacity for storing the packet, discards the packet if the packet may not be stored spending the jointly owned free capacity, and selects a predetermined class according to a priority control and reads out the packet from the buffer for transmission. |
| US08254392B2 |
Link layer control protocol implementation
The present invention relates to a link layer control protocol implementation in a communication system. To improve operative efficiency of the link layer control protocol implementation it is suggested to delay issuance of a retransmission request for a missing data unit during a retransmission delay time period. Therefore, according to the present invention a retransmission request is not issued immediately upon detection of a missing data unit. Therefore, the present invention avoids issuance of false alarm for the missing data unit when it is received during the retransmission delay period. |
| US08254390B2 |
Compact load balanced switching structures for packet based communication networks
A switching node is disclosed for the routing of packetized data employing a multi-stage packet based routing fabric combined with a plurality of memory switches employing memory queues. The switching node allowing reduced throughput delays, dynamic provisioning of bandwidth and packet prioritization. |
| US08254387B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a spectrally efficient multicast group call
A method, device, and system for establishing and maintaining a multicast group call. The method includes monitoring one or more link parameters for each of a plurality of communication devices associated with the multicast group call. The method further includes selecting, for each of the plurality of communication devices, a sector from a plurality of permitted sectors, the selected sector providing an associated highest signal strength for the communication device and forming a multicast communication zone based on the selected sectors. The method further proceeds with calculating a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) for each communication device based on the formed multicast communication zone, identifying a communication device with a lowest SINR, updating a spectral efficiency metric relative to the formed multicast communication zone based on the lowest SINR, and establishing the multicast group call when the updated spectral efficiency metric meets a minimum expected spectral efficiency metric. |
| US08254382B1 |
Location preference indicator in network access identifier
Wireless communication systems and methods based on network-based IP mobility that use an anchor point location preference indicator in the Network Access Identifier (NAI) used during network entry process in a wireless network to provide an indication of a preference for a mobile subscriber station to obtain an IP address; and operate the wireless network based on Proxy Mobil IP to support the preference in the point location preference indicator in the NAI. |
| US08254381B2 |
Message processing engine with a virtual network interface
A message processing engine may intercept outgoing and incoming messages by bridging an interface between a virtual network interface and a physical network interface. The message processing engine may have a raw packet analyzer that may determine if a packet is to be processed based on a policy, and then may decode the packet using a first set of protocols, perform a translation in the decoded state, then encode the packet using the same or a different set of protocols. The message processing engine may be used to perform translations to enable two otherwise incompatible devices to communicate as well as apply various protocols including security protocols to communications with another device similarly configured. In many embodiments, the raw packet analyzer may be a service with administrative privileges, but the decoder, encoder, and translator may be operated with user privileges. |
| US08254376B2 |
Simple adaptive jitter buffering algorithm for network nodes
A method of dynamically adjusting the buffer delay of an adaptive jitter buffer of a network node receiving packets of a media stream from a packet switched network. The method comprises inserting packets arriving to the network node into the jitter buffer and executing a jitter buffering procedure once every Trepin, wherein Trepin is equal to the jitter buffer play-out interval. Executing the jitter buffer procedure involves updating a jitter protection time, Tjit, wherein Tjit defines a current target value for the maximum buffering delay, on the basis of the variation of the number of pending packets, N in the jitter buffer. |
| US08254368B2 |
Femtocell architecture for information management
A system and methodology that significantly reduces traffic in a backhaul pipe of a femto access point (AP) and organizes content delivery is provided. Specifically, an aggregator/routing platform is employed to connect multiple femto APs in a femto enterprise to a single backhaul network. The aggregator/routing platform collects and analyzes information from the multiple femtos and directly route communication packets to between femto APs within the enterprise when possible, without employing the backhaul network. Content and/or tasks can be internally organized between devices connected to the multiple femtos, without accessing the core network. During internal communication, a control link can preserved and sent to the core network to facilitate billing. |
| US08254367B2 |
Method and system for synchronization in communication system
A method for uplink synchronization of a first transceiver and a second transceiver in a multi-user cellular communication system having communication resources divided into communication channels. The method includes the following steps. A first signature sequence is transmitted from the second transceiver to the first transceiver, where the signature sequence is selected from a first set of signature sequences. In the first transceiver, the received signal is correlated with at least one signature sequence from a second set of signature sequences to estimate the time of arrival of the signature sequence to synchronize transmission between the second transceiver and the first transceiver. In transmitting the first signature sequence from the second transceiver to the first transceiver, the first signature sequence constitutes at least part of a zero-correlation zone sequence. |
| US08254366B2 |
Wireless MAC layer throughput improvements
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented for transmitting data packets in a wireless network over a multi-access channel involving sequentially sending a plurality of medium access control (MAC) data packets from a transmitter over the multi-access channel, using a physical layer protocol based on a standard physical layer protocol having a short interframe spacing (SIFS), wherein the plurality of MAC data packets includes at least a first data packet and a second data packet separated by a reduced interframe spacing that is less than SIFS, attempting to receive the plurality of MAC data packets at a receiver using the physical layer protocol, including the first data packet and the second data packet separated by the reduced interframe spacing, and sending from the receiver a single acknowledgement packet associated with attempting to receive the plurality of MAC data packets. |
| US08254359B2 |
Recursive reduction of channel state feedback
A method and a system that multiplies a beamforming matrix by a unitary matrix that does not change the subspace of the beamforming matrix for form a converted matrix having a lower left triangle of zeros. A first column vector having a fewest number of elements of the converted matrix is quantized using a codebook and represented by a first codebook index. A Householder matrix is determined from the quantized first column vector and the converted matrix is multiplied by the Householder matrix. Quantizing, determining a Householder matrix from further column vectors of the converted matrix using a codebook and representing each respective column vector by further corresponding codebook index, and multiplying the converted matrix on the left by the determined Householder matrix for each respective column vector are recursively repeated. The first codebook index and further codebook indices are transmitted to a remote station for use in beamforming. |
| US08254358B2 |
Communicating a broadcast message to change data rates of mobile stations
A wireless communications network includes a base station to communicate with plural mobile stations over a wireless link. A broadcast message is sent to the plural mobile stations, with the broadcast message containing an indication for indicating to the plural mobile stations that the mobile stations are to change data rates for transmissions over a reverse wireless link. |
| US08254353B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus, load dispersing method thereof, load dispersing program thereof, and wireless communication system
With respect to wireless communication apparatuses to which a plurality of clients are connected by wireless, uneven distribution of load is prevented, without monitoring the situation of the uneven distribution of the load among wireless communication apparatuses. The wireless communication apparatuses (access points) connected by wireless to the plurality of clients have a responding unit (wireless LAN unit and CPU) that responds to a connection request from a client at different response timing depending on the number of clients connected. Since the responding unit responds at different response timing depending on the number of clients connected and the wireless communication apparatus that has a small number of clients responds quickly, dispersion of the load can be achieved. |
| US08254351B2 |
Communication network and operating method for agricultural working machines
A communication network contains several nodes, which are equipped with transmitter/receiver units for wireless communication, including nodes referred to as mobile nodes that are installed on mobile machines. So that decentralized decisions can be made regarding the use of the mobile machines at the sites where the machines are located, a memory for storing the operating parameter profiles of several of the mobile machines is assigned to each node; every node is designed to transmit profiles stored in its assigned memory via its transmitter/receiver unit, and to update the profile of a particular mobile machine stored in its assigned memory based on a profile of this mobile machine that is received from another node. |
| US08254346B2 |
Communication system and method for discovering end-points that utilize a link layer connection in a wired/wireless local area network
Aspects of the invention provide a communication system and method in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network. At least one discovery message may be broadcasted to at least one of a plurality of access points. A response may be received from one or more of the access points. The response may report a presence of at least one access device located within a coverage area of one or more of the access points. A status of at least one access device located within a coverage area of one or more of the access points may be requested from the access points. |
| US08254343B2 |
Multi-radio platform and method for mitigating interference between co-located radios
Embodiments of a multi-radio platform and method for mitigating the effects of interference are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the multi-radio platform includes co-located radios including a Bluetooth transceiver and a wireless network transceiver. The wireless network transceiver may apply a transmit-active noise-cancellation matrix to signals received by the wireless network transceiver when the Bluetooth transceiver is transmitting and may apply a transmit-inactive noise-cancellation matrix to signals received when the Bluetooth transceiver is not transmitting. The transmit-active noise-cancellation matrix may mitigate effects of emissions generated by the Bluetooth transceiver when the Bluetooth transceiver is transmitting. The transmit-inactive noise-cancellation matrix is to mitigate effects of platform noise generated by platform elements of the multi-radio platform. |
| US08254342B2 |
Method for determining superframe for beacon scheduling
Provided is a method for determining superframe to efficiently perform beacon scheduling by allocating superframe lengths which are different according to a routing depth of sensor nodes in a ZigBee based wireless sensor network. The method for determining a superframe for beacon scheduling, includes the steps of: receiving a beacon from a neighboring node and grasping information on a superframe used by the neighboring nodes; and determining a transmission time and a length of own superframe based on superframe information of the grasped neighboring node. |
| US08254340B2 |
Code division multiplex communication system
A code division multiplex (CDM) communication system transmits frames including a preamble and its end bit pattern followed by a CDM signal and its end bit pattern in respective time slots. A clock recovery device at the receiving end recovers a clock signal from the preamble during the preamble time slot and continues to output the clock signal in free run mode during the CDM signal time slot. The clock signal is used to gate the output of a decoder that decodes the received signal, so that the decoded CDM signal is output as a received data signal. The preamble is a bi-level signal, so an ordinary clock recovery device can be used. |
| US08254336B1 |
Multiple distinct physical channels for mesh control
A method and apparatus for interference avoidance from independent systems in a mesh in presented. A first Mesh Point (MP) operating on a same channel as an independent Access Point (AP) avoids mesh traffic channels serving the independent AP by switching the mesh traffic channel used by the first MP, and may also request a change of control channel for the first MP. The mesh network may include a plurality of sub-meshes operating on different control channels, wherein one mesh point is common to any two sub-meshes, the common mesh point having at least two radios and uses one of its radios for control traffic exchanged one sub-mesh, and another radio for control traffic exchanged with another sub-mesh and wherein mesh traffic to or from the mesh point common to any two sub-meshes can use either of the two channels. |
| US08254334B2 |
Optimization method of multiple service flows operation for WiMAX system
An optimization method of multiple service flows operation for a WiMAX system includes: adding a resource combination indication to a hand-off request message, a path pre-registration request message and a path registration request message; hand-off request processing: when multiple service flows are handed off by a mobile station from a current serving network to a target network, determining whether the mobile station is allowed to hand off to a target network according to the resource combination indication in the hand-off request message and whether the handoff of the multiple service flows is accepted by the target network; path pre-establishment processing and path establishment processing: when the mobile station is allowed to hand off multiple service flows from the current serving network to the target network, determining whether data paths between the target network and the network where a data management unit is located can be pre-established/established according to the resource combination indication in the path pre-registration request message and the path registration request message and whether the data path pre-registration/registration of the multiple service flows can be established. |
| US08254333B2 |
Method for improving buffer status triggering mechanism in wireless communications system and related communication device
A method for improving a buffer status triggering mechanism for a mobile device of a wireless communication system comprises triggering a buffer status report when uplink data becomes data available for transmission and a logical channel corresponding to data of the uplink data has higher priority than logical channels corresponding to data available for transmission already existed in a transmission buffer if there is already data available for transmission other than the uplink data included in the UE transmission buffer. |
| US08254329B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting reference signal, setting reference signal transmission pattern, and setting and allocating resource block
A method for transmitting a reference signal, a method for establishing a reference-signal transmission pattern, and a method for establishing a block are disclosed. The reference-signal density is adjusted according to the request degree of the channel estimation performance, and then the reference signal is transmitted to a destination. As a result, the apparatus prevents prevent resources from being unnecessarily wasted, and acquires a high channel estimation performance as necessary, resulting in an increased production yield of a system. |
| US08254328B2 |
Scheduling method for multi-user MIMO in which resource blocks are allocated based on priorities
A priority computation process computes a priority of each user for each RB (Resource Brock) using a reception SINR. A maximum priority user selection/RB allocation process selects a user with the maximum priority for an unallocated RB and allocates the RB to the user. A frequency axis/space axis unallocated RB presence determination process proceeds to scheduling for a next user if there is an unallocated RB on the frequency or space axis. A projected channel vector update process updates a projected channel vector of an unselected user by GS orthogonalization. An orthogonal coefficient computation process computes an orthogonal coefficient. A corrected SINR computation process computes a corrected SINR. A next MIMO layer priority computation process computes priorities of unselected users for a corresponding RB in the next multiple MIMO layer. The priorities of the unselected users are used in the next user scheduling processing. |
| US08254325B2 |
Multi-path timing tracking and impairment modeling for improved grake receiver performance in mobility scenarios
Methods and wireless receivers (5) are disclosed for estimating a propagation channel response that includes two closely spaced delays. An exemplary method comprises selecting (720) a plurality of receiver processing delays for sampling the received signal so that that the receiver processing delays span two closely spaced channel response delays, and calculating (730) an average channel coefficient magnitude over at least a first number of time slots of the received signal, for each of the receiver processing delays. The exemplary method further comprises estimating (740) delay timing for each of the two channel response delays, based on the average channel coefficient magnitudes and a multi-delay superposition model for the channel response, and calculating (750) complex channel gains for each of the two channel response delays, based on the estimated delay timings and channel response measurements taken over a second number of time slots that is less than the first number of time slots. |
| US08254322B2 |
Method and apparatus for channel management in cognitive radio system supporting multiple channels
A method and apparatus for channel management in a Cognitive Radio (CR) system supporting multiple channels are provided. The method includes generating a candidate channel set from an available channel list, configuring a backup channel set by combining at least one candidate channel, and updating the backup channel set when a channel change event occurs. Accordingly, the multiple channels can be effectively used in CR communication. |
| US08254319B2 |
Wireless programmable logic device
A programmable logic device includes a control module, a plurality of input/output modules, and a plurality of configurable logic and millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver modules (CXM). The control module is operable to: receive a programming instruction; identify a set of the plurality of CXMs based on the programming instruction; identify at least one of the plurality of input/output modules based on the programming instruction; determine configuration of the set of the plurality of CXMs and the at least one of input/output modules in accordance with the programming instruction; and allocate wireless communication resources of the programmable logic device to support the configuration of the set of the plurality of CXMs and the at least one of the plurality of input/output modules. |
| US08254315B2 |
Method and apparatus for resegmentation of packet data for retransmission on HARQ transmission failure
A method for packet data retransmission on Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Transmission failure having the steps of: checking whether changes to HARQ transmission error performance characteristics are greater than a threshold and/or a deterioration of channel conditions is indicated or less than threshold; if yes, re-segmenting an RLC-SDU or RLC-PDU data into smaller PDU data sizes; and transmitting said re-segmented RLC-PDU data; and if not yes, transmitting previous RLC-PDU data. |
| US08254313B2 |
Method and arrangement for selecting a public land mobile network using unlicensed access networks
When a mobile station (MS) seeks access to a public land mobile network (PLMN) via an unlicensed or generic access networks (GAN) it first registers with a default GAN. If the default GAN is unable to serve the MS at its current location, it redirects the MS to other GANs serving the same of different PLMNs. However, when using the existing registration and redirection process, an MS has no means of knowing what services are provided by a specific combination of GAN and PLMN. In accordance with the present invention this is achieved by indicating for each PLMN and serving GANC an operation mode supported by the GANC. This operation mode being indicative of the interface used for communication between the GANC and PLMN it serves. |
| US08254312B2 |
Increasing reliability of hybrid automatic repeat request protocol
In a communication system using HARQ, the problem of false ACK detection when no ACK/NACK feedback is transmitted is solved sent by varying the reliability of the scheduling information transmitted to the user terminal on a downlink control channel depending on whether the user terminal is expected to use a first or second uplink channel for sending ACK/NACK feedback. When the user terminal is expected to use the first channel to send ACK/NACK feedback, the base station transmits scheduling information to the user terminal with normal reliability. When the user terminal is expected to send ACK/NACK feedback on the second uplink channel, the base station transmits the signaling information to the user terminal with enhanced reliability. The reliability of the signaling information can be increased, for example, by increasing the transmit power on the downlink control channel, increasing the aggregation level, or a combination thereof. |
| US08254310B2 |
Audience response system and method with multiple base unit capability
A wireless response system and method of retrieving user selections includes providing a plurality of response units, each having a wireless response transceiver and an input device and a plurality of base units, each having a wireless base transceiver. The wireless response transceiver is adapted to transmitting a response transmission in response to receipt of a base transmission. The base transceiver is adapted to transmitting base transmissions and receiving response transmissions from the response units. Each of the base units and each of the response units are assigned communication identification. Base transmissions include a unique base address of the base unit transmitting that base transmission. Response transmission includes the base address of the base transmission to which that response transmission is responding. Each of the base units processes response transmissions having its base address and does not process response transmissions not having its base address. |
| US08254306B2 |
Method and system for implementing a single weight spatial multiplexing (SM) MIMO system
Certain aspects of the method may comprise generating at least one control signal that may be utilized to control at least a first of a plurality of received spatially multiplexed communication signals. An amplitude and/or phase of the first received spatially multiplexed communication signal may be adjusted via the generated control signal so that the amplitude and/or phase of the first received spatially multiplexed communication signal may be equivalent to an amplitude and/or phase of a second received spatially multiplexed communication signal. The amplitude of the first received spatially multiplexed communication signal is adjusted within the processing path used to process the first received spatially multiplexed communication signal. |
| US08254304B2 |
Channel capacity adaptive repeater
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for increasing data rate in a signal. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a mobile broadcast signal including inner code and outer code information; generating an adjusted mobile broadcast signal by adjusting a bit rate of the mobile broadcast signal through modifying at least one of: a modulation scheme associated with the mobile broadcast signal, the inner code information, and the outer code information; and transmitting the adjusted mobile broadcast signal. |
| US08254303B2 |
Efficient control signaling over shared communication channels with wide dynamic range
Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for efficient control signaling over shared communication channels with wide dynamic range. Some embodiments includes a gateway configured to encode and to transmit multiple physical layer headers, including a first physical layer header and a second physical layer header. The first physical layer header may span a first length and represent a first modcode; the second physical layer header may span a second length and represent a second modcode. The second length may be longer than the first length. Embodiments may include multiple terminals in wireless communication with the gateway via satellite, including a first terminal configured to decode the first physical layer header and to determine the first modcode. Embodiments may include a second terminal configured to decode the second physical layer header and determine the second modcode. |
| US08254299B2 |
Multimedia broadcast/multicast service cells reconfigurations
The invention proposes a method for indicating the validity of physical channels of a control cell and a neighboring cell carrying point-to-multipoint service data in a wireless communication system. The method includes the following steps: generating a message comprising configuration information for each of said channels; including validity information with the message for deriving the validity timing of the configuration information for each of said channels; and transmitting the message to a mobile terminal (10) through the control cell. The invention also proposes a mobile equipment (10) and a Radio Network Controller (111), respectively adapted to implement the above method. |
| US08254295B2 |
Method of transmitting scheduling information in TDD system
A method of transmitting scheduling information in time-division-duplex (TDD) system is provided. The method comprises configuring a radio frame, the radio frame comprising at least one downlink subframe and at least one uplink subframe, wherein a downlink subframe is reserved for downlink transmission and an uplink subframe is reserved for uplink transmission, and transmitting scheduling information on a downlink control channel in a downlink subframe, the scheduling information comprising an uplink indicator and uplink resource assignment, the uplink indicator indicating which at least one uplink subframe the uplink resource assignment is valid for. Data can be efficiently transmitted by using an uplink indicator which indicates a specific location of a subframe. |
| US08254293B2 |
Methods and systems for location estimation
A network operating center for a network comprising known-location and unknown-location nodes can be configured to receive from each unknown-location node estimates of the distances from that node to each of its neighbor nodes. The network controller can then choose an initial location estimate for each unknown-location node and compute distances from the initial location estimates to the corresponding neighbor nodes. The network operating center can then choose subsequent location estimates of the unknown-location nodes by minimizing an error criterion based on a comparison of the received neighbor node distance estimates with the computed neighbor node distances. |
| US08254291B2 |
Ethernet device and lane operating method
An Ethernet device having multiple lanes and a method of operating the lanes are provided. In one general aspect, it is possible to allocate a dummy block to each of one or more lanes such that the lanes do not selectively participate in communications. In addition, on a receiving side, the dummy block can be removed from among the genuine data blocks to enable data to be decoded. In this case, an Ethernet device on a transmission side and an Ethernet device on a receiving side can exchange information of a lane to which the dummy block is allocated by use of a lane status message, and the lane status message may be based on a link fault message specified by Ethernet standards. |
| US08254290B2 |
Method and apparatus for constructing synchronous sensor network
A method and apparatus using a synchronous sensor network medium access control (MAC) protocol, such as a ZigBee or IEEE 802.15.4 low-rate wireless personal area network (WPAN), is disclosed. A method and apparatus for constructing a ubiquitous sensor network (USN) of which a life is increased by using power beacons and reducing the number of unnecessary control packets (beacon packets), thereby reducing an initialization time between nodes and preventing beacon collision, is also disclosed. A beacon packet channel having a large output power and a data channel of which a transmission range is restricted by reducing an output power to be less than that of the beacon packet channel, may be simultaneously used. |
| US08254286B2 |
Method and system for detection of NAT devices in a network
Disclosed is a device, system and method for detecting a Network Address Translation (“NAT”) gateway on a network. According to some embodiments of the present invention a detector including a network communication module may transmit one or more interrogation packets to a suspected NAT gateway. |
| US08254284B2 |
Hybrid ARQ schemes with soft combining in variable rate packet data applications
A system and method for transmitting high speed data on fixed rate and for variable rate channels. The system and method provides the flexibility of adjusting the data rate, the coding rate, and the nature of individual retransmissions. Further, the system and method supports partial soft combining of retransmitted data with previously transmitted data, supports parity bit selection for successive retransmissions, and supports various combinations of data rate variations, coding rate variations, and partial data transmissions. |
| US08254280B2 |
Method and apparatus for composing a set of cells in a radio network
The invention proposes a method for enabling a composing of a set of cells within a coverage area of a radio access network within which the same information is transmitted time synchronously using a modulation and coding scheme common for the cells of the set. The proposed method comprises the following steps performed by a mobile station connectable to the radio access network: identifying one or more pilot signals from respective one or more cells monitored by the mobile station, determining signal and interference contributions from the one or more monitored cells with regard to a particular set of cells, reporting the determined signal and interference contributions towards a network node performing the composition of the set of cells. |
| US08254277B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for providing internet protocol television diagnostics
A method of providing internet protocol television (IPTV) diagnostics. The method includes receiving customer premise equipment (CPE) information from a diagnostic applications program interface (API) executing in a CPE. The CPE information is stored in a database. An issue is detected with the CPE and the CPE information in the database corresponding to the CPE experiencing the issue is accessed. The issue is resolved in response to the CPE information the database. |
| US08254275B2 |
Service management system for a telecommunications network
A communication line is installed in a network by automating a design phase and a configuration phase for the service and by automating failure recovery in either of the phases. In the design phase, an optimal route for the communication line is found, and the network components are provisioned and assigned. If the assigned network components are not available or can not be validated, the components causing the failure are marked, and the design phase is retried without the marked components. After the design phase, the configuration phase begins. The circuit design is tested against actual network components. If the test is passed, the actual network is configured according to the circuit design and the circuit is activated. If there is a network component failure during the configuration phase, the good route elements in the design are released while the failed network components are marked. The design phase is retried. |
| US08254274B2 |
Method for providing network information
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of providing network information, comprising determining one or more pseudowires between nodes in a network; grouping the pseudowires, according to information associated with each pseudowire and one or more predetermined criteria, into one or more groups each representing a virtual private network (VPN); providing a graphical user interface (GUI) displaying information associated with at least one pseudowire participating in the virtual private network. |
| US08254273B2 |
Tracing connection paths through transparent proxies
In one embodiment, a method for tracing a connection path from a source node to a destination node through a network having one or more transparent proxies includes generating a trace packet at the source node, transmitting the trace packet over the network towards the destination node, and receiving trace response packets in response to transmission of the trace packet. The trace response packets include a packet from the destination node and a packet from each of the transparent proxies in a data path from the source node to the destination node. Each of the packets from the transparent proxies includes an identifier of the transparent proxy transmitting the packet. The method further includes identifying the transparent proxies in the connection path based on information in the trace response packets. An apparatus for tracing a connection path is also disclosed. |
| US08254272B1 |
Operations administration management for path computation element chains
In one embodiment, an interested node (e.g., a path computation client or “PCC”, network management node, etc.) may send a path computation element (PCE) monitor request along a particular path computation chain to request performance information about one or more PCEs along the chain. In response, the interested node may receive a PCE monitor reply having performance information about the one or more PCEs along the chain. In another embodiment, one or more PCEs (along the chain) may receive the PCE monitor request and forward the request downstream along the chain. Upon the request reaching a final PCE, each PCE along the chain may insert the requested performance information into the PCE monitor reply and forward the reply with the performance information along the path computation chain toward the interested node. |
| US08254268B2 |
Methods and apparatus to perform quality testing in internet protocol multimedia subsystem based communication systems
Methods and apparatus to perform quality testing in Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia subsystem (IMS) based communication systems are disclosed. An example IMS-based system comprises a web portal to allow a user to configure quality testing for a user endpoint and to present results of the quality testing, a test server to exchange packets with the user endpoint to perform the testing, an IMS application server to implement a state machine to establish a test session between the test server and a test module of the user endpoint, the packets to be exchanged between the test server and the test module via the session, and a data analyzer to determine one or more parameters representative of performance of the session based on the exchanged packets, and to provide the same to the web portal, the web portal to present information representative of the one or more parameters to the user. |
| US08254264B1 |
Network latency estimation
A method includes sending signals from two nodes to a landmark, identifying common milestones along the routes, and determining distance information from the nodes to at least one of the common milestones. A system includes a program configured to send signals from two nodes to a landmark, identify common milestones along the routes, and provide distance information from each node to at least one of the common milestones, and a program configured to receive the distance information and provide a latency estimate based on the distance information. |
| US08254263B2 |
Method and apparatus for simplifying the computation of alternate network paths
An alternate path calculation process may be terminated after considering some of a source node's neighbors and without considering each of its neighbors, to reduce the amount of processing required to perform the alternate path calculations. The neighbors may be ranked according to the number of alternate paths that the neighbor has historically been able to provide on the network. The influence of historical success or failure may degrade over time so that the rankings may be adjusted to reflect changes in network topography. A given source node, when computing alternate paths through the network, may preferentially select neighbors to perform alternate path calculations on historically higher scoring nodes before performing calculations on historically lower scoring nodes. Several different criteria may be used to stop the alternate path calculation process before considering all neighbors. The neighbors may be loop free neighbors or U-turn neighbors. |
| US08254261B2 |
Method and system for intra-host communication
A system including first and second virtualized execution environments and a hypervisor for sending packets between virtualized execution environments. The first virtualized execution environment includes a first VNIC associated with a first hardware address (HA), a first proxy VNIC associated with a second HA, and a virtual switch. A Vswitch table for the virtual switch includes entries associating the first HA with the first VNIC and the second HA with the first proxy VNIC. The second virtualized execution environment includes a second proxy VNIC associated with the first HA. The virtual switch receives a first packet associated with the second HA. The virtual switch sends the first packet to the first proxy VNIC when Vswitch table entry associates the second HA with the first proxy VNIC. The first VNIC proxy sends the first packet from the first virtualized execution environment to the second virtualized execution environment using the hypervisor. |
| US08254260B1 |
Method and apparatus for managing packet congestion
A method and apparatus for addressing a congestion condition in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method receives an alert for at least one of: a trunk or a Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC), where the trunk or the PVC is associated with a route. The method determines whether the alert is associated with a congestion condition by determining whether a trunk utilization has exceeded a first predetermined threshold for the trunk or for the at least one trunk supporting the PVC. The method then rebuilds the route if the first predetermined threshold is exceeded for the trunk or for the at least one trunk supporting said PVC. |
| US08254259B2 |
System and method for avoiding stall using timer for high-speed downlink packet access system
At least one timer is used to prevent a stall condition. If a timer is not active, the timer is started for a data block that is correctly received. The data block has a sequence number higher than a sequence number of another data block that was first expected to be received. When the timer is stopped or expires, all correctly received data blocks among data blocks up to and including a data block having a sequence number that is immediately before the sequence number of the data block for which the timer was started is delivered to a higher layer. Further, all correctly received data blocks up to a first missing data block, including the data block for which the timer was started, is delivered to the higher layer. |
| US08254254B2 |
Communication apparatus and method for controlling use of service
A communication apparatus, connected to a first network configured to control use of a service provided in the first network from a second network, sends a first signal to the second network for ending a data request from the second network issued to the service in the first network using a first protocol for connecting the first network with the second network if the type of the service is the data supply service when the service in the first network has ended. Furthermore, the communication apparatus sends a second signal for ending the service in the first network after sending the signal for ending the data request using a second protocol for controlling the service in the first network. |
| US08254252B2 |
Bandwidth control apparatus
A bandwidth calculation section calculates a usable bandwidth from a communication amount of each user or a session connection time stored in a statistic management memory and minimum bandwidth information and maximum bandwidth information recorded in a bandwidth setting memory. The bandwidth calculation section allocates a large usable bandwidth to a user with a small communication amount or a short session connection time. A transmission control section performs transmission scheduling of packet information stored in a packet buffer based on a transmission scheduled time calculated from the usable bandwidth stored in a transmission scheduled time memory. |
| US08254247B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting signal in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting a signal in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The signal transmission method includes grouping a plurality of subcarriers included in a first Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) symbol within distributed resources into a plurality of subcarrier groups, each subcarrier group having a predetermined number of subcarriers, distributing the plurality of subcarrier groups of the first OFDMA symbol according to a first permutation pattern, transmitting data in the distributed subcarrier groups of the first OFDMA symbol, grouping a plurality of subcarriers included in a second OFDMA symbol within the distributed resources into a plurality of subcarrier groups, each subcarrier group having a predetermined number of subcarriers, distributing the plurality of subcarrier groups of the second OFDMA symbol according to a second permutation pattern, and transmitting data in the distributed subcarrier groups of the second OFDMA symbol. |
| US08254245B2 |
Method for transmitting downlink control channel in a mobile communications system and a method for mapping the control channel to physical resource using block interleaver in a mobile communications system
A method for transmitting a downlink control channel in a mobile communication system and a method for mapping the control channel to physical resources using a block interleaver are provided. In order to transmit a downlink control channel in a mobile communication system, information bits are modulated to generate one or more modulation symbols according to a specific modulation scheme, the modulation symbols are interleaved using a block interleaver, and the interleaved modulated symbols are mapped to resource elements allocated for transmission of at least one control channel in a subframe, thereby transmitting the at least one control channel. |
| US08254244B2 |
Arrangement and method for transmitting control information in wireless communication systems
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate arrangement and transmission of control information in a wireless communication system. As described herein, a scheduled transmission of acknowledgement (ACK) signaling and channel quality information (CQI) signaling in a common subframe can be adapted for network implementations with limited link budget wherein ACK signaling is configured for repetition over multiple subframes to ensure a desired error rate level for the ACK signaling. To these ends, various aspects described herein facilitate modification of a coding rate applied to ACK signaling to be transmitted with data based on a repetition factor of the ACK signaling. Additionally and/or alternatively, various aspects described herein facilitate dropping of CQI signaling and transmission of only ACK signaling on subframes where CQI and ACK signaling are to be transmitted substantially simultaneously and ACK transmission is configured for repetition over multiple subframes. |
| US08254243B2 |
Method and application for generating interleaver or de-interleaver
A method and application for generating an interleaver or a de-interleaver are described. The method for generating interleaver includes: setting interleaving information of a base interleaver and/or de-interleaving information of a base de-interleaver, and respectively performing a cyclic shift transform on the interleaving information of the base interleaver so as to generate a plurality of different interleavers. Alternatively, the method for generating interleaver includes: deducing from the de-interleaving information to obtain the interleaving information of the base interleaver and performing the cyclic shift on the interleaving information obtained by deduction so as to generate a plurality of different interleavers. The method for realizing interleaving includes: inputting a data frame of each subscriber needed to be interleaved to the base interleaver and performing the cyclic shift on the data frame output by the base interleaver so as to realize interleaving, in which different subscribers correspond to different cyclic shifts. Alternatively, the method for realizing interleaving includes: performing the cyclic shift on the data frame of each subscriber to be interleaved and inputting the data frame after the cyclic shift to the base interleaver so as to realize interleaving, in which different subscribers correspond to different cyclic shifts. |
| US08254242B2 |
System and method for initial ranging in wireless communication systems
A system and method for initial ranging in wireless communication systems is provided. A plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) blocks are received by an OFDMA base station transceiver from a plurality of remote user devices in wireless communication with the base station. A ranging subchannel is extracted from the OFDM blocks. The number of active codes in the ranging subchannel is determined, active codes are identified, and carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) are estimated for each active code. Timing delays and power levels for each active code are then estimated. The estimated CFOs, timing delays, and power levels are broadcasted by the base station to the remote user devices, so that the user devices can utilize same to adjust transmission parameters to optimize power levels and synchronize communication with the base station. |
| US08254240B2 |
Optical disc and optical disc device
In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method. |
| US08254236B2 |
Optical information reproducing apparatus
A light beam emitted from a laser source is divided into a first light beam and a second light beam. An optical divider is further provided to separate a combined light beam of the first and second light beams into a first light bundle near the optical axis and a second light bundle in the edge portion and to diverge the first and second light bundles so that the first and second light bundles are individually detected by plural detectors. The first light beam is signal light focused on an optical information recording medium by an objective lens and reflected off the medium, and the second light beam is reference light not focused on the optical information recording medium. A focus error signal is then detected for the first light bundle for compensating focus error. |
| US08254230B2 |
Recording apparatus and method, and recording medium and program used therewith
A recording apparatus includes an acquiring unit for acquiring, from an optical disc, disc-state information including at least information of an optical disc type, information of a recording format, and information indicating whether the optical disc has already been finalized, a first determining unit for determining, based on the information of the optical disc type and the information of the recording format in the acquired information, whether the optical disc type and the recording format correspond to one of predetermined combinations, a second determining unit for determining, based on the result of determination by the first determining unit and the acquired information, whether the optical disc needs to be finalized, and a display control unit for controlling, when the second determining unit determines that the optical disc needs to be finalized, display of a message representing the need of the finalization. |
| US08254229B2 |
Optical information recording apparatus and method
In order to ensure a favorable recording characteristic for a write-once recording medium whose recording layer is made of an organic dye having an absorption spectrum at a wavelength λ=405 nm, this optical information recording apparatus includes a unit to set a write power to form recording marks, a space forming power to form spaces and a pulse width of a cooling pulse, and a unit to record information onto the recording medium according to the setting. The pulse width of the cooling pulse and a ratio of the space recording power to the write power are determined from a favorable region in a plane whose one coordinate axis represents the ratio and whose other coordinate axis represents the pulse width of the cooling pulse. |
| US08254222B1 |
Disk drive tuning dual stage actuator servo loop gains from open loop response at target frequency
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk surface, a head coupled to a distal end of an actuator arm, and a dual stage actuator (DSA) servo loop comprising a voice coil motor (VCM) servo loop and a microactuator servo loop operable to actuate the head over the disk surface. The microactuator servo loop is disabled, and after disabling the microactuator servo loop a sinusoid is injected into the VCM servo loop, wherein the sinusoid comprises a target frequency. A first open loop response of the VCM servo loop is computed. The microactuator servo loop is enabled, and after enabling the microactuator servo loop the sinusoid is injected into the DSA servo loop. A second open loop response of the DSA servo loop is computed. A microactuator servo loop gain and a VCM servo loop gain are tuned in response to the first and second open loop responses. |
| US08254217B2 |
System and method for judging presence/absence of loading spaces
Disclosed herewith is a library apparatus having plural loading cells, each of which can load at least two articles and using a pushing device that pushes the articles into the loading cell from its opening. And if the moving distance of any of the articles, which is pushed into the loading cell, is smaller than a first moving distance, the library apparatus judges that the loading cell has no loading space. |
| US08254214B2 |
Light source unit for thermally-assisted magnetic recording including dual electrode layers connected to a unit electrode
Provided is a light source unit the weight of which can be reduced while ensuring power supply to the light source. The light source is configured to form a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head by being joined with a slider including an optical system that propagates light for thermal assist. The light source unit comprises: a unit substrate including a joining surface that faces an power-supply electrode of the slider; a first electrode provided on the joining surface; a second electrode provided on a source-installation surface and electrically connected to the first electrode; and a light source that includes two electrode layers and a light-emission center located in a light-emitting surface. The first and second electrodes eliminate the provision of a terminal electrode for light source on the source-integration surface. As a result, the weight of the light source unit can be reduced. |
| US08254213B2 |
Near-field light generating device and optically-assisted magnetic recording device with absorbing waveguide
A near-field light generating device includes a substrate, a semiconductor laser device, a light absorbing device, and a near-field light generator. The semiconductor laser device is formed on the substrate and emits the laser light polarized in a first direction. The light absorbing device is formed on the substrate to be close to a light emission part of the semiconductor laser device and absorbs light polarized in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The near-field light generator is formed on the substrate to be close to a light emission part of the light absorbing device. |
| US08254212B2 |
Integrated heat assisted magnetic recording device
An integrated heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device comprises a slider that has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a trailing end. A waveguide is carried on the trailing end and a near field transducer is positioned to receive energy from the waveguide and produce plasmons for heating a region of a magnetic medium. A write pole is carried by the slider adjacent to the near field transducer. A laser is mounted on the top surface of the slider and produces a laser beam that passes through a beam shaper mounted on the top surface of the slider that collimates or focuses the laser beam. A mirror is mounted on the slider for directing the collimated or focused light beam into the waveguide. |
| US08254211B2 |
Electronic device and control method therefor
An electronic device that receives a radio signal according to specific conditions and displays specific information, including a reception unit that receives the radio signal; an electrophoretic display unit that displays the specific information; a display drive unit that supplies a drive signal corresponding to content of the specific information to be displayed to the electrophoretic display unit; and a control unit that instructs the reception unit to receive the radio signal and instructs the display drive unit to supply the drive signal to the electrophoretic display unit, instructs the display drive unit to supply a drive signal for displaying an indication that the reception unit is receiving the radio signal to the electrophoretic display unit before instructing the reception unit to receive the radio signal, and controls the display drive unit to stop supplying the drive signal while the reception unit is receiving the radio signal. |
| US08254209B2 |
Acoustic wave sensor
In an acoustic wave sensor for detecting a distance to an object and an orientation where the object is located with using acoustic waves, an acoustic wave generating device generating an acoustic wave by applying thermal impact to the air with no mechanical vibration is used as a wave transmitting device, and an electric capacitance microphone converting variation of pressure due to acoustic wave to variation of an electric signal is used as each wave receiving device. Therefore, dead zone caused by reverberation component included in the acoustic wave transmitted from the wave transmitting device and dead zone caused by reverberation component included in wave receiving signals outputted from the wave receiving devices can be shortened and angular sensitivity of the acoustic wave sensor can be increased, in comparison with a conventional acoustic wave sensor using piezoelectric devices as the wave transmitting device and the wave receiving devices. |
| US08254206B2 |
Wide tow enabled by multicomponent marine seismic cable
A technique for use in towed-array, marine seismic surveys includes a method and an apparatus. The method includes accessing a set of multicomponent seismic data acquired in a wide tow, marine seismic survey; and interpolating a set of seismic data from the acquired seismic data in the crossline direction such that the combined acquired and interpolated seismic data meet the discrete spatial sampling theory requirements for array detection of broadside seismic signal and the discrimination and suppression of broadside linear noise. In some aspects, the technique includes programmed storage media and/or programmed computers for use in executing such a method. The apparatus is a wide tow array, including a plurality of streamers spaced apart by a cable separation exceeding the maximum cable spacing for array detection of broadside seismic signal and the discrimination and suppression of broadside linear noise as determined by discrete spatial sampling theory. |
| US08254201B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having power-saving effect
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a controller, and a data input/output (I/O) unit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells and is configured to store data. The controller is configured to enable a write clock signal in response to an active command when a write latency of the semiconductor device is less than a reference write latency and disable the write clock signal during a disabling period in which read data is output from the semiconductor device. The data I/O unit is configured to receive data in response to the write clock signal and output the data to the memory cell array. |
| US08254199B1 |
Multi-channel memory and power supply-driven channel selection
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a multi-channel memory device and methods of selecting one or more channels of same. |
| US08254196B2 |
Array operation using a schottky diode as a non ohmic selection device
A two-terminal memory cell including a Schottky metal-semiconductor contact as a selection device (SD) allows selection of two-terminal cross-point memory array operating voltages that eliminate “half-select leakage current” problems present when other types of non-ohmic devices are used. The SD structure can comprise a “metal/oxide semiconductor/metal” or a “metal/lightly-doped single layer polycrystalline silicon.” The memory cell can include a two-terminal memory element including at least one conductive oxide layer (e.g., a conductive metal oxide—CMO, such as a perovskite or a conductive binary oxide) and an electronically insulating layer (e.g., yttria-stabilized zirconia—YSZ) in contact with the CMO. The SD can be included in the memory cell and configured electrically in series with the memory element. The memory cell can be positioned in a two-terminal cross-point array between a pair of conductive array lines (e.g., a bit line and a word line) across which voltages for data operations are applied. |
| US08254195B2 |
High-speed sensing for resistive memories
Embodiments of the present disclosure use one or more gain stages to generate an output voltage representing whether a resistive memory element of a data cell stores a high data value or a low data value. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit includes a first amplifier stage that is configured to convert a first current through a first resistive memory element of a memory cell into a first single-ended output voltage. A second amplifier stage is configured to amplify the first single-ended output voltage of the first amplifier stage to produce a second single-ended output voltage. |
| US08254194B2 |
Sense amplifier with reduced area occupation for semiconductor memories
A reading circuit for a semiconductor memory, comprising: a circuital branch adapted to be electrically coupled to a bit line which is connected to a memory cell to be read; an evaluation circuit adapted to sense a cell electric current flowing through the bit line during a sensing phase of a reading operation of the data stored into the memory cell, the evaluation circuit comprising a negative feedback control loop adapted to control the potential of the bit line during the sensing phase, the control loop comprising a differential amplifier having an inverting input terminal operatively connected to the bit line, a non-inverting input terminal fed by a first reference potential, and a feedback circuital path connected between an output of the differential amplifier and the inverting input, wherein the feedback circuital path is adapted to conduct a measure current corresponding to the cell electric current, and comprises current/voltage conversion means for converting the measure current into a corresponding voltage. The conversion means of the feedback circuital path comprises at least one first transistor arranged to conduct the measure current, and biasing means adapted to bias the at least one first transistor so as to emulate the behavior of a resistor. |
| US08254192B2 |
Resistance change memory
A resistance change memory of an aspect of the present invention including memory cells including resistance change memory element, word lines connected to the memory cells, a row decoder which activates the word lines, redundant cells used instead of defective cells, a redundant word line connected to redundant cells, a redundant row decoder which activates the redundant word line, a control circuit in which defect address information indicating the word line connected to the defective cell is stored and which remedies the defective cell, and regions provided in a memory cell array and a redundant cell array and identified based on column address information, wherein the control circuit replaces a part of the word line connected to the defective cell with a part of the redundant word line in accordance with each of the regions, and allows the redundant row decoder to activate the replaced redundant word line. |
| US08254188B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and delay locked loop control method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a mode control circuit configured to output a DLL on signal which is periodically activated during a specific mode; and a DLL circuit configured to delay and lock a clock to generate a DLL clock, and to be periodically turned on in response to the DLL on signal during the start of the specific mode. |
| US08254184B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having a latency controller
A semiconductor memory device includes a latency controller which provides a power-saving effect. The latency controller includes a first-in first-out (FIFO) register. After a read command is applied, when a precharge command or power-down command is applied, the latency controller outputs a latency signal corresponding to the applied read command and blocks application of sampling and transmission clock signals to the FIFO register. |
| US08254183B2 |
Method of programming nonvolatile memory device
The present invention relates to a method of programming a nonvolatile memory device. A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention can include performing an erase operation, counting an erase pulse application number once the erase operation is completed, comparing the counted erase pulse application number and a reference value, defining a post program start voltage based on the comparison result, performing a post program operation and a verify operation using the defined post program start voltage, and performing a program operation on cells on which the post program operation has been completed. |
| US08254179B2 |
Method of programming a flash memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes an array of flash memory cells therein and a voltage generator. The voltage generator is configured to generate a program voltage (Vpgm), a pass voltage (Vpass), a blocking voltage (Vblock) and a decoupling voltage (Vdcp) during a flash memory programming operation. The blocking voltage is generated at a level that inhibits inadvertent programming of an unselected memory cell(s). This voltage level of the blocking voltage is set so that Vdcp |
| US08254178B2 |
Self-timed integrating differential current
A reference current integrator and a sensed current integrator are coupled to form a differential sense amplifier. The differential sense amplifier is coupled to receive a bitline current signal from a flash memory, and the reference current integrator is coupled to receive a current signal from a reference memory cell. Integration continues until a desired voltage or time is reached, resulting in a sufficiently reliable output. The differential current integrating sense amplifier is also used for instrumentation, communication, data storage, sensing, biomedical device, and analog to digital conversion. |
| US08254175B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulating film formed on the semiconductor region, a charge-storage insulating film formed on the tunnel insulating film, a block insulating film formed on the charge-storage insulating film, and a control gate electrode formed on the block insulating film, wherein the tunnel insulating film comprises a first region which is formed on a surface of the semiconductor region and contains silicon and oxygen, a second region which contains silicon and nitrogen, a third region which is formed on a back surface of the charge-storage insulating film and contains silicon and oxygen, and an insulating region which is formed at least between the first region and the second region or between the second region and the third region, and contains silicon and nitrogen and oxygen and the second region is formed between the first region and the third region. |
| US08254173B2 |
NAND memory constructions
Some embodiments include NAND memory constructions. The constructions may contain semiconductor material pillars extending upwardly between dielectric regions, with individual pillars having a pair of opposing vertically-extending sides along a cross-section. First conductivity type regions may be along first sides of the pillars, and second conductivity type regions may be along second sides of the individual pillars; with the second conductivity type regions contacting interconnect lines. Vertical NAND strings may be over the pillars, and select devices may selectively couple the NAND strings with the interconnect lines. The select devices may have vertical channels directly against the semiconductor material pillars and directly against upper regions of the first and second conductivity type regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming NAND memory constructions. |
| US08254169B2 |
Smart card capable of sensing light
A smart card is foamed of a memory having light-sensing cells to sense externally supplied light and generate a detection signal in response to the externally supplied light being sensed by the light-sensing cells, and a reset control circuit generating a reset signal in response to the detection signal, the reset signal operating to reset the smart card. |
| US08254160B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes: word lines; bit lines; an insulating film; an interlayer insulating film; and a resistance varying material. The word lines, the bit lines and the insulating film configure a field-effect transistor at each of the intersections of the word lines and the bit lines. The field-effect transistor has one of the word lines as a control electrode and one of the bit lines as a channel region. The field-effect transistor and the resistance varying material configure a memory cell having the field-effect transistor and the resistance varying material connected in parallel. Each of the bit lines includes a first surface opposing the word lines, and a second surface on an opposite side to the first surface. The resistance varying material is disposed in contact with the second surface and has a portion thereof in contact with the interlayer insulating film. |
| US08254156B2 |
Data holding device
A data holding device comprises a loop structure part (LOOP) that holds data by use of logic gates connected in a loop (e.g., inverters INV3 and INV4 of FIG. 1); a nonvolatile storage part (CL1a, CL1b, CL2a, CL2b, Q1a, Q1b, Q2a and Q2b) that utilizes the hysteresis characteristic of a ferroelectric element to store, in a nonvolatile manner, the data held in the loop structure part (LOOP); and a circuit isolating part (MUX1, MUX2, INV6, INV7, SW3 and SW4) that electrically isolates the loop structure part (LOOP) from the nonvolatile storage part. |
| US08254153B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having pad electrodes arranged in plural rows
To include a first memory cell array area and a second memory cell array area, a peripheral circuit area arranged between these memory cell array areas, a first pad row arranged between the first memory cell array area and the peripheral circuit area, and a second pad row arranged between the second memory cell array area and the peripheral circuit area. No peripheral circuit is arranged substantially between the first memory cell array area and the first pad row as well as between the second memory cell array area and the second pad row. With this arrangement, a memory cell array area and a predetermined pad can be connected within a shorter distance by using a wiring formed in an upper layer that has a lower electrical resistance, and a power potential can be stably supplied to the memory cell array area. |
| US08254152B2 |
High-voltage-resistant rectifier with standard CMOS transistors
A high-voltage-resistant rectifier with standard CMOS transistors is disclosed in present invention. In a bridge full-wave rectifier comprising four MOS transistors, extra transistors are connected in series between the transistors which endure high voltage and the input to decrease the voltage imposed on the gate of them; moreover, the present invention provides a way to divide voltage imposed between the gate and the source of the said transistors by connecting in series with extra transistors, so it is achieved to implement a high-voltage-resistant rectifier with standard low voltage CMOS transistors without additional process complexity, and decreases manufacture and process costs. |
| US08254150B2 |
Inverter with commutation circuit
An inverter provides alternating current (iout) to a load (130) containing a welding circuit. The inverter includes at least one commutation circuit (110) and a bridge circuit (120) connected to a bus forwarding power from a DC power source (100). The bus is also galvanically connected to the load (130) via the bridge circuit (120). The at least one commutation circuit (110) receives power from the DC power source (100); receives energy from inductive elements in the load (130) during a storage phase of a cyclic procedure, and controls energy feedback to the load (130) during a feedback phase of the cyclic procedure. The at least one commutation circuit (110) is a two-pole having a first pole (p1) connected to a first node (A) and a second pole (p2) connected to a second node (B). The at least one commutation circuit (110) is arranged to receive energy from the load (130) and feedback energy to the load (130) via the first and second nodes (A; B), either directly or via the bridge circuit (120). Energy-flow control means (DIN, SOUT) in each of the at least one commutation circuit (110) control energy to be stored in and taken out from a recovery capacitor (CR) in the commutation circuit (110) in question. The bridge circuit (120) delivers the alternating current (iout) to the load (130). |
| US08254148B2 |
System and mounting apparatus for electronic device with cable securing components
A system includes a mounting rack and an electronic device. The mounting rack includes a frame and a plurality of supports located at the back of the frame. A plurality of cable securing components is located in the frame. The electronic device is inserted in the mounting rack from front to back and includes a front wall. The front wall is adjacent to the frame and defines a port for receiving a cable. The cable is arranged in the cable securing components. |
| US08254142B2 |
Method of using conductive elastomer for electrical contacts in an assembly
A manufacturing method for manufacturing an electronic device is disclosed. Conductive elastomers comprising of various configurations and resistivity are coupled to contact pads of an electronic device. The conductive elastomers are also coupled to substrate contacts on a substrate, allowing the conductive elastomers to function as electrical connection from device to substrate as well as to embed one or more passive components at the contact pads of the electronic device. |
| US08254141B2 |
Circuit board capable of loading high electrical current
The present invention is to provide a circuit board capable of loading high electrical current, which comprises an insulation plate and a plurality of conductive plates each positioned on the insulation plate by riveting. A plurality of first insertion holes of the insulation plate are aligned with a plurality of second insertion holes of the conductive plates, respectively, so that the aligned first and second insertion holes of the circuit board can be welded with a plurality of electric components (such as resistors, capacitors, fuses, etc.). Therefore, the insulation plate and each of the conductive plates can be easily combined with each other by riveting to form a finished product of the circuit board without some complicated steps including exposure, development and etching, so that the manufacturing process of the circuit board capable of loading high electrical current can be efficiently simplified. |
| US08254136B2 |
Printed circuit board, display apparatus having a printed circuit board and method of manufacturing the printed circuit board
A printed circuit board (“PCB”) includes a first pattern structure, a second pattern structure, a third pattern structure, and a fourth pattern structure. The first pattern structure includes a first ground pattern. The second pattern structure includes a first line pattern overlapping the first ground pattern and a second ground pattern electrically insulated from the first line pattern. The third pattern structure includes a third ground pattern overlapping the first line pattern and a second line pattern overlapping the second ground pattern. The fourth pattern structure includes a fourth ground pattern overlapping the second line pattern. Therefore, the PCB may decrease noise. |
| US08254133B2 |
Power module
Provided is a power module capable of welding a snubber capacitor without causing melting damage to a resin housing by welding heat. When leads of a snubber capacitor are respectively welded to upper surfaces of the specific portions of a P-pole bus bar and an N-pole bus bar, the welding heat generated at the specific portions of the P-pole bus bar and the N-pole bus bar is respectively radiated from openings, through which the lower surfaces of the specific portions of the P-pole bus bar and the N-pole bus bar are exposed. As a result, the snubber capacitor can be later appended by welding without causing melting damage to the resin housing due to the welding heat. During welding, a separate cooling head is inserted into the openings to forcibly cool the lower surfaces of the specific portions of the P-pole bus bar and the N-pole bus bar respectively, so that the melting damage to a resin housing can be more reliably avoided. |
| US08254131B2 |
Carriage chassis with a tri-lobed torsion stop
Carriage chassis for installation of a component assembly in a support structure. The support structure includes a power connector in a connector housing. The carriage chassis includes: rails adapted to receive a component assembly and a safety cover. One of the rails includes a tri-lobed torsion stop that includes a first lobe configured to contact the connector housing when no safety cover is installed, preventing a component assembly from coupling with power; a second lobe configured to receive contact from a displacement member of a safety cover, rotating the tri-lobed torsion stop; and a third lobe configured to provide contact to the displacement member when the safety cover is installed and a component assembly is coupled with power. The third lobe and the first lobe prevent removal of the safety cover when a component assembly is coupled with the power connector. |
| US08254130B2 |
Computer system
A computer system is provided. The computer system includes a chassis, a motherboard secured in the chassis, and a mounting bracket. A connector is arranged on the motherboard, and a riser card is inserted in the connector. The mounting bracket is secured to the chassis and located above the motherboard. The computer system further includes a positioning member attached to the riser card. The positioning member has two opposite side plates. One of the side plates is secured to the second riser card, and the other side plate is secured to the mounting bracket. |
| US08254125B2 |
Machine tool with a heat conduction structure
A machine tool with a heat conduction structure comprises a machine tool and a heat dissipation seat installed on the machine tool. The machine tool has a handle. The handle has an accommodation space accommodating a circuit board and having an opening at one end. The heat dissipation seat has a heat dissipation member arranged on the opening and a carrying member connected with the heat dissipation member and extended to the accommodation space. The carrying member carries the circuit board, contacts heat sources of the circuit board, and conducts heat to the heat dissipation member. As the machine tool is exempted from forming heat dissipation holes on the handle, the present invention can effectively prevent dust from entering the handle and damaging the circuit board. Further, the present invention can dissipate heat generated by the circuit board and maintain normal operation of the circuit board and the machine tool. |
| US08254124B2 |
Space-saving high-density modular data pod systems and energy-efficient cooling systems
A space-saving, high-density modular data center and an energy-efficient cooling system for a modular data center are disclosed. The modular data center includes a first cooling circuit including a primary cooling device and a plurality of modular data pods. Each modular data pod includes a plurality of servers, a heat exchange member coupled to the first cooling circuit and a second cooling circuit coupled to the heat exchange member and configured to cool the plurality of servers, the second cooling circuit including a secondary cooling device configured to cool fluid flowing through the second cooling circuit. Each modular data pod also includes an auxiliary enclosure containing at least a portion of a distributed mechanical cooling system, which is configured to trim the cooling performed by a central free-cooling system. |
| US08254120B2 |
Enclosure element
An enclosure for electronic assemblies is provided, with a first deck surface and a first side wall with a short side and a long side and a second deck surface, disposed such that it faces the first deck surface, and a second side wall, disposed such that it faces the first side wall, with a short side and a long side, as well as with a first venting element, which extends in the direction of the long side along one of both side walls, and a plurality of plug-in slots for electronic assemblies that are arranged in parallel to one another, whereby the electronic assemblies are disposed, in the plugged-in state, vertically to both long sides of both side walls, and the first deck surface includes, along the end oriented toward the first side wall, a first opening and the first venting element, on the enclosure's outer side of the first deck surface, is disposed at least partially above the first opening, and the first and/or the second deck surface includes a second opening, along the end that faces the second side wall, for entering or exiting air, so that the venting element generates in the interior of the enclosure an air current that preferably flows vertically to the surface of the side walls. |
| US08254117B2 |
Computer with security device for peripheral components
A computer includes a rear panel, a peripheral component, and a security device. The peripheral component includes a connector connected to the rear panel and a cable. The security device is attached to the rear panel and covers the connector. The security device defines a guiding slot. The cable extends through the guiding slot and the security device blocks the connector from moving out of the rear panel. |
| US08254114B2 |
Battery cover structure for portable electronic device
A battery cover structure includes a removable cover, a button and a main body. The removable cover includes a locking portion and defines a receiving hole. The button includes an operating portion. The main body includes a latching portion and a recessed portion. The button is attached to the recessed portion. A curved arm is integrally formed with the main body and includes a contacting portion abutting the button. The latching portion is engaged with the locking portion and the operating portion is engaged in the receiving hole to lock the removable cover in the main body. The button is pressed down to detach the removable cover from the main body and return back by a rebounding force of the curved arm. |
| US08254110B2 |
Fixing mechanism and electronic device having the same
A fixing mechanism mounts a peripheral component to an electronic device. The fixing mechanism includes a housing, a contact member, a sliding member, a first resilient member and a link bar assembly. The housing defines a holding portion to receive the peripheral component, positioning portions and a guiding portion located on sidewalls of the holding portion. The contact member is moveably disposed in the housing adjacent to the holding portion. The sliding member resists the contact member. The first resilient member resists between the contact member and the housing. The peripheral component includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is received in the positioning portion. The latching portion slides along the guiding portion until the latching portion latches the second engaging portion. |
| US08254099B2 |
Housing of portable electronic device
A housing of a portable electronic device includes a main body, a cover assembled to the main body, and a protecting member positioned between the main body and the cover and integral with the main body. A part of the protecting member forms a protruding first protection surface and a sunken second protection surface, a transition surface between the first protection surface and the second protection surface defines a third protection surface, and a protection flange is formed on the second protection surface. The first protection surface and the third protection surface tightly contact the cover to form a protection structure that prevents outside contamination from entering the housing, and the protection flange prevents contamination that passes through the protection structure from further entering the housing. |
| US08254093B2 |
Sliding mechanism and electronic device having the same
A sliding mechanism comprises a retaining board, a sliding board, a connecting element, a driving assembly. The connecting element is connected between the retaining board and the sliding board, the connecting element is configured for move a portion of the sliding board away from the retaining board. The driving assembly is mounted on the retaining board and the sliding board, the driving assembly being configured to exert attractive force between the retaining board and the sliding board so as to selectively orient the sliding board relative to the retaining board in a close position or an open position. |
| US08254090B2 |
Mobile power system
A mobile power system comprises a plurality of energy sources, wherein at least one energy source is a solar powered generating device and at least one energy source is a wind powered generating device; a plurality of electronic and telecommunications components configured to receive the power generated by the plurality of energy sources and/or convert the power generated to direct current power; a plurality of batteries configured to store the direct current power; and at least one transportable housing configured to hold the plurality of energy sources, the plurality of electronic and telecommunications, and the plurality of batteries during transport of the housing, and wherein the housing is configured to remotely operate the at least one solar powered energy device and the at least one wind powered generating device when the mobile power system is in operation. |
| US08254084B2 |
Chip type electric double layer capacitor and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a chip type electric double layer capacitor including: a lower case having an internal space of which an upper surface is opened and an external terminal of which portions exposed to a bottom of the internal space and the outside are connected to each other; an electric double layer capacitor cell disposed in the internal space of the lower case to be electrically connected to the portion of the external terminal, which is exposed to the bottom of the internal space; and an upper cap mounted on the lower case to cover the internal space, and a method for manufacturing the same. |
| US08254083B2 |
Ceramic electronic component and method for producing same
There are provided a ceramic electronic component and a method for producing the ceramic electronic component, where a ground electrode layer can be directly coated with lead-free solder without lowering reliabilities. Terminal electrode 3 is provided with a ground electrode layer 21 of Cu having been formed by firing, a solder layer 22 formed of a lead-free solder based on five elements of Sn—Ag—Cu—Ni—Ge, and a diffusion layer 23 having been formed by the diffusion of Ni between the ground electrode layer 21 and the solder layer 22. Because the diffusion layer 23 of Ni is formed between the ground electrode layer 21 and the solder layer 22, the diffusion layer 23, which functions as a barrier layer, suppresses the solder leach of Cu from the ground electrode layer 21. The diffusion layer 23 of Ni can also suppress the growth of fragile intermetallic compounds of Sn—Cu. Therefore, a decrease in the bonding strength between the ground electrode layer 21 and the solder layer 22 can be prevented. |
| US08254079B2 |
EPR pair generation
The present invention relates to the formation of electron spin EPR pairs and manipulation of such entangled electrons. The invention comprises a static quantum dot located part way along a quantum wire with means for adjusting the confining potential of the quantum dot. The quantum wire may for instance be formed by gate electrode (4, 6) with the quantum dot formed by a further gate electrode (8). The invention also comprises means for generating a electrostatic wave propagating along the wire, such as a surface acoustic wave transducer (10). In use a pair of electrons may be loaded into the static quantum dot and allowed to relax to a singlet ground state, in which the electrons are spin entangled. The propagating electrostatic wave acts as a series of quantum dots moving along the quantum wire. The confining potential of the static quantum dot is adjusted in time with arrival of a moving quantum dot so that one of the spin entangled electrons will tunnel to the moving quantum dot with preserved entanglement. The same process can be used to separately eject the remaining electron. The process can also be applied in reverse transport electrons from a moving quantum dot into a static dot. |
| US08254078B2 |
Bonding lead
A joint on an aircraft, a bonding lead for use in such a joint, and a method of manufacturing such a joint. The bonding lead comprises an elongate conductive core with a pair of end faces at the extremities of its length. The conductive core is encapsulated along at least a majority of its length and at both end faces in a barrier layer typically formed from an elastomer. The lead is encapsulated along its length in the barrier layer apart from at a first contact region towards a first end of the bonding lead and a second contact region towards a second end of the bonding lead. A first electrical connector passes through a first hole in the barrier layer to engage the first contact region of the conductive core and provide an electrical connection between the conductive core and the first component; and a second electrical connector passes through a second hole in the barrier layer to engage the second contact region of the conductive core and provide an electrical connection between the conductive core and the second component. |
| US08254072B2 |
Electrical load center
A low voltage DC power supply is provided in a load center for distributing electrical power from electrical power utility lines to multiple branch circuits via a load center bus connected to the utility lines, each of the branch circuits having a circuit breaker coupled to a processor that is shared by multiple circuit breakers in the load center. The low voltage DC power supply includes a switch mode low voltage power supply connected to the processor for supplying the processor with a DC power input, and a line-derived power supply and a fault-derived power supply coupled between the utility and the switch mode power supply for supplying DC inputs to the switch mode power supply. The magnitude of electrical current supplied to the multiple branch circuits from the load center bus is determined by producing signals representing the current levels in the bus at successive locations on opposite sides of each connection of the bus to the multiple branch circuits, and determining the current supplied to each branch circuits from those signals. |
| US08254070B2 |
Vehicle on-board electric power system
A vehicle on-board electric power system is disclosed including at least one field-effect-controlled power transistor which applies a vehicle on-board electric power system supply voltage VBB to a load when actuated by a logic circuit. The power transistor has a drain-source breakdown voltage VDS with a positive temperature coefficient TKDS and is provided with a clamping means for protecting against overvoltages VO occurring in the vehicle on-board electric power system. The clamping means has a clamping voltage VCLAMP with a positive temperature coefficient TKCLAMP≈TKDS, the clamping voltage VCLAMP being lower than or equal to an anticipated maximum overvoltage VOmax in the vehicle on-board electric power system. |
| US08254064B2 |
Head gimbal assembly and disk drive with the same
According to one embodiment, a head gimbal assembly includes a load beam, a metal plate mounted on the load beam and constituting a gimbal includes a limiter portion, a flexure includes a plurality of conductors formed over the metal plate with an insulating layer therebetween, a slider includes a head and mounted on the gimbal, and a positioning reference mark formed on the limiter portion by parts of the conductors and configured to position the slider. The plurality of conductors includes conductors which conduct to the positioning reference mark through the metal plate and constitute an interleaved structure. |
| US08254061B2 |
Head-slider with protrusion control structure and manufacturing method of the head-slider with protrusion control structure
A head-slider. The head-slider includes a slider and a magnetic-recording head formed on the slider. The magnetic-recording head includes a main pole, a return pole to which a recording magnetic field from the main pole returns, a sensor element, a shield provided between the sensor element and the main pole, and a heater element for adjusting a shape of a flying surface of the magnetic-recording head. The magnetic-recording head further includes a first recess provided at a tip end face of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the return pole and the shield, and a second recess provided on an exposed flying surface and corresponding to the first recess. |
| US08254054B2 |
Library apparatus
A library apparatus includes: a housing, a record medium storage shelf that stores information record media having a barcode for identification; an input-output device in which the information record medium is loaded and which inputs and outputs information to and from the loaded information record medium; a robot that transfers the information record medium between the record medium storage shelf and the input-output device; and a controller that controls operation of the robot; a read unit that is detachably attached to the robot and reads the barcode of the information record medium; and a read unit storage that stores the read unit detached from the robot. |
| US08254038B2 |
Optical element, optical system having the same and endoscope using the same
An optical element is made of a transparent medium that is rotationally symmetric relative to the central axis with a refractive index greater than 1. The transparent medium has a first transmissive surface at the outermost periphery relative to the central axis, a first reflective surface at the side of the central axis relative to the first transmissive surface, a second reflective surface at the side opposite to the image plane relative to the first reflective surface and a second transmissive surface at the side of the image plane relative to the second reflective surface. The flux of light enters and proceeds through the transparent medium via the first transmissive surface, the first reflective surface, the second reflective surface and the second transmissive surface to form an optical path. The optical path is formed only at a side relative to the central axis. |
| US08254037B2 |
Lens barrel and imaging apparatus
A lens barrel includes: a variable focal length lens system including at least three movable lens groups; and guiding means for moving the variable focal length lens system forward and backward in an optical axis direction. The variable focal length lens system includes at least first, second and third lens groups having positive, negative and positive refracting power, respectively, arranged in this order from an object side. When a lens position setting is changed from a wide angle end state to a telescopic end state, at least the first and third lens groups are moved toward the object side such that air separation between the first and second lens groups monotonically increases and air separation between the second and third lens groups monotonically decreases. The guiding means includes a fixed frame, a rotating frame, a rectilinear guiding frame, a first guide frame, and a second guide frame. |
| US08254036B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group, which are arranged in this order from the object side of the zoom lens. The focal length of the entire system of the zoom lens is changeable by changing a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group. The first lens group includes two cemented lenses, each composed of a negative meniscus lens and a positive lens cemented together in this order from the object side, and a positive lens, and the two cemented lenses and the positive lens being arranged in this order from the object side. Further, a predetermined formula related to the focal length of the first lens group and the focal length of the entire system is satisfied. |
| US08254034B1 |
Fluidic adaptive lens with a lens membrane having suppressed fluid permeability
Fluidic adaptive lens devices containing impermeable elastomer membrane, and systems employing such lens devices, along with methods of fabricating such lens devices, are disclosed. In the embodiments, processes and techniques of creating transparent, impermeable elastomer membranes are disclosed. The membranes thus produced display no or extremely slow permeation for at least one fluid suitable for the fluidic adaptive lenses. |
| US08254025B1 |
Screen unit
A screen unit includes a flexible screen, a pantograph mechanism which expands and stores the screen, a motor which shifts one end of the pantograph mechanism to stretch and contract the pantograph mechanism, and a wire. The screen unit further includes a housing which accommodates these components, and a cover which opens and closes at the time of expansion and storage of the screen. One end of the wire is held by the electric motor, and the other end of the wire is held by the cover, so that the cover can be closed in accordance with the contraction of the pantograph mechanism effected by the motor. |
| US08254022B2 |
Sample positioning stage and method of operation
A sample positioning stage for positioning a sample to be inspected relative to an optical inspection device. The stage includes a first generally planar body on which a sample to be inspected can be carried and a second body directly coupled to the first body via bearings extending between them which constrain movement of the first body relative to the second body to a first plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the first body. There is also provided a drive system being selectively operable in a first mode and a second mode. |
| US08254015B2 |
System and method for the spatial tailoring of laser light using temporal phase modulation
Laser systems and methods for providing an output light beam having a target spatial pattern are provided. A light generating module generates an input light beam, whose spectral profile is then tailored by imposing thereon a controllable phase modulation. The obtained spectrally tailored light beam is dispersed, using at least one spatially-dispersive element to provide an output light beam having a spatial profile which is a function of the spectral profile of the spectrally tailored light beam, The phase modulation is selected in view of the spectral profile of the input light beam and of the dispersion characteristics of the at least one spatially-dispersive element so that the spatial pattern of the output light beam matches the target spatial pattern therefor. |
| US08254013B2 |
Controlling transitions in optically switchable devices
A controller or control method may be designed or configured to operate without information about the current temperature of the device and/or the device's environment. Further, in some cases, the controller or control method is designed or configured to control transition of an optical device to an intermediated state between two end states. For example, the controller may be configured to control a transition to a state of transmissivity that is intermediate between two end states of transmissivity. In such case, the device has three or more stable states of transmissivity. |
| US08254010B2 |
Imaging of a plurality of types of images based on light of a plurality of wavelength bands
In an optical filter, a pair of polarization filters allows transmission of light therethrough when i) the light has a wavelength band equal to or more than a first wavelength regardless of a light oscillation direction, the wavelength band including a wavelength of infrared light and ii) the light has a wavelength band less than the first wavelength and is linearly polarized. An optical rotation control element, disposed between the paired polarization filters, allows the light to be transmitted therethrough during which optical rotation of the light is changed selectively depending on application or non-application of voltage to the optical rotation control element. The polarization filters have polarization planes, respectively, which are in parallel with each other or the polarization plane of one of the polarization filters is rotated from that of the other by an angular amount of rotation resulting from the polarization of the optical rotation control element. |
| US08254007B2 |
Scanner and image forming apparatus including the same
Disclosed are a scanner and an image forming apparatus employing the same. The scanner may produce bidirectional scanning of light by oscillating a deflecting mirror about a first axis substantially parallel to the mirror surface, and may compensate for skewing of the scan lines by rotating the mirror about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis so as to allow the light to be scanned at an angle. |
| US08254006B2 |
Oscillator device and optical deflector using the same
An oscillator device includes at least one movable element supported for oscillatory motion around a rotational axis, and a damper member for applying a damping function to the oscillatory motion of the movable element, the damper member being provided along at least a portion of a locus plane defined by an edge of the movable element during oscillatory motion thereof, so that, based on a viscosity of a fluid which is present between the edge of the movable element and a portion of the damper member opposed to the edge of the movable element, the damping function is applied to applied to the oscillatory motion of the movable element. |
| US08254005B2 |
Arrangement of micromechanical elements
The invention relates to arrangements of micromechanical elements, preferably microoptical elements, which are each held by means of spring elements. In this respect, they can be pivoted or also deflected in translation around a rotational axis by the effect of electrostatic forces. It is the object of the invention to provide an arrangement having micromechanical elements which can be operated over a long time period without drift without any frequent recalibration being necessary. The arrangement in accordance with the invention having micromechanical elements is made in this connection such that electrodes are likewise arranged beneath micromechanical elements, that is, on the side onto which no electromagnetic radiation can be directly incident. In this respect, a respective electrode is arranged and made such that it is associated with at least two micromechanical elements. It can in this connection effect a deflection of the micromechanical elements associated with it by electrostatic force effect. It is only necessary to set a suitable difference of the electrical voltage between the electrode and the respective micromechanical element for this purpose. Electrodes are arranged in the region of gaps of adjacent micromechanical elements for this purpose. |
| US08254003B2 |
Hologram recording medium, hologram recording apparatus and method, and computer program
A hologram recording apparatus (300) is provided with: a recording device (100) for recording record information into a hologram recording medium (1); a measuring device (325) for measuring a time elapsed from when the recording of the record information is stopped to when the recording of the record information is restarted; a first controlling device (354) for controlling the recording device to multiplex-record the record information, if the measured elapsed time is shorter than a time length in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded; and a second controlling device (354) for controlling the recording device not to multiplex-record the record information, if the measured elapsed time is longer than the time length in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded. |
| US08254000B2 |
Matching printer custom target colors using in-line spectrophotometer
A method and system scan an item having at least one color feature using an in-line spectrophotometer of a printing apparatus. The scanning identifies at least one “item color” within the color feature. The item color is stored as at least one custom target color in a computer-readable storage medium of the printing apparatus. The custom target color can be stored with the print job for future reference. At least one print job is processed through a printing engine of the printing apparatus to output at least one printed sheet. During the processing of the print job, the printed sheet is scanned with the in-line spectrophotometer to identify at least one printed color on the printed sheet and the printed color is compared to the custom target color to identify any color difference. The printing characteristics of the printing apparatus are adjusted to reduce the color difference. |
| US08253999B2 |
Scanning apparatus and method of determining quantity of reference light therefor
A scanning apparatus and a reference light quantity determining method includes scanning a patch that does not overlap previously established reference colors but displays each of the previously established reference colors in a plurality of regions that are spaced a portion from each other, and determining reference light quantities based on the scanning result. |
| US08253997B2 |
Correction information creation device, image formation device, correction information creation program storage medium and correction information creation method
A correction information creation device including: a recording head; a rotating body; a first detector that detects a period of a pulse signal generated in accordance with rotation of the rotating body; a first calculation section that calculates a period of a clock signal; a second detector that detects a space between corrective images that are formed synchronously with a period of the clock signal, while the rotating body is being rotated at a predetermined rotation speed, by two sets of image formation elements of the recording head; a second calculation section that calculates a distance between a measurement position of a peripheral surface of the rotating body and the axial center of the rotating body; and a memory that stores the calculated distance to serve as information for correcting the period of the clock signal. |
| US08253995B2 |
Image reading device
An image reading device is provided. The image reading device includes: a conveying section which includes a first tray for placing a document before reading and a second tray for placing a document after reading, and which conveys a document from the first tray to the second tray via a reading region; a reading section which reads the document passing through the reading region; a stopping section which stops a trailing end of the document conveyed by the conveying section within the reading region; and a determining section which determines whether the document remains within the reading region based on a signal from the reading section. |
| US08253992B2 |
Image copier and image copying method
An image copier according to the invention comprises a scanner for reading an image and a printer for forming an image on sheet, and the scanner includes a document table for positioning an original document from which an image is to be read; a document holding cover holding the original document on the original document table and having a light-emitting element for detecting the size of an original document which emits light when the size of the original document is detected, a light source for irradiating the original document with light when an image on the original document is read, a light-receiving element for image reading which receives reflected light from the original document, a controller for the light-emitting element for detecting the size of an original document which controls the light-emitting element for detecting the thickness of the original document, a specific region determination unit for identifying a specific region based on the numbers of pixels in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction of image data, and a background correction unit for performing a process of correcting the background of an image which has been read. In the image copier according to the invention, see-through copying of the bottom side can be suppressed by performing a background correction process after an image is read without blocking a sensor hole of a sensor for detecting the size of the original document from light. |
| US08253991B2 |
Duplex scanning apparatus
A duplex scanning apparatus includes an automatic document feeder and a flatbed scanner. The automatic document feeder includes a first scanning module. The flatbed scanner includes a second scanning module and a first calibration plate. The first calibration plate is disposed on the second scanning module, and includes a calibration plate first end, a calibration plate second end and a calibration plate middle part. A first included angle is defined between the calibration plate first end and the calibration plate middle part, and a second included angle is defined between the calibration plate second end and the calibration plate middle part. As such, each of a distance between the calibration plate first end and the first scanning module and a distance between the calibration plate second end and the first scanning module is shorter than a distance between the calibration plate middle part and the first scanning module. |
| US08253990B2 |
System and method for demarcating media sheets during a scan operation
A scanner for demarcating each media sheet of a multiplicity of media sheets and a method thereof. The scanner includes a platen, a scanlid, an illuminating mechanism and a scanhead. The platen accommodates the multiplicity of media sheets. The scanlid is pivotally coupled to the platen and provides a background for scanning the multiplicity of media sheets. The illuminating mechanism is coupled to the scanlid and is activated for illuminating the background. The scanhead scans the multiplicity of media sheets. A single background image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by activating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. A single foreground image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by deactivating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. Edges of each media sheet are detected in the background image, and are combined with the foreground image to extract content thereof. |
| US08253987B2 |
Image reader and image forming apparatus including the image reader
In an image reader, an optical scanning unit reads an original image on an original document sheet. In the optical scanning unit, a lighting device is detachably attached to a housing to emit light toward the original document sheet. The housing houses a reading device to read the light reflected by the original document sheet. A shield member is detachably attached to the housing to shield the reading device from the lighting device to form a space for the reading device inside the housing. A slit is provided in the shield member to guide the light reflected by the original document sheet to the space for the reading device. A second positioner is provided on the shield member to engage a first positioner provided in the housing to position the reading device with respect to the lighting device. |
| US08253984B2 |
Facsimile machine, facsimile notification system, and communication terminal device
A facsimile machine receives image data, generates a password for received image data, assigns the generated password to the received image data, and stores the received image data. Information indicating a notification destination is extracted from the received image data, and the notification destination is notified of the password. The received image data are output responsive to subsequent input of the password at the facsimile machine. This scheme provides password protection without forcing users to register and remember passwords, and without the risk that a compromised password may be used for unauthorized output of facsimile data received later. |
| US08253972B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus, authorized person information management apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable medium
An image processing system includes an authorized person information management apparatus and an image processing apparatus, the authorized person information management apparatus including: a first reception unit; an authorized person information storage unit; an authorized person information acquisition unit; and a first transmission unit; the image processing apparatus including: a reading unit; a second transmission unit; a second reception unit; and an output unit. |
| US08253967B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
According to this invention, information desired by the user can be properly printed when index printing is performed. An information processing method of printing image and additional information added to the image on one printing medium by a printing unit includes a first display step of displaying a window for allowing a user to select desired additional information to be printed on the printing medium from pieces of additional information, and an adjusting step of adjusting the character size of the additional information so as to print all pieces of additional information selected by the user within an area where the pieces of additional information are to be printed on the printing medium. |
| US08253966B2 |
Image forming apparatus to print scanned documents in a predetermined order and method thereof
An image forming apparatus having a page sorting function includes a scanning unit to scan a plurality of pages in order, a number recognizing unit to recognize a page number on each of the scanned pages, a control unit to determine whether a current scanned page whose page number is recognized is printable based on a predetermined page sorting order and pre-scanned page numbers, and a printing unit to print the scanned page. By sorting and printing simultaneously, a total amount of time required to perform a copying process can be substantially reduced, and user's convenience is improved. |
| US08253965B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an input unit which inputs a keyword; a preparation unit which prepares list data relating to a print file containing the keyword among a plurality of print files stored in a storage unit; and a printing unit that prints a list based on the list data. |
| US08253964B2 |
Image forming apparatus with superior print canceling
An UI device includes a display unit, a cancel button, an execution button, and print data selection buttons. Identification information of print data during printing is displayed on the display unit, and when the cancel button is pressed for a predetermined time, the print data during printing is canceled. Further, when the pressed time is less than the predetermined time, a list of identification information of the print data is shown so that one of print data can be selected with the print data selection buttons and the selection to cancel is determined with the execution button, thereby canceling the print data. |
| US08253960B2 |
Method for the operation of a data bus, and data bus system
In a method or system for operation of a data bus to which multiple bus participants each with a respective serial number specific to them are connected, a new bus participant is connected to the data bus. A request bus message is generated by the new bus participant, the message containing a preliminary participant identification number as an identifier derived from a serial number of the new bus participant. The request bus message is sent to a master processor system for assigning a final participant identification number for the new bus participant after a receipt of the request bus message with the preliminary participant identification number. The final participant identification number has fewer digits than the serial number of the new bus participant. The final participant identification number is used by the new bus participant as an identifier for further bus messages. Upon connection of said new bus participant, a time offset for said request bus message from said new bus participant to said master processor system is determined in addition to the preliminary participant identification number, said time offset being derived from the serial number of said new bus participant so that a simultaneous transmission of request bus messages from said new bus participant and any other new bus participants to said master processor system with the same preliminary participant identification numbers is avoided. |
| US08253956B2 |
Method of notifying print job information and printer and printing system using the same
A method of notifying a print job to safely and conveniently share the print job, a printer and a printing system using the same are provided. The print job information notifying system includes a printer driver transmitting a print job and a designated use information, a print job information storage unit receiving the print job and the designated user information from the printer driver and storing the same, and a print job management unit notifying the designated user that the print job is stored according to contact information if the designated user information includes the contact information of the designated user. |
| US08253955B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for setting security levels in accordance with a network environment
An MFP receives notification of a power state of a networked client apparatus or PC from the PC and updates user management information in accordance with the power state of the PC. The MFP determines a security level in real time in accordance with the state of the power supply of the networked client apparatus that is stored in the user management information, and sets the determined security level for the MFP. |
| US08253954B2 |
Image forming apparatus, print sheet selection method and recording medium
An image forming apparatus comprises at least one printer that prints inputted image data on a plurality of types of print sheets, an expiration time attribute detector that detects from the image data, data representing an expiration time attribute, and a controller that judges based on the detection result drawn by the expiration time attribute detector, on which type of print sheets the image data should be printed, among the plurality of types of print sheets, then controls the image forming apparatus itself based on the judgment. |
| US08253949B2 |
Document color and shades of gray optimization using dithered monochrome surfaces
Methods, apparatus, software, and systems of the present invention allow for optimization of color and shades of gray documents prior to their conversion to a monochrome format. If color/gray elements are identified in the document, the distance between them and their intensity is determined. If there are elements with the same or similar intensity in close proximity to each other, colors of some of the elements may be replaced with solid monochrome colors, and/or dithered surfaces, and/or monochrome patterns. Further, the elements may be outlined. These improvements make elements in the document more distinguishable after its conversion to a monochrome format. The described color optimization and outlining may have wide applicability in the Internet Fax technology. |
| US08253945B2 |
Optical sensor
An optical sensor having a sapphire body is disclosed. A hollow in the sapphire body defines a surface which is used as a surface of a Fabry-Perot cavity. Interferometry is used to detect changes in the length of the Fabry-Perot cavity, and hence changes in, for example, the temperature or pressure of an environment in which the sensor is placed. |
| US08253937B2 |
Optical evaluation method by means of laser pulses and corresponding apparatus
An optical evaluation method and an apparatus for performing said method are described. First laser pulses of a first type and second laser pulses of a second type that differs from the first type are sent onto a sample to be examined. The sample is hit with first incident light from the two laser pulses in at least one manner of simultaneously, within a very short time lag between the two laser pulses, and a time-correlated manner of the two laser pulses, thereby generating a first optical signal, and hit with second incident light from the two laser pulses, thereby generating a second optical signal. The generated first and second optical signals are detected with at least one detector; and an electronic difference between the first and second optical signals is generated. |
| US08253936B2 |
Raman characterization of transplant tissue
A system and method for determining a disease state and clinical outcome of a sample. A sample is illuminated to produce Raman scattered photons, the Raman scattered photons are assessed to generate a Raman spectroscopic data set representative of the sample, wherein said Raman spectroscopic data set comprises at least one of: a Raman spectra of the sample and a spatially accurate wavelength resolved Raman image of the sample; the Raman spectroscopic data set is evaluated using a chemometric technique to classify the disease state of the sample as: acute, chronic, incipient, or none. In one embodiment, the chemontric technique is principle component analysis. In another embodiment, the sample is obtained prior to transplantation and analysis can determine the likelihood of rejection by a host. |
| US08253934B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting a pattern formed on a substrate
A pattern inspection method and apparatus in which a deep ultraviolet light or an ultraviolet light is irradiated onto a specimen on which a pattern is formed, an image of the specimen which is irradiated with the deep ultraviolet light or the ultraviolet light is formed and the formed image is detected with a rear-surface irradiation type image sensor, which is sensitive to wavelengths of no greater than 400 nmm. A signal outputted from the image sensor is processed so as to detect a defect of the specimen by converting an analog image signal outputted from the image sensor to a digital image signal with an A/D converter, and a display displays information of the defect detected. |
| US08253928B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to radiant energy includes: a stage including a chuck, and configured to hold the substrate on the chuck with vacuum and to be moved; a recovery device configured to recover the substrate from the stage; a first detector configured to detect an error of holding of the substrate on the chuck; a measuring device configured to measure an amount of positional deviation of the substrate relative to the chuck; and a controller configured to cause the measuring device to measure the amount of positional deviation in a case where the first detector detects the error, and to control an operation of the stage such that the amount of positional deviation falls within a tolerance based on the measured amount. |
| US08253925B2 |
Catoptric illumination system for microlithography tool
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system that includes an illumination system of a microlithography tool, the illumination system including a first component having a plurality of elements. During operation of the system, the elements direct radiation from a source along an optical path to an arc-shaped object field at an object plane of a projection objective, and at least one of the elements has a curved shape that is different from the arc-shape of the object field. |
| US08253918B2 |
Array substrate for in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device including pixel and common electrodes on the same layer and method of manufacturing the same
An array substrate for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line along a first direction on the substrate, a data line along a second direction and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a common line on the substrate, a thin film transistor connected to the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor, the pixel electrode including horizontal parts along the first direction, and a common electrode in the pixel region and connected to the common line, the common electrode including horizontal portions along the first direction, wherein the pixel electrode and the common electrode are formed on a same layer. |
| US08253916B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An LCD device according to the present invention includes having first and second substrates facing each other gate and data lines crossing each other to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor including a gate electrode protruding from the gate line, a source electrode protruding from the data line and a drain electrode spaced from the source electrode at a predetermined interval, a metal pattern over a predetermined portion of the gate line, a passivation layer over the data line and the metal pattern to have a contact hole exposing the drain electrode and a storage hole exposing the metal pattern, a pixel electrode on the pixel region over the contact hole and the storage hole, a column spacer contacting with the pixel electrode through the storage hole and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. |
| US08253914B2 |
Liquid crystal display (LCD)
A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided that comprises a rearward LCD substrate sheet that has an array of vias formed, where the vias provide electrical conduction between both sides of the rearward LCD substrate sheet. The number of vias in the array is substantially equal to or at least equivalent to a combination of a number of column drive lines and a number of row drive lines. The respective drive lines are connected to a corresponding via, such as on one side of the rearward LCD substrate sheet, and respective patterned conductors are connected to a corresponding via, such as on the other side of the rearward LCD substrate sheet. The patterned conductors provide a connection between respective drive lines and one or more corresponding drivers. In one example, this allows a “full bleed” display to be generated. |
| US08253913B2 |
Liquid crystal display and thin film transistor array panel therefor
A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: a substrate; a plurality of first signal lines formed on the substrate; a plurality of second lines formed on the substrate, intersecting the first signal line, and including a plurality of curved portions having at least two curve points and a plurality of intermediate portions, the curved portions and the intermediate portions alternately connected; a plurality of pixel electrodes located substantially in areas defined by the first and the second signal lines; and a plurality of thin film transistors connected to the first and the second signal lines and the pixel electrodes. |
| US08253911B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
To improve viewing angle characteristics by varying voltage which is applied between liquid crystal elements. A liquid crystal display device in which one pixel is provided with three or more liquid crystal elements and the level of voltage which is applied is varied between the liquid crystal elements is varied. In order to vary the level of the voltage which is applied between the liquid crystal elements, an element which divides the applied voltage is provided. In order to vary the level of the applied voltage, a capacitor, a resistor, a transistor, or the like is used. Viewing angle characteristics can be improved by varying the level of the voltage which is applied between the liquid crystal elements. |
| US08253907B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same
A LCD device includes a plurality of color display pixels and a viewing angle control pixel on a first substrate; a backlight shielding pattern formed at a circumferential region of the viewing angle control pixel; a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode connected to a drain electrode of a TFT; a protective film formed on a gate line, a data line, the TFT, the first electrode and the second pixel electrode, wherein a first contact hole is formed to expose part of the backlight shielding pattern; a first common electrode connected to the backlight shielding pattern through the first contact hole of the protective film, which is formed to be overlapped with at least part of the first pixel electrode, part of the TFT, and part of the backlight shielding pattern, wherein a plurality of slits overlapped with the first pixel electrode are formed; and a second common electrode formed by corresponding to the first pixel electrode on a second substrate. |
| US08253906B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and substrate for liquid crystal display device
A TFT substrate (110) of a liquid crystal display device(100) includes a common electrode (112) and a drain electrode (114) facing the common electrode (112) via an insulating layer (113) and provided with an opening (114a) for making an electric field generated between the common electrode (112) and the drain electrode (114) supplied into a liquid crystal layer (130). Since the opening (114a) for making an electric field supplied into the liquid crystal layer (130) is provided in the drain electrode (114) made from metal, the opening (114a) can be formed more finely than before. Thus, a liquid crystal display which can more surely control spray-to-bend transition can be attained. |
| US08253905B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of making the same
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device including a substrate, a first conductive layer disposed on the substrate, a gate insulating layer covering the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer disposed on the gate insulating layer, wherein the first conductive layer including a first sub-data line and a gate line, the second conductive layer including a source electrode and a common electrode, and the common electrode is disposed opposite to the first conductive electrode, and a method of making the same with five photolithographic and etching processes. |
| US08253903B2 |
Liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display device, and television device
A first sub-pixel area and a second sub-pixel area that are provided in each of pixel areas so as to sandwich a scanning signal line 2. A first sub-pixel is arranged to include the first sub-pixel area and a section of the counter substrate which section corresponds to the first sub-pixel, area and the second sub-pixel is arranged to include the second sub-pixel area and a section of the counter substrate which section corresponds to the second sub-pixel area. A first alignment control structure is provided in the first sub-pixel and a second alignment control structure is provided in the second sub-pixel. The first alignment control structure (L1 and S1 to S4) provided in one pixel (55x) of two adjacent pixels has a shape obtained by rotating by 180° the first alignment control structure (L11, S11 to S14) provided in the other one pixel (55y) of the two adjacent pixels. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration in viewing angle characteristics caused by disordered alignment along the scanning signal line (2) in a liquid crystal panel in which a plurality of alignment domains can be formed. |
| US08253902B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate, wherein a pixel region is defined by a gate line and a data line, an electric field guide window is formed within the pixel region, and a first alignment layer is formed on the first substrate, the first alignment layer having a predetermined number of domains aligned in different directions on the pixel region; a second substrate facing the first substrate, and having a dielectric rib spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the electric field guide window, and a second alignment layer having a predetermined number of domains aligned in different directions; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and the second substrates. |
| US08253901B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having biased electrically controlled birefringence
A display device includes a light supplying unit generating light and a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules aligned substantially parallel to the plane of a pair of substrates by anti-parallel rubbing when no voltage is applied to the panel. Bias voltage corresponding to maximum gray level of the panel is determined between threshold voltage of the liquid crystal layer and 40% of maximum voltage. |
| US08253899B2 |
Birefringent film
A birefringent film of the present invention comprises at least one kind of polycyclic compound including a —COOM group (the M denotes a counter ion), wherein an index ellipsoid satisfies a relation of nz>nx=ny. The polycyclic compound includes, for example, acenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline derivative represented by the following general formula (I). The birefringent film of the present invention can be formed thin-type and have a high birefringent index in the thickness direction, since the birefringent film comprises the polycyclic compound. |
| US08253897B2 |
Spread pixel design for multi domain LCD
A multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display that does not require physical features on the substrate (such as protrusions and ITO slits) is disclosed. Each pixel of the MVA LCD is subdivided into color components, which are further divided into color dots. The polarities of the color dots are arranged so that fringe fields in each color dots causes multiple liquid crystal domains in each color dot. Specifically, the color dots of a pixel are arranged so that each color dot of a first polarity has four neighboring pixels of a second polarity. Thus, a checkerboard pattern of polarities is formed. Furthermore, the checkerboard pattern is extended across multiple pixels in the MVA LCD. In addition, many display unit include multiple pixel designs to improve color distribution or electrical distribution. Furthermore, many display units interleave the pixels. |
| US08253893B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display device having a color filter and method for fabricating thereof
A color filter substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a base substrate having a transmissive portion and a reflective portion. The transmissive portion has a groove, a color filter layer on the substrate, and a black matrix on the color filter layer. |
| US08253892B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes; a first substrate, a gate line and a data line disposed on the first substrate, a color filter including protrusions and depressions aligned with the data line, the color filter being disposed on the data line, a pixel electrode disposed on the color filter, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US08253890B2 |
High aperture LCD with insulating color filters overlapping bus lines on active substrate
A high aperture active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) includes pixel electrodes in respective pixels which overlap adjacent address lines. The color filters are formed on the active substrate in a manner such that the filters also overlap the address lines and function as an insulating layer between the pixel electrodes and address lines in the areas of overlap. Accordingly, line-pixel capacitances are reduced and the resulting AMLCD is easier to manufacture. The total number of process step in manufacturing is reduced, and plate-to-plate (active to passive plate) alignment is much easier and less important. |
| US08253886B2 |
Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly includes a first receiving container including a bottom plate, at least one sidewall extending from the bottom plate and an opening portion disposed in the sidewall, a printed circuit board disposed contacting an outer surface of the at least one sidewall and including a first side and a second side opposing the first side, a light source disposed on the first side of the printed circuit board and generating light emitted through the opening portion of the sidewall, and a light guide plate disposed on the bottom plate of the first receiving container, and guiding light emitted from the light source and incident to a light incident surface of the light guide plate. |
| US08253885B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, backlight source and optical film
A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel, a backlight source provided on a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel, for irradiating the liquid crystal panel with white light, and an optical film provided between the liquid crystal panel and the backlight source, in which the optical film includes a base material which passes the white light irradiated from the backlight source, a colored layer partially provided on one surface of the base material at the side of the liquid crystal, panel, and a reflective layer provided on another surface of the base material at the side of the backlight source opposite to the colored layer, for reflecting the white light. |
| US08253880B2 |
Container for a display device, method of manufacturing the same, and display device including the container
In a container for a display device, a method of manufacturing the same, and a display device including the container, the container includes an inner layer including carbon of about 0.001 wt % to about 0.1 wt %, silicon of about 0.002 wt % to about 0.05 wt %, manganese of about 0.3 wt % to about 2 wt %, impurities of about 0.08 wt % to about 0.29 wt % based on a total weight of the inner layer and a remainder of iron, a plating layer formed on the inner layer and including electric zinc, and a polymer chrome-free layer formed on the plating layer. Thus, a weight and a thickness of the container may be reduced so that the container may have a light weight and a thin thickness. |
| US08253876B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with enhanced stability
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal display panel for displaying images, a lower receiving member for receiving the liquid crystal display panel, and a source PCB disposed on a side of the lower receiving member to supply a driving signal to the liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display device includes a shield case arranged on rear surface of the lower receiving member. The shield case includes a body that protects a driving board, a fixing portion that fixes the source PCB to the lower receiving member, and a connection portion that connects the body to the fixing portion. The connection portion extends from an edge of the shield case. The liquid crystal display device includes an upper receiving member that combines with the lower receiving member to cover the liquid crystal display panel. |
| US08253875B2 |
Backlight assembly comprising a mold frame integrally connected to a light guide plate and liquid crystal display having the same
A backlight assembly and a liquid crystal device having the same. The backlight assembly includes a light guide plate, a first mold frame integrally formed with the light guide plate, a light source unit disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate and comprising a light source spaced apart from the at least one side of the light guide plate and a light reflector surrounding the light source and connected to the light guide plate, a light reflector surrounding the light source and connected to the light guide plate, and a second mold frame connected to the first mold frame and disposed on the light reflector. |
| US08253873B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having first, second, and third transparent electrodes that form first and second storage capacitors
To form a sufficiently large storage capacitor, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal held between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal display panel having multiple pixels arranged in matrix. The first substrate has, in a transmissive display area provided in each of the pixels, a laminated structure containing a first transparent electrode, a first insulating film, a second transparent electrode, a second insulating film, and a third transparent electrode which are laminated in this order. The first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode are electrically insulated from each other and together form a first storage capacitor through the first insulating film, and the second transparent electrode and the third transparent electrode are electrically insulated from each other and together form a second storage capacitor through the second insulating film. |
| US08253872B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having source-drain parasitic capacitances of a delta arrangement
A shield electrode is provided in the vicinity of a pixel electrode and source bus lines. The shield electrode may be provided in the same layer as gate bus lines, or in the same layer as the source bus lines. The shield electrode may be surrounded by an insulating material, or may be connected to a line other than the source bus lines. By providing the shield electrode, it is possible to reduce a source-drain parasitic capacitance between a pixel electrode and a source bus line. |
| US08253868B2 |
Apparatus and method for using voice coils as screen motion sensors
In one embodiment, a display device includes a movably suspended diffuser screen, and a voice-coil mechanism coupled to the diffuser screen. A signal-processing device, such as a microprocessor, is coupled to a driver circuit to produce a drive signal at an output terminal for the voice coil in response to a voltage sensed across the voice coil. The driver circuit includes shutdown control to drive its output terminal to a high-impedance state to accommodate sensing voltage across the voice coil. Thus, the signal for the voice coil is produced by the signal-processing device in a closed-loop feedback arrangement without the need for separate position-sensing elements. In a preferred arrangement, a second voice coil is coupled to the diffuser screen and to the signal-processing circuitry to produce a second signal for the second voice coil to accommodate generating a circular motion for the diffuser screen without stationary points. |
| US08253866B1 |
TV remote control enables simplified channel-selection
A hand-held universal remote control enabling a user to jump directly to a desired channel and adjust sound level of a conventional remotely-controllable television receiver. A minimum number of key-buttons reduces operator confusion, particularly for elderly and physically challenged persons. A desired channel number is incrementally entered by actuation of a single key-button that advances a viewable display to any channel between 01 and 99. Once the desired channel number appears on the display a SEND button is pressed and the desired channel number change is commanded to the television receiver. A provision enabling entry of 3-digit channels between 001 and 999 is discussed. Inclusion of at least one additional key-button controls sound volume level and mute. The SEND key may also command power on/off. A complement of as few as three keybuttons may implement all of the essential features. |
| US08253864B2 |
Method of viewing a data broadcast and a receiver for implementing the same
A device for receiving broadcast signal is disclosed. More specifically, the device includes an user interface (132) configured to provide at least one command signal for selecting a data broadcast signal which has been selected by a user and for selecting an audio, a controller (100) configured to provide control signals according to the command signal inputted via the user interface (132), a tuner (102) configured to synchronize at least one transmit stream (TS) of the selected data broadcast channel according to the control signal, a TS unit (104) configured to convert the at least one TS into at least one of a plurality of audible signals for video, a plurality of audible audio signals for data, a plurality of displayable video signals, and a plurality of displayable data signals (200), an audio switch configured to output any one of the plurality of audible audio signals for video or the plurality of audible audio signals for data according to the control signal, a display module (138) configured to display at least one of the video and the data on a same screen, and at least one speaker (137) configured to output audible audio outputted from the audio switch. |
| US08253862B2 |
Method and device for image sharpness adjustment
The present invention discloses a method and a device for image sharpness adjustment. The device comprises a color analyzer, a color sharpness setting unit, a computing circuit, and a luminance adjusting unit. The color analyzer is for analyzing an input color signal to generate a plurality of color flags. The color sharpness setting unit is for generating a plurality of first sharpness gains according to the plurality of the color flags. The computing circuit is for generating a second sharpness gain according to the plurality of the first sharpness gains and the input color signal. The luminance adjusting unit is for adjusting a luminance signal according to the second sharpness gain. |
| US08253856B1 |
Method and/or architecture for interlaced video resampling and color format conversion using combined vertical-temporal resolution extensions
An apparatus including a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a first control signal, a second control signal and a third control signal in response to a first interlaced video signal. The second circuit may be configured to generate a second interlaced video signal in response to the first interlaced video signal, the first control signal, the second control signal and the third control signal. The second circuit may be further configured to vertically scale the first interlaced video signal in an extended vertical domain. |
| US08253851B2 |
Keyboard integrated with camera module
A keyboard includes a keyboard body, and a camera module. The camera module includes a support, a receiving portion and a camera unit. The support includes a first connecting end and a first receiving end. The receiving portion includes a rotating end and an opposite second receiving end. The support is rotatably coupled to the keyboard body by the first connecting end. The rotating end is rotatably received in the first receiving end and the camera unit is received in the second receiving end. |
| US08253850B2 |
Imaging apparatus and program thereof
In a digital camera, in an automatic shooting stand-by state, when it is judged that an automatic shooting condition has not been satisfied, it is judged whether or not to issue an AE re-processing command (that is, it is judged whether or not the current shooting condition is similar to a condition where the automatic shooting condition is satisfied). When it is judged to issue the AE re-processing command, exposure tracking in an aperture-priority mode is performed, and shooting exposure conditions excluding the aperture value for still-image shooting in the aperture-priority mode are determined. Then, storage is updated. When it is judged that an automatic shooting condition has been satisfied, record processing for still-image shooting is performed with the updated shooting exposure conditions without changing the aperture value. |
| US08253849B2 |
Lighting control module, video camera comprising the same and control method of the same
The present invention provides a lighting control module, a video camera comprising the same and a control method of the same. The video camera of the invention includes a sensing module, a light-emitting module and a control module. The sensing module receives a reflected light beam from a recording direction of the video camera, and generates an image of a scene in the recording direction. The light-emitting module emits a light toward the recording direction. Additionally, the lighting control module is connected to the light-emitting module for controlling the light-emitting module to periodically emit the light from a first brightness to a second brightness. |
| US08253840B2 |
Electromagnetic shielding coating and lens module utilizing the same
An electromagnetic shielding coating covers a lens coated with an optical coating. A light shielding coating covers the optical coating. The electromagnetic shielding coating covers the light shielding coating. The electromagnetic shielding coating includes a first stainless steel layer and a second copper layer. The first stainless steel layer contains stainless steel, and is formed on the light shielding coating directly. The second copper layer is formed on the first metal layer. |
| US08253838B2 |
Vibrating device and image equipment having the same
A vibrating device includes a drive unit configured to drive a vibrating member to produce vibration Z (x, y) at a dust-screening member, the vibration being expressed as follows: Z(x,y)=Wmn(x,y)·cos(γ)+Wnm(x,y)·sin(γ) where Z (x, y) is vibration at a given point P (x, y) on the dust-screening member, m and n are positive integers including 0, indicating the order of natural vibration corresponding to a vibrational mode, W mn ( x , y ) = sin ( n π · x + π 2 ) · sin ( m π · y + π 2 ) , W nm ( x , y ) = sin ( m π · x + π 2 ) · sin ( n π · y + π 2 ) , and γ is +π/4 or ranges from −π/8 to −π/4. The dust-screening member is shaped such that the ratio of length of either short side to either long side of a virtual rectangle is 0.9 or more, but less than 1, the virtual rectangle having the same area as the dust-screening member and having sides including the one side which the dust-screening member has. |
| US08253835B2 |
Amplification-type CMOS image sensor
Pixels are two-dimensionally arranged into rows and columns in an image sensing region of a solid-state image sensing device, and divided into a plurality of vertical blocks. A vertical signal line is connected to each pixel column. A voltage read out from a pixel is A/D-converted and held in a holding circuit. A vertical block selection circuit outputs a vertical block selection signal in response to a horizontal sync pulse. An intra-block line selection circuit selects one pixel row in one block or simultaneously selects a plurality of pixel rows in one block, in accordance with the selection signal and a signal for setting the number of lines to be selected. A pulse selector circuit supplies a pixel driving pulse signal to a pixel row selected by the intra-block line selection circuit. |
| US08253833B2 |
Solid-state imaging device driving method
Photosensitive cells each includes a photodiode (1), a transfer gate (2), a floating diffusion layer portion (3), an amplifying transistor (4), and a reset transistor (5). Drains of the amplifying transistors (4) of the photosensitive cells are connected to a power supply line (10), and a pulsed power supply voltage (VddC) is applied to the power supply line (10). Here, a low-level potential (VddC_L) of the power supply voltage has a predetermined potential higher than zero potential. Specifically, by making the low-level potential (VddC_L) higher than channel potentials obtained when a low level is applied to the reset transistors (5), or channel potentials obtained when a low level is applied to the transfer gates (2), or channel potentials of the photodiodes (1), a reproduced image with low noise is read. |
| US08253829B2 |
Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes: a first interpolating portion calculating a first interpolation value for a pixel value of a pixel of interest using pixel values of the pixel of interest and pixels neighboring the pixel of interest; a second interpolating portion detecting the direction of a smallest jump amount to calculate a second interpolation value for the pixel value of the pixel of interest; a detecting portion determining whether any change is made by interpolation using the first interpolation value, and selecting the first or second interpolation value when there is change or not; and an isolated point detecting portion determining whether the pixel of interest is an isolated point, outputting the first or second interpolation value when the pixel of interest is an isolated point, and outputting the pixel value of the pixel of interest when the pixel of interest is not an isolated point. |
| US08253828B2 |
Image capture device including edge direction determination unit, and image processing method for the same
The image capture device includes pixel data acquisition unit for acquiring pixel data of a pixel of interest and neighboring pixels from an image capture element; an edge direction determination unit for determining whether a pattern such as an edge is defined by neighboring pixels centered on the pixel of interest; correction unit; and color interpolation unit. When a pixel of interest is determined by a defective pixel determination unit to be a defective pixel, and is moreover determined by the edge direction determination unit not to lie in an edge direction, the correction unit will correct the pixel of interest to a correction value derived from pixel data of neighboring pixels in a symmetrical array centered thereon. For a pixel of interest that has not been corrected, color interpolation according to the direction the edge will be carried out by the color interpolation unit, using the determination outcome of the edge direction determination unit. |
| US08253825B2 |
Image data processing method by reducing image noise, and camera integrating means for implementing said method
The invention concerns image data processing, through noise reduction comprising the following steps: associating a learning zone (ZA) with a reference point (Pref) of the image (IM); for each variable point (PC, PC′,) of the learning zone, evaluating a distance (d, d′,) between: values of points in a first window (f1) of the image, centered on the reference point, and values of points in a second window (f2, f′2,), of similar format as the format of the first window and centered on the variable point; repeating said distance calculation for all the points of the learning zone as successive variable points and estimating an average value to assign to the reference point, said average being weighted on the basis of the distances evaluated for each variable point. |
| US08253820B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a low-frequency-component storage unit that stores therein a low-frequency component generated from a frame in an input moving image composed of a plurality of frames, a low-frequency-component generating unit that generates a low-frequency component from an N-th frame of the input moving image, and stores the low-frequency component in the low-frequency-component storage unit, and a dynamic-range correcting unit that corrects a dynamic range by using an (N+1)-th or later frame of the input moving image and the low-frequency component of the N-th frame stored in the low-frequency-component storage unit. |
| US08253816B2 |
Video signal processing for generating a level mixed signal
An imaging device (1) includes an all-pixel readout imaging element (2) outputting a LONG signal and a SHORT signal in one field period for each pixel line, a mixing level calculator (7) calculating for each pixel line a mixing level at which the luminance level of the LONG signal is saturated, and an offset calculator (8) calculating for each pixel line an offset that raises the luminance level of the SHORT signal to the mixing level. Level mixing means (9) generates a level mixed signal for each pixel line so as to obtain a LONG signal when the luminance level is lower than the mixing level and obtain a SHORT signal with the offset added when the luminance level is higher than the mixing level. Consequently, an image having a wide dynamic range and a high resolution can be obtained and line-to-line luminance differences in the obtained image can be suppressed. |
| US08253809B2 |
Analog-digital converter, analog-digital conversion method, image pickup device, method of driving the same, and camera
An analog-digital converter includes: comparators disposed to correspond to analog signals which are converted into digital signals and configured to compare a voltage value of the analog signal, which is converted into the digital signal, with a voltage value of a predetermined reference signal; counters disposed to correspond to the comparators and configured to count a count value at the time point when the comparison process of the corresponding comparator is finished; and a determiner configured to determine a time point when all the comparators finish their comparison processes. |
| US08253808B2 |
Image processing system and electronic camera
The image processing system is an image processing system including an electronic camera and an image output device, in which the electronic camera includes an image pickup unit capturing an object image by an image sensor and outputting raw data of a digital format, a recording unit recording the raw data, a conversion unit reading the raw data from the recording unit to convert the raw data to a data format which can be handled by the image output device, and a transfer unit transferring the converted raw data, and in which the image output device includes a receiving unit receiving the raw data transferred by the transfer unit, an image processing unit performing image processing for output on the raw data, and an image output unit outputting the raw data as an image, thereby shortening the processing time and improving the operability. |
| US08253807B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method
An information processing apparatus includes a first obtaining unit, a second obtaining unit and a display control unit. The first obtaining unit obtains, from an electronic device connected to the information processing apparatus, image data stored in a memory medium connected to the electronic device. The second obtaining unit obtains in advance reduced image data corresponding to the image data before obtainment of the image data by the first obtaining unit. The display control unit updates reduced image data displayed on a display unit, obtained by the second obtaining unit, in accordance with a display condition designated by a user. When the display condition is changed while the first obtaining unit is executing obtainment of image data, the first obtaining unit changes an obtainment order of image data based on the changed display condition. |
| US08253804B2 |
Electronic device and method for measuring video signals
An electronic device includes a video signal detection system to measure video signals. A measurement method can measure the video signals by using the electronic device. The measurement method sets measurement parameters that are used to measure video signals. Furthermore, the measurement method generates measurement results that each corresponds to a video signal transmission channel between the electronic device and a video signal processing device. In addition, the measurement method generates a measurement report according to all the measurement results. |
| US08253803B2 |
Video quality assessing apparatus
A subjective quality estimating part (11) receives an undeteriorated reference video signal (RI) and a deteriorated video signal (PI) produced from the reference video signal, calculates video signal feature values for both the signals, and according to a difference between the calculated video signal feature values of the signals, estimates a subjective quality of the deteriorated video signal. A feature value calculating part (12) calculates the video signal feature values of the reference video signal. A correction information storing part (13) stores correction information that corresponds to video signal feature values and is used to correct the subjective quality. A correction calculating part (14) receives the video signal feature values of the reference video signal from the feature value calculating part (12), retrieves correction information corresponding to the received video signal feature values from the correction information storing part (13), and transfers the retrieved correction information to a correcting part (15). According to the transferred correction information, the correcting part (15) corrects the subjective quality estimated by the subjective quality estimating part (11). |
| US08253802B1 |
Technique for identifying, tracing, or tracking objects in image data
A technique for computer vision uses a polygon contour to trace an object. The technique includes rendering a polygon contour superimposed over a first frame of image data. The polygon contour is iteratively refined to more accurately trace the object within the first frame after each iteration. The refinement includes computing image energies along lengths of contour lines of the polygon contour and adjusting positions of the contour lines based at least in part on the image energies. |
| US08253800B2 |
Tracking device, automatic focusing device, and camera
A tracking device includes: a light measurement device for light measuring an object; a focus detection device for performing focus detection of the object by an optical system; and a tracking control device for tracking the object based on light measurement information from the light measurement device and focus detection information from the focus detection device corresponding to the light measurement information. |
| US08253798B2 |
Video surveillance device with infrared LED
The video surveillance device with infrared LEDs has a casing and utilizes a partition element within the casing to place a camera assembly behind the partition element and the infrared LEDs in indentations on a front side of the partition element. A protective lens is interfaced directly with a washer on the front side of the partition element. As such, the light interference by the lens is effectively improved, while the external impact is buffered and absorbed largely by the washer, not directly on the camera assembly. In addition, the camera assembly is mounted on a downwardly concaved platform so that the camera assembly is able to slide along the curvature of the platform to aim at a specific direction. On the other hand, the LEDs are mounted on slant aluminum bases so that they could be aimed at different directions from that of the camera assembly. |
| US08253794B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image display method
An image processing apparatus may include an input accepting unit configured to accept an operation input about an input image; a time-series section generating unit configured to accept information specifying a time-series section where frames including a face of a specified person appear in the input image and information specifying a representative frame of the time-series section and to draw display of the time-series section and the representative frame on the basis of the information; and an image control unit configured to allow the time-series section generating unit to draw display of the time-series section in accordance with the operation input. |
| US08253793B2 |
Lumber inspection method, device and program
An imaging means captures a color image of lumber. An image processing means obtains the color distribution of the color image captured by the imaging means, compares the obtained color distribution with a predetermined color distribution of normal lumber, judges the obtained color distribution as an abnormal one when it is deviated from the color distribution of normal lumber by a predetermined value or more, and detects a defect of the lumber having the abnormal color distribution deviated by a value larger than the predetermined value in an area on the surface of the lumber captured by the imaging means. |
| US08253792B2 |
Vision system for monitoring humans in dynamic environments
A safety monitoring system for a workspace area. The workspace area related to a region having automated moveable equipment. A plurality of vision-based imaging devices capturing time-synchronized image data of the workspace area. Each vision-based imaging device repeatedly capturing a time synchronized image of the workspace area from a respective viewpoint that is substantially different from the other respective vision-based imaging devices. A visual processing unit for analyzing the time-synchronized image data. The visual processing unit processes the captured image data for identifying a human from a non-human object within the workspace area. The visual processing unit further determining potential interactions between a human and the automated moveable equipment. The visual processing unit further generating control signals for enabling dynamic reconfiguration of the automated moveable equipment based on the potential interactions between the human and the automated moveable equipment in the workspace area. |
| US08253790B1 |
Cylinder stroke system with laser proximity detector
A cylinder stroke system with a laser proximity detector including a pressure containing tube. The pressure containing tube can include a first tube end and a second tube end. A cylinder rod can be movably disposed within the pressure containing tube. The system can also include a piston disposed on the cylinder rod first end; a first fluid port formed in the pressure containing tube; a second fluid disposed within the pressure containing tube; a blind end cap and mount; a laser secured to the pressure containing tube; at least one optic guide; a lens separating the at least one optic guide from the second fluid. The cylinder stroke system can also include a camera in communication with a main controller. The camera can receive the reflection from the piston and convert the reflection into a reflection signal. |
| US08253788B2 |
Method and apparatus for acquiring digital microscope images
A method and apparatus for acquiring digital microscope images is disclosed, in which a plurality of magnified images of a specimen are captured for tiling together to provide an overall composite image of the specimen. In accordance with the described method, the specimen is moved relative to an imaging system comprising a microscope and camera in a predetermined path while the plurality of magnified images are captured. In a preferred embodiment, the specimen, contained on a slide, is mounted on a movable microscope stage, and is moved beneath the microscope in the predetermined path. The velocity of the movement of the stage and the shutter speed of the camera is computer controlled to capture overlapping, clear images. |
| US08253784B2 |
Image capturing device assembly for use with test probe
An image capturing device assembly for use with a test probe and a testing system. The image capturing device assembly including an image capturing device module configured for coupling to an external surface of the test probe and having an image capturing device housed within. The image capturing device is configured to generate a digital output video signal or the analog output video signal of a testing site. A digital monitor is coupled to the image capturing device via a wired or wireless link and configured to receive the digital output signal and generate a display of the testing site on the display monitor. |
| US08253783B2 |
Electronic endoscope signal-processing device and electronic endoscope system
An electronic endoscope signal-processing device is provided that includes a gradation compensation processor. The gradation compensation processor compensates for R, G, and B gradations by controlling R, G, and B tone curves defining relationship between input values and output values of each of the R, G, and B signals. The R tone curve is shaped so as to squash the output values of the R Signal when the R signal input values are in a relatively low range and to expand the output values when the input values are in a relatively high range. |
| US08253781B2 |
Asymmetric viewing angles for a dual view display
The present invention is related to an asymmetric aligned display having asymmetric viewing angles. The present invention provides a dual-view or 3D display capable of displaying two images of unrelated or related content along different directions with asymmetric viewing angles. The asymmetric viewing angles of the display device of the present invention can be realized by the introduction of multiple sub-pixel pitches into a single display. To be more specific, the present invention provides an asymmetric aligned display by realizing the asymmetry design in the sub-pixel itself. Consequently, the angular extends of the respective viewing windows or images displayed along different directions can be different or asymmetrical. The asymmetric aligned display of the present invention is, therefore, capable of displaying images along different directions with asymmetric viewing angles and windows without affecting the outer boundaries of the viewing windows. |
| US08253779B2 |
System for remote guidance by expert for imaging device
Systems and methods for combining tomographic images with human vision. The systems preferably include a first assembly located proximal to an object to be imaged and a second assembly remote from the target. The first assembly is preferably able to collect a tomographic image from a target object and superimpose that tomographic image onto a direct view of the target object. The first assembly also includes components that allow the transmission of the tomographic image to the remote assembly. At the remote location, a highly trained expert may interact with the captured image by placing electronic markers on the image via an electronic interface. The captured image plus electronic marker are then preferably transmitted back to the local site via a second transmitter-receiver. The local user may use the electronic marker to guide his actions during the appropriate task. The systems have particular utility in the medical field where a trained clinician at a remote location may provide guidance to an untrained individual in performing a medical procedure on a patient. |
| US08253778B2 |
Three-dimensional digital magnifier operation supporting system
The simulation regarding the state change of the subject in a real space provides a system which represents impacts to three-dimensional computer graphics caused by changes of state of three-dimensional computer graphics composed and fixed to subject, and state of image taking space by simulation, surface polygon model and similar surface polygon model 1 is selected, according to shape pattern, from surface polygon model 2 measures, in a three-dimensional way, subject image existing in the same space, a tracking process is performed on the computer graphics, following to the relative position change of the position changes of the subject and the camera caused in real three-dimensional space, subjects in the visual field of the camera and virtual three-dimensional computer graphics image is unified and displayed by displaying computer graphics image having the same relative position change on the image. |
| US08253774B2 |
Ambulatory presence features
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates managing one or more devices utilized for communicating data within a telepresence session. A telepresence session can be initiated within a communication framework that includes two or more virtually represented users that communicate therein. A device can be utilized by at least one virtually represented user that enables communication within the telepresence session, the device includes at least one of an input to transmit a portion of a communication to the telepresence session or an output to receive a portion of a communication from the telepresence session. A detection component can adjust at least one of the input related to the device or the output related to the device based upon the identification of a cue, the cue is at least one of a movement detected, an event detected, or an ambient variation. |
| US08253773B2 |
Video camera utilizing subscriber-based networks
The present invention includes a video camera system configured to provide real-time video streams over subscriber-based networks. The video camera system includes a network camera with a built-in web server, a cellular modem/Ethernet gateway, and a power supply. The video camera system can operate over any subscriber-based network, such as AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and the like. |
| US08253771B2 |
Video call management apparatus and associated methodology of controlling voice and video response
An video call management apparatus and associated methodology of controlling interactive voice and video responses is provided. A calling party is identified as an agent or a caller based on a set of agent identities. The calling party is then provided with an agent main menu, when an agent is identified, or a caller main menu when a caller is identified. An agent can be connected to the caller in a sub-queue entry, and a caller can be placed in an existing sub-queue or a new sub-queue can be created if it does not exist. Videomail from a caller for playback to an agent is also received, and the agent may call the caller during or after playback of the videomail. The agent is presented with a system video message containing information and statistics on a completed call. |
| US08253769B2 |
Semiconductor laser drive apparatus, optical write apparatus, imaging apparatus, and semiconductor laser drive method
An optical write apparatus. The apparatus has a semiconductor laser drive apparatus that modulates a semiconductor laser according to a modulation signal and induces the semiconductor laser to emit light. The drive apparatus has a control unit that is adapted to supply a fixed bias current during a light emission off time, and start supplying a predetermined current that is less than a light emission threshold current right before a light emission time. The apparatus has a write unit that is adapted to realize optical writing on an image sustaining element by scanning a laser beam that is emitted from the semiconductor laser driven by the semiconductor laser drive apparatus using a polygon mirror. |
| US08253768B2 |
Optical scanner and image forming apparatus
A disclosed optical scanner includes a light source unit and a control unit configured to control the light source unit. Light emitted from the light source unit is scanned to expose a scan object surface and form an image on the scan object surface. The light source unit includes plural light sources arranged at a density equal to N (N being an integer of two or more) times higher than a density of pixels on the scan object surface. The control unit controls the light source unit such that one pixel is formed by at least two of the light sources. |
| US08253763B2 |
Image processing device and method, storage medium, and program
The present invention relates to an image processing device and method, a storage medium, and a program for performing high-quality enlargement processing. Of input image data, a data buffer 32 holds data of target-pixel neighborhood data necessary for the enlargement processing. A data-position swapping unit 33 swaps the data positions of the target-pixel neighborhood data, as needed. A pixel priority determining unit 34 determines background color or foreground color with respect to each pixel of the target-pixel neighborhood data whose data positions were sapped. A data-selection-flag determining unit 36 determines a data selection flag of the target-pixel neighborhood data, the data selection flag being supplied from the pixel priority determining unit 34. Based on the data selection flag supplied from the data-selection-flag determining unit 36, a data selector 37 selects image data to be fit into the position of the target pixel from the target-pixel neighborhood data supplied from the data-position swapping unit 33. The present invention is applicable to OSD devices. |
| US08253762B2 |
Display apparatus and brightness correcting method thereof
A display apparatus and a brightness correcting method thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes: a display panel which displays an image; a backlight assembly which includes at least one light source unit which supplies a light to the display panel; and a brightness correcting unit that corrects a brightness of the image using brightness correction information which is determined based on the brightness of each area of the image. |
| US08253757B2 |
Method, system and software product for color image encoding
The present invention relates to the compression of color image data. A combination of hard decision pixel mapping and soft decision pixel mapping is used to jointly address both quantization distortion and compression rate while maintaining low computational complexity and compatibility with standard decoders, such as, for example, the GIF/PNG decoder. |
| US08253755B2 |
System and method for image-based color sequence reallocation
System and method for image-based color sequence reallocation in sequential color display systems. A method comprises generating a color signal from an image to be displayed, wherein the color signal contains light intensity information, computing percentages of the color sequence to be allocated to each color in a set of colors in a sequential color display system, wherein the computing is based on the light intensity information, allocating the color sequence based on the computed percentages, and displaying the image using the color sequence. The allocation of the color sequence based on the image allows for the elimination of color intensities that are greater than needed in displaying the image. Portions of the color sequence formerly used to display the eliminated color intensities may be used to display colors with usable intensities, thereby increasing the brightness of images. |
| US08253752B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoder assisted pre-processing
This application includes devices and methods for processing multimedia data to generate enhanced multimedia data at a receiver based on encoder assisted pre-processing. In one aspect, processing multimedia data includes identifying at least one pixel intensity range in at least one image of multimedia data, modifying at least a portion of the multimedia data to reduce the pixel intensity range, and encoding the modified multimedia data to form encoded multimedia data. |
| US08253751B2 |
Memory controller interface for micro-tiled memory access
In one embodiment of the invention, a memory integrated circuit is provided including an address decoder to selectively access memory cells within a memory array; a mode register with bit storage circuits to store an enable bit and at least one sub-channel select bit; and control logic. The control logic is coupled to a plurality of address signal lines, the address decoder, and the mode register. In response to the enable bit and the at least one sub-channel select bit, the control logic selects one or more of the address signal lines to capture independent address information to support independent sub-channel memory accesses into the memory array. The control logic couples the independent address information into the address decoder. |
| US08253748B1 |
Shader performance registers
One embodiment of a system for collecting performance data for a multithreaded processing unit includes a plurality of independent performance registers, each configured to count hardware-based and/or software-based events. Functional blocks within the multithreaded processing unit are configured to generate various event signals, and subsets of the events are selected and used to generate one or more functions, each of which increments one of the performance registers. By accessing the contents of the performance registers, a user may observe and characterize the behavior of the different functional blocks within the multithreaded processing unit when one or more threads are executed within the processing unit. The contents of the performance registers may also be used to modify the behavior of the program running on the multithreaded processing unit, to modify a global performance register or to trigger an interrupt. |
| US08253744B2 |
System for virtually drawing on a physical surface
The system (13, 15) for virtually drawing on a physical surface of the invention comprises electronic circuitry, wherein the electronic circuitry is operative to detect movements of a physical object over the physical surface and project a drawing (11) corresponding to the movements on the physical surface. The computer program product of the invention enables a programmable device to function as the system of the invention. |
| US08253743B2 |
Method and system for providing character having game item functions
Disclosed is a character service method and system having a game item function. In one embodiment, a method is provided for generating a character by a character generating system including a gamvatar provider, a gamvatar controller, and a game server. The method includes providing an avatar to a user accessing the character generating system online, checking whether the user desires to combine a game item function with the avatar before progressing a game when the user acquires the game item function, combining the game item function with a corresponding layer of the avatar when the user desires to combine the game item function with the avatar, and d) generating the combined gamvatar. |
| US08253742B2 |
Rendering stroke pairs for graphical objects
The principles of the present invention relate to rendering stroke pairs. A graphical object includes at least a first stroke and a second similarly oriented second stroke collectively representing a stroke pair. A calculated distance between the first stroke and the second stroke is constrained (e.g., to a center line between the strokes) to mitigate the possibility of rounding errors causing the represented stroke pair to be inappropriately rendered. After the stroke pair is constrained, controls points of the individual strokes can be adjusted so that the individual strokes are appropriately rendered at their respective constrained locations. The adjusted stroke pair is constrained between external reference points for appropriate rendering relative to other graphical objects. The graphical object, including the adjusted constrained stroke pair, is rendered at an output device. |
| US08253738B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method
A data processing apparatus for a collision check with respect to a plurality of rays. A control unit may generate a plurality of packets with respect to a plurality of rays associated with a first node in a spatial data structure. At least one of the plurality of packets may include information about k rays, and k may be a natural number. A processor may sequentially receive the plurality of packets and determine which child node of the first node is associated with each of the plurality of rays associated with the first node. |
| US08253730B1 |
System and method for construction of data structures for ray tracing using bounding hierarchies
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for building ray tracing data structures for three-dimensional scenes. The methods may include accessing an initial data structure representing a coarse hierarchy of a scene geometry, e.g., a scene graph, and sorting elements of the initial data structure into multiple spatial partitions with respect to one or more splitting planes. The sorting may be dependent on spatial bounding ranges of non-leaf nodes of the initial data structure, which may be sorted without visiting the geometric primitives below. Sorting may be performed on pointers to elements of the initial data structure and may comprise a hierarchical quicksort. The resulting ray tracing data structure may comprise a k-dimensional tree, binary space partitioning tree, k-plane tree, bounding interval hierarchy, or fine-grained hierarchical bounding volume tree. The methods described herein may accelerate the building of ray tracing data structures for use in interactive graphics applications. |
| US08253726B1 |
Systems and methods for modifying three dimensional geometry using an arbitrary cross-section plane
Embodiments of the invention comprise methods and systems for modifying the geometry data of a CAD object through modification of an arbitrary cross section, the CAD object being stored within a computer aided design modeling system. The method includes receiving, from a user the position and orientation of a cross section plane, the cross section plane being arbitrarily positioned relative to the orientation of a CAD object, and wherein the arbitrarily positioned and oriented plane is intersecting the CAD object. The CAD system generates a user modifiable two dimensional cross section from the intersection of the cross section plane and the CAD object, the cross section having a plurality user modifiable control elements. Changes to the control elements are correspondingly made to the cross section plane and the CAD object. |
| US08253724B2 |
Terrain modeling based on curved surface area
A terrain modeling system provides a terrain model having variable resolution. The system receives an input terrain made up of raster points. The system identifies raster points that differ in height from an adjacent raster point by a threshold. The system interpolates the identified raster points to calculate one or more B-spline surfaces. The surfaces correspond to a multi-dimensional representation of a physical terrain. |
| US08253723B2 |
Method to visualize cutplanes for curved elongated structures
A method for visualization and inspection of elongated curved structures is disclosed. According to an embodiment improved inspection of elongated three dimensional (3D) curved structures such as blood vessels in a 3D medical image is disclosed. Rendering is performed such that it results in the visualization of a (3D) curved cutplane of said curved elongated structure. The advantages of this method are for instance that the cutplane information is interpreted easily in relation to the three-dimensional shape and surroundings of the elongated object, without distortions, and that cutplanes along more than one structure can be visualized and examined together at the same time, without interpretation problems for diagnosis and therapy of anomalies in e.g. the blood vessels. |
| US08253722B2 |
Method, medium, and system rendering 3D graphics data to minimize power consumption
A method, medium, and system rendering 3D graphics data. The method includes selecting objects to render from graphic data that have rendering results of a current frame that are different from rendering results of a previous frame, setting an operational voltage and an operational frequency based on the selected objects to render, and rendering the selected objects according to the set operational voltage and operational frequency with reference to the rendering results of the previous frame. |
| US08253719B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method with a reduced number of delay devices for discharging remaining pixel charges
A liquid crystal display device and a method of driving the same is disclosed, which can minimize the number of delay devices to delay a discharging time by a preset period of time. The liquid crystal display device comprises a first pumping unit that first pumps a high-potential power source voltage applied; a second pumping unit that generates a gate high voltage by pumping the high-potential power source voltage first pumped in the first pumping unit; a level shifter that shifts an input high voltage to a level corresponding to that of the gate high voltage from the second pumping unit, and supplies the gate high voltage to a discharging circuit; and a delay device, connected between input and output sides of the second pumping unit, that maintains the gate high voltage output from the level shifter for a preset period of time. |
| US08253715B2 |
Source driver and liquid crystal display device having the same
A source driver and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having the same. A source driver may carry a clock in a data current, and may recover a clock signal and/or a data signal without being substantially affected by external frequencies and/or resistance. A source driver may include a trans-impedance amplifier which may receive data currents, convert data currents into voltages, and/or output voltages as data voltages and/or clock voltages. A source driver may include a comparator electrically coupled to a trans-impedance amplifier, which may change levels of data and/or clock voltages applied from a trans-impedance amplifier, and/or may output level-changed voltages as data signals and/or a clock signal. |
| US08253714B2 |
Apparatus and method for operating a symmetric cipher engine in cipher-block chaining mode
An optical touch screen apparatus and method for manufacturing an optical touch screen apparatus are disclosed. The optical touch screen apparatus may comprise a touch screen plate having at least one pair of grooves formed on a front surface thereof; at least one pair of circuit boards disposed on the front surface of the touch screen plate, wherein each of the grooves respectively partially receives each of the circuit boards; an infrared emitting device for emitting an infrared beam, wherein the infrared emitting device is mounted on the first of the circuit boards; and an infrared receiving device for receiving the infrared beam, wherein the infrared receiving device is mounted on the second of the circuit boards and in optical communication with the infrared emitting device. |
| US08253710B2 |
System and method for protecting a resistive touch panel of a communication device
A system and a method for protecting a resistive touch panel of a communication device includes setting a pressure threshold level, obtaining parameter values of the resistive touch panel and location information of the touch point and calculating the value of the touch resistance. The system and the method further includes confirming a pressure level corresponding to a range of the calculated resistance value, and outputting audio alerts using the alarm unit to prompt that the press action on the resistive touch panel is too forceful if the confirmed pressure level is not lower than the pressure threshold level. |
| US08253708B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for invoking an electronic ink or handwriting interface
User interfaces, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for activating and/or displaying text input systems on display devices may include: (a) displaying a text input system activation target at a user changeable location on a display device; (b) receiving user input directed to the activation target; and (c) activating a text input system in response to the user input. Such user interfaces, methods, and systems further may include (d) displaying a pre-interaction condition of the activation target; (e) receiving user input directed to the activation target in this pre-interaction condition; and (f) changing an appearance of the activation target from the pre-interaction condition to a larger size and/or a different visual appearance in response to this user input. Additional aspects of this invention relate to computer-readable media for providing user interfaces, systems, and methods as described above. |
| US08253704B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling information scrolling on touch-screen
A method and apparatus to control information scrolling on a touch screen, the method including: displaying an information scroll controlling region on the touch screen; sensing a touch for a scroll pointer in the information scroll controlling region and performing a dragging operation from the touched location; in response to a dragged location of the touch being out of a moving region of the scroll pointer, changing the information scroll controlling region; and adjusting a location to display information in response to the change of the information scroll controlling region. |
| US08253701B2 |
Touch panel, method for making the same, and display device adopting the same
A touch panel includes a substrate, a transparent conductive layer, and at least two separate electrodes. The transparent conductive layer is formed on a surface of the substrate. The transparent conductive layer includes a carbon nanotube structure comprised of carbon nanotubes, and the carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube structure are arranged isotropically, arranged along a same direction, or arranged along different directions. The electrodes are separately located and electrically connected with the transparent conductive layer. |
| US08253699B2 |
Display apparatus, method of driving the same, and sensing driver of display apparatus
In a display apparatus, a display panel includes touch sensors that make contact with a common electrode by an external pressure to output a common voltage, and a sensing driver receives the common voltage from the touch sensors to generate a sensing signal. A controller receives the sensing signal from the sensing driver and calculates position information to which the external pressure is applied based on the sensing signal. The sensing driver includes a switching circuit that receives a switching signal from the controller to switch the common voltage. Thus, the display apparatus prevents the common voltage from being input during a period where a voltage level of the common voltage is abnormally high, thereby preventing a logic circuit of the sensing driver from being damaged. |
| US08253695B2 |
Email client for a portable multifunction device
A computer-implemented method for providing email at a portable communications device with a touch screen display is disclosed. A first portion of a list of entries with information about corresponding electronic messages is displayed in a first area of the touch screen display. A first portion of an electronic message that corresponds to an entry in the list of entries is displayed in a second area of the touch screen display that is separate from the first area. In response to a first gesture by a user in the first area of the touch screen display, the list of entries is scrolled to display a second portion of the list of entries. In response to a second gesture by the user in the second area of the touch screen display, the electronic message is moved in two dimensions to display a second portion of the electronic message. |
| US08253694B2 |
Language keyboard
A computer implemented method includes displaying first characters of a language script in a user interface, in response to receiving a selection of a first character, identifying second characters that are each a variant of the first character according to a language rule, displaying the second characters of the language script proximate the selected first character, and in response to receiving a subsequent selection of the selected first character or one of the second characters, displaying the subsequently selected character as an input character in the user interface. |
| US08253693B2 |
Device capable of being operated within a network, network system, method of operating a device within a network, program element, and computer-readable medium
A device (A) is described, which is capable of being operated within a network comprising a touch interface (2) which is adapted to detect that a user (3) touches the touch interface (2) and simultaneously touches a touch interface (6) of another device (B) capable of being operated within a network, and a communication unit (1) adapted to communicate with a communication unit (5) of the other device (B) via a communication network established between the device (A) and the other device (B) when detecting that the user touches the touch interface (2) of the device (A) and simultaneously touches the touch interlace (6) of the other device (B). |
| US08253691B2 |
Split keyboard
A keyboard includes a plurality of keys associated with alphanumeric characters including the letters A-Z. The keys are split into a left side section and a right side section. The left side section is oriented at least partially above the right side section, or the right side section is oriented at least partially above the left side section. The keyboard is stationary. A mobile communication device includes the keyboard. |
| US08253690B2 |
Electronic device, character input module and method for selecting characters thereof
The present invention relates to a method for selecting characters and a device thereof. The method comprises the steps of sensing a touch on a first key, which has a plurality of characters marked thereon; confirming the touch and displaying the plurality of characters associated with the first key on a display unit; sensing a shifting motion of the touch on the first key; and selecting one of the plurality of characters associated with the first key in response to the shifting motion of the touch. The present invention further provides a character input module and an electronic device for implementing the character selection method. |
| US08253689B2 |
System and method for outputting icons in response to hot-key input
A system to output an icon in response to a hot-key input, including a microcomputer to sense an instruction input through a hot-key and to output a scan code corresponding to the instruction, a keyboard launcher to receive the scan code from the microcomputer, to analyze the scan code, and to generate a message that requests an output of a hot-key icon indicating the operation of the hot-key based on the analyzed scan code, a system basic input/output system (BIOS) to provide information required to output the hot-key icon, and a display manager to receive the message generated by the keyboard launcher and to output the hot-key icon based on the information received from the system BIOS. |
| US08253688B2 |
Multi-mode optical navigation
A system and method is provided for selecting a light source in a pointing device such as a mouse. The selection of the light source may be based on attributes of a received image, which are in turn based on reflected light received at the pointing device from the tracking surface. Because the attributes of the receive image are related to characteristics of the tracking surface over which the pointing device is moved, an illumination source appropriate for a particular surface type can be chosen. |
| US08253687B2 |
Slim mouse
A slim mouse includes a mouse body, a battery box case, a wheel function module, multiple click buttons, a PCMCIA connecting part and a connecting frame. The mouse body includes a first receiving part, a first body fillister, a second receiving part and a second body fillister. The connecting frame includes a first connecting arm, a first salient, a second connecting arm, a second salient, a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are respectively inserted into the first body fillister and the second body fillister. By using the first protrusion and the second protrusion as a shaft, the connecting frame is rotatable with respect to the mouse body so as to change the operating mode of the slim mouse. |
| US08253685B2 |
Head mount display
A HMD images at least a portion of a field of view of a user, and detects a user's hand based on a result of an analysis of an imaged image. The HMD performs a control of defining and displaying a position of an operation part of a virtual operation panel based on a position of the detected user's hand. A position associated with the hand observed by the user is set as a display position of the virtual operation panel which tracks the position of the user's hand. The HMD detects an operation conducted by a user's finger, determines whether or not the virtual operation panel is operated based on the operation conducted by the detected finger, and performs a control corresponding to an operation position of the virtual operation panel when it is determined that the virtual operation panel is operated. |
| US08253680B2 |
Shift register
A shift register includes a plurality of stages for sequentially outputting scan pulses to drive a plurality of gate lines, wherein each of the stages includes a set node, a pull-up switching device for outputting a corresponding scan pulse according to a logic state of the set node, at least two reset nodes, at least two pull-down switching devices, each of the pull-down switching devices being connected to a corresponding reset node to output an off voltage according to a voltage level of the corresponding reset node, and a node controller for controlling logic states of the nodes of a corresponding stage and logic states of the nodes of stages different from the corresponding stage together, wherein the node controllers of the stages control an output order of the scan pulses from the stages according to a forward voltage and reverse voltage having opposite phases. |
| US08253677B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same
Provided are a display device with improved display quality and a method of driving the same. The display device includes: a display panel which includes a plurality of dither blocks displaying an image that corresponds to a dither image signal; and an image signal controller which generates the dither image signal by using a dither pattern that determines a plurality of dither pixels, which are to be dithered, from among a plurality of pixels included in each of the dither blocks, wherein each of the dither blocks includes a plurality of pixels, whose respective polarities are inverted every frame and which are driven accordingly, and comprises equal numbers of positive-polarity dither pixels and negative-polarity dither pixels. |
| US08253675B2 |
Display apparatus including wireless communication device and method of operating the same
A display apparatus and a method of operating the same are provided. The display apparatus includes a wireless communication device, and a display unit that receives a main clock and is operated by an operating frequency in response to the frequency of the main clock, and a main-clock-providing unit that measures noise in signals received from a wireless communication channel, and changes the frequency of the main clock to reduce the noise. |
| US08253674B2 |
Drive method for liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal panel includes a glass substrate with pixel electrodes that are arranged in a matrix shape, TFTs that are connected to the pixel electrodes, and a glass substrate with an opposing electrode and color filters that are arranged in a matrix shape. A liquid crystal layer is formed in a space between the glass substrates by filling a ferroelectric liquid crystal into the space. When writing display data, and when deleting display data that has been written, a voltage, not including 0V, that becomes a voltage potential, or in other words, a voltage that is greater than a threshold voltage at which the optical characteristic of the filled ferroelectric liquid crystal changes is applied between the opposing electrode and pixel electrodes. An image is displayed over all gradation numbers, including the low-gradation side, and the display characteristic is improved. |
| US08253670B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention prevents deterioration of image quality by lowering a heat value of a data driver connected to a liquid crystal display panel. In a liquid crystal display device, a pixel which connects a TFT thereof to one of two neighboring scanning signal lines and a pixel which has a TFT thereof connected to the other scanning signal line are alternately arranged in the extending direction of the scanning signal lines, two pixels which are arranged close to each other with one video signal line sandwiched therebetween have respective TFTs connected to the video signal line, and the connection relationship between the TFT of each pixel and the scanning signal line is inverted for every pair of two pixels arranged in the extending direction of the video signal lines. |
| US08253668B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a first insulation substrate, gate lines disposed on the first insulation substrate and extending in a first direction, storage electrode lines disposed on the first insulation substrate and extending in the first direction, data lines extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting the gate lines and the storage electrode lines and, thin film transistors disposed in pixel areas, pixel electrodes disposed in the pixel areas and connected to the thin film transistors, ripple detecting wiring disposed proximate to a first gate line of the gate lines, a connection line which transmits a ripple signal from the ripple detecting wiring, a ripple detector connected to the connection line, and a ripple compensator which generates a compensation voltage based on the ripple signal received from the ripple detector and applies the compensation voltage to the storage electrode line. |
| US08253664B2 |
Display array with a plurality of display units corresponding to one set of the data and scan lines and each comprising a control unit
A display array. The display array applied in the panel of an organic light emitting display device comprises a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of display units. Each display unit corresponds to one set of the data and scan lines and comprises a control unit, a driving transistor and a light emitting diode. In each display unit, the control unit adjusts light-emitting intensity of the light emitting diode in a frame cycle time according to the driving capability of the driving transistor. |
| US08253663B2 |
Display apparatus, display-apparatus driving method and electronic equipment
A display apparatus and display driving method. A selective scan operation is performed on pixel circuits in row units, and a threshold-voltage correction operation is also performed to correct variations of the threshold voltage of respective pixel circuit driving transistors. Before performing the threshold-voltage correction operation in a horizontal scan period, a preparatory operation is performed in order to fix each of the electric potentials appearing on the gate and the source of the driving transistor at a predetermined level. |
| US08253655B2 |
Common-voltage compensation circuit and compensation method for use in a liquid crystal display
A common-voltage compensation circuit functions to provide a crosstalk interference suppressing mechanism for use in a liquid crystal display having a liquid-crystal capacitor and a storage capacitor. The compensation circuit includes a buffer for receiving a preliminary common voltage, a current/voltage converter, a high-pass filter and a ripple-voltage inverter. The current/voltage converter is utilized for generating a liquid-crystal capacitor common voltage furnished to the liquid-crystal capacitor according to an output current of the buffer. The high-pass filter performs a high-pass filtering operation on the liquid-crystal capacitor common voltage for extracting a ripple voltage. The ripple-voltage inverter is employed to generate a storage capacitor common voltage furnished to the storage capacitor through performing an inverting operation on the ripple voltage based on the preliminary common voltage. The ripple voltage of the storage capacitor common voltage has a phase opposite to that of the liquid-crystal capacitor common voltage for suppressing crosstalk interference. |
| US08253654B2 |
Visual interface control based on viewing display area configuration
A visual interface having a plurality of picture elements disposed on a substrate wherein a viewable display area of the visual interface may be configured by expanding or contracting the substrate in at least one dimension, and a characteristic of the visual interface is controlled based on the configuration of the viewable display area. |
| US08253651B2 |
Display apparatus and method for driving display panel thereof
A display apparatus and a method for driving a display panel thereof are provided. Each column of data line in the display panel has two sub-data lines. The driving method is described as follows. An input image signal is divided into a plurality of image segments, and each of the image segments has display data of pixels coupled to two adjacent scan lines. Every K image segments are defined as a group. An image signal is formed by inserting a reset data in each group of image segments. Display data of a first group are written in K batches according to a first start wave. After a predetermined time from the first start wave, the scan lines corresponding to the first group are driven at the same time according to a second start wave, and the reset data is output to the first sub-data lines and the second sub-data lines. |
| US08253647B2 |
High isolation multi-band monopole antenna for MIMO systems
A high isolation multi-band monopole antenna that can be used in connection with MIMO systems is provided. The antenna can include various components to prevent band to band coupling and provide isolation from neighboring antennas. |
| US08253643B2 |
Chip antenna and its production method, and antenna apparatus and communications apparatus comprising such chip antenna
A chip antenna comprising a magnetic substrate comprising Z-type ferrite or Y-type ferrite as a main phase and having a through-hole extending linearly along a center axis, and a conductor penetrating the through-hole, the magnetic phase having a c-axis substantially parallel or perpendicular to the through-hole. |
| US08253641B1 |
Wideband wide scan antenna matching structure using electrically floating plates
A radiator (A) has a receiver segment (22) and an adjacent transformer segment (24). The receiver (22) has a first (26) and an opposite second face (28). The second face (28) includes a generator (30) of a signal (20) that propagates from the receiver segment (22). A first face (32) of the transformer segment (24) is formed adjacent to the receiver segment second face (28). A transmitted signal (20) propagates through the transformer segment (24) from the first (32) to a second face (34). A plurality of free floating plates (38) are formed within the transformer segment (24) in layers (40) with gaps (42) permitting signal (20) passage. The floating plates (38) deflect the signal path through the transformer segment (24). |
| US08253640B2 |
Thin slot antenna having cavity, antenna power feeding method, and RFID tag device using the antenna and the method
A highly efficient thin slot antenna having a cavity and an RFID tag device are provided, in which such flexible properties can be provided to the antenna that the antenna can be worn on the curved surface of a human body, an object, or the like as well as the antenna can be relatively freely deformed, and changes in the characteristics caused by deformation and changes in the characteristics caused by a product to mount the antenna thereon. are extremely small. Conductive foil such as aluminum or foil vapor deposited with conductive metal such as aluminum is used to form a bag shape for configuring a bag-shaped product having a cavity (12). A relatively soft dielectric sheet (13) is provided inside the cavity (12), and a slot (14) is provided lengthwise on one side of the bag-shaped product at the center position in the width direction. |
| US08253633B2 |
Multi-band monopole antenna for a mobile communications device
A multi-band monopole antenna for a mobile communications device includes a common conductor coupled to both a first radiating arm and a second radiating arm. The common conductor includes a feeding port for coupling the antenna to communications circuitry in a mobile communications device. In one embodiment, the first radiating arm includes a space-filling curve. In another embodiment, the first radiating arm includes a meandering section extending from the common conductor in a first direction and a contiguous extended section extending from the meandering section in a second direction. |
| US08253630B2 |
Microstrip antenna
A microstrip antenna located on a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface includes a feeding portion, a grounding portion, and a radiating portion. The feeding portion is located on the first surface of the substrate to feed electromagnetic signals. The grounding portion is located on the second surface of the substrate. The radiating portion is located on the first surface and includes a first radiating part, a second radiating part, a third radiating part, and a fourth radiating part. Each of the first radiating part, the second radiating part, and the third radiating part is on a rectangle-shaped strip line. The first radiating part is connected to the feeding portion. The fourth radiating part is perpendicularly connected to a second end of the third radiating part. |
| US08253626B2 |
Multiple phase state near-field electromagnetic system and method for communication and location
A multiple phase state near-field electromagnetic location and communication system includes a multiple phase state near-field transmitter, and a near-field locator receiver. The near-field transmitter is capable of operation in at least two states and each of these at least two states generates a state characteristic difference detected at the near-field locator receiver. The state characteristic difference may be employed for location determination, communication or both. The present invention is particularly well-suited for use in conjunction with a near-field electromagnetic ranging system. In further embodiments, a multiple phase state near-field electromagnetic location and communication process includes the steps of determining a transmission state for a near-field quadrature transmitter, transmitting a near-field transmission corresponding to said transmission state, receiving a near-field transmission corresponding to said transmission state, and determining a difference between at least two properties of said near-field transmission where the difference is characteristic of and corresponding to the transmission state. |
| US08253614B1 |
Analog-to-digital conversion methods and systems
Methods and systems for converting analog signals to digital signal using a cyclic analog-to-digital converter are disclosed. For example, such a cyclic analog-to-digital converter may include digitization circuitry configured to digitize either an input signal or an amplified feedback residue signal to produce first digital signals, digital accumulator circuitry configured to produce N-bits of digital information based on the first digital signals over N consecutive cycles, where N is a positive integer, and a residue amplifier configured to amplify a residue signal to produce the amplified feedback residue signal, wherein for at least M cycles, the residue amplifier operates using a capacitor averaging technique, where M is a positive integer and less than N, and wherein for P cycles the residue amplifier operates using a simple gain amplification technique, where P is a positive integer and less than N. |
| US08253612B2 |
Self-calibrating R-2R ladder and method thereof
A method and apparatus are provided for calibrating a ladder circuit. The apparatus includes: a logic unit for receiving a first logical signal, a second logical signal, and N control bits and for outputting N alternative control bits and an additional control bit, where N is an integer greater than 1; a core circuit for receiving the N alternative control bits, the additional control bit, and a tuning word, and for outputting an output signal, wherein the core circuit comprises N−1 series elements, N shunt elements with a connectivity controlled by the N alternative control bits, respectively, and a termination element with a connectivity controlled by the additional control bit; and a calibration circuit for receiving the first logical signal, the second logical signal, and the output signal and for outputting the tuning word. When the first logical signal is 0, the apparatus operates in a normal mode and the output signal follows the N control bits; when the first logical signal is 1, the apparatus operates in a calibration mode and the output signal follows the second logical signal. When the apparatus operates in the calibration mode, the tuning word is adjusted in a closed loop manner so as to make the output signal substantially the same regardless of a value of the second logical signal. |
| US08253609B2 |
Transform-based coding/decoding, with adaptive windows
The present invention provides coding/decoding a digital signal, in particular using a transform with overlap employing weighting windows. In the invention, two consecutive and equal-size blocks of samples of the signal may be weighted by respective different successive windows. These two windows may be chosen independently of each other according to a criterion specific to the characteristics of the signal (entropy, data rate/distortion, etc.) that are determined for each of the two blocks. |
| US08253608B2 |
Data compression and decompression
Data decompression apparatus is disclosed which is arranged to act on compressed data comprising: an ordered stream of references to groups of previously decoded data items; an ordered stream of direct representations of data items to be decoded; and an ordered stream of flags indicating whether each successive decompression operation should act on a reference or a direct representation. The apparatus comprises an output memory area; a detector to detect the number n of consecutive flags indicating that a decompression operation should act on a direct representation; and a data copier for copying to the output memory area either a next referenced group of previously decoded data or a group of n consecutive direct representations from the ordered stream of direct representations. |
| US08253603B2 |
Electronic device with typing prompt function
A method of typing prompting is provided. The method includes: providing a plurality of transparent keys connected to LEDs on a provided keyboard; determining whether a transparent key is pressed; storing the ASCII code of the input of the pressed transparent key; finding at least one ASCII code as a possible next input towards typing a word from a provided dictionary corresponding to a character input method in use according to the stored ASCII code; lighting up at least one LED corresponding to the at least one found ASCII code according to provided relationships between the LEDs and the ASCII codes of the input of the transparent keys. A related electronic device is also provided. |
| US08253600B2 |
Keyboard with multi-angle support
A keyboard includes housing and two support members. The housing defines two receiving spaces each including a bottom defining a perforation. The two support members are received in the receiving spaces. Each support member includes an adjusting wheel and a support. The adjusting wheel is rotatably received in the receiving space and defines a spiral groove. The spiral groove includes spiral lateral surface. The support is received in the receiving spaces and aligned with the perforation, and includes a pin received in the spiral groove. When the adjusting wheels are rotated, the pins are urged by the spiral lateral surface to move, changing an inclination angle between the base and a support surface supporting the base. |
| US08253594B2 |
Keyboard
A keyboard includes a plug, a hub, a keyboard controller, a keyboard circuit, a camera controller, and an image capturing device. The hub includes an output terminal connected to the plug, a first input terminal, and a second input terminal. The keyboard circuit is connected to the first input terminal of the hub via the keyboard controller. The image capturing device is mounted on the keyboard and connected to the second input terminal of the hub via the camera controller. The image capturing device is configured for capturing sensed image signals. The keyboard circuit communicates with the computer via the keyboard controller and the hub, and the image capturing device transmits the sensed image signals to the computer via the camera controller and the hub. |
| US08253588B2 |
Facilitating power supply unit management using telemetry data analysis
Some embodiments provide a system that analyzes telemetry data from a computer system. During operation, the system obtains the telemetry data as a set of telemetric signals from the computer system and validates the telemetric signals using a nonlinear, nonparametric regression technique. Next, the system assesses the integrity of a power supply unit (PSU) in the computer system by comparing the telemetric signals to one or more reference telemetric signals associated with the computer system. If the assessed integrity falls below a threshold, the system performs a remedial action for the computer system. |
| US08253585B2 |
Three-phase multifunction verifier
Multifunctional meter measures voltage, current, demand, factor, power consumption also water, natural gas, fuel and other items. The design has a 16 bit micro-programmed processing unit, and manages interaction with different hardware components and realizes the functions of communication, data registry and operation control. Composed of a modular form and includes capacities for network connection and inclusion as a module within multi-point measurement systems. The modular components are: three-phase measurement machine, interface and peripherals for LCD screen, high precision clock in real time, external non-volatile memory bank (flash), energy failure detector to backup vital information for the meter, interface and peripherals for navigation buttons, interface and peripherals for RGB leds indicators of events and status, UART communications interface, RS 485 communication bus, ANSI C12 protocol optical communication interface, communications interface to external modules like Ethernet, GPRS, Wi Fi or compatibles, digital inputs for the interface of Sensory converters to pulses. |
| US08253581B2 |
Loading device with a moveable platform and a pivotal arm
A loading device includes a feeder having a cutout and a sensor. When a sensor detects that an item is positioned in the cutout, a motor slides the feeder out of a first component to remove the item from the first component for delivery to a second component. Alternatively, the loading device is a pivotal arm which pivots to slide the item out of the first component. |
| US08253580B2 |
Natural language navigation for power monitoring systems
A method of parsing a natural language phrase to retrieve data associated with a power monitoring system. An input receives a natural language phrase including terms, one of which indicates a data manipulation action for manipulating data of the power monitoring system. A parser component parses the phrase to extract the terms and maps those terms to corresponding category items. The parser component constructs a structured query based on the category items and provides the query to a processor component that retrieves the data from a data source specified in the submitted phrase. The processor component also manipulates the data according to the data manipulation action. The output from the processor component is provided to a presentation component that formats the manipulated data for presentation on a video display, and the formatted manipulated data is displayed on the video display. |
| US08253572B2 |
Electronic tether system and method with rate of change detection and vehicle braking features
A dynamically controlled retractable tether provides a mechanism by which a pet can be safely exercised on a bicycle or other vehicle. The pet avoids injury when running in front of the bicycle and stopping short, by having a detector detect the relative motion of the pet and the bicycle so as to automatically apply brakes to the bicycle prior to the pet being injured. Variations include a zone detection mechanism that detects a relative position of the pet relative to the bicycle, and uses a different set of braking parameters, depending on the zone in which the pet is located. |
| US08253568B2 |
Secure electromagnetic data storage element having a plurality of selectively determined switchable security modes
The apparatus of the present invention are directed to a selectively accessible electromagnetically resonant data storage element (implemented as a resonant tag, card, embedded element and/or similar devices), for inventory and facility control and management, for product tracking during transportation, for security purposes (e.g., personal identification (e.g., passports, driver's licenses, alien registration cards), access control, etc.), and to facilitate various forms of electronic information interchange (for example in electronic commerce, such as payment cards, etc.), that is selectively responsive to predetermined electromagnetic interrogation thereof, that comprises a novel membrane switch component for enabling a user to selectively enable and/or disable interrogatory access to the resonant component, to protect from unauthorized interrogation thereof. The novel membrane switch may be formed through a combination of aligned and configured subcomponents of at least a portion of the element within at least two stacked layers. |
| US08253567B2 |
Multiple radio frequency network node RFID tag
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a Radio Frequency ID (RFID) tag that contains multiple Radio Frequency (RF) network nodes that provide enhanced memory capabilities, redundant functionality, and multiple frequency capabilities to the RFID tag using an inter-RF network node communication connection. The inter-RF network node communication may allow the coordination of RFID tag memory and functionality. |
| US08253561B2 |
Medication management apparatus and system
The invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for managing medication. In particular, the invention relates to adaptable pill organizer. The adaptable pill organizer comprises of at least one or more rectangular units for containing pills. Individual units and/or rows of seven units, wherein one unit corresponds to the days of the week, attach and detach from one another in order to create a custom pill organizer. The adaptable pill organizer further employs electronic capabilities which: allow user to input, store and display information on the pill organizer; provide lighting means for the device; provide various automatic and/or commanded physical responses to usage of the device such as the lighting of a unit, or the opening and closing of a unit; provide programmed alarms; communicate data messages and usage information with third party devices; and store and provide access to user medication and medication schedule information. The invention further relates to a system and method for managing a self medication regime which works in conjunction with an electronic adaptable pill organizer, a third party device, or a combination thereof, in order to provide the aforementioned capabilities within the electronic pill organizer. The system further allows a third party device to receive, and transmit messages to and from an electronic pill organizer in real. The system provides a means and a method for monitoring the usage of an electronic pill organizer by a third party. |
| US08253560B2 |
Adjunct device and a handheld wireless communication device with location features
An adjunct device includes a first housing for coupling to a handheld wireless communication device via a communication port of the handheld wireless communication device. A short-range wireless receiver receives a first RF paging signal from a remote wireless device. A user interface emits a first detectable alert signal in response to the first RF paging signal to assist the user in locating the handheld wireless communication device. |
| US08253558B2 |
System and method for emergency communication of a location through a set-top box
A system and method for determining a location of a set-top box. An indicator of an emergency is received through the set-top box. The location of the set-top box is determined utilizing global positioning information. A message indicating the emergency and the location is sent through a satellite in communication with the set-top box. |
| US08253555B2 |
Miniature hermetically sealed RFID microelectronic chip connected to a biocompatible RFID antenna for use in conjunction with an AIMD
A non-hermetically sealed and biocompatible multi-turn RFID loop antenna is electrically connected to a RFID chip which is enclosed within its own hermetically sealed miniature container. The hermetic seal can be very small and the loop antenna can be relatively large, wherein the entire package is both highly reliable, resistant to body fluids and completely biocompatible. The RFID structure can be implanted in a patient and later communicate with an RFID interrogator to provide information relating to the patient and/or implantable medical devices. |
| US08253553B2 |
Portable occupancy detection unit
A method includes receiving, with a portable occupancy unit, a first signal using a first detector, where the first signal is indicative of an occupant in a structure. A second signal is received with the portable occupancy unit using a second detector. The second signal is indicative of the occupant in the structure. The first signal and the second signal are processed to determine whether the occupant is present in the structure. If it is determined that the occupant is present in the structure, an output is provided to convey that the occupant has been detected. |
| US08253551B2 |
Driving monitoring device and method utilizing the same
A driving monitoring device and method includes controlling a camera to capture a face image of a driver, identifying the face image to determine if the driver is awake, and controlling a camera to capture a first image of the steering wheel. The driving monitoring device and method further includes identifying a steering wheel region and two hand regions, confirming one or more sub regions of the steering wheel region corresponding to the two hand regions, determining that the driver drives the vehicle inappropriately if the confirmed sub regions do not match standard positions, and outputting alert signals to prompt the driver. |
| US08253543B2 |
RFID tag identification information management system
In a RFID tag information system having a plurality of service servers, a single unified server, an operation terminal, an apparatus for producing RFID tags, and a portable terminal, the unified server has a common database storing a list of unissued tag IDs allocatable to an unproduced RFID tag and further storing the tag ID allocated to the produced RFID tag and registration data corresponding to the tag ID, and the apparatus for producing RFID tags writes the tag ID obtained through an apparatus antenna for radio communication with a RFID circuit element provided at a tag tape, the service server allocated by the unified server, and the operation terminal in an IC circuit part through the apparatus antenna. |
| US08253539B2 |
Rfid reader management system and method
A system and method is provided for managing RFID readers. The system and method manages RFID readers by controlling the RFID readers to reduce interference between RFID transmissions. The system and method locates RFID readers, including mobile and fixed RFID readers, and controls the transmitting of the RFID readers such that proximate readers do not transmit simultaneously. This reduces the interference between RFID readers, and thus can improve the reliability and accuracy of the RFID system. |
| US08253536B2 |
Security document with electroactive polymer power source and nano-optical display
A security document is disclosed which includes an electrical circuit embedded in a document substrate, where the electrical circuit includes a power source with at least one electroactive polymer power generator, and an optical display including at least one electroluminescent display element and at least one nanohole array which forms a layer of the electroluminescent display element. A method of authenticating a security document is also disclosed, the method including illuminating an encoded nanohole array in the security document with a focused light beam or laser light source emitting at least one defined wavelength of incident light, detecting a transmitted portion of the incident light transmitted through the nanohole array with an optoelectronic sensor, analyzing at least one wavelength of the transmitted portion of light to produce a detected signal, and comparing the detected signal with an authentication signal to authenticate the security document. |
| US08253532B2 |
Controlling device having a device mode state toggle feature
A controlling device having a feature for toggling between various device mode states. The device mode state toggle feature may be implemented as a key which is preferably located with the function keys thus being spaced from the top of the controlling device. The device mode state toggle feature may be used to sequentially toggle between all device mode states of the controlling device, to toggle between a currently selected device mode state and a previously selected device mode state of the controlling device, to toggle between device mode states that have been designated by a user of the controlling device, etc. An indicia, such as a LED, key illumination, color, sound, or the like, may be utilized to provide an indication to the user as to which device mode state the controlling device is placed into when the device mode state toggle feature is activated. |
| US08253529B2 |
Image acquisition system and method of authenticating image acquisition device in the image acquisition system
An image acquisition system includes an image acquisition device and a commanding device configured as a member separate from an image acquisition device proper to transmit a command for controlling the image acquisition device to the image acquisition device proper. The image acquisition device includes an authentication command receiving unit which receives an authentication command transmitted from the commanding device and containing authentication information used by the image acquisition device to authenticate the commanding device, a general command receiving unit, arranged separately from the authentication command receiving unit, which receives a general command transmitted from the commanding device and not containing the authentication information, an authentication command recognition unit which recognizes the authentication command received by the authentication command receiving unit, and a function limiting unit which limits a function of the image acquisition device based on the authentication command recognized by the authentication command recognition unit. |
| US08253528B2 |
Trainable transceiver system
A trainable transceiver system includes a trainable transceiver fixedly coupled to a vehicle interior element. The trainable transceiver is configured to receive a characteristic of an activation signal, store the characteristic of the activation signal in memory and to retransmit the characteristic of the activation signal. The trainable transceiver system also includes a portable transmitter that is configured to receive the characteristic of the activation signal from the trainable transceiver, to store the activation signal characteristic and to retransmit the stored activation signal characteristic. The characteristic of the activation signal may be transmitted from the trainable transceiver to the portable transmitter by, for example, an optical transmission or an RF transmission. |
| US08253515B2 |
Band-pass filter
A band-pass filter includes an input portion inputting an electromagnetic signal, an output portion outputting the electromagnetic signal, a plurality of transmission portions electrically connecting the input portion and the output portion to transmit the electromagnetic signal therebetween, and a pair of coupling members each shaping the frequency of the band-pass filter. Each of the coupling members includes a first coupling portion electrically connecting two of the transmission portions and a second coupling portion electrically connecting the first coupling portion. The first coupling portion includes a pair of parallel coupling microstrip lines of the same size. The second coupling portion includes a pair of transmission lines of different sizes. |
| US08253510B2 |
Non-reciprocal circuit element
A non-reciprocal circuit element includes first and second isolators of a high-pass type, each of the first and second isolators including a permanent magnet, a ferrite body to which a direct-current magnetic field is applied by the permanent magnet, and first and second center electrodes arranged on the ferrite body so as to cross each other in an insulated state. The first isolator has a passing frequency band that is higher than a passing frequency band of the second isolator. The first and second isolators include input portions that are electrically connected to define a single input port. A low pass filter is provided between the input port and the input portion of the second isolator. |
| US08253504B2 |
Electronically variable oscillator
A variable simulated inductor comprises an integrator connected to receive the voltage across the input to the circuit. The output of the inductor is connected to a control terminal of a transconductor connected across the input of the circuit. The gain of the transconductor is electronically controllable in order to control the inductance of the circuit. An oscillator using a variable simulated inductor and a piezoelectric resonator connected in parallel is also provided. |
| US08253503B2 |
Atomic oscillator and control method of atomic oscillator
A method of controlling an atomic oscillator includes generating a resonant light pair in response to a center frequency signal and a sideband signal, and setting the sideband signal so that an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) phenomenon does not occur in a gas cell of the atomic oscillator. The method includes applying the resonant light pair to the gas cell and detecting an intensity level of light transmitted through the gas cell. While the sideband signal is set so that the EIT phenomenon is not occurring, the center frequency signal is varied until a minimum value of the intensity level is identified. A first frequency is calculated by subtracting a predetermined frequency offset from the center frequency at which the intensity level was equal to the minimum value. A center frequency of the resonant light pair is set to the first frequency for operation of the atomic oscillator. |
| US08253502B2 |
Spread spectrum clock generator and semiconductor device
A spread spectrum clock generator includes a voltage-controlled oscillator generating an operation clock, a feedback control unit, a modulated pulse generation unit generating a pulse signal obtained by performing a delta-sigma modulation on a component fluctuating a frequency of the operation clock, a level set unit setting an amplitude of the pulse signal, an adder adding a voltage generated by the feedback control unit and the pulse signal whose amplitude is set by the level set unit, and a low pass filter filtering a signal outputted from the adder and generating a control voltage applied to the voltage-controlled oscillator. The feedback control unit compares a phase of the operation clock with a phase of a reference clock, and based on results of the comparison, generates a voltage used as a reference to oscillate the voltage-controlled oscillator. |
| US08253500B2 |
Frequency-phase adjusting device and method thereof
A frequency-phase adjusting device includes a first controller, a second controller, and an oscillating circuit. The first controller generates a first control signal according to a target frequency and a current frequency. The second controller generates a second control signal according to the first control signal, wherein the second control signal is related to a first frequency difference, a second frequency difference, and a designated duration. The oscillating circuit adjusts the current frequency according to the first frequency difference, the second frequency difference, and the designated duration. The current frequency is set as a first frequency during a first duration, set as a second frequency during the designated duration, and set as a third frequency during a second duration. The first frequency difference equals a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency, and the second frequency difference equals a difference between the second frequency and the third frequency. |
| US08253497B2 |
Atomic oscillator
An atomic oscillator, attention is paid to the fact that the degree of change of the energy difference between the two ground levels of the alkali metal atom with respect to the change of the magnetic field intensity is specific to each of the magnetic quantum numbers, a resonant light pair to cause a transition between the two ground levels corresponding to each of the plural magnetic quantum numbers is sequentially generated, plural pieces of profile information capable of specifying the energy difference between the two ground levels corresponding to each of the magnetic quantum numbers are sequentially acquired based on the detection signal, the change amount of the magnetic field intensity is specified based on the acquired plural pieces of profile information, and the control is performed so that the intensity of the magnetic field becomes constant. |
| US08253496B2 |
Linear RF power amplifier with frequency-selectable impedance matching
A radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuit includes a first impedance matching circuit configured to receive an input RF signal, a control circuit configured to produce a band control signal according to the frequency of the input RF signal, an RF amplifier having its input connected to the first impedance matching circuit. The RF amplifier can produce an amplified RF signal in response to the input RF signal. A second impedance matching circuit can receive the amplified RF signal from the RF amplifier. At least one of the first impedance matching circuit and the second impedance matching circuit has an impedance that is adjustable by the band control signal. A multi-band filter can switch the amplified RF signal from the second impedance matching circuit to one of selectable narrow-band filters in response to the band control signal. |
| US08253494B2 |
Doherty amplifier with composed transfer characteristic having multiple peak amplifiers
A combination amplifier (1,1a) is provided which comprises a carrier amplifier (7,7a) and a series connection of a first peak amplifier (9,9a) and a second peak amplifier (11,11a) which are provided with a phase-shifted input signal relative to the input signal supplied to the carrier amplifier, wherein a transfer characteristics of the combination amplifier may be optimized by independently adjusting transfer characteristics of the carrier amplifier, the first peak amplifier and the second peak amplifier. Thereby, a linearity and/or an efficiency of the combination amplifier may be improved compared to a conventional Doherty amplifier. |
| US08253492B2 |
Variable gain amplifier
A variable gain amplifier includes a direct current (DC) blocking capacitor which receives an input signal at a first terminal, a variable amplifier unit, having a variable transistor size, which amplifies an output of a second terminal of the DC blocking capacitor, a load impedance unit coupled to an output of the variable amplifier unit, a bias resistor having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the DC blocking capacitor, a variable bias voltage generator which applies a variable bias voltage to a second terminal of the bias resistor, and a gain controller which provides control to decrease the variable bias voltage when an effective transistor size of the variable amplifier unit is controlled so as to increase, and provides control to increase the variable bias voltage when the effective transistor size of the variable amplifier unit control is controlled so as to decrease. |
| US08253491B2 |
Method and apparatus for power converter for class D audio power amplifiers
A method and apparatus for power conversion in a class D amplifier is provided. The power conversion is achieved using synchronous rectifiers in a regulated half bridge power supply, taking the sum of the positive and negative rails as feedback, in order facilitate energy transfer between positive and negative output rails. This minimizes the effects of off side charging and rail sag, as well as achieving good line regulation, while allowing use of very small, low value output capacitors. |
| US08253484B1 |
Configurable clock network for programmable logic device
In a programmable logic device having high-speed serial interface channels, a clock distribution network for providing one or more high-speed clocks to dynamic phase alignment circuitry of those high-speed serial interfaces includes at least one bus that is segmentable (e.g. using tristatable buffers). This allows the bus to be divided into different portions that can be connected to different clock sources when the high-speed serial interfaces are running at different speeds. In one embodiment, the segmenting elements (e.g., the aforementioned buffers) are located between selected channels (e.g., every fourth channel), limiting the size of the different segments. In another embodiment, segmenting elements are located between each channel, allowing complete user freedom in selecting the sizes of the segments. Thus, instead of providing a bus for every clock source, multiple clocks can be made available to different channels by segmenting a single bus. |
| US08253480B2 |
Internal voltage control circuit
An internal voltage control circuit includes active drivers, a control unit, and a time interval adjustment unit. The active drivers are configured to receive a common internal voltage. The control unit is configured to control respective enable operations of the active drivers. The time interval adjustment unit is configured to respectively supply enable signals, generated by the control unit, to the active drivers at respective predetermined time intervals. |
| US08253473B2 |
Integrated circuit of an integrator with enhanced stability and related stabilization method
An integrated circuit integrator includes a first transconductance amplifier having a gain adjustable based upon a first control signal, and receives, as an input, a signal to be filtered, and generates, as an output, a corresponding amplified signal. The first transconductance amplifier includes an R-C output circuit to filter components from the amplified signal, and an output resistance being adjustable based upon a second control signal. A second transconductance amplifier is matched with the first transconductance amplifier, and has a gain adjustable based upon the first control signal, and a matched output resistance adjustable based upon the second control signal. A circuit is configured to force a reference current through the matched output resistance. An error correction circuit is coupled to the second transconductance amplifier and is configured to generate the second control signal so as to keep constant a voltage on an output of the second transconductance amplifier. |
| US08253467B2 |
Phase signal generating apparatuses
In at least one example embodiment, a phase signal generating apparatus includes a phase signal generator and phase controller. The phase signal generator is configured to receive a plurality of first phase signals and a plurality of second phase signals, adjust a phase difference between the plurality of first phase signals and the plurality of second phase signals and generate a plurality of adjusted first phase signals and a plurality of adjusted second phase signals, based on a switch control signal and a phase control signal, a phase difference between the plurality of adjusted first phase signals and the plurality of adjusted second phase signals being the adjusted phase difference. The phase controller is configured to generate the switch control signal and the phase control signal based on phase information for the plurality of first phase signals and the plurality of second phase signals. |
| US08253457B2 |
Delay locked loop with delay programmability
A delay locked loop (DLL) with delay programmability includes a pair of delay blocks, each containing multiple delay elements, but configurable to connect a desired subset of the delay elements between input and output nodes of the respective delay blocks. The subsets of the delay elements in the two delay blocks are connected in series. The ratio of the number of delay elements programmed to form each of the two subsets determines a delay provided as an output by the DLL. In operation, a phase discriminator and a loop filter in combination with the programmed subsets in the delay blocks, operate to generate an analog error signal to compensate for process, temperature and voltage (PTV) variations in the delay provided as an output by the DLL. |
| US08253456B2 |
Time correction circuit and electronic apparatus
A time correction circuit includes: a time-measurement device that measures a time period; a receiver device that receives electromagnetic wave based on a first baseband signal, the first baseband signal including time information concerning time and being encoded by a pulse width modulation method, and outputs a second baseband signal based on the electromagnetic wave received; and an asynchronous circuit that corrects the time based on the second baseband signal, wherein the asynchronous circuit executes a specified process to retrieve the time information from the second baseband signal based on the time period measured, at least one of when the second baseband signal changes from high level to low level and when the second baseband signal changes from low level to high level, and assumes a standby state after executing the specified process. |
| US08253455B2 |
Delay locked loop circuit and operation method thereof
A delay locked loop (DLL) circuit includes an analog DLL core and a digital DLL core. The analog DLL core receives an input clock signal of a first operating frequency. The digital DLL core receives an input clock signal of a second operating frequency equal to or lower than the first frequency. The analog and digital DLL cores operate selectively. The DLL core also includes a selection circuit configured to select one of the first and second DLL cores. The selection circuit may operate in response to a detection signal from a frequency detector which detects the frequency of the input clock signal. The selection circuit may also operate in response to a column address strobe writing latency signal that indicates frequency information of the input clock signal. |
| US08253447B2 |
Apparatus and method for frequency conversion and filter thereof
The present invention relates to an apparatus for frequency conversion, comprising: an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, receiving and sampling an input signal according to a sampling frequency for producing a first digital signal, and the sampling frequency and the frequency of the input signal having a correspondence; a sign conversion circuit, used for receiving the first digital signal, and performing a sign conversion on the first digital signal and producing a second digital signal; a first switching module, used for selecting one of the first digital signal and the second digital signal as an output signal according to the sampling frequency; a filter, coupled to the first switching module, used for filtering the output signal from the first switching module, and producing a filter signal; and a second switching module, coupled to the filter, used for outputting the filter signal to a first output path or a second output path alternately according to the sampling frequency. Thereby, according to the present invention, by means of the correspondence between the sampling frequency and the frequency of the input signal, the use of a filter and an A/D converter can be saved, and thus reducing circuit area and cost. |
| US08253445B2 |
Output circuit having pre-emphasis function
An output circuit includes a first differential pair of transistors driven by a first current source and differentially receiving input signals and a second differential pair of transistors driven by a second current source and differentially receiving first control signals (EMT, EMB). Output pairs of the first and second differential pairs are connected to the differential output terminals. A load resistor element pair is connected between a power supply and the differential output terminals. The output circuit further includes a third differential pair of transistors driven by a third current source and differentially receiving second control signals and a fourth differential pair of transistors driven by a fourth current source and differentially receiving third control signals. An output pair of the third differential pair of transistors is connected between one of the differential output terminals and the power supply. An output pair of the fourth differential pair of transistors is connected between the power supply and the other of the differential output terminals. |
| US08253442B2 |
Apparatus and method for signal transmission over a channel
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving data transmission. One such apparatus includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a channel. The transmitter includes a pair of current sources and a pair of switches. Each of the pair of switches conducts one of the current sources to the channel in response to input data. The receiver includes a first node configured to receive a signal over the channel, and a second node. The receiver also includes a resistance generating a voltage drop between the first node and the second node. The receiver further includes a first transistor of a first type and a second transistor of a second type. The first and second transistors are together configured to provide a voltage level to the second node based at least partly on the voltage drop. The resistance provides a negative feedback to center the mean signal level, thereby reducing intersymbol interference. |
| US08253441B1 |
Circuits and methods for level shifting a signal
In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a level shift circuit. The level shift circuit includes a clocked latch to receive a digital data signal and a complement of the digital data signal. Outputs of the clocked latch are coupled to inputs of a second latch through capacitors. The clocked latch is powered by first and second power supply voltages that are different than third and fourth power supply voltages used for powering the second latch. Latch output signals from the second latch have high and low voltage values at the third and fourth power supply voltages. In one embodiment, transistors in circuitry driven by the level shift circuit may receive output signals from the level shift circuit that have high and low voltage values within a safe operating range of the transistor receiving the output signal. |
| US08253439B2 |
Circuit arrangement for producing short electrical pulses
A circuit arrangement for producing short electrical pulses, including a logic gate (1) with a very short gate transit time and having a clock signal being supplied to a trigger input (2) of the logic gate (1) as a trigger signal. An output signal based on the trigger signal is generated as a short electrical pulse at an output (3) or at one output (3 or 4) or at both outputs (3 and 4) of the logic gate (1). |
| US08253437B2 |
Reduction of signal skew
Skew is reduced by extracting the AC component of an input signal and superimposing it on a common reference voltage to produce a resulting voltage. The resulting voltage is provided as an input to a comparator, which compares it to the reference voltage to provide a final output. Thus, all signals fed to a system, in accordance with an embodiment, are referenced at the same DC level and hence, skew is reduced. |
| US08253433B2 |
Testing apparatus for integrated circuit
An apparatus for testing an integrated circuit comprises: a chip unit with a plurality of electronic parts such as chip units arranged on the upside of a chip support; a probe unit having a plurality of contacts arranged on the underside of a probe support and spaced downward from the chip unit; a connection unit supporting the probe unit spaced downward from the chip unit on a pin support so as to penetrate the pin support in an up-down direction; and a coupling unit which couples separably the chip unit, the probe unit and the connection unit and displaces one of the chip support and the probe support and the pin support in a direction to approach each other and to be away from each other relative to the connection unit. |
| US08253428B2 |
Probe apparatus and test apparatus
A probe apparatus exchanging signals with a target device, includes: a contact section electrically connected to the target device by contacting a terminal of the target device; a non-contact section that exchanges signals with the target device in a state not contacting the terminal of the target device; and a retaining section that retains the contact section and the non-contact section, in such a manner that a relative position between the contact section and the non-contact section in a connection direction connecting the non-contact section and a region corresponding to the target device is displaceable. |
| US08253424B2 |
Topology surveying a series of capacitors
A topology for surveying the integrity of a plurality of capacitors connected in series between a pair of bus lines arranged to be connected to a DC-power source comprises a plurality of resistors connected in series between the pair of bus lines, the plurality of resistors being connected in parallel to the plurality of capacitors; and a comparator comparing the electric potential of an intermediate point between two capacitors of the plurality of capacitors with the electric potential of an intermediate point between two resistors of the plurality of resistors. The comparator provides a signal signaling a difference between these two electric potentials, which indicates a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors. |
| US08253422B2 |
Method of manufacture of wafers using an electro-chemical residue sensor (ECRS)
A method of improving the clean, rinse and dry processes during the manufacture of ICs, MEMS and other micro-devices to conserve solution and energy while completing the process within a specified time. An electro-chemical residue sensor (ECRS) provides in-situ and real-time measurement of residual contamination on a surface or inside void micro features within the sensor representative of conditions on production wafers. The in-situ measurements are used to design and optimize a production process. The wafers are manufactured in accordance with the production process without the ECRS. |
| US08253414B2 |
Integrated circuit including a magnetic field sensitive element and a coil
An integrated circuit includes a die and a first magnetic field sensitive element formed on the die. The integrated circuit includes a first coil formed on the die and around the first magnetic field sensitive element. |
| US08253412B2 |
Rotation detector for a wheeled vehicle
A rotation detector that can be assembled into a hub of a wheel without breakage of an object to be detected. The rotation detector has a housing (1) having an insertion section (1a) in which an axle (S) is inserted and that is placed between a hub (10a) of a front wheel (10) and a front fork, a magnet (3a) placed in the housing (1) and generating a magnetic field, and a magnetism detection element (3) provided in the housing (1) so as to be able to detect a change in the magnetic field and detecting the change in the magnetic field involved in the rotation of the object (5) to be detected. The object (5) to be detected is formed of a different magnetic material from the hub (10a) and has a portion (5a) to be detected that rotates in synchronous with the hub (10a). |
| US08253408B2 |
Method for measuring hearing aid compatibility
A method for measuring hearing aid compatibility (HAC) includes providing a probe and scanning testing points of a testing region obtained by the probe. The probe includes a circuit board, an electric field detecting probe, and a magnetic field detecting probe. The electric field detecting probe and the magnetic field detecting probe are located on the circuit board. |
| US08253401B2 |
Voltage conversion apparatus
A voltage conversion apparatus includes a DC-to-DC conversion circuit, a sensing circuit, and a compensation circuit. The voltage conversion apparatus is capable of adaptively adjusting the system bandwidth according to the load. The system bandwidth is increased to make the converted voltage responding to the load rapidly when the voltage conversion apparatus is operated at a transient state; and the system bandwidth is decreased to increase the system stability when the voltage conversion circuit is operated at a steady state. |
| US08253400B2 |
Current sensing for high voltage buck converter
Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing output (e.g., current) sensing and feedback in high-voltage switching power converter topologies. Certain aspects of high voltage switching converter topologies may make output (e.g., current) sensing difficult. In some embodiments, a sampling module implements sample-and-hold techniques in a low-side switch converter topology to provide reliable current sensing. Embodiments of the sampling module provide certain functionality, including integration, blanking, buffering, and adjustable sampling frequency. Further, some embodiments include feedback functionality for generating a converter driver signal (for driving the switching converter) and/or a sample driver signal (for driving the sampling module) as a function of sensed output feedback from the sampling module. |
| US08253399B2 |
Reconfigurable regulator and associated method
One embodiment of the invention includes a regulator system that includes a high-side power transistor electrically connected between a first node and a second node. The system also includes a low-side power transistor electrically connected between the second node and a third node. The high and low-side power transistors can be controlled by high and low-side control signals, respectively. A mode controller provides at least one mode control signal having a value to enable operation of the regulator system in each of a buck switching, boost switching, negative switching, and linear regulator mode. The regulator system can utilize at least one of the high-side power transistor and the low-side power transistor to operate in the selected mode depending on at least one of an input voltage and an arrangement of external circuitry that are electrically coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third nodes to provide a regulated output voltage. |
| US08253396B2 |
Voltage regulator system
The present disclosure includes circuits, systems and methods for regulating voltage. One voltage regulator system embodiment includes a voltage regulator having an output and a number of stages coupled in parallel to the output of the voltage regulator. Each stage includes a source follower circuit, and a sample and hold circuit coupled in series between the output of the voltage regulator and an input of the source follower circuit. |
| US08253395B2 |
Bus voltage optimizer for switched power converter
Methods, systems, and devices are provided for optimizing a bus voltage supplied to a switching power converter to keep the duty cycle of the switching power converter to within a desirable operating range. In some embodiments, the duty cycle of the switching signal used to drive the switching power converter is monitored (e.g., indirectly) to determine whether the duty cycle is approaching an undesirable level. For example, as the duty cycle decreases (e.g., approaches or crosses a certain threshold), embodiments decrease the bus voltage. This may, in turn, allow the switching power converter to output substantially the same output to the load, while using a more efficient (e.g., larger) duty cycle. Certain embodiments use similar techniques, along with certain bus voltage optimization techniques, to control a bus voltage as a function of feedback from multiple switching power converters. |
| US08253389B2 |
Battery protection circuit and method for energy harvester circuit
Power management circuitry (7-2,3,4) for converting a harvested voltage (Vhrv) to an output voltage (VBAT) applied to a battery (6) includes an inductor (L0) having a first terminal (3) coupled to receive the harvested voltage (Vhrv) and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of a first switch (S0). The power management circuitry transfers the current generated by an energy harvester (2) to the battery if it (6) is not fully charged, and shunts the current away from the battery (6) to avoid overcharging if it is fully charged. |
| US08253387B2 |
Battery charging control methods and apparatus
Embodiments include methods for charging a battery of an electrical system. The electrical system includes the battery, a battery charger, and a controller. The battery charger is adapted to produce an output power in response to a control signal from the controller. The controller is adapted to control a battery charging process by determining a temperature of the battery pack, determining a voltage setpoint for the battery charger based on the temperature, and providing the control signal to the battery charger. According to an embodiment, when the temperature of the battery exceeds a first temperature value, the battery charging process is temporarily suspended prior to satisfying a charging termination criterion. Determining the temperature of the battery is repeated, and when the temperature of the battery is less than a second temperature value, the battery charging process is resumed. |
| US08253381B2 |
Charging device
A charging device for connecting a battery to a power supply to charge the battery includes a charging unit connected between one pole of the power supply and one pole the battery, a first switch unit connecting another pole of the battery with the charging unit and including a first switch connected between another pole of the power supply and the charging unit, and a second switch unit connected between another pole of the power supply and the charging unit. The power supply charges the battery through the second switch unit when the second switch unit is switched on, the first switch is automatically switched on in the charging process, the power supply charges the battery through the first switch after the second switch unit is switched off, and the first switch is automatically switched off when the battery is fully charged. |
| US08253375B2 |
Battery charger with retractable contacts
A battery charger includes a bottom case comprising a bottom surface. A cover is attached on the case defining a curved groove and two openings. A seat is fixed on the bottom surface and comprises a first inclined surface inclined relative to the bottom surface. A slider is slidably arranged in the case and comprises two spring contacts aligned with the two openings, respectively. The slider is slidable to a position where the spring contacts protrude out of the two openings. The driving member is arranged in the bottom case and includes a post protruding out of the curved groove. A mating member comprises a second inclined surface inclined relative to the bottom surface engaging the first inclined surface. A first means is for allowing the mating member to slidably connect the mating member to the driving member and allowing the mating member to rotate together with the driving member. |
| US08253374B2 |
Charger for electronic device
A charger is configured for charging a battery. The battery includes a group of contacting portions. The charger includes a first base, a second base rotatably assembled to the first base, and two latching elements. Each of the latching elements includes a housing defining a cavity and fixed on the first base, a resilient element received in the cavity, a block, and a metal sheet fixed in the cavity. The resilient element elastically resists the block. A latching portion extends from the metal sheet and faces the block; the latching portion and the block sandwiches the group of the contacting portions. The present disclosure further discloses an electronic device using the battery. |
| US08253372B2 |
Charging system and charging apparatus thereof
A charging system includes a robot and a charging apparatus. The robot includes a rechargeable battery, a power receiving terminal electrically connecting with the rechargeable battery, and a detector for detecting a voltage of the battery. The charging apparatus for charging the robot includes a base comprising a receiving portion defining a sliding slot, a power supplying terminal disposed in the receiving portion and configured for electrically contacting with the power receiving terminal, a positioning board docked in the receiving portion for loading the robot, and a driving device including an inclined surface contacting with the positioning board via the sliding slot. The detector may send a control signal to the driving device to push the positioning board with the robot up from the receiving portion. |
| US08253369B2 |
Single phase induction motor
The present invention relates to a single phase induction motor, and more particularly, to a single phase induction motor, wherein a variable resistance element which can change a winding number of a main winding or an auxiliary winding capable of producing a magnetic field at the time of starting is connected in parallel to some portion of the main winding or the auxiliary winding. A single phase induction motor including a stator composed of a core, a main winding and an auxiliary winding, and a rotor rotated by a mutual electromagnetic force by the stator comprises a resistance variable element connected in parallel to some portion of the main winding. In addition, a single phase induction motor including a stator composed of a core, a main winding and an auxiliary winding, and a rotor rotated by a mutual electromagnetic force by the stator comprises a capacitor connected in series to the auxiliary winding, and a resistance variable element connected in parallel to some portion of the auxiliary winding and the capacitor. |
| US08253368B2 |
Debris sensor for cleaning apparatus
A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris. |
| US08253362B2 |
Overheat protection apparatus
An apparatus which estimates the temperatures of a motor without using a temperature sensor can achieve overheat protection by proper control. In an example, a heat generation amount calculation section calculates a heat generation amount of a motor. A current upper limit map has a current upper limit value corresponding to a temperature estimated value and a ratio map has a ratio corresponding to the temperature estimated value. A lower one of limited current values, determined using the two maps, controls energization of the motor. The heat generation amount calculation section includes a heat generation correction term, and a heat radiation correction term for calculating a function of the difference between the integrated value of the heat generation amount and a motor ambient temperature. If the ambient temperature becomes equal to or higher than a comparison temperature, then the heat generation amount is calculated without the heat radiation correction present. |
| US08253360B2 |
Vector controlled motor drive system implementing pulse width modulated (PWM) waveforms
A vector controlled motor drive system is provided that includes a test vector and duty cycle generator module designed to receive a set of three-phase voltage command signals and designed to generate a set of pulse width modulated (PWM) waveforms. The set of PWM waveforms comprise: a first modified switching vector signal for a first motor phase that comprises at least two test pulses over three consecutive PWM cycles. The first modified switching vector signal has a first amplitude value that changes between a high amplitude value and a low amplitude value during the three consecutive PWM cycles. A number of transitions by the first modified switching vector signal between the low amplitude value and the high amplitude value over the three consecutive PWM cycles is greater than six and less than twelve. |
| US08253358B2 |
Device and method for supplying electrical power to at least one induction machine on board an aircraft
A device and a method for supplying electrical power to at least one induction machine on board an aircraft. This device includes at least one CVFR type source, in which the voltage and frequency are both variable but in a constant ratio, that supplies power to at least one induction machine. |
| US08253356B2 |
Vehicle control system
In a vehicle control system that includes an engine, a first rotary electric machine, a second rotary electric machine and a transmission, a control unit includes a shift state acquisition module that acquires a shift state of a vehicle; a stepped-up voltage reduction permission module that determines whether reduction of a system voltage is permitted on the basis of the acquired shift state; a stepped-up voltage reduction execution module that reduces the system voltage to a predetermined upper limit voltage when reduction of the system voltage is permitted; and a drive control module that controls operations of a converter and inverter to thereby control the first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine. |
| US08253354B2 |
Method and apparatus for transferring signal data
The invention relates to a method and device for transferring signal data from a sender to one or more receivers. The invention includes receiving a quantity as a function of time, arranging the quantity into a first polynomial to obtain values for polynomial coefficients of a first continuous signal, and transferring the values of the polynomial coefficients of the first continuous signal via a first data transfer link to one or more receivers. |
| US08253350B2 |
Open loop LED driving circuit
The present invention discloses an open loop LED driving circuit, having a turn-on period and a turn-off period, the circuit comprising: a power stage, used to store a magnetic energy supplied from a voltage source during the turn-on period and deliver the magnetic energy to a set of LEDs during the turn-off period; and a control unit, having a turn-off period control terminal coupled to the voltage source, and a channel of which a first terminal is coupled to the power stage and a second terminal is coupled to a reference ground, wherein the channel is switched on at a time according to the voltage of the voltage source to determine the turn-off period. |
| US08253349B2 |
System and method for regulation of solid state lighting
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus, and method of controlling an intensity and spectrum of light emitted from a solid state lighting system. The solid state lighting has a first emitted spectrum at full intensity and at a selected temperature, with a first electrical biasing for the solid state lighting producing a first wavelength shift, and a second electrical biasing for the solid state lighting producing a second, opposing wavelength shift. Exemplary embodiments provide for receiving information designating a selected intensity level or a selected temperature; and providing a combined first electrical biasing and second electrical biasing to the solid state lighting to generate emitted light having the selected intensity level and having a second emitted spectrum within a predetermined variance of the first emitted spectrum over a predetermined range of temperatures. |
| US08253345B2 |
Method for driving LED
A method for driving a LED and to an illumination system comprising at least one LED. The LED is driven by a pulse signal, wherein the pulse signal comprises pulses of a duration of T/n, wherein T is the duration of a single pulse and the corresponding pause in between two consecutive pulses and n is at least 2, and the current value of the pulses is at least double as much as the nominal constant current of said LED. The light intensity is increased by n times while the power consumption is the same in comparison to driving that LED with a prescribed constant driving voltage and the prescribed constant driving current. |
| US08253340B2 |
Daylight control system, device and method
A system and device for and a method of programming and controlling light fixtures is disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention includes a stationary controller unit that is electrically coupled to the light fixtures. The stationary controller unit is configured to be remotely programmed with a portable commissioning device to automatically control the lights fixtures. The stationary controller unit and the portable commissioning device include light sensors, micro-computers and transceivers for measuring light levels, running programs, storing data and transmitting data between the stationary controller unit and the portable commissioning device. In operation, target light levels selected with the portable commissioning device and the controller unit is remotely programmed to automatically maintain the target level. |
| US08253338B2 |
Programmable, progressive, directing lighting systems: apparatus and method
Systems and methods for providing guidance and entertainment to people within a structure, through sequentially activated illuminating devices. In some embodiments, the illuminating devices receive instructions to illuminate the perimeter of a structure in a sequence that indicates the exit of the structure. In other embodiments, the illuminating devices receive instructions to illuminate a surface of a structure, such as a wall of a corridor, to track the movement of at least one object or person walking or otherwise moving in the structure. The instructions to the illuminating devices are sent from sensing and detecting devices or alternatively, from a command and control center, in response to changes detected in the environment of the structure. |
| US08253337B2 |
Lighting system
A lighting system for an emergency exit from an occupied space: an array of lighting elements located around the emergency exit to illuminate the exit and facilitate egress for an occupant of the space; a control unit; and sensors to detect one or more trigger conditions and actuate the lighting elements in response to a first trigger condition from any of the sensors, the sensors comprising: an impulse detector operable to send a signal to the control unit indicating that the impulse detector has experienced an impulse; and a roll and/or pitch detector operable to send a signal to the control unit indicating that the roll and/or pitch detector has experienced roll and/or pitch, wherein upon detection of the first trigger condition the control unit actuates one or more of the lighting elements to illuminate the exit. |
| US08253333B2 |
Plasma display panel having an mgO crystal layer for improved discharge characteristics and method of manufacturing same
A plasma display panel equipped with a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other to form a discharge space. On the discharge space side of the front substrate there are disposed a metal oxide layer and magnesium oxide crystal particles. The magnesium oxide crystal particles are arranged on the discharge space side of the metal oxide layer, or alternatively, part of the magnesium oxide crystal particles are disposed within the metal oxide layer. |
| US08253331B2 |
Mercury dosing method for fluorescent lamps
A fluorescent lamp includes a discharge tube having an inner wall forming a discharge chamber. One or more coiled electrodes are disposed within the discharge tube. A mercury containing composition is disposed on at least one coiled electrode. |
| US08253329B2 |
Enhanced edge seal design for organic light emitting diode (OLED) encapsulation
A light source assembly and associated method of forming same includes a generally planar light emitting device having parallel first and second generally planar surfaces that are interconnected along a perimeter. A seal extends over at least a portion of the light emitting device. Further, a sidewall portion encloses the perimeter of a light emitting device, and a cover portion may extend over at least a portion of the light emitting device. The method includes folding perimeter edges of an enlarged backsheet, or providing a frame seal that is dimensioned so that perimeter edges may be folded over the light emitting device. |
| US08253325B2 |
Organic light-emitting device with microcavity structure and differing semi-transparent layer materials
The organic light-emitting device of the present invention includes a plurality of organic light-emitting elements including an organic light-emitting element showing a first emission color and at least one organic light-emitting element showing a different emission color from the first emission color, each of the organic light-emitting elements including: a first electrode having a reflective surface; a second electrode placed on a light extraction side and including a semi-transparent layer; an organic compound layer including a light-emitting layer and formed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a micro cavity structure for resonating light emitted from the light-emitting layer between the reflective surface and the semi-transparent layer, wherein the semi-transparent layer in the organic light-emitting element showing the first emission color is different in thickness and/or material from the semi-transparent layer in the at least one organic light-emitting element showing the different emission colors. |
| US08253324B2 |
Display apparatus
Provided is a display apparatus including a plurality of pixels each composed of an organic electroluminescent device, in which the dependency of a view angle can be reduced without the sacrifice of the luminance of the display apparatus. The display apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of pixels each composed of an organic electroluminescent device, in which at least one of the pixels is divided into a plurality of areas different in dependency of a view angle. |
| US08253323B2 |
Organic light emitting device, method of manufacturing the same, and shadow mask therefor
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device, and the organic light emitting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a blue subpixel that is larger than a red subpixel and a green subpixel. The red subpixel and the green subpixel have the same layered structure such that the red subpixel and the green subpixel are formed by using the same shadow mask. |
| US08253321B2 |
Warm-white light emtitting diode and its halide phosphor powder
The invention relates to a halide phosphor powder for warm-white light emitting diode, which is a kind of low-color-temperature phosphor powder of halide nitride based on garnet of rare earth oxides, uses cerium as activating agent and is characterized in that chloride (Cl−1) and nitrogen ion (N−3) are added to the composition of the phosphor powder and its stoichiometric relationship of the composition is (ΣLn+3)3Al2[(Al(O1-2pClpNp)4]3, wherein ΣLn is ΣLn=Y and/or Gd and/or Tb and/or Lu and/or Dy and/or Pr and/or Ce. In addition, the invention also discloses a use of a warm-white light emitting diode of the said phosphor powder with a weight ratio of 8 to 75%. The light emitting diode has a warm-red color temperature T≦3000 K when it has a power of 1 watt. |
| US08253317B2 |
Field emission lamp
Provided is a field emission lamp (FEL), which includes a plurality of cathode electrodes formed above a first substrate, an anode electrode formed under a second substrate to face the cathode electrode, a fluorescent layer composed of red, green and blue (RGB) patterns formed alternately on the anode electrode in an oblique direction, and a plurality of emitters formed on the cathode electrodes to correspond to the RGB patterns. According to the present invention, as an FEL having a fast response time is used as a backlight unit, a color breaking phenomenon can be prevented in a color sequential driving method. |
| US08253316B2 |
Dimmable LED lamp
An LED-powered replacement for the conventional incandescent screw-in light bulb comprises a phosphor coated sphere emitting white light into the same spherical pattern as a frosted incandescent bulb. In one embodiment inside the hollow sphere there is a dielectric cone emitting blue light, which causes the phosphor coating to glow. The blue light comes into the cone from a dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrator (DTIRC), which receives light from a conical reflector surrounding an LED array. The array has blue chips for energizing the phosphor and red chips for supplementing the phosphor light, enabling separate electronic control of the color temperature as well as the overall luminosity of the LED Lamp. Both blue and red chips are controlled by a quantum dimmer. |
| US08253312B2 |
Plasma jet spark plug
A plasma jet spark plug for igniting an air-fuel mixture in a conventional combustion device such as an internal combustion engine. |
| US08253310B1 |
Light emitting diode light fixture
An exemplary light fixture includes a holder, an envelope and a lamp body. The lamp body includes a heat dissipation portion, a light source and a shield. The heat dissipation portion has top and bottom ends connecting to the holder and the envelope, respectively. The light source is mounted on the bottom end of the heat dissipation portion and covered by the envelope. The heat dissipation portion includes a plurality of fins extending from the top end to the bottom end of the heat dissipation portion. A passage is defined between every two adjacent fins. The shield surrounds the fins and defines a plurality of windows therein, communicating with the passages. |
| US08253308B2 |
Polymer actuator
A polymer actuator includes: a pair of electrode layers made of an ionic liquid, a polymer, and carbon nanoparticles; and an electrolyte layer provided between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the carbon nanoparticles are a mixture of carbon nanotubes (hereinafter, referred to as CNTs) and carbon nanohorns (hereinafter, referred to as CNHs), a ratio by weight of the carbon nanoparticles to the total weight of the ionic liquid, the polymer, and the carbon nanoparticles contained in the pair of electrodes is equal to or higher than 25 wt % and equal to or lower than 80 wt %, a mixing ratio of the CNTs to the CNHs contained in the carbon particles is in a range of (CNT):(CNH)=1:1 to 3:1, and a ratio by weight of the polymer is equal to or higher than 17.7 wt % and equal to or lower than 30.2 wt %. |
| US08253305B2 |
Drive unit of pressure device
A drive unit of a pressure device, such as a welding gun, includes a piezoelectric type load cell adapted to be arranged in an easily attached and removed manner and to have relatively small capacity. The drive unit includes a through-hole 6, formed in a rotary shaft 5 of a drive motor 1, which is a drive source, and a pressure shaft 10, configured to be able to move with a part thereof being in the through-hole 6. The rotary shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the bearing 7, and the piezoelectric type load cell 17 is sandwiched between a preload striker plate 18, through which the pressure shaft 10 passes, and a preload setting striker plate 19, through which the pressure shaft 10 passes with a preload exerted on the load cell 17. |
| US08253300B2 |
Electrostrictive composite and method for making the same
An electrostrictive composite includes a flexible polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the flexible polymer matrix. The carbon nanotubes cooperatively form an electrically conductive network in the flexible polymer matrix. A plurality of bubbles are defined by the flexible polymer matrix. |
| US08253294B1 |
Increased efficiency dual rotational electric motor/generator
An enhanced dual rotational electric motor/generator includes an armature that rotates about a central axis in one direction, a stator that rotates about the central axis in an opposite direction, an axle that extends along the central axis and is secured to the armature, an axle support, a rotational output alignment mechanism for converting the opposite rotations of the armature and stator into a common rotational output direction, and an electrical connection mechanism that supplies functioning electrical communication between the motor/generator and external electrical circuitry while operating the motor/generator. |
| US08253290B2 |
Electronic retrofit controller for hydraulically adjusted printing press
A retrofit kit for a printing press adjustment hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is maintained to benefit from its mounting position and alignment, but the hydraulic fluid is removed. A hydraulic actuator shaft is attached to a mechanism that converts the rotary motion of an electric motor to linear motion. The electric motor provides faster and more accurate control of the hydraulic actuator shaft than the hydraulic fluid, providing for faster adjustment of the printing press. |
| US08253287B2 |
Automotive dynamoelectric machine
An inverter power module includes: a heatsink that is shaped into a ring-shaped flat plate; a plurality of power MOSFETs that are mounted onto substrates, and mounted to a front surface of the heatsink; a circuit board that is a resin-molded body into which a plurality of inserted conductors are insert molded; and a bus bar that is fixed to the heatsink so as to be disposed on an opposite side of the circuit board facing the heatsink, and that is connected to a power source line of an inverter power circuit by means of a battery electric potential connecting terminal, the heatsink is electrically connected to the rear bracket by being fixed to the rear bracket, and the rear bracket is connected to a ground line of the inverter power circuit by means of the ground electric potential connecting terminal. |
| US08253286B2 |
Motor with coming-off preventing portion
A motor includes a coming-off preventing portion including an inner circumferential edge defining a through hole, inside which a substantially cylindrical bearing housing is inserted, and being arranged axially above an insulator. The inner circumferential edge has at least two different radial dimensions. A boss portion includes a columnar portion inserted inside the through hole, and a collar portion extending radially outward from a lower end of the columnar portion. The collar portion includes an outside surface having at least two different radial dimensions, and an upper surface arranged axially opposite a bottom portion of the inner circumferential edge. The radial dimensions of the inner circumferential edge and those of the collar portion are arranged to allow the collar portion to be axially inserted through the inner circumferential edge only when the inner circumferential edge and the collar portion are arranged in a predetermined circumferential orientation relative to each other. |
| US08253284B2 |
Electric motor and electric motor vehicle
An electric motor includes: a stator of columnar shape including a stator core of annular shape and mold resin molding the stator core, the stator core accommodating a rotor configured to rotate about a rotary shaft; and a position detecting circuit board including a position detecting element configured to detect a position of the rotor. The stator has a cavity for accommodating the rotor. One end of the cavity is covered by the mold resin. The position detecting circuit board is placed on an opposite side from the rotor across the mold resin covering the one end of the cavity. |
| US08253280B2 |
Voice coil motor
A voice coil motor includes a stationary frame defining a first receiving space, a cover, and a base defining a second receiving space. The stationary frame includes a top surface and an opposite bottom surface. The top surface defines at least two first recesses. A first blocking portion is formed between each first recess and the first receiving space. At least two first protruding portions extend from the bottom surface. The cover is mounted to the top surface and includes a first surface facing the top surface. At least two second protruding portions extend from the first surface corresponding to the first recesses. The base supports the bottom surface and includes a second surface facing the bottom surface. The second surface defines at least two second recesses corresponding to the first protruding portions. A second blocking portion is formed between each second recess and the second receiving space. |
| US08253275B2 |
Connection error avoidance for apparatus connected to a power supply
According to one general embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product for reducing incidence of errors in connections between a power consumer apparatus operable to draw a load and a power supply apparatus capable of varying the power supplied, the computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to generate at the power consumer apparatus an identifiable pattern in a load to be drawn from a power supply connection to a power supply apparatus; and computer readable program code configured to monitor at the power consumer apparatus for a change in the load corresponding to the pattern, the monitoring being performed across a signal connection to the power supply apparatus; wherein a positive result of the monitoring indicates a correct configuration. Additional embodiments are also presented. |
| US08253272B2 |
Fan controller with 8-bit signal encoding
A self-programmable control system for an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may comprise a ceiling fan and associated light fixtures, wherein the ceiling fan is manufactured to be coupled with an AC power source, and includes a motor with associated connection wires for rotating fan blades. Such ceiling fan system may further include at least one lower light fixture, and one upper light fixture, with associated connection wires for adjusting light intensity. The control system may utilize a plurality of wireless or hard-wired controllers, wherein each controller contains a transmitter configured to encode and transmit a control signal from the controller to a receiver. The control system further includes a receiver adapted to receive the encoded control signals, decode the instruction, and provide the decoded instruction to a component of the electronic device. The receiver is adapted to operate in several different modes, including a dimmer mode and a programming mode, whereby the remote transmitters may adjust the illumination intensity and the receiver may program itself to receive instructions only from a specific controller. |
| US08253268B1 |
Wind power generation system
The inventive technology described herein generally relates to the field of wind power generation. More specifically, methods and apparatus for an RPM controlled power generation system utilizing perhaps multiple generators coupled through a radius adjustable coupler to at least one rotational movement element. This coupled connection may be static or dynamically adjustable across the surface of the rotational movement element so as to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator rotation(s) per minute (RPM) according to the varying rotational velocity along the radius of the rotational movement element. In some embodiments such coupled generators may be controlled through the implementation of a variety of novel RPM adjusting applications directed to system elements so as to increase electrical output yield while maintaining a constant or near constant generator rotation(s) per minute. |
| US08253256B2 |
Stacked semiconductor package
A stacked semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor package having a first semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, first bonding pads disposed on the first surface, and through-electrodes electrically connected with the first bonding pads The through-electrodes pass through the first and second surfaces of the first chip and extend from the second surface. A second semiconductor package has a through-holes defined therein into which the through-electrodes are inserted and second bonding pads electrically connected with the through-electrodes. |
| US08253254B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device has a first insulation film defining a plurality of contact holes arranged along a predetermined direction. A plurality of first contact plugs is respectively formed in the contact holes. A second insulation film is formed on the first insulation film and defining an opening to expose a predetermined region of the first insulation film including a region where the first contact plugs are formed. A plurality of interconnections are formed to extend across the opening and to be in contact with top surfaces of the first contact plugs, respectively. |
| US08253252B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
It is an object to provide an element structure of a semiconductor device for having a sufficient contact area between an electrode in contact with a source region or a drain region and the source region or the drain region, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device with the element structure. An upper electrode is formed over a high-concentration impurity region (the source region or the drain region). A contact hole passing through an interlayer insulating film is formed overlapping with a region where the upper electrode and the high-concentration impurity region are stacked. |
| US08253247B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device involving the step of bonding a metallic ribbon to a pad of a semiconductor chip, breakage of the metallic ribbon is to be prevented while ensuring the bonding strength even when the metallic ribbon becomes thin with reduction in size of the semiconductor chip. In bonding an Al ribbon to a pad of a semiconductor chip by bringing a pressure bonding surface of a wedge tool into pressure contact with the Al ribbon while applying ultrasonic vibration to the ribbon positioned over the pad, recesses 10a are formed beforehand at both end portions respectively of the wedge tool lest both end portions in the width direction of the Al ribbon bonded to the pad should contact the pressure bonding surface of the wedge tool. |
| US08253245B2 |
Communication device
A communication device according to an embodiment includes an antenna transmitting/receiving a high frequency signal, a semiconductor chip having four corners and four sides processing the high frequency signal, and a substrate on which a first wiring connected to ground, a second wiring supplying power to the semiconductor chip, a third wiring connected to a protection element or circuit of the semiconductor chip, and fourth wirings transmitting a signal from the semiconductor chip are formed by plating, and the semiconductor chip is mounted. |
| US08253239B2 |
Multi-chip semiconductor connector
In one exemplary embodiment, a multi-chip connector is formed to have a first conductive strip that is suitable for attaching to a first semiconductor die and a second conductive strip that is attached suitable for attaching to a second semiconductor die. |
| US08253236B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device includes power semiconductor elements joined to wiring patterns of a circuit substrate, cylindrical external terminal communication sections, and wiring means for forming electrical connection between, for example, the power semiconductor elements and the cylindrical external terminal communication sections. The power semiconductor elements, the cylindrical external terminal communication sections, and the wiring means are sealed with transfer molding resin. The cylindrical external terminal communication sections are arranged on the wiring patterns so as to be substantially perpendicular to the wiring patterns, such that external terminals are insertable and connectable to the cylindrical external terminal communication sections, and such that a plurality of cylindrical external terminal communication sections among the cylindrical external terminal communication sections are arranged two-dimensionally on each of wiring patterns that act as main circuits. |
| US08253232B2 |
Package on package having a conductive post with height lower than an upper surface of an encapsulation layer to prevent circuit pattern lift defect and method of fabricating the same
A package on package includes a lower semiconductor package including a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips, a connection portion including an electrically-conductive lead having a height lower than that of an encapsulation member, and an upper semiconductor package connected to the connection portion of the lower semiconductor package via a solder ball in a fan-in structure. |
| US08253228B2 |
Package on package structure
A package on package structure includes a lower package and an upper package. The lower package includes a first semiconductor chip disposed in a chip region of an upper surface of a first substrate. The upper package includes a second semiconductor chip disposed on an upper surface of a second substrate, and a decoupling capacitor disposed in an outer region of a lower surface of the second substrate. The lower surface of the second substrate opposes the upper surface of the second substrate and faces the upper surface of the first substrate. The plane area of the second substrate is larger than the plane area of the first substrate. The outer region of the lower surface of the second substrate extends beyond a periphery of the first substrate. |
| US08253225B2 |
Device including semiconductor chip and leads coupled to the semiconductor chip and manufacturing thereof
An electronic device and manufacturing thereof. One embodiment provides a semiconductor chip having a control electrode and a first load electrode on a first surface and a second load electrode on a second surface. A first lead is electrically coupled to the control electrode. A second lead is electrically coupled to the first load electrode. A third lead is electrically coupled to the first load electrode, the third lead being separate from the second lead. A fourth lead is electrically coupled to the second load electrode, the second and third leads being arranged between the first and fourth leads. |
| US08253224B2 |
Semiconductor package with metal straps
A copper strap for a semiconductor device package having a contact electrically connected to a die electrode, a leg portion electrically connected to a lead frame, a web portion positioned between the contact and the leg portion and connected to the leg portion and a connection region connecting the web portion to the contact. The contact includes a body having a plurality of formations, each of the plurality of formations having a concavity and an opposing convexity positioned to generally face the die electrode. |
| US08253221B2 |
Gallium nitride bulk crystals and their growth method
A gallium nitride crystal with a polyhedron shape having exposed {10-10} m-planes and an exposed (000-1) N-polar c-plane, wherein a surface area of the exposed (000-1) N-polar c-plane is more than 10 mm2 and a total surface area of the exposed {10-10} m-planes is larger than half of the surface area of (000-1) N-polar c-plane. The GaN bulk crystals were grown by an ammonothermal method with a higher temperature and temperature difference than is used conventionally, and using an autoclave having a high-pressure vessel with an upper region and a lower region. The temperature of the lower region of the high-pressure vessel is at or above 550° C., the temperature of the upper region of the high-pressure vessel is set at or above 500° C., and the temperature difference between the lower and upper regions is maintained at or above 30° C. GaN seed crystals having a longest dimension along the c-axis and exposed large area m-planes are used. |
| US08253220B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A nitride semiconductor device includes a first nitride semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, a defect induced layer formed on the first nitride semiconductor layer, and a second nitride semiconductor layer formed on the defect induced layer, contacting the defect induced layer, and having an opening through which the defect induced layer is exposed. The defect induced layer has a higher crystal defect density than those of the first and second nitride semiconductor layers. |
| US08253212B2 |
Photodetector/imaging device with avalanche gain
A photodetector/imaging device comprises a layer of photoconductive material converting incident electromagnetic radiation into electrical charges, the layer of photoconductive material being capable of avalanche multiplication when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied thereacross; a readout layer detecting the electrical charge; and at least one interface layer between the layer of photoconductive material and the readout layer, the interface layer coupling electrical charge to or from the layer of photoconductive material and being configured to inhibit uncontrolled rises in current in the photoconductive material during avalanche multiplication. |
| US08253210B2 |
Semiconductor device including a magnetic sensor chip
A semiconductor device includes a magnetic sensor chip, an electrically conducting layer wafer-level patterned in contact with the magnetic sensor chip, encapsulation material disposed on the magnetic sensor chip, and an array of external contact elements electrically coupled with the magnetic sensor chip through the electrically conducting layer. |
| US08253209B2 |
Electromechanical device comprising electronic components and at least one nanotube-based interface, and manufacturing method
The invention relates to an electromechanical device comprising a package and at least one component surface-mounted in the package, characterized in that it also comprises at least one nanotube-based interface providing a mechanical link for vibratory and thermal filtering between said component and the package.Advantageously, the nanotube-based interface can also serve as an electrical and/or thermal interface with the electrical contacts with which the package is equipped. |
| US08253206B2 |
Method for reshaping silicon surfaces with shallow trench isolation
A method for making a semiconductor device by reshaping a silicon surface with a sacrificial layer is presented. In the present invention the steps of forming a sacrificial dielectric layer and removing the sacrificial dielectric layer are repeated multiple times in order to remove sharp edges from the silicon surface near the field oxides. Another aspect of the present invention includes making a MOSFET transistor that incorporates the forming and removing of multiple sacrificial layers into the process. |
| US08253204B2 |
Semiconductor device with strained channel and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes: a gate pattern over a substrate; recess patterns provided in the substrate at both sides of the gate pattern, each having a side surface extending below the gate pattern; and a source and a drain filling the recess patterns, and forming a strained channel under the gate pattern. |
| US08253202B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor substrate with good process efficiency and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The thin film transistor substrate includes a first conductive type MOS transistor and a second conductive type MOS transistor. The first conductive type MOS transistor includes a first semiconductor layer formed on a blocking layer and having first conductive type low-concentration doping regions adjacent to both sides of a channel region, first conductive type source/drain regions adjacent to the first conductive type low-concentration doping regions, a first gate insulating layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the first gate insulating layer and overlapping with the channel region and the low-concentration doping regions of the first semiconductor layer, and a first gate electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer. The second conductive type MOS transistor includes a second semiconductor layer formed on the blocking layer and having second conductive type source/drain regions adjacent to both sides of a channel region, the first gate insulating layer formed on the second semiconductor layer, a third gate insulating layer formed on the first gate insulating layer and overlapping with the second semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode formed on the third gate insulating layer. |
| US08253201B2 |
Memory device
A memory device includes a MOS transistor including a gate structure, a first impurity region, a second impurity region, and a floating body positioned between the first and the second impurity regions on a semiconductor substrate including a buried oxide layer. The memory device includes a charge storage structure of the non-volatile memory device electrically connected to the second impurity region of the MOS transistor. |
| US08253200B2 |
Lightly-doped drains (LDD) of image sensor transistors using selective epitaxy
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an image sensor having pixel transistors and peripheral transistors disposed in a silicon substrate. For some embodiments, a protective coating is disposed on the peripheral transistors and doped silicon is epitaxially grown on the substrate to form lightly-doped drain (LDD) areas for the pixel transistors. The protective oxide may be used to prevent epitaxial growth of silicon on the peripheral transistors during formation of the LDD areas of the pixel transistors. |
| US08253199B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having cavity portions
A semiconductor memory device has a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of word lines formed on the semiconductor substrate at predetermined intervals, a selecting transistor arranged on each of two sides of each of the plurality of word lines in which a spacing between the selecting transistor and an adjacent one of the word lines is not less than three times a width of each of the word lines, an interlayer insulating film formed to cover upper surfaces of the word lines and selecting transistors, a first cavity portion which is located between each pair of adjacent ones of the word lines and whose upper portion is covered with the interlayer insulating film, a second cavity portion which is formed at a side wall portion of the word line adjacent to each selecting transistor which faces the selecting transistor and whose upper portion is covered with the interlayer insulating film, and a third cavity portion which is formed at a side wall portion of each of the selecting transistors and whose upper portion is covered with the interlayer insulating film. |
| US08253198B2 |
Devices for shielding a signal line over an active region
A multi-path transistor includes an active region including a channel region and an impurity region. A gate is dielectrically separated from the channel region. A signal line is dielectrically separated from the impurity region. A conductive shield is disposed between, and dielectrically separated from, the signal line and the channel region. In some multi-path transistors, the channel region includes an extension-channel region under the conductive shield and the multi-path transistor includes different conduction paths, at least one of the different conduction paths being in the extension-channel region to conduct substantially independent of a voltage on the signal line. In other multi-path transistors, the conductive shield is operably coupled to the impurity region and the multi-path transistor includes different conduction paths, at least one of the different conduction paths being under the conductive shield to conduct substantially independent of a voltage on the signal line. |
| US08253195B2 |
Integrated circuit with a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device and method of forming the same
An integrated circuit with a transistor advantageously embodied in a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device having a gate located over a channel region recessed into a semiconductor substrate and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the transistor includes a source/drain including a lightly or heavily doped region adjacent the channel region, and an oppositely doped well extending under the channel region and a portion of the lightly or heavily doped region of the source/drain. The transistor also includes a channel extension, within the oppositely doped well, under the channel region and extending under a portion of the lightly or heavily doped region of the source/drain. |
| US08253190B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
It is made possible to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that has a high-quality insulating film in which defects are not easily formed, and experiences less leakage current. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming an amorphous silicon layer on an insulating layer; introducing oxygen into the amorphous silicon layer; and forming a silicon oxynitride layer by nitriding the amorphous silicon layer having oxygen introduced thereinto. |
| US08253188B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor storage device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulator, a laminated insulator including a second insulator having fixed charges more than those of the first insulator, a single-layer insulator, memory cells between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, each memory cells separated from an adjacent memory cell by a cavity portion and including a tunnel insulator, a charge accumulation layer, an insulator, and a control gate electrode, a first selection gate transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, a second selection gate transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, between one memory cell and the first selection gate transistor, and in contact with the laminated insulator on a first side face on a memory cell side thereof, and a high-voltage peripheral circuit transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, and in contact with the single-layer insulator on a side face thereof. |
| US08253187B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor storage device and method of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device 10 has a plurality of memory strings 100 with a plurality of electrically rewritable memory transistors MTr1-MTr4 connected in series. The memory string 100 includes a columnar semiconductor CLmn extending in a direction perpendicular to a substrate, a plurality of charge accumulation layers formed around the columnar semiconductor CLmn via insulating films, and selection gate lines on the drain side SGD contacting the columnar semiconductor to configure transistors. The selection gate lines on the drain side SGD have lower selection gate lines on the drain side SGDd, each of which is arranged with an interval with a certain pitch, and upper selection gate lines on the drain side SGDu located on a higher layer than the lower selection gate lines on the drain side SGDd, each of which is arranged on gaps between the lower selection gate lines on the drain side SGDd. |
| US08253183B2 |
Charge trapping nonvolatile memory devices with a high-K blocking insulation layer
Provided is a charge trapping nonvolatile memory device. The charge trapping nonvolatile memory device includes: an active pattern and a gate electrode, spaced apart from each other; a charge storage layer between the active pattern and the gate electrode; a tunnel insulation layer between the active pattern and the charge storage layer; and a blocking insulation layer disposed between the charge storage layer and the gate electrode and including a high-k layer with a higher dielectric constant than the tunnel insulation layer and a barrier insulation layer with a higher band gap than the high-k layer. A physical thickness of the high-k layer is less than or identical to that of the barrier insulation layer. |
| US08253182B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and method for fabricating the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a first semiconductor layer; second semiconductor regions formed on the first semiconductor layer having device isolating regions extended in a column direction; a first interlayer insulator film formed above the first semiconductor layer; a lower conductive plug connected to the second semiconductor regions; a first interconnect extended in a row direction; a second interlayer insulator formed on the lower conductive plug and the first interlayer insulator film; an upper conductive plug; and a second interconnect formed on the second interlayer insulator contacting with the top of the upper conductive plug extended in the column direction. |
| US08253181B2 |
Strained channel dynamic random access memory devices
DRAM trench capacitors formed by, inter alia, deposition of conductive material into a trench or doping the semiconductor region in which the trench is defined. |
| US08253179B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
An insulating film provided between adjacent pixels is referred to as a bank, a partition, a barrier, an embankment or the like, and is provided above a source wiring or a drain wiring for a thin film transistor, or a power supply line. In particular, at an intersection portion of these wirings provided in different layers, a larger step is formed there than in other portions. Even in a case that the insulating film provided between adjacent pixels is formed by a coating method, there is a problem that thin portions are partially formed due to this step and the withstand pressure is reduced. In the present invention, a dummy material is arranged near the large step portion, particularly, around the intersection portion of wirings, so as to alleviate unevenness formed thereover. The upper wring and the lower wiring are arranged in a misaligned manner so as not to align the end portions. |
| US08253172B2 |
Semiconductor device with linearly restricted gate level region including four serially connected transistors of first type and four serially connected transistors of second type separated by non-diffusion region
A cell of a semiconductor device includes a substrate portion including a plurality of diffusion regions, including at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region separated by one or more non-active regions. The cell includes a gate electrode level including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the conductive features is fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. A width of the conductive features is less than a wavelength of light used in a photolithography process for their fabrication. Some of the conductive features form respective PMOS and/or NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the gate electrode level. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level. |
| US08253162B2 |
GaN substrate and light-emitting device
The present GaN substrate can have an absorption coefficient not lower than 7 cm−1 for light having a wavelength of 380 nm and light having a wavelength of 1500 nm, an absorption coefficient lower than 7 cm−1 for at least light having a wavelength not shorter than 500 nm and not longer than 780 nm, and specific resistance not higher than 0.02 Ωcm. Here, the absorption coefficient for light having a wavelength not shorter than 500 nm and not longer than 780 nm can be lower than 7 cm−1. Thus, a GaN substrate having a low absorption coefficient for light having a wavelength within a light emission wavelength region of a light-emitting device and specific resistance not higher than a prescribed value and being suitable for the light-emitting device is provided. |
| US08253159B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and semiconductor light emitting unit
A semiconductor light emitting device includes: an outer surrounding body having a recessed portion formed in an upper surface of the outer surrounding body; a lead terminal led out from a side surface of the outer surrounding body; and a semiconductor light emitting element disposed in the recessed portion. The outer surrounding body has a cut portion formed at a corner defined by a cross point of extension lines of adjacent sides in a planar outline of the outer surrounding body viewed from the upper surface of the outer surrounding body. The lead terminal is led out from the cut portion. |
| US08253156B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
Disclosed are a semiconductor light emitting device. The semiconductor light emitting device comprises a light emitting structure comprising a IH-V group compound semiconductor, a reflective layer comprising mediums, which are different from each other and alternately stacked under the light emitting structure, and a second electrode layer under the reflective layer. |
| US08253155B2 |
Radiation-emitting device
A radiation-emitting device has a radiation-emitting component with a layer stack with an active region that is formed for the emission of electromagnetic radiation. A microstructure layer is mechanically coupled to the layer stack and has elevations that extend away from the layer stack. A protective layer has a planar side facing away from the microstructure layer and is arranged on a side of the microstructure layer facing away from the layer stack. |
| US08253154B2 |
Lens for light emitting diode package
A lens for a light emitting diode package and a light emitting diode package having the same have simple structures and increase light extraction efficiency by preventing light emitted from a light emitting diode chip from being internally reflected by a lens surface through a structural change in the lens surface. |
| US08253152B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device having a reflective electrode layer that includes a first part in contact with an under surface of an electrode layer and a second part apart from the electrode layer
A semiconductor light emitting device that includes: a light emitting structure; a light transmitting layer under a second portion of the light emitting structure; and a reflective electrode layer electrically connected to the light emitting structure, a portion of the reflective electrode layer being disposed unparallel to the light emitting structure. |
| US08253143B2 |
Light emitting module and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a light emitting module. The light emitting module includes: a semiconductor light emitting element that emits light; and a plate-like optical wavelength conversion member that converts a wavelength of light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element and emits light having the converted wavelength. The semiconductor light emitting element and the optical wavelength conversion member are directly bonded to each other. |
| US08253142B1 |
Solid-state imaging device and method of fabricating the same
A solid-state imaging device includes a layer including an on-chip lens above a sensor section, and the layer including the on-chip lens is composed of an inorganic film which transmits ultraviolet light. The layer including the on-chip lens may further include a planarizing film located below the on-chip lens. A method of fabricating a solid-state imaging device includes the steps of forming a planarizing film composed of a first inorganic film, forming a second inorganic film on the planarizing film, forming a lens-shaped resist layer on the second inorganic film, and etching back the resist layer to form an on-chip lens composed of the second inorganic film. The first inorganic film constituting the planarizing film and the second inorganic film constituting the on-chip lens preferably transmit ultraviolet light. |
| US08253138B2 |
Thin film transistor and display device having the thin film transistor
A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer covering the gate electrode, a microcrystalline semiconductor layer over the gate insulating layer, an amorphous semiconductor layer over the microcrystalline semiconductor layer, source and drain regions over the amorphous semiconductor layer, source and drain electrodes in contact with and over the source and drain regions, and a part of the amorphous semiconductor layer overlapping with the source and drain regions is thicker than a part of the amorphous semiconductor layer overlapping with a channel formation region. The side face of the source and drain regions and the side face of the amorphous semiconductor form a tapered shape together with an outmost surface of the amorphous semiconductor layer. The taper angle of the tapered shape is such an angle that decrease electric field concentration around a junction portion between the source and drain regions and the amorphous semiconductor layer. |
| US08253137B2 |
Laminate structure, electronic device, and display device
A laminate structure is disclosed that has a region having high surface free energy and a region having low surface free energy that are well separated, has high adhesiveness between an underlying layer and a conductive layer, and can be formed easily with low cost. The laminate structure includes a wettability-variable layer including a first surface free energy region of a first film thickness and a second surface free energy region of a second film thickness, and a conductive layer formed on the second surface free energy region of the wettability-variable layer. The second film thickness is less than the first film thickness and the surface free energy of the second surface free energy region is made higher than the surface free energy of the first surface free energy region by applying a predetermined amount of energy on the second surface free energy region. |
| US08253132B2 |
Bottom emission type organic electroluminescent panel
Provided is a bottom emission type organic EL panel capable of preventing or delaying loss of light emission from an end portion of the light emission area and reduction of the light emission area in an organic EL element. This organic electro luminescence panel includes an organic electro luminescence element having at least one organic layer between an anode and a cathode arranged on a substrate. This panel has a main light emission area emitting light with a high luminance and a non-light emission area or a low light emission area emitting light with a lower luminance than the main light emission area, arranged outside the end portion of the main light emission area. By limiting the main light emission area to a smaller size than the cathode forming area, the end portion of the cathode forming area is arranged outside the end portion of the main light emission area. |
| US08253130B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device
A material for a light emitting device containing a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein each A independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, which may have a substituent, and each of the rings consisting of A and nitrogen atoms independently represents an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring; and L represents a divalent linking group. |
| US08253129B2 |
Benzochrysene derivative and an organic electroluminescence device using the same
A fused aromatic ring derivative shown by the following formula (1): wherein Ra and Rb are independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent; p is an integer of 1 to 13; q is an integer of 1 to 8; when p is two or more, plural Ras may be the same or different, and adjacent Ras may form a saturated or unsaturated ring; when q is two or more, plural Rbs may be the same or different, and adjacent Rbs may form a saturated or unsaturated ring; L1 is a single bond or a substituted or unsubstituted divalent linking group; and Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group having 5 to 50 ring carbon atoms. |
| US08253121B2 |
Method for creating a therapy plan
A method for creating a therapy plan for a particle therapy, in which a filter is used to adjust the depth of penetration of the particle beam and an immobilization device is used to immobilize a body region of a patient to be treated, includes adjusting the geometry of a deformable mass of a filter to the geometry of the immobilization device. The deformable filter mass is applied, at least partially, to the immobilization device. A planning data record is obtained with recordings of the filter, so that the properties of the filter are determined on the basis of the recordings and are used in the therapy plan. |
| US08253118B2 |
Charged particle beam system having multiple user-selectable operating modes
A method for performing milling and imaging in a focused ion beam (FIB) system employing an inductively-coupled plasma ion source, wherein two sets of FIB system operating parameters are utilized: a first set representing optimized parameters for operating the FIB system in a milling mode, and a second set representing optimized parameters for operating in an imaging mode. These operating parameters may comprise the gas pressure in the ICP source, the RF power to the ICP source, the ion extraction voltage, and in some embodiments, various parameters within the FIB system ion column, including lens voltages and the beam-defining aperture diameter. An optimized milling process provides a maximum milling rate for bulk (low spatial resolution) rapid material removal from the surface of a substrate. An optimized imaging process provides minimized material removal and higher spatial resolutions for improved imaging of the substrate area being milled. |
| US08253115B1 |
Infrared fluorescing optical signature agent for real time change detection
A method of detecting changes in a scene comprising placing a fluorescent and/or phosphorescent compound in the scene and monitoring for elimination or change in position of the phosphorescent compound. Also a liquid fluorescent and/or phosphorescent material comprising one or more compounds that are fluorescent and/or phosphorescent in infrared frequencies and substantially not fluorescent and/or phosphorescent in visible light frequencies and a carrier. |
| US08253109B2 |
Slab scintillator with integrated double-sided photoreceiver
An article comprising a slab generating scintillation light in response to ionization event and formed with at least two sides. The ionization event is resulted from interaction of high-energy particles within a material of the slab between these sides. A photoreceiver sensitive to the scintillation light is integrated on each side of the slab in an optically-tight fashion. An arrangement is provided for analyzing signals resulted from the ionization event and generated by the photoreceivers. The photoreceivers and the analyzing arrangement are adapted for extracting a position of the ionization event within the slab material relative to the slab sides. A correcting arrangement is provided for correcting the signals and to provide attenuation of the scintillation light. |
| US08253108B2 |
Radiation imaging system, nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus and positioning adjusting mechanism
A radiation imaging system includes a detecting unit including a plurality of radiation detecting elements arranged in a plane for radiation detection, a collimator provided with through holes respectively aligned with the radiation detecting elements and opening in an entrance surface such that radiation from a specified direction is selectively made to fall on the radiation detecting elements. A second case joined to a first case fixed to the side surface of the collimator defines a holding chamber G, and a holder holding the detecting unit is placed in the holding chamber G such that spaces that allow the holder to be moved in a plane parallel to the entrance surface are formed between the holder and the second case. A position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the positional relation between the second case and the holder by moving the holder relative to the second case. |
| US08253101B2 |
Method and system for acquisition of confocal STEM images
Method and system to obtain confocal STEM images. Arithmetic and control device extracts diffraction images respectively corresponding to successive pixel positions from the images stored in the memory, selects and corrects center positions of the extracted diffraction images, creates an image set having diffraction information in which the center positions of the diffraction images have been corrected and aligned, selects only innermost portions of the diffraction images of the created image set, and reproduces STEM images from the diffraction images, thus obtaining a confocal STEM image. |