| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08279923B2 |
Video coding method and video coding apparatus
A method and an apparatus are provided for adaptively improving an image quality of current images to be coded by reducing effects due to pulsing artifacts. The video coding method is intended for coding a video on a per predetermined block basis using one or more predetermined quantization control variables. The method includes calculating a correlation degree indicating a correlation between an original block in a current original picture to be coded and a prediction block in a previous uncompressed picture, and includes changing a first predetermined quantization control variable to a second predetermined quantization control variable, so as to reduce a quantization step size when the correlation degree is greater than a predetermined threshold. The method also includes determining the quantization step size based on the second quantization control variable, and coding the original block based on the determined quantization step size using a predetermined image coding tool. |
| US08279922B2 |
Hybrid rate control in a digital stream transcoder
A rate controller in run-level domain transcoder, which receives a stream of compressed frames carried in a bit stream, selectively determines whether to quantize and/or threshold portions of a frame carried in the stream of frames. The rate controller determines the input size of the frame and based at least in part upon at least a desired size, requantizes and/or thresholds the frame such that the output size of the frame is approximately the desired size. |
| US08279921B2 |
Moving image reproducing apparatus
A moving image reproducing apparatus (10) includes a video encoder (18). The video encoder (18) reproduces a moving image including a partial moving image having a frame rate different from a reference frame rate at the reference frame rate. A CPU (26) calculates a difference value between a first frame count required to reproduce the partial moving image in real time and a second frame count obtained by performing periodic frame interpolation processing on the partial moving image. The CPU (26) dispersively executes frame thinning-out processing on the moving image at the number of times corresponding to the calculated difference value. The CPU (26) further executes frame interpolation processing on the partial moving image at the number of times corresponding to the second frame count. |
| US08279919B2 |
Image processing apparatus
The invention is intended to reduce overall image degradation when frame interpolation is performed by means of an adaptive image compression technique. A compression unit which adaptively compresses input image data, determines an error rate, i.e., a quantity of data loss, depending on input image data. A compression rate is set, depending on the determined error rate (or the quantity of data loss). For an image that is likely to be degraded by compression because of a large error rate determined for it, a process of generating an interpolated image by an interpolated image generating unit is disabled and an original image is used instead of an interpolated frame. |
| US08279917B2 |
Pulse width modulation controller and pulse waveform control method
A pulse width modulation (PWM) controller includes: a first counter for counting a reference clock signal, and thus outputting a first count value, a leading edge control signal generator for outputting a leading edge control signal on a basis of the first count value, an adjustment clock generator for generating an adjustment clock signal, a second counter controller for instructing the adjustment clock generator to start to output the adjustment clock signal, a second counter for outputting a second count value, a trailing edge control signal generator for outputting a trailing edge control signal on a basis of the second count value, and a PWM pulse generator for synthesizing the leading edge control signal and the trailing edge control signal, and thus generating a pulse width modulation signal. |
| US08279912B2 |
Tranceiver non-linearity cancellation
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for reducing non-linear transmit signal components of a receive signal of a transceiver signal are disclosed. The method includes the transceiver simultaneously transmitting a transmit signal, and receiving the receive signal. A non-linear replica signal of non-linear transmission signal components that are created in the transceiver by a transmit signal DAC, and imposed onto the receive signal, is generated. The non-linear replica signal is subtracted from the received signal reducing the non-linear transmission signal components imposed onto the receive signal. |
| US08279900B2 |
Mode-locked two-micron fiber lasers
A mode-locked fiber laser comprising a multicomponent glass fiber doped with a trivalent rare-earth ion of thulium and/or holmium and including a fiber-optic based passive saturable absorber that contains an adhesive material mixed with a saturable absorbing components and is disposed along the length of an optical fiber such as to assure that a mode propagating within the fiber spatially overlaps with the volume occupied by the saturable absorbing components. |
| US08279899B2 |
Fiber laser
A fiber laser of an MOPA type includes an MO which is a laser oscillator for generating seed light, a PA which is a light amplifier connected to a rear stage of the MO, for amplifying and outputting laser light emitted from the MO, and a reflection device which is provided between the MO and the PA. According to the present invention, the MOPA type fiber laser can decrease the peak value of the pulse which is emitted toward the MO or the pump light source by self-oscillation or reflection, and makes it unlikely that the pump light source or the MO will be damaged. |
| US08279897B2 |
Synchronization in a wireless node
A wireless node receives a beacon from a wireless access point. The beacon includes a wireless protocol time synchronization function (TSF) timestamp generated with reference to a global clock for a network. The wireless node synchronizes a counter according to the TSF timestamp. The wireless node receives a global timing offset (GTO) packet from the wireless access point and combines the GTO packet with a counter value to generate a global timestamp. |
| US08279896B2 |
Synchronization in a wireless node
A wireless node clock is periodically synchronized with a wireless access point clock. The wireless access point clock is globally synchronized with other access points in a network. Failure of the access point is detected. A search is performed for a beacon signal of a neighboring wireless access point that is associated with the network. The neighboring access point also has a globally synchronized clock. The wireless node clock is synchronized with the globally synchronized clock of the neighboring wireless access point. |
| US08279895B2 |
Efficient channel architectures for multi-channel MAC protocols in wireless ad hoc networks
The system (500), apparatus (400), and method of the present invention provide three architectures for logically organizing multiple channels: a parallel multi-channel superframe (PMS) (100), a sequential multi-channel superframe (SMS) (200), and a non-overlapping multi-channel superframe (NMS) (300). Each of these architectures arises from different trade-offs and is applicable to any multi-channel MAC protocol that is based on the concept of a superframe, e.g., IEEE 802.11 superframe. |
| US08279894B2 |
Method and device for data packet assembly
The assembly of data blocks to form at least one data packet includes: writing in a first register of at least one first data block descriptor, which includes information representing a status of each block belonging to a set of blocks, whereby the status of each block indicates whether the block has been stored; the determination and recording in a second register of a status of the blocks, which represents the state of storage of the blocks, whereby this operation, based on the use of a second register, enables simple and fast acquisition of the status of a packet which can be assembled on the basis of the blocks; and the assembly of a packet containing the blocks according to the status recorded in the second register. |
| US08279890B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting uplink protocol changes
A method and apparatus for supporting uplink (UL) protocol changes includes reconfiguring a medium access control (MAC) protocol from a first MAC protocol to a second MAC protocol. A hybrid automatic repeat request (HARD) process associated with the first MAC protocol is flushed, and a MAC-e/es reset is performed. Segments of a MAC-e/es packet data unit (PDU) that are contained in a segmentation entity are discarded. |
| US08279888B2 |
Apparatus and method for upstream transmission of variable bit rate VoIP traffic in hybrid fiber coaxial network, and apparatus and method for resource allocation
Provided are an apparatus and method for upstream transmission of variable bit rate traffic in a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) network. The apparatus includes: a VoIP signal processing unit for digitizing a voice of a speaker to create a voice packet, detecting a mute section to suppress packet generation, and generating an Service identification (SID) packet in the mute section; a storage unit for storing the voice packet and the SID packet created by the VoIP signal processing unit and notifying information on the stored packets; a VoIP activity determining unit for determining a voice activity based on the information on the stored packets notified from the storage unit; and a packet processing unit for including the voice activity transferred from the VoIP activity determining unit in the packets from the storage unit to encapsulate them and transmit it to a network device. |
| US08279881B2 |
Method and system for route updating
A method for route updating includes: a. determining more than one route in accordance with a predetermined preset mechanism and sending the determined more than one route to a client and/or a non-client, by a reflector in a route advertisement, and saving more than one route reaching the same destination address by the client and/or the non-client; and b. sending to the client and/or the non-client a message carrying information on the next hop of the route to be withdrawn, by the reflector in a withdrawal of a route and withdrawing the corresponding route for route updating in accordance with the information on the next hop carried in the message, by the client/the non-client. A system for route updating and a router reflector is also provided. |
| US08279880B2 |
Communication gateway between wireless communication networks
A communication gateway includes a communication unit that transmits and receives messages in order to communicate with at least one remote communication node on a first wireless communication network according to a protocol which includes network access control (MAC), and receives messages originating from at least one transmitter transmitting messages on a second wireless communication network according to a protocol which does not include network access control (MAC). The protocols of the first and second wireless communication networks use a same physical layer (PHY). The communication gateway also includes a processing unit associated with the communication unit that differentiates between the received messages originating from the first wireless communication network and the received messages originating from the second wireless communication network by analyzing header information contained in the received messages originating from the first wireless communication network and in the received messages originating from the second wireless communication network. |
| US08279876B2 |
Data service apparatus and method in heterogeneous wireless networks
Provided are an apparatus and a method for providing a concurrent data service to an Mobile Station (MS) through a plurality of heterogeneous networks. In a method for providing a data service to an MS through different wireless networks, the MS measures channel qualities of at least one accessible wireless network and reports the measured channel qualities to an Internet Protocol (IP) packet controller. The IP packet controller selects wireless networks for data transmission on the basis of the reported channel qualities, distributes data destined for the MS, and transmits the distributed data to the selected wireless networks. The selected wireless networks receive the data from the IP packet controller and transmits the received data to the MS. The MS combines and interprets the data received from the selected wireless networks. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a seamless data service to the MS in service environments with a mixture of different wireless communication systems. |
| US08279875B2 |
Method and apparatus for Ethernet to bear ATM cells
A method for an Ethernet to bear ATM cells includes: mapping the ATM virtual connection information in the first ATM cell received from the ATM network to an Interworking Identifier (IW ID); combining the IW ID and the cell payload of the first ATM cell into an Ethernet frame; and transmitting the Ethernet frame in an Ethernet network. An apparatus for an Ethernet to bear ATM cells is also disclosed. The embodiments of the present invention implement network interworking on the data link layer (layer 2) and enable an ATM network to perform ATM emulation in a metropolitan area Ethernet (MEN) independently of the upper-layer protocol, thus facilitating the user. |
| US08279872B1 |
Method for obtaining a mobile internet protocol address
In various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for acquiring a mobile internet protocol address in a communication network. In an embodiment, a mobile network internet node key is sent to a service node. A mobile network internet node sends a mobile internet protocol access request message to an authentication node. The authentication node can then receive the mobile network internet node key transferred from the service node. In response to receiving a mobile internet protocol access accept message at the mobile network internet node transferred from the authentication node where the mobile internet protocol access accept message comprises the mobile network internet node key, the mobile internet protocol address is assigned at the mobile network internet node to a mobile station associated with a user identifier. |
| US08279866B2 |
Method and system for switching packets in a communication network
A method for switching packets in a communication network is provided. The method includes dividing a data stream into at least two sub-streams in a first application card received in a first application card slot of a packet switch. A first sub-stream is sent through a first application port associated with the first application card slot to a first switch port associated with a switch port slot of the packet switch. The switch port slot is operable to receive a switch card for the packet switch. A second sub-stream is sent through a second application port associated with the first application card slot to a second switch port associated with the switch port slot. |
| US08279863B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dynamic detection of transit times between stages in distributed multi-stage switch fabrics
In some embodiments, a method includes sending a signal to a first module associated with a stage of a switch fabric and receiving a signal from the first module a first amount of time after sending the signal to the first module. A signal is sent to a second module associated with the stage of the switch fabric and a signal is received from the second module a second amount of time after sending the signal to the second module. The second amount of time is less than the first amount of time. A cell of a first data packet is sent to the first module and a cell of a second data packet is sent to the second module a third amount of time after sending the cell of the first data packet. The third amount of time is associated with the difference between the first amount of time and the second amount of time. |
| US08279857B2 |
Virtual PBX based on feature server modules
A virtual private branch exchange is formed by a plurality of interconnected feature server modules, each having an integral feature server that is configured and operates independently of the other feature server modules. Within a virtual private branch exchange, the feature server modules may be logically arranged in a hierarchy having at least a main feature server module and one or more subordinate feature server modules. A particular feature server module may operate in multiple virtual private branch exchanges, and may have a distinct set of rules for handling calls originating in different virtual private branch exchanges. |
| US08279853B1 |
Socket-based internet protocol for wireless networks
Systems and methods for assigning unique network identifiers in a packet-switched wireless network and methods for communicating with a wireless device in a packet-switched wireless network are provided. A request for a unique network identifier for a wireless device is received. A socket-based unique network identifier, including an IP address and one or more ports, is assigned to the wireless device. The unique network identifier is created by combining an IP address and one or more ports. This allows multiple unique network identifiers to be created from a single IP address, where each unique network identifier consists of the same IP address combined with a different group of one or more ports. |
| US08279849B2 |
Propagation delay time adjustment method, propagation delay time adjustment system, propagation delay time adjustment device, storage medium stored with propagation delay time adjustment program, and node device
There is provided a propagation delay time adjustment method for adjusting the propagation delay time occurring within a reception circuit for each channel of a center node device configuring a 1-to-N communications system in which communication is performed between the center node device and N (N being an integer of 2 or more) individual edge node devices using a Synchronous Code Division Multiplexing method, the center node device comprising a main control section, and each of the edge node devices comprising an auxiliary control section that controls the propagation delay time in cooperation with the main control section, the transmission delay time adjustment method comprising: transmission permission signal transmitting; transmission controlling; reception phase controlling; reception validity determining; optimum reception phase determining; and reception phase setting in which the main control section sets the optimum reception phase as the reception phase for the reception circuit. |
| US08279846B2 |
Broadcast channel timing detection
A broadcast control channel (BCH) transport block is communicated in a cellular communications system having a physical layer in which information is communicated in one or more frames, wherein the BCH transport block represents BCH information. This involves coding (901) the BCH transport block (1001, 1101) to generate M bits of coded information. Nframes segments of coded bits are formed (903) from the M bits of coded information, wherein the BCH information can be derived from any one of the Nframes segments of coded bits. A unique one of Nframes mapping functions is applied (905) to each of the Nframes segments of coded bits to produce Nframes mapped segments of coded bits. A different one of the Nframes mapped segments of coded bits is transmitted (907) in each of Nframes frames. This enables multi-frame timing to be determined even when fewer than all BCH segments are received. |
| US08279844B1 |
Extensible interactive voice response
The present invention discloses a system and method for providing interactive voice response (IVR) applications executable on individual communication devices. Unlike current IVR applications that run from centralized voice servers, the present invention describes a system in which communication units initiate communication with a multimedia server over a data network such as the Internet and download extensible copies of voice response applications. The communication device then runs the voice response applications, thus, locally administering the voice messages and accepting the voice or data input from a user. The multimedia server may preferably divide the application software into executable segments to accommodate communication devices with limited memory resources, such as mobile phones and hand-held computers. The system and method may implement different level of complexity by breaking application functionality into modules and the sub-modules. For multi-module applications, the communication units will re-establish communication links with the multimedia server to download each necessary or subsequent module or sub-module. The system and method may also allow users to connect directly to agents or operators to perform tasks that are too complex for efficient automation. The system may connect users and agents using any combination of a data network and voice network. The implementation of the voice response application using the data network connection allows a reduction in the number of telephone ports into an IVR and also allows multiple users to access the IVR over the same line, because of the asynchronous nature of the data network. |
| US08279842B2 |
Route selection system and method for promoting route distributions among multiple devices in a wireless mesh network
In a mesh network having a plurality of wireless nodes, including a first, second, third and fourth node, wherein each node includes a routing table, a method of route discovery. A first route request message is broadcasted from the first node and received at the second and third nodes. In the second node, a link quality metric is calculated as a function of link quality of the link to the first node and as a function of capacity in the routing table of the second node. In the third node, a link quality metric is calculated as a function of link quality of the link to the first node and as a function of capacity in the routing table of the third node. A second route request message is broadcasted from the second node and received by the fourth node, wherein the second route request message includes the link quality metric calculated by the second node. A third route request message is broadcasted from the third node and received by the fourth node, wherein the third route request message includes the link quality metric calculated by the third node. A route path is selected as a function of the link quality metric calculated by the second node and the link quality metric calculated by the third node. |
| US08279840B2 |
Systems and methods for providing location based services (LBS) utilizing WLAN and/or GPS signals for seamless indoor and outdoor tracking
Systems and methods for tracking a wireless device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the wireless device includes a hybrid global positioning system (GPS) and wireless local area network (WLAN) circuit board for seamless indoor and outdoor tracking. In embodiments, GPS and WLAN data are combined to obtain a position estimate of the device. In other embodiments, the circuit board automatically switches between WLAN and GPS data for indoor and outdoor environments. A Location Based Services (LBS) algorithm for determining the position of a wireless device using WLAN and/or GPS signals is also disclosed. The LBS algorithm is implemented by way of method steps including: sensing GPS and/or WLAN signals, measuring and/or converting the sensed signals to obtain distance data, fusing the distance data, and applying one or more approximation algorithms to the distance data to obtain a position estimate of the wireless device. A method for rendering position data using a Marching Cubes algorithm is further disclosed. |
| US08279836B2 |
Soft handoff in OFDMA system
Soft handoff in an OFDMA system is disclosed. If the pilot signal strength for a base station exceeds the defined threshold, the base station is added to an active set list. Subcarriers in a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols are divided and allocated into subchannels. The OFDM symbols are divided and multiplexed. A soft handoff zone with a first dimension of the subchannels and a second dimension of the divided and multiplexed OFDM symbols is defined. The soft handoff zone has subcarriers with a subchannel definition, for example, an identical permutation. |
| US08279833B2 |
Mobile network system and method for processing IP handoff thereof
Provided are a mobile network system capable of processing a high-speed handoff by dividing into a data packet path between mobile nodes and a handoff packet path of the mobile node, and a method for processing IP handoff thereof. The system includes a MAP broadcasting a handoff registration request and reply between a foreign agent and a home agent, and an additional handoff signal path between the MAP and a mobile agent operating as a foreign agent and a home agent by means of a HAAP and VPN technology to be physically distinguishable from a data path. Therefore, limitation in a head of line can be resolved and the IP handoff can be promptly provided. |
| US08279832B2 |
Method, system and device for converting session control signaling
A method, system, and device for converting session control signaling are provided. The method includes at least one of the following steps: a first adaptation unit converts a session control signaling message of a circuit switched (CS) session leg into a session control signaling message of an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) session leg; or the first adaptation unit converts a session control signaling message of an IMS session leg into a session control signaling message of a CS session leg. In embodiments of the present invention, an adaptation unit intercepts a CS signaling message after an inter-mobile switching center (MSC) handover, and converts CS signaling messages to IMS signaling messages and vice versa, so that the IMS domain may continue to control a session after the inter-MSC handover. |
| US08279831B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium for selecting a network for connectivity and handover based on application requirements
A system, method, and computer-readable medium are provided for choosing a network for connection and handover based on the application requirements of a multi-mode, multi-radio user equipment. The selection of the network for connectivity and handover is based on one or more of the invoking of an application, the invoking of a second application, and the closing of an application. |
| US08279829B2 |
Multicast fast handover
A network component comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising receiving a multicast listening state (MLS) report comprising a multicast state data from a mobile node (MN), sending the multicast state data to an access router (AR), establishing a tunnel with the AR, and forwarding at least one multicast data stream associated with the multicast state data to the AR via the tunnel. Also disclosed is an AR configured to implement a method comprising receiving a multicast state data for a MN, evaluating the multicast state data, indicating whether the multicast state data is supported by the AR, establishing a tunnel with a second AR, and receiving at least one multicast data stream associated with the multicast state data from the second AR via the tunnel. |
| US08279827B2 |
Method for transmitting channel quality report in a discontinuous transmission scheme, primary and secondary stations therefor
A method is disclosed for transmitting channel quality reports periodically from a secondary station to a primary station, wherein transmission of a control channel is carried out discontinuously with a predetermined periodic transmission phase, and wherein said method comprises the following steps. Scheduling the transmission of a transmission sequence of channel quality reports of at least a first type and a second type according to a predetermined pattern. Estimating the number of channel quality reports of the second type scheduled during the transmission phases of a predetermined time window. Amending the transmission sequence by replacing at least one channel quality report scheduled to be of the first type with a channel quality report of the second type if the number of second type channel quality reports scheduled during the transmission phases of the predetermined time window is below a predetermined threshold. Transmitting the amended sequence to the primary station. |
| US08279826B1 |
Presence based routing in an IP multimedia subsystem network
A method for registration of endpoints within in IP Multimedia Subsystem network is described. One embodiment includes receiving a request from an endpoint to deregister the endpoint. A deregistration routine is initiated to deregister the endpoint within the IP Multimedia Subsystem network. The registration status of the endpoint and any call forwarding data is stored within the IP Multimedia Subsystem network. |
| US08279825B2 |
Method for transmitting channel state information in a wireless communication system
A method for transmitting channel state information from an user equipment in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The user equipment transmits a spatial channel matrix or a spatial channel covariance matrix irrespective of a feedback type. The user equipment is able to additionally transmit noise plus interference variance information of a whole bandwidth used for the channel state information. In this case, the user equipment is able to transmit normalized spatial channel matrix or spatial channel covariance matrix and normalized noise plus interference variance information for accurate and efficient transmission of the channel state information. The user equipment receives an allocation of an uplink resource from a base station and is then able to map the spatial channel matrix or the spatial channel covariance matrix to the allocated resource according to a specific pattern. |
| US08279824B2 |
Method of transmitting control signal in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting control signals in a wireless communication system includes transmitting a first control signal via a control channel region comprising a plurality of tiles composed of a plurality of subcarriers contiguous in a frequency domain on a plurality of OFDM symbols in a time domain, and transmitting a second control signal via the control channel region, wherein the plurality of tiles included in the control channel region are distributedly or contiguously disposed within a basic range of the control channel region, a range within which the plurality of tiles are distributed in the time domain. Control channel regions can be configured in various manners, so control signals can be adaptively transmitted in various channel environments. |
| US08279823B2 |
Spectrum allocation system and method
Spectrum asset class determination is dynamically assessed so that a radio device may use a more preferred one of licensed spectrum or unlicensed spectrum for the specific wireless communications application of the radio device. Licensed spectrum, in addition to unlicensed spectrum, may be made available to preferred radio devices by validating that the radio system has an equipment ID and a secondary ID that authorizes the use of the licensed spectrum by the radio system. |
| US08279819B2 |
Wireless communication method
A wireless communication method is provided which includes the steps of selecting, by a wireless communication device belonging to a communication system operating on a certain communication protocol, a communication protocol among a plurality of communication protocols, exchanging, among a plurality of wireless communication devices including the wireless communication device, information including peripheral communication status of each wireless communication device by using the selected communication protocol, and changing the communication protocol to be used for exchanging the information. |
| US08279817B2 |
Method of managing discontinuous reception offset in a wireless communications system and related communication device
A method of managing an offset operation of discontinuous reception, hereinafter called DRX, for a mobile device of a wireless communication system includes separately managing a start offset operation of a long DRX cycle and a start offset operation of a short DRX cycle. |
| US08279816B2 |
Method for QoS guarantees in a multilayer structure
A method in which a user equipment processes data in a wireless mobile communication system is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a first data block from an upper layer, transferring a second data block including the first data block to a lower layer at a particular protocol layer, discarding the first and second data blocks present in the particular protocol layer if a certain period of time has passed, and transferring information associated with the discard of the second data block to the lower layer. |
| US08279815B2 |
Resource allocation apparatus and method for reducing overhead in mobile communication system
A resource allocation for reducing overhead in a mobile communication system is provided. An operating method of a base station for changing a fixed resource allocation to reduce overhead in a mobile communication system includes calculating a total amount of resources allocated to a corresponding subframe in a period of a corresponding fixed allocation resource; when the total amount of the resources allocated to the corresponding subframe is greater than a threshold, temporarily canceling one or more corresponding fixed allocation resources to make the total amount of the resources allocated to the corresponding subframe less than or equal to the threshold; and reallocating the one or more canceled fixed allocation resources according to a corresponding rule. |
| US08279813B2 |
Method and apparatus of subchannelization of wireless communication system
A method and apparatus to transmit pilot subcarriers over uplink channels. The pilot subcarriers includes symbols which hierarchically structured. The symbol includes a first split of at least two fractional frequency reuse (FFR) groups, a second split of a fractional frequency reuse (FFR) group to a distributed resource group and localized resource group and a third split of said distributed resource group and localized resource group into plurality of subchannels. |
| US08279811B2 |
Allocating downlink acknowledgement resources in wireless communication networks
A wireless communication system includes a scheduling entity that transmits scheduling messages to first and second wireless terminals having different scheduling characteristics, wherein each scheduling message includes a reference signal cyclic shift indicator and a resource assignment. The assignment of a downlink feedback resource to the first wireless terminal is indicated by the reference signal cyclic shift indicator in the corresponding scheduling message, and the assignment of a downlink feedback resource to the second wireless terminal is indicated by a corresponding resource assignment. The scheduling entity indicates a cyclic shift that the first wireless terminal should use for its reference signal transmission using the reference signal cyclic shift indicator. |
| US08279810B1 |
Sensor network information collection via mobile gateway
There is provided a sensor network information collection mechanism in which, after a UE has decided to become part of an information collecting operation for collecting information from a local sensor network, a signaling transmitted from a managing node of a local sensor network is received and processed. A communication network control element is informed about the willingness to become an information collector by sending a report message comprising measurement results derived from the signaling received from the managing node of the local sensor network. When receiving a gateway allocation message indicating that the UE is determined to be a gateway element to the local sensor network, the information collecting operation is started wherein sensor nodes of the local sensor network are woke up, and a traffic flow direction in the local sensor network is set in accordance with the managing node identity to which the UE is accessed. |
| US08279806B2 |
Technique for uplink data transmissions in communication networks
The invention relates to a technique for uplink data transmissions in, e.g., mobile networks. A method embodiment for performing the technique in a transmitter (122) comprises the steps of allocating, for a first transmission (T1′) as the transmission power for an uplink control channel (UCOCH), the smaller of an available transmission power and a desired transmission power for the uplink control channel; and allocating, for at least one subsequent transmission (T2′) triggered by a feedback indication (128), zero transmission power to the uplink control channel (UCOCH). |
| US08279804B2 |
Wireless communications control method, wireless base station, and wireless terminal
The wireless base station sends control data relating to the processing, belonging to the upper layer (the second layer) of the first layer, to the wireless terminal through the downlink channel. Upon reception of the control data through the downlink data channel, the wireless terminal sends the response data, as a response to the control data, to the wireless base station through the control channel. The wireless base station detects the response data from the received data through the control channel, and then controls the processing belonging to the upper layer based on the response data. The above processing eliminates establishing a data channel to the wireless base station only for the response data as a response to the processing belonging to the upper layer. |
| US08279800B2 |
Enterprise mobile network for providing cellular wireless service using licensed radio frequency spectrum and internet protocol backhaul
One embodiment is directed to an enterprise mobile network for providing wireless service within a coverage area associated with an enterprise using licensed radio frequency spectrum. The enterprise mobile network includes a base station subsystem deployed on a premises of the enterprise to provide wireless capacity within the coverage area using the licensed radio frequency spectrum. The enterprise mobile network further includes a mobile switching subsystem deployed in an office of a service provider that operates a public land mobile network. The mobile switching subsystem is communicatively coupled to the public land mobile network. The base station subsystem is communicatively coupled to the mobile switching subsystem using an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The mobile switching subsystem is configured to function as a mobile switching center (MSC) and visitor location register (VLR) for roaming subscribers and local subscribers of the enterprise. The mobile switching subsystem is configured to function as a home location register (HLR) and gateway mobile switching center (GMSC) for local subscribers of the enterprise. |
| US08279799B1 |
Intelligent transmission of wireless communication overhead messages
What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless communication system. The method includes wirelessly transferring overhead information to a wireless communication device using a first overhead message type that is repeatedly transferred during repeating overhead time periods. The method also includes obtaining new overhead information for the wireless communication device, where if the new overhead information will fit within the first overhead message type during a subsequent one of the repeating overhead time periods, wirelessly transferring the new overhead information to the wireless communication device using the first overhead message type in the subsequent one of the repeating overhead time periods, and if the new overhead information will not fit within the first overhead message type during the subsequent one of the repeating overhead time periods, wirelessly transferring a notice for a second overhead message type to the wireless communication device using the first overhead message type in the subsequent one of the repeating overhead time periods, and wirelessly transferring the new overhead information to the wireless communication device using the second overhead message type. |
| US08279797B2 |
Cross-paging between communication networks
A system and method to provide cross-paging between circuit and packet data networks includes providing a mobile station being on a circuit-switched communication in a first area while maintaining a packet data session on the packet data network. When the mobile station moves to a second location area served by the circuit-switched network while the mobile station is still idle with respect to packet communications on the packet data network the location of the mobile station with respect to the circuit-switched network becomes unknown by the packet data network. In this case, the circuit-switched network informs the packet data network of a change in the mobile switching center serving the mobile station. |
| US08279794B2 |
Opportunistic data forwarding and dynamic reconfiguration in wireless local area networks
Mobile communication devices and wireless network device each can participate in, or solely provide, opportunistic data forwarding in a wireless network such as a wireless local area network or radio access network. A supporting node receives wireless communication between a transmitting node and a receiving node comprising packet data units (PDUs). The receiving node communicates to the transmitting node that one or more portions of the communication were not received, which is overheard by the supporting node. The supporting node can have sufficient over-the-air (OTA) allocation in its transmit opportunity to relay the failed portions to the receiving node. Thereby, techniques such as more robust error encoding, longer transmit allocations, etc., that would reduce the effective data throughput for OTA resources are avoided while providing an ability to more rapidly adapt to a changing channel state. |
| US08279792B2 |
Polling method and apparatus for long term evolution multimedia broadcast multicast services
A device for wirelessly communicating a service to user equipment is provided. The device includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor is programmed to promote the transmitter polling to determine whether user equipment desire a service and responsive to receiving, via the receiver, at least one user equipment request for the service, the processor programmed to promote the transmitter providing a point-to-multipoint (PTM) broadcast of the service. |
| US08279791B2 |
Configuration and indication methods of multicast/broadcast over a single frequency network frames and an identifying method used by a terminal
A configuration method and an indication method of MBSFN frames and an identifying method used by a terminal applied in a long term evolution system are disclosed in the present invention, which include: an access network sends configuration parameters of the MBSFN frame to a mobile terminal determining whether the wireless frame received is an MBSFN frame according to the configuration parameters, the configuration parameters including a repetition period of the MBSFN frames distributed in system-set time. With the present invention, it could consume less bytes in system message to complete the configuration of the MBSFN sub-frames and could save system resources. |
| US08279790B2 |
Packet buffering based at least in part upon packet receipt time interval weighted moving average
An embodiment may include circuitry to be comprised in a node. The node may be communicatively coupled to a network and may include a host processor to execute at least one communication protocol-related process. The circuitry may determine, at least in part, whether to buffer, at least in part, at least one packet received from the network based at least in part upon whether a weighted moving average exceeds a first threshold and is less than a second threshold. The average may be determined based at least in part upon one or more time intervals between one or more packet receptions from the network. Many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible. |
| US08279787B2 |
Packet processing apparatus
A packet processing apparatus includes a packet buffer unit that temporarily holds packet data, a packet processing unit that processes packet data output from the packet buffer unit, a clock supply unit that supplies a clock signal to the packet processing unit, and a control unit that detects a buffer vacant time indicating a time during which no packet data exists in the packet buffer unit based on an accumulation amount of the packet data in the packet buffer unit, and controls an operational state of the clock supply unit in accordance with the buffer vacant time. |
| US08279786B1 |
Methods and systems for dynamic spectrum arbitrage
Methods and system are provided for managing and monitoring allocation of RF spectrum resources based on time, space and frequency. A network may be enabled to allocate excess spectrum resources for use by other network providers on a real-time basis. Allocated resources may be transferred from one provider with excess resources to another in need of additional resources based on contractual terms or on a real-time purchase negotiations and settlements. A network may be enabled to monitor the use of allocated resources on real-time basis and off-load or allow additional users depending on the spectrum resources availability. Public safety networks may be enabled to make spectrum resources available to general public by allocating spectrum resources and monitoring the use of those resources. During an emergency, when traffic increases on a public safety network, the public safety networks may off-load bandwidth traffic to make available necessary resources for public safety users. |
| US08279779B2 |
Method and system for virtual agent session monitoring and barge-in
An approach is provided for virtual agent session monitoring and barge-in. A platform monitors content of a communication session between a virtual agent and a user and determines whether the content satisfies a pre-defined rule. Further, the platform selectively initiates a barge-in of the communication session by a live agent based on the determination. |
| US08279778B2 |
Simultaneous communications within controlled mesh network
A wireless mesh network, method of operating a wireless mesh network, and a central node device are disclosed herein. Communications are interleaved to maintain a spatial differential, for example, two “hops,” between any two nodes transmitting in proximity to the collector. In one embodiment, a wireless mesh network includes a central node and a plurality of bidirectional nodes in bidirectional wireless communication with the central node. Each bidirectional node has a respective wireless communication path to the central node that is either a direct path or an indirect path through one or more intermediate bidirectional nodes. Each bidirectional node is characterized by a number of intermediate bidirectional nodes forming a respective wireless communication path to the central node. The central node isolates a first data communication from a first node from second data communications from other nodes that are within a defined threshold of hop levels of the first node. |
| US08279777B2 |
Method for secure reliable point to multi-point bi-directional communications
Systems and methods for sending secure reliable point to multi-point communication on any communication infrastructure. The infrastructure is not required to conform to any specifications other than to be capable of point to point communications. The system consists of a protocol that allows for Secure Reliable point to multi-point communications irregardless of the support for such communications. This invention does not rely on the Internet or ATM or any other point to point or point to multi-point communications infrastructure. |
| US08279776B1 |
Network address translation based on a reverse domain name service
In a communication system, a gateway receives an IP message having source IP address and port number and having a destination IP address and port number. The gateway system transfers the IP message with a different destination IP address. A base station receives the IP message and wirelessly transfers the IP message to a routing system. The routing system transfers a reverse DNS query for the source IP address and receives a DNS reply indicating a domain name. The routing system selects a network address translation set based on the domain name, translates a destination port number into another destination IP address using the network address translation set, and transfers the IP message with the other destination IP address. |
| US08279775B2 |
Node device cooperating with switch which implements zones in a fibre channel system
In a system comprising a first fabric and a plurality of devices coupled to the fabric by Fibre Channel connections, the devices are logically grouped to form configurations and zones. A configuration includes at least one zone, and each zone includes at least one device as a member of the zone. Communications between the devices is restricted according to the configuration currently in effect. For example, one device may be permitted to communicate with another device only if they are members of a common zone. |
| US08279768B2 |
Methods, devices and computer program products for capturing events associated network anomalies
Methods, devices and computer program products are provided for capturing information associated with a triggering event at a network-enabled device. A triggering event is detected at a first network-enabled device. A message is transmitted to at least one other network-enabled device responsive to the detected triggering event. The message includes an indication of a time period associated with the triggering event and a request that the at least one other network-enabled device mark information associated with the at least one other network-enabled device during the associated time period as having significance, such that this information is retained rather than discarded. |
| US08279749B2 |
Failure protection for P2MP tunnel head-end node
In one embodiment, a primary head-end node (PHE) and one or more backup head-end nodes (BHEs) receive traffic from a common multicast network. The PHE establishes a primary point-to-multipoint (P2MP) tunnel and forwards the multicast traffic onto the primary P2MP tunnel. The PHE then notifies a selected BHE of one or more characteristics of the primary P2MP tunnel, and the selected BHE establishes a backup P2MP tunnel with the characteristics of the primary P2MP tunnel. In response to detecting a failure of the PHE, the BHE initiates forwarding of the multicast traffic onto the backup P2MP tunnel. |
| US08279748B2 |
Core-based satellite network architecture
Systems and methods for implementing a satellite network, are described. The system includes satellite gateways in communication with subscribers over a satellite communication network. The satellite gateways send network communications to the subscribers and receive network communications from the subscribers. The system further includes a first core node in communication with at least one of the satellite gateways. The first core node provides networking services, at L2, to a first subset of subscribers. The system further includes a second core node in communication, at L2, with one of the satellite gateways and the first core node. The second core node provides the networking services, at layer-2 of the OSI model, to a second subset of the subscribers. In response to failure of at least one of the networking services in the first core node, the second core node providing the at least one of the services to the first subset of the subscribers. |
| US08279744B2 |
Method of selecting antennas and transmitting data in multi-input multi-output wireless local area network environments
In a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) wireless local area network (WLAN) system, a method is provided for selecting at least one antenna from a plurality of antennas and transmitting a data frame from a station to an access point via the selected antenna or antennas. A method for transmitting data from a plurality of stations to an access point in the MIMO WLAN system includes detecting a channel status of a channel from the access point to each transmitting antenna of the station, selecting at least one transmitting antenna from among the station's transmitting antennas based on the detected channel status, and transmitting a data frame from the station to the access point via the selected transmitting antenna or antennas. |
| US08279742B2 |
Transmission apparatus and transmission method
A transmitter transmits data to a communicating opponent with a better channel condition with use of one or more frequency blocks including one or more carrier frequencies. The transmitter includes a communicating opponent selection unit evaluating the channel condition for each frequency block for each of plural communicating opponents and selecting one or more communicating opponents from the plurality of communicating opponents, a modulation scheme determination unit determining at least a modulation scheme depending on the evaluated channel condition, a control channel generation unit generating a control channel indicative of the determined modulation scheme and one or more frequency blocks available for the selected communicating opponents to receive a data channel, and a channel transmission unit providing the selected communicating opponents with the control channel and the data channel modulated in accordance with the modulation scheme. |
| US08279741B2 |
Device and method for interleaved encoding RS code
The present invention provides a device and method for interleaved encoding RS code, the RS code used being RS (N, K, S). The method comprises: firstly, writing the data in the data packets to be RS interleaved encoded into the information region of the RS code byte interleaver column-by-column in turn; then, constructing the data of each row of the check region based on the data written into the information region; finally, performing cyclic shifting processing on the data of the check region, and reading out the data of the check region in the RS code byte interleaver column-by-column in turn. The present invention can be used to improve the performance of the entire data packet outputted, thereby enhancing the reliability of the data link layer, by evenly spreading the areas with a filled value of 0 in the last column of the information region that is filled with valid information and by performing cyclic shifting processing on the data of the check region so that the data of that region offer larger time span and good diversity effect when outputted. |
| US08279739B2 |
Heat-assisted magnetic recording medium and magnetic storage device
A heat-assisted magnetic recording medium that includes a substrate, underlayers formed on the substrate, and a magnetic layer which is formed on the underlayers and contains either an FePt alloy having an L10 structure or a CoPt alloy having an L10 structure as a main component, wherein the underlayers include a first underlayer formed from an amorphous alloy, a second underlayer formed from an alloy having a BCC structure containing Cr as a main component and also containing at least one element selected from among Ti, Mo, W, V, Mn and Ru, and a third underlayer formed from MgO. Also, a magnetic storage device that uses the heat-assisted magnetic recording medium. |
| US08279734B2 |
Recording medium, read/write method thereof and read/write apparatus thereof
A recording medium read/write method and apparatus are disclosed. The present invention records version information of a corresponding recording medium as read/write control information within the recording medium. The version information includes write compatibility version information and read compatibility version information. The read/write apparatus efficiently performs the read/write of the recording medium with reference to the version informations recorded within the recording medium. |
| US08279733B2 |
Dynamic write strategy modification method and apparatus
The invention relates to write strategy modification, and in particular, to dynamic write strategy modification. A dynamic write strategy modification apparatus comprises a measurement module, a write strategy development module, and a write laser module. The measurement module measures a plurality of different parameters. The write strategy development module calculates or chooses an optimal parameter from the plurality of different parameters and modifies a default strategy to generate a modified write strategy. The write laser module drives to write data onto an optical disc. A write strategy modification will be repeated until writing is finished. |
| US08279732B2 |
Optical disc drive and optical information read method
An HF waveform prevailing during a read operation varies due, for instance, to changes in the ambient temperature of an optical disc drive and variations in the characteristics of a laser. This degrades read performance and decreases the number of rewritable disc read operations. To address the above problems, an optical disc drive and an optical information read method are disclosed. The disclosed optical disc drive and optical information read method vary an HF amplitude in relation to the resistance, differential resistance, or temperature of the laser. |
| US08279728B2 |
Read and write power control methods and system for optical recording device
The present invention discloses read and write power control methods and system for an optical recording device that records information on an optical disk having read-only areas. The read and write power control methods respectively introduce the steps of determining a specific level of a former power control signal output based on a former power control, and then according to the specific level, setting a predetermined level of a power control signal to induce a present power control for rapidly outputting a proper power of the pick-up head. Accordingly, the level transition of the read/write power control signal can be shortened and even eliminated. An unstable read/write power output for the pick-up head can be avoided. |
| US08279726B2 |
Recording device for recording a content into a plurality of recording media and control method thereof
A recording device records contents in a plurality of recording media. While the recording device records a content in a recording medium, if a free space of the recording medium runs out, an unrecorded part of the content needs to be recorded in another recording medium. In order to play back all parts of the content, all recording media in which all the parts of the content have been separately recorded are necessary. Particularly, if an internal recording medium included in the recording device has a small space and accordingly a sufficient space is secured by connecting an external removable recording medium to the recording device after the recording has started, parts of the content are separately recorded in the internal recording medium and the external recording medium. As a result, even if the external recording medium is removed from the recording device and is connected to a playback device in order to play back all the parts of the content, it is possible to play back only one part of the content. In order to play back all parts of the content using another playback device, a user needs to edit the separately recorded parts of the content so as to be saved in a single recording medium. In view of this problem, the present invention aims to provide a recording device that controls a recording destination of a content to be recorded such that the content can be recorded in a single recording medium for as long as possible. |
| US08279724B2 |
Optical pickup
An optical pickup has a first optical system and a second optical system. The optical axis of the first optical system and the optical axis of the second optical system are inclined, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the reference plane, and are parallel to each other. A first objective lens and a second objective lens are arranged substantially side-by-side in a radial direction, and the center position of the second objective lens is slightly displaced from the reference plane in a tangential direction. The first optical system and the second optical system each have a flat-shaped beam splitter; this is used to produce astigmatism for acquiring a focus error signal by the astigmatic method. |
| US08279718B2 |
Calendar mechanism and analog timepiece equipped with same mechanism
To provide a calendar mechanism wherein the building-in property of a second date indicator is improved, and an analog timepiece equipped therewith. A calendar mechanism of an analog timepiece includes a first date indicator which includes a first date character indication portion, a first date indicator gear portion, and an endless ring-shaped drive cam portion; a drive cam lever which includes an operating lever portion including a first fan-shaped gear portion, wherein a driven lever portion is spring loaded in order to become a cam follower, and the operating lever portion is pivoted in accordance with the driven lever portion abutting against the drive cam portion; a second date indicator which, being rotatable, includes a second date character indication portion and a second fan-shaped gear portion meshing with the first fan-shaped gear portion; and a positioning/locking portion. In a case in which the tens column of the date is 0, one portion of the drive cam lever abuts against the positioning/locking portion, causing the cam follower of the driven lever portion to remain in a condition out of contact with an invalid cam face portion of the cam face of the drive cam portion. |
| US08279716B1 |
Smart-watch including flip up display
A smart-watch can include a wristband, a base, and a flip up portion. The base can be coupled to the wristband and include a housing, a processor, a wireless transceiver, and a tactile user interface. The wireless transceiver can be configured to connect to a wireless network. The tactile user interface can be configured to provide interaction between a user and the smart-watch. The flip up portion can be displaceable between an open position exposing the base and a closed position concealing the base. Further, the flip up portion can include: a top display exposed when the flip up portion is in the closed position, and an inside display opposite the top display. The inside display can be concealed when the flip up portion is in the closed position and be exposed when the flip up portion is in the open position. |
| US08279715B2 |
Sample analyzing apparatus
A sample analyzing apparatus is provided with a memory for storing a schedule of maintenance, a display, and a controller for displaying on the display a screen of calendar format, wherein the screen includes a date display area for displaying a date and a maintenance item display area for displaying a maintenance item scheduled on the date. |
| US08279712B2 |
Composite transducer apparatus and system for processing a substrate and method of constructing the same
A transducer, system and method of constructing the same that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for generating acoustic energy comprising: a plurality of pillars constructed of a piezoelectric material, the pillars arranged in a spaced-apart manner so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; the pillars having a width and a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the height of the pillars is greater than the width of the pillars; and the spaces filled with a resilient material so as to form a composite assembly. |
| US08279710B2 |
Underwater synchronisation system
An underwater system (10) comprising a transmitter (12) for broadcasting an electromagnetic synchronization signal and at least one node (14) that has a receiver for receiving that signal, the node being adapted to use the received signal for synchronization. |
| US08279708B2 |
Measurement method for a granular compaction pile using crosshole seismic testing
A measurement method for a granular compaction pile 10 using a crosshole seismic test. The measurement method includes forming first to fifth measurement holes around the granular compaction pile, injecting grouting material into the first to fifth measurement holes and inserting casings into the first to fifth measurement holes, respectively, and installing an oscillator and a detector of a crosshole seismic tester in the first to fifth holes and detecting a velocity of a shearing wave, thereby measuring a diameter of the granular compaction pile according to a construction depth thereof. The shape and the diameter of the granular compaction pile are easily checked without causing damage to the granular compaction pile. |
| US08279705B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic transmission/reception method
According to one embodiment, a reception unit generates reception beam data set groups based on echo signals. Each of the reception beam data set groups includes reception beam data sets respectively corresponding to reception beams associated with parallel signal processing. Each of the reception beam data sets is generated based on echo signals from transducers associated with a corresponding reception position. A scanning control unit sets the spatial arrangement of the reception beams. The reception beams are arranged at unequal intervals. A synthesizing unit generates synthetic beam data sets associated with reception positions based on the reception beam data set groups. Each of the synthetic beam data sets is obtained by synthesizing reception beam data sets associated with the same reception position. An image generation unit generates ultrasonic image data based on the synthetic beam data sets. |
| US08279702B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus includes an individual-chip-designating-code setting block configured to generate a plurality of sets of individual-chip-designating-codes which have different code values or in which at least two sets of individual-chip-designating-codes have the same code value, in response to a plurality of chip fuse signals; a control block configured to generate a plurality of enable control signals in response to the plurality of chip fuse signals and most significant bits of the plurality of sets of individual-chip-designating-codes; and an individual chip activation block configured to compare individual-chip-designating-codes of the plurality of sets of individual-chip-designating-codes excluding the most significant bits, with chip selection addresses in response to the plurality of enable control signals, and enable one of a plurality of individual-chip-activation-signals depending upon a comparison result. |
| US08279699B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with reduced power noise
A semiconductor memory device includes an internal clock generator configured to generate an internal clock signal having a first clock period in response to a chip enable signal and change the first clock period of the internal clock signal in response to a clock control signal, and a controller configured to receive external commands including the chip enable signal and generate the clock control signal corresponding to a first external command other than the chip enable signal. Here, the semiconductor memory device performs a data input/output operation in response to the internal clock signal with the changed clock period. |
| US08279698B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes first and second sub-memory-cell areas configured to form a memory cell matrix and include a first bit line and a second bit line respectively to form a data transfer path corresponding to a predetermined memory cell, an additional bit line configured to cross the first sub-memory-cell area and form a data transfer path by being connected with the second bit line and a sensing and amplifying unit configured to sense and amplify data inputted through the additional bit line and the first bit line. |
| US08279693B2 |
Programmable tracking circuit for tracking semiconductor memory read current
One example memory device includes a memory array, a sense amplifier, and a tracking circuit. The memory array is formed of a plurality of memory cells. The sense amplifier is for accessing the memory array. The tracking circuit is for tracking memory read current of the memory array. The tracking circuit comprises one or more columns of tracking cells. Each column is coupled to a corresponding bit line to provide a drive current on the bit line for triggering a memory read operation by the sense amplifier. At least one of the columns comprises two tracking cells connected in series to each other. |
| US08279691B2 |
Semiconductor memory integrated device with a precharge circuit having thin-film transistors gated by a voltage higher than a power supply voltage
Provided is a semiconductor integrated device including a semiconductor memory circuit and a peripheral circuit of the semiconductor memory circuit. The peripheral circuit includes a first transistor having a first voltage as a breakdown voltage of a gate oxide film. The semiconductor memory circuit includes a pair of bit lines, one of the pair of bit lines being connected to a gate transistor of a memory cell, and a precharge circuit that includes a transistor having a breakdown voltage substantially equal to that of the first transistor, and precharges the pair of bit lines to a predetermined voltage in response to an activation signal. The activation signal of the precharge circuit is a second voltage higher than the first voltage. |
| US08279689B2 |
Low power termination for memory modules
An apparatus is provided that includes a memory controller to provide a first on-die termination (ODT) signal and a second ODT signal, a memory channel, a first memory module to couple to the memory channel, and a second memory module to couple to the memory channel. The first memory module may include a first memory having a first ODT circuit to receive the first ODT signal, and a second memory having a second ODT circuit to receive the first ODT signal. The first ODT signal may disable the ODT circuit of the first memory when the first memory is to be ACTIVE. |
| US08279688B2 |
Sense amplifier enable signal generation
System and method for generating a sense amplifier enable (“SAE”) signal having a programmable delay with a feedback loop to control the SAE signal duty cycle, which can be used in SRAM or DRAM, or other kinds of memory cells. An illustrative non-limiting embodiment comprises: a programmable clock chopper, a low pass filter, a bias generator, a comparator, and a feedback control module. |
| US08279687B2 |
Single supply sub VDD bit-line precharge SRAM and method for level shifting
A reduced bitline precharge level has been found to increase the SRAM Beta ratio, thus improving the stability margin. The precharge level is also supplied to Sense amplifier, write driver, and source voltages for control signals. In the sense amplifier, the lower precharge voltage compensates for performance loss in the bit-cell by operating global data-line drivers with increased overdrive. In the write driver, the reduced voltage improves the Bitline discharge rate, improves the efficiency of the negative boost write assist, and decreases the reliability exposure of transistors in the write path from negative boost circuit. |
| US08279685B2 |
Pre-charge voltage generation and power saving modes
A system includes a voltage generator to produce a pre-charge voltage signal for pre-charging one or more signals in a memory circuit. The one or more signals can be data bus lines used to access memory. The voltage generator can include an input indicating whether the memory circuit is set to a power-saving mode. The input adjusts a magnitude of the pre-charge voltage signal produced by the voltage generator. Adjusting the pre-charge voltage can result in power savings. When in the power-saving mode, the voltage generator circuit can adjust the pre-charge voltage to a value that reduces an amount of leakage current associated with a pre-charge voltage. Reducing the leakage with respect to the pre-charge voltage means that the saved power can be used for other useful purposes. |
| US08279680B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and related method of programming
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device comprises applying a program voltage to a selected wordline to program selected memory cells, and performing a verify operation by applying a verify voltage to the selected wordline to determine the programming status of the selected memory cells. The verify operation applies the verify voltage to the selected wordline at least two different times to divide the selected memory cells into at least three regions corresponding to different threshold voltage ranges. |
| US08279672B2 |
Nonvolatile memory having plurality of memory blocks each including data storage area and discrimination area
A nonvolatile memory includes memory blocks each including a data storage area for storing user data and a discrimination area that is provided so as to correspond to the each data storage area on a one-to-one basis and stores discriminative data indicating a writing state of data to the data storage area. The nonvolatile memory further includes a control circuit which determines the data storage area that will be a storage destination of the user data based on a relative difference relation among the discriminative data of the respective memory blocks, and changes the discriminative data of the discrimination area corresponding to the data storage area in which the user data was written to a value different from that before the writing. |
| US08279671B2 |
Flash memory devices, methods for programming the same, and memory systems including the same
A programming method of a nonvolatile memory device is provided including: applying a local voltage to a first unselected word line; applying a local voltage to a second unselected word line, after the local voltage is applied to the first unselected word line; and applying a pass voltage to the first unselected word line, after the local voltage is applied to the second unselected word line. Related devices and systems are also provided herein. |
| US08279670B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor storage device
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment includes: a memory cell array including an array of electrically rewritable memory cells and configured to be able to store N bits of data (where N is a natural number not less than 2) in one memory cell; and a controller operative to control read, write and erase operations of the memory cell array. The memory cell array includes a first region having a first memory cell operative to retain N bits of data, and a second region having a second memory cell operative to retain M bits of data (where M is a natural number less than N). A data structure of address data received by the controller when accessing the first memory cell is the same as a data structure of address data received from the outside when accessing the second memory cell. |
| US08279667B2 |
Integrated circuit memory systems and program methods thereof including a magnetic track memory array using magnetic domain wall movement
Provided are nonvolatile memory devices and program methods thereof, an integrated circuit memory system includes a memory array comprising at least one magnetic track, each of the at least one magnetic track including a plurality of magnetic domains and at least one read/write unit coupled thereto, decoding circuitry coupled to the memory array that is operable to select at least one of the magnetic domains, a read/write controller coupled to the memory array that is operable to read data from at least one of the plurality of magnetic domains and to write data to at least one of the plurality of magnetic domains via the at least one read/write unit coupled to each of the at least one magnetic track, and a domain controller coupled to memory array that is operable to move data between the magnetic domains on each of the at least one magnetic track. |
| US08279665B2 |
Memory cell and select element
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a memory cell (1) or select element is provided. The element includes an ion conductor element (3) formed of a ion conductor material with mobile metal ions, a first electrically conducing electrode (4) in electrical contact with the ion conductor element, and a second electrically conducting electrode (6) in electrical contact with the ion conductor element, so that the memory cell or select element is programmable by applying an electrical voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode that causes the metal ions to be influenced so that an electrical resistance across the ion conductor element is caused to vary, for example because a metallic protrusion (7) is caused to grow or decompose. In contrast to prior art approaches, the ion conductor element has a shape that is asymmetrical with respect to an exchange of the first electrode (4) and the second electrode (6) for each other. |
| US08279661B2 |
Magnetic memory element, driving method for the same, and nonvolatile storage device
A magnetic memory element (10) for use in a cross-point type memory is provided with a spin valve structure having a free layer (5), a nonmagnetic layer (4), and a pinned layer (3). The magnetic memory element is also provided with another nonmagnetic layer (6) on one surface of the free layer (5), and furthermore, a magnetic change layer (7) whose magnetic characteristics change depending on temperature so as to sandwich the nonmagnetic layer (6) with the free layer (5). In the magnetic change layer (7), the magnetization intensity increases depending on temperature. |
| US08279658B2 |
Method of programming variable resistance element and nonvolatile storage device
Applying a writing voltage pulse having a first polarity to a metal oxide layer (3) to change a resistance state of the metal oxide layer (3) from high to low so as to render the resistance state a write state, applying an erasing voltage pulse having a second polarity different from the first polarity to the metal oxide layer (3) to change the resistance state of the metal oxide layer (3) from low to high so as to render the resistance state an erase state, and applying an initial voltage pulse having the second polarity to the metal oxide layer (3) before the applying of a writing voltage pulse is performed for a first time, to change a resistance value of an initial state of the metal oxide layer (3) are included, and R0>RH>RL and |V0|>|Ve|≧|Vw| are satisfied where R0, RL, and RH are the resistance values of the initial, write, and erase states, respectively, of the metal oxide layer (3), and V0, Vw, and Ve are voltage values of the initial, writing, and erasing voltage pulses, respectively. |
| US08279644B2 |
Method and system for providing maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system
A method for providing a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) process for an energy generating device is provided. The method includes coupling a local converter to the energy generating device. A determination is made regarding whether the local converter is operating at or below a maximum acceptable temperature. A determination is made regarding whether at least one current associated with the local converter is acceptable. When the local converter is determined to be operating at or below the maximum acceptable temperature and when the at least one current associated with the local converter is determined to be acceptable, the MPPT process is enabled within the local converter. |
| US08279643B2 |
Method and apparatus to select a parameter/mode based on a measurement during an initialization period
An integrated circuit includes a threshold detection circuit that is coupled to measure a signal from a first resistive external circuit coupled between a fourth external terminal of the integrated circuit and a first external terminal of the integrated circuit during a duration of an initialization period after the fourth external terminal has been charged to a supply threshold value. A regulator circuit is coupled to charge the fourth external terminal to the supply threshold value during the initialization period of the integrated circuit. A selection circuit is coupled to the threshold detection circuit to select a parameter/mode of the integrated circuit in response to the signal measured from the first resistive external circuit during the duration of the initialization period after the fourth external terminal has been charged to the supply threshold value. |
| US08279640B2 |
Modular multi-pulse transformer rectifier for use in symmetric multi-level power converter
In one embodiment, a system may include multiple transformers each to provide an output to one or more power cells, where the power cells provide AC power to a load. Each transformer may have at least one primary winding and multiple secondary windings, where the primary winding of each transformer is phase shifted with respect to its neighboring transformers and the secondary windings are also phase shifted. The phase shift of the primary winding can be based on the phase shift of the secondary windings and a number of the plurality of transformers. |
| US08279635B2 |
Driving circuit
A driving circuit for an opto-coupler comprising a switched mode regulator configured to convert a first voltage to a second voltage, the switched mode regulator operable in accordance with a control signal (311) representative of the first voltage, and wherein the second voltage is used to drive the diode (304a) of the opto-coupler (304), in use. |
| US08279630B2 |
Continuous conduction mode power factor correction circuit with reduced sensing requirements
A power supply circuit includes continuous conduction mode power factor correction (PFC). The PFC may be performed by generating a carrier signal voltage at a beginning of a switching cycle of the power supply, generating a sampling voltage indicative of drain current of a drive transistor, and detecting when the carrier signal voltage has decreased to the same level as the sampling voltage at an intersection time. The ON time of the drive transistor may be set to twice the intersection time. |
| US08279629B2 |
Switching power supply
A switching power supply includes: a transformer including primary and secondary windings; a switching circuit including first and second switching elements, first and second rectifying elements, first and second capacitive elements and a first inductor; and a rectifying/smoothing circuit. A first bridge circuit is configured by the first and second switching elements located in a diagonal arrangement and the first and second capacitive elements also located in a diagonal arrangement. The first and second rectifying elements are connected in parallel to the first and second switching elements, respectively. One of the first and second rectifying elements is in forward direction and other is in inverse direction. The first inductor is disposed on a connection line between the pair of input terminals and the first bridge circuit. The primary winding is connected to the first bridge circuit to form a H-bridge configuration. The secondary winding is disposed in the rectifying/smoothing circuit. |
| US08279623B2 |
Apparatus for vibrating a portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes: a housing, a power pack received in the housing, and an actuator disposed between the power pack and a component of the portable electronic device, the component being in a fixed position relative to the housing, wherein the actuator imparts a force on the power pack to move the power pack relative to the housing. |
| US08279622B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a body section, a cove section and a slider section. The cover section is pivotably coupled with the body section by a joint such that the cover section is foldable up or upon the body section. The slider section has a key board hidden between the body section and the cover section when the cover section is folded upon the body section. The slider section is slidably mounted to the body section such that the key board is capable of being exposed. |
| US08279619B2 |
Point of load (POL) power supply systems with replacement module
A method for fabricating a point-of-load (POL) power supply system can include providing a circuit board. The circuit board can include a first set of connections configured for coupling a predetermined first portion of components of a voltage regulator down (VRD) system to the circuit board and a second set of connections configured for coupling a replacement module to the circuit board. Each of the first set of connections and the second set of connections is electrically coupled with a third set of connections that is configured for coupling a second portion of components of the VRD system to the circuit board. The second portion of components of the VRD system is connected to the circuit board. The replacement module is connected onto the circuit board via the second set of connections such that the replacement module and the second portion of components of the VRD system cooperate to provide at least a portion of the POL system. |
| US08279615B2 |
Encapsulation module method for production and use thereof
A method for producing an encapsulation module and/or for encapsulating a micromechanical arrangement, wherein electronic connection provisions are formed from a blank of electrically conductive semiconductor material, by one or more structuring processes and/or etching processes, wherein, in the course of forming the electronic connection provisions, a pedestal of the semiconductor material arises, on which the electronic connection provisions are arranged, wherein the latter are subsequently embedded with an embedding material and the embedding material and/or the semiconductor pedestal are removed after the embedding to an extent such that a defined number of the electronic connection provisions have electrical contacts on at least one of the outer surfaces of the encapsulation module thus produced, wherein upon forming the electronic connection provisions, on the pedestal of the semiconductor material, an insular material hump is formed, on which a plated-through hole is arranged in each case, and which embodies a semiconductor electrode. |
| US08279613B2 |
Flexible circuit assemblies with stacked flex interconnects and connector assemblies having the same
A flexible circuit assembly including a pair of mating panels. Each of the mating panels has an engagement face and a power contact. The circuit assembly also includes adjacent first and second flex interconnects that mechanically and electrically couple the mating panels. The first and second flex interconnects extend alongside each other and have respective interior surfaces. The first and second flex interconnects are stacked with respect to each other such that the interior surfaces face each other and define a heat-dissipating interspace therebetween. The circuit assembly also includes a plurality of power conductors that extend through the first and second flex interconnects between the mating panels. The power conductors are electrically parallel to one another between the power contacts. At least one of the power conductors extends proximate to the interior surface of one of the first and second flex interconnects. |
| US08279612B2 |
Electronic circuit device
An electronic circuit device including a circuit board having electronic parts, and a flexible wiring board for connection between the circuit board and external equipment. The circuit board has circuit-side connection terminals juxtaposed on a mount surface having the electrical parts mounted thereon or a non-mount surface. The wiring board has terminals juxtaposed on one of the surfaces thereof so that the wiring-board-side connection terminals confront the circuit-side circuit board connection terminals, and free-end portions each formed so as to include at least one of the wiring-board-side connection terminals, and the wiring board free-end portions are not adhesively attached to the circuit board, and the circuit-side connection terminals are electrically connected to the corresponding wiring-board-side connection terminals while the circuit-side connection terminals confront the wiring-board-side connection terminals. |
| US08279610B2 |
Electronic component package, base of electronic component package, and junction structure of electronic component package and circuit substrate
An electronic component package has a base in the shape of a rectangle as viewed from the top, and a metal lid. A terminal electrode on a base bottom surface and a circuit substrate are joined using a conductive adhesive material. In the electronic component package, a first terminal electrode group including two or more terminal electrodes formed in parallel is formed eccentrically to one corner position of the base bottom surface, and a single second terminal electrode, or a second terminal electrode group including two or more terminal electrodes formed in parallel, is formed eccentrically only to a first diagonal position diagonally opposite the one corner position. Also, no-electrode regions in which no terminal electrode is formed along a short side of the base are provided at another corner position facing the one corner position in a short side direction of the base, and a second diagonal position diagonally opposite the other corner position. At least one of the terminal electrodes is a ground terminal electrode connected to the metal lid. |
| US08279608B2 |
Heatsink device directly contacting a heat source to achieve a quick dissipation effect
A heatsink device includes an insulating board having at least one periphery, a first face and a second face, at least two conductive plates mounted on at least one of the first face and the second face of the insulating board, and at least one heat source mounted on the insulating board and having two conducting poles conducted with the at least two conductive plates. Thus, the at least two conductive plates are directly connected with the two conducting poles of the at least one heat source so that the at least two conductive plates can carry away the heat produced by the at least one heat source so as to provide a heatsink effect to the at least one heat source. |
| US08279605B2 |
Power semiconductor module
The present invention provides a power module in which a first semiconductor device disposed on a first substrate and a second semiconductor device disposed on a second substrate are disposed at symmetrical positions with a third substrate interposed therebetween. |
| US08279600B2 |
Electronic device enclosure with anti-EMI holes
An electronic device enclosure for suppressing Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) includes a first plate defined on a first plane, a second plate defined on a second plane and a number of polygonal holes defined in the first plate at an angle of orientation. The second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The angle of orientation of the number of polygonal holes in the first plate is set according to a number of maximum dimensions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second plane. The angle of orientation is defined such that there are a minimum number of maximum dimensions. |
| US08279593B2 |
Hard disk retention assembly and electronic device utilizing the same
A retention assembly for securing a hard disk to a frame of an electronic device, the retention assembly includes a bracket and a connector. The bracket is fixed to the hard disk. One of the frame and the bracket defining a guide groove, the other one forming a slide rail slidably received in the guide groove. The connector fixed to the frame and adjacent to the guide groove or the slide rail. The hard disk is electrically connected or disconnected to the connector by sliding the bracket along the guide groove or the slide rail. |
| US08279587B2 |
General-purpose software defined radio platform
A flexible, compact size, low power consumption, low cost, high performance software defined radio platform that can be used in different areas, including industrial applications, amateur radio, and academic research. The present invention is a processing platform that packs a complete computer inside a pocket size enclosure. The invention makes use of a graphic user interface and touch screen LCD display for interaction with a user. Additionally, the invention is also able to use a plurality of daughter cards for transmission or receiving of radio signals including a broad range of frequencies. With a plurality of different types of ports, the present invention is versatile in its ability to communicate with other devices. |
| US08279582B2 |
Conductive polymer suspension and method for producing the same, conductive polymer material, electrolytic capacitor, and solid electrolytic capacitor and method for producing the same
The present invention provides a conductive polymer suspension for providing a conductive polymer material having a high conductivity and a method for producing the same, and in particular, a solid electrolytic capacitor having a low ESR and a method for producing the same. The conductive polymer suspension can be is produced by: synthesizing a conductive polymer by chemical oxidative polymerization of a monomer giving the conductive polymer by using an oxidant in an aqueous solvent containing a dopant consisting of a low-molecular organic acid or a salt thereof, or a polyacid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 2,000 or a salt thereof. |
| US08279577B2 |
Substrate support having fluid channel
A support for a substrate processing chamber comprises a chuck having a substrate receiving surface, and a base comprising an upper wall comprising a recessed trench having (i) an attachment face at a first depth, and (ii) a fluid channel at a second depth. A lower wall is seated in the recessed trench and attached to the attachment face of the upper wall, to close the fluid channel. A fluid inlet is provided to supply a heat transfer fluid to the fluid channel and a fluid outlet provided to discharge the heat transfer fluid from the fluid channel. |
| US08279576B2 |
Electrostatic chuck
A ceramic electrostatic chuck according to the present invention includes a dielectric layer with a support layer in contact with the back side of the dielectric layer, and an embedded electrostatic electrode. A wafer is placed on the dielectric layer and the dielectric layer is formed of sintered aluminum nitride containing Sm and has a volume resistivity in the range of 4×109 to 4×1010 Ωcm at room temperature. The support layer is formed of sintered aluminum nitride containing Sm and Ce and has a volume resistivity of 1×1013 Ωcm or more at room temperature. |
| US08279575B2 |
Thermally protected surge suppression device
A thermally protected surge suppression device comprises a housing and a base seat with a mounting plate. The base seat is provided with a surge suppression component and a thermal protection device, and the thermal protection device further comprises a metal bulge electrically connecting to the electrode B of the surge suppression component, a compression spring, a slider provided with an arc extinguishing component movable on the guide-track groove. In normal working condition, the conductive metal member electrically connects to the metal bulge via a low temperature solder. When the surge suppression component fails, the low temperature solder is melt owing to being passed through the power frequency fault current, the conductive metal member is disconnected from the metal bulge, the compression spring pushes the arc extinguishing component to move to obstruct the disconnected gap, and form an airflow to extinguish the electric arc between the conductive metal member and the metal bulge. The present invention provides a safer, more timely and reliable circuit protection. |
| US08279571B2 |
Electrical power switching with efficient switch protection
A transmission delay line is introduced between the switch and the power output side of a power switching system so that sparking of the load is hidden from the switch by the time delay of the transmission line. This makes it possible to detect the load spark and actively protect the switch, typically by turning the switch off, before it actually knows that there has been a load fault spark. Alternatively, the delay of the transmission line is long enough so that the switch has already been turned off in normal pulse operation before the load fault current reaches the switch. Either way, the switch will be turned off under normal current flow and will not be subject to destructive over-current or over-voltage conditions. |
| US08279568B2 |
Charge pump switch power down protection
This application discusses, among other things, switch circuit apparatus having power down protection and not requiring power up sequencing. An apparatus embodiment can include a first supply node coupled to a first input of a level shifting circuit via a protection circuit, a second supply node coupled to a second input of the level shifting circuit via a single pull-up transistor, and a switch including a control input, a first node, and a second node controllably isolated from the first node, wherein the control input is coupled to the level shifting circuit. The first and second inputs of the level shifting circuit can be coupled via a rectifier, and the protection circuit can be configured to power the first and second supply nodes to controllably isolate the first and second nodes from each other when a voltage of one of the first or second nodes exceeds a threshold. |
| US08279566B2 |
Multi-voltage electrostatic discharge protection
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp (41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91), coupled across input-output (I/O) (22) and common (GND) (23) terminals of a protected semiconductor SC device or IC (24), comprises, an ESD transistor (ESDT) (25) with source-drain (26, 27) coupled between the GND (23) and I/O (22), a first resistor (30) coupled between gate (28) and source (26) and a second resistor (30) coupled between ESDT body (29) and source (26). Paralleling the resistors (30, 32) are control transistors (35, 35′) with gates (38, 38′) coupled to one or more bias supplies Vb, Vb′. The main power rail (Vdd) of the device or IC (24) is a convenient source for Vb, Vb′. When the Vdd is off during shipment, handling, equipment assembly, etc., the ESD trigger voltage Vt1 is low, thereby providing maximum ESD protection when ESD risk is high. When Vdd is energized, Vt1 rises to a value large enough to avoid interference with normal circuit operation but still protect from ESD events. Parasitic leakage through the ESDT (25) during normal operation is much reduced. |
| US08279561B2 |
Balanced motor micro-actuator
This application discloses a hard disk drive, a head stack assembly, and a head gimbal assembly, each including a micro-actuator hinge configured to position a slider over a rotating disk surface with greater stroke sensitivity while reducing bending perpendicular to the disk surface. The micro-actuator hinge includes at least one micro-actuator, a hinge plate and at least one hinge plate cover, with the micro-actuator including a first region and a second region, each coupled between the hinge plate and the hinge plate cover. |
| US08279560B1 |
Head stack assembly with suspension tail bond alignment by solder pin
A flexure tail of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) is aligned with a flex cable of a head stack assembly (HSA). At least one solder ball is adhered to a bond pad on the flex cable. The solder ball is entered into a first alignment hole in the flexure tail while the solder ball is solid. |
| US08279559B1 |
Process for creating discrete track magnetic recording media including an apparatus having a stylus selectively applying stress to a surface of the recording media
One embodiment includes a track recording head for creating discrete tracks in a rotating magnetic storage medium. The track recording head includes a main body, at least one stylus, and a stylus actuator. The main body is configured to be attached to a head gimbal assembly. The main body has an air bearing surface configured to face a corresponding surface of the rotating magnetic storage medium. The stylus is formed on the air bearing surface and is configured to be actuated towards the surface of the rotating magnetic storage medium to contact and apply stress to the rotating magnetic storage medium to create isolation regions of non-directionally magnetizable material. The stylus actuator is formed in the main body and is configured to actuate the stylus. |
| US08279554B2 |
Magnetic recording medium and magnetic signal reproduction method
The magnetic signal reproduction system comprises a magnetic recording medium comprising a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic powder and a binder on a nonmagnetic support; and a reproduction head, wherein a number of protrusions equal to or greater than 10 nm in height on the magnetic layer surface, as measured by an atomic force microscope, ranges from 50 to 2500/10,000 μm2, a quantity of lubricant on the magnetic layer surface, denoted as a surface lubricant index, ranges from 0.5 to 5.0, a surface abrasive occupancy of the magnetic layer ranges from 2 to 20 percent, and the reproduction head is a magnetoresistive magnetic head comprising a spin-valve layer. |
| US08279552B2 |
Hermetically sealing a hard disk drive
A HDD comprising an internal base plate comprising a porous material and configured for attachment of internal components of the HDD, an external hermetic base plate comprising a non-porous material and configured to hermetically seal the HDD, an external attachment base plate comprising fastening features and an external hermetic cover hermetically sealed to the external hermetic base plate. |
| US08279551B2 |
Head positioning method for eccentric track and head positioning control device
Drive waveforms with which extension and contraction characteristics of an actuator corresponding to a number of track eccentricity amounts are stored as data. By reading servo information written in a disk is obtained as a signal indicating a head displacement amount from a track. The head is moved in a direction in which the track is displaced by obtaining an amplitude corresponding to a slip amount of the head position and a rotation angle of maximum eccentricity, reading drive waveforms which is optimal in driving the actuator from the memory and driving the actuator with a drive waveform matched with the rotation angle at which the eccentricity is maximum. |
| US08279550B1 |
Fly height sensor control circuit
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head for writing data to the disk, a first touchdown sensor, a second touchdown sensor, and control circuitry comprising a first current source coupled to the first touchdown sensor and a second current source coupled to the second touchdown sensor, the control circuitry operable to determine a common mode voltage between the first touchdown sensor and the second touchdown sensor, adjust the first current source and the second current source until the common mode voltage exceeds a first threshold, determine a differential voltage between the first touchdown sensor and the second touchdown sensor, adjust the first current source and the second current source until the differential voltage exceeds a second threshold, and detect a touchdown event based on the differential voltage exceeding a third threshold. |
| US08279536B2 |
Fixed focus lens and imaging system
A fixed-focus lens capable of imaging a light valve disposed at a reduced side onto a magnified side is provided. The fixed-focus lens includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and a free form reflective mirror. The first lens group is disposed in the light path between the reduced side and the magnified side. The second lens group is disposed in the light path between the first lens group and the magnified side and includes a first free form lens. The free form reflective mirror is disposed in the light path between the second lens group and the magnified side. An imaging surface imaged from the light valve by the fixed-focus lens is a curved surface. An imaging system using the fixed-focus lens is also provided. |
| US08279535B2 |
Image capture lens modules and image capture systems
Image capture lens modules and image capture systems are presented. An image capture lens module includes a first compound lens with a first lens element, a second lens element, and a third lens element arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side. A second compound lens includes a fourth lens element, a fourth lens element, and a fifth lens element arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side. A curvature radius of the first lens element is positive, a curvature radius of the third lens element is negative, a curvature radius of the fourth lens element is negative, and a curvature radius of the sixth lens element is negative. An abbe number of the first lens element exceeds 55 and an abbe number of the third lens element is less than 30. |
| US08279521B2 |
Optical device and laser microscope
The present invention is low cost, does not exert a negative influence on the surroundings, has a small group-velocity delay dispersion, efficiently blocks reflected return light such that the laser light does not return to the laser light source, and allows properly polarized laser light to enter a polarization-dependent element in a subsequent stage. An optical device is provided which includes a laser light source, an optical system that transmits laser light emitted from the laser light source, and a polarization-dependent element into which the laser light transmitted by the optical system enters. The characteristics of outgoing light are changed according to a polarization state of the incident light. The optical system includes a reflected-light generator that reflects a part of the transmitted laser light, and λ/4 wave plates are disposed such that the reflected-light generator is disposed therebetween. |
| US08279519B2 |
Semiconductor optical modulator, an optical amplifier and an integrated semiconductor light-emitting device
An integrated semiconductor optical-emitting device includes a surface-emission laser diode and an EA-type semiconductor optical modulator integrated commonly on a GaAs substrate in a direction perpendicular to the GaAs substrate. |
| US08279518B2 |
Optical amplifier
An optical amplifier apparatus for amplifying a wavelength division signal light includes a detector for detecting an inputted wavelength division signal light, a dispersion compensator for compensating for a dispersion of the inputted wavelength division signal light, an optical amplifier for amplifying the inputted wavelength division signal light after compensation by stimulated emission of an optical gain medium including a rare-earth element, a propagation delay detector for detecting a propagation delay time of the wavelength division signal light between the detector and the optical amplifier, and a controller for controlling the gain of the optical amplifier on the basis of the propagation delay time such that the change of the gain of the optical amplifier is adjusted by the propagation delay time. |
| US08279514B2 |
Optoelectronic device
An optoelectronic device for projecting a first beam (110) of coherent first electromagnetic radiation onto a surface (91) comprises a first radiation source (11), which is suitable for emitting a first beam (110) of coherent first electromagnetic radiation when in operation. The optoelectronic device additionally comprises a first phase-modifying element (21) in the beam path of the first electromagnetic radiation for changing the phase of the first electromagnetic radiation in a subzone (1102) of the first beam (110) and a radiation-directing element (4) in the beam path of the first electromagnetic radiation for changing a beam direction (P1, P2) of the first beam (110). |
| US08279511B2 |
Method and apparatus for modulating light
Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for producing polarized light, having a modulator crystal, where the modulator crystal incorporates a birefringent electro- optic material. The modulator crystal has an optic axis, a first polarization axis, and a second polarization axis, where the first polarization axis and second polarization axis are each perpendicular to the optic axis and perpendicular to each other. The apparatus can also include an electrode pair, where application of an electric field modulates light passing through the modulator crystal that is polarized along the first polarization axis. Embodiments pertain to a method and apparatus for modulating light. The apparatus incorporates a modulator crystal having an electro-optic material. The device also has at least two electrode pairs, where each electrode pair that modulates light passing through the modulator crystal that has a direction of travel that has a component parallel to the optic axis. |
| US08279509B2 |
MEMS-scanning mirror device and method for manufacturing the same
An MEMS-scanning mirror device includes an electrostatic comb actuator, in which a mirror surface is formed below a top surface (TOPS) of the mirror device. In a method for manufacturing the MEMS-scanning mirror device having the electrostatic comb actuator, a mirror surface (10BS) of a mirror plate (10B) is formed by removing an insulating layer (I) thereon. |
| US08279508B2 |
Optical reflection element
An optical reflecting element includes a mirror, and a pair of high-frequency vibrators and a pair of low-frequency vibrators for vibrating the mirror. The high-frequency vibrators include a substrate, a bottom electrode layer formed on the substrate, a piezoelectric layer, and a drive electrode and a first monitor electrode as the top electrode layer. One end of the low-frequency vibrator has the substrate shared with the high-frequency vibrator, a bottom electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer, a drive electrode, and a second monitor electrode as the top electrode layer. The other end of the low-frequency vibrator has the substrate shared with the high-frequency vibrator, a bottom electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer, a drive electrode, a first monitor electrode, and an insulator layer as a dead zone for preventing a piezoelectric effect due to the piezoelectric layer from reaching the first monitor electrode. The first monitor electrode provided on the low-frequency vibrator is connected from the top of the vibrator to an extraction electrode. |
| US08279507B2 |
Hologram and holgraphic viewing device incorporating it
The invention relates to a hologram that enables two or more different images to be simultaneously reconstructed even in a state where the hologram is fixed in terms of relative position with respect to an eye, and a holographic viewing device that incorporates it. The hologram 14 is fabricated by applying Fourier transform to a plurality of input image to obtain a plurality of corresponding Fourier transform images 13-1, 13-2 and arraying the Fourier transform images 13-1, 13-2 on the same plane according to a given two-dimensional array principle into a computer-generated hologram. When a plurality of point light sources 231 to 239 located behind the hologram 14 are viewed through the hologram 14, a plurality of images are simultaneously and parallel reconstructed (28) in correspondence to the array positions of the plurality of Fourier transform images. |
| US08279498B2 |
Document reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
A document reading apparatus includes an integral display portion integrally provided with the area sensor portion and a main CPU for controlling screen display of the integral display portion, in which a document placed on a screen of the integral display portion is read by the area sensor portion. The integral display portion has an operation area for displaying various operation keys of the document reading apparatus on its screen, and the main CPU detects an area of the document placed on the screen by the area sensor portion and sets an area other than an area where the document is placed as the operation area of the document reading apparatus. |
| US08279491B2 |
Color image formation apparatus for forming a reference pattern with a plurality of lines having a black color as reference color and for correcting misalignment with respect to the reference pattern
In a color misalignment detection method, an alignment pattern is obtained by designating a plurality of lines having line width and line intervals formed by superposing a line image of a black color as a reference color and a line image of a color other than the reference color, for example, a cyan line image, as one patch, and continuously forming these patches by shifting the relative position between the line images of the two colors by an optional quantity. An alignment pattern detection sensor has a light emitting diode and a photodiode. These elements are arranged along the scanning direction of the alignment pattern such that the photodiode can only receive diffused reflected light of reflected light from the alignment pattern. A spot shape of the light emitting diode and a spot shape of the photodiode are both formed in a square shape. |
| US08279484B2 |
Multi-function machine having a service log system
A multi-function machine is provided. The multi-function machine includes a scanning module for scanning in a document and generating a corresponding image. The multi-function machine also includes one or more processors operatively connected to a user interface module executable by a user and a service log module having a set of programmable instructions configured for execution by the at least one processor for receiving an image corresponding to a scanned in service log form having service log information. Additionally, a service log record with service log information from the scanned in image is included. |
| US08279483B2 |
Method for performing pattern matching and line thinning on an image
An image processing device that outputs a raster image to an image forming unit that forms an image at a first resolution based on the raster image, generates a raster image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution; inspects pixels of the generated raster image having the second resolution, and if there is a pixel group including a pixel and pixels surrounding the pixel that has a layout pattern identical to a predetermined layout pattern, replaces the pixel with a predetermined raster image having the first resolution; inspects pixels of the raster image having the first resolution, and if there is a pixel group including a pixel and pixels surrounding the pixel that satisfies a predetermined condition, replaces the pixel with a pixel of a different color; and outputs the raster image having the first resolution subjected to line-thinning to the image forming unit. |
| US08279482B2 |
Method of printing multiple magnifications of pages per sheet in N-up printing
A computer readable recording medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for a combination printing function for collectively printing out contents of plural pages into one page, the process which includes selecting a test printing target page from printing target data, generating image data in which at least two pages regarding the selected page are reduced to different scales and are collected into one page, and transmitting the generated image data to a printing device. |
| US08279479B2 |
Network scanner for global document creation, transmission and management
A network scanner, communication protocols, and client and server programs and are provided which provide an improved way to transmit legally binding documents, obviating the need for outmoded, legacy fax transmissions. Using the network scanner, a document may be scanned and transferred directly into any shared folder inbox residing on any computer attached to the Internet. Enhanced server systems and network communications and messaging protocols are provided that are more practical to use than email for sending documents such as executed legal documents or other documents requiring robust integrity and authenticatability. Similarly, the inventive network scanner, server systems and communication protocols provide improved ways to perform large file transfers and to manage bandwidth to minimize problems associated with uploading/downloading large files as attachments to/from email servers and for enabling user control over VoIP quality during file transmission sessions. |
| US08279478B2 |
Printing system, printing apparatus and image-printing method for suppressing image quality degradation
A printing system that transfers an image composed of pixels of a first resolution, includes a client and a printing apparatus. The client includes a determining unit that, for a pixel block that is of a size of a pixel of a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution, determines whether or not the pixel block is homogenous on the basis of a difference in color information for a target pixel of the first resolution included in the pixel block; an image-data-for-transfer creating unit that creates image data for transfer by changing pixels of the first resolution included in a pixel block that has been determined to be homogenous from the first resolution to the second resolution; and a transmitting unit that transmits the image data for transfer. The printing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives the image data for transfer and a high-resolution-image-data creating unit that creates image data representing an image composed of pixels of the first resolution by changing pixels of the second resolution in the image data for transfer from the second resolution to the first resolution. |
| US08279475B2 |
Printing apparatus and method for processing real-time command using the printing apparatus
There are provided a printing apparatus and a method for processing real-time commands using the same. The printing apparatus is able to be stably operated without any mechanical troubles such as degraded performance of the printing apparatus, which are caused when real-time commands are analyzed and processed on a receive interrupt routine, by detecting real-time commands from data transmitted from the host computer, separately storing the detected real-time commands in a real-time command buffer and processing the stored real-time commands in preference to the other data. |
| US08279473B2 |
Image processing system, printer driver, scanner driver, printing device and reading device
An image processing system, a computer readable medium, a printing device and a reading device are provided. The image processing system includes an operation unit which receives commands; a setting unit which performs setting processing for setting, in accordance with the commands received by the operation unit, a performance condition including an independent setting item, the independent setting item comprising first and second fields for setting different values, respectively, for the front side and the back side of a sheet material; and a performance unit which processes the front side and the back side of the sheet material in accordance with the performance condition set by the setting unit. The printing device includes a print unit that performs double-sided printing on a sheet material; the operation unit; the setting unit; and a control unit that controls the print unit to perform double-sided printing in accordance with the print condition. |
| US08279467B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for indicating conflicting print setting functions
An operation window including the first display area having a plurality of types of print setting items, and a second display area which displays log data representing the log of setting operations to the print setting items in the first display area is displayed. The second print setting item, which conflicts with the first print setting item, is set to be disabled on the basis of an operation to the first print setting item. Information containing a print setting value of the first print setting item before and after a change, and the second print setting item disabled along with the change is stored as the log data. When the designation of the second print setting item is detected, it is controlled to display log data so as to be distinct from other log data. |
| US08279465B2 |
Systems and methods for routing facsimiles based on content
A method for routing a facsimile according to one embodiment of the present invention includes analyzing text of a facsimile for at least one of a meaning and a context of the text; and routing the facsimile to one or more destinations based on the analysis. A method for routing a facsimile according to another embodiment of the present invention includes analyzing a pattern of light and dark areas of a facsimile; correlating the pattern to one or more forms; and routing the facsimile to one or more destinations based on the correlation. Additional systems and methods are also presented. |
| US08279464B2 |
Method and system for classifying a job in a production environment
A method and system for processing a job in a production environment includes a knowledge base containing multiple product intents. Each product intent includes parameter requirements and/or parameter restrictions for producing a finished product. The method and system receive a product description that includes desired properties of a proposed job, and use a semantic reasoning, system to infer which of the product intents in the knowledge base corresponds to the product description. |
| US08279461B2 |
Systems and methods for managing a plurality of resources across multiple printing devices
Systems and methods for managing a plurality of resources across multiple printing devices are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a resource server. The resource server includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. Instructions are stored in the memory. The instructions are executable to implement a method that involves receiving a registration message from a printing device. The method also involves downloading to the printing device a plurality of soft-links to resources in a server resource repository. The method also involves receiving a request for a resource from the printing device. The request includes a soft-link to the resource. The method also involves attempting to download the resource to the printing device in response to receiving the request. |
| US08279458B2 |
Method and apparatus for an image communication system for ordering digital prints
An image data communication system provided herein allows a customer to upload and save a digital image data file in a first resolution format to a server of a photofinishing service over a network. The photofinisher establishes a range of print sizes of acceptable quality based on the first resolution of the image data file. When the customer places a print order, the system compares the requested print size to the resolution of the saved image data file. If the requested print size is within the acceptable print quality range, the order is processed and shipped or otherwise made available to the customer. If the requested print size is outside the acceptable quality print range, the customer is notified and given the option of uploading the same image in a second resolution which is higher than the first resolution, after which the photofinisher processes the order using the second resolution. |
| US08279457B2 |
Generating user defined marking settings to print marks to control post-processing devices
Provided are a method, system, and program generating user defined marking settings to print marks to control post-processing devices. A user interface is generated to enable user input to define at least one marking setting comprising a name of the marking setting, a dimension of a marking, and a location of the marking on the print medium. Marking settings control a printer to output markings on a print medium. The outputted markings on the print medium control at least one post processor device to perform post processing operations on the print medium. User input is received from the user interface defining at least one marking setting. The user defined at least one marking setting is stored with an existing set of marking settings to control the printer. |
| US08279455B2 |
Handheld display device having processor for rendering display output to provide real-time virtual transparency
A handheld display device for interacting with printed content. The device includes: an optical sensor for imaging an area of a printed substrate containing the printed content and generating image data; an opaque touch-sensitive display screen for displaying display output to a user; a processor configured for: monitoring the identity of the substrate and the position of the device relative to the substrate using the image data; retrieving display data; rendering the display output to the display screen; and interpreting user input captured via the display screen. The opaque touch-sensitive display screen has real-time virtual transparency through the screen to the printed content from a user's perspective to provide a virtual window to the printed content. |
| US08279453B2 |
Method and device for measuring thickness of multilayer film
There is provided a method of measuring a physical thickness of each of layers of a multilayer film, based on an optical thickness thereof. The method includes: (a) setting refractive indexes of the layers; (b) calculating a coefficient matrix using the refractive indexes; (c) providing light to the multilayer film so as to measure the optical thickness based on the light reflected by the multilayer film; and (d) calculating the physical thickness, based on the optical thickness and the coefficient matrix. |
| US08279452B2 |
Dimple position detection device and dimple position detecting method for disk drive suspension
A dimple position detection device for detecting a position of a dimple formed on a load beam is provided with an illumination device, imaging device, and image processing section. The illumination device directs illumination light toward the dimple. The imaging device receives reflected light from the dimple. The image processing section binarizes an image obtained by the imaging device. The image processing section maximizes a binarization level, binarizes the reflected light image, determines whether an area of a light spot region or on-region above the binarization level has a predetermined value, reduces the binarization level when the area of the light spot region is less than the predetermined value, and calculates the gravitational position of the light spot region with the predetermined value reached by the light spot region area. |
| US08279450B2 |
Intra-oral measurement device and intra-oral measurement system
The present invention aims to provide an intra-oral measurement device and an intra-oral measurement system capable of measuring an inside of an oral cavity at high accuracy without increasing a size of the device, and includes a light projecting unit for irradiating a measuring object including at least a tooth within an oral cavity with light, a lens system unit for collecting light reflected by the measuring object, a focal position varying mechanism for changing a focal position of the light collected by the lens system unit, and an imaging unit for imaging light passed through the lens system unit. |
| US08279449B2 |
All-reflective, radially shearing interferometer
A radially shearing interferometer including a beam splitter configured to form two optical beams from entering light, the optical beam including a magnified beam and a demagnified beam; a plurality of mirrors arranged so as to generate the magnified and demagnified beams and provide a common optical path with the beams traversing the plurality of mirrors in the opposite direction back to the beam splitter, the plurality of mirrors including a pair of parabolic mirrors, the first of the pair configured to receive one of the magnified and demagnified beams, and reflect the first received beam to a flat mirror configured to reflect the first received beam to the other of the pair. An imaging device may be positioned at a pupil plane of the magnified beam and the demagnified beam so as to record the interference of both beams. A method for recording an interferogram is also disclosed. |
| US08279447B2 |
Method for measuring thickness
Disclosed is a method for measuring a thickness of a subjecting layer attached on a base layer by means of an interferometer, which includes the steps of: obtaining a correlation equation of a phase difference with respect to thicknesses of sample layers, the thicknesses being different from each other, the sample layers being made from a material substantially equal to a material of the subjecting layer; obtaining a first interference signal with respect to an optical axial direction incident to the base layer at a boundary surface between an air layer and the base layer; obtaining a second interference signal with respect to the optical axial direction at a boundary surface between the subjecting layer and the base layer; obtaining a phase difference between a phase of the first interference signal and a phase of the second interference signal at respective heights substantially equal to each other with respect to the optical axial direction; and determining a thickness of the subjecting layer by inserting the phase difference into the correlation equation. |
| US08279446B2 |
Fiber-based interferometric device for measuring axial dimensions of a human eye
An apparatus for measuring a layered object comprising a low coherence light source, a coherent light source, and an interferometer including a reference arm and a measurement arm. The reference arm is comprised of a first section of polarization maintaining optical fiber engaged with a first fiber stretcher. The measurement arm is comprised of a second section of polarization maintaining optical fiber engaged with a second fiber stretcher. The first and second fiber stretchers are driven so as to alternatingly vary the lengths of the first section of polarization maintaining optical fiber and the second section of polarization maintaining optical fiber, thereby causing interference signals with the low coherence light when the length of the reference arm is equal to the length of the measurement arm including the distance from the second section of polarization maintaining optical fiber to any of the surfaces of the layers of the object. |
| US08279442B2 |
Light emitting diode illumination system
In various embodiments of the invention, a unique construction for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with at least one luminescent rod and extracting optical elements is used to generate a variety of high brightness light sources with different emission spectra. In an embodiment of the invention, forced air cooling is used to cool the luminescent rod. In an embodiment of the invention, totally internal reflected light can be redirected outward and refocused. In another embodiment of the invention, light emitted by the luminescent rod is out-coupled for use in a variety of applications. In various embodiments of the invention, a plurality of independent narrow band colors can be coaxially combined. |
| US08279439B2 |
Birefringence measuring device and birefringence measuring method
The present invention is a birefringence measuring device that requires only three types of light intensity information and can measure birefringence characteristics of an object with a relatively inexpensive device configuration. One embodiment comprises a light source for emitting a light flux having a specific polarization state towards the object to be measured, an optical system for extracting each of light fluxes in predetermined three polarization direction; and, from the light flux having passed the object to be measured, a detector for detecting a light amount of each of the light fluxes in the predetermined three polarization directions extracted by the optical system, and a processor for calculating a size and an azimuth of the birefringence of the object to be measured. The processor may calculate the birefringence size and azimuth by assigning each of the light amounts of the light fluxes detected by the detector to a predetermined function expression. |
| US08279435B2 |
Nanostructured metal-polyaniline composites and applications thereof
Metal-polyaniline (PANI) composites are provided together with a process of preparing such composites by an electrodeless process. The metal of the composite can have nanoscale structural features and the composites can be used in applications such as catalysis for hydrogenation reactions and for analytical detection methods employing SERS. |
| US08279427B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring the refractive index of a material with Bragg gratings
A method for measuring the refractive index of a material with Bragg gratings includes the emission of a collimated radiation beam (9) from a radiation source (4) with a large spectrum and orientation thereof along a direction normal to the material (2) to be examined, the propagation of the collimated radiation beam (9) entering the material (2), then a Bragg diffraction grating (3) that is obliquely placed to the direction of the collimated radiation beam (9), and again the material (2), the subjection to spectral analysis of the collimated radiation beam exiting the material (2), the grating (3) producing a minimum in the spectrum subjected to the spectral analysis in accordance with Bragg's law, and the calculation of the refractive index of the material (2) from the measure of the wavelength corresponding to the minimum in thus spectrum. A relevant apparatus is described. |
| US08279425B1 |
Frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) lethality assessment method and system for determining impact point and damage propagation in detection surface
A system and method for performing lethality assessment utilizes frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) to determine impact point and damage propagation faults in a detection surface. The detection surface has a conductive layer capable of propagating radio frequency (RF) signals. At least one signal transmit/receive port on the detection surface injects a radio frequency (RF) interrogation signal into the detection surface and at least two signal receive-only ports on the detection surface spaced a distance apart from each other and from the signal transmit/receive port receive reflected radio frequency (RF) signals of the interrogation signal. A frequency domain reflectometry measurement system coupled with the transmit/receive port and signal receive-only ports measures frequency responses of the ports compared to predetermined baseline measurements and determines the precise location of an impact point and damage propagation fault in the detection surface by triangulation. |
| US08279422B2 |
Measuring the movement characteristics of an object
A method of an apparatus for measuring or determining the movement characteristics of an object uses the detection of changes in beams. A set of beams F1-B1, F2-B2, F3-B3 is disposed in the movement path of the object; at relative angles to each other; and at acute angles to the intended direction of the object. The number of changes in the beams or durations between changes in the beams are recorded. The relative times, durations or differences in relative times, at which different beams of the set are changed are measured. The resulting measurements are associated with the relevant movement characteristics of the object. |
| US08279421B2 |
Optical-electronic distance measuring device
The invention relates to an optical-electronic distance measuring method according to the phase measurement principle by emitting of optical measuring radiation, which is modulated according to the burst modulation principle, having a burst period duration made of an active burst time and a dead time, receiving at least a part of the measuring radiation (23), which is reflected on the measured object, wherein transforming into an input measuring signal (ES) is performed, and determining a distance to the measured object by analyzing a measuring signal (MS, gMS) generated from the input measuring signal (ES). |
| US08279417B2 |
Laser range finder for use on a golf course
An improved range finder for use on a golf course. The improved range finder includes means for identifying the closest target in a field of view during a sweep operation of the field of view and means for presenting the distance of the closest target at the conclusion of the sweep operation of the field of view. The improved range finder preferably uses infrared light to detect a flagstick. |
| US08279416B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor
An optoelectronic sensor (10) having a light transmitter (12) for the transmitting of laser pulses (18) into a monitored region (24) by means of a laser light source (14) and having a driver circuit (16, 30) for the laser light source (14) is described which is designed to set the light transmitter (12) into a working state in which the laser light source (14) transmits a laser pulse (18) or into a preparatory state. The driver circuit (16, 30) is further designed to set the light transmitter (12) into the preparatory state in each case prior to the transmission of a laser pulse (18). |
| US08279410B2 |
Optical measurement instrument for body height
An optical body height measurement instrument is provided comprising: a lens configured to be movable along a direction parallel to the height of an object to be measured and form an image of the object; a photosensitive sensor arranged at an image side of the lens to sense the image; and a driving device configured to drive the lens along a direction parallel to the height of the object, wherein when the lens is moved across the height at which the head of the object is located, a hop occurs to an output of the photosensitive sensor; and wherein the height of the object is determined based on the height of the lens measured at the time of the occurrence of the hop. The optical body height measurement instrument can rapidly, conveniently and accurately measure the height based on the infrared rays emitted from the measured object or the light with a predetermined wavelength emitted from an auxiliary light source so long as the person to be measured stands within a certain region. |
| US08279404B2 |
Projection objective having mirror elements with reflective coatings
An optical system is disclosed that includes a plurality of elements arranged to image radiation at a wavelength λ from an object field in an object surface to an image field in an image surface. The elements include mirror elements having a reflective surface formed by a reflective coating positioned at a path of radiation. At least one of the mirror elements has a rotationally asymmetrical reflective surface deviating from a best-fit rotationally symmetric reflective surface by about λ or more at one or more locations. The elements include an apodization correction element effective to correct a spatial intensity distribution in an exit pupil of the optical system relative to the optical system without the apodization correcting element. The apodization correction element can be effective to increase symmetry of the spatial intensity distribution in the exit pupil relative to the optical system without the apodization correcting element. |
| US08279397B2 |
Method for removing contamination on optical surfaces and optical arrangement
A method and an optical arrangement for removing contamination on optical surfaces (26), which are arranged in a vacuum environment in an optical arrangement, preferably in a projection exposure apparatus (1) for EUV lithography. The method includes generating a residual gas atmosphere containing molecular hydrogen (18) and at least one inert gas (17) in the vacuum environment, generating inert gas ions (21) by ionization of the inert gas (17), preferably with EUV radiation (20), and generating atomic hydrogen (27) by acceleration of the inert gas ions (21) in the residual gas atmosphere, to remove the contamination. |
| US08279392B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel, liquid crystal display device having the same, and method of manufacturing the same
The invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel formed by enclosing a liquid crystal between a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal display device having the same, and a method of manufacturing the same. The liquid crystal display panel can be easily connected to a circuit board. The liquid crystal display panel includes a scan electrode substrate having a plurality of scan electrodes formed like strips extending in parallel, a data electrode substrate having a plurality of data electrodes formed like strips extending in parallel, and a plurality of connection terminals formed at one edge of the scan electrode substrate to provide electrical connection with the data electrodes. |
| US08279391B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with grounded by thermocompression bonding tape and double-side adhesive tape
A liquid crystal display device which can be manufactured at a low cost is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate, a CF substrate of a size smaller than a size of the TFT substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate. A ground pad is formed on a portion of the TFT substrate where the CF substrate does not overlap with the TFT substrate. A transparent conductive film is formed on an upper surface of the CF substrate. The transparent conductive film of the CF substrate and the ground pad formed on the TFT substrate are electrically connected with each other via a thermocompression bonding conductive tape. A double-sided adhesive tape is arranged between the thermocompression bonding conductive tape and an upper surface of the CF substrate and between the thermocompression bonding conductive tape and the TFT substrate. |
| US08279387B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes opening patterns in the electrodes or protrusions on the electrodes. The opening patterns or the protrusions have a pattern which controls the direction of the liquid crystal molecules. Thus the quality of the LCD can be improved. |
| US08279381B2 |
Liquid crystal display and fabricating method thereof
A liquid crystal display is disclosed. The liquid crystal display includes an upper substrate on which barrier ribs are formed to limit a view angle within sub-pixels; a lower substrate facing the upper substrate; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate. |
| US08279380B2 |
Liquid crystal display with color light guide panel
An LCD including a backlight module and an LCD panel is provided. The LCD panel includes a color light guide panel, suitable for differentiating an incident light into multiple color lights. The color light guide panel includes a substrate and a color light output structure. The substrate has multiple pixel regions, and the color light output structure is disposed in each of the pixel regions. The color light output structure includes first˜fourth nano-patterns. The incident light is scattered by the first nano-pattern for producing a first color light, scattered by the second nano-pattern for producing a second color light, scattered by the third nano-pattern for producing a third color light, and scattered by the fourth nano-pattern for producing a fourth color light. The color light guide panel can output uniform and high luminous first˜fourth color light, and the LCD can display high quality image. |
| US08279379B2 |
Light receiving device, light receiving device manufacturing method, and light receiving method
There is provided a light receiving device including a polarization dispersing section that disperses a polarization direction of incoming light into a plurality of polarization directions, a light collecting section that has a metal pattern shaped like concentric circles on a surface thereof, where the light collecting section collects light that has passed through the polarization dispersing section, and a light receiving section that receives the light collected by the light collecting section. Also provided are a light receiving device manufacturing method and a light receiving method. The light collecting section may have a surface plasmon antenna that has the metal pattern shaped like the concentric circles on a surface thereof, and the light receiving section may receive the light collected toward a center of the concentric circles of the metal pattern of the light collecting section, through a hole at the center of the concentric circles, on a rear side of the light collecting section. |
| US08279378B2 |
Producing method for lengthwise optical laminate and liquid crystal panel
The object of the present invention is to provide a producing method for a lengthwise optical laminate exhibiting high contrast ratio and adaptable to a large-sized display. The present invention provides a producing method for a lengthwise optical laminate, which comprises a step 1 of coating and drying a coating solution comprising a birefringent material and a solvent on a surface of a lengthwise base material to form a birefringent film such that a birefringence index (Anxz[590]) in the thickness direction at a wavelength of 590 nm is 0.02 or more, and produce a lengthwise sheet (A) comprising the base material and the birefringent film; a step 2 of drawing a lengthwise film of a hydrophilic polymer containing a dichroic material so that a draw ratio is from 3 times to 5 times based on the original length and a neck-in ratio is 55% or less to produce a lengthwise polarizer (B); and a step 3 of laminating the lengthwise sheet (A) obtained in the step 1 on one plane of the lengthwise polarizer (B) obtained in the step 2 to produce the lengthwise optical laminate. |
| US08279371B2 |
Optical plate, method of manufacturing the same, and liquid crystal display device having the same
A method of manufacturing an optical plate, includes forming a protrusion on a base film by jetting ink containing a liquid resin on the base film, contacting a light guiding plate to the protrusion, and curing the protrusion which contacts with the light guiding plate. |
| US08279367B2 |
Backlight assembly, liquid crystal display apparatus having the same and method of manufacturing the same
A backlight assembly includes a lamp socket unit, a printed circuit board and a lower receiving container. The printed circuit board includes a cutout portion which receives the lamp socket unit therethrough. The lower receiving container receives the lamp socket unit and the printed circuit board. The lamp socket unit is coupled to the printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board, having the lamp socket unit coupled thereto, is disposed in the lower receiving container. |
| US08279365B2 |
Active device array substrate
An active device array substrate includes a substrate, scan lines disposed on the substrate, data lines intersected with the scan lines, scan signal transmission lines, and pixel units. The scan signal transmission lines are intersected with the scan lines. Each scan signal transmission line connects one scan line through a node. The pixel unit electrically connects the corresponding data line and the corresponding scan line and includes an active device and a pixel electrode. The active device has a gate, a source, and a drain. The pixel electrode electrically connects the drain. In the pixel units not adjacent to the nodes, a gate-to-drain capacitance of each active device is Cgd1. In the pixel units adjacent to the nodes, the gate-to-drain capacitances of some active devices are Cgd2, the gate-to-drain capacitances of the other active devices are Cgd1, and Cgd1≠Cgd2. |
| US08279364B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device for eliminating a vertical dimming phenomenon to improve a picture quality of a liquid crystal display panel is disclosed. In the device, first and second data lines are supplied with data. A first pixel electrode is spaced at a desired distance from the first data line. A second pixel electrode is spaced, by a distance different from said distance between the first data line and the first pixel electrode, from the second data line. |
| US08279362B2 |
Liquid crystal lens panel, method of manufacturing the same and display device having the liquid crystal lens panel
A liquid crystal lens panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a light-blocking member. The first substrate includes a plurality of individual electrodes. The individual electrode receives a voltage to have a light path length distribution of a Fresnel lens shape. The second substrate includes a common electrode opposition the individual electrodes. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and second substrates. The light-blocking member is disposed on an area in correspondence with the individual electrode in which a voltage discontinuously varied is applied thereto. Thus, a liquid crystal lens panel of a Fresnel lens type is realized to decrease a liquid crystal cell gap, so that a process efficiency of the liquid crystal lens panel may be enhanced and a manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal lens panel may be reduced. |
| US08279361B2 |
Touch-sensitive liquid crystal display device
A in-cell touch-sensitive liquid crystal display device (LCD) includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first sensing line and a second sensing line disposed on the second substrate, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer electrically connected to the first sensing line and the second sensing line, respectively, and electrically isolated from each other by a gap existing therebetween. The in-cell touch-sensitive LCD device further includes a spacer disposed on the first substrate and corresponding to the gap. The spacer is electrically connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in response to an external pressure. |
| US08279356B2 |
Active suppression by TV of white space device interference
A digital TV (DTV) incorporates a TV white space device capable of operating on plural TV frequencies and responsive to the DTV processor to send a signal to an interfering white space device nearby the DTV that is interfering with a TV channel being presented on the TV. The signal sent from the TV white space device to the interfering white space device alters operation of the interfering white space device so as to reduce if not eliminate the interference. |
| US08279354B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for processing video signals
A video signal processing apparatus may include a frame memory and a separator and deinterlacer circuit. The frame memory may store an interlaced video signal. The separator and deinterlacer circuit may execute operations of separating and deinterlacing the interlaced video signal stored in the frame memory. The apparatus may output a sequential video signal. A data processing system may include the video signal processing apparatus. A method for processing video signals may include storing an interlaced video signal in a frame memory and executing operations of separating and deinterlacing the interlaced video signal stored in the frame memory. The method may also include outputting a sequential video signal. |
| US08279345B2 |
System and method for random noise estimation in a sequence of images
A system and method for estimating random noise in an image frame or a sequence of image frames are presented. In some embodiments, the method includes performing Global Noise Estimation by comparing current and past filtered frames; converting global noise estimates into local noise estimates using estimated noise parameters based on current input image's local mean intensity; and providing local noise estimates to an adapted generic spatio-temporal filter. A parameter-based noise model is applied in the noise calculation. |
| US08279343B2 |
Summary content generation device and computer program
When generating animation content as summary content for a digital broadcast program, the timing for switching of animation images for display is controlled appropriately. Subtitle character string extraction means for extracting a subtitle character string from subtitle data contained in digital broadcast signals, still image extraction means for extracting one still image corresponding to the subtitle character string, and summary content generation means for generating summary content to display the extracted subtitle character strings together with the corresponding extracted still images, are provided; the summary content generation means decides the timing for switching display of the plurality of subtitle character strings and still images comprised by the summary content, based on the subtitle character strings. |
| US08279342B2 |
System for receiving and storing broadcast content, and device for reception and storage
In a system for receiving and storing broadcast content data, a reception and storage device receives and stores a portion of broadcast content data in a storage unit, and then generates and stores a first piece of error check data for the data portion. The reception and storage device receives, from a further device, a second piece of error check data for a portion of the broadcast content data corresponding to the data portion stored in the storage unit, compares the first piece of error check data with the second piece of error check data to determine whether the first piece of error check data is valid, receives, if the first piece of error check data is determined to be invalid, the corresponding data portion associated with the second piece of error check data, from another reception and storage device, and corrects the stored data portion in the storage unit based on the received corresponding data portion. |
| US08279341B1 |
Enhancing the resolution and quality of sequential digital images
In particular embodiments, a process relating to the creation of a high-resolution video from a low-resolution video. In a particular embodiment, the process receives as input a sequence of low-resolution video frames. The process first determines a matching score for consecutive frames in the sequence, where the matching score is based on a preliminary global transformation between consecutive frames. From the matching scores, the process determines a set of matching windows and relative-motion estimates and then uses the set and estimates to calculate more thorough global transformations and any residual relative-motion which can be explained using independent object motion and/or optical flow. The process uses the latter global transformation and any independent object motion and/or optical flow to create motion trajectories and to generate high-resolution frames by interpolating low-resolution frames at trajectory-defined points, using regular-to-irregular spatio-temporal interpolation. The process then restores the frames, using deblurring, and outputs them. |
| US08279340B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus and method thereof
An image signal processing unit and an image signal processing method thereof. An image signal processing unit estimates motion characteristics of an input image, and adjusts a phase of an interpolation frame according to the motion characteristics when converting a frame rate. Accordingly, linearity can be maintained according to the motion characteristics of an input image, and the frame rate can be converted without generating noise such as halo artifacts. |
| US08279339B2 |
Projection display and projection display control program
A projection display may include a frame rate conversion section selectively performing a first frame rate conversion process or a second frame rate conversion process, an image process section selectively performing a black insertion process or a pair-frames gamma process, and outputting a result as a pair of consecutive image frames, a projection display section projecting and displaying an image on the basis of the video signal processed by the frame rate conversion section or the image process section, and a control section controlling the frame rate conversion section or the image process section according to a selected operation on a menu screen, where the control section performs the user interface function so that the black insertion process or the pair-frames gamma process by the image process section is selected with priority over the first frame rate conversion process by the frame rate conversion section. |
| US08279338B2 |
Information communication terminal
The information communication terminal includes a first housing having a display unit and a second housing having an operating unit. The first housing can be arranged as follows: the first state where the display unit is directed oppositely to the photographing direction of the imaging unit; the second state where the display unit is directed in the photographing direction of the imaging unit; the third state where the rotary shaft direction of the first housing is made to adjoin the direction perpendicular to the open/close shaft direction of the second housing and the display unit and the operating unit are directed to the same side; and fourth state where the direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft direction of the first housing is made to adjoin the open/close shaft direction of the second housing through the hinge and the display unit and the operating unit are directed to the same side. |
| US08279337B2 |
Casing of webcam
A casing of a webcam improves the hand feel of turning a lens ring. A base of the casing includes a sheath hole having a first connection portion, a first ring-shaped flange formed around an upper side of the lens ring, a second connection portion formed between upper and lower sides of the lens ring, and a second ring-shaped flange formed around the lens ring and abutted against an upper side of the sheath hole and a lower side of the first connection portion, and the first and second ring-shaped flanges of the lens ring are separated from the sheath hole by an interval. A flexible ring is clamped between the first and second connection portions and disposed between the first and second ring-shaped flanges, such that the casing can have a greater manufacturing tolerance to reduce manufacturing costs, and provide a better hand feel of turning the lens ring. |
| US08279335B2 |
Camera apparatus for portable electronic device
A camera apparatus is attached to a portable electronic device. The camera apparatus includes an imaging module, a socket and a holder. The imaging module is positioned in the socket. The holder includes a base portion, and two positioning cylinders. The base portion provides a receiving space accommodating the socket and the imaging module, and the positioning cylinders are fixed to the portable electronic device. |
| US08279334B2 |
Structured light imaging apparatus
The present invention integrates a structured light source into an imaging system for reconstructing surface topography of an object being imaged. The structured light source includes a mechanism for transmitting a set of lines onto the object from an angle. The lines are displaced, or phase shifted relative to a stage, when they encounter an object with finite height, such as a mouse. This phase shift provides structured light information for the object. A camera captures the structured light information. Using software that employs a structured light analysis, surface topography data for the object is determined from the phase shift of the lines. |
| US08279333B2 |
Camera door opening and shutting apparatus for portable communication device
The present invention discloses a camera door opening/shutting apparatus for a portable communication device. The apparatus includes a camera door disposed at a main body to expose or cover a camera lens included in the main body according to a sliding movement of the camera door, and a door sliding part disposed between the main body and the camera door to slidably couple the camera door with the main body. |
| US08279332B1 |
Electronic apparatus and fuel cell control method for electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a fuel cell device, an image pickup device, a lens unit, a temperature sensor, and a system controller. The electronic apparatus is mobile and held in a user's hand while being operated. The fuel cell device controls electrical power generation. The image pickup device is positioned relative to the fuel cell device and converts an image into an image pickup signal. The lens unit provides the image to the image pickup device. The temperature sensor obtains a temperature from the lens unit. The system controller controls operation of the fuel cell device based on the temperature. A secondary battery stores electrical power generated by the fuel cell device. When the temperature exceeds a reference temperature and a remaining power level in the secondary battery is equal to a reference power level, the system controller halts a moving supply of fuel to the fuel cell device. |
| US08279330B2 |
Image pickup apparatus with main unit power supply monitoring and accessory unit communication and control method therefor
An image pickup apparatus able to reliably detect a power supply abnormality even in an arrangement in which power supplies are managed by using a communication unit of single system. The image pickup apparatus includes a recording unit for writing image data onto a recording medium, and a power supply control unit for selecting and executing either a monitoring operation to monitor a state of a power supply for a camera main unit or a communication operation to communicate with a power supply for an accessory unit. The power supply control unit selects and executes the monitoring operation while the recording unit is performing an image data writing operation. |
| US08279328B2 |
CMOS image sensor with wide (intra-scene) dynamic range
A CMOS image sensor uses a special exposure control circuit to independently adjust the photodiode exposure (integration) time for each pixel in a pixel array to obtain non-saturated photodiode charges for each pixel. Exposure time adjustment involves extrapolating a pixel's final photodiode charge using an intermediate photodiode charge measured after a predetermined portion of an exposure frame period. If the intermediate photodiode charge is, e.g., over 50% of the photodiode's full-well capacity after half of the exposure frame period, then saturation is likely and the photodiode is reset to integrate only during the remaining time. If not, then the photodiode integrates over the allotted exposure frame period. Data indicating the length of the exposure portion is stored as analog data on the memory node of each pixel, and readout of the final photodiode charge is performed using Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) techniques. |
| US08279324B2 |
Focus control apparatus, image sensing apparatus, and control method therefor
A control method of detecting an object image to be focused from a sensed image, setting a focus detection area in detecting an in-focus state of a photographing optical system, and exercising control such that the photographing optical system is moved based on a signal output in the focus detection area to carry out focus control, wherein, in the setting of the focus detection area, a first focus detection area corresponding to an object to be focused detected from the sensed image and a second focus detection area which is larger than the first focus detection area are set, and in the focus control, control is exercised such that the photographing optical system is moved based on output signals in the set first and second focus detection areas. |
| US08279323B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and control method for the same
An image capturing apparatus performs autofocus control that uses a face detection function. The image capturing apparatus sets a face region as an AF frame if face detection is successful. However, if a state in which face detection is successful transitions to a state in which face detection has failed, and furthermore a variation between subject distances is less than or equal to a threshold value, the image capturing apparatus maintains the previous AF frame setting instead of changing the AF frame setting. If the variation in subject distances is greater than the threshold value, the image capturing apparatus sets the AF frame to a predetermined region that does not follow a face region. |
| US08279322B2 |
Image pickup device including isotropic mirror
An image pickup device includes a fixedly provided half mirror that separates object light that has passed through a shooting optical system into transmitted light and reflected light, and an image pickup unit that generates an image of an object by receiving the transmitted light. The half mirror includes an optically transmissive film that is optically isotropic. |
| US08279321B2 |
Camera and control method of camera
An apparatus includes an imaging unit to capture an image of an object, a selection unit to select one of a plurality of shooting modes of the imaging unit, a recording unit to record the captured image onto a recording medium, a switching unit to switch between a reproduction mode in which recorded image data is readout and displayed on a display device, and a shooting processing mode in which shooting processing is performed in the selected shooting mode and a reproduction control unit to cause the display device to display the read out image data. When the switching unit switches the mode to the reproduction mode, the reproduction control unit changes an operation that can be instructed in the reproduction mode according to the selected shooting mode. |
| US08279316B2 |
Methods for capturing and reading out images from an image sensor
Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. |
| US08279309B2 |
Image capturing device with signal sampling
An image capture device includes a first clock generating unit that generates a first clock for sampling a video signal using a first crystal oscillator, a second clock generating unit that generates a second clock for sampling an audio signal using a second crystal oscillator, a calculating unit that calculates a correction value for adjusting a shift between the first clock and the second clock, and an adjusting unit that adjusts a driving timing of a capturing unit according to the correction value. |
| US08279303B2 |
Imaging apparatus and flicker detection method
An exposure control unit 15 controls a charge accumulation time for a CMOS sensor 10. The CMOS sensor 10 captures an image P1 with a charge accumulation time T1 and an image P2 with a charge accumulation time T2. The charge accumulation time T1 does not cause a flicker in an image under a light source blinking at a first blink cycle. The charge accumulation time T2 is different from the charge accumulation time T1. A difference image generation unit 17 generates a difference image DP that emphasizes to show a difference in luminance of the images P1 and P2. A flicker detection unit 18 detects a flicker occurrence in the image P2 based on a difference in luminance between P1 and P2 appearing in the difference image DP. |
| US08279302B2 |
Method for integrating image sensor
Disclosed is a method for integrating an image sensor capable of removing a flicker noise without causing any burdens on a hardware due to setting up additional logics. The method for integrating an exposure time of an image sensor employing a line scan method, including the steps of: performing an integration to a first line when an integer multiple of a light source frequency is different from an integration time; and performing an integration to a second line at a phase substantially equal to a phase in which the integration to the first line is started. |
| US08279301B2 |
Red-eye filter method and apparatus
A digital image acquisition system having no photographic film, such as a digital camera, has a flash unit for providing illumination during image capture and a red-eye filter for detecting a region within a captured image indicative of a red-eye phenomenon, the detection being based upon a comparison of the captured image and a reference image of nominally the same scene taken without flash. In the embodiment the reference image is a preview image of lower pixel resolution than the captured image, the filter matching the pixel resolutions of the captured and reference images by up-sampling the preview image and/or sub-sampling the captured image. The filter also aligns at least portions of the captured image and reference image prior to comparison to allow for, e.g. movement in the subject. |
| US08279300B2 |
Imaging device and imaging method
An imaging device is provided which includes a color component region detection portion that detects, from image data of a photographic subject, a region that has a same or a similar color component to a color component of a target photographic subject, an area calculation portion that calculates an area of the detected region, a luminance calculation portion that calculates luminance of the whole photographic subject and luminance of the detected region, a current luminance level determination portion that determines a current luminance level corresponding to the area of the detected region, using the luminance of the whole photographic subject and the luminance of the detected region, and an exposure amount calculation portion that calculates an amount of exposure such that the current luminance level becomes a target luminance level. |
| US08279299B2 |
Imaging device and associated methodology of setting adjustable aspect ratios
According to the invention, extracting still and moving pictures having different aspect ratios from an original picture from within an extraction range suitable for an imaging mode can be performed. An embodiment of the invention, according to the selected imaging mode, sets the still picture extraction range with an aspect ratio of 4:3 for extracting a still picture and the moving picture extraction range with an aspect ratio of 16:9 for extracting an HD moving picture within the imaging range of the imaging device 17. Then, the embodiment, from the imaged picture, extracts a picture within the set still picture extraction range as still picture, and extracts a picture within the set moving picture extraction range as HD moving picture. That is, the embodiment can switch between the still picture extraction range and the HD moving picture extraction range having different aspect ratios according to the imaging mode. And thus, from the picture within the imaging range (i.e., the original picture), the embodiment can extract the still picture and the HD moving picture having different aspect ratios from within the extraction range suitable for the imaging mode. |
| US08279291B2 |
Image transforming apparatus using plural feature points and method of controlling operation of same
First and second images are obtained by continuous shooting. Overall-image shake between the first and second images is detected and shake is corrected. If the image of an automobile, for example, contained in the first and second images is moving from capture of the first image to capture of the second image, the image of the automobile is moved in the second image so as to coincide with the image of the automobile in the first image. The image of the automobile in the first image and the image obtained by moving the image of the automobile are superimposed. Two image frames can be superimposed in accordance with portions in which there is movement of a subject and portions in which there is no movement of the subject but in which blur has occurred owing to camera shake. |
| US08279287B2 |
Passive crosswind profiler
A passive optical crosswind profiling system. The system includes at least one telescope defining two apertures separated at a distance and adapted to collect light along at least two separate paths from a field of view containing a target and at least one high-speed digital camera defining at least one many pixel sensor wherein pixels of said at least one many pixel sensor are identified as separate blocks of pixels. The system further includes an optical system for focusing light collected along said at least two separate paths by said at least one telescope onto said at least one many pixel sensor to produce at least two images of the target scene and a high-speed computer processor programmed to with a special block matching correlation algorithm to correlate image data collected the separate blocks of pixels in order to calculate a crosswind profile along a path between said system and said target. |
| US08279286B2 |
Apparatus and method of object tracking
A method of extracting image features from objects on a plane within video images; detecting the objects from a relative position on the plane by comparing the extracted image features with sample image features; and generating object identification data identifying the objects on the plane. The method includes generating a 3D model of the plane and logging object identification data and object path data, the object path data including a time history of object position on the 3D model and a path of the objects within the video images. The method also includes detecting an occlusion event indicating whether object features are occluded; associating object identification data with object path data for objects in the occlusion event; identifying one of the objects involved in the occlusion event by comparing the objects image features and the sample image features; and updating the path data after the identification. |
| US08279283B2 |
Methods and systems for operating a video surveillance system
Methods and systems for a video surveillance system include a plurality of video cameras, each including a field of view, the cameras are configured to at least one of zoom for changing the camera field of view, tilt for rotating the camera about a horizontal tilt axis, and pan for rotating the camera about a vertical pan axis. The system also includes a processor configured to receive a signal indicative of an image in the field of view of at least one video camera, recognize a target using the received signal, determine a direction to the target from the cameras that recognize the target, and transmit the determined direction to other ones of the plurality of video cameras. |
| US08279280B2 |
Lane departure warning method and system using virtual lane-dividing line
The present invention relates to a lane departure warning system and method, which use a virtual lane-dividing line generated using lane width information that is calculated using previously detected lane-dividing lines even when it is difficult to detect a lane-dividing line according to the weather, illuminance, road surface conditions, etc. present during travel of a vehicle, thus allowing a lane departure warning to be provided to a driver on the basis of the virtual lane-dividing line. |
| US08279276B2 |
Receiving apparatus
A receiving apparatus includes a receiver, a signal processor, an identifying unit, and a processing determining unit. The receiver receives serial data transmitted from a body-insertable apparatus, the serial data including a payload portion that indicates actual content of the serial data and an additional portion that is added to the payload portion as a signal indicating a position to start processing and contains attribute information that varies according to each type of body-insertable apparatus. The signal processor performs predetermined signal processing on the payload portion of the serial data. The identifying unit identifies a type of the body-insertable apparatus based on the attribute information contained in the additional portion of the serial data. The processing determining unit selects a mode of signal processing performed on the payload portion by the signal processor based on an identification result obtained by the identifying unit. |
| US08279271B2 |
Single channel stereoscopic monitor
A single channel stereoscopic monitor receives a stereoscopic TV image and an Internet stereoscopic image. Left and right eye images are simultaneously received to display the stereoscopic image by a monitor or a TV through a single channel, are polarized by polarizing plates having left and right deflection angles symmetrical to each other, and are automatically combined into a single stereoscopic image by a reflecting mirror and a half mirror, so that a viewer can watch the stereoscopic image. |
| US08279270B2 |
Three dimensional display
A three dimensional display includes a display panel and a view-scanning layer. The display panel is used to display many display images quickly. The view-scanning layer is disposed on the display panel and receives the display images. The view-scanning layer has many light refracting modulation regions. Each of the light refracting modulation regions includes a view-scanning unit. The view-scanning unit changes an ongoing direction of a light according to an applied electric field so as to project a part of each of the display images at different view directions. Here, each of the view directions corresponds to the ongoing direction of the light. |
| US08279268B2 |
Projection system with wall structures for aerial display of three-dimensional video images
An aerial projection system and method having a housing for positioning low cost optical elements capable of generating a three dimensional aerial images at video rates without reflected artifacts or visible display of the display screen. A method for generating the display images is based on a set of rules that eliminate boundary transgressions and maximizes the illusion of a three dimensional aerial image. An optional second display is a transparent imaging panel that acts selectively as a light valve, as a display platform for special effects or for providing the appearance of linear motion towards or away from the observer. The aerial projection system includes a plastic spherical mirror having a plastic part of at least the following descriptions: mirror surface of sufficient sphericity supported by wall structures, of a plastic material formulation, excellent optical grade finish, has a reflective metal coating and a protective overcoat. |
| US08279266B2 |
Video system using camera modules to provide real-time composite video image
A method of providing an omnidirectional view about an object by providing at least two camera modules, each module having a plurality of cameras disposed about the periphery of each module with each camera having a predetermined field of view. The modules are directly attached to a respective predetermined position on a surface of the object to provide up to a 360 degree view about the object when the fields of view of each camera are combined from each module. Electrical communication is enabled between the plurality of cameras and at least one position external to the modules to enable viewing about the object from the external position. |
| US08279261B2 |
Email based scheduling mechanism for conference calls
A system and method for a management server to schedule a conference call. The management server may manage conferencing equipment, including a schedule for the managed conferencing equipment. The management server may receive scheduling information for the conference call, which may specify a time and two or more endpoints for the conference call. At least one of the endpoints may be managed by the management server. The management server may determine whether the conference call is possible, based on the scheduling information and the schedule for the managed conferencing equipment. If the conference call is determined to be possible, the conference call may be scheduled, in which case the management server may enter the scheduling information into the schedule for managed conferencing equipment. |
| US08279252B2 |
Communication terminal apparatus, communication method, and information recording medium
A storage unit stores name, phone number, and a videophoning flag indicating whether to preferentially use a videophone or not in association with each person to communicate with. A CPU refers to the videophoning flag associated with a person when controlling a communication unit to make a call to that person, and determines whether to prioritize a voice phone or to prioritize the videophone. The CPU controls the communication unit to make a call by the videophone if the videophone is prioritized, or to make a call by the voice phone if the voice phone is prioritized. When a call from a person is received by the videophone, the CPU refers to the videophoning flag of that person, and permits communication by the videophone if the videophone is prioritized or does not permit communication by the videophone if the voice phone is prioritized. |
| US08279251B2 |
Display apparatus having video call function, method thereof, and video call system
A display apparatus having a video call function, a control method for controlling the display apparatus, and a video call system that uses the display apparatus and control method are provided. The display apparatus includes: an external source connection unit to which an external source is connected; a camera connection unit to which a camera is connected; a network communication unit which enables network communication with other display apparatuses; and a controller which controls a codec processing unit to process a video signal from at least one of the camera and the external source and output the processed signal to the network communication unit during the video call. The display apparatus can share various information input from the camera, a microphone, and the external source with an opposite call party. |
| US08279249B2 |
Recording head and image forming apparatus
A recording head including: a non-electrically conductive support member; a base board provided above the support member, the base board being provided with light emitting elements for forming an image on a recording medium, a drive section for causing the light emitting elements to emit light, a first earth connection member provided at an end portion of the base board, and a second earth connection member provided at a location of a connection member, having one end connected to a control section for controlling the drive section and another end connected to drive section; a conducting member provided at a predetermined place relative to the support member and connected to an earth; a first conduction section conducting between the conducting member and the first earth connection member; and a second conduction section conducting between the conducting member and the second earth connection member. |
| US08279248B2 |
Recording head and recording apparatus provided therewith
A thermal head includes heat generating parts and a conductive layer having connecting parts electrically connected to ends of the heat generating parts. The conductive layer has wiring parts whose cross-sectional areas are smaller than cross-sectional areas of the respective connecting parts in directions. The wiring parts has a first upper layer and a second upper layer which have smaller widths in arrow directions than widths of the respective connecting parts as well as a first lower layer and a second lower layer which have lengths not shorter than the widths of the respective connecting parts and greater than the widths of the respective upper layers. The respective upper layers and the respective lower layers are arranged to overlap each other. |
| US08279245B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display is disclosed. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel; a backlight unit; a panel drive circuit; a timing controller; a data stretching unit that modulates an internal video signal using a data stretching curve determined depending on a brightness of the internal video signal for a self-screen drive; an internal memory; a self-screen drive controller; a scaler unit; a selection unit; an internal power circuit; an external power circuit; and a microprocessor that blocks an output of the external power circuit from being supplied to the scaler unit in the self-screen drive. |
| US08279244B2 |
Method of driving an electrophoretic display
An electrophoretic display device includes M×N numbers (M, and N are integers more than two) of pixels. The M×N numbers of pixels include M numbers of pixel groups having N numbers of pixels. Further, an image on the electrophoretic display device is displayed by making some of the M×N numbers of pixels switched at least from a bright display to a dark display, and vice versa. A period for displaying one piece of an image on the electrophoretic display is defined as period for forming an image and a period for introducing an image signal to each of the M×N numbers of pixels with sequentially selecting each of the pixels is defined as a frame period. Then, the time for forming an image includes a plurality of frame periods (a numbers of L: L is integers more than two.) |
| US08279237B2 |
Image processing device, image display system, image processing method and program storage medium
An image processing device includes a principal partial image selector, a peripheral partial image selector, and a generator. The principal partial image selector selects a principal partial image, from plural partial images that constitute an original image. The peripheral partial image selector selects a peripheral partial image, which is disposed peripherally to the principal partial image in the original image and satisfies a pre-specified condition. The generator generates output image data, in which the principal partial image and the peripheral partial image are placed so as to preserve a positional relationship thereof in the original image, and the principal partial image and the peripheral partial image are reduced with scaling factors so as to be accommodated in output dimensions, a difference between the respective scaling factors being within a pre-specified range. |
| US08279235B2 |
Color correction method and color correcting integrated chip
A color correction method is provided. Grey values of three primary colors of an image data are transformed into initial characteristic values in a color space. Three sets of characteristic values of a to-be-corrected apparatus when the apparatus displays the primary colors respectively are measured. The characteristic values of the image data are transformed into a set of adjusted brightness values of the primary colors according to the characteristic values and a color space transformation equation. Gamma curves of the apparatus when displaying the primary colors are measured and modified to generate new grey-value vs. brightness relationships for the primary colors, so as to obtain adjusted grey values of the primary colors corresponding to the adjusted brightness values. |
| US08279234B2 |
Method and system of generating gamma data of display device
The present invention relates to a gamma data generation method of a display device. In the method, gamma data including red gamma data, green gamma data, and blue gamma data is determined. A target luminance and a target color coordinate of a first reference gray are determined. Then, an image is displayed on a display device based on red, green, and blue input image signals for a first reference gray, and a first luminance and a first color coordinate from the image are measured. Then, it is determined whether a coordinate difference between the first color coordinate and the target color coordinate and a luminance difference between the first luminance and the target luminance are in an allowable error range or not. The first luminance and the first color coordinate are converted to a first coordinate of a CIE XYZ coordinate system, and the target luminance and the target color coordinate are converted to a target coordinate of the CIE XYZ coordinate system if the coordinate difference and the luminance difference are not in the allowable error range. Finally, the red gamma data, the green gamma data, or the blue gamma data is corrected so that a red luminance, a green luminance, or a blue luminance of the image is changed according to a comparison of the first coordinate of the CIE XYZ coordinate system with the target coordinate of the CIE XYZ coordinate system. |
| US08279231B1 |
Bandwidth impedance matching and starvation avoidance by read completion buffer allocation
Read completion buffer space is allocated in accordance with a preset limit. When a read request is received from a client, the sum of a current allocation of the read completion buffer space and a new allocation of the read completion buffer space required by the read request is compared with the preset limit. If the preset limit is not exceeded, read completion buffer space is allocated to the read request. If the preset limit is exceeded, the read request is suspended until sufficient data is read out from the read completion buffer. |
| US08279229B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for providing access to graphics processor CPU cores, to both a graphics processor and a CPU
A system, method, and computer program product are presented for providing access to graphics processor central processing unit (CPU) cores, to both a graphics processor and a central processing unit. In operation, access is provided to a plurality of central processing unit cores of a graphics processor, to both the graphics processor and a central processing unit. Additionally, first requests are received from the central processing unit to execute first code utilizing at least one of the central processing unit cores of the graphics processor. Furthermore, second requests are received from the graphics processor to execute second code utilizing at least one of the central processing unit cores of the graphics processor. Still yet, there is arbitrating among the first requests and the second requests. |
| US08279227B2 |
Method for detecting collisions among large numbers of particles
A method for detecting object collisions in a simulation, which includes identifying a plurality of objects moving along a path within a simulation area, and defining a grid comprising defined regions which individually define a region within which any of the plurality of objects could potentially occupy. For each of the objects, the method further includes identifying which of the defined regions that each of the plurality of object occupies for at least a portion of a time step, and for each of the objects, determining an associated potential collision set by identifying objects of the plurality of objects which occupy common regions of the defined regions during any portion of the time step. In addition, for each of the objects, the method further includes determining an actual collision set comprising objects with which a given object will collide during the time step based upon location parameters of objects included in the potential collision set. |
| US08279225B2 |
Element mapping apparatus and element mapping image display method
Distribution images that are element mapping images displayed on a parent window of a display unit are switched by selecting a particular element or an analysis line to be displayed on a display element screen or a screen switch button using a keyboard or a mouse, so that the plural distribution images overlap to be overwritten at the same large size. |
| US08279224B2 |
Information processing apparatus, display control method, and storage medium
An object of the invention is to improve convenience in using a system capable of recording electronic data in association with time information. To achieve this object, an information processing apparatus of this invention includes a display control device which displays, on a display device together with a time line, time information which is obtained from a timer and associated with electronic data recorded by a recording control device, and a processing device which determines on the basis of the time information associated with the electronic data whether a count of the timer was corrected, wherein if it is determined that the count of the timer was corrected, the display control device displays, on the display device together with the time line, information representing correction contents of the time information. |
| US08279222B2 |
Processing graphics data for a stereoscopic display
Processing graphics data for display on a stereoscopic display. In one example embodiment, a method of processing graphics data for display on a stereoscopic display includes several acts. First, a first projection matrix call from a graphics application to a graphics library is intercepted. Next, it is determined that the first projection matrix call produces a perspective projection matrix. Then, the first projection matrix call is forwarded to the graphics library. Next, a first drawing call with a first viewpoint from the graphics application to the graphics library is intercepted. Then, a second drawing call with a second viewpoint is generated. Next, a third drawing call with a third viewpoint is generated. Finally, the second and third drawing calls are forwarded to the graphics library. |
| US08279220B1 |
System and method for estimating light transport using bidirectional path tracing
Systems and methods for estimating light transport between respective points includes selecting a plurality of first sub-paths extending the first point A, and selecting a plurality of second sub-paths extending from a second point B. A plurality of transport paths are constructed, wherein each one of the plurality of the first sub-paths is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of second paths, and wherein each transport path comprises one first sub-path and one second sub-path. Two or more of the transport paths are sampled, and a light transport value for each of the sampled transport paths is calculated to estimate the light transported between first point A and second point B. |
| US08279219B2 |
Method of subdividing a plot of land for housing and a housing subdivision so formed
A method for sub-division of a plot of land comprises the steps of forming, on a polygonal basic tile shape, a layout of a basic precinct unit comprising an array of occupiable spaces of predetermined shape, at least one access way communicating with each occupiable space and tessellating the polygonal basic tile shapes over an area to be sub-divided whereby respective said at least one access way of each basic precinct unit connects with an access way of an adjacent basic precinct unit to form a network of connecting access ways, said basic precinct unit, together with an adjacent basic precinct unit forming an inter-tile unit of predetermined shape from two or more adjacent occupiable spaces, said inter-tile unit linking adjacent basic precinct units. The tessellation is formed computationally and the computation may include dimensional, boundary and topographical contour data of a plot of land to be subdivided. |
| US08279216B2 |
Apparatus and method for data interface of flat panel display device
An apparatus and method for data interface of a flat panel display device, which is capable of transferring clocks in a state, in which the clocks are embedded in digital data, thereby reducing the number of transfer lines, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transmitter unit built in a timing controller, to transmit transfer data with an embedding clock embedded between successive pieces of data, and a clock enable signal to indicate the embedding clock, and receiver units respectively built in a plurality of data integrated circuits connected to the timing controller, to separate and detect the embedding clock and the data from the transfer data, in response to the clock enable signal. |
| US08279215B2 |
Display apparatus and method of driving the same
A display apparatus includes a timing controller, a column driver, a row driver and a display unit. The timing controller outputs a first column clock embedded into image data during an active period, and outputs a second column clock embedded into blank data during a blank period. The column driver detects the first column clock and the image data and converts the image data into a first analog signal using the first column clock, and detects the second column clock and the blank data and converts the blank data into a second analog signal using the second column clock. The first column clock has a voltage level greater than a voltage level of the image data. The second column clock is embedded into the blank data and has a voltage level substantially the same as the voltage level of the image data. |
| US08279214B2 |
Method and apparatus for power level control of a display device
The invention concerns a video processing for improving the picture quality of picture which are displayed on display devices like plasma display panels and all kind of display devices based on the principle of duty cycle modulation of light emission and for reducing the average power dissipation. The basic idea behind the invention is to generate only the required amount of sustain pulses that effectively produce light and to avoid generating unnecessary sustain pulses. To this end, the video range of the input video is increased in order to be equal to a nominal range, 255 in the case of a 8-bit coding, and a power level mode with a reduced number of sustain pulses is selected to keep constant the brightness of the image. The number of sustain pulses that do not produce light is reduced. |
| US08279212B2 |
Power supply and organic light emitting display using the same
An organic light emitting display includes a first power block for receiving a first input voltage to output a first output voltage and configured to be driven in a normal operation mode corresponding to an enable signal, a second power block for receiving a second input voltage to output a second output voltage and configured to be driven in an alternate operation mode corresponding to the enable signal, and a voltage input unit for transmitting the first input voltage to the first power block in the normal operation mode, and for transmitting the second input voltage to the second power block and stopping the transmitting of the first input voltage to the first power block in the alternate operation mode, corresponding to the enable signal. |
| US08279208B2 |
Driving circuit of matrix device, matrix device, image display device, electrophoretic display device, and electronic apparatus
A driving circuit is provided which is applied to a matrix device having a plurality of functional elements arranged in a matrix, which is connected to the functional elements via data lines, and which has a plurality of blocks. The driving circuit includes a shift register which has a plurality of register sections, each of the register sections being corresponding to one of the plurality of blocks; a data signal line; a first data latch circuit connected to an output terminal of the shift register and the data signal line; and a second data latch circuit connected to the output terminal of the shift register and an output terminal of the first data latch circuit, and connected to the data line directly or via another circuit. The first and second data latch circuits are respectively divided into multistage operation units. Each of the operation units is corresponding to the one data line or the plurality of data lines and is corresponding to one of the plurality of blocks. An output terminal of the shift register belonging to a block B is connected to the operation unit of the first data latch circuit belonging to the block B, the output terminal of the shift register belonging to a block A is connected to the operation unit of the second data latch circuit belonging to the block B, and each of the block A and block B is one of the plurality of blocks. |
| US08279205B2 |
System for improving the subjective impression of a digitized image
A system improves the subjective impression of a digitized image displayed with a low amplitude resolution. The system digitizes an analog video signal with a first amplitude resolution. Before the amplitude resolution of the video signal is reduced to a second, lower amplitude resolution, the system adds a digital noise signal to the digital video signal. The maximum amplitude of the added digital noise signal is about equal to or smaller than the amplitude corresponding to the least significant bit of the second resolution. |
| US08279199B2 |
E-paper external control system and method
A method for one or more portions of one or more regions of an electronic paper assembly having one or more display layers includes, but is not limited to: obtaining first information regarding one or more positions of one or more portions of one or more regions of the electronic paper assembly and sending one or more application related information portions to the electronic paper assembly based upon the obtaining of the first information. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08279198B2 |
Resistive touch panel
A resistive touch panel has a lower panel module and an upper panel module, an adhesive layer, a separating layer and a flexible circuit board. The lower panel module has a substrate, a lower conducting layer and a plurality of electrodes. The upper panel module has a protective film, an upper conducting layer, a pattern layer, an ink electrode mounted to electrically connect with the flexible circuit board, and an insulation layer. One end of the flexible circuit board and the separating layer are sandwiched between the top surface of the lower conducting layer and the top surface of the upper conducting layer. Given the foregoing structure, the components and steps for fabricating the resistive touch panel can be reduced since the pattern layer is directly printed on the bottom surface of the upper conducting layer. Therefore, fabricating yields are increased. |
| US08279197B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting defective traces in a mutual capacitance touch sensing device
Several different methods of testing the integrity and proper operation of the drive and sense electrodes in a mutual capacitance sensing device such as a touchscreen or touchpad are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, measured values of mutual capacitance corresponding to individual cells in a mutual capacitance sensing device are compared to one another and to predetermined thresholds. The results of the comparison are employed to determine whether any of the traces forming the electrodes in the device are defective. By way of example, traces can be defective if they are broken, too thin, too thick, or shorted together. The various embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may be used for touchscreen or touchpad quality control in a manufacturing setting, or may be used to test touchscreens or touchpads that have already been incorporated into electronic devices. The various methods disclosed herein lower manufacturing costs, increase product quality and yield, and may be carried out quickly. |
| US08279195B2 |
Touch screen panel
A touch screen panel for an image display device or the like. The touch screen panel includes a transparent substrate; a plurality of first sensing patterns on the transparent substrate; an insulating layer on the first sensing patterns; a plurality of second sensing patterns on the insulating layer; and a plurality of metal patterns on the insulating layer and coupled to the first and second sensing patterns at edge portions of a region in which the first and second sensing patterns are formed. The metal patterns electrically couple the first and second sensing patterns to position detecting lines on the transparent substrate. The touch screen panel further includes first conductive patterns below the metal patterns positioned on edge portions of the insulating layer. |
| US08279189B2 |
Touch-sensitive user interface
A touch-sensitive user interface includes a sensor element providing a plurality of sensing areas, a measurement circuit coupled to the sensor element and operable to iteratively acquire measurement signal values indicative of the proximity of an object to the respective sensing areas, and a processor operable to receive the measurement signal values from the measurement circuit and to classify a sensing area as an activated sensing area for a current iteration according to predefined selection criteria, wherein the predefined selection criteria are such that activation of at least a first sensing area in a current iteration is suppressed if at least a second sensing area has previously been classified as an activated sensing area within a predefined period before the current iteration. Thus a sensing area may be prevented from being activated for a predefined period of time after another sensing area has been activated. Furthermore, activation of different sensing areas may be suppressed for different periods of time in response to other sensing areas having been previously activated. |
| US08279188B2 |
Protective panel having touch panel function
A protective panel having touch panel function is used for protecting a front surface of a display device that is disposed so as to be visually recognized from outside, and the protective panel is fitted in a panel fitting part of a casing provided with an opening such that an outer surface of the protective panel forms a flat plane identical with that of the casing with no gap formed therebetween. The protective panel includes: an upper electrode sheet having a decorative layer and upper electrodes provided thereon; and a lower electrode sheet having lower electrodes provided on an upper surface thereof, and the upper electrode sheet and the lower electrode sheet are disposed such that the respective electrodes thereof face with each other. On a lower surface of the upper electrode sheet, at a non-electrode part not provided with the upper electrodes, there is provided a height difference adjustment part that has a thickness substantially equal to each of those of the upper electrodes, and the height difference adjustment part is provided such that short circuit is prevented with the upper electrodes as well as with the lower electrodes. |
| US08279185B2 |
Methods, devices and computer program products for positioning icons on a touch sensitive screen
Methods, systems and computer program products for positioning a plurality of icons on a touch sensitive screen include receiving an input to the touch sensitive screen including a substantially continuous stroke between a first and a second position on the screen. The plurality of icons is positioned on the touch sensitive screen responsive to the substantially continuous stroke. |
| US08279184B2 |
Electronic device including a touchscreen and method
A handheld electronic device having a touchscreen and a method of using a touchscreen of a handheld electronic device are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method of input using a touchscreen display of a handheld electronic device, comprising: displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) on the touchscreen display, the graphical user interface comprising a plurality of selectable user interface elements, each having an area of the touchscreen display associated herewith and each generating a respective input signal in response to selection thereof; detecting a touch input on the touchscreen display having a touch point; determining an orientation of the handheld electronic device; determining a touch offset in accordance with the orientation of the handheld electronic device; determining an adjusted touch point on the touch-sensitive input surface in accordance with the touch point and the touch offset; and generating an input signal associated with a respective user interface element displayed at the adjusted touch point when the adjusted touch point is associated with one of the plurality of selectable user interface elements in the graphical user interface. |
| US08279179B2 |
System for determining pointer position, movement, and angle
An a data input system includes an encoded pad having position encoding and a data input device adapted to image a portion of the encoded pad to determine position and orientation of the data input device relative to the encoded pad. The encoding pad includes a plurality of correlation windows. Each correlation window includes a primary encoding marker in form of vertical line segment and a set of secondary encoding markers in form of diagonal line segments, at least one diagonal line segment intersecting the vertical line segment at an intersection angle. Spacing of the diagonal line segments encodes the X-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Intersection angle encodes the Y-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Angle of the primary encoding marker vertical line segment within the frame of the captured image encodes the angular orientation of the input device relative to the axes of the encoded pad. |
| US08279178B2 |
System and method for performing optical navigation using horizontally oriented imaging lens
A system and method for performing optical navigation uses an imaging lens, which is positioned between a target surface and an image sensor array, that is orientated to be substantially horizontal with respect to the target surface such that the optical axis of the imaging lens is substantially perpendicular to the target surface. |
| US08279177B2 |
User notification system with an illuminated computer input device
A user notification system and a computer input device, such as a mouse. The computer input device includes an illumination member that enables a user to quickly and accurately position the input device during poor lighting conditions and determine whether the computer is ON. The input device includes a housing and an illumination device that is supported by the housing. Illumination from the illumination device is visible when the input device is placed on a support surface. The illumination member is also used to notify the user if one or more of various events have occurred in a computer application being run on the computer. The notification information is presented to the user by changing the state of the illumination member. An example of event for notification includes the receipt of a message in a communications program such as an e-mail message. The notification can make the illumination member blink as a function of the number of messages received. This enables information to be conveyed to the user without the need for text or audio, and without the need to view the computer monitor. |
| US08279176B2 |
Mouse with improved input mechanisms using touch sensors
A mouse having improved input methods and mechanisms is disclosed. The mouse is configured with touch sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The touch sensing areas may for example be used to differentiate between left and right clicks in a single button mouse. The mouse may further be configured with force sensing areas capable of generating input signals. The force sensing areas may for example be positioned on the sides of the mouse so that squeezing the mouse generates input signals. The mouse may further be configured with a jog ball capable of generating input signals. The mouse may additionally be configured with a speaker for providing audio feedback when the various input devices are activated by a user. |
| US08279175B2 |
Slim mouse for mobile appliance and method for manufacturing the same
A slim mouse for mobile appliances includes a lower polymer film having a metal layer on an upper surface of the lower polymer film, an upper polymer film having a metal layer on a lower surface of the upper polymer film, a donut force sensor array including multiple force sensors, a weight-bumper spacer including a donut sensor portion and a click-detection sensor portion, a pad including a donut sensor portion and a click-detection sensor portion, and a click-detection force sensor. |
| US08279174B2 |
Display device and method of controlling the display device
A mobile terminal is provided that includes a first display module to receive a touch signal and a second display module configured to be extensible. An image and a pointer may be displayed on the second display module if the second display is ejected from the mobile terminal. The pointer may move according to a drag direction and a drag distance corresponding to the touch signal if a touch signal with directivity is detected from the first display module. A character-input operation and/or a search operation may be performed on the image displayed on the second display module using the first display module. |
| US08279172B2 |
Hybrid control of haptic feedback for host computer and interface device
A hybrid haptic feedback system in which a host computer and haptic feedback device share processing loads to various degrees in the output of haptic sensations, and features for efficient output of haptic sensations in such a system. A haptic feedback interface device in communication with a host computer includes a device microcontroller outputting force values to the actuator to control output forces. In various embodiments, the microcontroller can determine force values for one type of force effect while receiving force values computed by the host computer for a different type of force effect. For example, the microcontroller can determine closed loop effect values and receive computed open loop effect values from the host; or the microcontroller can determine high frequency open loop effect values and receive low frequency open loop effect values from the host. Various features allow the host to efficiently stream computed force values to the device. |
| US08279168B2 |
Three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system and method therefor
A three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system (20) and a method (100) of operating the system (20) are presented. The system (20) incorporates a three-dimensional time-of-flight sensor (22), a three-dimensional autostereoscopic display (24), and a computer (26) coupled to the sensor (22) and the display (24). The sensor (22) detects a user object (40) within a three-dimensional sensor space (28). The display (24) displays an image (42) within a three-dimensional display space (32). The computer (26) maps a position of the user object (40) within an interactive volumetric field (36) mutually within the sensor space (28) and the display space (32), and determines when the positions of the user object (40) and the image (42) are substantially coincident. Upon detection of coincidence, the computer (26) executes a function programmed for the image (42). |
| US08279164B2 |
Surface light source capable of changing range of spread angle of exit light, and liquid crystal display apparatus using this surface light source
A surface light source includes first and second light sources that emit lights, and an optical deflection element. The optical deflection element changes light emitted from the first light source into first illumination light having a maximum value of an exit light intensity present in a direction parallel to a normal line of the surface light source, a spread angle range, and high directivity in a direction of the normal line and allows the changed light to exit therefrom. The optical deflection element also changes light emitted from the second light source into second illumination light having a maximum value of an exit light intensity in an oblique direction inclined at an angle with respect to the normal line and a spread angle range wider than that of the first illumination light and allows the changed light to exit therefrom. |
| US08279158B2 |
Dual-function light guide for LCD backlight
A portable computing device includes a housing having an external surface, and an event notifier, a display device, and a light controller disposed within the housing. The event notifier includes an event notification lamp, and a light conduit terminating at the external surface for conveying light between the event notification lamp and the external surface. The display device includes illumination means for improved visualization of information rendered on the display device. The light controller is coupled to the event notifier and the illumination means. The light controller is configured to determine the intensity of ambient light external to the housing via the light conduit, and to adjust the intensity of light emitted by the illumination means in accordance with the determined ambient light intensity. |
| US08279154B2 |
Driving method for display device
A liquid crystal display includes pixels each having an switching element, drain drivers and gate drivers for operating the switching elements and the pixels, and drain lines and gate lines supplying signals from the drain drivers and the gate drivers to the switching elements being formed on one of a pair of substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer. Wiring lines are formed on the one of a pair of substrates for transferring display data signals and a clock signal to the gate drivers. |
| US08279149B2 |
Device for driving a liquid crystal display
An apparatus of driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a gray voltage generator generating a range of gray voltages that correspond to different LC light transmittance levels. These gray voltages, along with image data, are fed into a data driver. The data driver converts the gray voltages to a data voltage that properly generates the image indicated by the image data. The gray voltage values are chosen from a wider range of values than the pixel voltages, and this conversion may include determining a conversion factor based on the relative range sizes. This conversion may also include calculating the voltage difference between the previous data and the current data and adjusting the data voltage according to the magnitude of this difference. Generally, the larger the voltage difference, the larger is the data voltage magnitude that is needed to bring the pixel voltage to the target voltage within limited time. |
| US08279147B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having protective circuits and method of manufacturing the same
A display device includes a plurality of pixels connected with a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, a data driving part applying a data signal to the plurality of data lines, a gate driving part applying a gate signal to the plurality of gate lines, and a plurality of protection circuits connected with the plurality of data lines, wherein each of the plurality of protection circuits comprises a first transistor including a control terminal connected with a first signal line, an input terminal connected with a data line, and an output terminal connected with a second signal line, a second transistor including a control terminal connected with the second signal line, an input terminal connected with the second signal line, and an output terminal connected with the first signal line, and a storage capacitor is connected between the control terminal of the first transistor and the output terminal of the first transistor. |
| US08279144B2 |
LED driver with frame-based dynamic power management
Disclosed are example techniques for frame-based power management in a light emitting diode (LED) system having a plurality of LED strings. A voltage source provides an output voltage to drive the LED strings. An LED driver generates a frame timing reference representative of the frame rate or display timing of a series of image frames to be displayed via the LED system. An update reference is generated from the frame timing reference. The LED driver monitors one or more operating parameters of the LED system. In response to update triggers marked by the update reference, the LED driver adjusts the output voltage of the voltage source based on the status of each of the one or more monitored operating parameters (either from the previous update period or determined in response to the update trigger), thereby synchronizing the updating of the output voltage to the frame rate (or a virtual approximation of the frame rate) of the video being displayed. |
| US08279142B2 |
Method for driving plasma display panel and display device
A display device (1) including a surface discharge type plasma display panel (2) performs an addressing operation, a sustain operation and a reset operation. In the addressing operation, address discharge of an opposed discharge form with the second electrode (Y) used as a cathode is generated between the second electrode (Y) and a third electrode (A) in a cell to be energized or in a cell not to be energized. In the reset operation, an obtuse wave pulse (Pr1) having a negative polarity is applied to the second electrode (Y) so as to generate charge adjustment discharge starting from discharge of the opposed discharge form with the second electrode (Y) used as a cathode between the second electrode (Y) and the third electrode (A). |
| US08279141B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel having a plurality of pixels in a form of matrix and a controller configured to control the plurality of pixels of the display panel so that an instrument image indicating an instrument is displayed on the display panel. The instrument image includes a scale image indicating a scale, and a pointer image indicating a pointer that is movable in accordance with an increase and decrease in a measured magnitude for indicating the measured magnitude in association with the scale image. The instrument image further includes a highlight image that is displayed in a predetermined pattern in accordance with at least one of a position and a motion of the pointer image. |
| US08279140B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display
The apparatus, methods, system and devices of the present invention provides transflective LCD system structure wherein each pixel is composed of at least three reflective sub-pixels and at least one transmissive sub-pixel. The reflective sub-pixels have a color filter layer for displaying color reflective images and the transmissive sub-pixel it is driven by color sequential imaging method for displaying a color transmissive image. The configuration of the sub-pixels and the location of the sub-pixel electronics increases the aperture ratio of both transmissive sub-pixel and reflective sub-pixel to improve the image brightness and lower the overall power consumption of the device. |
| US08279136B2 |
Antenna module and wireless communication device using the same
An antenna module includes a frequency modulation radiator and a T-coil radiator electronically connecting to the frequency modulation radiator. The T-coil radiator and the frequency modulation radiator are made of conductive nano material. The present further discloses a wireless communication device using the antenna module. |
| US08279134B2 |
A-dielectrically-loaded antenna
A dielectrically loaded backfire helical antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core and a feed structure which passes axially through the core to a distal end face of the core where it is connected to helical conductors located on the outside of the core. Opening out on the proximal end face of the core is a cavity which is coaxial with the feed structure. A conductive balun layer encircling a portion of the core extends over the proximal end face of the core and the wall of the cavity to connect the helical elements to the feeder structure when it emerges into the cavity. The presence of the cavity and accommodating some of the length of the balun in the cavity allows a reduction in the size and weight of a dielectrically loaded backfire antenna. |
| US08279129B1 |
Transverse device phase shifter
A phase shifter operable at microwave or millimeter-wave frequencies includes a dielectric substrate with a bottom surface having a conductive ground plane layer and a conductive patterned layer formed on a top surface to define a conductor pattern. A series of active tuning elements is mounted on the top surface and cascaded along a propagation direction in a spaced arrangement along a longitudinal extent. A housing structure includes a bottom housing structure with a planar conductive bottom surface for contacting the ground plane layer, and a top housing structure fabricated with a channel which extend along the longitudinal extent and provide clearance for the active tuning elements. A bias circuit is connected to the respective series of active tuning elements. |
| US08279127B2 |
Communication solution for antennas
An improved control system for controlling radiation direction of an antenna beam of an antenna is disclosed. The radiation direction is adjustable by an actuating device influencing phase shifting means based on an actuating signal. The system includes filtering means, arranged for filtering out a control signal and being connected, in use, to a feeder cable arranged for carrying RF signals and control signals. The system further includes an external control unit including detecting means, arranged for detecting the filtered out control signal, and control means, arranged for producing the actuating signal based on the detected control signal. The filtering means is directly connected to the external control unit so as to provide the filtered out control signal directly to the external control unit. |
| US08279124B1 |
Antenna system and method
An antenna system comprises a mounting plate, a parabolic antenna, a yagi antenna, and a communication link interface. The parabolic antenna forms a cavity and comprises a vertex and a base, wherein the base is non-conductively connected to the mounting plate. The yagi antenna is non-conductively connected to the mounting plate within the cavity of the parabolic antenna, wherein the yagi antenna comprises a reflector element proximate to the mounting plate, a driven element, and a director element proximate to the vertex of the parabolic antenna. The communication link interface is configured to attach a communication link to an external antenna. The communication link interface is electrically coupled to the driven element and configured to receive electromagnetic energy from the director element. |
| US08279123B2 |
Housing for a search-antenna polarization instrument
A housing for a search-antenna polarization instrument is formed by two housing shells (2, 3) which are plugged together in an interlocking manner. A depression can be formed on the outside of the housing, as a positioning surface (12 to 16) for an alignment instrument. Furthermore, a direction-finding groove (19, 20, 21) can be formed on a housing wall. One housing wall may also have a respectively rising extremely profile on two opposite ones of its four side edges. This improves the direction-finding accuracy of a search-antenna polarization instrument. |
| US08279122B2 |
Mobile communications systems and methods relating to polarization-agile antennas
A wireless communication system can include polarization agile antennas to enable adaptation to the polarization characteristics of a changing propagation channel. In one embodiment, a mobile terminal can include one or more polarization-agile antennas, and can select polarization orientations that are preferentially propagated through the changing propagation channel. In another embodiment, a mobile terminal having two polarization-agile antennas can provide spatial diversity, polarization diversity, or combinations of both. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems can include polarization-agile antennas to allow for switching between spatial and polarization diversity, combined spatial and polarization diversity, and various Eigen channel decompositions using spatial, polarization, and combined spatial and polarization dimensions. An extended polar normalization provides enhanced fidelity for methods of communications system modeling. |
| US08279121B2 |
Antenna device and wireless communication apparatus
A compact and low-cost antenna device in which no interference occurs even when many antenna units corresponding to various systems are mounted close together in a small area, and a wireless communication apparatus including the antenna device. An antenna device includes plural antenna units mounted on a single dielectric base. A first antenna unit having a lowest fundamental frequency is disposed at a left end of a non-ground region, a second antenna unit having a highest fundamental frequency of the plurality of the antenna units is disposed at a right end of the non-ground region, and a third antenna unit having a fundamental frequency between those of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit is disposed between the first and second antenna units. A current-density control coil is connected between a first radiation electrode and a power feeder of the first antenna unit, while a reactance circuit is disposed in the middle of the first radiation electrode. Notches may be disposed between the first radiation electrode and a second radiation electrode and between the first radiation electrode and a third radiation electrode. |
| US08279119B2 |
Systems and methods for transparency mapping using multipath signals
Systems and methods for mapping a structure detect wireless signals, including at least one multipath signal that has experienced at least one reflection against a portion of the structure prior to the detection. The wireless signals are analyzed to estimate reflection points for the multipath signal(s), and a map of at least the portion of the structure is generated based on the estimated reflection points. |
| US08279116B2 |
Processing received satellite radio signals
A method of processing received satellite radio signals is disclosed in which signals are received the signals from plural satellites through a common antenna. The received signals are digitised to produce a time-series of digitised signal samples and a plurality of replicas representing the signals of each of the plurality of satellites are obtained. At least one sample is selected from each of the replicas and the elements of a register are set equal to the selected replica samples. Thereafter, in turn, for each one of said digitised signal samples, the value of the digitised signal sample is combined with each of the values of the elements of the register to produce corresponding modified values; and the modified values corresponding to each of said register elements are accumulated. |
| US08279114B2 |
Method of determining position in a hybrid positioning system using a dilution of precision metric
The disclosed subject matter relates to a method for determining the position of a device in a hybrid positioning system. The method includes determining an initial position estimate of a device using a non-satellite positioning system, obtaining satellite measurements from less than four satellites, wherein the measurements include each satellite's position with respect to the initial position estimate, determining a dilution of precision (DOP) based on the satellite measurements, if the DOP is small, refining the initial position estimate using the satellite measurements, and if the DOP is large, providing the initial estimate as a final position estimate for the device. In some embodiments, the non-satellite positioning system is a WLAN positioning system. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining satellite measurements from two satellites or three satellites. |
| US08279113B2 |
Method for filtering a radar signal after it has been reflected by a target
A signal y is received by a radar, the signal y being the reflection of a signal s emitted by the radar, the signal s having been reflected by a target. A filter w is estimated and applied to the signal y, in which the filter w compensates for an unwanted and beforehand unknown distortion d in the emitted signal s. |
| US08279112B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for RFID tag range determination
Apparatus and methods are described which are useful for determining a distance between an RFID tag and an RFID tag reader. In various embodiments, signals backscattered from a singulated tag over a range of frequencies are evaluated for in-phase I and in-quadrature Q signal components. The I-Q data is processed to determine phase delay angles associated with each signal frequency. The phase delay data can be processed by a sum of squared errors method or Fourier transform method to determine a distance to the singulated tag. The methods can also be used to determine any of a location, a radial velocity, a directional velocity of the singulated tag, and proximity of the singulated tag to a second tag. |
| US08279110B2 |
Method and device for determining the angle of bearing in a TACAN type radionavigation system
Method making it possible to reconstruct a first signal taking the form of a series of pulses of width T, characterized in that it comprises a step in which a delay τ fixed with respect to the first signal to be reconstructed is introduced into a second signal having a sinusoidal shape and in that the porches of width T of the first signal at an instant t are substituted with portions of sinusoid of the second delayed sinusoidal signal corresponding to an instant t−1 so as to reconstruct a signal having a sinusoidal shape. |
| US08279107B2 |
Radar vehicle detection system
A radar parking detection system with a Ultra Wide Band (UWB) detection and transmission system including a hardened radar device placed in the vicinity of a parking space to be monitored by using measurements of time delays observed in the reflection of radio waves reflected from objects in the proximity of the transmitted waves and further including a hardened electronic sensor using (UWB) frequencies to determine the presence or absence of a vehicle in the parking space at close range; and a radio transmitter using multiple data transmission to limit the amount of lost data and to communicate changes in status of the parking space. |
| US08279106B1 |
Ground surveillance segment detection radar performance analysis
A method for ground surveillance radar performance analysis is disclosed. A vector of point data items indexed by time offset, and comprising a point probability of detection is received. A plurality of initial azimuths of a simulated radar signal of the radar tower is determined based on the radar field-of-regard. A plurality of initial azimuth segment probabilities of detection are calculated for each of the initial azimuths respectively based on the vector of point data items and the initial azimuths, and a segment probability of detection is determined based on the initial azimuth segment probabilities of detection. |
| US08279105B2 |
Methods and apparatus for configuring a receiver
Embodiments of the invention relate to configuring a receiver. In some embodiments, when a receiver is executing a dwell, configuration settings for one or more next possible dwells to be executed by the receiver may be sent to the receiver. In this way, when the receiver completes execution of the current dwell, the receiver need not wait to receive configuration settings for the next dwell to be executed as they may be already loaded into the receiver. |
| US08279104B2 |
Radio wave absorber, electromagnetic field measurement system and radiated immunity system
A radio wave absorber for use in an electromagnetic field probe that measures an electromagnetic field by means of an antenna section provided therewith, the radio wave absorber including: a first end section; a second end section that is located at a position opposite the first end section; and an intermediate section that is located between the first and second end sections, the intermediate section having outer dimension and thickness that increase in accordance with a distance from the first end section toward the second end section. |
| US08279103B2 |
Remote control device and remote control method thereof
A remote control device and a remote control method thereof are provided. The remote control method is adapted to a remote control device, which includes a sensing unit for generating remote controlling signals while shaking the remote control device. The remote control method includes the following steps. Firstly, a series of sensing signal is provided by the sensing unit. Next, a series of reference value is generated according to the series of sensing signal. Then, when to start/stop to store the series sensing signal is determined according to the series of reference value. Afterwards, the series of sensing signal is recognized for generating the remote controlling signal. Finally, the remote controlling signal is transmitted. |
| US08279101B1 |
High-speed multi-type substrate analog to digital converter
High conversion rates are achieved in an analog to digital converter by tailoring the substrate type to specific operational elements of the converter. Embodiments place sample and hold processing circuitry on a substrate type having properties that allow for faster processing at high sampling/clock frequencies. Other operational elements of the converter are constructed on at least one other substrate type in keeping with the remainder of the circuitry for which the converter is being implemented. The sample and hold substrate may be implemented on any material which is capable of faster processing, such as silicon germanium, gallium arsenide, silicon bipolar, BiCMOS, and the like. Other portions may be implemented on a more CMOS substrate. Such systems and methods are able to implement analog-to digital conversion for broadband signals at high speeds without the need for extensive timing compensation, while also avoiding problems due to noise from further digital processing circuitry. |
| US08279100B2 |
Complex analog to digital converter (CADC) system on chip double rate architecture
A Complex Analog to Digital Converter System on Chip (CADC SoC) implemented into a microcircuit system is provided. A series of stagger clock signals can be fixed on either a rising or falling edge of the system clock and a plurality of A/D converters can be grouped by sets (i.e. odd and even) and assigned to odd or even stagger clocks. A complex I&Q data manager is provided for controlling the system. A clock management system is responsive to an external signal to select from a set of stagger clock settings, thereby improving anti-alias performance. |
| US08279097B2 |
Background calibration of analog-to-digital converters
A method of operating an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes providing the ADC including a plurality of stages, each including an operational amplifier, and a first capacitor and a second capacitor including a first input end and a second input end, respectively. Each of the first capacitor and the second capacitor includes an additional end connected to a same input of the operational amplifier. The method further includes performing a plurality of signal conversions. Each of the signal conversions includes, in an amplifying phase of one of the plurality of stages, applying a first voltage to the first input end of the one of the plurality of stages, randomly selecting a second voltage from two different voltages; and applying the second voltage to the second input end of the one of the plurality of stages. |
| US08279092B2 |
Electric control device
The invention relates to a control device that comprises a plate (7) having at least first (9) and second (11) adjacent portions, a flexible protection layer (3) covering the plate (7), and a touch-surface sensor (5) sandwiched between said protection layer (3) and the first portion (9) of the plate (7), characterized in that it comprises at least one hinging film (13) connecting the first portion (9) to the second portion (11) for hinging both portions (9, 11) relative to each other, the first portion (9) being fixed, and at least one switch (17) associated with the second portion (11) that is capable of pivotal movement between a raised rest position and an active position for activating the switch (17). |
| US08279090B2 |
System and method for providing games based on locations on an identified commuting route
There is disclosed a system and method for providing location-based entertainment. In one embodiment, a device capable of providing location-based entertainment comprises a navigational interface module configured to receive navigational data, an entertainment selection module configured to utilize the navigational data to generate location-based entertainment content for a user, and a presentation module configured to present the location-based content to the user. The system may also include a position finding module and a routing module. In one embodiment, a method for providing location-based entertainment comprises identifying a present location of a mobile user, identifying a destination of the mobile user, determining a travel route of the mobile user based on the present location and the destination of the mobile user, providing navigational data according to the travel route, generating a location-based entertainment content for a user utilizing the navigational data, and presenting the location-based content to the user. |
| US08279084B2 |
Method for providing bus arrival time for passengers by using DSRC
A method for providing an expected arrival time of bus stops or major bus stops to bus passengers is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) collecting traffic information including a on-board device ID, a roadside base station ID and a pass time from the roadside base station; b) computing an average traffic speed of each section based on the collected traffic information and computing time required for arriving to each bus stop from a roadside base station based on the computed average traffic speed of each section; and c) at the bus information server, transmitting the computed time required for arriving to each bus stop from the roadside base station in order to expected arrival time of each bus station and time required for arriving at each bus stop through a display device to passengers of a bus by using the roadside base station and on-board device. |
| US08279081B2 |
Remotely readable gas meter and method of using the same
A sensing device for remotely determining the position of the needles of a gas meter including directional magnetic field emitters each having a north and a south pole and being secured relative to respective needles such that the pole axes are generally centered over the needle axes. The emitters producing directional magnetic fields that follows the position of the needles as they rotate and the sensing device further including position sensors positioned over the emitters that read the orientation of the magnetic fields sending this information to a processor for calculating the needle positions. |
| US08279066B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking plants with electronic tag
One or more plants may be associated with an electronic tag including a memory circuit and interrogation interface. The memory circuit in the electronic tag may include data corresponding to the one or more plants. According to an embodiment the data may include plant care information such as a record of treatments received by the one or more plants and/or plant care instructions. The data may be structured. |
| US08279064B2 |
Method for postage evidencing for the payment of terminal dues using radio frequency identification tags
The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues by providing information to the post regarding each piece or parcel of mail that crosses an international border. The invention also makes it easier for the post offices to calculate terminal dues by obtaining fee information from mail that is sent internationally. The foregoing is accomplished by placing an indication on the mail that the fees for delivering the mail have been paid or will be paid by a mailer to each post office that handles the mail. For instance, if a mail piece is mailed in the United States and delivered to a destination in the United Kingdom, the mailer's postage meter will place a Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFID) on the mail piece that indicates the portion of the delivery cost that is attributable to the United States post office and that portion of the delivery cost that is attributable to the Royal Mail. |
| US08279062B2 |
Tracking system and methods thereof
The present invention relates generally to tracking systems and methods for monitoring the location of an asset or group of assets. In particular, the present invention provides systems for monitoring the location of a large group of assets. Furthermore, the present invention provides systems and methods for identifying an asset within a group of assets. |
| US08279059B2 |
Data recorder, system and method for transmitting data received from an in-vivo sensing device
An in-vivo sensing system including an in-vivo sensing device, a data recorder a receiver and a work station. The data recorder receives data signal from the in-vivo sensing device during an acquisition period. Batches of the data signal may be transmitted from the data recorder to a receiver, as soon as a batch has been received by the data recorder. The batches of data signal received by the receiver may be downloaded to the workstation as soon as each batch is received by the receiver. Signals are typically transmitted from the data recorder to the receiver through wireless transmission techniques such as cellular transmission, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) transmission, BT (BlueTooth) transmission and Wimax (Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access) transmission. |
| US08279057B2 |
Method of detecting presence of subject on bed
A bed occupancy state detection method includes detecting loads applied to a head side right portion, a head side left portion, a foot side right portion, and a foot side left portion of a bed platform by first to fourth load detecters, respectively, judging whether or not a prescribed judgment formula is satisfied based on load values outputted from the first to fourth load detecters, and notifying information on a bed occupancy state of an object in cases where it is judged that a judgment formula is satisfied from a judgment result at the judgment. |
| US08279053B2 |
Apparatus and method for vibrotactile mobile device
This disclosure relates to a vibrotactile mobile device which induces a tactile sense at various positions in an interface method of operating the mobile device so that a user may intuitively interact with the mobile device while seeing a program execution status, and to a method of driving the vibrotactile mobile device. The method of driving the vibrotactile mobile device includes: providing a user interface for inputting a command signal on a screen operated in accordance with a program; calculating a target vibration position and a direction and a speed of a vibration flow with time so as to recognize a trajectory of the command signal displayed on the screen and supply a vibration stimulus corresponding to the trajectory of the command signal; and driving the vibration module by controlling a supply of power to be applied to vibration modules based on the calculated result. |
| US08279051B2 |
Realtime coaching system
A method and system for improving the effectiveness of coaches and video game designers for games like soccer, American football, basketball, lacrosse or ice hockey by using RF technology and software. A base station is equipped with a computer programmed with algorithms to track the players and game equipment and thereby produce data of interest to a coach or game designer. |
| US08279050B2 |
Multiple user controlled object
In accordance with the present invention, electronic mixing is provided between multiple instruction channels from multiple users of a single controlled object such that each user can have partial control over the object at the same time. The percentage of partial control is adjusted between users according to any combination of the number of users, preset or user set percentages, randomness, or computer generation. |
| US08279049B2 |
Multimedia device and process for data transmission in a multimedia device
The invention relates to a multimedia device comprising a remote control system for wirelessly controlling a multimedia appliance. In order to establish a connection between a remote control system and a multimedia appliance, the remote control system must identify itself to the multimedia appliance, by means of a hardware device, especially a SIM card. The individual user must also identify him/herself to the multimedia appliance, by means of a hardware device for detecting biometric data. The respective identification data is encoded by means of asymmetrical cryptography. During the initialization process between said two appliances, data encoded for the identification of the remote control system and each person is transmitted to the multimedia appliance and stored therein in an encoded manner. In order to establish a connection after the initialization, the corresponding data is asymmetrically encoded, in turn, from the remote control system to the multimedia appliance using another code, and is decoded in the multimedia appliance. The corresponding data stored in the multimedia appliance is also decoded and compared with the received decoded data. |
| US08279040B2 |
System and method for control of multiple barrier operators
A system for controlling operation of a plurality of movable barrier operators includes a controller configured to communicate with a plurality of movable barrier operators. The controller is programmed to receive a command to operate the plurality of movable barrier operators and to send a signal to start operation of a first movable barrier operator of the plurality of movable barrier operators in response to receiving the command. The controller is also programmed to send a signal to start a second movable barrier operator of the plurality of movable barrier operators at a time after sending the signal to start the operation of the first movable barrier operator. An arbitration of confirmation signals from the plurality of movable barrier operators may be used to determine the order of operation of the movable barrier operators. |
| US08279039B2 |
Using touches to transfer information to a device
A device may receive a signal that includes information about a touch pattern on a surface of the tag, identify the touch pattern based on the received signal, validate tag-specific information in the received signal by comparing the identified touch pattern and information that is stored prior to receiving the signal, and perform an action that is specified by the tag-specific information if the tag-specific information is validated. |
| US08279037B2 |
Magnetic components and methods of manufacturing the same
Magnetic component assemblies and core structures including coil coupling arrangements, that are advantageously utilized in providing surface mount magnetic components such as inductors and transformers. |
| US08279035B2 |
Reactor
A compact reactor with excellent productivity and heat dissipation is provided. Reactor 1α includes a coil formed by spirally winding a wire 2w and a magnetic core 3 having an inside core portion inserted into the coil and an outside core portion 32 coupled to the inside core portion. These core portions form a closed magnetic circuit. The coil is covered with an inside resin portion 4 on the outer circumference thereof to form a coil molded unit 20α with its shape being held. The outer circumference of a combination unit 10 of the coil molded unit 20α and the magnetic core 3 is covered with an outside resin portion 5α. Reactor 1α does not have a case and is thus compact. A surface of the outside core portion 32 on the installation side (core installation surface 32d) is exposed form the outside resin portion 5α and is in direct contact with a fixed object, thereby achieving excellent heat dissipation. The provision of the coil molded unit 20α facilitates the handling of the coil during assembly of reactor 1α, thereby achieving good productivity. |
| US08279033B2 |
Transformer with isolated cells
A power transformer apparatus and method of assembling are provided. In one aspect, a method of assembling a transformer is provided. The method includes providing a heat sink including a plurality of exterior ribs, wherein the heat sink forms a bottom wall of an enclosure. The method also includes coupling at least one diaphragm to the heat sink such that a bottom surface of the diaphragm is in contact with the heat sink, coupling at least one winding to the at least one diaphragm, and coupling a terminal board to the heat sink such that a plurality of spacers are positioned between the terminal board and the heat sink. |
| US08279030B2 |
Method and apparatus for electrical, mechanical and thermal isolation of superconductive magnets
A method and apparatus of electrical, mechanical and thermal isolation of superconductive magnet coils includes a superconductive magnet for environments wherein large differences of electrical potential between the interior superconductive winding and the exterior of the device, on the order of 103to 106 Volts may exist. The methods and apparatus also includes insulation, cooling, and structural elements such that the interior of the device is capable of maintaining cryogenic temperatures needed for superconductivity, even in the presence of high heat flux incident on the overall winding housing. Finally, a device includes structural elements for support against gravity and other forces exerted on the assembly that include expansion jointing and stabilization to minimize warping or bending of the assembly due to temperature gradients. These supports include accoutrements for supplying electrical power, cryogenic coolant, and other supply leads to the magnet head, while also being isolated from thermal and electrical effects. |
| US08279029B2 |
Weatherproof switch for indoor and outdoor information clusters and function switches
A weatherproof switch for use with an information/instrument cluster including a button having a body located adjacent to the information/instrument cluster, the body having a first end and a second end; a magnet substantially disposed within the second end of the body; a sensor located a distance from the magnet to produce a magnetic field of a first strength; and a circuit connecting the sensor to a function of the information/instrument cluster for controlling the function when the first end of the button is operated to increase and decrease the distance between the magnet and the sensor such as to produce magnetic field of a second strength. |
| US08279026B2 |
Micro-machined relay
An improved micro-machined relay is disclosed. The relay includes a micro-machined beam capable of carrying an electric signal and having a contact point on a closure side of the beam. The beam is electrically coupled to a first electrical transmission path and suspended above a second electrical transmission path. An insulation layer resides on a portion of the closure side of the beam and an electrical conductor is coupled to a least a portion of the insulation layer. A potential creator creates a potential between the electrical conductor and the potential creator that is capable of deflecting the beam, so that the contact point comes into contact with the second electrical transmission path. In such an embodiment, the potential creator need not account for the possible signal in the transmission path because the potential creator, which may be a voltage source, is decoupled from the transmission path. |
| US08279023B2 |
Filter circuit and communication device
There is provided a filter circuit that includes: a flying capacitor which maintains polarity when switching from an input terminal to an output terminal, and the polarity of which is reversed when switching from the output terminal to the input terminal; a first capacitor that is provided in parallel to the flying capacitor, at the input terminal of the flying capacitor; and a second capacitor that is provided in parallel to the flying capacitor, at the output terminal of the flying capacitor. The flying capacitor includes a variable capacity element such that capacity becomes smaller when switching from the input terminal to the output terminal and capacity becomes larger when switching from the output terminal to the input terminal. |
| US08279022B2 |
Input/output systems and devices for use with superconducting devices
Systems and devices for providing differential input/output communication with a superconducting device are described. Each differential I/O communication is electrically filtered using a respective tubular filter structure incorporating superconducting lumped element devices and high frequency dissipation by metal powder epoxy. A plurality of such tubular filter structures is arranged in a cryogenic, multi-tiered assembly further including structural/thermalization supports and a device sample holder assembly for securing a device sample, for example a superconducting quantum processor. The interface between the cryogenic tubular filter assembly and room temperature electronics is achieved using hermetically sealed vacuum feed-through structures designed to receive flexible printed circuit board cable. |
| US08279021B2 |
Duplexer
A duplexer with a reduced filter loss is provided. The duplexer includes two or more filters F1 and F2 that are connected to a common terminal and that have different passbands. At least one of the filters F1 and F2 includes a plurality of series resonators S1 to Sn connected in series to a path between an input terminal and an output terminal of the filter, and parallel resonators P1 to Pm connected in parallel to the above-mentioned path. An inductance L1 is connected in parallel to at least one of the series resonators, and the series resonator S1 having the inductance L1 connected in parallel thereto is divided into a plurality of resonators S11 to S13 connected in series. |
| US08279019B2 |
Millimeter-wave switches and attenuators
An input attenuator may include a first input circuit having an RF_IN+ terminal, a first node, a transmission line, a DC blocking capacitor, a second node, a third node, and an output terminal coupled in series, the first node selectively coupled to ground via a serially coupled capacitor and a first silicon germanium heterojunction bipolar transistor, the second node coupled to ground via a capacitor, and the third node selectively coupled to ground via a DC blocking capacitor, a resistor, and a second silicon germanium heterojunction bipolar transistor coupled in series. The input attenuator may also include a second input circuit parallel to the first input circuit and having structure similar to the first input circuit. |
| US08279017B2 |
Magnetic resonance type isolator
A magnetic resonance type isolator includes a ferrite; a connection conductor that is arranged on the ferrite and includes a first port, a second port and a third port; a permanent magnet that applies a direct current magnetic field to the ferrite; an inductor that defines a reactance element; and capacitors that define an impedance matching circuit. A main line arranged between the first port and the second port of the connection conductor does not resonate, an end portion of a sub-line that branches from the main line serves as the third port, and a wave reflected from the sub-line is modulated so that its phase is shifted by 90° or about 90° at an intersection of the connection conductor. The inductor is connected to the third port and the capacitors are connected to the first and second ports, respectively. |
| US08279014B2 |
Frequency synthesizer with built-in carrier and crystal oscillation frequency offset cancellation
A frequency synthesizer of a transceiver for generating a crystal oscillation frequency and a carry frequency having been done a process of frequency offset cancellation with that of another transceiver. The frequency offset cancellation of the frequency synthesizer is done in accordance with a wireless signal which is transmitted from another transceiver received. The frequency synthesizer has a first sigma-delta modulator receiving a signal transmitted by a transceiver at far area responding thereafter a frequency divisor value in accordance with the channel information of the received signal and a frequency offset between two. |
| US08279010B2 |
Radio frequency power amplifier
The radio frequency power amplifier is connected between an other end of the first switching element and an other end of the second switching element, supplies power to a second amplifier via the first switching element and a second matching circuit, and includes a first power supply line for supplying power to the third amplifier via a second switching element and a third matching circuit, and the other end of the first switching element is connected to an input node of the first matching circuit, the other end of the second switching element is connected to the input node of the first matching circuit via the first power supply line, and an impedance of an output side of the RF power amplifier as viewed from an output node of the third amplifier is higher than an impedance of the RF power amplifier as viewed from an output node of the second amplifier. |
| US08279008B2 |
CMOS millimeter-wave variable-gain low-noise amplifier
A low-noise amplifier (LNA) includes a first cascode gain stage coupled to an input node for increasing an amplitude of an RF input signal. A first variable gain network is coupled to the first cascode gain stage and includes a first inductor for boosting a gain of the first cascode gain stage, a first capacitor coupled to the first inductor for blocking a direct current (DC) voltage, and a first switch coupled to the first inductor and to the first capacitor. The first switch is configured to selectively couple the first inductor to the first cascode gain stage in response to a first control signal. |
| US08279001B2 |
Push-pull linear hybrid class H amplifier
Several push-pull linear hybrid class H amplifiers are disclosed. A split power rail provides a positive supply rail and a negative supply rail in response to a power supply control voltage. A push-pull amplifier stage is powered by the positive and negative supply rails. The amplifier stage receives an input signal and provides a corresponding amplified output signal. A power supply control circuit provides the power supply control voltage in response to the smaller of the positive and negative supply rails, and the input signal. |
| US08279000B2 |
Radio-frequency amplifier
A radio-frequency amplifier includes a common gate amplification stage configured to be biased in a saturation condition with a first current and configured to receive an input signal as a gate-source voltage and to generate an output voltage as an amplified replica of the input signal. A feedback transistor is configured to be biased in a saturation condition with a second current and coupled to the common gate amplification stage so as to have a gate-drain voltage corresponding to a difference between the output voltage and the input signal. |
| US08278994B2 |
Temperature independent reference circuit
A temperature independent reference circuit includes first and second bipolar transistors with commonly coupled bases. First and second resistors are coupled in series between the emitter of the second bipolar transistor and ground. The first and second resistors have first and second resistance values, R1 and R2, and third and second temperature coefficients, TC3 and TC2, respectively. The resistance values being such that a temperature coefficient of a difference between the base-emitter voltages of the first and second bipolar transistors, TC1, is substantially equal to TC2×(R2/(R1+R2))+TC3×(R1/(R1+R2)), resulting in a reference current flowing through each of the first and second bipolar transistors that is substantially constant over temperature. A third resistor coupled between a node and the collector of the second bipolar transistor has a value such that a reference voltage generated at the node is substantially constant over temperature. |
| US08278992B2 |
Circuit and method for generating internal voltage, and semiconductor device having the circuit
An internal voltage generating method performed in a semiconductor device, the internal voltage generating method including generating a plurality of initialization signals corresponding to a plurality of external power supply voltages; detecting a transition of a lastly-generated initialization signal from among the plurality of initialization signals and generating a detection signal; and generating a first internal voltage according to the detection signal. |
| US08278986B2 |
Trimming of a pseudo-closed loop programmable delay line
An embodiment is proposed for trimming a programmable delay line in an integrated device, which delay line is adapted to delay an input signal being synchronous with a synchronization signal of the integrated device—by a total delay. An embodiment of a corresponding method includes the steps of: preliminary programming the delay line to provide a selected nominal value of the total delay equal to a period of the timing signal, and trimming the delay line to vary an actual value of the total delay until the actual value of the total delay matches the period of the synchronization signal. |
| US08278984B2 |
Phase-locked loop
A loop filter for a phase-locked loop that generates an output signal having a predetermined phase relationship with a reference signal, the loop filter being arranged to control a signal generator that forms the output signal in dependence on a phase error between the output signal and the reference signal by outputting a control signal for controlling the signal generator in dependence thereon, the loop filter being arranged to form the control signal to comprise a proportional component representative of an instantaneous magnitude of the phase difference and an integral component representative of an integral of the phase difference, the loop filter comprising a proportional path arranged to receive a signal representative of the instantaneous magnitude of the phase difference and form the proportional component of the control signal in dependence thereon and an integral path arranged to receive a signal representative of the instantaneous magnitude of the phase difference and form the integral component of the control signal in dependence thereon, the proportional and integral paths being decoupled in the loop filter such that each has a transfer function relating its received signal to its respective component of the control signal that is independent of the other path. |
| US08278981B2 |
Low power variable delay circuit
A variable delay circuit includes at least a fixed delay unit, a first selection unit, and variable delay unit. The fixed delay unit receives an input signal and a first delay selection signal indicative of a first delay, and outputs a first delayed signal that is substantially the input signal delayed by the first delay. The first selection unit receives the input signal, the first delayed signal, and a second delay selection signal, and outputs either the input signal or the first delayed signal based on the second delay selection signal to the variable delay unit. The variable delay unit also receives a third delay selection signal indicative of a third delay, and outputs a output signal that is substantially the output signal of the selection unit delayed by a third delay. The first delay is 0 or X multiples of M delay units. The third delay is a delay selected from 0 to N delay units. |
| US08278980B1 |
Enhancement of power management using dynamic voltage and frequency scaling and digital phase lock loop high speed bypass mode
An apparatus for clock/voltage scaling includes a device power manager arranged to supply a scalable frequency clock to an interface; a delay-locked loop, supplied by a constant fixed frequency clock and a constant voltage, arranged to generate a unique code depending on process, voltage, and/or temperature; and controlled delay line elements coupled to the delay-locked loop, arranged to generate an appropriate delayed data strobe based on the unique code. A method for a digital phase lock loop high speed bypass mode includes providing a first digital phase lock loop in a first high speed clock domain; providing a second digital phase lock loop in a second clock domain; controlling an output of a first glitchless multiplexer according to preselected settings using a device power manager synchronized locally; and controlling an output of a second glitchless multiplexer using a control logic element of the second digital phase lock loop. |
| US08278976B2 |
Methods and devices for generating trapezoidal fire pulses
The present application discloses trapezoidal fire pulse generating methods and devices. According to the devices and methods of the present application, the voltage value of the positive DC control voltage signal, the voltage value of the negative DC control voltage signal, the voltage value of the rise-time DC control voltage signal and a fall-time DC control voltage signal can be determined according to the parameter values of a trapezoidal fire pulse required to be output. Thus, corresponding DC control voltage signals can be generated. Further, the positive DC control voltage signal and the negative DC control voltage signal can be modulated to a square-wave pulse. Then, the rise-time DC control voltage signal, the fall-time DC control voltage signal and the square-wave pulse can be input to a inverse integrator so as to generate a trapezoidal fire pulse. Since there are specific quantitative relations between the rise time and fall time of the trapezoidal fire pulse and the voltage values of the rise-time and fall-time DC control voltage signals, the corresponding rise time and fall time of the trapezoidal fire pulses can be accurately controlled and adjusted so that the output trapezoidal fire pulses can be more stable and accurate. |
| US08278972B2 |
Method and apparatus for simplifying the control of a switch
A circuit for use in a half bridge converter includes a high side switch coupled between a positive input terminal and a first terminal of a primary transformer winding. A low side switch is coupled between a negative input terminal and the first terminal. A first control circuit is coupled to the high side switch to sense a slope of a voltage across the high side switch while the high side switch is off to control the high side switch in response to the sensed slope across the high side switch. A second control circuit is coupled to the low side switch to sense a slope of a voltage across the low side switch while the low side switch is off to control the low side switch in response to the sensed slope of the voltage across the low side switch. |
| US08278970B2 |
Device for detecting the peak value of a signal
A device for detecting the peak value of a signal with crest factor not known a priori includes a pair of peak detectors, each of which includes a rectifier element and a discharge-current generator and generates a respective output signal that is a function of the ratio between a physical dimension of the rectifier element and the intensity of discharge current produced by the generator. The ratio is different for the two detectors, and a combination network combines the output signals of the two peak detectors with one another and produces a combined signal indicating the peak value sought with high accuracy. |
| US08278968B2 |
Calibration methods and circuits to calibrate drive current and termination impedance
Described are on-die termination (ODT) systems and methods that facilitate high-speed communication between a driver die and a receiver die interconnected via one or more signal transmission lines. An ODT control system in accordance with one embodiment calibrates and maintains termination resistances and drive currents to produce optimal output swing voltages. Comparison circuitry employed to calibrate the reference resistance is also used to calibrate the drive current. Termination elements in some embodiments are divided into two adjustable resistive portions, both of which are designed to minimize capacitive loading. One portion is optimized to produce a relatively high range of adjustment, while the other is optimized for fine-tuning and glitch-free switching. |
| US08278966B2 |
Signal output circuit, optical pickup and optical device
Disclosed herein is a signal output circuit for outputting a signal onto a transmission line having a given transmission characteristic, the signal output circuit including a drive circuit adapted to drive an input signal by a current; and an output resistor which is connected to an output stage of the drive circuit and capable of adjusting the output signal waveform according to its resistance, wherein the drive current of the drive circuit and the resistance of the output resistor are variable. |
| US08278964B2 |
Method and apparatus for test and characterization of semiconductor components
A method and apparatus for testing and characterizing circuits is provided. In one embodiment, a high-speed interface of a semiconductor component includes high-speed test circuitry. The high-speed test circuitry obviates the need for an external high-speed testing system for testing and characterization. In one embodiment, the high-speed test circuitry includes a test pattern generation circuit, and various differential comparators to compare low bandwidth reference signals with interface signals during testing and characterization. In one embodiment, an interface that includes the test circuitry can test itself or another interface. In one embodiment, a timing reference signal decouples the individual parameters of two interfaces testing each other to avoid any errors introduced by the combination of individual interface circuit parameters, such as receiver parameters and transmitter parameters. The testing can be performed at the wafer stage, at the component stage, and in a system. |
| US08278960B2 |
Method and circuit for measuring quiescent current
A measurement circuit and method for measuring a quiescent current of a circuit under test are provided. The measurement circuit comprises: a comparator having a first input terminal for receiving a reference voltage, a second input terminal coupled to the circuit under test, and an output terminal; a current source having a first terminal coupled to a first power supply voltage terminal, and a second terminal for providing a current to the circuit under test; a first switch having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the current source, a second terminal coupled to the circuit under test, and a control terminal coupled to the output terminal of the comparator; and a first counter having a first input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the comparator, a second input terminal for receiving a clock signal, and an output terminal for providing a first counter value associated with the quiescent current. |
| US08278953B2 |
Oscilloscope probe
In an oscilloscope probe with a transistor amplifier constructed on a semiconductor substrate using integrated circuit technology, at least one part of the input-voltage divider is also constructed together with the amplifier using integrated-circuit technology on the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08278952B2 |
Voltage adjusting circuits and voltage adjusting methods
A voltage adjusting circuit is provided. The voltage adjusting circuit for adjusting the output voltages supplied by voltage sources includes a test control device, a multiplexer, a comparator, and a built in self test (BIST) device. The test control device selects one of the voltage sources as a testing voltage source, and outputs a selecting command for selecting the testing voltage source and a target voltage corresponding to the testing voltage source. The multiplexer is coupled to the voltage sources, receives an enablement signal, and outputs a voltage supplied by the testing voltage source as a testing voltage according to the enablement signal. The comparator compares the voltage levels of the testing voltage and the target voltage, and outputs a comparison result. The BIST device receives the selecting command, outputs the enablement signal for enabling the testing voltage source according to the selecting command, and adjusts the voltage supplied by the testing voltage source to a predetermined voltage according to the comparison result. |
| US08278950B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring current flow to integrated circuit in temperature-compensated manner
A circuit and method for monitoring current flow to an integrated circuit (IC), alone or mounted on a substrate, in a temperature-compensated manner. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a plurality of resistances having substantially equal temperature coefficients establishes a ratio of an output voltage and an internally measured voltage, with the output voltage corresponding to a voltage drop across an inherent resistance within the IC or on the substrate. |
| US08278946B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting finger activity on a fingerprint sensor
An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal. |
| US08278945B2 |
Inductive position detector
An inductive detector arranged to measure position along a axis comprising: a transmit winding; a receive winding; a passive circuit comprising a winding in electrical series with a capacitor; wherein: the mutual inductance between the transmit winding and the receive winding is a function of the relative displacement of the passive circuit along the measurement axis; a first portion of one of the windings is wound on a first pitch and a second portion of the same winding is wound on a second pitch whose extent is greater than the first pitch. |
| US08278943B2 |
Self-checking analyzer method and system using frequency response
A self-checking analyzer system is provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The analyzer system includes a pipeline for receiving a multi-phase fluid flow and a first measuring device configured to provide a first frequency response corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system also includes a second measuring device differing in frequency response from the first measuring device and configured to provide a second frequency response corresponding to the multi-phase fluid flow. The analyzer system is configured to validate the first frequency response using the second frequency response. |
| US08278938B2 |
Electrical safety devices and systems for use with electrical wiring, and methods for using same
Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring an electrical flat wire. An appropriate safety device is utilized to monitor the electrical flat wire. The safety device includes a line side input configured to connect a line side power source and receive an electrical power signal from the line side power source. Additionally, the safety device includes a flat wire connection configured to connect to an electrical flat wire. The safety device further includes at least one relay configured to control the communication of the electrical power signal onto the electrical flat wire. The safety device also includes a control unit configured to test the electrical flat wire for at least one of miswires, wire faults, or abnormal conditions and, based at least in part on the results of the testing, to control the actuation of the at least one relay. |
| US08278935B2 |
Probe resistance measurement method and semiconductor device with pads for probe resistance measurement
A probe resistance measuring method includes measuring first resistances at three or more nodes by making contact at least a part of a plurality of probes of a probe unit with three or more pads for resistance measurement based on a first correspondence relation. The measured resistances are stored as a first measurement result and contact resistances of the plurality of probes of the probe unit are calculated based on the first measurement result. |
| US08278934B2 |
Robust AC chassis fault detection using PWM sideband harmonics
A method, apparatus and computer program for detecting an AC chassis fault on one or more DC/AC converters having a load is disclosed, including receiving a chassis voltage VChassis signal from between DC link and a chassis ground from the DC/AC converter, capturing a side band harmonic of the chassis voltage VChassis signal, determining a peak magnitude value related to the side band harmonic, comparing the peak magnitude value to a predetermined threshold value, wherein if said peak magnitude value equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold value, an AC chassis fault condition is detected. |
| US08278932B2 |
Method and detector for determining a state of a switch
In an integrated circuit, a state of a switch coupled to the integrated circuit is determined by comparing a switch voltage at a first terminal of the switch to a reference voltage at a first time. If the switch voltage is higher than the reference voltage, the switch is determined to be in a first state. If the switch voltage is lower than the reference voltage, the switch voltage is stored in a storage element to produce a stored voltage. The stored voltage is compared to the switch voltage at a second time after the first time. A determination is made that the switch is in the first state if the switch voltage is higher than the stored voltage at the second time. A determination is made that the switch is in a second state if the switch voltage is not higher than the stored voltage at the second time. |
| US08278930B2 |
Deep MWD resistivity measurements using EM shielding
Structure for deep MWD resistivity measurements suitable for both geo-steering and measurements ahead of the drill bit is disclosed. Alternating current is transmitted through a loop and an induction signal is measured by a two-coil bucking receiving system placed at some distance from the transmitter. To further reduce a parasitic effect of the currents in the pipe, a conductive copper shield wrapping around the pipe is used. The length of the shield is about one and one-half to two times longer than the longest transmitter/receiver spacing of the structure. The transmitter/receiver system is located in the center of the described electromagnetic shield. |
| US08278926B2 |
Method for determining attenuation values of an object
A method for determining attenuation values of an object is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes stationary positioning of the object, irradiation of the object via a radiation source, measurement of the object's transmission data via a detection system, determination of at least one geometric property of the object on the basis of the transmission data, and assignment of attenuation values to the object on the basis of the geometric property. |
| US08278925B2 |
Method for relaxation-compensated fast multi-slice chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI
A volumetric APT imaging sequence is provided that acquires multi-slice images immediately after a single long continuous wave (CW) RF irradiation, wherein the relaxation-induced loss of CEST contrast is compensated for during post-processing. Thus, a fast volumetric pH-weighted APT imaging technique is provided. |
| US08278924B2 |
Method of performing an MRI reference scan
The invention relates to a method of performing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reference scan of an examination volume comprising a plurality of image points, the method being performed using a set of detector elements (142), the method comprising: phase sensitive acquisition of a first and a second complex echo signal originating from a first (214; 306; 310) and second (216; 308; 312) echo for each image point, wherein the acquisition is performed by each of the detector elements of the set of detector elements (142), determining for a detector element of the set of detector elements (142) a phase difference between the first and the second echo signal for each image point, —calculating from the phase difference a local magnetic field inhomogeneity value for each image point, deriving for each image point a coil sensitivity matrix, wherein the coil sensitivity matrix is derived by calculating complex ratios of the first or the second complex echo signals acquired by the set of elements. |
| US08278920B2 |
Magnetic sensor and magnetic measurement method
For a Hall element of a magnetic sensor, a current is caused to pass along a +X-direction and a first voltage is measured in a +Y-direction, a current is caused to pass along the +Y-direction and a second voltage is measured in the +X-direction, a current is caused to pass along a −X-direction and a third voltage is measured in the +Y-direction, and a current is caused to pass along a −Y-direction and a fourth voltage is measured in the +X-direction. Then, a calculation is performed which strengthens effects of Hall voltage mutually and weakens effects of offset voltage mutually based on a value of the first voltage and a value of the second voltage, and the result is compared with a reference value. Furthermore, a calculation is performed which strengthens effects of Hall voltage mutually and weakens effects of offset voltage mutually based on a value of the third voltage and a value of the fourth voltage, and the result is compared with the reference value. |
| US08278917B2 |
Magnetic head inspection method and magnetic head inspection device
A magnetic head inspection device inspects the write track width of a thin film magnetic head in a phase as early as possible during the manufacturing process. A recording signal (excitation signal) is input from bonding pads to the thin film magnetic head in a rowbar, and the magnetic field generated by the write pole (element) included in the thin film magnetic head is observed directly by using a magnetic force microscope (MFM), a scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM), or a scanning magneto resistance effect microscope (SMRM) that performs a scanning motion at a position equivalent to the flying height of the magnetic head. In this manner, a shape of the generated magnetic field instead of the physical shape of the write pole (element) is measured; thus, a non-destructive inspection can be performed on the effective magnetic track width. |
| US08278916B2 |
Rotational angle sensor, motor, rotational angle detector, and electric power steering system
A rotational angle sensor includes: a magnet rotor in which multiple magnetic poles are formed along the circumferential direction of the magnet rotor; and three sensor devices that are arranged on a circle concentric with the magnet rotor at regular angle intervals. Each of the sensor devices includes three half-bridge circuits each of which has a pair of spin valve magnetic resistances that are connected in series in such a manner that the magnetization directions of spin fixed layers of the spin valve magnetic resistances are opposite to each other. Each of the sensor devices is formed in such a manner that phases of the sensor signals output from the respective half-bridge circuits based on a change in magnetic flux caused by the rotation of the magnet rotor are offset from each other by an electrical angle of 120°. |
| US08278913B2 |
Apparatus and method for position sensing
An improved apparatus and method for position sensing of a medical tracker device are presented. The apparatus and method are designed to constrain, rotate, and track the position of a medical tool. To improve the position sensing of the tracker, a joint that provides two degrees of freedom may use a revolute gear pair together with a rotary sensor for angular motion sensing and a sliding/prismatic assembly together with a linear magnetic sensor for linear position sensing. Thus, the linear motion sensing and the angular motion sensing are decoupled. |
| US08278912B2 |
Twist-grip control device having means for detecting abnormal operation
A twist-grip control device that produces a pair of electrical signals indicative of the relative angular position of the rotor portion. These signals are correlated with one another such that one of the signals may be used as a control signal indicative of the extent of an associated controlled physical magnitude desired by the user, and the other signal may be used as a control signal adapted to enable the detection of the occurrence of operating malfunctions or failures when these signals are no longer correlated with one another in the predetermined relationship. |
| US08278910B2 |
Phase locked loop for controlling motor and spindle motor using the same
A PLL for controlling a motor includes first and second feedback loops. The first feedback loop includes an oscillator for generating a signal having a frequency corresponding to an input voltage, a first phase comparator for outputting a first phase difference signal corresponding to a phase difference between the signal from the oscillator and an input signal, and a first smoothing filter for smoothing the first phase difference signal to output the smoothed signal as the input voltage. The second feedback loop includes a second phase comparator for outputting a second phase difference signal corresponding to a phase difference between a signal having a frequency corresponding to a rotational speed of the motor and the input signal, an adder for adding the first and second phase difference signals, and a second smoothing filter for smoothing an output of the adder to output the smoothed signal to the motor. |
| US08278909B2 |
Wide-dynamic range electrometer with a fast response
A method and apparatus for measuring current includes sensing a first voltage at the output of an amplifier and computing a current based on the first voltage and the resistance of a first resistive element, which is electrically coupled between an inverting input of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier, if the first voltage is below a predetermined level. The method also includes sensing a second voltage at the output of a buffer and computing a current based on the first and second voltages and the resistances of the first resistive element and a second resistive element, which is electrically coupled between the inverting input of the amplifier and an input of the buffer and is also electrically coupled to the output of the amplifier through a at least one diode, if the voltage output from the amplifier is above the predetermined level. |
| US08278905B2 |
Rotating gain resistors to produce a bandgap voltage with low-drift
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a bandgap voltage reference circuit includes a plurality of circuit branches, a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches. The plurality of switches are used to selectively change over time which of the resistors are connected to be within a first one of the circuit branches and which of the resistors are connected to be within a second one of the circuit branches, to thereby reduce the effects that long term drift of the resistors have on a bandgap voltage output (VGO) of the bandgap voltage reference circuit. |
| US08278904B2 |
High bandwidth power supply system with high efficiency and low distortion
A power supply system uses improved Class G amplifier architecture for high bandwidth operation with low distortion. The power supply system switches between multiple power supply rails, depending on the signal level handled by the power supply system. The lowest usable supply rail voltage is chosen to minimize power dissipation in the output driver, thus optimizing efficiency. Each supply rail has an associated driver capable of sourcing current to the amplifier output. When a supply rail is selected, its associated driver is enabled and other driver(s) not associated with the selected supply rail are disabled via separate disable control signals. The disabling of the deselected driver may be delayed until current above a predetermined threshold is sensed at the output of the enabled driver. In addition, the frequency of switching between the power rails may be limited via various means designed to limit distortion in the power supply system. |
| US08278903B1 |
Optimization of PWM DC operating point of voltage regulators with wide operating range
A pulse width modulation (PWM) DC operating point of a voltage regulator is configured to be relatively independent of an input voltage and an output voltage of the regulator. A drive transistor of the regulator is periodically switched ON to couple the input voltage to an output capacitor to generate the output voltage. A ramp signal is generated by dividing a signal generated from the input voltage with another signal generated from the output voltage and using the resulting signal to charge a capacitor. The ramp signal is compared to an error voltage indicative of a level of the output voltage to determine when to switch OFF the drive transistor. |
| US08278902B2 |
DC to DC switching power converter controller using spread spectrum PWM
A switching power converter converts an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage using a switch to selectively connect an input DC voltage energy source. A switching controller controls the switch. A pulse width modulation centering signal is generated by a spread spectrum clock signal generator. An error amplifier of the switching controller generates an analog error signal based on a switching voltage measured after the switching of the switching power converter, the output voltage of the switching power converter, the pulse width modulation centering signal and a reference. A pulse width modulated signal generator generates the pulse width modulation signal to control the switch of the switching power converter based on the pulse width modulation centering signal and the analog error signal. |
| US08278901B2 |
Switching regulator configured to detect, and compensate for, decrease in output voltage
A switching regulator includes a switching element that switches between on and off according to a control signal, an inductor that is charged with the input voltage by switching of the switching element, a rectification element that discharges the inductor when the switching element is off and charging the inductor is stopped, a differential amplifier that amplifies a difference between a voltage proportional to the output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage, a voltage change detection circuit that detects changes in the output voltage, and a control circuit that causes the switching element to switch between on and off in a predetermined cycle depending on a voltage output from the differential amplifier. The control circuit turns on the switching element regardless of the predetermined cycle when the voltage change detection circuit detects that a decrease in the output voltage exceeds a predetermined first reference value. |
| US08278894B2 |
DC-DC converter and a method for producing the same
A DC-DC converter adopted in a mobile device, for converting a DC input voltage to a DC output voltage is provided. The converter comprises an input circuit, a control circuit, and a switch. The input circuit is connected in series with a line for supplying the DC input voltage and includes a parallel connection of a first capacitor and a snubber circuit. The control circuit is provided for producing a control signal. The switch, connected with the input circuit, is adapted to turn ON or OFF in accordance with the control signal, so as to produce the DC output voltage. |
| US08278893B2 |
System including an offset voltage adjusted to compensate for variations in a transistor
A system including a first transistor, a first capacitor and a circuit. The first transistor has a first control input and is configured to regulate an output voltage. The first capacitor is coupled at one end to the first control input and at another end to a circuit reference. The circuit is configured to provide a first voltage to the first control input, where the first voltage includes an offset voltage that is referenced to the output voltage and adjusted to compensate for variations in the first transistor. |
| US08278890B2 |
Power supply circuit
A power supply circuit has a first MOSFET having a body region between the source and drain. The body region is connected so as to be at the same potential as the source. Application of a suitable potential to the gate causes the MOSFET to switch to a conductive on state. The power supply circuit also has signal generation circuitry, which generates a signal indicative of a conductive state of the first MOSFET. The signal generation circuitry generates a reference voltage of a predetermined potential difference from the source potential. The power supply circuit further comprises a second MOSFET having a body region connected so as to be at the same potential as the drain of the first MOSFET, and the second gate is connected to receive the reference voltage. When the potential of the drain of the first MOSFET falls a predetermined voltage below the reference voltage the second MOSFET is switched to a conductive on state between the second source and the second drain, the signal being dependent upon the state of the second MOSFET. |
| US08278887B2 |
Method of starting DC/DC converter using synchronous freewheeling MOSFET
A DC/DC converter including an inductor and a capacitor is started by connecting an input voltage to the inductor and shunting a current around the inductor so as to pre-charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage. |
| US08278886B2 |
Power FET gate charge recovery
A circuit for recovering charge at the gate of an output transistor arranged to drive the output of a switching circuit such as a switching regulator or controller. A substantial portion of the charge for each switching cycle is recovered under a wide range of load conditions for the switching circuit, e.g., no load, partial load, or full load. Also, charge recovery operates effectively with a switching circuit that is arranged to switch in a synchronous or asynchronous manner. Additionally, if the output voltage of a switching circuit is 12 or more volts, the amount of charge that can be saved can be relatively substantial. |
| US08278885B2 |
Switching power source apparatus and control method thereof
A switching power source apparatus includes a converting unit to convert a voltage level of power, a first switch to switch power supplied to the converting unit, a second switch connected in series with the first switch and turned on after the first switch has been turned on, and a voltage clamp unit to clamp a level of a voltage applied across the series connection of the first switch and the second switch to a predetermined voltage or less. |
| US08278875B2 |
Safety supervisory module of an electric vehicle charging station
A safety supervisory module (SSM) of an electric vehicle charging station that controls flow of current from the electric vehicle charging station to an electric vehicle. The SSM includes a set of two or more processors to control operation of a contactor control circuitry of the SSM to open and close a set of contacts of a set of power supply lines to control flow of current from the charging station to an electric vehicle. Each processor independently determines whether an unsafe condition exists and asserts a relay enable signal to the contactor control circuitry only when an unsafe condition does not exist. The contactor control circuitry generates a current to energize a relay to close the set of contacts responsive to the relay enable signal being asserted by each and every processor of the set of processors, and inhibits closure of the set of contacts or opens the set of contacts to prevent electricity from flowing between the charging station and an electric vehicle when any of the set of processors is not asserting the relay enable signal. |
| US08278874B2 |
Apparatus and method for balancing the transfer of electrical energy from an external power source to a vehicle
In at least one embodiment, a device for balancing a flow of electrical energy from a vehicle to an external power source is provided. The device comprises a balance circuit being configured to receive an input current signal from the power source and to transmit an output current signal to the external power source for charging a element in a vehicle. A differential resistance causes the input current signal and the output current signal to be different. A current measuring device is configured to generate an output differential signal indicating a difference between the input and output current signals. A current generating device is configured to generate a compensated current signal in response to the output differential signal and to adjust the output current signal with the compensated current signal such that the input and output current signals are generally similar to one another. |
| US08278873B2 |
Surgical sterilizer with integrated battery charging device
A device for sterilizing and charging a battery of a surgical instrument, comprising a surgical sterilization device that has a sealable sterilization enclosure and is operable to surgically sterilize a rechargeable battery of a battery-operated surgical instrument when the battery is sealed in the sterilization enclosure. An inductively powered battery-charging platform is also disposed inside the sterilization enclosure and has a charger that conductively charges the battery when the battery is placed at the charger. A power receiver sub-assembly that is electrically coupled to the charger receives electrical power inductively from a power supply that is disposed outside the sterilization enclosure. Thus, the battery is charged without breaching the sealed sterilization enclosure and simultaneously while the battery is being sterilized. |
| US08278867B2 |
Circuit and method for applying a three phase power source to a three phase load
A circuit and method of applying a three phase power source to a load such that each phase is applied to the load in a manner, such as a predetermined sequence, so as to reduce the electromagnetic interference (EMI) and heat generated in the switching devices during the application and removal of each phase to the load. |
| US08278866B2 |
Method and apparatus for accurate positioning of printing units
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for accurate positioning of a unit movable by a drive system. The method may include adjusting tension of a resilient element of the drive system to reduce hysteresis motion errors of the resilient element below a predetermined threshold by performing measurements of the hysteresis motion errors of the resilient element for two or more tension values and selecting a tension value for which the hysteresis motion error is below the threshold. |
| US08278863B2 |
Telescoping mast
A telescoping mast able to efficiently extend and retract multiple telescoping sections without jar and minimal energy. The telescoping mast has multiple telescoping sections, a position feedback sensor, a motor, a spring motor, and a computation unit. The position feedback sensor is coupled to at least one telescoping section and configured to identify a position of the telescoping sections. The motor is also coupled to the telescoping sections, and raises and lowers the telescoping sections. The computation unit controls the motor based on the position of the telescoping sections. |
| US08278862B2 |
Motor control systems, foldable partitions employing motor control systems, methods of monitoring the operation of electric motors and foldable partitions
Motor control systems comprise a motor control circuit, a processing circuit operably coupled to the motor control circuit, and a current sensor operably coupled to the processing circuit. The current sensor may be configured to sense a current and to convey a signal to the processing circuitry proportional to an amount of current sensed. The processing circuitry may be configured to sample the signal to obtain a plurality of current values, to store the plurality of current values and to generate an operation profile from the plurality of current values. Folding partitions comprising motor control systems are also disclosed, as well as methods of monitoring an operation of an electric motor and of monitoring for an obstruction of a folding partition. |
| US08278860B2 |
Variable pulse width modulation for reduced zero-crossing granularity in sensorless brushless direct current motors
Zero-crossing detection accuracy is enhanced in a sensorless brushless direct current (BLDC) motor by increasing the PWM drive frequency in anticipation of a zero-crossing event in any one or more commutation periods. Once a zero-crossing event is detected, the PWM frequency can go back to a lower normal operating frequency. Switching losses of the power drive transistors are thereby minimized while maintaining accurate zero-crossing detection for stable operation of the BLDC motor. |
| US08278856B2 |
Low loss low noise motor control system
In one embodiment, a system for reducing component noise in a motor in a automobile includes a first gate driver and a second gate driver, a high side FET; a low side FET; a charge pump circuit; a high frequency reduction component; and a timing signal source. The timing source signal interconnected to the charge pump, the first gate driver, and the second gate driver, the first gate driver interconnected with the charge pump, the first gate driver interconnected with the high side FET, the high side FET and the low side FET interconnected with the high frequency reduction component, the timing signal source providing timing signals to the signals to the first gate driver, the second gate driver, and the charge pump circuit such that the PWM slope is dull enough to prevent RE EMC, wherein the timing signal source provides three timing signals. |
| US08278850B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus for optimization of third harmonic current injection in a multi-phase machine
Methods, system and apparatus are provided for increasing voltage utilization in a five-phase vector controlled machine drive system that employs third harmonic current injection to increase torque and power output by a five-phase machine. To do so, a fundamental current angle of a fundamental current vector is optimized for each particular torque-speed of operating point of the five-phase machine. |
| US08278848B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling motors thereof
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of motors, a controller which generates control signals to control the plurality of motors and output the control signals, and a plurality of motor drivers which control corresponding motors among the plurality of motors if the enable signal among the control signal is input, and does not control the motors although the common signal is input if the enable signal is not input. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus may control a plurality of motors which is not necessary to be driven at the same time using an enable signal and thus the motors may be effectively controlled with low expense. |
| US08278845B1 |
Systems and methods for providing power and data to lighting devices
Systems and methods are provided for lighting systems, including high output lighting systems for various environments. The lighting systems include a lighting controller for driving lighting modules and transmitting a data signal to the lighting modules. The data signal varies between logical states. The lighting controller provides a low loss rectified power signal. The lighting controller further provides data within the power signal by forming a positive polarity rectified power waveform corresponding to data in a first state and a negative polarity rectified waveform signal corresponding to data in a second state using substantially loss-less circuitry. |
| US08278842B2 |
Lamp set
A lamp set includes a control device and a first lighting device. The control device includes an energy-generating unit for providing an energy distribution. The first lighting device includes a pre-processing unit, a first lighting element, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the pre-processing unit and the first lighting element. The pre-processing unit is used to sense the energy distribution or to receive information included in the energy distribution thus to allow the controller to control luminance of the first lighting element according to the energy distribution. |
| US08278840B2 |
Sigma delta current source and LED driver
A circuit arrangement includes a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode emitting light of different colors arranged adjacent to each other for additive color mixing. A first and second controllable current sources are connected to the first and second light emitting diode, respectively, such that the load currents of the light emitting diodes depend on respective control signals received by the current sources. First and second sigma-delta modulators are connected to the first and second light emitting diodes, respectively, and provide bit-streams as control signals to the current sources. The mean value of each bit-stream corresponds to the value of an input signal of the respective sigma-delta modulator. |
| US08278837B1 |
Single inductor control of multi-color LED systems
A circuit for driving multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes at least two sets of LEDs, each set comprised of one or more LEDs in series. The circuit further includes a single inductor connected in series with the two sets of LEDs. At least one set of LEDs is connected to a shunting transistor connected in parallel with the set of LEDs. The duty cycle of the shunting transistor is controlled by a single controller connected to the shunting transistor and the inductor. |
| US08278834B2 |
PWM control method and device and light adjusting device
A PWM control method increases/decreases a duty ratio of a PWM signal with a predetermined resolution so to control the duty ratio of the PWM signal in the case of a PWM control. The resolution of the duty ratio of the PWM signal is increased to make a high period in the duty ratio of the PWM signal longer than a rise time of the PWM signal if the high period is shorter than the rise time. The resolution of the duty ratio of the PWM signal is increased to make a low period in the duty ratio of the PWM signal longer than a fall time of the PWM signal if the low period is shorter than the fall time. |
| US08278832B2 |
Dimmer circuit of light emitting diode and isolated voltage generator and dimmer method thereof
An isolated configuration dimmer circuit of a light emitting diode (LED) applied to a conventional triac dimmer and a dimmer method are provided. When a dimmer phase angle of the triac dimmer is regulated, a second side winding of a transformer of the isolated configuration produces a pulse width corresponding to a modulated alternating current (AC) voltage, so as to regulate the pulse width of a driving signal output by the second side winding of the transformer. In addition, the dimmer circuit regulates the magnitude of a current flowing through the light emitting diode (LED) according to the pulse width corresponding to the modulated AC voltage. Accordingly, the dimmer circuit regulates the pulse width and the magnitude of the current flowing through the LED according to the dimmer phase angle of the triac dimmer. Therefore, a dimmer range of the LED can be increased. |
| US08278831B2 |
LED driver circuit and method, and system and method for estimating the junction temperature of a light emitting diode
A driver circuit (10) for a light emitting diode comprises a first driver circuit (32, 32′, 32′) for generating a first current output for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the first driver circuit has a control switch for interrupting the supply of the first current output. A second driver circuit (50) is for generating a second current output for driving the light emitting diode, and the second driver circuit also has a control switch for interrupting the supply of the second current output. The overall output of the driver circuit comprises a pulse width modulated output current which alternates between a high current (Ihigh) generated by the first driver circuit and a low current (Ilow) generated by the second driver circuit. By providing separate driver circuits for two different current requirements, the circuits can be optimised for each function. For example the high current value can comprise an LED operation current, and the low current value can comprise a non-zero measurement current. |
| US08278825B2 |
Motor vehicle lamp
The invention relates to a lamp for motor vehicle headlamps, and in particular a high intensity discharge lamp, comprising at least one envelope which is arranged on a base and which is provided with two coatings arranged diametrically opposite one another, wherein the coatings (3) are identical in form and project at least 0.5 millimeters upwards beyond a horizontal plane in which, when the lamp is in the burnt-in position, the reference axis (R) which passes through the center of the base (4) lies. |
| US08278817B2 |
Display device with a plurality of picture elements and electronic device with display device
To improve color reproduction areas in a display device having light-emitting elements. A display region has a plurality of picture elements. Each picture element includes: first and second pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose x-coordinate in a CIE-XY chromaticity diagram is 0.50 or more; third and fourth pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose y-coordinate in the diagram is 0.55 or more; and fifth and sixth pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose x-coordinate and y-coordinate in the diagram are 0.20 or less and 0.25 or less, respectively. The light-emitting elements in the first and second pixels have different emission spectrums from each other; the light-emitting elements in the third and fourth pixels have different emission spectrums from each other; and the light-emitting elements in the fifth and sixth pixels have different emission spectrums from each other. |
| US08278814B2 |
Enhanced color contrast light source
A lamp having improved color quality scale is provided. The lamp has a light-transmissive envelope and a phosphor layer comprising a first phosphor and a second phosphor wherein the first phosphor has an emission band with a maximum between 590 nm and 640 nm and the second phosphor has an emission band with a maximum between 520 nm and 570 nm. The light generated by the phosphor layer, when the lamp is energized, has delta chroma values for all fifteen color samples of the color quality scale within select parameters. The delta chroma values are measured in the CIE LAB color space. |
| US08278813B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating femtosecond electron beam
An apparatus and method for generating femtosecond electron beam are disclosed. The apparatus for generating electron beam by discharging an electron generated via a cathode to an anode includes a transmission window provided at one side of the cathode to allow incident laser to pass therethrough, a pinhole formed on the anode such that the pinhole corresponds to the position of the electron generated from the transmission window, and a focusing unit provided at one side of the cathode and generating an electric field to accelerate and at the same time concentrate the electron to the pinhole. Electrons are simultaneously concentrated and accelerated to the pinhole by an electric field generated by the focusing unit positioned at the cathode to generate femtosecond electron beam. |
| US08278809B2 |
Spark plug with alumina-based insulator
A spark plug exhibits a satisfactory withstand voltage characteristic and sufficient mechanical strength in a high temperature environment exceeding 700° C. The spark plug has a center electrode, an insulator, and a ground electrode, characterized in that the insulator is formed of an alumina-based sintered material containing an Si component, a Group 2 element (2A) component, and a rare earth element (RE) component; that the alumina-based sintered material has an RE-β-alumina crystal phase; and that the mean crystal grain size DA(RE) of the RE-β-alumina crystal phase and that of alumina DA(Al) satisfy the following relationship (1): 0.2≦DA(RE)/DA(Al)≦3.0. |
| US08278804B2 |
Multicolor light-emitting organic EL display device and method of manufacturing multicolor light-emitting organic EL display device
A multicolor light-emitting organic electroluminescent (EL) display device including a plurality of organic EL light-emitting regions including a red light-emitting layer, a green light-emitting layer, and a blue light-emitting layer on a main substrate includes: a magenta color filter, as a first light-adjusting layer, having predetermined transmission property for blue light and red light; and a second light-adjusting layer having predetermined absorption property for light with a wavelength intermediate between the red light and green light, wherein the magenta color filter is laid over the blue light-emitting layer, the red light-emitting layer, and a bank which is a non light-emitting region, and the second light-adjusting layer is laid over the blue light-emitting layer, the green light-emitting layer, the red light-emitting layer, and the bank which is the non light-emitting region. |
| US08278801B2 |
Piezoelectric resonator device
A package inner peripheral face 13 of a base 4 is made up of a vertical face 14 and a horizontal face 15, and electrode pads 7 (71 to 78) are formed on the vertical face vertical face 14 of the base 4. The electrode pads 71 to 78 are formed on the vertical face 14 of the base 4 including an intersection line 17 at which the vertical face 14 and the horizontal face 15 intersect; for example, electrode pads 74 and 75 that serve as hetero electrodes are formed adjacently. The distance between the electrode pads 74 and 75 that are adjacent along the intersection line 17 of the vertical face 14 of the base 4 is longer than the shortest distance between the electrode pads 74 and 75 that are adjacent on the vertical face 14 of the base 4. |
| US08278797B2 |
Electrostatic motor
An electrostatic motor has a disc-shaped stator and a disc-shaped rotor are opposed to each other in a vacuum container. In the stator, first electrodes and second electrodes, which are attached to electrode supports, and which are electrically insulated from each other by an insulator, are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. In the rotor, first electrodes and second electrodes, which are attached to electrode supports, and which are electrically insulated from each other by an insulator, are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The first electrodes and the second electrodes on the side of the stator are arranged at a spacing of two or more rows at a predetermined distance from the center of a rotating shaft. The first electrodes and the second electrodes on the side of the rotor are arranged at a predetermined distance from the center of the rotating shaft and at an intermediate position between the rows of the first electrodes and the second electrodes on the side of the stator. As a result, the electrostatic motor can establish a high electric field in the vacuum so that it can rotationally drive with a sufficient driving force. |
| US08278793B2 |
Motor endshield
An electric motor assembly is configured to be mounted within a machine in a selected one of multiple possible motor dispositions corresponding with different motor axis positions. The motor assembly includes an endshield having a pair of opposite generally radially-extending mounting flanges. Each mounting flange presents an engagement portion that includes a plurality of spaced apart, dissimilarly-shaped recesses that extend in a generally common direction. The pair of flanges cooperatively present corresponding sets of like-shaped recesses, each of which is associated with one of the motor dispositions, but only one of the sets of recesses extends entirely through the engagement portions to define a single set of like-shaped fastener-receiving through holes corresponding to the selected motor disposition. A method of manufacturing components for electric motor assemblies configured to be mounted within respective machines in a selected one of multiple possible dispositions is also disclosed. |
| US08278788B2 |
Heat-generating portion cooling structure of vehicle drive apparatus
A heat-generating portion cooling structure of vehicle drive apparatus that sufficiently supplies cooling oil to heat-generating portions to enhance efficiency of the vehicle drive apparatus when the heat-generating portions generate maximum heat includes drawing means for drawing oil in a case into a catch tank, and an oil circulation passage for circulating the oil through the catch tank while supplying the oil to first and second heat-generating portions. The oil circulation passage includes a first passage for the oil to flow to the first heat-generating portion when the oil surface in the catch tank is at a first height and a second passage for the oil to flow to the second heat-generating portion when the oil surface is at a second height lower than the first height, and more amount of oil flows to the second heat-generating portion than to the first heat-generating portion when the oil surface is low. |
| US08278786B2 |
Linear vibrator with an increased driving force
A linear vibrator is disclosed. The linear vibrator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a coil unit, which is coupled to the base, a magnet assembly, which forms a closed circuit of a magnetic force perpendicular to an electric current flowing through the coil unit and in which the magnet assembly relatively moves with respect to the coil unit, and an elastic member, which elastically supports the magnet assembly. Thus, a linear vibrator with an increased driving force can be provided by preventing the leakage of magnetic flux. |
| US08278783B2 |
Power supply apparatus
To provide a power supply apparatus that can supply a large current and a small current to a load circuit in a switchable manner, with a minimum circuit scale and an efficient use of electronic devices and elements contained in conventionally used power supply apparatuses. The power supply apparatus 1 includes a power source 5 that supplies power to a load circuit 4 via one of a first path 2 and a second path 3, a switching unit 6 that switches between the first path 2 and the second path 3, a first switch 7 that controls a supply period that provides a reference for a first level of power supplied via the first path 2, a driver 10 including an open/close switch 8 that controls timing of opening and closing of the first switch 7, and a second switch 9 that controls a supply period that provides a reference for a second level of power supplied via the second path 3, wherein the first level of power is higher than the second level of power, the first path 2 runs through outside of the driver 10 while the second path 3 runs through inside of the driver, and the open/close switch 8 and the second switch 9 are a common element. |
| US08278781B2 |
Discharger and discharger control method
Upon detecting an external signal which instructs to stop discharge, an input voltage equal to or less than a set value for the prevention of overdischarge, or an output voltage equal to or more than a set value for the prevention of output of an overvoltage, a control unit (12) stops discharge to a load (40) by opening a switching element (4b) of a step-down unit (11b). Upon detecting that an external signal is reset or an input voltage equal to or more than a set value larger than the set value for the prevention of overdischarge, the control unit (12) resumes discharge to the load (40) by setting the switching element (4b) in a switching operation state or short-circuiting it. |
| US08278779B2 |
System and method for providing redundant power to a device
A system for providing redundant power to a device includes a first power supply unit that includes a first communication module including first and second first power supply unit transmitters and first and second first power supply unit receivers and a second power supply unit that includes a second communication module coupled to the first communication module and including first and second second power supply unit transmitters and first and second second power supply unit receivers coupled, respectively, to the first and second first power supply unit transmitters. The first power supply unit transmits on both the first and second first transmitters and the second power supply is configured to provide power to the device in the event that signals are not received from both the first and second first power supply unit transmitters by the first and second second power supply unit receivers. |
| US08278772B2 |
Recovery of potential energy from the apron of a roller blind
The method of recovering the potential energy from the apron of a roller blind including a driving motor connected to an autonomous energy supply during the expansion or retraction phase of the apron, during the expansion or retraction phase of the apron, by determining an energy recovery phase corresponding to a motor torque applied by the apron on the driving, which allows energy recovery without damaging the components of the blinds. A roller blind for implementing the method recovers energy corresponding to the motor torque exerted by the apron by measuring and storing at least one parameter related to the conditions of operation of the autonomous supply as well as the delivered level of energy, comparing it with a threshold value, and adjusting the unwinding and winding-up speed of the apron. |
| US08278768B2 |
Semiconductor device including wires connecting electrodes to an inner lead
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of electrodes formed on a semiconductor chip, and a plurality of wires each connecting each of the electrodes to an inner lead, and each having a plurality of bending points. A first wire of the plurality of the wires has a slope extending upwardly from a first bending point toward a second bending point, where the first bending point is being located at an upper end of a rising portion. The second bending point of the first wire is the highest bending point in the first wire. A second wire of the plurality of the wires has a slope extending downwardly from a first bending point toward a second bending point, where the first bending point is located at an upper end of a rising portion. The second bending point of the second wire is the lowest bending point in the second wire. |
| US08278763B2 |
Semiconductor device
The present invention provides a multilayer wiring technology by which high adhesiveness and high insulation reliability between wirings are obtained, while maintaining effective low capacitance between wirings. A semiconductor device is characterized in that a first insulating film is an insulating film formed of at least one layer which contains a siloxane structure containing silicon, oxygen and carbon; the siloxane structure in the inner part of the first insulating film contains a larger number of carbon atoms than the number of silicon atoms; and a modified layer which containing a smaller number of carbon atoms and a larger number of oxygen atoms per unit volume than the inner part of the first insulating film is formed on at least one of an interface between the first insulating film and the metal and an interface between the first insulating film and a second insulating film. |
| US08278761B2 |
Circuit layout structure
A circuit layout structure includes a metal interlayer dielectric layer surrounding a metal interconnect and a metal pattern within a scrub line. The scrub line is in the vicinity of the metal interlayer dielectric layer and the metal interconnect. The metal pattern or the metal interconnect are suitably segregated to reduce a capacitance charging effect. |
| US08278758B1 |
Multilevel reservoirs for integrated circuit interconnects
Embodiments of an on-chip interconnect having a multilevel reservoir are provided. In general, the on-chip interconnect is an interconnect within an integrated circuit and includes an interconnect segment and a multilevel reservoir. The interconnect segment has an anode end and a cathode end. The multilevel reservoir is adjacent to the cathode end of the interconnect segment and operates as a reservoir of metal atoms. As such, any electromigration-induced void begins forming in the multilevel reservoir rather than the cathode end of the interconnect segment. As a result, a reliability of the on-chip interconnect is substantially improved as compared to that of traditional on-chip interconnects. In addition, by utilizing multiple levels of the integrated circuit, a volume of the multilevel reservoir is substantially increased as compared to a volume of a corresponding single-level reservoir. |
| US08278757B2 |
Printed electronics
Printed electronic device comprising a substrate onto at least one surface of which has been applied a layer of an electrically conductive ink comprising functionalized graphene sheets and at least one binder. A method of preparing printed electronic devices is further disclosed. |
| US08278756B2 |
Single chip semiconductor coating structure and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of a single chip semiconductor coating structure includes following steps. Step 1 is providing a single chip semiconductor which has a plurality of surfaces, and two opposite surfaces selected from the plurality of surfaces are manufacturing surfaces and have a conductive area with a pad thereon, respectively. Step 2 is providing a tool to cover one of the conductive areas with the pad. Step 3 is providing a coating step to form an insulating layer on the single chip semiconductor. Step 4 is providing a removing step to remove the insulating layer for exposing the covered conductive area and the pad. Step 5 is forming two electrodes and each of the two electrodes covers the conductive area with the pad. |
| US08278754B2 |
Metal line in semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A method includes forming a buffer lower metal line over a semiconductor substrate for absorbing an external impact, forming a pre-metal-dielectric layer which covers the buffer lower metal line, the pre-metal-dielectric layer having a via hole formed therein to expose a portion of the buffer lower metal line, forming a seed layer over a surface of the pre-metal-dielectric layer having the via hole formed therein, forming polyimide which exposes the via hole and the seed layer formed over the pre-metal-dielectric layer in the vicinity of the via hole, growing an upper metal line over the exposed seed layer, subjecting the semiconductor substrate having the upper metal line formed thereon to a thermal process, removing the polyimide by dry etching, and bonding a bonding portion onto the upper metal line. |
| US08278753B2 |
Semiconductor device and production method thereof
The semiconductor device comprises a support plate; a semiconductor element; and conductor posts consisting of a conductor having a first end at one end and a second end at the other end, the second end being connected to the semiconductor element and the conductor posts being connected to the support plate at a position on the side of the second end that is closer to the first end, wherein the conductor posts have a heat conductivity of approximately 200 W/m·K or higher and a Vickers hardness of approximately 70 or lower. |
| US08278748B2 |
Wafer-level packaged device having self-assembled resilient leads
A wafer-level packaged semiconductor device is described. In an implementation, the device includes one or more self-assembled resilient leads disposed on an integrated circuit chip. Each of the resilient leads are configured to move from a first position wherein the resilient lead is held adjacent to the chip and a second position wherein the resilient lead is extended away from the chip to interconnect the chip to a printed circuit board. A guard is provided to protect the resilient leads when the resilient leads are in the first position. One or more attachment bumps may also be furnished to facilitate attachment of the device to the printed circuit board. |
| US08278745B2 |
Through board stacking of multiple LGA-connected components
A package design is provided where a chip module is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) via a land grid array (LGA) on the top surface of the PCB, and where a power supply is connected to the PCB via a second LGA on the bottom surface of the PCB. The stack of the chip module, power supply, and LGA is held in place and compressed with actuation hardware forming an adjustable frame. The package allows field replacibility of either the module, or the PS, and provides the shortest possible wiring distance from the PS to the module leading to higher performance. |
| US08278742B2 |
Thermal enhanced upper and dual heat sink exposed molded leadless package and method
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor device 30 and a molded upper heat sink 10. The heat sink has an interior surface 16 that faces the semiconductor device and an exterior surface 15 that is at least partially exposed to the ambient environment of the packaged device. An annular planar base 11 surrounds a raised or protruding central region 12. That region is supported above the plane of the base 11 by four sloped walls 13.1-13.4. The walls slope at an acute angle with respect to the planar annular base and incline toward the center of the upper heat sink 10. Around the outer perimeter of the annular base 11 are four support arms 18.1-18.4. The support arms are disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the interior surface 16 of the planar annular base 11. |
| US08278741B2 |
Sidewall photodetector
Sidewall photodetectors for integrated photonic devices and their method of manufacture. An embodiment includes a p-i-n film stack formed on a sidewall of a substrate semiconductor feature having sufficiently large area to accommodate the spot size of a multi-mode fiber. An embodiment includes a first sidewall photodetector coupled to a second sidewall photodetector by a waveguide, the first sidewall photodetector having an i-layer tuned to absorb a first wavelength of light incident to the first sidewall and pass a second wavelength of light to the second sidewall photodetector having an i-layer tuned to absorb the second wavelength. |
| US08278739B2 |
Crystalline semiconductor film, semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing thereof
A method for manufacturing is: forming an insulating film over a substrate; forming an amorphous semiconductor film over the insulating film; forming over the amorphous semiconductor film, a silicon nitride film in which a film thickness is equal to or more than 200 nm and equal to or less than 1000 nm, equal to or less than 10 atomic % of oxygen is included, and a relative proportion of nitrogen to silicon is equal to or more than 1.3 and equal to or less than 1.5; irradiating the amorphous semiconductor film with a continuous-wave laser light or a laser light with repetition rate of equal to or more than the wave length of 10 MHz transmitting the silicon nitride film to melt and later crystallize the amorphous semiconductor film to form a crystalline semiconductor film. |
| US08278734B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor substrate in which an integrated circuit is formed; a first resin film provided over the semiconductor substrate; a second resin film provided over an upper surface of the first resin film except at least a peripheral portion of the first resin film; and a thin film inductor provided over the second resin film. |
| US08278731B2 |
Semiconductor device having SOI substrate and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes: a SOI substrate including a support layer, a first insulation film and a SOI layer; a first circuit; a second circuit; and a trench separation element. The SOI substrate further includes a first region and a second region. The first region has the support layer, the first insulation film and the SOI layer, which are stacked in this order, and the second region has only the support layer. The trench separation element penetrates the support layer, the first insulation film and the SOI layer. The trench separation element separates the first region and the second region. The first circuit is disposed in the SOI layer of the first region. The second circuit is disposed in the support layer of the second region. |
| US08278730B2 |
High voltage resistance coupling structure
The disclosed invention provides a structure and method for providing a high lateral voltage resistance between the electrical networks, sharing a lateral plane, of conductive elements (e.g., having different high voltage potentials) comprising a coupler. In one embodiment, an integrated coupler providing a high lateral voltage resistance comprises a primary conductive element and a secondary conductive element. An isolating material is laterally configured between the electrical network of the primary conductive element and an electrical network of the secondary conductive element. The isolating material may comprise a low-k dielectric layer and prevents any lateral barrier layers (e.g., etch stop layers, diffusion barrier layers, etc.) from extending between the first conductive element and the electrical network of the second conductive element. The structure therefore provides a galvanically isolated integrated coupler which avoids electrical shorting between circuits (e.g., at barrier layers) resulting in an improved high voltage resistance. |
| US08278729B2 |
Front-side illuminated, back-side contact double-sided PN-junction photodiode arrays
The present application is a photodiode detector array for use in computerized tomography (CT) and non-CT applications. Specifically, the present application is a high-density photodiode arrays, with low dark current, low capacitance, high signal to noise ratio, high speed, and low crosstalk that can be fabricated on relatively large substrate wafers. More specifically the photodiode array of the present application is fabricated such that the PN-junctions are located on both the front side and back side surfaces of the array, and wherein the front side PN-junction is in electrical communication with the back side PN-junction. Still more specifically, the present application is a photodiode array aving PN-junctions that are electrically connected from the front to back surfaces and which can be operated in a fully depleted mode at low reverse bias. |
| US08278725B2 |
Micromechanical structure and a method of fabricating a micromechanical structure
A micromechanical structure and a method of fabricating a micromechanical structure are provided. The micromechanical structure comprises a silicon (Si) based substrate; a micromechanical element formed directly on the substrate; and an undercut formed underneath a released portion of the micromechanical element; wherein the undercut is in the form of a recess formed in the Si based substrate. |
| US08278722B2 |
Flat panel display device
A flat panel display device is disclosed that may include a light-emitting layer portion including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer between the first and second electrodes; at least two thin film transistors for controlling the light-emitting layer portion; a scanning signal line for supplying a scanning signal to the thin film transistor; a data signal line for supplying a data signal to the thin film transistor; a light emitting region having a common power supply line for supplying current to the light-emitting layer portion; and a peripheral common power supply line having at least one curved portion and connected to the common power supply line on a panel of a non-light emitting region except the light emitting region, wherein the common power supply line has a reduced wiring width while maintaining a constant wiring resistance to thereby reduce the total size of the display panel. |
| US08278720B2 |
Field effect transistor switch for RF signals and method of making the same
A switching device has an input node, an output node, and a control node. The device includes: a substrate having a first side and a second side with a ground plane on the first side of the substrate and a mesa on the second side of the substrate. The mesa is made of a normally-conductive semiconductor material, and an isolation region substantially surrounds the mesa. A field effect transistor (FET) is on the mesa. The FET has an input terminal connected to the input node, an output terminal connected to the output node, and a gate. A capacitor is connected in series between the output terminal of the FET and the gate, and a resistor is connected in series between the control node and the gate. A gate electrode is directly connected to the gate. The gate electrode is disposed substantially entirely on the mesa. |
| US08278714B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has an external connection terminal, an internal circuit region, an ESD protection N-MOS transistor provided between the external connection terminal and the internal circuit region to protect an internal element formed in the internal circuit region, and a shallow trench structure provided to isolate the ESD protection N-MOS transistor. A thin insulating film is formed on a drain region of the ESD protection N-MOS transistor. An electrode is disposed above the drain region and on the thin insulating film for receiving a signal from the external connection terminal. The thin insulating film has a film thickness and film properties that allow dielectric breakdown and establish conduction between the electrode and the drain region when a voltage exceeding an absolute maximum rating of the semiconductor device is applied to the electrode. |
| US08278707B2 |
Field effect transistors having a double gate structure
A field effect transistor includes two channel connection regions, a control region with at least two control sections, an active region that is formed as a projection of a mono crystalline substrate disposed between the channel connection regions and between two control region sections, and insulating regions that are electrically insulating and are disposed between the control region sections and the active region. The projection is isolated from the substrate at a base by an insulating material that is electrically insulating. The insulating material ends laterally at the projection in the mono crystalline substrate. |
| US08278706B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A first semiconductor element portion for switching a first current includes a first channel surface having a first plane orientation. A first region of a semiconductor layer includes a first trench having the first channel surface. A first gate insulating film covers the first channel surface with a first thickness. A second semiconductor element portion for switching a second current smaller than the first current includes a second channel surface having a second plane orientation different from the first plane orientation. A second region of the semiconductor layer includes a second trench having the second channel surface. A second gate insulating film covers the second channel surface with a second thickness larger than the first thickness. |
| US08278705B2 |
Field effect transistor with gated and non-gated trenches
A field effect transistor includes a plurality of trenches extending into a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. The plurality of trenches includes a plurality of gated trenches and a plurality of non-gated trenches. A body region of a second conductivity extends in the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. A dielectric material fills a bottom portion of each of the gated and non-gated trenches. A gate electrode is disposed in each gated trench. A conductive material of the second conductivity type is disposed in each non-gated trench such that the conductive material and contacts corresponding body regions along sidewalls of the non-gated trench. |
| US08278704B2 |
Structure and method for forming laterally extending dielectric layer in a trench-gate FET
A FET is formed as follows. A trench is formed in a silicon region. A shield electrode is formed in a bottom portion of the trench. The shield electrode is insulated from adjacent silicon region by a shield dielectric. A silicon nitride layer is formed over a surface of the silicon region adjacent the trench, along the trench sidewalls, and over the shield electrode and shield dielectric. A layer of LTO is formed over the silicon nitride layer such that those portions of the LTO layer extending over the surface of the silicon region adjacent the trench are thicker than the portion of the LTO layer extending over the shield electrode. The LTO layer is uniformly etched back such that a portion of the silicon nitride layer becomes exposed while portions of the silicon nitride layer remain covered. |
| US08278701B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
In the trap type memory chip the withstanding voltage is raised up, and then the electric current for reading out is increased. There are formed on the p-type semiconductor substrate 1 a first gate lamination structure which comprises a first insulating film 11 including a trap layer, and a first conductive body 9, and a second gate lamination structure which comprises a second insulating film 12 free of a trap layer and including an insulating film layer 13 doped with metal for controlling the work function at least on the upper layer, and a second conductive body 10. A source drain region 2 and a source drain region 3 are formed such that the first gate lamination structure and the second gate lamination structure are interleaved therebetween. The effective work function of the second gate lamination structure is higher than that of the first gate lamination structure. |
| US08278691B2 |
Low power memory device with JFET device structures
There is provided a low power memory device with JFET device structures. Specifically, a low power memory device is provided that includes a plurality memory cells having a memory element and a JFET access device electrically coupled to the memory element. The memory cells may be isolated using diffusion based isolation. |
| US08278689B1 |
Memory and interconnect design in fine pitch
A memory array including a diffusion layer, a poly layer, a metal one layer, a metal two layer, and a contact. The diffusion layer comprises diffusion lines extending in a first direction. The poly layer comprises poly lines extending in the first direction and being arranged on top of and insulated from the diffusion layer. The metal one layer comprises metal one lines extending in the first direction and being arranged on top of and insulated from the poly layer. The metal two layer comprises a metal two line extending in the first direction and being arranged on top of and insulated from the metal one layer. The contact extends through the poly layer, and connects a metal one line to a diffusion line. A poly line further extends in a second direction to bend around the contact such that a predetermined distance separates the poly lines from the contact. |
| US08278682B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device that has a reduced size and exhibits a superior blocking voltage capability. A semiconductor device includes an edge termination structure between an active region and an isolation region, the edge termination structure being composed of an edge termination structure for a forward bias section and an edge termination structure for a reverse bias section. A plurality of field limiting rings (FLRs) and a plurality of field plates (FPs) are provided in the edge termination structure for the forward bias section and the edge termination structure for the reverse bias section. A first forward FP that is the nearest of the plurality of FPs to the edge termination structure for the reverse bias section is formed to extend towards the isolation region side. A first reverse FP that is the nearest of the plurality of FPs to the edge termination structure for the forward bias section is formed to extend towards the active region side. The first reverse FP stops the depletion layer expanding from the active region on application of a forward voltage. The first forward FP stops the depletion layer expanding from the isolation region on application of a reverse voltage. |
| US08278678B2 |
Light emitting device
The lighting device (1) includes an LED chip (10), a mounting substrate (20) mounting thereto the LED chip, an encapsulation member (50) made of an encapsulating resin material for encapsulation of the LED chip, and a lens (60) made of a transparent resin material. The lens (60) is provided in its bottom with a recess (40) and is secured to the mounting substrate (20) with the encapsulation member (50) disposed within the recess (40). The encapsulation member (50) is confined within the recess of the lens of the transparent resin material, which minimizes a difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between the encapsulation member and the surroundings for restraining occurrence of voids in the encapsulation member at a low temperature. |
| US08278677B2 |
Light emitting diode lamp with low thermal resistance
Disclosed is a light emitting diode lamp that has low resistance to heat emitted therefrom. The LED lamp may include a heat coupling member thermally coupling a top part of a first lead to a top part of a second lead. The LED lamp may further include one or more top parts for lowering thermal resistance of the LED lamp. This configuration facilitates heat transfer from the first lead having an LED chip mounted thereon to the top part of the second lead and/or to the other top parts, lowering resistance to heat emitted from the LED lamp. |
| US08278676B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes: a first semiconductor layer having a first major surface and a second major surface which is an opposite side to the first major surface; a second semiconductor layer provided on the second major surface of the first semiconductor layer and including a light-emitting layer; a first electrode provided on the second major surface of the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode provided on a surface of the second semiconductor layer, the surface being an opposite side to the first semiconductor layer; an insulating film provided on a side surface of the second semiconductor layer, and an edge of an interface between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; and a metal film provided on the insulating film from the second electrode side toward the edge of the interface. |
| US08278675B2 |
White or ultraviolet LEDs containing a getter system
LEDs (30) are described containing a getter system comprising a getter material (13) and a metallic part (10), in which the getter material is optically shielded from the metallic part. |
| US08278668B2 |
Luminous devices, packages and systems containing the same, and fabricating methods thereof
The present invention is directed to a vertical-type luminous device and high through-put methods of manufacturing the luminous device. These luminous devices can be utilized in a variety of luminous packages, which can be placed in luminous systems. The luminous devices are designed to maximize light emitting efficiency and/or thermal dissipation. Other improvements include an embedded zener diode to protect against harmful reverse bias voltages. |
| US08278665B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes a thin film transistor on a substrate (1). The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode (2), a gate insulating film (3) that covers the gate electrode (2), a first semiconductor film (4) provided on the gate insulating film (3), a second semiconductor film (5) provided on the first semiconductor film (4), a back channel protection insulating film (7) and an ohmic contact film (8) provided on the second semiconductor film (5), and source/drain electrodes (9). A crystallinity of the first semiconductor film (4) is higher than that of the second semiconductor film (5). The back channel protection insulating film (7) is formed as one of an organic insulating film and an organic/inorganic hybrid insulating film. The thin film transistor has excellent off-state characteristics, swing characteristics, and saturation characteristics. |
| US08278663B2 |
Paper including semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Paper embedded with a semiconductor device capable of communicating wirelessly is realized, whose unevenness of a portion including the semiconductor device does not stand out and the paper is thin with a thickness of less than or equal to 130 μm. A semiconductor device is provided with a circuit portion and an antenna, and the circuit portion includes a thin film transistor. The circuit portion and the antenna are separated from a substrate used during manufacturing, and are interposed between a flexible base and a sealing layer and protected. The semiconductor device can be bent, and the thickness of the semiconductor device itself is less than or equal to 30 μm. The semiconductor device is embedded in a paper in a papermaking process. |
| US08278657B2 |
Transistor, semiconductor device including the transistor, and manufacturing method of the transistor and the semiconductor device
To suppress deterioration in electrical characteristics in a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer or a semiconductor device including the transistor. In a transistor in which a channel layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor, a silicon layer is provided in contact with a surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. Further, the silicon layer is provided in contact with at least a region of the oxide semiconductor layer, in which a channel is formed, and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are provided in contact with regions of the oxide semiconductor layer, over which the silicon layer is not provided. |
| US08278654B2 |
Electrostatically regulated atomic scale electroconductivity device
An atomic scale electroconductivity device with electrostatic regulation includes a perturbing species having a localized electronic charge. A sensing species having an electronic conductivity is placed in proximity to the perturbing species at a distance sufficient to induce a change in the electronic conductivity associated with the localized electronic charge. Electronics are provided to measure the conductivity via the sensing species. A temporally controlled atomic scale transistor is provided by biasing a substrate to a substrate voltage with respect to ground. |
| US08278653B2 |
Nanoparticle positioning technique
Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a method for disposing nanoparticles on a substrate. In one embodiment, a substrate having a plurality of recesses is provided. In this embodiment, a plurality of nanoparticles is also provided. The nanoparticles include a catalyst material coupled to one or more ligands, and these nanoparticles are disposed within respective recesses of the substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate is processed to form nanostructures, such as nanotubes or nanowires, within the recesses. Devices and systems having such nanostructures are also disclosed. |
| US08278651B2 |
Electronic device including 1,7-phenanthroline derivative
There is provided an organic electronic device having an anode, a hole injection layer, a photoactive layer, an electron transport layer, and a cathode. At least one of the photoactive layer and the electron transport layer includes a compound having Formula I or Formula II where: R1 through R6 are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, naphthylphenyl, phenanthryl, triphenylamino, carbazolyl, and carbazolylphenyl; and Q is an aryl group. In Formula I, at least one of R1 through R6 is not hydrogen. |
| US08278650B2 |
Organic semiconductor, photoelectric conversion element and image device
An organic semiconductor includes: a compound represented by formula (I): wherein A1 represents O, S or N—R15; each of R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent W as defined in the specification, R11 and R12 may be linked to form a ring; B1 represents a ring structure containing at least one nitrogen atom; and n1 represents an integer of 0 to 2. |
| US08278648B2 |
Fabrication method for an organic thin film transistor substrate
An organic thin film transistor (TFT) substrate with a simplified fabrication process is disclosed. The TFT substrate includes a gate line and a data line and an organic TFT connected to the gate line and the data line. The gate line and the data line define a pixel region where a pixel electrode is formed. A first contact portion connects the data line to the organic TFT, and a second contact portion connects the pixel electrode to the organic TFT. A passivation layer covers the organic TFT. The organic TFT substrate also includes a bank insulating layer with a first contact hole for connecting the first contact portion to the organic TFT, a second contact hole for connecting the second contact portion to the organic TFT, a first sub bank defining a location of the gate insulating layer, and a second sub bank defining a location of the passivation layer. |
| US08278645B2 |
Light emitting diode and fabrication thereof
A light emitting diode is disclosed, wherein the light emitting diode comprises a metal reflective layer for enhancing the light reflection efficiency inside the light emitting diode and reducing the resistance to avoid the power loss. In addition, the light emitting diode further comprises a buffer layer sandwiched between the metal reflective layer and a semiconductor layer, wherein the buffer layer is mixed with metal and non-metallic transparent material for reducing the stress between the semiconductor and the metal to decrease the possibility of the die cracking. |
| US08278643B2 |
Doped graphene electronic materials
A graphene substrate is doped with one or more functional groups to form an electronic device. |
| US08278641B2 |
Fabricating current-confining structures in phase change memory switch cells
In one or more embodiments, methods of fabricating current-confining stack structures in a phase change memory switch (PCMS) cell are provided. One embodiment shows a method of fabricating a PCMS cell with current in an upper chalcogenide confined in the row and column directions. In one embodiment, methods of fabricating a PCMS cell with sub-lithographic critical dimension memory chalcogenide are shown. In another embodiment, methods of fabricating a PCMS cell with sub-lithographic critical dimension middle electrode heaters are disclosed. |
| US08278640B2 |
Resistive random access memory devices and resistive random access memory arrays having the same
A resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices and resistive random access memory (RRAM) arrays are provided, the RRAM devices include a first electrode layer, a variable resistance material layer formed of an oxide of a metallic material having a plurality of oxidation states, an intermediate electrode layer on the variable resistance material layer and formed of a conductive material having a lower reactivity with oxygen than the metallic material, and a second electrode layer on the intermediate electrode layer. The RRAM arrays include at least one of the aforementioned RRAM devices. |
| US08278635B2 |
Global point spreading function in multi-beam patterning
In a particle multi-beam structuring apparatus for forming a pattern on a target's surface using a beam of electrically charged particles, during exposure steps the particle beam is produced, directed through a pattern definition means producing a patterned particle beam composed of multiple beamlets, and projected by an optical column including a controllable deflection means onto the target surface to form, at a nominal location on the target, a beam image comprising the image of defining structures in the pattern definition means. The beam image's nominal location relative to the target is changed between exposure steps. The actual location of the beam image is varied within each exposure step around the nominal location, through a set of locations realizing a distribution of locations within the image plane around a mean location coinciding with the nominal location, thus introducing an additional blur which is homogenous over the entire beam image. |
| US08278634B2 |
System and method for ion implantation with improved productivity and uniformity
A method comprising introducing an injected gas (e.g., Argon, Xenon) into a beam line region comprising a magnetic scanner is provided herein. The injected gas improves beam current by enhancing (e.g., increasing, decreasing) charge neutralization of the magnetic ion beam (e.g., the ion beam at regions where the scanning magnetic field is non-zero) thereby reducing the current loss due to the zero field effect (ZFE). By reducing the current loss in regions having a magnetic field, the magnetic beam current is increased (e.g., the beam current is increased in regions where the magnetic field is non-zero) raising the overall beam current in a uniform manner over an entire scan path and thereby reducing the effect of the ZFE. In other words, the ZFE is removed by effectively minimizing it through an increase in the magnetized beam current. |
| US08278632B2 |
Vessel sterilization apparatus
In an irradiation region A in which an electron beam irradiator emits an electron beam through an irradiating surface 12a of the electron beam irradiator, a resin bottle 8 is conveyed with a distance between the irradiating surface 12a and the resin bottle 8 being maintained constant. Grippers 6 are arranged to an outer peripheral portion of a rotary body 14 in a circumferential direction thereof at an equal interval, and the resin bottles 8 are conveyed with neck portions 8a thereof being held. Rotating means (52, 58, 62) for rotating the grippers 6 with respect to the rotary body 14 and forward/rearward moving means (18, 50) keeping constant a distance from the irradiating surface 12a of the electron beam irradiator are provided. In the electron beam irradiation region A, the gripper 6 is moved forward or rearward in a radial direction by the forward/rearward moving means in the electron beam irradiation region A to thereby maintain constant the distance between the resin bottle 8 and the electron beam irradiating surface 12a. |
| US08278630B1 |
Compensator for multiple surface imaging
A system and method for imaging biological samples on multiple surfaces of a support structure are disclosed. The support structure may be a flow cell through which a reagent fluid is allowed to flow and interact with the biological samples. Excitation radiation from at least one radiation source may be used to excite the biological samples on multiple surfaces. In this manner, fluorescent emission radiation may be generated from the biological samples and subsequently captured and detected by detection optics and at least one detector. The detected fluorescent emission radiation may then be used to generate image data. This imaging of multiple surfaces may be accomplished either sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the techniques of the present invention may be used with any type of imaging system. For instance, both epifluorescent and total internal reflection methods may benefit from the techniques of the present invention. |
| US08278628B2 |
Apparatus and process for sterilization and preservation of objects
This apparatus and method improves the way metal and other objects will be sterilized, disinfected and preserved by utilizing both electromagnetic radiation (UV light in particular) to kill anaerobic pathogens and oxygen depletion to kill aerobic pathogens. The removal of the presence of oxygen further increases the useful lifespan of the treated object by preventing corrosion in general and oxidation in particular. |
| US08278622B2 |
Method and apparatus to accurately discriminate gas phase ions with several filtering devices in tandem
A method for fast and accurate recognition of species contained in trace amounts in complex mixtures such as ambient air or biological fluids is taught based on the use in tandem of one or several differential mobility analyzers (DMAs) and possibly also a mass spectrometer (MS), all arranged in series. The two DMAs operate in different regions of the ion drag versus drift velocity curve (for instance, linear versus nonlinear regions), hence separating according to more than one independently discriminating parameters of the ion. Very high discrimination can be achieved even with a single stage of mass spectrometric separation by selecting a narrow range of ions with the DMA, and analyzing them in the MS, first without fragmentation, and then with fragmentation. This process does not require necessarily a tandem MS when fragmentation takes place in the inlet region of the MS. Fast and accurate discrimination is possible in single ion monitoring mode (SIM) for a large number of targeted species, even with relatively inexpensive and light single quadrupole MS systems, where the various filters placed in series would open pre-configured narrow windows suitable for passage of each ion in a list. |
| US08278620B2 |
Methods for calibration of usable fragmentation energy in mass spectrometry
A method of calibrating ion collision energy used in a mass spectrometer, comprises: (a) obtaining fragment ion yield data for each of a plurality of precursor ion populations having respective mass-to-charge ratios at each of a plurality of settings of a fragmentation-energy-related variable; (b) locating, for each mass-to-charge ratio, reference values of the fragmentation-energy-related variable, each reference value corresponding to a respective reference feature of the ion yield data at the mass-to-charge ratio; (c) determining, from the plurality of locating steps, the variation, with mass-to-charge-ratio, of each of the reference values of the fragmentation-energy-related variable; (d) associating each of the reference values of the fragmentation-energy related variable with respective reference values of a dimensionless useable-fragmentation-energy variable; and (e) storing parameters describing the variation of each of the reference values of the fragmentation-energy-related variable with mass-to-charge ratio, wherein the parameters comprise coefficients of at least one non-linear equation. |
| US08278618B2 |
Collision cell
A method of operating a gas-filled collision cell in a mass spectrometer is provided. The collision cell has a longitudinal axis. Ions are caused to enter the collision cell. A trapping field is generated within the collision cell so as to trap the ions within a trapping volume of the collision cell, the trapping volume being defined by the trapping field and extending along the longitudinal axis. Trapped ions are processed in the collision cell and a DC potential gradient is provided, using an electrode arrangement, resulting in a non-zero electric field at all points along the axial length of the trapping volume so as to cause processed ions to exit the collision cell. The electric field along the axial length of the trapping volume has a standard deviation that is no greater than its mean value. |
| US08278615B2 |
Imaging system having a variable optical transmission timing
An imaging system according to the present invention includes: a light source unit which emits illuminating light to illuminate an object; an illuminating-light transmitting unit which transmits the illuminating light; a timing adjustment unit which, being placed between the illuminating-light transmitting unit and the object, varies timing with which rays contained in the illuminating light which has passed through the illuminating-light transmitting unit reach a surface of the object; a reflected-light incidence unit upon which reflected light coming from the surface of the object is incident; a light detection unit which temporally breaks down the reflected light incident upon the reflected-light incidence unit, converts the reflected light into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal in sequence; and a signal processing unit which converts the electrical signal outputted in sequence by the light detection unit into pixel information about an optical image on the surface of the object. |
| US08278609B2 |
Method and device for brazing connections by induction heating
A method and device for soldering plural electrical connections, in which contact elements have to be soldered to soldered-connection faces positioned on a non-metallic glazing. In the method a soldering tool is used to emit a magnetic field towards the solder spots to heat these by induction. The magnitude and shape of the soldering tool is sized according to the surface area over which plural solder spots that have to be heated simultaneously in a soldering operation are situated. At the same time, the frequency of an AC voltage applied to the loop or to the coil is tailored to the connection geometry and set to 150 kHz at most. Thus, for a high work rate, markedly better heating of the components that need to be soldered is obtained because the low-frequency field lines have a greater depth of penetration into the bodies. |
| US08278608B2 |
Electrical heater for heating substantially cylindrical objects
The present invention relates to an electric heater (22) to heat substantially cylindrical objects (12), in particular hot runner nozzles (10) of hot runner systems, essentially being fitted with at least one cylindrical support and with at least one heating conductor track (28) deposited on the support (12). To reduce premature failure of the heater, the invention stipulates that each heating conductor track (28) runs substantially in the axial direction (A) of said support (12), the heating conductor tracks (28) being connected to each other by conductor tracks (30) of lower electrical resistance and each conductor track (30) running essentially in the tangential direction (T) of the support (12). |
| US08278607B2 |
Heating apparatus
Disclosed herein is a heating apparatus. The heating apparatus includes a plurality of heating bars, electric wires, and connection members. Each of the heating bars has a conductive carbon heating element and an insulating outer coat surrounding the carbon heating element. The electric wires are connected to respective ends of each of the heating bars to enable electricity to flow to the carbon heating elements. Each of the connection members includes insertion portions and at least one seating portion. The insertion portions have respective tip portions which are configured to pass through any of the electric wires and to be inserted into any of the carbon heating elements of the heating bars. The seating portion is provided at the upper ends of the insertion portions to be seated on the electric wire. |
| US08278586B2 |
Sinker electric discharge machining method, and sinker electric discharge machining apparatus
A sinker electric discharge machining apparatus for machining a workpiece by generating electric discharge in a work gap by applying a voltage having an OFF time, may include a discriminator for generating a first signal representing an abnormal state of the work gap, and a second signal representing a normal state of the work gap; and a pulse controller, in which a first extension factor and a second extension factor that is smaller than the first extension factor are set and a first reduction factor and a second reduction factor that is smaller than the first reduction factor are set. The pulse controller extends the OFF time using either the first or the second extension factor if the first signal is received. The pulse controller reduces the OFF time using either the first or the second reduction factor if the second signal is received. |
| US08278580B2 |
Dome switch utilizing two domes
The invention concerns a multi-domed switch. It relates to a multi-domed switch of the push-button type for thin printed circuit possessing a thin substrate (20) against one face of which a printed circuit having connection pads is placed. The switch comprises two domes (12) and an insulating spacer, the peripheral parts of the two domes (12) are each in contact with one face of the spacer and are thus facing each other on either side of the spacer, each dome (12) possesses a connection member (18) for connection to a connection pad of the printed circuit (20), and the spacer has a central hole large enough for the tops of the two domes (12) to be able to come into mutual contact when they are subjected to a closing-off force. Application to chip cards. |
| US08278579B2 |
Thin key structure for keyboards/keypads
A thin key structure includes a keycap, a key body, an elastic piece and a base. The keycap has a first side wall. The key body has a second side wall forming a hollow chamber in which the keycap can be put to connect the elastic piece. The inner of the second side wall is provided with guiding portions for guiding the keycap to move steadily in the key body. With the keycap being put in the key body, the total height of the key structure can be reduced, and the vertical moving distance of the keycap with respect to the key body to press the elastic piece can be shortened. Thus, the thin key structure can be made more compact. |
| US08278578B2 |
Key assembly and portable electronic device using the same
A key assembly comprises a base plate and a key. The base plate has an opening defined therein. The key is accommodated in the opening, and includes a first key section, a second key section connecting with the first key section and a shaft portion protruding from the junction of the first key section and the second key section. The shaft portion is rotatably mounted to the housing. The key further includes two contacting members, one contacting member is mounted on the first key section, another contacting member is mounted on the second key section. When the first key section is pressed to rotate about the shaft portion, the contacting member mounted on the first key section moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the first key section is pressed, and the contacting member mounted on the second key section moves in a direction reverse to the direction that the contacting member mounted on the first key section moves. |
| US08278573B2 |
Circuit breaker for use in high power system and the power system
A high power system provided with a circuit breaker is disclosed, in which the circuit breaker controls the electrical connection in the system. The circuit breaker has a switch device and a connecting device. Two conductive terminals provided in the connecting device are spaced apart from each other and connected to a power source. The connecting device is equipped with a safety latch for transmitting a signal demanding the establishment of electrical connection to an interrupting control circuit. A conductive element provided in the switch device is electrically connected to the conductive terminals of the connecting device, and then a latch releasing element provided in the switch device drives the safety latch to activate the interrupting control circuit, so as to permit power transmission in the high power system. |
| US08278571B2 |
Capacitive touchscreen or touchpad for finger and active stylus
There is provided an electronic device having a mutual capacitance touchscreen or touchpad having combined finger navigation and active stylus navigation and character entry capabilities. According to one such embodiment, first and second pluralities of sense and drive electrodes are disposed in or on at least one substrate, and form an array configured to permit a first location corresponding to a finger or a second location corresponding to an active stylus to be detected thereby. The drive electrodes in the array are configured to operate as drive electrodes when the touchscreen or touchpad operates in a first finger touch mode, and to operate as additional sense electrodes when the touchscreen or touchpad operates in a second active stylus mode. |
| US08278569B2 |
Missing part checking structure
A structure is provided for checking a missing part in an electric device with an accommodation space for an electric component (6) and an exterior cover (11) to close the space. The structure includes cover male screws (12a, 12b) and base members (4A, 4B) which are detachably fixed in the accommodation space, on which the electric component (6) is inseparably fixed, and which include cover female screws (8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) receiving the cover male screws (12a, 12b) to detachably fix the exterior cover (11). When one of the base members (4A, 4B) with the electric component (6) is removed from the accommodation space, the exterior cover (11) is unfixable to the electric device. |
| US08278567B2 |
Electronic device and method of manufacturing the same
In a structure where an electronic component is mounted on a glass base material, an external electrode is provided on an opposite side to the component mounted on the base, and a through electrode and the base are welded to each other at a temperature equal to or higher than a glass softening point, electrical conduction is ensured between the electronic component and the external electrode. An electronic device includes a base, a through electrode which pass through the base and has a metal film formed on both end surfaces after an insulating material on the surface is removed by polishing, an electronic component which is provided on one surface of the through electrode through a connection portion, an external electrode which is provided on an opposite side to a side of the base on which the electronic component is provided, and a cap which protects the electronic component on the base. |
| US08278563B1 |
Via to plating bus
Method and apparatuses directed to printed circuit boards (PCB) including plated through-holes for interconnecting to plating busses are described herein. A PCB strip may include an inner circuitry layer comprising a plurality of trace lines, and a top circuitry layer formed over the inner circuitry layer, the top circuitry layer including a plating bus, and at least one plated through-hole interconnecting the plating bus to one or more trace lines of the inner circuitry layer. The plating bus of the top circuitry layer and the plated through-holes may be located within at least one saw street of the PCB strip. |
| US08278559B2 |
Printed circuit board assembly
An assembly comprising a first printed circuit board, PCB, with a ball grid array, BGA, on its underside, a second PCB facing the first PCB and having at least one through-hole between its top and bottom surfaces, its top surface printed with a circuit pattern bonded to the BGA, a heat sink layer facing the bottom surface of the second PCB and having at least one thermally-conductive pin projecting normally into the through-hole or a respective one of the through-holes in the second PCB, and, for each pin, a thermally-conductive stud of the same cross-section as the pin, bonded to the BGA and disposed within the through-hole between the pin and the first PCB in thermal contact with the pin. |
| US08278553B2 |
Harness module device
A harness module structure includes a module mounting portion, which is formed upon an obverse surface of a steering support member, which extends in approximately the direction of the width of a vehicle. A harness module is installed upon the module mounting portion. The harness module includes a harness module body proper, and a module cover, which is mounted upon the harness module body proper. The harness module body proper is enclosed by the module cover and the module mounting portion, and the module cover includes a grounding portion with respect to the module mounting portion, such that the harness module body proper has an interstice with respect to the module mounting portion, and is supported in a non-contact state thereupon, by way of the grounding portion. |
| US08278552B2 |
Rubber while-in-use weatherproof cover
A while-in use weatherproof cover for an electrical box that includes a faceplate, a base plate and a perimetrical side wall. The base plate has an opening adapted to receive an electrical device and one or more apertures for securing the cover to the device and/or electrical box. The perimeter side wall is flexible and extends from the face plate to the base plate so that the faceplate, the base plate and the side wall define an interior. The faceplate has an opening fitted with a door that is operated by compressing the side wall. The door is movable between an open position, which allows access to the interior, and a closed position, which restricts access to the interior. |
| US08278551B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, an elastic pad unit and an elastic element. An opening is formed on the housing. The elastic pad unit includes a pad and a pillar. The pillar has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the pad, the pillar extends through the housing via the opening, a restricting portion is formed on the second end, and the restricting portion is located in the housing. The elastic element is disposed between the pad and the housing, wherein the pad moves between a first position and a second position relative to the housing, the restricting portion contacts a first part of the housing when the pad is in the first position, and the restricting portion is separated from the first part when the pad is in the second position. |
| US08278549B2 |
TCO-based hybrid solar photovoltaic energy conversion apparatus
The invention relates to a solar photovoltaic energy conversion apparatus. The apparatus consists of a substrate, a buffer layer formed on the substrate layer, a first transparent conductive oxide layer formed on the buffer layer, periodic protrusions containing first silicon layers formed on the first transparent conductive oxide layer, second silicon layers formed on the first silicon layers, a second transparent conductive oxide layer covering the first silicon layers, the second silicon layers and the first transparent conductive oxide layer, and an anti-reflective protective layer. The first silicon layer and the second silicon layer are the electrodes with the opposite type of charge carriers. The first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer are the electrodes with the opposite type of charge carriers. This TCO-based hybrid solar photovoltaic energy conversion device not only can allow the transmission of visible sunlight but also can enhance the photovoltaic energy. |
| US08278548B2 |
Acrylic film and acrylic backsheet prepared therefrom
An acrylic film including from 70% to 99%, by weight based on the weight of the film, of a certain multi-stage acrylic polymer and from 1% to 20%, by weight based on the weight of the film, pigment is provided. Also provided is a method for forming the acrylic film, a backsheet for a photovoltaic array that includes the acrylic film and a polyester layer, and a method for forming the backsheet. |
| US08278539B1 |
Spool mount for instrument strings
A spool mount for instrument strings that includes a housing mounted on an instrument, the housing having a plurality of spools disposed within, whereby each spool releasably unwinds a string when a locking button is depressed, and a length of string accordant with reaching an extant tuning key may be retrieved and unspooled therefrom to rapidly and easily replace a string on said instrument. |
| US08278529B1 |
Soybean variety XBP38010
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP38010 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP38010, cells from soybean variety XBP38010, plants of soybean XBP38010, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP38010. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP38010 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP38010, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP38010, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP38010. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP38010 are further provided. |
| US08278528B1 |
Soybean variety XBP49006
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP49006 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP49006, cells from soybean variety XBP49006, plants of soybean XBP49006, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP49006. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP49006 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP49006, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP49006. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP49006 are further provided. |
| US08278521B1 |
Soybean variety XBP30004
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP30004 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP30004, cells from soybean variety XBP30004, plants of soybean XBP30004, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP30004. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP30004 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP30004, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP30004. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP30004 are further provided. |
| US08278518B1 |
Soybean variety XBP47004
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP47004 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP47004, cells from soybean variety XBP47004, plants of soybean XBP47004, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP47004. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP47004 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP47004, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP47004. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP47004 are further provided. |
| US08278506B2 |
Sugar and lipid metabolism regulators in plants II
Isolated nucleic acids and proteins associated with lipid and sugar metabolism regulation are provided. In particular, lipid metabolism proteins (LMP) and encoding nucleic acids originating from Arabidopsis thaliana are provided. The nucleic acids and proteins are used in methods of producing transgenic plants and modulating levels of seed storage compounds. Preferably, the seed storage compounds are lipids, fatty acids, starches or seed storage proteins. |
| US08278505B2 |
Herbicide resistance genes for resistance to aryloxyalkanoate herbicides
The subject invention provides novel plants that are not only resistant to 2,4-D, but also to a pyridyloxyacetate herbicide. The subject invention also includes plants that produce one or more enzymes of the subject invention “stacked” together with one or more other herbicide resistance genes. The subject invention enables novel combinations of herbicides to be used in new ways. Furthermore, the subject invention provides novel methods of preventing the development of, and controlling, strains of weeds that are resistant to one or more herbicides such as glyphosate. The preferred enzyme and gene for use according to the subject invention are referred to herein as AAD-13 (AryloxyAlkanoate Dioxygenase). This highly novel discovery is the basis of significant herbicide tolerant crop trait and selectable marker opportunities. |
| US08278502B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X8M178
A novel maize variety designated X8M178 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8M178 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8M178 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8M178, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8M178. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8M178. |
| US08278499B2 |
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model rodent and fatty liver model rodent
Disclosed is a nonhuman animal showing the symptoms of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis which is obtained by transplanting human hepatocytes into an immunodeficient hepatopathic nonhuman animal to produce a chimeric nonhuman animal and then transplanting human hepatocytes that are propagated in the body of the chimeric nonhuman animal into an immunodeficient hepatopathic nonhuman animal of the same species as the immunodeficient hepatopathic nonhuman animal described above, as well as a nonhuman animal showing the symptoms of human fatty liver which is obtained by transplanting human hepatocytes into an immunodeficient hepatopathic nonhuman animal to produce a chimeric nonhuman animal. |
| US08278498B2 |
Method for producing immortalised antibodies-secreting cells
A method for producing immortalized antibody-secreting cells, comprising: (a) providing a transgenic animal having antibody-secreting cells capable of expressing one or more transgenes, wherein the antibody-secreting cells are in a non-immortalized state in the absence of a stimulus and are capable of changing to an immortalized state by means of the transgene or transgenes upon exposure of the cells to the stimulus; (b) extracting the antibody-secreting cells from the animal; and (c) exposing the antibody-secreting cells to the stimulus, thereby immortalizing the antibody secreting cells by means of the transgene or transgenes. |
| US08278496B2 |
Method in connection with steel production
The invention relates to a method in connection with steel production for handling of hydroxide sludge formed in the neutralization of spent metal-contaminated pickling agents from a pickling step for steel, preferably stainless steel and for using calcium fluoride in the hydroxide sludge to replace the natural fluorspar as a fluxing agent in connection with steel production. Accordingly, the addition of the reactive neutralization medium is monitored by the pH electrodes operated in continuous fashion, and the pH value is adjusted at the range between 9.0 and 9.5. |
| US08278484B2 |
Process for preparing a benzoylbenzeneacetamide derivative
Disclosed is a process for preparing anti-inflammatory compound nepafenac comprising preparing a compound of formula (V) wherein a N-halosuccinimide is used as the halogenating agent, followed by desulfurization using Raney Nickel. Also disclosed is a polymorphic form B of 2-amino-3-benzoyl-α-(methylthio)-benzeneacetamide (i.e., a compound of formula (V) wherein R is methyl |
| US08278483B2 |
Process for synthesis of glycomimicking cationic amphiphiles
The present invention provides processes for the synthesis of novel Shikimic acid head-group containing non-toxic cationic amphiphiles capable of facilitating transport of biological macromolecules into cells. |
| US08278481B2 |
Method for producing (meth)acrylic acid
The present invention provides a method for effectively preventing the precipitation related to manganese acetate in the pipe for sending a polymerization inhibitor and the like, and the polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid. A first method of the present invention for producing (meth)acrylic acid, characterized in comprising steps of: producing a (meth)acrylic acid-containing gas by catalytic vapor phase oxidation reaction; and obtaining a (meth)acrylic acid-containing fluid by providing the (meth)acrylic acid-containing gas into a condensation column or an absorption column; wherein manganese acetate is used as a polymerization inhibitor; manganese acetate is dissolved into a (meth)acrylic acid aqueous solution containing not more than 10% by mass of (meth)acrylic acid, and the like, to obtain a manganese acetate aqueous solution; and the manganese acetate aqueous solution is provided into the condensation column or the absorption column. |
| US08278479B2 |
Method for producing optically active fluorine-containing carbonyl-ene product
An optically active, fluorine-containing carbonyl-ene product is produced by reacting a fluorine-containing α-ketoester with an alkene in the presence of a transition metal complex having an optically active ligand. There are Mode 1 of conducting this reaction in the absence of reaction solvent, Mode 2 of conducting this reaction in a solvent that is low in relative dielectric constant, and Mode 3 of conducting this reaction in a halogenated hydrocarbon-series solvent. In each of these three modes, it is possible to produce the optically active, fluorine-containing carbonyl-ene product with low cost. |
| US08278477B2 |
Method for making a phosphorus ylide
The method for making a phosphorus ylide produces the ylide 2,3-bismethoxycarbonyl-4-phenyl-5-arylhydrazono-cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl-triphenylphosphonium in pure form by simple recrystallization of the reaction product. 3-Oxo-3-phenyl-2-(arylhydrozono)propanal and dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate are mixed in dichloromethane at room temperature. After cyclization of the intermediate (preferably at least two hours), triphenylphosphine is added to the mixture, ultimately resulting in formation of 2,3-bismethoxycarbonyl-4-phenyl-5-arylhydrazono-cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl-triphenylphosphonium. The product is recrystallized to produce 2,3-bismethoxycarbonyl-4-phenyl-5-arylhydrazono-cyclopenta-1,3-dienyl-triphenylphosphonium in pure form and in high yield. The aryl group may be any aromatic or aliphatic group. |
| US08278476B2 |
Process for producing α-substituted ester
There is provided a process for producing an α-substituted ester by reaction of a fluorosulfuric acid ester of α-hydroxyester with a Grignard reagent in the presence of a zinc catalyst. It is newly found that the reaction for production of α-substituted esters, in which the raw reaction substrate is limited to expensive trifluoromethanesulfonic acid esters, can proceed favorably with the use of fluorosulfuric acid esters suitable for mass-production uses. By the use of the fluorosulfuric acid ester high in optical purity, it is possible to obtain the α-substituted ester with high optical purity upon inversion of the asymmetric carbon configuration. The process of the present invention can solve all of the prior art problems and can be applied for industrial uses. |
| US08278475B2 |
Processes for the preparation of optically active intermediates
This invention relates to processes for the production of optically active 2-(disubstituted aryl)cyclopropylamine compounds and optically active 2-(disubstituted aryl) cyclopropane carboxamide compounds which are useful intermediates for the preparation of pharmaceutical agents, and in particular the compound [1S-(1α,2α,3β(1S*,2R*),5β]-3-[7-[2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropyl]amino]-5-(propylthio)-3H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)-5-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-cyclopentane-1,2-diol. |
| US08278472B2 |
Method of preparing allylchlorosilane derivative
Provided is a method of preparing allylchlorosilane, and more particularly, a method of preparing allylchlorosilane with high yield by Si—C coupling reaction of an allyl chloride derivativce with a hydrosilane derivative under specific reaction conditions without using a catalyst. |
| US08278471B2 |
Method for producing ruthenium compound
A method for producing ruthenium compound including the step of reacting a compound represented by General Formula (1): RuL02 (wherein L0 represents an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound having 4 to 10 carbon atoms and at least two double bonds) with trifluorophosphine or reacting the compound represented by General Formula (1) with trifluorophosphine, and hydrogen or a halogen to obtain a compound represented by General Formula (2): Ru(PF3)l(L1)m(L2)n (wherein L1 represents a hydrogen atom or halogen atom, L2 represents an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound having 4 to 10 carbon atoms and at least two double bonds, l is an integer from 1 to 5, m is an integer from 0 to 4, and n is an integer from 0 to 2, provided that l+m+2n=5 or 6). With this method, a trifluorophosphine-ruthenium compound can be synthesized under low-temperature and low-pressure conditions. |
| US08278469B2 |
17-hydroxy-17-pentafluoroethyl-estra-4,9(10)-dien-11-aryl derivatives, method of production thereof and use thereof for the treatment of diseases
The invention relates to 17-hydroxy-17-pentafluoroethyl-estra-4,9(10)-dien-11-aryl derivatives of Formula I with progesterone antagonizing action and method of production thereof, use thereof for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and use thereof for the production of medicinal products for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular of fibroids of the uterus (myomas, uterine leiomyoma), endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeds, meningiomas, hormone-dependent breast cancers and complaints associated with the menopause or for fertility control and emergency contraception. |
| US08278467B2 |
Process and intermediate compounds useful in the preparation of statins
There is provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (7): wherein R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; provides that R is not a compound of Formula (a): wherein Ra represents an alkyl group, such as a C1-16 alkyl group, and preferably an isopropyl group; Rb represents an aryl group, preferably a 4-fluorophenyl group; Rc represents hydrogen, a protecting group or an alkyl group, such as a C1-16 alkyl group, and preferably a methyl group; and Rd represents hydrogen, a protecting group or a SO2Re group where Re is an alkyl group, such as a C1-16 alkyl group, and preferably a methyl group. |
| US08278465B2 |
Coumarin derivative having antitumor activity
The present invention provides a compound represented by general formula (1) below or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein: X is selected from heteroaryl etc., Y1 and Y2 are selected from —N═ etc., Y3 and Y4 are selected from —CH═ etc., A is selected from sulfamide etc., R1 is selected from hydrogen etc., and R2 is selected from C1-6 alkyl etc. The compound or salt has sufficiently high antitumor activity, and is useful in the treatment of cell proliferative disorders, particularly cancers. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound or salt as an active ingredient. |