最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08280715B2 Storage system management tool including simulation mode to support pre-configuration of storage systems
A method may include receiving a first selection via a user interface comprising a hardware configuration for a simulated computer storage system, the hardware configuration including a plurality of hardware components. The method may also include receiving a second selection via the user interface comprising a storage configuration for the plurality of hardware components of the simulated computer storage system. Further, the method may include creating a storage configuration template utilizing the storage configuration. Additionally, the method may include associating the plurality of hardware components of the simulated computer storage system with the storage configuration template. Further, the method may include storing the plurality of hardware components of the simulated computer storage system and the associated storage configuration template.
US08280714B2 Memory circuit simulation system and method with refresh capabilities
A system and method are provided including an interface circuit in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The interface circuit is operable to interface the plurality of memory circuits and the system for simulating at leas one memory circuit with at least one aspect that is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the plurality of memory circuits. The interface circuit is further operable to control refreshing of the plurality of memory circuits.
US08280713B2 Automatic generation of test suite for processor architecture compliance
A parametrically controlled model-based test generator automatically generates architectural compliance test suites for different implementations of a processor architecture, based on a set of architectural decisions chosen among optional behaviors for each implementation. Thus, different implementations of the same architecture can be easily supported by modifying the parameter values. In addition, ongoing changes to the architecture or comprehensive updates to the test suite can be easily handled by updating the architecture model or the coverage models, forgoing the need to review the whole, potentially huge, set of tests.
US08280712B2 Simplified data signal support for diagramming environment languages
A computer-implemented method may include defining an input bus signal in a graphical block diagram model by associating the input bus signal with a first group of signals, at least two of the first group of signals having a different data type; defining an output bus signal in the graphical block diagram model by associating the second bus signal with a second group of signals, each of the second group of signals corresponding to one of the first group of signals; defining an input to a non-virtual operation block in the graphical block diagram model as the input bus signal; defining an output to the non-virtual operation block in the graphical block diagram as the output bus signal; and simulating an operation performed on the input bus signal by the non-virtual operation block, the operation being performed on each of the first group of signals and output to each of the second group of signals.
US08280710B2 Method for determining thermal stability of collagen or collagen-like peptide
The present invention is a method for determining the thermal stability of a collagen peptide, collagen-like peptide or triple-helix construct with the repeating peptide unit Gly-Xaa1-Xaa2. The instant method accounts for the destabilizing effect of peptide repeats which do not conform to the highly stable Gly-Pro-Hyp peptide and for the interaction between triplets. The instant method finds use in mutant analysis of collagen peptides, collagen-like peptides or triple-helix constructs and engineering of collagen peptides, collagen-like peptides or triple-helix constructs.
US08280704B2 Characterisation of soft body impacts
The fragmentation of a bird or similar soft body, following its impact on an angled target plate, is modeled by representing the body as a combination of fragments and slurry, their relative proportions depending on the severity and angle of impact. The method is particularly suitable for modeling the behavior of a bird striking an obscuring intake of a gas turbine engine.
US08280695B2 Method to adapt a template dataset to a target dataset by using curvelet representations
Method for adapting a template to a target data set. The template may be used to remove noise from, or interpret noise in, the target data set. The target data set is transformed (550) using a selected complex-valued, directional, multi-resolution transform (‘CDMT’) satisfying the Hubert transform property at least approximately. An initial template is selected, and it is transformed (551) using the same CDMT. Then the transformed template is adapted (560) to the transformed target data by adjusting the template's expansion coefficients within allowed ranges of adjustment so as to better match the expansion coefficients of the target data set. Multiple templates may be simultaneously adapted to better fit the noise or other component of the data that it may be desired to represent by template.
US08280693B2 Nondestructive analysis for periodic structure
There is provided a nondestructive analysis for a periodic structure. In the method, a virtual periodic structure is set and divided into a plurality of layers. By utilizing the Lippmann-Schwinger equation with an M-th order interpolation, physical properties related to reflectivity or transmittance of the virtual periodic structure are calculated. An M-th order interpolation formula employed in discretization of the Lippmann-Schwinger equation leads to an accurate and rapid calculation of the physical properties of the periodic structure.
US08280690B2 Signal processing method and unit for a dimension-gauging system
A dimension-gauging system to determine at least one dimension of a non-ferrous, electrically conducting object produces a magnetic field inside the object and changes the excitation of the magnetic field. A signal processing unit measures the reaction of the magnetic field to the change in excitation, obtains an actual field transfer function between the excitation and the measured field reaction and determines the at least one dimension of the object by fitting the measured field transfer function to a predetermined field transfer function, where the predetermined field transfer function represents the dynamic behavior between the excitation and the measured field reaction with the one dimension as a parameter.
US08280688B2 Compactor independent direct diagnosis of test hardware
Methods, apparatus, and systems for performing fault diagnosis are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a failure log is received comprising entries indicative of compressed test responses to chain patterns and compressed test responses to scan patterns. A faulty scan chain in the circuit-under-test is identified based at least in part on one or more of the entries indicative of the compressed test responses to chain patterns. One or more faulty scan cell candidates in the faulty scan chain are identified based at least in part on one or more of the entries indicative of the compressed test responses to scan patterns. The one or more identified scan cell candidates can be reported. Computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the disclosed methods are also provided. Likewise, computer-readable media storing lists of fault candidates identified by any of the disclosed methods are also provided.
US08280686B2 System and method for generating a transporting instruction using an environmental sensor
A system including an environmental sensor that can travel with a product within a carrier's logistics network. The environmental sensor being configured to sense an environmental condition capable of affecting the product to generate product environment data. The system includes a scanner configured to read product environment data from the environmental sensor. The system also includes a hub control unit configured to communicate with the scanner and receive the product environment data from the scanner and determines whether the product environment data transcends a limit of exposure of the product to an environmental condition. The hub control unit is also configured to generate a transporting instruction to redirect transport of the product to an alternate destination different from its original destination if the hub control unit determines that the product environment data indicates the environmental condition of the product has transcended the limit of exposure.
US08280683B2 Probabilistic framework for the highly efficient correlation of call chains with hardware events
A system and method for correlation of resources with hardware events includes event driven sampling a call chain of functions to determine when functions of the call chain are active. The call chain is mapped to execution times based upon a probabilistic integration of the functions such that when portions of the call chain are active, resources associated with call chain activity are correlated with hardware events.
US08280678B2 Step length estimation method and portable terminal for the same
An apparatus and method for estimating a step length of a user are provided. The apparatus and method use a step length estimation algorithm, e.g. a step length estimation parameter coefficient, according to a movement state of a user, i.e. whether the movement state is a walking state or a running state. The movement state of the user is determined on the basis of an acceleration variance value of an acceleration signal output from an accelerometer. Accordingly, the apparatus and method prevent errors in step length determinations.
US08280671B2 Compressive data gathering for large-scale wireless sensor networks
Techniques for data gathering in large-scale wireless sensor networks are described. A data collection device receives aggregate data from at least one sensor node of a group of N sensor nodes. The aggregate data includes M weighted sums. Each of the M weighted sums includes a respective sum of N products each of which being a product of a respective coefficient and a sensor reading from a respective one of the N sensor nodes. M and N are positive integers and M is less than N. Computation is performed on the aggregate data to recover sensor readings from the N sensor nodes.
US08280667B2 Test apparatus, performance board and calibration board
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a waveform generator that generates a test signal to be supplied to the device under test; a digitizer that measures a response signal output by the device under test; a judging section that judges acceptability of the device under test based on the measurement result of the digitizer; and a loop-back path that connects an output terminal of the waveform generator to an input terminal of the digitizer when calibration is performed for the waveform generator and the digitizer. The loop-back path includes a noise removal filter that eliminates a noise component from a signal passed therethrough; and a path switching section that connects the waveform generator to the digitizer via the noise removal filter when the digitizer is being calibrated, and connects the waveform generator to the digitizer without including the noise removal filter therebetween when the waveform generator is being calibrated.
US08280664B2 XY-coordinate compensation apparatus and method in sample pattern inspection apparatus
Stage orthogonal error and position errors caused by mirror distortion are reduced. A CPU calculates a coordinate error (Δx,Δy) between a measured XY coordinate (x,y) of each of arbitrary reference points on a wafer W0 loaded on a XY stage which is measured by a laser interferometer and a calculated ideal position XY coordinate of the reference point, calculates an orthogonal error of the XY coordinates on the bases of the calculated coordinate errors (Δx,Δy) and an error due to mirror distortion, and stores them in a storage device. When a wafer W is actually inspected, the CPU corrects the measured position coordinates (x,y) from the laser interferometer on the basis of the calculated orthogonal error, and corrects beam deflector for deflection on the basis of the calculated error due to mirror distortion.
US08280662B2 Optical system, optical module and threshold setting method
An optical system includes an optical module having an optical reception unit that receives input light and output an electric signal related to received input light, and a processing unit having an identification unit that performs identification processing based on a threshold value on the electric signal input via a reception signal path from the optical reception unit. The optical module includes a threshold calculation unit that calculates the threshold value based on the electric signal from the optical reception unit and a signal path characteristic of the reception signal path from the optical reception unit to the identification unit, and the identification unit of the processing unit performs the identification processing based on the threshold value calculated by the threshold calculation unit. Thereby, the threshold value is optimized when the identifier is provided in the unit as a connection destination of the optical module.
US08280657B2 Utility monitoring system with variable logging
A method of storing data in a utility monitoring system includes monitoring a characteristic of a utility system in an intelligent electronic device (IED) to produce monitored characteristic values that are buffered in the IED. The IED is communicatively coupled to a server via a network. The monitored characteristic values are indicative of the characteristic. The method further includes storing a first monitored characteristic value of the buffered monitored characteristic values periodically at a first logging interval in a memory of the IED. The method further includes storing a second monitored characteristic value of the buffered monitored characteristic values periodically at a second logging interval in the memory of the IED in response to satisfying a criterion. The second logging interval is distinct from the first logging interval.
US08280655B2 Digital power monitoring circuit and system
A digital power monitoring circuit for monitoring power through an output inductor of a switching power supply in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a first analog to digital converter receiving a current sense signal indicative of the current through the output inductor and providing a first digital signal including information regarding the current through the output inductor, a second analog to digital converter receiving a signal indicative of the output voltage of the switching power supply and providing a second digital signal containing information regarding the output voltage of the switching power supply; and a convolver circuit operable to receive the first digital signal and the second digital signal and to provide a third digital signal including information regarding the power through the output inductor based on the first and second digital signals.
US08280649B2 Board or electronic component warp analyzing method, board or electronic component warp analyzing system and board or electronic component warp analyzing program
Board warp analysis includes dividing a temperature profile with respect to an electronic component by a predetermined time. A relaxation elastic modulus of the electronic component corresponding to the divisional time is obtained by shifting on a time base of a master curve related to the electronic component A curing degree of the electronic component is calculated based on a relationship between a time after shift and an actually applied temperature. A warp of the electronic component is analyzed based on a relaxation elastic modulus on the master curve or a relaxation elastic modulus calculated based on a relationship between the curing degree and the elastic constant according to a value of the curing degree calculated.
US08280647B2 Method and system for monitoring process states of an internal combustion engine
For monitoring (unmeasured) process states of a rotating machine having a combustion chamber (e.g. a gas turbine), compositions of educts entering the combustion chamber are measured. Based on the compositions of the educts, the composition of the product produced by the combustion chamber can be determined. Moreover, the mechanical power (Pmech) generated by the rotating machine can be determined. Based on the mechanical power (Pmech), the composition of the educts and product, and stoichiometric relationships of educts and product, the values of process states, such as the air mass flow (wa) through the compressor leading into the combustion chamber and/or the gas mass flow (wg), the composition and/or the temperature (T3) of exhaust gas exiting the combustion chamber can be determined. Based on precise measurements of the educt (e.g. the composition of air and fuel in the combustion process), the product (i.e. the composition of the exhaust gas and its temperature) is derived and, without the need of an iterative or recursive method, the turbine inlet temperature (T3) can be monitored and controlled.
US08280644B2 Sustainability systems and methods directed to food compositions
A method of calculating the carbon or greenhouse gas footprint of a food composition includes determining the CO2 or greenhouse gas emission of each ingredient by associating a total energy value with the ingredient, determining the proportion of the total energy value contributed by each of at least one energy source, where each energy source has a characteristic CO2 or greenhouse gas emissions value, and then calculating a CO2 or greenhouse gas emission value for the ingredient based on the GHG emission values of each contributing energy source. Also, optimizing the CO2 or greenhouse gas emissions in the formulation of pet food employs this method.
US08280643B2 Crystal structure of Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A in complex with fibrinogen derived peptide and uses thereof
The present invention provides a method for determining the structure of a microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecule in complex with fibrinogen, by providing a ClfA complexed with a fibrinogen gamma-peptide; determining a ClfA binding region of the fibrinogen gamma-peptide; determining one or more critical amino acid residues in the ClfA binding region of a native fibrinogen gamma-peptide that is critical for a ClfA:fibrinogen gamma-peptide interaction; determining one or more amino acid residues of the ClfA that binds to the ClfA binding region of the native fibrinogen gamma-peptide; modeling the structure of the ClfA binding region; determining the structure of the ClfA in complex with the :fibrinogen gamma-peptide interaction; and identifying one or more potential agent(s) that inhibit the ClfA:fibrinogen gamma-peptide interaction without affecting binding of other proteins to the fibrinogen gamma-peptide.
US08280640B2 System and method for pattern recognition in sequential data
The present invention is based on the encoding of sequential data or sequences in a novel manner that permits efficient storage and processing of sequential data, as well as methods for searching sequences or databases of sequences. The methods and systems of the current invention may be adapted broadly to various fields of application and to a variety of sequences types. For example, the current invention has broad application including to the fields of bioinformatics, molecular biology, pharmacogenomics, phonetic sequences, lexicographic sequences, signal analysis, game playing, law enforcement, biometrics, medical diagnosis, equipment maintenance and micro-array data analysis.
US08280633B1 Weather risk estimation system and method
A method of presenting a visual representation of a probable impact of a weather phenomenon to a location includes obtaining an impact function for the location by combining a weather function corresponding to a characteristic of the weather phenomenon with a damage function associated with the same characteristic. A graphic representation of an interest at the location is obtained. A visual representation of a probable impact of the weather phenomenon on the interest by modifying the graphic representation of the interest, where the modification is based on a predicted impact to the interest determined using the impact function.
US08280627B2 Map information processing apparatus, navigation system, and program
Conventional map information processing apparatuses have the problem of not being able to automatically provide appropriate information according to map browse operations. The present invention provides a map information processing apparatus, comprising: a map information storage portion in which map information, which is information of a map, can be stored; an accepting portion that accepts a map browse operation, which is an operation to browse the map; an operation information sequence acquiring portion that acquires operation information, which is information of an operation corresponding to the map browse operation; a keyword acquiring portion that acquires at least one keyword from the map information using the operation information; a retrieving portion that retrieves information using the at least one keyword; and an information output portion that outputs the information retrieved by the retrieving portion. With this map information processing apparatus, it is possible to automatically provide appropriate information according to map browse operations.
US08280622B2 Terrain avoidance system for transport aircraft
A system indicating to a pilot that an aircraft has passed the limit-point of success of a standard vertical avoidance maneuver is disclosed. To determine the limit-point, the system monitors a penetration of a model of the terrain being flown over into a first protection volume linked to the aircraft and configured so as to model a standard vertical avoidance maneuver path executed without delay. To determine disengagement azimuth sectors, the system monitors the penetrations of the model of the terrain being flown over into a second protection volume with large azimuth aperture, linked to the aircraft and configured so as to contain the limit-point protection volume and, for the various azimuths covered, paths of a composite maneuver beginning with change-of-heading maneuvers with which to reach the azimuth concerned and continuing with the standard terrain vertical avoidance maneuver.
US08280613B2 Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which can inject a fuel injection quantity to a fuel injector with accuracy even when the fuel injection quantity is reduced than before is provided. A fuel injection control apparatus of a direct cylinder injection type of internal combustion engine, including a fuel injector which performs fuel injection by supplying a drive current to a solenoid, a fuel pressure sensor which detects fuel pressure supplied to the fuel injector, and operation state detecting means which detects the operation state of the internal combustion engine, comprises current profile changing means 100 which has multiple current profiles of the drive current and changes current profiles based on the operation state and the fuel pressure, valid pulse width calculating means 701 which calculates a valid pulse width for opening and driving the fuel injector, invalid pulse width calculating means 103 which calculates an invalid pulse width, and fuel injector control means which calculates a fuel injection pulse width based on the valid pulse width and the invalid pulse width, and controls the fuel injector based on the fuel injection pulse width, wherein the invalid pulse width calculating means 103 calculates an invalid pulse width corresponding to the current profiles to be changed before the current profiles are changed.
US08280612B2 Multi-pulse enable determination and transition control systems and methods
A coordinated torque control (CTC) system is provided that includes an engine capacity module, a multi-pulse enable module, and a catalyst light off torque reserve module. The engine capacity module determines a torque capacity of an engine and generates a maximum engine torque capacity signal. The multi-pulse enable module enables a multi-pulse mode that includes the injection of at least two pulses of fuel into a cylinder of the engine during a combustion cycle. The multi-pulse enable module generates a multi-pulse desired signal to operate in the multi-pulse mode based on the maximum engine torque capacity signal, a catalyst light off signal, and a brake torque request signal. The catalyst light off torque reserve module generates a torque reserve corrected signal based on the multi-pulse desired signal.
US08280606B2 Vehicle behavior control system
A slip angle differential value calculation unit 34 calculates a slip angle differential value of a body of a vehicle, a braking force application prohibiting unit 35 prohibits the application of braking force by a braking force application unit 33 when a yaw rate detection value takes a positive value and the sip angle differential value is a positive judgment threshold or more or when the yaw rate detection value takes a negative value and the slip angle differential value is a negative judgment threshold or less.
US08280599B2 Vehicle control device and vehicle drive system for implementing a one-way transmission speed or engaging a first engaging element in an idle stop state
A vehicle control device where, the transmission apparatus is provided with a state in which the rotational driving force is not transmitted from the output member to the input member when a first engaging element is engaged; the vehicle control device is provided with a control unit that controls the transmission apparatus to engage the first engaging element by a hydraulic pressure from the electric pump for implementing the state in an idle stop state in which the vehicle is in a moving state and the engine is stopped; in a case where a travel speed of the vehicle is not greater than a predetermined release threshold value, the first engaging element is engaged by the hydraulic pressure from the electric pump; and in a case where the travel speed of the vehicle is greater than the predetermined release threshold value, all of the engaging elements are released.
US08280596B2 Method of estimating the volumetric carrying capacity of a truck body
A method for estimating the effective volumetric capacity of a truck body is provided. The method includes the step of establishing a side-to-side profile of a generic load model by extending load side lines upward at a predetermined material angle of repose from the upper edge of each of the side walls of the truck body. A front-to-rear profile of the generic load model is also established by extending a front load line upward from the upper edge of the front wall of the track body at the predetermined material angle of repose and a rear load line upward from at or near a rear edge of the floor of the truck body at the predetermined material angle of repose. The volume of the final three-dimensional generic load model can then be calculated.
US08280594B2 Door opening/closing apparatus and coating film forming method
A door opening/closing apparatus includes an opening/closing handle provided in a vehicle door, electrodes disposed in the door handle, a detection circuit configured to detect a change of electrostatic capacitance which occurs in the vicinity of the electrodes when a human body portion approaches or contacts the door handle and then to output a locking or unlocking operation signal and a device for executing locking or unlocking of the door based on the operation signal, and a transmission/reception antenna for effecting transmission/reception with a portable unit corresponding to the vehicle, wherein the door handle includes an insulating base body, and on a vehicle outer side surface of the base body, there is attached a metal layer comprised of a group of island shaped metal particles that extend along the surface of the base body and that are separated from each other.
US08280590B2 Automatically adjustable axle oscillation stops
An automatically adjustable axle stop of an agricultural combine (100) includes a sensor (222, 224) to sense the position of an extendible axle (200) supported on the chassis (214) of the agricultural combine (100) at a pivot coupling (206), the extendable axle (200) being configured to pivot about a longitudinal pivotal axis (208) with respect to the chassis (214), an electronic control unit (400) to read the sensor (222, 224), to calculate a stop position based at least on the sensor signal, and to control an axle oscillation stop (210, 212) in order to limit the range of pivoting of the extendible axle (200) about the pivotal axis (208).
US08280586B2 Determination of the actual yaw angle and the actual slip angle of a land vehicle
In a method for determining the actual yaw rate and slip angle of a vehicle, a slip angle characteristic is first determined by a driving condition sensor system, a yaw rate sensor and a position determination system. If the slip angle characteristic remains below a threshold value, the actual yaw angle is adjusted to match the actual speed vector angle. Otherwise, the actual yaw angle is determined by a continuous value integration using yaw rate sensor values and the slip angle is calculated as the difference between the yaw angle and the speed vector angle. The slip angle is reliably determined with sufficient accuracy, without the need for additional sensors, if the values of the slip angle increase over several seconds. In addition, the yaw angle is reliably determined over long periods of time and the deviations in the values that occur in the integrating methods are adjusted at frequent intervals.
US08280585B2 Control method for adjusting electronically controlled damping system in motor vehicles and an electronically controlled damping system
A control method is provided for an electronically controlled damping system in a vehicle, wherein at least one characteristic quantity varying with different axle load conditions of an axle of the vehicle is determined, a correcting variable is established for an actuator of a vibration damper based on the characteristic quantity and the correcting variable is transmitted to the actuator of the vibration damper to adjust a desired damping behavior of the vibration damper.
US08280584B2 Climate control system
A system for controlling the climate in a cabin space using the state of a user's hand is provided. The system includes a controller and a heating ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC system). The HVAC system is operable to direct air into the cabin space so as to maintain a predetermined climate within the cabin space. The controller is operable to actuate and control the HVCAC system. The system further includes a handheld sensor operable to detect the state of the user's hand. The handheld sensor is in communication with the controller and transmits the state of the hand to the controller. The controller processes the state of the hand so as to calculate an HVAC system operating setting operable to optimize the user's comfort. The controller then actuates the HVAC system so as to execute the calculated heating ventilation and air conditioning system operating setting.
US08280581B2 Dynamic discovery of vehicle communication interface device and method
A communications system that includes a vehicular diagnostic tool and a vehicle communication interface (VCI) configured to be connected to a vehicular computing system. In operation, the vehicular diagnostic tool automatically detects the presence of the VCI when the VCI is proximate thereto. Thereafter, the VCI and vehicular diagnostic tool communicate through a wireless connection. Also, a method of communicating using the aforementioned vehicular diagnostic tool and VCI.
US08280580B2 System and method for controlling electronic stability control based on driver status
A system and method for controlling the operation of stabilizing the movement of a vehicle between primary and secondary drivers is provided. A primary key is adapted to be associated to the primary driver. A secondary key is adapted to be associated to the secondary driver. A key ignition device is positioned on the primary and secondary keys and is configured to generate driver status signals indicative of whether the driver is a primary or secondary driver. The controller is adapted to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the primary driver or the secondary driver based on the driver status signals. The controller is further adapted to stabilize the movement of the vehicle. The controller is further adapted to selectively control the operation of stabilizing the movement of the vehicle in response to the driver status signals.
US08280579B2 Memory management apparatus
A vehicular memory management apparatus includes in an SRAM a mirror area for mirroring information from a PDTC storage area and an update information storage area for storing update information of the SRAM. When a fault is detected, a DTC is stored in both of the mirror area and a DTC storage area for maintaining consistency between the contents of the two areas, and the update information is updated. After confirming the consistency based on the update information, the information in the mirror area is copied to the PDTC storage area. Further, the information in the PDTC storage area is copied to the mirror area upon determining that the information in the mirror area is deleted based on the update information.
US08280577B2 Driving recorder
In order to provide an integrated driving recorder that can avoid a trouble due to a temperature rise in a vehicle interior, the driving recorder 1 is so arranged that one or multiple detection devices that sense a situation concerning a behavior, a surrounding conditions of a vehicle, or the like and that output situation data indicating the situation, and a situation data storage section that stores the situation data output from the detection device are held in a single casing 2, and a heat dissipation area 2a is formed on the casing 2 and a heat conduction member 9 that has a predetermined thermal conductivity and whose one surface is connected to the heat dissipation area 2a is arranged and another surface of the heat conduction member 9 can be bonded to a window glass W of the vehicle.
US08280574B2 Path planning device and method, cost evaluation device, and moving body
To generate an optimal path in a search space represented by a grid. A path search device includes: an edge generation section that generates edges extending to neighboring nodes located at least forward and diagonally forward right and left of a focus node, assuming that each grid point is a node and that a minimum cost node among end nodes each located at an end of the edges is the focus node, when a cost from a start point to a given node is a cost of the given node; an edge cost calculation/readout section that reads out a shortest distance from a reference node to the neighboring node (first distance) and a shortest distance from the reference node to the focus node (second distance) from a database, assuming that a node obtained by tracing back a predetermined number of nodes from the focus node in a direction toward the start point along the path is the reference node; a path cost calculation section that calculates a cost of a path from the start point to the neighboring node as a sum of costs of edges constituting the path; and a path determination section that selects a path having a minimum cost from the start point to the end point.
US08280568B2 Electric train car controlling device
A first threshold is determined, with reference to an absolute acceleration that is determined in accordance with a vehicle usage condition, to detect an acceleration change generated in acceleration of a self-axle speed that is a maximum speed (a minimum speed in a decelerating operation) of revolving speeds of plural motors that drive plural driving wheel axles. When the acceleration exceeds the first threshold, a system for generating a target torque command value reduced in accordance with the acceleration deviation is separated by setting an output of a comparator circuit to level “0”, and a first-order delay circuit outputs the target torque command value subjected to a reduction process during a processing period designated by an output of a delay time generating circuit.
US08280566B2 Method, system, and computer software code for automated establishment of a distributed power train
In a locomotive consist having at least a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive with a distributed power system on each locomotive in the locomotive consist, a system for establishing distributed power operations of the locomotive consist from a single location, the system including a communication network providing communications to and from at least one distributed power system, and a distributed power setup unit in communication with the distributed power system by way of the communication network. The distributed power setup unit has at least one of a processor, display and an input device to allow a user to establish distributed power operations.
US08280565B2 Drive control apparatus for electric car
A drive control apparatus for an electric car as can correct a synchronizing frequency without employing beacons, is proposed. A wheel-diameter correction information output means includes wheel-diameter information calculation means for calculating wheel-diameter calculation information expressive of a wheel diameter of an electric car, on the basis of two-phase current information. The wheel-diameter correction information output means also includes selection output means. The selection output means selects a wheel-diameter data output WD1, the wheel-diameter calculation information WD2 based on the wheel-diameter calculation means, or wheel-diameter default information WD0, and it outputs wheel-diameter correction information WD. A synchronizing-frequency calculation means outputs synchronizing frequency information FM on the basis of axle rotational-frequency information FR and the wheel-diameter correction information WD.
US08280559B2 Apparatus and method for providing cooling to multiple components
In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes an input configured to receive a first control signal and an output module configured to generate an output signal based at least on the first control signal and a second control signal generated based at least on a measured temperature of the IC. The output signal is configured to control a cooling device.
US08280558B2 Computerized light control system with light level profiling and method
A computerized method for controlling one or more a lights in an area. The method may include establishing an electronic profile of lighting conditions in an area to be controlled and then controlling lighting conditions in the area based on the profile. For example, the profile could be created by determining a respective influence on artificial light of each switch within the area to be controlled. This information could be used to turn on the appropriate switches that best match a set point for a light level in the area.
US08280551B2 Manipulator with camera
A manipulator includes at least one camera capable of observing an end effector from a direction suitable for work. A rotating portion rotatable coaxially with the end effector is provided to a link adjacent to a link located at a manipulator tip end. At least one camera for recognizing a work piece as an object is arranged on the rotating portion through a camera platform. An actuator for controlling a rotation angle of the rotating portion is driven according to a rotation angle of the link located at the manipulator tip end, and thus the camera is arranged in a direction perpendicular to a plane where the end effector can move when the end effector performs a grip work. In an assembly work, the rotating portion is rotated such that the camera is arranged in a direction parallel to the plane where the end effector can move.
US08280549B2 Method for controlling a drug dispensing system
An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.
US08280548B2 Optimizing vehicle loading operations
Computer-implemented method of loading goods stored in a warehouse on a vehicle for transporting and delivering to a number of destination locations, whereby the destination locations are on a predetermined route, comprising the following steps: receiving a number of delivery requests, each request specifying the goods to be delivered, and the destination locations of the goods to be delivered; receiving data descriptive of the route which the vehicle has to travel for delivering the goods at the destinations; placing the goods to be delivered on a staging area associated with the vehicle, the staging area defining a physical place where the goods are intermediately put down and sequentially picked up from for being loaded on the vehicle; whereby the goods are positioned on the staging area in such a first spatial sequence that they can be picked up there from and placed in the vehicle in such a second spatial sequence that they can be unloaded from the vehicle at the respective destination locations in the sequence of arriving at the destination locations.
US08280541B1 Audio control of multimedia objects
In some examples, aspects of the present disclosure may include techniques for audio control of one or more multimedia objects. In one example, a method includes receiving an electronic document that includes a group of one or more multimedia objects capable of generating audio data. The method also includes registering a multimedia object of the group of one or more multimedia objects, wherein registering the multimedia object comprises storing a multimedia object identifier that identifies the multimedia object. The method further includes receiving audio data; and determining, by a computing device, a volume level of the audio data generated by the registered multimedia object based on one or more configuration parameters, wherein the one or more configuration parameters define one or more volume levels associated with the multimedia object identifier. The method also includes outputting, to an output device, the audio data at the determined volume level.
US08280540B2 Multimedia playing system and time-counting method applied thereto
A multimedia playing system includes an audio outputting device and a multimedia player. The audio outputting device includes a connecting plug and a distance detector. The distance detector generates a distance detecting signal if the distance detector detects the presence of a nearby object. The multimedia player is communicated with the audio outputting device through the connecting plug so as to transmit an output audio signal to the audio outputting device. The distance detecting signal is transmitted to the multimedia player through the connecting plug. The multimedia player generates a prompt event to the audio outputting device if the time duration of continuously receiving the distance detecting signal exceeds a time threshold.
US08280535B2 Massage bathtub automatic control system and method for controlling the same
The present invention discloses a massage bathtub automatic control system and method for controlling the same, which provides a control panel and a digital control unit, wherein the control panel is disposed with a visual-displaying unit, a master control device and an input device connected to the master control device. The visual-displaying unit displays multi-layer function menus where a user can use the input device to pick up one of function icons appearing. The picked up function icon corresponds operation of at least one of attaching devices or operations of combining the plural attaching devices connected to the bathtub, and simultaneously, the control panel sends a related control command to the digital control unit for performing such an operation on the corresponding attaching device. The operational result of the corresponding attaching device can be sent back to the control panel for data process. Therefore, this brings the user conveniences on rapid and simplified operation and watching the control performance in time.
US08280533B2 Continuously scheduled model parameter based adaptive controller
An adaptive process controller performs continuously scheduled process model parameter interpolation to determine a particular set of process model parameters which are used to develop controller tuning parameters for controller tuning. More particularly, a state-based, adaptive PID controller described herein uses a new technique to determine an appropriate process model to be used to perform adaptive tuning over the various operating regions of the plant, and in particular, uses a process model parameter determination technique that enables continuously scheduled process model parameter update over the various plant operating regions or points. The use of this continuously scheduled process model parameter update method provides for smoother transitions between tuning parameters used in the PID controller during adaptive tuning procedures which are implemented based on changes in the operating region or the operating point of the process, thereby providing for better overall control.
US08280532B2 Remote control system
Providing a remote control technique capable of realizing the achievement of constraints and the certain following of a target value even with a network in which delay, loss, distortion, or the like may occur. In a remote control system, an area setting unit of a client-side control unit sets at least two areas representative of a group of states of an target object, which changes over time by feedback control. A state-evaluation information sending unit sends, to the host-side control unit, state evaluation information obtained by evaluating the state of the target object based on the area set by the area setting unit. A target value setting unit of the host-side control unit sets a target value such that the state of the target object changes in the area set by the area setting units. Moreover, a target value updating unit updates the target value based on the state evaluation information received from the client-side control unit.
US08280530B2 Plant control system
A plant control system includes: an engineering apparatus for defining change information so as to change definition information about the system; and a control apparatus for referring to the change information downloaded from the engineering apparatus to set an output value of a field device. The control apparatus includes a locking part for inhibiting setting of the output value of the field device.
US08280528B2 Implantable cochlear lead
A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making a curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond its originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.
US08280525B2 Dynamically matched microwave antenna for tissue ablation
A microwave ablation probe for providing microwave energy to tissue is disclosed. The probe includes a feedline having an inner conductor, a secondary inner conductor, an insulating spacer, and an outer conductor. The inner conductor is slidably disposed within the secondary inner conductor. The feedline also includes a radiating portion having an extruded portion of the inner conductor centrally disposed therein, wherein longitudinal movement of the inner conductor relative to the feedline tunes the radiating portion.
US08280523B2 System and method for monitoring diastolic function using an implantable medical device
Diastolic function is monitored within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. In one example, the implantable device uses morphological parameters derived from the T-wave evoked response waveform as proxies for ventricular relaxation rate and ventricular compliance. In particular, the magnitude of the peak of the T-wave evoked response is employed as a proxy for ventricular compliance. The maximum slew rate of the T-wave evoked response following its peak is employed as a proxy for ventricular relaxation. A metric is derived from these proxy values to represent diastolic function. The metric is tracked over time to evaluate changes in diastolic function. In other examples, specific values for ventricular compliance and ventricular relaxation are derived for the patient based on the T-wave evoked response parameters.
US08280520B2 Systems configured to locate a photonic device disposed in a living subject, and related apparatuses and methods
In an embodiment, a system includes a biocompatible photonic device configured for disposal within a living subject and a location-indicating aid associated with the photonic device. The location-indicating aid is configured to facilitate locating the biocompatible photonic device within the living subject. Related apparatuses and methods of use are also disclosed.
US08280512B2 Identifying heart failure patients suitable for resynchronization therapy using QRS complex width from an intracardiac electrogram
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining whether a patient is a responder to cardiac resynchronization therapy. The beginning and ending of the intrinsic ventricular depolarization are determined through signals measured from one or more electrodes implanted in the patient's heart. An interval between the beginning and ending of the intrinsic ventricular depolarization is computed and is compared to a threshold. The threshold may be determined empirically. The pacing parameters of a heart stimulation device, such as a pacemaker, may then be configured, for example, by setting the paced atrio-ventricular delay based on whether the patient responds positively to cardiac resynchronization therapy.
US08280508B2 Signal compression based on curvature parameters
For a sampled signal, storing characteristic points generated based on parameters corresponding to curvature of the signal. The characteristic points include a time of occurrence of a lobe in a curvature series based on the signal and a corresponding amplitude of the signal. The characteristic points provide a compressed version of the sampled signal. The signal is reconstructed by establishing a function between a chronological sequence of characteristic points. For a repetitive signal, the stored data includes a code to indicate a time of reoccurrence of a previous cycle or data corresponding to differences between a previous cycle and a current cycle.
US08280500B2 Discrimination of ventricular tachycardia from supraventricular tachycardia
This disclosure describes various techniques for discriminating supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) from ventricular tachycardia (VT). As one example, a method includes detecting a tachycardia rhythm, identifying a rate of change in heart rate corresponding to the tachycardia rhythm, identifying a rate of change in heart rate variability corresponding to the tachycardia rhythm, and classifying the tachycardia rhythm as at least one of supraventricular tachycardia or ventricular tachycardia based on the rate of change in heart rate and rate of change in heart rate variability.
US08280497B2 Impedance hyperaemic stress echocardiography
A method for performing echocardiography for use with patient's unable to perform on a treadmill and in which no medications for increasing heart rate are used. Compression cuffs are placed on each of a patient's four extremities and compression is applied rotatingly to subsets of three out of the four cuffs. EKG is monitored before, during, and after application of the sequential decompression, thereby providing an echocardiograph of the patient's heart.
US08280493B2 Breast milk flow meter apparatus and method
An apparatus measures the quantity of milk consumed by an infant during a breast-feeding session. The apparatus includes a brassiere-like garment (30) with openings allowing the breasts to be exposed for nursing an infant. Lining (32) is attached to the inside of the brassiere. Ultra-sonic Doppler-Effect transmitter probes (44) and receiver probes (46) are annexed to the brassiere lining pointing at the direction of the respective nipple of the nursing person. A processor is provided for translating flow measurements by the probes (44, 46) into volume units.
US08280489B2 Method and system for determining placement of a tracheal tube in a subject
According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may employ optical sensing techniques for determining a distance between the inserted tube and an anatomical structure, such as a carina. The distance information may provide an indication as to whether or not the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea. The optical techniques may include backscattered intensity measurements.
US08280485B2 Medical robot for use in a MRI
A medical robot for use inside a magnetic resonance imager includes a horizontal motion assembly, a vertical motion assembly and a controller. The horizontal motion assembly includes a motion joint, an ultrasonic motor operably connected to the motion joint and an encoder operably connected to the ultrasonic motor. The motor and encoder are positioned proximate to the joint of the horizontal motion assembly. The vertical motion assembly is operably connected to the horizontal motion assembly and it includes a motion joint, an ultrasonic motor operably connected to the motion joint and an encoder operably connected to the ultrasonic motor. The motor and encoder are positioned proximate to the joint of the vertical motion assembly. The controller is operably connected thereto and is adapted to be powered off when the magnetic resonance imager is being used to collect images. A medical instrument assembly is connectable to the medical robot.
US08280484B2 System, devices, and methods for detecting occlusions in a biological subject
Systems, devices, and methods are described for detecting an embolus, thrombus, or a deep vein thrombus in a biological subject.
US08280483B2 Multi-modality medical image viewing
A medical imaging system (10) comprises one or more displays (66). A viewer device (86) generates an interactive user interface screen (80) on the display (66), which viewer device (86) enables a user to simultaneously inspect selected image data of multiple patients or multiple images.
US08280481B2 Electrodes possessing pH indicator
The present disclosure provides electrodes that possess components capable of indicating to an end-user when the electrode is in need of replacement. In embodiments, the electrodes include a hydrogel in combination with a pH indicator which changes its color or opacity upon repeated use of the electrode, thereby indicating an appropriate time for changing or replacing the electrode.
US08280472B2 Method and apparatus for measuring blood oxygen saturation
A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring blood oxygen saturation by using spectrophotometry to improve the accuracy of the measurement under a condition of low perfusion.
US08280471B2 Fiber optic based detection of autofluorescent bacterial pathogens
Disclosed are methods and devices for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential bacterial infection site. Disclosed devices may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of pathogenic bacteria at an early stage of a hospital acquired infection, thereby providing for earlier intervention. Disclosed methods utilize optical fibers to deliver an excitation signal to an area in which pathogenic bacteria may exist. In the presence of the excitation signal, bacterial pathogens may autofluoresce with a unique spectral signature. Upon generation of a fluorescent emission, an optically detectable emission signal may be transmitted to a detection/analysis device. Analysis of the characteristics of the emission signal produced in response to the excitation signal may be used to determine the presence or concentration of pathogens at the site of inquiry, following which real time information may be transmitted to medical personnel via a wireless transmission system.
US08280470B2 Analyte sensor method and apparatus
The invention generally relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses for an analyte sensor. In one aspect, an analyte sensing device comprises a sensor body member including at least one nanopore and an optical conduit in optical communication with the sensor body member. The optical conduit transmits optical energy to the sensor body member and receives reflected optical energy back from the sensor body member. A photodetector is optically coupled to the optical conduit to determine an optical parameter from the reflected optical energy.
US08280468B2 Superconducting magnet device for single crystal pulling apparatus
A superconducting magnet device for a single crystal pulling apparatus is arranged outside a pulling furnace containing a crucible for melting a single crystal material therein so as to apply a magnetic field to the melted single crystal material. The superconducting magnet device for a single crystal pulling apparatus includes a cryostat containing a superconducting coil therein, and a refrigerator port arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the cryostat and provided with a cryogenic refrigerator that cools the superconducting coil. The cryogenic refrigerator is provided in a region of the outer surface region of the cryostat at which the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the superconducting coil is weak.
US08280464B2 Handheld electronic device
A handheld electronic device including a first body, a second body and a moving mechanism is provided. The second body is stacked under the first body. A side of the second body facing the first body has a concave portion. The moving mechanism includes a first sliding member, a second sliding member and an elevating mechanism. The first sliding member is fixed to the first body. The second sliding member is slidingly disposed at the first sliding member. The elevating mechanism is connected between the second body and the second sliding member. After the first sliding member drives the first body to shift relatively to the second body to reach the concave portion, the first body compresses the elevating mechanism and enters the concave portion.
US08280462B2 Distributed sound enhancement
Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.
US08280460B2 Mobile terminal and noise prevention structure of mobile terminal
A microphone (130) is fitted with a mounting portion (130a) of a front case (12) in a state being set to a microphone folder (134). A metallic mesh-wise sheet (132) is attached to a front face of the microphone. When an EL sheet (110) on a rear face of the front case emits light by supplying power to it, electrical noise is radiated from the EL sheet. The mesh-wise sheet of the front face of the microphone blocks the electrical noise from the EL sheet, which may enter through a sound hole (131) to the inside of the microphone.
US08280459B2 Integral housing and user interface
A continuous housing (100) and integral user interface (101) is disclosed. The housing comprising a continuous housing having a cavity (117) to receive an electrical component and to surround the component on a plurality of sides. The housing further comprises, an integral user interface portion incorporated into a continuous housing portion.
US08280458B2 Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a terminal case made of a metal material, input keys disposed in through holes formed on the terminal case, and an input pad disposed within the terminal case, to which a signal is input according to a touch operation of the input keys.
US08280453B2 Adapting portable electrical devices to receive power wirelessly
Wireless power receiving apparatus 150 is retrofitted to a portable electrical device 100 to enable the device to receive power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power-receiving element 200 adapted to be attached to the device, e.g. by adhesive 201, and also being adapted to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the element and transmitter are in proximity with one another. One or more power connectors 203 are connected electrically to the power-receiving element and are adapted to be connected, when the apparatus is in use, to one or more corresponding power connectors 101 of the portable electrical device to deliver power received by the element to the device. The power-receiving element may be in the form of a sticker or may be carried by or incorporated in a replacement cover portion for the portable electrical device.
US08280452B2 In-vehicle apparatus having handsfree function
An in-vehicle apparatus having a handsfree function is disclosed. The in-vehicle apparatus is connectable with multiple cellular phones at a same time using a handsfree communication protocol. When a first cellular phone and a second cellular phone of the multiple cellular phones are respectively and simultaneously in a handset communicating state and in a calling state, the in-vehicle apparatus does not display a transfer switch for the first cellular phone and displays an answer switch for the second cellular phone, the transfer switch for the first cellular phone being user operable to switch the first cellular phone from the handset communicating state into a handsfree communicating state, the answer switch for the second cellular phone being user operable to switch the second cellular phone from the calling state into the handsfree communicating state.
US08280451B1 Notification of event by mobile communications device using radio frequency transmitter
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for alerting a user of a mobile communications device of an event using a radio frequency transmitter. The techniques may include determining that an event has occurred. The event may relate to an incoming communication received by the mobile communications device. The techniques also may include determining that an approximate speed of the mobile communications device exceeds a defined threshold speed. The techniques further may include transmitting, using a radio frequency transmitter, an audible alert that provides notification of the event in response to the mobile communications device determining that the approximate speed exceeds the predefined threshold speed.
US08280449B2 Audio usage detection
An audio handling device comprising: a source of audio data; a microphone; a loudspeaker; a transmitter for transmitting audio data; modification means for modifying the audio data; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the device, the control unit being capable of receiving signals from the microphone and configuring the conveying of audio data from the source to one or both of the loudspeaker and the transmitter; the control unit being capable of configuring the device such that during at least a probing period the modification means modifies audio data from the source and the modified audio data is transmitted by the transmitter, and being arranged to select in dependence on data dependent on signals received from the microphone whether to apply audio data from the source to the loudspeaker.
US08280447B2 Mobile terminal having rear keypad
A mobile terminal having a rear keypad is provided. The mobile terminal includes: a main body having a front surface and a rear surface opposite to the front surface; a touch screen disposed at the front surface of the main body; and a key input device having a keypad disposed at the rear surface of the main body and extendable outwards to sides of the touch screen.
US08280445B2 System and method for antenna training of beamforming vectors by selective use of beam level training
A system and method of performing a beam discovery between a device and a plurality of other devices in a wireless network is disclosed. Sector training sequences to a plurality of other devices are transmitted via a transmit directional antenna having a set of transmit sectors. A plurality of feedback messages are received from the plurality of other devices, where the plurality of feedback messages are indicative of optimum transmit sectors that have been determined at the other devices based at least in part on the sector training sequences. Beam training sequences are transmitted to the plurality of other devices via the transmit directional antenna. A plurality of feedback message indicative of optimum transmit beam directions within the optimum transmit sectors are received from the plurality of other devices.
US08280440B2 Mobile terminal device capable of restoring an original function
A mobile terminal device that executes a function setting operation is disclosed. When a memory card that stores various file types is inserted into the mobile terminal device, a decision processing portion reads identification information of the memory card and compares the identification information with stored identification information in a storing portion. If the read identification information and the stored identification information coincide, a function setting controlling portion executes a resetting of a display or of a sound function of the mobile terminal device by using the various file types stored in the memory card.
US08280437B2 Contact-centric user-interface features for computing devices
Embodiments described herein provide a system, method and technique for operating a communication device. According to an embodiment, information contained in a contact record is displayed, where the information includes a plurality of entries. Each entry is associated with one of a plurality of communication types and includes an identifier for use with an application of the associated communication type. An input is detected corresponding to a user's selection of one of the plurality of entries. In response to the user's selection, the application of the communication type associated with the selected entry is automatically executed by initiating a communication using the identifier included in the selected entry.
US08280425B2 Wireless transmitter configuration
A mobile wireless communication terminal changes a transmitter channel configuration, for example, frame size, based on enhanced transport format combination indictor (E-TFCI) information and based on transmit power related information of the wireless communication terminal. In one embodiment, the terminal signals this information to a network infrastructure entity, which re-configures the transmitter channel configuration for the terminal. In another embodiment, the terminal re-configures the transmitter channel configuration.
US08280422B2 Inter-system communications in mobile communications system
The present invention relates to a method of arranging inter-working for a communications system comprising a PMR (private mobile radio) system part and a PLMN (public land mobile network) system part. The system comprises a mobile intermediate device capable of communicating with the PMR system part and the PLMN system part and comprising a converter for performing protocol conversion between the PMR system part and the PLMN system part, the method comprising: detecting in the intermediate device a need for inter-system transfer from a source system part to a target system part, performing by the converter conversion for an information unit from a source system to a format appropriate in the target system part; and transmitting the converted information unit to the target system part.
US08280421B2 Terminal device and base station device
A terminal device free of interference between an RACH and a PUSCH or the like even when a base station device with a large coverage is installed. In the device, a configuration number extraction unit (103) extracts a configuration number from a BCH received by a BCH reception unit (102). A control unit (104) determines the corresponding RACH format (the necessity of repetition, the CP length TCP, the second preamble length TPRE2, and the GT length TGT) according to the configuration number, notifies a repetition unit (109) of the result of the judgment of necessity of repetition, notifies the repetition unit (109) of the second preamble length TPRE2, notifies a CP addition unit (110) of the CP length TCP, and notifies a GT addition unit (112) of the GT length TGT. When the repetition unit (109) receives the notification of performing the repetition, it performs the repetition according to the second preamble length received from a TPRE2 determination section (154). The CP addition unit (110) produces a CP according to the CP length received from a TCP determination section (155).
US08280417B2 Short user messages in system control signaling
Short user messages can be conveyed in system management signaling for a data or telephony network. In one example, a first control message is sent from a first radio to a second radio, the control message including a data field, the data field containing a short message directed from a user of the first radio to a user of a third radio. In response, a second control message is received in reply to the first control message from the second radio, the second control message including a data field, the data field containing a response to the short message.
US08280409B2 System, method, and device for providing temporary communication and calendaring applications in a private network
A communication device (100) and method (700) are disclosed for providing temporary communication features, temporary scheduling features, or combinations thereof associated with temporary membership in a private network (101), such as that associated with a hotel (102), resort (103), or cruise ship (105). An association module (209) can register (701) the communication device (100) with the private network (101) as a temporary member device. A private network information retriever (210) can then retrieve (702) one or both of private network directory information (109) and private network scheduling information (110). An integrator (211) can then integrate this information into an address book application (212) or a calendaring application (215) to provide additional functionality for the communication device (100).
US08280408B2 Methods, systems and computer program products for tailoring advertisements to a user based on actions taken using a portable electronic device
Advertising is tailored based on usage patterns of a portable electronic device are provided including determining if a portable electronic device has entered an area associated with a local area network (LAN). A link is established between the portable electronic device and the LAN if it is determined that the portable electronic device has entered the area associated with the LAN. User services are established between the portable electronic device and a remote server using the established link based on a user profile associated with the portable electronic device. Devices associated with the remote server communicatively coupled to the LAN are controlled using the portable electronic device. Actions and/or behaviors of a user are tracked based on use of the portable electronic device. Advertisements are displayed and/or played on at least one of the controlled devices based on the tracked user actions and/or behaviors.
US08280404B1 Directional feedback
This disclosure is directed to providing directional feedback to a user. For example, this disclosure describes techniques for determining at least one characteristic of a device in space. For example, a device may be configured to determine, using one or more sensors, one or more characteristics of the device in space. For example, the device may be configured to determine one or more of a direction, and/or geographical position of the device as pointed by a user in space. The device may compare one or more of the determined one or more characteristics of the device in space to a desired destination or path specified by the user, and provide the user with directional feedback if the determined one or more characteristics of the device in space are consistent with the desired destination or path.
US08280400B1 Mobile communication device with location-triggered tasks
A mobile communication device may include a wireless communication system configured to wirelessly communicate with other communication systems. A location sensing system may be configured to sense the location of the mobile communication device. A data storage system may be configured to store data representative of tasks which the mobile communication device should perform at different locations. A task manager application may contain at least one algorithm. The algorithm may be configured to receive information indicative of the current location of the mobile communication device from the location-sensing system, query the data storage system for any tasks which the mobile communication device should perform at the current location, and cause any tasks located by the query to be performed while at the current location.
US08280397B2 Mobile telephone unit with broadcast receiving function
A mobile phone having a broadcast receiving function that can promptly preset a receiving frequency depending on areas, and easily receive a broadcast of a broadcast station having the receiving frequency, even when a user moves around for a pleasure or business trip. The mobile phone has a broadcast receiving unit that receives a broadcast, including: a memory operable to store position information of a base station corresponding to a receiving frequency of a broadcast station receivable in an area indicated by the position information; and a control unit operable to acquire the position information of the base station, judge whether the acquired position information is stored in the memory, and when stored, read a receiving frequency corresponding to the acquired position information, and instruct the broadcast receiving unit to receive a broadcast of the broadcast station having the receiving frequency.
US08280393B2 Method and apparatus for bandwidth resource allocation in mobile communication system
The invention discloses a method and an apparatus of bandwidth resource allocation in a mobile communication system. The methods is used for dividing sector bandwidth resource into private bandwidth resource for only users in its own sector and a public bandwidth resource. The bandwidth resource in the public bandwidth resource which is not allocated to users in its own sector for use can be lent to other sectors, and bandwidth resource in the public bandwidth resource which has been allocated to users, located at a central area, of its own sector for use can be multiplexed by other sectors. The method of bandwidth resource allocation in a mobile communication system according to the present invention utilizes the resource of the adjacent cells efficiently, and resolves the interference among cells due to the bandwidth resource borrowing/multiplexing.
US08280390B2 Mobile station apparatus, program for controlling thereof and data transmitting method
In case that an uplink grand from a base station apparatus is detected on PDCCH, a data designated by the uplink grant, channel state information measured at the time of transmission are transmitted by PUSCH as an uplink transmission signal. Then, in case that a notice that indicates retransmission is received, the data to be retransmission and the channel state information measured at the time of retransmission are transmitted by PUSCH. Accordingly, the mobile station apparatus can transmit appropriate channel state information when designated to retransmission so that the base station apparatus can make an efficient communication control (scheduling) between the base station apparatus and the mobile station apparatus that is suitable for the current channel condition.
US08280389B1 Sensing configuration in carrier aggregation scenarios
The present invention proposes methods, devices and computer program products in relation to a communication module configured for communication in a carrier aggregation mode aggregating a primary and at least one secondary carrier. Scheduling information is carried in a control channel of one of the carriers, the scheduling information being associated to a respective one of said aggregated carriers and designating search spaces for payload in a payload channel of said respective aggregated carrier. Sensing is performed responsive to a sensing command added to the scheduling information associated to said at least one secondary carrier, which sensing command commands sensing to be performed on said at least one secondary carrier.
US08280386B2 System and method for utilizing resources in a communication system
A system and method for utilizing resources in a communication system are provided, in which a cell is divided into N sectors, a total frequency resource is divided into a center frequency region and a normal frequency region, the center frequency region is divided into N or more center frequency bands, and resources are allocated so that one sector uses at least one center frequency band and a normal frequency band corresponding to the normal frequency region.
US08280382B2 Cellular communication system and method of operation therefor
A cellular communication system comprises an access point (101) which supports an underlay cell of a first cell on an underlay frequency using another frequency. A proximity detector (113) detects user equipment (109) in response to a wireless transmission therefrom, which uses a different transmission technology from a transmission of the cellular communication system. In response to the proximity detection, the access point (101) temporarily transmits a pilot signal on the first cell frequency. The user equipment (109) is then switched to the access point (109) and the underlay frequency in response to a detection indication from the user equipment (109) indicating that the pilot signal has been detected. Following the switch the access point (101) terminates the transmission of the pilot signal.
US08280381B2 Intra-system handoff method
The present invention provides an intra-system handoff method, comprising the following steps: S302, when deciding a handoff of UE to a target base station, a source base station issues a handoff request to the target base station; S304, in response to the handoff request from the source base station, the target base station informs the source base station to conduct handoff for the UE; S306, after the completion of the handoff, the target base station issues an update request to an MME; and S308, in response to the update request from the target base station, the MME conducts Serving GW selection, and further fulfils the intra-system handoff. By the present invention, the target eNodeB need not determine whether access to the Serving GW is available, and accordingly the target eNodeB can avoid from configuring Serving GW.
US08280380B2 Method and system for transmitting/receiving neighbor base-station advertisement message in broadband wireless access system
Disclosed is a method and system for transmitting/receiving a neighbor base-station information message in a broadband wireless access system. A base station sets and transmits a neighbor base-station information message, which includes a specific flag field for limiting neighbor base-station information and a reserved field and omits iterative neighbor base-station information depending on a value set in the specific flag field, thereby increasing a transmission efficiency. A mobile terminal receives the neighbor base-station information message from the base station, checks the received message, and then updates an operator ID according to the value set in the specific flag field.
US08280377B2 Method of performing cell reselection in wireless communication system
A method of performing cell reselection includes receiving priority for a different frequency or RAT (Radio Access Technology) and information on a validity timer for the priority, starting the validity timer, performing cell reselection based on the priority while the validity timer is running, receiving reconfiguration information of the validity timer, and reconfiguring the validity timer based on the reconfiguration information.
US08280376B2 Geography aware peer-to-peer overlay creation
In general, a first private access point detects a neighboring private access point. An address of the neighboring private access point is identified, and a peer-to-peer network that includes the first private access point and the neighboring private access points is formed. The peer-to-peer network is maintained between the first private access point and the neighboring private access points.
US08280374B2 Policy management in a roaming or handover scenario in an IP network
The invention comprises methods and arrangements for Policy Decision Point discovery in a roaming or handover scenario in an IP network (IN) comprising a plurality of network elements. The authentication function, e.g. an AAA-server, receives the address (ASPDP1) of the serving Policy Decision Point (SPDP1) associated to the user equipment, and stores the address of the serving policy decision point together with the local address of the user equipment. The authentication function sends the address of the serving policy Decision Point to the Home Agent so that the Home Agent can forward the address of the serving policy decision point to the anchor Policy Decision Point and so that the anchor Policy Decision Point can contact the serving policy decision point by using said address of the serving Policy Decision Point.
US08280368B2 Method and system for re-acquiring signals of a wireless broadcast network
The disclosure is directed to a mobile communication device that determines when a performance disruption indicates a loss of synchronization with a broadcast signal and, in response, initiates reacquisition of the signal. Reacquisition techniques may include identifying and decoding only select portions of header information in the broadcast signal. Reacquisition may also be initiated in response to one or more deterministic triggers and during a test mode of operation.
US08280367B2 Methods and apparatus for efficiently managing the storage of e-mail message information for a mobile station
A mobile device receives, via a wireless network, a plurality of messages and stores message information of the messages in memory. Each message includes at least one correspondent address and conversation text with the at least one correspondent address, as well as metadata comprising an identifier for uniquely identifying the message at a server. The mobile device identifies whether a size of the message information has reached a first predetermined limit of the memory. Based on identifying that the size of the message information has reached the first predetermined limit, the mobile device deletes from the memory, automatically without user intervention, at least portions of the conversation text of some of the messages while retaining storage of the correspondent addresses and the metadata thereof. The mobile device also identifies whether the size of the message information has reached a second predetermined limit of the memory, which is greater than the first predetermined limit. Based on identifying that the size of the message information has reached the second predetermined limit, the mobile device deletes from the memory, automatically without user intervention, the correspondent addresses and the metadata associated with the messages having the deleted conversation texts.
US08280358B2 Method for operating ad hoc communication network and corresponding device
A user leaving an ad-hoc network is detected and a corresponding sequence of commands are executed independently of surrounding conditions. A user who joins the network transmits an execute-on-leave script to one or several users. The execute-on-leave script includes the commands that have to be executed when the user leaves the network, to ensure that the script is executed even when the device is no longer a network user.
US08280357B2 Information sharing after proximity connection has ended
The different illustrative embodiments provide a method, system, and computer program product for sharing a list passed in a shared direct communication environment after a direct communication has ended among mobile devices. A profile associated with the first mobile device in a storage of a server computer is accessed by an indirect transceiver in the second mobile device responsive to a second mobile device acquiring an information that is responsive to a list previously received from a first mobile device and responsive to the information being acquired during a time when there is no direct communication between the first mobile device and the second mobile device. A contact information is retrieved, and the information is sent to a location specified by the contact information.
US08280356B2 Enabling a user to purchase a ring back tone
The instant application describes a method for enabling a user of a mobile device to purchase a Ring Back Tone (“RBT”). The method includes steps of receiving an identifier associated with the mobile device that has received the RBT as a result of a call to another device and a mapping identification code associated with a RBT content identification code; generating a long code for the mapping identification code; and generating a message with the long code as a reply-to-number. The method also includes steps of sending the message to the mobile device, the message offering the user of the mobile device an option to purchase the RBT; receiving a response from the mobile device, reflecting the mobile device's user desire to either purchase the RBT or not to purchase the RBT; and identifying the mapping identification code from the reply-to-number in the response. Upon determining that the user desires to purchase the RBT from the response, allowing the purchase of the RBT by determining the RBT content identification code based on the mapping identification code.
US08280355B1 Method and system to determine the velocity of a mobile communication device
A plurality of beacons transmit beacon signals indicating beacon identifiers. A mobile communication device receives a first one of the beacon signals indicating a first one of the beacon identifiers when the mobile communication device is proximate to a first one of the beacons. The mobile communication device generates a random code and transmits a first message indicating the first beacon identifier and the random code. The mobile communication device receives a second one of the beacon signals indicating a second one of the beacon identifiers when the mobile communication device is proximate to a second one of the beacons and transmits a second message indicating the second beacon identifier and the random code. A computer system receives the first message and the second message and processes the random code, the first beacon identifier, and the second beacon identifier to determine the velocity of the mobile communication device.
US08280351B1 Automatic device authentication and account identification without user input when application is started on mobile station
Disclosed procedures automatically identify a carrier-authorized mobile station and verify an account related identifier (e.g. mobile number) associated with the device, in response to start-up of an application in the device. In an example, application start-up causes the device to send a request to an application server, with the device's current IP address, MTN and a device identifier such as MEID or ESN. The server queries a AAA system of the network to retrieve the MTN that has been assigned the IP address. If the retrieved MTN matches the MTN passed to the server in the request, the server queries a network database such as DMD for the device identifier associated with the MTN. A match of the device identifier retrieved from the network database with that passed to the server via the request indicates perfect authenticity of the requesting device and its MTN.
US08280350B2 Method of mitigating interference in mixed frequency
Disclosed is the radio (wireless) communication system providing a radio communication service and the terminal, and more particularly, to a method of releasing a restricted-access based on a network's setting and an interference situation measured by the terminal in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS) evolved from the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system.
US08280344B2 Dynamic telephone directory for wireless handsets
Systems and methods deliver a dynamic telephone directory to wireless handsets of emergency services personnel for responding to an incident. When an incident occurs, wireless handsets of emergency services personnel near the incident are identified. An incident-specific telephone directory is generated using information stored in a database of emergency response personnel including wireless handsets of emergency services personnel within an incident response area plus personnel outside the area with responsibilities for managing or assisting in the incident response. The incident-specific telephone directory is then delivered to wireless handsets of emergency services personnel. The database of emergency services personnel and the incident-specific telephone directory may be organized by name, roles and responsibilities, agency, geography, incident type, and response plan. Wireless handsets within an incident response area may be those wireless handsets accessing a private network provided for emergency communications or by wireless handsets reporting their location to a central server.
US08280343B2 System and method for providing contact information of a mobile device to a reverse 911 database
In one embodiment, when a mobile device is powered on, a mobile switching center acquires the contact information, such as, but not limited to, a phone number and the physical location associated with the mobile device. If the mobile device is a new device to the area, the contact information of the mobile device is passed to a reverse 911 database in order for a user of the mobile device to receive local alert messages transmitted by a reverse 911 system.
US08280341B2 GPS-assisted architecture for VoIP 9-1-1
A system receives a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) 9-1-1 call and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) data from a first network device and identifies a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) using the received GPS data.
US08280336B2 Apparatus and method for eliminating outband interference signal
Provided is an apparatus and method for eliminating an outband interference signal. An apparatus for eliminating an interference signal includes a first mixer, a filter unit, a second mixer, and an operation unit. The first mixer downconverts a received signal containing an outband interference signal. The filter unit extracts the downconverted outband interference signal from the downconverted received signal. The second mixer upconverts the downconverted outband interference signal to restore the outband interference signal to the original frequency band. The operation unit subtracts and eliminates the restored outband interference signal from the received signal.
US08280335B2 Dynamic RFI detection
Provided herein are different embodiments for performing radio frequency interference (RFI) detection in electronic devices such as mobile computing systems.
US08280334B2 System and method for radio signal reconstruction using signal processor
A waveform reconstruction circuit receives an rf signal from an antenna, digitizes it, and then generates an undistorted reconstructed waveform. The reconstructed waveform can then be conventionally mixed and demodulated to extract useful signal information with enhanced receiver fidelity and sensitivity.
US08280333B2 Harmonic rejection mixer unit and method for performing a harmonic rejection mixing
A harmonic rejection mixer unit is provided which comprises an input (RF), at least one harmonic rejection unit (HRU) with at least two transistor units (T3a, T3b; T4a, T4b) for multiplying an input signal from the input (RF) with a multiplication signal (ELO). The harmonic rejection mixer unit furthermore comprises a transistor control signal generating unit (GGU) for generating transistor control signals (GS1-GS4) for the at least two transistor units (T3a, T3b; T4a, T4b) of the at least one harmonic rejection unit (HRU) by deriving the transistor control signals (GS1-GS4) from a local oscillator signal (LO). The transistor control signals (GS3, GS4) for the at least two transistor units (T3a, T3b; T4a, T4b) are generated with a duty cycle of <50% and are generated such that the shape of the multiplication signal ELO) is achieved by a constructive summation of the output signals from the transistor units (T3a, T3b; T4a, T4b). The transistor control signals (GS1-GS4) are generated such that only a summation of output signals from the transistor units with the same sign or with zero is performed.
US08280328B2 High speed frequency detector
A sensor (10) for detecting an incident RF signal having a carrier frequency, and for estimating said carrier frequency, comprises a plurality of filters (70-73), each allowing passage of signals over a different band of frequencies from the band of frequencies over which passage of signals is allowed by the others of the plurality of filters (70-73), and a plurality of detectors (80-83). Each filter (70-73) is associated with at least one of the plurality of detectors (80-83), and said at least one detector (80-83) is arranged in use to generate an output signal if the incident RF signal results in a signal in the band of frequencies passed by the filter (70-73) with which the detector (80-83) is associated. Generation of the output signal by the detector (80-83) indicates in which of the frequency bands the incident RF signal has been detected. Between arrival of the incident RF signal at the sensor (10) and generation of the output signal indicating in which of the frequency bands the incident RF signal has been detected, there is a delay of not more than 1 microsecond.
US08280326B2 Receiver comprising a radiofrequency splitter
A receiver comprises a radio frequency splitter and respective tuning elements, which are coupled to respective outputs of the radio frequency splitter One of these tuning elements has a control terminal coupled to receive a direct current control signal via a radio frequency-blocking circuit. A direct current path extends, via the radio frequency splitter, from the aforementioned control terminal to a control terminal of another tuning element.
US08280321B2 Systems and methods of RF power transmission, modulation, and amplification, including Cartesian-Polar-Cartesian-Polar (CPCP) embodiments
Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
US08280315B2 RF integrated circuit with transmitter and multipurpose output ports and methods for use therewith
An RF integrated circuit (IC) includes a first IC port for coupling a first transmit signal in a first frequency band to at least one external device and a second IC port for coupling a second transmit signal in a second frequency band to the at least one external device. A transmitter module responds to outbound data to generate the first transmit signal in a first mode of operation and to generate the second transmit signal in a second mode of operation, wherein the transmitter module generates the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal in a selected one of a plurality of wireless telephony formats based on a control signal, and wherein the plurality of wireless telephony formats includes a UMTS format and at least one non-UMTS format.
US08280313B2 Base station selecting method and wireless terminal device
A base station selecting method of this invention includes the steps of causing each of a plurality of ID transmitters (102) provided in the communication range of a wireless base station (103) to transmit location ID information for identifying the installation location of the ID transmitter (102) by a near field wireless communication scheme, and when a wireless terminal device (101) has received the location ID information, determining a connection destination wireless base station (103) based on the received location ID information. This makes it possible to speed up search processing and switch processing of the wireless base station (103) while suppressing an increase in the cost of the wireless terminal device (101) and also facilitate coverage design and coverage change of the wireless base station (103).
US08280311B2 Method of determining the presence of a telecommunications signal on a frequency band
The invention relates to a method of determining the presence of a telecommunications signal on a frequency band, said signal being assumed cyclostationary, comprising steps of: determining an energy vector {circumflex over (T)} (14) comprising m components respectively representative of energy values of an autocorrelation function of the signal received on said frequency band for m shift times, calculating correlation elements (15) between the m components of the energy vector {circumflex over (T)}, performing a statistical calculation (16) on the correlation elements calculated so as to determine a statistical indicator λ, comparing (17) the statistical indicator obtained λ with a predetermined threshold with the aim of determining the presence of a telecommunications signal on said frequency band.
US08280307B2 Wireless access module with integrated antenna
An integrated wireless antenna/transceiver module that has particular application for use on a vehicle. The module includes a plurality of antenna radiating elements integrated on a circuit board where a separate radiating element is typically provided for each wireless application desirable for the particular vehicle. The module further includes a separate transceiver integrated on the circuit board where each transceiver is electrically coupled to a particular radiating element. Each of the transceivers is also electrically coupled to a local area network hub that receives signals from the transceiver, where the hub multiplexes the signals onto a digital interface to be sent to the particular application in the vehicle.
US08280304B2 Device with an EEPROM having both a near field communication interface and a second interface
A device and a method for programming the read/writeable memory of the RFID circuitry by communications between either RF antenna (12) or bus communications port controller interface (4) or both. In a peripheral device (1), an EEPROM (6), bus communications controller interface (4), NFC interface (8), antenna (12), and logic controller (10) operate to receive and transmit configuration and calibration data between a Bluetooth circuit (40) and an external device (22). The dual interfaced EEPROM (2) shares or partitions its EEPROM (6) between the Bluetooth circuit (40) and the external device (22).
US08280303B2 Distributed digital signal processor
A distributed digital signal processor (DSP) includes instruction memory, data memory, a multiply-accumulate module, an instruction MMW transceiver, a data MMW transceiver, and a multiply-accumulate transceiver. The multiply-accumulate module performs a function upon first and second data elements in accordance with a command of an instruction. The instruction MMW transceiver transmits a MMW instruction signal that includes at least a portion of the instruction. The data MMW transceiver transmits a MMW data signal in response to receiving the MMW instruction signal, wherein the MMW data signal includes the first and second data elements. The multiply-accumulate MMW transceiver recovers the first and second data elements from the MMW data signal and recovers a command corresponding to the function from the MMW instruction signal.
US08280298B2 Sheet humidifying device and image forming system provided therewith
A sheet humidifying device includes a pair of humidifying rollers which form a nip portion by pressure contacting against each other and giving water to a sheet passing through the nip portion, a water-supply roller that pressure contacts the humidifying roller and supplies water to the humidifying roller, a water vessel that stores water to be supplied to the water-supply roller, and a pressure-contact releasing section that releases pressure-contact of the pair of humidifying rollers and releases pressure-contact between the humidifying roller and the water-supplying roller.
US08280295B2 Cleaning device, image forming apparatus including the device, and process cartridge including the device
A cleaning device includes a cleaning member, a collection member, an electrical field generator, and a separation member. The cleaning member has a surface capable of moving while contacting a surface of a cleaning target to remove toner on the surface of the cleaning target. The collection member has a surface capable of moving while contacting the surface of the cleaning member to collect the toner on the surface of the cleaning member. The electrical field generator generates an electrical field to move the toner from the cleaning member to the collection member. The separation member contacts the surface of the collection member to separate the toner on the surface of the collection member. The collection member has a centerline average surface roughness of not more than 0.1 μm and shows a surface hardness rank of B or higher in a steel-wool scratch test.
US08280290B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A pressure releasing lever is operated to switch the position of a locking member between a pressure exertion position and a pressure release position. In the pressure exertion position a pressure exerting roller exerts pressure against another roller via a pressure exerting lever and in the pressure release position the pressure exerting roller separates from the roller. An elastic member pulls the locking member and a second end of the pressure exerting lever in a locking direction. A core end of the pressure exerting roller is rotatably supported by a shaft bearing. The pressure exerting lever engages with the shaft bearing.
US08280275B2 Combination gear, detachable unit, and image forming apparatus using these
A combination gear having a simple structure is provided at low cost without increasing a number of components. In at least two gears adjacent in an axial line direction and having a same rotation direction, three engaging portions arranged in a regular triangle are formed at an end of one of the adjacent gears and a regular triangle engaging hole is formed at an end of another gear. The engaging portions and the engaging hole fit together with play remaining, and when one of the gears rotates, the three engaging portions and three surfaces of the engaging hole engage such that the other gear rotates coaxially, and when rotation stops, the engaging portions and the engaging hole move in a direction orthogonal to the axial line by a play amount and become eccentric.
US08280272B2 High-voltage power supply of image forming apparatus
A high-voltage power supply usable in an image forming apparatus includes a power transformation unit that generates an alternate-current (AC) voltage by transforming a voltage applied to the high-voltage power supply and a plurality of rectification units that are connected to the power transformation unit in order to rectify the AC voltage into different DC voltages, respectively.
US08280271B2 Printing system and order-sheet-based batch printing method
A printing system includes an optical sensor that reads a plurality of order sheets at least selecting images to be printed and printing sheet types, a printing specifying unit that specifies the images and printing sheet types selected by the order sheets on the basis of an output from the optical sensor, a reader that reads image data of the images selected by the order sheets from a recording medium, and a printer that prints the read image data on types of printing paper which correspond to the printing sheet types selected by the order sheets, wherein after the optical sensor reads the order sheets, the printer performs batch printing based on the images and printing sheet types selected by all the order sheets.
US08280266B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit having image forming elements and a fixing unit. The image forming elements includes an image carrier, a charging unit, a developer carrier, and a developer supplier. The image forming apparatus further includes a post unoperated period image formation preparation processor operable to, when the unoperated period, which is a time period from an end of an image forming operation to a start of a subsequent image forming operation is equal to or greater than a threshold, perform an idling operation to rotate the image carrier while applying a post unoperated period image formation preparation voltage, which is different from a normal image formation voltage, to a given one or more of the image forming elements.
US08280264B2 Toner supply container and image forming apparatus, for detecting the amount of remaining toner
A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the toner supply container including a rotatable container body for containing toner; and a sensor, rotatable integrally with the container body, for detecting a remaining toner amount in the container body.
US08280261B2 Optical signal phase regenerator for formats of differential modulation with phase changes
The invention relates to a device for regenerating the phase of an optically modulated signal with phase changes and based on two and three replicas, wherein the replicas refer to the number of identical signals that are obtained form the input signal. This regenerator is capable of regenerating the phase and period of any format of modulation of optical communications systems which are differential modulation with phase changes, such as: DISK, DQPSK, RZ-DQPSK, RZ-DQPSK, D8PSK, D8PSK, RZ-D16PSK, D16PSK. The regenerator design presented involves the regenerator being placed alter the multiplexer of a communications system and before the signal modulators and/or decoders. Thus the regenerator receives the signal leaving the multiplexer and this signal is input in an amplitude modulator.
US08280260B2 Dynamically optimizing a decision threshold voltage in an optical transponder
A transponder having a dynamic remapping circuit remaps a value of decision threshold voltage Vdtc and a value of optical power RXP to a reference voltage Vref to minimize the bit error rate BER of a communication system. The dynamic remapping circuit implements a bilinear mapping of Vdtc and RXP to Vref with three bilinear remapping constants “a”, “b”, and “c” selected to align a remapped value of Vdtc_opt to a selected Vdtc normalization value, Vdtc_norm. A transponder in accord with an embodiment of the invention prevents BER from exceeding a threshold value of BER whether RXP or OSNR, or both, remain constant, change continuously, or change intermittently. Constants “a”, “b”, and “c” are related to parameters resulting from mathematically fitting a line to data comprising Vdtc_opt versus RXP. Another embodiment comprises a method for dynamically optimizing Vdtc and RXP to Vref in a transponder with a bilinear remapping circuit.
US08280259B2 Radio-over-fiber (RoF) system for protocol-independent wired and/or wireless communication
An optically-switched fiber optic communication system, such as a Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) based optical fiber link system, may be used to increase the range of peer-to-peer communications. The optically-switched fiber optic communication system may include a head-end unit (HEU) having an optical switch bank. Fiber optic cables comprising optical fibers optically couple the HEU to one or more remote access points in different coverage areas. The optical switch bank in the HEU provides a link between the remote access points in the different coverage areas such that devices in the different cellular coverage areas can communicate with each other over the optical fibers through the HEU. By using the optically-switched fiber optic communication system, the range and coverage of communication between devices may be extended such that devices in different coverage areas and devices using different communication protocols can communicate.
US08280253B2 Optical telecommunications network terminal, an installation including the terminal, and a method of detecting a break in optical transmission means
An optical telecommunications network terminal includes a device for generating downlink optical signals and a device for receiving uplink optical signals, the optical signals being conveyed in optical transmission means connected to the terminal. More particularly, the generator device is adapted to generate a continuous optical signal at wavelength λii and having an initial power greater than a power threshold for the occurrence of a stimulated Brillouin effect, above which threshold said continuous optical signal induces in the optical transmission means a continuous Brillouin backscattering uplink optical signal at wavelength λ′ii. The optical signal receiver device further includes means for analyzing the power of said continuous Brillouin backscattering optical signal at wavelength λ′ii.
US08280248B2 Method and apparatus for loading, detecting, and monitoring channel-associated optical signals
A method and apparatus for loading, detecting, and monitoring channel-associated signals are provided. Channel-associated signals are identified with spread spectrum codes in the electrical domain, and after being modulated to an optical service signal at respective loading points separately, the channel-associated identification signals are transmitted in the optical channel along with the optical signal. At any downstream detecting point, passing optical signals can be converted through photoelectric conversion, and the channel-associated identification signals are de-spread. By detecting the channel-associated signals, it is possible to learn about whether the upstream loading point work normally, whether the optical channel operates normally, etc., and thereby to find possible failures, solve problems, and monitor quality parameters of optical signals in real time, and improve reliability of the optical signal transmission.
US08280244B2 Optical ring network system
An optical transmission apparatus connected to an optical ring network stores identification information of an optical transmission apparatus as a communication partner predetermined on a communication path. Each optical transmission apparatus includes self identification information in header information of an optical signal having a working wavelength used in normal operation, and transmits the optical signal to one of the two optical ring networks transferring optical signals in mutually opposite directions. The optical transmission apparatus determines whether the identification information included in the header information of the received optical signal having the working wavelength matches pre-stored identification information. The optical transmission apparatus thus detects a fault that occurs by the communication path. The optical transmission apparatus having detected the fault requests the communication partner to transmit the optical signal on a backup wavelength in the optical ring network opposite in direction to the optical ring network in the normal operation.
US08280240B2 Electronic flash device and image pickup apparatus provided with electronic flash device
An electronic flash device that is capable of preventing an electric leak from a secondary electrode section or a circuit board pattern that is electrically connected with the secondary electrode section to conductive materials such as a surrounding metal exterior and a metallic frame in a downsized electronic flash device. An electronic component has a high voltage section for emitting an emission section. A circuit board contains the electronic component. An insulating member covers the high voltage section of the electronic component. The insulating member is extended to a side of the circuit board that is opposite to the side on which the electronic component is contained at an outer edge section of the circuit board close to the high voltage section.
US08280237B2 Cogeneration system using surplus electrical current
A cogeneration system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell (1) configured to generate electricity and heat; a hot water tank (2) configured to store hot water having recovered the heat generated by the fuel cell (1); a heat exchanger (7) configured to transfer the heat generated by the fuel cell (1) to the hot water; a hot water passage (8) that is a first heat medium passage configured such that the heat is transferred to the hot water by the heat exchanger (7) and the hot water flows into the hot water tank (2); a heat medium supplier (9) configured to cause the heat medium to flow through the first heat medium passage (8); a hot water supplying passage (11) through which the hot water stored in the hot water tank (2) is supplied to the heat load; an electric power consuming heater (12) configured to heat the hot water flowing through the hot water supplying passage (11) toward the heat load by consuming surplus electric power of the fuel cell (1) and commercial electric power; and a second heat medium passage (A) configured such that the hot water is heated by the electric power consuming heater (12) and flows into the hot water tank (2).
US08280232B2 Recording medium, playback apparatus, method and program
A plurality of video streams and STN_table are recorded in the local storage 200. Each of the plurality of video streams is a secondary video stream to be played together with a primary video stream, and includes picture data representing a child image to be displayed in Picture in Picture that is composed of a parent image and the child image. In the STN_table, entries of secondary video streams that are permitted to be played are described in the order of priority.
US08280227B2 Caption removal method for digital video editing system
A caption removal method for a digital video editing system includes the following steps. A video frame of a video sequence is inputted. A high level executing stage is provided. The high level executing stage includes the step of recovering the structural region of the temporal domain in the video frame and the step of recovering the structural region of the spatial domain in the video frame. A low level executing stage is provided. The low level executing stage includes the step of recovering the non-structural region in the video frame.
US08280226B2 Content recorder multi-angle viewing and playback
A method, system, and computer program product for selecting, in real time, a leading view of a multi-angle television program. A video recorder receives a program view selection. The video recorder then transmits a viewer data request for the currently selected program view to a service provider. The video recorder may then receive requested viewer data of the selected program view and one or more alternate views of the selected program. The video recorder may then determine if the selected program view is the leading view of the selected program. When the selected view is not the leading view and the video recorder is configured for automatic view switching, the video recorder may autonomously switch to the leading view of the selected program. Alternatively, the video recorder may present vote totals of all views of the selected program and enable a selection of a desired alternate view.
US08280221B2 Transmission server system and material transfer method
A transmission server system includes: a material output portion that temporarily stores materials making up a program and transferred from a material server and outputs the materials by successively reading out the materials, wherein the material output portion has a plurality of recording and reproducing portions, the materials making up the program are transferred from the material server commonly to the plurality of recording and reproducing portions and recorded in each, and the respective materials are reproduced by and outputted from a recoding and reproducing portion as a transmission subject among the plurality of recording and reproducing portions.
US08280220B2 Reproduction apparatus, data processing system, reproduction method, program, and storage medium
A reproduction apparatus successively decoding and reproducing a plurality of picture data forming reproduced data, comprising a reproduction memory, a decoder decoding the picture data, writing the decoding results in the reproduction memory, and reproducing and outputting the decoding results read from the reproduction memory, and a processing circuit for performing decoding scheduling for determining an order of making the decoder decode picture data belonging to a group of picture data in units of groups of picture data comprised of a predetermined plurality of the picture data, generating scheduling result data including decoding order data indicating the determined order and validity data indicating validity of the picture data, selecting the picture data to be processed in the order determined by the decoding scheduling based on the scheduling result data, and, conditional on the selected picture data being valid, making the decoder decode and reproduce and output the picture data and, when receiving a reproduction rate change command, updating the validity data of the scheduling result data in accordance with the changed reproduction rate.
US08280217B2 Holding apparatus for splice protection devices with splices, accommodated in the splice protection devices, of optical waveguides
The invention relates to a holding apparatus for splice protection devices with splices, accommodated in the splice protection devices, of optical waveguides, with a base wall and a plurality of separating elements which engage on the base wall, the separating elements demarcating accommodating regions from one another which run substantially parallel to one another for in each case at least one splice protection device. According to the invention, at least some accommodating regions are delimited at least one longitudinal side by in each case at least one first separating element, which has a dimensionally stable section and at least one elastically deformable section, the dimensionally stable section engaging on the base wall, the or each elastically deformable section engaging on the dimensionally stable section in such a way that the former protrudes, in an unformed initial position, into the respective accommodating region while reducing the effective width thereof and can be elastically deformed out of the initial position while enlarging the effective width of the respective accommodating region for the purpose of inserting a splice protection device into the respective accommodating region.
US08280211B1 All-optical high bandwidth sampling device based on a third-order optical nonlinearity
An all-optical sampling device using four-wave mixing in third-order optically nonlinear materials is described. The four-wave mixing based sampler comprises a waveguide combiner, which adds a gate optical signal to a signal of interest to be sampled. In a four-wave mixing region, a sampled signal at the output optical frequency is produced. All of the optical signals are sent to a passive optical filter, which preferentially discards the gate and signal optical frequencies, but preserves the sampled signal at the output optical frequency. The sampled signal at the output optical frequency can be observed, displayed, recorded or otherwise manipulated.
US08280209B2 Cable conduits having ripcords for longitudinally slitting the conduit and related methods
Cable conduits include an elongated tubular conduit body having an exterior surface and an interior surface that define a tube wall, the interior surface of the tubular body defining a longitudinal internal cavity that is configured to hold a plurality of jacketed cables. The conduits also have first and second longitudinally extending channels within the tube wall. A first ripcord is free-floating within at least a portion of the first longitudinally extending channel and a second ripcord is free-floating within at least a portion of the second longitudinally extending channel. The first and second longitudinally extending channels are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal internal cavity. Related methods of slitting such cable conduits are also provided.
US08280208B2 Optical fiber connector and network device configuration
A fiber-optic coupler may include a first optical fiber including an end portion to send or receive optical signals to or from an end portion of a second optical fiber. The coupler may also include a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) structure to align the end portion of the first optical fiber with the end portion of the second optical fiber.
US08280206B2 WSS with hitless switching
A wavelength selective switch (WSS) with hitless switching. The WSS includes the fiber collimator array, the focusing lens, collimating lens, diffraction grating, focusing lens, and attenuation reflection unit array. Each attenuation reflection unit has an interconnected transmission-type MEMS attenuator and a one-dimension MEMS reflector. The transmission-type MEMS attenuator is positioned in the front of the one-dimension MEMS reflector. The central axis of the transmission-type MEMS attenuator aligns and coincides with that of the one-dimension MEMS reflector, with the two central axes being glued together. The WSS of the present invention effectively utilizes the combination of a one-dimension reflector array and a transmission-type optical attenuator chip. With the use of one-dimension reflector array, instead of the known two-dimension reflector array, the complexity of design and manufacture is greatly reduced, thereby reducing the production costs of the switch.
US08280203B2 Parallel optical communications device having weldable inserts
A parallel optical communications device is provided that has an OSA that includes at least one heat dissipation block having a slot formed in a lower surface thereof that contains a weldable insert. Likewise, an upper surface of the mounting device of the ESA has at least one slot formed therein that contains a weldable insert. After the OSA is placed in contact with the ESA and optically aligned with the ESA, the OSA is secured to the upper surface of the mounting device of the ESA by welding together the respective weldable inserts contained in the respective slots in the OSA and in the mounting device of the ESA. The welding process results in an extremely strong welded joint between the OSA and the ESA that prevents relative movement between the OSA and the ESA if external forces that are exerted on the OSA and/or on the ESA.
US08280198B2 Multi-behavior image correction tool
A system to perform modifications, or adjustments, to a digital image includes an interface component to receive selection input that indicates a location with respect to the digital data to be modified. A detector then detects a characteristic of the digital data. A configurator configures a data modification component to modify the digital data based on the detected characteristic. As configured by the configurator, the data modification component is further configured to modify the digital data based on a horizontal displacement with respect to the indicated location and a vertical displacement with respect to the indicated location.
US08280196B2 Image retrieval apparatus, control method for the same, and storage medium
An image retrieval apparatus configured so as to enable a global feature method and a local feature method to complement each other is provided. After obtaining a retrieval result candidate using the local feature method, the image retrieval apparatus further verifies global features already registered in a database, with regard to the retrieval result candidate image. A verification position of the global features is estimated using the local features.
US08280188B2 System and method for making a correction to a plurality of images
An image processing apparatus includes a feature amount recognition unit that recognizes a feature amount of each of plural pieces of image data, and a processing reference extraction unit that extracts a processing reference for image correction to be made to the plural pieces of image data from the feature amount recognized by the feature amount recognition unit.
US08280187B1 Seam carving and expansion of images with color frequency priority
A system and method for expansion and reduction of images in an image editing application uses the frequency of pixels values (e.g., absolute color and/or intensity values) of an input image to determine respective energy values for each pixel of the image. The energy values may vary inversely with the frequency of the pixel values. The energy values may be used to determine one or more low-cost seams of the image to be removed for an image reduction operation or replicated for an image expansion operation, where the cost of each seam is dependent on the energy values of the pixels of the seam. Determining the frequency of pixel values of the image may involve determining the number of pixels having an absolute pixel value in each of a plurality of pixel value ranges, and the absolute pixel values included in each range may be configurable by the user.
US08280178B2 Moving image receiving apparatus
A moving image receiving apparatus has a moving image decoding apparatus (303) for decoding received moving image data. The moving image decoding apparatus (303) comprises: a media buffer (401) for storing moving image data; an intra-map memory (402) for storing an intra-map indicating a location of an intrablock included in an interframe of the moving image data; a pseudo intraframe generator (404) that, based on an intra-map stored in the intra-map memory (402), extracts an image of an intrablock included in an interframe in order from a latest interframe accumulated in the media buffer (401), combines images of intrablocks extracted from a plurality of interframes, and thereby generates a pseudo intraframe; and a decoder (406) that starts to decode moving image data, using a pseudo intraframe. The moving image receiving apparatus can thus decode received moving image data from an arbitrary frame.
US08280177B2 Encoding device using parallelized encoding, decoding device using parallelized decoding, and image forming device, method, and program storage medium including the same
An encoding device includes a first memory that stores image data, plural second memories that are associated with plural target pixels in the image data, each second memory storing pixel data of one or more reference pixels near the associated target pixel thereof, a controller that causes each second memory to store pixel data of the one or more reference pixels near the associated target pixel thereof specified from the image data stored in the first memory, and plural encoders that perform encoding on each of the plural target pixels by estimating pixel data of each target pixel using pixel data of the one or more reference pixels near each respective target pixel stored in the plural second memories wherein the plural target pixels have different positions in a subscanning direction such that one target pixel does not overlap with another target pixel in a main scanning direction, and the total amount of data of all of the reference pixels used by the plural encoders is equal to or less than the amount of information of one line of image data stored in the first memory.
US08280176B2 Video encoding device, video encoding method, video encoding program, video decoding device, video decoding method, and video decoding program
A video encoding device including a region division section for dividing a frame image constituting video data into a plurality of regions as encoding target regions, an encoding section for encoding an image of each region, an inverse transformation section and an addition section for generating reproduced image of the encoded image, a storage section for storing reproduced images, a prediction generation section for searching a region which is highly correlated to a reproduced image of a template region, which is adjacent to the region of the encoding target image in a predetermined positional relationship and is a part of the reproduced image, from the reproduced image, and determining a prediction signal based on the searched region and the above-mentioned positional relationship, and a subtraction section for generating a difference signal between the prediction signal and the encoding target image as a signal for encoding.
US08280173B2 Feature point location determination method and apparatus
A method for determining feature point locations in an image performs a first search in a predetermined first search area to search for locations of plural feature points in the image, corrects the locations of the plural feature points based on a geometric layout relationship among the plural feature points searched for, sets a second search area based on the corrected location of each of the feature points, and performs a second search in the second search area to search for the location of each of the feature points. Then, the method determines reliability of the location of each feature point searched for by the second search and selects one of the corrected location and the location searched for by the second search, as a location of the feature point.
US08280172B1 Edge location measurement correction for coaxial light images
A method for correcting coaxial light image edge location errors in a precision machine vision inspection system is disclosed. The method comprises comparing an edge position measurement of a workpiece edge feature using coaxial light and stage light. Edge position measurements using stage light have a lower uncertainty than that of coaxial light. Position correction factors may be determined from the difference between the two edge position measurements. The position correction factors may be stored for correcting subsequent edge position measurements that are based on images acquired using coaxial light. In some embodiments, position correction factors may be determined based on comparing edge position measurements for a plurality of edges.
US08280167B2 Connected component labeling system and method
Embodiments disclosed include methods for connected component labeling including labeling groups of raw data as one or more regions, the labeling including designating one or more data structures as containing information about the one or more regions; designating one or more of the regions as one or more subregions to expose a spatial distribution of one or more region features; and arranging at least one memory array with a 1:1 correspondence to a data array associated with the raw data to enable one or more data structures to include feature labels of the one or more subregions, the 1:1 correspondence enabling acquisition of the one or more region features with a controllable precision.
US08280165B2 System and method for segmenting foreground and background in a video
The present invention discloses a system and method for segmenting foreground and background in a video, wherein the system comprises: a video shooting module for shooting the video; a data reading module for reading each frame of the video; a primary segmentation module for establishing a plurality of Gaussian models in a first color space for each pixel of each frame, and performing a matching processing between each pixel of the current frame and the plurality of Gaussian models corresponding to the pixel, and primarily segmenting the pixels as foreground and background according to the result of the matching processing; and a segmentation rejudging module for performing a rejudging processing to the primarily segmented foreground and background in a second color space, so as to obtain the finally determined foreground and background. The present invention improves the effect of foreground segmentation by using the combination of the color spaces and introducing the relationship between pixels.
US08280161B2 Spot color table compensation
Spot color tables, or spot color emulation colorant recipes are updated using information generated during a first and second process color related system calibration. Rather than separately calibrate, through trial and error, individual spot color emulation colorant recipes, information from the first and second general system calibrations is used to adjust spot color recipes. In one embodiment, processing an existing or initial spot color recipe through both a first system model and a second system model generates a device independent color difference. A colorant difference is then determined by transforming a predicted color difference according to estimated partial derivatives of aspects of the second system model, wherein the partial derivatives relate changes in colorant amounts to changes in parameter values of a machine independent color space.
US08280151B2 Method for displaying recognition result obtained by three-dimensional visual sensor and three-dimensional visual sensor
Display suitable to an actual three-dimensional model or a recognition-target object is performed when stereoscopic display of a three-dimensional model is performed while correlated to an image used in three-dimensional recognition processing. After a position and a rotation angle of a workpiece are recognized through recognition processing using the three-dimensional model, coordinate transformation of the three-dimensional model is performed based on the recognition result, and a post-coordinate-transformation Z-coordinate is corrected according to an angle (elevation angle f) formed between a direction of a line of sight and an imaging surface. Then perspective transformation of the post-correction three-dimensional model into a coordinate system of a camera of a processing object is performed, and a height according to a pre-correction Z-coordinate at a corresponding point of the pre-coordinate-transformation three-dimensional model is set to each point of a produced projection image. Projection processing is performed from a specified direction of a line of sight to a point group that is three-dimensionally distributed by the processing, thereby producing a stereoscopic image of the three-dimensional model.
US08280144B2 System and method for analyzing material properties using hyperspectral imaging
Systems and methods are provided for analyzing material properties of an object using hyperspectral imaging. An exemplary method includes obtaining a hyperspectral image of an object; analyzing the hyperspectral image according to an algorithm; and correlating data obtained from the analysis with material properties of the object.
US08280143B1 Method and system for adding check information to an electronic transaction listing
A system and method for adding check information to an electronic transaction listing whereby a paper check, or copy of a paper check, is scanned into a computing system and converted to an electronic image of the paper check. One or more areas of the image of the paper check are identified and the image of the paper check is sub-divided into image sub-sections based on the content displayed in a given area/sub-section. One or more image sub-sections are copied from the electronic image of the paper check and then added to a check based financial transaction listing in a financial transaction list.
US08280140B2 Classifying image features
Methods are disclosed for classifying different parts of a sample into respective classes based on an image stack that includes one or more images.
US08280137B2 System and method of increasing temporal resolution of an x-ray image
A system, method, and apparatus includes a computed tomography (CT) system having a rotatable gantry, an x-ray source, a generator, a detector having pixels and positioned to receive x-rays, and a computer. The computer is programmed to acquire CT data representative of an object, determine a first subset of the CT data, determine a second subset of the CT data, and determine a difference between the first and second subsets of the CT data to identify a motion region in the object. The computer is also programmed to update image data reconstructed from a first portion of the first subset of the CT data and corresponding to the region and reconstruct an image based on the updated image data and non-updated image data. The non-updated image data is reconstructed from a second portion the first subset of the CT data.
US08280129B2 Medical image management device and medical image system correlating images from past and present examinations
A medical image managing device can be used in a medical image system in which an image storage device storing medical images obtained by an imaging device as past images so as to specify an examination and a series and one or more image reference devices referring a user to the past images stored in the image storage device are connected to each other through a network.
US08280126B2 Cartilage curvature
A method for the analysis of three dimensional scan data representing an articular cartilage is provided to extract a quantitative parameter indicative of joint pathology. A measure of local curvature of the cartilage is determined within a region of interest. The value of the quantitative parameter of this joint derived from this measure is compared with the value of a similar quantitative parameter previously established in respect of healthy joints and/or joints characterized by a pathology.
US08280123B2 Authentication apparatus, registration method, collation method, and program
An authentication apparatus and authentication method which can improve the authentication accuracy are provided. The authentication apparatus consecutively picks up a biological authentication object of a predetermined biological part from different directions in series, and maps a plurality of images which are obtained as the consecutive image pickup result in series to a body of a figuration corresponding to the biological part with a point on the biological authentication object in the images being the criteria, and registers the respective images mapped to the body in a storage medium as information for collation with an image to be collated which is obtained by picking up an image from an arbitrary direction.
US08280119B2 Iris recognition system using quality metrics
A system for iris recognition using a set of quality metrics, which may include eye image validation, blur assessment, offset, gazing, obscuration, visibility, and the like. These metrics may be established as quantitative measures which can automatically assess the quality of eye images before they are processed for recognition purposes. Quadrant iris analysis, histograms, map processing enhancements, and multi-band analysis may be used in aiding in the iris recognition approach.
US08280116B2 Glacial geomorphologic mapping
Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for mapping glacial geomorphology. A satellite image of an area of interest may be received. A digital elevation model of the area of interest may be received. Plains and ridges may be identified on the digital elevation model. Swamps and forest may be identified on the satellite image. A glaciological map may be generated having glacial features based on the identified plains, ridges, swamps and forest.
US08280112B2 System and method for predicting object location
A system for predicting object location includes a video capture system for capturing a plurality of video frames, each of the video frames having a first area, an object isolation element for locating an object in each of the plurality of video frames, the object being located at a first actual position in a first video frame and being located at a second actual position in a second video frame, and a trajectory calculation element configured to analyze the first actual position and the second actual position to determine an object trajectory, the object trajectory comprising past trajectory and predicted future trajectory, wherein the predicted future trajectory is used to determine a second area in a subsequent video frame in which to search for the object, wherein the second area is different in size than the first area.
US08280110B2 State estimating apparatus and state estimating program
A state estimating apparatus permits efficient, highly accurate estimation of the state of an object. A particle in a state variable space defined by a second state variable preferentially remains or increases as the likelihood thereof relative to a current measured value of a first state variable is higher, while a particle is preferentially extinguished as the likelihood thereof is lower. A particle which transitions in the state variable space according to a state transition model with a high probability of being followed by an object (a high-likelihood model) as a next model tends to increase. On the other hand, although in a small quantity, there are particles having models (low-likelihood models) which are different from the high-likelihood model as their unique models.
US08280108B2 Image processing system, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing system includes: an object detecting unit that detects a moving body object from image data of an image of a predetermined area; an object-occurrence-position detecting unit that detects an occurrence position of the object detected by the object detecting unit; and a valid-object determining unit that determines that the object detected by the object detecting unit is a valid object when the object is present in a mask area set as a non-detection target in the image of the predetermined area and the occurrence position of the object in the mask area detected by the object-occurrence-position detecting unit is outside the mask area.
US08280107B2 Method and apparatus for identification and position determination of planar objects in images
A method of identifying a planar object in source images is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: retrieving a first source image obtained by a first terrestrial based camera; retrieving a second source image obtained by a second terrestrial based camera; retrieving position data associated with the first and second source image; retrieving orientation data associated with the first and second source image; performing a looking axis rotation transformation on the first and second source image by use of the associated position data and orientation data to obtain first and second intermediate images, wherein the first and second intermediate images have an identical looking axis; performing a radial logarithmic space transformation on the first and second intermediate images to obtain first and second radial logarithmic data images; detecting an area in the first image potentially being a planar object; comparing the potential planar object having similar dimensions in the second radial logarithmic data image and similar rgb characteristics; and finally, identifying the area as a planar object and determining its position. At least one embodiment of the method enables the engineer to detect very efficiently planar perpendicular objects in subsequent images.
US08280106B2 Shadow and highlight detection system and method of the same in surveillance camera and recording medium thereof
A method and system for detecting a shadow region and a highlight region from a foreground region in a surveillance system, and a recording medium thereof, are provided. The system includes an image capturing unit to capture a new image, a background model unit to receive the new image and update a stored background model with the new image, a difference image obtaining unit to compare the new image with the background model and to obtain a difference image between the new image and the background model, a penumbra region extraction unit to extract a partial shadow region or a partial highlight region by measuring a sharpness of an edge of the difference image and expanding a background region, and an umbra region extraction unit to extract a complete shadow region or a complete highlight region based on the result of the extraction by the penumbra region extraction unit.
US08280105B2 Imaging position analyzing method
The imaging position of each of the frames in image data of a plurality of frames captured while a vehicle is traveling is accurately determined. An image data acquiring device captures a front image by means of a video camera while a vehicle is traveling. When in imaging, the device associates the vehicle speed pulse detected by a vehicle speed sensor with the frame data and records them. An image data processing device arranges data on each frame of the image along the initial path according to the correspondence with the vehicle speed pulse. The device determines the variation between the frames of a feature point such as a road lane marking included in the image, reflects the variation on the initial path, and corrects the errors in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction so as to determine the traveling path and imaging positions of the frames.
US08280104B2 Dual acquisition miniature all-sky coronagraph
A system for simultaneously imaging the corona and inner heliosphere of the Sun from a space borne platform. The system includes, a wide-field annular coronagraph (WAC) having annular, aspheric reflecting optics centered on an axis coinciding with the azimuthal orientation of the imaging system towards the Sun. The WAC incorporates an occulting cone having an axis of symmetry coinciding with that of the reflecting optic system and a baffle system for reducing stray light at angles far from the Sun. The system includes a solar coronal imager (SCI) positioned within the occulting cone of the WAC. The SCI includes axially aligned refracting optics centered on an axis coinciding with the azimuthal orientation of the imaging system and includes at least one occulting disk. The WAC and SCI each utilize digital electronic imaging and associated image processing instrumentation. The occulting cone of the WAC also functions as a radiative cooler.
US08280103B2 System reactions to the detection of embedded watermarks in a digital host content
Methods, devices and computer program products for enabling secure and efficient extraction of embedded watermarks from digital host content are provided. Upon the reception of a multi-channel digital host content with embedded watermarks, a subset of the received channels are selected and combined together to form a composite content. The composite content is then examined to recover embedded watermarks. The particular subset of channels can be selected according to a probability value. Further, a set of new channels can be selected and combined after a particular time interval has elapsed. The number of selected channels can also be varied each time a new selection is made.
US08280097B2 Microelectromechanical system diaphragm and fabricating method thereof
A microelectromechanical system diaphragm is provided. The microelectromechanical system diaphragm includes a substrate, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer. The first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate. The first conductive layer has a flexible portion in which a plurality of trenches is formed. The second conductive layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the substrate, in which the flexible portion is located above the second conductive layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the second conductive layer and the substrate. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the substrate and a portion of the first conductive layer so as to suspend the flexible portion. Furthermore, at least one first opening is formed in the first conductive layer.
US08280096B2 Electrodynamic transducer, in particular of the loudspeaker type with ferrofluid suspension and related devices
An electrodynamic transducer with a membrane includes an electrodynamic motor in a carcass in which a coil held by a mandrel connected to the membrane is capable of movement. The mandrel has a shape generated by an essentially linear generatrix, the coil being arranged in an air gap of a vertical free space where it is capable of movement and defined, towards the center of the transducer, by an inner magnetic structure and, towards the periphery of the transducer, by an outer magnetic structure, at least one of the magnetic structures generating a static magnetic field, wherein the transducer does not include any peripheral nor inner suspension and the guiding of the mobile equipment and the pneumatic tightness between the front and rear faces of the membrane being ensured by a ferrofluid. The mandrel is maintained in the air gap by the ferrofluid applied on at least one of the two faces of the mandrel and entirely filling the air gap.
US08280095B2 Mobile apparatus including speaker in sealed sound space, and method of assembling the mobile apparatus
A mobile apparatus includes a main body; a wall forming part of an enclosure forming a sound space in the main body, the wall having an opening therein; a speaker disposed in the sound space; a signal line connected to the speaker and passing through the opening in the wall; and an opening sealing member that seals the opening in the wall through which the signal line passes.
US08280094B2 In-ear earphone
An earphone device converts electric signals to audible sound. The earphone includes a first electroacoustic transducer and a second electroacoustic transducer. A separating part of the earphone is positioned between the second transducer and a sound opening of a plug area of the earphone. The separating part forms a barrier between a first sound path for the first transducer and a second sound path for the second transducer. The first sound path comprises a substantially annular cross-section disposed around the second sound path. The earphone includes a filter disk arranged in the sound opening, in which an acoustic friction is provided for each of the first and second sound paths.
US08280093B2 Deformable ear tip for earphone and method therefor
A removable component for use with an earphone is disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be an ear tip. According to one aspect, an improved ear tip can be provided for use with a headphone. The ear tip is suitable for in-ear operation and can have a cosmetic deformable outer member. The deformable outer member can enable the ear tip to readily conform to a user's ear. The ear tip can also include an inner member to structurally support the outer member and to facilitate attachment to a headphone. Methods for forming such ear tips are also disclosed.
US08280090B2 Molded pull string for custom hearing instruments
A pull string for a hearing instrument may be attached to an anchor positioned on the inside wall of the hearing instrument shell. Collision detection may be utilized to determine a location for the anchor and the pull string.
US08280088B2 Hearing apparatus with feedback detection and corresponding method
To enable hearing apparatus feedback to be reliably detected, it is provided that the hearing apparatus has an analyzer for analyzing the resonant behavior of the overall system as a function of a modification of the signal processing device and for determining from the analysis result a feedback variable constituting a measure of the feedback. On the basis of the feedback variable, an adaptive compensation filter, for example, can then be step-size-controlled to compensate the feedback.
US08280085B2 Hearing aid with LED and method of operation
A hearing aid has a housing, a signal-processing arrangement housed in the housing, an LED, an actuatable switching element arranged on the housing, and a battery. The LED is connected to a positive pole of the battery with its anode connector and to a first connector of the signal-processing arrangement with its cathode connector. The signal-processing arrangement is formed with a monitoring unit, which switches the first connector if there is a drop below a first threshold voltage such that the cathode connector can be connected to a negative pole of the battery.
US08280079B2 Piezoelectric microspeaker and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a piezoelectric microspeaker and a method of fabricating the same. In the piezoelectric microspeaker, a diaphragm includes a first region and a second region. The first region may be formed of a material capable of maximizing an exciting force, and the second region may be formed of a material having less initial stress and a lower Young's modulus than the first region.
US08280078B2 Capacitor microphone unit and capacitor microphone
Electro-acoustic converters each include a diaphragm, and a fixed electrode apart from the diaphragm for a certain distance and facing the diaphragm. The electro-acoustic converters are anteroposteriorly disposed on the same axis in a single casing, and are electrically connected in series. The front and rear converters each include impedance converters, and are serially connected with each other together with the impedance converters.
US08280076B2 System and method for audio system configuration
A system is provided for configuring an audio system for a given space. The system may statistically analyze potential configurations of the audio system to configure the audio system. The potential configurations may include positions of the loudspeakers, numbers of loudspeakers, types of loudspeakers, listening positions, correction factors, filters, or any combination thereof. The statistical analysis may indicate at least one metric of the potential configuration including indicating consistency of predicted transfer functions, flatness of the predicted transfer functions, differences in overall sound pressure level from seat to seat for the predicted transfer functions, efficiency of the predicted transfer functions, or the output of predicted transfer functions. The system also provides a methodology for selecting loudspeaker locations, the number of loudspeakers, the types of loudspeakers, correction factors, listening positions, crossover filters or a combination of these schemes in an audio system that has a single listening position or multiple listening positions.
US08280074B2 Audio signal processing apparatus
An audio signal processing apparatus for outputting an input digital audio signal as a positive phase PWM signal and a negative phase PWM signal. The resolution of the input digital audio signal is converted to a low resolution and noise shaping is performed to generate a positive phase digital signal (REF_P) and a negative phase digital signal (REF_N). Both signal patterns are compared at a buffer and pattern comparator section when muting. If the signal patterns match, a selector outputs a set value having 50% duty instead of the digital signals to optimize timing for switching to 50% duty when muting.
US08280071B2 Voice output system and method
A voice output system and method provide a voice of high quality while enabling coexistence with other wireless transmission systems. Compression-encoded voice data accompanying a video displayed on a video display surface is acquired at the side opposed to the video display surface. The voice data is wirelessly transmitted. At least at the video display surface side, the wirelessly transmitted voice data transmitted is received and expanded. Then, the voice based on the acquired expanded voice data is output.
US08280070B2 Arrangement and method for communicating audio and DC signals
An arrangement includes an input, a modulation circuit, an isolation circuit, a demodulator circuit, a detector circuit and at least two outputs. The input is configurable to receive an audio signal and a DC voltage. The modulation circuit is configured to modulate the audio signal and the DC voltage. The isolation circuit has an input electrically isolated from the output, wherein its input coupled to the modulation circuit. The demodulator circuit is operably coupled to the output of the isolation circuit and configured to extract the audio signal therefrom. The detector circuit is operably coupled to the output of the demodulator, and is configured to generate a first signal responsive to detection of a modulated signal corresponding to the DC voltage modulated by the modulation circuit.
US08280065B2 Method and system for active noise cancellation
A method and system for active noise cancellation is provided. The system employs subband processing, and preferably implements over-sampled filterbank. The system is applicable to adaptive noise cancellation, adaptive echo cancellation for portable listening devices, such as headsets and other similar listening devices.
US08280056B2 System and methods for encryption with authentication integrity
A data integrity system including a transmitter, having a TX pseudorandom function generator, a TX switching function having a transmitting option and a TX combiner operative to receive, from a Host, an initialization data entity including at least one word, [TA1], in an initialization phase, to receive, during normal operation, two data entities of interest each including at least one data word of interest [TA2] and [TA3] respectively; to receive a first data entity including at least one word [TC1] comprising a randomized data entry, from the TX pseudorandom function generator, to generate a first XOR sum of the initialization data entity's word [TA1] and the at least one randomized data entity [TC1], in at least one iteration of an initialization phase; and, during normal operation, to generate and to output a second XOR sum [TA2⊕TC2=TB2] and a third XOR sum [TA3⊕TC3=TB3], wherein TB2 and TB3 are randomized data entities, wherein the words TA1, TA2 and TA3 are operative to initialize the data integrity system including enabling the data integrity system to encrypt the TA2 word and to generate an identifying hash value output using the TA3 word.
US08280044B2 Stream encryption method and encryption system
A stream encryption method encodes plaintext of N number of 1-bit input signal sequences into L (L is N or more) bits of encrypted text using N number of pseudo random sequences and uses only one pseudo random sequence used for the encryption to decode the single corresponding plaintext. This stream encryption method comprises using the N number of pseudo random sequences to divide a L-bit encryption symbol set averagely into two equal parts; selecting either of the two partial sets by a corresponding 1-bit plaintext sequence; and when there are one or more elements of the selected N number of partial sets forming common parts in the sets, using one of those as an encryption symbol.
US08280042B2 Decryption processor and decryption processing method
A decryption processor for calculating a plaintext through decryption of a ciphertext c includes, a first part that calculates m′p through modular exponentiation modulo a first prime number p wherein an exponent is a shifted value of d(mod(p−1)), and a base is a value of c(mod p); a second modular exponentiation part that calculates m′q through modular exponentiation modulo a second prime number q, wherein an exponent is a value of d(mod(q−1)) and a base is a value of c(mod q); a composition part that calculates ms through calculation of ((u×(m′q−m′p)(mod q))×p+m′p by using the values m′p and m′q and a private key u corresponding to p−1(mod q); and a shift release part that calculates the plaintext m through calculation of ms×(cs(mod n))(mod n) by using the value ms.
US08280038B2 Microphone line based detection of headset plug removal
Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatus, systems and means for distinguishing between microphone line signals resulting from: actuation of a microphone button of a headset plugged into a telephone device jack, and removal of the headset plug form the jack. During a telephone call, a first signal can be detected on a microphone line of a headset jack to indicate whether a microphone button of the headset is actuated. Also, while the headset plug is being disconnected from the jack, a transition on the microphone line can be detected, from a second signal indicating that the microphone is being disconnected, to a third signal indicating that the microphone button is actuated. Consequently, to avoid erroneously hanging up a call, transitions to the third signal when removing the plug form the jack can be ignored and the call can be maintained. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08280037B2 Echo canceller having its effective filter taps adaptively controlled with echo cancellation amount monitored
In an echo canceller including an ADF and a cancellation adder, an ACANC calculator finds an average value of the amount of echo cancellation for a predetermined period to update the average value of the amount of echo cancellation, and detects a convergence state of the ADF to find the amount of echo cancellation in the convergence state of the ADF. A coefficient selector, when receiving a detection signal of the convergence state from the ACANC calculator, finds a power ratio of the sum total of power of all tap coefficients and the partial total of power of tap coefficients not to be assigned to taps to determine the effective number of taps useful for suppressing an echo component on the basis of the amount of echo cancellation and the power ratio. The ADF updates only the effective number of taps to disable the remaining taps.
US08280034B2 Provision of telecommunication services
A device (500) for switching-in and switching-off telecommunications or data services in a telecommunications or data network to a plurality of subscribers the device comprising a plurality of apparatuses (100, 504, 506, 508), wherein each of which comprises a first distribution matrix (104) connected to a crossover matrix (108) and a second distribution matrix (106) connected to said crossover matrix (108), wherein the crossover matrix (108) is adapted to be connected to a main cable (110) and to a distribution cable (112) and crossover switching elements for switching of connections within said crossover matrix (108) and distribution switching elements for switching of connections within said distribution matrices (104, 106) are controlled from a remote location, wherein the first distribution matrix (104) and the second distribution matrix (106) are adapted to be connected to a node for providing plurality of telecommunications or data services (114) and wherein the first distribution matrix (104) from a first apparatus (100) is connected (512) to at least one second distribution matrix of the plurality of apparatuses (100, 504, 506, 508).
US08280033B2 Provision of alternative telecommunication services
Apparatus for providing a plurality of alternative telecommunications services to a plurality of users (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) of a telecommunications network (10) comprising a primary cross-connect (26) in communication with a node (12) of the network for supplying a first selected telecommunications service to the users (14, 16, 18, 20, 22), and a secondary cross-connect (28) in communication with the node (12) and the primary cross-connect (26). The primary cross-connect (26) is provided with switches (34). The switches (34) are operable from a remote location (36) to disconnect a selected user (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) from the telecommunications services, and the secondary cross-connect (28) is are operable from a remote location (36) to reconnect the selected user (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) to an alternative telecommunication service through the secondary cross-connect (28).
US08280032B2 Registration of a telephone/computer association in a computer telephony integration environment
The application relates to the registration of the identity of a telephone terminal in association with the identity of a computer terminal in a Computer Technology Integration environment CTI-enabled switching apparatus and a registration server interconnected by a CTI-link and a telephony link. A registration method whereby the registration is essentially achieved by using the telephony link to present PIN data inputted using the telephone terminal to the registration server and to identify the from the CTI-link the identity of the telephone terminal which presents the PIN data over the telephony link faces the problem of how to tie in the correct CLI to the correct call. This problem is solved by the application in that the port of telephony link used by the switching apparatus for the call by which the PIN data is transmitted is transmitted in combination with the CLI over the CTI-link. The registration server retains information on which port of the switching apparatus is associated with which registration server port and a table look-up is being used to find out at which port of the registration server the call over said telephony link is received.
US08280031B2 Method and system for managing interactive communications campaign using a hold queue
A web-based hosted solution (a managed service or system) through which business entities create and manage communications campaigns, such as interactive campaigns that afford target recipients an opportunity to be connected to a call center. To reduce latency of customer-to-agent connections, the system implements an agent stay-on-line function by which a persistent telephony connection is established and maintained between the system infrastructure and an available agent. In this manner, the agent may handle multiple customers while avoiding an ACD hold queue. In addition, preferably a service-side hold queue also is established and maintained on the service-side of the infrastructure. This hold queue maintains calls that are waiting to be connected to available agents. It ensures that any customer abandons (on the service side) do not impair the connections that are being established and maintained to the agents. The managed service carries out a communications campaign on behalf of a client. A “campaign” refers to a series of calls to a contact list using one or more sub-campaigns. A sub-campaign associates a list of contacts, a script, and a timeframe.
US08280030B2 Call routing system and method of using the same
A particular method of using a call routing system includes generating a first action object identifier associated with a task, a first result identifier associated with the task, and a first reason identifier at a first module in response to a call using a processor of the call routing system. The first result identifier has a value that indicates a status of the task. The first reason identifier includes information related to the first result identifier. The method also includes routing the call from the first module to a second module using the processor, based at least in part on the first action object identifier, the first result identifier, and the first reason identifier.
US08280029B1 Customer service response system for interaction with customer service agents
The invention provides a customer service response system (CSRS), that a customer service agent can selectively employ to simultaneously interact with one or more customers. When a caller places a telephone call to the customer service call center, the CSRS answers the call and plays a message to the calling party. The message may be a greeting message and may prompt the calling party for information such as a claim number. The CSRS then displays this information on a graphical user interface at the call center. The customer service agent in front of the GUI can answer the call, or can respond to the caller with a question by clicking a button on the GUI.
US08280028B1 System and method for indicating call priority
System and method for providing a telecommunication transmission from an originating device to a terminating device over a telecommunications network. In one embodiment a bit code may be received from the telecommunication network, such that the bit code is extracted from the telecommunication transmission from the originating device. A directory number associated with the originating source may be received and a predefined message may be determined based at least on the directory number and bit code. The predefined message may be displayed on the terminating device.
US08280026B2 Linkage apparatus, linkage system, and computer program
There is provided a linkage apparatus for linking a plurality of telephones with one another, including a communication part communicating with the plurality of telephones, a detection part detecting operating states of the plurality of telephones, a determination part determining, on the basis of the detected operating states, whether or not the operating state of a first telephone out of the plurality of telephones has changed to a first state from a third state, and when it is determined that the operating state of the first telephone has changed, determining whether or not the operating state of a second telephone precedently set to be linked with the first telephone is a second state, and a decision part deciding a linkage process that the linkage apparatus makes the second telephone to execute when it is determined that the operating state of the second telephone is the second state.
US08280025B2 Automated unique call announcement
Automated unique call announcements for incoming telephone calls are provided. When a call is received at a mobile or wired telephone, a variety of data about the calling party, for example, caller identification and profile data for the calling party and data associated with the called party, for example, scheduling data, contacts data, and contextual data, such as time of day, may be used for generating a text-to-speech message that may be played to the called party as a unique call announcement. If desired, a standard or customized ring tone may be played before, after, or before and after presentation of the unique call announcement. In addition, voice command functionality may be provided for allowing a called party to direct a disposition of an incoming telephone call without answering the incoming telephone call.
US08280024B1 System, method, and computer program product for sending a request to a network for routing a call
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for sending a request to a network for routing a call. In use, a call is initiated from a first party to a second party. Further, it is determined, whether the first party and the second party are members of a group. Still yet, a request is sent to a network for routing the call. The request includes an indication that origination processing and/or termination processing has already been performed, based on the determination.
US08280023B2 Communication conference system, voice changing device, and signal converting adaptor
A communication conference system that enables users who have only a connecting unit via a telephone line network and users who have only an IP connecting unit to hold a talk session mutually without a need of an expensive dedicated conference server is provided. A talk session device 1 includes a network processing portion for transmitting/receiving voice information to/from other equipments via IP, and a terminal for inputting/outputting a voice signal. The talk session device 1 is connected to a handset terminal of a telephone 3 via an adaptor 2 that converts the standards (mainly a level) of the voice signal. The talk session device 1 is connected to other talk session devices via IP, and is connected to other telephones by a telephone line via the telephone 3. Accordingly, a user serving as a destination of the IP and a user serving as a destination of the telephone line are connected mutually.
US08280022B1 Calling party number selection for call center calls
A call center maintains various pools of telephone numbers, where each telephone number pool comprises a plurality of telephone numbers in a geographic area. A call originating to a called number uses a calling telephone number that is selected from one of a plurality of telephone number pools based on the area designated by the called number. An index value is used to select the telephone number from the selected telephone number pool. The selected telephone number is used to as a calling telephone number when originating a call to the called party.
US08280018B2 Systems and methods to provide information via connections for real time communications between people
Methods and apparatuses to connect people for real time communications to access diverse categories of information. One embodiment includes: storing data representing a privilege of a user during a predetermined period of time; responsive to a first request made via a presentation of a listing of the first entity for a service of the first entity, establishing a connection for real time communications between the user and the first entity to deliver the service of the first entity, if the user has the privilege at a time of the first request; and responsive to a second request made via a presentation of a listing of the second entity for a service of the second entity, establishing a connection for real time communications between the user and the second entity to deliver the service of the second entity, if the user has the privilege at a time of the second request.
US08280017B2 Communication terminal apparatus
A communication terminal apparatus is provided capable of preventing a misunderstanding that the external attachment telephone is hooked up, so that the external attachment telephone can be correctly shifted to a receiving mode. In the apparatus, a ring signal detecting section detects a ring signal sent by a line exchange machine from a line; and a hookup detecting section monitors a line voltage of the line and detects a hookup of an external attachment telephone. In the hookup detecting section, a line voltage detecting section detects the line voltage on the line; a reference voltage outputting section outputs a reference voltage; a threshold value voltage switching section switches to a threshold value voltage representing a first voltage level or switches to a threshold value voltage representing a second voltage level; and a voltage comparing section compares the reference voltage with the line voltage when the ring signal is detected. When a comparison result indicates that a difference is or over a threshold value voltage representing the first voltage level, it is detected that the external attachment telephone is hooked up.
US08280009B2 Consumer electronic registration, control and support concierge device and method
We disclose a concierge device that can be configured to register, control and support a consumer device. It can alternatively or redundantly connect to a home management bridge and/or cloud-based management servers. It can accept menus that allow a single concierge device to provide a wide range of functions for various consumer devices. The concierge device allows the user in a single action to initiate a support session, automatically identifying the consumer device. The concierge device can be configured for voice or video support calls. The concierge device in conjunction with a home management bridge or gateway can manage on boarding of components of an automated home, such as switches and lamps. Implementations of the concierge device that include a display can show supplemental information, such as advertising, optionally in coordination with media being played on a consumer device coupled in communication with the concierge device.
US08280005B2 Radiation detection device, radiation image acquiring system, and method for detecting radiation
An X-ray image acquiring system capable of improving the detection accuracy of a foreign substance contained in a subject is provided. An X-ray image acquiring system 1 irradiates X-rays to a subject S having a predetermined thickness W from an X-ray source, and detects X-rays transmitted through the subject S in a plurality of energy ranges. The X-ray image acquiring system 1 includes a low-energy detector 32 for detecting, in a low-energy range, X-rays having been transmitted through a region R1 extending in a thickness direction within the subject S, a high-energy detector 42 for detecting, in a high-energy range, X-rays having been transmitted through a region R2 extending in a thickness direction within the subject S, and a timing control section 50 for controlling detection timing of X-rays in the low-energy detector 32 and the high-energy detector 42 so that an inspecting region E located at a predetermined site within the subject S is included in the region R1 and the region R2.
US08280004B2 System and method for non-destructive decontamination of sensitive electronics using soft x-ray radiation
A method is provided for decontaminating biological pathogens residing in an enclosure of an electronic device. The method includes: identifying materials used to encase the enclosure of the electronic device; tailoring x-ray radiation to penetrate the materials encasing the enclosure; and directing x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle towards the electronic device.
US08280001B2 Radiation sculpting by coordinating rotation of fixed beams and motion of patient support system
A method of irradiating a target tissue in a patient comprising positioning the patient on a patient support system so that the target tissue in the patient is within irradiating distance of at least one source of a beam of radiation and moving the patient support system relative to the at least one source of a beam of radiation and, coordinately with movement of the patient support system, rotating the at least one source of radiation relative to the target tissue, which comprises and/or is adjacent to a non-target tissue, so that the center of rotation of the beam of radiation is placed at one or more desired locations within the target tissue, while simultaneously and/or sequentially irradiating the target tissue; a collimator; a method of making such a collimator; a system for irradiating a target tissue in a patient; and a method of planning irradiation of a target tissue in a patient.
US08279997B2 Dynamic computed tomography imaging
Projection data (302) acquired during a tomographic examination of a periodically moving object is used to reconstruct a plurality of image layers (308). The image layers (308) are combined to generate image data at a desired phase of motion. To generate a weighting function used to combine the image layers, a reference weighting function (512) is generated at the desired phase. The image layers (308) are weighted to approximate the first weighting function (312). The number of image layers and the size of a sub-region of interest are advantageously selected so that the various image layers can be stored in a relatively high speed memory portion of a computer.
US08279996B2 Beam hardening correction for CT perfusion measurements
A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination subject from measured data, wherein a series of measured data sets has previously been acquired during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination subject and the measured data sets relate to the same section of the examination subject at succeeding instants in time. In at least one embodiment, first image data is reconstructed in each case from the measured data sets such that a series of first image data is available. A change variable indicating a change over time within the series of first image data is determined, and a distinction is made between different components of the examination subject in the first image data with the aid of the change variable. This distinction is used for beam hardening correction in an iterative algorithm for calculating enhanced image data.
US08279993B2 Gamma source for active interrogation
A cylindrical gamma generator includes a coaxial RF-driven plasma ion source and target. A hydrogen plasma is produced by RF excitation in a cylindrical plasma ion generator using an RF antenna. A cylindrical gamma generating target is coaxial with the ion generator, separated by plasma and extraction electrodes which has many openings. The plasma generator emanates ions radially over 360° and the cylindrical target is thus irradiated by ions over its entire circumference. The plasma generator and target may be as long as desired.
US08279992B1 Adaptive bandwidth clock and data recovery circuit and method
An adaptive bandwidth clock and data recovery circuit and method are provided. The adaptive bandwidth clock and data recovery circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator for outputting a phase of a clock. In addition, a phase detector is included for determining a phase difference between received data and the clock. Further, a charge pump is included for outputting a current as a function of the phase difference, the current utilized for generating a control voltage provided to the voltage controlled oscillator. Still yet, an adaptive bandwidth control is included for providing the voltage controlled oscillator with an adaptive bandwidth based on the phase difference.
US08279989B2 Device and process for data rate acquisition
A baud rate acquisition circuit (10) for synchronizing a sampling signal with an input signal operates in broad rate sweeping and a rate fine tuning phases. In the rate sweeping phase, a timing error detector (24) examines the sampling signal generated by a decimator (16). If the sampling signal is outside a rate acquisition range from the target rate, a rate sweeping algorithm selects a new sampling rate. In response to the sampling rate within the rate acquisition range, the timing error detector (24) examines the asymmetry thereof to generate a rate correction signal to synchronize the sampling signal with the input signal. Next in the rate fine tuning phase, a multiplexer (22) routes the sampling signal through a square root filter (18). By examining the waveform shaped signal, the time error detector (24) synchronizes the sampling signal with the input signal with high accuracy.
US08279987B2 System and method for canceling interference in a communication system
A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain. One particular spectral modification that is performed is raising of the noise floor of the spectral characterization to meet a budgeted signal-to-noise ratio. Other spectral modifications include modifying spectral components corresponding to an expected interfering signal. In modifying these spectral characterizations, spectral components corresponding to a plurality of expected interfering signals may be modified.
US08279984B1 System and method for controlling gain and timing phase in a presence of a first least mean square filter using a second adaptive filter
A system includes a first filter generating a first output signal based on an input signal. The first filter includes N tap weight coefficients, where N is an integer greater than 1. A first device updates the N tap weight coefficients of the first filter. A second filter generates a second output signal in response to the first output signal. The second filter includes M tap weight coefficients, where M is an integer greater than 1 and less than N. A second device determines a value of a first one of the M tap weight coefficients for each of multiple sampling times of the input signal. The second device updates the first one of the M tap weight coefficients based on the values of the first one of the M tap weight coefficients, a first gain constant, and a change in timing phase error of the first filter.
US08279983B2 Automatic gain control apparatus
An automatic gain control apparatus can prevent jumps in the gain coefficient when the gain coefficient is altered, due to a sharp change in the level of the received signal before and after the alteration. The apparatus includes a mean square circuit for processing the received signal, a gain coefficient generating circuit for generating a gain coefficient, a decision circuit for deciding whether the received level of the received signal has changed, and a control circuit for, when a change in the received level of the received signal is detected, determining a number of mean square values and a generating interval. The apparatus further includes a gain coefficient linear smoother for altering the gain coefficient over an interval, and a multiplier for multiplying the received signal by the gain coefficient obtained from the gain coefficient linear smoother.
US08279979B2 Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and program
Disclosed herein is a signal processing apparatus that processes a signal transmitted over a transmission path that causes stationary distortion to occur in a waveform representing a signal value of a specific symbol in accordance with a value of a symbol transmitted before the specific symbol. The apparatus includes: storage means for storing distortion characteristics; acquisition means for acquiring the signal value of the specific symbol; correlation coefficient calculation means for calculating a correlation coefficient between the waveform representing the signal value of the specific symbol and each distortion characteristic; selection means for selecting a distortion characteristic(s) having a high correlation with the waveform representing the signal value of the specific symbol, based on the correlation coefficients; and determination means for determining the values of the symbols in the signal based on the combination of the values of the symbols corresponding to the selected distortion characteristic(s).
US08279977B2 MIMO signal detector, a method of detecting MIMO signals and a MIMO receiver
A signal decoder, a method of detecting an RF signal at a MIMO receiver and a MIMO receiver are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the signal decoder includes: (1) a tree pruner configured to reduce a number of nodes of an MLD tree to expand based on modulation properties of the transmitted radio signals and SE enumeration of at least a portion of the MLD tree and (2) a vector sorter configured to sort multiple rows of child nodes of the MLD tree in parallel.
US08279976B2 Signaling with superimposed differential-mode and common-mode signals
A data receiver circuit (206) includes first and second interfaces (221) coupled to first and second respective transmission lines (204). The first and second respective transmission lines comprise a pair of transmission lines external to the data receiver circuit. The first and second interfaces receive a transmission signal from the pair of transmission lines. A common mode extraction circuit (228) is coupled to the first and second interfaces to extract a common-mode clock signal from the received transmission signal. A differential mode circuit (238) is coupled to the first and second interfaces to extract a differential-mode data signal from the received transmission signal. The extracted data signal has a symbol rate corresponding to a frequency of the extracted clock signal (e.g., —the symbol rate may be twice the frequency of the extracted clock signal). The differential mode circuit is synchronized to the extracted clock signal.
US08279975B2 Method to suppress undesired sidebands in a receiver
A receiver and method of correcting for amplitude and phase errors in a received complex signal are provided. After separating and processing the complex signal into its I and Q component signals, the magnitude of each of the I and Q signals is obtained. The magnitudes are averaged over a predetermined time period and the average used to correct the amplitude of the I and Q signals. Each amplitude-corrected signal is then rotated by 45° and the average magnitude of the rotated signal determined. The amplitude of the rotated signal is then corrected to provide resultant I and Q signals, which are orthogonal to each other.
US08279973B2 Space-time coding method using a partitioned position modulation alphabet
The invention relates to a space-time coding method for a MIMO-UWB system with P antennas using information symbols belonging to an M-PPM, where M is a multiple of P. The modulation alphabet is partitioned into P sub-alphabets corresponding to successive ranges of modulation positions. An extension of the initial alphabet is obtained by forcing the information symbols to belong to some sub-alphabets, thereby increasing the binary rate of said system.
US08279972B2 System and method capable of implicit feedback for the devices with an unequal number of transmitter and receiver chains in a wireless local area network
An embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless station (STA) capable of implicit feedback in a wireless local area network, comprising at least one power amplifier, a plurality of antennas capable of being connected with said at least one power amplifier, and a switch capable of switching the connection between said plurality of antennas and said at least one power amplifier thereby enabling said wireless station to sound a complete channel matrix for an access point (AP) in communication with said wireless station (STA).
US08279968B2 Method of transmitting data in a communication system
A method of encoding a signal to be transmitted from a terminal via a channel in a communication network includes receiving the signal at the terminal; determining characteristics of the channel; encoding a first portion of the signal in accordance with a first encoding method to produce a first encoded signal portion; and encoding a second portion of the signal in accordance with a second encoding method to produce a second encoded signal portion. The first portion of the signal encoded in accordance with the first encoding method is dependent on the determined characteristics of the channel. The first encoded signal portion and the second encoded signal portion are transmitted via the channel.
US08279966B2 Symbol-level combining for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems with hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) and/or repetition coding
Systems and methods are provided for decoding signal vectors in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, where the receiver has received one or more signal vectors from the same transmitted vector. The symbols of the received signal vectors are combined, forming a combined received signal vector that may be treated as a single received signal vector. The combined signal vector is then decoded using a maximum-likelihood decoder. In some embodiments, the combined received signal vector may be processed prior to decoding. Systems and methods are also provided for computing soft information from a combined signal vector based on a decoding metric. Computationally intensive calculations can be extracted from the critical path and implemented in preprocessors and/or postprocessors.
US08279963B2 Data symbol mapping for multiple-input multiple-output hybrid automatic repeat request
A system includes an encoding module, a symbol selection module, a subcarrier selection module, and a mapping module. The encoding module receives symbols for transmission over K subcarriers and T antennas, encodes the symbols using a space time code, and generates space time coded (STC) versions of the symbols, where K and T are integers greater than 1. The symbol selection module selects T adjacent ones of the symbols and selects STC versions of the T adjacent ones of the symbols. The subcarrier selection module selects one of the K subcarriers for transmitting the T adjacent ones of the symbols and the STC versions of the T adjacent ones of the symbols. The mapping module maps the T adjacent ones of the symbols onto the T antennas for transmission over the selected one of the K subcarriers, respectively, and maps the STC versions of the T adjacent ones of the symbols onto the T antennas for transmission over the selected one of the K subcarriers.
US08279961B2 MIMO demodulator and method for the same
Channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator (32) are linearly interpolated (34). When transmissions from transmitting antennas are stopped due to a deterioration of the propagation environment, since a larger amount of computing resources become available for use, a channel estimate selector 36 selects the linearly interpolated channel estimates and supplies them to an MIMO demultiplexer 38 which can thus cope with fast fading.
US08279960B2 Multiple-input multiple-output communication method and multiple-input multiple-output communication system of enabling the method
A Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication system and method. The MIMO communication system includes: an antenna number determination unit to determine a number of active antennas among a plurality of transmitting antennas based on a power of a transmission signal wherein the number of active antennas is at least one and the at least one active antenna transmits the transmission signal; and a beam generator to generate the transmission signal corresponding to the number of active antennas by using channel information wherein the channel information is fed back from each of a plurality of user terminals.
US08279959B2 Compact pulse shaping for QM-MSK and PAM/QAM transmission
Compact pulse shape partial response (CPS PR) signaling is developed for trellis based signals like QM-MSK, and for PAM/QAM type signals to improve the performance to bandwidth tradeoff. Compact pulse shaped signals are partial response signals that employ a very short pulse shaping filter and use Viterbi decoding to optimally detect the CPS signal in presence of its inherent inter-symbol interference. The CPS filters considered herein have much shorter impulse response than the well-known raised cosine (RC) filter. There is no need to equalize the received signal to eliminate ISI or to allow a fixed amount of ISI between received signal samples as sampled at the symbol rate as is common in partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) systems. Numerical results indicate that CPS QM-MSK and CPS QAM provides between several dB of gain, depending on constellation size, over PR-CPM and RC QAM, when compared at a given value of bandwidth, i.e., B99Tb.
US08279958B2 Receiver and method
A receiver for receiving a sequence of OFDM symbols transmitted via a channel. Each OFDM symbol comprises a plurality of data bearing sub-carriers and a plurality of pilot bearing sub-carriers. The receiver includes a channel estimator, and the channel estimator includes a pilot data extractor, a pilot data extrapolator and a pilot data interpolator operable to process the pilot data by interpolating between the extrapolated pilot data in time and frequency. The receiver also comprises a discontinuity detector for detecting a discontinuity in the pilot data processed by the channel estimator, and a controller, which upon detection of a pilot data discontinuity by the discontinuity detector, is operable to provide a control signal to the channel estimator which causes at least one of the pilot data extractor, the pilot data extrapolator and the pilot data interpolator to compensate for the discontinuity in the pilot data.
US08279955B1 Systems and methods for calibrating digital baseband DC offset in an OFDM receiver
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for calibrating DC offset in a receiver. A DC calibration circuit may be used that is configured to receive a digital multi-carrier modulated (MCM) signal that includes a sequence of MCM symbols. The DC calibration circuit may include an accumulator and a compensator. The accumulator may be used to determine an estimated DC offset of a current MCM symbol in the sequence of MCM symbols. The compensator may be used to remove the estimated DC offset from a next MCM symbol in the sequence of MCM symbols. The accumulator may also be used to receive a plurality of digital samples that comprise the current MCM symbol and to determine the estimated DC offset by calculating an average of the plurality of digital samples.
US08279954B2 Adaptive forward-backward soft output M-algorithm receiver structures
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for forward-backward SOMA techniques. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a receiver comprising: an inner decoder structure having a soft output M-algorithm (SOMA) based multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) joint demapper that uses a SOMA-based MIMO detection process to perform joint inner demapping over each tone, where the SOMA-based MIMO joint demapper is operable to identify a best candidate among a number of candidates by searching a detection tree for each tone using a forward pass through the detection tree, where only a number of best alternatives from every level of the tree are expanded and where soft-output related information is collected and stored, and to perform a second pass, following the forward pass, during which soft-output is computed for each bit; and an outer decoder operable with the SOMA-based inner decoder to perform iterative decoding.
US08279952B2 Threshold adjustable transmission envelope detector
Methods of controlling threshold voltages of a transmission envelope detector are provided. The methods include comparing a voltage of an input signal initially input with a threshold voltage of the transmission envelope detector and increasing the threshold voltage when the voltage of the input signal is higher than the threshold voltage after serial communication is started.
US08279949B2 Method and apparatus for estimating channel length in wired communication system
A method for estimating a length of a channel in a wired communication system includes receiving a plurality of signals transmitted continuously via the channel, determining relation between a signal and at least one signal in the of the plurality of signals, to generate a decision result, and determining the length of the channel according to the decision result.
US08279947B2 Method, apparatus and system for multiple-description coding and decoding
A method, apparatus and system for multiple-description coding (MDC) and multiple-description decoding (MDD) are provided in the present invention. The MDC method comprises the following steps: receiving signals, processing the signal according to the first multiple-description method to generate at least two first description signals, processing at least one of the first description signals through the second multiple-description method to generate at least two second description signals, and coding the second description signal to generate the multiple-description bit stream. The MDD method comprises the following steps: receiving the multiple-description bit stream, decoding the multiple-description bit stream to generate the second description signal, processing the second description signal through the second multiple-description inverse transformation method to generate the first description signal, processing the first description signal through the first multiple-description inverse transformation method to generate the reconstruction signal. This invention simplifies the MDC and MDD, and distributes the voice quality deteriorations to different parts, thus improving user experience.
US08279940B2 System, method and computer-readable medium for encoding a signal into macroblocks
A quantizer and dequantizer for use in a video coding system that applies non linear, piece-wise linear scaling functions to video information signals based on a value of a variable quantization parameter. The quantizer and dequantizer apply different non linear, piece-wise linear scaling functions to a DC luminance signal, a DC chrominance signal and an AC chrominance signal. A code for reporting updates of the value of the quantization parameter is interpreted to require larger changes when the quantization parameter initially is large and smaller changes when the quantization parameter initially is small.
US08279939B2 Apparatus for encoding and decoding header data in picture signal transmission
Control data subsequent to an extension start code is stored in an encoding apparatus when transmitted after each header data of a video sequence layer, a GOP layer, a picture layer and a slice layer. And in transmission of the next header data, the content of the control data subsequent to the extension start code in the header data to be transmitted is compared with the content of the preceding header data of the same layer stored in the encoding apparatus. And if the result of such comparison signifies that the compared data are mutually the same, neither the extension start code nor the subsequent control data is transmitted. At the reception of each header data of the video sequence layer, the GOP layer, the picture layer and the slice layer, the control data decoded subsequently to the extension start code is stored in the decoding apparatus. And when the extension start code is not existent in the next header data to be decoded, the preceding header data of the same layer stored in the decoding apparatus is duplicated and used as the control data of the layer being currently encoded.
US08279938B2 Encoding device and method, decoding device and method, program, recording medium, and data structure
It is possible to display a caption with an aspect ratio independent from the aspect ratio of a main video. When a flag indicating that the aspect ratio of the caption is 16:9 is set, the caption video image frame size (720×480) is converted so as to match the aspect ratio of 16:9 and the caption video obtained as the result is superimposed on the main video and displayed. That is, when the main video has an aspect ratio of 4:3, as shown in FIG. 19, reduction in the lateral direction is performed and the main video is displayed with addition of black tone at the right and left but the caption video is displayed with the aspect ratio of 16:9.
US08279937B2 Correcting moving image wavering
Techniques, apparatus and system for correcting moving image wavering are disclosed. An apparatus includes a selecting unit to select at least one reference macroblock from an input image of a first frame and to select at least one search area from an input image of a second frame. The selected at least one search area corresponds to the at least one reference macroblock. The apparatus includes an operating unit to communicate with the selecting unit and to perform a statistical operation by matching the at least one reference macroblock of the first frame to each of search blocks included in the at least one search area of the second frame. The apparatus comprises a vector calculating unit to communicate with the operating unit and to calculate a motion vector to correct an output image of the second frame based on a resultant value of the statistical operation.
US08279935B2 Method and apparatus for image quality control in video data
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling video image quality may include receiving digital video data into a buffer that is coupled to a video data encoder. The video data includes multiple tiles. One of the tiles is compressed at a first compression bit size and another tile is compressed at a second compression bit size. The tiles are transmitted to a video data decoder. The first compression bit size is unequal to the second compression bit size.
US08279933B2 Motion estimation technique for digital video encoding applications
The present invention provides an improved motion estimation encoder for digital video encoding applications. In one example embodiment, the improved encoder receives a raw image in the form of a current frame and estimates the macroblock motion vector with respect to a reference frame. The encoder then performs an initial local search around an initial motion vector candidate derived from spatio-temporal neighboring macroblock parameters. The encoder then compares the user-defined complexity scalable sum of absolute difference between the original and the associated reference macroblock against an adaptive threshold value for motion estimation convergence. The encoder introduces a global full search around a candidate from a coarser level, in case an initial local search fails. The encoder then selects an inter encoding mode for coding the current macroblock, when the first local search is successful, otherwise the encoder selects the inter or intra encoding mode for encoding the current macroblock by comparing variances of the original and difference macroblocks.
US08279928B2 Image encoding apparatus and encoding method, image decoding apparatus and decoding method
An encoding method and apparatus which include a coded picture that enables special playback to be easily performed while suppressing reduction in coding efficiency are provided. Coding is performed per a certain number of pictures, including pictures for special playback. When coded pictures for special playback using an interframe predictive coding scheme, referencing is limited to coded pictures encoded using an intraframe predictive coding scheme or coded pictures encoded using the interframe predictive coding scheme having the same reference limitation.
US08279926B2 Dynamic streaming with latticed representations of video
In one embodiment, a method that partitions a first sequence of pictures into plural representations, encodes each of the plural representations independently of each other with a common time base, provides a first portion of the plural encoded representations based on a first network condition, the first portion having a first bit-rate, and provides a second portion of the plural encoded representations having a second bit-rate different than the first bit-rate, wherein a switch from providing the first portion to providing the second portion is responsive to a second network condition different than the first network condition.
US08279924B2 Quantization parameter selections for encoding of chroma and luma video blocks
This disclosure describes rules that may be applied during block-based video coding to ensure that quantization parameter selections for luma blocks will not adversely affect the quality of chroma blocks. In accordance with this disclosure, rate-controlled video encoding occurs in which quantization parameter changes in luma blocks are pre-evaluated to determine whether such quantization parameter changes in luma blocks will also cause quantization changes for chroma blocks. If quantization parameter changes in the luma blocks will also cause quantization changes for chroma blocks, then that quantization parameter change for luma blocks may be skipped and not evaluated. In this way, secondary effects of quantization parameter changes in the luma blocks (with respect to the chroma blocks) can be avoided.
US08279920B2 Intra-frame prediction method and prediction apparatus using the same
An intra-frame prediction method and a prediction apparatus using the same are provided. The prediction apparatus includes an input data unit, a control unit, an selection unit, a processing unit, and an output data selecting unit. The input data unit provides surroundings pixels of a predicted block. The control unit provides an input selection signal, a computing parameter, and an output selection signal. The selection unit selects the surroundings pixels according to the input selection signal. The processing unit computes the selected surroundings pixels for producing a plurality of results according to the computing signal. The output data unit selects results according to the output selection signal.
US08279915B2 System and method for transmitter training
A system and method are provided for ordering tap setting modifications in a link partner using a plurality of voltage gain taps, while avoiding minimum and maximum limitations. Provided is a link partner (LP) transmitter having a parallel selectable voltage gain taps. The method sends messages from a network-connected local device (LD) directing the LP to generally change the gain setting of either the pre-tap or the post-tap, as follows. The gain setting of selected tap is changed in the desired direction of modification and then the center tap gain settings is maximally increased until a limit signal is received. If a selected tap increment is desired, the center tap is initially decremented more steps than the desired change in the selected tap.
US08279914B2 SNR estimation system for multi-carrier communication
A signal to noise power ratio estimation system for multi-carrier communication includes a phase rotator, a power estimator, a channel gain calculator, an average and selection device, a combination and calculation device and a decibel (dB) transformation device. The signal to noise power ratio estimation system makes use of a transmit parameter signaling or pilot subcarriers to blindly assist in the signal to noise power ratio estimation to accordingly gain an estimated signal to noise power ratio accurately, and thus a communication system can be calibrated to a preferred condition.
US08279910B2 Method and apparatus for code space search in a receiver
Apparatus and methods of implementing code space search of received signals are described herein. A code space search is implemented as a searcher that perform a subtask that is dynamically reconfigurable at each boundary of an initial integration time. Each particular subtask sets forth a programmable configuration of coherent integration hypothesis that are performed during the initial integration time. The searcher stores the results of the coherent integration hypothesis in a first portion of memory. A search accelerator operates on the initial integration results. The search accelerator can perform coherent integration of various frequency bins of different timing hypothesis, can generate energy values of the coherent integration results, and can generate a non-coherent energy summation. The energy values of the coherent integrations and non-coherent energy summations are stored in a second portion of memory. The ability to reconfigure the subtasks and accelerator operation provides flexibility in search space dimensions.
US08279909B2 Method for transmitting information using sequence
A method for transmitting information using a sequence is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the method includes the steps of generating a sequence for transmitting data or control signals, performing phase modulation for indicating additional information on partial elements among a plurality of elements configuring the sequence, and transmitting the phase modulated sequence.
US08279907B2 Semiconductor laser device and method for controlling semiconductor laser
A semiconductor laser device includes: a semiconductor laser having a reflector region, a gain region for laser oscillation and a plurality of refraction index controllers, the reflector region having a plurality of segments in which a diffraction region and a space region are coupled to each other, the plurality of segments being separated into a plurality of segment groups having a same optical length, the plurality of refractive index controllers being provided according to each segment group and controlling an equivalent refraction index of each segment group; a wavelength controller controlling an oscillation wavelength of the semiconductor laser by controlling the plurality of the refraction index controllers as at least one of control parameters; and a dither controller inputting a dither signal into only one of the segment groups having the most segments from one of the refractive index controllers according to the segment group.
US08279906B2 Laser diode and method of manufacturing the same
A laser diode includes an active layer, a strip-shaped ridge provided above the active layer, a pair of resonator end faces sandwiching the active layer and the ridge from an extending direction of the ridge, and an upland section provided being contacted with both side faces of the ridge in at least one of the resonator end faces of the pair of resonator end face and in the vicinity thereof. A thickness from the active layer to a surface of the upland section is larger on the resonator end face side and is smaller on a central side of the ridge, and the thickness is continuously changed from a thick portion on the resonator end face side to a thin portion on the central side of the ridge.
US08279905B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor optical element
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor optical element having an active layer containing quantum dots, in which density of the quantum dots in a resonator direction in a portion of the active layer in which density of photons is high, relative to the density of the quantum dots in a portion of the active layer in which the density of photons is relatively low, includes forming the quantum dots in the active layer so that the distribution density is uniform in a resonator direction; and diffusing or implanting an impurity non-uniformly in the resonator direction in the active layer in which quantum dots are uniformly distributed, thereby disordering some of the quantum dots and forming a non-uniform density distribution of the quantum dots in the resonator direction in the active layer.
US08279903B2 Femtosecond laser processing system with process parameters, controls and feedback
A femtosecond laser based laser processing system having a femtosecond laser, frequency conversion optics, beam manipulation optics, target motion control, processing chamber, diagnostic systems and system control modules. The femtosecond laser based laser processing system allows for the utilization of the unique heat control in micromachining, and the system has greater output beam stability, continuously variable repetition rate and unique temporal beam shaping capabilities.
US08279902B2 Laser device that stably controls very low laser power
A laser device comprises: first and second laser excitation regions that are disposed in series each other; a first power supply unit (PSU1) that injects a first energy into the first laser excitation region; and a second power supply unit (PSU2) that injects a second energy into the second laser excitation region, wherein the first power supply unit injects a predetermined excitation energy equal to or higher than a critical injection energy at which laser oscillation starts into the first laser excitation region as the first energy and the second power supply unit injects energy between a preliminary excitation energy needed for preliminary discharge and the critical injection energy into the second laser excitation region as the second energy, so as to control laser power. Consequently, the laser device can stably output very low laser even though it is a high power laser.
US08279898B2 Distance measuring method
Provided is a distance and position measuring method. A distance measuring method based on packets transmitted and received between a first node and a second node obtains first timing for transmitting a first packet from the first node, second timing for receiving the first packet in the second node, third timing for transmitting a second packet corresponding to the first packet from the second node, fourth timing for receiving the second packet in the first node, fifth timing for transmitting a third packet from the second node, and sixth timing for receiving the third packet in the first node to estimate a clock frequency offset based on the obtained timings, measures a first distance and a second distance based on the clock frequency offset and some of the timings, and measures a distance between the first node and the second node based on the first distance and the second distance.
US08279893B2 System and method for communicating data utilizing multiple types of data connections
A system and method are provided for communicating data over a network. In some embodiments relating to data transmission, data is divided into a plurality of portions, such that the portions may be transmitted utilizing a plurality of different types of data connections. In other embodiments relating to data receipt, a plurality of portions of data is received utilizing a plurality of different types of data connections, after which the portions may be reassembled.
US08279891B2 Techniques for ethernet optical reach improvement
According to another general aspect, an apparatus may include a receiver, a decoding engine, an envelope generator, an error code generator, and a transmitter. In one embodiment, the receiver may be configured to receive an Ethernet packet that includes a payload portion. In various embodiments, the decoding engine may be configured to decode at least the payload portion of the Ethernet packet such that the size of the payload portion is reduced. In some embodiments, the envelope generator may be configured to encapsulate the payload portion such that packet boundaries may be identified. In various embodiments, the error code generator may be configured to associate an error correction code with the encapsulated payload portion. In another embodiment, the transmitter may be configured to transmit the encapsulated payload and error correction code.
US08279889B2 Systems and methods for dimming a first packet associated with a first bit rate to a second packet associated with a second bit rate
A method for dimming a first packet associated with a first bit rate to a second packet associated with a second bit rate is described. A first packet is received. The first packet is analyzed to determine a first bit rate associated with the first packet. Bits associated with at least one parameter are discarded from the first packet. Remaining bits associated with one or more parameters and a special identifier are packed into a second packet associated with a second bit rate. The second packet is transmitted.
US08279887B2 Selection of radio resources in a radio communications network
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting radio resources for transmission of data over a radio link to which at least two resource units have been allocated. At least one resource unit is selected out of the allocated resource units, wherein the selection is determined in dependence of the result of checking whether values of a quality measure of the allocated resource units fall within a certain range.
US08279886B2 Dataport and methods thereof
A context-free (stateless) dataport may allow multiple processors to perform read and write operations on a shared memory. The operations may include, for example, structured data operations such as image and video operations. The dataport may perform addressing computations associated with block memory operations. Therefore, the dataport may be able, for example, to relieve the processors that it serves from this duty. The dataport may be accessed using a message interface that may be implemented in a standard and generalized manner and that may therefore be easily transportable between different types of processors.
US08279884B1 Integrated adaptive jitter buffer
The present invention is a method of correcting packet discontinuities using the steps of: (A) generating a continuous real time data stream from input of media content from a media source comprising packets transmitted by way of a computer packet network to a specific receiving device to establish a transmission portion of an end to end communication, (B) a jitter buffer receiving real time data stream packets from the packet network and temporarily storing at least some of them in the jitter buffer, (C) the jitter buffer operating on multiple fixed length packets to output a first output of a predetermined sequence of said fixed length packets, preferably substantially as they were originally transmitted, (D) a control unit receiving the first output and changing the length of one or more of fixed length packets of the first output to form a second output in response to a detected delay or other discontinuity in the packet sequence, (E) a playout buffer receiving the second output and operating on the stream of original and varied length packets to deliver them to a digital to analog converter (DAC), and (F) transmission of analog output of the DAC to interface devices such as displays, speakers, and mechanical devices for intelligible playout of the media content for appreciation by a human interacting with the interface devices.
US08279877B2 Method for processing ATM cells and a device having ATM cell processing capabilities
A method and a communication device for processing ATM cells. The communication device includes an input interface adapted to receive an ATM cell that is associated with a PHY value and includes a pair of VCI and VPI fields. The communication device is characterized by comprising a search unit, adapted to search, within a group of memory entries that belong to a memory unit, for a pair of VCI and VPI fields that have values that match the values of the VCI and VPI fields of the received ATM cell, if the received VCI field and VPI fields belong to a first predefined group of VCI and VPI fields. The communication device further includes a processor, connected to the search unit, wherein the processor is adapted to determine a channel identifier of the received ATM cell in response to a result of the search and in response to a PHY value associated with the received ATM cell.
US08279874B1 Self-configuring network
A self-configuring network comprises network devices that are automatically provisioned with appropriate network resources upon the occurrence of a network event. A profile containing one or more commands to provision a network device with appropriate network resources is deployed to selected connecting devices. The selected connecting devices are targeted for deployment based on the network device and/or port groups to which they belong as determined from a network management system. The profile is bound to the selected connecting devices and affected ports as well as the network events that will trigger execution of the profile on the devices where they are deployed. A graphical user interface and profile information database may be used to facilitate managing the profiles, targeted devices/ports and associated network events.
US08279870B2 Method and system of routing in a utility smart-grid network
A wireless utility network contains a plurality of utility nodes that communicate within a wireless utility network. A gateway to the wireless utility network communicates with the utility nodes in the wireless utility network, and connects the wireless utility network to at least one other network. A packet is transmitted from one utility node to another utility node according to a route included in the transmitted packet. The route included in the transmitted packet is updated with received network information to determine an updated path cost of the included route and compared to alternate routes to select a preferred route based upon path cost. The selected preferred route is included in the packet and the packet is transmitted to another node according to the selected preferred route.
US08279868B2 System providing land mobile radio content using a cellular data network
A system and method for providing land mobile radio (LMR) content using a cellular data network is provided. The method includes communicating the LMR content via at least one of an LMR network and a cellular data network. The method further includes encapsulating the LMR content using a packet switching protocol when communicating the LMR content via the cellular data network.
US08279864B2 Policy based quality of service and encryption over MPLS networks
A network device may store a plurality of LSP labels each associated with a network policy and desired quality of service, wherein each LSP label defines a path through a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network. Upon receiving a request to transmit data in accordance with a network policy and desired quality of service, the network device may transmit an appropriate LSP label for transmission through the MPLS network.
US08279861B2 Real-time VoIP communications using n-Way selective language processing
A computer-implemented method and system of enabling concurrent real-time multi-language communication between multiple participants using a selective broadcast protocol, the method including receiving at a first server a real-time communication from a first participant, the real-time communication being addressed to a second participant constructed in a first spoken language. A preferred spoken language of receipt of real-time communication is identified by the second participant. A determination is made whether the preferred spoken language of receipt is different than that of the first spoken language of the real-time communication. The real-time communication from the first spoken language is translated and delivered to the preferred spoken language of receipt of the second participant to create a translated real-time communication whenever the preferred spoken language is different than the first spoken language and forwarded without translation when the preferred spoken language of the second participant is the same as the preferred spoken language of the first participant.
US08279860B1 SIP-based VoIP traffic behavior profiling method
With the widespread adoption of SIP-based VoIP, understanding the characteristics of SIP traffic behavior is critical to problem diagnosis and security protection of VoIP services. A general methodology is provided for profiling SIP-based VoIP traffic behavior at several levels: SIP server host, server entity (e.g., registrar and call proxy) and individual user levels. Using SIP traffic traces captured in a production VoIP network, the characteristics of SIP-based VoIP traffic behavior in an operational environment is illustrated and the effectiveness of the general profiling methodology is demonstrated. In particular, the profiling methodology identifies anomalies due to performance problems and/or implementation flaws through a case study. The efficacy of the methodology in detecting potential VoIP attacks is also demonstrated through a test-bed experimentation.
US08279859B2 Method and arrangement for transferring synchronizing information
A method and arrangement for transferring synchronizing information in a data transmission system includes modem connections. The arrangement includes a modulator (207) arranged to generate an analog signal (222) modulated by synchronizing information, the frequency spectrum of the signal being located in a frequency range that falls outside the data transmission bands of the modem line connected to the network element. The arrangement includes a switching circuit (208) arranged to connect the analog signal to a data transmission cable (206) that forms part of the modem line connected to a network element. The arrangement includes a second switching circuit (209) arranged to receive the analog signal from a data transmission cable that forms part of the modem line connected to the second network element. The arrangement also includes a regenerator (209-arranged to regenerate the synchronizing information from the analog signal.
US08279855B2 Method for dialing between internet extensions
A method for dialing between Internet extensions is disclosed. When dialing between Internet extensions, just dial the switchboard phone number of SIP proxy server plus “-” and then dial the extension phone number of the opposite Internet extension directly. It is not necessary to use a voice guidance for asking dialing of the extension phone number of the opposite Internet extension.
US08279851B2 Apparatus, system, and method for obtaining local connectivity settings
An apparatus, system, and method for a communication network that includes a mobile device, a target device, and a connection settings server. The mobile device is configured to transmit a request for device-to-device connection settings data to the connection settings server, the connection settings server is configured to receive the request, determine appropriate device-to-device connection settings data, and transmit the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data to the mobile device, the mobile device is further configured to receive the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data and establish a device-to-device connection with the target device, wherein the establishing of the device-to-device connection is facilitated by the device-to-device connection settings data.
US08279847B2 Method and apparatus for exchanging information with a base station
A method for exchanging information with a base station includes: communicating with the base station using electromagnetic waves with a first frequency; detecting a first connection request carried in the first electromagnetic; receiving the first connection request if the first connection request is detected; and receiving information carried in the electromagnetic waves with a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency from the base station. An apparatus for exchanging information with the base station is also disclosed.
US08279845B2 Method and system for realizing reception of calling number by the terminal in advance
A system for realizing the reception of a incoming call number by a terminal includes a CDMA network and a HRPD network providing service support for the terminal, respectively, where an MSC in the CDMA network connects with an access network of the HRPD network via interface A1. A method for realizing the reception of a incoming call number by a terminal in advance includes: the MSC in the CDMA network transmitting the incoming call number of a paging to the access network of the HRPD network through interface A1; the access network forwarding the incoming call number of this paging to the called terminal; the called user deciding whether to accept the incoming call based on the received incoming call number. Accordingly, the switching between HRPD and CDMA2000 1x can be avoided when the user decides not to accept the incoming call.
US08279838B2 Mobility mechanisms for home cellular network
A communication system comprises a communication network including a computer processor operating a network management system and a femtocell network management system. The communication system further comprises a broadband base station providing a first service signal and creating a mapping table configured to include at least one unique identifier of a mobile client device and a base station providing a second service signal and receiving the mapping table from the broadband base station. A computer processor in the communication system is configured to determine a link quality of a mobile client device service signal received by the broadband base station, the contents of the mapping table, and the unique identifier of the mobile client device to determine whether the broadband base station will provide the first service signal to the mobile client device or whether the base station will provide the second service signal to the mobile client device.
US08279837B2 Communication system, network handover processing method and apparatus
A communication system, a network handover processing method and a network handover processing apparatus are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: receiving, by a target evolved NodeB (T-eNB), identity information sent from a user equipment (UE), the identity information being allocated to the UE by a source evolved NodeB (S-eNB); and sending, by the T-eNB, parameters to the UE if identity information, matching the received identity information sent from the UE, is available in the T-eNB, wherein the parameters are allocated to the UE. The apparatus includes a receiving module and a sending module. The communication system, network handover processing method and network handover processing apparatus can reduce the state change times of the UE in the network handover process and save the system resources.
US08279828B1 Management of wimax tones to avoid inter-modulation interference
A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for disabling tones within WiMAX signals in order to eliminate interference at third-party receivers. The method includes identifying signal to protect for a receiver, and identifying characteristics of the receiver. The method further includes identifying WiMAX signals transmitted by a base station located in a geographic region that can interfere with the protected signals. Additionally, the method includes determining an interference level between the receiver and the base station based on the protected signals, the characteristics of the receiver, and the WiMAX signals. Moreover, the method includes providing a list of tones that are to be disabled within the WiMAX signal in order to eliminate the interference level.
US08279821B2 Assigning channels to users in wireless networks that incorporate multi-user detection (MUD)
Statistics are collected for each network user, including signal bandwidth (BW), required receive power (RRP) for decoding a user signal, and available transmit margin (ATM). Users are ordered by BW from greatest to smallest. Users with a greatest BW are then ordered by ATM from lowest to highest, and divided into lower half users having lower ATMs, and upper half users having higher ATMs. A two-tier channel plan is defined, and lower half users are assigned to channels in a lower tier. An upper half user is assigned a channel in an upper tier after placing a lower half user in the same channel in the lower tier, if the upper half user's ATM is >(U User RRP+L User RRP). Otherwise, the user is assigned a different channel in the lower tier. The dividing and subsequent steps repeat for any remaining sets of users requiring successively smaller signal bandwidths.
US08279818B2 Methods of packet element transmission in wireless communications system
A method of packet element transmission for a mobile device of a wireless communication system includes generating a control element including a triggered capability report and a header of the capability report when the mobile device has sufficient resources to transmit both of the capability report and the header thereof in a transmission opportunity.
US08279812B2 Method and module for constructing a frame structure in communication systems
A module constructs a frame for communication in a communication system that supports a new standard and a legacy standard, the new standard being backward compatible with the legacy standard. The module comprises a first frame generator configured to generate a first portion of the frame, the first portion of the frame to support a first set of data to be transmitted in the legacy standard in each of a number of first bands, a second frame generator configured to generate a second portion of the frame, the second portion of the frame to support a second set of data to be transmitted in the new standard in a second band composed of the first bands, and a frame constructor configured to construct the frame based on the first portion of the frame from the first frame generator and the second portion of the frame from the second frame generator.
US08279808B2 Non-carrier dependent femtocell and related methods
The methods and devices of the present disclosure may be used to enable non-carrier dependent, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) femtocells for in-service use with one or more mobile handheld devices. The VoIP femtocell generally includes at least one Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver; and program logic that, at least in part, performs a broadcast channel selection protocol and a handheld reselection protocol, so as to enable one or more mobile handheld devices to select the VoIP femtocell for in-service use. In certain embodiments, the broadcast channel selection protocol includes a configuration phase and a broadcast phase.
US08279803B2 Computing unit with femtocell AP functionality
A computing unit includes a processing module, a baseband processing module, and a RF section. In a femtocell AP mode, the processing module performs at least a portion of a MAC function to facilitate signal conversion between radio interface (RI) signals and PHY AP signals. The baseband processing module converts signals between the PHY AP signals and AP symbol stream. The RF section converts signals between the AP symbol streams and RF AP signals. In a cellular (CELL) mode, the processing module facilitates conversions between data and PHY CELL signals. The baseband processing module converts signals between PHY CELL signals and CELL symbol streams. The RF section converts signals between CELL symbol streams and RF CELL signals.
US08279802B1 Cellular-telephone-based servers
Cellular-telephone-based servers are provided that have reduced power consumption. When a cellular-telephone-based server is active, the server may maintain an Internet Protocol (IP) link with a communications network. When no users are connected to the server or at other appropriate times, the cellular-telephone-based server may enter a hibernation state to reduce power consumption. In the hibernation state, the cellular telephone that is running the server may maintain a communications link that supports short messaging service (SMS) messaging and may maintain a communications link associated with control channels that convey control data for cellular telephone communications. A user wishing to connect to the server may send an SMS address request to the server to obtain its IP address. If the server is hibernating, a service controller can activate the server before responding to the SMS address request.
US08279798B2 Virtual home network arrangement for a subscriber module using IMS
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing end-to-end security over an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-enabled network are provided. A first subscriber module accesses an IMS network via an access gateway as a roaming network. The roaming network routes a request for a session from the first subscriber module from its P-CSCF to the I-CSCF of a third-party home network. The third party home network, in turn, routes the request to an S-CSCF implemented at the subscriber's home network, which comprises a second subscriber module. In this way, the session between the two subscriber modules is managed by the subscriber's S-CSCF rather than by a carrier's IMS network, and the subscriber may administer the security relationship without reliance on the carrier or the third party.
US08279796B1 Multiple-channel software defined radios and systems using the same
A radio system including a selected number inputs for substantially simultaneously receiving radio signals in different frequency bands and a selected number of conversion paths for converting the radio signals received at corresponding ones of the inputs into a corresponding number of digital streams. Digital processing circuitry substantially simultaneously processes digital samples for plurality of channels, the samples taken from at least one of the digital streams, wherein a maximum number of channels is greater than a maximum number of digital streams provided by the conversion paths.
US08279795B2 Relay station, terminal and base station in cellular system, and method for relaying between terminal and base station
Disclosed are a base station, a relay station, and a terminal according to a method for designing a cellular system for improving resource usage efficiency by reducing interference between relay stations and interference between the base station and the relay station. The relay station gets control signals that terminals served by the base station transmit, and registers terminals, levels of the control signals of which are bigger than a predetermined value, to a list of the interference terminals. The relay station checks an interference resource through resource allocation information of the base station, checks an available resource corresponding to a resource except the interference resource among a resource allocated by the base station, and allocates some of the available resource to the terminal.
US08279789B2 Intelligent setting of hysteresis activation timer to enter hysteresis sooner and save battery
Systems and methodologies are described that intelligently set a hysteresis activation timer in a wireless communication environment. In accordance with various aspects set forth herein, systems and/or methods are provided that continuously monitor a data session to determine whether or not an application is exchanging data with a counterpart device, acquire indication from a hysteresis activation timer of whether or not the hysteresis activation timer is active, determine an appropriate new hysteresis activation timer value with which to set the hysteresis activation timer, and thereafter sets the hysteresis activation timer with the new hysteresis activation timer value.
US08279785B2 System and method for asynchronous wireless collision detection with acknowledgment for ad hoc wireless networks
The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for asynchronous busy-tone multiple access with acknowledgement for ad hoc wireless networks. In one example, the method includes emitting a tone after determining that a transmission is incoming from a sending node. An initial portion of a packet comprising the transmission is received while emitting the tone, where the initial portion contains a destination address of the packet. The emitting of the tone is stopped if the received destination address does not match an address of the receiving node. A remaining portion of the packet is received while continuing to emit the tone if the received destination address matches the address of the receiving node.
US08279781B2 Random linear network coding for time division duplexing
A new random linear network coding scheme for reliable communications for time division duplexing channels is proposed. The setup assumes a packet erasure channel and that nodes cannot transmit and receive information simultaneously. The sender transmits coded data packets back-to-back before stopping to wait for the receiver to acknowledge (ACK) the number of degrees of freedom, if any, that are required to decode correctly the information. Provided herein is an analysis of this problem to show that there is an optimal number of coded data packets, in terms of mean completion time, to be sent before stopping to listen. This number depends on the latency, probabilities of packet erasure and ACK erasure, and the number of degrees of freedom that the receiver requires to decode the data. This scheme is optimal in terms of the mean time to complete the transmission of a fixed number of data packets. It is shown that its performance is very close to that of a full-duplex system, while transmitting a different number of coded packets can cause large degradation in performance, especially if latency is high. Also described herein is the throughput performance of the novel system and technique along with a comparison to existing half-duplex Go-back-N and Selective Repeat ARQ schemes. Numerical results, obtained for different latencies, show that the novel system and technique described herein has similar performance to the Selective Repeat in most cases and considerable performance gain when latency and packet error probability is high.
US08279780B2 Videoconferencing system using network
Dual (redundant) operation support servers are used to improve the reliability of a video conferencing system and ensure the stability of communication. Switching automatically one operation support server to another enables a video conference to be smoothly continued without interruption. Multiple operation support servers are provided, each including a synchronization function which synchronizes site connection information and live camera information between the operation support servers and prevents an operation support server in a standby state from writing live camera information in a folder for each site. Each site PC 14 includes an automatic server change function which, when an operation support server 11 in service fails, switches connection from the operation support server 11 to an operation support server 12 in a standby state. When the operation support server in service fails, the operation support server in a standby state writes live camera information into a folder for each site and each site PC changes connection from the operation support server that was in service to the operation support server in a standby state.
US08279773B2 Digital broadcast system, and data processing method
A digital broadcast system having storing resistance to errors generated during the transmission of mobile service data, and a data processing method are disclosed. The digital broadcast system additionally encodes mobile service data. As a result, the mobile service data has strong resistance to a channel variation and noise, and at the same time the system can quickly cope with the channel variation.
US08279772B2 Including in the uplink grant an indication of specific amount of CQI to be reported
The present invention relates to a method, user equipment and a base station adapted to handle channel state feedback reports in a more flexible way. More specifically, a channel state feedback procedure is provided which utilizes the resources available for transmission of channel state feedback more efficiently. This is achieved by including uplink grant availability into the channel state feedback reporting triggers used for determining when and how to send channel state feedback from a UE, i.e. a channel state feedback reporting request may be sent by a base station in an uplink grant to a UE comprising an indication of an expected amount of information to be returned.
US08279766B2 Interior-node-disjoint multi-tree topology formation
A novel decentralized protocol for constructing a tree-based P2P live video streaming network with the Interior-Node-Disjoint (IND) multi-tree structure with the special Link-Level-Homogeneous property. The IND multi-tree structure recycles the wasted uploading capacities of leaf nodes in the tree-based P2P networks. The IND multi-tree structure also enhances the robustness of the tree-based P2P networks. Moreover, the special Link-Level-Homogeneous property eliminates the bottlenecks in the video delivery paths by ensuring that each downloading link in the network has identical bandwidth reserved. This special designed architecture greatly improves the downloading performance.
US08279765B2 Method and apparatus for interworking in an inter-technology network
Various embodiments are described to provide more efficient interworking in inter-technology networks. A first network node (121) provides access network service to remote units (101, e.g.) using a first access network technology, while a second network node provides access network service to remote units using a second and different access network technology. The first network node indicates to a networking device (122), what messaging associated with the second access network technology will be supported by a remote unit via the first network node. The networking device receiving this indication can then determine whether new messaging for the remote unit associated with the second access network technology and to be conveyed via the first network node, is supported. This networking device can then prevent the conveyance of the new messaging via the first network node.
US08279763B2 System and method for grouping traffic events
A device, system, and method for grouping traffic events. In one embodiment, the device comprises a traffic component, a computing device coupled with the traffic component, and a display coupled with the computing device. The traffic component is operable to receive data corresponding to a plurality of traffic events. The computing device is operable to identify at least two related traffic events and form a traffic event group representing at least two of the related traffic events. The display is operable to present an indication of the formed traffic event group. Such a configuration enables users to more easily access relevant traffic information.
US08279761B2 Input/output interface for periodic signals
A first periodic signal generation circuit generates first periodic output signals. A second periodic signal generation circuit generates second periodic output signals. A first multiplexer circuit receives the first and the second periodic output signals. An interface circuit coupled to external pins generates a third periodic output signal based on a periodic signal selected by the first multiplexer circuit. A second multiplexer circuit receives the third periodic output signal at an input. A first periodic feedback signal provided to the first periodic signal generation circuit is based on a signal selected by the second multiplexer circuit. A third multiplexer circuit receives the third periodic output signal at an input. A second periodic feedback signal provided to the second periodic signal generation circuit is based on a signal selected by the third multiplexer circuit.
US08279758B2 Communication node and communication system
In a network wherein a data plane for communicating user data, and a control plane for managing data forwarders are configured of different media, the path teardown of the data plane which is forwarding the data is prevented when a fault has occurred in only the control plane. When the GMPLS controller of the control plane has detected refresh timeout with respect to an adjacent node (101 in FIG. 1), it checks whether or not a transmission equipment corresponding to a faulty controller has a fault (102), and it maintains a path state (103) in a case where the fault is limited to the control plane. Thus, the exchange of refresh messages with the adjacent node is continued without cleaning up the resources of the transmission equipment (104 through 107).
US08279757B2 Power management in tunneled direct link setup
A method and apparatus of managing power save in a wireless network is provided. A direct link with a peer station (STA) is established by exchanging a Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) setup request frame and a TDLS setup response frame through a access point (AP). The peer STA enters power save mode (PSM). Traffic data that are destined for the peer STA in the PSM are buffered and a peer traffic indication (PTI) frame is transmitted to the peer STA in the PSM. The PTI frame includes a traffic identifier (TID) field and a sequence control field. Unnecessary allocation of service period can be prevented.
US08279753B2 Efficient determination of fast routes when voluminous data is to be sent from a single node to many destination nodes via other intermediate nodes
Determination of a fast route from a source node to many destination nodes. Identities of each node, and bandwidths and latencies of paths are received. A threshold bandwidth is set, and routes containing paths among nodes which have an associated bandwidth exceeding the threshold bandwidth (or within a desired range, in general) are determined. The route providing the least latency among the routes thus determined is selected. The process is repeated for other values of threshold bandwidths, and the fastest route is then determined from the routes selected for each value of threshold bandwidth considered.
US08279750B2 Simple and resource-efficient resilient network systems
The invention is related to a method for resilient multi-path connections between edge devices of a communication network. First are determined connection-specific traffic distribution functions for the multi-paths depending on a plausible failure pattern of active and inactive paths of the multi-path of this connection. Further is selected the traffic distribution function for a multi-path depending on the current failure pattern of active and an inactive paths of the multi-path of this connection and is distributed the traffic of the connection onto the path of the corresponding multi-path pursuant to the selected traffic distribution function. An essential advantage of the invention is a significant decrease of network capacity for resilient multi-path connections. Another advantage of the invention is the short reaction time in case of an outage of one or more paths of the multi-path connections.
US08279740B2 Dynamic transmission protection in the presence of multiple modulation schemes
A technique is disclosed for re-enabling transmission protection at enhanced stations while in the presence of high, enhanced modulation traffic conditions once protection has been disabled. Transmission protection allows enhanced modulation stations to co-exist with legacy modulation stations on a shared-communications channel. The problem being solved is when transmission protection is set to inactive and the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (i.e., enhanced modulation) traffic load is high, legacy traffic is likely to collide repeatedly with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing transmissions, with the result that the access point does not notice that a legacy station has become active again. Consequently, the access point does not activate transmission protection. The present invention addresses the problem by defining access point mechanisms that are capable of re-enabling transmission protection, once protection has been disabled, in the presence of high, enhanced modulation traffic conditions.
US08279738B2 Objective lens and optical information recording/reproducing device having the same
There is provided an objective lens for information recording/reproducing for three types of optical discs, which includes a first area contributing to converging a third light beam onto a record surface of a third optical disc. The first area includes a phase shift structure having refractive surface zones concentrically formed about a predetermined axis. The phase shift structure includes first and second step groups. The first step group is configured such that an optical path length difference ΔOPD1 (nm) given by each step of the first step group to a first light beam satisfies a condition: 2N1+1.10<|ΔOPD1/λ1|<2N1+1.40, where N1 is an integer or zero, and the second step group is configured such that an optical path length difference ΔOPD2 (nm) given by each step of the second step group to the first light beam satisfies a condition: 2N2−0.10<|ΔOPD2/λ1|<2N2+0.10, where N2 is an integer.
US08279737B2 Diffraction grating, aberration correction element and optical head device
There is provided a diffraction grating including a convex portion and a concave portion which are used for lights having different wavelengths λ1, λ2 and λ3 and are alternately disposed on at least one surface of a substrate with a predetermined pitch. An average refractive index of the convex portion is smaller than an average refractive index of the concave portion. A phase difference in the lights having the wavelength λ1 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength λ2 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion are both substantially the integral multiple of 2π, and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength λ3 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion is substantially the non-integral multiple of 2π.
US08279731B2 Preventing unauthorized use of optical discs
An optical-disc writer writes extrinsic data to an optical disc. Extrinsic data can be written as (i) embedded marks (e.g., pits and lands) located outside the conventional readable area of a disc and/or (ii) alternative marks, such as surface marks located on a surface of the disc. In an optical-disc player having a disc-reading subsystem and a read controller, the disc-reading subsystem reads and relays the extrinsic data to the read controller, which controls the operations of the player based on the extrinsic data. For example, the writer prints extrinsic data, e.g., a barcode, on the surface of a software installation disc. The disc is inserted in the player and installation is commenced. The read controller instructs the disc-reading subsystem to read the extrinsic information. If the read controller determines that the extrinsic data was successfully read, then installation proceeds; otherwise, installation is halted.
US08279729B2 Content recording method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for recording contents. The method includes recording contents on a disc; verifying whether an error occurs in the recording; and reducing the number of available recordings of the contents, which is included in recording authority information, by 1, if an error does not occur in the recording. According to the method, if an error occurs in recording, the number of available recordings may be prevented from being unreasonably reduced.
US08279727B1 Systems and methods for reducing spindle rectification switching
In one embodiment the present invention includes a circuit comprising a switch and a switch driver. The switch is configured to provide synchronous rectification switching of a back-EMF voltage. The synchronous rectification switching produces a source voltage. The switch driver is configured to receive the back-EMF voltage and the source voltage. The switch driver provides a control signal to a control terminal of the switch. The control signal has a frequency. The frequency is used to control an amount of the synchronous rectification switching. Accordingly, the frequency reduces a dissipated power associated with the synchronous rectification switching.
US08279725B2 Control device, control method, program, and recording medium
A control device includes n optical pickups, n being an integer greater than one; a dividing unit configured to divide one block into n pieces of data, the one block being a predetermined amount of data; and a control unit configured to control the n optical pickups to record the n pieces of data obtained by the dividing unit on a predetermined recording medium.
US08279723B2 Recording medium, optical device, and recording and reproducing apparatus
A recording medium includes at least one recording layer on which information is recorded by multi-photon absorption, and a servo layer disposed in a laminated direction with respect to the recording layer and having a track for guiding a beam spot of laser light having a first wavelength and a beam spot of laser light having a second wavelength along a scanning trajectory. The servo layer and the at least one recording layer constitute a set of layers, and a plurality of sets of layers is formed in the laminated direction. The servo layer is made of a material having a high reflectance with respect to laser light having a third wavelength for generating a servo signal, and low reflectances with respect to the laser light having the first wavelength and the laser light having the second wavelength.
US08279722B2 Method, apparatus and program for processing information
In an information processing apparatus that stores data on a plurality of storage media, a management information generator generates management information based on which to manage an order in which data is stored on the storage media, using storage medium identification information identifying each storage medium, and a multiplexer multiplexes the management information generated by the management information generator on the data. A storage unit stores the data, including the management information multiplexed by the multiplexer, on the storage media such that the data can be easily managed and the storage media can be used in a very convenient manner.
US08279721B2 Near-field recording head capable of directly forming light source in slider
A near-field optical head capable of being significantly miniaturized is constituted by a near-field optical probe slider formed by holding, on a slider, a semiconductor laser, a heat dissipation member, a prism for guiding light from the semiconductor laser to a scattering body and a photodetector element.
US08279720B2 Hard disk apparatus and driving method therefor
Disclosed herein is a hard disk apparatus, including: a magnetic recording medium; a recording head adapted to record information on the magnetic recording medium; a semiconductor laser adapted to be controlled for light emission in a cycle of a recording clock to irradiate a light spot upon the magnetic recording medium to carry out thermal assistance in magnetic recording by the recording head; a laser driving circuit adapted to drive the semiconductor laser at a timing and with optical power in accordance with a light emission timing signal and a laser power controlling signal; and a controller adapted to set laser power in accordance with at least one of characteristics of the magnetic recording medium, semiconductor laser and recording head and output the laser power controlling signal to the laser driving circuit so that the laser power is adaptively varied.
US08279719B1 Method and system for coupling a laser with a slider in an energy assisted magnetic recording disk drive
A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducer coupled with a laser are described. The EAMR transducer has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The method and system include providing at least one waveguide, at least one write pole, and at least one coil. The waveguide(s) are for directing the energy from the laser toward the ABS. The write pole(s) each include a write pole tip, a yoke, a back pedestal and a return pole. The write pole tip is coupled to the back pedestal through the yoke. The back pedestal has at least one aperture therein. The aperture(s) are configured to allow the energy from the laser to pass therethrough. The coil(s) are for energizing the at least one write pole.
US08279714B2 Compliant ocean wave mitigation device and method to allow underwater sound detection with oceanographic buoy moorings
The systems and methods described herein relate to a device which enables oceanographic surface buoy mooring systems to detect and monitor underwater noise at most sea state and weather conditions. In particular, the systems and methods described herein provide mooring systems that can support a hydrophone or other underwater listening devices connected to a surface buoy located at a deep sea position. As will be more fully described below, the mooring includes an expandable tether cable/hose that reduces noise generated underwater when the buoy moves in response to wave and weather.
US08279713B2 Acoustic transmitter comprising a plurality of piezoelectric plates
An acoustic transmitter with preferably a plurality of piezoelectric plates configured to optimized acoustic pressure output within a desired frequency range while meeting physical restrictions of LWD and MWD logging systems. The transmitter is disposed in a recess in the perimeter of a logging tool housing to reduce acoustic pressure waves transmitted directly along the tool housing and to optimize acoustic energy transmission into the borehole environs. In order to increase acoustic pressure output at a desired logging frequency range, the plurality of piezoelectric plates are connected electrically in parallel and fired simultaneously. The polarity of the plates and the wiring arrangement are such that each plate expands or contracts in a common direction during simultaneous firing by an applied voltage. The desired output frequency is obtained by selectively polarizing and dimensioning the plates within the plate assembly. The plate assembly is preferably disposed within an oil filled pressure housing that is pressure and temperature compensated.
US08279706B2 Method for full-bandwidth source deghosting of marine seismic streamer data
Seismic data recorded in a marine streamer are obtained, sorted as a common receiver gather. A complex Laplace frequency parameter is used to transform the seismic data from a space-time domain to a spectral domain. An iterative conjugate gradient scheme, using a physically-based preconditioner, is applied to the transformed seismic data, to provide a least squares solution to a normal set of equations for a source deghosting system of equations. The solution is inverse-transformed back to a space-time domain to provide source deghosted seismic data, which is useful for imaging the earth's subsurface.
US08279704B2 Decoder circuitry providing forward and reverse modes of memory array operation and method for biasing same
Circuits and methods are described for decoding exemplary memory arrays of programmable and, in some embodiments, re-writable passive element memory cells, which are particularly useful for extremely dense three-dimensional memory arrays having more than one memory plane. In addition, circuits and methods are described for selecting one or more array blocks of such a memory array, for selecting one or more word lines and bit lines within selected array blocks, for conveying data information to and from selected memory cells within selected array blocks, and for conveying unselected bias conditions to unselected array blocks.
US08279703B2 Sub-word line driver circuit and semiconductor memory device having the same
A sub-word line driver includes a substrate, a plurality of gate lines and at least one gate tab. The substrate includes a plurality of isolation areas and a plurality of active areas, where the two active areas are separated by each isolation area, and the isolation areas and the active areas are extended in a first direction and are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of gate lines are formed on the substrate, where the gate lines are extended in a second direction and are arranged in the first direction. The at least one gate tab is formed on the substrate, where the at least one gate tab is extended in the first direction to cover the isolation area. Incorrect operation of the sub-word line driver may be prevented, and a power consumption of the sub-word line driver may be reduced.
US08279696B2 Semiconductor device
There is provided a technique for ensuring both an SNM and a write margin simultaneously in a semiconductor device having static memory cells. A semiconductor device has a plurality of static memory cells. The semiconductor device includes a memory cell array having the static memory cells arranged in a matrix, a temperature sensor circuit for sensing a temperature in the semiconductor device, and a word driver for controlling a voltage supplied to a word line of the memory cell array based on an output of the temperature sensor circuit at the time of writing to or reading from a memory cell.
US08279694B2 Semiconductor memory device having a reduced noise interference
A semiconductor memory device having a reduced noise interference is presented. The semiconductor memory device includes a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is disposed in a sub hole region or an edge region and is configured to be turned on in response to a first pre-control signal, which is enabled before a time point at which a sense amplifier array begins to operate, and to apply an external voltage to a first voltage line through which a bias voltage is supplied to the sense amplifier array. The second switch is configured to be turned on in response to a first control signal, which is enabled in a sense amplifier overdriving period, and to apply the external voltage to the first voltage line.
US08279692B2 Semiconductor device having hierarchical data line structure and control method thereof
To provide a semiconductor device including switch transistor provided between a sub-data line and a main data line. Upon transferring data, the semiconductor device supplies a potential of a VPP level to a gate electrode of the switch transistor when causing the switch transistor to be a conductive state, and supplies a potential of a VPERI level to the gate electrode when causing the switch transistor to be a non-conductive state. According to the present invention, because a potential of the gate electrode is not decreased to a VSS level when causing the switch transistor to be a non-conductive state, it is possible to reduce a current required to charge and discharge a gate capacitance of the switch transistor. Furthermore, because the VPP level is supplied to the gate electrode when causing the switch transistor to be a conduction state, a level of a signal after transfer never drops down by the amount of the threshold voltage.
US08279690B1 Optimal channel design for memory devices for providing a high-speed memory interface
A system is provided for high-speed communication between a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. A memory controller, and a plurality of memory devices are provided. Additionally, at least one channel is included for providing electrical communication between the memory controller and the plurality of memory devices, an impedance of the channel being at least partially controlled using High Density Interconnect (HDI) technology.
US08279686B2 Memory circuits, systems, and methods for providing bit line equalization voltages
A memory circuit includes at least one memory cell for storing a charge representative of a datum. The memory cell is coupled with a word line and a first bit line. At least one bit line equalization transistor is coupled between the first bit line and a second bit line. A bit line equalization circuit is coupled with the bit line equalization transistor. The bit line equalization circuit is configured for providing a pulse to the bit line equalization transistor to substantially equalize voltages of the first bit line and the second bit line during a standby period before an access cycle of the memory cell.
US08279684B2 Method for extending word-line pulses
An integrated circuit includes a positive power supply node, a current tracking circuit, and a current mirroring circuit including a plurality of current paths coupled in parallel. The currents of the plurality of current paths mirror a current of the current tracking circuit. The current mirroring circuit is configured to turn off the plurality of current paths one-by-one in response to a reduction in a positive power supply voltage on the positive power supply node. The integrated circuit further includes a charging node receiving a summation current of the plurality of current paths, wherein a voltage on the charging node is configured to increase through a charging of the summation current.
US08279683B2 Digit line comparison circuits
A DRAM includes a register storing subsets of row addresses corresponding to rows containing at least one memory cell that is unable to store a data bit during a normal refresh cycle. Each subset includes all but the most significant bit of a corresponding row address. A refresh counter in the DRAM generates refresh row addresses that are used to refresh rows of memory cells. The refresh row addresses are compared to the subsets of row addresses that are stored in the register. In the event of a match, the row of memory cells corresponding to the matching subset of bits is refreshed. The number of refreshes occurring each refresh cycle will depend upon the number of bits in the subset that are omitted from the row address. The memory cells that are unable to retain data bits are identified by a modified sense amplifier.
US08279676B2 Method of operating nonvolatile memory device
A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device includes reading data stored in a main cell and a flag cell using a first read voltage, the nonvolatile memory device comprising the main cell for storing data including a least significant bit (LSB) and a most significant bit (MSB), and the flag cell for determining a program state of the main cell, determining a program state of the main cell based on the data read from the flag cell, reading data stored in the main cell and the flag cell using a second read voltage if a MSB page program has been performed on the main cell, and reading data stored in the main cell using a third or a fourth read voltage based on the data read from the flag cell using the second read voltage, if a threshold voltage of the main cell shifts.
US08279674B2 High read speed memory with gate isolation
Providing for a serial array memory transistor architecture that achieves high read speeds compared with conventional serial array memory is described herein. By way of example, the serial array memory can be connected to and can drive a gate voltage of a small capacitance pass transistor, to facilitate sensing memory transistors of the serial array. The pass transistor modulates current flow or voltage at an adjacent metal bitline, which can be utilized to sense a program or erase state(s) of the memory transistors. Due to the small capacitance of the pass transistor, read latency for the serial array can be significantly lower than conventional serial array memory (e.g., NAND memory). Further, various mechanisms for forming an amplifier region of the serial array memory comprising discrete pass transistor are described to facilitate efficient fabrication of the serial array memory transistor architecture.
US08279669B2 Semiconductor storage device to correct threshold distribution of memory cells by rewriting and method of controlling the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a first cell, a second cell, a bit line, a first buffer, a second buffer, and a controller. The bit line transfers the data to the first cell and the second cell. The first buffer holds write data to the first cell and the second cell. The second buffer holds read data from the first cell. The controller controls first writing and rewriting executed for the first cell and second writing executed for the second cell. The write data in the first buffer is updated each time a second write signal is given. The controller executes the first writing based on the write data held by the first buffer. The controller performs the second writing based on the write data updated in the first buffer. The controller executes the rewriting based on the read data held by the second buffer.
US08279664B2 Phase change memory device, memory system, and programming method using variable verification pulses
In a method of programming a phase change memory device, write data is programmed in a plurality of phase change memory cells by applying write pulses to each of the plurality of phase change memory cells. Whether each of the phase change memory cells is programmed is verified by applying verification pulses to each of the phase-change memory cells. A number of applications for the verification pulses and the intervals between respective applications of the verification pulses are varied in accordance with a verification result for each of the phase-change memory cells.
US08279663B2 Magnetoresistance effect element and magnetic random access memory
A magnetoresistance effect element includes: a first ferromagnetic layer having invariable magnetization perpendicular to a film plane; a second ferromagnetic layer having variable magnetization perpendicular to the film plane; a first nonmagnetic layer interposed between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer; a third ferromagnetic layer provided on an opposite side of the second ferromagnetic layer from the first nonmagnetic layer, and having variable magnetization parallel to the film plane; and a second nonmagnetic layer interposed between the second and third ferromagnetic layers. Spin-polarized electrons are injected into the second ferromagnetic layer by flowing a current in the direction perpendicular to the film planes between the first and third ferromagnetic layers, precession movement is induced in the magnetization of the third ferromagnetic layer by injecting the spin-polarized electrons, and a microwave magnetic field of a frequency corresponding to the precession movement is applied to the second ferromagnetic layer.
US08279660B2 Static random-access memory with boosted voltages
Dual port memory elements and memory array circuitry that utilizes elevated and non-elevated power supply voltages for performing reliable reading and writing operations are provided. The memory array circuitry may contain circuitry to switch a power supply line of a column of memory elements in the array to an appropriate power supply voltage during reading and writing operations. Each memory element may contain circuitry to select between power supply voltages during reading and writing operations. During reading operations, an elevated voltage may power cross-coupled inverters that store data in the memory elements while a non-elevated voltage may be used to turn on associated address transistors. During writing operations, the non-elevated voltage may power the cross-coupled inverters while the elevated voltage may be used to turn on the associated address transistors.
US08279659B2 System and method of operating a memory device
A system and method of operating a memory device is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a bit cell coupled to a first bit line and to a second bit line. The apparatus also includes a sense amplifier coupled to the first bit line and to the second bit line. The apparatus includes a loop circuit configured to provide a sense amplifier enable signal to the sense amplifier in response to receiving a first signal. The apparatus also includes a wordline enable circuit configured to provide a wordline enable signal to a wordline driver in response to receiving a second signal. The loop circuit receives the first signal before the wordline enable circuit receives the second signal.
US08279657B2 Nonvolatile memory element and nonvolatile memory device
Provided is a nonvolatile memory element which is capable of performing a stable resistance change operation at a low breakdown voltage.A nonvolatile memory element (100) includes: a first electrode layer (103); a second electrode layer (105); and a variable resistance layer (104) which is placed between the electrodes (103 and 105), and whose resistance state reversibly changes between a high resistance state and a low resistance state based on a polarity of a voltage applied between the electrodes (103 and 105). The variable resistance layer (104) is formed by stacking a first oxide layer (104a) including an oxide of a first transition metal and a second oxide layer (104b) including an oxide of a second transition metal which is different from the first transition metal. At least one of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) a dielectric constant of the second oxide layer (104b) is larger than a dielectric constant of the first oxide layer (104a); and (2) a band gap of the second oxide layer (104b) is smaller than a band gap of the first oxide layer (104a).
US08279654B2 Resistance change memory device and operation method of the same
A resistance change memory device includes: memory cells each having a current path in which a storage element, whose resistance changes according to the voltage applied, and an access transistor are connected in series; first wirings each connected to one end of the current path; second wirings each connected to the other end of the current path; a well which is a semiconductor region in which the access transistors are formed; and a drive circuit.
US08279652B2 Reconfigurable input/output in hierarchical memory link
A memory system and memory module includes a plurality of memory devices, each having a plurality, e.g. four, ports for transmitting and receiving command signals, write data signals and read data signals. One of the memory devices is connected to a host or controller, and the remaining memories are connected together, typically by point-to-point links. When the memory system configuration is such that at least one of the ports in at least one of the memory devices is not used, one or more other ports can use the pins that may otherwise have been used by the unused ports. As a result, a set of reconfigurable, shared pins is defined in which two ports share the pins. The port that is not being used in a particular application for the memory device is not connected to the shared pins, and another port that is being used in the application is connected to the shared pins. This allows for the used of fewer package pins and, consequently, reduced package size.
US08279650B2 Memory system with data line switching scheme
A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines (e.g. bit lines) of a first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines that are connected to control circuitry. To increase the performance of memory operations, the second selections circuits can change their selections independently of each other. For example, a memory operation is performed concurrently on a first non-volatile storage element of each group of a plurality of groups of non-volatile storage elements. Completion of the memory operation for the first non-volatile storage element of each group is independently detected. A memory operation on a second non-volatile storage element of each group is independently commenced for each group upon independently detecting completion of the memory operation for the first non-volatile storage element of the respective group.
US08279649B2 Apparatus and method for controlling a power inverter
An apparatus and method for controlling a DC-to-AC inverter is disclosed. The DC-to-AC inverter may be configured to convert DC power received from an alternative energy source to AC power for supplying an AC grid or load. The inverter may determine whether the power presently supplied by the alternative energy source is less than a predetermined amount of power and, if so, disable an output converter of the inverter. Additionally, the inverter may predict the voltage of a DC bus of the inverter at a future point in time and, if the predicted DC bus voltage is greater than a predetermined maximum DC bus voltage, enable the output converter to transfer energy from the DC bus to the AC grid to reduce the DC bus voltage.
US08279648B2 Power inverter and method
An apparatus and method for converting an input signal to an output AC signal in which the input voltage signal is inverted and modulated to provide an intermediate AC signal having twice the desired output frequency. The intermediate signal is then full-wave rectified and then the polarity of the rectified signal is switched every second cycle to produce the output AC signal of a desired frequency and voltage.
US08279647B2 Universal three phase controllers for power converters
The systems and methods described herein provide for a universal controller capable of controlling multiple types of three phase, two and three level power converters. The universal controller is capable of controlling the power converter in any quadrant of the PQ domain. The universal controller can include a region selection unit, an input selection unit, a reference signal source unit and a control core. The control core can be implemented using one-cycle control, average current mode control, current mode control or sliding mode control and the like. The controller can be configured to control different types of power converters by adjusting the reference signal source. Also provided are multiple modulation methods for controlling the power converter.
US08279646B1 Coordinated power sequencing to limit inrush currents and ensure optimum filtering
A regulated power supply apparatus and method is provided. A converter circuit is configured to generate a regulated voltage signal from an unregulated voltage signal. A power sequencing circuit includes an unregulated voltage source input terminal and is configured for coupling an unregulated voltage signal to an unregulated voltage signal input terminal of the converter circuit. The power sequencing circuit includes an enable output coupled to the enable signal input terminal and includes a power limiting circuit and a trigger circuit. The power limiting circuit includes a first cascade of discrete analog components as controls for a first switching element and the trigger circuit includes a second cascade of discrete analog components as controls for a second switching element. The first cascade is configured as a charge control circuit for controlling a rate of charge of a first filter network and includes a zener diode coupled in parallel. The second cascade is configured as a detector of voltage levels and generates the enable signal. The first and second switching elements are semiconductor switches. The first filter network is coupled upstream of the converter circuit and a second filter network is coupled downstream. In an exemplary embodiment, the converter circuit is a DC to DC bus converter circuit and the regulated power supply apparatus is a fan controller circuit.
US08279642B2 Apparatus for converting direct current to alternating current using an active filter to reduce double-frequency ripple power of bus waveform
An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.
US08279639B2 Direct AC power converting apparatus
A control section controls a current-source converter in a state in which a switch is in conduction, and performs voltage doubler rectification on a voltage between a neutral phase input line and any of input lines to provide for charging of clamp capacitors. Accordingly, the clamp capacitors are charged through a resistor, which prevents an inrush current from flowing therethrough. In addition, a voltage between both ends of a pair of the clamp capacitors is higher than, for example, a voltage between both ends of a pair of capacitors. Accordingly, even if the clamp capacitors and, for example, the capacitors are electrically connected to each other in a normal operation, it is possible to prevent the inrush current from flowing from the capacitors to the clamp capacitors.
US08279638B2 Output regulation circuit of a power converter without current sensing loss and method thereof
An output regulation circuit of a power converter without current sensing loss includes a transforming circuit to receive a proportional voltage from the primary winding of the power converter during the on-time period of the power switch. The first proportional voltage is transformed to a charging current signal to charge an energy storage device. Thus, the circuit controls the power switch according to a voltage limited signal of the energy storage device.
US08279637B2 Generating drive signals for a synchronous rectification switch of a flyback converter
In order to further develop a circuit arrangement (100) as well as a method for generating at least one drive signal for at least one synchronous rectification switch of at least one flyback converter in such way that an improved and simpler thermal management can be combined with a significant cost reduction as well as with a higher efficiency, it is proposed to generate the drive signal for said synchronous rectification switch as a function of at least one oscillating signal controlling the synchronous rectification switch, of at least one constant delay time, of at least one variable delay time, and of at least one Boolean OR function.
US08279634B2 Circuit and method for predicting a valley timing for a voltage across a switching device
Disclosed are circuits and methods for use in a control circuit of a switching mode power supply for turning on a switching device in the switching mode power supply when the voltage across the switching device is at a minimum. A voltage detector is provided for detecting the voltage across the switching device to produce a detection voltage which is a function of the voltage across the switching device, and circuit arrangement is used to predict a valley timing for the voltage across the switching device by evaluating the time period that the detection voltage falls down from a first threshold to a second threshold.
US08279633B2 Parallel-connected resonant converter circuit and controlling method thereof
The configurations of a parallel-connected resonant converter circuit and a controlling method thereof are provided in the present invention. The proposed circuit includes a plurality of resonant converters, each of which has two input terminals and two output terminals, wherein all the two input terminals of the plurality of resonant converters are electrically series-connected, and all the two output terminals of the plurality of resonant converters are electrically parallel-connected.
US08279631B2 Limiting primary peak charge to control output current of a flyback converter
A controller IC adjusts the on time and cycle time of current flowing through the primary inductor of a flyback converter to generate a constant output current and constant output voltage. A desired output current limit is achieved even with an inductor whose inductance varies from the stated magnitude. A transconductance current is generated from a voltage across an emitter resistor and is then integrated to generate an integrated-current voltage. An inductor switch is turned on by an oscillator signal and turned off at the earlier of when the integrated-current voltage reaches a charge limit voltage during constant current mode or when the emitter resistor voltage reaches an error voltage during constant voltage mode. Current is output independently of the primary inductance by varying the current limit voltage inversely proportionally to the input voltage and by adjusting the cycle time so that it varies inversely proportionally to the output voltage.
US08279628B2 Audible noise suppression in a resonant switching power converter
Audible noise in resonant switching power converter during low-power burst mode operation is reduced by spreading the spectrum generated by the bursts, thereby reducing the amplitude of audio spectrum peaks in the current supplied through the resonant tank from a switching circuit. The spreading can be accomplished by varying the intervals between the bursts and/or by varying a pulse pattern within the bursts. The pulse pattern within the bursts can be varied by varying the number of pulses in the bursts, the polarity of the initial pulse of the bursts, and/or the duration of pulses within the bursts either uniformly or randomly. The burst pulse pattern may also be selected in alternation from a set of pulse patterns stored in a memory and the selection may be made randomly or systematically.
US08279627B2 Method and apparatus for a control circuit with multiple operating modes
An example controller for use in a power converter includes an oscillator and a logic circuit. The oscillator is to be coupled to a switch of the power converter and determines a switching cycle period of the switch. The logic circuit is also to be coupled to the switch to control a duty cycle of the switch in response to a magnitude of a feedback signal to regulate an output of the power converter. The logic circuit controls the duty cycle of the switch such that a control loop gain of the power converter is substantially constant during a transition of the controller between duty cycle control modes.
US08279624B2 Board level electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields with through hole latching mechanisms
Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of EMI shielding apparatus (e.g., one-piece shields, multi-piece shields, frames, etc.) having one or more latching members insertable into openings or holes in a substrate (e.g., printed circuit board, etc.) and engagable to the substrate. The engagement of the latching members with the substrate mechanically attaches the EMI shielding apparatus to the substrate.
US08279620B2 Low inductance power electronics assembly
A power electronics assembly is provided. A first support member includes a first plurality of conductors. A first plurality of power switching devices are coupled to the first support member. A first capacitor is coupled to the first support member. A second support member includes a second plurality of conductors. A second plurality of power switching devices are coupled to the second support member. A second capacitor is coupled to the second support member. The first and second pluralities of conductors, the first and second pluralities of power switching devices, and the first and second capacitors are electrically connected such that the first plurality of power switching devices is connected in parallel with the first capacitor and the second capacitor and the second plurality of power switching devices is connected in parallel with the second capacitor and the first capacitor.
US08279618B2 Circuit substrate and circuit substrate manufacturing method
A circuit substrate includes protruding terminals and has a structure that ensures an excellent connection with an electronic component, such as an IC. The circuit substrate on which an IC is to be mounted includes terminals that are to be electrically connected to solder bumps located on the IC. The terminals protrude from the mounting surface of a substrate body on which the IC is to be mounted. The sectional area of the top surface of each of the terminals is about 1.2 times the sectional area of each of the terminals on the mounting surface.
US08279617B2 Pad layout structure of driver IC chip
A pad layout structure of a driver IC chip of a liquid crystal display device includes dummy power pads and dummy ground pads, which are disposed in corners of the driver IC chip and are connected to main power pads and main ground pads by metal lines in a chip-on-film (COF) package. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the resistance of power supply lines and ground lines, to minimize a power dip of a block located far away from the main power pads and main ground pads, and to prevent a failure in power application, which may occur due to a decrease of adhesive strength at a specific position, by dispersing the adhesion positions of the power pads and ground pads.
US08279616B2 Printed circuit board with embedded chip capacitor
A printed circuit board having an embedded chip capacitor includes a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer, placed away from the first conductive layer; a chip capacitor, having a first electrode connected to the first conductive layer through being seated in a cavity formed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; a filled material, filled in a space excluding a space occupied by the chip capacitor in the cavity; and a via, penetrating the filled material and connecting the second conductive layer to the second electrode of the chip capacitor.
US08279611B2 Flexible cable having rectangular waveguide formed therein and methods of manufacturing same
A flexible cable for carrying RF signals and method of manufacturing same. The cable includes an elongate base substrate including a dielectric layer with an upper metal layer deposited on one side and a lower metal layer deposited on its other side. It further includes two parallel spaced-apart series of vias formed along the length of the base substrate, each via electrically interconnecting the upper metal layer and the lower metal layer, whereby a rectangular cross-sectional waveguide is provided between the upper metal layer, the lower metal layer and the two series of vias.
US08279609B2 Wearable containing element for an electronic apparatus
A wearable containing element for an electronic apparatus, comparable to an ornament or pendant, comprising at least a pair of complementary shells, able to be coupled with each other so as to define a containing body with an external surface having a shape and size comparable to those of a traditional ornament, and an internal containing compartment, of a shape and size sufficiently large to house the electronic apparatus.
US08279607B2 Cooling module assembly method
A cooling module assembly method includes forming at least one through-hole on a circuit board; coupling the circuit board to a heat dissipating unit so that a face of the circuit board is coupled to a coupling face of the heat dissipating unit; filling the at least one through-hole with metal solders; fixing at least one heat-generating element to another face of the circuit board, with the at least one heat-generating element aligned with and covering the at least one through-hole; and soldering the at least one heat-generating element and the heat dissipating unit together by melting the metal solders in the at least one through-hole.
US08279603B2 Test slot cooling system for a storage device testing system
A test slot cooling system for a storage device testing system includes a storage device transporter having first and second portions. The first portion of the storage device transporter includes an air director and the second portion of the storage device transporter is configured to receive a storage device. The test slot cooling system includes a test slot housing defining an air entrance and a transporter opening for receiving the storage device transporter. The air entrance is in pneumatic communication with the air director of the received storage device transporter. The test slot cooling system also includes an air mover in pneumatic communication with the air entrance of the test slot housing for delivering air to the air director. The air director directs air substantially simultaneously over at least top and bottom surfaces of the storage device received in the storage device transporter.
US08279601B2 Air flow ducts for cooling electronic devices within a data processing unit
Air flow ducts for improving the air flow within data processing units are described herein. In some embodiments, a duct includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion. An interior surface of the outlet portion of the duct defines, at least in part, a portion of a flow path. The duct is configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board within a data processing unit such that a first portion of a cooling fluid can flow within the flow path between the inlet portion of the duct and an electronic device coupled to the printed circuit board. An exterior surface of the outlet portion of the duct is configured to redirect a second portion of the cooling fluid to a volume within the data processing unit apart from the electronic device.
US08279596B2 Fan mounting system
A fan mounting system includes a fan chassis defining a plurality of fan housings. A guide member is located on the fan chassis. At least one board support member extends from the fan chassis and is operable to extend through a board to engage an Information Handling System (IHS) chassis when the fan chassis is positioned in the IHS chassis. An IHS chassis cover anchor is located on the fan chassis and is operable to engage an IHS chassis cover and secure the IHS chassis cover to the IHS chassis when the fan chassis is coupled to the IHS chassis.
US08279595B2 Storage unit and information processing apparatus and method of cooling
A storage unit includes: a storage section containing an information processing apparatus; an intake section allowing intake of a cooling medium into the information processing apparatus for cooling the information processing apparatus; a discharge section receiving the cooling medium discharged from the information processing apparatus; a cooling medium flow generating section configured to control intake and discharge of the cooling medium; a partition section isolating the intake section and the discharge section from each other; an aperture formed in the partition section; a detector section configured to detect an inflow of the cooling medium, discharged from the discharge section, through the aperture; and a controller section configured to control the cooling medium flow generating section in accordance with a result of the detection of the detector section.
US08279592B2 Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a first main unit having a surface thereof provided with a display panel, a second main unit having a surface thereof provided with another display panel, a hinge mechanism coupling the first and second main units, and two operation buttons arranged symmetrical with respect to a center line passing through the respective centers of the first and second main units.
US08279590B2 Electronic apparatus and method for producing an electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes an accommodation plate, a first exterior member, and a second exterior member. The accommodation plate accommodates a plurality of components except at least a keyboard component. The first exterior member holds the keyboard component and constitutes a first exterior surface of the electronic apparatus. The second exterior member constitutes a second exterior surface as an opposite surface of the first exterior surface. The accommodation plate is disposed between the first exterior member and the second exterior member.
US08279589B2 Apparatus and method for data entry from a removable portable device cover
One or more apparatuses and methods are disclosed for data entry from a removable portable device cover which are configured to cover, surround, and/or encapsulate at least a portion of an exterior shell of a portable electronic device. In one embodiment of the invention, a physical keyboard is operatively connected and/or attached to a removable portable device frame of the removable portable device cover, wherein the removable portable device frame is designed to fit a portable electronic device. In some embodiments of the invention, the operative connection and/or attachment of a physical keyboard to a removable portable frame may be accomplished by using straps, connector ports, and/or wireless protocols. Furthermore, a physical keyboard operatively connected and/or attached to the removable portable device frame may be a foldable physical keyboard which enables easy touch-typing for a user if the foldable physical keyboard is fully expanded.
US08279588B2 Self capturing and keyed mobile device button
A housing of an electronic device encloses and supports at least one operational component and includes at least one opening sized to accommodate a mechanical input assembly. The mechanical input assembly includes a feature arranged to receive an input event, at least a portion of the feature exposed at an outside surface of the housing, an operational indicia visible on the exposed portion and having a preferred orientation with respect to the housing, the operational indicial providing an indication of how an operation of the operational component is influenced, and a shaft having a size and shape in accordance with the opening, the shaft attached to the external feature at a first end and an integrally formed self-capturing feature at the second end. The self-capturing feature is inserted into the opening until activated. The indicia is then properly aligned and the mechanical input assembly is locked to the housing.
US08279586B2 Modules for monitoring patients and related systems and methods
Patient monitoring systems can include a display unit and a patient parameter module. The patient parameter module can be connected to a docking region so as to communicate with the display unit in two or more orientations.
US08279584B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor assembly
A capacitor assembly that includes a solid electrolytic capacitor element containing an anode body, a dielectric overlying the anode, and a solid electrolyte (e.g., conductive polymer) overlying the dielectric is provided. The anode body is in electrical contact with an anode termination and the solid electrolyte is in electrical contact with a cathode termination. The capacitor element and terminations are encapsulated within a resinous material so that at least a portion of the terminations remain exposed. In addition to enhancing mechanical robustness, the resinous encapsulating material acts in some capacity as a barrier to moisture and oxygen during use, which could otherwise reduce the conductivity of the solid electrolyte and increase ESR. To even further protect the capacitor element, especially at high temperatures, the encapsulated capacitor element is also enclosed and hermetically sealed within a ceramic housing in the presence of an inert gas. It is believed that the ceramic housing is capable of limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the conductive polymer of the capacitor. In this manner, the solid electrolyte is less likely to undergo a reaction in high temperature environments, thus increasing the thermal stability of the capacitor assembly.
US08279583B2 Anode for an electrolytic capacitor that contains individual components connected by a refractory metal paste
A solid electrolytic capacitor containing a capacitor element that includes an anode, dielectric layer, and solid electrolyte is provided. The anode is formed from a plurality (e.g., two or more) of separate components, which allows the properties of each component (e.g., density, quality, etc.) to be more readily controlled during manufacturing. The components are electrically connected using a refractory metal paste (e.g., tantalum paste) that sinter bonds to the components to form a strong and reliable connection. The ability to reliably bond together separate components enables the use of a wide degree of possible cross-sectional profiles for each individual component. For example, the components may posses a relatively complex profile that contains one or more indentations and/or projections for increasing surface area. Despite the complex profile, the components may be readily connected to each other in accordance with the present invention to form the anode.
US08279581B2 Electrolytic solution for electrolytic capacitor and electrolytic capacitor using the same
An electrolytic solution for an electrolytic capacitor includes a solvent and an electrolyte dissolved in the solvent. This electrolyte includes at least one of a carboxylic acid and a salt of the carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acid has a carboxyl group and at least one or more of substituents bonded to each terminal carbon of a straight main chain. The substituent bonded to the each terminal carbon of the main chain is hydrophilic, and/or a hydrophilic substituent is bonded to at least one of carbons other than the both terminal carbons of the main chain.
US08279580B2 Electrode for energy storage device with microporous and mesoporous activated carbon particles
Particles of active electrode material are made by blending or mixing a mixture of activated carbon, optional conductive carbon, and binder. In selected implementations, the activated carbon particles have between about 70 and 98 percent microporous activated carbon particles and between about 2 and 30 percent mesaporous activated carbon particles by weight. Optionally, a small amount of conductive particles, such as conductive carbon particles may be used. In one implementation, the binder is inert. The electrode material may be attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various energy storage devices, including a double layer capacitor.
US08279579B1 Energy transforming, storing and shielding devices
Electronic components and electrodes for transforming, storing and shielding devices have ablated femtosecond pulsed laser machined with developed nano structures for substantially increasing surface areas. Storage is multiplied in capacitors and supercapacitors, and small sizes have increased capacity. Supercapacitor heating upon charging and discharging is reduced by femtosecond pulsed laser ablation of inner and outer surfaces of cases. Battery storage capacity and charging time, fuel cell size and capacity, hydrogen generation and storage and seconds are improved by femtosecond pulsed laser machining ablation of electrode surfaces followed by chemical vapor deposition of carbon nano structures.
US08279572B2 Structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device
A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge structure comprises a first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein. A second dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is located above the first dielectric layer. At least one via connects the more than one electrode in the first dielectric layer with the more than one electrode in the second dielectric layer. A gap is formed through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, wherein the gap extends between two adjacent electrodes in both the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is disposed over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the gap to provide electro-static discharge protection on the integrated circuit.
US08279569B2 Apparatus for preventing over/under voltage, light emitting module, and display apparatus
An apparatus for preventing abnormal voltage, a light emitting module, and a display apparatus are provided. The present apparatus for preventing abnormal voltage extracts the highest voltage and the lowest voltage among voltage applied from a plurality of loads, includes two voltage distribution units distributing the highest voltage and the lowest voltage, and detects whether the highest voltage and the lowest voltage applied from the voltage distribution unit are within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the apparatus for preventing abnormal voltage is not affected greatly in terms of its size and cost even if the number of loads to be protected increases.
US08279567B2 Circuit breaker with improved re-closing functionality
A circuit breaker for protecting a power line. The circuit breaker includes a control unit and a circuit breaking element disconnecting the power line from a power source. The control unit detects a fault on the power line, opens the circuit breaking element, which opening starts a disconnection time interval, injects a test signal into the power line, measures a response, determines an impedance of the power line from the response, analyses the impedance during the time interval based on comparing the impedance with a reference threshold, determines a permanent or a temporary fault based on the analysed impedance, re-closes the circuit breaking element after the time interval if the fault is temporary and keeps the circuit breaking element open after the time interval if the fault is permanent.
US08279564B2 Power limiting method and apparatus
Alternating electric current flow through a lamp fixture (L) of a maximum power rating is reduced without being terminated should a lamp be used in the fixture of a power rating that exceeds the fixture's maximum power rating. This is done using a thermally responsive switch (B) connected in series with a resistor (S) of relatively low resistance and in parallel with a resistor (P) of relatively high resistance, the switch and resistors being thermally connected, and by simultaneously passing alternating current to the fixture through an auxiliary line which has a diode (D1) that substantially halves current flow through the auxiliary line.
US08279562B2 Magnetic recording head with magnetic wall angle
A pole tip shield for a write element of a recording head is disclosed. The pole tip shield is spaced from the pole tip in the leading edge direction to provide a magnetic wall angle to reduce ATI or adjacent track erasure to compensate for the skew angle of the head. In illustrated embodiments, the pole tip shield includes side portions. In illustrated embodiments the pole tip shield is generally “U” shaped and side portions of the pole tip shield include different thickness or width dimensions. In illustrated embodiments, the pole tip shield provides a magnetic wall angle for a rectangular shaped pole tip. Embodiments disclosed in the application include a trailing edge shield separated from the pole tip shield along an air bearing surface of the head by a non-magnetic gap portion.
US08279558B2 Top bond pad bias and variation control
An assembly includes a slider and a suspension assembly. The slider includes an air bearing surface and a slider mounting surface opposite the air bearing surface. There are a plurality of slider pads on the slider mounting surface. The suspension assembly includes a plurality of suspension pads on a suspension mounting surface. Each of the suspension pads is connected to one of the slider pads with a solder joint so that the slider mounting surface has at least one of a pitch, roll, or yaw angle with respect to the suspension mounting.
US08279557B2 Commonly-poled piezoelectric device
A system for poling piezoelectric devices comprises a plurality of thin-film components, a plurality of piezoelectric devices, a poling pad for poling the piezoelectric devices, a plurality of traces, and a plurality of current-limiting elements. The thin-film components are separated by dice lanes to form an array, and the piezoelectric devices are formed on the thin-film components. The traces connect the piezoelectric devices across the dice lanes in parallel to the poling pad. Each current-limiting element is connected in series with one of the piezoelectric devices, in order to limit current to individual piezoelectric devices that experience current-related failure.
US08279556B2 Slider air bearing for disk drives
A slider designed to reduce fly height sigma in a plurality of fly media is provided. The slider includes an air bearing surface, a front shallow step pad and a rear shallow step pad that are at a first level deeper than the air bearing surface. The slider further includes a first rear side pocket that is at a second level deeper than the air bearing surface, the first side pocket substantially polygon shaped and a second rear non-symmetrical side pocket non-symmetrical with the first rear side pocket that is at the second level deeper than the air bearing surface, the second side pockets substantially polygon shaped wherein the second rear non-symmetrical side pocket comprises a larger volume than the first rear side pocket.
US08279555B2 Magnetic recording media and method of fabricating the same
A magnetic recording medium and a method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium are provided. In order to increase the recording density of the magnetic recording medium, the magnetic recording medium is configured to multiple magnetic layers by consecutively forming a first magnetic layer having a thin film shape and a second magnetic layer comprising patterned magnetic bits. The first magnetic layer has a magnetic anisotropic coefficient greater than that of the second magnetic layer.
US08279553B2 Rolling bearing, bearing device and information recording and reproducing device
A rolling bearing provided with a shield plate which hardly induces the irregular deformation of an outer ring without increasing a cost is provided. A rolling bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring; a plurality of rolling bodies which are held between the inner ring and the outer ring in a rotatable manner; and an annular shield plate which is engageable with an engaging groove portion which is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring along the circumferential direction and opens toward an inner peripheral surface side and an open end side. The shield plate includes: an annular shield body; and a plurality of engaging projections which are arranged along the outer peripheral portion of the shield body, project outwardly in the radial direction from the outer peripheral portion in an inclined state, and are engageable with the engaging groove portion. The engaging projection is deformable by bending in the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the in-plane direction of the shield body using a connecting portion of the engaging projection connected with the outer peripheral portion of the shield body as a start point, and is formed such that a projecting length of the engaging projection from the outer peripheral portion at both end portions in the circumferential direction is set shorter than the projecting length of the engaging projection from the outer peripheral portion at a center portion in the circumferential direction.
US08279546B1 Systems and methods for sync mark detection using correlation
Systems and methods for detecting and designing enhanced disk sync marks using correlation detection are disclosed. The enhanced sync marks provide better noise immunity and higher detection rates over traditional Viterbi-based detection schemes even with a shorter sync mark length. The disk sync mark may provide optimal noise immunity for a particular target polynomial or a plurality of common target polynomials. The minimum Euclidean distance between a candidate sync mark and a plurality of right-shifted versions of the candidate sync mark is computed and compared with other candidate sync marks. The sync mark with the largest minimum Euclidean distance is then selected as the optimal mark. Systems and methods are also disclosed for detecting and designing a disk sync mark using correlation detection when the polarity of the disk is unknown or time-varying.
US08279544B1 Selectively attachable and removable lenses for communication devices
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a lens component having one or more lenses attached to a retainer portion configured to removably attach to communication devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, media players, and the like. The retainer portion may be configured so as not to interfere with a user's view of a display panel of the communication device. In some embodiments, a plurality of lenses may be provided, and the lenses may be removably attached to the retainer portion and may be interchangeable. A structure for providing a flash may also be provided. In some embodiments, additional features may be provided, such as attachment components to facilitate attachment to stability devices, such as tripods, and to user-wearable accessories.
US08279540B2 Compound lens and optical system including the same
A compound lens comprises three or more optical elements, including first, second, and third optical components, that are cemented together. The material of the second optical element is an organic composite material. The first optical element is cemented to one surface of the second optical element. The third optical element is disposed remotest from the first optical element in an optical axis. The diameters of effective areas of the first optical element on the cemented surface between the first and the second optical elements, and of the second optical element, and the distance ti(φ) between optically effective surfaces of the i-th optical element (i=1, 2, 3) along the optical axis at diameter φ are appropriately designed. The second optical element has such a shape that the decrease in the distance between its optically effective surfaces is small in a region outside the effective surface area.
US08279539B2 Transfer lens and wide-angle lens system using same
A lens system includes a main lens and a transfer lens aligned with the main lens. The optical axis of the main lens is superposed on that of the transfer lens. The transfer lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side thereof, a first lens having negative refraction power, and a second lens having positive refraction power. The lens system satisfies the following conditions: 0.4<|f1/f2|<0.8; 2
US08279538B2 Lens system
A lens system includes, in order from an object side, a first lens group with positive refractive power, a second lens group with negative refractive power that moves during zooming, a third lens group with positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group with positive refractive power that moves during zooming and focusing adjustments. The first lens group includes a lens with positive refractive power and an Abbe number vd1x that satisfies a following condition (vd1x>80). The second lens group includes a lens with positive refractive power and an Abbe number vd2x and two lenses with negative refractive power and Abbe numbers vd2y and vd2z respectively, the Abbe numbers Vd2x, Vd2y and Vd2z satisfying following conditions (vd2x, vd2y, vd2z<23). The third lens group includes a plurality of lenses with positive refractive power, an average vd3a of the Abbe numbers of the plurality of lenses with positive refractive power satisfies a following condition (77.5
US08279533B2 Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes a negative first lens-group, a positive second lens-group, and a positive third lens-group, sequentially arranged from the object side. The focal length magnification of the zoom lens is changeable by changing a distance between the lens-groups. The first lens-group is composed of a negative first lens, the image side of which is concave, and a positive second lens that is an aspheric plastic lens. The second lens-group is composed of a cemented lens and a meniscus-form fifth lens having a convex surface facing the object side. The cemented lens is composed of a double-convex-form positive third lens and a double-concave-form negative fourth lens. The third lens-group is composed of a positive sixth lens, which is a single lens. Formula (1) about focal length fG2 of the second lens-group and focal length fw of the entire system at wide end is satisfied: 1.10
US08279531B2 Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera
A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, comprising a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and at least one subsequent lens unit having optical power, wherein in zooming from a wide-angle limit to a telephoto limit, the lens units are moved along an optical axis such that an air space between at least any two lens units among the lens units should vary, so that variable magnification is achieved, wherein the first lens unit includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam incident from the object, and wherein the condition is satisfied: 0.20<|fG1|/fT<0.52 (fT/fW≧4.0, fG1 is a composite focal length of the first lens unit, and each of fT and fW is a focal length of the entire system at a telephoto limit or a wide-angle limit), an imaging device and a camera are provided.
US08279530B2 Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system is used for imaging an object to an image plane. The system, in the order from the object side to the image plane, includes a first lens group with positive refraction power, a second lens group with negative refraction power, a third lens group with positive refraction power, an aperture stop, a fourth lens group with positive refraction power, and a fifth lens group with negative refraction power. The fifth lens group comprises a lens of negative refraction power and a lens of positive refraction power. The system satisfies the formulas: −0.18
US08279529B2 Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
A zoom lens system is provided that includes a compactly constructed focusing lens unit and that has a suppressed change in the image magnification at the time of movement of a focusing lens unit and further that can compensate an image blur caused by vibration applied to the entire system. The zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lens units and an aperture diaphragm arranged in the lens unit. The plurality of lens units include: a negative lens unit that is arranged on an object side relative to the aperture diaphragm and provided with negative optical power having an absolute value greatest in the entire system and that moves in a direction along an optical axis at the time of zooming; a focusing lens unit that is arranged in an optical path between the negative lens unit and the aperture diaphragm and that moves in a direction along the optical axis at the time of focusing such that an interval relative to the negative lens unit should vary; and an image blur compensation lens unit that is arranged on the image side relative to the focusing lens unit and that moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis when the image blur caused by vibration in the zoom lens system should be compensated.
US08279528B2 Optical element
An optical element includes a container including first and second end face walls, a side face wall, and an accommodating chamber inside the walls; first and second liquids enclosed in the chamber; a first electrode provided on a surface of the first end face wall; a second electrode provided on a surface of the second end face wall; an insulating film provided on a surface of the second electrode; and a unit configured to apply a voltage. The shape of an interface between the liquids is changed by a voltage application, and a light transmission path, the center of which is a virtual axis passing through the end face walls in the thickness direction of the container, is formed in a portion of the second liquid. An opening having a diameter the same as or larger than the maximum diameter of the transmission path is provided in the first electrode.
US08279523B2 Polarization conversion element and method for manufacturing the same
A polarization conversion element includes: a plurality of light transmitting substrates sequentially bonded at a plurality of inclined planes thereof that form an angle of approximately 45° with respect to a light incident face and a light emitting face being approximately parallel to the light incident face; a retardation plate providing a phase difference to incident polarized light; a polarization separation film separating incident light into two types of polarized light; and an air layer. In the element, the polarization separation film and the air layer are alternately formed along the plurality of inclined planes.
US08279522B2 Apparatus for automatically introducing celestial object, terminal device and control system for astronomical telescope
A terminal device of an apparatus to automatically introduce a target celestial object includes an input operation section executing a command operation on the apparatus. An image display section indicates a star map image in accordance with a display scale factor. The input operation section includes a rotation command means that executes a rotational driving of the astronomical telescope in a telescope control mode. A scale factor input means executes an input specification of the display scale factor for the displayed star map image, which corresponds to a position on a celestial sphere toward which the astronomical telescope is headed, while a speed of rotation of the astronomical telescope controlled by the rotation command means changes in accordance with a decreasing function of the display scale factor.
US08279517B2 Optical parametric oscillator with achromatic phase-maintaining pump return
The invention applies to doubly resonant optical parametric oscillators comprising a non-linear crystal (4) through which pass a pump laser beam (fp), a signal beam (fs), and a complementary beam (fc), and a device (5) that totally or partially reflects said beams emanating from the crystal such that, after reflection, they generate between them a relative phase-shifting value ΔΦar for a given functioning mode independent of the signal frequency or complementary frequency, and is characterized in that the reflecting device (5) is a metallic minor, or a combination of two scattering mirrors and a multilayer dielectric mirror placed downstream.
US08279516B2 Wavelength conversion device and wavelength conversion method
A first wavelength converter of a wavelength-conversion device includes: an optical amplifier amplifying an incident light beam; a first dispersion flat fiber spreading the wavelength spectrum width of the amplified beam; and a first wavelength filter transmitting a predetermined wavelength bandwidth of the first fiber output beam. A center wavelength of the first wavelength converted beam is shifted by Δλ1 from that of the incident light beam. A second wavelength converter of the device does not include an optical amplifier and includes: a second dispersion flat fiber spreading the wavelength spectrum width of the first wavelength converted beam; and a second wavelength filter transmitting a predetermined wavelength bandwidth of the second fiber output beam. A center wavelength of the second wavelength converted beam is shifted by Δλ2 from that of the first wavelength converted beam. The Δλ1 and Δλ2 satisfy Δλ1+Δλ2=Δλ, Δλ1×Δλ2<0, and |Δλ1|<|Δλ2|.
US08279515B2 Electrophoretic display
An electrophoretic display device includes a substrate, an electrophoretic component layer, a first optical adhesive, a barrier layer, a second optical adhesive, a protective layer, and a sealant. The first optical adhesive and the second optical adhesive contribute in helping to provide light exposure to the sealant. One of the first optical adhesive and the second optical adhesive is capable of absorbing the light of predetermined wavelength and is adapted to expose the sealant.
US08279510B2 Dual view display
A dual view or two-sided display system to display two different images in substantially opposite direction using a single transparent display to time-multiplex the images and two shutter devices to alternately block each side from being viewed according to the image being displayed. The system includes reflective devices between each side of the transparent display and the two shutter devices so light can be reflected from one side of the transparent display to the other side of the transparent display in order to supplement the light intensity of the image being displayed.
US08279500B2 System and method for integrated pair-wise registration of images using image based information and sensor coordinate and error information
Two images are stitched together through minimization of a cost function that consists of registration errors from image data of the two images, as well as the estimated errors from a set of sensors. The weight function in the cost function is derived from the confidence value of sensor estimation that considers the sensor errors including lift and off page as well as a measure of accuracy of the sensor readings. Weights are used to adjust image registration accuracy against sensor accuracy to produce a set of registration parameters that would best stitch the two images together. In order to handle large errors for initial registration parameters and to avoid local minima in the minimization process, the image pair may be registered in a lower resolution and then refined in a higher resolution.
US08279497B2 Image-reading device performing shading correction based on white reference data
An image-reading device includes a document-supporting base, a document-pressing member, a reading unit, a controlling unit, and a determining unit. The document-supporting base has a transparent member on which a document is placed. The document-pressing member is disposed on the document-supporting base so as to cover the transparent member. The document-pressing member is capable of opening and closing on the document-supporting base. The reading unit has a light source and capable of reading an image from the document placed on the transparent member while the light source irradiates light on the document. The controlling unit is configured to control the reading unit to execute a first scanning operation to output image signals for the image on the document while the light source is lit, and a second scanning operation to output image signals for the image on the document while the light source is not lit. The determining unit is configured to determine whether outside light has penetrated the document-supporting base based on the image signals for the second scanning operation outputted from the reading unit.
US08279494B2 Method of setting background picture in image printer having display unit
There is provided an image printer having a display unit, in which a predetermined image can be set as a background picture of the display unit. The image printer includes an image processing unit processing an image selected by a user in accordance with a predetermined image processing technique so as to set the selected image as a background picture of the display unit; and a setting unit setting the processed image as the background picture of the display unit, wherein the display unit displays the processed image.
US08279493B2 Image processing method, program thereof, image processing apparatus, and inkjet recording apparatus
An image processing method is disclosed. A printer driver is a program for performing the method. The printer driver forms print image data that are printed by an inkjet recording apparatus capable of forming multi-level dots by ejecting droplets of recording liquid. The printer driver transforms image data of a manuscript into manuscript image data corresponding to the multi-level dots capable of being output from the inkjet recording apparatus by applying an image process such as a CMM process, a BG/UCR/γ correction process, and a gradation process to the image data of the manuscript; further, forms the print image data corresponding to the multi-level dots capable of being output from the inkjet recording apparatus by combining the manuscript image data with data corresponding to the multi-level dots of an image pattern indicating that the manuscript is prohibited from being duplicated by a manuscript and tint block pattern combining section.
US08279489B2 Image processing apparatus and control method thereof for converting multilevel image data to binary data using an error diffusion method
A technique for performing high-quality cluster type FM halftone image output without “anisotropy” or “sweep out texture” phenomenon is provided. An error diffused to a current pixel position and a random number RND are added by an adder to multi-level pixel data as a subject of binarization, and supplied as pixel data Pxy to a selector. The selector compares the pixel data Pxy with thresholds, and supplies the pixel data Pxy to one of a highlight portion processor, a dark portion processor and an intermediate portion processor. The highlight and dark portion processors refer to already-binarized results within a range determined in accordance with the value of the input pixel data Pxy, and determine a binarization result Qxy. The intermediate portion processor compares a threshold, which monotonously increases in accordance with the value of the pixel data Pxy, with the pixel data Pxy, thereby determines the binarization result Qxy.
US08279485B2 Register regulation in a printing press
There is described a regulating system for register adjustment in a printing press which has at least one printing unit, wherein the regulating system has at least one register regulator. In the regulating system, a pilot control variable and/or a register error estimated variable are/is provided for influencing the register adjustment. A drive bus is advantageously used for transferring these variables between different printing units, wherein the register regulation is advantageously distributed in a decentralized manner among different regulating devices for carrying out the drive regulation.
US08279481B2 Update control of image processing control data
This invention relates to the updating of image processing control data that is related to image data and controls image processing of the image data. An image related data generator generates an image file that includes image data and image processing data pre-stored therein. The image processing control data can be updated according to the following process. The image related data generator sends specification data that specifies image processing control data to be updated to an update data server. Then the image related data generator receives the update data from the update data server. And the image related generator updates the image processing control data stored therein with the update data.
US08279477B2 Print management system and method based on service cost
A print management system and method for optimizing cost associated with one or more rendering devices (e.g., printers) in a customer environment. A service cost associated with a rendering device can be included in the print management system so that end-users can have the option to perform rendering at a lower service cost rendering device when rendering a complex print document. The service cost and the rendered volume can be recorded by an asset management unit and a helpdesk unit. A real time feedback related to an alternate rendering device can be provided so that the end-user can cancel the current print job and resubmit the print document at the lower cost, comparable, reliable rendering device. Also, automatic job redirection can also be provided by automatically redirecting the rendering job to the lower cost reliable rendering device based on end-user approval or pre-approval.
US08279476B2 Input device, and multi-function peripheral
An input device including a frame in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped body which is supported by a base and which is movable between a first angular position in which an angle of a lower surface of the frame with respect to a horizontal upper surface of the base is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, and a second angular position in which the angle of the lower surface of the frame as seen in the first angular position with respect to the horizontal upper surface of the base is not smaller than the threshold value, a first input portion disposed on an upper surface of the frame as seen when the frame has a horizontal posture in the first angular position, in which a lower surface of the frame is parallel to the horizontal upper surface of the base, a second input portion disposed on a side surface of the frame as seen when the frame has the horizontal posture; and a detecting portion configured to detect an operation by an operator of the input device on at least one of the first and second input portions.
US08279469B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method and recording medium storing printing control program
An image forming apparatus, which includes: a printing data reception section that receives printing data through a communication section; a printing data storage section that stores the printing data and authentication information added to the printing data in association with each other; a printing section that prints the printing data on a printing medium; an information reception section that receives information; a matching section that matches the information with the authentication information; a retrieval section that retrieves the printing data processable based on matched first information; a presentation section that provides a list of the retrieved printing data; and a permission section that, when, while the list of printing data is being provided, the reception section receives an instruction to print the printing data and second information, and the instructed printing data is included in the printing data processable based on the second information, permits printing the printing data.
US08279468B2 Printing device and network printing system
A printing device connects to at least one client computer via a network. The printing device includes a storage section that stores image formats for general-purpose image format data. A control section converts page description language (PDL) data sent via the network from the at least one client computer into pixel map format data, converts the pixel map format data into general-purpose image format data based on one of the image formats stored in the storage section, and sends via the network to the at least one client computer the general-purpose image format data together with a source information file containing source information indicating the source of the PDL data. A memory section stores the pixel map format data obtained through the conversion performed by the control section. A printer prints the pixel map format data.
US08279463B2 Printing via kickstart function
A method of controlling document processing in a networked system and a digital image reproduction device for document processing are described. The system has workstations for submitting processing jobs of a user, and a memory unit that manages the jobs that are waiting to be executed. The method includes providing, at a user interface of the digital image reproduction device, control elements for a user to select a processing job from the processing jobs in a logical storage space; and executing the selected processing job. Kickstart processing jobs are selected, based on predetermined kickstart criteria, from the processing jobs in the memory unit, and a corresponding set of kickstart control elements is provided at the user interface, each coupled to a respective one of the selected kickstart processing jobs. When a kickstart control element is activated by a user, the associated kickstart processing job is directly initiated.
US08279462B2 Information processing apparatus and notification method
In an information processing apparatus capable of direct or indirect communication with a printing apparatus, upon notification of processing status of a printing job, first identification information indicating a log-in user upon generation and transmission of the printing job is obtained. Then, upon reception of notification information indicating a processing state of the printing job from an external apparatus, second identification information indicating a log-in user at that time is obtained. It is determined whether or not the notification information is to be notified by comparing the first identification information obtained regarding a printing job corresponding to the received notification information with the second identification information obtained upon reception of the notification information.
US08279460B2 Application for generating interactive document containing advertising material
An application for execution on a computer system which generates print data for an interactive document. The application is configured to operatively control the computer system so as to perform the steps of: receive a print request from a user; format user information in an electronic document so as to include a first user interactive element; determine advertising material for printing with the user information; format the advertising material so as to include a second user interactive element; and generate print data for printing the formatted user information and the formatted advertising material together with coincident coded data on a substrate.
US08279459B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program product which counts the number of times of forming the latent image in a sub-scanning direction
A forming unit forms a latent image of input image data. A counter counts number of times of forming the latent image in a sub-scanning direction, in which an upper limit of the number of times is set. A first control unit controls the forming unit to form the latent image based on the upper limit. A determining unit determines whether a latent image forming is performed by the forming unit exceeding the upper limit. When the determining unit determines that the latent image forming is performed exceeding the upper limit, a second control unit controls, the forming unit to continue to form the latent image.
US08279456B2 Handheld display device having processor for rendering display output with real-time virtual transparency and form-filling option
A handheld display device for interacting with printed content and filling in a form. 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 to a displayed form via the touch-sensitive 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.
US08279454B2 Method of measuring a length of sections of extrados or intrados curves of an elongated workpiece, and relevant length measuring instrument
A method of measuring a length of sections of extrados or intrados curves of an elongated workpiece travelling in a bending machine along a forwarding direction, the elongated workpiece having cross-sections each of which is separated by a neutral axis in both an extended portion and a compressed portion when the elongated workpiece is subjected to bending, and at least a neutral cross-section, i.e. not subjected to bending, neutral cross-section beyond which the bending of the elongated workpiece begins along the forwarding direction thereof, provides a measuring instrument positioned so that it engages either an extrados or an intrados point of the elongated workpiece near the neutral cross-section, but displaced therefrom in the forwarding direction of the elongated workpiece. Further, a measuring instrument on a bending machine that embodies the method is described.
US08279445B2 Interferometer and sensor based on bimodal optical waveguides, and detection method
A planar optical waveguide interferometer includes a substrate, a bimodal waveguide having at least one layer deposited on the substrate, and a sensor plate located in a selected area of the upper side of the bimodal waveguide. The bimodal waveguide supports a zero-order and a first-order transverse propagating modes where the transverse propagating modes has different dispersion. The bimodal waveguide is designed for confining light in lateral direction and thus is designed for supporting one lateral mode. The sensor plate is designed for receiving a chemical, biological or physical stimulus. The stimulus changes the effective refractive index of said bimodal waveguide. Chip, sensor and sensing method utilize a planar optical waveguide interferometer are provided.
US08279440B2 Hand-held light measuring device
A hand-held light measuring device includes a device housing (G) with a bottom face incorporating a measuring window (7) through which a measurement optical path extends so that a measurement object can be measured when the device housing (G) is positioned with its bottom face on the measurement object. The measuring device has an integrated, displaceably mounted white reference tile, which can be moved into the measurement optical path and moved back out of it again. The white reference tile is disposed in an end region of an oblong support plate (10) on its side directed towards the housing interior. The support plate (10) is mounted so that it can move backwards and forwards between a parked position and an operating position, and the support plate (10) terminates the device housing (G) at its bottom face and is recessed into the device housing (G) in the parked position, and the support plate (10) is lifted out from the bottom face of the device housing (G) and moved in the longitudinal direction and covers the measuring window (7) by means of the end region incorporating the white reference tile in the operating position. The kinematics of the support plate (10) and white reference tile are simple in design/operation and the support plate and white reference tile can be moved easily and comfortably.
US08279438B2 Optical measuring apparatus
An object is to enable a change in a frequency for which an electric signal based on an optical signal is measured by a spectrum analyzer. An optical measurement device includes a first photoconductive switch that receives predetermined pulse light from a first laser light source, and outputs terahertz light having the same repetition frequency as the repetition frequency of the predetermined pulse light. The optical measurement device also includes a second photoconductive switch that receives the terahertz light and a sampling light pulse, and outputs a signal corresponding to a power of the terahertz light at a time point when the sampling light pulse is received. The optical measurement device further includes an RF spectrum analyzer that measures a magnitude of the signal corresponding to a measured frequency that changes over time, an optical coupler that outputs a simultaneous light pulse when the predetermined pulse light and the sampling light pulse are simultaneously input, a photo detector that converts the simultaneous light pulse into an electric signal as a trigger signal, and an optical delay circuit that delays the trigger signal.
US08279437B2 Multi-wavelength Raman light detection for detecting a species
An apparatus for detecting at least one species using Raman light detection includes at least one laser source for illuminating a sample containing the at least one species. The apparatus also includes a modulating element for modulating a spatial relationship between the sample and the light beams to cause relative positions of the sample and the light beams to be oscillated, in which Raman light at differing intensity levels are configured to be emitted from the at least one species based upon the different wavelengths of the light beams illuminating the sample. The apparatus also includes a Raman light detector and a post-signal processing unit configured to detect the at least one species.
US08279433B2 Haemolysator
A haemolysator having a sonotrode plate and oscillation generating elements acting thereupon, wherein the oscillation generating elements are set into mechanical oscillations by an electrical AC-signal generator. The haemolysater also includes a sample chamber to which the sonotrode plate transmits mechanical oscillations, and has oscillation generating elements that are excitable toward mechanical oscillations in a wide frequency band.
US08279432B2 Particle inspection and removal apparatus and particle inspection and removal program
The present invention is to lessen work burden on a user, to eliminate determination error, to prevent a substrate from being damaged, and to prevent prolonged working time by automatically determining whether or not a particle to be removed is present. A particle inspection and removal apparatus of the present invention includes a particle information acquisition section acquiring particle information on a particle adhering onto a substrate surface, a particle removal section removing the particle adhering onto the substrate surface, a comparison section comparing a threshold set for each of regions of the substrate surface with the particle information on each of the region obtained by the particle information acquisition section, and a particle removal control section controlling the particle removal section to remove the particle on the substrate surface based on a comparison result of the comparison section.
US08279431B2 Spectral detection method and device, and defect inspection method and apparatus using the same
In spectral detection for detecting the shape of repeating pattern structures uniformly formed on a surface of a test object, it is advantageous to use light having a wide wavelength range in a short wavelength region. However, it is not easy to realize a relatively simple optical system capable of spectral detection of light having a wide wavelength range in a short wavelength region, namely in ultraviolet region. The present invention provides an inspection apparatus for detecting pattern defects. The inspection apparatus includes a spectral detection optical system capable of spectral detection of light in a wavelength range from deep ultraviolet to near infrared. The spectral detection optical system includes a spatially partial mirror serving as a half mirror and a reflecting objective provided with an aperture stop for limiting the angle and direction of light to be applied to and reflected by a test object.
US08279428B2 Scale with corner load sensor and method for measuring tilts resulting from corner loads
A weighing scale, e.g. a top-pan scale, having a scale pan (01, 02) supported on a force transducer, and a corner load sensor (03, 04, 06, 08, 09) measuring the tilting of the scale pan (01, 02) relative to the force transducer. The corner load sensor includes a light beam source (03, 04, 06) emitting a first light beam and a second light beam. The first light beam and the second light beam are directed toward a reflecting surface on an underside of an arrangement that includes the scale pan (01, 02). The first light beam and the second light beam are respectively inclined relative to the reflecting surface of the untilted scale pan (01). The corner load sensor (03, 04, 06, 08, 09) of the scale also includes a first optical sensor (08) measuring the first light beam reflected by the reflecting surface. If no corner load exists, a predetermined proportion (12) of the reflected first light beam is directed to the first optical sensor (08). If the scale pan (02) is tilted, the proportions of the reflected light beams which fall on the two optical sensors (08, 09) change. The corner load sensor (03, 04, 06, 08, 09) has an evaluating unit determining the tilt of the scale pan (01, 02) dependent on the light quantities measured with the two optical sensors (08, 09).
US08279424B2 System and method for motion based velocity discrimination for doppler velocimeters
A Doppler velocimeter apparatus that may have a coherent light source for generating a beam of coherent light. A modulating subsystem may receive and modulate at least a first portion of the beam of coherent light to form a first beam portion, the first beam portion forming a frequency offset and being a modulated, coherent optical signal. An optical element may receive the first beam portion and direct the first beam portion at a subject, the first beam portion being reflected from the subject to form a reflected beam that has a frequency that is modified in relation to the motion of the subject. A processing subsystem may receive a second portion of the beam of coherent light, and also the reflected beam, and uses the second beam portion and the reflected beam to determine a Doppler shift of the reflected beam.
US08279419B2 Geodetic scanner with increased efficiency
The present invention provides a method and a geodetic scanner for determining the appearance of a target. In the method and geodetic scanner of the present invention, an initial can is performed to calculate or determine a set of optimal gain values for each one of a number of predetermined positions (151-166) at the surface of the target (150). Once gain values (g151-g166) have been determined for all predetermined positions, distances to each one of the predetermined positions are calculated using the gain values. The present invention is advantageous in that the measurement rate and the overall efficiency are increased.
US08279418B2 Raster scanning for depth detection
Techniques are provided for determining distance to an object in a depth camera's field of view. The techniques may include raster scanning light over the object and detecting reflected light from the object. One or more distances to the object may be determined based on the reflected image. A 3D mapping of the object may be generated. The distance(s) to the object may be determined based on times-of-flight between transmitting the light from a light source in the camera to receiving the reflected image from the object. Raster scanning the light may include raster scanning a pattern into the field of view. Determining the distance(s) to the object may include determining spatial differences between a reflected image of the pattern that is received at the camera and a reference pattern.
US08279415B2 Method and apparatus for distance measurement using optical beam
A method and apparatus for measuring a distance are disclosed. A measuring device includes a timer, a counter, an optical emitter, an optical receiver, and a distance computing element. In one embodiment, the timer provides a sequence of signals and the counter counts pulses in a loop. The loop includes an electrical path and an optical path. While an optical emitter such as a laser can emit outgoing beams, an optical receiver such as a photodiode receives return beams from the reflective surface. The reflective surface reflects the return beam in accordance with the outgoing beam. The distance computing element measures a distance in response to the outgoing and return beams.
US08279414B2 Monitoring device
The invention refers to a device and a method for monitoring a delimited area in order to detect if an undesired object is present within the area. The invention also refers to a use of the device. A first laser is adapted to emit a laser pulse (B) of a determined wavelength over the area. A first photo sensor is arranged to receive a reflected part of the laser pulse (B). An evaluation unit is connected to the laser and the photo sensor. The evaluation unit is arranged to measure the reflected part of the laser pulse (B) during a predetermined time period after the laser pulse has been emitted from the laser, to generate a signal depending on the measured reflected part and to process the generated signal in order to determine if an undesired object is present within the area.
US08279413B2 Optical sight having a range-finding function
An optical sight includes an outer barrel unit, an objective lens unit, an ocular lens unit, a magnification unit, amounting unit, and a range-finding module. The outer barrel unit extends about an axis and has a front end and a rear end. The objective lens unit is mounted to the front end of the outer barrel unit. The ocular lens unit is mounted to the rear end of the outer barrel unit. The magnification unit is disposed between the objective lens unit and the ocular lens unit. The mounting unit is disposed in the outer barrel unit between the objective lens unit and the magnification unit, and has an outer peripheral surface, and an inner passage extending along the axis. The range-finding module is disposed in the outer barrel unit, and includes a light emitter, a light receiver, and a circuit board unit.
US08279412B2 Position and orientation determination using movement data
Position determining systems and methods are provided. A particular portable device includes a calibration component to communicate with a local positioning system to determine an initial position and orientation of the portable device within a local coordinate system associated with a target structure. The portable device also includes at least one movement sensor to detect movement of the portable device. The portable device further includes a processor to determine a measured position and orientation of the portable device based on the initial position and orientation of the portable device within the local coordinate system and based on the detected movement of the portable device.
US08279411B2 Systems and methods for reducing crosstalk in an avalanche photodiode detector array
A method of fabricating a photodiode detector array is provided. The method facilitates a reduction in secondary photon emission detection by the photodiode detector array. The method includes fabricating an array of active regions, wherein the array of active regions comprises a plurality of active regions. The method also includes positioning a passivation region in optical paths between the active regions. The passivation region includes at least one of a photon-absorbing material and a trench.
US08279409B1 System and method for calibrating a lithography model
The present invention provides a method for calibrating a computational model of a lithography process by calculating a demerit function using an intensity measurement at a location of a wafer; and calibrating the lithography model or a mask making model by determining values of parameters of the computational model using the calculated demerit function. The method may also use a second demerit function that is defined by the sum of squares of differences between a simulated and measured critical dimensions of a feature on the wafer.
US08279408B2 Object support positioning device and lithographic apparatus
An object support positioning device configured to position an object support includes first and second side-beams having respective first and second sliders mounted thereon, first and second motors configured to move the first and second sliders along each respective side beam, a cross beam mounted proximate first and second ends thereof to the first and second sliders respectively and having a third slider mounted thereto, the cross-beam and the first and second slider being mounted together, and a third motor configured to move the third slider longitudinally along the cross-beam, the third slider being adapted to support the one object support. A fluid bearing is provided in at least one of the first, second and third sliders, the fluid bearing including multiple bearing surfaces to exert reaction forces in a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the sliding direction of the at least one slider.
US08279402B2 Optical arrangement for immersion lithography with a hydrophobic coating, as well as projection exposure apparatus comprising the same
An optical arrangement for immersion lithography, having at least one component (1) to which a hydrophobic coating (6, 7) is applied, the hydrophobic coating (6, 7) being exposed to UV radiation during operation of a projection lens, and the at least one component (1) being wetted at least in part by an immersion fluid during operation of the projection lens. The hydrophobic coating (6, 7) includes at least one UV-resistant layer (6) that absorbs and/or reflects UV radiation at a wavelength of less than 260 nm.
US08279401B2 Position control system, a lithographic apparatus and a method for controlling a position of a movable object
A position control system configured to control the position of a movable object, includes: a position measurement system configured to determine a position of a sensor or sensor target on the movable object, a comparator configured to provide an error signal by comparing a set-point position and a position feed-back signal based on the measured position, a controller to provide a control signal based on the error signal, a feed-forward device to provide a feed-forward signal on the basis of a first signal related to the desired position, and one or more actuators configured to act on the movable object based on the control signal and the feed-forward signal, wherein the position control system further includes a compliance compensation device providing a compliance compensation signal, wherein the compliance compensation signal is subtracted from a measured position of the position measurement system to obtain the feed-back position signal.
US08279400B2 Super-resolution lithography apparatus and method based on multi light exposure method
Disclosed herein is a super-resolution lithography apparatus and method based on a multiple light exposure method. The super-resolution lithography apparatus comprises a photographic medium having energy levels of a first ground state, a second ground state, a first excited state, a second excited state and a quenching state; a first light source inducing energy level transition between the first ground state and the first excited state of the photographic medium; a second light source inducing energy level transition between the second ground state and the first excited state of the photographic medium; and a third light source inducing energy level transition between the second ground state and the second excited state of the photographic medium. Accordingly, the resolution of lithography can be improved simply by using a photographic medium having a simple structure and conventional laser beams and increasing the number of exposure steps. Furthermore, a multiple photon absorber that is difficult to obtain, a medium having a complicated energy level and a high-efficiency quantum optical light are unnecessary, and thus economic efficiency is improved.
US08279399B2 Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
When a transition is performed from a state where one wafer stage is positioned in an area including a liquid immersion area to a state where the other wafer stage is positioned in the area including the liquid immersion area, eaves sections arranged in both wafer stages are to be engaged to make a proximity or a contact state in the X-axis direction, and both stages are simultaneously driven in the X-axis direction while maintaining the state. In this manner, the liquid immersion area moves back and forth between the two stages via the eaves sections. This can restrain leakage of the liquid via a gap between both wafer stages, and further, a liquid leakage to the reflection surfaces arranged on the side surface of both wafer stages can be restrained. Further, interference between the reflection surfaces arranged in both wafer stages can be avoided.
US08279393B2 Liquid crystal display device
As shown in the figures, the main surface of the first substrate and the main surface of the second substrate are bent in the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, where a sealing material is provided outside the display region and has a protrusion formed in at least one corner of the display region, and the distance between the side of the display region facing the protrusion and the sealing material is greater than the distance between the portion of the side and the sealing material where there is no protrusion.
US08279388B2 Thin film transistor array panel and a method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a plurality of gate lines formed on the first substrate, a plurality of data lines intersecting the gate lines, a plurality of thin film transistors connected to the gate lines and the data lines, a plurality of color filters formed on the gate lines, the data lines, and the thin film transistors, a plurality of first electrodes made of a transparent conductor formed on the color filters, and electrically connected to the thin film transistors, a first passivation layer formed on the first electrodes, a second electrode formed on the first passivation layer, and including a plurality of branch electrodes, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08279385B2 Liquid crystal display
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes a substrate, and a pixel electrode formed on the substrate and including a plurality of minute branches. The pixel electrode includes a first region and a second region where a first distance and a second distance are provided according to an interval between the respective neighboring minute branches, wherein the second distance that is larger than the first distance, and a third region is provided between the first region and the second region, and the position of the third region having an interval between the neighboring minute branches is gradually changed.
US08279383B2 Film for optical use, transparent conductive member and transparent touch panel using the same
The present invention provides a film for optical use wherein interference patterns are inconspicuous, while hard coat properties and image sharpness are maintained.In the film for optical use, an undercoat layer 22 is disposed between a base material layer 21 and a resin layer 23 having hard coat properties. Refractive index na of the base material layer 21, refractive index nb of the undercoat layer 22 and refractive index nc of the resin layer 23 satisfy the relationship of na≦nb≦nc or na≧nb≧nc (provided that na≠nc). The difference between the refractive index na of the base material layer 21 and the refractive index nb of the resin layer 23 is 0.5 or smaller. Since the difference of refractive indexes of adjacent layers is low, interference unevenness can be suppressed and image sharpness can be maintained.
US08279377B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device of high image quality is provided at a low cost, in which the viewing angle is restricted only in a specific direction. A liquid crystal display device of the present invention, which has a plurality of pixels in a matrix arrangement, includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of microlenses provided on a surface of the first substrate which is opposite to the liquid crystal layer, the microlenses being arranged so as to correspond to the plurality of pixels, and each of the microlenses having a curved surface configured to collect incoming light, wherein d satisfies the following relationship: d>p.((2n)2−1)½ where d is a thickness of the first substrate, p is an arrangement pitch of the plurality of pixels, and n is a refractive index of the major material of the first substrate.
US08279375B2 Display apparatus, driving apparatus of display apparatus, and electronic device
In one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal apparatus includes first and second transmissive liquid crystal panels which are combined with each other. Each of the liquid crystal panels displays a video image in accordance with an identical video source. The first liquid crystal panel is driven by an interlace method in which a video image corresponding to one frame is displayed in two fields while the second liquid crystal panel is driven by a progressive method in which a video image corresponding to one frame is displayed in one field. Accordingly, the display apparatus has high display quality and no interference fringes. This attains a liquid crystal display apparatus with high display quality since the liquid crystal display apparatus has no interference fringes even if a plurality of transmissive liquid crystal display panels are combined with each other.
US08279372B2 Planar light-emitting device and liquid crystal display apparatus
A planar light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting units each including a lightguide plate and arranged adjacent to each other. Each lightguide plate has an upper surface as a light-exiting surface, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the peripheral edges of the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein a light-entrance surface is defined by a part of the peripheral side surface. The light-entrance surface has a first protruding portion extending from and along the light-entrance surface and an opposite surface opposing the light-entrance surface has a second protruding portions extending from and along the opposite surface. In each adjacently disposed pair of light-emitting units, the first protruding portion of the first light-emitting unit abuts against the second protruding portion of the second light-emitting unit. The light source is disposed underneath the abutting first and second protruding portions.
US08279370B2 Optical laminate film, backlight unit including the same, and liquid crystal display including the same
An optical laminate film, a backlight unit, and a liquid crystal display module, the optical laminate film including a multilayer film composed of multiple layers including at least two polymers having different refractive indexes, the multilayer film transmitting only a light component vibrating in a direction parallel to one transmittance axis while reflecting other light components; an embossed diffusing film laminated on one side of the multilayer film, the embossed diffusing film having roughness on a surface thereof; and a microlens film laminated on another side of the multilayer film, the microlens film having microlenses arranged on a surface thereof.
US08279368B2 Lighting device for display device, display device and television receiver
A lighting device 12 for a display device of the present invention includes linear light sources 17 arranged in parallel, connectors 21 for feeding power to the linear light sources 17 and a chassis 14 for housing the linear light sources 17. The chassis 14 has fixing holes 30 for fixing the connectors 21. Each of the fixing holes 30 is formed in a longitudinal shape with its longitudinal direction along the parallel direction of the linear light sources 17. Each of the connectors 21 has a stopper 25 to be fitted in the chassis 14. When the stopper 25 is fitted in the fixing hole 30, the connector 21 is positioned and fitted in the fixing hole 30. The connectors 21 are fixable in a plurality of locations along the longitudinal direction of the fixing hole 30.
US08279366B2 Multi domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display and a substrate thereof
A multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display and a lower substrate thereof are disclosed. The voltage provided by coupling electrode lines is swung between a high voltage level and a low voltage level. Therefore, with different coupling of a large pixel electrode and of a small pixel electrode that both receive the same color displaying data, the voltage on the large pixel electrode is different from that on the small pixel electrode. The tilt angle of the liquid crystal between the large pixel electrode and the upper electrode is different from the tilt angle of the liquid crystal between the small pixel electrode and the upper electrode for compensating the gamma value of the color. Besides, through adjusting the value of the voltage respectively on the coupling electrode lines to compensate the gamma values of different colors and the gamma values of different colors will tend to be uniform.
US08279363B2 Twisted nematic (TN) based 3D display system and method
A three-dimensional (3D) display apparatus is provided. The 3D display apparatus includes a display device, a twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal panel, and a lens unit. The display device is configured to output first polarized lights of an image. The TN liquid crystal panel is coupled to the display device and containing a plurality of controllable pixel display areas to receive the polarized lights with a first polarization direction from the display device. Each pixel display area is capable of being in a first state in which the first polarization direction is transformed into a second polarization direction different from the first polarization direction and a second state in which the first polarization direction is maintained. Further, the lens unit is coupled to the TN liquid crystal panel and is configured to guide the polarized lights with the second polarization direction to pass through and to guide polarized lights with the first polarization direction into predetermined transmitting directions for 3D display.
US08279359B2 Flat panel display
A flat panel display apparatus includes a plasma display panel, a power supply substrate, a signal processing substrate, a Y sustaining substrate, and an X sustaining substrate. The power supply substrate, the signal processing substrate, the Y sustaining substrate and the X sustaining substrate are arranged at a back of the plasma display panel. When viewing the plasma display panel from the back, the power supply substrate is arranged at a center portion of the plasma display panel, the Y sustaining substrate is arranged at one of a left and right side of the plasma display panel, the X sustaining substrate is arranged at the other of the left and right side, and the signal processing substrate is arranged under the X sustaining substrate. A circuit substrate other than the power supply substrate, the Y sustaining substrate, and the X sustaining substrate is arranged under the power supply substrate.
US08279352B2 Video display device and luminance range correction method
In a video display device of the present invention, a main control unit is equipped with a user interface for varying correction values set to a range correction unit and controls a range correction unit by acquiring the corresponding correction values from a storage unit in accordance with correction level information input by the user interface. The storage unit stores range correction values for the video display unit in correspondence with each piece of the correction level information input by the user interface. Thus, it is possible to correct luminance ranges to suit the user's preference without causing a large luminance reduction.
US08279351B2 Method and apparatus for hardware-efficient continuous gamma curve adjustment
In accordance with at least one embodiment, a first representation of a first gamma curve is stored in a look-up table, a second representation of a second gamma curve is stored in a look-up table, and a video signal is modified in accordance with an interpolation of at least a portion of the first representation of the first gamma curve and at least a portion of the second representation of the second gamma curve. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the at least a portion of the first representation of the first gamma curve is multiplied by a one's complement of a normalized weight factor, the at least a portion of the second representation of the second gamma curve is multiplied by the normalized weight factor, and the results are added together to obtain an output video signal.
US08279350B2 System and method for improved composite decoding
A method of composite decoding in which the input signal is converted into the frequency domain, and the symmetry of frequency components with respect to the subcarrier frequency is compared. The comparison is varied in dependence upon the frequency being processed. In this way, the separation can be adapted to suit known characteristics of different portions on the input spectrum. This is particularly useful for processing NTSC signals. The allocation of a particular component to chrominance may be biased in dependence upon a measure of the luminance information of the composite signal at a corresponding spatial frequency.
US08279348B2 Luminance information display apparatus and method
A display method and apparatus are provided for enabling a user, whether or not he has experience, to readily detect a luminance level of a video image with high accuracy. A luminance level of a video signal of a video image is converted to color information to display a change in the luminance of the video image as a change in color. The conversion preferably involves a method of converting the luminance level to color information of three primary colors, red, green, blue, in accordance with a plurality of weights, respectively, a method of converting a luminance level in a predetermined range to color information having a changing rate larger than a changing rate of the luminance level, a method of converting a luminance level out of the predetermined range to color information of a maximum or a minimum level, or the like. Also, the input video signal is preferably displayed together with a converted video image side by side or one on another.
US08279347B2 System of edge direction detection for comb filter
A system of edge direction detection for comb filter includes a buffer, first and second filters, first and second oblique detectors, and a comparator. The buffer receives and stores a composite signal. The first filter performs filtering operation on the composite signal to produce a first filter signal. The second filter performs filtering operation on the composite signal to produce a second filter signal. The first oblique detector detects an oblique in the first filter signal to produce a first oblique indication signal and a first oblique direction signal and output a first minimum oblique difference. The second oblique detector detects an oblique in the second filter signal to produce a second oblique indication signal and a second oblique direction signal and output a second minimum oblique difference. The comparator compares the first and second oblique indication signals and the first and second oblique direction signals to produce edge information.
US08279346B2 Frame rate converting apparatus and method thereof
In an image processing apparatus, degradation of edges of stationary subjects can be suppressed in a moving image obtained by converting moving image data having F frames per unit time into moving image data having 2F sub frames per the unit time. For this purpose, pixel data is inputted in order of raster scanning into an input terminal. Then three contiguous pixel data X1 to X3 are obtained by the input terminal and two delay circuits. A differentiator calculates a difference d1 (=X1−X2) between the pixel data of interest X2 and the neighbor pixel data X1 and a difference d2 (=X3−X2) between the pixel data of interest X2 and the neighbor pixel data X3. A multiplier coefficient for low-pass filter calculation is determined based on the differences d1 and d2, and pixel data X2′ is calculated as pixel data after filter-processing of the pixel data of interest X2.
US08279329B2 Structured illumination for imaging of stationary and non-stationary, fluorescent and non-fluorescent, objects
An object to be imaged is illuminated with a structured (e.g., sinusoidal) illumination at a plurality of phase shifts to allow lateral superresolution and axial sectioning in images. When an object is to be imaged in vitro or in another situation in which the phase shifts cannot be accurately determined a priori, the images are taken, and the phase shifts are estimated a posteriori from peaks in the Fourier transforms. The technique is extended to the imaging of fluorescent and non-fluorescent objects as well as stationary and non-stationary objects.
US08279327B2 Dual camera apparatus
Camera apparatus with dual lenses that allows quickly switching between lenses in a single camera.
US08279326B2 Light quantity detecting apparatus and imaging apparatus
A light quantity detecting apparatus is disclosed which includes: an integration detection section configured to output a signal that varies with integrated quantities of light received by a light-receiving device; a comparison section configured to compare the signal output by the integration detection section with a reference value in order to output a signal representing a result of the comparison; a dummy signal generation section configured to generate a signal equivalent to the comparison result signal output by the comparison section; a changeover section configured to change the output of the comparison section with the output of the dummy signal generation section in response to a control signal; and an integration signal generation section configured to generate a signal indicating an end of the integration of the quantities of received light in accordance with the signal forwarded via the changeover section.
US08279325B2 System and method for acquiring, editing, generating and outputting video data
Systems and methods directed to acquiring, generating, manipulating and/or editing refocusable video data/frames. The refocusable video frames may be light field video frames that may be focused and/or re-focused after acquisition or recording of such video frames. In one aspect, method comprises: selecting a first key frame, wherein the first key frame corresponds to one of a plurality of refocusable light field video frames, selecting a second key frame, wherein the second key frame corresponds to one of the plurality of refocusable light field video frames which is temporally spaced apart from the first key frame such that a plurality of refocusable light field video frames are temporally disposed between the first and the second key frames, determining a virtual focus parameters for the first key frame and the second key frame, and generating first video data.
US08279320B2 Imaging apparatus data recording method and data-display control method, and computer program
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to execute processing to capture an image; a GPS (Global Positioning System) device configured to execute position calculation processing based on data received from a satellite; a power-supply control unit configured to control power supply to the GPS device; an apparatus control unit configured to monitor a state of photographing by a user to calculate a frequency of use of the imaging unit per unit time, and to cause the power-supply control unit to intermittently supply power to the GPS device when the calculated use frequency is lower than a predetermined threshold; and a data-recording control unit configured to generate photographed data attribute information in which positional information acquired in the GPS device is set as attribute information of an acquired image in the imaging unit, and to execute processing to store the photographed data attribute information in a storing unit.
US08279319B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system
An information processing apparatus includes an image-information obtaining unit configured to obtain first image information; an information associating unit configured to generate first related information having certain content related to the first image information and to associate the first related information with the first image information; a display processor configured to use function data including second image information and condition information to display an image of the second image information, and to allow display of a representative image representing the first image information on the image of the second image information; a determining unit configured to determine whether the content of the first related information associated with the first image information satisfies a condition represented by the condition information; and a display controller configured to cause the display processor to display the representative image only when the determining unit determines that the condition is satisfied.
US08279318B2 Image pickup apparatus and display control method for the same
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention comprises an image obtaining part configured to photoelectrically convert a first object image and a second object image formed by light fluxes divided by a pupil divider among light fluxes from an image pickup optical system to generate a first image and a second image, a displaying part configured to display images, and a processing part configured to cause the displaying part to display a superimposed image formed by superimposing the first and second images on each other.
US08279314B2 Apparatus and method for eliminating artifacts in active pixel sensor (APS) imagers
An active pixel sensor (APS) that includes circuitry to eliminate artifacts in digital images. The APS includes a comparator for comparing a signal level from a pixel to an adjusted saturation voltage to determine if the pixel is saturated. If the pixel is saturated, the signal output from the pixel is replaced with an analog voltage having a maximum value corresponding to a brightest pixel in the image.
US08279312B2 Image sensor element with multiple outputs
The present invention concerns an image sensor having a plurality of pixels each including a photosensor, a first node having a first capacitance connected to the photosensor, a second node having a second capacitance and selectively connected to the photosensor, and reading circuitry operable to read independently a first voltage value stored at the first node and a second voltage value stored at the second node.
US08279310B2 Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array including pixel circuits arranged in a matrix; and a pixel drive unit configured to drive the pixel array to perform a reset of the pixel array, a signal storage, and an output operation. The pixel drive unit includes a pixel reset control portion to supply a signal for resetting a pixel to the pixel circuits of a plurality of rows. The pixel reset control portion performs a reset control so that a row in which the reset signal is cancelled and a row in which the reset signal is continued always exist in one reset row change operation, and a row in which the reset signal continues to be supplied exists during two or more reset row change operations.
US08279308B1 Optimized log encoding of image data
Systems and methods (“utility”) for encoding digital linear image data into encoded image data. The utility may be included as part of a digital image capture device, such as a digital camera or a film scanner. The utility may include an encoder module that is operative to encode digital linear image data into encoded data according to an enhanced transfer function. The transfer function includes a linear portion and a logarithmic portion separated by a breakpoint. The transfer function may be continuous and continuously differentiable at the breakpoint. Further, the transfer function may operate to reduce the bit depth of the image data (e.g., from 12 bits to 10 bits, or the like) to provide compression for the image data.
US08279307B2 Sharpness processing method and system for digital image
A sharpness processing method and system for a digital image are applied to an image capturing device for capturing a raw image. The method includes the steps. An image processing procedure is performed on the raw image to generate a registered image. A first sharpness enhancement table and a second sharpness enhancement table respectively sharpness attenuation at an outer-edge region and a central region of the registered image are loaded, and a range between the outer-edge region and the central region is defined as a plurality of critical regions. A sharpness enhancement weight table is loaded, and weight values of each critical region respectively corresponding to the first sharpness enhancement table and the second sharpness enhancement table are searched, for obtaining a sharpness enhanced value of each critical region. An image sharpness processing procedure is performed on the critical region, for correct the registered image into a digital image.
US08279306B2 Image sensor noise reduction
An imaging system includes a plurality of pixels. A pixel readout circuit produces a plurality of first image frames from those pixels. An image output circuit produces a plurality of second image frames and operates to produce a second image frame from more than one of the first image frames. The pixel readout circuit is enabled to produce the first images frames at a rate faster than the image output circuit produces the second image frames. Through combining first image frames, by averaging or other statistical combinations, the photon shot noise of second image frames is reduced. Photon shot noise affects images with high light levels more than those with low light levels and, as such, the system processing alters the rate of first image frames dependent on the current light levels.
US08279305B2 Photographing method and apparatus for photographing a plurality of times using a plurality of metering modes
A photographing apparatus may include an image pickup device which captures an image and converts the captured image into an electric image signal. A luminance detector may calculate a plurality of luminance evaluation values corresponding to a plurality of metering modes using light measurement areas of the image of the electric image signal. The light measurement areas corresponding to each of the plurality of metering modes may be different from each other. An exposure value calculator may calculate an automatic exposure value based on the luminance evaluation value corresponding to each of the plurality of metering modes. The apparatus may also include a photographing controller which performs photographing in a plurality of times corresponding to the metering modes by operating the image pickup device using the automatic exposure values to capture a plurality of photographed images. A display unit may display the plurality of photographed images.
US08279298B2 Imaging apparatus having improved usability when moving images and still images are recorded
An imaging apparatus includes a signal processing unit that generates moving image data and still image data using image data output from an imaging unit, a moving image coding unit that encodes the moving image data, a still image coding unit that encodes the still image data, a recording unit that records the coded moving and still image data on a recording medium, a setting unit that sets a data rate of the coded moving image data, and a control unit that controls the moving and still image coding units. The control unit controls the moving image coding unit based on the set data rate to adjust the data rate of the moving image data and the still image coding unit based on the set data rate and a recording data rate of the recording medium to adjust an amount of the still image data.
US08279297B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium
The invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of captured images captured by an image capturing apparatus; a determination unit configured to determine position information of the image capturing apparatus for each of the plurality of captured images so that an evaluation value becomes smaller; and a connecting unit configured to connect the plurality of captured images projected onto a reconstruction plane using the determined position information of the image capturing apparatus, wherein the determination unit comprises a calculation unit configured to project each of the plurality of captured images onto the reconstruction plane based on the set position information and to calculate, as the evaluation value, an image difference between the projected images in a overlapping region between the projected images.
US08279296B2 Information processing apparatus, image-capturing system, reproduction control method, recording control method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a video obtaining unit configured to obtain a plurality of items of video data captured by a plurality of image-capturing devices; a position information obtaining unit configured to obtain position information including an orientation and an angle of view of each of the image-capturing devices; a reproduction position calculation unit configured to calculate a reproduction position of each item of the video data so that a projection direction and an angle of view of the item of the video data matches the orientation and the angle of view of a corresponding one of the image-capturing devices by using the position information; and a reproduction controller configured to reproduce each item of the video data at the corresponding reproduction position.
US08279295B2 Image delivery apparatus, image delivery system, image delivery method and program
There is provided an image delivery apparatus including a camera capable of changing a shooting condition specified by at least a shooting direction, a camera controller that causes the camera to shoot image shots corresponding to a plurality of shooting conditions in a predetermined period according to a shooting pattern containing the plurality of mutually different shooting conditions and having the predetermined period, an image storage that stores data of image shots shot corresponding to the plurality of shooting conditions and updated in the predetermined period, an operation information receiver that receives operation information indicating any shooting condition contained in the shooting pattern from image reproducing apparatuses, and an image delivery unit that delivers data of image shots corresponding to the shooting condition indicated by the operation information received from each of the image reproducing apparatuses and updated in the predetermined period to each of the image reproducing apparatuses.
US08279294B2 Information processing apparatus, remote indication system, and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus including: a management portion that manages a first identifier to be added to a capture image from a capture device; and a first control portion that adds the first identifier to the capture image, temporarily stores the capture image to which the first identifier is added, and transmits the capture image to which the first identifier is added, to a remote terminal; wherein when storing an image displayed on a display device which is connected to the remote device is instructed, the management portion receives a storing instruction including the first identifier in relation to the displayed image from the remote terminal, acquires the capture image corresponding to the first identifier included in the storing instruction from the first control portion, and stores the acquired capture image into a storage.
US08279292B2 Image stabilization control circuit
The accuracy of servo control of a corrective lens in an image stabilization control circuit is prevented from decreasing due to non-linear characteristics of a position-detecting element. A signal representing a component of vibration of an image pickup apparatus is generated based on an angular velocity signal from a vibration-detecting element. A microcomputer corrects the vibration component signal according to a predetermined correction function and generates a target position signal representing a target position of the lens. A position-detection signal based on an output from the position-detecting element is compared with the target position signal, and the position of the lens is servo-controlled. The correction function is set so that the characteristics of variation of the target position signal relative to the target position will be the same as the characteristics of variation of the position-detection signal relative to the actual position of the lens.
US08279281B1 Disguised surveillance apparatus
The disguised surveillance apparatus provides a stuffed animal toy enclosing surveillance components. The toy can be placed anywhere an operator desires increased inconspicuous security. The plurality of solar cells is disposed upwardly within the toy so that the battery pack within the toy is charged by both solar energy and optionally via an electrical plug within the toy. The motion sensor is disposed within the first eye and the camera within the second eye. The housing is disposed within the toy body and contains the microphone, the cell phone, the CPU, and the speaker. Motion detected triggers the camera to record and the cell phone to dial emergency numbers.
US08279277B2 Vision watching system and method for safety hat
Provided are vision watching system and method for a safety hat. The vision watching system includes: a receiver which receives an image signal of a watching zone of a camera; a processor which determines whether an object of the image signal is a person, based on a size and an outline of the object and determines whether the person wears a safety hat, based on at least one or more of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) values of a head part of the person and a Hue value of Hue, Saturation, Value (HSV) of the head part; and a transmitter which outputs a Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) control signal of the camera to obtain a thumbnail image of the person when determining the person who does not wear the safety hat.
US08279275B2 Signal processing device for biological observation apparatus
Tissue information of a desired deep portion of a biological tissue based on a spectral image obtained from signal processing is adjusted to image information in a color tone suitable for observation. Outputs of a matrix computing section 436 are respectively connected to integrating sections 438a to 438c, and after integrating computation is performed for them, color conversion computation is performed for respective spectral image signals ΣF1 to ΣF3 in a color adjusting section 440, spectral color channel image signals Rch, Gch and Bch are created from the spectral image signals ΣF1 to ΣF3, and images of the spectral color channel images Rch, Gch and Bch are sent to a display monitor 106 via a switching section 439.
US08279274B2 Receiving apparatus, transmitting apparatus and in-vivo information acquiring apparatus
To provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and an in-vivo information acquiring system that enable to acquire image information corresponding to one image, by assuredly synchronizing between a capsule endoscope and the receiving apparatus. According to the present invention, a capsule endoscope 2 that transmits a radio signal including at least an image signal S to the receiving apparatus includes a signal processor 12 that outputs the image signal S, a reference signal generator 24 that generates a reference signal including a different signal level and outputs a reference signal component D including at least the reference signal, an inserting unit 14 that inserts the reference signal component D into a predetermined heading period of the image signal S and at least a portion of a blanking period in which a signal component does not exist, and a transmitting unit 15 that wirelessly transmits the image signal S output from the inserting unit 14 to an outside.
US08279273B2 Endoscope apparatus
An endoscope apparatus, includes: an explosion-proof unit that has an image pickup device that outputs photographed video images as video image signals; and an A/D converter that converts the video image signals into digitalized image signals; a control unit that controls the explosion-proof unit; and an energy limiting circuit that is provided at the control unit and that limits electrical energy of digital signals to satisfy intrinsic safety when sending and receiving of the digital signals, wherein the explosion-proof unit is connected to the control unit via the energy limiting circuit with a signal line.
US08279269B2 Mobile information kiosk with a three-dimensional imaging effect
The present invention discloses a mobile information kiosk with a three-dimensional imaging effect, which is primarily applied to a hand-held mobile information kiosk. The kiosk includes a dual-lens photographing device with various light traveling angles, a displayer, a stereoscopic optical element which is provided on the displayer, and a data processing module for three-dimensional display. The displayer displays an interleaved grid-shape pattern which is processed by the data processing module. The grid-shape pattern is deflected leftward and rightward in a longitudinal series through the stereoscopic optical element and is projected respectively to both eyes of a user, such that the user can visually sense a three-dimensional image.
US08279265B2 Automatic capturing method of a panoramic image for a digital camera
An automatic capturing method of a panoramic image for a digital camera panoramic image is presented. In the method, a motion vector value of an alignment image selected from a first image captured by the digital camera in a real-time image is continuously tracked, calculated, and accumulated to obtain an accumulated motion vector value. When the accumulated motion vector value reaches a preset threshold value, the digital camera is automatically driven to capture a second image, so as to stitch and blend the first image and the second image into a panoramic image. Through the automatic image capture mode, operations for capturing the panoramic image are simplified.
US08279264B2 Method for photographic panoramic image when threshold exceeds comparison between current and previous images
Disclosed is a method for photographing a panoramic image including the steps of recognizing movement of a corresponding photographing apparatus by comparing a current real-time input image with a previous image through a motion estimation mechanism with exposure compensation, determining a time to photograph each next picture by determining whether movement in a photography direction reaches a preset threshold value, and photographing each next picture by manual or automatic operation at the determined time.
US08279262B2 System and method for providing a perception of a continuous surface in a telepresence system
A method for preventing movement in a telepresence system, includes a plurality of cameras. Each camera has a respective field of vision for viewing one or more users. The fields of vision each have lateral boundaries. The system also includes a plurality of restrictive elements. Each restrictive element is positioned along a respective lateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras such that viewed users each positioned within a field of vision of the plurality of cameras are restricted by the plurality of restrictive elements from moving outside of the field of vision in which each viewed user is positioned.
US08279259B2 Mimicking human visual system in detecting blockiness artifacts in compressed video streams
A low complexity block-based, no-reference objective blockiness metric is provided that may be combined with other artifact metrics to measure overall quality of received video stream in a video conferencing application such that measures can be taken at the transmitter or in post-processing to enhance video quality. Prior knowledge of the blockiness boundaries may be used to reduce number of computations in determining the blockiness of a particular video frame.
US08279257B2 High resolution graphics side channel in video conference
A videoconference system can automatically transmit first and second images from a local site to a remote site where the first image is a high-resolution live image and the second image may be transmitted either as a high-resolution live or still frame image. Two video streams representing the first and second images are transmitted together to the remote site within a single carrier channel. The second image is transmitted as a still image whenever the second image is static to conserve bandwidth.
US08279255B2 Electronic equipment for a communication system
The present invention relates to a method and an electronic equipment for reducing the set-up time required to establish video calls between handheld communication devices, wherein the method comprises the steps of detecting (16, S1) a signal to establish a video call via a communication link, determining (16, 30) the party to which the video call has to be established, searching, in a data base (30), for information indicating the capability of the party with respect to the video call, defining, for the electronic equipment (1), specifications for the video call based on the information, and initialling the electronic equipment (1) according to the specifications. By storing the negotiated result of a previous video call between communication devices, no further negotiation is necessary in the following video calls. The calling device can start its camera (8) and load its codecs during the calling phase and the called device can do it after receiving the set-up message from the network.
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