| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08306675B2 |
Graphic display system for assisting vehicle operators
A system for converting audible air traffic control instructions for pilots operating from an air facility to textual format. The system may comprise a processor connected to a jack of the standard pilot headset and a separate portable display screen connected to the processor. The processor may have a language converting functionality which can recognize traffic control nomenclature and display messages accordingly. Displayed text may be limited to information intended for a specific aircraft. The display may show hazardous discrepancies between authorized altitudes and headings and actual altitudes and headings. The display may be capable of correction by the user, and may utilize Global Positioning System (GPS) to obtain appropriate corrections. The system may date and time stamp communications and hold the same in memory. The system may have computer style user functions such as scrollability and operating prompts. |
| US08306671B1 |
System and method for conserving energy resources through storage and delivery of renewable energy
A system for encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and suitable for the conservation of energy resources through the efficient management of energy storage and delivery includes connections to a power source, an energy storage subsystem, and a power grid. The system includes a power routing subsystem coupled to the source and grid, and adapted to operate in a bypass mode, in which energy is transferred from the source to the grid. The system includes a conversion subsystem coupled to the routing and storage subsystems, and switchable in substantially real-time between a storage mode, in which energy is transferred from the routing to the storage subsystem, and a generation mode, in which energy is transferred from the storage to the routing subsystem for delivery to the grid. The system also includes a controller for directing the modes based at least in part on a market factor. |
| US08306668B2 |
Integrated metrology systems and information and control apparatus for interaction with integrated metrology systems
A system is disposed at a location of a utility commodity subscriber for informing the subscriber of and controlling utility commodity usage. The system includes utility meters, an information and control apparatus, and a first and second data communication link. The meters measure usage and generate usage signals. The information and control apparatus includes a microprocessor, a memory, a clock, and a user interface. The first data communication link is between the utility meters and the information and control apparatus, and the second data communication link is between the information and control apparatus and one or more central locations. The second communication link also provides rate information to the information and control apparatus and utility commodity usage data to the one or more central locations. The microprocessor computes an accumulated cost of utility commodity for a predetermined period of time. Information related to the accumulated cost is output to the subscriber. |
| US08306661B2 |
Method and system for establishing no-entry zone for robot
In a system, a first closed region specifying unit specifies a first closed region on a screen for enclosing an imaged obstacle in a first image, and a first projection area determining unit determines a first virtual projection area by extending a first closed region in a first orientation. A second closed region specifying unit specifies a second closed region on the screen. The second closed region encloses the imaged obstacle in the second image. A second projection area determining unit determines a second virtual projection area by extending the second closed region in a second orientation. An establishing unit establishes an overlap region between the first and second projection areas as the no-entry zone for the robot. |
| US08306660B2 |
Device and a method for restoring positional information of robot
A device for restoring positional information of a robot provided with a first member and a second member; a motor moving the second member; and a sensor outputting a sensor signal. The device includes an imaging section obtaining an image signal in a region including a first mark and a second mark; a mark position computation section computing a first positional relationship between the first mark and the second mark at a first time and a second positional relationship at a second time, based on an image signal obtained by the imaging section at the first time and at the second time; and a correction section correcting positional information depending on a sensor signal, based on the first and second positional relationship, a first sensor signal output by the sensor at the first time and a second sensor signal output by the sensor at the second time. |
| US08306659B2 |
Autonomous robot
A method for communication between a charging station and a robot, via a pair of power lines coupled between a power supply in the charging station and a battery in the robot. In operation, the power supply is sequentially switched between a first voltage level and a second voltage level in accordance with a predetermined signal pattern. The voltage level on the power lines in the robot is monitored and correlated with a specific command to be executed by the robot. |
| US08306651B2 |
Pharmacy will-call and prescription order article management system
A pharmacy will-call and prescription order article management system and method for managing articles selected to fulfill patient prescription orders awaiting patient pick-up from the pharmacy. An exemplary system includes a storage module including a plurality of separate spaced-apart storage locations for storing containers containing the articles. The containers may be stored at any of the storage locations, thereby maximizing storage density. A visual indicator is provided to indicate each storage location and each storage location has a unique machine-readable identification code identifying that storage location. A code reader is provided to read a unique identification code associated with each container and the unique code at each storage location. Control apparatus controls system operation by locating each container at a storage location and operating the indicator to indicate the relevant storage location when a pick-up request for the prescription order articles is made. Hanging bags may be utilized and exemplary storage apparatus may include hanging rack apparatus. |
| US08306650B1 |
Method and system for agent exchange-based materials handling
A method and system for agent exchange-based materials handling. According to one embodiment, a method of agent exchange-based order fulfillment may include a number of agents moving along respective paths through an inventory storage area of a materials handling facility. While moving through the inventory storage area, a portion of the number of agents may respectively select one or more of a number of items stored within the inventory storage area, where each one of the selected items is specified in a corresponding customer order or materials request. The method may also include conveying the selected items to one or more corresponding processing areas of the materials handling facility in order to fulfill the corresponding customer orders. Further, at least some of the selected items may be exchanged one or more times among the agents in the course of being conveyed to corresponding processing areas. |
| US08306648B2 |
Process control device, process control method, and process control system
A process control device includes a tracking controller receiving event information indicating that a product pass a predetermined location is received; a conductor unit for determining a corresponding process based on the event information; and a work instruction unit for issuing a work instruction for the product in the production line in response to the request from the conductor unit. The device further includes a work instruction past record control unit for controlling past record of the work instructions in response to an issue of the work instruction; a work instruction sequence order control unit for controlling a sequence order of the work instructions; and a work instruction sequence order storage for storing information of the sequence order of the work instructions to control the information of the sequence order of the work instructions in addition to the current location information of the product. |
| US08306643B2 |
Method for designing a light guide plate and method for manufacturing the same
A method for designing a light guide plate includes the following steps. A raw light guide plate having a light input surface and a light output surface is provided. A region of the light input surface is divided into several annuluses according to a luminance distribution E(ρ,θ) of the light output surface. A scattering dots density D(ρ,θ) of each annulus on the light input surface is figured out. A total number N of the scattering dots of each annulus on the light input surface are gained, and the scattering dots is randomly distributed in the each annulus defined on the light input surface, whereby a designed light guide plate is obtained. |
| US08306641B2 |
Aural maps
A device includes a memory to store instructions; and a processor to execute the instructions to collect audio samples from user devices, where the audio samples are associated with a particular geographic location, store an audio file in association with the particular geographic location, based on the collected audio samples, receive a request for information associated with the particular geographic location, where the request is received from a particular user, and provide the audio file to the particular user. |
| US08306640B2 |
Apparatus and method product for accessing information related to a particular setting from an information repository
A information presentation apparatus, including a storage unit which stores a first audio data recorded from a certain setting as well as the information related to the setting and an input unit to input a second audio data. An audio data verification unit verifies whether the second audio data contains a part of the first audio data. An extraction unit extracts the information related to the setting associated to the portion of the first audio setting if the second audio data is successfully verified against a portion of the first audio data. The information extracted by the extraction unit is then outputted to the user by an output unit. |
| US08306638B2 |
Mote presentation affecting
One aspect of this disclosure relates to locating at least one position of at least one mote device; and affecting at least one presentation based at least in part on the at least one position of the at least one mote device. Another aspect of this disclosure relates to sensing at least one position of an item at least partially using at least one mote device; and affecting at least one indication of the at least one position at least partially using the at least one mote device based at least in part on the sensing the at least one position of the item. Yet another aspect of this disclosure relates to causing the at least one mobile mote device to displace itself; and affecting at least one presentation with the at least one mobile mote device based at least in part on the causing at least one mobile mote device to displace itself. |
| US08306634B2 |
Adaptive and user location-based power saving system
An adaptive, user-centric system and network for controlling power consumption by an appliance is described. The appliance may be any type of powered apparatus, such as A/C units, heaters, computers, lights, kitchen appliances, home media centers, and so on. The power to these appliances is based on an estimated arrival time of the user to the destination where the appliance is located. It may also be based on previous performance data for the particular appliance, that is, given the current conditions (e.g., various environment temperature readings), how long has it taken in the past for the appliance to reach a certain level of operation. The location of the user is determined by a device that has some location-based services and is able to transmit this location/position data in a message to a power-control server. The server applies rules contained in the message to derive an estimated arrival time for the user which is used to power appliances at the user's destination. |
| US08306629B2 |
Hyperthermia treatment systems and methods
Systems and methods are disclosed to control the temperature of an RF hyperthermia system with minimum overshoot and to improve safety by, among other things, detecting a defective temperature sensor. Temperature overshoot may be minimized by compensating for the short-term temperature difference between the area being treated and the applicator delivering the RF energy. The RF energy may heat the tissue and then the tissue may transfer heat to the applicator sensor. The system may also adapt to various applicator sizes and shapes by modifying control loop coefficients based on initial probe response. |
| US08306623B2 |
Tissue characterization using intracardiac impedances with an implantable lead system
An implantable system acquires intracardiac impedance with an implantable lead system. In one implementation, the system generates frequency-rich, low energy, multi-phasic waveforms that provide a net-zero charge and a net-zero voltage. When applied to bodily tissues, current pulses or voltage pulses having the multi-phasic waveform provide increased specificity and sensitivity in probing tissue. The effects of the applied pulses are sensed as a corresponding waveform. The waveforms of the applied and sensed pulses can be integrated to obtain corresponding area values that represent the current and voltage across a spectrum of frequencies. These areas can be compared to obtain a reliable impedance value for the tissue. Frequency response, phase delay, and response to modulated pulse width can also be measured to determine a relative capacitance of the tissue, indicative of infarcted tissue, blood to tissue ratio, degree of edema, and other physiological parameters. |
| US08306619B2 |
Apparatus and method for treating ventricular tachyarrhythmias
A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable. |
| US08306613B2 |
Irritation-reducing ocular iontophoresis device
The invention provides an ocular iontophoresis device for delivering medication, the device comprising a medication reservoir suitable for being positioned on the eye, at least one medication in solution in the reservoir, an active electrode disposed in the reservoir, and a passive electrode, the device including at least one medication dissolved in non-saline water, the said solution having a pH lying in the range 6.5 to 8.5, the medication having a pKa lying in the range about 5.5 to about 9.5 and includes an active principle which is associated with an additive, such as a dendrimer, a polymer, a nanoparticle, a microsphere, a liposome, or an emulsion, and having an ionic form of valency greater than or equal to 1. |
| US08306612B2 |
System for relocating catheter-supported electrodes on segmented model
Guidance to an operator to more accurately position electrodes upon a segmented heart model (SGM). The SGM is included in a map panel on a display screen. A catheter advanced into a beating heart supports one or more electrodes. During a single beat of the heart, an image is obtained with darkened portions corresponding to locations of the electrodes. The image is presented in the same map panel as the SGM. The current location of the electrodes is confirmed relative to the SGM, either manually or through automated software algorithms. EP data is captured that represents electrophysiological signals of the beating heart at the current location for each of the electrodes. A signal processing algorithm is applied to the captured EP data in view of the confirmed current location of the electrodes to result in a calculation that is mapped at the confirmed location of the electrodes. |
| US08306611B2 |
Method and system for use in monitoring left ventricular dysfunction
A method and system are presented for use in determining a patient's heart condition. First and second data are provided, where the first data is indicative of the patient's heart rate, and the second data is indicative of bioimpedance peak value during a cardiac cycle. A relation between a certain predetermined value and a product of the first and said second data is determined, where such relation is indicative of the patient's left ventricular condition, enabling to identify a left ventricular dysfunction. |
| US08306610B2 |
Method and apparatus for analysis of psychiatric and physical conditions
A method, apparatus and software for diagnosing the state or condition of a human, animal or other living thing, which always generates physiological modulating signals having temporal-spatial organization, the organization having dynamic patterns whose structure is fractal, involving the monitoring of at least one physiological modulating signal and obtaining a set of temporal-spatial values of each of said physiological modulating signals, and processing the respective temporal-spatial values using linear and nonlinear tools to determine the linear and nonlinear characteristics established for known criteria to determine the state or condition of the person, being or living things, and to use this data for diagnosis, tracking, and treatment and developmental issues. |
| US08306604B2 |
Method of measuring and displaying the position of radiographically contrasted material within luminal body organs
A system and method for obtaining a quantitative measurement of the location and size of a contrast material within a bodily organ, such as the GI tract of a person. A contrast material is introduced into the organ and a plurality of images is obtained. A curve representing the bodily organ is formed based on the images. Local image fields are defined along the curve and a field intensity is found for each by integrating the intensity of the image in the field. An intensity profile along the length of the curve is thus obtained for each image and provides a quantitative representation of contrast material along the bodily organ. The profiles are displayed in any suitable way. In some embodiments, identification of the curve may be aided by introduction of targets are into the organ. The target locations can be identified in each image. In some embodiments, an image obtained without the contrast material is subtracted from each of the plurality of images to cancel the background radiopacity and isolate the contrast material in each profile. |
| US08306599B2 |
Process and device for monitoring the status of the body fluids of a person
A process and a device are provided for monitoring the status of the body fluids of a person. The device includes a piece of clothing with ventilating ducts, a first temperature sensor (6) and a first moisture sensor (11) for measuring the inlet flow (7) into the piece of clothing and a second temperature sensor (17) and a second moisture sensor (12) for measuring the outlet flow (10) from the piece of clothing. A pressure sensor (13) is provided sensing pressure in the inlet flow. A fan (5) or a compressed-air source is provided for transporting the cooling air into the piece of clothing. A measuring and analyzing unit (14) is connected to the sensors and the fan (5) or the compressed-air source. |
| US08306598B2 |
Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor. |
| US08306596B2 |
Method for data reduction and calibration of an OCT-based physiological monitor
The present invention relates to a method and system for estimating blood analyte levels using a noninvasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) based physiological monitor. An algorithm correlates OCT-based estimated blood analyte data with actual blood analyte data determined by other methods, such as invasively. OCT-based data is fit to the obtained blood analyte measurements to achieve the best correlation. Once the algorithm has generated sets of estimated blood analyte levels, it may refine the number of sets by applying one or more mathematical filters. The OCT-based physiological monitor can be calibrated using an Intensity Difference plot or the Pearson Product Moment Correlation method. |
| US08306595B2 |
Blood constituent concentration detector and starter for transporter
A blood constituent concentration detector includes: a detection portion having an optical window for measuring a blood constituent concentration of a part of a living body in an optical manner when the part of the living body is pressed on the detection portion; a load determination element for determining whether a load to the detection portion is equal to or larger than a first threshold, and smaller than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is larger than the first threshold; and a measurement element for measuring the blood constituent concentration when the load determination element determines that the load to the detection portion is equal to or larger than the first threshold, and smaller than the second threshold. |
| US08306594B2 |
Transmission fluorometer
This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for noninvasive, non-destructive fluorescent measurement. More specifically, the disclosure provides a non-invasive metrology system and method to monitor levels of fluorescent chemicals in the blood. A major application for the invention is field-based non-invasive blood testing for micro-nutrient deficiency and diseases resulting from it, such as Iron deficient anemia. The invention may help reduce or eliminate the need for blood drawing, sending the sample to a blood lab and having to wait for a result. |
| US08306590B2 |
Process for the preparation of low contact resistant contact on a high transition temperature superconductors
Disclosed is a three layer process for making contact points to a high transition temperature superconductor (HTSC), particularly to (Bi,Pb)2 Sr2 Ca2 CU3019+x with and without silver in the superconductor. The contact structure is a three layer configuration with a perforated silver foil (3) sandwiched between two metal spray gun deposited silver layers (2,5) and subsequent heat treatment in air. The contact has been made on tubes and rods (1). The silver contacts are capable of carrying a continuous current of 200 Amps without adding any substantial heat load to the cryogen used to cool the HTSC. The contact resistance at 4.2 K is in the range of 1.5×10 (hoch−8) to 8.5″ 10 (hoch−8) OHM in zero applied filed. |
| US08306586B2 |
Handheld electronic device
A handheld electronic device includes first, second and third bodies, a rod, and an elevating mechanism disposed on the first body. The rod has a first end, a second end, and a pivot portion pivotably mounted to the first body. The second body is slidably disposed on the first body and coupled to the first end. The second body is stacked between the first body and the third body. The third body is slidably disposed on the elevating mechanism and coupled to the rod. When the third body moves relative to the first body, the second body is driven by the first rod to move relative to the first body in an opposite direction, such that the second body is exposed out of the third body and the third body is descended by the elevating mechanism to move toward the first body. |
| US08306584B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device having a first body, a second body, and a moving mechanism is provided. The moving mechanism is disposed between the first body and the second body such that the second body is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second body is stacked on the first body. In the second position, top surfaces of the first body and second body are substantially coplanar. |
| US08306582B2 |
Swivel extension clip for a communication device
Swivel clip (200) provides independently adjustable hinge point location (500), adjustable clip length (210) and rotational position for user-configurable attachment. Swivel clip (200) is formed of a two piece paddle (216/218) and a two piece swivel plate (246, 248) coupled via a hinge pin (502). The two piece paddle (216/218) provides adjustable clip length. The two piece swivel plate provides linear adjustment and rotational adjustment of the hinge point location (500) through the use of a hinge plate (246) and swivel plate (248). |
| US08306577B1 |
System and method for adjusting the volume of an earpiece using reverse frame data rate
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the volume on a mobile station earpiece based on reverse frame data rate. In an embodiment of the invention, a mobile station transmits a plurality of reverse frames over a specified period of time. For each frame in the plurality of reverse frames, the mobile station measures a reverse frame data rate. The mobile station then uses the measured reverse frame data rates to calculate an average reverse frame data rate for the reverse frames transmitted over the specified period of time. Next, the mobile station adjusts the volume level of an earpiece based at least in part on the average reverse frame data rate. |
| US08306574B2 |
Method and system for an adaptive wireless communication system optimized for economic benefit
The present invention relates to a method and system for adapting a wireless communication system to support a desired functionality of the wireless communication system at an optimized performance and economic benefit. The desired functionality can be determined by defined criteria such as a maximum range of communication with the wireless communication system, quality of a transmission link in the wireless communication system, capacity of the wireless communication system, power consumption of the wireless communication system, protocols supported in the wireless communication system, modulation techniques used in the wireless communication system and processing techniques for combining signals in the wireless communication system. The system can be adapted by varying one or more of the number of components or processing techniques used in the wireless communication system. |
| US08306573B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing call capacity on a carrier
A method and apparatus is disclosed for increasing calling capacity in a carrier using enhanced Terrestrial Trunk Radio (TETRA) protocols. The method includes transmitting, by a base station to at least one mobile station, a permission signal for an assigned timeslot on a carrier, wherein each timeslot is divided into at least two sub-slots. The method also includes configuring a control signal that is associated with each of the plurality of timeslots. Specific fields in the control signal are associated with each sub-slot on each of the plurality of timeslots. The method further includes providing usage markers through the control signal. Usage markers values are divided into ranges, each range used to identify a timeslot or a sub-slot assignment on the carrier. The base station sends a time advance value to the mobile station to indicate when transmission from the mobile station is to begin. |
| US08306560B2 |
Method and system for configuring a telematics device using two-way data messaging
A method and system for configuring a telematics device is constructed so as to use two-way short message service (SMS) to provide improved configuration execution. Mobile identification number (MIN), Mobile Directory Number (MDH), Home System Identification (SID) number, SID/NID pairs, NAI/password for packet data, over the air service provisioning (OTASP) number, and Preferred Roaming List (PRL) flag can be easily updated with no manual or voice channel configuration actions. In addition, other system settings such as button behavior, language, call barring, adding units to hands-free calling, etc. may be updated as well. In an example, a series of binary SMS messages configures the telematics device, with a subset of the messages being used specifically for configuration while the remaining message initiates a packet data session to complete additional configuration. |
| US08306558B1 |
Dynamic adjustment of paging power based on page-type
Exemplary methods and systems for paging a mobile station are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments may help to improve the paging success rate for pages such as data-service pages and/or intersystem pages. An exemplary method involves: (i) before transmission of a page to a mobile station by an access network, the access network determining a page-type of the page; (ii) based at least in part of the page-type, determining a page-transmission power for the page; and (iii) the access network transmitting the page at the selected transmission-power level. To determine the page-type, an access network may determine whether the page is a voice-service page or a data-service page and/or determine whether or not the page is an intersystem page. In an exemplary embodiment, the page transmission for data-service pages is preferably greater than that for voice-service pages. Furthermore, the page-transmission power(s) selected for intersystem pages (for both data-service and/or voice-service) may be greater than that selected for non-intersystem voice-service and/or data-service pages. |
| US08306557B2 |
Base station apparatus and method for use in mobile communication system
A base station apparatus includes a classification unit configured to classify user apparatuses based on channel state of a radio link, a DRX (Discontinuous Reception) status memory configured to store information indicating which of multiple groups each of one or more of the user apparatuses conducting DRX belongs to, a determination unit configured to determine which of the groups the user apparatuses classified by the classification unit are to belong to with reference to the information stored in the DRX status memory, and an indication unit configured to indicate the determined groups to the user apparatuses. Each of the groups includes one or more of the user apparatuses activating simultaneously. The determination unit is configured to assign one of the user apparatuses having relatively poor channel state to one of the groups having a smaller number of simultaneously activating user apparatuses. |
| US08306553B2 |
Method and system for obtaining emergency caller location
A method and system for determining if a phone has changed locations includes a subscriber phone equipment coupled to a phone system through a subscriber access line. The subscriber phone equipment includes a location test module and a datastore. The location test module includes a first subscriber access line identity for the subscriber access line. The datastore includes a first subscriber location for the first subscriber access line identity. The location test module obtains a second subscriber access line identity for the subscriber access line, obtains a second subscriber location for the second subscriber access line identity, and compares the first subscriber location and the second subscriber location. If the first subscriber location does not match the second subscriber location, then the subscriber phone equipment has changed locations. If the first subscriber location matches the second subscriber location, then the subscriber phone equipment has not changed locations. |
| US08306552B2 |
Pattern filtering for mobile station position estimation
Examples disclosed herein may relate to filtering one or more signal attribute patterns from use in position estimation for a mobile station based at least in part on an error value associated with an initial estimated position of the mobile station. |
| US08306550B2 |
Automatic gain control in radio frequency receivers
An automatic gain controller (AGC) in white space devices is configured with two operational modes. When entering a quiet time of the white space device, the AGC selects the first operational mode. The first operational mode is associated with detecting licensed signals on one or more white space channels by testing a measured received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value to determine which one of a number of the AGC's gain states should be used corresponding to a gain for application to input white space signals on the whitespace channels. When not in the quiet time, the AGC enters a second operational mode. The second operational mode sets a fixed gain state of the AGC's multiple gain states to apply in selecting one of the white space channels on which no licensed signals were detected. |
| US08306549B2 |
Method and apparatus for suppressing inter-cell interference
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for suppressing inter-cell interference. The method includes: obtaining edge channels whose signal interference ratio (SIR) is above a preset threshold from edge channel group to constitute a first candidate channel set; selecting an edge channel of the lowest correlation as a tier-1 channel; obtaining central channels whose SIR are above a preset threshold from central channel group to constitute a second candidate channel set; selecting a central channel of the lowest correlation as a tier-2 channel; and comparing SIRs of the tier-1 channel and the tier-2 channel and assigning the channel of a higher SIR to an edge terminal in the local cell. The present invention may suppress inter-cell interference and reduce the waste of channel resources. |
| US08306548B2 |
Navigation device for communication to an information providing server
The present invention provides a navigation device which performs communication with an information-providing server device. The navigation device (3) includes a communication section (11) which transmits a message to the server device for a response confirmation, and receives a response message with respect to the message from the server device; a response value obtaining section (12) which determines a time duration from a time when the message is transmitted to another time when the response message is received, and obtains a response value indicating a communication state in relation to a communication time on the basis of the determined time duration; and a communication-parameter setting section (13) which determines an optimal communication parameter on the basis of the response value obtained by the response value obtaining device, and sets the optimal communication parameter in a communication parameter in relation to a communication disconnection condition used in the navigation device (3). |
| US08306544B2 |
Base station apparatus and communication control method
A disclosed base station apparatus includes a resource allocation unit allocating radio resources using a first resource allocation method for dynamically allocating the radio resources and a second resource allocation method for allocating the radio resources at a constant period, wherein when a size of data to be transmitted is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, the resource allocation unit allocates the radio resources using the first resource allocation method, otherwise, the resource allocation unit allocates the radio resources using the second resource allocation method, and when the size of the data to be transmitted is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, the resource allocation unit allocates radio resources reserved as radio resources to be allocated using the second resource allocation method as radio resources to be allocated using the first resource allocation method. |
| US08306543B2 |
Method for providing random access to communication system
In a communication system providing services with different quality of service requirements to a plurality of user equipment sharing resources of the communication system, resources of the communication system are allocated for service requests. The allocating of resources includes dividing the resources into at least two groups of resources, the different groups of resources being dedicated to different types of service. |
| US08306541B2 |
Data rate methods and apparatus
A wireless terminal receives an uplink traffic channel segment assignment including a maximum uplink rate option indicator. Each uplink rate option corresponds to a number of information bits, coding rate and modulation method. The maximum rate option indicator indicates the highest rate option that the wireless terminal is permitted to use when transmitting in the assigned traffic channel segment from the perspective of the base station. In some embodiments, the wireless terminal uses interference measurements to further quality, e.g., conditionally reduce, the maximum uplink rate option that may be used. Then, the wireless terminal selects an uplink rate option to use which is less than the determined allowed maximum uplink rate option, e.g., based on the amount of user data to communicate. The wireless terminal transmits data in the assigned uplink traffic channel segment in accordance with the wireless terminal selected uplink rate. |
| US08306540B2 |
System and method for processing connection from macro cellular base station to mini type base station
A system and a method for connecting macro cellular base stations into mini type base stations are applicable to a mobile communication apparatus having a covering range provided by macro cell base stations upon entering into a range provided by mini type base stations for automatic switching. The method includes establishing a database stored with information related to a geographic distribution for mini type base stations and a listing of authorized admission for allowing mobile communication apparatus to enter; acquiring the geographic area of the mobile communication equipment in order to search the database for at least one mini type base station based on International Mobile Subscriber Identity of the mobile communication apparatus for allowing the mobile communication apparatus to enter into the searched mini type base station from the macro cell base stations for communication. |
| US08306535B2 |
Communication controller and communication controlling method for controlling a movable communication terminal device
A communication controller and a communication controlling method are provided, even when functionalities of the communication controller included in a communication system such as UTRAN or the like, so that the services of the functionalities are available broadly in the whole system. An RNC 102 for controlling a movable communication terminal device, in cooperation with the communication controller, receives a request for provision of a service. The RNC 102 includes: a signal transmitter/receiver 201 for discriminating the type of the requested service; an HSUPA communication request discriminating section 203; a call controller 202; a transfer destination search table 205 for storing information that associates a service that can be requested by the service request receiving means and another RNC that can provide the service; and a transfer destination searching section 204 for identifying another RNC that can provide the service, based upon the information stored in the transfer destination search table 205, if there is a request for HSUPA communication that cannot be provided by the RNC 102. The RNC 102 transfers the request for the provision of the service to another RNC identified by the transfer destination searching section 204. |
| US08306532B2 |
System and method for using multiple subscriber identities to provide differentiated services to subscribers
The techniques disclosed here enable a mobile station device having a plurality of subscriber identities to select an identity for registration with a network for wireless communications in a way that takes advantage of the most favorable roaming agreements between operators. The identity selection algorithm, for example, provides the flexibility to select amongst mobile station subscriber identities of 3GPP2 (1×RTT, EVDO) access technologies and 3GPP (LTE/GSM/UMTS) access technologies as well as specific operators' networks for domestic and international roaming. The exemplary algorithms allow the operator to optimize roaming agreements in different markets and maximize revenue from the roaming of its customers. |
| US08306530B1 |
Method and system for assigning a static mobile internet protocol address to a mobile node
A method for assigning a static mobile internet protocol address to a mobile node by an access node is provided. The method includes receiving a mobile registration request message, sending an access request message to an authorization node in response to the registration request, and receiving an access accept message containing a static mobile IP address from the authorization node. The method continues by sending an access registration request message containing the static mobile IP address to a mobile network internet node, which then assigns the static mobile IP address to the mobile node. A mobile access registration request message associated with the mobile registration request message is sent to the mobile network internet node at a time after the access registration request message has been sent. A mobile access registration reply message is received from the mobile network internet node, and a mobile reply registration message containing the static mobile IP address is sent to the mobile node. |
| US08306524B2 |
Mobile terminal with camera clock frequency control
A method for controlling a mobile terminal includes operating at least one clock at first and second frequencies, determining wireless sensitivities of the mobile terminal at the first and second frequencies, comparing the wireless sensitivities, and controlling a camera of the mobile terminal at one of the first or second frequencies based on said comparison of the wireless sensitivities. |
| US08306521B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus with data reprogrammable via wireless communication network
In a vehicle control apparatus for reprogramming data stored therein based on a reprogramming instruction transmitted thereto via a wireless communication network, an asking unit is provided. The asking unit asks a data reprogramming unit about whether the reprogramming instruction is validated or not. The data reprogramming unit has been authorized to reprogram the data stored in the vehicle control apparatus. A determining unit is provided in the vehicle control apparatus. The determining unit receives a reply to the asking transmitted from the data reprogramming unit via the wireless communication network and determines whether to enable or disable the reprogramming of the data stored in the vehicle control apparatus based on the received reply. |
| US08306517B2 |
Capacity management of an asynchronous transfer mode interface in a wireless communication infrastructure
Methods and apparatus that effectively manage capacity of a wireless-based communication infrastructure are presented herein. An evaluation component can generate configuration data associated with a base station of a cellular wireless network. Further, a radio network controller component can determine capacity of a physical port coupled between a radio network controller and the base station. The radio network controller component can configure the radio network controller to utilize an increase in capacity of the physical port based on the determined capacity of the physical port. A base station component can configure the base station to utilize the increase in capacity of the physical port based on the configuration data generated by the evaluation component. |
| US08306511B2 |
Method and system for processing queries initiated by users of mobile devices
In one embodiment, a method for processing queries initiated by users of mobile devices includes receiving an incoming message containing a query initiated by a user of a mobile device, and extracting the query from the received message. The message further includes obtaining a result of the query and creating an outgoing message with the result of the query for delivery to the mobile device. |
| US08306509B2 |
Enhanced messaging with language translation feature
A method (400) for creating and managing a distribution list can include creating a distribution list (410) at a voicemail system. The distribution list can include at least one recipient and at least one language preference for one or more of the at least one recipients. The method can further include selecting the created distribution list (504) and recording an audio message (508) to be sent to the at least one recipient. Translating the audio message (510) into the at least one language preference for one or more of the at least one recipients thereby creating at least one translated audio message and sending the at least one translated audio message (512) to the at least one recipient. |
| US08306505B2 |
Method and apparatus for transferring identity information to a wireless device for temporary use
A method and apparatus for transferring identity information for temporary use by a wireless device, visiting a foreign operator network, is provided. The wireless device is identified as foreign to the operator network and presented with an opportunity to download a temporary identity which is recognized by the operator network as belonging to a local subscriber. The temporary identity, once installed on the wireless device, makes the wireless device appear as a local subscriber. Upon termination of use, the temporary identity is returned to a pool and usable for another wireless device. |
| US08306493B2 |
Pilot based adaptation for FM radio receiver
Performing a decoding mode of a frequency modulation (FM) signal for an adaptive FM radio receiver includes passing the FM signal through a FM demodulator to obtain a composite signal that includes a pilot signal and noise around the pilot signal, passing the composite signal through a band bass filter, filtering the pilot signal from the noise using a pilot and noise separator that includes a notch filter that filters the pilot signal from the noise, obtaining average amplitudes of the pilot signal and the noise, comparing a ratio between the average amplitudes of the pilot signal and the noise with a programmable threshold, and selecting a decoding mode and an audio low pass filter. The decoding mode is selected based on a quality of the pilot signal being decoded and the audio LPF is selected based on the comparison ratio. |
| US08306488B2 |
Signal transmitter linearization
A linearizer for a non-linear transmitter includes a tap delay line that provides samples of an input signal at selected times. At least one Volterra tap is coupled to the tape delay line. The Volterra tap includes a lookup table representation of a polynomial. An adaptive controller is coupled to the Volterra tap for modifying values in the lookup table. |
| US08306487B2 |
Phase corrector and phase correction method
A phase corrector in a radio transmitter includes a quadrature modulator which modulates a first carrier signal by using an in-phase component and a quadrature component of a first signal, a quadrature demodulator which demodulates a feedback signal by using a second carrier signal to generate a second signal including an in-phase component and a quadrature component, a phase detector which detects a phase error between the first signal and the second signal based on the in-phase components and the quadrature components of the first signal and the second signal, and a phase shifter which performs phase shift of any one of the first signal, the second signal, the first carrier signal and the second carrier signal based on a sum value obtained by adding to the phase error a first phase amount varying on a time base in a given phase range. |
| US08306485B2 |
Device and a method for controlling and monitoring the power of the signal from a radiocommunications terminal
A radiocommunications terminal includes a send circuit and a receive circuit connected to a send/receive antenna of the terminal and respectively defining, when in operation, a send mode and a receive mode. The terminal also includes a circuit in a common part of the connection of the send and receive circuits to the antenna for matching the send and receive circuits to the antenna. A device for controlling and monitoring the power of signals sent/received by the terminal decenters the impedance matching of the antenna of the terminal only when the device is in send mode. Applications include reducing the energy impinging on the user of a mobile radio communications terminal. |
| US08306480B2 |
System and method for transmission interference cancellation in full duplex transceiver
A full duplex transceiver has cancellation circuitry that includes an auxiliary receiver and an auxiliary transmitter. More specifically, an analog received signal that includes transmission signal leakage is provided to a low noise amplifier (LNA), which then provides its output to a main receiver and the auxiliary receiver. The auxiliary receiver includes a portion operable to convert the received signal from the analog domain to the digital domain. The auxiliary receiver additionally includes a cancellation processor that determines the transmission signal leakage and generates a signal based on the determined leakage. This signal generated by the auxiliary receiver is provided to the auxiliary transmitter, which converts the digital signal back to the analog domain and generates a cancellation signal. The analog cancellation signal is fed back and added to the received signal at the input of the LNA. As a result of the feedback system including an auxiliary receiver and an auxiliary transmitter, transmission signal leakage of many types may be canceled from a received signal. |
| US08306479B1 |
Polarization control for cell telecommunication system
A base station for use in a wireless communications system is disclosed, including transceiver circuitry for transmitting and receiving with at least one mobile device over at least one communications channel. Polarization control logic is included for controlling a polarization of signals transmitted over the at least one communications channel. The polarization control logic adjusts a polarization of the signal transmitted on the at least one communications channel responsive to at least one parameter received from the mobile device relating to a quality of signal received on the at least one communications channel. |
| US08306478B2 |
Remote monitoring device and process
A remote monitoring device is integrated as part of a cell phone or personal digital assistant. By sharing computing resources of a communications transceiver, the cost of a monitoring device can be significantly reduced, while still permitting sufficient functionality to effectively observe an area of interest, such as a child's sleeping area. An alert is generated and transmitted to an observer using a separate transceiver when activity at the monitored area (i.e., sound or video activity) meets a specified threshold. |
| US08306473B2 |
Methods and apparatus for using multiple antennas having different polarization
A MIMO wireless communications device supports a dual polarized mode of antenna operation and a single polarized mode of antenna operation. Antenna mode selection is performed as a function of signal to noise ratio information and/or rank information corresponding to a communications channel matrix. One of a communications device's processing chains is switched between first and second polarization orientation antennas, e.g., vertical and horizontally polarized antennas, as a function of the antenna mode selection. In various embodiments, the dual polarized mode is advantageously used for high SNR users, while in the low SNR regime, where the capacity is limited by received power, the single polarized antenna configuration, sometimes referred to as the spatial MIMO configuration, is used. |
| US08306466B2 |
Lubricant retention features on heater body of a fuser
A fuser assembly including a heater assembly that includes a heater body, the heater body includes a substrate that extends across the fuser nip. A plurality of retention features are defined on a protective layer covering the surface of the substrate. The protective layer includes a first layer and a second layer, the second layer including a plurality of passages extending from an outer surface of the second layer to the first layer and dimensioned and positioned to allow a lubricant to pass through the second layer between the retention features and the outer surface of the second layer. |
| US08306465B2 |
Image forming apparatus having varying distances between photosensitive drums and transfer rollers
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of optical scanning units to scan light modulated according to an image signal, a plurality of photoconductive drums to form a plurality of electrostatic latent images by the light scanned from the plurality of optical scanning units, a plurality of developing units to develop the plurality of electrostatic latent images formed on the plurality of photoconductive drums into a plurality of toner images, an intermediate transfer unit to transfer the plurality of toner images developed by the plurality of developing units, a plurality of first transfer rollers installed in the intermediate transfer unit to correspond to the plurality of photoconductive drums, respectively, and to apply transfer voltages that is used to transfer the plurality of toner images onto the intermediate transfer unit, a second transfer roller to transfer the plurality of toner images formed on the intermediate transfer unit onto a paper, and a fixing unit to fix the plurality of toner images transferred onto the paper, wherein the plurality of first transfer rollers includes the first transfer rollers of a first group in which distances between the first transfer rollers of the first group and the plurality of photoconductive drums, respectively, are sequentially reduced downstream along a direction that the intermediate transfer unit travels, and the first transfer roller of a second group is independent from the distances between the first transfer rollers of the first group and the plurality of photoconductive drums. |
| US08306464B2 |
Development device and image forming apparatus using the same
Provided is a development device and an image forming apparatus both using a hybrid development method and capable of forming high quality images without occurrence of development hysteresis (ghost). The nip portion of the toner carrier and the developer carrier is configured as follows: the rotating direction of a toner carrier and a developer carrier are in counter directions; a magnetic pole facing the toner carrier is positioned on the upstream side in the developer carrier rotating direction; and a counter charge generated by the toner supply reaches a toner recovering portion without being considerably attenuated. |
| US08306461B2 |
Multicolor electrophotographic print engine
A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station. |
| US08306459B2 |
Opening-and-closing mechanism and image forming apparatus
An aspect of the invention is an opening-and-closing mechanism including: an opening-and-closing member that open-and-closes an body; a holding member rotatably coupled to the body; a sliding member disposed slidable to the holding member along a longitudinal-direction of the holding member, whose end portion is coupled to the opening-and-closing member, and sliding to the holding member in accompaniment with rotation of the opening-and-closing member; a braking member of an elastic material whose coefficient of friction with one of the sliding member or the holding member is larger than that between the other of the sliding member or the holding member and the one, the braking member sliding to the one in accompaniment with the sliding member sliding to the holding member to generate a braking-force by a frictional-force; and a pressing member disposed on the other, the braking member being mounted thereat, pressing the braking member against the one. |
| US08306454B2 |
Image forming apparatus with improved accuracy in forming a gap between a developing unit and a photoreceptor drum
An image forming apparatus includes: a photoreceptor unit having a photoreceptor drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum; a developing unit supporting shaft for rotatably supporting the developing unit; a pressing lever for pushing and rotating the developing unit to press the developing unit against the photoreceptor unit; a rotatable pressing lever shaft for supporting the pressing lever; and a holding member for holding the developing unit supporting shaft and the pressing lever shaft to maintain a fixed distance between the developing unit supporting shaft and the pressing lever shaft. |
| US08306451B2 |
Developer supply container featuring two developer accommodating chambers
A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a first chamber, provided with a first opening, for accommodating a developer; a second chamber for receiving the developer from the first chamber through the first opening, the second chamber being provided with a second opening for permitting discharge of the developer to an outside of the developer supply container; a first sealing member for sealing the first opening; a second sealing member for sealing the second opening; and a connecting mechanism for interrelating an unsealing operation of the first opening with an unsealing operation of the second opening, while permitting a resealing operation of the second opening by said second sealing member without resealing the first opening by the first sealing member. |
| US08306448B2 |
Fuser system and heat source power circuit
A printing system fuser is presented with an AC-AC power circuit using a pair of high speed pulse width modulated switches and low speed switching devices for flyback current conduction for powering a fuser heating element, and power factor control system and techniques are presented for adapting AC-AC converter control for powering one fuser heating element at least partially according to angle control switching of another fuser heating element to control fuser power factor. |
| US08306443B2 |
Multi-color printing system and method for reducing the transfer field through closed-loop controls
Multi-color document processing systems and methods are described in which the toner detachment field distribution curve is measured as a function of transfer field and the curve is shifted by adjustment of one or more toner state adjustment actuators to facilitate operation at lower transfer field levels for mitigating retransfer and other high field defects. |
| US08306439B2 |
Communication apparatus and signal reception method
A communication apparatus in accordance with an embodiment comprises a reception unit configured to demodulate a received signal to output a first demodulated signal in dependence on a reception condition. The communication apparatus further comprises a pattern detection unit configured to detect a characteristic pattern in the first demodulated signal to output a pattern detection signal, and a pitch detection unit configured to detect a pitch of the characteristic pattern based on the pattern detection signal to output a first signal detection signal indicating that the first demodulated signal is one of an in-phase signal and a quadrature signal, or an inverted version of the one of the in-phase signal and the quadrature signal. |
| US08306435B2 |
Reception of signals transmitted over a dispersive optical channel
A receiver for recovering transmitted information carried by a received optical signal that has been affected by dispersion includes an optical splitter having an input port arranged to receive the received optical signal, and a plurality of output ports. A proportion of optical power at the input port is transmitted to each of the output ports. A plurality of optical detectors is operably connected to respective output ports of the optical splitter, for generating a corresponding plurality of electrical signals. Optical phase shifters are disposed between the output ports of the optical splitter and respective optical detectors. As a result, each optical phase shifter applies a frequency dependent phase shift to an optical signal passing therethrough. An electronic processor includes analog and/or digital electronic components configured to combine two or more of the plurality of electrical signals, or information recovered separately therefrom, in order to provide improved accuracy or reliability of information recovery as compared with detecting and processing only the received optical signal. The receiver is advantageously able to mitigate the effects of frequency-dependent fading which may occur in intensity modulation/direct detection optical transmission systems due to dispersion in optical transmission paths. |
| US08306430B2 |
Dispersion compensating apparatus and dispersion compensating method
In a dispersion compensating apparatus, a reference identifying unit identifies a reference (X dB down) that makes a penalty lower than a predetermined value in accordance with optical signal information and a reference identifying table, and a VIPA plate temperature adjusting unit adjusts a refractive index of a VIPA plate by modifying a temperature of the VIPA plate so that a transmission center wavelength derived from the reference matches the wavelength defined by an ITU-T Grid. If a dispersion compensation value setting unit performs an optimal residual dispersion value search, the VIPA plate temperature adjusting unit determines if a filtering penalty is lower than a predetermined value in accordance with a penalty management table. If the filtering penalty is lower than the predetermined value, temperature adjustment of the VIPA plate is not performed. |
| US08306427B2 |
WDM transmission apparatus, optical add-drop multiplexer and WDM transmission method
There is provided a WDM transmission apparatus including a calculator being operable to calculate an optical signal level of a wavelength after wavelength demultiplexing based on information of OSNR, an amplifier controller being operable to compensate for the optical signal levels of all the wavelengths after wavelength demultiplexing to become a target level based on an optical signal level calculated by the calculator, and an deviation corrector being operable to correct a deviation of an optical signal level between each wavelength based on the optical signal level calculated by the calculator. |
| US08306420B2 |
Optical network real time latency measurement systems and methods
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for real-time, in-service latency measurements over optical links that may be further integrated within various optical control planes. The present invention may utilize minimal unused overhead to calculate latency of an optical line through a transport network. The present invention utilizes timers at two end-point nodes associated with the optical line, and includes a mechanism to filter out frame skew between the nodes. Advantageously, the present invention provides a highly accurate latency measurement that may calculate latency on links as small as one meter, an in-service algorithm operable without network impact, and may be integrated with an optical control plane to automatically provide administrative weight variables associated with link costs. |
| US08306419B2 |
Techniques for controlling a light source in a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network
Techniques for controlling a light source in a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for controlling a light source in a wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON). The apparatus may include a digital signal processing device configured to output a pilot tone signal. The apparatus may also include an amplifier configured to modulate a modulation current and the pilot tone signal, and output an amplitude modulated signal. The apparatus may further include a capacitor configured to AC couple the amplitude modulated signal to a bias current applied to a light source; and a monitoring photodiode configured to detect an output optical signal of the light source and transmit the detected output optical signal to the digital signal processing device to control the output optical signal of the light source. |
| US08306411B2 |
Photographic apparatus
A photographic apparatus comprises an information obtaining unit and a controller. The information obtaining unit obtains information regarding a photographic subject image. The controller performs a switching control that changes a first use mode to a second use mode on a basis of the information. The first use mode is set by a user, and the second use mode is different from the first use mode. |
| US08306405B2 |
Data recording method, data editing method, data decoding method, and apparatus and recording medium therefor
A system records an AV stream composed of a plurality of record units (RUs) containing independently reproducible video units (VUs) of at least video or audio and program information (Movie atom) managing the AV stream, onto a recording medium. The program information contains a piece of information (Edit list atom) that manages a point of junction between the record units or between AV streams. In decoding the AV stream, decoding is halted or decoders are switched at the point of junction, based on the management information on the points of junction, for example. |
| US08306402B2 |
Time shift view/listening system, display device, and time shift view/listening method
A display device switches a broadcast channel which is being received by a tuner unit based on a broadcast channel switching instruction input from a user operating unit and transmits broadcast channel switching information to a recording and reproduction device. The recording and reproduction device sets a channel of a tuner unit to the same channel as the display device based on the broadcast channel switching information. A content is recorded and reproduced by a recording and reproduction unit based on a time shift viewing/listening instruction, a switch unit of the display device is switched from the tuner unit to the recording and reproduction device, and the reproduction output from the recording and reproduction device is displayed on a display unit. |
| US08306399B1 |
Real-time video editing architecture
An architecture which allows real-time video editing using a 2D/3D graphics engine. This architecture comprises input and output buffers. It receives video streams from either compressed sources of data or non compressed sources of data. This architecture allows a flexible upgrade of the video effects using software plug ins. |
| US08306397B2 |
Picture recorder and commercial message detection method
A picture recorder that records TV broadcast programs and skips commercial sections included in broadcasts for reproduction, includes: an audio input unit that separates an audio signal from the broadcast program; and an audio processing unit that detects a commercial section from an audio signal separated in the audio input unit, and generates the reproduction position information indicating the position of the commercial section. The audio processing unit includes: a silent section determining unit that compares the level of an audio signal included in the broadcast program with a threshold V0, and determines a section less than V0 as a silent section; and a commercial section determining unit that, when the interval T between adjacent silent sections matches a predetermined time length Tc, determines a section sandwiched by the silent sections as a commercial section. |
| US08306396B2 |
Hardware-based, client-side, video compositing system
A system for video compositing is comprised of a storage device for storing a composite timeline file. A timeline manager reads rendering instructions and compositing instructions from the stored file. A plurality of filter graphs, each receiving one of a plurality of video streams, renders frames therefrom in response to the rendering instructions. 3D hardware is responsive to the rendered frames and the compositing instructions for creating a composite image. A frame scheduler is responsive to the plurality of filter graphs for controlling the frequency at which the 3D hardware creates a new composite image. An output is provided for displaying the composite image. Methods of generating a composite work and methods of generating the timeline file are also disclosed. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this Abstract should not be used to construe the claims. |
| US08306393B2 |
Information recording apparatus, information copying system, method for copying information, program and computer readable recording medium
A first information recorder comprises a limited number-of-times of copying information setting unit for setting information on the limited number-of-times of copying electronic data, a first limited number-of-times of copying information updating unit for reading out the electronic data from a first information recording medium containing electronic data set with limited number of times of copying information by the limited number-of-times of copying information setting unit and updating the limited number-of-times of copying information set with respect to the electronic data, and a first transmitter for transmitting electronic data whose limited number-of-times of copying information is updated by the first limited number of times of copying information updating unit. A second information recorder comprises a second receiver for receiving electronic data transmitted from the first transmitter, a second limited number-of-times of copying information updating unit for reading out the electronic data from a second information containing medium recording the electronic data and updating the limited number-of-times of copying information set with respect to the electronic data, and a second transmitter for transmitting electronic data whose limited number-of-times of copying information is updated by the second limited number-of-times of copying information updating unit. |
| US08306390B2 |
Scene segment dividing device
A scene segment dividing device which can precisely specify a break segment and an in play segment based on a sports image and can precisely manage a series of offenses in the in play segment as each scene segment. A scene segment division unit extracts ball track information in an in play segment based on specified break segments to divide the information into scene segments. |
| US08306389B2 |
Recording medium capable of interactive reproducing and reproduction system for the same
On an optical disk, video object sets (VTST_VOBS) to be reproduced and video title set information (VTSI) serving as management information on the video object sets have been stored. In each video object set (VTST_VOBS), many data cells, each containing video, audio, and sub-picture data, are arranged. Management information on programs chains, which are combinations of programs to be reproduced one after another, has been written in a video title set PGC table (VTS_PGCIT). By referring to the program chain table (VTS_PGCIT) according to the user's input, the playback order of program chains can be changed, enabling the program chains to be reproduced one after another in various modes. |
| US08306387B2 |
Play back apparatus, playback method and program for playing back 3D video
The playback apparatus realizes stereoscopic viewing by overlaying planar or stereoscopic graphics over stereoscopic video in a way that reduces eye strain using following method in abstract: A graphics plane holds therein data composed of graphics data. A shift engine shifts, in a case when a composition unit composites the graphics data with a left-view video frame, coordinates of each of the pixels is shifted in a first horizontal direction, and in a case when the composition unit composites the graphics data with a right-view video frame, coordinates of each of the pixels is shifted in a second horizontal direction that is opposite to the first direction. |
| US08306381B2 |
Cable exit trough with insert
A cable exit trough defining an insert aperture for receiving a modular cable management inserts. The modular insert providing an additional cable management device such as a curved guidewall. The cable management device may alternatively be fixed to the cable exit trough. Removable snap-mounted flanges may also be included in the exit trough. The exit trough may also include an exit cover having a cover plate and a pivot plate hingedly mounted thereto for easy access to the trough. |
| US08306373B2 |
Fiber Bragg grating sensing package and system for gas turbine temperature measurement
A fiber Bragg grating multi-point temperature sensing system comprises a fiber sensing cable package and a plurality of clamping devices distributed along an inner surface of a wall in a circumferential direction for securing the fiber sensing cable package. The fiber sensing cable package comprises a fiber Bragg grating based sensing cable comprising at least one optical fiber, a plurality of Bragg gratings inscribed in the optical fiber, and a fabric layer and a sheath tube surrounding the optical fiber. The multi-point fiber temperature sensing system comprises a light source for transmitting light to the Bragg gratings based sensing cable package, and a detector module receiving reflected signal. Each clamping device comprises a radiation tee and defines at least one mounting hole for securing the fiber sensing cable. |
| US08306372B2 |
Waveguide-type polarizer
The waveguide-type polarizer includes: a Z-cut lithium niobate substrate; an optical waveguide having a ridge structure and formed on the substrate; a low refractive index film formed with a thickness satisfying 0≦n·t/λ≦0.3742 (where n is a refractive index, t (μm) is the thickness of the film, and λ (μm) is the wavelength of a light wave) on the side of the ridge structure; and a high refractive index film formed with a thickness satisfying 0.089≦n·/λ on the low refractive index film. The width of the ridge structure is a ridge width where the distribution of ordinary light of the light waves propagated through the optical waveguide changes and the distribution of extraordinary light of the light waves does not change, the angle of the ridge structure is less than 90°, and the waveguide-type polarizer has a function of transmitting extraordinary light. |
| US08306361B2 |
High-speed high-accuracy matrix singular value decomposition method, program, and device
A singular value decomposition method according to the present invention is a method for performing a singular value decomposition on an arbitrary matrix A using a computer, the method including the steps of: performing an upper bidiagonalization on the matrix A so as to obtain an upper bidiagonal matrix B of the matrix A; obtaining at least one singular value σ of the matrix B as singular values of the matrix A; and obtaining a singular vector of the matrix A for the σ. The step of obtaining a singular vector of the matrix A includes a step of performing a Twisted decomposition on a matrix BTB−σ2I (where I is a unit matrix) by using a Miura inverse transformation, an sdLVvs transformation, an rdLVvs transformation and a Miura transformation so as to diagonalize a matrix BTB. |
| US08306360B2 |
Device and method for obtaining clear image
A device and a method for obtaining a clear image, the method is executed by a digital signal processor (DSP) chip or a microprocessor. Through merging clear parts of two images with different focal lengths, a single clear image is obtained. The image is divided into a plurality of blocks, and then edge detection is processed to obtain an edge image. Blocks having more complete edge information are selected as clear blocks. Then, the clear blocks are further merged into a single clear image. Once the images are processed with the method, a depth of field of the image can be adjusted, without adding hardware elements of a digital camera such as a variable diaphragm. |
| US08306356B1 |
System, plug-in, and method for improving text composition by modifying character prominence according to assigned character information measures
A computer implemented system, plug-in application and method for composing a formatted text input to improve legibility, readability and/or print economy while preserving the format of the text input and satisfying any user selected aesthetic constraints. This is accomplished by reading in blocks of text input having defined characters including letters and punctuation in a given input format. A language unit such as a lexical or sub-lexical unit, a subset of punctuation or another defined unit for a particular language is examined and an information measure (IM) is assigned to each character in the language unit indicating the predictability of that character to differentiate the language unit from other language units. Typically, multiple different IMs are assigned to each character and combined to form a combined IM (CIM). The process is repeated for at least a plurality of language units and typically until all the text input in the block has been analyzed and information measures assigned to all of the characters. An adjustment to a physical feature is determined for each character in the plurality of units to modify the visual prominence of that character according to the values of the assigned information measures and a permitted range of physical variation for the block. The adjustments are applied to each character to compose the text input consistent with the input format. |
| US08306354B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and program
A shadow region extraction method capable of extracting a shadow region from contrast enhanced three-dimensional images obtained at different time points in an improved manner. The method includes the steps of detecting a first shadow region from a contrast enhanced two-dimensional image constituting a contrast enhanced three-dimensional image obtained at a first time point among a plurality of contrast enhanced three-dimensional images of a subject obtained at different time points, detecting, by the use of position information of a point in the first shadow region, a second shadow region corresponding to the first shadow region from a contrast enhanced two-dimensional image constituting a contrast enhanced three-dimensional image obtained at a second time point different from the first time point, and displaying the first shadow region and the second shadow region. |
| US08306353B2 |
Information processing apparatus with light processing, indication system, and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus recognizes an object from plural images captured by a image capture device, decides an outline of the recognized object, and calculates average luminances of the inside and the outside of the decided outline. Further, the information processing apparatus determines that a difference between the average luminances of the inside and the outside of the outline is equal to and more than a predetermined value, generates an adjustment image which make gradation increase so that a luminance of any one of the inside and the outside of the outline increases when the difference is equal to and more than the predetermined value, the any one of the inside and the outside of the outline having a lower average luminance than another one. The adjustment image is projected onto the object by a projection device, and then captured by the image capture device. |
| US08306350B2 |
Aspect ratio distortion minimization
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for aspect ratio distortion minimization. The method includes receiving input pixels from a video source. The method then determines an input position and scale factor for each input pixel. A count value determines that a pixel should be outputted. A polyphase finite impulse response filter is centered on a particular input pixel based on the count value. An output pixel is generated using the polyphase finite response filter on a particular input pixel based on the count value and output pixels are outputted. |
| US08306349B2 |
Method for simulating dark-part exposure compensation of high dynamic range images using a single image and image processing device for use with the method
A method for simulating dark-part exposure compensation of high dynamic range images using a single image includes steps of: performing bright-part-enhancing image processing and saturation-contrast-enhancing image processing to obtain images P1, P2, respectively; selecting one of the images P1, P2; performing bright and dark parts identifying image processing on a selected image; performing blurring image processing on the selected image, to obtain a weight-reference image P3; and performing mixed weight calculation on pixels of the image P1 and pixels of the image P2 according to weights of pixels of the weight-reference image P3, respectively, so as to mix the image P1 and the image P2 to obtain a mixed image P4, wherein the pixels of the images P1, P2 on which the mixed weight calculation is performed correspond to the pixels of the weight-reference image P3, respectively. Hence, excessively dark parts typical of an image of undesirably high contrast are improved by reference to a single. |
| US08306345B2 |
3+N layer mixed raster content (MRC) images and processing thereof
A method for processing image data includes using advantages of both a three-layer MRC model and an N-layer MRC model to create a new 3+N layer MRC model and to generate a 3+N layer MRC image. The method includes providing input image data; segmenting the input image data to generate: (i) a background layer representing the background and the pictorial attributes of the image data, (ii) one or more binary foreground layers, (iii) a selector layer, and (iv) a contone foreground layer representing the foreground attributes of the image data on the background layer; and integrating the background layer, the selector layer, the contone foreground layer, and the one or more binary foreground layers into a data structure having machine-readable information for storage in a memory device. Each binary foreground layer includes one or more pixel clusters representing text pixels of a particular color in the input image data. |
| US08306335B2 |
Method of analyzing digital document images
Analyzing an input image, the input image being one of a digitized image stored in a memory or a scanned image from a scanner. Forming a feature image from the input image by dividing the input image into a plurality of blocks of pixels, thus associating each block of pixels in the input image with a single pixel in the feature image, and outputting the feature image for further analysis or storage in a memory. Example embodiments extract and analyze features from a document image to detect particular characteristics associated with the page area, the distortion area, and the book spine area. Extracted features can be further analyzed to detect document characteristics at the paragraph, line, word, and character levels. |
| US08306333B2 |
Method and system for automatic figure segmentation
A method for achieving segmentation of a picture according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: determining a first foreground of a picture based on a predetermined mask; applying Gaussian Mixture Models with weighted data (GMM-WD) to the first foreground to generate a second foreground; determining a first background of the picture based on the second foreground; applying the GMM-WD to the first background to generate a second background; and determining an unknown region based on the second background and the second foreground. |
| US08306330B2 |
Game apparatus and storage medium storing a handwriting input program
A method to detect answers and notes inputted a game apparatus including: receiving user input data and determining the received user input data to be an answer character based on a characteristic of the user input data; displaying on the display the answer character contemporaneously with the determination of the received user data is the answer character; making a game determination based on the answer character; displaying a result of the game determination; determining the received user input data to be a note character based on the characteristic of the user input data; displaying the note character contemporaneously with the determination that the user input data is the note character; settling the note character as an answer character based on a user input made after the note character is displayed, and displaying the answer character determined from settling the note character. |
| US08306328B2 |
Method for converting outline characters to stylized stroke characters
A method converts an outline character to a stylized stroke character by first identifying regions of the outline character, wherein each region is closed and disjoint. For each region, candidate locations for stroke bodies and terminals of the stylized stroke character are determined. The stroke bodies are then initialized and organized into a hierarchical tree stricture, and modified in an order of the hierarchical tree structure. End positions of the modified stroke bodies are then adjusted to match the outline character, and lastly, the terminals are selected for the adjusted stroke bodies. |
| US08306327B2 |
Adaptive partial character recognition
A method and system for recognizing a character affected by a noise or an obstruction is disclosed. After receiving an image with characters, a character being affected by a noise or an obstruction is determined. Then, areas in the character where the noise or obstruction affected are precisely located. Templates representing every possible character in the image are updated by removing equivalent areas to the areas in the character being affected by the noise or obstruction. Then, the character is classified in a template among the updated templates by finding the template having the highest number of matching pixels with the character. |
| US08306325B2 |
Text character identification system and method thereof
A method for text character identification. The method acquires multiple connected components (CCs) in a binary image, and each CC has a pattern property value. The method determines at least one property limit based on the pattern property values, generates a filtering rule according to the property limit, and determines whether each of the CCs is a text character according to the filtering rule. |
| US08306324B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
This invention relates to an image processing method and image processing apparatus for improving the image quality of the boundary part of an image cut-out or deletion area. According to this method, an area specified by a user as a cut-out or deletion target area is slightly reduced or enlarged to eliminate an undesirable background area. In image cut-out, the cut-out image side is shaded off. In image deletion, the background image side is shaded off. This increases the image quality at the joint between the boundary part of the cut-out image and an image to be composited. The image quality between the remaining background image and the deletion part also improves. |
| US08306322B2 |
Bitstream syntax for graphics-mode compression in wireless HD 1.1
A method of and system for encoding high definition video content using embedded graphics coding is described. The method determines if the video content includes an RGB or YUV444 color format or a YUV422 color format. If the color scheme includes RGB or YCbCr444 data and separate encoding is used, then all three color components are encoded separately using scalar EGC. If the color scheme includes RGB or YCbCr444 data and joint encoding is used, then all three color components are jointly encoded using joint scalar EGC. If the color scheme includes YCbCr422 data and separate encoding is used, then Y, U and V are encoded separately using scalar EGC. If the color scheme includes YCbCr422 data and joint encoding is used, then Y is encoded by itself using scalar EGC and U and V are jointly encoded using joint scalar EGC. |
| US08306321B2 |
Image processing method of compressing image data to be suitable for data transmission
An image processing apparatus executes an area dividing process on color image data that have been divided into blocks of a prescribed size, and for each block, selects a three-color mode when tone gradation is of higher priority and a four-color mode when resolution is of higher priority, as a color mode for an area averaging process. The image processing device executes a compression process in the selected color mode block by block, and outputs image data in a data format of 256 bit length, regardless of the color mode for compression. |
| US08306320B2 |
2D image segmentation apparatus and method, and apparatus and method for removing red-eye in the image
A Two-Dimensional (2D) image segmentation apparatus for segmenting pixels of a progressive input 2D image includes a group information storing unit storing information of pixel groups including a plurality of adjacent pixels; a pixel determining unit determining coordinates of an input pixel, and determining whether the input pixel is an effective pixel for segmentation; a group scanning unit scanning a adjacent pixel group disposed in a scan range preset from the effective pixel in the group storing unit when the input pixel is determined as the effective pixel by the pixel determining unit; and a group information updating unit updating information of a pixel group stored in the group information storing unit according to whether there is the scanned adjacent pixel group and a pixel group including an input pixel preceding the effective pixel. Moreover, a method is provided that removes red-eye using area information of a pixel group determined by the segmentation apparatus. |
| US08306317B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method and computer program product
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit that acquires image data about a plurality of subject images of a subject picked up under a plurality of exposure conditions different from each other; a pixel value acquiring unit that acquires, as a pixel value of a pixel position to which a spectral characteristic is to be estimated, a pixel value of the image data about any one of the subject images; an estimation operator calculator that calculates an estimation operator corresponding to the exposure condition of the subject image corresponding to the image data with the pixel value acquired by the pixel value acquiring unit; and a spectral characteristic estimating unit that estimates the spectral characteristic of the subject corresponding to the pixel position to which the spectral characteristic is to be estimated using the estimation operator calculated by the estimation operator calculator. |
| US08306315B2 |
Method of compiling three-dimensional object identifying image database, processing apparatus and processing program
Provided are a method of generating a low-capacity model capable of identifying an object with high accuracy, and creating an image database using the model, a processing program for executing the method, and a processing apparatus that executes the process. The method for compiling an image database that is used for a three-dimensional object recognition includes a step of extracting vectors as local descriptors from a plurality of images each image showing a three-dimensional object as seen from different viewpoints, a model creating step of evaluating the degree of contribution of each local descriptor to identification of the three-dimensional object, and creating a three-dimensional object model systematized to ensure approximate nearest neighbor search using the individual vectors which satisfy criteria, and a registration step of adding an object identifier to the created object model and registering the object model into an image database. |
| US08306314B2 |
Method and system for determining poses of objects
A pose for an object in a scene is determined by first rendering sets of virtual images of a model of the object using a virtual camera. Each set of virtual images is for a different known pose the model, and constructing virtual depth edge map from each virtual image, which are stored in a database. A set of real images of the object at an unknown pose are acquired by a real camera, and constructing real depth edge map for each real image. The real depth edge maps are compared with the virtual depth edge maps using a cost function to determine the known pose that best matches the unknown pose, wherein the matching is based on locations and orientations of pixels in the depth edge maps. |
| US08306311B2 |
Method and system for automated ball-grid array void quantification
A method and system for identifying voids in solder balls in a ball-grid array (BGA) using an image of the BGA include localizing an image of a solder ball on the BGA image, the solder ball image having a radius and having multiple points each having an image intensity, and producing a void-free model image of the solder ball based on the radius of the solder ball image, the void-free model image having multiple points each having an image intensity. The method and system also include computing a difference between the image intensities of the points of the solder ball image and the image intensities of the points of the void-free model image to produce a residual image, and identifying a void using the residual image. |
| US08306301B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes: a region detection section which detects a candidate region in which a structure having a predetermined shape is estimated to exist from an image a border pixel detection section which detects a border of the candidate region; a region setting section which sets a local region in the vicinity of and both sides of the border; a feature value calculation section which calculates predetermined feature values based on predetermined values obtained for respective pixel units of the local regions; a discrimination value calculation section which calculates a discrimination value based on calculation results of the predetermined feature values in local region groups on one side and the other side when viewed from the border; and a candidate region correction section which corrects a detection result of a candidate region based on a calculation result of the discrimination value. |
| US08306299B2 |
Method for reconstructing motion-compensated magnetic resonance images from non-Cartesian k-space data
A method for reconstructing a motion-compensated image depicting a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. An MRI system is used to acquire a time series of k-space data from the subject by sampling k-space along non-Cartesian trajectories, such as radial, spiral, or other trajectories at a plurality of time frames. Those time frames at which motion occurred are identified and this information used to segment the time series into a plurality of k-space data subsets. For example, the k-space data subsets contain k-space data acquired at temporally adjacent time frames that occur between those identified time frames at which motion occurred. Motion correction parameters are determined from the k-space data subsets. Using the determined motion correction parameters, the k-space data subsets are corrected for motion. The corrected data subsets are combined to form a corrected k-space data set, from which a motion-compensated image is reconstructed. |
| US08306296B2 |
Clutter signal filtering using eigenvectors in an ultrasound system
Embodiments for setting eigenvectors for clutter signal filtering from Doppler signals in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system includes: a Doppler signal acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from a target object to acquire first Doppler signals; and a processing unit configured to compute a plurality of eigenvectors by using the first Doppler signals and form second Doppler signals corresponding to directions of the computed eigenvectors, the processing unit being further configured to compute component values of the second Doppler signals and set eigenvectors for clutter signal filtering among the plurality of eigenvectors by using the computed component values. |
| US08306294B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring the amplification and dissociation behavior of DNA molecules
The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the amplification of DNA molecules and the dissociation behavior of the DNA molecules. |
| US08306290B2 |
Diagnostic system for display of high-resolution physiological data of multiple properties
A diagnostic system for display of physiological data in a format useful for identifying or diagnosing physiological conditions. The system registers visual representations of different types of physiological data to aid in an understanding of bodily processes. In addition to registering the data, the system may display different types of physiological data with different visual characteristics. Further, the transparency of the visual representations of the different datasets may be controlled to enhance the understandability of displayed information. The system, for example, can be used with data representative of pressure and impedance within a patient's gastrointestinal tract to provide greater understanding of physiological processes during a swallow. |
| US08306289B1 |
Method and system for off-resonance correction for non-cartesian parallel image reconstruction
In MR imaging using a multi-coil device, multifrequency interpolation is combined with a convolution such as BOSCO to achieve simultaneous parallel reconstruction and off-resonance correction. The unaliased and deblurred image is calculated for each coil, and the final image is formed from the images for all of the coils. |
| US08306286B1 |
Method and apparatus for determining facial characteristics
A method, apparatus, and system for determining the characteristics of a face or body part is provided. The method may include obtaining an image that includes a rendering of a face or body part of a person; analyzing the image to obtain at least one characteristic of the rendering, forming, as a function of the at least one characteristic, a model of the rendering of the face or body part, and using the model to select at least one article. |
| US08306285B2 |
Photographing apparatus, method and program
Processing for judging whether a face is included in a frame is performed, in a predetermined interval, on each of frames included in a moving image of a subject, displayed on a monitor, until the judgment becomes positive. If it is judged that a face is included in a frame, the facial position is detected in the frame, and stored. Then, judgment is made as to whether a face is included in the next frame after predetermined time. If the judgment is positive, the facial position is detected. The previously stored facial position is replaced by the newly detected facial position, and the newly detected facial position is stored. These processes are repeated until photographing operation is performed by operating a release unit. |
| US08306278B2 |
Detecting device, method, program and system
In a detecting device for detecting a fake test of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) that another testee different from an actual driver takes on behalf of the actual driver of a vehicle using an alcohol measurement device, the face image of the testee taking the BAC test is shot during measurement of the BAC and the face image of the driver of the vehicle is shot within a predetermined period of time before or after the measurement of the BAC. The testee and the driver are checked whether they are the same person based on the face images of the testee and the driver. |
| US08306277B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method, and computer program for causing computer to execute control method of image processing apparatus
Object recognition is executed by using, of feature data classified into a plurality of groups, only feature data belonging to a selected group. Hence, it is unnecessary to compare and refer to all feature data so that object recognition processing can be speeded up. |
| US08306275B2 |
Method for signal conditioning
A method for signal conditioning of signals from a two-dimensional image by calculating the motion of an image in relation to an image plane. Two-dimensional structures in the image are correlated between images separated in time, using Radon transforms for two or more angles in order to reduce the correlation calculations from two-dimensional correlation to correlation of two or more one-dimensional projections. The one-dimensional projections are differentiated to obtain the gradients of the projections as the basis for the correlation of images separated in time and signal conditioning. The magnitude of the gradients of the projections is ignored and the sign value of the gradients is used for a binary representation as the basis for the correlation of images separated in time. |
| US08306271B2 |
Drowsiness assessment device and program
Local maxima values and local minima values are derived from eyelid openness time series data in a segment in which a continuous closed eye period of extracted blinks is a specific time duration (for example 1 second) or longer. When plural local minima values are present in the segment of continuous closed eye period of 1 second or longer, blinks are extracted passing over and back through each variable closed eye threshold value of a variable closed eye threshold that is slid in a direction from the derived local maxima value towards the local minima value in set steps to a low value, and a inter-blink interval derived. Determination is made that a blink burst has occurred when the derived inter-blink interval is 1 second or less, and say greater than 0.2 seconds, thereby detecting a blink burst. Blink bursts can be detected with good precision, and the state of drowsiness can be assessed with good precision. |
| US08306269B2 |
Lane recognition device
The lane mark recognition device is equipped with a lane mark detecting unit which executes a lane mark detection process in each predetermined control cycle, and adds a detection presence/absence data to a ring buffer, a detection presence/absence data addition inhibiting unit which inhibits addition of the detection presence/absence data to the ring buffer when the vehicle is traveling in the intersection, and a lane mark position recognizing unit which recognizes a relative position of the vehicle and the lane mark, when the lane mark is detected in the situation where a lane mark detection rate calculated from the data of the ring buffer is higher than a reliability threshold value. |
| US08306267B1 |
Object tracking
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing system accesses an indication of a first template that includes a region of a first image. The region of the first image includes a graphical representation of a face. The computing system receives a second image. The computing system identifies indications of multiple candidate templates. Each respective candidate template from the multiple candidate templates includes a respective candidate region of the second image. The computing system compares at least the first template to each of the multiple candidate templates, to identify a matching template from among the multiple candidate templates that includes a candidate region that matches the region of the first image that includes the graphical representation of the face. |
| US08306266B2 |
Optical triangulation
The present invention relates to a method for determining the extension of a trajectory in a space-time volume of measure images. The space-time volume of measure images is generated by a measuring method utilizing a measuring system comprising a first light source and a sensor. The measuring method comprises a step of, in a predetermined operating condition of the measuring system, moving a measure object along a first direction of movement in relation to the measuring system while the first light source illuminates the measure object whereby the sensor generates a measure image of the measure object at each time instant in a set of at least two subsequent time instants, thus generating said space-time volume of measure images wherein a feature point of the measure object maps to a trajectory in the space-time volume. |
| US08306265B2 |
Detection of animate or inanimate objects
Image data representing a captured image of an environment or a portion thereof, and electric-field data representing electric fields present in the environment or a portion thereof are received. The electric-field data and the image data represent information gathered from an overlapping portion of the environment. A candidate object is identified in the overlapping portion and classified as animate or inanimate based at least upon an analysis of the image data and the electric-field data. |
| US08306262B2 |
Face tracking method for electronic camera device
The present invention discloses a face tracking method for electronic camera devices. The method is applied to an electronic camera device having a face database and a face classifier, and the face database is provided for storing data such as a position, a size and a skin color prototype of a face in a previously stored preview image, and the method includes the steps of: obtaining a current preview image; determining whether or not a known face exists in the face database; defining a searching space on the current preview image; and using the face classifier to detect the searching space in the current preview image, and determining whether or not a face exists in the searching space. |
| US08306259B2 |
Method, system and data structure for processing documents and kit for finding and reading markings on a document
A method for processing a document, including performing one or more processing steps with the document, such as printing, franking, assembling mail pieces, or opening received mail pieces. The method further includes defining a first possible location of a marking on a document; and searching a first part of a document for the marking, the first part corresponding to the first possible location. When the marking is not found in the first part a further possible location of a marking on a document is defined and a further part of the document for the marking is searched. The further part corresponds to the further possible location. The location of the marking with respect to the document is stored in the memory in case the marking is found in the first part or the further part. Information about the document is derived from the found marking. The derived information is presented at an output, for further processing of the information. |
| US08306254B2 |
Recessed and rotatable spa speaker system
A spa speaker system having a housing with a speaker mounted therein, wherein the housing is mounted within a hole in the wall of a spa. The speaker system is arranged at an angle within the housing, and is rotatable with respect to the hole. The system can also comprise a watertight membrane arranged to prevent water and contaminants from interfering with speaker components. A system for providing audio to a spa is also disclosed. The system comprises a spa having walls and at least one speaker unit mounted in a spa wall. Each of the speaker units is capable of receiving an audio signal, and generating sound towards the occupants of the spa. Each of the speaker units comprises a speaker that is individually rotatable and arranged at an angle to direct the sound. |
| US08306252B2 |
Integrated microphone assembly for personal media device
Systems and methods are provided for media devices including a housing, a frame disposed adjacent to the housing, and a microphone assembly that is integrated with the frame for receiving sound. |
| US08306251B2 |
Narrow directional microphone
There is provided a narrow directional microphone in which a microphone unit can surely be positioned coaxially in an acoustic tube, and satisfactory electrostatic shielding can be attained. In the narrow directional microphone including an acoustic tube 10 consisting of a metallic cylindrical body, and a unidirectional microphone unit 20 arranged in a rear end part 10b of the acoustic tube 10 with a predetermined gap A serving as a sound wave passage being provided therebetween, the narrow directional microphone further includes a unit positioning means 60 consisting of plate spring material that positions the microphone unit 20 coaxially with the acoustic tube 10 and makes the width of the gap A between the inside diameter of the acoustic tube 10 and the outside diameter of the microphone unit 20 uniform. |
| US08306250B2 |
Sound reproducing apparatus using in-ear earphone
First, in a state where a pair of earphones 110 are worn in both ears of a listening person, a measurement signal generated by a measurement signal generating section 101 is outputted from the earphone 110. The signal (wearing-state signal) which is reflected by an eardrum and returns to the earphone 110 is measured, and stored in an analysis section 108. Next, in a state where the pair of earphones 110 are not worn in both ears of the listening person, a signal measured (unwearing-state signal) in the same manner as described above is stored in the analysis section 108. The analysis section 108 calculates an ear-canal correction filter based on a difference between the wearing-state signal and the unwearing-state signal. An ear-canal correction filter processing section 109 convolves a sound source signal with the calculated ear-canal correction filter. |
| US08306248B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for relieving tinnitus, hyperacusis and/or hearing loss
A system and method for relieving tinnitus, hyperacusis, and/or hearing loss is described. One method described includes manipulating an audio signal, associating an audio signal with synchronization information, and transmitting the audio signal and associated synchronization information to a first ear level device and a second ear level device. The method further includes outputting the audio signal substantially simultaneously in the first ear level device and the second ear level device, based at least in part on the synchronization information. |
| US08306247B2 |
Electronic device and electro-acoustic transducer thereof
The invention provides an electronic device and an electro-acoustic transducer thereof. The electronic device includes a main body and an electro-acoustic transducer carried by the main body. The electro-acoustic transducer includes a first electret diaphragm, a second electret diaphragm and a plate. The first electret diaphragm generates vibrations according to a first electrical signal and the second electret diaphragm generates vibrations according to a second electrical signal. The plate includes a plurality of holes formed thereon and is disposed between the first electret diaphragm and the second electret diaphragm. Additionally, the electronic device further includes a decorative layer formed on the first or the second electret diaphragm. |
| US08306244B2 |
Digital speaker driving apparatus
A digital sound system suitable for a digital speaker device for directly converting analog sound by a circuit using a ΔΣ modulator and a mismatch shaping filter circuit to output a plurality of digital signals and a plurality of speakers driven by the plurality of digital signals. A digital speaker driving device includes a ΔΣ modulator, a post filter, s driving circuits, and a power supply circuit to supply power to the ΔΣ modulator, the post filter and the s driving elements and the s driving circuits are adapted to s digital signal terminals. |
| US08306242B2 |
Heyser spiral low frequency correction of FIR filters
A method of operating a loudspeaker includes providing a digital audio signal and identifying a target transfer function to be applied to the signal. At least one coefficient of an FIR filter is generated. The generating includes performing Heyser spiral curve fitting, and fitting a three-dimensional curve based on a magnitude and phase of a target transfer function. The digital audio signal is filtered through the FIR filter. The filtered signal is inputted into the loudspeaker. |
| US08306240B2 |
Active noise reduction adaptive filter adaptation rate adjusting
A method for determining leakage factors or adaptation rates, or both, for adaptive filters in an active noise reduction system. The leakage factor or adaptation rate, or both, may vary depending on a parameter of an input reference signal. The parameter may include one or more of reference signal input frequency, rate of change of reference input signal frequency, if a predetermined triggering condition exits, or if a predetermined event has occurred. |
| US08306239B2 |
Public-address system
[Object]To downsize a power amplifier, while keeping isolation between a transmission line and ground potential.[Means to Realize Object]Two terminals (2a, 2b) of an audio signal source (2) are connected to an input of an isolation input circuit (6). An audio signal developed, being isolated from the input-side, between two output-side terminals (6a, 6b) of the isolation input circuit (6) are inputted to a power amplifying stage (12). The power amplifying stage (12) amplifies the audio signal and outputs it at a high voltage from two output terminals (12c, 12d) to a plurality of loudspeakers (22) without using an insulation transformer. Operating power is supplies to the power amplifying stage (12) from two power supply terminals (20c, 20d) of a DC power supply (14). One (6d) of the terminals of the insulation input circuit (6), one (12d) of the output terminals of the power amplifying stage (12) and one (20d) of the power supply terminals of the DC power supply (14) are connected together to provide a common potential point different from the ground potential. |
| US08306238B2 |
Method and circuit for controlling an output of an audio signal of a battery-powered device
A method and a control circuit for controlling an output of an audio signal of a battery-powered device are described. |
| US08306236B2 |
Sound field measuring apparatus and sound field measuring method
A sound field measuring apparatus includes a microphone set having a first and second microphones arranged at a prescribed interval, which collects audio signals outputted from a first and second speakers, a measuring unit measuring distances between the first and second speakers, and the first and second microphones based on audio signals collected by the first and second microphones, and a position calculating unit calculating a position of the first and second microphones and a position of the second speaker when the first speaker is taken as a reference position based on the respective measured distances. |
| US08306235B2 |
Method and apparatus for using a sound sensor to adjust the audio output for a device
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses a sound sensor to adjust the audio output of a device. During operation, the system uses the sound sensor to determine an ambient sound level for the environment in the proximity of the device. The system then adjusts a volume setting for the device adaptively based on the determined ambient sound level. Adaptively adjusting the volume setting allows the device to adapt to its audio environment and ameliorates potentially-disruptive audio outputs. |
| US08306234B2 |
System for improving communication in a room
Improving the acoustical communication between interlocutors in at least two positions in a room includes generating electrical signals representative of acoustical signals present at the respective interlocutor positions, amplifying each of the electrical signals and converting the amplified electrical signals into acoustical signals. A time delay is applied to the electrical signals such that the acoustical signal arriving first at one of the interlocutor positions originates from the direction of the other interlocutor position. |
| US08306231B2 |
Portable device with enhanced stereo image
The invention relates to a portable device with an enhanced stereo image, and more particularly a device in which an unsymmetrical placement of loudspeakers is compensated by means of electronic adjustment of the phase and level of the sound. The present invention provides a device (1) comprising a sound source outputting audio channels in stereo, a sound reproduction system delivering electronic sound signals based on the audio channels to at least two loudspeakers (2, 3) for sound reproduction with a stereo image. The device further comprises means for adjusting the level and phase of one of the sound signals to one loudspeaker (2). |
| US08306230B2 |
Information processing apparatus playing encrypted content distributed through network
An information processing apparatus capable of effectively preventing unauthorized use of content distributed through a network when playing the content. The information processing apparatus includes a tamper-resistant secure module, a receiving block, and a playback block. The secure module includes a key storage block for storing a decryption key, a decryption block, and an encryption block. The receiving block receives distribution data distributed through the network and transfers the data to the decryption block. The decryption block decrypts the distribution data to obtain content by using the decryption key. The encryption block divides the content to a plurality of split pieces of content and encrypts them by using a temporary encryption key. Information on a temporary decryption key is output each time the temporary encryption key is changed. The playback block decrypts the encrypted pieces of content by using the temporary decryption key and combines and plays them. |
| US08306229B2 |
Method for managing network key and updating session key
A method for managing network key and updating session key is provided. The step of the key management includes: constructing key request group, constructing key negotiation response group, and constructing key negotiation acknowledgement group. The step of multicasting key management method includes multicasting main key negotiation protocol and multicasting session key distribution protocol. The multicasting main key negotiation protocol comprises key updating informs group, constructing encryption key negotiation request group, constructing key negotiation response group and constructing key negotiation acknowledgement group. The multicasting session key distribution protocol comprises multicasting session key request and multicasting session key distribution. |
| US08306227B2 |
Data encryption system and method
A data encryption system implemented by running on a cache-equipped computer an encryption program including transformation tables each of which contains a predetermined number of entries. All or necessary ones of the transformation tables are loaded into the cache memory before encryption/decryption process. This causes encryption/decryption time to be made substantially equal independently of the number of operation entries for the transformation table. It is very difficult to extract plain texts used to determine a key differential, resulting in difficulties in cryptanalysis. |
| US08306222B2 |
Removable secure portable electronic entity including means for authorizing deferred retransmission
A removable secure portable electronic entity includes elements for receiving a broadcast digital content, elements for sending the received broadcast digital content, secure elements for deferred retransmission of the received digital content adapted to prohibit reproduction of the received digital content prior to sending it and to instigate the deferred sending of the received digital content by the sending elements, the elements being adapted to operate in parallel mode or in quasi-parallel mode. In variants, the secure deferred retransmission elements include a unit for storing the received digital content, for example a non-volatile memory. In variants, the secure deferred retransmission elements include members for authentication of a user. |
| US08306218B2 |
Protected encryption method and associated component
The protected method of cryptographic computation includes N computation rounds successively performed to produce an output data from an input data and a private key. The method also includes a first masking stage to mask the input data, so that each intermediate data used or produced by a computation round is masked, and a second masking stage to mask data manipulated inside each computation round. |
| US08306217B2 |
Cryptographic processing apparatus and cryptographic processing method, and computer program
There is provided a highly secure cryptographic processing apparatus and method where an analysis difficulty is increased. In a Feistel type common key block encrypting process in which an SPN type F function having a nonlinear conversion section and a linear conversion section is repeatedly executed a plurality of rounds. The linear conversion process of an F function corresponding to each of the plurality of rounds is performed as a linear conversion process which employs an MDS (Maximum Distance Separable) matrix, and a linear conversion process is carried out which employs a different MDS matrix at least at each of consecutive odd number rounds and consecutive even number rounds. This structure makes it possible to increase the minimum number (a robustness index against a differential attack in common key block encryption) of the active S box in the entire encrypting function. |
| US08306210B2 |
Local route groups and transformation patterns
In one embodiment, method can include: receiving an address in a call agent, the address being associated with a call; triggering a trunk group selection algorithm in response to at least a portion of the received address, the trunk group selection algorithm providing a selection result from among a trunk group placeholder and a plurality of trunk groups; and forwarding the call to a trunk group determined by a caller-associated attribute when the selection result comprises the trunk group placeholder. |
| US08306209B2 |
Incoming and outgoing call control customization
A method is provided for customizing a call control rule by a subscriber at a graphical user interface. The method includes providing a first display, including multiple conditions relating to identifying calls involving the at least one telephone number, and receiving a first selection of at least one identifying condition. The method further includes providing a second display, including multiple call dispositions relating to processing the calls based on the at least one selected condition, and receiving a second selection of at least one call disposition. The identifying condition and the call disposition are stored as the call control rule in association with the telephone number, and calls involving the telephone number are processed in accordance with the stored call control rule. The method may also include providing a third display describing the call control rule contemporaneously with receiving the first and second selections. |
| US08306206B2 |
Callback system, transmitting terminal, telephone relay server, callback method and callback program
The callback system comprises: a transmitting terminal which comprises a storing section configured to store an attribute data which is uniquely determined and given, and a transmission request processing section configured to transmit a callback request including the attribute data for starting a callback communication; a database configured to relate and store a callback transmission source telephone number used in the callback communication for each attribute group prepared by collecting a plurality of the attribute data; a charging target judging section configured to receive the callback request and extract the callback transmission source telephone number which corresponding to the attribute data included in the callback request, as a selection callback transmission source telephone number from the database; and a transmission processing section configured to carry out the callback communication with the transmitting terminal, with the selection callback transmission source telephone number as a transmission source telephone number. |
| US08306200B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing of a toll free call service alarm
A method and apparatus for automatic processing of toll free call service alarms are disclosed. For example, the method receives a trouble ticket by a service provider for a toll free call service alarm, and retrieves a calling to number and a calling from number from the trouble ticket. The method determines if the service provider is a responsible organization for the toll free call service for the calling to number, and determines if a customer network for the toll free call service is active if the service provider is the responsible organization for the toll free call service. The method notifies a work center if the customer network is not active. |
| US08306198B2 |
Private branch exchange
A private branch exchange (PBX) capable of transmitting and receiving an E-mail over a network is provided. The PBX includes an interface for communicating with the network, an E-mail server for receiving and storing the E-mail; an extension interface for exchanging a communication signal including an audio signal and control signal with an extension telephone, a database for storing a destination address of an E-mail and an extension number corresponding to the address, an examining unit for examining whether or not an mailing address contained in an E-mail received at the E-mail server from the network is registered in the database, and a controller for sending a notice of the reception of the E-mail the extension telephone of the extension number allocated to the mailing address of the E-mail when the examining unit judges that the mailing address of the E-mail is registered in the database. |
| US08306191B2 |
Caller recognition by voice messaging system
Voice analysis of a subscribers' greeting is used to assist with determining a true identity of a caller. When a greeting is recorded by the subscriber (e.g., the subscriber speaks their voice as part of their default greeting, or a custom greeting for a voice mail system), the system can analyze the greeting and create a voice signature or voiceprint of the greeting. This voiceprint information can be saved in the system and associated with the subscriber. When a subscriber changes their greeting that was previously analyzed to create a voiceprint, the messaging system can optionally analyze the newly recorded greeting to create a new voiceprint for the subscriber, with the system saving the new voiceprint in the system for future recognition tasks. This voiceprint is then used to identify the true identity of a caller that leaves a voice message. |
| US08306181B2 |
Single sensor multi-functional dental extra-oral x-ray imaging system and method
A multi-functional dental extra-oral x-ray imaging system includes a conventional x-ray source and manipulator to control the movement of the x-ray source by translating and rotating, a real time multiple frame producing x-ray imaging device and at least two different exposure profile programs, whereas one of such profiles produces a standard panoramic image and a second of such profiles produces an angled or transverse slice to a the panoramic image. A third exposure profile program produces a substantially linear projection of the human skull by combining two linear projections, one for the right and one for the left part of the head. The sensor is a linear direct conversion operating preferably in the frame mode and producing more than 100 fps. |
| US08306179B2 |
Reconstruction of linearly moving objects with intermitten X-ray sources
A method and apparatus for performing computed tomography in medical imaging through reconstruction of a data set containing projections obtained during relative motions a container or body of interest with respect to an x-ray source and/or x-ray detector panel. Strobing of the data is implemented through one or more methods to include pulsing of the x-ray source, intermittent blanking of the x-ray detector panel, or intermittent processing of data collected from the detector panel to simulate blanking. The invention is utilized to significantly improve contrast by taking advantage of the pulsed nature of the source to implement three-dimensional reconstruction. |
| US08306170B2 |
Digital audio/video clock recovery algorithm
A method of decoding a bit stream having an embedded clock, where the clock reference data is recovered from the bit stream. The clock reference data is used to create an adjusting value to control a local clock frequency. The adjustment is calculated such that the local clock frequency and the local clock value match the frequency and values in the clock reference data. The adjustment value is input to pulse generator to form a pulse train, which is used to generate the input to an adjustable oscillator. |
| US08306168B2 |
Reception system for summation of phased antenna signals
A diversity antenna system and method comprising a plurality of antennas, a plurality of switches and a plurality of phase shifters, wherein the switches and the antennas are selectively opened and closed or switched on an off to achieve equiphasing. This system separates the noise signal from the useful signal in order to achieve a proper determination of the different phases. In addition there is a receiver which is configured to receive the output of the diversity system. The logic control unit is configured to perform particular steps or algorithms in order to achieve equiphasing of the received signals. |
| US08306167B2 |
Method of synchronization for packet based, OFDM wireless systems with multiple receive chains
A system for synchronizing a wireless receiver is provided. The system includes a first antenna and a second antenna to receive independent wireless signals containing different combination of data packets. The system includes one or more analyzer components operable to determine correlation metrics based on at least a portion of the first received signal and a portion of the second received signal. The system further includes a synchronization component operable to use the correlation metrics to determine a preferred correlation metric for synchronization by the wireless receiver of the first and second received signals to decode the data packet. A method for synchronizing a receiver of two wireless signals is also provided. |
| US08306157B2 |
Receiver architecture with digitally generated intermediate frequency
A receiver can be configured to include an RF front end that is configured to downconvert a received signal to a baseband signal or a low Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal. The receiver can downconvert the desired signal from an RF frequency in the presence of numerous interference sources to a baseband or low IF signal for filtering and channel selection. The filtered baseband or low IF signal can be converted to a digital representation. The digital representation of the signal can be upconverted in the digital domain to a programmable IF frequency. The digital IF signal can be converted to an analog IF signal that can be processed by legacy hardware. |
| US08306156B2 |
Data aided detection of spectrum inversion
Methods and apparatuses to detect spectrum inversion based on estimated frequency offset in carrier signal. In one embodiment, a receiver includes an I/Q swap module to output an in-phase component and a quadrature-phase component; a frequency offset estimator to determine an offset in carry frequency of the in-phase and quadrature-phase components; and a spectrum inversion detector coupled to the frequency offset estimator and the I/Q swap module. The spectrum inversion detector is configured to signal the I/Q swap module to swap the in-phase component and the quadrature-phase component when an absolute value of the offset in carry frequency is above a predetermined threshold. |
| US08306153B2 |
Method and system for tracking phase in a receiver for 8VSB
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for tracking phase in a receiver which uses multiple phase tracking techniques. A phase tracking module generates a plurality of symbol decisions related to received 8-level-vestigial-sideband (“8VSB”) signals, determines a phase tracking threshold value based on a mean square error, receives an estimated imaginary component of a transmitted signal based on the symbol decisions, and determines a phase estimate based on the imaginary component of the transmitted signal and the plurality of symbol decisions. The phase tracking module selects one of a first phase tracking technique and a second phase tracking technique based on the phase estimate. The first phase tracking technique is selected when the phase estimate is greater than the phase tracking threshold value, and the second phase tracking technique is selected when the phase estimate is less than the phase tracking threshold value. |
| US08306151B2 |
Method and apparatus for mapping signals to subcarriers in MIMO wireless network
The present invention aims to provide a method for mapping signals to subcarriers in a sending means of a MIMO-based wireless telecommunication network and an apparatus for the same. It is characterized in that, controlling the mapping of the signals in an input signal sequence to the subcarriers, so that the signals sent by different antennas at the same time correspond to nonadjacent signals in the input signal sequence. With the aid of the present invention, burst error due to deep fading channel can be effectively avoided, and diversity gains can be also improved. |
| US08306150B2 |
System and method for estimating a transmit channel response and/or a feedback channel response using frequency shifting
Systems and methods for identifying a transmission channel response and a feedback channel response from a plurality of composite system responses are disclosed. A plurality of shifted feedback signals are created by shifting a feedback signal frequency by a plurality of first offset values and/or by shifting a transmission signal frequency by a plurality of second offset values. The feedback signals are compared to an input signal to identify the transmission channel response and/or a feedback channel response. A control signal is generated for a pre-distortion circuit to modify the input signal by an inverse of the transmission channel response. The composite system response is measured at a plurality of operating frequencies and at the plurality of offset values. The measurements are stored in a matrix and singular value decomposition is applied to the matrix of measurements to calculate the transmission channel response and feedback channel response. |
| US08306149B2 |
Systems and methods of power amplifier digital pre-distortion
An apparatus is provided. In the apparatus, an input to index (I2I) module maps a complex input into a real signal. A real data tap delay line is coupled to the I2I module and includes N delay-elements. A complex data tap delay line is configured to receive the complex input and includes M delay elements. A set of K of non-linear function modules is also provided. Each non-linear function module from the set has at least one real input, at least one complex input, and at least one complex output. A configurable connectivity crossbar multiplexer couples K of the N real tap delay line elements to real inputs of the set non-linear functions and couples K of the M complex tap delay line elements to complex inputs of the set non-linear function modules. |
| US08306146B2 |
Progressive feedback for high resolution limited feedback wireless communication
A system and method is proposed for progressively quantizing channel state information for application in a MIMO (multiple input multiple output) communication system. A method includes computing an estimate of a communications channel between a subscriber unit and a base station, quantizing the estimate with a first codebook, thereby producing a first quantized estimate, quantizing an (n−1)-th quantized estimate with an n-th codebook, thereby producing an n-th quantized estimate, where n is an integer value ranging from 2 to R, R is a total number of quantizations of the estimate, wherein the n-th codebook is a localized codebook. The method also includes incrementing n, repeating the quantizing an (n−1)-th quantized estimate until n=R, and transmitting information based on the R quantized estimates to the base station. |
| US08306139B2 |
Systems and methods for low-complexity MIMO detection using leaf-node prediction via look-up tables
Systems and methods for providing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) detection, comprising a leaf node predictor for receiving a processed communications stream, computing at least one channel metric corresponding to the communications stream for a given channel realization, and generating at least one parameter corresponding to at least one predicted best leaf node candidate for the given channel realization. A MIMO engine receives the at least one parameter and enumerates at least one list of candidate vectors corresponding to the leaf nodes specified by the generated at least one parameter. Some embodiments simulate a MIMO detector over many channel realizations, track channel metric and parameter values used for each channel realization resulting from such simulating, and store, in a look-up table, best values of the tracked values used for a particular channel metric. |
| US08306137B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for use in a 0.5K mode interleaver in a digital video broadcasting standard including DVB-Terrestrial2
A data processing apparatus maps input symbols to be communicated onto a predetermined number of sub-carrier signals of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbol. The data processor includes an interleaver memory which reads-in the predetermined number of data symbols for mapping onto the OFDM sub-carrier signals. The interleaver memory reads-out the data symbols on to the OFDM sub-carriers to effect the mapping, the read-out being in a different order than the read-in, the order being determined from a set of addresses, with the effect that the data symbols are interleaved on to the sub-carrier signals. The set of addresses are generated from an address generator which comprises a linear feedback shift register and a permutation circuit. |
| US08306135B2 |
Communication system, base station, terminal, and communication method
A communication system using an OFDM includes a data creation section for coding data to be transmitted and mapping the data, a null symbol insertion section for filling a null symbol into a no-data subchannel if the number of subchannels containing the mapped data is small for the band assignment, and a symbol interleave section for performing symbol interleave in the whole user assignment band and inserting a known training symbol and pilot symbol into the determined symbol position of the user assignment band are included and symbols are placed such that signal phase change is continuous in the same subcarrier between symbols and carrier sense is executed at the positions of the symbols where the signal phase change is continuous. |
| US08306133B2 |
Transmitter and method for configuring transmission frame
A transmitter which transmits information in transmission frame to a receiver, the transmission frame including multiple transmission symbols and guard intervals obtained by replicating a fixed time period of a transmission symbol, generates a transmission frame by making phases of one transmission symbol out of two transmission symbols and a guard interval thereof continuous with phases of the other transmission symbol and a guard interval thereof, when the two continuous transmission symbols are the same. |
| US08306127B2 |
Digital broadcasting transmission/reception system utilizing mull packet and TRS code to improve receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
A digital broadcasting transmission and/or reception system having an improved reception performance and a signal-processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter comprises a TRS encoder for to TRS-encode a MPEG-2 transmission stream having null data for inserting a Known data and a TRS parity at predetermined positions, randomizer to input and randomize data stream from the TRS encoder, a null packet exchanger to replace the null data for inserting the Known data to the known data, and an encoder for encoding a data streams to which the Known data is inserted. Accordingly, the present invention detects the known data from a signal received from a reception side and uses the detected known data for synchronization and equalization and further uses the TRS parity for correcting error of the received signal, so that the digital broadcasting reception performance can be improved at poor multipath channels. |
| US08306125B2 |
2-bin parallel decoder for advanced video processing
A critical phase of video processing is the decoding of bit streams coming from standard based heavy compressed sources. Entropy coding can be effectively decoded by adopting parallelism to speed up the process. Reasonable assumptions make possible for example the multiple bits at a time processing for the Context-based Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) algorithm. In particular, a clever arithmetic section reduces single propagation for the timing critical path while decoding done for only two sequence elements at a time by calculating and maintaining most probable bit values. This in turn making accelerated path using pre-determined probability outcome through parallelism not cost. |
| US08306120B2 |
Method and apparatus for predicting motion vector using global motion vector, encoder, decoder, and decoding method
Provided are a method and apparatus for predicting a motion vector using a global motion vector, an encoder, a decoder, and a decoding method. The motion vector prediction method includes: predicting a global motion vector of the current block; calculating a first motion vector difference between a motion vector of the current block and a motion vector of the adjacent partition, and a second motion vector difference between the motion vector of the current block and the predicted global motion vector of the current block; and predicting, as the motion vector of the current block, a motion vector having a minimum Rate-Distortion (RD) cost, based on the first motion vector difference and the second motion vector difference. |
| US08306117B2 |
Method for modeling coding information of video signal for compressing/decompressing coding information
A method for context-modeling coding information of a video signal for compressing or decompressing the coding information is provided. An initial value of a function for probability coding of coding information of a video signal of an enhanced layer is determined based on coding information of a video signal of a base layer. |
| US08306116B2 |
Image prediction apparatus and method, image encoding apparatus, and image decoding apparatus
An image predicting apparatus used in an image encoding apparatus or decoding apparatus and performing encoding or decoding of an image while performing image prediction processing for each macroblock, the image predicting apparatus comprises: a characteristic amount image extracting unit extracting characteristic amount image data from predicted image data obtained as a result of the image prediction processing; a characteristic amount image adjusting unit adjusting the characteristic amount image data according to the predicted image data; and a predicted image combining unit combining the adjusted characteristic amount image data obtained from the characteristic amount image adjusting unit and the predicted image data and outputting the composite predicted image. |
| US08306112B2 |
Image encoding method and image decoding method, image encoder and image decoder, and image encoded bit stream and recording medium
The present invention makes it possible to include, when encoding processing is applied to three color components using a 4:0:0 format, data for one picture in one access unit and makes it possible to set the same time information or the same set encoding modes among the respective color components. In an image encoding system for applying compression processing to an input image signal including a plurality of color components, encoded data obtained by independently subjecting an input image signal of each of the color components to encoding processing and a parameter indicating which color component the encoded data corresponds to are multiplexed with a bit stream. In an image decoding system for inputting a bit stream in which an image signal including a plurality of color components is compressed to perform decoding processing, decoding processing of the encoded data of each of the color components is performed using a parameter indicating which color component the encoded data corresponds to. |
| US08306105B2 |
Systems and methods for processing a composite signal
An embodiment of a communication system can generate a composite signal that includes two or more different signals, where the signals represent different types of data. A data signal having one or more pulses that represent digital data of a first type is provided. A control signal that is a digital bit stream is provided. A composite signal is generated by multiplying a frequency of the data signal by a factor and modifying widths of pulses based on the bits of the control signal. The composite signal can be provided to a receiver device over a communication medium. The receiver device can determine the data signal and the control signal from the composite signal. |
| US08306100B2 |
Test circuit capable of masking data at read operation and method for controlling the same
A test circuit capable of reducing the number of data I/O pins of a tester at a read operation includes a data masking control unit for masking a part of output data in response to an activation of one of an upper data masking signal to control a group of upper data pins and a lower data masking signal to control a group of lower data pins when a test mode signal is activated at a read operation. |
| US08306097B2 |
Signal suspension and resumption in DSL systems
A method includes maintaining temporally parallel DSL data communication sessions with DSL modems of a group via a set of lines. The method includes, in response to substantially stopping to receive DSL communications from one of the DSL modems via one of the lines, transmitting a substantially reduced average power to the one of the lines and monitoring the one of the lines to determine whether DSL communications have restarted being received from the one of the DSL modems. The method also includes resuming the maintaining of the temporally parallel DSL communication sessions in response to the monitoring determining that DSL communications have restarted being received from the one of the DSL modems. |
| US08306094B1 |
MIMO-OFDM receiver processing
A device can include a module configured to: receive one or more frames, at least one frame including a training sequence; determine a fine frequency offset using the training sequence; and perform frequency offset compensation on the at least one frame using the fine frequency offset. |
| US08306093B2 |
Method and apparatus for multipath mitigation
An apparatus and method for short multipath mitigation. In one aspect the method comprises subtracting a first stronger path from a correlation function to obtain a first residual signal, wherein one component of the first residual signal is a weaker path; applying reconstruction on the first residual signal to obtain a first reconstructed weaker path; subtracting the first reconstructed weaker path from the correlation function to obtain a second residual signal; and applying reconstruction on the second residual signal to obtain a second stronger path. In one aspect, the apparatus includes an antenna for receiving a composite receive RF signal, a receiver front-end for converting the composite receive RF signal into a composite receive digital signal; and a processor for performing signal correlation on the composite receive digital signal to obtain a correlation function and for processing the correlation function to obtain a desired signal. In one aspect, the short multipath is identified by computing a Left Edge Height Ratio Indicator (LEHRI). |
| US08306087B2 |
Multi-level integrated photonic devices
A laser and electroabsorption modulator (EAM) are monolithically integrated through an etched facet process. Epitaxial layers on a wafer include a first layer for a laser structure and a second layer for an EAM structure. Strong optical coupling between the laser and the EAM is realized by using two 45-degree turning mirrors to route light vertically from the laser waveguide to the EAM waveguide. A directional angled etch process is used to form the two angled facets. |
| US08306081B1 |
High indium containing InGaN substrates for long wavelength optical devices
An improved optical device. The device has a gallium nitride substrate member comprising indium entities, gallium entities, and nitrogen entities. In one or more embodiments, the gallium nitride substrate member has an indium content ranging from about 1 to about 50% in weight. Preferably, the gallium nitride substrate member has a semipolar crystalline surface region or a non-polar crystalline surface region. The device has an epitaxially formed laser stripe region comprising an indium content ranging from about 1 to about 50% and formed overlying a portion of the semipolar crystalline orientation surface region or the non-polar crystalline surface region. The laser stripe region is characterized by a cavity orientation in a predefined direction according to a specific embodiment. The laser strip region has a first end and a second end including respective a first cleaved facet provided on the first end of the laser stripe region and a second cleaved facet provided on the second end of the laser stripe region. |
| US08306076B2 |
Driver circuit for tunable LD
An LD driver is disclosed where the power dissipation is reduced without enlarging the circuit scale. The LD driver, which drives a tunable LD including a SG-DGB region, a CSG-DBR region, and an SOA region, includes a DC/DC converter connected to current sources or voltage sources each coupled with at least two regions of the SG-DFB, CSG-DBR and SOA regions, and a voltage controller to control the output of the DC/DC converter which is commonly provided to the current sources or the voltage sources. The voltage controller independently monitors the bias conditions of the at least two regions above, and sets the output of the DC/DC converter so as to exceed a largest voltage among voltages currently provided to respective regions by a preset margin to operate the current sources or the voltage sources normally. |
| US08306072B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser device includes a lower cladding layer; an active layer disposed on the lower cladding layer; all upper cladding layer disposed on the active layer; a diffraction-grating layer disposed on the upper cladding layer, the diffraction-grating layer including periodic projections and recesses; and a buried layer disposed on the periodic projections and recesses in the diffraction-grating layer. In addition, the diffraction-grating layer and the buried layer constitute a diffraction grating. The lower cladding layer, the active layer, and the upper cladding layer constitute a first optical waveguide, the active layer constituting a first core region in the first optical waveguide. The upper cladding layer, the diffraction-grating layer, and the buried layer constitute a second optical waveguide, the diffraction-grating layer constituting a second core region in the second optical waveguide. Furthermore, the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide are optically coupled through the upper cladding layer. |
| US08306071B2 |
Method for selecting an operating mode based on a detected synchornization pattern
A method includes: receiving a burst including payload and a synchronization field, wherein the synchronization field contains a synchronization pattern; selecting, from a plurality of expected synchronization patterns, a target synchronization pattern dependent on an operating mode; comparing the received synchronization pattern against the target synchronization pattern; and if the received synchronization pattern is of the target synchronization pattern, processing the payload; otherwise, discarding the burst. |
| US08306068B2 |
System for data collection through an alternate current supply network
The invention relates to electrical network communications engineering and can be used in systems for automatic data collection from electric, heat, water, gas meters etc. The technical result is significant simplification of the interior structure of slave units increased noise stability of a system. This result is achieved by using zero crossing points of the fundamental harmonic of system supply line voltage as character synchronization events. |
| US08306067B2 |
Dual-frequency multiplexer
The invention discloses a dual frequency multiplexer by which a first and second coaxial harmonic oscillator type band pass filters are disposed in a box. The box includes a base body, a cover plate and a cover body. The two coaxial harmonic oscillator type hand pass filters are located on the base body and spaced each other by a metal plate; the multiplexer port, first and second ports are positioned on lateral side of the base body. The blocking capacitors are contained in the coaxial chamber of the two coaxial harmonic oscillator type band pass filters. The cover plate is secured on the base body; the first and second direct current circuits are placed on the cover plate; the low pass filters of the first and second direct current circuits are fixed on an edge of a top surface of the coaxial chamber by means of a support member; the cover body and the base body are fastened with each other. The blocking capacitors each are of distributed parameter capacitor. Utilization of distributed blocking capacitors makes the product of the invention small. Moreover, improvement of the structure of the invention brings effect such as less differential loss, large power capacity, as well as high isolation degree between circuits. |
| US08306066B2 |
Transmission device
A transmission device comprises first interfaces each of which receives time-division multiplexed signals from an external device in units of frames, a switch which is connected with the first interfaces and sets paths of the signals received from the first interface in regard to each packet, and second interfaces each of which is connected with the switch, receives the signals from the first interface via the switch, and transmits the received signals to a different transmission device in units of packets. The first interface selects signals having the same destination from the signals contained in the received frame and stores the selected signals having the same destination in one packet. |
| US08306065B2 |
Data distribution apparatus, relay apparatus and data distribution method
A distribution apparatus includes a packet divider which divides contents data into multiple contents data and packetizing each of the divided contents data to generate a transfer packet. A priority degree setter assigns a phase to each transfer packet generated by the packet divider according to each position in contents data and sets, for each transfer packet to which the phase has been assigned, a priority degree indicating the degree of priority of being transmitted to a transmission destination. A packet transmitter transmits the transfer packets to which the priority degrees have been set by the priority degree setter, beginning with the top of the contents data. A phase controller, when one round of transmission of all the transfer packets by the packet transmitter ends, performs control so that the phase assigned to each of the transfer packets is changed. |
| US08306064B2 |
System and method for extending communication protocols
A system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by constructing a top level message, constructing a first level extension message, and embedding the first level extension message in a data component of the top level message. Also, a system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by receiving a top level message from a communication medium, determining whether a first level extension message is included within the top level message, and extracting the first level extension message from the top level message. Further, a system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by using a processor to embed a first level extension packet within a top level packet. At least one of the top level packet and the first level extension packet include a message for use in an HVAC system. |
| US08306057B1 |
Method and system for providing presence information related to a communications network
A method and system for providing presence information related to a communications network is provided. A first presence information message is received from a first network element of the communications network at a presence aggregator of the communications network, where the first network element utilizes a first communications protocol. A second presence information message is received from a second network element of the communications network at the presence aggregator, where the second network element utilizes a second communications protocol. The presence aggregator translates the first and second presence information messages into a standardized protocol and sends the translated first and second presence information messages to a presence server coupled to the communications network. |
| US08306053B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing quality-of-service guarantees in computer networks
An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for timesensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter. A master device adapter may be appointed to synchronize each of the device adapters. |
| US08306051B2 |
Communication protocol for a lighting control system
A communication protocol for a lighting control system having a plurality of control devices coupled to a communication link uses a polling technique to coordinate the transmission of digital messages between the control devices. When the control devices are powered up, one of the control devices is established as a “master” device. During normal operation, the master device transmits a standard poll message to each of the control devices in succession using a unique semi-permanent Poll ID for each of the control devices. The master device periodically transmits a Poll-ID-Request poll message to the control devices allow those devices that do not have a Poll ID to request a Poll ID. If a control device determines either that the master device is not transmitting poll messages to it, or that another control device has the same Poll ID, the control device drops its Poll ID and acquires another Poll ID. |
| US08306047B2 |
Packet switch with separate look ahead, computation, and shift phases
A packet switch architecture that can switch optical packets at high throughputs without using any random access memory, without fragmenting variable length packets into fixed length fragments and reassembling them, and without converting the optical packets into electronic packets. Programmable delay lines are use which delay the output of each packet for a programmable amount which may be re-programmed while the packet is being delayed by the programmable delay line. Programmable delay line controllers manages the delays imposed by the programmable delay lines so as to have a look-ahead phase during which information about the packets is gathered and a shift phase during which the sequence of packets is shifted to match an output sequence. |
| US08306045B2 |
Packet forwarding apparatus and method for discarding packets
The packet forwarding apparatus of the present invention includes a packet buffer for temporarily storing packets to be forwarded, a timer for measuring the time of every predetermined unit period, a plurality of first queues corresponding to each of a plurality of address groups that form the packet buffer, a plurality of second queues that are provided corresponding to the property of the packets, a first controller for executing the writing of the packets, and a second controller for executing the discarding of the packets. According to this invention, through managing the first queues and the second queues, packets in the packet buffer can be discarded without the packets being read from the packet buffer. |
| US08306040B2 |
Network packet steering via configurable association of processing resources and network interfaces
Methods and systems are provided for steering network packets. According to one embodiment a method is provided for steering incoming network packets. Each network packet processing resource of a network routing/switching device is dynamically assigned to one or more network interfaces of the network routing/switching device. Each of the network packet processing resources includes one or more processing elements and a memory. Incoming network packets received by the network interfaces are steered to an appropriate network packet processing resource based on the dynamic assignment. |
| US08306039B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic transport path selection for multi-homed entities in stream control transmission protocol
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for automatic transport path selection for multi-home entities in Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP). The present invention provides systems and methods for directing data transfer between applications and devices residing on different computers or devices using a dynamic path selection algorithm for multi-homed network entities (using SCTP). When an application or device requests to transfer data to another application or device, the dynamic path selection algorithm selects the most efficient path for data transfer. The decision to select the best network path is based upon the dynamic network conditions, such as, for example, congestion window (CWND), round trip time (RTT), and the like, and/or provisioning information. |
| US08306037B2 |
Multi-protocol networking processor with data traffic support spanning local, regional and wide area networks
A networking processor is formed with selected ones of one or more system interfaces, one or more network/intermediate interfaces, a plurality of data link sub-layer control/processing blocks, and a plurality of physical sub-layer coders/decoders and processing units. The elements are provisioned in a combinatorially selectable manner, enabling the single networking processor to be able to selectively facilitate data trafficking in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of protocols. The protocols include at least one each a datacom and a telecom protocol. Accordingly, the network processor supports data traffics spanning local, regional and wide area networks. In one embodiment, the traffic data may be framed or streaming data being transmitted/received in accordance with a selected one of a plurality frame based protocols and a plurality of variants of a synchronous protocol. The frame based protocols may also be frame based protocols encapsulated with the synchronous protocol. |
| US08306035B2 |
Communication circuit and method therefor
In one embodiment, a circuit is configured to operate with a communication protocol that has at least three different signal levels wherein different sequences of the three levels identify different elements of the communication protocol. In another embodiment, a modular control block may be used to select the communication protocol and the operation of the circuit. |
| US08306031B2 |
Adaptive block sequence ARQ protocol for wireless communications
A method of performing wireless communications. The method receives at a receiving unit a sequence of data blocks from a transmitting unit. The method also identifies at the receiving unit a first number of invalid sequential data blocks in the sequence and a second number of valid sequential data blocks in the sequence. The method also communicates from the receiving unit a wireless message to the transmitting unit. The wireless message comprises a first field that specifies the first number and a second field that specifies the second number—the encoding of the first field is operable to specify a different maximum than an encoding of the second field. |
| US08306029B2 |
System and method for detecting sources of rogue non-audio traffic marked as audio traffic
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for managing a packet network to deal with rogue applications that produce non-audio packets marked as audio packets. The system analyzes packet flow through the network to identify an unauthorized source of non-audio packets marked as audio packets, and upon identifying the unauthorized source, the system stops subsequent unauthorized transmission of non-audio packets marked as audio packets from the identified unauthorized source. For example, such an unauthorized source is identified by finding that an audio marked packet has a source address that is not found on a list of authorized sources, or by detecting atypical patterns of audio queue utilization, or by determining whether audio marked packets from a source exceed a threshold value related to transmission of audio marked packets. |
| US08306024B2 |
Preventing forwarding of a packet to a control plane
This invention includes tools that prevent forwarding of a packet to a control plane of a packet switch. The tools receive a packet comprising indicia suggesting that the packet be forwarded to a control plane of a packet switch. After receiving the packet, the tools may modify the packet to prevent the packet from being forwarded to the control plane, intercept the packet before it is received by the control plane, or otherwise prevent the packet from being forwarded to the control plane. The tools may also forward the packet from a source port of a packet switch to a destination port of the packet switch without forwarding the packet to the control plane of the packet switch. |
| US08306022B1 |
Method for content-aware redirection and content renaming
The present invention is directed to mechanisms for content-aware redirection and content exchange/content discovery that permit a request for content to be redirected to a particular advantageous server that can serve the content. |
| US08306021B2 |
System and method for processing telephony sessions
In one embodiment, the method of processing telephony sessions includes: communicating with an application server using an application layer protocol; processing telephony instructions with a call router; and creating call router resources accessible through a call router Application Programming Interface (API). In another embodiment, the system for processing telephony sessions includes: a call router, a URI for an application server, a telephony instruction executed by the call router, and a call router API resource. |
| US08306020B2 |
Architectures for clearing and settlement services between Internet telephony clearinghouses
A system for routing voice telephone calls over IP networks as opposed to traditional switched circuit networks. The voice communications during the telephone call are packaged as digital data and access the Internet through gateways. The system supports the linking of a source gateway in a first clearinghouse to a destination gateway in a second clearinghouse. The system further supports the selection of a destination gateway based on factors such as cost, speed of routing, and transmission quality of the voice data. The components of the system are arranged so as to minimize the number of signals sent between clearinghouses in identifying the optimal destination gateway. |
| US08306018B2 |
Energy star compliant voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telecommunications network including energy star compliant VoIP devices
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications system, a method of managing a communications network in such a system and a program product therefore. The system/network includes an ENERGY STAR (E-star) aware softswitch and E-star compliant communications devices at system endpoints. The E-star aware softswitch allows E-star compliant communications devices to enter and remain in power saving mode. The E-star aware softswitch spools messages and forwards only selected messages (e.g., calls) to the devices in power saving mode. When the E-star compliant communications devices exit power saving mode, the E-star aware softswitch forwards spooled messages. |
| US08306015B2 |
Technique for identifying RTP based traffic in core routing switches
A technique for identifying RTP based traffic in routers and switches is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of identifying RTP based traffic in routers and switches, includes receiving IP packets including a UDP header and a second header located substantially after the UDP header, generating statistical parameters by inspecting predetermined sequence of bits at predetermined offsets in the second header of each received IP packet for a predetermined number of IP packets, and determining whether the IP packet is an RTP based IP packet by comparing the generated statistical parameters to predetermined characteristics. The method also includes pre-filtering the received IP packets to allow only the IP packets comprising the UDP header and the second header to reach an RTP detection engine. |
| US08306014B1 |
System and method for synchronizing clocks in a wireless local area network
A first network device including: a first clock module configured to generate a first clock signal; and a first clock control module configured to control the first clock signal to have a first frequency. The first clock control module includes a report reception and analysis module configured to: analyze a first signal, received from a second network device, to determine whether a second frequency of a second clock signal associated with the second network device requires adjustment in order to be synchronized with the first frequency of the first clock signal; and in response to the second frequency of the second clock signal requiring adjustment, generate a second signal to be transmitted via the antenna to the second network device, wherein the second signal is useable by the second network device to synchronize the second frequency of the second clock signal to the first frequency of the first clock signal. |
| US08306011B2 |
Method and device for managing multi-frames
A device includes a processor and a time slot assigner, connected to a communication line via a physical layer unit. The physical layer unit is adapted to generate a communication line clock signal and a multi-frame synchronization signal. The device also includes a transmit media access controller (MAC) adapted to receive the multi-frame synchronization signal and the communication line clock signal and in response to scan, during a single multi-frame transmission period, multiple transmit MAC memory entry groups such as to retrieve transmission instructions and in response to enable access to the communication line. During a single multi-frame transmission period the transmit MAC accesses at least twice at least one transmit MAC memory entry group. The processor receives a processor clock signal that differs from the communication line clock signal. The MAC also performs reception operations using receive clock and sync signals. |
| US08306006B2 |
Resource allocation / management method and device based on block repeat division multiple access
A resource allocation method based on block repeat division multiple access, involves the steps of: distributing the usable BRBG according to the service requirement of a user; distributing RC series for the said distributed BRBG. The present invention also provides a resource management method based on block repeat division multiple access, which involves the steps of: detecting the operation environment in a district for a period of time; adjusting the number of the BRB in the BRBG of the district, according to the operation environment of the district. The present invention also provides the resource allocation/management device based on block repeat division multiple access. |
| US08306002B2 |
Wireless communication technique comprising multiple beacons in each communications superframe
In accordance with various embodiments, multiple beacons are transmitted in each communication superframe within a wireless network. In accordance with one embodiment, for example, a method is disclosed that comprises transmitting a first beacon in a superframe and transmitting a second beacon in the superframe. The first beacon comprises wireless medium access information that specifies nodes that are to communicate across a wireless medium in that superframe. The second beacon also comprises wireless medium access information. The first and second beacons further specify a list of nodes that are to transmit the first beacons in subsequent superframes upon failure to receive the first beacon for a corresponding predetermined number of superframes. |
| US08305999B2 |
Resource allocation and mapping in a wireless communication system
Techniques for allocating and mapping resources in a wireless communication system are described. The system may use hop-ports to facilitate allocation and use of subcarriers. In one aspect, the hop-ports may be partitioned into multiple subzones, with each subzone including a configurable number of hop-ports. The hop-ports within each subzone may be permuted or shuffled based on a permutation function. After permutation, the hop-ports in all subzones may be mapped to the subcarriers based on local or global hopping. In another aspect, a set of hop-ports may be mapped to a set of subcarriers. A hop-port may be mapped to an unavailable subcarrier and may then be remapped to another available subcarrier. In yet another aspect, a set of hop-ports may be mapped to a set of subcarriers distributed (e.g., evenly) across all subcarriers but avoiding subcarriers in a reserved zone. |
| US08305991B1 |
Method and system for sector switching during packet transmission
A method and apparatus for handing off packet-transmission between sectors of a wireless communication system is disclosed herein. During transmission of a packet from an access network to an access terminal, the access terminal determines that the packet should theoretically be transmitted to the access terminal in fewer timeslots in another sector than the number of allowed timeslots remaining for the packet transmission in a current sector. In response, the access terminal abandons packet transmission in the current sector and hands off to the other sector, in an effort to increase throughput and save air interface resources. |
| US08305986B2 |
Method and apparatus for uplink transmissions and CQI reports with carrier aggregation
A mobile station capable of communicating via an uplink transmission to at least one base station in a Multiple Input Multiple Output wireless network is configured to transmit multiple channel quality index (CQI) reports corresponding to multiple downlink component carriers. The mobile station includes at least one transmit antenna and a transmitter. The transmitter can communicate with a base station over the multiple downlink component carriers and at least one uplink component carrier. The transmitter can transmit the CQI report over the at least one uplink component carrier using at least one of a number of CQI reporting modes. |
| US08305984B2 |
Resource allocation method, map configuration method, and resource allocation information transmission method in mobile communication system
When characters are allocated to a keyboard, a plurality of consonants are divided into a plurality of groups according to pronunciation position in the oral cavity, and the groups are allocated to corresponding columns on the keyboard of 3 rows and 10 columns. A plurality of vowels are allocated to the corresponding columns according to the pronunciation position in the oral cavity. In this instance, the consonants and the vowels of which the pronunciation position are near the lips are allocated to the middle area of the area of 3 rows and 10 columns, and the consonants and the vowels of which the pronunciation position are near the vocal chords are allocated to the outer part of the area of 3 rows and 10 columns. The consonants and the vowels are allocated to the corresponding rows of the area of 3 rows and 10 columns according to usage frequency. |
| US08305983B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling registration of endpoint devices through provisioning
A method and apparatus for enabling registration of an endpoint device that is incapable of supporting a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) registration are disclosed. For example, the method performs a static registration of the endpoint device in a plurality network elements associated with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network by provisioning that is initiated by a service provider of the IMS network. The method processes an originating call request or a terminating call request associated with the endpoint device by an Application Server (AS) using the static registration, wherein the application server is one of the plurality network elements. |
| US08305978B2 |
Adaptive resource allocation method in a wireless communication system and transceiver for implementing the same
Methods of allocating data to a plurality of subcarriers in a wireless communication system are disclosed. More specifically, one of the methods includes receiving feedback information from a receiver, calculating a level of mobility of the receiver using the feedback information, determining a resource allocation scheme to use based on the calculated level of mobility, and allocating the data to the plurality of subcarriers based on the determined resource allocation scheme. |
| US08305977B2 |
Apparatus and method for relocating persistently allocated resource in a broadband wireless communication system
Apparatuses of a base station and terminal in a wireless communication system and their operating methods are provided. An operating method of a base station in a broadband wireless communication system includes determining whether to relocate at least one persistently allocated resource, when it is determined to relocate the at least one persistently allocated resource, relocating the at least one persistently allocated resource, generating a resource relocation Information Element (IE) indicative of the resource relocation using an offset of a Resource Block (RB), and transmitting the resource relocation IE. |
| US08305975B2 |
Radio resource allocation information exchange between base stations
A method for improving distributed resource allocation in OFDMA based wireless communication networks such as WiMAX IEEE 802.16 for either fixed or mobile subscriber stations SSs is executed by neighbor Base Stations BSs serving the SSs. Each BS controls the allocation of respective permutation zones and radio resources encompassing different radio subchannels within each permutation zone. In this task the BS avails of RRM primitives and instances of a NCMS functionality promoting direct BS-to-BS communication, which can be exploited in a distributed RRM profile. A BS playing the role of RRC sends to Neighbor BSs a unique RRM Request for receiving event-driven Spare Capacity Reports. Among driving events, “Change of Radio Resources Allocation” is included. Neighbor BSs, at every allocation change is detected, send to the requester BS a Spare Capacity Report including a Bitmap indicating subchannels used for transmission in each Permutation Zone. In order to eliminate Co-Channel Interference CCI, the requester BS avoids using same subchannels already indicated in the received Bitmap. |
| US08305971B2 |
Utilizing persistent interference information for radio channel selection
In an example embodiment, an apparatus selects radio channels based on persistent interference device information. The apparatus comprises a wireless transceiver operable to communicate over a plurality of channels and channel selection logic in communication with the wireless transceiver and operable to select a channel for the wireless transceiver. The channel selection logic is operable to acquire data representative of intensity, duration and rate of occurrence for at least one persistent interference device detected by the wireless transceiver operating on at least one of the plurality of channels. The channel selection logic is operable to select a channel for the wireless transceiver based on the data representative of intensity, duration and rate of occurrence for the at least one persistent interference device. |
| US08305968B2 |
Solicitation triggers for opening a network link
A method and a system opens a network connection using solicitation triggers. A terminal device that is connecting to a communication network sends a network connection request to a mobile network communication device and forms a connection between the terminal device and the mobile network communication device. The terminal device sends a network initialization signal in order to connect to the desired network. The mobile network communication device uses a pre-configured network connection for forwarding the network initialization signal to the desired network. The desired network will respond by returning necessary network information that is forwarded to the terminal device. |
| US08305963B1 |
Femto cell local breakout with PPP proxy
Methods are provided for facilitating local communication between wireless devices at a femto cell without passing communication to a network infrastructure, routing data packets to devices connected to a femto cell, and eliminating a need to send data to a home agent when two devices are connected to the same femto cell. When mobile devices are in a femto cell zone, it is not necessary to send payload information to a core network including a packet data serving node and a home agent. A femto cell local breakout with a PPP proxy can be used to handle the payload information locally. The femto cell local breakout with PPP proxy stores the mobile devices and IP addresses. So, when one mobile device in the femto cell zone sends payload information to another mobile device, the femto cell routes the payload information to the other mobile device in the femto cell zone. |
| US08305955B2 |
Method and system for network synchronization via a femtocell
Aspects of a method and system for communication are provided. In this regard, a femtocell may receive messages from a plurality of different sources comprising one or more other femtocells, one or more cellular enabled communication devices, and one or more non-cellular network nodes. The femtocell may select, based on the received messages, a master clock within one of the plurality of different sources as a master clock for synchronization of the plurality of different sources. A femtocell clock, a global navigational satellite signal (GNSS) clock, a cellular base station clock, or a cellular enabled communication device clock may be selected as the master clock. The femtocell may transmit and/or receive synchronization messages to and/or from the one or more cellular enabled communication devices and the one or more non-cellular network nodes. |
| US08305949B2 |
System and method for spatial multiplexing-based OFDM broadcast/multicast transmission
A method of OFDM transmission/reception comprising: transmitting broadcast/multicast signals on a first antenna and unicast signals on a second antenna; segregating broadcast/multicast sub-channelization from unicast channels sub-channelization based on FDM (frequency division multiplexing)/TDM (time division multiplexing) sub-channelization. |
| US08305946B2 |
Intermittent operation communication device and communication system using beacon and sleep mode
An intermittent operation communication device periodically repeats beacon transmission, data reception or data reception wait, and sleep to transmit data to any of reception side communication devices. The intermittent operation communication device includes a data transmitter for performing transmission when receiving a beacon from any of the reception side communication devices and having data traffic generated meant for a reception side communication device, a transmission announcer for intermittently transmitting a transmission announcement beacon while waiting for reception when having the data traffic generated, and an adjuster for monitoring a transmission announcement beacon from any other of the intermittent operation communication devices to adjust the transmission of the data traffic. |
| US08305943B2 |
Half-duplex communication in a frequency division duplex system
Systems and methodologies are described that provide half-duplex communication in a frequency division duplex (FDD) system. Communications in an FDD system may be divided into half-duplex interlaces, wherein a terminal may receive at one time period and transmit at another time period. An access network in an FDD system may then utilize half-duplex communication to communicate with an access terminal that is not capable of transmitting and receiving simultaneously by using a half-duplex interlace. Further, an access network may also utilize full-duplex communication to communicate with an access terminal that is capable of transmitting and receiving simultaneously. |
| US08305942B2 |
Estimation of Eigen coherence bandwidth
Closed loop MIMO FDD schemes can offer significant performance gains for OFDM based wireless communication systems over open loop MIMO schemes. However, the pre-coding weights (eigenvectors) on each of the frequency bands need to be updated and this adds extra overhead. The number of adjacent frequency fingers which can use the same pre-coding weights is governed by the coherence bandwidth of the eigen spatial modes. The receiver uses the average r.m.s. delay spread of the SISO channels as an indicator to the eigen coherence bandwidth, rather than explicitly calculating the eigen coherence bandwidth itself. This technique can be applied to TDD schemes as well, where the channel estimation is done with the reverse link, eliminating the need for feedback. The TDD transmitter can estimate the eigen coherence bandwidth on the basis of average r.m.s. delay spread, which saves computational effort. |
| US08305940B2 |
Telephone supplementary service communication control system
A telephone service, particularly a telephone supplementary service communication system having an IP telephone control apparatus and an IP telephone terminal. A telephone supplementary service communication control system for the service communicate system is comprised of a specified voice terminal and a plurality of telephone supplementary service terminals registered to link with the same and including a communication control apparatus registering linking of the specified voice terminal and the plurality of telephone supplementary service terminals as a single virtual terminal and managing and controlling the running and termination of these linked terminals, wherein the communication control apparatus comprises a supplementary service starting unit monitoring the communication start state of the voice terminal and starting the supplementary service by the telephone supplementary service terminal linked with the voice terminal. |
| US08305938B2 |
Interworking an ethernet ring network with a spanning tree controlled ethernet network
To enable an Ethernet ring to be dual homed into a spanning tree protocol controlled Ethernet network, spanning tree control packets (Bridged Protocol Data Units or BPDUs) are transported as data frames over the Ethernet ring. This allows the Ethernet ring to appear as a single link to the spanning tree protocol so that the spanning tree can extend over the link. However, since the spanning tree does not have visibility as to the internal structure of the ring, the spanning tree cannot block links on the Ethernet ring network. Conversely, BPDUs from the Ethernet ring are not transmitted into the Ethernet domain that is implementing the spanning tree, so that the spanning tree is not affected by the control mechanism in place on the Ethernet ring network. |
| US08305933B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting devices on a local area network
A method, apparatus, and system for discovering devices on a local area network. The method comprises sending a DNS request from a host networking element, receiving the DNS request at one or more devices, and responding to the host networking element with one or more DNS responses. The DNS request comprises one or more particular domain names. The one or more DNS responses comprise local network address information for the one or more VoIP devices. The apparatus comprises means for filtering a set of network traffic for a DNS request, means for responding to a DNS request with a local network address, and means for forwarding the DNS request to another device. The system comprises a computer for generating a DNS request for a particular domain, and one or more VoIP devices for receiving the DNS request and sending a DNS response to the computer with a local network address for the VoIP device. |
| US08305931B2 |
Incremental and targeted auto-discovery of network devices
A method and/or system is configured to improve the results of an auto-detection of network devices based on the causes of detection failures in preceding runs of the auto-detection process. As each device that is believed to be in the network is found to be undiscovered, the identification of the device and information regarding the cause(s) of non-discovery are stored. Prior to the next auto-detection run, one or more of the discovery parameters are modified, based on the causes associated with the undiscovered devices. The extent to which the discovery parameters are modified is preferably based on the apparent stability of the network, or upon the detection of changes to the network. |
| US08305929B2 |
Electronic device for communication within a network and method for operating an electronic device
The present invention relates to an electronic device for communication within a network, comprising a first interface (6) enabling communication with at least one further electronic device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) within a network (8) according to a first communication standard, a storage (5) for storing a first address of the at least one further electronic device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e), said first address relating to the first communication standard, and a controller (4) for requesting a second address from said at least one further electronic device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e), said second address relating to a second communication standard within said network (8), wherein the second address is stored together with the first address in the storage (5).The present invention further relates to a method for operating an electronic device. |
| US08305928B2 |
Method for supporting multiple devices from a broadband connection
A method adds a MAC address per line for a multiline EMTA. After the EMTA initializes, the method creates “Virtual MTA” instances corresponding to each analog line/MAC address. The method facilitates MTA emulation of each of the Virtual MTA instances. For each virtual EMTA line, the emulation method includes acquiring an IP address via DHCP and acquiring a configuration file via TFTP for each virtual MTA instance. |
| US08305927B2 |
Wireless network construction system
A wireless network construction system includes: first wireless nodes being previously installed in a wireless network; a wireless node installation support terminal carried in a location capable of conducting wireless communication, the wireless node installation support terminal serving as a wireless node being previously installed in the wireless network; and a second wireless node being newly installed in the wireless network and adjacent to the wireless node installation support terminal. The second wireless node performs a procedure of participation in the wireless network via the wireless node installation support terminal using the wireless communication. The wireless node installation support terminal allocates and distributes a network address to the second wireless node upon performing the procedure of participation in the wireless network. The second wireless node performs a path search and establishes a wireless line between the first wireless nodes and the second wireless node. |
| US08305926B2 |
Method and apparatus for self-learning of call routing information
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for learning call routing information in a communication system. A switching architecture is presented. The switch may be implemented in a centralized architecture or a distributed architecture. In addition, the switch may be implemented in a variety of networks such as a circuit-switched network or a packet-switched network. The switch includes a policy server and a self-learning application server. The policy server includes routing information for routing calls across the switch. The routes for incoming and outgoing calls are analyzed as they pass through the switch. The self-learning application server uses artificial intelligence techniques and caching algorithms to learn new more-efficient routing paths or initial routing paths based on the incoming and outgoing calls. The self-learning application server then updates the policy server with the new learned routes. |
| US08305925B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for transporting multi-lane ethernet signal
Methods, apparatuses and systems for transporting multi-lane Ethernet signal are disclosed. The method primarily includes utilizing a plurality of timeslot channels and justification bytes configured in the OPUk-Xv to build up multiple virtually concatenated transport lanes; and transporting a lane of independent Ethernet data via each lane in the multiple transport lanes. Such schema allows to transparently transport multi-lane Ethernet signal over OTN and addresses the uncontrollability of the time delay occurred when multi-lane Ethernet signal traverse over OTN. In addition, the problem that the frequency offset does not fit the IEEE definition of the Ethernet interface is solved. |
| US08305917B2 |
System and method for maintaining a backup radio operating parameter list in a secondary use communication system
A radio communication system (100) provides a radio air interface at a master node (102) for subscriber units associated with the master node. Among the subscriber units are several slave nodes (104, 106). The communication system has the ability to operate as a secondary user in unused spectrum portions of a frequency band otherwise reserved for primary operators, such as licensed broadcasters. The master node accesses an authorization server (108) to obtain a list of unused channels in the region of the master node. Each slave node also contacts the authorization server to obtain a list of unused channels in the region where each respective slave node is located, via another network (118, 121). The unused channels common to the slave nodes and the master node are used to create a backup radio operating parameter list which is used by the master node if a fault occurs between the master node the authorization server. |
| US08305916B2 |
Wireless data packet classification of an identified flow of data packets
An apparatus and method of classifying data packets is disclosed. One method includes a wireless access node identifying a flow of data packets based on source and destination addresses of the data packets. The wireless access node classifies the data packets of the identified flow of data packets as requiring a predetermined quality of service by determining if the identified flow of data packets comprise an inter-arrival time less than a first inter-arrival threshold. |
| US08305915B2 |
Method for the digital evaluation of a data transmission network
The invention relates to a method for the digital evaluation of a data transmission network comprising a plurality of nodes (1) and data transmission links (2) which extend between the nodes (1), each node comprising at least one input or output interface (11, 12) consisting of a plurality of queues which can each receive data in the form of analytical or event flows, said data flows being distributed into queues as a function of the service classes associated with the flow. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: identifying the interfaces having a hybrid operating mode and each receiving at least one event data flow and at least one analytical data flow; and, for each interface having a hybrid operating mode, determining a virtual equivalent queue for the event data flows of a given service class (k) received by the interface, which is associated with the given service class (k), said virtual equivalent queue having an equivalent service rate (TRFE(k)), in order to evaluate the data transmission network by associating the virtual equivalent queue receiving the event data flows of the given service class (k) with the interface. |
| US08305909B2 |
Network information analyzing method and apparatus
A network information analyzing method is disclosed for determining the status of a network including plural communication apparatuses. The method involves assigning a line identifier to each logical line used for establishing data communication between a transmission terminal and a reception terminal, transmitting from a management apparatus to the communication apparatuses line management code information including the line identifier, controlling each communication apparatus to output the received line management code information to the logical line identified by the line identifier included in the received line management code information, controlling each communication apparatus to extract the line management code information from a transmission signal and transmit a corresponding apparatus identifier and the extracted line management code information to the management apparatus, and analyzing the status of the network at the management apparatus based on the corresponding apparatus identifier and the extracted line management code information received from each communication apparatus. |
| US08305906B2 |
Detection algorithm for delivering inline power down four pairs of an Ethernet cable to a single powered device
Methods and apparatus for determining that all conductors of an Ethernet connection are connected to the same powered device (PD). In one disclosed embodiment, it is first determined that a signal conductor pair of the Ethernet connection is coupled to a valid PD according to a discovery process, and the unused conductor pair of the Ethernet connection is also coupled to a valid PD. However, it is not yet determined whether they are both coupled to the same PD. This disclosure provides for injecting a polluting signal into one of the conductor pairs, and performing the discovery process on the other conductor pair. If the discovery process fails on the other conductor pair as a result of the polluting signal, then it is determined that both of the conductor pairs are indeed coupled to same PD. |
| US08305900B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing non-access stratum (NAS) node selection function (NNSF) with core network (CN) node bearer circuit availability monitoring and availability-based load sharing
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing a NAS node selection function with CN node bearer circuit availability monitoring and availability-based load sharing. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for providing a NAS node selection function. The method includes performing various steps at a NAS node selection function which may be integrated with or separate from a media gateway. The method includes monitoring bearer circuit availability for each of a plurality of CN nodes. The method further includes storing an indication of bearer circuit availability for each of the CN nodes. The method further includes receiving initial layer 3 messages from radio access nodes in response to mobile station activity. The method further includes, in response to the messages, assigning mobile stations to the MSCs in a load-sharing manner using the stored indications of bearer circuit availabilities. |
| US08305893B2 |
Quality of service management for home-to-home connections
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method of establishing end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) is provided, the method comprising: receiving minimum QoS requirements for a connection between a local device in a local network and a remote device in a remote network; requesting that a QoS connection between the local device and a local gateway in the local network be established; computing remaining QoS requirements by deducting achieved QoS between the local device and the local gateway from the minimum QoS requirements; requesting that a QoS connection between the remote device and a remote gateway in the remote network be established, using the remaining QoS requirements; and requesting to configure a QoS connection between a local gateway and a remote gateway. |
| US08305892B2 |
Peer proxy binding
A method for connecting a guest browser with a proxy is provided. The method includes sending a registration request for a proxy from a peer to a proxy director and selecting a proxy by the proxy director and sending a proxy name to the peer. The method also includes sending a registration request with a peer name and the proxy name from the peer to a dynamic domain name server (DNS) and registering a dynamic DNS record with a DNS name server by the dynamic DNS to associate the peer name with the proxy name. The dynamic DNS converts the registration request from the peer to standard DNS. When a guest browser wants to connect to the peer, a standard DNS look-up is performed for the peer name at the DNS name server, which provides information regarding proxy connection. |
| US08305891B2 |
Automatic packet tagging
A network device is arranged for coupling to a first network segment (18) to a second network segment (17), and has a transfer unit (23) for transferring data packets between the first and second network segments. The device has a determining unit (24) for determining a service requirement for a received data packet for accommodating the service requirement in the second network segment. A source of the received data packet in the first network segment is detected. Based on priority criteria and content type criteria a type of service is tagged to the data packet in dependence of the source. The transfer unit is arranged for accommodating the type of service in the second network segment. Advantageously a bridge is formed for transferring data packets that are unaware of quality of service to a network segment that operates according to quality of service requirements. |
| US08305889B2 |
Method for allocating a resource among consumers in proportion to configurable weights
A method for allocating a resource among a plurality of consumers of the resource is described herein. For each consumer of the plurality of consumers, a configurable weight associated with the consumer is determined. For each consumer of the plurality of consumers, credits assigned to the consumer at a first interval of a plurality of variable intervals are determined. The credits may be assigned in proportion to the configurable weight associated with the consumer. A consumer is selected for servicing based on the credits of the consumer. The selected consumer is serviced. |
| US08305887B2 |
Selective defragmentation of quadrature amplitude modulators
Techniques are provide herein to determine the amount of allocated and unutilized bandwidth for services already provided on each of a plurality of quadrature amplitude modulator (QAM) channels. One of the plurality of QAM channels is selected as a selected QAM channel to maximize capacity for future service requests based on a determination that the selected QAM channel can have bandwidth deallocated to support a service at a second bandwidth greater than a first bandwidth. A sufficient amount of the allocated and unutilized bandwidth is deallocated for services provided at the first bandwidth on the selected QAM channel such that the service at the second bandwidth is thereafter supportable on the selected QAM. |
| US08305883B2 |
Transparent failover support through pragmatically truncated progress engine and reversed complementary connection establishment in multifabric MPI implementation
A method, system, and computer program product containing instructions for establishing and maintaining multiple connections over different communication fabrics between two processes. The slowest, most reliable connection may be established first and then complemented by progressively faster connections between the same pair of processes. Each of these multiple connections is maintained throughout the duration of the communication session between the processes. These multiple connections may include connections made via network interfaces and, when available, direct connections such as a shared memory connection or a point-to-point processor interconnection. This connection strategy provides one or more failback communication paths that can be used with no startup costs in the event of failure of one of the other communication paths. These failback communication paths can be used to exchange failover protocol information needed to resend messages that were undelivered due to failure of one of the communication connections. |
| US08305880B2 |
Network controlling apparatus, network controlling method, and network controlling program for controlling a distribution mode in a network system
There is provided a network control device capable of surely distributing a content even when a relay function of one of the nodes contained in a network stops, without affecting the process in nodes below the node and while improving the re-liability of the network system itself.When controlling a node contained in a network system including a server and a plurality of nodes constituting a plurality of hierarchies and connected to one another, wherein a content is distributed from the server to the respective nodes, it is checked whether a content relay function in a node located at the uplink with respect to the node in the content distribution has stopped. When the stop of the relay function is detected, control is performed so that the consumption speed of the content accumulated in the lower node in the process executed in the node is smaller than the consumption speed before the relay function has stopped. |
| US08305879B2 |
Peripheral component switch having automatic link failover
Disclosed are a PCI switch assembly, having automatic link failover, and a computer system including that switch assembly. The switch assembly comprises first and second interconnected, peripheral component switches. Each of the these switches has first and second primary ports and a plurality of secondary ports. The switch assembly has a normal mode and a failover mode. In the normal mode, each switch routes data through the switch to the secondary ports of the switch. In the failover mode, a failover path is defined and data are routed from the first switch to the second switch and then to one of the secondary ports of the second switch. The second switch detects a predefined fail condition, and changes the switch assembly from the normal mode to the failover mode in response to detecting the predefined fail condition. |
| US08305877B2 |
System and method for distributed fault sensing and recovery
A method and system for distributed fault sensing and recovery in a communication system. A master controller is provided in each cable station of the system. Each master controller receives local alarms, e.g. aggregated alarms from associated shelf controllers, and may receive remote alarms from other master controllers. Local and remote alarms are compared to a profile provisioned in the master controllers for determining whether to perform a fault recovery function. |
| US08305876B2 |
Accelerated recovery during negotiation between a media gateway and a media gateway controller
A method is disclosed that enables an improved technique for recovering from an error scenario encountered during a call setup that involves a malfunctioning media gateway and the corresponding media gateway controller. The media gateway first detects a malfunction that affects a digital signal processing resource. The media gateway then proactively selects a processing resource available elsewhere at the gateway. The media gateway selects the new processing resource based on criteria that include: i) the capabilities that were identified to handle the packet stream at the affected (faulty) processor; ii) the capabilities of the IP terminal originating the packet stream that is being moved; and iii) the Internet Protocol address of the affected processing resource. Advantageously, an effort is made to avoid having to inform the media gateway controller of the move, thereby minimizing any discontinuity in each packet stream and minimizing the time and processing that are required to establish the call. |
| US08305874B2 |
Delay restricted channel estimation for multi-carrier systems
A method includes performing a channel estimation to obtain an estimate of the channel based on a received signal. A subset of elements of the estimate are suppressed to obtain a suppressed estimate of the channel. The method includes multiplying the suppressed estimate of the channel by a matrix to obtain a delay restricted estimate of the channel. |
| US08305868B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: an objective lens formed so that a first and second laser beams different in wavelength are respectively focused onto signal recording layers of a first and second optical discs; and a photodetector including a square-shaped light-receiving portion for being irradiated with return light, as a spot, of the first or second laser beam respectively reflected from the signal recording layers of the first or second optical discs, to generate a focus error signal, a length of a diagonal line of the light-receiving portion being substantially equal to a longer diameter of an elliptical spot formed in a direction of the diagonal line when the focus error signal is at a maximum level for an optical disc that is either one of the first and second optical discs, to which a laser beam shorter in wavelength out of the first and second laser beams is focused. |
| US08305864B2 |
Compound objective lens, optical head device, optical information device, and information processing device
A compound objective lens, an optical head device, an optical information device, and an information processing device that can inhibit the occurrence of aberration even when a light beam source wavelength shifts from the designed value. A diffraction structure having a sawtooth or stepwise cross section is formed in the region (R10) and region (R20). The height of the sawtooth or stepwise cross section formed in the region (R10) provides a light beam, which has a predetermined wavelength, with a difference in optical path length of N times the predetermined wavelength, as compared with a case of propagation in air. The height of the sawtooth or stepwise cross section formed in the region (R20) provides the light beam, which has the predetermined wavelength, with a difference in optical path length of J times the predetermined wavelength, as compared with a case of propagation in air. At least one of the difference in height between both ends of a boundary band (RB) provided between the region (R10) and the region (R20), and the width of the boundary band (RB) provides the light beam, which has the predetermined wavelength, with a difference in optical path length of (N+J)/2 times (N and J are mutually different natural numbers) the predetermined wavelength, as compared with a case of transmission in air. |
| US08305863B2 |
Optical information recording apparatus
According to one embodiment, an optical information recording apparatus includes a spatial light modulator, an optical mechanism, a driving module, and a controller. The spatial light modulator converts an irradiation beam emitted from a light source to plural partial information beams that carry information by causing the irradiation beam to pass through plural modulation areas. The optical mechanism collects the partial information beams onto an optical information recording medium and applies a reference beam onto the recording medium such that the reference beam and the partial information beams intersect with each other on an information recording layer. The driving module drives the recording medium or the optical mechanism. The controller performs angle multiplex recording of information on the information recording layer by controlling the driving module and causing the light source to emit the irradiation beam while switchingly supplying the modulation areas with the information. |
| US08305862B2 |
Optical information recording and reproducing device
The optical information recording and reproducing device utilizing holography requires the optical system to generate the signal beam and the reference beam to be irradiated to the holographic storage medium as well as another optical system to generate the curing light beam to be irradiated to the holographic storage medium. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of backward compatibility, if the same device is used for recording or reproduction on the conventional optical discs represented by Blu-ray Disc, another optical system adaptable to recording and reproduction on these optical disks is required. This means the optical system configurations become complicated and larger in size. One solution for downsizing is to use the reference beam also as the curing light beam. Another way is sharing of optical path for curing light beam and for the reference beam. Furthermore, it is possible to share the light source for generating the curing light beam and for generating the recording or reproducing light beam. In such way, optical system configurations become simple. |
| US08305860B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program
An information processing device including a data processing section which executes control of a copying process where recording data on a first medium is recorded onto a second medium, and a data conversion section which executes data conversion in the copying process, where the data processing section acquires position information of a packet, which corresponds to an angle change point, based on conversion data generated by the data conversion section and executes an updating process on a reproduction control information file where angle change point position information of data before conversion which is recorded in the reproduction control information file included in copy target data is changed to angle change point position information of data after conversion. |
| US08305859B2 |
Information recording medium and information recording medium evaluation method
An information recording medium according to the present invention includes an information recording layer on which information is recordable, and is evaluated using an evaluation index which is found based on a ratio of a center of an amplitude of a reproduction signal corresponding to a second shortest mark and a second shortest space, with respect to a center of an amplitude of a reproduction signal corresponding to a longest mark and a longest space. |
| US08305855B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes: a signal reproduction section configured to obtain a reproduced signal from a recording medium by radiating a laser beam emitted by a laser-beam source to the recording medium; and a high-frequency signal superposition section configured to superpose either a first high-frequency signal or a second high-frequency signal having a frequency higher than the frequency of the first high-frequency signal on a driving signal used for driving the laser-beam source, wherein, in a first signal reproduction operation, the high-frequency signal superposition section superposes the first high-frequency signal on the driving signal whereas, in a second signal reproduction operation to measure information on the amplitude of the reproduced signal, the high-frequency signal superposition section superposes the second high-frequency signal on the driving signal. |
| US08305854B2 |
Optical disc drive
An optical disc drive according to the present invention includes an optical pickup and a writing control section for instructing the optical pickup to record a mark, representing the information to be written, on the optical disc. In recording the mark on the optical disc, the writing control section instructs the optical pickup to irradiate the same area on the optical disc with a light beam a plurality of times so that the mark is recorded in that repeatedly irradiated area. |
| US08305851B2 |
Optical disk apparatus
An optical disk apparatus includes an optical pickup and a signal processor. The optical pickup includes an actuator for driving an objective lens, and a detected light intensity signal output part for outputting a detected light intensity signal to the processor. The signal processor includes a servo signal generator for generating a main push-pull signal and a sub push-pull signal on the basis of the detected light intensity signal supplied from the detected light intensity signal output part, a signal generator for generating a differential push-pull signal and a lens error signal by conducting addition/subtraction on the main push-pull signal and the sub push-pull signal, and a tracking offset correction signal generator which is input with the lens error signal to output a tracking offset correction signal. The differential push-pull signal correction is conducted by conducting addition/subtraction between the differential push-pull signal and the tracking offset correction signal. |
| US08305849B2 |
Thermally-assisted magnetic head
A thermally-assisted magnetic head that includes an air bearing surface facing a recording medium and that performs magnetic recording while heating the recording medium includes: a magnetic recording element including a pole of which one edge part is positioned on the air bearing surface and that generates magnetic flux traveling toward the magnetic recording medium; a waveguide configured with a core through which light propagates and a cladding, at least one part of which extends to the air bearing surface, surrounding the periphery of the core; a plasmon generator that faces a part of the core and that extends to the air bearing surface. The plasmon generator is configured with a first part and a second part that are joined; the first part that is positioned on the air bearing surface side and that is made of a high melting point material, and the second part that is positioned away from the air bearing surface and that is made of a material with a small value ∈″, which is an imaginary component of permittivity. |
| US08305845B2 |
Methods and systems for seismic signal detection
Methods and systems utilizing seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. An electrical current is applied to a seismic sensor such that the moving coil is located at a neutral position relative to the magnetic field in the seismic sensor to compensate for gravitational acceleration. |
| US08305842B2 |
Location system for asset or personnel tracking using multi-frequency ultrasonic transducers and goertzel filters
A location system, for the tracking of personnel or products for establishing the location of an identification tag attached to a person or product, has the tag comprising a power source; an ultrasonic transducer; a transmitter connected to an output signal from the transducer and capable of transmitting multiple frequencies to establish the unique ID of the tag in question, including a first frequency solely to identify when a tag is about to start transmitting data; the system comprising further a plurality of strategically located ultrasonic receiver; and processing means including a reader incorporating a number of Goertzel filters corresponding to the number of frequencies transmitted to process output signals from the ultrasonic receivers to establish the ID of the read tag and its location. |
| US08305840B2 |
Downscan imaging sonar
A downscan imaging sonar utilizes a linear transducer element to provide improved images of the sea floor and other objects in the water column beneath a vessel. A transducer array may include a plurality of transducer elements and each one of the plurality of transducer elements may include a substantially rectangular shape configured to produce a sonar beam having a beamwidth in a direction parallel to longitudinal length of the transducer elements that is significantly less than a beamwidth of the sonar beam in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the transducer elements. The plurality of transducer elements may be positioned such that longitudinal lengths of at least two of the plurality of transducer elements are parallel to each other. The plurality of transducer elements may also include at least a first linear transducer element, a second linear transducer element and a third linear transducer element. The first linear transducer element may be positioned within the housing to project sonar pulses from a first side of the housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the housing. The second linear transducer element may be positioned within the housing to lie in a plane with the first linear transducer element and project sonar pulses from a second side of the housing that is substantially opposite of the first side. The third linear transducer element may be positioned within the housing to project sonar pulses in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. |
| US08305834B2 |
Semiconductor memory with memory cell portions having different access speeds
A semiconductor memory including a plurality of memory banks disposed on an integrated circuit, each memory bank including an array of memory cells, wherein a first portion of memory cells of the plurality of memory banks has a first access speed and a second portion of memory cells of the plurality of memory banks has a second access speed, wherein the first access speed is different from the second access speed. |
| US08305833B2 |
Memory chip architecture having non-rectangular memory banks and method for arranging memory banks
A semiconductor memory device having semiconductor memory chips, each semiconductor memory chip includes a plurality of memory banks capable of independently to be accessed, each memory bank having a plurality of memory blocks, wherein at least two memory blocks, which are neighbored each other in the same memory bank, have the different number of unit memory blocks, so that each bank has a non-rectangular shape. |
| US08305829B2 |
Memory power gating circuit for controlling internal voltage of a memory array, system and method for controlling the same
A power gating circuit configured to couple with a memory array having an internal voltage, wherein the power gating circuit includes circuitry having an output signal that raises the internal voltage of the memory array if the internal voltage is lower than a first threshold voltage, and lowers the internal voltage if the internal voltage is higher than a second threshold voltage, thereby retaining the internal voltage between the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage. |
| US08305828B2 |
Memory control with selective retention
The present invention relates to a memory circuit and a method of controlling data retention in the memory circuit, wherein a supply signal is selectively switched to a respective one of at least two virtual supply lines (24) each shared by a respective one of a plurality of groups (30-1 to 30-n) of memory cells (C0,0 to Cy,z). The selective switching is controlled based on a global activity control signal (A), used for setting the memory circuit either into a standby state or into an active state, and a local data retention indication signal (DR1 to DRn) allocated to a dedicated group of memory cells. Thereby, the data retention part of the memory circuit can be adapted to the application and its state, and standby mode leakaged power is only dissipated in those memory cells for which data retentions actually required. |
| US08305825B2 |
Timing control circuit
A timing control circuit comprises at least three current control units coupled in parallel between a first circuit and a second circuit node. The current control units each have an active mode and an inactive mode. The current control units are responsive to a timing trigger event to pass current whose magnitude is dependent on how many of the current control units are in the active mode. The current control units comprise a plurality of groups. Current control units within a same group are responsive to a change in a bit of a control value corresponding to that group to switch together between the active and inactive modes, such that the magnitude of the current is dependent on which of the groups are in the active mode. The signal timing in the associated circuit is varied in dependence on the magnitude of the current. |
| US08305823B2 |
Sense amplifier and semiconductor integrated circuit using the same
A semiconductor integrated circuit having a sense amplifier includes first and second inverters each having an output terminal coupled to an input terminal of the other inverter. The first inverter is configured to be activated in response to a first and a third activation signals, and the second inverter is configured to be activated in response to a second and a fourth activation signals. The first and third activation signals and the second and fourth activation signals are provided through separate signal sources from each other. |
| US08305819B2 |
Data output circuit of semiconductor memory device
A data output circuit of a semiconductor memory device includes a pipe latch unit configured to store input parallel data and align the stored data in response to a plurality of alignment control signals to output serial output data, and an alignment control signal generating unit configured to generate the plurality of alignment control signals in response to a burst-type information and a seed address group, wherein the alignment control signal generating unit generates the alignment control signals to swap data in a swap mode where the burst-type is a certain type and bits of the seed address group are certain values. |
| US08305818B2 |
Memory device and method for estimating characteristics of multi-bit programming
Memory devices and/or methods that may estimate characteristics of multi-bit cell are provided. A memory device may include: a multi-bit cell array; a monitoring unit to extract a threshold voltage change over time value for reference threshold voltage states selected from a plurality of threshold voltage states corresponding to data stored in the multi-bit cell array; and an estimation unit to estimate a threshold voltage change over time values for the plurality of threshold voltage states based on the extracted threshold voltage change. Through this, it is possible to monitor a change over time of threshold voltages of a memory cell. |
| US08305817B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices and program methods thereof in which a target verify operation and a pre-pass verify operation are performed simultaneously using a common verify voltage
Provided are nonvolatile memory devices and program methods thereof. A nonvolatile memory device provides a program voltage to a selected word line and performs a program verify operation. The nonvolatile memory device controls a bit line voltage of the next program loop according to the program verification result. In the program verification operation, a target verify voltage is used as a pre-verify voltage. The nonvolatile memory device controls the bit line voltage of the next program loop according to the program verification result, thus making it possible to reduce the threshold voltage distribution of a memory cell. Also, the nonvolatile memory device uses the target verify voltage as the pre-verify voltage, thus making it possible to increase the program verification speed. |
| US08305812B2 |
Flash memory module and method for programming a page of flash memory cells
A flash memory module and a method for programming a page of flash memory cells, the method includes: receiving a cycle count indication indicative of a number of program cycles of the page of memory cells; setting a value of a programming parameter of a programming operation based on the cycle count indication; and programming at least one flash memory cell of the page of flash memory cells by performing the programming operation. |
| US08305810B2 |
Multiple select gates with non-volatile memory cells
Multiple select gates in association with non-volatile memory cells are described. Various embodiments include multiple select gate structure, process, and operation and their applicability for memory devices, modules, and systems. In one embodiment a memory array is described. The memory array includes a number of select gates coupled in series to a number of non-volatile memory cells. A first select gate includes a control gate and a floating gate electrically connected together and a second select gate includes a control gate and a floating gate which are electrically separated by a dielectric layer. |
| US08305808B2 |
Low-voltage EEPROM array
A low-voltage EEPROM array, which has a plurality of parallel bit lines, parallel word lines and parallel common source lines is disclosed. The bit lines include a first bit line. The word lines include a first word line and a second word line. The common source lines include a first common source line and a second common source line. The low-voltage EEPROM array also has a plurality of sub-memory arrays. Each sub-memory array includes a first memory cell and a second memory cell. The first memory cell connects with the first bit line, the first common source line and the first word line. The second memory cell connects with the first bit line, the second common source line and the second word line. The first and second memory cells are symmetrical and arranged between the first and second common source lines. |
| US08305805B2 |
Common drain non-volatile multiple-time programmable memory
An array of programmable non-volatile devices use a floating gate that functions as a FET gate that overlaps a portion of a common source/drain region. This allows a programming voltage for the device to be imparted to the floating gate through capacitive coupling, thus changing the state of the device. The invention can be used in environments such as data encryption, reference trimming, manufacturing ID, security ID, and many other applications. |
| US08305803B2 |
DRAM memory cell having a vertical bipolar injector
The invention relates to a memory cell having an FET transistor with a source, a drain and a floating body between the source and the drain, and an injector that can be controlled to inject a charge into the floating body of the FET transistor. The injector includes a bipolar transistor having an emitter, a base and a collector formed by the body of the FET transistor. Specifically, in the memory cell, the emitter of the bipolar transistor is arranged so that the source of the FET transistor serves as the base for the bipolar transistor. The invention also includes a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells according to the first aspect of the invention, and to methods of controlling such memory cells. |
| US08305801B2 |
Magnetoresistive element and magnetic memory
A magnetoresistive element according to an embodiment includes: a first ferromagnetic layer having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane; a second ferromagnetic layer having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane; a nonmagnetic layer placed between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer; a first interfacial magnetic layer placed between the first ferromagnetic layer and the nonmagnetic layer; and a second interfacial magnetic layer placed between the second ferromagnetic layer and the nonmagnetic layer. The first interfacial magnetic layer includes a first interfacial magnetic film, a second interfacial magnetic film placed between the first interfacial magnetic film and the nonmagnetic layer and having a different composition from that of the first interfacial magnetic film, and a first nonmagnetic film placed between the first interfacial magnetic film and the second interfacial magnetic film. |
| US08305799B2 |
Supply voltage generating circuit and semiconductor device having same
A supply voltage generating circuit includes a first charge pump circuit that generates a first internal supply voltage, and second charge pump circuit that generates a second internal supply voltage. The absolute value of the second internal supply voltage is greater than that of the first internal supply voltage. The output terminal of the first charge pump circuit is connected to a secondary-side charging terminal of the second charge pump circuit. The secondary-side is an output-side of the corresponding charge pump circuit, and the charging terminal is an auxiliary charging terminal that supplies an auxiliary charge to a secondary-side output terminal of the corresponding charge pump circuit. The output terminal of the second charge pump circuit outputs a voltage value that is the result of adding a prescribed voltage value to the value of the first internal supply voltage applied to the charging terminal. |
| US08305798B2 |
Memory cell with equalization write assist in solid-state memory
A solid-state memory in which write assist circuitry is implemented within each memory cell. Each memory cell includes a storage element, such as a pair of cross-coupled inverters, and an equalization gate connected between the storage nodes of the storage element. The equalization gate may be realized by two transistors in series, or as a double-gate transistor. The equalization gate is controlled by a word line indicating selection of the row containing the cell in combination with a column select signal indicating selection of the column containing the cell in a write cycle. Upon a write to a selected cell, both gates are turned on, connecting the storage nodes of the cell to one another and assisting the write of the opposite date state from that previously stored. |
| US08305797B2 |
Information recording/reproducing device
According to one embodiment, an information recording/reproducing device includes a recording layer and a driver section. The recording layer has a first layer including a first compound. The first compound includes a mixed crystal of a first oxide containing a first metallic element and a second oxide. The second oxide has a crystal structure being same as the first oxide and contains a second metallic element different from the first metallic element. The driver section is configured to produce state change in the recording layer to record information by at least one of application of voltage to the recording layer and passage of current to the recording layer. Composition ratio of an element having a smaller ionic radius of the first and second metallic elements is not less than percolation threshold of a lattice formed of ions of the first and second metallic elements based on the crystal structure. |
| US08305796B2 |
Access signal adjustment circuits and methods for memory cells in a cross-point array
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors and memory technology, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits, and methods to generate access signals to facilitate memory operations in scaled arrays of memory elements, such as memory implemented in third dimensional memory technology formed BEOL directly on top of a FEOL substrate that includes data access circuitry. In at least some embodiments, a non-volatile memory device can include a cross-point array having resistive memory elements disposed among word lines and subsets of bit lines, and an access signal generator. The access signal generator can be configured to modify a magnitude of a signal to generate a modified magnitude for the signal to access a resistive memory element associated with a word line and a subset of bit lines. The modified magnitude can be a function of the position of the resistive memory element in the cross-point array. |
| US08305789B2 |
Memory/logic conjugate system
A bandwidth bottleneck occurs because a crossbar switch is used to cope with an increase in scale. A memory/logic conjugate system according to the present invention, a plurality of cluster memory chips each including a plurality of cluster memories 20 including basic cells 10 arranged in a cluster, the basic cell 10 including a memory circuit, and a controller chip that controls the plurality of cluster memories are three-dimensionally stacked, the plurality of cluster memories 20 located along the stacking direction of the plurality of cluster memory chips and the controller chip are electrically coupled to the controller chip via a multibus 11 including a through-via, an arbitrary one of the basic cells 10 is directly accessed through the multibus 11 from the controller chip so that truth value data is written therein, and whereby the arbitrary basic cell 10 is switched to a logic circuit as conjugate. |
| US08305787B2 |
Single-stage power supply with power factor correction and constant current output
An example controller includes a delayed ramp generator, an integrator, an arithmetic operator, and a drive signal generator. The integrator integrates an input current sense signal representative of an input current of the power supply to generate an input charge signal. The input current has a pulsating waveform with a period that is a switching period of a switch of the power supply. The arithmetic operator circuit generates an input charge control signal responsive to the input charge signal and a ratio of a rectified input voltage to a dc output voltage of the power supply. The drive signal generator produces a drive signal responsive to the input charge control signal and a delayed ramp signal generated by the drive signal generator to control the switch. |
| US08305783B2 |
Systems and methods for polyphase alternating current transformer inrush current limiting
An inrush current protection circuit for a polyphase alternating current power system may include a plurality of current limiting resistors, each of which is electrically coupled in series between a respective one of a plurality of phases of the polyphase alternating current power source and a respective input of a polyphase transformer rectifier unit. The circuit may also include a plurality of power switches, each of which is electrically coupled in parallel with a respective one of the current limiting resistors, such that when each of the power switches is closed, essentially no electrical current flows through the respective current limiting resistor. The circuit may also include a power switch controller configured to control each of the power switches to be open such that an inrush current passes through the respective current limiting resistor rather than the power switch, and to be closed after a time delay has passed. |
| US08305782B2 |
Redundant current valve control in a high voltage power transmission system
A method and device for providing redundant control of a controllable current valve in a converter of a power transmission system. A first converter control unit sends a first valve control signal. A first active/standby indicator is associated with the first converter. A second converter control unit sends a second valve control signal. A second active/standby indicator is associated with the second converter control unit. The device also includes a valve control unit. An active/standby indicator indicates if a corresponding converter control unit is active or standby. Only one indicator indicates an active unit at a given point in time. The valve control unit receives the active/standby indicators and valve control signals, selects a valve control signal to be applied if the corresponding active/standby indicator indicates an active converter control unit and controls the current valve using the selected valve control signal. |
| US08305780B2 |
Power conversion apparatus controlling output of inverter based on power value
The invention relates to a power conversion apparatus including a converter circuit and an inverter circuit. The invention allows more precise output control of the inverter circuit than a power conversion apparatus in which the output control is performed based on a current value only, thereby improving operation efficiency. A current sensor detects input current of the inverter circuit, and a voltage sensor detects input voltage of the inverter circuit. A power value calculator section in an inverter microcomputer obtains a power value based on the input current and the input voltage. The inverter microcomputer and the control microcomputer perform droop control of reducing the output of the inverter circuit to make the power value smaller than a predetermined power value. |
| US08305779B2 |
Parallel-connected uninterrupted power supply circuit
The configurations of a parallel-connected UPS circuit are provided in the present invention. The proposed circuit includes a neutral, a battery having a positive and a negative terminals, and a plurality of PFC boost converters, each of which includes a PFC circuit including an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the positive terminal and a second terminal, a rectifying bridge coupled to the second terminal of the inductor, and having a first terminal and a second terminal coupled to the negative terminal, a switch bridge having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the rectifying bridge and a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the rectifying bridge, and a control switch having a first terminal and a second terminal coupled to the neutral. |
| US08305774B2 |
Enclosure of electronic device
An enclosure includes a plate. The plate defines a number of through holes. A hollow shield extends from the edges bounding each through hole. A top side of the shield opposite to the plate is smaller than a bottom side of the shield which is connected to the edges of the through hole. The enclosure can better shield electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the electronic device. |
| US08305770B2 |
PCBA low cost frame mount
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a printed circuit board assembly having a circuit board with opposing side edges and an open frame housing that has first and second parallel elongated mounting frames extending along the respective side edges of the circuit board. Each mounting frame has an elongated body portion forming a channel extending the length of the body, the channel serving to nest one of the side edges of the circuit board. The body of each mounting frame has one or more sets of orthogonally disposed, intersecting mounting holes that permit use of mounting holes to accommodate screws for attaching the mounting frames in a rack frame of a host system so that the circuit board is optionally supported in a side attached mode or in a bottom attached mode. |
| US08305766B2 |
Electronic component-embedded printed circuit board and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board, including: a substrate including an insulation layer in which a cavity is formed; an electronic component mounted in the cavity of the substrate and having connection terminals; an insulation material layer formed on one side of the substrate to bury the electronic component; a first circuit layer formed on the other side of the substrate and including a connection pattern connecting with the connection terminals of the electronic component; and a second circuit layer formed on the insulation material layer. The printed circuit board is advantageous in that it can prevent the warpage thereof and ensure the reliability of electrical connection between an electronic component and a circuit layer by adjusting the thickness, thermal expansion coefficient and elastic modulus of insulation layer or the insulating material. |
| US08305761B2 |
Heat removal in compact computing systems
A low profile heat removal system suitable for removing excess heat generated by a component operating in a compact computing environment is disclosed. |
| US08305759B2 |
Gravity assisted directed liquid cooling
Dielectric liquid is used to cool heat generating electronic components disposed on a circuit board within a case. The liquid is poured or otherwise directed over the electronic components, with gravity assisting the liquid in flowing downward over the components, with the liquid thereafter being collected in a sump for eventual return back to the electronic components. One exemplary application of the described concepts is in cooling electronic components in computers, for example personal computers or server computers. |
| US08305754B2 |
Heat dissipation structure of electronic device
A structure of heat dissipation of an electronic device includes at least one heat pipe and a cooler. The heat pipe has a condensation end and an evaporation end opposite to each other, and the evaporation end is disposed on a heat generating element of the electronic device. The cooler is disposed on a rack and has a chamber therein, and the chamber has an inner shell having a cooling fluid therein. When the electronic device is mounted in the rack, the condensation end of the heat pipe is inserted into the cooler and positioned into the inner shell. The evaporation end absorbs the heat energy of the heat generating element, and transfers the heat energy to the condensation end, such that the cooling fluid dissipates the heat energy of the condensation end. |
| US08305753B2 |
Adjustable mechanism and electronic device having the adjustable mechanism
An electronic device includes an adjustable mechanism disposed at a front end of a housing body thereof. The adjustable mechanism includes a foot pad extending through the housing body, and movable relative thereto between a retracted position, where a bottom of the foot pad is higher than that of a docking station, and an extended position, where the bottom of the foot pad is at a same level as that of the docking station. A movable engaging hook is mounted slidably on an inner side of the housing body, and is partially exposed from the housing body. The engaging hook engages the foot pad when the engaging hook is at a limiting position and when the foot pad is at the retracted or extended position, and disengages the foot pad to enable the foot pad to move between the retracted and extended positions when at a free position. |
| US08305752B2 |
Air duct and electronic device incorporating the same
An air duct defines a first air vent and a second air vent at opposite ends thereof, respectively. The air duct includes a duct body and a movable plate. The duct body defines a through opening in a side thereof. The through hole intercommunicates an interior and an exterior of the air duct. The movable plate is mounted on the side of the duct body adjacent to the through opening. By moving the movable plate, the through opening can be changed between an open state and a closed state freely. An electronic device incorporating the air duct is also provided. |
| US08305750B2 |
Electronic device and plug connector thereof
An electronic device includes a circuit module with a circuit board, and a plug connector with a supporting base, several terminals, and an outer shell. The terminals are disposed at the supporting base, and connected to the circuit board. The outer shell surrounds the supporting base, and has two parallel horizontal plates. Two extending plates are extended from a front surface of one of the horizontal plates. A slot is formed among that horizontal plate and the two extending plates. Via these arrangements, the out shell of the plug connector has the slot, so that the deformation of the outer shell is more easily caused. Thus, even if the assembly tolerance between the plug connector and the socket connector is deviated, the force for plugging or unplugging the plug connector would not be too abnormal. That is because the outer shell can be easily deformed to compensate for the deviation. |
| US08305749B2 |
Detachable clip mechanism and related computer system
A clip mechanism includes a first lateral wall whereon a slot is formed, and a second lateral wall disposed on a side of the first lateral wall. At least one opening is formed on the second lateral wall for engaging with a protrusion of a casing. The clip mechanism further includes a bending part bent for connecting the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall. The clip mechanism further includes a resilient arm. A first end of the resilient arm is connected to an end of the slot of the first lateral wall, and a second end of the resilient arm protrudes out of a side of the slot. The resilient arm further includes a contacting part protruding out of the other side of the slot for contacting against an electronic device so as to ground the electronic device. |
| US08305744B2 |
Shock mounting cover glass in consumer electronics devices
Apparatus, systems and methods for shock mounting glass for an electronic device are disclosed. The glass for the electronic device can provide an outer surface for at least a portion of a housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a compliant interface between the glass and the electronic device housing. In another embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a mechanically actuated retractable. For example, an outer glass member for an electronic device housing can be referred to as cover glass, which is often provided at a front surface of the electronic device housing. |
| US08305741B2 |
Interior connector scheme for accessorizing a mobile computing device with a removeable housing segment
A panel segment is structured to be attachable and detachable from the computing device in order to form a portion of the overall housing for the computing device. The panel segment includes a panel connector, positioned on an interior surface of the panel segment to electrically mate with an interior connector of the computing device when the panel segment is attached. The panel segment includes one or more electrical components that are operable to send an electrical output to, or receive an electrical output from a component of the computing device. |
| US08305740B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a body with a slide member, a supporter connected to the slide member to support the body placed on a plane, and a fastener combining the supporter and the slide member to make the supporter locate at a first position of the slide member. When the body is applied a force, the supporter moves along the slide rod to locate at a second position to adjust an angle between the body and the plane. |
| US08305736B2 |
Motor control center subunit having movable line contacts and method of manufacture
A system and method for connecting supply power to motor control components includes use of a motor control center subunit with moveable supply power contacts. After a motor control center subunit is secured into a motor control center compartment, the supply power contacts may be advanced to engage supply power buses. For disconnection, the supply power contacts may be refracted and isolated from the buses before physical removal of the subunit. |
| US08305726B2 |
Method for progressively introducing current into a superconducting coil mounted on a former
A method for progressively introducing current into, or removing current from, a superconducting coil mounted on a former, in which the coil vibrates relative to the former. |
| US08305720B2 |
Latch-control protection circuit
A latch-control protection circuit applied in a power converter is provided. The protection circuit has a comparing circuit unit and a logic gate. The comparing circuit unit is utilized to selectively output a default signal or a comparing signal according to a state signal from the logic gate, wherein the default signal is utilized for latching the state signal and the comparing signal is corresponded to the power condition of the power converter. The logic gate generates the state signal according to the output signal of the comparing circuit unit and a system judging signal. The output signal may be the default signal or the comparing signal. The system judging signal indicates the condition of the power converter. |
| US08305718B2 |
Low parasitic capacitance electrostatic discharge protection circuit
The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, and more particularly to a low parasitic capacitance electrostatic discharge protection circuit. An ESD protection circuit is established with the structure in accordance with the present invention comprising a plurality of discharging paths. The ESD protection circuit is connected to the input/output pad of a radio frequency (RF) core circuit. Such that, the RF core circuit with the ESD protection circuit of the present invention feature much higher ESD robustness. And the parasitic capacitance of the ESD protection is reduced because of the structure of the present invention. |
| US08305717B2 |
LED modules for sign channel letters and driving circuit
An LED module for use in sign letter channel lights comprises a substrate, a reflector mounted on the substrate, an LED mounted within the reflector on the substrate and a Zener diode shunt element connected in parallel across the LED, a printed circuit board on the substrate, wherein the LED is mounted on the printed circuit board, and an insulating cover. The module may be entirely encapsulated. An LED driving protection circuit provides ground fault protection for a plurality of series connected LED modules. |
| US08305716B2 |
Magneto-resistance effect element including diffusive electron scattering layer, magneto-resistance effect head, magnetic storage and magnetic memory
An example magneto-resistance effect element includes a magnetization layer and a free magnetization layer of which magnetization direction changes depending on an external magnetic field. A spacer layer is located between the magnetization layer and the free magnetization layer, and has an insulating layer and an electric conductor passing current therethrough in a layer direction of the insulating layer. A diffusive electron scattering layer is disposed on said free magnetization layer for scattering diffusive electrons. The scattering layer includes a first nonmagnetic layer and a second nonmagnetic layer containing a first element and a second element, respectively, and a mixing layer disposed at a boundary between the first and second nonmagnetic layers and containing the first and second elements. The mixing layer has a thickness of 0.5 nm or more and 1.5 nm or less. |
| US08305715B2 |
Magnetoresistance (MR) read elements having an active shield
Read elements and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed. A read element as described herein includes a magnetoresistance (MR) sensor sandwiched between first and second shields. The read element uses the first shield as an active portion of the MR sensor. Instead of implementing an AFM pinning layer in the MR sensor, the first shield takes the place of the AFM pinning layer. The first shield is orthogonally coupled to the pinned layer through an orthogonal coupling layer, such as a thin layer of AFM material. Through this structure, the magnetic moment of the first shield pins the magnetic moment of the pinned layer transverse to the ABS of the read element, and an AFM pinning layer is not needed. |
| US08305713B2 |
Head stack latch assembly
This application discloses a Load-UnLoad (LUL) hard disk drive comprising a disk base, a spindle motor mounted on the disk base for rotating at least one disk to create at least one rotating disk surface, and a head stack assembly pivotably coupled to the disk base and configured to engage an actuator latch when the sliders of the head stack assembly are to be parked. The actuator latch includes a latch beam coupled through a latch pivot to the disk base and a boss coupled to the latch beam and configured to limit the stroke of latch motion in the event of a rotary non-operational shock. |
| US08305706B2 |
Disk library system including array of removable disk cartridges and movable connector system
Embodiments presented herein provide a removable disk library system. The removable disk library system, in embodiments, comprises an array of removable disk drive bays and a movable connector system. Each removable disk drive bay can hold a removable disk drive cartridge. The movable connector system can be positioned behind the array of removable disk drive bays where the movable connector system can access the connector of the removable disk drive cartridges. In embodiments, the movable connector system includes a movable connector assembly that can automatically connect to the connector at the rear of the removable disk drive. |
| US08305704B2 |
Write data switching for magnetic disk drives
One embodiment of the invention includes a system for writing data onto a magnetic disk. An output driver provides a first write current through a first output transistor in a first state and provides a second write current through a second output transistor in a second state. The first and second write currents can be provided to a disk write head to store opposing binary values, respectively. A bias current generator switches a first bias current between an intermediate voltage node in the second state and the first control node in the first state, and switches a second bias current between the intermediate voltage node in the first state and the second control node in the second state. The first and second bias currents can be provided to set a bias voltage at the first and second control nodes to bias the first and second output transistors, respectively. |
| US08305702B2 |
Voice coil motor, camera module having same and portable electronic device having same
An exemplary voice coil motor includes a fixed body, a movable barrel, a number of upper rollers, and a number of lower rollers. The fixed body includes a first receiving cavity, a number of upper recesses, and a number of lower recesses. The upper recesses and lower recesses are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the fixed body, and communicate with the first receiving cavity. The movable barrel is movably received in the first receiving cavity. The upper rollers are engagingly received in the corresponding upper recesses, and engage with the movable barrel for applying first friction forces to the movable barrel. The lower rollers are engagingly received in the lower recesses, and engage with the movable barrel for applying second friction forces to the movable barrel. |
| US08305701B2 |
Connecting arrangement for an optical device
The disclosure relates to a connecting arrangement for an optical device, such as in microlithography. The connecting arrangement includes a first body, a second body and a connecting device. The first body contacts the second body in a laminar manner in a contact region. The connecting device is connected to the second body and contacts the first body via at least one contact unit. The connecting device is configured to generate a predefinable contact force in the contact region between the first body and the second body. The contact unit includes a plurality of separate contact elements. Each contact element is connected to the second body via a spring unit which can be elastically deformed to generate a contribution to the contact force. |
| US08305700B2 |
Holographic drive head and component alignment
The present invention relates to embodiments of: (1) a unitary holographic drive head assembly mounting structure; (2) an assembly comprising a unitary holographic drive head assembly mounting structure and a plurality of holographic drive head components and/or subassemblies; (3) a subassembly comprising a spatial light modulator, detector array, and a beam splitter; (4) a device comprising a spatial light modulator and a physical aperture positioned over or an imaged aperture projected onto the photoactive area of the spatial light modulator; (5) a system for optically aligning or pointing a laser in a holographic drive head assembly; (6) a light source subassembly comprising a laser, a fiber coupling lens; and an optical fiber having a fiber connector ready output end; and (7) a light source subsystem comprising a laser source, beam conditioning optics, fiber coupling optics for receiving the conditioned light beam, and a fiber optic connector for receiving the conditioned light beam from the fiber coupling optics. |
| US08305699B2 |
Wafer-level lens module with extended depth of field and imaging device including the wafer-level lens module
A wafer-level lens module with an extended depth of field (EDF) and an imaging device including the wafer-level lens module are provided. The wafer-level EDF lens module includes a plurality of wafer-scale lenses stacked with fixed distances therebetween. The plurality of wafer-scale lenses includes an effective lens having a profile which satisfies a corrected optimized aspheric function, wherein a profile of a center region of the effective lens is optimized for an infinity-focused image and a profile of an edge region of the effective lens is optimized for a macro-focused image. |
| US08305691B2 |
Fluid lens element for use in changing thermal operating environment
There is provided a lens element configured so that optical characteristics thereof remain substantially stable over a range of operating temperatures. In one embodiment, a fluid lens element can be provided that includes a membrane having a formation formed thereon for accommodating changes in characteristics of the lens element attributable to changes in temperature so that an amount of perturbations in the lens element which would otherwise be exhibited with thermal expansion of the membrane are minimized. |
| US08305689B2 |
Light source apparatus and optical module included therein
The present invention relates to a light source apparatus or the like provided with a structure that can block reflected return light also when an emitting end side of an optical isolator is a space. The light source apparatus comprises a light source section, a guide section, and an optical module. The optical module includes a collimator, an optical isolator, and an oblique-beam blocking section. The collimator outputs collimated light with a predetermined beam diameter as a forward propagating beam. The optical isolator is a polarization-independent optical isolator that introduces the collimated light from a first end and outputs this collimated light from a second end. The oblique-beam blocking section includes first and second optical components each having a window of a diameter D, and blocks light incident at a predetermined angle relative to an optical axis of the forward propagating beam out of a backward propagating beam, by separating the first and second optical components from each other by a predetermined distance. |
| US08305688B2 |
Article having metal dielectric reflective film
A article includes a substrate and a metal dielectric reflective film. The metal dielectric reflective film is formed on the substrate, the metal dielectric reflective film includes a dielectric multiple layer and a metal layer. The dielectric multiple layer includes a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, and a fourth layer arranged in the order written and stacked one on another. The first and third layers comprised of a low refractive index material, the second and fourth layers comprised of a high refractive index material. The metal layer is disposed on the fourth layer. |
| US08305685B2 |
Loupe support system
A loupe support system includes a frame (12) which can be mounted at the head of a user and at which a holding device (18) is mounted, an elongated support element (30, 31, 68) which, at its central region, is supported at the holding device (18) such that it can rotate about its longitudinal central axis, wherein a respective loupe ocular (34) is mounted at the support element (30, 31, 68) on each of both sides of the holding device, and a light mounting element (22) supported at the holding device (18) such that it can rotate about a rotary axis being coaxial with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the support element (30, 31, 68). |
| US08305684B2 |
Microscope apparatus having optical systems forming optical paths parallel to an optical axis of an objective lens
A microscope apparatus configured to enlarge entrance pupils while maintaining the rotational symmetry of optical systems of a plurality of optical paths after ejection of light from an objective lens to bring out the performance of the objective lens. A microscope apparatus includes an objective lens having a function of collecting light from the object; and optical paths in which all lens groups are rotational symmetric systems and through which light exited from the objective lens passes, wherein when a sum of maximum diameters of entrance pupils of optical systems forming any two of the optical paths is set as ΣDi, and an axial luminous flux diameter determined from a maximum aperture angle α and a focal distance f of the objective lens is set as Dobj, a condition of the following expression is satisfied, ΣDi>Dobj where Dobj=2·f·sin α. |
| US08305679B2 |
Electromagnetic wave oscillating devices
A device for oscillating an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 0.1 THz to 3 THz from pump and idler waves by a parametric effect. The device includes a supporting body, an oscillating substrate made of a non-linear optical crystal, and an adhesive layer adhering the supporting body and oscillating substrate. The oscillating substrate includes an upper face, a bottom face and an incident face on which the pump wave is made incident. The oscillating substrate provides cut-off with respect to the electromagnetic wave oscillated by the parametric effect when the pump and idler waves propagate in parallel with the bottom face. |
| US08305678B2 |
Dual view display system
A dual view display system that includes a display device and a first louver device. The display device is configured to display a first image at a display location to a first person at a first location and display a second image at the display location to a second person at a second location. The first louver device configured to substantially restrict a first field of view of the first image to the first person. The system may also include a second louver device configured to substantially restrict a second field of view of the second image to the second person. Such an arrangement restricts the fields of view so that, for example, a vehicle driver can not lean over and view something intended only for a vehicle passenger, such as a movie. |
| US08305676B2 |
Electro-optical deflection/modulation
An optical deflector includes multiple voltage-dependent refractive boundaries. Light passes through the refractive boundaries and accumulates a deflection angle. An electrode placed to apply a voltage to the boundaries may be non-uniform to modulate a wavefront as it passes. A scanning laser projector includes the optical deflector to modulate laser light. |
| US08305671B2 |
Biaxial scanning mirror for image forming apparatus and method for operating the same
A biaxial scanning mirror is disclosed in the present invention. The mirror includes: a first wafer having several cavities forming a first row and a second row, several permanent magnets each installed in one of the cavities, a spacer and a second wafer. The second wafer includes: a mirror unit, rotating around a first axis, for reflecting light beams; and a rotating unit, formed around the mirror unit, for rotating the mirror unit around a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. At least one coil substrate having a planar coil is assembled in the rotating unit. |
| US08305668B2 |
Recording and reproducing device, recording and reproducing method, recording device, recording method, reproducing device and reproducing method
A technique for recording data onto a hologram recording medium using spatial light phase modulation corresponding to the recording data, and a technique for reproducing recorded data by properly reading information on phases recorded on a hologram recording medium. A signal beam having a phase modulation pattern corresponding to recording data and a reference beam having a specific phase modulation pattern are applied to the recording medium. Thus, recording data can be recorded onto the hologram recording medium using phase information. In addition, at the time of reproduction, a reference beam and a direct current (DC) beam, whose phase difference with respect to the reference beam is π/2, are applied to the hologram recording medium. By reading the reproduction beam to which the DC beam is added, recorded information on phases can be correctly read, and recorded data can be reproduced in accordance with the phase information. |
| US08305666B2 |
System and method for maintaining hue constancy
System and method for maintaining perceived hue constancy. A method for displaying an image includes receiving a color vector and associated image data, remapping the color vector to maintain a perceived hue constancy by adjusting a hue component of the color vector in response to a change in a lightness component or a chroma component of the color vector, providing the remapped color vector to a light source for display, and displaying image data associated with the color vector. The use of the constant hue curve ensures that the adjusting of the color vector maintains the perceived hue of the color vector, thereby helping to maintain image quality. |
| US08305663B2 |
Signal generator, image reading device, and image forming apparatus
A clock-signal generating unit generates temporally-continuous clock signals. A spread-spectrum clock-signal generating unit generates a spread-spectrum clock signal by modulating a frequency spectrum of a clock signal generated by the clock-signal generating unit. A signal delaying unit generates a fixed delay unaffected by a spread spectrum from the spread-spectrum clock signal generated by the spread-spectrum clock-signal generating unit, and delays a phase of the spread-spectrum clock signal based on an amount of the fixed delay. |
| US08305658B2 |
Automatic document feeder and scanning apparatus having device for detecting document speed
The invention provides an automatic document feeder for a scanning apparatus. The automatic document feeder includes a feeding passage, a feeding mechanism, a shaft, an idle roller, and a detecting device. The feeding mechanism is used for transporting a document along the feeding passage. The shaft is disposed at the feeding passage, and the idle roller is sleeved on the shaft. When the document is transported through the feeding passage, the idle roller is driven to rotate by the document. The detecting device detects a rotational speed of the idle roller and outputs a detection signal according to the rotational speed of the idle roller. |
| US08305657B2 |
Image reading system
An image reading system includes a scanner apparatus and a data reception apparatus. The data reception apparatus has a receiving section receiving image data transferred from the scanner apparatus, a received data storage section storing the image data received in the receiving section, and a driver program executing section executing a driver program for operating the scanner apparatus to transmit a scan start command. The scanner apparatus has a feeding section feeding an original document sheet to a predetermined reading position, a reading sensor reading an image of the original document sheet fed by the feeding section, a transfer data storage section storing image data from the reading sensor, a transfer section transferring the image data stored in the transfer data storage section to the data reception apparatus, and a scanner control section controlling the feeding section and the reading sensor. |
| US08305656B2 |
Image reading apparatus, image forming apparatus incorporating the same, image reading control method therefor, and program implementing the method
An image reading apparatus which improved the development efficiency and is capable of reducing the development cost. The image reading apparatus comprises a specific unit 1001 and an alignment unit 1002. The specific unit 1001 has an CPU 1501 that informs the alignment unit 1002 of identification information for identifying an apparatus specification of the specific unit 1001. |
| US08305654B2 |
Image scanning apparatus and method of determining size of original document
An image scanning apparatus arranged to press an original document placed on a glass plate by a platen cover and to scan the original document by a line sensor includes a light source used when scanning image information, a first detection sensor arranged to detect as a first timing a state in which the cover is opened at, for example, an angle of 20 degrees, a second detection sensor arranged to detect as a second timing a state, for example, that is immediately before the cover closes the glass plate, and an original document size determining unit arranged to determine the size of the original document based on the differential data, which is calculated from first image information scanned at the first timing and second image information scanned at the second timing. |
| US08305643B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method thereof
An image processing apparatus which performs dithering to an input image, includes: an input value storage unit which stores an input value to generate a mask seed value corresponding to a single pixel in a unit area among a plurality of pixels displaying an image, wherein the unit area includes a first line and at least second line; and a seed value generator which generates the mask seed value corresponding to one of pixels in the at least one second line among the pixels of the unit area based on the input value stored in the input value storage unit. |
| US08305641B2 |
Image-processing system
An image-processing system for printing an image based on original image data. The storing unit stores at least one look-up table in association with at least one printing condition. The at least one look-up table is used to convert a color value in original image data into a limited color value that limits a total quantity of ink to be used in printing. The detecting unit detects, as a printing condition, at least one of a type of color material and a type of recording medium which are used for printing operation. The converting unit converts the color value data into the limited color value by using a look-up table that is assigned with a printing condition corresponding to the detected printing condition. |
| US08305640B2 |
Distributed data flow for page parallel image processing within printing systems
A system renders print jobs via a marking engine. A raster image processor receives the job from the input module and renders it to one or more raster images. One or more contone image processors receive the one or more raster images to perform cross-channel image processing to render the raster images into a form compatible with the marking engine, wherein the output is partially sub-partitioned by color separation. An image refactoring and distribution network completes the sub-partitioning by separation of the rendered contone raster images by color separation and distributes each color sub-partition to a marker channel module specific to each color sub-partition. A marking engine receives the color sub-partitioned image data, marks the image onto a substrate and outputs a hardcopy of the image. |
| US08305637B2 |
Image forming apparatus, positional deviation correction method, and recording medium storing positional deviation correction program
A multicolor image forming apparatus includes an exposure unit to direct optical beams for optically writing different single-color images on image carriers, respectively, a pattern forming unit to form a positioning pattern on a transport member, a pattern detector to detect the positioning pattern, disposed above the transport member, a positional data detector disposed on a scanning line to detect positional data in a sub-scanning direction of the optical beams, an adjustment unit, and a storage unit. The adjustment unit detects positional deviations among the different single-color images based on detection results generated by both the pattern detector and the positional data detector, respectively, and then corrects the positional deviations. The storage unit stores as reference data the positional data in the sub-scanning direction of the optical beams detected when the positional deviations are corrected. |
| US08305636B2 |
Undercolor removal gray color replacement with improved device color linearity
A system and methods for performing UCR/GCR (Undercolor Removal/Gray Color Replacement) in a digital printer is provided. The system and method includes maximizing the linearity of a color mapping function mapping a device independent color to a device dependent color through linear filtering and performing color projection to ensure color accuracy. The system and methods reduces graininess of printed color images having flesh-tones by also including a K reduction step. |
| US08305634B2 |
Image processing device, image recording system, image processing method and computer-readable medium
In an image processing device, the memory stores conversion characteristic information corresponding to respective recording portions of an image recording device that records an image at a recording medium while moving a recording unit, which is provided with a plurality of the recording portions arrayed in a first direction, relative to the recording medium in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, the conversion characteristic information expressing conversion characteristics for converting image data in units of one pixel. The first processing unit performs conversion processing along the first direction, continuously converting respective sets of pixel data aligned in the second direction, using conversion characteristic information that corresponds to the recording portions. The second processing unit performs image processing in the order of processing by the first processing unit. The output unit outputs the image data to the image recording device as aligned in the first direction. |
| US08305626B2 |
Computer readable storage medium with printer driver stored therein for effecting a setting change
A computer readable storage medium in which a printer driver is stored is provided. The printer driver causes a computer to operate as a computing apparatus including: a memorizing unit that memorizes a plurality of set value combinations in each of which a set value is associated with each setting item; a selection accepting unit that displays information indicating the set value combinations in a selectable manner and accepts selection of at least one set value combination; and a set value changing unit that applies, to a part of setting items for which values have already been set, a set value for a setting item included in the set value combination the selection of which has been accepted by the selection accepting unit so as to effect a change. |
| US08305623B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with function of detecting errors in printing process
In a copying machine having an image memory that stores image data, a DRAM control IC that repetitively reads out image data from the image memory, and an image forming section that forms the images for the specified number of copies, a write processing section having a number of pixels counter that counts the number of pixels included in the image data for the predetermined number of pages at the time of reading, a first memory that stores the count value for the nth copy, a second memory that stores the count value for the (n+1)th copy, and an image control CPU that compares the count value stored in the first memory with the count value stored in the second memory and thereby judges the occurrence of errors in the print process if the two counts are not equal to each other and carries out error processing. |
| US08305621B2 |
Printing using multiple paper sources
Management of multiple paper sources during printing is provided. A setting screen allows setting a page layout indicating a number of pages to be arranged on a single face of a sheet of paper. An additional setting screen having different setting items allows setting of multiple paper feed sources for a single print job where the paper feed sources include a paper feed source for the first page of the print job and another paper feed source for a page different from the first page. The page layout may be changed in accordance with an operation on a page image indicating a set page layout when the additional setting screen includes the page image. In addition, both setting screens may be provided by a single printer driver. |
| US08305618B2 |
Image forming apparatus, activation control method
An image forming apparatus activates target devices including connected devices and internal devices, and executes a requested process. The image forming apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire information pertaining to the connected devices, information pertaining to a startup method of the image forming apparatus, and information pertaining to maximum usable power of a power supply unit of the image forming apparatus; a specifying unit configured to verify what the target devices are and specify a corresponding activation pattern based on the information acquired by the acquiring unit, wherein the corresponding activation pattern is specified among plural activation patterns that have been set in advance, each of the plural activation patterns defining activation timings of the target devices; and an activation control unit configured to control activation of the target devices in accordance with the corresponding activation pattern specified by the specifying unit. |
| US08305617B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of properly setting copy conditions of document
In an image forming apparatus outputting a document, a copy condition of the output document and the order of priority among the set copy condition, a condition on the part of the machine, and a condition input by the user to be actually decided on as a copy condition are set. The information is then embedded and output. In an image forming apparatus making a copy, the output printed material is scanned and the embedded copy condition and order of priority are extracted and restored. Then, for each item of the copy conditions, a condition having a higher priority among the aforementioned conditions is decided on as a copy condition of the printed material, so that the printed material is copied under the decided condition. |
| US08305614B2 |
Information processing system and method of controlling same
A scan job for scanning in an evidenced document is transmitted from a client terminal to a scanner. The scanner executes the scan job that has been received. If the scan job to be executed designates overlay printing, form data to be overlaid with the data scanned in by the scan job is selected (S205) and the selected form and scanned-in data are overlaid (S205). As a result, user operation is simplified while wasting of paper is eliminated. |
| US08305607B2 |
Method of processing display, including detecting operation state of component unit
An MFP includes sensors for detecting states of units, a transmitting/receiving unit that receives authentication information of a user ID, and an obtaining unit that obtains manual data and sensor information. The transmitting/receiving unit transmits the manual data and the sensor information to a displaying device that includes a sensor detecting unit, an authenticating unit, a transmitting/receiving unit that transmits the authentication information to the MFP and receives the manual data and the sensor information, and a display controlling unit that controls the received manual data and the sensor information to be displayed on a displaying unit. |
| US08305604B2 |
System and method of network printing
A method of printing a document, the method includes assigning a permission classification to a document to be printed; assigning a user permission profile to a user; and determining from the user permission profile and the permission classification of the document whether the user is authorized to print the document. Another method of printing a document includes assigning a permission classification to a document to be printed; assigning a printer permission profile to each of a number of network printers; and determining from the permission profile of the network printer and the permission classification of the document whether a the network printer is authorized to print the document. |
| US08305599B2 |
Image forming apparatus, interruption management method, and computer program product
A user-interface unit receives a request from a user. A control unit performs an execution control in response to the request received by the user-interface unit, and during an execution process, performs an interruption process and an authentication process. An application-logic unit provides a plurality of functions related to an image forming process. A device-service unit provides a shared service for the application-logic unit. |
| US08305596B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and storage medium
An object of this invention is to provide an information processing apparatus which can provide a plurality of services via a network, can easily manage objects to be processed which are permitted to be processed by the service, and enhances security for respective objects to be processed. To this end, an MFP according to this embodiment is an MFP (100) which can provide a plurality of services (306 to 308), and has a read unit for accessing a script (305) that describes information associated with a document file and reading the information, a unit (302) for, when a request is received, instructing to execute authentication processing of a user who issued the request, and a unit (301) for, when the user authentication has succeeded, checking based on the information whether or not a file included in the request is a file which is not permitted to be processed by the service. If it is determined that the file is permitted to be processed by the service, the service processes the file. |
| US08305595B2 |
Print control with interfaces provided in correspondence with printing methods to show status of member printers
Display control is made so as to obtain an optimum setting picture plane in accordance with a change in designation of an outputting method of a distribution printing, a multiple-address printing, an automatic substitute printing, or the like without allowing the user to be conscious thereof. |
| US08305593B2 |
Predictive user interface mimics for finishing
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a user interface system for preparing an output document of a digital printing device having a user interface, a set of output options for the output document. The user interface enables selection of at least one output option from the set of output options. The system further provides a display device operatively connected to the user interface and configured to display at least one user interface mimic for the output document, with the at least one user interface mimic providing a graphical representation of the output document based on selection of the output options. After displaying the at least one user interface mimic, the user interface allows users to modify the output options prior to printing the output document. Then, the system updates the display of the at least one user interface mimic, based on modifications to the output options, prior to printing the output document. |
| US08305585B2 |
Fiber-optic assay apparatus based on phase-shift interferometry
Apparatus and method for detecting the presence or amount or rate of binding of an analyte in a sample solution is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical assembly having first and second reflecting surfaces separated by a distance “d” greater than 50 nm, where the first surface is formed by a layer of analyte-binding molecules, and a light source for directing a beam of light onto said first and second reflecting surface. A detector in the apparatus operates to detect a change in the thickness of the first reflecting layer resulting from binding of analyte to the analyte-binding molecules, when the assembly is placed in the solution of analyte, by detecting a shift in phase of light waves reflected from the first and second surfaces. |
| US08305581B2 |
Methods and apparatus for analyzing samples and collecting sample fractions
Methods and apparatus for analyzing a sample using at least one detector are disclosed. |
| US08305579B2 |
Sequential analysis of biological samples
Methods for probing multiple targets in a biological sample are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a sample containing multiple targets, binding at least one probe having a binder coupled to an enzyme to one or more target present in the sample, and reacting the bound probe with an enzyme substrate coupled to a fluorescent signal generator. The methods include the steps of observing a signal from the fluorescent signal generator and applying to the sample a solution containing an oxidizing agent that substantially inactivates both the fluorescent signal generator and the enzyme. The methods further include the steps of binding at least one probe having a binder coupled to an enzyme to one or more target present in the sample of step, reacting the bound probe with an enzyme substrate coupled to a fluorescent signal generator; and observing a signal from the fluorescent signal generator. The methods disclosed herein also provide for multiple iterations of binding, observing, and oxidizing for deriving information about multiple targets in a single sample. An associated kit is also provided. |
| US08305578B1 |
Imaging polarimeter
An imaging polarimeter and a method of utilizing the imaging polarimeter are provided. The method includes receiving a first light ray at a beam splitter and splitting the first light ray into second, third, fourth, and fifth light rays such that the second, third, fourth, and fifth light rays are simultaneously received on a flat focal plane. The method further includes outputting first, second, third, and fourth signals indicative of first, second, third, and fourth intensities, respectively, of the second, third, fourth, and fifth light rays, respectively, utilizing a sensor array disposed on the focal plane. The method further includes determining first, second, third, and fourth Stokes parameters for a pixel of the sensor array based on the first, second, third, and fourth signals, respectively, utilizing a computer. |
| US08305573B2 |
Method of monitoring and controlling of mixing processes
A method for determining the degree of mixing between components in a mixing process, the method including the steps of: a) mixing at least two components and at least two luminescent materials to form a mixture, wherein the luminescent materials are added to the mixture separately from each other, and wherein each luminescent material has a uniquely detectable luminescence emission wavelength; b) detecting emitted luminescence from a sample of the mixture, wherein the emitted luminescence includes different luminescence intensities at the uniquely detectable luminescence emission wavelengths of the luminescent materials; c) wherein the ratio of luminescence intensities and/or the absolute or relative intensities of luminescence at the uniquely detectable luminescence emission wavelengths is indicative of the degree of mixing between the components. |
| US08305564B2 |
Method for automatically discriminating control solution
The present invention relates to a method for automatically discriminating a control solution from a sample in a measurement system for measuring a target ingredient in the sample by using a measurement wavelength and a reference wavelength, wherein as the control solution, a control solution having a response value lower than a lower limit value (threshold) of a response value, such as absorbance, supposed when luminance of the sample is measured at the reference wavelength and having a response value higher than an upper limit value (threshold) of a response value supposed when luminance of the sample is measured at the detection wavelength for detecting whether the sample is supplied is used. |
| US08305563B2 |
Electro-optical distance-measuring unit
An electro-optical distance-measuring unit (10) includes a light source (1), the emitted light of which in the distance-measuring unit (10) is guided onto a measurement path (8) at least by one polarizing beam splitter (3), an electro-optical modulator (5) and a retarder (6). Light that is returned along the measurement path (8) is guided at least by the retarder (6), the electro-optical modulator (5) and the polarizing beam splitter (3) onto a detector (4). The distance-measuring unit (10) furthermore includes a control and evaluation unit (11) for determining a length of the measurement path (8) in accordance with a modulation frequency of the electro-optical modulator (5) and a signal of the detector (4). The light source (1) has a broad spectrum of the emitted light and is preferably a super-luminescent diode. |
| US08305562B2 |
Depth image generating method and apparatus
A method of and apparatus for generating a depth image are provided. The method of generating a depth image includes: emitting light to an object for a first predetermined time period; detecting first light information of the object for the first predetermined time period from the time when the light is emitted; detecting second light information of the object for the first predetermined time period a second predetermined time period after the time when the light is emitted; and by using the detected first and second light information, generating a depth image of the object. In this way, the method can generate a depth image more quickly. |
| US08305558B2 |
Illumination system for a microlithography projection exposure apparatus
An illumination system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an EUV light source which generates an emission beam of linearly polarized EUV illumination light. An illumination optics guides the emission beam along an optical axis which causes an illumination field in a reticle plane to be illuminated by the emission beam. The illumination system also includes an illumination subunit of the illumination system. The illumination subunit includes at least the EUV light source and a polarization setting device for setting a defined polarization of the EUV emission beam of the illumination subunit. |
| US08305553B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
Provided is an exposure apparatus that is able to prevent liquid from remaining on a measuring part. An exposure apparatus comprises a measuring system (60), which has a first pattern (61) formed on the upper surface of a substrate stage, and a second area (S2) specified on the upper surface in the vicinity of a first area (S1), which includes the first pattern (61), and a second pattern (80) is formed in the second area (S2) so that the liquid (LQ) that has remained so as to span the first area (S1) and the second area (S2) retreats from the first area (S1) and collects in the second area (S2). |
| US08305548B2 |
System for displaying images and manufacturing method of the same
A system for displaying images and manufacturing method of the same are provided. The system for displaying images includes a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate having a circuit pattern thereon. A second substrate is disposed to oppositely face the first substrate. A liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first and second substrates. A sealant is between the first and second substrates and adjacent to the liquid crystal layer. The circuit pattern has at least one light-transmitting area corresponding to the boundary between the sealant and the liquid crystal layer thereby allowing a light to irradiate the sealant. |
| US08305540B2 |
Liquid crystal display having subpixels per color pixel
A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a gate line disposed on the first substrate; a data line intersecting the gate line; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a coupling electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a first sub-pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a second sub-pixel electrode capacitively coupled to the coupling electrode; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a common electrode disposed on the second substrate; and a polarizer disposed on the first substrate or the second substrate and having a polarization axis. The coupling electrode is elongated substantially parallel to the polarization axis and has a first edge substantially parallel to or substantially perpendicular to the polarization axis. |
| US08305537B2 |
Pixel array
A pixel array including first signal lines, second signal lines, switch devices, and pixel units coupling to the first signal lines and the second signal lines through the switch devices is provided. The first signal lines and the second signal lines are formed on different films. Each of the pixel units includes a common electrode line. In each of the pixel units of an ith row, the common electrode line has at least one first line segment and at least one second segment coupled to each other and formed on different films, and a distance between an (i−1)th first signal line and the first line segment is not equal to that between the (i−1)th first signal line and the second line segment. The first signal lines are either scan lines or data lines of the pixel array, and the second signal lines are the other kind. |
| US08305534B2 |
Liquid crystal display and panel thereof
A liquid crystal panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, and a pixel electrode arranged on the substrate. The pixel electrode includes a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode separated from each other, and the second subpixel electrode includes a first electrode part disposed above the first subpixel electrode and a second electrode part disposed below the first subpixel electrode and connected to the first electrode part. At least one first notch is arranged on at least one edge of the first subpixel electrode or the second subpixel electrode. |
| US08305533B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides an MVA transmissive or transflective liquid crystal display device with display qualities enhanced along with improvement in contrast.A liquid crystal display device of the present invention including: a pair of substrates; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates, wherein one of the pair of substrates includes a pixel electrode having a rectangular shape when viewed from a display face side, the other substrate includes a linear-shaped dielectric protrusion overlapping with a corner portion of the pixel electrode when viewed from the display face side, and at least one of the pair of substrates includes a corner light-shielding member overlapping with a region where the linear-shaped dielectric protrusion and the corner portion of the pixel electrode overlap with each other. |
| US08305528B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) comprises an array substrate and a color filter substrate, which are assembled together and sandwich liquid crystal therebetween. The array substrate comprises a gate line, a first data line and a second data line, which define a pixel region, a first pixel electrode and a first thin film transistor (TFT) for controlling the first data line to provide a first data voltage to the first pixel electrode in the pixel region, and a second pixel electrode and a second TFT for controlling the second data line to provide a second data voltage to the second pixel electrode. The color filter substrate comprises black matrixes and a color resin unit. The position of the first pixel electrode corresponds to the position of the color resin unit between the black matrixes so as to display a first image on a side of the color filter substrate in a light transmission mode; the position of the second pixel electrode corresponds to the position of the color resin unit on the black matrixes so as to display a second image on a side of the array substrate in a light reflection mode. |
| US08305526B2 |
Method for providing light to liquid crystal panel
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display, comprising forming a color filter array substrate including at least a red (R) color filter and a green (G) color filter; disposing a thin film transistor array substrate oppositely to the color filter array substrate; sealing a liquid crystal layer between the color filter array substrate and the thin film transistor array substrate; and disposing a backlight unit to a surface of the thin film transistor array substrate, said backlight unit providing white light having an adjusted blue spectrum using at least a light emitting diode (LED) unit. |
| US08305523B2 |
Multi-layer achromatic liquid crystal polarization gratings and related fabrication methods
A multi-layer polarization grating includes a first polarization grating layer, a second polarization grating layer on the first polarization grating layer, and a third polarization grating layer on the second polarization grating layer, such that the second polarization grating layer is between the first and third polarization grating layers. The second polarization grating layer has a periodic molecular structure that is offset relative to that of the first polarization grating layer along an interface therebetween. The third polarization grating layer may also have a periodic molecular structure that is offset relative to that of the second polarization grating layer along an interface therebetween. As such, the periodic molecular structures of the first and second polarization grating layers may be out of phase by a first relative angular shift, and the periodic molecular structures of the second and third polarization grating layers may be out of phase by a second relative angular shift. Related fabrication methods are also discussed. |
| US08305520B2 |
Light source device and liquid crystal display apparatus including the same
A light source device according to one of the invention comprises a light emitting element; a light guide substrate into which light emitted from the light emitting element enters; a mounting substrate on which the light emitting element is mounted; and a conductive pattern for removing a static electricity in or on the light guide substrate, formed on the mounting substrate. |
| US08305518B2 |
LED backlight and liquid crystal display device
An LED backlight in which deterioration in in-plane uniformity of brightness is prevented, whose thickness, frame width, and wire length are reduced, and in which wiring can be carried out easily, includes an LED provided on one surface of an LED substrate; the LED substrate is mounted on a chassis panel so that a surface of the LED substrate opposite to the one surface contacts the chassis panel; and the chassis panel has a connection hole provided in a portion of a region of the chassis panel in which region the LED substrate is mounted, which passes through the chassis panel. |
| US08305509B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, electronic device having the same, and manufacturing method of the same
A liquid crystal display device with improved productivity and a manufacturing method of the same. A liquid crystal display device according to the invention comprises in a region in which a scan line and a data line intersect with each other a first substrate comprising a first thin film transistor using either an amorphous semiconductor or an organic semiconductor for a channel portion, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a third substrate comprising a second thin film transistor using a crystalline semiconductor for a channel portion. In the liquid crystal display device of the invention, a crystal grain boundary in the crystalline semiconductor extends along the flow of electrons or holes in the second thin film transistor, the first substrate is attached to the second substrate so that the first substrate is exposed, a first region for forming the second thin film transistor and a second region for forming an input terminal and an output terminal are formed on the third substrate, and the short side length of the third substrate is 1 to 6 mm and the short side length of the first region is 0.5 to 1 mm. |
| US08305508B2 |
Pixel structure and method for fabricating the same
A pixel structure includes a first patterned metal layer, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor channel layer, a second patterned metal layer, a passivation layer, and a conducting layer. A gate line of the second patterned metal layer is electrically connected by the conducting layer to a gate extension electrode of the first patterned metal layer. A source electrode of the second patterned metal layer is electrically connected by the conducting layer to a second data line segment of the first patterned metal layer. A method for fabricating a pixel structure is also disclosed herein. |
| US08305499B2 |
Image processing circuit and method for image processing
A circuit and a method for image processing are provided. The image processing circuit has an adaptor and a sharpening circuit. The adaptor has a processing unit and a weight generator. The processing unit receives an input video signal, and the input video signal has information of a plurality of pixels. The processing unit processes the input video signal to calculate a color difference value of a target pixel of the pixels. The weight generator generates a weighting signal according to the color difference value. The sharpening circuit performs a sharpening operation on the input video signal according to the weighting signal to generate a sharpened video signal. |
| US08305497B2 |
Joint mosquito and aliasing noise reduction in video signals
In one embodiment of the invention, decompressed video signals are upscaled and then filtered using a combined mosquito noise reduction (MNR) and aliasing coring filter that reduces both mosquito noise in the decompressed video signals as well as aliasing noise resulting from the upscaling process. In one implementation, the combined coring filter includes a dual-band filter having two passbands interleaved with two stopbands. The strength of the coring filter may be dynamically controlled based on compression information (e.g., quantizer scales indicative of video quality) associated with the compressed video bitstream from which the decompressed video is recovered. |
| US08305491B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
An image processing apparatus for displaying an input image on a display, includes an image converting unit for converting the input image into an equiaspect ratio image, the equiaspect ratio image having the same aspect ratio as the input image, having one of a horizontal size and a vertical size thereof equal to one of a horizontal size and a vertical size of a display screen of the display, and having an image size thereof being equal to or smaller than the size of the display screen, an additional image generating unit for generating an additional image from the input image, a combination image generating unit for generating a combination image into which the equiaspect ratio image and the additional image are combined, and a display control unit for causing the display to display the combination image. |
| US08305487B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling multiple exposures
Provided is a multi-exposure controlling method and apparatus. An exposure control unit may set an initial exposure time based on a comparison result between a predetermined brightness confidence interval and an average high brightness that is calculated based on at least one current histogram. A comparison unit may compare the brightness confidence interval and an average low brightness that is calculated based on a subsequent histogram obtained by photographing a subject using the set initial exposure time. The exposure control unit may change the initial exposure time based on a comparison result of the comparison unit. |
| US08305486B2 |
Auto-focus intra-oral camera having a linear piezoelectric actuator
An auto-focus camera has an optical system for forming an image of a target, a moveable sensor for recording a set of one or more images of the target, the set of one or more images corresponding to a set of one or more positions for the moveable sensor, and a linear piezoelectric actuator mechanically coupled to the moveable sensor for driving the moveable sensor to the set of one or more positions along a predetermined moving direction in response to a stimulus. A driving system is actuable to generate the stimulus to drive the piezoelectric actuator. An image processor, in response to stored instructions, obtains the set of one or more recorded images from the moveable sensor, processes the set of one or more obtained recoded images, and identifies the image that is in focus. |
| US08305484B2 |
Manual focus adjustment apparatus and focus assisting program
According to the present invention, when a lens is moved in an operation of an operation device, the focal information calculated for each travel position of the lens can be graphed corresponding to the lens position, and the focal information about the current lens position can be identified from the focal information about another position. Thus, a manual focus adjustment can be made while checking the graph. Especially, since the history of the focal information calculated for each lens travel position can be graphed, the lens can travel to the lens position in which a desired peak can be obtained when there are a plurality of peaks of focal information on the graph. |
| US08305483B2 |
Imaging device and focus detecting method
An imaging device includes an image pickup device having an arrangement of photoelectric converting units, the arrangement in which a plurality of pairs of photoelectric converting units are arranged along a predetermined direction, each pair of photoelectric converting units receiving light beams of a subject passing through partial areas in a pair that are lopsided in reverse to each other along the predetermined direction in an exit pupil of a shooting optical system, and a focus detector for performing focus detection of a phase-difference detecting technique according to data obtained from the pair of photoelectric converting units in the arrangement of the photoelectric converting units. The focus detector corrects the data according to a correction amount corresponding to a positional shift amount from the normalized position, and performs focus detection of the phase-difference detecting technique according to the corrected data. |
| US08305482B2 |
Camera module with perpendicularity adjustment assembly
A camera module includes an optical assembly, an image sensor, a barrel holder, an angle measurement assembly, a perpendicularity adjustment assembly and a controller. The optical assembly has an optical axis. The image sensor has a light surface. The optical assembly and the image sensor are housed in the barrel holder. The angle measurement assembly is configured for measuring perpendicularity of the optical axis to the light sensing surface of the image sensor. The perpendicularity adjustment assembly is arranged between the optical assembly and the barrel holder, and includes an electrostrictive member deformable in response to a voltage, thereby adjusting the perpendicularity of the optical axis to the light sensing surface. The controller is configured for providing the voltage to the perpendicularity adjustment assembly to deform the electrostrictive member. |
| US08305481B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and method for controlling the same
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device which captures an image regarding an object image, an object detector detecting a specific object from the captured image, a focus control unit configured to execute a focusing operation on the basis of a phase-difference detection signal obtained from a distance measurement area set at a predetermined position in an image capturing area, a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display a display element indicating a position of the specific object, and a first determining unit configured to determine whether or not the focusing operation has been executed on the basis of the phase-difference detection signal regarding the specific object. The display control unit changes a display mode of the display element indicating the position of the specific object in accordance with the result of the determination performed by the first determining unit. |
| US08305479B2 |
Fast and low-power digital camera with GPS
Provided are a digital camera having a global positioning system (GPS) and a method of controlling the same. The digital camera comprises a camera body, a digital signal processor, and a GPS receiving module. In the digital camera and method, GPS information regarding a photographing location is stored so as to be attached to a captured image, and particularly, power supplied to the GPS is adaptively controlled for lower power consumption. |
| US08305477B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, control method thereof, and program
An image pickup apparatus which has at least an optical zooming function, determines a layout of image data to be picked up by an image pickup unit, and displays the picked-up image data with the determined layout by superimposing the image data with a frame which excludes an image pickup area additionally obtained when an image pickup range corresponding to a focal length for the determined layout is zoomed a predetermined amount in a wide-angle direction. |
| US08305473B2 |
Driving method of solid-state imaging apparatus, solid-state imaging apparatus, and imaging system
In an amplifying type MOS sensor having a 3-transistor construction, when a frame rate is raised, an accumulation time of a frame just after the switching of a drive mode becomes short. When a gain correction is made to compensate a lack of accumulation time, a deterioration in picture quality is caused. A read out scan and a reset scan are executed in parallel in the frame before the switching of the drive mode, thereby preventing that a time period for resetting a pixel is overlapped with a time period for holding a pixel signal into a holding unit. |
| US08305471B2 |
High dynamic range imaging device
The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices. |
| US08305467B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and image pickup method
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit which forms a subject image on an image pickup device through an optical system to generate an image pickup signal; an adjustment unit which changes an optical zoom magnification with respect to the subject image; and a control unit which records image data as a moving image in a memory in response to a moving image recording command, the image data being obtained based on the image pickup signal, and stops recording the moving image for a time period during which the zoom magnification is changed. |
| US08305466B2 |
Zoom adjustment system and camera
A zoom adjustment system, comprising a touch panel, a course detector, and a first zoom adjuster, is provided. The touch panel has an input surface. The touch panel detects a certain location on the input surface when it is touched. The touch panel detects a touched location. The course detector detects a course traced on the input surface by the touched location when the touched location is moved about on the input surface while maintaining continuous contact with the input surface. The first zoom adjuster adjusts a magnification of a photographic optical system according to the traced course detected by the course detector. |
| US08305465B2 |
Image pick-up apparatus with a shake reducing function
When a hand shake reducing mode has been set for shooting a subject, an exposure is controlled in accordance with a program diagram (solid line) B for the shake reducing mode, which is different from a program diagram (broken line) A for a normal mode. In a state where a shutter speed is set to less than “ 1/80”, two-pixel addition and/or four-pixel addition is executed on an imaging signal to amplify subject luminance, raising ISO sensitivity. A shutter speed set to fall in a high speed range reduces deterioration in image quality due to hand shake and/or subject movement during a shooting operation. |
| US08305455B2 |
Image stabilization control apparatus and imaging apparatus
An image stabilization control apparatus includes a vibration correction unit configured to correct an image shake occurring due to vibration, a first vibration detection unit configured to detect and output an angular velocity of the vibration, a second vibration detection unit configured to detect and output an acceleration of the vibration, a first extractor configured to extract a signal in a predetermined frequency band based on an output of the first vibration detection unit, a second extractor configured to extract a signal in a predetermined frequency band based on an output of the second vibration detection unit, an output correction unit configured to correct the output of the first vibration detection unit based on the signals extracted by the first and second extractors, and a driving unit configured to drive the vibration correction unit based on the output of the first vibration detection unit as corrected. |
| US08305449B2 |
Apparatus for detecting focus
An apparatus for detecting a focus state has an optical image-forming system that forms an object image, a plurality of line sensors that is arranged on a projected area of the optical image-forming system; a plurality of monitor sensors that is arranged on the projected area along the direction of a line-sensor array, each monitor sensor being adjacent to a corresponding line sensor and monitoring an amount of light incident on the corresponding line sensor; and a signal processor that outputs image-pixel signals corresponding to the object image on the basis of electric charges accumulated in the plurality of line sensors. At least an endmost monitor sensor corresponding to an endmost line sensor is arranged on the center-facing side of the endmost line sensor. |
| US08305447B1 |
Security threat detection system
A system for detecting intrusion into a space which includes motion detection light structure for producing and projecting a light pattern formed by a plurality of light beams of a certain character into a space and video motion detecting structure including a video camera having a field of view including at least some of the light pattern to detect intrusion into the light pattern. When motion is detected, images of the video camera are transmitted for threat assessment, and a scene illumination light is activated to improve visibility during nighttime operation. |
| US08305444B2 |
Integrated visual display system
A motor vehicle with an integrated visual display system for displaying proximity location information on an external object while the motor vehicle is parked or moving is provided. The integrated visual display system is operable to display information from a plurality of proximity sensors on a single display screen. The plurality of proximity sensors can be part of an autonomous and/or cooperative collision warning system. |
| US08305440B2 |
Stationary object detection using multi-mode background modelling
Disclosed is a method 1201 of processing a video stream, the method comprising the steps of determining 1230 a representative age measure from a model for a visual element from the video stream, determining 1250 a representative activity count measure from the model, establishing a functional relationship between the representative activity count measure and the representative age measure, comparing 1240 the functional relationship to a threshold value, and determining 1260 if the visual element is stationary, based on the result of the comparing step. |
| US08305438B2 |
Testing surveillance camera installations
This invention concerns the testing of surveillance camera installations. In particular, the invention involves an automatic testing system for surveillance camera installations, and a method for testing. The invention involves receiving test or “probe” images from at least one camera in the installations. Storing a reference image from at least the one camera. Comparison of the probe image with a reference image from the same camera, and production of an output when maintenance is required for that camera. The comparison involves the steps of: Extracting salient features from both the probe and reference images. Calculating matching factors between the salient features extracted from both images. And, computing a decision about whether maintenance is required from the matching factors. |
| US08305437B2 |
Optical fiber security system
An optical fiber security system is described. The optical fiber security system includes an optical fiber, an optoelectronic modulator and an optoelectronic demodulator. The optoelectronic modulator and the optoelectronic demodulator are both directly connected to the optical fiber. The optoelectronic modulator converts video signals to cable television video signals and subsequently converts to optical signals. The optical signals are transmitted to the optoelectronic demodulator through the optical fiber. The optoelectronic demodulator further reverses the optical signals back to the video signals to remotely monitor the environment. |
| US08305436B2 |
Separation filter selection device and tire inspection device
A separation filter selection device provided with an image input unit, a memory unit, a setting unit, an evaluation unit and a separation filter selection unit is disclosed. The image input unit inputs a captured image capturing a tire surface including a characteristic portion thereof. The memory unit stores plural filters for performing image processing of the captured image, stores a training image in which the characteristic portion is separated from the captured image, and a weighted image in which a weighting is set to a predetermined region of the captured image. The setting unit combines two or more filters out of the plural filters and sets a separation filter. The evaluation unit derives an evaluation value of the separation filter on the basis of an image in which a differential between the processed image that has been processed by each of the filters of the separation filter, and the training image, and to which a weighting based on the weighted image is applied. The separation filter selection unit repeats the setting of the setting unit and the evaluation value computation of the evaluation unit until the evaluation value is within a specific range, and selects the separation filter corresponding to the evaluation value resulting from the repeated processing as a separation filter for separating the characteristic portion from the captured image. |
| US08305433B2 |
Method and device for visual compensation
A method 300 and device for visual compensation captures 330 an image using an imager, detects 360 whether eyeglasses are present in the image, and sets 363 an electronic visual display to a larger font size, if eyeglasses are not detected as present in the image. If eyeglasses are detected as present in the image, the electronic visual display is set 367 to a normal font size. The method and device can be triggered 320 (for example) by an incoming call or message, by a touch screen activation, a key press, or by a sensed motion of the device. The method can be repeated from time to time to detect whether a user has put on eyeglasses (or taken off eyeglasses) after the first image capture. The method and device compensates for users with presbyopia (and some other types of visual impairments) who intermittently wear glasses. |
| US08305432B2 |
Scanning beam device calibration
Scanning beam device calibration using a calibration pattern is disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include acquiring an image of a calibration pattern using a scanning beam device. The acquired image may be compared with a representation of the calibration pattern. The scanning beam device may be calibrated based on the comparison. Software and apparatus to perform these and other calibration methods are also disclosed. |
| US08305429B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and image pickup method
An image pickup apparatus having a simple configuration and being capable of performing switching between an image pickup mode based on a light field photography technique and a normal high-resolution image pickup mode is provided. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup lens 11, a microlens array section 12 where light passing through the image pickup lens 11 enters, and an image pickup device 13 sensing light emitted from the microlens array section 12, and the focal length of each of microlenses constituting the microlens array section 12 is variable in response to an applied voltage. |
| US08305426B2 |
Stereoscopic video display apparatus and method therefor
According to one embodiment, the stereoscopic video display apparatus includes a 3D processing module and a message insertion module. The 3D processing module converts a 3D video display signal of the twin type into the 3D video display signal of a glasses-less type. The message insertion module outputs a notification message making a notification that stereoscopic video of the glasses-less type is different from the stereoscopic video of the twin type. |
| US08305422B2 |
Communication device, communication method, communication system, program, and computer-readable storage medium
A communication device of the present invention which is realized as a video communication device (1) includes: a communication control section (2) for establishing communication connection with other communication device; a content receiving section (6) for obtaining content data from the outside; and a content transmission section (8) for specifying another communication device as a communication device, to which the obtained content data should be transmitted, if connection with said another communication device is established when the content receiving section (6) obtains the content data, so that it is possible to easily share the content data, obtained from the outside, with the communication counterpart device with which the communication connection has been established. This makes it possible to realize a communication device which can easily transmit the content data, obtained from the outside, to the communication counterpart device, that is, this makes it possible to realize a communication device which can easily share the content data, obtained from the outside. |
| US08305420B2 |
Attention calling apparatus and method and information processing system
An attention calling apparatus includes: a measurement unit for measuring at least one first job related physical quantity related to a performance status of a first job of a user; and an attention calling processing execution unit for executing processing for calling user's attention so as to perform a second job based on the first job related physical quantity measured by the measurement unit and at least one second job related physical quantity indicating a status of the second job which a user can perform. |
| US08305418B2 |
Exposure device and image forming apparatus having a forcing portion
An exposure device includes a substrate on which a light emitting element array is provided, a focusing lens that focuses light emitted by the light emitting element array, a supporting member that supports the substrate and the focusing lens. The supporting member has a contact surface. A base is provided for forcing the substrate against the contact surface of the supporting member. The base has a first engaging portion that engages a second engaging portion formed on an inner wall of the supporting member. The base is mounted to the supporting member by the engagement of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. |
| US08305415B2 |
Light-emitting device including a light-up controller, driving method of self-scanning light-emitting element array and print head including the same
The light-emitting device includes: a self-scanning light-emitting element array including: light-emitting elements; memory elements; and switch elements; and a light-up controller supplying a transfer signal setting ON of the switch elements, a memory signal causing, in a case where a switch element corresponding to a light-emitting element forming a group is set at the ON state, a corresponding memory element to be temporarily changed from OFF to ON if the light-emitting element is to light up, and the corresponding memory element to be kept in OFF if the light-emitting element is not to light up, and then causing the memory element having been temporarily changed to the ON state to be temporarily set at ON again, and a light-up signal for each group, the light-up signal causing a light-emitting element to be set at ON after causing a memory element to be set at ON. |
| US08305414B2 |
Write control circuit with optimized functional distribution
A write control circuit for controlling driving of a plurality of light sources each including a laser diode for emitting light includes a plurality of write control mechanisms configured to control the plurality of laser diodes to perform writing for image forming with a plurality of colors. Each of the plurality of write control mechanism includes at least one image development part for developing and processing image data and at least one laser diode control part for controlling driving of the laser diodes. |
| US08305412B2 |
Image forming apparatus and light intensity control method
An image forming apparatus includes a light source that outputs a plurality of laser beams and a control unit that adjusts the light intensity of each of the laser beams. The control unit calculates a correction value so that, when the laser beam is driven by a control value calculated by correcting a common control value using the correction value and adding a threshold to the corrected control value, the light intensity of the laser beam is equal to a target light intensity. The threshold is calculated so that, when the laser beam is driven by a control value calculated by multiplying the corrected control value by a predetermined factor, and adding the threshold to the multiplied control value, the light intensity of the laser beam is equal to the target light intensity multiplied by the predetermined factor. |
| US08305411B1 |
Thermal printhead with temperature regulation
A thermal printhead having a temperature regulation feature which is capable of high speed and high quality printing is provided. The thermal printhead includes a substrate, a resistor layer formed on one surface of the substrate, a control section and a thermoelectric element formed in direct contact with the other surface of the substrate opposite to where the resistor layer is formed, wherein the control section is configured to cool the resistor layer using the thermoelectric element. |
| US08305405B2 |
Electrostatic digital offset/flexo printing
Various embodiments provide systems and methods for digital offset/flexo printing by selectively addressing one or more hole-injecting pixels of a nano-enabled imaging member to form a latent image thereon, wherein the latent image can be electrostatically developed with an ink and then transferred from the nano-enabled imaging member onto a print media. |
| US08305404B2 |
Electro-optical apparatus, method of driving same, and electronic apparatus
One field is divided into p (p is an integer of 2 or more) groups and each of the divided groups is divided into two subfields. The p groups have the same time period. The sub-fields forming one field have time periods that are different from each other. A plurality of scanning lines are divided into at least first and second groups. A field start timing of pixels corresponding to the scanning lines of the first group is set to be different from a field start timing of pixels corresponding to scanning lines of the second group by at least the time period of the groups. |
| US08305403B2 |
Method for generating a gamma table
A method for generating a gamma table is provided. The method is applied to a display, and the display obtains n-bit corrected gray levels [y(1), . . . , y(2m)] from m-bit original gray levels [x(1), . . . , x(2m)] by using the gamma table, wherein m and n are positive integers. The method comprises calculating the corrected gray levels [y(1), . . . , y(2m)] corresponding to the original gray levels [x(1), . . . , x(2m)] according to a gamma curve; and successively calculating differences of two adjacent corrected gray levels (y(i+1)−y(i)) and recording the differences as a plurality of gamma reference values z(i+1) (i=1˜(2m−1)) corresponding to the original gray levels x(i+1), in which the value z(1) corresponding to x(1) is y(1), in order to generate the gamma table. |
| US08305400B2 |
Display device and method for luminance adjustment of display device
Disclosed herein is a display device that displays a desired image on an effective pixel area in which sub-pixels are arranged in a matrix, the display device including: an ambient light sensor configured to be provided in a predetermined sub-pixel in the effective pixel area, the ambient light sensor receiving ambient light and outputting a result of detection of an ambient light amount for adjustment of luminance of the image; and a hue correction mechanism configured to correct local hue change due to provision of the ambient light sensor in the predetermined sub-pixel. |
| US08305399B2 |
Display device, contrast adjusting method and contrast adjusting program
A feature detecting circuit 4 detects an average luminance, a white area value and a black area value of a video signal, and a control circuit 5 controls a contrast adjusting circuit 2 such that a contrast gain of the video signal is more moderately increased than decreased according to changes of the detected average luminance, white area value and black area value. As a result, a good video quality can be obtained upon both increasing and decreasing the contrast gain of the video signal to adjust the contrast of the video signal. |
| US08305398B2 |
Rendering and compositing multiple applications in an interactive media environment
In an interactive media environment, a model is provided where applications, each comprising zero or more script components and zero or more markup components, are themselves handled as visual elements having a Z order. A resource-efficient rendering order is provided where the application that has focus in an interactive media environment (by virtue of its receipt of user events) is rendered first. The remaining applications are rendered in top down order, i.e., in reverse Z order. Rendering is performed by drawing into one or more graphics buffers associated with respective applications. Frames for applications are composited from the graphics buffers bottoms up, in Z order, to provide the display with the correct appearance. |
| US08305397B2 |
Edge adjustment method, image processing device and display apparatus
A noise removing filter removes noise from an input image and an edge component extracting unit extracts edge components. The edge components are extracted by calculating a difference between the input image and a smoothed image, which is obtained by smoothing the input image in a smoothed image generating portion. An edge component comparing unit compares the extracted edge components with a threshold value and a sum calculating unit calculates the sum of the edge components greater than the threshold value. A control circuit determines the enhancement degree of the edges based on the sum and averaged luminance of the input image calculated by an average luminance calculating unit. An enhancement degree adjustment unit adjusts the determined enhancement degree, and an edge component enhancement unit enhances the edge components based on this enhancement degree and adds it to the input image to perform edge enhancement processing. |
| US08305396B2 |
Method and apparatus for correcting color of display device
In order to improve video quality by accurately detecting a preferred color region and correcting the preferred color region to a target color, a method for correcting a color of a display device includes converting input R/G/B data into Y/Cb/Cr data, calculating a weight by an exponential function using a dispersion and a distance between an input value and a target value of the Y/Cb/Cr data, comparing the calculated weight with a target color range so as to detect a target color region, and calculating a detection probability, detecting an average value, a minimum value and a maximum value of the Y/Cb/Cr data for the detected target color region from a previous frame, calculating a correction constant using the average value, the minimum value and the maximum value of the Y/Cb/Cr data, a predetermined target value of the Y/Cb/Cr data, and the Y/Cb/Cr which is detected as the target color region and is input, adding the detection probability to the calculated correction constant as the weight so as to calculate a correction amount, correcting the input Y/Cb/Cr data using the calculated correction amount so as to output the Y/Cb/Cr data, and inversely converting the corrected Y/Cb/Cr data into R/G/B data. |
| US08305392B2 |
Storage medium having game program stored therein and game apparatus
A color image viewed from a virtual camera is generated. Next, a fog image is generated by adding a fog color to respective objects in accordance with distances from a position, which is represented by a Z value, of a player object to positions of the respective objects which are represented by Z values. Further, mask processing is performed so as to add to the fog image a predetermined fog color in accordance with distances from a predetermined reference pixel to pixels in a lateral and a longitudinal directions in the fog image. And an image into which the fog image and the color image have been synthesized is displayed as a game image. |
| US08305388B2 |
Four color display device and method of converting image signal thereof
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a four color image display device. A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first pixel adapted to display a first color, a second pixel adapted to display a second color, a third pixel adapted to display a third color, and a white pixel adapted to display a first white. In one aspect, the first to third pixels are adapted to display a second white in combination, and a ratio of the first white and the second white varies according to a gray. Accordingly, a greenish phenomenon of a low-luminance white light in a four color display device may be reduced. |
| US08305386B2 |
BIOS graphical engine providing uniform look and feel
A computer system comprises a Basic Input/Output System (“BIOS”) graphical engine and a BIOS graphics look and feel module. The BIOS graphics look and feel module is separate from the BIOS graphical engine, and comprises a look and feel definition that defines the appearance and behavior of BIOS graphical user interface displays presented to a user before an operating system acquires control of the system. The BIOS graphical engine transforms information to be displayed for a user in accordance with the look and feel definition to provide a uniform appearance and behavior to graphical displays provided to the user. |
| US08305385B2 |
Display device with embedded networking capability
A display device with embedded networking capability is described herein. The display device uses at least a portion of a memory of the display device, the memory of which is used for storing video/image data in the display, to store networking codes for establishing and maintaining the network connection. |
| US08305381B2 |
Systems and methods for downloading algorithmic elements to a coprocessor and corresponding techniques
Systems and methods for downloading algorithmic elements to a coprocessor and corresponding processing and communication techniques are provided. For an improved graphics pipeline, the invention provides a class of co-processing device, such as a graphics processor unit (GPU), providing improved capabilities for an abstract or virtual machine for performing graphics calculations and rendering. The invention allows for runtime-predicated flow control of programs downloaded to coprocessors, enables coprocessors to include indexable arrays of on-chip storage elements that are readable and writable during execution of programs, provides native support for textures and texture maps and corresponding operations in a vertex shader, provides frequency division of vertex streams input to a vertex shader with optional support for a stream modulo value, provides a register storage element on a pixel shader and associated interfaces for storage associated with representing the “face” of a pixel, provides vertex shaders and pixel shaders with more on-chip register storage and the ability to receive larger programs than any existing vertex or pixel shaders and provides 32 bit float number support in both vertex and pixel shaders. |
| US08305378B2 |
Method and apparatus for approximating hair and similar objects during animation
Simulating dynamics (e.g., physical effects of inertia, forces, wind) on strands (e.g., hair) during computer based animation requires quick and accurate approximations of mathematical curves. Each strand is initially represented as a B-spline curve. Line segments approximating the curve are created by using affine combinations based on the curve's control vertices. Dynamics simulation is performed on the line segment approximation. Once an approximated strand is simulated, it is converted back into a B-spine curve representation for downstream processes, such as rendering. The rendering process displays the simulated strand to the animator. |
| US08305377B2 |
Image processing method
An image processing method which determines and depth-unfolds a depth folding region in an input depth image. A depth folding region of an input depth image may be determined based on a variance of the input depth, image or a gradient image. A predetermined first depth value may be added to a depth value of each pixel of the determined depth folding region and depth information of the input depth image may be updated. |
| US08305376B2 |
Locally updating a three-dimensional model
Updating a three-dimensional model includes generating a three-dimensional model comprised of components, modifying one of the components, determining other components having a possible changing effect on the three-dimensional model as a result of modifying the one component, and constructing a modified version of the three-dimensional model by regenerating the modified component and the other components having the possible changing effect while not regenerating remaining ones of the components not having the possible changing effect. The modified version achieves the same result as revising the three-dimensional model by regenerating each one of components. |
| US08305375B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing slide show by using plurality of images
A method of providing a slide show includes selecting one of a plurality of images in which geographic position information is set, marking a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of images on a map based on geographic position information and outputting the map, setting an image search range on the map based on a position on the map, which corresponds to the selected image, and providing the slide show by using images corresponding to positions on the map, which belong to the set image search range. |
| US08305373B2 |
Pixel driving device and a light emitting device
A pixel driving device for drive control of pixels, has a image data conversion circuit for generating an original gradation signal by converting an image data, based on a preset conversion property, a signal correction circuit for outputting a corrected gradation signal by adding a correction value acquired based on an electric property parameter of a pixel to the original gradation signal, and a drive signal impressing circuit for impressing a voltage signal corresponding to the corrected gradation signal on one end of a signal line. The original gradation signal has a value that corresponds to a gradation value of the image data and the maximum value of the original gradation signal is set to a value equal to or smaller than a value acquired by subtracting a value corresponding to the correction value from a maximum value in an input range of the drive signal impressing circuit. |
| US08305363B2 |
Sensing system and locating method thereof
A sensing system includes a frame having a first boundary, a second boundary, a third boundary and a fourth boundary and defining a sensing area therein, a light source module for providing light to the sensing area, a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a third image sensor and a mirror component. The first image sensor is disposed between two neighboring ends of the first and second boundaries. The second image sensor is disposed between two neighboring ends of the second and third boundaries. The third image sensor is disposed between two neighboring ends of the first and fourth boundaries. The mirror component is disposed at the fourth boundary. A locating method of the sensing system can determine a location of a pointer accurately and avoid a problem of a blind zone. |
| US08305360B2 |
Sensing circuit for capacitive touch panel
A sensing circuit for a capacitive touch panel is disclosed. By adding a path for a noise to pass through, the noise is differentially processed through two paths which have the same electrical conditions with each other. The noise is then decreased significantly, and a sensing signal can be detected correctly. |
| US08305357B2 |
Method for detecting multiple touch positions on a touch panel
A method for detecting multiple touch positions on a touch panel includes the steps of: periodically scanning the touch panel; when detecting a first touch position at a first time during scanning the touch panel, recording coordinates on a first dimensional direction and a second dimensional direction of the first touch position; continuingly scanning the touch panel after the first time; and when detecting a plurality of new possible touch positions at a second time, determining a second touch position from the new possible touch positions according to the recorded coordinates on the first and second dimensional directions of the first touch position. |
| US08305356B1 |
Method and apparatus for controlling information scrolling on touch-screen
A method of controlling scrolling of contents provided in an electronic device including a touch screen and a scroll controlling region including a scroll pointer. The method includes sensing a touch on at a location in the scroll controlling region on the touch screen; sensing movement of the touch on to a location out of a scroll moving region on the touch screen; and changing a scrolling rate based on the sensed location out of the scroll moving region to control scrolling of the provided contents. |
| US08305354B2 |
Electronic book device and method for operating the same
An electronic book device and a method for operating the electronic book device are disclosed, wherein the electronic book device includes a memory module, an electronic paper, a touch display and a first touch control module. The touch display is separate from the electronic paper and has a touch panel. The memory module can store an electronic book. The electronic paper can display a first frame according to the electronic book. The first touch control module can control the first frame when the touch panel is touched. |
| US08305352B2 |
Phase-tagged capacitance sensing circuit and electronic device using the same
An electronic device includes a touch panel, a driving circuit, and a sensing circuit. The driving circuit generates a driving signal, and superposes phase information on the driving signal. The touch panel includes multiple crossing conductors, for providing a sensing signal in response to a contact of an object on one of the sensing conductors and to a driving signal applied on the sensing element. The sensing circuit includes a signal extractor and a tag detector. The signal extractor generates a demodulation signal based on the period of the driving signal, width of the phase information, and for demodulating the sensing signal by using the demodulation signal to determine a sensing value. The tag detector enables the signal extractor as soon as a magnitude of the sensing signal is over a predetermined threshold. The signal demodulates the sensing signal by using a demodulation signal whose period is the same as the driving signal to determine the sensing value. The present electronic device can determine a touch position by processing of analog signal using the demodulation signal without phase compensation. |
| US08305351B2 |
Display input device
To provide a display input device including: a display controller for displaying a control frame on a display portion; a touch input detector for detecting a touch input to the touch panel portion; and a setup item displaying portion for superimposing setup items on the control frame in accordance with the position of the touch input while the touch input is being detected by the touch input detector. |
| US08305350B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel includes two transparent conductive films and at least one refractive index matching layer. The two transparent conductive films are disposed opposite to each other. The refractive index matching layer is disposed between the two transparent conductive films or disposed on one side of the transparent conductive film. |
| US08305349B2 |
Remote controller
A remote controller includes a case having an upper surface having an opening provided therein, an electrostatic touch panel provided at the opening of the case, a board having an upper surface facing the electrostatic touch panel, a push switch provided on upper surface of the board, a cover sheet provided on the upper surface of the board, a control section operable to detect a position on the upper surface of the electrostatic touch panel where the user touches, and a transmitter to send a remote signal in response to the detected position and an activation of the push switch. The electrostatic touch panel can move toward and away from the circuit board. The cover sheet has a deformable projection projecting. The deformable projection has an upper tip contacting the electrostatic touch panel. The deformable projection has substantially a dome shape having a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface. |
| US08305347B2 |
Operating device with a transmitter and a receiver
An operating device comprises a transmitter arrangement (1) and a receiver arrangement (2), which may be moved longitudinally, transversally and vertically with relation to the transmitter arrangement (1) and by means of which different signals can be generated depending on the position of the transmitter arrangement (1). According to the invention, said operating device may be provided with additional functionality with a construction of the minimum technical complexity, wherein the transmitter arrangement (1) may be rotated in relation to the receiver arrangement (2) and is designed such that, at differing rotational angles, signals corresponding to the given rotational angle may be generated in the receiver device (2). |
| US08305346B2 |
Multi-directional remote control system and method with automatic cursor speed control
A multi-directional remote control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display such as a monitor or TV and having display functions employing a mouse type control. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user and still provides full mouse type functionality. The remote control system and method images the controller to detect relative motion between the controller and screen. This position information is used for control of a cursor or other GUI interface with automatic control of cursor speed based on detected controller distance from the screen and characteristic hand movement. |
| US08305344B2 |
Projector and projector accessory
A projector for enlarging and projecting the display image on a light valve onto a screen is provided with: an infrared photodetector for photodetecting infrared light that is emitted by an electronic pen that is manipulated on the screen and that is provided with an infrared light emission device and ultrasonic generator; at least two ultrasonic receivers for detecting ultrasonic waves that are emitted by the electronic pen; means for measuring the distance to a screen; and means for supplying coordinate data in which the position of the electronic pen on the screen, which has been calculated based on output of the infrared photodetector, output of the ultrasonic generator, and output of the means for measuring the distance to the screen, has been normalized by the length of a side of a projected rectangular image that has been enlarged and projected. |
| US08305327B2 |
Display device capable of reducing voltages in external integrated circuit
Provided is a waveform processing circuit including: an amplitude expansion circuit configured to expand amplitude of an analog video signal; a voltage shifting circuit configured to shift a voltage of the analog video signal; and an impedance conversion circuit having an output impedance lower than that of the voltage shifting circuit. |
| US08305326B2 |
Gate driving circuit having improved tolerance to gate voltage ripple and display device having the same
A gate driving circuit and a display device having the same, a pull-up unit pulls up a current gate signal by using a first clock signal during a first period of one frame. A pull-up driver coupled to the pull-up unit receives a carry signal from one of the previous stages to turn on the pull-up unit. A pull-up unit receives a gate signal from one of the next stages, discharges the current gate signal to an off voltage level, and turns off the pull-up unit. A holder holds the current gate signal at the voltage level. An inverter turns on/off the holder in response to a first clock signal. A ripple preventer has a source and a gate coupled in common to an output terminal of the pull-up unit and a drain coupled to an input terminal of the inverter, and includes a ripple preventing diode for preventing a ripple from being applied to the inverter. |
| US08305324B2 |
Scan driver, display device having the same and method of driving a display device
A scan driver drives a display device having a plurality of gate lines transferring scan signals, and a plurality of source lines transferring data signals. The scan driver includes a shift register and a multiple signal applying unit. The shift register includes a plurality of cascade-connected stages, each stage having an output terminal electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of gate lines. The multiple signal applying unit applies a sub scan signal and a main scan signal. The sub scan signal and the main scan signal sequentially activate each of the plurality of gate lines. Therefore, the scan lines receive the scan signal twice, so that the liquid crystal capacitors electrically connected to the gate lines receive the data voltage twice. As a result, even though the time for charging the liquid crystal capacitors may be reduced, the liquid crystal capacitors may be fully charged to enhance display quality. |
| US08305322B2 |
Display substrate of flat panel display
A driver integrated circuit chip adapted to electrically couple with a fan-out wiring area includes a side and a plurality of output pins formed at the side. The output pins includes a first pin group and a second pin group. The first pin group is electrically coupled to the fan-out wiring area. The second pin group is located at at least one side of the first pin group and opened. The present invention also provides display substrates of flat panel display each adapted to electrically couple with a plurality of driver integrated circuit chips. |
| US08305321B2 |
Apparatus for driving source lines and display apparatus having the same
An apparatus for driving source lines includes an output buffer, a first switch and a second switch. The output buffer outputs a first voltage and a second voltage having an opposite phase to the first voltage during an output interval including a first interval portion and a second interval portion. The first switch applies the first and second voltages to an m-th source line and an (m+1)-th source line respectively during the first interval portion and blocks the first and second voltages during the second interval portion. The second switch includes a plurality of switching elements, the second switch short-circuiting the m-th source line and the (m+1)-th source line during the second interval portion, wherein the m-th source line has at least two connecting portions to be electrically connected to the (m+1)-th source line. |
| US08305312B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes: a substrate; a display region on the substrate, the display region comprising: one or more gate lines overlying the substrate; a gate insulating layer overlying the gate lines; a semiconductor layer overlying the gate insulating layer; one or more pairs of source and drain electrodes overlying the semiconductor layer, each pair being a pair of one source electrode and one corresponding drain electrode facing the source electrode; one or more data lines overlying the semiconductor layer, each data line comprising one or more of the source electrodes, wherein a display area is provided at each intersection of the data lines with the gate lines; a passivation layer overlying the data lines and the drain electrodes and comprising a plurality of contact holes; and one or more color filters overlying the passivation layer and comprising a plurality of through holes. In top view, the semiconductor layer has the same shape as the data lines and the drain electrodes except over each region between each source electrode and the corresponding drain electrode. The contact holes' edges are aligned with the through holes' edges. |
| US08305307B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same
The display device including pixels has formed therein at least two drive blocks each made up of pixel rows. Each of the pixels includes: a drive transistor; a first capacitor element, a luminescence element; a first switching transistor which causes conduction between the drive transistor and the first capacitor element; and a second switching transistor which applies power supply voltage to the drive transistor. Each of the pixels further includes: a third switching transistor connecting a pixel in a k-th drive block and a first signal line; or a fourth switching transistor connecting a pixel in a (k+1)-th drive block and a second signal line. A first control line for controlling conduction of the first switching transistor and a third control line for establishing a source potential of the drive transistor are connected to each of the pixels in a same one of the drive blocks. |
| US08305304B2 |
Driving method of semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes a transistor and a capacitor element which is electrically connected to a gate of the transistor. Charge held in the capacitor element according to total voltage of voltage corresponding to the threshold voltage of the transistor and image signal voltage is once discharged through the transistor, so that variation in current flowing in the transistor or mobility of the transistor can be reduced. |
| US08305303B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting diode display includes a data line, a gate line that crosses the data line to receive a scan pulse, a high potential driving voltage source to generate a high potential driving voltage, a low potential driving voltage source to generate a low potential driving voltage, a light emitting element to emit light due to a current flowing between the high potential driving voltage source and the low potential driving voltage source, a drive element connected between the high potential driving voltage source and the light emitting element to control a current flowing in the light emitting element depending on a voltage between a gate electrode and a source electrode of the drive element, and a driving current stabilization circuit to apply a first voltage to the gate electrode of the drive element to turn on the drive element and to sink a reference current through the drive element to set a source voltage of the drive element at a sensing voltage and to modify the voltage between the gate and source electrodes of the drive element to scale a current to be applied to the light emitting element from the reference current. |
| US08305300B2 |
Method for driving plasma display panel and plasma display device
The method for driving a plasma display panel effects control of the sub-fields in a manner that at least one sub-filed carries out, in its initializing period, an all-cell initializing operation on the discharge cells and the plurality of sub-fields other than the aforementioned sub-field selectively carry out an addressing operation in each discharge cell; at the same time, two or more predetermined sub-fields carry out an addressing operation only when at least one sub-field had an addressing operation after the all-cells initializing operation; and an unusual-charge erase period, where scan electrodes SC-SCn undergo application of voltage with a rectangular waveform, is provided after the initializing period of at least one sub-field of the predetermined sub-fields. |
| US08305299B2 |
Plasma display device
There is provided a plasma display device using a driving device for supplying driving signals to a plasma display panel (PDP). In a sustain falling period that at least partially overlaps the rising period of reset signals supplied to scan electrodes formed on the PDP, a voltage supplied to sustain electrodes is gradually reduced and a positive polar voltage is supplied to address electrodes. In driving the PDP, gradually falling signals are supplied to the sustain electrodes in the rising period of the reset signals so that the driving margin of the PDP can be secured. The positive polar voltage is supplied to the address electrodes so that initialization discharge can be stably performed and that the erroneous discharge of the plasma display device can be reduced. |
| US08305296B2 |
Head-mounted type image display device
A hexahedron prism in which a first optical surface and a second optical surface opposed to each other are approximately parallel, the inner angles θ between the first optical surface and each of a third optical surface and a fourth optical surface opposed to each other are equal, a fifth optical surface and a sixth optical surface opposed to each other are configured inclining toward each other and the distance therebetween becomes narrow from the third optical surface to the fourth optical surface, and further, a light beam from a image display element enters through a first partial optical surface into the hexahedron prism, reflects inside the prism and is emitted through a second partial optical surface to an eye pupil of a user. |
| US08305295B2 |
Optoelectronic display system for transport vehicles
Optoelectronic Display System for Transport Vehicles is suggested providing simultaneous representation of visual information of different form and content relating to parameters of driving on windscreen and at dashboard plane. To form said visual information unified image creator based on two LCD matrixes is used and image intended for representation on windscreen in collimated form is created on their upper parts and on lower parts—for representation at dashboard plane. To improve operate reliability the system is provided with control device of image creator operation. In case one of LCDs is out-of-service the device is switching other (operable) LCD into mode of parameters ‘minimum number creation required for safe driving. |
| US08305293B2 |
Portable dual display reader and operation system thereof
The present invention provides a portable dual display reader including a first panel, a second panel, and an embedded system. The second panel attaches to one side of the first panel to be selectively in a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The embedded system is coupled to either the first panel or second panel. The embedded system has a microprocessor, a data source, and an operation system. The microprocessor processes or compiles a data string from the data source and displays the data string simultaneously on the first panel and the second panel. The operation system allows a user to enter at least one command to drive the related hardware apparatus of the embedded system, so as to accomplish the operation of the command. The data string further includes a first data string. The operation system cuts the first data string into several data segments and selectively displays the data segments on the first panel and the second panel in a sequential or non-sequential mode. |
| US08305289B2 |
Antenna device whose vertical and horizontal positions can be adjusted
An antenna device includes a support pole, a fixing seat mounted on the support pole, at least one clamping member mounted on the support pole and combined with the fixing seat by at least one locking bolt, and an antenna box mounted on the fixing seat. The fixing seat is provided with a square mounting sleeve which has a mounting chamber and two opposite fixing holes. The antenna box has a square insertion block inserted into the mounting chamber. The insertion block has a plurality of adjusting holes. Thus, the orientation of the antenna box is adjustable so that the antenna box can be disposed at a horizontal position or a vertical position so as to receive a wireless signal exactly and clearly. |
| US08305288B2 |
Antenna module
An antenna module including a casing, a USB connecting end, an antenna, a key and a moving component is provided. The casing has a terminal end opposite to the USB connecting end and a hole located at the terminal end. The antenna is disposed in the casing near the terminal end. The key disposed in the casing has an enabling portion for enabling the key when being touched. The moving component disposed in the casing includes a contacting member and an actuating member. The contacting member has first and second ends and a pivotal portion. The pivotal portion is pivotally connected to the casing between the first and second ends. The actuating member exposed from the hole is for moving toward the USB connecting end. The first end is driven by the actuating member, so that the second end is rotated around the pivotal portion to touch the enabling portion. |
| US08305285B2 |
Wireless communication module
Disclosed herein is a wireless communication module, wherein a module substrate provided with components of a communication circuit part for the wireless communication module and having a ground pattern and a power feeding pattern is provided thereon with a shield can type antenna, the shield can type antenna comprises a ground area, a plurality of curved parts formed by downwardly curving both up/down and left/right side surfaces of the ground area, and an antenna part provided at the outer side of the curved part formed at both left/right side surfaces of the ground area. |
| US08305278B2 |
Satellite dish heating system
A two-part satellite dish heater for de-icing or anti-snow a home satellite dish, includes a single piece of circular, notched vinyl thermoplastic sheet having a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the dish and including a cutout portion (notch) to accommodate the dish mounting structure. The dual-wire heater cable can be adhesively applied to the rear surface of a home satellite dish. The heater includes a thermostat that activates or deactivates at a lower and higher temperature setting, respectively. The temperature range can be manually changed by the user or pre-programmed by the manufacturers. |
| US08305277B2 |
Apparatus and methods for snow and ice detection and removal on a communication antenna
A method of detecting and removing ice and/or snow on a communication antenna is presented. In the method, environmental data indicating at least one current environmental condition is received. An optical signal is transmitted from a signaling structure of the communication antenna toward a reflecting surface of the antenna. The optical signal is received at the signaling structure upon returning from the reflecting surface. The returning optical signal is then processed to determine at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal. The reflecting surface is then heated if the environmental data indicates that ice or snow accumulation on the communication antenna is possible, and the at least one characteristic value of the returning optical signal is outside a predetermined range. |
| US08305276B2 |
Testing circuit board
An exemplary testing circuit board is used for testing an antenna performance and includes a signal circuit layer, a base layer electrically connected to the signal circuit layer, and a test unit. The signal circuit layer can transmit test signals from the antenna. The base layer is fixed with the signal circuit layer and used as a ground section to shield the test signals. The test unit is electrically connected to the signal circuit layer and the base layer and includes a signal inception port. The signal inception port is positioned on the signal circuit layer and protrudes from the base layer, and the signal inception port is capable of receiving the test signals and transmitting the test signals to the signal circuit layer. |
| US08305274B2 |
Internal antenna for mitigating effect of electromagnetic waves on human body using coupling
Disclosed herein is an internal antenna capable of mitigating the effect of electromagnetic waves on a human body using coupling. The internal antenna includes an antenna pattern part and a conductive conductor pattern. The antenna pattern part is form on the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) of a mobile communication terminal. The conductive conductor pattern is formed in a predetermined pattern on one side surface of a cover which covers the antenna pattern part. Coupling occurs between the antenna pattern part formed on the PCB and the conductive conductor pattern formed in a predetermined pattern on one side surface of the cover, so that current components are transferred from the antenna pattern part to the conductive conductor pattern. |
| US08305273B2 |
Dual-band dual-antenna structure
A dual-band dual-antenna structure is provided. The dual-band dual-antenna structure comprises a substrate, a first antenna and a second antenna. The substrate comprises a first signal transport layer and a second signal transport layer, wherein the second signal transport layer is not coplanar with the first signal transport layer. The first antenna is disposed on the first signal transport layer and comprises a first U-shaped radiation element and a first polygon radiation element. The first polygon radiation element is disposed in an opening of the first U-shaped radiation element. The second antenna is disposed on the second signal transport layer but does not overlap under the first antenna. The second antenna comprises a second U-shaped radiation element and a second polygon radiation element. The second polygon radiation element is disposed in an opening of the second U-shaped radiation element. |
| US08305271B2 |
Cuckoo hashing to store beacon reference data
Storing and retrieving beacon reference data in a truncated cuckoo hash table. Checksums of beacon identifiers associated with beacons are used to retrieve beacon reference data describing locations of the beacons in a hash table. The data is stored in one or more hash tables by cuckoo hashing to eliminate aliasing. The hash tables are provided to devices such as mobile devices. The devices retrieve the beacon reference data from the tables based using beacon identifiers of observed beacons. Location information for the devices is inferred using the retrieved beacon reference data. The cuckoo hash tables consume less memory storage space and obfuscate the beacon reference data. |
| US08305265B2 |
Radio-based direction-finding navigation system using small antenna
An exemplary radio-based navigation system uses a small multimode direction-finding antenna and a direction-finding receiver capable of determining platform position, velocity, attitude, and time while simultaneously providing protection against narrowband and broadband sources of interference. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals such as those from the Global Positioning System (GPS) provide attitude measurements with a compact multimode direction-finding antenna (e.g., a small two-arm spiral with improved angle-of-arrival performance over the entire hemisphere enhanced through the use of a conductive vertical extension of the antenna ground plane about the antenna perimeter and/or conductive posts placed evenly around the antenna perimeter) which provides simultaneous protection against jammers. The multimode spiral may be treated as an array of rotationally-symmetric antenna elements. The GPS receiver architecture also may be modified for direction-finding and thereby attitude determination by increasing the requisite number of input signals from one to at least two while minimizing the required number of correlators and mixers. |
| US08305264B1 |
GPS enhancement for wireless devices
Methods and systems are disclosed to help improve accuracy of location determination for a wireless communication device. An exemplary method involves: (a) at a wireless communication device operating in a radio access network, making a determination that the wireless communication device is likely to lose global positioning system (GPS) connectivity; (b) in response to the determination, powering on a GPS receiver to receive GPS location data for the wireless communication device; and (c) powering off the GPS receiver and storing the received GPS location data. |
| US08305260B2 |
Antenna device and radar apparatus
An antenna device includes subarray antennas including antenna elements, feeding lines and feeding interfaces. At least one of the feeding lines includes a phase shifter which shifts phases of the signals feeding to corresponding antenna elements. The feeding lines feed signals to the antenna elements. Each feeding interface is connected to each of subarray antennas. The subarray antennas are arranged parallel to each other with an interval on a plane to be symmetrical about a central axis. The interval is less or equal than a free-space wavelength. The central axis is along with the center of two adjacent subarray antennas arranged at middle of the subarray antennas when the number of the subarray antennas is even. Moreover, the central axis is along with one subarray antenna arranged at the middle of the subarray antennas when the number of the subarray antennas is odd. |
| US08305259B2 |
Dual-band antenna array and RF front-end for mm-wave imager and radar
The radar includes a PCB having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a processor mounted on the bottom surface of the PCB. The radar includes a second liquid crystal polymer layer formed on the top surface of the printed circuit board, a second microstrip array printed on the second liquid crystal polymer layer, the second microstrip array having a patch, a first liquid crystal polymer layer formed on the second liquid crystal polymer layer, a first microstrip array printed on the first liquid crystal polymer layer, the first microstrip array having a perforated patch, an antenna positioned underneath the patch and connected to the second microstrip array, and a transmit/receive module connected to a bottom surface of the second liquid crystal polymer layer and configured to transmit a first frequency signal to the first microstrip array and a second frequency signal to the second microstrip array. |
| US08305254B2 |
Object detecting apparatus
The judgment accuracy is enhanced to judge whether or not an object is actually exists. An object detecting apparatus includes an acquiring unit which acquires information of the object by means of a radar, an angle detecting unit which detects an angle of the object with respect to a subject vehicle, an extrapolating unit which extrapolates the information of the object, and a judging unit which judges whether or not the object actually exists on the basis of the information of the object acquired by the acquiring unit and the information of the object extrapolated by the extrapolating unit, wherein the judging unit relaxes a condition to judge that the object actually exists when the information, which is extrapolated if an amount of change of the angle is not less than a predetermined amount, is included in the information of the object to be used to judge whether or not the object actually exists, as compared with when the information, which is extrapolated by the extrapolating unit is not included. |
| US08305253B1 |
Forward-looking synthetic aperture radar processing
Processing is described for forming a synthetic aperture radar image of the region toward which a platform moves, and for extracting from this image the physical positions of scatterers in the region, including moving scatterers. The processing entails one-dimensional resampling of the received radar data that can be performed as the data are being collected, facilitating real-time operation. Various embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08305252B2 |
Countermeasure device for a mobile tracking device
A countermeasure device for directing a mobile tracking device away from an asset is provided. The countermeasure device includes a continuous wave laser source whose output is directed at a seeker head of the mobile tracking device. The countermeasure device causes the generation of localized sources within the mobile tracking device and confuses the mobile tracking device as to the true location of the asset. |
| US08305242B2 |
Input device and electronic device provided with the same
An input device with a hollow portion therein at a neutral position includes a return member capable of self-returning to the neutral position upon deformation, a magnetic member movable in three mutually-orthogonal axial directions accompanied with the deformation of the return member, and a plurality of magnetic sensors individually detecting the position of the magnetic member in the three axial directions with respect to the neutral position. The three-dimensional operation of the magnetic member may be easily detected by a simplified structure and the magnetic member is located with high accuracy. |
| US08305241B2 |
Keyboard module for avoiding accidental operation
A keyboard module for avoiding accidental operation keyboard module includes a key unit. The key unit has a pressing portion and a contacting portion. The pressing portion abutted the casing for the key unit not being pressed down. The pressing portion can be raised up to form a pressing distance relative to the casing via a push element controlled by a controlling switch to provide the pressing function. Therefore, the keyboard module can effectively prevent the users accidentally striking unnecessary keys during their operations or when the computer is in a power saving mode. |
| US08305240B2 |
Input inducing device and inducing keyboard
An input inducing device is provided. The input inducing device includes a winding, a current sensor, and a processing unit. Two ends of the winding are connected to the current sensor and form a closed-loop with the current sensor. When a magnetic object moves towards the winding, the winding cuts magnetic induction lines of the magnetic object to generate an induced current, the current sensor senses the induced current and generates a sensing signal according to the sensed induced current. The sensing signal is transmitted to the processing unit, which then implements a predetermined function according to the sensing signal. |
| US08305234B2 |
Vehicular information provision apparatus
An information provision apparatus of the present invention includes a stop detector to detect a stop of a vehicle; a display unit to display various information; and a control unit to control the display unit to display a plurality of display contents in a manner that two successive contents of information differ with each other while the vehicle is standing at the temporal stop. When the vehicle is caught in a traffic congestion to stop temporarily, the driver of the vehicle is entertained by plural contents of the information appearing on the display unit for his/her diversion. |
| US08305232B2 |
Utility network interface device configured to detect and report abnormal operating condition
A utility network interface device is provided for operation with a utility network. The utility network interface device includes a detector configured to produce a state signal upon occurrence of a prescribed state that interferes with the ability of a utility meter, with which the utility network interface device is associated, to measure consumption of a commodity and/or report consumption of the commodity. The utility network interface device also includes a control unit configured to detect a tampering with the utility meter in accordance with the state signal produced by the detector. The control unit automatically controls a notification unit to output, external to the utility meter, notification of the tampering detected by the control unit, in response to the detection of the tampering. Also provided are a utility network including the utility network interface device, a method of operating a utility network interface device, and a computer-readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon for operating a utility network interface device. |
| US08305230B2 |
Method and apparatus for initialization of a wellbore survey tool
An apparatus for initializing a wellbore survey tool comprises a base portion and a first mounting portion mechanically coupled to the base portion. The first mounting portion can be adapted to be mechanically coupled to at least one directional reference system configured to provide data indicative of an orientation of the at least one directional reference system with respect to a reference direction. The apparatus of certain embodiments further comprises a second mounting portion mechanically coupled to the base portion, the second mounting portion configured to be mechanically coupled to a wellbore survey tool such that the wellbore survey tool has a predetermined orientation with respect to the at least one directional reference system. |
| US08305229B1 |
System for wireless communication along a drill string
A wireless communication and drill string telemetry system. The communication system is used for communicating information along a drill string between a boring tool and a boring machine. An insulator assembly provides an electrically insulated gap between the drill string communication path and a soil engaging electrode for the electrical return path. A transmitter assembly includes a data transmitter for encoding and transmitting a data signal. A signal coupler couples the data signal to the drill string and provides a controlled electrical connection between the drill string communication path and the soil engaging electrode. The signal coupler comprises a transformer and a current regulating circuit to adjust a voltage across the transformer's primary winding. A receiver assembly is disposed proximate the drilling machine and includes a toroidal pickup coil and a signal processing assembly. The pickup coil has an annulus and is positioned such that the drill string communication path passes through the annulus. The pickup coil produces a signal voltage in response to a signal current on the drill string that the signal processing assembly processes to extract the data signal. |
| US08305228B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating a plug within the well
Fiber-optic cable systems are useful for locating a cementing apparatus in the wellbore, for example a cement plug. A reel of fiber-optic cable is attached to the cementing apparatus. At the surface the cable is attached to a stationary position where it is connected to a light transmitter/receive device. As the cementing apparatus travels down the cased wellbore, the cable unwinds, thereby changing the nature of the reflected light signal and allowing one to deduce the position of the cement plug within the well. |
| US08305227B2 |
Wireless auxiliary monitoring and control system for an underwater installation
The present invention provides a wireless auxiliary system for monitoring and control of an underwater installation. The auxiliary system of the present invention sends data and control signals between an underwater installation—for example, a lower stack 26 in a hydrocarbon drilling or production facility—and an associated riser assembly 23. Data is collected by sensor network 208A, 208B and is transmitted from a first transceiver 201 to a second transceiver 203 by electromagnetic signals. First transceiver 201 is powered by a local power supply 205. To conserve power consumption, the first transceiver is designed to become active for a short time and then to switch to an inactive mode. For example, wireless data transfer may occur after the detachment or just prior to the reattachment of riser assembly 23 to the underwater installation. Wireless data transfer may also occur on receipt of a handshaking signal from second transceiver 203. Thus, the system of the present invention is capable of providing soft shut-down mode for the underwater installation on detachment of riser assembly 23 and can also safeguard potential risks of reattaching riser 23 when the underwater installation in an unknown state. |
| US08305224B2 |
In-train display-device management system and in-train display-device management method
To provide an in-train-display management device that is incorporated in a train constituted by a plurality of vehicles and is connected to a plurality of display devices arranged in each vehicle of the train by a transmission path, and displays whether a driving status of the display devices is normal on one screen per predetermined unit to collectively manage the driving status of the display devices. By collectively displaying the status of the display devices arranged in each vehicle of the train on one screen, status management of the display devices can be easily and collectively ascertained and managed, thereby enabling easy management of maintenance of the display devices arranged in the vehicles. |
| US08305223B2 |
Multi-object protection, control, and monitoring in the same intelligent electronic device
An Intelligent Electronic Device with integrated protection, and/or control, and/or monitoring for two power system primary objects or more power system primary objects, responsive to a plurality of inputs from the power system primary objects, and providing a plurality of outputs to the power system primary objects. |
| US08305216B2 |
Semiconductor device and wireless communication system using the same
Initialization of a semiconductor device can be efficiently performed, which transmits and receives data through wireless communication. The semiconductor device includes an antenna, a power source circuit, a circuit which uses a DC voltage generated by the power source circuit as a power source voltage, and a resistor. The antenna includes a pair of terminals and receives a wireless signal (a modulated carrier wave). The power source circuit includes a first terminal and a second terminal and generates a DC voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal by using a received wireless signal (the modulated carrier wave). The resistor is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. In this manner, the semiconductor device and the wireless communication system can transmit and receive data accurately. |
| US08305212B1 |
Door security alarm
A door security alarm includes an alarm housing, an alarm horn provided in the alarm housing and having a horn activation button, a housing attachment bracket carried by the alarm housing and a chain slot provided in the housing attachment bracket in general proximity to the horn activation button of the alarm horn. |
| US08305207B2 |
Reset system, mobile device, communication device, and reset method
A reset system includes a communication device mounted on a vehicle; and a mobile device that performs wireless communication with the communication device. The mobile device includes a control instruction unit giving an instruction for controlling an in-vehicle device based on a depressed button, and an instruction unit giving the communication device an instruction for setting a reference value when a predetermined specific button is depressed. The communication device includes an acquisition unit acquiring a tire pressure of the vehicle, a determination unit comparing the tire pressure with the reference value to determine whether the air pressure is abnormal, a control unit controlling an in-vehicle device based on the instruction given from the control instruction unit, and a setting unit, when the instruction has been given from the instruction unit, calculating and setting the reference value based on the tire pressure acquired when the setting instruction has been given. |
| US08305196B2 |
Method and apparatus for responder accounting
A method and apparatus for accounting for responders at a site, includes obtaining a first RFID from a scanning of a responder radio performed in a vicinity of the site; determining, by using the first RFID, a responder identity from a RFID database that associates each one of a plurality of responder identities to a corresponding responder radio RFID; adding at least one of the responder identity and the first RFID to an active responder database for the site; initiating an acknowledgement to the responder radio; obtaining a second RFID as a result of a second scanning; and removing the responder identity from the active responder database when the second RFID matches the first RFID. |
| US08305195B2 |
Radio frequency identification communication system and method thereof
A radio frequency identification (RFID) communication system and method is provided to resolve the power-consuming problems of an active RFID tag while operating at a receiving mode in a long duration. A designated channel is established between the reader and the RFID tag, and also the reader sends a designated message so that the actuated active RFID tag can receive the designated messages and dynamically enter into a receiving mode. Therefore, normal communications may be conducted between the reader and the RFID and the usage period or technical performance can be improved as well. |
| US08305194B2 |
Collision resolution protocol for mobile RFID tag identification
The performance of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system is improved by a protocol that eliminates collisions between signals generated by a) RFID tags that the RFID reader has already identified as being in its interrogation zone and b) RFID tags that are newly arrived and thus that the reader has not yet identified. This is illustratively accomplished by the use of separate identification and access frames. It is during the identification frame that newly arrived tags become identified by the reader. Although there may be collisions during the identification frame, those collisions are only among newly arrived tags. The already-identified tags communicate with the reader during respective time slots of the access frame, so that they neither collide with each other nor with the newly arrived tags. |
| US08305193B2 |
RFID protection device, and related methods
Devices and methods of preventing data transfer between an RFID reader and an RFID device to be protected, are provided. An example of an embodiment of an RFID signal capture device includes a container, a signal capture circuit configured to substantially disrupt the signal provided by the RFID reader when the RFID signal capture device is positioned to protect the RFID device, and an interrogation indicator configured to indicate to a user of the RFID device that an unauthorized RFID reader is attempting to interrogate the RFID device when the RFID signal capture device is positioned in close proximity to the RFID device to provide protection thereto and when the RFID reader is producing the interrogation signal. |
| US08305186B1 |
Resistive temperature detector assembly
A resistive temperature detector assembly characterized by improved calibration means is generally provided. The assembly includes a primary resistive element, characterized by a temperature coefficient of resistance TCR1, for detecting temperature, and a calibration component characterized by first and second resistive elements, each operatively united with each other, and with the primary resistive element. The first resistive element is configured and/or adapted so as to permit selective passage of current through at least a portion thereof, with the first and second resistive elements characterized by temperature coefficients of resistance TCR1 and TCR2, TCR1 having a value intermediate the value of TCR1 and TCR2. |
| US08305184B2 |
Surge arrester
Surge arrester with a module 1, 3, 9, 25, which comprises a stack of varistor blocks 1, two end armatures, between which the stack of varistor blocks 1 is held, a plurality of reinforcing elements 9, which extend between the end armatures 3 and are fixed to said end armatures, the reinforcing elements 9 surrounding the stack of varistor blocks, and at least one stabilizing disc 25, which is arranged between two varistor blocks 1 in the stack and guides the at least one reinforcing element 9, and with an outer housing 5 with screens, in which outer housing the module is at least partially accommodated. In the case of the surge arrester according to the invention, the outer housing is designed in such a way that the module is accommodated without any gas, liquid or volumes or cavities therebetween. Furthermore, each of the stabilizing discs 25 is arranged in the region of one of the screens 7. |
| US08305179B2 |
Oil immersed electrical apparatus
An oil immersed electrical apparatus such as an oil immersed transformer that can detect copper sulfide precipitated on coil insulating paper is provided. In the oil immersed transformer in which a coil with its surface covered by insulating paper is arranged in a container filled with insulating oil, a detection member is prepared by providing two electrodes on a surface of a plate-like pressboard formed of cellulose, which is a same material as that of the insulating paper, this detection member is arranged in contact with the insulating oil, and generation of copper sulfide is detected from reduction in a surface resistance between the electrodes. The temperature of the detection member is set higher than the temperature of the coil so that copper sulfide is generated thereon prior to generation of copper sulfide on a coil unit. |
| US08305178B2 |
Electric equipment in which heat being dissipated through superficial temperature maintaining member and exchanging fluid
The present invention relates to a heat exchange device equipped with a primary fluid circulation loop and a secondary fluid circulation loop and installed between an electrical equipment and a superficial temperature maintaining member, such that the heat generated by the electrical equipment is transmitted by a primary side fluid of the heat exchange device, and a secondary side fluid passes through a heat equalizer installed in the superficial temperature maintaining member so as to dissipate heat through the superficial temperature maintaining member. |
| US08305173B2 |
Superconductive magnet
There is obtained a superconductive magnet in which there are reduced the machining costs and the amount of materials for bobbins and supporting members that support coils. In a superconductive magnet provided with a first group of coils serving as main coils for generating a magnetic field and a second group of coils serving as shield coils that are arranged coaxially with the first group of coils and generate a magnetic field whose direction is opposite the direction of a magnetic field generated by the first group of coils so that a magnetic field that leaks outside is cancelled, the second group of coils are arranged at axis-direction positions where axis-direction electromagnetic force generated by the first group of coils and exerted on the second group of coils and axis-direction electromagnetic force generated by the second group of coils balance with each other and cancel out each other. |
| US08305170B2 |
Electromagnetic switching device having a plurality of areas graduated relative to one another
An embodiment of the present invention discloses an electromagnetic switching device including a housing including a mounting side and a connector side opposite the mounting side. The connector side includes one first and second main connection area for connecting first and second main lines to first and second fixed main contacts disposed in the interior of the housing. In the interior of the housing, movable main contact bridges are disposed via which one main current path each main current path includes one of the first fixed main contacts, one of the second fixed main contacts, and one of the main contact bridges. The main connection areas are located opposite one another. One first and one second central area are disposed between the main connection areas. The central areas each extend from the first to the second main connection area. The central areas are elevated relative to the main connection areas and disposed next to one another viewed from the first to the second main connection area. The first central area is more elevated relative to the main connection areas than the second central area. |
| US08305166B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
To provide an electromagnetic relay having a reduced size, high conductivity, a high insulating performance between two fixed contact terminals and between each of the fixed contact terminals and backstop, a small number of factors causing a failure, and high reliability of electric contact.An electromagnetic relay has an electromagnetic block provided with a movable contact spring 14 swung by current flowing in a coil, two fixed contact terminals 22 and 22′ each having a fixed contact, a backstop 23 having two movable contact abutment portions, and a base block 2 for retaining the above components. The base block 2 has a base portion 20 having substantially a rectangular shape, fixed contact terminal retaining portions 21 and 21′ extending vertically from two opposing sides of the rectangle so as to retain the two fixed contact terminals, and a backstop retaining portion 24 extending vertically from the center portion of one of the remaining two opposing sides of the rectangle. |
| US08305164B1 |
Frequency-agile frequency-selective variable attenuator
A method of tuning the stopband attenuation of an absorptive bandstop filter having at least a first and second resonator, where the first resonator includes a first tuning element that exhibits a first resonant frequency, the second resonator includes a second tuning element that exhibits a second resonant frequency, and the tuning elements are used to adjust the corresponding resonant frequencies, includes 1) adjusting the first resonant frequency using the first tuning element; and 2) adjusting the second resonant frequency using the second tuning element, such that both resonant frequencies are coordinated to obtain a selected stopband attenuation level and to thus realize a frequency-selective variable attenuator. |