Document Document Title
US08326043B2 Video detection system and methods
A video detection system and method compares a queried video segment to one or more stored video samples. Each of the queried video segments and stored video samples can be represented by respective digital image sets. A first and second comparison comprises comparing a set of low and high resolution temporal and spatial statistical moments in a COLOR9 space, and eliminating file digital image sets that do not match the queried digital image set. A third comparison generates a set of matching files by comparing a set of wavelet transform coefficients in a COLOR9 space. RGB bit-wise registration and comparison of one or more subframes of specific frames in the queried digital image set to a corresponding set of matching file subframes determines queried subframe changes. In the event of a change in a queried subframe, the changed subframe is added to the set of matching file subframes.
US08326032B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus, which performs an error diffusion on M-value image data with an error weight matrix into N-value image data, includes: a corrected-value calculating unit that calculates a corrected value by adding a first value and a second value to a pixel value corresponding to a processing-target color component of a pixel of interest, the first value being obtained by multiplying an error for each quantized pixel of the processing-target color component by the matrix, and the second value being obtained by multiplying an error for each quantized pixel of a different color component by the matrix; a quantizing unit that compares the corrected value with a quantization threshold, and outputs N-value image data; and an error diffusion unit that calculates an error at the pixel of interest by subtracting a quantization threshold from a value obtained by adding the first value to the pixel value.
US08326028B2 Dropout color processing method and processing apparatus using same
It is possible to compatibly set multiple “dropout” color ranges and “non-dropout” color ranges and uniquely determine a dropout boundary. An object of the present invention is to greatly conserve maintenance cost of adding a new dropout form after apparatus operations. A conventional technology aims at assuring relation to a predetermined color region, determining the presence or absence of contention, or uniquely settling a dropout boundary. The present invention provides a means for supplying levels to a “dropout” color range and a “non-dropout” color range. A registered color range histogram can be quasi-three-dimensionally visualized so that an operator can make adjustment by viewing a contention determination result and an image.
US08326023B2 Photographing field angle calculation apparatus
A memory of a photographing field angle calculation apparatus has stored therein the position of each point captured by an imaging system as three coordinate values in horizontal, vertical, and depth directions when a photography space is photographed by the imaging system. A usage pixel value extraction means selects a plurality of points located in end portions in the horizontal direction of a range captured by the imaging system from those stored in the memory based on the vertical coordinate value, and extracts the horizontal and depth coordinate values of each of the selected points. A field angle calculation means calculates a horizontal photographing field angle when the photography space is photographed using the extracted horizontal and depth coordinate values.
US08326021B2 Measurement apparatus and control method
A measurement apparatus (100), which measures the relative position and orientation of an image-capturing apparatus (50) capturing images of one or more measurement objects (10) with respect to the measurement object, acquires a captured image using the image-capturing apparatus (50). Moreover, the respective geometric features present in a 3D model of the measurement object (10) are projected onto the captured image based on the position and orientation of the image-capturing apparatus (50), thereby obtaining projection geometric features. Projection geometric features to be used in calculation of the position and orientation are then selected from the resultant projection geometric features based on distances between the projection geometric features in the captured image. The relative position and orientation of the image-capturing apparatus (50) with respect to the measurement object is then calculated using the selected projection geometric features and image geometric features corresponding to the selected projection geometric features detected in the captured image.
US08326016B2 Check information tampering detection method
A check processing system enables determining if tampering has occurred while sending check image information captured by a check processing device to a server. The digitally watermarked image information and the magnetic ink character data are then sent through a host computer to the server. If the image information is tampered with on the host computer, the server cannot extract the magnetic ink character data from the received image information, and even if the magnetic ink character data can be extracted, the extracted magnetic ink character data will be different from the magnetic ink character data received by the server.
US08326014B2 Methods and systems for processing biological specimens utilizing multiple wavelengths
Methods, systems and computer readable media for processing one or more biological specimens carried by specimen slides. Images of objects in a specimen are acquired and objects of interest in the acquired images are identified. Additional images of identified objects of interest may be acquired at multiple wavelengths. Cellular features of objects of interest are extracted from images and may be used for classifying the specimen, e.g., as normal or suspicious/abnormal, based a probabilistic model that utilizes the extracted features.
US08326013B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program
A technique is disclosed for reducing noise in a medical image, wherein plural anisotropic areas continuous with a pixel-of-interest contained in the medical image are set with the pixel-of-interest being centered a statistical amount of pixel values of pixels constituting each anisotropic area is calculated with respect to each of the plural anisotropic areas, and either an anisotropic area having the minimum statistical amount out of the plural anisotropic areas is determined and an anisotropic shape filter in the same direction as the anisotropic area concerned is constructed, or an anisotropic area having the maximum statistical amount out of the plural anisotropic areas is determined and an anisotropic shape filter is constructed by clockwise or counterclockwise rotating the anisotropic area concerned around the pixel-of-interest by 90° .
US08326011B2 Methods, systems, and computer-program products for estimating scattered radiation in radiographic projections
Several related inventions for estimating scattered radiation in radiographic projections are disclosed. Several of the inventions use scatter kernels of various forms, including symmetric and asymmetric forms. The inventions may be used alone or in various combinations with one another. The resulting estimates of scattered radiation may be used to correct the projections, which can improve the results of tomographic reconstructions. Still other inventions of the present application generate estimates of scattered radiation from shaded or partially shaded regions of a radiographic projection, which may be used to correct the projections or used to adjust the estimates of scattered radiation generated according to inventions of the present application that employ kernels.
US08326010B2 System and method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) temperature monitoring
The invention provides a method for a multi-echo acquisition technique capable of obtaining separate water only and fat only images in anatomies having large time-varying phase disturbances. This multi-echo technique is also useful in anatomies where magnetic field inhomogeneity is significant. Also provided is a system, which is capable of producing a reconstructed complex water image whose phase component maintains the temperature dependent phase information. Similarly, the reconstructed fat image maintains the phase information pertaining to the time-varying phase disturbances.
US08326007B2 Methods and apparatus for combined 4D presentation of quantitative regional measurements and morphology
A method for combined 4D presentation of quantitative measurements and morphology of an object uses an apparatus that includes a computer or processor, memory, and a display. The method includes identifying a region of interest in volumetric image data. Then, the following steps are iterated to produce a 4D volume rendering. The iterated steps include tracking a wall of the object in the region of interest of the image data to produce a displacement field, applying the displacement field to display data to create enhanced rendering data, volume rendering the enhanced rendering data to produce an enhanced volume rendering, and displaying the enhanced volume rendering.
US08326003B2 Security system and method for security certification thereof, method of generating relative character information, terminal system, and smart card
A security system is provided. The security system includes a terminal system and a smart card. The terminal system generates relative fingerprint information of a user from absolute fingerprint information of the user, determines a similarity between the generated relative feature information of the user and registered relative fingerprint information of a smart card owner transmitted from the smart card to generate variation information, and applies the variation information to the user absolute fingerprint information to generate modified user absolute fingerprint information. The smart card determines the similarity between the modified user absolute feature information and registered absolute feature information of the smart card owner to perform a certification operation.
US08325999B2 Assisted face recognition tagging
The described implementations relate to assisted face recognition tagging of digital images, and specifically to context-driven assisted face recognition tagging. In one case, context-driven assisted face recognition tagging (CDAFRT) tools can access face images associated with a photo gallery. The CDAFRT tools can perform context-driven face recognition to identify individual face images at a specified probability. In such a configuration, the probability that the individual face images are correctly identified can be higher than attempting to identify individual face images in isolation.
US08325996B2 Method and device for locating a human iris in an eye image
The present disclosure relates to a method for locating the iris in an image of an eye, comprising steps of locating the pupil in the image, of detecting positions of intensity steps of pixels located on a line passing through the pupil and transition zones between the iris and the cornea, on either side of the pupil, and of determining the center and the radius of a circle passing through the detected positions of the transitions.
US08325994B2 System and method for authenticated and privacy preserving biometric identification systems
A biometric based identification and authorization for a collected physical biometric for a security infrastructure is presented. The biometric identification and authorization is achieved with an identity verification template (IVT) generated from a User Biometric (UB) collected from a human or non-human object and stored on an biometric storage device (e.g., a magnetic strip card, smart card, Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive or a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) device, etc.). The generated UB is discarded. The IVT does not contain complete information from the UB but allows for accurate verification of the human or non-human object when another UB is generated for the human or non-human object at a later time.
US08325990B2 Biological information storing apparatus, biological authentication apparatus, data structure for biological authentication, and biological authentication method
A biological information storing apparatus includes: a biological information storing unit for storing biological information for authenticating reception of a first service; a biological information acquisition unit for acquiring biological information for authenticating reception of a second service different from the first service; and a determination unit for determining whether the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit and the biological information stored in the storing unit coincide with each other, wherein when the determination unit determines that the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit and the biological information stored in the storing unit coincide with each other, either the biological information acquired by the acquisition unit or the biological information stored in the storing unit is selected and stored into the storing unit as biological information for authenticating the reception of the first service and the second service.
US08325977B2 Image recognition and focus adjustment using weighted image difference information
An image recognition device includes a detection unit which is configured to detect a first difference between partial information of at least a part of the first image information and the reference information and to detect a second difference between partial information of at least a part of the second image information and the reference information. A recognition unit is configured to recognize a first area corresponding to the reference image in the first image information. A calculation unit is configured to calculate a determination value based on a reference area in the second image information corresponding to the first area by weighting the second difference. The recognition unit is configured to recognize a second area corresponding to the reference image in the second image information based on at least one of the second difference and the determination value.
US08325972B2 Arrangement and method for non destructive measurement of wall thickness and surface shapes of objects with an inner surface
The invention relates to a method of carrying out measurements with penetrating radiation on a hollow object comprising at least one wall surrounding an inner space of the object, said wall comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said method at least being carried out for determining a position and shape of at least a portion of the inner surface of the wall.
US08325970B2 Apparatus, method, and computer product for image processing
An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit, an area setting unit, and an adding unit. The obtaining unit obtains an adding method by which additional information is to be added to image data containing content information. The area setting unit sets an additional-information area to which the additional information is to be added based on the adding method and the content information. The adding unit adds the additional information to the additional-information area by the adding method.
US08325966B2 Detachable loudspeaker structure having both audio and supporting functions
A detachable loudspeaker structure including a loudspeaker, a circuit board, a housing and a signal connector, wherein the circuit board is electrically connected to the loudspeaker and the signal connector, the housing forms a receiving space therein for receiving the loudspeaker and circuit board and has a top surface provided with a receiving groove, and the signal connector has one end pivotally connected inside the receiving groove so as for the other end of the signal connector to be rotated out of the receiving groove and connect with an audio output port of a display. Hence, the loudspeaker structure is not only able to be easily installed together with the display for reproducing audio signals received from the display, but also able to firmly support the display on a flat surface, wherever desired without spatial limitations.
US08325965B2 Audio speaker having a tweeter capable of continuous rotation
An audio speaker contains a tweeter capable of continuous rotation, where the audio speaker contains the tweeter and an axis mount assembly. The tweeter is removably connected to the axis mount assembly. The audio speaker also contains a first connection member capable of maintaining electrical communication with the axis mount assembly throughout continuous rotation of the axis mount assembly. The axis mount assembly contains a terminal plate connected to a bottom portion of the tweeter, where the terminal plate maintains electrical communication with the tweeter. The axis mount assembly also contains an axis mount faceplate capable of receiving the terminal plate and tweeter within an indented portion of a top portion of the axis mount faceplate. The axis mount assembly further contains an axis mount spacer and a second connection member that maintains electrical communication with the first connection member throughout continuous rotation of the axis mount assembly.
US08325955B2 Method for improving compatibility of hearing aid with antenna
A method for improving compatibility of a hearing aid with an antenna, in which at least a metal frame is provided near by a grounding surface of the antenna to change the direction of radiation of the antenna, thereby to enhance the directivity of the antenna on the side away from a hearing aid, and to reduce the quantity of radiation proceeding toward the hearing aid and to improve the near-field quantity (for about 3 dB) of an electric field of an HAC tested plane. This method can further increase the heights of the metal frames to reduce the near-field quantity of the electric field of HAC (hearing aid compatibility) tested plane.
US08325950B2 Silicon condenser microphone
Disclosed is a silicon condenser microphone including a backplate having a plurality of perforations therethrough, a diaphragm opposed from the backplate for forming a capacitor. The diaphragm includes a first part and a second part received in the first part, the second part being capable of vibrating relative to the backplate. The first part is connected to the ground and the second part is connected to a bias voltage.
US08325949B2 Thermoacoustic device
An amplifier circuit for thermoacoustic device includes a peak hold circuit, an add-subtract circuit, and a power amplifier. The peak hold circuit is configured to accept an audio signal and output a peak hold signal. The add-subtract circuit is configured to accept the audio signal and the peak hold signal, and output a modulated signal after a comparison operation of the audio signal and the peak hold signal. The power amplifier is configured to accept the modulated signal, amplify the modulated signal, and output an amplified voltage signal.
US08325945B2 Mixing control device
A mixing control device has a plurality of input channels for processing and mixing audio signals according to parameters specified in the respective input channels. In the mixing control device, a plurality of channel strips are grouped into a first portion and a second portion, each channel strip having a fader operable for controlling a parameter. An allocating part allocates the plurality of the input channels to the plurality of the channel strips so that the fader of the channel strip is operable to control the parameter of the input channel allocated to the channel strip. An instructing part provides an instruction to switch the parameter to be controlled by the fader. In response to the instruction, a switching part switches a parameter controlled by the faders of channel strips belonging to the second portion to another parameter of channels allocated to channel strips belonging to the first portion, so that both of the faders of the channel strips belonging to the first portion and the second portion are operable to control the parameters of the channels allocated to the channel strips belonging to the first portion.
US08325944B1 Audio mixes for listening environments
This specification describes technologies relating to generating audio mixes for listening environments. A method is provided that includes receiving digital audio data; receiving an environmental input, the environmental input being associated with the listening environment; calculating one or more audio parameters for the digital audio data based on the received environmental input, the calculating including: calculating a particular intensity level for the digital audio data, and processing the digital audio data according to specified reference levels; and generating an audio mix for the digital audio data according to the calculated audio parameters.
US08325943B2 Dual-coil, dual gap electromagnetic transducer with multiple channel amplifiers
A dual-coil, dual magnetic gap electromagnetic transducer is provided where each voice coil is wired to include separate leads so that each individual voice coil may be driven by a separate amplifier or by a separate bridged amplifier. Signal processing may further be utilized to increase the output of the loudspeaker, to achieve extreme excursion without extreme distortion and to provide for alternative voice coil designs to address common problems with dual-coil, dual magnetic gap transducers, including, but not limited to, heat generation.
US08325940B2 Power management controller for drivers
A driver controller comprising a state machine for controlling transitions between a plurality of states. An output switch for providing a low impedance path to ground during transition periods. An output stage for decoupling output signal from driver amplifier during the transition periods.
US08325936B2 Directionally radiating sound in a vehicle
A vehicle loudspeaker system in a vehicle including directional loudspeakers. One directional loudspeaker radiates sound at a first seating position and another loudspeaker radiates sound at a second seating position. The directional loudspeakers may be used with other vehicle loudspeakers to control spatial perceptions.
US08325935B2 Speaker having a wireless link to communicate with another speaker
A wireless system including a first speaker and a second speaker, where the first and second speakers communicate with each other over a wireless link. In some configurations, the first speaker includes both a primary wireless interface for receiving audio from an audio source and a secondary wireless interface transmitting a portion of the audio to the second speaker. The speaker can incorporate Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to provide the wireless link between each other. The wireless system can be configured to synchronize audio output at the speakers, and can also include a second-speaker detection mechanism that permits the first speaker to be used in either a stand-alone mode, with audio output at only the first speaker, or full-headset mode, with audio output at both speakers when the second speaker is detected within wireless range of the first speaker.
US08325932B2 Engine sound synthesizer, motor vehicle and game machine employing the engine sound synthesizer, engine sound synthesizing method, and recording medium containing computer program for engine sound synthesis
An engine sound synthesizer includes an engine sound storing section, and a synthetic engine sound data generating section which generates synthetic engine sound data on the basis of engine sound data stored in the engine sound storing section. The engine sound storing section stores therein plural groups of plural entities of engine sound data recorded in different driving states, the plural groups of plural engine sound data entities being stored therein in correspondence with predetermined plural driving state ranges. The synthetic engine sound data generating section generates the synthetic engine sound data by selectively reading out of the engine sound storing section plural engine sound data entities in a group corresponding to one of the driving state ranges specified by externally input driving state specification information and selectively combining the read engine sound data entities. The driving states are each defined, for example, by a throttle opening degree and an engine rotation speed.
US08325928B2 Security countermeasure for power analysis attacks
A countermeasure for differential power analysis attacks on computing devices. The countermeasure includes the definition of a set of split mask values. The split mask values are applied to a key value used in conjunction with a masked table defined with reference to a table mask value. The set of n split mask values are defined by randomly generating n−1 split mask values and defining an nth split mask value by exclusive or'ing the table mask value with the n−1 randomly generated split mask values.
US08325925B2 Delivery of messages to a receiver mobile device
A system for delivering messages to a receiver mobile device and a method and memory storing instructions therefor are described. The system comprises a key server arranged to: transmit a first signal responsive to receipt of a message from a sender mobile device; transmit a delivery confirmation notice responsive to receipt of a second signal from the receiver mobile device; transmit a key to the receiver mobile device responsive to receipt of the second signal from the receiver mobile device; and a message server communicatively coupled with the key server and arranged to: transmit a third signal to the receiver mobile device responsive to receipt of the first signal from the key server; transmit a fourth signal to the sender mobile device responsive to receipt of the delivery confirmation notice from the key server.
US08325920B2 Enabling transferable entitlements between networked devices
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards employing transferable entitlements using EMMs for enabling a purchase of content using a mobile device, and redeeming for access the content using a different network device. An existing billing infrastructure may be used during a purchase transaction to identify the purchasing device. Upon billing authorization, a transferable EMM (XEMM) may be sent to the purchasing device. The purchasing device may then provide the XEMM to another network device. The other network device may send the XEMM to a redeeming service when requesting access to the content. Upon authorization, an EMM with an access key to the content may be sent to the other network device.
US08325919B2 Streaming system for distributing encrypted compressed image data, and streaming method therefor
The present invention is directed to a streaming system for encrypting compression-encoded image data to distribute it via network of a predetermined transport protocol, and a streaming server used in this system transmits, to a client terminal, on the RTP packet basis, stream data encrypted so that encryption is performed every encryption block size from the leading portion of each GOP without encrypting the last data having less than encryption block size. In this instance, portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area of RTP header so that size of stream data transmitted every RTP packet is integral multiple of encryption block size. Further, size information of added prior additional data and/or posterior additional data are also stored into the extended area. This streaming server suppresses increase in size by encryption to have ability to support both real time production and down-load reproduction without replacement of encryption.
US08325918B2 Streaming system for distributing encrypted compressed image data, and streaming method therefor
The present invention is directed to a streaming system for encrypting compression-encoded image data to distribute it via network of a predetermined transport protocol, and a streaming server used in this system transmits, to a client terminal, on the RTP packet basis, stream data encrypted so that encryption is performed every encryption block size from the leading portion of each GOP without encrypting the last data having less than encryption block size. In this instance, portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area of RTP header so that size of stream data transmitted every RTP packet is integral multiple of encryption block size. Further, size information of added prior additional data and/or posterior additional data are also stored into the extended area. This streaming server suppresses increase in size by encryption to have ability to support both real time production and down-load reproduction without replacement of encryption.
US08325917B2 Reproducing device, recording device, recording medium, data processing method, data processing program, data recording method, data recording program, and integrated circuit
A data generating device is capable of preventing unauthorized extraction of plaintext content between decryption processing and digital watermark embedment processing. A content reproducing device obtains restoration information and, in accordance with the restoration information, selectively performs predetermined restoration processing and processing of embedding device unique information, on content data at a position shown by the restoration information.
US08325915B2 Image output system
When image data is outputted in a special image processing apparatus which has printed confidential data before, a server confirms whether the user who has instructed output is a permitted user or an unpermitted user. If the user is a permitted user, the server permits printing. If the user is an unpermitted user, the server confirms whether a predetermined period has elapsed after the special image processing apparatus was used last. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the server permits printing. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the server restricts output by stopping printing or by document filing for storing image data. Thus, by restricting use by an outside user, leakage of confidential data is prevented.
US08325908B2 Method and apparatus for detecting ring trip precursors
A method for controlling a ringing signal includes generating a ringing signal on a subscriber line, detecting a condition indicative of the subscriber line going off-hook and reducing an amplitude of the ringing signal responsive to detecting the condition. A line card includes a subscriber line interface circuit operable to generate a ringing signal on a subscriber line and a subscriber line audio-processing circuit operable to detect a condition indicative of the subscriber line going off-hook and reducing an amplitude of the ringing signal responsive to detecting the condition.
US08325906B2 Class-based call request routing
Communication systems and methods are described that include class-based call request routing. Components of the communication systems are configured to receive information of a class at a calling device. In response to the class information, a call request is automatically generated and addressed to resources of a class group. The resources of the class group all possess a common attribute of the class. The attribute includes one or more of a skill, job specialty code, job title, company, department, and division. The generated call request is routed to target devices of the resources. In response to a resource accepting the call request, a response message is received from a target device of the resource. Communications are established between the calling device and the at least one target device in response to the response message received from the target device.
US08325905B2 Routing calls in a network
A method includes receiving a telephone number mapping query associated with a call. The method may also include generating routing information based on the query and forwarding the routing information to a control device. The routing information may indicate that processing associated with routing the call is to bypass a core portion of an Internet multimedia subsystem (IMS) when a calling party associated with the call does not invoke an IMS service, the called party associated with the call does not invoke an IMS service and the called party is not an IMS subscriber.
US08325903B2 Telephone device
A telephone device is capable of receiving, during communication with a first external device, a call from a second external device. The telephone device includes a setting unit and a ring alert inhibiting unit. The setting unit is configured so as to be capable of setting the telephone device to either one of a first status, in which a user of the telephone device wants to perform communication, and a second status, in which the user does not want to perform communication, the setting unit being configured so as to be capable of setting the second status, either when communication is started with the first external device, or while the communication with the first external device is being executed. The ring alert inhibiting unit inhibits a sound of a ring alert for informing that a call has been received from the second external device when the telephone device is in the second status.
US08325899B2 Telephone call screening and routing device and related method
A method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information.
US08325898B2 System and method for screening incoming telephone calls
A do-not-disturb mode is entered in response to an identifier and a first authorization code is received. A call is received from a caller whereafter the caller is prompted to input a second authorization code. If the first and second authorization codes are the same, a notification is generated to notify a called party that a telephone call is being received.
US08325897B1 Methods and systems for providing telecommunications services
The present invention is related to telecommunications. A call processing system receives a first call from a caller intended for a first person. A notification regarding the first call is transmitted over a network to a terminal associated with the first person. A user interface is displayed on the terminal via which the first person can indicate that a callback message is to be transmitted to the caller. The callback message is transmitted to the caller, wherein the callback message includes an identification of the first person, a callback control, and text indicating that the caller is to activate the control to initiate another call to the first person. At least partly in response to the caller activating the control, A second call to be placed via which the first person and caller are connected.
US08325896B2 System and method for dynamic audio conference call configuration and management
A new approach is proposed that contemplates audio conference systems and methods to expand the capacity a conference call by utilizing both a mixing engine that enables a first group participants to be able to both listen to and speak at the conference call, and a broadcast engine that broadcasts the conference call to a second group of participants who are only interested in listening to, but not speaking at the conference call. During the conference call, participants at the mixing engine and the broadcast engine can be dynamically adjusted.
US08325895B2 Conference system and conference telephone line setting method
Client terminals of participants of a conference, connected to a network, and a server connected to the client terminals are used to authenticate and confirm the participants of the conference. After successful authentication, a telephone line is set among telephone sets of the participants to hold the conference.
US08325887B2 Method of and a communications system for providing, to a calling party, information concerning a message played to the calling party
A method of and a communications system for providing a calling party (1) information (27) of a message (18) that is played to the calling party (1) in a communications system, when the calling party (1) calls (10) a called party (2) and the called party (2) is being alerted (13) of the call and/or after the called party has disconnected from the call. The information (27) is provided electronically on request (24) of the calling party (1). The calling party (1) may be prompted (28) to indicate (24) whether to receive the information (27). The prompt (28) may be provided while the message (18) is playing. The information (27) to be provided may include downloading of the message (18) or part thereof or content comparable with the message (18), such as an audio clip, a video clip or as a ring tone to be used by the calling party (1).
US08325885B1 Call diversion for telephony applications
A method of initiating outbound calls through a telephony interface. The method accepts an inbound call from a user, authenticates the inbound call against a predetermined user identity, accesses an address book associated with the user identity, receives an spoken request from the user, selects a telephone record in the address book associated with the spoken request, initiates an outbound call to the telephone record; and connects the inbound call with the outbound call responsive to a connection established on the outbound call. In an alternative embodiment the method accepts an inbound call, authenticates the inbound call against a predetermined user identity, receives a dual-tone frequency-modulated input representing a desired outbound call target, initiates an outbound call to the outbound call target, and connects the inbound call with the outbound call responsive to a connection established on the outbound call. A corresponding computer system for each embodiment is also provided.
US08325884B2 Method, system and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment
A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction.
US08325883B2 Method and system for providing assisted communications
An approach is provided for selectively translating a communication session and associated media among different formats based on user sensory impairment, preferred communication format, device capability, and restrictive environmental conditions.
US08325881B2 Facility outage restoration simulator inquiry tool
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for preparing for a service disruption are provided. Information relating to an activity at a target location is received. Upon receiving information relating to at least the activity at the target location, stored data related to the activity and the target location are gathered. A probability of a service disruption at the target location based on at least the stored data related to the activity and the target location is assessed and the target location is monitored. Upon detecting a change in services associated to the target location, an alert is generated.
US08325878B2 Real-time dose computation for radiation therapy using graphics processing unit acceleration of the convolution/superposition dose computation method
A system for radiation therapy including a radiation planning system, wherein the radiation planning system comprises a parallel processor adapted to receive input information concerning a body having an intended radiation treatment region and to output information for providing radiation treatment to the intended radiation treatment region of the body, wherein the parallel processor is adapted to perform a plurality of reverse ray tracing calculations based on the input information concerning the body in determining the output information for providing radiation treatment, each of the plurality of reverse ray tracing calculations comprising: calculating a first physical property corresponding to a first sub-region of the intended radiation treatment region of the body that is intersected by a ray traced between a source position and the intended radiation treatment region; and calculating, subsequent to the first-mentioned calculating, a second physical property corresponding to a second sub-region of the intended radiation treatment region that is intersected by the ray at a location closer to the source position than is the first sub-region.
US08325875B2 Portable radiological imaging system
In one embodiment, a portable radiological imaging system includes a portable base station having an X-ray source and a power supply, a wireless X-ray detector configured to receive X-ray radiation from the source and to generate image data based upon the received radiation, and a portable image processing system removably carried by the base station and configured to receive the image data from the detector and to process the image data to produce and display a user-viewable image derived from the image data.
US08325871B2 Radiation threat detection
Systems and methods for detecting clandestine fissile or radioactive material on the basis of emitted radiation and particles (such as neutrons and alpha particles) arising from within the material. Emission by the fissile or radioactive material is detected in conjunction with a conventional x-ray imaging system that includes an external source of illuminating penetrating radiation, at least one detector configured to detect at least the penetrating radiation and to generate a detector signal, and a processor configured as a detector signal discriminator to generate an output indicating whether the detector signal is triggered by an origin other than illuminating penetrating radiation. Active and passive modes of detection are described by some embodiments. Other embodiments are directed toward neutron detection, gamma ray detection with energy resolution, and designs of detectors to enhance the detection of clandestine nuclear material.
US08325869B2 Phase calibration circuit and related phase calibration method
A phase calibration circuit applied to at least one signal processing module group includes at least two phase calibration modules, a phase detection module and a filter module. An output node of a first phase calibration module is coupled to an input node of a first signal processing module, an input node of a second phase calibration module is coupled to an output node of the first signal processing module, and the first signal processing module receives a calibrated signal outputted from the first phase calibration module and generates a processed signal. The phase detection module is utilized for generating a phase error signal according to a calibrated signal of an Mth phase calibration module, where M is an integer equal to or greater than two. The filter module is utilized for generating at least a first and a second phase calibration signal according to the phase error signal.
US08325864B2 Receiver circuit
A first phase adjustment circuit adjusts phases of a data decision clock signal and a first boundary decision clock signal according to a phase adjustment amount based on an output signal of a data decision circuit and an output signal of a first boundary decision circuit. A second phase adjustment circuit adjusts a phase of a second boundary decision clock signal according to a result of adding the phase adjustment amount and a phase adjustment amount offset. An adaptive equalization control circuit adjusts an equalization coefficient of an equalization circuit according to a data width of an output signal of the equalization circuit based on a logical comparison result between the output signal of the data decision circuit and an output signal of a second boundary decision circuit when the phase adjustment amount offset is changed.
US08325863B2 Data detection and decoding with considerations for channel estimation errors due to guard subbands
Techniques for performing data detection and decoding in a manner to account for guard subbands are described. A receiver obtains received pilot symbols for pilot subbands and received data symbols for data subbands. Channel estimates are derived based on the received pilot symbols with zeroed-out pilot subbands filled with zeros. Data detection is performed on the received data symbols with the channel estimates to obtain data symbol estimates. Estimates of noise and estimation errors due to the zeroed-out pilot subbands are derived. LLRs are then computed based on the data symbol estimates, the channel estimates, and the estimates of the noise and estimation errors. The LLRs are deinterleaved and decoded to obtain decoded data.
US08325859B2 Communication device and control method
A communication device according to the present invention includes a receiver configured to receive, through a radio link, packet signals each including a known signal indicating information known by the communication device and an unknown signal indicating information not known by the communication device, and a combiner configured to combine the packet signals while decreasing noise signals included in each of the packet signals. The communication device includes a correlation comparator configured to compare a correlation between the known signals in each of the packet signals with a correlation between the unknown signals in each of the packet signals, and a combining scheme controller configured to control a scheme of combining the packet signals, on the basis of the comparison result by the correlation comparator.
US08325855B2 Iterative receiver and iterative decoder
An iterative receiver and an iterative decoder are provided. The iterative receiver includes: an external decoder to decode the detected received signal; an impurity adder to add an impurity to an output signal of the external decoder; an interleaver to perform interleaving between the internal detector and the external decoder; and a de-interleaver to perform de-interleaving between the internal detector and the external decoder.
US08325851B2 Method for compensating signal distortion in an emitting payload
A method for compensating signal distortion in an emitting payload including determining a compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload; choosing an initial tentative compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload; acquiring an output signal of the emitting payload; based on the acquired output signal and on a reference signal, corresponding to an expected undistorted output signal, performing an estimation of a residual distortion transfer function of emitting payload; and based on the estimation of the residual distortion transfer function, computing an updated tentative compensation transfer function and introducing it within the aggregate response of the payload. The estimation can be a black-box estimating and the reference signal can be generated on-purpose, and not measured from within the emitting payload.
US08325850B2 System and method for digital communications with unbalanced codebooks
A system and method for digital communications with unbalanced codebooks is provided. A transmitter includes a channel encoder that generates an output codeword from an information vector provided by an information input, and a modulator/transmitter circuit coupled to the channel encoder. The modulator/transmitter circuit prepares the output codeword for transmission over a physical channel. The channel encoder encodes the information vector into an intermediate codeword using a first code and shapes the intermediate codeword into the output codeword having a desired distribution.
US08325847B2 Method and apparatus for efficient storage of training sequences for peak to average power constrained modulation formats
The present invention efficiently stores a training sequence in a communications system, where the training sequence exhibits certain desirable characteristics when used by a peak to average power constrained modulation format. In one embodiment, the invention includes selecting a set of one or more original ordered sequences such that the set of ordered sequences has at least one desired property, creating a set of extended sequences, each based on an original ordered sequence by beginning with an element of an original sequence, cyclically appending elements of the original sequence in order to obtain a desired extended sequence length, and modifying each extended sequence using a corresponding modifying sequence, such that a training sequence can be generated from any one of the modified extended sequences by beginning with any one element of any one modified extended sequence and taking each element of the any one sequence in order to obtain the training sequence, the modifying sequence being selected so that the obtained training sequence when modulated by a selected modulation format has the at least one desired property of the corresponding original ordered sequence.
US08325846B2 Data transmission method and apparatus in multiple antenna system
A data transmission method in a multiple antenna system is provided. The method includes: defining a codebook including at least one precoding matrix composed of a plurality of rows and columns, wherein the codebook is at least one of a first type in which all elements of the precoding matrix are non-zero elements, a second type in which any one column of the precoding matrix includes non-zero element and the remaining columns include at least one zero element, and a third type in which all columns of the precoding matrix include at least one zero element; precoding an input symbol by using the defined codebook; and transmitting the precoded symbol.
US08325844B2 Data transmission with spatial spreading in a MIMO communication system
For data transmission with spatial spreading, a transmitting entity (1) encodes and modulates each data packet to obtain a corresponding data symbol block, (2) multiplexes data symbol blocks onto NS data symbol streams for transmission on NS transmission channels of a MIMO channel, (3) spatially spreads the NS data symbol streams with steering matrices, and (4) spatially processes NS spread symbol streams for full-CSI transmission on NS eigenmodes or partial-CSI transmission on NS spatial channels of the MIMO channel. A receiving entity (1) obtains NR received symbol streams via NR receive antennas, (2) performs receiver spatial processing for full-CSI or partial-CSI transmission to obtain NS detected symbol streams, (3) spatially despreads the NS detected symbol streams with the same steering matrices used by the transmitting entity to obtain NS recovered symbol streams, and (4) demodulates and decodes each recovered symbol block to obtain a corresponding decoded data packet.
US08325843B2 MIMO codebook generation
Particular codebook entries used for a MIMO system of a lower dimension (i.e., having a relatively low number of antennas) can be used to generate a codebook for a MIMO system of a higher dimension (i.e., having a relatively high number of antennas). The entries in rank 1 of the codebook related to the MIMO system having four transmit antennas are used to newly construct entries for rank 1 through rank 8 of two base matrices for a MIMO base codebook related to eight transmit antennas.
US08325842B2 Method and apparatus for pre-processing data to be transmitted in multiple-input communication system
A method for pre-processing data to be transmitted in a multiple-input communication system comprises the following steps: generating a beamforming matrix and a pre-coding matrix; combining the beamforming matrix and the pre-coding matrix to generate a weight matrix; and pre-processing the data by using the generated weight matrix. There are also provided a transmitter, a base station, and a communication system using the method.
US08325840B2 Tree position adaptive soft output M-algorithm receiver structures
A method and apparatus for tree position adaptive SOMA receiver structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device for use in a wireless communication system comprises a receiver to receive information-bearing signals from the transmitter wirelessly transmitted using OFDM and bit interleaved coded modulation, where the receiver includes an inner decoder structure having a soft output M-algorithm (SOMA) based multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) joint demapper that uses a SOMA-based MIMO detection process to perform joint inner demapping over each tone, and wherein the SOMA-based MIMO joint demapper is operable to search a detection tree for each tone using a tree-search symbol order that is adapted for each tone based on channel state information and extrinsic information from the outer decoder, where only a number of best alternatives from every level of the tree are expanded.
US08325838B2 Communication method and radio transmitter
Radio transmission is performed even to a communication party whose bandwidth that can be used for transmission and reception is limited without having an influence of an offset of a DC component. A radio transmitter applied to an OFDMA communication system in which a plurality of different terminals performs communication using OFDM signals at the same time that includes a mapping part that allocates transmission power to each subcarrier, and also selects a subcarrier to which minimum power of the transmission power to be allocated is allocated and modulates transmission data in units of communication slots to output the modulated data; and a transmission part for transmitting radio signals including the modulated data using each of the subcarriers.
US08325836B2 Scattered pilot pattern and channel estimation method for MIMO-OFDM systems
Methods and apparatus are provided for inserting data symbols and pilot symbols in an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) transmission resource utilizing frequency hopping patterns for the data symbols and/or the pilot symbols. Data symbols and pilot symbols are allocated for down link (base station to mobile station) and up link (mobile station to bases station) transmission resources in a two-dimensional time-frequency pattern. For each antenna of a MIMO-OFDM (multiple input multiple output OFDM) communication system, pilot symbols are inserted in a scattered pattern in time-frequency and data symbols are inserted in an identical frequency-hopping pattern in time-frequency as that of other antennas.
US08325835B2 Non-continuous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system and control method of non-continuous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system
A Non-Continuous Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (NC-OFDM) system may be provided. The NC-OFDM system, including: a sensing unit to determine whether to use at least one frequency band; a band control unit to disable a subcarrier with respect to a frequency band in use as a result of the determination; a pruning determination unit to determine whether a number of points where the subcarrier is disabled is greater than a threshold value; a pruning retrieval unit to retrieve a pruning path generated by the disabling of the subcarrier, when the number of points is greater than the threshold value; and a Fourier transform unit to perform a Fast Fourier transform (FFT) or Inverse FFT (IFFT) by applying the pruning path to the subcarrier.
US08325833B2 Interlaced symbol constellation mapping for wireless communication
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a data packet to be transmitted is encoded and one or more subpackets are generated from the encoded data packet. A first bit pattern is applied to a first symbol of the subpackets to provide a constellation, and a different bit pattern is applied to a next adjacent symbol in the constellation for one or more additional symbols. The data packet is then modulated according to the constellation and transmitted one or more times until the data packet is decoded by a receiver or until said transmitting is aborted according to a hybrid automatic repeat request error correction technique.
US08325830B2 Transport stream generating device, transmitting device, receiving device, and a digital broadcast system having the same, and method thereof
A transport stream (TS) generating apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a digital broadcast system having the above, and a method thereof are provided. The digital broadcast system includes a transport stream (TS) generating apparatus which generates a multi transport stream (TS) by multiplexing a normal stream and a turbo stream having a variable coding rate, a transmitting apparatus which re-constructs the multi TS by processing the turbo stream, and transmits the re-constructed multi TS, and a receiving apparatus which receives the re-constructed multi TS, and decodes the normal stream and the turbo stream respectively, to recover normal data and turbo data. Accordingly, a multi TS, which includes normal stream and a turbo stream of various coding rates, can be transmitted and received efficiently.
US08325827B2 Transmitting device, receiving device and communication method for an OFDM communication system with new preamble structure
A transmitting device, a receiving device, and a communication method are for transmitting and receiving data modulated on frequency subcarriers of an OFDM communication system. An OFDM burst includes a preamble part and payload data part, whereby the preamble includes a section of pilot symbols mapped onto every n-th frequency subcarrier and signaling data mapped onto the frequency subcarriers between the frequency subcarriers with the pilot symbols. A first channel estimation on the basis of the received pilot symbols is performed, the result of which is used to reconstruct the entire section of the received preamble as a training pattern for an accurate channel estimation, which is used for a channel equalization of the received payload part.
US08325825B2 Method and apparatus for optimizing dynamic range in DMT modems
A digital subscriber line ‘XDSL’ communication system for optimizing dynamic range in digital multi-tone modulated (DMT) modems. The system comprises a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) and at least one modem. The DSLAM distributes a near end crosstalk (NEXT) model of anticipated disturbance from neighboring disturber subscriber lines. The at least one modem has shared and discrete components forming a transmit path and a receive path. The at least one modem couples to the DSLAM and is responsive to the distributed NEXT model there from to adjust a dynamic range of an analog portion of the receive path to accommodate the anticipated disturbance modeled in the distributed NEXT model.
US08325821B1 Video transcoder stream multiplexing systems and methods
In some embodiments, a video (e.g. MPEG-2, H.264) transcoder channel pool is used to transcode multiple independent videos (programs) per channel substantially concurrently. A syntactically-unified combined input video stream is assembled by interleaving segments of different input video streams. The combined stream may be a container stream or elementary stream. Each segment includes one or more groups of pictures (GOP). The combined stream includes the payload video data of the input streams in unmodified form, and modified header data characterizing the combined stream as a single video stream. The combined input stream is transcoded using a single transcoder channel/input port to generate a combined output video stream. Multiple independent output video streams are assembled by de-interleaving segments of the combined output video stream according to stored interleaving break identifiers. Assembling the output video streams includes updating output video stream header fields according to stored header field data.
US08325819B2 Variable length coding table selection based on video block type for refinement coefficient coding
This disclosure describes techniques for coding an enhancement layer in a scalable video coding (SVC) scheme. The techniques may be used in coding transform coefficients, and are particularly useful in variable length coding of refinement coefficients of an enhancement layer of a SVC scheme. According to the techniques of this disclosure, information is transmitted from an encoder device to a decoder device that identifies which variable length coding tables should be used for the decoding two or more different types of video blocks. The information may be transmitted once per frame (or other coded unit), and may identify a first table to be used for intra-coded blocks and a second table to be used for inter-coded blocks of a respective frame. The decoder performs table selection based on this information, and decodes different types of video blocks using the selected table for each block type.
US08325815B2 Method and system of hierarchical motion estimation
A method and system of hierarchical motion estimation include a reference frame and a current frame being downsampled, and the downsampled reference frame being stored. A coarse motion vector (MV) map is generated according to the downsampled reference frame and the downsampled current frame. Scan lines adjacent to a center scan line corresponding to a downsampled scan line in the downsampled reference frame are retrieved and then stored. A refined MV map is generated according to the coarse MV map, the current frame and the stored scan lines adjacent to the center scan line.
US08325812B2 Motion estimator and motion estimating method
A motion estimator for generating an interpolation frame based on current and previous frames is provided. The motion estimator includes: a first candidate motion vector calculating unit which divides the current frame into plural blocks and generates plural first candidate motion vector groups, each group including a first candidate motion vector for each of the blocks calculated based on a previous motion vector previously estimated; a second candidate motion vector calculating unit which calculates plural second candidate motion vectors for each of the blocks, each of the second candidate motion vectors being calculated based on a respective first candidate motion vector included in each of the first candidate motion vector group; and a final motion vector deciding unit which selects a final motion vector for each of the blocks from among the second candidate motion vectors, the interpolation frame being generated based on the final motion vector.
US08325807B2 Video coding
A video signal is coded using predictive coding. The degree of quantization that is applied is varied as a function of measures of predictive power, the idea being that a picture that is useful as a predictor for other pictures is worth coding well. These measures are formed in a pre-analysis of the pictures to obtain, for each macroblock analysed, a measure that depends on its similarity to a region for which it is a potential predictor. Preferably these measures are cumulative.
US08325805B2 Video encoding/decoding apparatus and method for color image
A video encoding/decoding apparatus and method for color images include a first motion prediction unit that generates a first prediction residue image of an input image on a basis of a first motion prediction result of the input image. An image information detection unit sets a predetermined color component of an R-G-B image to a reference color component and determines whether the input image is a Y-Cb-Cr image or an R-G-B image and whether a color component is the reference color component. A second motion prediction unit performs motion prediction for the first prediction residue image and generates a second prediction residue image if the input image is the R-G-B image and the color component of the input image is not the reference color component.
US08325804B2 Video encoding with intra encoding selection
The method, for the determination of the coding mode of a macroblock constituted of picture blocks, carries out a pre-selection of intra directional predictive coding modes of macroblock blocks according to the following steps: calculation of the activities gradient of a block in the prediction directions, pre-selection of intra directional coding modes of a block for which the directions correspond to the activity or activities gradient of minimum value.
US08325798B1 Adaptive motion estimation cache organization
In some embodiments, a motion estimation search window cache is adaptively re-organized according to frame properties including a frame width and a number of reference frames corresponding to the current frame to be encoded/decoded. The cache reorganization may include an adaptive mapping of reference frame locations to search window cache allocation units (addresses). In some embodiments, a search window is shaped as a quasi-rectangle with truncated upper left and lower right corners, having a full-frame horizontal extent. A search range is defined in a central region of the search window, and is laterally bounded by the truncated corners.
US08325792B2 Apparatus and method for decision feedback equalization
Disclosed is an apparatus including an odd data receiving unit that receives an input signal, an even data receiving unit that also receives the input signal, and a pattern filter. The odd data receiving unit samples a half-rate DFE equalized signal with an odd data timing clock to output data decision data. The even data receiving unit samples the half-rate DFE equalized signal with an even data timing clock having the phase shifted by 180 degrees from the odd data timing clock to output data decision data. The pattern filter selects one of the edge decision data sampled at the odd edge timing and at the even edge timing in response to the value of a data pattern of three consecutive bits obtained from the data decision data sampled at the odd and even data timings.
US08325782B1 Method and apparatus for using empty time slots for spread spectrum encoding
Communication circuitry uses a combination of Pseudo-Noise (PN) coded and non-PN coded transmission periods to represent different data values. In one embodiment, a number of data values are encoded into a smaller second number of encoded ternary values. The Pseudo-Noise (PN) codes are transmitted representing some of the encoded ternary values and no transmitted PN codes represent other encoded ternary values. The throughput of spread spectrum radio systems is increased by representing data values in fewer spread spectrum time slots.
US08325780B2 System and method for spread spectrum communication
A spreading code generating apparatus carries out M-sequence multiplication and zero value addition of generated orthogonal codes to obtain channel identification codes, and then carries out inverse Fourier transform of the channel identification codes to generate spreading codes and inverse spreading codes. A transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus store the spreading codes and the inverse spreading codes generated by the spreading code generating apparatus, respectively, and use a single code respectively selected from the stored codes to carry out spread spectrum communication.
US08325778B2 Surface emitting semiconductor laser and method for producing it
A surface emitting semiconductor laser includes a first semiconductor layer sequence, which comprises a pump laser. A second semiconductor layer sequence is arranged on the first semiconductor layer sequence and comprises a vertical emitter. The vertical emitter has a radiation-emitting active layer, a radiation exit side and a connecting side lying opposite the radiation exit side. The pump laser is arranged at the radiation exit side of the vertical emitter and a carrier body is arranged at the connecting side of the vertical emitter. Furthermore, a method for producing a surface emitting semiconductor laser is specified.
US08325776B2 Plasmon stabilized laser diodes
A device having a light cavity includes, at one end, a plasmonic reflector having a grating surface for coupling incoming light into traverse plasmon waves and for coupling the traverse plasmon wave into broaden light, the surface serving to redistribute light within the cavity, the reflector being well suited for use in laser diodes for redistributing filamental cavity laser light into spatially broaden cavity laser light for translating multimodal laser light into unimodal laser light for improved reliability and uniform laser beam creation.
US08325771B2 Cavity-dumped pulsed solid-state laser with variable pulse-duration
In a cavity-dumped, repetitively-pulsed, solid-state laser cavity dumping is protracted over a predetermined time longer than a round-trip time of the resonator of the laser. The cavity dumping is effected by a Pockels cell optical switch. During a dumping period a voltage applied to the Pockels cell falls in a predetermined time. Varying the voltage fall-time varies the duration of pulses provided by the laser, independent of the pulse-repetition frequency.
US08325767B2 Enhancement of IEEE 1588 synchronization using out-of-band communication path
A system includes at least two IEEE 1588 nodes. The nodes are connected by two paths: a low latency communication path and a high bandwidth path. The clocks within the nodes are synchronized to one another at a network interface. Data and timing are transmitted on the high bandwidth path while critical timing signals are passed on the low latency communication path thereby improving timing synchronization.
US08325765B2 Super-frame structure for dynamic spectrum sharing in wireless networks
A coexistence communications method for use between wireless networks includes adopting a super-frame structure for use in a wireless network having a plurality of frames, wherein a first frame includes a super-frame preamble, a super-frame control header, a data portion, and a regular self-coexistence window, an intermediate frame includes an OFDM symbol, a data portion, and a regular self-coexistence window, and a last frame includes an OFDM symbol, a data portion, and a joining self-coexistence window, using the self-coexistence windows to exchange inter-wireless network co-existence messages, and using a last reserved self-coexistence window to announce intra-wireless network negotiation decisions.
US08325763B2 Aggregated unified communication bandwidth management system for control by human operator
A Unified Bandwidth Manager that functions as a high-level bandwidth manager to interface with and hierarchically manage a plurality of service-specific bandwidth reservation and session management systems under human operator control. The Unified Bandwidth Manager includes at least an aggregated network communication bandwidth management information display system that functions as a high-level information display system interfacing with a plurality of service-specific bandwidth reservation and session management systems so as to provide an integrated “view” of the enterprise networks operation is described. The system includes at least a display a user interface and one or more types of interfaces to a plurality of service-specific bandwidth managers. In an implementation, the system can include traffic modeling elements and be used as a component of a Unified Bandwidth Manager for unified communications.
US08325761B2 System and method for establishing sufficient virtual channel performance in a parallel computing network
A method for interconnecting multiple computational devices in a parallel computing network including a plurality of serially associated pairs of nodes, wherein each of the pairs of nodes is interconnected via at least one physical communication channel. A sufficient virtual channel rate required to provide a predetermined amount of Amdahl scaling is first determined. The maximum number of virtual channels, each having a transmission rate at least equal to the sufficient virtual channel rate, that can be implemented over each physical communication channel is then determined. The physical communication channel between each of the nodes is then subdivided into the determined maximum number of virtual channels.
US08325760B2 Digital broadcasting system and data processing method
A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing data are disclosed, which are robust to error when mobile service data are transmitted. To this end, additional encoding is performed for the mobile service data, whereby it is possible to strongly cope with fast channel change while giving robustness to the mobile service data.
US08325752B2 Technique for sharing transmit and receive ports of a CMOS based transceiver
A circuit for sharing Tx/Rx ports of a CMOS based time multiplexed transceiver includes a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) and a Power amplifier (PA), and deploys a single RF choke shared between the LNA and PA. The circuit selectively functions as a PA cascode or a LNA input device. In one form the circuit uses MOS transistors configured for use in one of Blue tooth, WLAN and TDMA applications, taking advantage of source-drain symmetry of the MOS transistors. The circuit may include a DC path and be used in WLAN applications, wherein the sharing of the single choke is enabled by one switch in the DC path. As described, the single RF choke is disposed outside of the LNA and the PA. The circuit supports high out powers and causes reduced signal loss due to just one LC tank as opposed to two LC tanks present in the prior art.
US08325748B2 Fast vector quantization with topology learning
A new process called a vector approximation graph (VA-graph) leverages a tree based vector quantizer to quickly learn the topological structure of the data. It then uses the learned topology to enhance the performance of the vector quantizer. A method for analyzing data comprises receiving data, partitioning the data and generating a tree based on the partitions, learning a topology of a distribution of the data, and finding a best matching unit in the data using the learned topology.
US08325746B2 Topology selection and broadcast method for rule-based link state routing
An apparatus and method are provided for optimizing the link-state information that is to be broadcast in a routing domain of a communication network for QoS rule-based link-state routing. The routers include any device capable of implementing the routing primitives. The apparatus and method involve pruning the link-state information using local neighborhood information that has been discovered. The local link-state is pruned so that the QoS optimal paths are preserved for link-state routing. Pruning of the potential optimal paths is carried out to minimize the information broadcast to the intra domain routers in an autonomous system/routing domain. The apparatus and method also involve broadcasting the selected link-state information.
US08325745B2 Switch, network system and traffic movement method
In an FDB provided for a switch, line information associated with MAC address information is managed separately for sending destination line information and receiving discrimination line information, and provides an incompatibility permission flag of permitting that they are different. Also, a function of rewriting the sending destination line information with a command from a manager is provided and linked with the change of the incompatibility permission flag. While the traffic is moved to a new line at the time of the line switching, this incompatibility is permitted, and even if a frame is received from an old line, the receiving line is not updated based on the frame.
US08325743B2 Relay apparatus, relay program, relay method, and management system for managing devices connected to network
A relay apparatus includes: a tag information acquisition section that acquires tag information attached to the network-connected device; a management section that manages the tag information read out by the tag information acquisition section and an IP address assigned by the management apparatus, and an identification information assigned to the relay apparatus itself in association with one another; and a processing section that receives information that the management apparatus has transmitted with the tag information or IP address as a transmission destination and receives information transmitted from the network-connected device for execution of predetermined processing.
US08325736B2 Propagation of minimum guaranteed scheduling rates among scheduling layers in a hierarchical schedule
A hierarchy of schedules propagate minimum guaranteed scheduling rates among scheduling layers in a hierarchical schedule. The minimum guaranteed scheduling rate for a parent schedule entry is typically based on the summation of the minimum guaranteed scheduling rates of its immediate child schedule entries. This propagation of minimum rate scheduling guarantees for a class of traffic can be dynamic (e.g., based on the active traffic for this class of traffic, active services for this class of traffic), or statically configured. One embodiment also includes multiple scheduling lanes for scheduling items, such as, but not limited to packets or indications thereof, such that different categories of traffic (e.g., propagated minimum guaranteed scheduling rate, non-propagated minimum guaranteed scheduling rate, high priority, excess rate, etc.) of scheduled items can be propagated through the hierarchy of schedules accordingly without being blocked behind a lower priority or different type of traffic.
US08325735B2 Multi-link load balancing for reverse link backhaul transmission
One embodiment includes distributing user traffic packets to a plurality of queues, and draining the queues of the user traffic packets according to a defined methodology. The drained user traffic packets are sent to a plurality of physical channel interfaces. Each of the plurality of physical channel interfaces interfaces with a respective channel of the backhaul. The sending step sends each of the drained user traffic packets to the physical channel.
US08325730B2 Distributed routing architecture
A hierarchical distributed routing architecture including at least three levels, or layers, for processing data packets is provided. The core level router components receive an incoming packet and identify a distribution level router component based on processing a subset of the destination address associated with the received packet. The distribution level router components receive a forwarded packet and identify a transit level router component based on at least a subset of the destination address associated with the received packet. The distribution level router components maintain address routing information a first and second memory. The transit level router components receive the forwarded packet and forward the packet to a respective network. The mapping of destination addresses to router components of may be managed by a router management component. Mapping of destination address to router components may be based, at least in part, on traffic volumes associated with the mapped destination addresses.
US08325722B2 Communication apparatus, communication control method and computer-readable storage medium
A local communication apparatus for communicating with another apparatus via a relay apparatus receives communication interface information that has been transmitted by the other apparatus, acquires information relating to the communication rate of the local apparatus, compares the received communication interface information with the acquired information relating to the communication rate of the local apparatus, and switches over a connection-destination relay apparatus based upon result of the comparison.
US08325719B1 Low latency multiplexing over time division multiplexing networks
An apparatus may include a plurality of queues, wherein each queue is configured to receive a respective data stream. The apparatus may also include a multiplexer configured to time division multiplex the data streams into a combined data stream and a Generic Framing Procedure-Transparent (GFP-T) frame constructor configured to create a GFP-T frame. The GFP-T frame may include a payload portion. The payload portion may include a payload data portion including a subsection of the combined data stream, and a payload header portion indicating the occurrence of a data stream signal failure. The apparatus may also include a transmitter configured to transmit the GFP-T frame via an optical link.
US08325718B2 Derivation of a propagation specification from a predicted utility of information in a network
A method of transmitting data includes determining how much data is desired to be transmitted from a data source. A utility function is used to determine a pattern of microutilities to be associated with data samples from the data source. The pattern of microutilities specifies a pattern of data delivery to at least one predetermined location relative to the data source. The data samples are propagated according to the pattern of microutilities.
US08325716B2 Data path optimization algorithm
The present invention is drawn to a network device configured to prevent data misalignment of a data packet containing extra header bytes. The network device includes an ingress module having an input interface to receive data. A header detector configured to detect the header bytes of the cell and remove the header from the cell of the data packet is also provided on the network device. A counter determines whether the cell of the data packet contains a multiple of a predetermined bytes. If the counter determines that the cell of the data packet does not satisfy the multiple of the predetermined bytes, an insertion module inserts null bytes into the cell of the data packet to form a modified cell of the data packet. Then, an extraction module removes the null bytes from the modified cell of the data packet when the modified cell exits the network device.
US08325710B2 Inline power system and method for network communications
An adapter and method for coupling an inline powered communications device to a primary network and to a secondary network, the communications device configured for having an assigned device identification and configurable for using an assigned network address for use in routing data over at least one of the networks. The adapter and method comprise a first port for connecting to the communications device to facilitate the communication of the data and inline power between the adapter and the communications device, the inline power for use in operating the communications device. The adapter and method comprise a second port for connecting to the primary network to facilitate the communication of the data between the primary network and the communications device via the first port, the second port coupled to the first port, and a third port for connecting to the secondary network to facilitate the supply of the inline power between the secondary network and the communications device via the first port, the second port coupled to the first port. The adapter and method also comprise a power coupling module configured for providing a transmission path of the inline power between the first port and the third port when the inline power is unavailable from primary network via the second port.
US08325707B2 Session initiation from application servers in an IP multimedia subsystem
The present invention provides a technique where application servers can initiate sessions within the IMS network by initially sending session initiation messages to the I-CSCF. By routing the session initiation messages to the I-CSCF, the application servers need not directly access the HSSs in order to initiate sessions. Upon receiving a session initiation message from an application server, the I-CSCF may access the HSS to identify an S-CSCF to use for session control and then route the session initiation message to that S-CSCF. The S-CSCF may then access the same or different HSS to determine how to further route the session initiation message to establish the session. The session initiation message may be routed toward other S-CSCFs en route to the appropriate user elements. The session may be a session established between user elements or between the application server and a user element.
US08325706B2 Hierarchical segmented label switched paths
A network may include a first set of routers at a first level of a multi-protocol label switched tunneling hierarchy and a second set of routers at a second level of the multi-protocol label switched tunneling hierarchy, the second set of routers connected to the first set of routers in a partially meshed topology. The network may also include a hierarchical segmented label switched path. The hierarchical segmented label switched path may include a forwarding adjacency label switched path including a subset of the first set of routers, and a label switched path coupled to the forwarding adjacency label switched path, the label switched path including a subset of the second set of routers.
US08325705B2 Method for generating downlink frame, and method for searching cell
The present invention relates to a method for generating a downlink frame includes: generating a first short sequence and a second short sequence indicating cell group information; generating a first scrambling sequence determined by a first synchronization signal; generating a second scrambling sequence determined by a first short sequence and a third scrambling sequence determined by a second short sequence; scrambling the first short sequence with the first scrambling sequence; scrambling the second short sequence with at least the second scrambling sequence; scrambling the second short sequence with the first scrambling sequence; scrambling the first short sequence with at least the third scrambling sequence; and mapping one second synchronization signal including the first short sequence scrambled with the first scrambling sequence and the second short sequence scrambled with at least the second scrambling sequence and another second synchronization signal including the second short sequence scrambled with the first scrambling sequence and the first short sequence scrambled with at least the third scrambling sequence in the frequency domain.
US08325701B2 Radio communication system and radio communication method
A base station of a radio communication system emits a radio wave having the same frequency by time division toward a plurality of specific areas from a plurality of antenna elements by using a multiple-beam antenna to form a plurality of spot beams, and transmits broadcast information through a plurality of beacon channels. Upon reception of the broadcast information, a terminal that exists in any one of the plurality of specific areas selects an optimum beacon channel, and transmits a communication establishment request and a bandwidth request to the base station through a request channel corresponding to information for identifying the antenna element, which is included in the broadcast information received through the selected optimum beacon channel. Upon reception of the requests, the base station schedules, when a channel is to be allocated, a channel allocation time including downlink and uplink data bandwidths and the like.
US08325698B2 Generating a public long code mask in a mobile communications system
A method of generating a public long code mask (PLCM) in a mobile station in a wireless mobile communication network is provided. The method comprises receiving a message in the mobile station from a base station when the mobile terminal is handed off, the message comprising a first field including a first value, a second field including a second value, and a third field including least significant bits of the PLCM; and generating the PLCM using the least significant bits included in the third field.
US08325696B2 Dynamically dedicated wireless local area network service for high definition video teleconferencing
In an example embodiment described herein is an apparatus comprising a wireless transceiver and channel selection logic coupled to the wireless transceiver and operable to select an operating frequency for the wireless transceiver. The channel selection logic is configured to reserve a dedicated channel having a special identifier. The channel selection logic is configured to have the wireless transceiver advertise the dedicated service on a normal operating frequency. The channel selection logic is responsive to receiving a request from a wireless device via the wireless transceiver on the normal operating frequency to use the dedicated channel to switch to the dedicated channel and establish communications with the wireless device on the dedicated channel.
US08325695B2 Methods and apparatus for overlapping MIMO physical sectors
MIMO systems communicate with wireless devices. MIMO systems include directional antennas that are oriented so that the physical sectors of the antennas overlap to form areas of overlap. Some physical sectors overlap substantially while others overlap partially. Radios are selectively coupled to antennas to communicate with the wireless devices. The physical sectors of the antennas that are selectively coupled to the radios overlap. The radios use the antennas to communicate with the wireless devices. The antennas operate as a MIMO antenna.
US08325693B2 System and method for carrying a wireless based signal over wiring
A device, network and method wherein a standard wireless modem is coupled to wiring for carrying a wireless baseband signal that may be OFDM based, and may be directly generated by the wireless IF modem, or extracted from the modem RF signal. The wiring may be a building utility wiring, such as telephone, AC power or CATV wiring. The baseband signal is carried simultaneously with the utility service signal over the utility wiring using Frequency Division Multiplexing. The device may be enclosed with a data unit, a standalone dedicated enclosure, within an outlet or as a plug-in outlet adapter. Data units may couple the device by a wiring port such as standard data connector, or via wireless connection. The device may be locally powered or via a power signal carried over the wiring. This abstract is not intended to limit or construe the scope of the claims.
US08325691B2 Method and apparatus for providing wireless communications within a building
A wireless distribution secured cabling system includes faceplates, each of which contains an antenna or other radiating element and an active amplifier, which serves as a bi-directional repeater for the wireless communication system. The system further includes a patch panel or distribution module which connects multiple cables, which may be either twisted pair or coaxial, to amplifier, acting as a power divider and/or an impedance matching device. An antenna, which may be mounted either outside of a building structure or inside the building structure, provides communications between the structured cabling system and a service provider base station.
US08325690B2 Method for superframe management and coordinator thereof
A method and a coordinator of superframe management are disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a coordinator, a GTS request from a node; determining the type of the node; allocating GTS in an active period based on GTS characteristics carried in the GTS request when the node is determined as an energy restricted device; allocating GTS in an active period and an inactive period based on GTS characteristics carried in the GTS request when the node is determined as an energy unrestricted device. As can be seen from the method of the present invention, for an energy unrestricted device, allocated GTS may extend to an inactive period. Since the length of slots allocated to the energy unrestricted node is extended, the QoS of the energy unrestricted node is improved and guaranteed. Meanwhile, since the method of the present invention considers and makes full use of the inactive period in the superframe, the network throughput is improved significantly.
US08325689B2 Efficient data transmission by data aggregation
To efficiently transmit data on a wireless network, small packets that might otherwise be sent individually are aggregated into a “superframe”. This superframe can then be transmitted as a single, larger packet. To form this superframe, a plurality of tagged data packets can be aggregated into a packed aggregation block (PAB). Encapsulation data, e.g. protocol information, can be appended to the PAB. Wireless transmission information can bound the PAB and encapsulation data. Forming the superframe can be performed using an efficient combination of hardware and software. In one embodiment, aggregation of the tagged data packets can be performed by hardware without regard to the underlying protocol(s). Software can then provide protocol-handling support.
US08325683B2 Communication device
A communication device enables transmitting remaining packets to a terminal during a handover, with reduced inter-cell interference and with improved throughput. The communication device allocates a plurality of frequency bands each to different terminals for wireless communication. A power booster increases transmission power of one of the frequency bands, and a frequency band allocator allocates the frequency band with the increased transmission power to a terminal that is performing a handover. Thus, the communication device can transmit the remaining packets to the terminal with the increased transmission power.
US08325682B2 Resource release control method, communication system and device
A resource release control method, a communication system, and a device are configured to delete a bearer context on an original-side heterogeneous-system management network element (NE) even if a target-side management NE does not support interaction with a serving gateway (S-GW) and does not support an idle mode signaling reduction (ISR) mechanism. The resource release control method includes: acquiring version information of a target-side management NE, when a user equipment (UE) activating an ISR mechanism is handed over from an original-side network to a target-side network; and deleting a bearer of an original-side heterogeneous-system management NE, if the version information indicates that the target-side management NE does not interact with an S-GW and does not support the ISR mechanism. Meanwhile, a communication system and a relevant device are also provided.
US08325681B2 Call transfer method, system and device
A call transfer method, system, and device are provided. The method includes obtaining information that the mobile switching center (MSC) of a called user equipment (UE) executes a call transfer service, and instructing the MSC of the called UE to send a call request to a third party UE according to the call originating process of the called UE.
US08325680B2 Support for continuity of tunnel communications for mobile nodes having multiple care of addressing
The present invention solves communication disruption problems during the hand-off transition period by using a pre-handoff registration of a new foreign agent on behalf of the mobile node The pre-handoff registration message should: (1) identify itself as a pre-hand off registration message, (2) indicate direction of traffic for the pre-handoff registration time period, and (3) specify a lifetime or time period when the pre-handoff registration request will continue to be considered valid The local mobility anchor will accept traffic using the pre-handoff registration care-of address depending on the directionality indicator, but the communication traffic to or from the mobile node will not be disrupted during the transition period. Because the care-of address for the mobile node on the new foreign network can be used to direct communication traffic to or from the mobile node during this transition time period, no disruption of service will be encountered.
US08325679B2 Interworking of networks with single radio handover
Embodiments of systems and methods for interworking of networks using a single radio handover are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08325678B2 Method of performing handover and network system of enabling the method
A method of performing a handover is provided. The method of performing the handover includes: a mobile terminal transmitting an access stop message to a first Access Point (AP) when the mobile terminal moves from a first AP area to a second AP area; the first AP transmitting a handover start message to a first Mobility Access Gateway (MAG) corresponding to the first AP in response to the access stop message; the first MAG transmitting the handover start message to a Local Mobile Anchor (LMA); and the LMA performing a buffering of a data packet to be transmitted to the mobile terminal.
US08325668B2 Communications control method, signal generating apparatus, and radio communications apparatus including the signal generating apparatus in mobile communications system
A method of controlling communications includes determining whether reception of information from a mobile station is normal, generating a first signal when it is determined to be normal, and generating a second signal when it is determined to be abnormal. When the mobile station is instructed to retransmit information using a first radio resource used in previous transmission, and when it is determined to be abnormal and when the mobile station is instructed to retransmit the information using a second radio resource different from the first radio resource, the method generates the first signal and a third signal including information on the second radio resource, and transmits any one of the first signal, the second signal, and a combination of the first signal and the third signal, the first signal and the second signal and the combination of the first signal and the third signal being generated.
US08325664B2 Terminal slot assignment for a satellite communications system
Novel satellite communications systems, methods, and related devices are described. In some embodiments, a satellite communications system is configured to dynamically allocate bandwidth to terminals. Such a system may be made up of a satellite in communication with terminals (e.g., user terminals or gateways). The satellite or a Network Control Center (NCC) may receive and compile bandwidth request data from the terminals. In each of a series of one or more epochs, and according to the bandwidth requests, the satellite and/or NCC may allocate carrier group resources to particular traffic classes. The assignment of allocated resources to particular terminals is also described.
US08325662B2 Apparatus and method for enabling communication when network connectivity is reduced or lost during a conversation and for resuming the conversation when connectivity improves
A method for enabling communication when network connectivity is reduced or lost during a conversation and for resuming the same conversation when connectivity improves.
US08325660B2 Communication resource management device
A communication resource management device is capable of changing the transfer rate of a control channel related to a mobile terminal in accordance with the communication condition. The device determines whether to change the transfer rate of a first control channel related to a first mobile terminal; determines whether there is a frequency band for which it is not determined whether the frequency band is to be used in a predetermined time period based on the current transfer rate of a second control channel related to a second mobile terminal and an amount of data of signals to be transmitted in the second control channel; and allocates, to the first mobile terminal, at least a part of the frequency band for the second control channel with respect to the second mobile terminal in a predetermined period of time based on a positive decision result. The device changes the transfer rate in the first control channel while maintaining the total frequency band for plural control channels related to plural mobile terminals at a constant value.
US08325658B2 Quality of service (QoS) resources within a wireless communications system
In an embodiment, an access terminal sends a request for a level of Quality of Service (QoS) resources to an access network, the QoS resource request associated with a call attempt by the access terminal. The access terminal proceeds with call set-up for the call attempt irrespective of whether the access network grants the QoS resource request. Alternatively, the access terminal waits for an extended period of time before the call attempt is permitted to fail. In a further example, in the event of call failure, the access terminal can refrain from informing a user thereof of the call failure. In another embodiment, the access network can respond to the QoS resource request with an allocation of a lower level QoS resources than requested if the requested QoS resources are not available. The access terminal can likewise be permitted to participate in the call with the lower level QoS resources.
US08325656B2 Arrangement and method for extended control plane signalling in a high speed packet data communication
The present invention relates to a base station arrangement (20) in a communications system supporting high speed packet data communication, comprising a base station protocol entity for a protocol handling high speed control signalling and physical resource allocation for high speed data communication, quality handling means (27) adapted to receive and handle channel condition related information from mobile user stations, encoding means for encoding data packets to be transmitted to mobile user station, and transmission control means comprising a scheduling means (28) communicating with a hybrid automatic retransmission system (HARQ) (221, . . . , 22n) and being adapted to control transmission of data packets using said channel condition related information and data packet buffering means (231, . . . , 23n). The base station protocol entity further comprises a control plane entity supporting an extended control plane for control plane signalling messages comprising specific control messages handling means (26), adapted to provide a specific probing or information control message and to send said message to a mobile user station.
US08325654B2 Integrated scheduling and power control for the uplink of an OFDMA network
Managing radio resources and power for OFDMA uplinks is disclosed in which a threshold transmission rate for the reverse link is used by base stations to compare against the achievable reverse link transmission rate of a particular AT within the sector serviced by the base station. When the calculated rate is higher than the threshold rate, the base station allocates maximum power to the AT. Otherwise, when the calculated rate is lower than the threshold rate, zero power is allocated to the AT.
US08325645B2 Network relay apparatus
Network relay apparatus includes: relay apparatus selector configured to, in response to reception of a join request for a preset multicast group from an external device connecting with the network, refer to information for identifying respective network relay apparatuses on a segment which the own network relay apparatus belongs to, and, at least one of information for identifying the preset multicast group and information for identifying a source, wherein the information for identifying the preset multicast group and the information for identifying a source are included in the received join request, and unequivocally select one network relay apparatus among at least part of the network relay apparatuses on the segment as a designated network relay apparatus according to a predetermined rule, wherein the designated network relay apparatus is assigned to relay a multicast packet to the external device; and a multicast route setter.
US08325644B2 Mixed mode preamble design for signaling number of streams per client
Certain aspects of the present disclosure present a technique for designing a signal (SIG) field of a mixed mode preamble transmitted to a plurality of user terminals. The SIG field can signal a number of spatial streams assigned to each user. The SIG field is designed such that a robust interference cancellation can be achieved at each user terminal.
US08325638B2 Performing packet flow optimization with policy and charging control
Policy and charging control (PCC) is a framework within a Third or Fourth Generation (3G/4G) network that allows operators to authorize and enforce policy, Quality of Service (QoS), and charging control over communication sessions by mobile devices. PCC mechanism is used to determine the type QoS based on a request received from a User Equipment (UE) or network. PCC is one important element within System Architecture Evolution (SAE) architecture to allow the network to perform policy and charging control. A mechanism is provided so that PCC can allow packet flow optimization. Thereby, the network can detect Internet Protocol (IP) flows based on operator defined criteria and can perform policy and QoS control.
US08325630B2 Distributed spanning tree protocol on a multi chassis port channel
In one embodiment, a technique for routing traffic in networks represented by logical topologies, such as Multi Chassis Port Channel (MCPC) or Multi Chassis Ether Channel (MCEC) topologies, is provided. By modifying a port priority vector (PPV) to include an additional “Switch ID” field that identifies a designated bridge ID or a local switch ID, depending on whether the corresponding port is used as an MCT, a routing protocol designed to avoid loops in routing paths, such as STP, may avoid blocking MCT ports.
US08325628B2 Determining placement of nodes within a wireless network
A system of nodes including processors within a wireless sensor network includes an arrangement of the nodes with data connections therebetween within the wireless sensor network, wherein the data connections are limited to a set of distinct, non-intersecting paths, wherein each source node of the nodes is connected with a root nodes of the nodes by at least a predetermined number of the paths.
US08325616B2 Method and system for determination and exchange of network timing information
Aspects of a method and system for determination and exchange of network timing information are provided. In this regard, for each network hop traversed by a packet, a propagation delay of said network hop may be determined. Moreover, the propagation delay, and/or a hop length calculated utilizing the propagation delay, may be appended to the packet. The packet may, for example, be a MMRP registration packet or a SRP reservation packet. The packet may be dropped in instances that the propagation delay and/or length of a one or more traversed network hops is outside a determined range. The hop length may be determined by multiplying the propagation delay by a speed of propagation on the hop. The speed of propagation may be determined based on the physical layer technology associated with the network hop. Digital rights management may be implemented for media communicated on the network hop based at least in part on the hop length or the propagation delay. In this regard, use of media content may be restricted to a specified location.
US08325614B2 System and method for connecting, configuring and testing new wireless devices and applications
A system, apparatus, and method are provided for connecting, configuring and testing new wireless devices and applications. For example, one embodiment of a computer-implemented method for enabling a trial wireless device comprises: automatically pre-provisioning one or more trial SIM cards for operation on a particular wireless cellular network on behalf of a prospective customer; automatically pre-configuring a trial wireless machine-to-machine (“M2M”) device on behalf of the prospective customer; wherein the trial M2M device includes testing and monitoring program code which, when the trial M2M device is connected to a computer system, performs the operations of: automatically connecting to the wireless cellular network execute a plurality of test operations for testing the SIM card and the trial M2M device, the test operations including determining whether the SIM card is correctly provisioned for the wireless network; determining whether the trial M2M wireless device is operating properly; and determining the existence of wireless data connectivity.
US08325605B1 Managing media resources utilizing session initiation protocol
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods and computer storage media for managing the communication of media communicated to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) enabled multiplexer in a media distribution network. A SIP enabled multiplexer receives information from one or more components of the media distribution network to identify the status of the media distribution networks. Utilizing the information, a level of communication that media is to be communicated from a media source is determined. The level of communication is maintained until a request is received to communicate media from the media source. The request is compared to the determined level of communication at which the media is to be communicated. The media source receives an indication as to the level of communication that media is to be communicated. As a result, the media source communicates a request to communicate media at the indicated level of communication.
US08325597B2 Bridge apparatus and virtual network switching method
A bridge apparatus creates, transmits and circulates pass checking frames having virtual network identifiers in a ring network, and collects a passing/non-passing state of each virtual network identifier. The bridge apparatus creates, transmits and circulates a usage state checking frame in the ring network, and collects a used/unused state of the virtual network identifier of each bridge apparatus. The bridge apparatus creates, transmits and circulates a connection changing frame to change the virtual network identifier having the used state and the non-passing state into the virtual network identifier having the unused state and the passing state. Each bridge apparatus changes the virtual network identifier having the used state and the non-passing state into the virtual network identifier having the unused state and the passing state.
US08325596B2 Method and system for recognizing radio link failures associated with HSUPA and HSPDA channels
A method and system for detecting radio link (RL) failures between a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a Node-B are disclosed. When signaling radio bearers (SRBs) are supported by high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), an RL failure is recognized based on detection of improper operation of at least one of an absolute grant channel (AGCH), a relative grant channel (RGCH), a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) information channel (HICH), an enhanced uplink dedicated physical control channel (E-DPCCH) and an enhanced uplink dedicated physical data channel (E-DPDCH). When SRBs are supported by high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), an RL failure is recognized based on detection of improper operation of at least one of a high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH), a high speed physical downlink shared channel (HS-PDSCH) and a high speed dedicated physical control channel (HS-DPCCH).
US08325595B2 Uplink precoding method in 2-Tx system
A method for a user equipment to precode and transmit an uplink signal efficiently in a 2-antenna system and a method for a base station to receive the transmitted signal efficiently are disclosed. A 2-antenna codebook includes 4 DFT matrixes and 2 antenna selection matrixes for a rank 1 and one identity matrix for a rank 2 as precoding matrixes. For efficient uplink signal transmission/reception, the present invention provides signal transceiving technology between user equipment and base station using the 2-antenna codebook.
US08325591B2 Suppressing cross-polarization interference in an orthogonal communication link
An OCDMA transmission arrangement involves encoding both first and second nominally orthogonal polarization signals with a same long code, and transmitting the long-encoded first and second nominally orthogonal polarization signals from respective first and second transmission sources to at least one destination. A corresponding OCDMA demodulating arrangement demodulates the first and second nominally orthogonal polarization signals that were transmitted from respective first and second transmission sources after having been encoded with the same long code. The demodulation arrangement involves receiving the encoded first and second nominally orthogonal polarization signals, and applying the same long code to the received encoded first and second nominally orthogonal polarization signals.
US08325590B2 OFDM communications system
A communications system comprising a base station, and a plurality of terminals served by that base station which may include an ad-hoc network of terminals. Information from the base station or transmitting terminal is transported to the receiving terminals in the form of symbols in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed format. Each terminal has means for measuring a channel dispersion and rate of phase variation corresponding to multipath signal reception for that terminal and for reporting that dispersion and variation measure to the transmitting station. In response to the channel dispersion and phase change measurements, the base station or transmitting terminal is arranged to provide, for groups of terminals having a similar channel dispersion, respective symbol and prefix lengths on the basis of the dispersion measurement of that group of terminals.
US08325588B2 Iterative reception method and iterative receiver
An iterative reception method and iterative receiver in a mobile communication system are provided. In order to remove inter-cell interference of a signal that is iteratively received in a multi-cell environment, a soft determination value of different cells excluding a specific cell is re-spread to be used. In addition, in order to improve reception performance of the iterative receiver that performs the interference removal by using the soft determination value, channel estimation is iteratively performed on the iteratively received signal by using a soft determination value of a previous order of the specific cell to update a channel estimation value. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce complexity of implementation and effectively remove the inter-cell interference by using the soft determination value.
US08325587B2 Information recording medium, and recording method and reproducing method thereof
An information recording medium in which bottoms of a guide groove and a pit array formed on a disc substrate are allocated on a same flat plane and shaped in flat. Further, in a transition area from a pit array to a guide groove or from a guide groove to a pit array, the information recording medium is provided with an intermediate area composed of a pit array of which height changes from a height between a bottom and a side of a groove to another height between the bottom and a side of the pit array.
US08325586B2 Rewritable optical record carrier
The invention relates to a rewritable optical record carrier (100) comprising a recording stack (110) of layer (114), a recording layer comprising a phase-change recording material, and a second dielectric layer (116), having a thermal barrier layer (122) arranged adjacent to said first dielectric layer.
US08325585B2 Touch panel and display device using the same
A touch panel includes a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer, and at least two electrodes. The transparent conductive layer is formed on a surface of the transparent substrate. The transparent conductive layer includes at least two carbon nanotube layers, and each carbon nanotube layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes arranged along a same direction. The carbon nanotubes in two adjacent carbon nanotube layers are arranged along the same direction. The electrodes are electrically connected with the transparent conductive layer. Further, a display device using the touch panel is also included.
US08325583B2 Laser diode driver with wave-shape control
An optical disk drive system associated with a laser diode is described. The optical disk drive system comprises a current generator for receiving input signals; a current switch coupled to receive timing signals; a current driver coupled to receive output signals from the current switch and the current generator, the current driver further comprising a driver with wave shape control selected from the group consisting of a laser diode read driver and a laser diode write driver, wherein the driver with shape control is operative for transmitting at least one output signal that is a scaled version of at least one of the output signals received from the current generator, wherein the current driver is operative for transmitting at least one output signal driving the laser diode.
US08325582B2 Complex objective lens, optical head, optical information apparatus, computer, optical disk player, car navigation system, optical disk recorder, and optical disk server
A complex objective lens composed of a hologram and an objective lens, capable of realizing stable and high-precision compatible reproducing/recording of a BD with a base thickness of about 0.1 mm for a blue light beam (wavelength λ1) and a DVD with a base thickness of about 0.6 mm for a red light beam (wavelength λ2). In an inner circumferential portion of the hologram, a grating is formed, which has a cross-sectional shape including as one period a step of heights in the order of 0 time, twice, once, and three times a unit level difference that gives a difference in optical path of about one wavelength with respect to a blue light beam, from an outer peripheral side to an optical axis side. The hologram transmits a blue light beam as 0th-order diffracted light without diffracting it, and disperses a red light beam passing through an inner circumferential portion as +1st-order diffracted light and allows it to be condensed by an objective lens. Because of this, the focal length of the red light beam becomes longer than that of the blue light beam, whereby a working distance is enlarged.
US08325577B2 Recording data and data structures on a write-once storage medium at a predefined fixed location as defined for a rewritable storage medium
A device for recording data and data structures on a write-once storage medium. The device has writing means for recording the data and the data structures and controlling means for generating the data structures and controlling the writing means. The data structures comprise space bit map and defect management structures. The controlling means are adapted to record the data structures at a predefined temporary location on the write-once storage medium and to finalize the write-once storage medium by recording the data structures at a predefined fixed location as defined for a rewritable storage medium.
US08325575B2 Information storage medium and recording/reproducing apparatus and method using the same
An information storage medium and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method, the information storage medium includes: an area for recording information regarding a predetermined function applied thereto, wherein the information regarding the predetermined function includes specific information in which set information regarding the predetermined function is set by a recording/reproducing apparatus that can recognize the predetermined function, and common information set by the recording/reproducing apparatus that can recognize the predetermined function based on corresponding information dependent upon the set information so that a recording/reproducing apparatus that cannot recognize the predetermined function can use the predetermined function. Accordingly, a recording/reproducing apparatus that cannot recognize a predetermined function can properly use a medium having the predetermined function.
US08325573B2 Optical recording device and recording method
A recording device includes a plurality of channels configured to record data to an optical recording medium, a reception unit configured to receive data transmitted from an external device, a storage unit configured to temporarily store the data that is received by the reception unit, and a distribution control unit configured to read the data that is stored in the storage unit and distribute the data by a block unit to the plurality of channels based on transfer time of the data and recording time to the optical recording medium so that record processing of the plurality of channels are simultaneously ended.
US08325571B2 Video jukebox apparatus and a method of playing music and music videos using a video jukebox appartus
A digital jukebox (14) allows for playback of a first offering and a second offering. The contents of each offering are individually licensed for public performance at a particular location where the jukebox is found. The jukebox (14) displays advertisements that are selected in response to user interaction with the jukebox or a number of other factors. The jukebox (14) features a screen (18 and 20) that allows user to interact with the jukebox to select offerings, but also to respond to advertising. Jukebox can function in cooperation with a server (12), but in the alternate, can function as an independent and stand-alone device when connection (16) to server (12) is not available.
US08325570B1 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head including a protruding member
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes: a medium facing surface; a magnetic pole; a waveguide including a core and a cladding; a plasmon generator; and a protruding member. The protruding member is disposed between the medium facing surface and a front end face of the core facing toward the medium facing surface. The protruding member has a first end face located in the medium facing surface, and a second end face facing toward the front end face of the core and receiving light having propagated through the core and passed through the front end face. The protruding member is formed of a metal different from both a material forming the magnetic pole and a material forming the plasmon generator. The protruding member is heated and expanded by the light received at the second end face, so that the first end face gets protruded toward a magnetic recording medium.
US08325565B2 Timepiece
A timepiece is equipped with a movement (module), a solar cell panel, a ring member, and a dial (timepiece display plate). The panel is fixed to the module. The ring member is fixed to the peripheral portion of the movement. The ring member has, at a plurality of positions thereof, recesses, and a pair of engagement protrusions protruding upwardly from the bottom of each recess. The recesses are respectively open in an upper surface and the outer peripheral surface of the ring member. The pair of engagement protrusions form a gap G between them, and are capable of elastic deformation. A proximal portion of each engagement protrusion is situated below the upper surface of the ring member. The dial has cutouts at a plurality of positions of its peripheral portion. Each of these cutouts is engaged with each pair of engagement protrusions to cover the panel, and the dial is mounted to the ring member such that the peripheral portions of the cutouts cover the recesses.
US08325559B2 Extracting SV shear data from P-wave marine data
A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a plurality of towed single-component receivers in a marine environment is described, the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves. The method comprises retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data, wherein the P-P data and shear mode data were both received at the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves to generate the seismic data. The method further comprises processing the seismic data to extract SV-P shear mode data and generating shear mode image data based on the extracted shear mode data.
US08325558B2 Block decoder of semiconductor memory device
A block decoder of a semiconductor memory device includes a control signal generation circuit configured to output a control signal in response to a first address mixing signal, a second address mixing signal, and an enable period signal and a block selection signal generation circuit configured to generate a block selection signal for selecting a memory block in response to the control signal.
US08325557B2 Methods and apparatus for disabling a memory-array portion
A memory device having a plurality of storage locations disposed along a plurality of generally parallel lines includes, connected to the lines, a decoder circuit for selecting one line, and, connected to each line, a line-disabling circuit for selectively preventing the line from being energized during line selection.
US08325556B2 Sequencing decoder circuit
A memory-array decoder operably coupled to a memory array comprising a sequence of rows and receiving as input a plurality of address bits includes first and second decoder stages. The first decoder stage selects one or more first rows by decoding a first subset of the address bits, and the second decoder stage selects one or more second rows based on locations, within the sequence, of one or more third rows different from the one or more second rows.
US08325555B2 Data storage devices and power management methods thereof
A data storage device includes a data storage medium and a controller. The controller is configured to control at least one of a reading, erasing, and writing operation on the data storage medium. The controller includes an interface and a power management unit. The interface is configured to exchange at least one of a command, an address, and data with a host. The power management unit is configured to change the power mode of the interface into a power saving mode if: a command input from the host is not executed, data transfer is not actually executed in executing the command, or status information is not reported after the command is executed.
US08325554B2 Battery-less cache memory module with integrated backup
A memory module is provided comprising a substrate having an interface to a host system, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and a logic device. The logic device may receive the indicator of an external triggering event and copies data from the volatile memory devices to the non-volatile memory devices upon receipt of such indicator. When the indicator of the triggering event has cleared, the logic device restores the data from the non-volatile to the volatile memory devices. The memory module may include a passive backup power source (e.g., super-capacitor) that is charged by an external power source and temporarily provides power to the memory module to copy the data from volatile to non-volatile memory. A voltage detector within the memory module may monitor the voltage of an external power source and generates an indicator of a power loss event if voltage of the external power source falls below a threshold level.
US08325552B2 Control of inputs to a memory device
A memory device includes a command decoder and control interface logic. One or more external inputs, such as row and column address strobes, communicate with the command decoder through the control interface logic. A control signal is also in communication with the control interface logic. During operation of a drowsy mode in the memory device, a self-refresh signal causes the control signal to disable the external inputs. With the external inputs disabled, command hazards are reduced when exiting drowsy mode.
US08325549B2 Global bit select circuit interface with simplified write bit line precharging
A global to local bit line interface circuit for domino SRAM devices includes a pair of complementary global write bit lines in selective communication with an array of SRAM cells through local write bit lines, the global write bit lines configured to write a selected SRAM cell with data presented on a pair of write data input lines; a pair of complementary global read bit lines in selective communication with the array through local read bit lines, the global read bit lines configured to read data stored in a selected cell and present the read data on a pair of read data output lines; and write control logic configured to control precharging of the global write bit lines independently with respect to the global read bit lines, and wherein a pulse width of write data on the global write bit lines is determined only by a global column select signal.
US08325548B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor device test method for identifying a defective portion
A semiconductor device includes a first memory including a first memory cell and a first redundant memory cell; a first test circuit configured to test the first memory and output first defect information indicating a defective portion included in the first memory cell; a first storage part; and a first control circuit configured to, based on unmodified information stored in the first storage part, and the first defect information, determine modified information to be stored in the first storage part, wherein the first memory identifies the defective portion based on the modified information of the first storage part and replaces the first memory cell including the defective portion with the first redundant memory cell.
US08325545B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, threshold voltages of memory cells being set lowest in an erase state and sequentially set higher according to data in a program state, a plurality of bit lines connected to the memory cells, a word line connected to the memory cells, and a control circuit. In a case where a first memory cell is programmed to a first threshold voltage that is lowest among threshold voltages in the program state, the control circuit is configured to charge a first bit line connected to the first memory cell to a third voltage between a first voltage applied to a bit line when a memory cell is programmed to a second threshold voltage higher than the first threshold voltage and a second voltage applied to a bit line when a memory cell is inhibited from being programmed.
US08325543B2 Global bit select circuit interface with false write through blocking
A global to local bit line interface circuit for domino SRAM devices includes a pair of complementary global write bit lines in selective communication with an array of SRAM cells through corresponding local write bit lines, the complementary global write bit lines configured to write a selected SRAM cell with data presented on a pair of complementary write data input lines; a pair of complementary global read bit lines in selective communication with the array of SRAM cells through corresponding local read bit lines, the complementary global read bit lines configured to read data stored in a selected SRAM cell and present the read data on a pair of complementary read data output lines; and blocking logic configured to prevent, during a write operation, propagation of stored data from the SRAM cells out on the complementary read data output lines prior to completion of the write operation.
US08325538B2 Circuit arrangement with a column latch and method for operating a column latch
In one embodiment, a circuit arrangement with a column latch has a first terminal (A1) for connection to a bit line (BL) of a nonvolatile memory, a second terminal (A2) connected via a first switchable path (P1) to a reference-potential terminal (VSS) and via a second switchable path (P2) to a supply-potential terminal (VPP), and the column latch (100, 110), which is coupled to the second terminal (A2) and is adopted for storing a potential at the second terminal (A2). The first terminal (A1) is coupled to the second terminal (A2) via a first switchable connection (L1) and via a second switchable connection (L2). A method for operating a column latch is additionally disclosed.
US08325534B2 Concurrent operation of plural flash memories
A device includes an address storage device. A first circuit includes a first flash memory, configured to sequentially receive first and second addresses and store the first address in the address storage device. The first circuit has a first set of control inputs for causing the first circuit to perform a first operation from the group consisting of read, program and erase on a cell of the first flash memory corresponding to a selected one of the first and second addresses. A second circuit includes a second flash memory, configured to receive the second address. The second circuit has a second set of control inputs for causing the second circuit to read data from a cell of the second flash memory corresponding to the second address while the first operation is being performed.
US08325532B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of planes each including a plurality of memory cells, a power supply voltage generating circuit including a voltage generating circuit configured to generate a power supply voltage common to the plurality of planes, a select number detection circuit configured to detect a number of selected planes of the plurality of planes, and a resistance variable circuit configured to vary a wiring resistance between the plurality of planes and the voltage generating circuit in accordance with the number of selected planes, which is reported from the select number detection circuit, and a control circuit configured to control the power supply voltage generating circuit.
US08325524B2 Semiconductor device
The chip area of a semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory is reduced. The semiconductor device includes a first memory cell and a second memory cell which are formed on the principal surface of a substrate, and arranged adjacent to each other. In a principal surface of the substrate, active regions which are electrically isolated from each other are arranged. In the first active region, the capacitor element of the first memory cell is arranged, while the capacitor element of the second memory cell is arranged in the fourth active region. In the second active region, the respective write/erase elements of the first and second memory cells are both arranged. Further, in the third active region, the respective read elements of the first and second memory cells are both arranged.
US08325517B2 Nonvolatile memory device and method of driving the same
Disclosed is a program method of a non-volatile memory device. The program method includes performing a least significant bit (LSB) program operation, during which an LSB program number is stored, and performing a most significant bit (MSB) program operation in a threshold voltage state order determined according to the LSB program number.
US08325516B2 Semiconductor device with split gate memory cell and fabrication method thereof
A split gate memory cell. First and second well regions of respectively first and second conductivity types are formed in the substrate. A floating gate is disposed on a junction of the first and second well regions and insulated from the substrate. A control gate is disposed over the sidewall of the floating gate and insulated from the substrate and the floating gate and partially extends to the upper surface of the floating gate. A doping region of the first conductivity type is formed in the second well region. The first well region and the doping region respectively serve as source and drain regions of the split gate memory cell.
US08325514B2 Phase change memory device
A phase change memory device includes a plurality of programming current driving blocks each of which is configured to provide a corresponding phase change memory cell with a programming current corresponding to input data and a programming current adjusting block commonly connected to the plurality of programming current driving blocks and configured to generate a control voltage to adjust the programming current.
US08325513B2 Compound cell spin-torque magnetic random access memory
A compound magnetic data storage cell, applicable to spin-torque random access memory (ST-RAM), is disclosed. A magnetic data storage cell includes a magnetic storage element and two terminals communicatively connected to the magnetic storage element. The magnetic storage element is configured to yield any of at least three distinct magnetoresistance output levels, corresponding to stable magnetic configurations, in response to spin-momentum transfer inputs via the terminals.
US08325511B2 Retain-till-accessed power saving mode in high-performance static memories
Bias circuitry for a static random-access memory (SRAM) with a retain-till-accessed (RTA) mode. The memory is constructed of multiple memory array blocks, each including SRAM cells of the 8-T or 10-T type, with separate read and write data paths. Bias devices are included within each memory array block, for example associated with individual columns, and connected between a reference voltage node for cross-coupled inverters in each memory cell in the associated column or columns, and a ground node. In a normal operating mode, a switch transistor connected in parallel with the bias devices is turned on, so that the ground voltage biases the cross-coupled inverters in each cell. In the RTA mode, the switch transistors are turned off, allowing the bias devices to raise the reference bias to the cross-coupled inverters, reducing power consumed by the cells in that mode.
US08325510B2 Weak bit compensation for static random access memory
A static random access memory (SRAM) includes a data line, a data line bar, and a current path block. The current path block includes at least two transistors configured to provide a current path for the data line in transition from a first logic voltage to a second logic voltage, wherein the current path block is connected to the data line and the data line bar.
US08325507B2 Memristors with an electrode metal reservoir for dopants
A memristor includes a first electrode of a nanoscale width; a second electrode of a nanoscale width; and an active region disposed between the first and second electrodes. The active region has a both a non-conducting portion and a source of dopants portion induced by electric field. The non-conducting portion comprises an electronically semiconducting or nominally insulating material and a weak ionic conductor switching material capable of carrying a species of dopants and transporting the dopants under an electric field. The non-conducting portion is in contact with the first electrode and the source of dopants portion is in contact with the second electrode. The second electrode comprises a metal reservoir for the dopants. A crossbar array comprising a plurality of the nanoscale switching devices is also provided. A process for making at least one nanoscale switching device is further provided.
US08325505B2 Method and apparatus for input charge control of a power supply
An example power supply includes an energy transfer element, a switch and a controller. The controller includes a logic circuit and a constant current control circuit. The logic circuit generates a drive signal to control the switch in response to a control signal. The constant current control circuit generates the control signal in response to a received input current sense signal, input voltage sense signal, and output voltage sense signal. An integrator included in the constant current control circuit integrates the input current sense signal to generate an integrated signal representative of a charge taken from the input voltage source. The constant current control circuit is adapted to generate the control signal to provide a constant current at the output of the power supply such that the integrated signal is proportional to a ratio of the output voltage sense signal to the input voltage sense signal.
US08325504B2 Direct current power supply for mission critical applications
A DC power supply apparatus and method of supplying DC power for mission critical applications utilizes multiple power circuits in one unit, the power circuits being optimizable for efficiency as the load increases or decreases. The individual power supplies may use a multiphase topology within the power circuits, with logic phase shifts between multiphase, and two types of power management circuits arranged in parallel, or an equivalent controller, for implementing: (a) a variable linear or variable exponential precision droop algorithm, and (b) a “virtual bus” or current averaging/active current sharing circuit, the current sharing being provided by a low bandwidth communications link between droop controllers in each of the power circuits. In addition, the droop/paralleling circuitry and/or programmed components may be arranged to implement two types of arc detection and suppression, including: (a) unequal positive and negative current in each power circuit to shut down the output power, and (b) monitoring output current for an arc “signature” to protect against arcs between positive and negative.
US08325503B2 High voltage power supply
A high voltage power supply includes a frequency signal generation unit, a voltage generation unit, and a voltage amplifying unit. The frequency signal generation unit generates a frequency signal. The voltage generation unit generates an input voltage according to the frequency signal generated by the frequency signal generation unit. The voltage amplifying unit amplifies and outputs the input voltage by rectifying and smoothing the input voltage a plurality of times. A voltage output by the voltage amplifying unit is changed by changing a frequency of the frequency signal.
US08325499B2 Methods for minimizing double-frequency ripple power in single-phase power conditioners
A method is provided for minimizing a double-frequency ripple power exchanged between a load and an energy source, the energy source delivering electrical power to the load through a single-phase power conditioner, and the power conditioner being coupled to an energy storage device. The method includes determining a phase shift of an AC output signal of the power condition and an average AC output power of the power conditioner. The average AC output power may be a predetermined value or a calculated value based on sensed or measured signals. The method further includes generating an AC signal at an energy storage device. The generated AC signal has an amplitude that is a function of the average AC output power and a phase shift substantially equal to 45 degrees minus an amount that is dependent on the determined phase shift. In some embodiments, the phase shift may be determined to be of a non-zero value.
US08325498B2 Method and apparatus to limit maximum switch current in a switching power supply
An integrated circuit for use in a power supply includes a drive signal generator, a short on time detector, and an oscillator. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal in response to a clock signal. The short on time detector provides an output indicating that consecutive on times of the drive signal are short on times. An on time of the drive signal is a short on time if a switch current of the switch exceeds a current limit after a leading edge blanking period and if the on time of the switch is less than or equal to a sum of the leading edge blanking period and a current limit delay time period. The oscillator generates the clock signal and changes a frequency of the clock signal from a first frequency to a lower second frequency in response to the output of the short on time detector.
US08325494B2 Universal mounting bracket
Provided is a universal adapter bracket, the bracket including a first portion containing at least two mounting elements, and the at least two mounting elements engage with a base unit of a network module to configure the base unit within the first portion of the bracket; and a flange, wherein flange engages with an add-on module. The bracket is mounted within a network interface device (NID) to interface the base unit and one or more add-on modules with the NID.
US08325484B2 Heat-dissipating apparatus and electronic device having the same
A heat-dissipating apparatus is installed on a circuit board which includes a board body formed with a plurality of apertures, a heat-generating element, and a lock member having an engaging hole. The heat-dissipating apparatus includes a base plate and a plurality of fastening elements. The base plate is abutted against the heat-generating element, and includes an engaging hook for engaging the engaging hole, and a plurality of through holes corresponding in position to the apertures. A plurality of connecting elements are disposed below the board body and correspond in position to the apertures. Each fastening element extends through a respective through hole, and is engaged to a respective connecting element after extending through a respective aperture. A plurality of spring members are respectively sleeved on and bias the fastening elements to move away from the base plate.
US08325481B2 Portable electronic device with pendant attachment system
A portable electronic device includes a housing including a receptacle, a slot communicating with the receptacle and a protrusion located in the slot; a stylus releasably received in the receptacle, the stylus defining a notch and a passage communicating with the notch; and an attachment element wrapping on the protrusion and passing through the notch and the passage to extend outward from the portable electronic device.
US08325479B2 Motor drive cooling duct system and method
The present invention relates generally to tuning the flow of cooling air across converter and inverter heat sinks in a motor drive system. More specifically, present techniques relate to motor drive duct systems having parallel cooling air duct channels dedicated to providing cooling air for a converter heat sink and an inverter heat sink, respectively. In particular, a first duct channel through an inverter duct and a converter duct is dedicated to providing cooling air to the converter heat sink without cooling the inverter heat sink, whereas a second duct channel through the inverter duct and the converter duct is dedicated to providing cooling air to the inverter heat sink without cooling the converter heat sink.
US08325477B2 Vibrating device, jet flow generating device, electronic device, and manufacturing method of vibrating device
Provided is a vibrating device which can generate efficient vibrations in a vibrating member and efficiently apply vibrations to a gas, a jet flow generating device in which the vibrating device has been implemented, and an electronic device in which the jet flow generating device has been implemented. A jet flow generating device 10 has a vibrating device 15 including a frame 4, and actuator 5 mounted on the frame 4, and a vibrating member 3 supported on the frame 4 by an elastic supporting member 6. The vibrating member 3 has a side plate 3b formed on the perimeter portion of a disc-shaped vibrating plate 3a, for example. Vibration of the vibrating member 3 applies vibrations to air within chambers 11a and 11b, whereby gas can alternatingly be blown from nozzles 2a and 2b.
US08325476B2 Electronic device carrier
An electronic device carrier comprising a base and rolling devices. When an electronic device is removed from a receiving chamber of the base, the rolling devices can reduce friction effectively and resilient force of the rolling device can fix the electronic device in the receiving chamber. The electronic device carrier further includes a transmission unit for transmitting data whenever the electronic device is positioned in the receiving chamber.
US08325474B2 Computer component vibration isolation
A computer component mounting assembly includes a base plate, a carrier configured to receive a vibration sensitive computer component, and a vibration isolation system including three isolators connecting the carrier to the base plate. The three isolators are spaced at different angular positions around a central point, and the vibration isolation system is configured such that the vibration isolation system has a rotational natural frequency about the central point of less than 45 Hz.
US08325470B2 Electronic device with slidable keyboard
An electronic device includes a lid and a main body rotatably connected to each other. The main body includes a lower housing, an upper housing, a keyboard, a cover disposed on the upper housing, and a driving member. The keyboard is disposed on the upper housing and includes a first keyboard and a second keyboard coupled to each other. The driving mechanism is used to drive the first keyboard and the second keyboard to switch between a fist position and a second position. In the first state, a portion of the first keyboard is shielded by the cover, and in the second state, the first keyboard and the second keyboard are totally exposed.
US08325469B2 Reconfigurable user-interface device
A user-interface device comprises a plurality of indication elements (3), each provided with a visual indication (4), mounted on a structure (5). The indication elements (3) comprise identification means (9b, 10, 11, 11′) adapted for co-operating with detection means (6, 7) of the device (1), for unique identification the indication elements (3). The identification means (9b, 10, 11, 11′) comprise an electrically conductive layer (10) on a respective side face (6b) of the indication element (3) and an electrically insulating layer (9b) superimposed on the electrically conductive layer. The detection means (6, 7) comprise one or more contact elements (7) set up against a respective a side face (6b) of the indication element (3). The electrically insulating layer (9b) has one or more windows (11) for exposure of respective local portions of the underlying electrically conductive layer (10), each window (11) being made in a position substantially corresponding to a respective contact element (7).
US08325464B2 Coin type electric double-layered capacitor, and capacitor-packaged element
A coin-type electric double-layered capacitor of the present invention includes: a capacitor element; a lower cover for housing the capacitor element impregnated with an electrolyte; an upper cover for sealing an opening of the lower cover through an insulating ring-shaped packing; an upper terminal plate having one end portion connected to an outer surface of the upper cover; and a lower terminal plate having a first end portion connected to an outer surface of the lower cover and a second end portion provided with a through hole, the capacitor being configured such that at least part of the through hole is opened without being covered by an outer surface located on a bottom of the lower cover.
US08325460B2 Humidity sensor having anodic aluminum oxide layer, and fabricating method thereof
Disclosed are a humidity sensor and a fabricating method thereof. The humidity sensor includes a substrate, an anodic aluminum oxide layer formed on the substrate and having a plurality of holes, and electrodes formed on the anodic aluminum oxide layer, in order to improve sensitivity and accuracy of the humidity sensor. Further, the fabricating method of a humidity sensor includes preparing an aluminum substrate, forming an anodic aluminum oxide layer by oxidizing the aluminum substrate, and forming electrodes on the anodic aluminum oxide layer.
US08325458B2 Electroadhesive gripping
An electroadhesive gripping device or system includes a plurality of electroadhesive gripping surfaces, each having electrode(s) and each configured to be placed against respective surface regions of a foreign object, such that one or more electroadhesive forces can be provided between the electroadhesive gripping surfaces and the foreign object. Such electroadhesive forces operating to hold the foreign object against the electroadhesive gripping surfaces while the foreign object is held or moved by the electroadhesive gripping system. The electroadhesive gripping surfaces can be arranged onto a plurality of continuous fingers, and various gripping surfaces on each finger can be coupled together and manipulated with respect to each other by an actuating component, such as a cable actuator. A variable voltage can be delivered to the electrodes to control the amount of electroadhesive force generated, such that only a portion of a foreign object is held or moved.
US08325455B2 Voltage surge and overvoltage protection with RC snubber current limiter
Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element.
US08325453B2 Short-circuit protection for switched output stages
Short-circuit protection in switched output stages is described to protect switching output stages from excessive output current in short-circuit conditions which may cause device damage. Design techniques to attain this goal include measuring currents in switching transistors by placing a scaled transistor in parallel thereto, combined with circuitry for making drain voltages substantially equal. The various techniques for short-circuit protection comprise (a) using a transistor and an operational amplifier in combination, (b) using a single transistor in place of the operational amplifier, (c) using a circuit to generate over-current detection signals, (d) providing over-current detection signals to a driver in order to reduce the output current, (e) using an inverter to feedback regulate output current, (f) using a switch to bypass the current regulator during normal operation, and (g) automatically opening this switch in an over-current situation.
US08325449B2 CPP device with improved current confining structure and process
Plasma nitridation, in place of plasma oxidation, is used for the formation of a CCP layer. Al, Mg, Hf, etc. all form insulating nitrides under these conditions. Maintaining the structure at a temperature of at least 150° C. during plasma nitridation and/or performing post annealing at a temperature of 220° C. or higher, ensures that no copper nitride can form. Additionally, unintended oxidation by molecular oxygen of the exposed magnetic layers (mainly the pinned and free layers) is also avoided.
US08325448B2 Pinning field in MR devices despite higher annealing temperature
The pinning field in an MR device was significantly improved by using the Ru 4A peak together with steps to minimize interfacial roughness of the ruthenium layer as well as boron and manganese diffusion into the ruthenium layer during manufacturing. This made it possible to anneal at temperatures as high as 340° C. whereby a high MR ratio could be simultaneously achieved.
US08325446B1 Disk drive head gimbal assembly having a flexure tail with features to facilitate bonding
A head gimbal assembly for a disk drive includes a read head and a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly includes a load beam and a laminate flexure. The laminate flexure includes a structural layer, a dielectric layer, and a conductive layer that includes a plurality of electrical traces. The laminate flexure includes a tongue portion that connects to the read head and a flexure tail that extends away from the tongue portion. The flexure tail includes a plurality of flexure bond pads. Each of the plurality of flexure bond pads includes a widened region of a corresponding one of the plurality of electrical traces in the conductive layer, and a corresponding one of a plurality of segments or discontinuous islands in the structural layer.
US08325444B2 Slider with stabilizing contact finger
A slider includes a slider body having an air bearing surface, a first contact finger, and a transducing head. The first contact finger extends from the slider body and has a contact surface area of between about 2 square microns to about 20 square microns. The transducing head is supported by the slider body near the first contact finger and extends from the air bearing surface by a distance less than that of the first contact finger.
US08325443B2 Magnetic disk device with magnetic head slider having trailing side face part with reduced wettability
A magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk and a magnetic head having a magnetic head slider flying by an action of air during rotation of the magnetic disk, wherein an inflow of air from a direction of a leading side face of the magnetic head slider forming an air bearing film effect at an air bearing surface face of the magnetic head slider which faces the magnetic disk, and the air flows out from a trailing side face of the magnetic head slider. The magnetic head slider has a wettability, in at least a part of an outer region defined on the trailing side face and adjoining other faces including the air bearing surface face of the magnetic head slider, which is lower than a wettability of at least one other region present at the trailing side face.
US08325436B2 Information storage devices using magnetic domain wall movement, methods of operating the same, and methods of manufacturing the same
Information storage devices using magnetic domain wall movement, methods of operating the same, and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. An information storage device includes a first magnetic layer, a heating unit and a magnetic field applying unit. The heating unit heats a first region of the first magnetic layer. The magnetic field applying unit applies a magnetic field to the first region to form a magnetic domain. A wall of the magnetic domain is moved by a current applied to the first magnetic layer.
US08325435B2 Method and apparatus for adjusting number of iterations in iterative decoding procedure
In a method of determining an iteration value for an iterative decoding process of a hard disk drive, a bit error rate (BER) of a digital signal is measured in multiple iterations. A difference is calculated between BERs of consecutive iterations, and the calculated differences are compared with a reference value. An adjusted iteration value is then determined based on the comparison.
US08325433B2 Systems and methods for reduced format data processing
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide data processing circuits that include a variable gain amplifier circuit, an analog to digital conversion circuit, a cosine component calculation circuit, a sine calculation circuit, and a zero gain start calculation circuit. The variable gain amplifier circuit is operable to apply a gain to a data input corresponding to a gain feedback value and providing an amplified output. The analog to digital conversion circuit is operable to convert the amplified output to a corresponding series of digital samples. The cosine component calculation circuit is operable to calculate a cosine component from the series of digital samples, and the sine component calculation circuit operable to calculate a sine component from the series of digital samples. The zero gain start calculation circuit is operable to calculate a raw gain error value based on the cosine component and the sine component, where the gain feedback value is derived from the raw gain error value.
US08325429B2 Photographing optical lens assembly
A photographing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with positive refractive power, a second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, a third lens element having a concave image-side surface, wherein at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the third lens element is aspheric, a fourth lens element with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface, wherein at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fourth lens element is aspheric, and a fifth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface, wherein at least one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element is aspheric.
US08325420B2 Annular solid immersion lenses and methods of making them
A sub-millimeter solid immersion lens (SIL), comprises a body of a high-index material transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a frequency band to be observed, the body having a flat bottom surface which receives an object to be observed, and the body further having a first upper surface whose limits approximate a zone of a spherical segment and a second upper surface defined by an upper bound of the zone of the spherical segment which prevents passage of electromagnetic radiation in the frequency band to be observed. The SIL may be incorporated into an array, according to other aspects. A method of making a SIL comprises: providing a substrate layer of a high-index material transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a frequency band to be observed, having a lower surface through which an object is observed; etching a surface of the substrate layer to form a first upper surface whose limits approximate a zone of a spherical segment; etching a surface of the substrate layer to form a second upper surface; treating the second upper surface to prevent transmission of the electromagnetic radiation in the frequency band to be observed; and treating the lower surface to absorb electromagnetic radiation in the frequency band to be observed, leaving untreated a hole defined therein to form a sampling port at which the object is positioned.
US08325408B2 High speed electromechanical shutter
An electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly comprising: an electrical current source member; a shutter member movable between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position; a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member; a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized; at least one magnet which generates a magnet flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil; electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked and passed positions; wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated that interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked and light beam passed positions.
US08325401B2 Method for generating video holograms in real-time for enhancing a 3D-rendering graphic pipeline
A method for generating video holograms is disclosed, principally for a holographic reproduction device, having at least one light modulator in which a scene which is deconstructed into object points is encoded as a complete hologram and can be viewed as a reconstruction from a visibility region. A 3D-rendering graphic pipeline determines color and depth information for the object points of the scene, from which a holographic pipeline determines the complex hologram values.
US08325397B2 Image processing device and image display device
An image processing device for converting a color tone of an image includes: an input unit to which an image is input; a designation unit that designates precision of color conversion performed on the input image; a color conversion table that stores output color data after color conversion of color data, which is determined according to the designated precision and may be included in the image, in an address space determined according to the precision; an address specifying unit that specifies an address referring to the color conversion table on the basis of a first portion, which is determined according to the precision, of color data expressing the input image; a color converting unit that converts the color data included in the input image into output color data by referring to the specified address of the color conversion table; a parameter specifying unit that specifies a parameter for interpolating a color, which is expressed by the output color data, on the basis of a second portion other than the first portion of the color data included in the input image; and an interpolation unit that interpolates a color, which is expressed by the converted output color data, on the basis of the specified parameter.
US08325394B2 Hierarchical scanner characterization
A system and method of scanner characterization is provided which establishes an accurate relationship between a scanner's device-dependent (scanner) color space and a device-independent colorimetric space. A hierarchical subdivision of device-dependent color space into sub-regions is performed. The sub-regions are defined by cutting planes dividing patch color values in device-dependent color space perpendicular to principal axes. A color transformation matrix is then generated establishing the relationship between the scanner device-dependent color space and the device-independent color space for each sub-region of device-dependent color space using the patch color values and a weighting function for each matrix. Each weighting function gives a weight to each patch color value which is a function of the location of the patch color value with respect to the cutting planes defining the sub-region containing the patch color value.
US08325393B2 Apparatus and method for reading color chart and computer-readable storage medium
Provided is a method for automatically determining an error of a user operation or a calorimeter caused when the calorimeter is manually slid to measure the colors of color patches on a row-by-row basis. Also provided is a method capable of determining an error or a scanning direction using a feature value obtained from the calorimetric values without using fixed reference and threshold values for each patch.
US08325389B2 Image reading apparatus and method of controlling the same
An image reading apparatus to automatically determine whether first and second reading units, which are opposed to each other with a document interposed therebetween, are normally operated and a method of controlling the same includes a duplex path to guide the document, which is read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit, to be transported to the first reading unit and the second reading unit again in a state in which the first side and the second side of the document are reversed. The document is subjected to a primary reading operation using the first reading unit and the second reading unit, and the document, which was subjected to the primary reading operation, is then guided via the duplex path and passes through the first reading unit and the second reading unit. At this time, the document is subjected to a secondary reading operation using the first reading unit and the second reading unit, and a control unit compares image information obtained by the first reading unit and the second reading unit in the primary reading operation with image information obtained by the first reading unit and the second reading unit in the secondary reading operation. The control unit also determines whether the first reading unit and the second reading unit are normally operated.
US08325388B2 System and method for embedding information in a printed media
A system and method is disclosed for embedding information in a printed media. The method discloses using a print production system to apply a first set of physical structures for carrying a first data stream onto a media; and using the print production system to apply a second set of physical structures which both carries a second data stream onto the media and also performs at least one other print production function. The system discloses a printing mechanism for applying a first set of physical structures modulated by a first data stream onto a media, thereby creating a printed media; and a coating mechanism for applying a second set of physical structures modulated by a second data stream onto the printed media, thereby creating a coated printed media.
US08325387B2 Method and apparatus for dithering a pixel value in image
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for dithering a pixel value in a image. The method includes checking a difference in chrominance signals between a particular pixel and a pixel adjacent to the particular pixel, in an input image, designating the particular pixel as being in a flat or a non-flat area in consideration of the difference in chrominance signals and dithering the particular pixel when the pixel is designated as being in the non-flat area.
US08325386B2 Printing using display list from vector data or display list obtained from location information
The transfer of a duplicate electronic document between image forming devices is done with an electronic document that is formed of only resolution-independent vector data and the like, and a normal printing of the duplicate electronic document or printing of different resolution is performed by developing the vector data. In high-quality printing of the duplicate electronic document, a Fill Map included in the original document the information indicating the location of an electronic document of copy source that is embedded in a metadata specifies is obtained, and this printing is made using the Fill Map.
US08325384B2 Method and apparatus for controlling color registration sensors
A method and apparatus for controlling registration sensors are provided, in which a transfer unit transfers an electrostatic latent image onto a printing medium, at least one registration sensor senses image alignment errors by irradiating light to the transfer unit to sense reflected light, a sensor data storage unit stores characteristics data of the respective registration sensors, and a sensor control unit controls the registration sensors based on the characteristics data of the respective registration sensors, wherein the registration sensors are placed into the transfer unit. Accordingly, time for performing an algorithm of color registration can be reduced, and registration can be achieved correctly in a short time, irrespective of a set frame of the image forming apparatus.
US08325383B2 Image reading device, and method for driving the same
A period when a relative movement between a document, and each of the pixel rows by a certain distance in the vertical direction is made is defined as a frame period, and the frame period is divided into a given number (i) of H periods. A certain H period is allocated as a readout period of each of the pixel rows so that each of the pixel rows reads an identical line of a document, depending on a vertical resolution set by a resolution setter.
US08325371B2 Job management apparatus, control method, and program
A job management apparatus, which managing, by record, a job based on content data which includes designations associated with a content used in variable data print processing, and a job ticket corresponding to the content data, comprising: a metadata extraction unit which extracts metadata from the content data; a metadata classification unit which classifies the extracted metadata as control metadata used to control processes of the job, and as display metadata used to make a display associated with the job; and a generation unit which generates first information used to display, by record, the job using values of the display metadata.
US08325370B2 Network interface apparatus, control method, program, and image forming apparatus
A mechanism which can avoid, as much as possible, a difference of picture quality that is caused by restricting color printing according to an authority and forcedly performing monochromatic printing is provided. A mechanism which restricts the color printing according to the authority without deteriorating performance is also provided. The processing refers to a color restricting mode in user information or a color restricting mode in setting information. When the referred color restricting mode indicates “force”, if the user does not have the authority in which a color job can be printed, the job is forcedly converted into monochrome. In case of “analyze”, if the user does not have the authority in which a color job can be printed, the job is analyzed. If it is the color job, a forced monochromatic printing or print inhibition is performed.
US08325369B2 Image scanning system, image scanner, and computer readable medium for image processing device
An image scanning system comprises an image scanner and an information processing device. The image scanner comprises an output unit to output image data generated based on scanned image to the information processing device; and an instructing unit to transmit a prohibition command for prohibiting displaying of an image based on the image data, to the information processing device. The information processing device comprises a data reception unit to receive the image data outputted by the image scanner; a display unit; a control unit configured to control the display unit to display the image based on the image data; and a command reception unit configured to receive the prohibition command. In this configuration, the control unit operates to prohibit displaying of the image based on the received image data in response to reception of the prohibition command through the command reception unit.
US08325368B2 Print information conversion apparatus, printing apparatus, printing system, and computer readable medium
A print information conversion apparatus is provided, the print information conversion apparatus including: a print information acquiring portion that acquires print information in a page description language format; a conversion portion that converts the acquired print information in the page description language format into electronic document information in an electronic document format; an addition portion that adds restoration information to the electronic document information, the restoration information being used for restoring nonreversible information that is contained in the print information in the page description language format and that is not reversibly convertible to the electronic document information; and a print information generating portion that generates print information based on the electronic document information and the restoration information added to the electronic document information.
US08325364B2 Method and converter unit to transfer control information between at least two processing units of a printing or copying system
In a converter unit to convert control information to be transferred between at least first and second processing units of a printing or copying system, at least one first data interface is provided according to a first interface standard for exchange of control information between the converter unit and at least the first processing unit. A control signal interface is provided for at least one signal line between the converter unit and the first processing unit, the signal line being associated with one control signal. At least one real-time-capable second data interface according to a second interface standard is provided for exchange of control information between the converter unit and at least the second processing unit. The converter unit converts data conforming to a signal state of the control signal into data according to the second interface standard and conforming to the real-time-capable second data interface. The converter unit outputs the data according to the second interface standard via the second data interface or converts real-time-relevant data supplied to the converter unit via the second data interface into a signal curve of the control signal corresponding to the data and outputs the signal curve via the control signal interface.
US08325361B2 Apparatus, system, and method for image processing for generating and/or managing a confidential document
A confidential document is generated by encoding distribution destination information specifying a destination to which the confidential document will be distributed.
US08325360B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus and method of printing an image in the image forming apparatus connected to an image storage device, the method including: selecting at least one image stored in the image storage device; setting up print options with regard to the selected at least one image; starting a transmission of image data corresponding to the selected at least one image from the image storage device to the image forming apparatus before the setting up of the print options is completed; and printing the image data according to the setup print options.
US08325358B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is supplied enabling print request user to identify whether the requested print data needs an approval or not so as to judge how to treat the corresponding print matter. In the image forming apparatus, an approval request portion sends an approval request electronic mail for requesting an approval of print allowance about an input image to an approval person terminal; an approval allowance/disallowance judging portion judges whether the print allowance is approved or not on the basis of a reply electronic mail output from the approval person terminal; if the print allowance is approved, an image compounding portion compounds an approval image onto the input image.
US08325356B2 Method of sending a photograph electronically from a self-service digital photograph processing station to a remote printing facility
A system and method for a self-service digital photograph processing station user to send data representative of a photographic image to a photograph printing facility located in or near a geographic region remote from the self-service digital photograph processing station, but near an intended recipient of the photographic image. The method includes entering at least a portion of the intended recipients telephone number, which may include the area code and exchange number. An augmented map is displayed showing a map of the geographic area that corresponds with the area code and exchange number, and one or more available photograph printing facilities superimposed on the map. One or more of the available photograph printing facilities are selected and sent the data representative of the photographic image. The intended recipient may then pick up the photograph image after it is printed by the selected photograph printing facility.
US08325354B2 Image data processing apparatus and image forming apparatus displaying, controlling job icons indicative of the presence of a received job
In the image data processing apparatus of the present invention, one or more job icons each of which is indicative of the presence of a received job are displayed in a screen of a touch panel, and when any one of the displayed job icons is operated, an information window disclosing detail information concerning the operated job icon is additionally displayed. As a result, a limited display area of the touch panel can be effectively utilized, so that this enables the user to easily find not only a processing status of the received job but also detail information of the job.
US08325348B2 Laser interferometer system for measuring roll angle
A laser interferometer system for measuring roll angle around the direction of linear displacement comprises a light source of a frequency stabilized input beam (15) with two linear orthogonally polarized components which may or may not be of the same frequency, a polarizing beam splitting prism, two quarter-wave retardation plates, a corner cube retroreflector, a prism assembly, attached to the mechanical apparatus whose roll angle of travel is to be measured, a wedge mirror assembly, a polarizer, a photoelectric detector, and a phase meter; the light source emits a frequency-stable incident beam and generates a stable electric reference signal; under the actions of the polarizing beam splitting prism, quarter-wave plate and corner cube retroreflector, the incident beam travels twice through and then reflected twice by the wedge mirror assembly, and finally exits from the polarizing beam splitting prism. The polarizer mixes the orthogonal components of the output beam and the photoelectric detector generates an electric signal and then the phase meter compares the phase difference of said electric measurement signal with said electric reference signal, then the roll angle of travel can be measured. The advantage of present invention is: the system has simple structure but with high measurement precision, it can be applied to the precision geometrical measurement and the establishment of precision benchmark metrology in wide high-tech fields such as military industry, aerospace engineering and digital controlled machine tools.
US08325345B2 Methods and devices for monitoring of frying oil quality
Herein are disclosed methods and devices for evaluating the quality of oils (e.g., cooking oil or flying oil). The methods can provide an indication of the free fatty acid content of the oil. The methods use an optical interrogation device to provide an indication of free fatty acid based on quantitative measurements of optical reflectance from test zones on a sampling substrate.
US08325342B2 Detection method
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for the detection of the spectral absorption properties of a fluid in a microenvironment, the apparatus comprising a radiation source, a microfluidic device and detection means, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises means for increasing the path length of the radiation through the fluid. Preferably, the means for increasing the path length of the radiation through the fluid comprises two highly reflective mirrors which cause the base path length through the fluid to be increased by many orders of magnitude, and the method comprises Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy. The method is especially useful for the handling of small volumes of fluids for chemical and biological processing.
US08325341B2 Combination of reader and incubator
A detection arrangement for detecting presence of an analyte in a sample includes a processor, a memory, a display, a color measuring device, and a temperature controller for maintaining a constant temperature or a temperature profile of the sample. A method is also provided for determining the presence or absence of an analyte in a fluid by analysis of image data from an assay that generates an image result on an assay medium.
US08325340B2 Method and apparatus for determining polarization-altering element parameters from full mueller matrix measurements
Method and apparatus for testing of LCD cells is disclosed. An LCD cell under test (14, 30) may be mounted to translatable table (40) between polarization state generator (10) and polarization state analyzer (16). For each location on cell (14, 30) to be tested, a variety of known polarization states (22) are launched through LCD cell (14, 30) and detected by polarization state analyzer (16). Electrical signals representative of polarization states are acquired by computer (18). Within computer (18), a model (58, 60) of polarization properties of LCD cell (14, 30) is developed based on estimations of what physical parameters of LCD cell (14, 30) are believed to be. RMS differences between simulated polarization properties and measured polarization properties are minimized by iteratively refining (60) modeled physical cell properties, at which point cell thickness and other physical parameters of the LCD cell may be deduced.
US08325338B1 Detection of aircraft icing
There is disclosed a system comprising Raman spectroscopy used to detect key characteristics of ice formation on aircraft wings and engines in real time. This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for early detection of icing. The disclosed apparatus is suitable for use in aircraft, boats, oil rigs, wind turbines, and the like.
US08325334B2 Substrate edge inspection
An apparatus for inspecting an edge of a substrate. A light source produces a light beam, and a two-dimensional beam deflector receives the light beam and creates a semi-annular scanning beam. A first flared parabolic surface receives the semi-annular scanning beam and directs the semi-annular scanning beam onto the edge of the substrate, thereby creating specularly reflected light from the edge of the substrate. A second flared parabolic surface receives and directs the specularly reflected light to a detector. The detector receives the directed specularly reflected light and produces signals. An analyzer analyzes the signals and detects defects at the edge of the substrate.
US08325333B2 Geometric error measuring device
A geometric error measuring device includes a measuring module and at least one (quadrant) photodiode. The measuring module has an emitting deice, which may emit at least one light ray; the photodiode may receive the incident ray. Also, the trajectory of the incident ray is parallel with the direction of measurement. If there is no geometric error, the position of the incident light ray will coincide with the position of the measured light ray. If there is a geometric error, the position of the measured light ray will not coincide with the position of the incident light ray. After the data are processed and calculated, geometric errors in straightness, squareness and rotational angles (pitch, yaw and roll) may be obtained. These geometric errors may then be corrected in the setup of a machine.
US08325328B2 Single-particle LIDAR anemometry method and system
The present invention concerns a single-particle LIDAR anemometry method and system comprising the continuous emission of one or more light beams through a gas containing particles, said beam being focused onto a measurement volume, a step of detecting a signal backscattered by particles passing through said volume, the method being characterized in that it comprises at least the following phases: determining in a time period Δt the frequency of each of the pulses included in the backscattered signal; distinguishing pulses based on duration and/or intensity and/or frequency-modulation criteria; and estimating the displacement velocity of said beam relative to the gas from several of the frequencies determined over the time period Δt excluding those corresponding to the pulses distinguished during the preceding step A notable application of the invention is for the measurement of the airspeed of an aircraft.
US08325327B2 Using remotely detected wind velocities to enhance understanding of an impending or occurring event
Methods and systems for using laser Doppler velocimeters to determine and use wind velocities at the locations of impending and occurring events such as sports events are presented. Laser Doppler velocimeters are used to determine wind velocities where an event is occurring or an impending event is about to occur. The determined wind velocities are used to generate and display a representation of the impending or occurring event that accounts for the effect of the determined wind velocities on the impending or occurring event.
US08325325B2 Movable body apparatus, movable body drive method, exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
A drive system drives a movable body, based on measurement results of a first measurement system which measures the position of the movable body in an XY plane by irradiating a measurement beam from an arm member on a grating placed on a surface parallel to the XY plane of the movable body. In this case, because a configuration in which the arm member irradiates a measurement beam on the grating is employed, there is no adverse effect due to the drive of the moving body, unlike the case when an encoder system is arranged on a stage surface plate. Accordingly, it becomes possible to drive the movable body with good precision.
US08325323B2 Method and system for correcting image changes
The disclosure relates to a method for compensating image errors, generated by intensity distributions in optical systems, such as in projection lens arrays of microlithography systems, and to respective optical systems, such as projection lens arrays of microlithography systems.
US08325320B2 Method for repairing LCD device and LCD device with using the same method
A method for repairing a liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided for an LCD device whose LCD panel has a gravity defect. The method includes the steps of cutting an edge of the LCD panel, applying pressure to a surface of the LCD panel to exhaust excess liquid crystal material through the cut edge, and sealing the cut edge.
US08325316B2 Electro-wetting display device
An exemplary electro-wetting display (EWD) device (30) includes a first substrate (31), a second substrate (38), a driving circuit layer (32) provided on the second substrate, a plurality of partition walls (34), a first fluid (35) and a second fluid (36). The first and second fluids immiscible with each other are disposed between the driving circuit layer and the first substrate. The partition walls are provided on the driving circuit layer, thereby defining a plurality of pixel regions (R). Each pixel region has two short sides and two long sides. The second fluid is electro-conductive or polar and the first fluid is provided between the driving circuit layer and the second fluid. The driving circuit layer corresponding to each pixel region includes a pixel electrode (325) and a switch element (324) connected thereto. The pixel electrode is continuously disposed between the switch element and the two short sides.
US08325315B2 Mother panel and method of manufacturing display panel using the same
Electric power is applied to a static charge dissipating line to apply a pixel voltage to a pixel electrode. A common voltage is applied to a common electrode. The common voltage is applied to the common electrode through a shorting pad formed on the lower substrate, or a probe is contacted to the common electrode to apply the common voltage to the common electrode. A liquid crystal layer is exposed to light while an electric field is formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, so that a cured reactive mesogen (RM) layer is formed on a surface of an alignment layer to pretilt liquid crystal molecules. A manner of applying electric power to the pixel electrode or the common electrode is facilitated and the pixel voltage or the common voltage may be uniformly applied. Therefore, the quality of a display panel may be improved.
US08325313B2 Cambered liquid crystal display panel
A cambered liquid crystal display including a first substrate, a second substrate, a sealant, a plurality of photo-spacers and a liquid crystal layer is provided. The sealant is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first substrate, the second substrate and the sealant are bent to form at least one cambered structure. The photo-spacers are disposed on the first substrate and distributed between the first and the second substrate, wherein a gap formed between a part of the photo-spacers close to the top of the cambered structure and the second substrate is smaller than a gap formed between a part of the photo-spacers apart from the top of the cambered structure and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and the second substrate, wherein the photo-spacers and the liquid crystal layer are surrounded by the sealant.
US08325311B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other, the first and second substrates having; first to fourth driving lines in the non-display area over the first substrate, the first and second driving lines horizontally separated by a first distance, and the third and fourth driving lines horizontally separated by a second distance greater than the first distance; a seal pattern of an ultraviolet curable material in the non-display area, the seal pattern overlapping the third and fourth driving lines; and a liquid crystal layer inside the seal pattern between the first and second substrates.
US08325307B2 Crystal display and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal layer is interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate; a first electrode having a linear portion formed in the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer; a second electrode having a linear portion formed adjacent to the first electrode; an insulating film disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode; a third electrode disposed on the insulting film correspond to the linear portion of the first electrode; and a fourth electrode disposed on the insulting film correspond to the linear portion of the second electrode. In the liquid crystal display, a voltage different from those of the second electrode and the third electrode is applied to the first electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode are partially notched in the width direction of the linear portion in at least one side edge of the linear portion.
US08325306B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device including first and second substrate, with liquid crystal contained therebetween; a plurality of gate bus lines; a plurality of drain bus lines; and first and second sub picture element electrodes. The first sub picture element electrode is not in contact with the second sub picture element electrode. The first sub picture element electrode includes a first body portion and a plurality of first branches extending from the first body portion, with the first branches being separated from each other by a plurality of first slits. The second sub picture element electrode includes a second body portion and a plurality of second branches extending from the second body portion, with the second branches being separated from each other by a plurality of second slits.
US08325305B2 Method of driving a liquid crystal display apparatus, array substrate for performing the method, method of manufacturing the array substrate, and a liquid crystal display apparatus having the array substrate
In a method of driving a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) apparatus, a common voltage is applied to a common electrode above a liquid crystal layer and pixel voltages are applied to pixel electrodes under the liquid crystal layer to form an electrical field with the common electrode to control movements of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. Each of the pixel electrodes has slits. Then, a supplementary voltage is applied to a supplementary electrode between the slits of each pixel electrode to compensate the electric field formed by the pixel electrodes and the common electrode.
US08325303B2 Liquid-crystal display device
A liquid-crystal display device makes it possible to attach an optical element to a liquid-crystal display panel with high positional accuracy while avoiding or minimizing the enlargement of the picture-frame region (i.e., the non-display region) induced by the formation of markers on the panel and the increase of the fabrication cost. The panel comprises a main substrate, an opposite substrate, and a liquid crystal enclosed in a gap between the main and opposite substrates, wherein a polarizer plate is attached at least to the opposite substrate. Markers for attaching an optical element to the panel are formed at positions that overlap with the polarizer plate in a non-display region on the main or opposite substrate. Alignment direction regulators regulate the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules to a predetermined direction in the vicinities of the markers, allowing light to pass through at least the opposite substrate.
US08325301B2 Liquid crystal display device and color filter substrate
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprises a substrate, and red, green, blue (RGB) color filters. The RGB color filters are spaced from one another with a predetermined gap therebetween on the substrate, and define RGB sub-pixels. The LCD device further comprises black matrixes disposed at each space between the RGB color filters, and barriers disposed at each interface among the RGB sub-pixels such that the barriers control a path of light that passes through a corresponding sub-pixel.
US08325298B2 Display apparatus with light detection and fabrication method for display apparatus with light detection
A display apparatus is provided which can detect light of a predetermined wavelength with a high degree of accuracy from within light incident from a screen by a simple configuration. The display apparatus includes a CF substrate (9) having a plurality of color filters (31) of different colors for passing light for displaying an image on the screen (55a) and an IR filter (33) provided in a region different from an arrangement region of the color filters of the different colors for passing light incident from the screen (55a), and a main sensor (19) provided on the rear side of the IR filter (33) for detecting light incident from the screen (55a) and passing through the IR filter (33). The IR filter (33) has a laminate of filter materials same as filter materials from which at least two or more ones of the color filters of the different colors are formed respectively.
US08325297B2 Image display device having a lens and reflection plate surface projections and portable terminal device using the same
In a display panel, a plurality of pixel sections are arranged in the form of a matrix. Each of the pixel sections includes a pixel for displaying an image for the left eye and a pixel for displaying an image for the right eye. Lenticular lens having repeated convex surfaces is disposed in front of the display panel to deflect the light emitted from each pixel in the horizontal direction from the pixel for displaying the image for the left eye to the pixel for displaying the image for the right eye in each pixel section. Reflection plate reflects the exterior light toward the display panel and has surface projections on the surface. In this case, the focal distance f of the lens is different from the distance H between the surface of the reflection plate and the apex of the lens.
US08325296B2 Light-transmitting substrate, optical film, polarizing plate and image display device
A light-transmitting substrate has an uneven profile on at least one surface thereof, the light-transmitting substrate contains a thermoplastic resin and a flat translucent particle; a tilt angle of the uneven profile on at least one surface of the light-transmitting substrate has the following distribution: (a) an integral value of frequencies of from 0° to less than 1.0° is from 0% to less than 25%, (b) an integral value of frequencies of from 1.0° to less than 10° is from 60% to less than 100%, and (c) an integral value of frequencies of 10° or more is from 0% to less than 25%, and an average distance between trough and crest in the uneven profile is from 10 to 300 μm.
US08325295B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a plurality of groups of light source units, a plurality of light guide plates, and a light source control circuit configured to control light amounts of the light source units. The plurality of light guide plates are configured to transmit light from the plurality of groups of the light source units. In each of the plurality of light guide plates, areas from which the transmitted light exiting toward the liquid crystal display panel differ from one another. One of the plurality of groups of the light source units paired with one of the plurality of light guide plates includes at least two light source units that are controlled in light amount independently. A number of the areas of the one of the plurality of light guide plates is at least a number of the light source units thereof.
US08325294B2 Backlight unit including lamp guide
A lamp guide includes: a horizontal part; at least one supporting part extending from a front surface of the horizontal part; a plurality of holding parts on the front surface of the horizontal part, each of the plurality of holding parts holding a lamp and twisted from the horizontal part; and at least one coupling part extending from a rear surface of the horizontal part.
US08325289B2 Optical part, optical unit and display apparatus having a dust barrier cover
An optical part includes a panel cover to be attached around a display area of a display element, a holder holding an optical element, a spring pressing the holder against the panel cover in order to place and rotatably attach the holder to the panel cover one over another, and a dust barrier cover provided on the holder, wherein the part of the holder in contact with the spring has an extension, which is integral with the dust barrier cover.
US08325284B2 Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
The manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device includes a step of forming the scanning signal lines including a step in which a photosensitive material film is exposed using an exposure device having a spatial light modulating element which generates an exposure pattern by a numerical control based on drawing data prepared based on the layout data. The drawing data is prepared by correction such that a shape of a portion of the scanning signal line in the layout data which is overlapped to a source electrode has an area corresponding to the distribution of a film thickness of an insulation layer interposed between the scanning signal line and the source electrode.
US08325283B2 Recording device, recording apparatus, and recording method comprising liquid crystals and a photosensitive layer in which an impedance changes depending on an irradiated light
A recording device includes: a voltage application unit that applies a voltage exceeding a first threshold value to a display medium; a photosensitive layer in which an impedance changes depending on an irradiated light; and a light irradiation unit that irradiates light of a first intensity that changes the impedance of the display medium at the approximately same time as when the voltage is applied by the voltage application unit and, and when the voltage is no longer applied by the voltage application unit, irradiates light that has a second intensity lower than the first intensity and that damps the residual voltage to the second threshold value or below within a length of time equal to or less than the third threshold value.
US08325277B2 Display apparatus and data display method for displaying a format mismatch message
A display apparatus includes a display; a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal including a program with a data format; an image processing part which processes the received program according to an available data format; and a controller which controls the image processing part to display a message informing that both data formats are not matched on the display if the data format of the received program is not matched with the available data format to be processed by the image processing part.
US08325270B2 Camera housing with integrated expansion module
A camera housing includes an integrated expansion module for providing expanded functionality to a camera (e.g., a display screen). Different embodiments of the housing include different expansion modules for adding a variety of features to the camera when the camera is placed in the housing. Thus, a user may modify features of a camera by swapping the housing. Furthermore, a user may add a feature to an existing camera without needing to purchase a new camera.
US08325269B2 Image capturing lens system
This invention provides an image capturing lens system comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; a second lens element with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface; a third lens element with positive refractive power, at least one of the two surfaces thereof being aspheric; a fourth lens element with negative refractive power, both the two surfaces thereof being aspheric; and a stop disposed between the first and third lens elements, wherein there are four lens elements with refractive power.
US08325268B2 Image processing apparatus and photographing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes an image processing circuit. The image processing circuit is configured by an image processing portion for performing an image process on a first image so as to generate a third image, an image composing portion for composing the first image and the third image, and an addition-ratio calculating portion for calculating a degree of composition of a composing process between the first image and the third image by the image composing portion based on a difference signal from a difference calculating portion.
US08325265B2 Camera module having extended depth of focus mode and autofocus mode and method of operating the same
An imaging system includes a lens assembly, an image sensor, an image processing unit, an actuator, and a control unit. The lens assembly is configured for focusing a subject image. The image sensor is located at the image side of the lens assembly for providing image information corresponding to the subject image. The image processing unit is electrically connected to the image sensor for modifying the image information in a digital image process. The actuator is connected to the lens assembly for adjusting the depth of field of the lens assembly. The control unit is electrically connected to the image sensor, the image processing unit and the actuator for receiving the electronic information to control the image processing unit or the actuator so as to provide a clear image.
US08325263B2 Camera and wearable image display apparatus
A camera operates in cooperation with a wearable image display apparatus configured to be wearable on an eye region of a user. The camera includes an imaging unit, a vibration detection unit, a transmission availability judgment unit and a communication unit. The imaging unit acquires an image of a subject. The vibration detection unit detects vibration of the camera. The transmission availability judgment unit permits transmission of the image acquired by the imaging unit to the wearable image display apparatus when the vibration detection unit does not detect the vibration of the camera, and prohibits transmission of the image acquired by the imaging unit to the wearable image display apparatus when the vibration detection unit detects the vibration of the camera. The communication unit transmits the image acquired by the imaging unit to the wearable image display apparatus when transmission of the image acquired by the imaging unit is permitted.
US08325260B2 Solid-state imaging apparatus including pixel matrix with selectable blocks of output lines and imaging system using the solid-state imaging apparatus
It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus that outputs digital signals at high speed. A solid-state imaging apparatus is provided that includes plural analog-to-digital converters that convert analog signals obtained by photoelectric conversion into digital signals, plural digital memories that store the digital signals converted by the analog-to-digital converters, plural block digital output lines that are provided to correspond to blocks of the plural digital memories and to which the digital signals stored in the plural digital memories included in the blocks are output, a common digital output line that outputs the digital signals output from the plural block digital output lines, buffer circuits that buffer the digital signals output from the block digital output lines, and block selecting units that can switch the block digital output lines electrically connected to the common digital output line.
US08325258B2 Solid-state imaging device including imaging photodetecting arrangement and trigger photodetecting arrangement and imaging method
A determination unit 70 determines whether there is incident light, based on an output value from an integrating circuit 62, and generates a determinated signal indicating a determinated result. A control unit 80 controls charge accumulating portions of an imaging light-receiving unit 10 whether or not to start accumulation of an electric charge, based on the determinated signal, and changes a charge accumulation capacitance value of the integrating circuit 62 of an output unit 60. Specifically, the control unit 80 varies the capacitance value for accumulation of an electric charge generated in a trigger light-receiving unit 20, depending upon the detection result on the presence/absence of incident light, to switch the sensitivity of the integrating circuit 62 to the trigger PD, thereby enabling optimal utilization of the trigger PD.
US08325257B2 Solid-state image pickup device and method for driving the same
A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of common output lines receiving signals from a plurality of pixels, a plurality of column amplifier units amplifying the signals, a plurality of storage capacitors storing the amplified signals, a first transistor controlling electrical conduction between the output node of the column amplifier unit and the input node of a storage capacitor, a switch switching current for operating the column amplifier unit between a first current and a second current smaller than the first current, and a controller inhibiting, while the second current is flowing through the column amplifier unit, a potential at the output node of the column amplifier unit from approaching an off-state voltage supplied to a gate of the first transistor in an OFF state of the first transistor.
US08325249B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a camera module to compensate for the light level of a white LED
A method and an apparatus enabling use of a light source emitting a light of changing intensity and changing spectrum as a flash with a camera module having a white-balance routine and an exposure routine, wherein an initial value representative of a color spectrum emitted by the light source is transmitted to the camera module, the light source is turned on, and the camera module is signaled to scan a plurality of images of the scene while the light source is turned on, allowing the white-balance and exposure algorithms to be employed with each image scanned to refine the first initial value to refine the degree of compensation employed in correcting a color and a light level in the last one of the images of the plurality of images scanned.
US08325245B2 Apparatus and methods for use of infra-red light in camera applications
Apparatus and methods for using infra-red light provide for enhanced operation in camera applications. In an embodiment, a safety camera includes an optical filter that provides an input to an imager from received light having wavelengths in the infra-red spectrum. Output from the imager can be analyzed to determine safety hazard events in an area viewed by the safety camera.
US08325244B2 Mobile terminal device and network connection control method
A mobile terminal device configured to have a built in battery and connect to a network, includes a wireless communication interface configured to connect to the network through wireless communication, and a wired communication interface configured to connect to the network directly or indirectly through wired communication. The device further includes a wired connection detection unit configured to detect whether or not a wired line, which is connected directly or indirectly to the network, is connected to the wired communication interface, and a control unit configured to make the wireless communication interface available when the wired connection detection unit has detected the connection of the wired line.
US08325240B2 Data transfer device and electronic camera
A data transfer device can adjust a phase of a clock signal with a simple configuration in a short period of time when transferring a digital data signal in synchronization with the clock signal. Accordingly, the data transfer device includes a data transfer line serially transferring the data signal, a clock transfer line transferring the clock signal, a decision unit deciding an adjustment amount by which the phase of the clock signal accompanying the data signal is shifted, the adjustment amount being used when transferring the data signal in synchronization with the clock signal, and a phase adjusting unit shifting the phase of the clock signal in accordance with the adjustment amount decided by the decision unit while keeping a frequency of the clock signal fixed.
US08325237B2 Monitoring system for monitoring coverage of broadcast transmissions
A system for monitoring television signals broadcast by at least one transmission antenna in a broadcast area includes a monitoring control center and a plurality of remote monitoring units distributed in television signal receiving locations of the broadcast area remote from the transmission antenna. The remote monitoring units are configured to receive the television signals irradiated in the respective locations, process the television signals and send to the monitoring control center information related to the processed television signal. In particular, the remote monitoring units include a receiver adapted to receive the television signal, a measuring system adapted to perform measures on radio-electric features of the received television signal, and a communication system adapted to communicate measurement results to the remote monitoring center, exploiting a communication link between the remote monitoring unit and the control center.
US08325233B2 Video radar display system
A video radar display system is provided. The video radar display system includes a camera array, an image processing unit, and a display unit. The camera array includes a plurality of cameras individually positioned for photographing a plurality of images from a plurality of different directions. The image processing unit receives the photographed images from the camera array for conducting an object recognition process, and referring to an object database to reconstruct an environment, so as to generate object display information. The display unit receives the object display information and displays an image according to the received object display information, or project the image to a monitor or head-up display for displaying. The cameras of the camera array are dual-lens cameras or tri-lens cameras. Specifically, the dual-lens camera has two lenses horizontally provided for capturing two images at the same time for determining the distance.
US08325228B2 Performing real-time analytics using a network processing solution able to directly ingest IP camera video streams
The present invention discloses a solution for an intelligent video surveillance (IVS) system able to perform real-time analytics on internet protocol (IP) video streams which are directly ingested by the IVS system. An internet protocol camera can be identified and connected to the intelligent video surveillance system which lacks an intermediate video management component. The raw video stream can be received directly from the camera in the form of a real-time video stream such as real-time streaming protocol (RTSP). One or more real-time analytics can be performed on said video stream based on one or more system criteria and user established criteria. When an incident event is detected one or more programmatic actions can be performed in response to analytics enacted.
US08325222B2 Stereoscopic screen sharing method and apparatus
Apparatus, systems and methods of providing respective video signals to at least two viewers using a common display are disclosed. An image from a first video signal corresponding to a left perspective of a scene and an image from a second video signal corresponding to a right perspective of the scene are alternately displayed with the display. A first shuttered filter is synchronized to the display such that the first filter is shuttered when the left perspective image is displayed and a second shuttered filter is synchronized to the display such that the second filter is shuttered when the right perspective image is displayed, thereby alternately providing left and right perspective images for perception as a 3D images. In addition, display of one or more images from an additional video signal on the display is synchronized with shuttering of one or more additional shuttered filters.
US08325219B2 Stereoscopic image generation device and program
In a stereoscopic image generation device according to the invention, an obtaining means 11 obtains sequentially a plurality of original images Ga arranged in a time line and forming a content item. A calculation means 12 calculates an image characteristic value Ng from pixel values of a plurality of pixels included in an original image Ga obtained by the obtaining means 11. A storage device 21 stores a project file Fp by which image characteristic values Nf for the original images Ga forming the content item are respectively associated with stereoscopic parameters for generating stereoscopic images Gb from the original images Ga. A retrieval means 13 compares an image characteristic value calculated by the calculation means 12 from a particular original image Ga, with each of the image characteristic values Nf stored in the storage device 21, to retrieve a stereoscopic parameter for the particular original image Ga on the basis of a comparison result. A stereoscopic imaging means 14 generates a stereoscopic image Gb from each original image Ga, based on the stereoscopic parameter retrieved by the retrieval means 13.
US08325215B2 Trust conferencing apparatus and methods in digital communication
A conferencing application executing on a computerized appliance from a machine-readable medium, the computerized appliance coupled to one or more networks is provided, the application including functionality for responding to requests to join a conference, and for enabling requesters as participants, functionality for receiving and rendering text, voice or video data from each registered participant as text, voice or video data to be transmitted to individual ones of other participants, functionality for controlling which received text, voice or video data is transmitted to which participants, and functionality for receiving and executing instructions from a trust authority.
US08325211B2 Apparatus for alignment of video clock with the ROS start of scan sensor signal in printing systems
Systems and methods are provided for aligning a video clock with the raster output scanner start-of-scan signal in printing systems. A system and method is proposed to align the pixel clock to an asynchronous reference signal generated in the raster output scanner. The proposed system and method adjusts a phase for a static phase value while performing a dynamic phase shifting for the start-of-scan signal alignment.
US08325209B2 Recording head and recording apparatus provided with the recording head
There are provided a recording head capable of properly maintaining the function of a protective layer, and a recording apparatus provided with the recording head. A thermal head includes a substrate, a heat-generating element disposed on the substrate, and a protective layer disposed on the heat-generating element. The protective layer includes first layers and second layers. The first layers and the second layers are laminated one after another alternately multiple times. A constituent material of the second layer having higher sublimation resistance than a constituent material of the first layer.
US08325204B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a display, a retrieving unit, a process display unit, a process receiving unit, a process storing unit, a thumbnail display unit, and a thumbnail designating unit. The retrieving unit retrieves image data. The process display unit displays on the display a plurality of candidate image processes to be performed on the image data. The process receiving unit receives an instruction indicating a selected image process selected from among the plurality of candidate image processes. The process storing unit stores the selected image process. The thumbnail display unit displays a thumbnail image corresponding to the image data on the display. The thumbnail designating unit designates a thumbnail image. The thumbnail display unit displays a processed thumbnail image that represents a result of the selected process performed on the image data corresponding to the designated thumbnail image.
US08325199B2 Image processing apparatus and computer readable medium storing program
An image processing apparatus includes a characteristics acquisition unit that acquires some of color reproduction characteristics of additive color mixing applied in a display; and a transform method determination unit that determines a transform method from one color gamut of an input color space to another color gamut used by an output device, based on the color reproduction characteristics acquired by the characteristics acquisition unit.
US08325198B2 Color gamut mapping and brightness enhancement for mobile displays
An apparatus and method for primary color correction and clipping is provided that is particularly suited for application in mobile displays. It is a combination of a brightness reduction, and a ‘smart’ clipping algorithm and is based on the perceptual attribute “colorfulness”, in which images that are brighter seem to posses more color. In the smart clipping algorithm, a brightness reduction is followed by a gamut (primary) correction and then a smart clip is performed by “adding white” to the out-of-gamut pixels only. This reduces the saturation while it increases the brightness. That is, the saturation is decreased in favor of increased brightness, which gives similar colorfulness on a mobile display as on an EBU display. This smart clipping affects those colors that cannot be represented on the display.
US08325197B2 Method and apparatus for high-speed image processing based on graphic processing unit
A method for high-speed image processing based on graphic processing unit includes processing an input image for the image processing in a texture format of a 32 bit floating point, and performing a predetermined algorithm for the image processing on the input image through at least one or more Framebuffer Object (FOB) and outputting the result as texture data.
US08325196B2 Up-scaling
A method of up-scaling a first structure of samples representing a first property, the first structure having a source resolution, into a second structure of samples representing the first property, the second structure having a target resolution, on basis of a third structure of samples representing a second property, the third structure having the source resolution and on basis of a fourth structure of samples representing the second property, the fourth structure of samples having the target resolution, the method comprising: assigning weight factors to respective first samples of the first structure of samples on basis of differences between respective third samples of the third structure of samples and fourth samples of the fourth structure of samples; and computing the second samples of the second structure of samples on basis of the first samples of the first structure of samples and the respective weight factors.
US08325193B1 System and method for determining optimal GPU initialization order in a multiple-GPU system
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for controlling the initialization order of an iGPU and a dGPU in a hybrid graphics processing environment to ensure that the iGPU is recognized by the operating system as the primary GPU. When the device initialization request associated with the dGPU is received, the interface module determines whether the iGPU has already been initialized. If the iGPU has already been initialized, then the interface module transmits the device initialization request to the dGPU driver for dGPU initialization. However, if the iGPU flag indicates that the iGPU has not yet been initialized, then the interface module terminates the device initialization request and transmits an initialization failure notification to the operating system. In such a manner, the dGPU is initialized only after the iGPU has previously been initialized, thereby ensuring that the iGPU is recognized by the operating system as the primary GPU.
US08325192B2 Creating animations
Animation creation is described, for example, to enable children to create, record and play back stories. In an embodiment, one or more children are able to create animation components such as characters and backgrounds using a multi-touch panel display together with an image capture device. For example, a graphical user interface is provided at the multi-touch panel display to enable the animation components to be edited. In an example, children narrate a story whilst manipulating animation components using the multi-touch display panel and the sound and visual display is recorded. In embodiments image analysis is carried out automatically and used to autonomously modify story components during a narration. In examples, various types of handheld view-finding frames are provided for use with the image capture device. In embodiments saved stories can be restored from memory and retold from any point with different manipulations and narration.
US08325187B2 Method and device for real time 3D navigation in panoramic images and cylindrical spaces
A method for navigating through a panoramic image in a handheld device comprises rendering a preview of a panoramic image on a cylindrical screen (cylinder), viewed from outside, as bird's eye view, providing 3 degrees of freedom.
US08325183B2 System and method for determining a position for an addendum mesh node
Systems and Methods are provided for determining a position of an addendum mesh node disposed between a part mesh boundary and a binder mesh boundary with respect to a first plane. The method includes selecting a first point on the part mesh boundary and a second point on the binder mesh boundary having positions with respect to the first plane that are disposed on a control line which also intersects the position of the addendum mesh node with respect to the first plane, identifying a plurality of control points having positions with respect to the first plane that are disposed on the control line, and generating an interpolated curve that intersects the first point, the second point, and the plurality of control points. The method further includes adjusting the position of at least one of the plurality of control points with respect to a second plane that is substantially orthogonal to the first plane and repeating the step of generating the interpolated curve until the interpolated curve is tangentially correlated to the first point and to the second point. Finally, a position on the interpolated curve is identified that corresponds to the position of the addendum mesh node with respect to the first plane.
US08325181B1 Constraining motion in 2D and 3D manipulation
Techniques for constraining motion of 3D objects displayed on a 2D display interface are described. Touch points are placed by a user on the 2D display interface to manipulate a displayed object. Each touch point is matched with a contact point on the surface of the object. The motion of the object is restricted by adding penalty terms to an energy equation that includes terms that measure deviation between the screen-space location of the touch points and that of their matching contact points. The penalty terms measure deviation from an ideal value. In response to movement of at least one touch point to a new screen-space location, a transformation of the object is determined by applying an algorithm that operates on the energy equation to reduce deviations between the screen-space location of the touch points and that of their matching contact points while also reducing deviation from the ideal value or values set by the penalty term or terms.
US08325178B1 Lines-of-sight and viewsheds determination system
A method for processing three-dimensional data that defines a three-dimensional scene, and determining and displaying lines-of-sight (LOS) and viewsheds on all visible surfaces of the scene, includes: i) assigning at a user-selected location at least one viewpoint in the scene; ii) applying ray tracing from locations in the scene to the viewpoint to determine locations in the scene that are in a line of sight (LOS) and outside the LOS of the viewpoint, thus determining the viewshed relative to the viewpoint; and iii) color-coding every visible surface in the scene. The color coding then differentially indicates the locations in the line of sight (LOS) and outside the LOS of the viewpoint, producing a display of a color-coded viewshed relative to the viewpoint. Additionally ray tracing can be applied from locations above the scene to determine headroom contours for those locations in the scene.
US08325177B2 Leveraging graphics processors to optimize rendering 2-D objects
Methods and computer-readable media for displaying two-dimensional objects on a display device are disclosed. Rendering requests are received from an application to render two-dimensionally modeled graphics to a display device. Primitive geometries of drawing calls of the rendering requests are tessellated into sequences of triangles. The vertices of the triangles are mapped to a vertex buffer along with an index to identify associated constant data. Batching operations store and communicate calls and mapped data to a graphics processing unit by way of a three-dimensional rendering application program interface. Constant data associated with the mapped data are indexed and appended together in a constant buffer, thereby allowing drawing calls to be coalesced. A staging buffer and a staging texture are provided for batching text anti-aliasing operations. Shader fragments are precompiled and organized by way of a predetermined lookup table.
US08325168B2 Display device and control method thereof
A method of controlling a display device is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving an input data; decoding a stored image to obtain decoded data; accumulating the decoded data to obtain an accumulated value; adding the accumulated value to the input data to obtain a compared value; setting the display device to operate normally when the compared value is identical to an initial value; and displaying a preset frame on the display device when the compared value is different from the initial value.
US08325167B2 Display device and electronic device using the same
A display device with a compensation circuit that applies a fixed potential constantly to a gate electrode of a driving transistor for a certain period is provided. Specifically, each difference voltage value between an anode and a cathode of the light emitting element is utilized in the case where the light emitting element emits light and emits no light. In a case where the light emitting element emits light, a potential of the gate electrode of the driving transistor is to be held; and in a case where the light emitting element emits no light, a potential that certainly turns off the gate electrode of the driving transistor is kept on applying to the gate electrode of the driving transistor.
US08325166B2 Optical device and virtual image display device including volume hologram gratings
An optical device includes: a light guide plate receiving, for each of N types of wavelength bands, a plurality of parallel light beams with different incident angles each corresponding to view angles, and guiding the received parallel light beams; a first and a second volume hologram gratings of reflection type having a diffraction configuration which includes N types of interference fringes each corresponding to the N types of wavelength bands, and diffracting/reflecting the parallel light beams. The optical device satisfies for each wavelength band, a relationship of ‘P>L’, where ‘L’ represents a central diffraction wavelength in the first and second volume hologram gratings, defined for a parallel light beam corresponding to a central view angle, and ‘P’ represents a peak wavelength of the parallel light beams.
US08325156B2 Optical touch screen device
An optical touch screen device includes a display panel, an infrared light source module, a number of elongated reflective plates, and an infrared image capture module. The display panel includes a display screen. The infrared light source module has a strip-shaped light output portion generally parallel with the display screen. The strip-shaped light output portion is arranged along an edge of the display screen and configured for outputting infrared light to illuminate the display screen. The elongated reflective plates are arranged along the other edges of the display screen. The reflective plates is configured for reflecting the light from the light output portion to the display screen, thereby the light from the light output portion and the reflected light cooperatively forming an infrared light field. The infrared image capture module is configured for capturing an image of the entire display screen.
US08325153B2 Antenna including elements of an inductive touch screen and communication device for use therewith
An antenna includes an antenna section and a ground plane. The ground plane includes a plurality of inductors that provide a high impedance at the operating frequency of the antenna. The plurality of inductors are implemented via a plurality of inductive elements of an inductive touch screen.
US08325151B1 Orientation-based touchscreen display
A touchscreen device may display various graphical user interfaces (GUIs) based on a physical orientation of the touchscreen device and a context of an application executed by an external device, to control the external device. In one example, a touchscreen device includes a touchscreen, an orientation sensor to determine a physical orientation for the touchscreen device, a context determination unit to determine a context for an application, a computer-readable medium configured to store configuration data associating combinations of contexts for applications and orientations in which the touchscreen device can be physically positioned with respective GUIs, a control unit that receives the orientation in which the touchscreen device is physically positioned and the context, selects the GUI associated with the determined orientation and the context, and causes the touchscreen to display the selected GUI, and an external device interface configured to send input received via the touchscreen to an external device.
US08325149B2 E-ink touchscreen visualizer for home AV system
An interface apparatus includes a main unit, an array of interface modules, driver circuitry, and a remote unit. The main unit outputs files to an output unit, is detachably couplable to interface modules and assigns content identifiers to interface modules. The array presents an image to the user and each interface module can be engaged by a user. The driver circuitry is adapted to drive the array to present an image to the user based upon the user's engagement with an interface module. The remote unit is coupled to the output unit and can be detachably coupled to the interface module. When coupled to the interface module, the remote unit can access the assigned identifier and transmit a request signal to the main unit based on the identifier. The request signal is adapted to cause the main unit to output a file identified by the identifier to the output unit.
US08325145B2 Touch panel and display device using the same
A touch panel includes a first electrode plate, and a second electrode plate separated from the first electrode plate. The first electrode plate includes a first substrate, a first conductive layer, and at least two electrodes. The second electrode plate includes a second substrate, a second conductive layer, and at least two electrodes. At least one of the first and second conductive layers includes a plurality of carbon nanotube structures. Two ends of each carbon nanotube structure are connected with two corresponding opposite electrodes, and each electrode among all the corresponding electrodes is connected with the end of at least one of the carbon nanotube structures. A display device adopting the touch panel includes the touch panel and a display element.
US08325143B2 Touch sensitive display for a portable device
A portable device is provided having a touch sensitive display (100) comprising an active matrix display element (101) and a touch sensitive element (103). The touch sensitive element (103) is disposed on the viewer distal side of the active matrix display element (101) thereby not affecting the display properties. The touch sensitive element (103) comprises a first and second conductive layer (113, 115) each having a plurality of conductors. The conductive layers (113, 115) sandwich a pressure sensitive layer (117) which modifies an electrical conductivity between two conductors of the two conductive layers (113, 115) in response to a pressure point resulting from an applied pressure. Thus, accurate position detection is achieved. The conductors may be aligned with the active matrix and the requirement for calibration may be obviated.
US08325141B2 Cleanable touch and tap-sensitive surface
A touch sensitive surface having touch-capacitive and vibration sensors. This surface allows the user to rest their fingers on the keys and type as they would on a regular keyboard. As the user places their fingers on the keys, the touch capacitive sensors (one per key) report the signal strength level of each key touched to a processor, but no keystroke is issued by the processor until a corresponding “tap” (ie. vibration) is detected. When a tap is detected, the processor references the status of the touch capacitance sensors before, during, and/or immediately after the moment in time the tap occurred.
US08325140B2 Illumination spot alignment
Illumination spot alignment is performed by capturing an image by an image array. The image is evaluated to determine an illumination spot size and location. Coordinates identifying the illumination spot size and location are stored.
US08325138B2 Wireless hand-held electronic device for manipulating an object on a display
A hand-held pointing device for manipulating an object on a display is disclosed. The device is constructed from at least one accelerometer and at least one linear input element. The accelerometer or accelerometers generate a pitch signal and a roll signal. These pitch and roll signals are used to determine a position on a display.
US08325132B2 Method and apparatus for displaying state of apparatus
A method of displaying a state of an apparatus having a user interface which includes generating state display information indicating the state of the apparatus and displaying the generated state display information in the user interface. The state display information indicates the state of the apparatus through a metaphorical indicator.
US08325130B2 Touch type electrophoretic display device
A touch-type electrophoretic display device, including: a first substrate with crossing gate and data lines, defining pixels, sensing signal lines parallel to the data lines, first touch driving voltage lines parallel to the gate lines, at each pixel: a driving thin film transistor (TFT) connected to the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode connected to the driving TFT, a switching TFT connected to the sensing signal and gate lines, and a photo TFT connected to the first touch driving voltage lines and the switching TFT and recognizing an applied touch, a lead-out driver detecting a position of the photo TFT when a sensing signal is transferred and the sensing signal lines, and outputting touch data, a gate control signal (GCS) generating unit outputting: a touch mode gate control signal when touch data is not inputted, and a driving mode GCS for converting an image if a touch is applied.
US08325127B2 Shift register and architecture of same on a display panel
The present invention relates to a shift register and GOA architecture of the same in a display panel comprising a substrate and a plurality of pixels spatially formed on the substrate defining a number of pixel rows, each pixel row having a height of H. The shift register has the plurality of shift register stages disposed spatially and sequentially on the substrate in such a way that the layout of each shift register stage has a height of (j*H), j being an integer greater than one. Each shift register stages is configured to generate j scanning signals for driving j neighboring pixel rows, respectively.
US08325123B2 Liquid crystal display device with adaptive charging/discharging time and related driving method
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a pixel array, a gate driver, a timing controller, and an optimization circuit. Each pixel unit in the pixel array displays images according to the gate driving signal received from a corresponding gate line and the data driving signal received from a corresponding data line. According to an optimized reference value, the timing controller provides an output enable signal, based on which the gate driver outputs the gate driving signals. The optimization circuit receives a first grayscale data related to display images of a row of pixel units in a first driving period and a second grayscale data related to display images of the row of pixel units in a second driving period, and provides the optimized reference value according the difference between the first and second grayscale data.
US08325122B2 Liquid crystal display and overdrive method thereof
A liquid crystal display including a timing controller generating a source output enable signal that controls the drive of an input data, and a data driving circuit modulating the input data to generate a modulation data, sequentially outputting the input data and the modulation data, and adjusting output periods of the input data and the modulation data based on a gray scale level of the input data.
US08325121B2 Method for driving pixel
A method for driving a pixel is provided. The method includes determining a first predetermined gray-level and a second predetermined gray-level which are corresponding to a target gray-level according to the target gray-level of the pixel, wherein an equivalent gray-level corresponding to the first predetermined gray-level and the second predetermined gray-level is equal to the target gray-level, thereafter, generating a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage according to the first predetermined gray-level and the second predetermined gray-level for respectively driving a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel within the pixel during a frame period. The first driving voltage is greater than the second driving voltage when the equivalent gray-level is small than a first setting gray-level; the first driving voltage is small than the second driving voltage when the equivalent gray-level is greater than the first setting gray-level.
US08325118B2 Electric current driving type display device
In a pixel circuit 100, a driving TFT 110, a switching TFT 115, and an organic EL element 130 are provided between a power supply wiring line Vp and a common cathode Vcom and a capacitor 120 and a switching TFT 111 are provided between a gate terminal of the driving TFT 110 and a data line Sj. A switching TFT 112 is provided between a connection point B between the capacitor 120 and the switching TFT 111 and the power supply wiring line Vp, a switching TFT 113 is provided between the gate and drain terminals of the driving TFT 110, and a switching TFT 114 is provided between the gate terminal of the driving TFT 110 and a reference supply wiring line Vs. A potential that brings the driving TFT 110 into a conduction state is applied to the reference supply wiring line Vs. Thus, variations in the threshold voltage of a drive element can be properly compensated for and unwanted light emission from an electro-optical element can be prevented.
US08325117B2 Image display screen
Image display screen suitable for displaying image frames, at a given screen scanning frequency, comprising, light emitters, circuits for addressing the emitters each comprising, a current modulator able to supply the said emitter with current during the screen display mode, a charge capacitance able to store at each image frame a potential applied to the gate electrode of the current modulator, the potential being representative of a voltage for addressing an image datum during a screen display mode. The screen comprises a control system able to apply a bias voltage to the gate electrode of the current modulator and to the said charge capacitance, during a screen standby mode of a duration greater than the duration of an image frame, the said bias voltage having a bias inverse to the bias of the potential applied to the said charge capacitance during the screen display mode.
US08325116B2 Image display apparatus, and image display apparatus driving method
An image display apparatus including a light-emitting device of which emission luminance varies with the amount of current, a first transistor in which the amount of current between a first electrode electrically connected to the light-emitting device and a second electrode is adjusted by the potential applied to a third electrode, so as to control the amount of current in the light-emitting device, a second transistor in which the amount of current between a fourth electrode electrically connected to the first electrode and a fifth electrode electrically connected to the third electrode is adjusted by the potential applied to a sixth electrode, and a capacitor having a seventh electrode electrically connected to the third electrode and an eighth electrode.
US08325115B2 Self-luminous display apparatus, peak luminance adjustment apparatus, electronic apparatus, peak luminance adjustment method and program
A self-luminous display apparatus, a peak luminance adjustment apparatus is disclosed wherein power to be consumed by a self-luminous display panel is compulsorily suppressed to a level within a prescribed range and consequently the life of a battery is maintained. A mean gradation value calculation section calculates a mean gradation value of a video signal inputted within a period of one frame. A power consumption calculation section determines a standard peak luminance corresponding to the calculated mean gradation value and calculates a power consumption amount to be consumed based on the standard peak luminance and the calculated mean gradation value. A peak luminance adjustment section adjusts the standard peak luminance so that a total value of the power consumption to be consumed within a fixed period of time may not exceed a preset power amount.
US08325112B2 Organic light emitting display and method of driving thereof
An organic light-emitting display device and a method of driving the display device are disclosed. A pixel circuit used in the organic light-emitting display device includes a first switching transistor, a second switching transistor and a driving transistor. The first switching transistor switches a data voltage in response to a first control signal. The second switching transistor switches a compensation voltage in response to a second control signal. The driving transistor provides an electric current to an organic light-emitting device in response to the data voltage and the compensation voltage.
US08325110B2 Power supply and driver for plasma display panel
A plasma display panel having a power supply unit connected to a scan driver without a bootstrap circuit. The driver includes a power supply unit supplying a first output voltage of a first level and has a pair of output terminals, a scan driving unit comprising a first driving switch controlling the connection of one of output terminals of the power supply unit to the electrodes of the plasma display panel and a second driving switch controlling the application of a second output voltage of a second level to the electrodes of the plasma display panel, and a third driving switch that controls the connection of a power input terminal of the second output voltage of the second level to the electrodes of the plasma display panel by being connected between the power input terminal of the second output voltage of the second level and the second driving switch.
US08325109B2 Display device, display device driving method, and electronic apparatus
A display device includes a pixel array portion and a driving portion for driving the pixel array portion. The pixel array portion includes row scanning lines, column signal lines, and pixels arranged in a matrix form at intersections of the scanning lines and the signal lines. The driving portion includes a write scanner for supplying a control signal to each of the scanning lines by sequentially scanning the scanning lines in each field and a signal selector for supplying a video signal to each of the signal lines in synchronization with the sequential scanning. The pixels each includes a storage capacitor, a light-emitting element, a sampling transistor for being turned on in response to the control signal, sampling the video signal, and storing the video signal in the storage capacitor, and a drive transistor for supplying a driving current to the light-emitting element in accordance with the stored video signal.
US08325108B2 System for controlling brightness flicker of parallax barrier LCD that has wide viewing angle and method thereof
A system for controlling brightness flicker of a parallax barrier LCD having a wide viewing angle capable of minimizing brightness flicker by adjusting a permittivity curve depending on different times into a predetermined waveform when split barriers are on/off by movement of a viewer's viewing angle, and a method thereof. A method of controlling brightness flicker of a parallax barrier LCD having a wide viewing angle for controlling brightness of a display providing a stereoscopic image by acquiring a real-time image of a viewer, recognizing an image of the viewer and extracting locations and coordinates of eyes of the viewer, and controlling turn-on/off of split barrier electrodes.
US08325107B2 Wireless monitor proxy
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for optimizing the transmission of video configuration data in a system comprising a host computer and a display monitor. The invention comprises a wireless video source adapter connected to the host computer and a wireless video sink adapter connected to the monitor. Upon system startup, the video sink adapter acquires EDID information from the monitor and transmits it to the video source adapter, which does not activate its connection and indicate its presence to the host computer until after receiving the EDID information. The video source adapter then supplies the EDID information to the host computer in response to EDID requests from the computer. In this manner, the video source adapter acts as a virtual proxy for the display monitor from the point of the view of the host computer. The host computer then uses the EDID information to configure its video signal to match the parameters of the display monitor.
US08325103B2 Antenna arrangement
An apparatus such as for example an antenna sub-assembly includes a multiband antenna circuitry and feed circuitry. The multiband antenna circuitry includes a resonator; a first ground port configured to couple the resonator to a common voltage potential; and at least one reactive component disposed between the resonator and the first ground port. The feed circuitry includes: a signal feed port configured to couple to a radio; a second ground port configured to couple the feed circuitry to the common voltage potential; and a feeding element disposed between the signal feed port and the second ground port, the feeding element configured to inductively couple the feed circuitry to the antenna circuitry between the resonator and the first ground port. In some example embodiments there is a variable reactance to enable the resonator to be tunable. In those and/or other embodiments there is a second and even a third resonator for multi-band operation.
US08325102B2 Single sheet phased array
A single sheet phased array includes a flexible dielectric substrate having a first surface and an oppositely facing second surface, and a first conductive layer on the first surface and a second conductive layer on the second surface. The flexible dielectric substrate, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are patterned to form at least one feed network and a plurality of radiators directly coupled to the at least one feed network. Further, the plurality of radiators are pivotable with respect to the flexible dielectric substrate to be positioned in a direction away from the first surface or the second surface of the flexible dielectric substrate when the single sheet phased array is deployed.
US08325099B2 Methods and apparatus for coincident phase center broadband radiator
Methods and apparatus for a coincident phase center dual polarized slotline radiator. In one embodiment, a radiator includes, for each of two polarizations in a unit cell: first and second fins to provide an air transition for a signal, the radiator including a throat region between the first and second fins, a microstrip path transitioning to a slotline feed, a slotline split forming a part of the slotline feed to provide signal power division and 180 degree phase shift for rejoinder in the throat of the radiator to launch the signal into free space. In another embodiment, a four port radiator is provided.
US08325094B2 Dielectric window antennas for electronic devices
Logo antennas are provided for electronic devices such as portable computers. An electronic device may have a housing with conductive housing walls. A logo antenna may be formed from an antenna resonating element such as a patch antenna resonating element, a monopole antenna resonating element, or other antenna resonating element structure. A conductive cavity may be placed behind the antenna resonating element. A dielectric antenna window that serves as a logo may be used to cover the antenna resonating element. The dielectric antenna window may be mounted in an opening in the conductive housing walls. A positive antenna feed terminal may be coupled to the antenna resonating element. A ground antenna feed terminal may be coupled to the cavity and portions of the conductive housing walls. The dielectric antenna window may be shaped in the form of a logo.
US08325092B2 Microwave antenna
A microwave antenna having an electrically nonconductive substrate with a top and bottom side. A radiator array having a plurality of rows of radiator patches is disposed on the top side of the substrate while an input feed line and power divider network are disposed on the bottom side of the substrate. The power divider network includes a plurality of ends wherein each end is adapted for electrical connection through a via formed through the substrate to the end of its associated row in the radiator array. An electrically conductive layer is disposed over a portion of the top side of the substrate so that the electrically conductive layer overlies the power divider network and shields the power divider network from the radiator array.
US08325091B2 Dual-band antenna
A dual-band antenna includes a feeding portion, a radiating portion, a grounding portion, and an insulating support portion. The insulating support portion includes a first support wall, a second support wall, and a third support wall. The third support wall is parallel to the substrate, and perpendicularly connected to the first support wall and the second support wall, to position the radiating portion.
US08325090B2 Computer-implemented method and system for locating an indoor object
A computer-implemented method for locating an indoor object includes: a) receiving an RF coordinate signal and a detecting signal; b) providing information of a located region with reference to the RF coordinate and the detecting signal; c) obtaining a motion sensor coordinate according to the information of the located region; d) providing weights for the RF coordinate and the motion sensor coordinate; e) applying the weights to the RF coordinate and the motion sensor coordinate; and f) combining the weighted RF coordinate and the weighted motion sensor coordinate to generate a fused coordinate corresponding to the position of the indoor object. A system for locating an indoor object is also disclosed.
US08325088B2 Mobile device battery management
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. Data representing a plurality of power management profiles for a battery-operated wireless computing device are stored on the device. The power management profiles correspond to different power consumption levels. Each power management profile defines a feature for determining a geographic location of the device from among a plurality of features that are available for determining the geographic location of the device, and a frequency for employing the feature to determine the geographic location of the device. A first battery level of the device is determined. If the determined battery level is lower than a first predetermined amount, the device switches from a first power management profile having a first consumption level to a second power management profile having a second consumption level that is lower than the first consumption level.
US08325085B2 Weather radar signal processing
A method and system are described whereby a magnetron-based radar transmission signal is accurately measured, allowing for measurement of absolute phase change returns from fixed clutter targets caused by changes in the refractive index of the transmission medium.
US08325084B2 System for calibration of dual polarization radar with built-in test couplers
A calibration system for a dual polarization radar system with built in test couplers has been developed. The system includes a dual polarization radar transmitter antenna that generates a transmission pulse. A test coupler is located behind the antenna that reads a sample of the transmission pulse a test signal. A calibration circuit receives the sample of the transmission pulse and generates a test signal that simulates a desired atmospheric condition. Finally, a test antenna transmits the test signal to the dual polarization radar transmitter antenna for calibration of the system.
US08325075B2 Digital-to-analog converter of data driver and converting method thereof
A digital-to-analog converter of a data driver and a converting method thereof, in which information corresponding to a lower bit is converted into an analog signal through control of current transmission paths and control of a transconductance ratio. Input data corresponding to a lower bit is converted into an analog signal through control of current transmission paths and control of a transconductance ratio between a delta current generation section and an output buffer amplifier. As a consequence, not only the area of a data driver can be significantly reduced, but also the delta current generation section can be realized even without using a common node feedback circuit, whereby an additional increase in area is not caused.
US08325073B2 Performing enhanced sigma-delta modulation
In general, techniques are described for performing enhanced sigma-delta modulation. For example, an apparatus comprising a predictive filter unit, an amplifier, an oversampling unit and a sigma-delta modulation unit may implement the techniques. The predictive filter unit performs predictive filtering on an input signal to generate a filtered signal and computes an estimate of a predictive gain as a function of an energy of the input signal and an energy of the filtered signal. The amplifier receives the filtered signal and amplifies the filtered signal based on the predictive gain to generate an amplified signal. The oversampling unit receives the amplifies signal and performs oversampling in accordance with an oversampling rate to generate an oversampled signal. The sigma-delta modulation unit receives the oversampled signal and performs sigma-delta modulation to generate a modulated signal.
US08325072B2 Calibration circuit and method for calibrating capacitive compensation in digital-to-analog converters
A digital-to-analog converter converts a digital input signal into an analog output signal. The digital-to-analog converter includes an input selector configured to input the digital input signal and an output terminal configured to output the analog signal. An array of current source cells is provided. Each current source cell includes a current source transistor having a gate terminal and a source terminal, a current source switch for coupling the source terminal to the output terminal based on the digital input signal, and a compensation capacitor configured to compensate a capacitive feedback between the gate terminal and the source terminal when the source terminal is coupled to the output terminal. At least one of the current source cells further includes a calibration circuit configured to detect a voltage variation at the gate terminal and provide a compensation voltage for the compensation capacitor.
US08325069B2 System, method, and apparatus for a scalable processor architecture for a variety of string processing applications
Systems, methods, and apparatus for a scalable processor architecture for variety of string processing application are described. In one such apparatus, n input first in, first out (FIFO) buffer stores an input stream. A plurality of memory banks store data from the input stream. A re-configurable controller processes the input stream. And an output FIFO buffer stores the processed input stream.
US08325059B2 Method and system for cost-effective power line communications for sensor data collection
A method and system includes a solar panel. A power bus is coupled to the solar panel. The power bus supports transmission of AC communication signals. A slave node, coupled to the power bus, transmits information regarding solar panel performance. A master node, remotely coupled to the slave node over the power bus, receives the information regarding solar panel performance from the slave node.
US08325053B2 Personal fall protection monitoring system
Apparatus for monitoring compliance with the 100% tied off rule for climbers using personal fall protection equipment. The personal fall protection monitoring system includes a remote monitoring module that monitors multiple harness systems. Each harness system includes sensors that detect the engagement of the lanyard with anchorage points and the harness. The system also includes a harness module that monitors the sensors and indicates an alarm condition to the climber and to the remote monitoring module. The harness module includes a transmitter that communicates with the remote monitoring module. The remote monitoring module communicates with multiple harness systems to indicate and log the status of each harness system.
US08325051B2 Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes: a rechargeable battery that is electrically connected to a charging electric power generating device; a switch that is disposed between the rechargeable battery and the charging electric power generating device; an electric power measuring unit that measures electric power produced by the charging electric power generating device; and a charge controller that controls the switch to be turned OFF when the electric power measured by the electric power measuring unit is smaller than a first electric power threshold.
US08325050B1 Multipurpose centralized water conservation, metering, sprinkler alarm and absolute leak detector
A non-intrusive flow detector consists of an easily adjustable visible light optical sensor assembly, producing a spot of light, which attaches non-obstructively and non-invasively to a fluid flow meter. The spot of visible focused light requires less than one milli-amp. The sensor monitors dial movement of a least flow dial or wheel and generates an electrical signal representative of a flow through the meter. The signal is then transformed by a 10-bit A/D converter and further processed. The flow rate and consumption is displayed in suitable units on a LCD. The microprocessor can be programmed to detect extremely small flow rates. With an appropriate sample time programmed, a flow of a few drops per minute would be detected. This embodiment aims to provide an improved method and means for enabling a consumer to monitor consumption of a metered source. This embodiment can be utilized as a sprinkler alarm.
US08325049B2 Method and system for measuring temperature and pressure in different regions to determine steam quality
A method and apparatus for monitoring the quality of steam used in a process is disclosed. A pressure and temperature sensor is exposed to the steam on either side of an inline pressure drop device such as an orifice or pressure reducing valve. The measurements are transmitted to a controller that calculates the steam quality percentage or superheat value. An alarm is issued if the steam quality is beyond a predetermined tolerance.
US08325044B2 System and method for providing secure identification solutions
The present invention provides a method and system for verifying and tracking identification information. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for delivering security solutions is provided that includes at least one of the following: a radio frequency (RF) identification device, an identification mechanism (e.g., a card, sticker), and an RF reader.
US08325039B2 Locking device with embedded circuit board
Electrified access-control technology devices for a door, particularly electrified locks for a door, having embedded circuitry therein, and methods of making the same. One or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) having various electronic circuitry are secured inside a housing that encases an access-control device, particularly a lock, for a door. The one or more PCB(s) may be embedded on an internal surface of the housing such that the embedded PCB resides inside the housing along with the lock itself. The embedded PCB(s) avoid interference of both any working components of the lock inside the housing and any openings residing in the housing.
US08325033B2 Systems and methods for remote building security and automation
A system and method for remotely monitoring and controlling building security are provided. A controller is communicatively coupled to various security devices of a building and can communicate an activity event detected by one of the security devices to a remote user device. The controller can then establish a communication session between the remote device and a security communication device via the controller, thereby allowing the user to communicate with any visitors. Video from a security device can be transmitted by the controller to the user device or an alternative user-device. Access instructions can be provided by the user to the controller, in response to which the controller can deactivate various building security measures. Security measures can be reactivated by the controller automatically or in response to a user command. Additionally, the controller can monitor visitor compliance with the deactivated security measures and activate alarms or notify security agencies if necessary.
US08325019B2 Motion tracking techniques for RFID tags
Techniques for tracking the motion of an RFID tag using signal strength information. A single antenna of an RFID reader may be used to take a sequence of readings from an RFID tag in motion. A signal strength indicator (e.g., received signal strength indicator (RSSI)) is determined for each reading. The sequence of RSSIs is then used to estimate a path of motion of the RFID tag and the direction of motion of the RFID tag along the path.
US08325017B2 Time slot allocation apparatus and method for preventing collisions between time slots in TDMA-based RFID network
The present invention relates to a time slot allocation apparatus and method for preventing collisions between time slots in a TDMA-based RFID network. The time slot allocation apparatus allocates time slots, obtained by dividing a same frequency band into unit time slots, to RFID readers for reading identification codes of RFID tags (10) in the TDMA-based RFID network. A time slot allocation device (33a) allocates time slots required for communication with the RFID tags to a plurality of RFID readers (20) provided in the RFID network. A collision prevention device (33b) performs control such that the time slot allocation device allocates time slots to the plurality of RFID readers while distributing different and non-successive time slots to adjacent RFID readers, thus preventing collisions from occurring between time slots allocated to the RFID readers.
US08325014B1 RFID readers mitigating colored noise
An RFID reader uses an adaptive filter to mitigate the effects of colored noise in tag reply signals. The adaptive filter may be a linear equalizer, a linear-predictive canceller, or a decision-feedback equalizer. The adaptive filter estimates the colored noise portion of the signal received from the tag and removes the noise estimate from the tag signal. The adaptive filter bases its noise estimate on the difference between a desired signal and a portion of the received signal. The reader uses reader-generated training data, a CW signal, and/or portions of the tag reply signal to adapt the filter.
US08325010B2 Physical addressing for transient voltage surge suppressor modules
A multidimensional addressing network for a power system comprising a number of substantially identical modules monitoring a plurality of surge suppressors. Each module may be uniquely selected or identified based at least in part on its physical relationship with the base plates and other modules.
US08325009B2 Stand alone blue tooth enabled car door unlocker module
An unlocking device for automobiles that is able to be mounted on the interior of an automobile's rear window to facilitate reentry inside the automobile once a driver is locked out. The unlocking device is rectangular in shape and is mounted on the glass with suction cups. It is a stand alone module that is non evasive of the oem electronics of the automobile. The device is designed to receive dtmf tones from a cellphone operating in bluetooth mode. The device is universal in nature in that it is designed to enable unlocking for any automobile manufacturer's vehicle that uses an oem keyfob transmitter.
US08325008B2 Simplified method and apparatus for programming a universal transmitter
A universal transmitter capable of transmitting a plurality of signals at a plurality of different modulations and frequencies which provides a simplified programming setup so that multiple signal configurations (including code format, modulation format and frequency) can be programmed quickly and easily. The transmitter comprises a signal configuration input which an operator can use to select a desired signal configuration for transmission, a controller for interpreting the selected signal configuration, storing it to memory, retrieving it when the appropriate user input is depressed, and outputting it to a transmitter circuit capable of transmitting the selected signal configuration received from the controller at a predetermined modulation and frequency, and at least one user input for actuating the transmitter and identifying to the controller what signal configuration is to be transmitted by the transmitter.
US08325006B2 Chip resistor and method of making the same
A chip resistor includes a substrate, a pair of electrode elements, a resistive layer, and a protective layer. The substrate is insulating and includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and a thickness defined between the first and second surface. The electrode elements are formed on the first and spaced apart. The resistive layer is formed on the first surface and electrically connected to the electrode elements. The protective layer to covers the resistive layer. The first surface faces toward a mounting target, on which the chip resistor is mounted. Each of the electrode elements comprises an electrode layer and a conductive layer formed on the electrode layer. The boundary between the electrode layer and the conductive layer in each of the electrode elements is positioned closer to the substrate than the end surface of the protective layer in the thickness direction of the substrate.
US08325005B2 Surface mounted chip resistor with flexible leads
A chip resistor having first and second opposite ends includes a rigid insulated substrate having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, a first electrically conductive termination pad and a second electrically conductive termination pad, both termination pads on the top surface of the rigid insulated substrate, a layer of resistive material between the first and second electrically conductive termination pads, and a first and a second flexible lead, each made of an electrically conductive metal with a solder enhancing coating. The first flexible lead attached and electrically connected to the first electrically conductive termination pad and the second flexible lead attached and electrically connected to the second electrically conductive termination pad. Each of the flexible leads has a plurality of lead sections facilitating bending around the end of the chip resistor.
US08325001B2 Interleaved three-dimensional on-chip differential inductors and transformers
Interleaved three-dimensional (3D) on-chip differential inductors 110, 120 and transformer 100 are disclosed. The interleaved 3D on-chip differential inductors 110, 120 and transformer 100 make the best use of multiple metal layers in mainstream standard processes, such as CMOS, BiCMOS and SiGe technologies.
US08324996B2 Printed circuit board embedded relay
According to one exemplary embodiment, an electromechanical relay may be described. The relay can be constructed using printed circuit board (PCB) construction, and can have at least a pair of coils, for example one on the top of or above the PCB, the other on the bottom of or below the PCB, at least two ferromagnetic cores, one of which can be set at the center of each coil, at least a set of contacts which can be on the surface of the printed circuit board, a spacer which can be set between the coils, and a magnet which can be set within the spacer.
US08324995B1 Starter magnet switch and manufacturing method of the same
A starter magnet switch includes: a solenoid; an inner iron core fixed to the solenoid; a plunger attracted to the inner iron core by a magnetic field generated when the solenoid is energized; a rod starting to move when the plunger comes into contact therewith; a movable contact attached to an insulating member loose-fit to the rod; an immovable contact with which the movable contact comes into contact when the rod moves; a contact spring pressing the movable contact against the immovable contact; and a stopper receiving a biasing force of the contact spring via the insulating member, the movable contact, and an insulating washer. The stopper is fixed to the rod by subjecting a tip end of the rod to deformation and caulking. It thus becomes possible to obtain a long-life starter magnet switch by suppressing wear and deformation of parts.
US08324984B2 Variable bandwidth tunable silicon duplexer
A tunable duplexer using voltage-controlled varactors is presented. The center frequency, the pass band, and the stop band are each tunable to meet system requirements. A calibration circuit driving digital to analog converters produces the necessary voltages used in the resonant circuits. The tunable duplexer can be fabricated on a single silicon chip. On-chip transformers can be used to reduce the voltage level of signals in the filters to improve the linearity of the duplexer.
US08324981B2 Composite balun
A composite balun includes a plurality of baluns, at least one capacitor, a ground terminal, and a DC voltage supply terminal. The plurality of baluns and the capacitor are built into a single chip. Each of the baluns includes first to fourth connection lines, a first balanced terminal, a second balanced terminal, and an unbalanced terminal. The first connection line is connected at one end to the unbalanced terminal. The second connection line is connected at one end to the other end of the first connection line. The third connection line is electromagnetically coupled to the first connection line and connected at one end to the first balanced terminal and at the other end to the DC voltage supply terminal. The fourth connection line is electromagnetically coupled to the second connection line and connected at one end to the second balanced terminal and at the other end to the DC voltage supply terminal. The capacitor is connected at one end to the DC voltage supply terminal and led at the other end to said ground terminal.
US08324978B2 Crystal oscillator clock circuit
A crystal oscillator clock circuit which facilitates switching its output between an internally generated clock signal and an externally generated clock signal. A feedback loop detects the presence of an externally generated clock signal applied to an output pin of a crystal oscillator circuit and powers down the internally generated clock signal. As a result, the crystal oscillator clock circuit simply passes the externally generated clock signal as its output signal.
US08324976B2 Oscillator circuitry having negative differential resistance
Circuitry is provided that closely emulates biological neural responses. Two astable multivibrator circuits (AMCs), each including a negative differential resistance device, are coupled in series-circuit relationship. Each AMC is characterized by a distinct voltage-dependant time constant. The circuitry exhibits oscillations in electrical current when subjected to a voltage equal to or greater than a threshold value. Various oscillating waveforms can be produced in accordance with voltages applied to the circuitry.
US08324974B1 Regulating power consumption of digital circuitry using a multi-layer ring oscillator
A computing device is disclosed comprising digital circuitry fabricated on a multi-layer integrated circuit including a first layer and a second layer, and a multi-layer ring oscillator operable to generate a propagation delay frequency representing a propagation delay of the integrated circuit, wherein the multi-layer ring oscillator comprises a first interconnect fabricated on the first layer and a second interconnect fabricated on the second layer. The propagation delay frequency is compared to a reference frequency to generate a frequency error, and at least one of a supply voltage and a clocking frequency applied to the digital circuitry is adjusted in response to the frequency error.
US08324973B2 Low output impedance RF amplifier
A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier includes a low impedance pre-driver driving the input of a common-source output amplifier stage. The preamplifier includes a first transistor that has a first terminal coupled to a preamplifier RF input node, a second terminal coupled to a preamplifier RF output node, and a third terminal coupled to a supply voltage node. A first inductor is coupled between the RF output node and a bias voltage node. A voltage difference between respective first and second voltages on the RF input node and the RF output node that are substantially in phase, determines current through the first transistor.
US08324958B2 Redundancy circuits
In one embodiment, a redundancy circuit may include a comparison unit configured to record a first repair address through fuse cutting, compare a comparison address with the first repair address, and output a comparison result signal; a first fuse enable unit configured to output a first fuse enable signal for repairing the first repair address; a second fuse enable unit configured to output a second fuse enable signal for repairing a second repair address; a first determination unit configured to output a first repair determination signal in response to receipt of the first fuse enable signal and the comparison result signal; and a second determination unit configured to output a second repair determination signal in response to receipt of an inverted signal of a value of the comparison result signal corresponding to the certain bit, remaining bits, and the second fuse enable signal.
US08324957B2 Capacitively coupled switched current source
A current source is switchable between two precisely defined output currents. A terminal of a coupling capacitor is coupled to the gate of an output MOSFET. The other terminal of the capacitor is switched between two reference voltages to toggle the output MOSFET to output the selected one of the two currents. A switchable bias voltage source is coupled to the gate only during the on state of the output MOSFET to set the gate voltage of the output MOSFET. The current output of the current source is quickly and accurately changed. A reference MOSFET is not directly coupled to the output MOSFET, so there are no slow settling components coupled to the gate of the output MOSFET.
US08324954B2 Voltage level shifter and buffer using same
A voltage level shifter with an input transistor pair, a cross-coupled load chain transistor pair and a pair of current sources, effects reduced power consumption through the use of the cross-coupled load chain transistor pair to minimize the DC current component present in known voltage level shifters. In specific embodiments, feedback elements may be used to minimize delays in signal transitions. A reference voltage that corresponds to a current capability of the input transistor pair may be used to regulate the current sources in the load chain. Changes in a swing of the input signal voltage received by the input transistor pair may be reflected in corresponding changes to the reference voltage. The voltage level shifter may be of particular use in a buffer.
US08324951B1 Dual data rate flip-flop circuit
A dual data rate flip-flop circuit for reducing single event upset errors in the flip-flop circuit including two or more latch circuits connected in parallel. The latch circuits each have a clock input, data input, and latch circuit output. The dual data rate flip-flop circuit also includes a C-element, which has a plurality of inputs and a C-element output. The outputs of the latch circuits are provided to inputs of the C-element, and a keeper circuit is connected to the C-element output. An output buffer inverter connects to the C-element output and has an output corresponding to the dual data rate flip-flop circuit output.
US08324950B2 Schmitt trigger circuit operated based on pulse width
There are provided a Schmitt trigger circuit that has hysteresis characteristics in which a release point and an operating point are determined based on a width of an inputted pulse. The Schmitt trigger circuit may include a signal/pulse conversion unit that receives an analog signal to generate an input pulse having a width corresponding to a magnitude of the analog signal, a pulse width determination unit that compares the width of the input pulse generated in the signal/pulse conversion unit with a predetermined first threshold width and a second threshold width greater than the first threshold width to output state information indicating the compared result, and an output determination unit that outputs a high signal, when the width of the input pulse is changed from a state of being smaller than the second threshold width to a state of being greater than the second threshold width based on the state information, and outputs a low signal when the width of the input pulse is changed from a state of being greater than the first threshold width to a state of being smaller than the first threshold width based on the state information.
US08324949B2 Adaptive quadrature correction for quadrature clock path deskew
Quadrature clocking schemes are widely used in modern communications systems, but often suffer from phase imbalance. Conventional solutions that attempt to address this phase imbalance, however, are generally large and use a substantial amount of power. Here, however, a correction circuit is provided that can locally correct for phase imbalance without the need for bulky and high power consuming circuitry.
US08324948B1 Method and apparatus for duty-cycle correction with reduced current consumption
A method and apparatus for duty-cycle correction with reduced current consumption have been described.
US08324947B2 Output apparatus and test apparatus
Provided is an output apparatus that outputs an output signal corresponding to an input signal, comprising a plurality of drivers that each output an intermediate signal having a waveform corresponding to the input signal; an adding section that adds together the intermediate signals output from the drivers and outputs the result as the output signal; and a control section that controls a difference in delay amount, which is from when the input signal begins to change to when the intermediate signal begins to change, among the drivers according to a designated slew rate.
US08324943B1 High voltage linear amplifier driving heavy capacitive loads with reduced power dissipation
A capacitive load drive circuit may comprise a high current drive amplifier configured to be coupled to a capacitive load during a high current ramp up of the voltage across the capacitive load to a cut off voltage; a low current drive amplifier configured to be connected to the capacitive load during a low current ramp up of the voltage across the capacitive load, from the cut off voltage to a maximum voltage across the capacitive load; and the high current drive amplifier configured to be connected to the capacitive load during a high current ramp down of the voltage across the capacitive load. The low current drive amplifier may be connected to the capacitive load during a period of steady state of the voltage across the capacitive load, intermediate the low current ramp up and the high current ramp down.
US08324942B2 Clock signal amplification circuit, control method thereof, and clock signal distribution circuit
In an exemplary aspect of the invention, a clock signal amplifier circuit includes an amplifier circuit, a first switch part, and a second switch part. The amplifier circuit amplifies a clock signal. The first switch part controls ON/OFF of the amplifier circuit according to a select signal. The second switch part opens and closes complementarily to the first switch part according to the select signal. The amplifier circuit receives a test clock signal used in a test mode operation state through the second switch part. Further, the amplifier circuit outputs a signal generated by amplifying an input signal serving as the clock signal, or the test clock signal, according to the select signal.
US08324941B2 Method and apparatus for time-differential comparison of an analog signal
A time-differential analog comparator is disclosed. An example apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a source of a variable frequency signal having a frequency responsive to an analog input. A counting circuit is coupled to count cycles of the variable frequency signal. The counting circuit is coupled to count in a first direction for a first time interval and is coupled to count in a second direction opposite to the first direction for a second time interval that occurs after an end of the first time interval. The counting circuit outputs a digital count signal and an evaluation circuit is coupled to generate a decision signal in response to the digital count signal after an end of the second time interval. The first time interval is not equal to the second time interval to generate an offset in the decision signal.
US08324940B2 Nanowire circuits in matched devices
An inverter device includes a first nanowire connected to a voltage source node and a ground node, a first p-type field effect transistor (pFET) device having a gate disposed on the first nanowire, and a first n-type field effect transistor (nFET) device having a gate disposed on the first nanowire.
US08324937B2 Methods for differential pair conductor routing in a logic circuit
Methods for differential pair conductor routing in a logic circuit. One embodiment includes a method for differential pair conductor routing in a logic circuit, by routing conductors of a first line width to obtain a first routing for a first logic library, wherein vertical and horizontal paths are separated such that vertical and horizontal conductors do not short, wherein connections between the vertical and horizontal paths are provided by vias, separating conductor paths in the first routing into differential paths by splitting the conductors of a first line width into spaced parallel conductors of a second line width, where the second line width is smaller than the first line width, separating the vias into pairs of vias, and replacing the first logic library with a differential logic library.
US08324936B2 Transmitter and receiver of differential current driving mode, and interface system of differential current driving mode including the same
Differential current driving type transmitter and receiver, and an interface system having the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter includes a current source, a current direction selecting block, and a balancing switch block. The current source sources currents to a pair of transmission lines or sinks currents flowing through the pair of transmission lines. The current direction selecting block transfers a current flowing from the current source to one transmission line of the pair of transmission lines and a current flowing through the other transmission line of the pair of transmission lines to the current source. The balancing switch block initializes the pair of transmission lines to a balanced state.
US08324932B2 High-speed static XOR circuit
A static complementary transistor type logic gate circuit includes a plurality of input terminals for receiving a corresponding plurality of input signals, and an output terminal. The logic gate circuit further includes a first plurality of transistors of one conductivity type, arranged to form a plurality of pullup paths for selectively connecting the output terminal, through one or more intermediate nodes, to a positive supply voltage based on the plurality of input signals; and a second plurality of transistors of the complementary conductivity type, arranged to form a plurality of pulldown paths for selectively connecting the output terminal, through one or more intermediate nodes, to a negative supply voltage based on the plurality of input signals. A precharge device is configured to selectively charge an intermediate node to the far-side supply voltage when the intermediate node is disconnected from the near-side supply voltage and disconnected from the output terminal.
US08324931B2 Configuration context switcher with a latch
Some embodiments provide an IC with configuration context switchers. The IC includes several configurable circuits, each of which configurably performs one of several operations at any given time, based on the configuration data set that it receives at that time. The IC includes several storage circuits for storing several configuration data sets for each of the configurable circuits. The IC also includes a context switching interconnect circuit for switchably connecting the configurable circuit to different sets of storage circuits to receive different sets of configuration data sets. The context switcher includes one or more stages for re-timing the data coming from the configuration storage elements. The stages can include interconnect circuitry or storage circuitry. Some embodiments build one of the stages in the configuration data storage elements. Some embodiments encode the configuration data bits and hence utilize a decoder in the context switcher to decode the encoded configuration data.
US08324930B1 Methods of implementing output ports and an integrated circuit having programmable output ports
A method of implementing output ports of a programmable integrated circuit is disclosed. The method comprises coupling control signals to predetermined output ports of the integrated circuit; setting, by the control signals, initial output values of the predetermined output ports during programming of the programmable integrated circuit; and enabling normal operation of the predetermined output ports after the programming of the programmable integrated circuit. An integrated circuit having programmable output ports is also disclosed.
US08324929B1 Integrated circuit with reconfigurable inputs/outputs
An integrated circuit device can include a core section coupled to a plurality of signal paths having a predetermined physical order with respect to one another. A configuration circuit can selectively connect each signal path to a corresponding one of a plurality of physical connection points to the IC device according to one of at least two different physical orders in response to configuration information.
US08324923B2 Vertical probe array arranged to provide space transformation
Improved probing of closely spaced contact pads is provided by an array of vertical probes having all of the probe tips aligned along a single contact line, while the probe bases are arranged in an array having two or more rows parallel to the contact line. With this arrangement of probes, the probe base thickness can be made greater than the contact pad spacing along the contact line, thereby advantageously increasing the lateral stiffness of the probes. The probe tip thickness is less than the contact pad spacing, so probes suitable for practicing the invention have a wide base section and a narrow tip section.
US08324922B2 Selective core functional and bypass circuitry
An integrated circuit includes switching circuits for selectively connecting the bond pads to functional core logic and isolating the bond pads from second conductors, and the switch circuits for selectively connecting the bond pads to the second conductors to provide bi-directional connections between the bond pads on opposite sides of the substrate and isolating the bond pads from the functional core logic.
US08324921B2 Testing of a photovoltaic panel
A method for testing a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module. The electronic module has at least one input attached to the photovoltaic panel and at least one power output. The method of testing the photovoltaic panel begins with activating a bypass of the electronic module. The bypass is preferably activated by applying a magnetic or an electromagnetic field. The bypass provides a low impedance path between the input and output of the electronic module.
US08324919B2 Scrub inducing compliant electrical contact
The contact assembly having a contact member with a contact tip positioned within holes in a test socket or probe plate wherein the contact tip or the hole in the probe plate or test socket has a cam surface to provide lateral movement of the contact tip across a surface of a test location during compression of the contact member to induce scrubbing on the surface of the test site.
US08324917B2 Logic applying serial test bits to scan paths in parallel
An integrated circuit (70) having parallel scan paths (824-842, 924-942) includes a pair or pairs of scan distributor (800,900) and scan collector (844,944) circuits. The scan paths apply stimulus test data to functional circuits (702) on the integrated circuit and receive response test data from the functional circuits. A scan distributor circuit (800) receives serial test data from a peripheral bond pad (802) and distributes it to each parallel scan path. A scan collector circuit (844) collects test data from the parallel scan paths and applies it to a peripheral bond pad (866). This enables more parallel scan paths of shorter length to connect to the functional circuits. The scan distributor and collector circuits can be respectively connected in series to provide parallel connections to more parallel scan paths. Additionally multiplexer circuits (886,890) can selectively connect pairs of scan distributor and collector circuits together. The scan distributor and collector circuits can be formed in core circuits (704). The core circuits then can be connected to other core circuits and functional circuits with simple connections to the parallel scan circuits through the scan distributor and collector circuits.
US08324916B2 Electro-optical device
An electro-optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of unit circuits that includes a plurality of scanning lines, a plurality of data lines and electro-optical elements provided corresponding to intersecting regions of the scanning lines and the data lines and is formed in a display region of the substrate, a plurality of pixel circuits that includes electro-optical elements and is formed in the display region and a sealing member that seals the electro-optical elements of the plurality of pixel circuits formed in the display region and is attached to the substrate, wherein a test circuit is formed between an attaching region at which the sealing member is attach to the substrate and the display region.
US08324914B2 Systems and methods for characterizing a molecule
Techniques for characterizing a molecule are described herein. In one example, a portion of the molecule is trapped in a nanopore, a variable voltage is applied across the nanopore until the trapped portion of molecule is moved within the nanopore, and the molecule is characterized based on the electrical stimulus required to affect movement of at least a portion of the trapped portion of the molecule within the nanopore.
US08324913B2 Moisture sensor and method for measuring moisture of a gas-phase medium
The invention relates to a moisture sensor which comprises a receiving area on its surface for a moisture film, the layer thickness of which is dependent on the relative humidity in the surrounding of the receiving area. The moisture sensor has a signal source which is connected to at least one control electrode at at least one infeed, the electrode abutting the receiving area, for providing a control voltage to the moisture film. The moisture sensor comprises at least one potential sensor which has at least one sensor area, under the receiving area, which is spaced apart from the at least one infeed. The sensor area is electrically insulated from the receiving area by an insulation layer, located between the sensor area and the receiving area, in such a way that an electrical potential can be capacitively detected by means of the potential sensor, the potential being dependent on the layer thickness of the moisture film and the control voltage.
US08324908B2 Electrical connection defect detection device
An electrical connection defect detection device to detect whether an electrical connection between an under-test pin of an under-test device and a signal line of a circuit board is normal is provided. The electrical connection defect detection device comprises a signal provider providing a test signal to the under-test pin through the signal line, a detection module and an electrode board comprising a detection surface and at least one array of through holes. The detection surface contacts a surface of the under-test device to make the detection module detect a capacitance value associated with the electrode board, the under-test pin and the signal line larger than a threshold value when their connection is normal. The through holes are placed along the edges of the electronic board and are electrically connected to a ground potential to perform a capacitive shielding.
US08324905B2 Automatic variable gain amplifier
An automatic variable gain amplifier is provided. The automatic variable gain amplifier automatically adjusts the amplification of a signal, and in one embodiment, an ion signal, based on the amplitude of the peaks of the signal. The automatic variable gain amplifier detects the peaks of the signal, compares them to a threshold value, and, based on this comparison, varies the amount by which the signal is amplified. The automatic variable gain amplifier produces a composite output waveform for an input waveform with an amplitude that may vary over a plurality of orders of magnitude.
US08324897B2 Digital NMR signal processing systems and methods
In some embodiments, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) receiver using digital downconversion and subsampling tracks transmit and/or receive signal phases according to time(s) elapsed since reference times (e.g. reset times) corresponding to known phases. Carrier-frequency (fc) NMR signals are digitized directly, using a sampling frequency (fs) lower than fc. Digital downconversion and carrier phase correction are performed to yield NMR modulations of interest. A phase determination circuit may include an N-bit counter incremented at fs and an associated count register storing an indicator of a time elapsed since a carrier generator reset for each transient sampling period start, A real-time controller synchronously resets the counters and corresponding signal generators. A sin/cos lookup table maps counts to phase correction function values. Described exemplary systems and methods allow applying phase correction(s) to detected NMR signals to compensate for system changes such as transmitter or downconverter NCO resets or carrier frequency changes.
US08324896B2 Preallocatable transmission data memory element of an MR transmission unit in array applications
Optimized transmission system for an MRT is achieved by a device and a method to generate transmission signals (29) via multiple transmission units of a transmission system for a magnetic resonance tomography system, wherein transmission data are respectively received from the transmission units via a transmission data input, received transmission data are stored in transmission data memory elements of the transmission units, transmission signals representing stored transmission data are generated with transmission data (stored in transmission data memory elements) by transmission signal transmission units of the transmission units, and the generation of transmission signals proceeds simultaneously via the transmission signal transmission units.
US08324892B2 Absolute encoder and method for generating an absolute value for a angle of rotation
An electric motor (10) has: a stator (12) and a rotor (14) having a shaft (87). The rotor (14) has a sensor magnet (82) having a number SP of sensor poles (71, 72, 73, 74) for generating a predetermined distribution of the magnetic flux density, such that SP=2, 4, 6, 8, etc. The motor also has at least two rotor position sensors (450, 455, 460, 465) for generating rotor position signals (B_S1, B_S2) characterizing the magnetic flux density, the rotor position sensors (450, 455, 460, 465) being arranged in the region (30) of the circumference of the sensor magnet (82). The motor also has an evaluation apparatus (32) that ascertains, from the rotor position signals (B_S1, B_S2), an absolute value (phi_el, phi_mech) for the rotational position of the rotor (14). A method of generating an absolute value for the rotational position of an electric motor is likewise described.
US08324891B2 Magnetic field sensor for measuring a direction of a magnetic field in a plane
A magnetic field sensor includes a sensing structure having a ring-shaped well, a plurality of contacts of equal size disposed along the ring-shaped well, a circuit having a plurality of electronic switches associated with the contacts of the sensing structure, a logic block for controlling the electronic switches, at least one current source, a voltage measuring device, a timing circuit providing a control signal for controlling the logic and providing a reference signal, wherein the logic block is configured to switch the switches under the control of the control signal so that a predetermined number of contacts of the plurality of contacts form a vertical Hall element supplied with current from the at least one current source and having two contacts connected to the voltage measuring device and circuitry configured to measure a phase shift between the reference signal and an output signal of the voltage measuring device.
US08324880B2 Power converting system with function of reducing dead-time
A driving circuit includes a dead-time detecting circuit, a duty-cycle controlling circuit, and a switch controlling circuit. The dead-time detecting circuit is coupled to an output of a power switch set for detecting a switching voltage on the output of the power switch set and accordingly outputting a dead-time detecting signal. The output of the power switch set is coupled to the first end of an inductive load, and the second end of the inductive load provides an output voltage. The duty-cycle controlling circuit is coupled to the second end of the inductive load for generating a set/reset signal according to the output voltage. The switch controlling circuit controls the power switch set to be away from a dead state according to the set/reset signal and the dead-time detecting signal.
US08324878B2 Voltage regulator with gate resistor for improved efficiency
A voltage regulator includes an active control switch, an active sync switch, a driver circuit, and a gate resistor. The active control switch is coupled between an input voltage line and an input of an energy storage device. The active sync switch is coupled to the input of the energy storage device. The driver circuit is coupled to the control and sync switches to alternately drive each of the control and sync switches into a conducting state to produce a regulated voltage at an output of the energy storage device. The gate resistor is coupled in series within a control path of the sync switch. The gate resistor has a resistance value that is tuned to reduce an anticipated dead time between a turn-off time of the sync switch and a turn-on time of the control switch.
US08324872B2 Voltage regulator with coupled inductors having high coefficient of coupling
A voltage regulator including at least one coupled inductor including a first winding and a second winding each having a polarity. The first winding and the second winding connected in series to form a common node such that the first winding and the second winding have the same polarity. The first winding and the second winding having a coefficient of coupling approximately equal to one. A conduction switch having an on-state and an off-state, to controllably conduct an input voltage to the at least one coupled inductor at a switching frequency. A freewheeling switch having an on-state and an off-state, in communication with the common node of the at least one coupled inductor to provide a path for current when the conduction switch is in the off-state. An output capacitor in communication with the at least one coupled inductor to filter the output voltage.
US08324870B1 Adaptive current limit for power factor correction
In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing power factor correction is provided. A power factor corrector includes an input configured to sense a current from an input circuit. A reference generator generates a current limit based on an input voltage. The current limit reference is dynamically changed based on the input voltage. A control signal generator controls the current in the input circuit based on a comparison of the current and the generated current limit.
US08324869B2 Method and apparatus for average current control
A method and apparatus for controlling a converter circuit within the electrical accumulator unit based on a comparison between an actual average converter current and a desired average converter current.
US08324868B2 Power source with temperature sensing
A modular and scalable power source can be used to supplement and/or replace existing sources of power. In some embodiments, a DC source can be used to charge a battery in a host system, provide power as a back-up system, or be a primary source of power. The power source includes a set of battery units and one or more circuits that provide an alternative signal path around the battery units if the battery units are at a particular charge level. Temperature sensors are used to turn off or otherwise adjust the alternative signal paths if the temperatures of the alternative signal paths become too high.
US08324862B2 Charge redistribution circuit
A charge redistribution circuit (2) for an energy storage unit (1) with several storage elements (4) which are connected in series comprises several charge redistribution control units (5) for monitoring and redistributing the load, each of which is assigned an energy storage sub-group (3) of storage elements (4). The charge redistribution control units (5) take the energy used for their own supply in each case from the sub-group (3) assigned to them, and are thus supplied with a voltage which is higher than the voltage of the individual storage element (4) and lower than the voltage of the energy storage unit (1). The charge redistribution circuit (2) is established in such a manner that a monitoring and—when necessary a charge redistribution is achieved for each individual storage element (4).
US08324855B2 Fan control system
A fan control system includes a temperature detecting circuit and a rotation rate control circuit. The detecting circuit includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a thermistor. The rotation rate control circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The detecting circuit detects temperature and outputs a voltage signal. The rotation rate control circuit receives the voltage signal and controls the rotation rate of the fan according to the voltage signal.
US08324852B2 Motor position detecting method, motor driving unit, and pump
It is an object to detect the axial position of a rotor without using a sensor. A method for detecting the position of a motor including a rotor and a stator around which armature windings of a plurality of phases are wound is provided, wherein a position detecting coil is disposed on one axial end face of a stator core, an induced voltage generated in the position detecting coil is detected, and the axial position of the rotor is detected on the basis of the detection result.
US08324851B2 Method for determining a rotor position in a permanent magnet motor
A method for determining the position of a rotor in a permanent magnet synchronous motor includes applying voltage pulses to the windings at successive electrical angles while the motor is at a standstill. The resultant current is sampled. The position of a maximum current is determined by identifying an segment of an electrical cycles which includes the maximum current, and using a spline interpolation to model the current flow in this segment. The maximum current is then correlated to the position of the rotor.
US08324850B2 Motor driver
A motor driver according to the invention comprises (i) an energizing unit supplying drive voltage and drive current to a motor including a moving body and coils, (ii) a speed-position detector detecting a drive speed of the motor and a position of the moving body to output a speed position signal including drive-speed information and position information. The motor driver also includes (iii) a reference signal generator outputting a reference signal, (iv) a phase signal generator using the speed-position signal, the reference signal, and a set signal to output a phase signal indicating a phase of the supplied drive voltage, and (v) a waveforms generator using the position information and the phase signal to output a control signal to the energizing unit. A phase of the supplied drive voltage is regulated to be proportional to the drive speed, wherein a degree of the proportion is set by the set signal.
US08324846B2 Electric drive retarding system and method
A retarding system for an electric drive machine (100) includes a direct current (DC) link (312), at which a DC voltage is developed, disposed between a rectifier (206) and an inverter (208). A first contactor switch (216) electrically communicates with a first rail of the DC link (312), and a second contactor switch (216) electrically communicates with a second rail of the DC link (312). A first resistor grid (214) is connected in series between the first contactor switch (216) and the second contactor switch (216). The first resistor grid (214) dissipates electrical energy in the form of heat by conducting a current between the first rail and the second rail of the DC link (312) when the first contactor switch (216) and the second contactor switch (216) are closed.
US08324842B2 Furniture drive with a drive unit
A furniture drive has a drive unit including an electric motor and a roller that is rotatable about an axis, the roller having a surface for attaching or winding up a flexible force transmission member. The radial distance of the surface changes in the rotational direction of the roller for forming at least one control cam for the force transmission member.
US08324837B2 Parallel light-emitting circuit of parallel LED light-emitting device and circuit board thereof
A circuit board of a parallel light-emitting circuit of parallel LED light-emitting device has an electrical insulation board, two wire patterns and at least two power wires. The two wire patterns are oppositely formed on the electrical insulation board. Each wire pattern is connected to the corresponding power wire and has a matrix main loop having closed loops and a plurality of sub-wires formed inside the corresponding closed loop. A plurality of LEDs are respectively mounted on the corresponding closed loop and electrically connect with the two sub-wires of the two wire patterns. When a DC power supply is inputted to the power wires, a current of the DC power supply uniformly flows through the matrix main loop and the sub-wires, so that the LEDs electrically connected to the corresponding sub-wires receive approximately equal current to further emit light with uniform brightness.
US08324829B2 Startup control for a high pressure discharge lamp ballast
A high pressure discharge lamp ballast is provided with a control operation for stable transition from a lamp ignition mode into a preheating mode. An inverter is coupled across a DC source and has a plurality of switching elements coupled to the high pressure discharge lamp. A series resonant LC circuit is coupled to the inverter outputs and to the high pressure discharge lamp. A control circuit is coupled to the switching elements and configured to control switching operation. An ignition mode has one or more time periods during each of which a driving frequency of the switching elements is swept through a predetermined range of frequencies and then controlled at a first driving frequency less than the predetermined range of frequencies. A preheating mode follows wherein the switching elements are controlled at a second driving frequency less than the predetermined range of frequencies.
US08324826B2 Method and device for composing a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description and lighting atmosphere composition system
The invention relates to composing a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description for example a lighting atmosphere specified in XML, wherein the lighting atmosphere is generated by several lighting devices, by automatically rendering the desired lighting atmosphere from the abstract description. The abstract description describes the type of light with certain lighting parameters desired at certain semantic locations at certain semantic times. This abstract atmosphere description is automatically transferred to a specific instance of a lighting system (14, 16, 18). The invention has the main advantage that it allows to create light scenes and lighting atmospheres at a high level of abstraction without requiring the definition of a lighting atmosphere or scene by setting the intensity, color, etc. for single lighting units or devices which can be very time consuming and cumbersome, particularly with large and complex lighting systems comprising many lighting devices.
US08324819B2 Electric appliance control
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an electric appliance control for turning off an electric appliance operating in an indoor space, the electric appliance control comprising: a light sensor, for continuously sensing the light intensity in the indoor space; a fall detector, for detecting a fall in the light intensity sensed by the light sensor, wherein the fall being a negative relative change in light intensity during a period of hundredths of second; a switch, for disconnecting the electrical power supply to the electric appliance; and a control unit, for activating the switch to disconnect the power supply upon detecting a fall in light intensity by the fall detector.
US08324809B2 Strong power compact microwave tube
A microwave tube including: a) an electron gun capable of producing a beam of electrons in the form of a hollow axisymmetrical cylinder in repetitive operation; and b) a body in which the beam is intended to propagate, the body ending with a collector and being provided with means for applying an axial magnetic field for guiding the beam and, upstream from the collector, with a resonant structure crossed by the beam, intended to group the electrons into a succession of packets (P). The resonant structure is formed with two coupled cavities which follow along the axis (Z) of the beam, the coupling being achieved via an inter-cavity region crossed by the beam, this structure having axial symmetry the axis of which is that of the beam and being dimensioned so that the transformation of the electrons in packets is accomplished at a frequency which is that of the π resonant mode of the resonant structure.
US08324807B2 Photomultiplier tube for collecting photoelectrons from a photocathode covering a whole inner surface of a vacuum container
A photomultiplier tube including a photocathode, an electron multiplier, an electron collector, and a power lead, wherein the photocathode and the electron multiplier are disposed in a sealed transparent vacuum envelope, the electron collector and the power lead are connected with an external circuit outside the vacuum envelope, the photocathode is formed on the entire inner surface of the vacuum envelope, and the electron multiplier is located on the internal center of the vacuum envelope to receive photoelectrons from the photocathode in all directions for electrons multiplication. Because the effective photocathode area is increased, the detection efficiency of unit light-receiving area is improved.
US08324801B2 Organic electroluminescence element
An organic electroluminescence element is provided with a first electrode composed of a transparent electrode or a semi-transparent electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; and at least one organic layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The organic electroluminescence device is further provided with an auxiliary electrode, which is electrically connected to the first electrode, composed of a material having a lower electrical resistance value compared with that of the first electrode and has an opening. The auxiliary electrode is formed on the surface of the first electrode to have an area fixed based on a lattice point specified by a quasi-periodic two-dimensional arrangement as the opening section.
US08324797B2 White light emitting diode and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a white LED including a reflector cup; an LED chip mounted on the bottom surface of the reflector cup; transparent resin surrounding the LED chip; a phosphor layer formed on the transparent resin; and a light transmitting layer that is inserted into the surface of the phosphor layer so as to form an embossing pattern on the surface, the light transmitting layer transmitting light, incident from the phosphor layer, in the upward direction.
US08324788B2 Piezoelectric power generator
A piezoelectric power generator having a first elastic body which deforms along a first direction when subject to a stress, and a power-generating element. The power-generating element includes a second elastic body and a piezoelectric element. The second elastic body includes a fixing portion and an abutting portion. The fixing portion is fixed to the first elastic body. The abutting portion is arranged on one side in a first direction with respect to the fixing portion. The abutting portion abuts against the first elastic body, but is not fixed to the first elastic body. At least one of the first elastic body and the second elastic body is provided with a slippage suppression mechanism that suppresses slipping of the abutting portion with respect to the first elastic body when the first elastic body is deformed.
US08324785B2 Piezoelectric actuators
Piezoelectric actuators are provided. In some instances, the piezoelectric actuators are high-precision piezoelectric actuators. The piezoelectric beams may have a bi-chevron configuration. Also provided are methods of making the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., using Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) fabrication techniques, and methods of using the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., as valves in fluid dispensing systems.
US08324784B2 Method for tuning a resonant frequency of a piezoelectric component
A method for tuning a resonant frequency of a piezoelectric component is disclosed. The piezoelectric component includes a transducer extending in three spatial directions. The resonant frequency depends on an extension in at least one of the spatial directions and/or on a material-dependent elasticity modulus. The transducer includes a layered structure with at least two first electrodes and at least one second electrode, which is disposed between the two first electrodes. In the method, a DC voltage is applied to at least one of the at least two first electrodes and the at least one second electrode, so that a change of the resonant frequency results due to a change to the extension in the one spatial direction and the elasticity modulus. A control voltage with an excitation frequency is applied, the excitation frequency substantially corresponding to the modified resonant frequency. This generates a vibration of the piezoelectric component.
US08324782B2 Rotary electric machine
A bobbin is mounted to a rotor such that a rotation arresting portion is housed in a space that is formed by a rotation arresting portion housing recess portion and a stepped portion so as to restrict circumferential movement, and a permanent magnet is made into a quadrangular prism that has a rectangular bottom surface, and is held by a magnet holding seat by placing a bottom surface on an upper surface of a magnet holding portion, and fixing to the magnet holding seat a cover that is mounted from radially outside to restrict circumferential, axial, and radial movement.
US08324780B2 Automotive dynamoelectric machine
An automotive dynamoelectric machine that achieves disposing of permanent magnets and thickening of field coil wire by disposing trough portions on yoke portions and disposing magnet holders that hold the permanent magnets so as to span the trough portions to ensure outlet space for field coil lead wires. In the dynamoelectric machine, trough portions are formed on respective portions of yoke portions between circumferentially adjacent claw-shaped magnetic pole portions, a magnet holder is disposed so as to span over a trough portion, and a permanent magnet is held by the magnet holder. A lead wire is led out of a rotor from a field coil so as to pass through a space that is bounded by the trough portion and the magnet holder.
US08324778B2 Permanent magnet rotor with accommodating pockets, sealed by means of an adhesive film, for the permanent magnets
The invention relates to a permanent magnet rotor, which has a rotor shaft, a rotor stack fixed on the rotor shaft, accommodating pockets provided in the rotor stack and permanent magnets positioned in the accommodating pockets. The accommodating pockets are sealed by means of an adhesive film, as a result of which the permanent magnets are fixed in the accommodating pockets and at the same time the ingress of particles into the accommodating pockets and the discharge of particles out of the accommodating pockets is prevented.
US08324774B2 Rotating electrical machine apparatus
A rotating electrical machine apparatus comprising a motor generator 10 having a stator (11) to which a plurality of coil groups are provided and a rotor (12), and a control apparatus (30) which controls a current supplied to the coil groups of the stator (11), wherein the stator (11) is provided with a stator friction portion (21) and the rotor (12) is provided with a rotor friction part (19), and the rotor (12) is movable between a connection position, in which the stator friction portion (21) and the rotor friction portion (19) are in contact with each other and the rotor (12) and the stator (11) are connected with each other, and a separation position, in which the stator friction portion (21) and the rotor friction portion (19) are separated from each other, and is constituted to move to the connection position when at least two coil groups among the plurality of coil groups are simultaneously excited, and the control apparatus (30) controls a current supplied to the coil groups so that at least two coil groups among the plurality of coil groups are simultaneously excited when prescribed connection condition is fulfilled.
US08324773B2 Hobby servo shaft attachment mechanisms having textured surfaces
An apparatus for enhancing an operational capacity of a hobby servo motor having a splined output shaft is disclosed. An apparatus illustratively includes a spline receiving portion. The spline receiving portion includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed protrusions sized and dispersed so as to support a functional engagement of the apparatus to the splined rotatable output shaft. The spline receiving portion optionally includes a top receiving surface. When the spline receiving portion is functionally engaged to the splined rotatable output shaft, the top receiving surface is positioned proximate to and flushly engages a top surface of the splined rotatable output shaft. An apparatus may further include an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft has an outer surface and at least a portion of the outer surface is textured.
US08324772B2 Electrical generator
The electrical generator allows energy to be recovered and stored from a rotating wheel, cam, gear or the like. The electrical generator includes at least one hollow tube mounted radially on a wheel rim. The wheel rim has a central portion and a circumferential edge, and the hollow tube has opposed first and second ends, respectively positioned adjacent the central portion and the circumferential edge of the wheel rim. At least one first elastic member and at least one second elastic member are mounted within the hollow tube and respectively cover the first and second ends thereof. At least one magnet is slidably received within the hollow tube, and at least one induction coil is mounted about an exterior surface of the hollow tube. An AC to DC converter is in communication with the induction coil, and an electrical battery is in communication with the AC to DC converter.
US08324771B2 Spindle motor and storage disk drive apparatus
A spindle motor includes a stator unit and a rotor unit supported to be rotatable with respect to the stator unit. The stator unit includes a stator, a base portion including a through hole, and a circuit board. The circuit board includes a connection portion to which a conductive wire from the stator is connected after passing through the through hole, and an extending portion arranged to extend from the connection portion. A lower surface of the base portion includes a recess portion arranged to accommodate the connection portion, and a groove portion arranged to extend from the recess portion to have the extending portion arranged therein. A bottom surface of the groove portion includes a protrusion portion arranged to protrude downwards.
US08324770B2 Electric motor apparatus
An apparatus is provided and includes a load, circuitry coupled to the load for turning the load on and off, a conduit box through which electricity is transmitted to the load to power the load when the load is turned on, the conduit box including a conduit box body formed to define an aperture and a cover, which closes the aperture when the cover is disposed at a predefined position relative to the conduit box body and a system by which the conduit box body and the cover are operably coupled to the circuitry to provide transmission of the electricity through the conduit box when the load is turned on only when the cover is disposed at the predefined position relative to the conduit box body.
US08324767B2 Structure including spindle motor and printed circuit board
A spindle motor structure is disclosed having a structure incorporating a spindle motor, a driving substrate, and a base on which the spindle motor and the driving substrate are installed. The spindle motor includes a stator having a core wound with a coil and a rotor rotating about the stator. The driving substrate is aligned at an outer periphery of the rotor and soldered with driving control parts of the spindle motor including a plurality of circuit parts including a driving integrated circuit and the like. The spindle motor is assembled with or dissembled from the base independently from the driving substrate.
US08324765B2 Fluid-operated medical or dental handle with speed limiting
A fluid-operated medical or dental handle with a device for limiting the rotational speed to a maximum rotational speed value is disclosed. The handle comprises a rotating part that can be induced to rotation by a driving fluid for driving a tool connectable to the rotating part, an electrodynamic transducer driven by the rotating part for induction of an electric voltage, wherein the electrodynamic transducer has at least one coil and a magnetic element and at least one switch element for optional opening and closing of a circuit between the two ends of the at least one coil, so that with the circuit closed, an electric current and an induced magnetic field that decelerates the rotational speed of the rotating part and the tool connectable thereto can be induced in the coil of the electrodynamic transducer.
US08324763B2 Magnetically actuated reciprocating motor and process using reverse magnetic switching
A magnetically actuated reciprocating motor utilizes the stored energy of magnets, particularly rare earth magnets, and an electromagnetic field to reciprocally drive a magnetic actuator. A converting mechanism, such as a connecting rod and crankshaft, converts the reciprocating motion of the magnetic actuator to rotary motion for powering a work object. A solenoid, comprising a nonferromagnetic spool having a tubular center section with a coil of wire wrapped around the center section, is connected to a source of power and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism switches the magnetic polarity at the ends of the solenoid to alternatively repel and attract permanent magnets at the ends of the magnetic actuator. A shaft interconnecting the magnets is received through the center section of the solenoid. A controlling mechanism interconnecting an output shaft and the switching mechanism provides the timing to switch the polarity of the solenoid to drive the magnetic actuator.
US08324762B2 Magnetically propelled engine with magnetic field reduction
An engine powering device with magnetic components that aid in the operation of piston propelled engines by attaching the device individually to the pistons, causing the pistons to perform the up and down thrusts without the use of fuel combustion thereby mobilizing the engine, eliminating the necessity of fuel and preventing pollution exhausting into the atmosphere. An exemplary system for a magnetically controlled propelled engine that uses exhausted clean air from the engine that flows through an electric generating turbo or turbine to charge the battery to power the engine. Passenger compartment comfort heating is supplied by and electric liquid boiler or liquid heater with a circulation pump. A fuel door mounted universal electrical connector to aid in charging engine battery. This engine has magnetic shielding safety components to protect people and other electronic devices from strong rare earth magnets and electromagnets.
US08324759B2 Wireless energy transfer using magnetic materials to shape field and reduce loss
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a method and system comprising a source resonator optionally coupled to an energy source and a second resonator located a distance from the source resonator, where the source resonator and the second resonator are coupled to provide near-field wireless energy transfer among the source resonator and the second resonator and where the field of at least one of the source resonator and the second resonator is shaped using a magnetic material to avoid a loss-inducing object.
US08324749B2 Wind turbine generator and soundness diagnosis method thereof
An accumulator is provided in an oil circuit of the pressure supply device and has a gas chamber for storing the pressure generated by the oil pump. A gas pressure judgment unit judges a soundness on the gas pressure of the gas chamber of the accumulator. A pitch movement judgment unit judges whether the pitch movement is performed soundly by the oil pressure accumulated in the accumulator if the gas pressure judgment unit judges that the gas pressure is sound. A start judgment unit judges a start condition to start the gas pressure judgment unit every predetermined period or when a start switch is operated.
US08324745B2 Free-piston linear alternator systems and methods
Methods and apparatus are provided for operating a free-piston linear alternator. The apparatus includes a linear machine having first and second coils wound around a path for a linearly-moving mass and a rotating machine having a rotating mass and third and fourth coils. The first coil is coupled to the third coil, and the second coil is coupled to the fourth coil, such that movement of the linearly-moving mass with respect to the first and second coils imparts a first magnetic field upon the rotating mass via the third and fourth coils. Further, movement of the rotating mass with respect to the third and fourth coils creates a second magnetic field upon the linearly-moving mass to position the linearly moving mass for combustion.
US08324742B2 Alignment mark for opaque layer
An IC alignment mark in a contact metal layer for use under an opaque layer, and a process for forming the alignment mark, are disclosed. The alignment mark includes contact metal fields, each several microns wide, with an array of PMD pillars in the interior, formed during contact etch, contact metal deposition and selective contact metal removal processes. The pillars are arrayed such that all exposed surfaces of the contact metal are planar. One configuration is a rectangular array in which every other row is laterally offset by one-half of the column spacing. Horizontal dimensions of the pillars are selected to maximize the contact metal fill factor, while providing sufficient adhesion to the underlying substrate during processing. The contact metal is at least 15 nanometers lower than the PMD layer surrounding the alignment mark, as a result of the contact metal removal process.
US08324741B2 Layered chip package with wiring on the side surfaces
A layered chip package has a main body including pairs of layer portions, and wiring disposed on a side surface of the main body. Each layer portion includes a semiconductor chip. The pairs of layer portions include specific pairs of layer portions. Each of the specific pairs of layer portions includes a first-type layer portion and a second-type layer portion. The first-type layer portion includes electrodes each connected to the semiconductor chip and each having an end face located at the side surface of the main body on which the wiring is disposed, whereas the second-type layer portion does not include such electrodes. The specific pairs of layer portions are provided in an even number.
US08324736B2 Manufacturing process and structure of through silicon via
A through silicon via reaching a pad from a second surface of a semiconductor substrate is formed. A penetration space in the through silicon via is formed of a first hole and a second hole with a diameter smaller than that of the first hole. The first hole is formed from the second surface of the semiconductor substrate to the middle of the interlayer insulating film. Further, the second hole reaching the pad from the bottom of the first hole is formed. Then, the interlayer insulating film formed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate has a step shape reflecting a step difference between the bottom surface of the first hole and the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. More specifically, the thickness of the interlayer insulating film between the bottom surface of the first hole and the pad is smaller than that in other portions.
US08324733B2 Semiconductor device comprising a through electrode and a pad connected to the through electrode and having an exposed portion and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same, wherein a portion of a substrate comprising a pad is removed to form a via hole. An insulating layer is formed on the substrate. A portion of the insulating layer is removed to form a plurality of openings exposing portions of the pad. A through electrode is formed to fill the via hole and to be electrically connected to the pad through one of the plurality of openings. A portion of the pad is exposed by another opening among the plurality of openings.
US08324732B2 Semiconductor component
A semiconductor component, in particular in the form of a solar cell, comprises a two-dimensional semiconductor substrate with a first side, a second side which is arranged opposite thereto, a surface normal which is perpendicular to said first and second sides, and a plurality of recesses which are at least arranged on the second side and extend in the direction of the surface normal, at least one dielectric passivation layer which is arranged on the second side, an electrically conducting contact layer arranged on the passivation layer, a plurality of contact elements for electrically connecting the contact layer with the semiconductor substrate, which contact elements are electrically conductive, are in electrically conducting connection with both the semiconductor substrate and with the contact layer, fill at least 50%, in particular at least 90%, preferably 100% of in each case one of the recesses, project beyond the recesses with a projection in the direction perpendicular to the surface normal and are of an easily solderable material.
US08324731B2 Integrated circuit device
An integrated circuit device having at least a bond pad for semiconductor devices and method for fabricating the same are provided. A bond pad has a first passivation layer having a plurality of openings. A conductive layer which overlies the openings and portions of the first passivation layer, having a first portion overlying the first passivation layer and a second portion overlying the openings. A second passivation layer overlies the first passivation layer and covers edges of the conductive layer.
US08324727B2 Low profile discrete electronic components and applications of same
Disclosed are low profile discrete electronic component structures that are suitable for placement and use in a vertical interconnection mode either within an electronic interconnection substrate, between interconnection substrate and electronic component or within an IC package.
US08324726B2 Semiconductor device, electrode member and electrode member fabrication method
A semiconductor device that improves the heat cycle resistance and power cycle resistance of a power module. An electrode member in which copper posts are formed in a plurality of perforations cut in a support made of a ceramic material is soldered onto a side of an IGBT where an emitter electrode is formed. By soldering the copper posts onto the electrode, heat generated in the IGBT is transferred to the electrode member and is radiated. In addition, even if a material of which the IGBT is made and copper differ in thermal expansivity, stress on a soldered interface is reduced and distortion is reduced. This suppresses the appearance of a crack. As a result, the heat cycle resistance and power cycle resistance of a power module can be improved.
US08324724B2 LED assembly and manufacturing method thereof
An LED assembly including a heat sink, a surface treatment dielectric layer, an electrically conductive layer, a thermally conductive layer and an LED chip. The surface treatment dielectric layer is disposed on an upper surface of the heat sink and defines at least one first through hole to expose a portion of the upper surface. The electrically conductive layer is formed on the surface treatment dielectric layer, includes a plurality of electrical traces and defines at least one second through hole corresponding to the first through hole. The thermally conductive layer is formed in the first and the second through holes and directly contacted with a portion of the upper surface exposed from the overlapped region of the first through hole and the second through hole. The LED chip includes a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the electrical traces and is directly contacted with the thermally conductive layer.
US08324721B2 Integrated shunt resistor with external contact in a semiconductor package
An integrated circuit package that comprises a lead frame 105, an integrated circuit located on the lead frame and a shunt resistor coupled to the integrated circuit. The shunt resistor has a lower temperature coefficient of resistance than the lead frame, and the lead frame has a lower resistivity than the shunt resistor. The shunt resistor has a low-resistance coupling to external leads of the lead frame, or, the shunt resistor has its own integrated external leads.
US08324719B2 Electronic package system
Disclosed herein is an electronic package system utilizing a module having a liquid contact material to prevent mechanically and thermally induced strains in an electrical joint. The conductivity of the liquid contact material provides electrical communication between the required electronic components of the package system. The ability of the liquid contact material to flow prevents the creation of stresses and affords an electronic package design tolerant of small displacements or torsions. Thus, the liquid contact material enables a floating contact with high electrical reliability.
US08324715B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating layer, an electrode pad, a through hole, a second insulating layer, and a conductive material. A through groove passes through the semiconductor substrate from a surface to an opposite surface. The first insulating layer fills the through groove. The electrode pad is connected with an interconnection layer. The second insulating layer is provided between the electrode pad and the first insulating layer. The through hole communicates with the electrode pad and passes through the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. The conductive material is provided in the through hole so as to be connected with the electrode pad.
US08324712B2 Metal capacitor and method of making the same including dielectric layer of different mechanical strength regions
A metal capacitor structure is disclosed. The metal capacitor structure includes: a dielectric layer having a first region and a second region, a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer in the second region being higher than a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer in the first region; a dual damascene metal interconnection positioned in the first region; and a damascene capacitor electrode positioned in the second region.
US08324710B2 Capacitor, integrated device, radio frequency switching device, and electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, a capacitor includes a substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first dielectric portion. The substrate includes an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer provided on the insulating layer. The semiconductor layer includes a dummy active region electrically isolated from an active region including an active element. The first electrode and the second electrode are located to oppose each other above the dummy active region. The first dielectric portion is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08324709B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has an electrical fuse formed on a substrate, having a first interconnect, a second interconnect respectively formed in different layers, and a via provided in a layer between the first interconnect and the second interconnect, connected to one end of the second interconnect and connected also to the first interconnect; and a guard interconnect portion formed in the same layer with the second interconnect, so as to surround such one end of the second interconnect, wherein, in a plan view, the second interconnect is formed so as to extend from the other end towards such one end, and the guard interconnect portion is formed so as to surround such one end of the second interconnect in three directions, while placing such one end at the center thereof.
US08324707B2 Power amplifier
According to an embodiment, a power amplifier is provided with at least one first growth ring gate structure and multiple second growth ring gate structures. The first growth ring gate structure is bounded by a semiconductor layer and performs a power amplification operation. The multiple second growth ring gate structures are bounded by the semiconductor layer and are arranged adjacently around the first growth ring gate structure in a surrounding manner. When the first growth ring gate structure performs a power amplification operation, the multiple second growth ring gate structures are depleted by applying a reverse bias to the multiple second growth ring gate structures whereby the depleted multiple second growth ring gate structures isolate the first growth ring gate structure from a surrounding portion.
US08324704B2 Silicon carbide semiconductor device with Schottky barrier diode and method of manufacturing the same
A silicon carbide semiconductor device with a Schottky barrier diode includes a first conductivity type silicon carbide substrate, a first conductivity type silicon carbide drift layer on a first surface of the substrate, a Schottky electrode forming a Schottky contact with the drift layer, and an ohmic electrode on a second surface of the substrate. The Schottky electrode includes an oxide layer in direct contact with the drift layer. The oxide layer is made of an oxide of molybdenum, titanium, nickel, or an alloy of at least two of these elements.
US08324699B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing an insulating film, which is used as an insulating film used for a semiconductor integrated circuit, whose reliability can be ensured even though it has small thickness, is provided. In particular, a method for manufacturing a high-quality insulating film over a substrate having an insulating surface, which can be enlarged, at low substrate temperature, is provided. A monosilane gas (SiH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and a rare gas are introduced into a chamber to generate high-density plasma at a pressure higher than or equal to 10 Pa and lower than or equal to 30 Pa so that an insulating film is formed over a substrate having an insulating surface. After that, the supply of a monosilane gas is stopped, and nitrous oxide (N2O) and a rare gas are introduced without exposure to the air to perform plasma treatment on a surface of the insulating film.
US08324698B2 High density spin-transfer torque MRAM process
A STT-MRAM integration scheme is disclosed wherein the connection between a MTJ and CMOS metal is simplified by forming an intermediate via contact (VAC) on a CMOS landing pad, a metal (VAM) pad that contacts and covers the VAC, and a MTJ on the VAM. A dual damascene process is performed to connect BIT line metal to CMOS landing pads through VAC/VAM/MTJ stacks in a device region, and to connect BIT line connection pads to CMOS connection pads through BIT connection vias outside the device region. The VAM pad is a single layer or composite made of Ta, TaN, or other conductors which serves as a diffusion barrier, has a highly smooth surface for MTJ formation, and provides excellent selectivity with refill dielectric materials during a chemical mechanical polish process. Each VAC is from 500 to 3000 Angstroms thick to minimize additional circuit resistance and minimize etch burden.
US08324696B2 Ultrafast magnetic recording element and nonvolatile magnetic random access memory using the magnetic recording element
Provided are an ultrafast magnetic recording element and a nonvolatile magnetic random access memory using the same. The magnetic recording element includes a read electrode, a magnetic pinned layer formed on the read electrode, and an insulating layer or a conductive layer formed on the magnetic pinned layer. The magnetic recording element includes a magnetic free layer formed on the insulating layer or the conductive layer, in which a magnetic vortex is formed, and a plurality of drive electrodes applying a current or magnetic field to the magnetic free layer. According to the magnetic recording elements, the magnetic recording element with a simple structure can be realized using a magnetic layer with a magnetic vortex formed, and the magnetic recording element can be accurately driven with low power using a plurality of drive electrodes.
US08324694B2 MEMS switch
An object is that contact between an upper switch electrode and a lower switch electrode is not hindered. The present invention relates to a MEMS switch including a substrate; a structural layer with a beam structure in which at least one end is fixed to the substrate; a lower drive electrode layer and a lower switch electrode layer which are provided below the structural layer and on a surface of the substrate; and an upper drive electrode layer and an upper switch electrode layer which are provided on a surface of the structural layer, which is opposite to the substrate, so as to face the lower drive electrode layer and the lower switch electrode layer, respectively, in which the upper switch electrode layer is larger than the lower switch electrode layer.
US08324691B2 Power semiconductor device
An inverter for driving a motor includes a plurality of power semiconductor devices. The plurality of power semiconductor devices include a resistance electrically connected between a collector and an emitter of an IGBT element. Each of the power semiconductor devices forms any one of a U-phase arm, a V-phase arm and a W-phase arm of the inverter. As a result, a discharge resistance is built in the inverter, and therefore, it is not required to prepare the discharge resistance separately. Thus, the number of components required for a motor drive apparatus can be decreased and the number of operation steps can be reduced.
US08324689B2 Self aligned field effect transistor structure
Provided is a self aligned field effect transistor structure. The self aligned field effect transistor structure includes: an active region pattern on a substrate; a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode facing each other with the active region pattern therebetween; and a source electrode and a drain electrode connected to the active region pattern and disposed to be symmetric with respect to a line connecting the first and second gate electrodes, wherein the first and second gate electrodes and the source and drain electrodes are disposed on the same plane of the substrate.
US08324686B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing
A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing. One embodiment provides a semiconductor device including an active cell region and a gate pad region. A conductive gate layer is arranged in the active cell region and a conductive resistor layer is arranged in the gate pad region. The resistor layer includes a resistor region which includes a grid-like pattern of openings formed in the resistor layer. A gate pad metallization is arranged at least partially above the resistor layer and in electrical contact with the resistor layer. An electrical connection is formed between the gate layer and the gate pad metallization, wherein the electrical connection includes the resistor region.
US08324685B2 Semiconductor device having a fin-type semiconductor region
A fin-semiconductor region (13) is formed on a substrate (11). A first impurity which produces a donor level or an acceptor level in a semiconductor is introduced in an upper portion and side portions of the fin-semiconductor region (13), and oxygen or nitrogen is further introduced as a second impurity in the upper portion and side portions of the fin-semiconductor region (13).
US08324684B1 Monolithic high-current and low-current transistors sharing high voltage drain
A planar, monolithic, high-voltage (HV), integrated circuit (IC) includes power field-effect-transistors (FETs) and/or bipolar power-transistors having an HV diffusion connection. The HV IC further includes several types of HV, low-current (LC) FETs including depletion and/or enhancement mode transistors and/or HV-LC bipolar transistors. The HV-LC transistors are integrated into the HV-high-current (HC) or power transistor structure in various combinations by sharing their HV diffusion connections, which enables increased design versatility while minimizing die area. Isolation and buried diffusion structures provide higher operating voltage and/or enhanced depletion FET shut-off. HV-LC IGFET body and/or bipolar transistor base regions are either isolated from or connected to the grounded isolation diffusion further enhancing design versatility.
US08324682B2 Dynamic random access memory cell and array having vertical channel transistor
A dynamic random access memory cell having vertical channel transistor includes a semiconductor pillar, a drain layer, an assisted gate, a control gate, a source layer, and a capacitor. The vertical channel transistor has an active region formed by the semiconductor pillar. The drain layer is formed at the bottom of the semiconductor pillar. The assisted gate is formed beside the drain layer, and separated from the drain layer by a first gate dielectric layer. The control gate is formed beside the semiconductor pillar, and separated from the active region by a second gate dielectric layer. The source layer is formed at the top of the semiconductor pillar. The capacitor is formed to electrical connect to the source layer.
US08324680B2 Non-volatile semiconductor storage device with laminated vertical memory cell and select transistors
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes: a substrate; a control circuit layer provided on the substrate; a support layer provided on the control circuit layer; and a memory cell array layer provided on the support layer. The memory cell array layer includes: a first lamination part having first insulation layers and first conductive layers alternately laminated therein; and a second lamination part provided on either the top or bottom surface of the respective first lamination part and laminated so as to form a second conductive layer between second insulation layers. The control circuit layer includes at least any one of: a row decoder driving word lines provided in the memory cell array layer, and a sense amplifier sensing and amplifying a signal from bit lines provided in the memory cell array layer.
US08324678B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including a first region where a transistor including a gate electrode of a stacked structure is formed, a second region where a transistor including a gate electrode of a single-layer structure is formed, and a third region positioned in a boundary part between the first region and the second region, includes: depositing a first conductive film, patterning the first conductive film in the first region and the third region so that the outer edge is positioned in the third region, depositing the second conductive film, patterning the second conductive film to form a control gate in the first region while leaving the second conductive film, covering the second region and having the inner edge positioned inner of the outer edge of the first conductive film, and patterning the second conductive film in the second region to form the gate electrode.
US08324674B2 Semiconductor memory device including multi-layer gate structure
A semiconductor memory device includes a first select transistor, first stepped portion, and a first contact plug. The first select transistor is formed on a side of an upper surface of a substrate and has a first multi-layer gate. The first stepped portion is formed by etching the substrate adjacent to the first multi-layer gate of the first select transistor such that the first stepped portion forms a cavity in the upper surface of the substrate. The first contact plug is formed in the first stepped portion.
US08324673B2 Semiconductor memory devices and methods of forming the same
Semiconductor memory devices and methods of forming the same are provided, the semiconductor memory devices include a first and a second buried gate respectively disposed on both inner sidewalls of a groove formed in an active portion and a device isolation pattern. The first and second buried gates are controlled independently from each other.
US08324670B2 Edge illuminated photodiodes
This invention comprises plurality of edge illuminated photodiodes. More specifically, the photodiodes of the present invention comprise novel structures designed to minimize reductions in responsivity due to edge surface recombination and improve quantum efficiency. The novel structures include, but are not limited to, angled facets, textured surface regions, and appropriately doped edge regions.
US08324664B2 Fuse of a semiconductor device
A method for forming a fuse of a semiconductor device includes performing an ion-implanting process at sides of a fuse blowing region of a metal fuse, thereby increasing the concentration of impurity ions of a thermal transmission path region. In a subsequent laser blowing process, as a result of the increased resistance of metal fuse the electric and thermal conductivity is reduced, thereby increasing the thermal condensation efficiency of the fuse blowing region and improving the efficiency of the laser blowing process.
US08324662B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an electric fuse formed on a substrate. The electric fuse includes: a first interconnect formed on one end side thereof; a second interconnect formed in a layer different from a layer in which the first interconnect is formed; a first via provided in contact with the first interconnect and the second interconnect to connect those interconnects; a third interconnect formed on another end side thereof, the third interconnect being formed in the same layer in which the first interconnect is formed, as being separated from the first interconnect; and a second via provided in contact with the third interconnect and the second interconnect to connect those interconnects, the second via being lower in resistance than the first via. The electric fuse is disconnected by a flowing-out portion to be formed of a conductive material forming the electric fuse which flows outwardly during disconnection.
US08324660B2 Lattice-mismatched semiconductor structures with reduced dislocation defect densities and related methods for device fabrication
Fabrication of monolithic lattice-mismatched semiconductor heterostructures with limited area regions having upper portions substantially exhausted of threading dislocations, as well as fabrication of semiconductor devices based on such lattice-mismatched heterostructures.
US08324655B2 Backlight module and light emitting diode module thereof
A light emitting diode contains a package structure and a light emitting diode die embedded in the package structure. The package structure has an elliptic bottom surface having a semi-major axes and a semi-minor axis and a semi-ellipsoidal surface connecting and surrounding the edge of the elliptic bottom surface, wherein the maximum height of the ellipsoidal surface from the elliptic bottom surface is between the semi-major axes and the semi-minor axis.
US08324653B1 Semiconductor chip assembly with ceramic/metal substrate
A semiconductor chip assembly includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, a conductive trace and an insulative material. The heat spreader includes a base and a ceramic block. The conductive trace provides signal routing between a pad and a terminal. The insulative material extends between the base and the terminal. The ceramic block is embedded in the base. The semiconductor device overlaps the ceramic block, is electrically connected to the conductive trace and is thermally connected to the heat spreader.
US08324648B2 Semiconductor light emitting device package
A plurality of reflective nanometer-structures formed on the reflective surface of a semiconductor light emitting device package increases light emitting efficiency. Every pitch between each reflective nanometer-structure has an interval P shorter than the half wavelength of the visible light. Moreover, each of the plurality of reflective nanometer-structures has a depth H, wherein the ratio of the depth H over the interval P is not less than 2.
US08324646B2 Chip coated light emitting diode package and manufacturing method thereof
A chip coated LED package and a manufacturing method thereof. The chip coated LED package includes a light emitting chip composed of a chip die-attached on a submount and a resin layer uniformly covering an outer surface of the chip die. The chip coated LED package also includes an electrode part electrically connected by metal wires with at least one bump ball exposed through an upper surface of the resin layer. The chip coated LED package further includes a package body having the electrode part and the light emitting chip mounted thereon. The invention improves light efficiency by preventing difference in color temperature according to irradiation angles, increases a yield, miniaturizes the package, and accommodates mass production.
US08324640B2 LED-based edge lit illumination system
An edge lit illumination system is directed to providing backlighting utilizing a luminescent impregnated lightguide. The apparatus includes an LED radiation source providing a first radiation and a lightguide optically coupled to the LED radiation source including a luminescent material embedded or coated on an output surface of the lightguide designed to absorb the first radiation, and emit one or more radiations. The illumination system may further include additional optical components such as reflective layers, for directing radiation striking the back surfaces of the light guide back into the lightguide, as well as diffusion layers, UV reflectors, and polarizers.
US08324638B2 Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package is provided. The light emitting device package comprises a package body comprising a first cavity, and a second cavity connected to the first cavity; a first lead electrode, at least a portion of which is disposed within the second cavity; a second lead electrode, at least a portion of which is disposed within the first cavity; a light emitting device disposed within the second cavity; a first wire disposed within the second cavity, the first wire electrically connecting the light emitting device to the first lead electrode; and a second wire electrically connecting the light emitting device to the second lead electrode.
US08324634B2 Epitaxial wafer and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a conductive layer deposited on a substrate and an epitaxial layer deposited on the conductive layer. The conductive layer is patterned to include a first pattern. The first pattern includes a major surface and a plurality of grids defined in the major surface. The major surface includes a plurality of first lines and a connecting portion. The connecting portion is connected to an electrode. The epitaxial layer covers the grids and the first lines between the adjacent grids.
US08324633B2 Ultra high thermal performance packaging for optoelectronics devices
A light emitting module comprises a light emitting device (LED) mounted on a high thermal dissipation sub-mount, which performs the traditionally function of heat spread and the first part of the heat sinking. The sub-mount is a grown metal that is formed by an electroplating, electroforming, electrodeposition or electroless plating process, thereby minimizing thermal resistance at this stage. An electrically insulating and thermally conducting layer is at least partially disposed across the interface between the grown semiconductor layers of the light emitting device and the formed metal layers of the sub-mount to further improve the electrical isolation of the light emitting device from the grown sub-mount. The top surface of the LED is protected from electroplating or electroforming by a wax or polymer or other removable material on a temporary substrate, mold or mandrel, which can be removed after plating, thereby releasing the LED module for subsequent processing.
US08324631B2 Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A SiC semiconductor substrate is disclosed which includes a SiC single crystal substrate, a nitrogen (N)-doped n-type SiC epitaxial layer in which nitrogen (N) is doped and a phosphorus (P)-doped n-type SiC epitaxial layer in which phosphorus (P) is doped. The nitrogen (N)-doped n-type SiC epitaxial layer and the phosphorus (P)-doped n-type SiC epitaxial layer are laminated on the silicon carbide single crystal substrate sequentially. The nitrogen (N)-doped n-type SiC epitaxial layer and the phosphorus (P)-doped n-type SiC epitaxial layer are formed by using two or more different dopants, for example, nitrogen and phosphorus, at the time of epitaxial growth. Basal plane dislocations in a SiC device can be reduced.
US08324620B2 Semiconductor device having oxide semiconductor layer
It is an object to manufacture a highly reliable semiconductor device including a thin film transistor whose electric characteristics are stable. An insulating layer which covers an oxide semiconductor layer of the thin film transistor contains a boron element or an aluminum element. The insulating layer containing a boron element or an aluminum element is formed by a sputtering method using a silicon target or a silicon oxide target containing a boron element or an aluminum element. Alternatively, an insulating layer containing an antimony (Sb) element or a phosphorus (P) element instead of a boron element covers the oxide semiconductor layer of the thin film transistor.
US08324616B2 Optoelectronic device
An optoelectronic device including a first electrode, an active layer disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the active layer, and a self-assembled monolayer interposed between the first electrode and the active layer, interposed between the active layer and the second electrode, or disposed inside the active layer, wherein the self-assembled monolayer includes a first compound and a second compound having different functional groups from each other.
US08324613B2 Method for producing an electronic device with a layer structure and an electronic device
The invention relates to a method for producing a layer structure in an electronic device, especially in an organic light emitting device, the method comprising a step of producing the layer structure as a composite layer structure with free charge carriers generated by charge transfer between a first material and a second material, wherein the composite layer structure is provided as a stack of at least three non-mixed sub-layers made of the first material and the second material, respectively, wherein within the stack of the at least three non-mixed sub-layers each first material sub-layer is followed by an adjacent second material sub-layer and each second material sub-layer is followed by an adjacent first material sub-layer, and wherein the first material and the second material are selected to form a host-dopant material system for the electrical doping. The invention also relates to an electronic device.
US08324612B2 Thin film transistor, method of fabricating the same, and flat panel display having the same
A thin film transistor (TFT), a method of fabricating the TFT, and a flat panel display having the TFT, wherein the TFT includes a substrate; a gate electrode provided on the substrate; a gate insulating layer provided on the gate electrode; a source electrode and a drain electrode provided on the gate insulating layer and insulated from the gate electrode; and an organic semiconductor layer contacting the source and drain electrodes and insulated from the gate electrode.
US08324602B2 Optical sensors that reduce specular reflections
An optical sensor device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a light source and a light detector. The light source includes one or more light emitting elements, and the light detector includes one or more light detecting elements. A first opaque light barrier portion, between the light source and the light detector, is configured to block light from being transmitted directly from the light source to the light detector. A second opaque light barrier portion, extending from the first opaque light barrier portion in a direction towards the light source, is configured to reduce an amount of specular reflections that would occur if a light transmissive cover plate were placed over the optical sensor device. A third opaque light barrier portion, extending from the first light barrier portion in a direction towards to the light detector, is configured to reduce an amount of specular reflections that would be detected by the light detector, if a light transmissive cover plate were placed over the optical sensor device.
US08324599B2 Ion implantation apparatus
An ion implanter has an implant wheel with a plurality of wafer carriers distributed about a periphery of the wheel. Each wafer carrier has a heat sink for removing heat from a wafer on the carrier during the implant process by thermal contact between the wafer and the heat sink. A respective wafer lift structure on each carrier is moveable between first and second positions, with the wafer supported spaced away from the heat sink and in thermal contact with the heat sink respectively. The lift structure is operated to move between the first and second positions wheel the implant is rotating. This allows control of wafer temperature during the implant process by adjusting the thermal contact between wafers and heat sinks.
US08324598B2 Radiation detector, method of manufacturing a radiation detector, and lithographic apparatus comprising a radiation detector
In one an embodiment, there is provided an assembly comprising at least one detector. Each of the at least one detector includes a substrate having a doped region of a first conduction type, a layer of dopant material of a second conduction type located on the substrate, a diffusion layer formed within the substrate and in contact with the layer of dopant material and the doped region of the substrate, wherein a doping profile, which is representative of a doping material concentration of the diffusion layer, increases from the doped region of the substrate to the layer of dopant material, a first electrode connected to the layer of dopant material, and a second electrode connected to the substrate. The diffusion layer is arranged to form a radiation sensitive surface.
US08324595B2 Outdoor water treatment apparatus to kill bacteria with ultraviolet light
Bacteria in water 9 exposed outdoors are effectively killed with ultraviolet (UV) light by suppressing post-treatment increase in the bacteria population due to photoreactivation. The apparatus shines UV light on the water 9 to kill bacteria and has UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) 1 that emit UVA light with a primary emission peak of 320 nm-400 nm. The antibacterial action of the UVA light emitted by the UV LEDs 1 prevents proliferation of bacteria in the disinfected water 9 due to photoreactivation.
US08324584B2 Cassette type radiographic image solid-state detector
A cassette type radiographic image solid-state detector includes: a detector unit having a scintillator for converting incident radiation into light and a detection section which receives and converts the light converted by the scintillator into electric signals; and a housing containing the detector unit, the housing having a rectangular tubular housing body which has openings at both ends and is formed in a rectangular tube shape using carbon fiber, and a first cover member and a second cover member for covering the openings of the rectangular tubular housing body, wherein a wall of the rectangular tubular housing body facing to a direction perpendicular to an incident direction of radiation is thicker than a wall of the rectangular tubular housing body facing to the incident direction of radiation.
US08324574B2 Aberration-correcting dark-field electron microscopy
A transmission electron microscope includes an electron beam source to generate an electron beam. Beam optics are provided to converge the electron beam. An aberration corrector corrects the electron beam for at least a spherical aberration. A specimen holder is provided to hold a specimen in the path of the electron beam. A detector is used to detect the electron beam transmitted through the specimen. The transmission electron microscope operates in a dark-field mode in which a zero beam of the electron beam is not detected. The microscope may also be capable of operating in an incoherent illumination mode.
US08324573B2 Detector for electron column and method for detecting electrons for electron column
In a conventional micro-channel plate (MCP), a secondary electron (SE) detector or a semi-conductor detector the number of the electrons is amplified through its own structure. For such amplification a small voltage difference is applied externally or generated due to its own structure and material. The electric current of electrons undergoing the above-described procedure is amplified by an external amplification circuit. In the present invention electrons—resulting from the collision of the electron beam generated by a microcolumn—are detected by surrounding conductive wiring. The detected electrons are amplified using an amplification circuit on the outside similar to a conventional detection method.
US08324569B2 Mass spectrometer
An MS analysis is performed for each micro area within a specified mass analysis area on a sample. Based on the data obtained by this analysis, a distribution image of a specified m/z ratio of m/z range is created and displayed on a display screen (S10-S14). When an operator selects a substance of interest on the displayed image and indicates its m/z (S15), one or more micro areas in which the MS spectrum intensity at the specified m/z is equal to or higher than a threshold are extracted, and an MS/MS analysis using the m/z of the substance of interest as the precursor is performed on the extracted micro areas (S26 and S27). An average MS/MS spectrum is calculated from the MS/MS spectrum data obtained for those micro areas (S28), and the substance of interest is identified based on the information relating to the peaks appearing on the average MS/MS spectrum (S19).
US08324568B2 Mass spectrometer and mass spectrometry method
A mass spectrometer includes an ionization chamber (100) which generates fragment-free ions to be detected from an introduced gas to be detected, and a mass spectrometer chamber (140) including a mass spectrometer (160) which fractionates by mass the ions to be detected that are transported from the ionization chamber and which detects the ions. The mass spectrometer further includes a probe (111) which holds a liquid sample or a solid sample and causes the liquid sample or the solid sample to generate the gas to be detected upon heating by a heating means, and a gas introduction means (170) which introduces a predetermined gas from the probe to the ionization chamber to transport, to the ionization chamber, the gas to be detected that is generated at the probe.
US08324567B2 Ion spectrum analysing apparatus and method
An ion spectrum analysing apparatus (1) comprising an electric field generation arrangement (3, 4, 5) which, in use, is operative to accelerate ions into a flight tube (7), and further comprising a detector (6), and recording apparatus (8) which is operative to record data representative of the spatial distribution of scattered ions impacting on the detector, and in use the recording apparatus is triggered at multiple times to record spatial distribution data relating to respective times-of-arrival of the ions.
US08324566B2 Isolation of ions in overloaded RF ion traps
In an RF quadrupole ion trap having electrodes to which RF voltages are applied, ions having m/z ratios outside of a predefined narrow range of charge-related masses m/z are removed from the trap by applying a DC voltage pulse to at least one of the trap electrodes to remove from the trap the ions with high values of charge-related masses. The DC voltage pulse is preferably applied in combination with a variation of the RF voltage amplitudes to simultaneously remove from the trap ions of low charge-related masses. The DC and RF voltage amplitudes are changed in such a manner that any excitation of ions having charge-related masses within the predefined range by frequency mixtures is avoided.
US08324560B2 Optical detector device
The invention relates to an optical detector device (1) for generating at least one electrical output signal in response to a received beam of light, comprising an optical band-pass filter (3a), adapted to receive the beam of light and to provide a filtered beam of light, which filter (3a) has a transmission wavelength which increases in direction of at least one axis (4) and an array of detector elements (2) arranged in direction of the axis (4) to receive the filtered beam of light for generating the electrical output signal.
US08324559B2 Bottle inspection apparatus with image-corrected mirror cabinet
An inspection apparatus for optically examining bottles, having a mirror cabinet for imaging different circumferential side views of a bottle to be examined. The deflection mirrors for beam paths associated with lateral image areas are tilted such that an image distortion caused by central projection will be compensated for in the lateral image areas.
US08324558B2 Device and method for counting and detecting flat products
The device (10) according to the invention for counting and detecting flat products (14) comprises a light source (16) having an illumination beam profile (24), an optical sensor (18) having a detection beam profile (30) and an evaluation unit (20) connected to the optical sensor (18). The detection beam profile (30) overlaps the illumination beam profile (24) in a detection region in which a section (33) of a surface profile of the flat products (14) is illuminated, the section being at least partially delimited by the illumination beam profile (24). A detection signal generated by the optical sensor (18) is fed to the evaluation unit (20), which determines therefrom the number of flat products located in the detection region.
US08324556B2 Radiation detector
A radiation detector of this invention has an insulating, non-amine barrier layer disposed between exposed surfaces of a radiation sensitive semiconductor layer, a carrier selective high resistance film and a common electrode, and a curable synthetic resin film.This barrier layer can further inhibit a chemical reaction between the semiconductor layer and curable synthetic resin film, and can prevent an increase in dark current which flows through the semiconductor layer. Since no chemical reaction occurs between the barrier layer and semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer will never be degraded. Further, with an auxiliary plate disposed on an upper surface of the curable synthetic resin film, it is possible to manufacture a radiation detector free from warpage and cracking due to temperature change.
US08324555B2 Nanoelectronic differential amplifiers and related circuits implemented on a segment of a graphene nanoribbon
A multiple transistor differential amplifier is implemented on a segment of a single graphene nanoribbon. Differential amplifier field effect transistors are formed on the graphene nanoribbon from a first group of electrical conductors in contact with the graphene nanoribbon and a second group of electrical conductors insulated from, but exerting electric fields on, the graphene nanoribbon thereby forming the gates of the field effect transistors. A transistor in one portion of the graphene nanoribbon and a transistor in another portion of the graphene nanoribbon are responsive to respective incoming electrical signals. A current source, also formed on the graphene nanoribbon, is connected with the differential amplifier, and the current source and the differential amplifier operating together generate an outgoing signal responsive to the incoming electrical signal. In an example application, the resulting circuit can be used to interface with electrical signals of nanoscale sensors and actuators.
US08324550B2 High dynamic range imaging systems
An imaging system may include an imager with pixels and with reset lines that can be selectively deactivated and floated. When the reset lines are deactivated and floated, the reset lines may be connected to floating diffusion nodes in the pixels to increase the capacitance of the floating diffusion nodes. The reset lines may have parasitic capacitances that are used to supplement the capacitances of the floating diffusion nodes, when the reset lines are connected to the floating diffusion nodes. The imager may be used to capture high dynamic range images by simultaneously capturing a first image with a long integration time and a second image with a short integration time. The first and second images may be combined into a high dynamic range image.
US08324547B2 Solar tracking and concentration device
A solar tracking and concentration device, including at least one reflecting unit, a receiving unit, a controlling device, and a sensing device, is provided. The reflecting unit having a reflecting surface reflects and concentrates sunlight. The receiving unit having a receiving surface is used to receive the sunlight reflected and reflected by the reflecting unit. The receiving unit and the reflecting unit face each other. According to the position and the time of the reflecting unit, the controlling device controls a rotation angle of the reflecting unit. The sensing device on the receiving unit may detect an inclination direction of the reflecting unit and output a first feedback signal to the controlling device to calibrate a direction of the reflecting unit facing the sun.
US08324544B2 Multi-stage fin deployment assembly
A multi-stage fin deployment assembly includes a rotary actuator configured to release a first spring-loaded stage that, when deployed, releases a second spring-loaded stage to deploy a set of deployable member or fins. By chaining these spring-loaded stages together, a relatively small input force, as provided by the rotary actuator, causes the second spring-loaded stage to generate a relatively large output force on the fins. This multistage force magnification makes it possible for the deployment assembly to utilize smaller actuators that require less power and take up less space, compared to conventional locking mechanisms.
US08324540B2 Microwave oven switching between predefined modes
A microwave oven and method for heating a load using microwaves are provided. The microwave oven comprises a cavity adapted to receive a load. The cavity is designed to support at least two predefined mode fields. For each predefined mode field, a resonance frequency in the cavity is known. Further, the microwave oven comprises a frequency-controllable microwave source for feeding microwaves into the cavity via at least one feeding port. The method comprises the steps of measuring a signal reflected from the cavity as a function of the operating frequency of the microwave source and identifying resonance frequencies in the cavity based on the measured signal. Further, the method comprises the steps of selecting, for the predefined modes, at least two of the identified resonance frequencies based on the known resonance frequencies and switching the operating frequency of the microwave source using the selected frequencies. The present invention is advantageous in that it enables uniform heating of the load in the cavity.
US08324539B2 Wide waveguide applicator
A microwave waveguide applicator and a method for heating, drying, or curing generally planar materials or products. The applicator comprises a waveguide having a pair of opposing broad sides perpendicular to a pair of opposing narrow sides bounding a rectangular exposure chamber. A microwave source generates and propagates microwaves through the chamber in a propagation direction and with an electric field generally directed from one broad wall to the other. Slotted openings in the narrow sides act as entrance and exit ports for a conveyor transporting a product along a conveying path through the chamber perpendicular to the propagation direction and perpendicular to the electric field. The waveguide may be ridged to focus or bend the electric field, especially for heating thin materials.
US08324538B2 Systems and methods for limiting input power and RMS input current drawn from a DC power source
Systems and methods to source a resistive load, such as a heating resistor, to control temperature while adhering to a specified power draw budget and/or a specified root mean square (RMS) current limit. For example, a sensor block assembly (SBA) heater controls temperature of a MEMS device in a sensor block assembly while adhering to the power draw budget and/or an average current limit. An exemplary embodiment generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal, controls a switch in accordance with the control signal, sources the resistive load from a power source in accordance with the controlled switch, and modifies the duty factor of the switch to reduce the power drawn by the resistive load in response to the power drawn by the resistive load exceeding a power limit defined by a slope-intercept curve. The limiting of power into a resistor load limits the RMS current drawn by that load.
US08324536B2 Device for igniting an alumino-thermal composition, crucible containing same and related methods
The invention relates to a device for igniting an aluminothermic composition, characterized in that it comprises an electric resistor for connecting two electrodes and to be supplied by an electric current source of in order to generate heat by a Joule effect, said electric resistor being exposed to a medium comprising oxygen and carbon so that the temperature rise of the medium by the resistor results in the formation of carbon monoxide, and then in an exothermal reaction of the latter with oxygen, thus generating a flame capable of igniting of the aluminothermic composition.
US08324530B2 Method for heating a wafer by means of a light flux
A method for heating a wafer that has at least one layer to be heated and a sub-layer. The method includes applying at least one light flux pulse to the wafer for heating the at least one layer in a manner such that the absorption coefficient of the flux by the layer is low as long as the temperature of the layer to be heated is in the low temperature range (PBT) but the absorption coefficient increases significantly when the temperature of the layer enters a high temperature range (PHT). Also, a sub-layer is selected such that the absorption coefficient of the applied light flux at the selected wavelength is high in the low temperature range (PBT) and the temperature enters the high temperature range (PHT) when the sub-layer is subjected to the light flux. The application of the light flux achieves improved heating of the wafer.