| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08370057B1 |
Audiovisual display modes for sense-and-avoid system for aerial vehicles
The invention provides six different display modes illustrating interaction and relative locations of two or more aerial vehicles (AVs), with at least one of the AVs being controllable by a ground-based or airborne-based controller of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or a pilot of a standard manned aircraft. Some display modes also indicate a predicted distance of closest approach of two AVs, the possibility of conflict or collision, and a remaining time, measured relative to the present time, before this conflict occurs. An audio and/or visual indicator advises the AV controller if this conflict event is likely to occur and recommends an acceleration or deceleration increment that may avoid such conflict. |
| US08370056B2 |
False event suppression for collision avoidance systems
A collision warning apparatus includes sensors, output devices, memory locations, a GPS device, and a processor. The processor may receive information from the sensors. The processor may also process the information to identify a detected object as a present potential collision object. The processor may compare present GPS coordinates of the vehicle with stored vehicle GPS coordinates saved in memory, to determine whether or not the present GPS coordinates correspond to stored vehicle GPS coordinates associated with a previously identified potential collision object. If the present GPS coordinates correspond to stored vehicle GPS coordinates associated with a previously identified potential collision object, the processor is operable to suppress a potential collision warning. |
| US08370054B2 |
User location driven identification of service vehicles
A vehicle position aggregation system receives position information for service vehicles from various fleet management systems, and maintains the current location of the vehicles in a database, including information identifying each vehicle's associated fleet and related contact information. End users can query the vehicle position aggregation system to obtain information about service vehicles in the vicinity of the user's input location. |
| US08370053B2 |
Method and system for a traffic management system based on multiple classes
A method of method of assigning routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes is provided. A first group of users is identified based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification. A second group of users is identified based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification. The first user classification is different from the second user classification. A disutility value is calculated for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users. A bi-level problem solver is executed to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification. A route is recommended for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users based on the bi-level problem execution. |
| US08370052B2 |
Engine cooling system onboard diagnostic strategy
An onboard cooling system diagnostic strategy utilizes at least one temperature sensor fluidly positioned between an electronically controlled engine and a thermostat. The diagnostic algorithm operates by monitoring coolant temperature during engine startup. By comparing the actual coolant temperature during engine start-up to a predicted coolant temperature that should occur if no cooling system error is present, a cooling system fault condition may be identified. If a cooling system fault is detected, the diagnostic logic may activate the engine cooling fan or intrusively open an electrically controlled thermostat while monitoring the coolant temperature response to the intrusive action. If there is a substantial change in coolant temperature responsive to the intrusive action, this phenomenon can be utilized to correctly distinguish between a thermostat failure and a vehicle configuration error corresponding to an overcooled vehicle. The present disclosure also can utilize a similar strategy to diagnose problems associated with other vehicle fluid coolers that exchange heat with ambient air moved by a circulation fan. |
| US08370051B2 |
Methods and systems for assisted direct start control
Method and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions. One example method comprises, adjusting a brake torque applied to a deactivated rotating engine after an engine restart request, the brake torque applied to slow the engine to at least a predetermined threshold speed without stopping the engine, and engaging a starter to the still rotating engine to increase the engine speed and restart the engine. |
| US08370047B2 |
Method for operating a forced-induction internal combustion engine
The precision of an intake manifold model for a supercharged internal combustion engine can be improved, wherein a first pressure value in the inlet tract (3) downstream of a throttle valve (6) and upstream of a compressor (7) and second pressure value (3) downstream of the compressor (7) are calculated by means of the intake manifold model. Furthermore, a first reference pressure and a second reference pressure are recorded by two pressure sensors (13, 14). It is determined whether the internal combustion engine (1) is operating in charging mode or not. The intake manifold model is then corrected on a difference between the first pressure value and the first reference value and a difference between the second pressure value and the second reference value depending on whether the operating mode is the charging mode or not. |
| US08370040B2 |
Vehicle travel control device
A vehicle travel control device has a engine that controls an engine based on a driving target controlled variable; a brake that controls a brake device based on a braking target controlled variable; and a automatic travel control that calculates the driving target controlled variable and/or braking target controlled variable so that a vehicle speed of a vehicle becomes a target vehicle speed, and outputs the driving target controlled variable to the engine and the braking target controlled variable to the brake, the vehicle travel control device being configured such that, upon detection of an acceleration operation during the vehicle travel control, the automatic travel control calculates a target vehicle speed for vehicle travel control by the brake device, so that the target vehicle speed becomes higher than a current vehicle speed of the vehicle. |
| US08370035B2 |
Gear control system and method
A gear control system includes a pulse modulating circuit, a motor, and a central processing unit operatively coupled to the pulse modulating circuit and configured to control rotation of the motor from an original gear position to a desired gear position via the pulse modulating circuit. A motor position detecting device is operatively coupled to the central processing unit and detects the motor rotation position and transmits the motor position information corresponding to the motor rotation position to the central processing unit. The central processing unit determines whether the motor has reached the desired gear position based on the motor position information, and actuates the pulse modulating circuit to transmit pulses to actuate the motor to reach the desired gear position when the motor has not reached the desired gear position. |
| US08370029B2 |
Method and device for detecting a jam
For the purpose of detecting a jam during the adjustment of a component of a motor vehicle using an adjustment drive, wherein measured values related to the adjustment force (F) are compared to a threshold value (FREF) and when the threshold value is reached, the adjusting movement is slowed or stopped, and optionally reversed, it is proposed that the component speed or a parameter correlated therewith is detected and the threshold value (FREF) modified accordingly. |
| US08370024B2 |
Method for detecting the direction of travel of a motor vehicle
A method for detecting the direction of travel or for detecting a change in the direction of travel of a motor vehicle which has at least two wheel speed sensor arrangements which each comprise an encoder with an incremental scale and a plurality of scale graduations and a wheel speed sensor (SEa, SEb, SEc, SEd) and are connected to an electronic control unit, wherein, when a scale graduation is sensed the wheel speed sensors each transmit a speed signal to the electronic control unit, wherein the direction of travel or a change in the direction of travel is identified at least from the order in which the speed signals occur with respect to the individual wheel speed sensor arrangements. A computer program product for carrying out all the steps of the method is also disclosed. |
| US08370022B2 |
Suspension system for vehicle
A suspension system is provided to execute a control for avoiding a state in which an operation of an electric motor which is a power source of an electromagnetic actuator is kept halted at a certain operational position while the motor is generating a motor force. Where a target rotational position of the motor becomes equal to a specific operational position (e.g., a rotational position at which an electrifying current amount of one phase reaches a peak value), a control for shifting the target rotational position by δθ is executed. Where the rotational position of the motor is kept located at the certain position for a time period longer than a prescribed time, a control for changing the rotational position of the motor is executed. |
| US08370019B2 |
Method and facility for estimating a measure of friction
A friction coefficient between at least one tire of a motor vehicle and a roadway is estimated recursively. A kingpin inclination angle is detected or measured. A model determines a lateral friction value by defining a functional correlation between that value and the angle such that a non-linear course of that value relative to the angle is dependant on an initial increase of that value relative to the angle and on a recursively determined estimated value of the friction coefficient. The initial increase is defined substantially independently from the recursively determined estimated value. In addition, a measurement variable of the driving dynamics is captured. Depending on the lateral friction value, the driving dynamics model variable is determined. Furthermore, a variance between the driving dynamics measurement variable and the driving dynamics model value is determined. The recursion when acquiring the estimated value includes that the estimated value is adjusted. |
| US08370018B2 |
Automotive diagnostic process
A method of processing vehicle diagnostic data is provided for identifying likely vehicle fix(s) associated with a diagnostic data, and identifying a repair procedure(s) for correcting the likely fix(s). The process receiving vehicle diagnostic data from a vehicle onboard computer at a remote diagnostic database, the database being arranged to map vehicle diagnostic data to possible vehicle fix(s). The possible vehicle fix(s) are prioritized in accordance with ranked matches of the received diagnostic data to combinations of diagnostic data stored in a prior experience database. The prior experience database having an identified fix associated with each stored combination of diagnostic data. The fix associated with the highest ranked combination of diagnostic data is identified as the most likely fix. The most likely fix is mapped to a vehicle repair database, the most likely fix being directly mapped to an associated repair procedure for repairing the most likely fix. |
| US08370008B2 |
Train control system
According to one embodiment, a train control system for a train is disclosed, the control system includes a speed detection unit configured to detect the train speed, a position detecting unit configured to detect position information of the train, a signal aspect speed receiver to receive signal aspect speed information from outside the train, an automatic train operation (ATO) unit that is configured to output a first throttle notch command to drive the train between stations and to stop the train at a target position, a specification notch pattern output unit configured to selectively output a second throttle notch control command. The signal aspect speed information includes a speed limit for a location. The first output throttle notch command is based, at least in part, on the signal aspect speed information. |
| US08370007B2 |
Method and computer software code for determining when to permit a speed control system to control a powered system
A method for determining an operating threshold boundary within which a controller is permitted to control a powered system, the method including calculating a threshold boundary with at least one of information about at least one of a route and a load encountered by the powered system as a function of at least one of time or distance, a characteristic of the powered system, and a characteristics of the controller, and determining whether the powered system exceeds the threshold boundary. |
| US08370002B2 |
Multi-mission remote aerial refueling operator system
A method for performing missions with a refueling aircraft. A number of control stations are configured to selectively control a plurality of systems in the refueling aircraft to form a number of configured control stations. The plurality of systems includes a refueling system and a number of other systems. Each of the plurality of systems is capable of performing a different mission. A number of missions are performed during flight using the number of configured control stations. |
| US08369999B2 |
Method and apparatus for forecasting shadowing for a photovoltaic system
In a method for forecasting shadowing of a photovoltaic (PV) system due to cloud formation or movement, part of the firmament is imaged with fisheye optics onto the input optics of a digital camera. Pixel groups associated with luminous intensity ranges are formed. The spatial arrangement of the groups is analyzed to forecast shadowing of a photovoltaic system. A line extending from the PV system to the sun is formed and is continuously tracked. A reference line located inside a region around the line is formed. Passage of clouds across a reference line is analyzed. The result of the analysis is used to increase the electric power from the PV system to a minimum value through supply of additional backup energy or to reduce the electric power consumption by disconnecting users to ensure that key users do not experience a drop in supplied power below a minimum value. |
| US08369997B2 |
Solar panel wind turbine communication server network apparatus method and mechanism
The method included herein is an alternative energy wireless solar panel wind turbine communication server appliance node mechanism with built in communications server array, wireless energy and communications mechanism with protection, sharing, storage, accessing, authentication, battery management, certification, processing attachment and tracking mechanisms. The method and mechanism is utilized via networked servers, solar panels, and wireless electronic devices (online and offline) as well as mobile (wireless) communications devices built into one waterproof, temperature, controlled self sensing hardware package. The method and mechanism also works as part of a kilowatt hour banking system, and thermal passive solar control mechanism for living spaces. |
| US08369993B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating position and attitude of arm tip of robot
A calibrating technique is provided for the position/attitude or only the position of an arm tip of a robot, such as an articulated type of robot. At plural positions, respective n pieces of errors (Δφn, wherein n is a positive integer larger than a value obtained by dividing the number of unknown parameters by 6 or 3) are calculated. Each error is a difference between a position of the arm tip measured and a position commanded by control. An inter-error difference (Δεy (1≦y≦n−1)) between a reference error (Δφm (1≦m≦n)) arbitrarily selected from the n-piece errors (Δφn) and other errors (Δφx (x≦n, except for m)) other than the reference error (Δφm) is calculated. A parameter, which is a basis for calculating the inter-error differences (Δεy), is made to converge until a sum of absolute values of the inter-error differences (Δεy) becomes within a given threshold (ε0 (ε0>0)). |
| US08369992B2 |
Embedded diagnostic, prognostic, and health management system and method for a humanoid robot
A robotic system includes a humanoid robot with multiple compliant joints, each moveable using one or more of the actuators, and having sensors for measuring control and feedback data. A distributed controller controls the joints and other integrated system components over multiple high-speed communication networks. Diagnostic, prognostic, and health management (DPHM) modules are embedded within the robot at the various control levels. Each DPHM module measures, controls, and records DPHM data for the respective control level/connected device in a location that is accessible over the networks or via an external device. A method of controlling the robot includes embedding a plurality of the DPHM modules within multiple control levels of the distributed controller, using the DPHM modules to measure DPHM data within each of the control levels, and recording the DPHM data in a location that is accessible over at least one of the high-speed communication networks. |
| US08369990B2 |
Robot platform for remotely controlled and/or autonomous inspection of technical facilities
A robot platform is provided, which is intended in particular for remotely controlled and/or autonomous inspection of technical facilities, in particular in power stations, and comprises at least a drive mechanism configured to move the robot platform, an inspection device configured to inspect the technical facility and a communication device for exchanging measurement and/or control data. Particular flexibility in use and extended areas of use are achieved in that the robot platform is modular and the communication device operates in accordance with a uniform standard. |
| US08369987B2 |
Method and system for delivering multi-media products
An apparatus, method and system are presented for delivering multi-media products using a self-service kiosk. The kiosk delivers the multi-media product on a DVD or electronically downloads the multi-media product via high-speed communications to a portable device. The high-speed communications allows the multi-media product to be downloaded in relatively short time period. |
| US08369982B2 |
Method and device for inserting, collecting or collating a plurality of flexible, planar products
The invention relates to a device for inserting, collecting or collating a plurality of flexible, planar products, preferably printed products, wherein the device (10, 10a, 10b) comprises a product collection unit (12, 12a), a first processing unit (14, 14′), and a second processing unit (16, 16′, 16′) for the synchronized processing, for example feeding, of products. The product collection unit (14, 14′) comprises a main drive controller (18), which is operatively connected to a main drive (20, 20′) for driving a conveying means (22). The first processing unit (14, 14′) comprises a first drive controller (24, 24′), which is operatively connected to a first drive (26, 26′, 26′), and the second processing unit (16, 16′, 16′) comprises a second drive controller (28, 28′, 28′), which is operatively connected to a second drive (30, 30′). The first processing unit (14, 14′) additionally comprises a first data collector (34, 34′), which is connected to the main drive controller (18) and to the first drive controller (24, 24′) via a first data bus (32, 32′), while the second processing unit (16, 16′, 16′) comprises a second data collector (36, 36′), which is connected to the first drive controller (24, 24′) and the second drive controller (28) via the first data bus (32, 32′). |
| US08369976B2 |
Method for compensating for tool processing variation in the routing of wafers/lots
A method for increasing overall yield in semiconductor manufacturing including routing wafers or wafer lots from tool to tool in a manner which at least partially neutralizes or compensates for processing variations. A system for increasing overall yield in semiconductor manufacturing includes a module for recording processing data from plural first and second types of tools and a module for routing wafers or wafer lots from tools of the first type of tools to tools of the second type of tools so as to at least partially neutralizes or compensate for processing variation. |
| US08369974B2 |
Virtual phonograph
A computer-based method and system to play back an audio file, and to display and animate a virtual phonograph turntable on a touch-screen similar to the movement of a record and stylus in a conventional physical turntable. A user may manipulate and control playback of the audio file by using the touchscreen to touch, move and drag the virtual record or stylus on the screen. The audio file playback is modified in accordance with the user's input, resulting in playback that is similar to what would occur if corresponding touching and movement were performed on a conventional turntable. The system may playback and mix from multiple sources under user control, which may be saved, recorded or exported for future use. |
| US08369973B2 |
Efficient asynchronous sample rate conversion
Asynchronous sample rate conversion for use in a digital audio receiver is disclosed. Different algorithms are applied for the upsampling and downsampling cases. In the upsampling case, the input signal is upsampled and filtered, before the application of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter. In the downsampling case, the input signal is filtered by an FIR filter, and then filtered and downsampled. The FIR coefficients of the fractional delay FIR filter are calculated by evaluation of polynomial expressions over intervals of the filter impulse response, at times corresponding to the input sample points. |
| US08369971B2 |
Media system having preemptive digital audio and/or video extraction function
A media system is disclosed that uses preemptive recording of media files to reduce playback latency when media tracks are subsequently selected for playback during the recording process. The media system comprises a primary storage device capable of storing media files and a secondary storage device capable of reading digital media files from a removable storage medium. The system also includes a media player capable of playing media files stored on the primary storage device and a recorder that is connected to read digital media data from the secondary storage device. The recorder stores media files corresponding to the digital media data of the removable storage medium on the primary storage device. To reduce subsequent playback latency when media tracks are selected for playback during the recording process, the recorder automatically stores only predetermined portions of each media file read from the storage medium on the primary storage device when the removable storage medium is, for example, initially engaged with the secondary storage device. The preemptive recording may also occur at advantageous times other than the time at which the removable storage medium is initially engaged with the secondary storage device. Further, preemptive recording may be limited to the media files selected by the user for complete recording from the secondary storage device to the primary storage device. |
| US08369960B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling wireless signal transfers between ultrasound-enabled medical devices
Systems and methods for wireless signal transfers between ultrasound-enabled medical devices are disclosed. An illustrative system includes a source device equipped with multiple transducer elements configured to transmit an acoustic wave, a target device including an acoustic transducer for receiving the acoustic wave from the source device, and a controller configured to determine adjustments to one or more transmission parameters of the source device for increasing the signal coherence of the acoustic wave at the target device. |
| US08369958B2 |
Independent and concurrent processing multiple audio input signals in a prosthetic hearing implant
A prosthetic hearing implant capable of independently and concurrently processing multiple audio input signals such that each audio input signal is separately utilized to stimulate the basilar membrane of the implant recipient. A prosthetic hearing implant of the present invention simultaneously receives discrete audio signals from each of one or more audio sources, generates a separate set of one or more stimulations signals for each audio signal, and concurrently applies the stimulation signals to the cochlear. Different channels of stimulation may be allocated to each audio input signal. Alternatively, different modes of stimulation may be used for each input signal. Or, in yet another example, the audio input signals may be time-multiplexed such that the input signals are applied in alternating timeslots. Or, in yet other examples, the input signals may be applied using a combination of stimulation channels, modes of stimulation, and alternating time slots. The stimulation signals may be delivered to the same or different electrodes depending on the quantity and frequency component of the received audio input signals, the quantity of available stimulation channels, and other factors. |
| US08369955B2 |
Method and system for improving a subject's sensory, reflex and/or motor mechanisms via auditory, tactile or visual stimulations
The present invention relates to a method and a system for improving sensitivity of a first sensory, reflex and/or motor mechanism of a subject by stimulating a second sensory, reflex and/or motor mechanism of the subject. For that purpose a noise is applied to the second sensory, reflex and/or motor mechanism to improve the sensitivity of the first sensory, reflex and/or motor mechanism due to cross-modal SR interactions. |
| US08369950B2 |
Implantable medical device with fractal antenna
An apparatus and method for enabling an implanted fractal antenna for radio frequency communications between an implantable medical device and an external device. The fractal antenna may be disposed within or outside of a header assembly of the device housing. Various examples include a three dimensional patterned cylinder usable as a tissue anchor or stent. In another embodiment the antenna may be cast, molded, stamped, punched, milled, laser cut, etched or other methods to form a fractal pattern in conductive media. In another embodiment the antenna may be formed of a printed circuit board (PCB) either with or without an included ground reference plane. In another embodiment the antenna may be formed in a fractal pattern and then wrapped around a part of the implantable device. |
| US08369949B2 |
Pace counter isolation for cardiac resynchronization pacing
A system and method for recording sensing and pacing events in a cardiac rhythm management device. The method may be particularly useful in assessment of pacing parameters for ventricular resynchronization therapy. |
| US08369940B2 |
Devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep with an implantable device
Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof. |
| US08369939B2 |
Activation apparatus, method, and computer program for brainwave interface system
An electroencephalogram IF system includes an electroencephalogram measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram signal, a function control section for analyzing an event-related potential contained in the electroencephalogram signal and outputting a function control signal for controlling a function of a device based on the result of analysis, and an output section for outputting the function control signal. The activation apparatus includes: an activation determination section for, while the electroencephalogram IF system is not functioning, transmitting to the output section a stimulation control signal for controlling presentation and vanishing of a visual stimulation on a single-item on the output section and, within the electroencephalogram signal acquired from the electroencephalogram measurement section, allowing a P200 component value of an event-related potential since the timing of presenting the visual stimulation as a starting point to be compared against a predetermined threshold value, and determining whether or not to output an activation trigger to the function control section based on the result of comparison; and a stimulation attention determination section for determining whether or not the user is paying attention to the visual stimulation based on an N100 component of the event-related potential since the timing of presenting the visual stimulation as a starting point, and causing processing by the activation determination section to begin depending on the determination result. When the activation determination section outputs an activation trigger, the electroencephalogram IF system is activated. |
| US08369936B2 |
Wearable apparatus for measuring heart-related parameters and deriving human status parameters from sensed physiological and contextual parameters
A monitor device and associated methodology are disclosed which provide a self contained, relatively small and continuously wearable package for the monitoring of heart related parameters, including ECG. The detection of heart related parameters is predicated on the location of inequipotential signals located within regions of the human body conventionally defined as equivalent for the purpose of detection of heart related electrical activity, such as on single limbs. Amplification, filtering and processing methods and apparatus are described in conjunction with analytical tools for beat detection and display. |
| US08369933B2 |
Radial cardiac catheterization board
Embodiments of the present description provide a medical apparatus for use in supporting a patient lying in a supine position during a radial cardiac catheterization procedure. More particularly, embodiments of the present description provide an arm board a patient's arm during a radial cardiac catheterization procedure. The arm board is a substantially planar member having a support surface on which the patient's arm can be stabilized during a catheterization procedure. Desirably, the arm board has both a radiolucent portion and a radiopaque portion, thereby reducing and/or eliminating a doctor's exposure to radiation during radial cardiac catheterization procedures without impairing the ability to obtain the necessary medical images. Also provided is a medical apparatus and a method for its use. |
| US08369926B2 |
Assessing the condition of a joint and devising treatment
Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly in a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the effect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. Information on thickness of cartilage and curvature of cartilage or subchondral bone can be used to plan therapy. Information on movement pattern can be used to plan therapy. Planning therapy may include generating one or more physical models. |
| US08369924B1 |
ECG leads system for newborn ECG screening
An apparatus including a chest strip including a plurality of precordial leads positioned to correspond with desired lead placement for an electrocardiogram; and a plurality of limb leads coupled to the chest strip. A system including a chest strip including a plurality of precordial leads positioned to correspond with desired lead placement for an electrocardiogram; a plurality of limb leads coupled to the chest strip; and a transmitter coupled to plurality of precordial leads and the plurality of limb leads to transmit signals generated by the plurality of precordial leads and the plurality of limb leads. A method including coupling a chest strip including a precordial leads to a newborn; and generating an electrocardiogram from the precordial leads. |
| US08369918B2 |
Body fluid sampling device
Body fluid sampling device comprising a sampling element having a fluid pathway (11) for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of the fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving means (40) being spaced from the fluid pathway so that fluid in the pathway will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The fluid receiving means has two or more test zones (45) for performing analytical reactions. Fluid from the channel is contacted with the fluid receiving means either by bringing the fluid receiving means and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving means. |
| US08369917B2 |
Finger-clipped oximeter with finger pressed plate
A finger-clipped oximeter includes an upper case (2) in which a measuring element (4), a data processing circuit, batteries (6) and a display (3) are provided, a rectangular through hole being provided in the upper case (2); a finger pressed plate (10) in which a measuring element is also provided, a finger inserting hole (11), a rectangular column (7) with a position corresponding to that of the rectangular through hole of the upper case (2); and a pair of connectors which are capable of ascending or descending, each of the connectors including one U-shaped connecting rod (8). |
| US08369916B2 |
Optical fiber connector
An optical connector device is disclosed for optically connecting a biosensor wearable on the body of a patient to a reader outside of the body of the patient. The device comprises a base disk to be worn on the body of a patient. The base disk has a needle attached thereto and the needle houses a first fiber defining a first optical conduit. The distal end of the needle is insertable into the body of the patient, and a portion of the proximal end of the needle remains outside of the body of the patient when the device is worn. The device also comprises a connector housing a second fiber defining a second optical conduit. |
| US08369909B2 |
Sliding opening and closing device and a portable terminal having the same
Disclosed are a sliding opening and closing device and a portable terminal having the same. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a slide plate is linked to a main plate to be slidable in one direction. Also, the main plate supports an elastic part so as to generate an elasticity power in one direction. A power transformation member receives the elasticity power of the elastic member, and transmits the elasticity power to the slide plate in the direction of the opening or the closing according to the position of the slide plate. |
| US08369907B2 |
Case for portable terminal, portable terminal having the same and method for manufacturing the same
A case for a portable terminal includes a case body having a surface provided with a recessed area and a sheet formed of fibers, and is inserted into the recessed area so that end portions of the sheet is covered by the case body. The portable terminal includes the case. A method for manufacturing the case is also discussed. |
| US08369905B2 |
Power transmission control device, power transmission device, power receiving control device, power receiving device, and electronic apparatus
A power transmission control device provided in a power transmission device included in a contactless power transmission system in which power is transmitted from the power transmission device to a power receiving device by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil and a secondary coil and the power is supplied to a load of the power receiving device includes a controller controlling the power transmission control device. The controller includes a communication condition setting section setting, by exchanging information with the power receiving device, a communication condition that is at least one of a communication method between the power transmission device and the power receiving device and a communication parameter, and a communication processing section performing a communication processing between the power transmission device and the power receiving device by using the set communication condition. |
| US08369902B2 |
Combined apparatus of bluetooth earset and charging dock
The present invention discloses a combined apparatus of a Bluetooth earset and a charging dock, characterized in that the combined apparatus comprises the Bluetooth earset and the charging dock which can be connected to a power supply, said charging dock comprising a main body portion, and one end of the charging dock is an electrical connection portion which is connected to a DC power supply, and the other end of the charging dock is a holding cavity portion for fixing the Bluetooth earset, and electric contacts in the holding cavity portion are adapted to electric contacts on a bottom end of the Bluetooth earset. |
| US08369899B2 |
Mobile electronic device and method of displaying on same
A mobile device and a displayed information protection method suitable for use with the mobile device are disclosed. In response to a trigger signal, a control unit determines if information presented on a display contains confidential information. If confidential information is displayed, the confidential information is concealed or removed from the display. The trigger signal may comprise, for example, an event such as an incoming telephone call, reception of electronic mail, and fingerprint authentication. |
| US08369898B2 |
Portable terminal with touch screen and method for displaying tags in the portable terminal
A portable terminal with a touch screen and a method for displaying tags on the touch screen of the portable terminal are disclosed. The method includes: calculating a distance between the first and second touch points detected on the touch screen; identifying the number of tags that will be displayed, according to the calculated distance; and displaying at least one of the identified number of tags. |
| US08369896B2 |
Base station, communication system, and communication method
A base station used in a communication system wherein user terminals are classified into cell center terminals and cell edge terminals, based on reception quality and includes a receiving unit that receives cell edge band information transmitted from another base station and indicative of a cell edge band allocated to a cell edge terminal in a nearby cell; a determining unit that determines a cell edge band for a cell of the base station, based on the cell edge band information for a plurality of nearby cells and received by the receiving unit; and a communicating unit that, via the cell edge band determined by the determining unit, communicates with the cell edge terminals in the cell of the base station. |
| US08369895B2 |
Methods for aligning polling timers by mobile station with subscriber identity cards and systems utilizing the same
A method for aligning polling timer by a mobile station with a first subscriber identity card and a second subscriber identity card, executed by a processor of the mobile station, is provided. First, it is determined whether the second subscriber identity card is operated in an IDLE state when a first timer corresponding to the first subscriber identity card counts to a specific time period. Forthcoming periodic timings are adjusted for polling the first and second subscriber identity cards to be substantially consistent when the second subscriber identity card is operated in an IDLE state. |
| US08369894B1 |
Confirming certification of combinations of secure elements and mobile devices
A system is provided for confirming certification of combinations of secure elements and mobile devices. The system includes secure element data and a secure element component on a removable secure element. The secure element component detects insertion of the removable secure element in a mobile device, retrieves the secure element data, and retrieves mobile device data from the mobile device. The secure element component determines whether a combination of the removable secure element and the mobile device is certified based on a comparison of the secure element data and the mobile device data. The secure element component provides a certification alert via a user interface on the mobile device in response to a determination that the combination of the removable secure element and the mobile device is not certified. |
| US08369893B2 |
Method and system for adapting mobile device to accommodate external display
In at least one embodiment, a mobile device system includes an external display device in communication with a mobile device. The mobile device has a touchscreen display, an operating system and at least one additional software component executed by processing component(s), where one or more input signals from the display are communicated to the operating system. The at least one additional software component generates output signals based upon one or more image signals communicated at least indirectly from the operating system. The external display device receives the output signals and based thereon displays an image having two components, one of which is reflective of a mobile device status/operational condition and is substantially similar to another image that would have been displayed on the touchscreen display if the external display device and mobile device were not in communication. Methods of operating such mobile device systems, and mobile devices, are also disclosed. |
| US08369891B2 |
Wireless telephony device with breath analysis sensor and methods for use therewith
A wireless telephony device includes a memory that stores at least one telephony application. A processor executes the telephony application to process at least one telephone call via a wireless telephony network in response to commands of a user. A breath analyzing sensor analyzes a breath of the user in conjunction with the at least one telephone call and generates breath analysis test data in response thereto. The telephony application generates a breath analysis test message, based on the breath analysis test data and transmits the breath analysis test message via the wireless telephony network. |
| US08369890B2 |
Mobile electronic device with an illuminated static display
A mobile electronic device provided with a static display that can be activated by a processor upon events in the mobile electronic device for alerting a user. A mobile electronic device provided with a flexible display that follows curved surfaces of the housing of the device and can be wrapped around corners and edges of the mobile electronic device. |
| US08369888B1 |
Determining presence status using motion detection
Determining a presence status associated with a user of a mobile communications device allows for presence information to be provided to network elements and device clients. Presence status information includes information that indicates whether a user is likely available via the mobile communications device. Acceleration data associated with the mobile device is collected and analyzed to determine whether a human profile is indicated. Presence status information is generated based at least on whether the human profile is indicated. |
| US08369887B2 |
Mobile terminal using proximity sensor and method of controlling the mobile terminal
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal may generate a haptic effect whose intensity or pattern corresponds to the type and importance of an event occurred therein. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily identify the event based on the haptic effect. Since the mobile terminal generates a haptic effect in response to a command input thereto by the user, it is possible to prevent a command from being accidently input to the mobile terminal. |
| US08369885B2 |
Multi-user MIMO transmissions in wireless communication systems
An apparatus and method for providing control information in a Multi User-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of Resource Elements (REs) including Downlink Control Information (DCI), determining, using the DCI, a set of REs to which a plurality of Downlink Reference Signals (DRSs) may be mapped, determining remaining REs as REs to which data is mapped, and demodulating the data using a precoding vector of a DRS corresponding to the MS. |
| US08369884B2 |
Base station apparatus and communication control method
A base station apparatus is disclosed that is capable of communicating with a user equipment terminal using a shared channel in downlink and controlling transmission power of a control channel reporting identification information of the user equipment terminal receiving the shared channel and a transmission format of the shared channel. The base station apparatus includes a transmission power control unit configured to control the transmission power of the control channel based on downlink radio quality information reported from the user equipment terminal and an offset value determined based on communications quality of the control channel. |
| US08369881B2 |
PTT server, PTT communication system, PTT communication method, and program
A PTT server includes a controlling unit, a receiving unit, a medium converting unit, and a transmitting unit. The controlling unit controls pieces of connection setting information less than the number of a plurality of PTT terminals having different specifications by complying them with the plurality of PTT terminals. The receiving unit receives a medium coded data from any one of the PTT terminals. The medium converting unit converts the medium coded data with a converting method on the basis of the connection setting information compliant with a PTT terminal for transmission destination to produce an output coded data. The transmitting unit transmits the output coded data to the PTT terminal for the transmission destination. |
| US08369879B1 |
Methods and systems for automatically forwarding data messages in a wireless telecommunications network
A data message originally addressed to a first mobile device is forwarded to a second mobile device in a wireless telecommunications network. Data messages may include text messages, picture messages, and video messages. In addition to forwarding data messages, other optional data message forwarding features are provided such as a copy feature that allows for a forwarded message to be copied back to the original addressee, and an invisible feature that prevents a data message sender from knowing that a data message has been forwarded by the data message addressee. |
| US08369873B2 |
Method for determining A change in A communication signal and using this information to improve SPS signal reception and processing
Methods and apparatuses for determining a position of a mobile satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver which is coupled to a communication receiver or transceiver. In one exemplary method, a change in a communication signal received by the communication receiver is determined. A parameter, based on the change, is determined, and SPS signals from SPS satellites are processed according to the parameter. According to further details of this method, the change involves the fluctuation of the level of the communication signal and the parameter is a motion information which specifies a frequency range for searching for SPS signals in the process of acquiring the SPS signals from SPS satellites. In an alternative embodiment the change in the communication signal is a change in the transmitted signal in response to power control commands. Apparatuses, such as a mobile communication system which includes an SPS receiver and a communication receiver, are also described. |
| US08369869B2 |
Method, node, device, computer program, and data carrier for determining a position of a node in an ad-hoc network
In a method and a device for determining a geographical position of a node in an ad-hoc network, distance circles of at least two nodes that adjoin the node are determined. In addition, points of intersection between the distance circles of the at least two nodes adjoining the node are identified. A main set of points of intersection is determined from among the set of the identified or determined points of intersection, the main set comprising points of intersection located in the vicinity of an estimated position of the node. The geographical position of the node is then determined by the main set of points of intersection. |
| US08369863B2 |
Method for interference suppression
An interference suppression method is provided. A method includes the following steps: determining, by a Femtocell, a set of Femtocells which generate interference with said Femtocell based on information measured by and feedbacked from subscribers which are served by said Femtocell, and delivering the cell IDs of all Femtocells in said set to a Femtocell gateway; establishing, by the Femtocell gateway, a relationship graph on interference among Femtocells according to information delivered from the Femtocells, and clustering the Femtocells based on said relationship graph; determining the range influenced by each Femtocell cluster; allocating resources to the Femtocells in each isolated cluster or in the range influenced by each cluster. It may ensure liable communications of Femtocell subscribers as possible, and/or may maximize spectrum efficiency and system capacity of the Femtocell layer as possible. |
| US08369859B2 |
Controlling transmit power of picocell base units
A transmit power control technique within a wireless communication system includes adjusting a transmit power used by a picocell base station unit based upon a position of the picocell within a macrocell. When a picocell base station unit is located relatively close to a macrocell base station or center of the macrocell, the transmit power of the picocell base station unit is increased to avoid downlink interference from the macrocell base station for mobile stations communicating within the picocell. When a picocell base station unit is located relatively close to an edge of a macrocell, the transmit power of the picocell base station is decreased to avoid interference caused by the picocell base station unit for mobile stations communicating within the macrocell in the vicinity of the picocell. In a disclosed example determined downlink interference levels provide an indication of the position of the picocell within the macrocell and provide an indication of how to automatically adjust the transmit power of the picocell base station unit. |
| US08369856B2 |
Mobile terminal device for receiving packet-oriented radio signals
The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal device for a mobile telecommunication system. The device includes electronics for receiving a telephone call, electronics for receiving packet-oriented radio signals, and electronics for selecting at least one transmission service which is transmitted using the packet-oriented radio signals. The mobile terminal device is adapted to receive a signal regarding a time slot from the network of the mobile telecommunication system, the time slot being determined in accordance with the selected transmission service. During the at least one time slot the reception of the packet-oriented radio signal is suspended in order to receive a radio paging signal which signals a telephone call addressed to the mobile transmission device so that the mobile terminal device remains accessible to telephone calls during reception of the packet-oriented radio signals. |
| US08369855B2 |
Mobile communications system and control method thereof
Disclosed is a mobile communications system including a plurality of base station apparatuses which are located at geographically dispersed locations and perform a wireless communication with a mobile device. The system further includes a maximum ratio combining unit which performs maximum ratio combining processing regarding a signal the base station apparatuses receive from the mobile device, and a selection combining unit which performs selection combining processing regarding the signal from the mobile device. A selection unit included in the system selects one or both of the maximum ratio combining unit and the selection combining unit according to at least one of an external factor and a change of a distribution state of the mobile device under communication. |
| US08369845B2 |
Method and system to subscribe, configure and move mobile telephone software service conveniently
Remotely configuring mobile telephone software based on subscription. A user's mobile telephone stores user description information and service description information related to the mobile telephone in a service management platform after installing and starting a mobile telephone service. The user logs on to the service management platform through access equipment, and subscribes to mobile telephone service modality and functions available after identity authorization. The user can configure service parameters through access equipment, download the mobile telephone service software or service description information from the service management platform, and install them to the user's mobile telephone after a subscription or configuration operation. The user can log on to the service management platform through a new mobile telephone when the mobile telephone is replaced. The mobile telephone service software and service description information used in the original mobile telephone can be moved to the new mobile telephone selectively or as a whole after identity authorization. |
| US08369842B2 |
Exchanging identifiers between wireless communication to determine further information to be exchanged or further services to be provided
A server facilitates a transaction between a first wireless device and a second wireless device. An identifier associated with the second wireless device has been sent to the first wireless device using a short range wireless connection; the server receives the identifier. The server then determines location information associated with both the first and said second wireless devices. If the location of the first and second wireless devices is appropriate for authorizing the transaction, the server then determines authentication information relating to the second wireless device. The server then provides authorization to the first or second wireless device to proceed with the transaction. The authorization may be based at least in part upon the identifier, the authentication information and the locations of said first and second wireless devices. |
| US08369840B2 |
Visual voicemail method for managing deleted messages
A method for managing visual voicemail messages includes displaying a list of voicemail messages on a telecommunications handset, receiving user commands for operating on the voicemail messages including a delete message command and in response to a delete message command, marking a voicemail message for deletion with a delete timestamp and moving the voicemail message to a Deleted Messages folder. A Deleted Message Age Indicator function processes to control permanent deletion of voicemail messages in the Deleted Messages folder based on delete timestamps and a global Delete Time value in cooperation with a visual voicemail platform. |
| US08369839B2 |
Electronic apparatus and communication state notification method
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a communication module, a content information acquisition module, and a communication state notification module. The communication module executes close proximity wireless transfer. The content information acquisition module acquires content information about at least one content item to be transmitted between the communication module and an external device by negotiation. The communication state notification module executes either a first communication state notification processing of outputting a start tone indicative of start of transmission of the at least one content item and an end tone indicative of end of transmission of the at least one content item or a second communication state notification processing of suppressing output of the start tone and outputting the end tone, based on the acquired content information, when the at least one content item is transmitted between the communication module and the external device. |
| US08369838B2 |
Alerts for drivers of wireless communication restrictions
An exemplary method provides for a wireless mobile unit an alert representing a warning that legally imposed restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles in predetermined zones. The method includes determining by a communication system if a first mobile unit is being used for wireless communications, and acquiring by the communication system the location of the first mobile unit. The communication system compares the location of the first mobile unit to locations of the predetermined zones having restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles. Upon the first mobile unit entering a warning zone that is adjacent the predetermined zone and the first mobile unit being used for wireless communications, the transmission of an alert is initiated to the first mobile unit. The alert causes the first mobile unit to output an audible or visual communication available to the user of the first mobile unit, where the audible or visual communication provides a warning that a legally imposed restriction on the use of the first wireless mobile unit by a driver of moving vehicle is imposed in the predetermined zone. |
| US08369831B2 |
Single operator, single SIM, single billing entity supporting simultaneous use of multi-radio device and/or phone
A mobile wireless communication device may communicate information to a first network device for enabling authentication, authorization and/or management of accounting for the mobile wireless communication device for use within a first network. A SIM may enable a communication session with a second network based on data sent to the second network related to the authentication, authorization and/or accounting management for use in the first network. The mobile wireless communication device may be handed-off to the second network and/or may establish simultaneous communication sessions with the first network and the second network without communicating authentication, authorization and/or accounting information to the second network. The first and/or second network and/or another network device may comprise and/or share a session control server. The mobile wireless communication device may receive, store and/or modify additional information associated with the authentication, authorization and/or accounting management from the second network device. |
| US08369829B2 |
Prepaid billing solutions for push-to-talk in a wireless communications network
Advanced group services for use in a mobile phone network include a prepaid billing solution. In the mobile phone network, a real-time exchange interfaces to at least one mobile switching center to provide the advanced group services therein. Both the real-time exchange and the mobile phones that use the advanced group services communicate with each other using call setup and in-band signaling within the mobile phone network, wherein the real-time exchange switches the voice frames for the advanced group services between the mobile phones across bearer paths and through at least one mobile switching center in the mobile phone network. A real-time billing mechanism is provided for a prepaid subscriber of the advanced group services. The real-time billing mechanism may use a prefix-based billing solution or a charging number based billing solution. |
| US08369824B2 |
Privacy-related requests for an IMS emergency session
A network component is provided that includes a processor configured, upon the network component receiving an IMS (Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem) emergency call from a user equipment (UE) 110, to detect in the emergency call an indicator requesting the network component to restrict presentation of private information related to the UE 110. The processor is further configured, when the indicator is present, to transmit the emergency call without at least some of the private information to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) 130. |
| US08369822B2 |
Systems and methods for providing emergency callback procedures
Enhanced services, such as call restriction, call forwarding, anonymous call rejection, and proprietary services, may interfere with an emergency callback potentially preventing the callback from reaching the intended destination. Systems and methods for processing emergency calls to eliminate emergency callback failure in response to an emergency call being released are provided herein. |
| US08369821B2 |
List-based emergency calling device
An emergency services automatic dialing device enables at least one number in a list of alternate numbers to be called prior to dialing an emergency services number (e.g., 911). This enables a user of a corresponding portable transceiver to try to reach someone else (e.g., a family member) before having to resort to calling emergency services (e.g., 911 for fire department, police or ambulance). The dialing device can call several numbers in a list until all the numbers are exhausted before dialing the emergency services number. Calling the list of numbers can also be overridden by pressing a button on the portable transceiver in a particular way. |
| US08369819B2 |
Double frequency-conversion receiving circuit and method used for radio-frequency SIM card
A double frequency-conversion receiving circuit used for a radio-frequency SIM card, including a low-noise amplifier (01), a high-medium-frequency mixer (02), a low-medium-frequency mixer (03), a local oscillator (04), a quadrature I/Q circuit (05), and a low-medium-frequency processing circuit (07), characterized in that it also includes a frequency divider (06) that performs N frequency dividing to a high-local-oscillation signal generated by the local oscillator (04), wherein the divided low-local-oscillation signal is inputted into the quadrature I/Q circuit (05), the outputted I/Q local-oscillation signal is inputted into the low-medium-frequency mixer (03) to obtain, after mixing, a low-medium-frequency signal, and the low-medium-frequency signal is further processed by the low-medium-frequency processing circuit (07) to output the signal needed, which has gone through the double frequency-conversion. The scheme described in this invention can improve the signal image frequency to approximately 3 GHz through smart frequency distribution without using an external image rejection filter. This effectively solves the image rejection problem when the radio-frequency SIM card is used in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band, and reduces power consumption of the chip. |
| US08369816B2 |
Filter for suppressing selected frequencies
According to one exemplary embodiment, a selectable notch filter includes a transmission line, a bias circuit, and a switch for selectably coupling the transmission line to ground. In one embodiment, the switch is a PIN diode. The selectable notch filter can selectably suppress a first frequency from being output when the transmission line is coupled to ground. Additionally, the selectable notch filter can selectably suppress a second frequency from being output when the transmission line is not coupled to ground. In one embodiment, the first frequency is approximately equal to a multiple of two of the second frequency. In one embodiment, the selectable notch filter can utilize more than one transmission line. |
| US08369814B2 |
Mobile communication device and reception suppressing method
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a mobile communication device and a reception suppressing method which can preferably perform communication even if a plurality of antennas is provided and a frequency bandwidth of a transmission signal or a reception signal of each antenna is in a close range with each other. |
| US08369813B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing cross-talk between audio channels in a mobile terminal
An apparatus and a method for reducing cross-talk between audio channels in a mobile terminal are provided. The apparatus includes an ear jack, a radio signal tuner, a baseband, and a switching unit. The ear jack includes a common port for a reference potential of an earphone and a radio signal. The radio signal tuner processes a radio signal input via the common port. The baseband determines an on/off state of a radio reception function to output a control signal. The switching unit connects the common port of the ear jack to one of a ground and the radio signal tuner according to the control signal. |
| US08369808B2 |
System and method for controlling antenna tuning using an auxiliary channel of an embedded display port interface
An information handling system includes a capacitor, an antenna, a wireless wide area network card, an embedded display port interface, and a digital-to-analog converter. The capacitor has a variable capacitance that varies based on a voltage applied to the capacitor. The antenna is coupled to the capacitor, and has a variable resonance frequency that is based on the variable capacitance. The wireless wide area network card is in communication with the antenna, and is configured to set the variable resonance frequency to a specific frequency based on a control signal. The embedded display port interface is configured to transmit the control signal from the wireless wide area network card to a display control circuit via an auxiliary channel of the embedded display port interface. The digital-to-analog converter is in communication with the display control circuit, and is configured to provide the voltage to the capacitor in response to a signal from the display control circuit. |
| US08369805B2 |
High linearity CMOS RF switch passing large signal and quiescent power amplifier current
Disclosed are high linearity CMOS-based devices capable of passing large signal and quiescent power amplifier current for switching radio frequency (RF) signals, and methods for biasing such devices. In certain RF devices such as mobile phones, providing different amplification modes can yield performance advantages. For example, a capability to transmit at low and high power modes typically results in an extended battery life, since the high power mode can be activated only when needed. Switching between such amplification modes can be facilitated by one or more switches formed in an integrated circuit and configured to route RF signal to different amplification paths. In certain embodiments, such RF switches can be formed as CMOS devices, and can be based on triple-well structures. In certain embodiments, a bias voltage applied to an isolated well of such a triple-well structure can be substantially tied to a source voltage coupled to source and drain, so as to yield desired performance features such as high amplification linearity even when the source voltage changes. |
| US08369801B2 |
Multimode-compatible polar modulation transmission device and multimode radio communication method
An object of the invention is to provide a multimode polar modulation device and a multimode radio communication method for making it possible to decrease the distortion compensation processing data capacity while maintaining the distortion compensation accuracy and also making it possible to efficiently store the distortion compensation processing data corresponding to a multimode modulation signal adaptively acquired in memory.At the distortion compensation coefficient calibration operation time of a polar modulation circuit 1901, a control section 1903 selects a modulation signal with a narrower dynamic range of amplitude signal than at the transmission operation time, an adaptive operation control section 1711 measures a spectrum in output of a power amplifier 1 for each predetermined output level, and a distortion compensation processing circuit 1701 finds optimum coefficient information. On the other hand, at the transmission operation time, the optimum coefficient information found according to the above-mentioned procedure is referenced and the optimum coefficient information of a modulation signal with a wide dynamic range of amplitude signal is found. |
| US08369799B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods to communicate received commands from a receiving device to a mobile device
A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination. |
| US08369798B2 |
Linearized transmitter including a power amplifier
A method and system for wireless communication is provided and may include generating a single analog quadrature signal in a chip including RF transmitters and receivers using a baseband processor, and generating output RF signals based on the quadrature signal in corresponding RF transmitters. The output RF signals may be communicated to the RF receivers via a feedback path including circuitry external to the RF receivers. The dedicated circuitry may include a transmit/receive switch and/or an on-chip or off-chip balun. The quadrature signal may include in-phase and quadrature-phase components. The output RF signal communicated via the feedback path may be down-converted utilizing mixers in the RF receivers and communicated to the baseband processor. Distortion in the quadrature signal may be estimated utilizing the communicated down-converted output RF signals and subsequently generated quadrature signals may be predistorted based on the distortion estimation. |
| US08369793B2 |
Channel-dependent scheduling and link adaptation
A mobile terminal measures interference over multiple measurement periods and generates interference probability data based on the statistical distribution of the interference measured. The interference probability data may describe, for example, the probability of each possible level of interference expected at the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal derives channel quality information as feedback to a base station based on this interference probability data (e.g., when noise at the mobile terminal falls below a threshold). In one embodiment, the mobile terminal does so by estimating from the interference probability data the probability of successfully receiving a transmission if certain feedback information is reported. Derived in this way, the feedback information more reliably indicates interference likely present at the mobile terminal when the base station sends the transmission. Accordingly, the base station controls the transmission based on the feedback information, and in some embodiments, also based on the interference probability data. |
| US08369790B2 |
Communication overhead reduction apparatus, systems, and methods
An apparatus and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to transmit a first number of training symbols corresponding to a first number of communication chains to solicit a response including a second number of training symbols corresponding to a second number of communication chains. The first and second number of communication chains may form a portion of a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) system. |
| US08369780B2 |
Hybrid transmitter for non-contact energy and data transmission
A system is provided for non-contacting energy and data transmission from a first vehicle part to a second vehicle part. In this arrangement apart from a first inductive part in a hybrid transmitter for transmission of first data and energy an additional, second, data channel is installed in the first hybrid transmitter in such a manner that the second data channel is influenced as little as possible by the electromagnetic fields of the inductive part of the transmitter. To this effect a magnetic void can be created in the hybrid transmitters used. For the purpose of reception of not only the first data but also the energy and the second data a corresponding second hybrid transmitter is stated. |
| US08369779B2 |
Device wearing status determination using RSSI
Methods and apparatuses for determining the wearing status of body worn devices are disclosed. In one example, RSSI values are processed to identify the wearing status of a body worn device. |
| US08369774B2 |
Terrestrial transmitting station for transmitting a terrestrial broadcast signal, satellite-aided broadcast system and receiver for a satellite-aided broadcast system
A terrestrial transmitting station for sending out a terrestrial broadcast signal includes a first receiver for receiving a signal to obtain a satellite receive signal, a second receiver for receiving a local signal to obtain a local receive signal and a signal combiner for combining the first receive signal with the local receive signal to form a combination signal. The signal combiner is implemented to generate the combination signal so that the combination signal is formed according to a hierarchical modulation, wherein the first receive signal is contained in a base layer of the hierarchical modulation and wherein the local receive signal is contained in an overlay layer of the hierarchical modulation. A terrestrial transmitting station further includes a transmitter for sending out the combination signal. A broadcast system includes a first transmitter and at least one terrestrial transmitting station. The information emitted from the satellite-based broadcast system may be received using an associated receiver. An inventive broadcast system allows adding a local information to a supraregionally emitted transmit signal in a frequency-efficient way. |
| US08369772B2 |
Method and device for band translation
A band translation method and device for selecting two or more desired frequency bands of data and bandstacking the two or more desired frequency bands of data into a single output. |
| US08369771B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing digital multimedia broadcasting between terminals
A method and apparatus for synchronizing Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) are provided. An operation method of a first Mobile Station (MS) for synchronizing DMB includes sending a broadcast channel synchronization request message to a second MS, receiving a broadcast channel synchronization request grant message from the second MS, after broadcast channel synchronization, receiving information on a broadcast channel viewed by the second MS, tuning to the broadcast channel viewed by the second MS based on the broadcast channel information received from the second MS, and displaying the broadcast channel viewed by the second MS. |
| US08369769B2 |
Cleaning blade, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge
A cleaning blade, including a reed-shaped elastic blade configured to move an edge of the elastic blade on the surface of a member to be cleaned while contacting the edge to the surface thereof to remove a powder therefrom, wherein surface layers harder than the elastic blade are formed on an distal face having the edge as one of its lines facing the member to be cleaned and an proximal face having the edge as one of its lines parallel in a thickness direction of the blade, respectively, and wherein a friction coefficient between the surface layer on the distal face of the blade and the member to be cleaned is lower than that between the surface layer on the proximal face of the blade and the member to be cleaned. |
| US08369767B2 |
Electrophotographic printer
An electrophotographic printer includes a transfer roller cleaning device 12 and a carrier liquid supply unit 11 disposed at a portion of the circumference of a transfer roller 2 between a position of image transfer onto a recording medium 7 and the transfer roller cleaning device and including a carrier liquid supply roll 13 in rotational contact with a surface of the transfer roller. The transfer roller cleaning device comprises a cleaning roll 17 rotating in rubbing contact with the surface of the transfer roller and having a bias voltage applied thereto which is of a polarity opposite to that of a residual toner; a peripheral surface scraping blade 18 positioned downstream of the cleaning roll in the rotation direction of the transfer roller; a side surface scraping blade 19 likewise positioned downward; and a surface scraping blade 26 disposed at a portion of the circumference of the cleaning roll. |
| US08369765B2 |
Rotational heating member, and image heating apparatus having rotational heating member
An image heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material, includes a base layer, a heat generation layer, provided on the base layer, for generating heat by being supplied with electric power, an electrode layer, provided outside of the heat generation layer with respect to a widthwise direction and having an electric resistance which is smaller than that of the heat generation layer, for supplying the electric power to heat generation layer, an elastic layer provided on the electrode layer and having a length longer than that of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction, and a parting layer provided on the elastic layer. |
| US08369763B2 |
Image heating apparatus and pressure roller used for image heating apparatus
A pressure roller forms a nip for contacting a heating member to pinch and convey a heat recording material. The roller includes a core metal and an elastic layer containing filler. The elastic layer containing the filler includes thermal conductive filler with a length of not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 1 mm with a thermal conductivity λf in the longitudinal direction in a range of λf≧500 W/(m·k), being dispersed in not less than 5 vol % and not more than 40 vol %. The elastic layer containing the filler has a thermal conductivity λy in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to a recording material conveyance direction, of λy≧2.5 W/(m·k) and an ASKER-C hardness of the filler is not more than 60 degrees. A solid rubber elastic layer with a thermal conductivity λ in a thickness direction of not less than 0.16 W/(m·k) and not more than 0.40 W/(m·k) is included. |
| US08369758B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a rear-end holding member
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a transfer member that transfers an image onto a recording medium; a leading-end holding member that holds a leading-end side of the recording medium, which is fed to the transfer member, between the leading-end holding member and an outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, in such a way to restrict displacement of the recording medium and to restrict movement of the recording medium in a direction away from the transfer member; and a rear-end holding member that holds a rear-end side of the recording medium, in the transporting direction thereof, between the rear-end holding member and the outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, in such a way to allow displacement of the recording medium in the transporting direction and to restrict movement of the recording medium in the direction away from the transfer member. |
| US08369752B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus having a development apparatus that includes: a developer storing part; a developer supply mechanism; and a surplus developer removing section; wherein the developer supply mechanism includes: a toner storing part; a carrier storing part; a developer conveying path and a conveying mechanism, both are arranged between the toner storing part and the developer storing part, and between the carrier storing part and the developer storing part; wherein the developer conveying path includes a toner ejection outlet through which a toner stored in the toner storing part is ejected and a carrier ejection outlet through which a carrier stored in the carrier storing part is ejected, and a supplying developer ejection outlet through which a supplying developer is ejected to the developer storing part; and wherein the conveying mechanism is adapted to convey the toner and the carrier while stirring them. |
| US08369745B2 |
Developer container and image forming device
A developer container includes a casing, a conveying member, a conveying-member accommodating unit, and a supporting member. The casing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a developer accommodating chamber and a waste-developer accommodating chamber and a first opening. The developer accommodating chamber accommodates developer therein. The waste-developer accommodating chamber accommodates waste developer therein. The first opening provides fluid communication between the developer accommodating chamber and outside of the casing. The casing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction. The conveying member is configured to convey the waste developer in a conveying direction defined to be directed from the first end to the second end. The conveying-member accommodating unit is configured to accommodate the conveying member therein. The conveying-member accommodating unit has an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion in the conveying direction. The conveying-member accommodating unit has a second opening and a third opening. The second opening is provided in the upstream end portion and provides fluid communication between inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit and outside of the conveying-member accommodating unit. The third opening provides fluid communication between the inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit and the waste-developer accommodating chamber. The supporting member is provided on the casing. The supporting member supports the conveying-member accommodating unit such that the conveying-member accommodating unit is movable in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction relative to the casing. |
| US08369744B2 |
Process cartridge including a photosensitive drum for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a coupling member. The coupling member is capable of inclining relative to the photosensitive drum such that the coupling axis inclines relative to the drum axis. A regulating portion surrounds the coupling member so as to confine the range of inclination of the coupling member. The regulating portion is provided with a recess that recesses in a direction away from the drum axis and away from the developing roller. An angle between the coupling axis and the drum axis is larger when at least a part of the coupling member is in the recess than when the coupling member contacts another portion of the regulating portion. |
| US08369739B2 |
Intermediate transfer unit and image forming apparatus including the same
An intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt that is configured to be rotated; a belt support that supports the intermediate transfer belt; a housing that receives the belt support on which the intermediate transfer belt is mounted; and a belt protecting member that is provided on the belt support and is urged by elastic member so as to cover edge of the intermediate transfer belt in a width direction thereof, wherein the belt support is formed to be swingable with respect to the housing, end of the belt protecting members is positioned so as to cover the edge of the intermediate transfer belt in the width direction while the belt support is received in the housing, and the end of the belt protecting member is withdrawn to an outside of the belt support while the belt support is swung with respect to the housing. |
| US08369737B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus using the same
A developing device includes: a casing that has a housing part, an upstream edge and a downstream edge, and a rectangular opening that opposes a development region, the rectangular opening being provided between the upstream and downstream edges; a cylindrical developer conveying body to rotate in a state of passing the rectangular opening, the cylindrical developer conveying body conveying the developer to the development region; and a flexible sheet member that has an upstream end part and a downstream end part, the upstream end part being fixed at the downstream edge of the casing, the downstream end part being a free end and coming into contact with a layer of the developer in a rotation axis direction of the developer conveying body at a position of the developer conveying body which passes the downstream edge of the opening. |
| US08369736B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes: a developer holding member that faces an image carrier on which a latent image is formed and rotating while holding developer; a developing housing with a holding member mount that mounts developer holding member, and accommodates developer; a developer container connected to the developing housing and containing developer that flows into the developing housing; a partition member disposed in the developer container and partitioning an inner space of the developer container; and a loosening member having a loosening portion disposed in the developer container and extending along one side surface and another side surface of the partition member to partition the developer container, and a drawing portion that is connected to the loosening portion and extends from a port formed in the developer container to the outside of the developer container. When the drawing portion is drawn out, the loosening portion moves to loosen the developer. |
| US08369733B2 |
Power feeding mechanism and image forming apparatus
A power feeding mechanism includes: a power-fed body placed in an apparatus main body, the power-fed body into which power is fed at least when the power-fed body is used; a placement portion where the power-fed body provided in the apparatus main body is placed; a power feed member provided in the apparatus main body and configured to move between a noncontact position and a contact position, the power feed member at the contact position that feeds power into the power-fed body from the apparatus main body; and a move unit that moves the power feed member to at least the two positions. At the noncontact position, the power feed member is noncontact in electric with the power-fed body being placed in the placement portion. At the contact position, the power feed member is contact in electric with the power-fed body being placed in the placement portion. |
| US08369732B2 |
Image forming apparatus which displays a setting screen
An operation device of an image forming apparatus, a display method, and an image forming apparatus. A display unit displays a basic screen including a setting information display area to display setting information and a button display area in which an icon is displayed as a setting button screen. A touch panel detects a contact position on a display screen of the display unit. A display control unit displays, on the display unit, a selection screen including a plurality of options corresponding to a setting particular of the icon displayed in a position where a contact is detected by the touch panel, displays a result selected in the selection screen as new setting information in the setting information display area in the basic screen, and displays a triangular graphic which associates the icon with the setting information corresponding to the setting particular of the icon. |
| US08369726B2 |
Image forming apparatus
There is provided an image forming apparatus that accurately obtains the dynamic characteristic of the apparatus when a foreign substance is adhered to a driving roller for driving an endless belt, such as a facing roller. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus uses an optical sensor to detect information of a foreign substance on the facing roller. When it is determined that there is no foreign substance information, the image forming apparatus executes profile detection of an intermediate transfer belt using the nominal circumference of the facing roller. When the optical sensor detects foreign substance information, the image forming apparatus measures the circumference of the facing roller, and performs profile detection of the intermediate transfer belt using the measured circumference of the facing roller. |
| US08369724B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of forming devices, a measuring device and a correcting device. In execution of a steady-deviation detection, the correcting device controls the forming devices to form a first pattern and detects a steady deviation amount of the image forming position on a basis of a measurement result of the first pattern. In execution of a varying-deviation detection, the correcting device controls at least one of the forming devices to form a second pattern and detects a varying deviation amount of the image forming position having a cycle on a basis of a measurement result of the second pattern. The correcting device determines necessity of executing the other one of the steady-deviation detection and the varying-deviation detection on the basis of the measurement result in the one of the steady-deviation detection and the varying-deviation detection. |
| US08369723B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method thereof
This invention provides an image forming apparatus which performs fixing control complying with sheet characteristics in consideration of the productivity of a printing process and the precision of fixing control, and a control method thereof. To accomplish this, upon receiving a print job, the image forming apparatus extracts a sheet type used in the print job, and determines whether one set value in fixing control can be used for the extracted sheet type. If one set value can be used for the extracted sheet type, the image forming apparatus decides a common set value. If one set value cannot be used for the extracted sheet type, the image forming apparatus decides a set value for each type. In accordance with the decided set value, the image forming apparatus executes a printing process. |
| US08369719B2 |
Image forming apparatus, fusing device thereof and method of controlling fusing device
An image forming apparatus that is capable of preventing a damage to a fusing belt or hazardous conditions due to the overheating of the fusing belt and a fusing device thereof are disclosed. The image forming apparatus has a fusing device including a fusing belt, a heat source disposed in the fusing belt, a support member to support the fusing belt, the support member having an opening through which heat emitted from the heat source passes to at least a portion of the fusing belt, and a first temperature sensor positioned to measure temperature of the fusing belt at the portion directly heated by radiant heat transmitted through the opening. A control unit of the image forming apparatus controls the heat source based on the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor. |
| US08369717B2 |
Determining developer toner concentration in electrophotographic printer
A piezoelectric crystal adjacent to a development member in an electrophotographic printer has an electrode on it facing the development member. An AC bias is applied across the crystal while a DC bias is applied between the electrode and the development member to measure toner-mass deposition rate. An AC bias is then applied between the electrode and the development member to measure developer flow rate. The toner concentration of the developer is determined using the measured toner mass-deposition rate and developer flow rate. |
| US08369713B2 |
Bit-rate discrimination method and its apparatus
In the present invention, unlike a conventional circuit, discrimination is not made by integrating a logical code that includes “0” and “1” to some extent and produced from a random code, but repetition of an identical pattern of a well-known preamble signal added to a head portion of a signal is discriminated when a bit-rate of the signal is changed. More specifically, the repetition of the identical pattern is converted into a consecutive identical signal to generate the consecutive identical signal (having a length of tens bits to thousands bits). Although the consecutive identical signal is longer than a same-code continuation length included in the signal, and is shorter than a time constant necessary to the conventional circuit by about one to three digits. Therefore, an integration time can be shortened to the same degree as the generated consecutive identical signal length, and the bit-rate can be discriminated at high speed within a preamble signal receiving time. |
| US08369712B2 |
Dispersion compensation circuitry and system for analog video transmission with direct modulated laser
An improved precompensation circuit includes a greatly improved differentiator in the dispersion precompensation path, a preprocessor in the dispersion precompensation path for reducing f2−f1 type Composite Second Order (CSO) distortion, and a broadband phase shifter for compensating undesired vector interaction between the laser predistortion and dispersion compensation. |
| US08369705B2 |
System and method for channel-adaptive error-resilient transmission to multiple transceivers
In a passive optical network, a downstream transmission rate from an OLT to multiple ONTs can be optimized by matching a transmission scheme for frames addressed to a channel to the downstream transmission characteristics of the channel. An FEC coding can be made channel dependent so that channels with low error rates can use minimal protection, and therefore minimal overhead, while channels with high input bit error rates can use the level of FEC coding required to produce a desired output bit error rate. |
| US08369704B2 |
Optical network computation engine
An apparatus for computing optical network characteristics may comprise: a plurality of network elements arranged into two or more domains; two or more optical computation engines, each of the two or more optical computation engine associated with a respective one of the two or more domains; and a centralized path computation engine configured to interface with the two or more optical computation engines to calculate one or more characteristics of the optical path. Each of the two or more domains may comprise one or more network elements sharing a common operational characteristic. The plurality of network elements may be in optical communication along an optical path, the optical path including a first network element at an origin of the optical path and a final network element at a terminus of the optical path. The two or more optical computation engines may be configured to perform calculations related to the optical performance of the network elements associated with the same domain as the optical computation engine. |
| US08369697B2 |
Optical device
An optical device includes a shake detection unit configured to detect shake of the optical device; a correction unit configured to correct image blur in a sensed image; a position detection unit configured to detect position of the correction unit; a correction control unit configured to control driving of a shake correction unit based on the output of the shake detection unit and on the position of the correction unit; a panning detection unit configured to detect whether the optical device is panning and detect a direction of the panning; an eccentricity direction detection unit configured to detect an eccentricity direction based on the output of the position detection unit; and a changing unit configured to change correction characteristics of the correction control unit, wherein the changing unit changes the correction characteristics of the correction control unit based on the eccentricity direction and the panning direction. |
| US08369695B2 |
Steam generator of steam oven
Disclosed is a steam oven to cook food in a cooking chamber by use of steam. More particularly, disclosed is a steam generator of a steam oven, which can simplify the configuration of a device required to generate steam and is detachably attached to a cabinet to assure easy cleaning and washing thereof. The steam generator includes a single body having an inner space divided into a water supply compartment and a boiler compartment by a partition, the water supply compartment having a water pouring hole, and the boiler compartment having a heater and a steam discharge hole. Also, a water supply passage is defined between the water supply compartment and the boiler compartment. This configuration has the effects of achieving improved workability and reduced manufacturing costs of the steam generator and also, of overcoming a limit in the inner volume of a cooking chamber of the steam oven. |
| US08369694B2 |
Portable vaporizing dispenser
A vaporizing dispenser comprising a user-activatable chemical reaction heat source and a volatile compound inside a container such that convection currents from the activated heat source volatilize the volatile compound and carry it out of the container. |
| US08369693B2 |
Visual information storage methods and systems
A method for storing visual information on a storage medium is disclosed, whereby the method includes receiving a first visual information corresponding to a left eye and a second visual information corresponding to a right eye. The method further includes storing the first visual information in a first stream and the second visual information in a second stream on the storage medium, wherein the first stream and the second stream are each stored at full resolution. An information handling system (IHS) is further disclosed including a storage medium operable to store, at full resolution, a first stream of visual information corresponding to a left eye and a second stream of visual information corresponding to a right eye, wherein the first stream and the second stream are each stored at full resolution. The system may further include a playback device operable to read the storage medium and display the visual information. |
| US08369692B2 |
Disk reproducing apparatus and reproducing method thereof
A video and sound signal recorded on an optical disk is reproduced and when a read error of the video and sound signal occurs during the reproduction of the optical disk, reading of the video and sound signal is retried and when a read error of the video and sound signal occurs during the retry of the reading of the video and sound signal, a rotational speed of the optical disk is increased to retry reading of the video and sound signal and when the video and sound signal can be read by the retry of the reading of the video and sound signal, the rotational speed of the optical disk is returned to the original rotational speed and the video and sound signal recorded on the optical disk is reproduced. |
| US08369690B2 |
Recording medium, reproduction apparatus, recording method, integrated circuit, program, and reproduction method
AVClip recorded in BD-ROM is obtained by multiplexing a graphics stream and a video stream. The graphics stream is a PES packet sequence that includes 1) PES packets storing graphics data (ODS) and 2) PES packets storing control information (PCS). In each ODS, values of DTS and PTS indicate a timing of decoding start for corresponding graphics data, and a timing of decoding end for corresponding graphics data, respectively. In each PCS, a value of PTS indicates a display timing of corresponding decoded graphics data combined with the video stream. |
| US08369689B2 |
Information recording/reproduction device and information recording medium
There is provided an information recording medium that reduces operation of shifting information backward or putting information forward closer together upon recording/deleting/dividing information to facilitate processes of recording/deleting/dividing information. An information recording medium records Programs 1 composed of image data, etc., UPGR 3 that refers to at least a part of the Programs 1, PGRG 5 that refers to the UPGR 3, a PGRM that collectively records the UPGR 3 and reference information thereof, and a PGRGM that collectively records the PGRG 5 and reference information thereof. When recording the UPGR 3, the information recording medium refers to the reference information contained in the PGRM, and when invalid reference information or reference information giving no reference to any UPGR 3 is present, records the UPGR 3 using the reference information. When recording the PGRG 5, the information recording medium refers to the reference information contained in the PGRGM, and when invalid reference information or reference information giving no reference to any PGRG 5 is present, records the PGRG 5 using the reference information. |
| US08369679B2 |
Switched grounding assemblies
An assembly including a ground bar for coupling to a ground, a conductive contact for electrically connecting a wire to the ground bar, and a switch for selectively disconnecting the conductive contact from the ground bar to thereby selectively disconnect the wire from the ground bar when the wire is electrically connected to the conductive contact. The assembly may include a plurality of conductive contacts and a plurality of switches for selectively disconnecting an associated conductive contact from the ground bar. A method of using an assembly having a ground bar, a conductive contact, and a switch includes electrically connecting a wire to the conductive contact, and actuating the switch to selectively disconnect the conductive contact from the ground bar to thereby selectively disconnect the wire from the ground bar without electrically disconnecting the wire from the conductive contact. |
| US08369676B2 |
Printed circuit board for optical waveguide and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board for an optical waveguide, including: a substrate; an insulation layer having a through hole and formed on the substrate; a lower clad layer formed on a bottom of the through hole; core part formed on the lower clad layer; and an upper clad layer formed on the lower clad layer and the core part and thus covering an exposed surface of the core part. |
| US08369669B2 |
Imaging system and related techniques
A method and apparatus for imaging using a double-clad fiber is described. |
| US08369668B1 |
Water blocked fiber optic cable
A fiber optic cable can inhibit water that may inadvertently enter the cable from flowing lengthwise within the cable. The fiber optic cable can include a buffer tube defining an interior volume extending along the cable. Water blocking barriers can be disposed in the buffer tube intermittently along the length of the cable. The barriers can be formed from a UV and thermal cured material and can comprise an acrylic. The barriers can be applied to the optical fibers or to a carrier tape that is wrapped around the optical fibers or fiber bundle. The barriers (or carrier tape) can be disposed against and/or adhere to an inner surface of the buffer tube to provide intermittent water blocking. Each barrier can provide a seal around the optical fibers and can limit flow of water in the interior volume. |
| US08369666B2 |
Optical wavelength multiplexing/ de-multiplexing circuit
An optical wavelength multiplexing/de-multiplexing circuit having a low loss and a flat transmission spectrum is provided. The optical wavelength multiplexing/de-multiplexing circuit compensates a temperature dependence of a center transmission wavelength which remains in an athermal AWG, and has an excellent accuracy of the center transmission wavelength in a whole operating temperature range or has a comparatively wide operable temperature range. The temperature dependence of the transmission wavelength in the athermal MZI is modulated and set so as to cancel the temperature dependence of the center wavelength which remains in the athermal AWG. The present invention focuses particularly on an optical coupler in the MZI and modulates the temperature dependence of the transmission wavelength in the MZI by providing the optical coupler itself with a mechanism which changes a phase difference between two outputs by temperature. |
| US08369665B2 |
Hybrid guided-mode resonance filter and method employing distributed bragg reflection
A hybrid guided-mode resonance (GMR) grating, an optical filter and a method of optical filtering employ distributed Bragg reflection. The hybrid GMR grating includes a waveguide layer that supports a GMR having a GMR resonant frequency. The hybrid GMR grating further includes a diffraction grating that couples a portion of a signal incident on the hybrid GMR grating into the waveguide layer; and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) that reflects another portion of the incident signal. The coupled portion of the incident signal has a frequency corresponding to the GMR resonant frequency. The reflected portion has a frequency away from the GMR resonant frequency. The optical filter includes the hybrid GMR grating and a coupler. The method includes coupling an optical signal into the hybrid GMR grating and further coupling a reflected signal out of the hybrid GMR grating. |
| US08369660B1 |
Optical fibre sensor assembly
An optical fiber sensor assembly comprises a source of a plurality of different frequency substantially monochromatic signals (1, 2, 3, 4); a modulator connected to the output of the source to produce a train of output pulses of the monochromatic signals; a plurality of sensor sub-assemblies connected to the output of the modulator, each sub-assembly comprising an optical drop multiplexer (ODM) (13), a sensor array (14) comprising a plurality of sensor elements and an optical add multiplexer (OAM) (15); a wavelength demultiplexer (WDM), having an input coupled to the sub-assemblies output; a plurality of detectors, each detector having an input connected to receive a respective output of the WDM and providing at an output thereof a signal corresponding to a respective frequency of the modulated monochromatic signals; and an interrogation system, having a plurality of inputs connected such that each input receives the output signal from a respective detector. |
| US08369658B2 |
Optical modulators employing charge state control of deep levels
A method involving: providing an optical waveguide made of a semiconductor material and having a region that is doped by a deep level impurity which creates deep level states in a bandgap in the semiconductor material, the deep level states characterized by an occupancy; passing an optical signal through the optical waveguide and between the region doped by the deep level impurity; and modulating the occupancy of the deep level states to thereby modulate the optical signal. |
| US08369649B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program for performing super-resolution process
An image processing apparatus includes an image correction processing unit configured to correct an input image so as to generate a corrected image and a super-resolution processing unit configured to receive the corrected image generated by the image correction processing unit and increase a resolution of the corrected image through super-resolution processing so as to generate a high-resolution image. The image correction processing unit performs at least one of a time-direction noise removal process, a space-direction noise removal process, a compression noise removal process, and an aperture control correction process. |
| US08369638B2 |
Reducing DC leakage in HD photo transform
In certain embodiments, to eliminate DC leakage into surrounding AC values, scaling stage within a photo overlap transform operator is modified such that the off-diagonal elements of the associated scaling matrix have the values of 0. In certain embodiments, the on-diagonal scaling matrix are given the values (0.5, 2). In some embodiments, the scaling is performed using a combination of reversible modulo arithmetic and lifting steps. In yet other embodiments, amount of DC leakage is estimated at the encoder, and preprocessing occurs to mitigate amount of leakage, with the bitstream signaling that preprocessing has occurred. A decoder may then read the signal and use the information to mitigate DC leakage. |
| US08369636B2 |
Resolution conversion upon hierarchical coding and decoding
In a decoding method of decoding encoded image data which has been hierarchically encoded in advance, a size of an image to be outputted is determined, and then the encoded image data is decoded up to a layer of hierarchy which is at least one layer more than a minimum number of layer/layers of hierarchy necessary to acquire an image of the determined size. |
| US08369635B2 |
Information processing device and method
An information processing device, configured to divide the frequency components of image data into a plurality of frequency bands, includes an analysis filtering unit configured to perform analysis filtering for dividing the frequency components into highband components and lowband components recursively, and a holding unit configured to supply, in sync with timing for holding data supplied as a computation result of the analysis filtering by the analysis filtering unit, the data already held, which is data necessary for computation of next analysis filtering to the analysis filtering unit. |
| US08369634B2 |
Image decoder for HD photo
A sorting unit sorts a plurality of data sets of HP component having been processed by a decoding unit, selectively employing one of a first table corresponding to a first orientation of prediction and a second table corresponding to a second orientation of prediction in accordance with an orientation of prediction of HP component. The sorting unit includes an inverse prediction unit performing inverse prediction on data of LP component inputted from the decoding unit, a processing unit obtaining an orientation of prediction of HP component, based on the data of LP component after inverse prediction by the inverse prediction unit, and a selecting unit selecting one of the first and second tables, based on the orientation of prediction of HP component obtained by the processing unit. |
| US08369619B2 |
Method and apparatus for skin color correction and digital photographing apparatus using both
An apparatus and method of correcting skin color in an image is disclosed. The method may include extracting skin colors; analyzing the extracted skin colors to calculate axes of a different vector space; transforming the extracted skin colors to the different vector space; using the result of the transformed skin colors to identify a color from an input image as a skin color; and correcting the color identified as a skin color. The different vector space may be a principal components analysis (PCA) vector space. Extracting skin colors may include detecting a face region as a skin region in an input image and extracting skin colors from the face region. A lookup table be generated according to the result of projecting the skin colors to fewer dimensions of the different vector space. Extracting skin colors may include extracting colors from a training image of skin colors. |
| US08369616B2 |
Chromatic matching game
A system and method for image retrieval formulated as a game are disclosed. The method includes receiving a user's image category selection, retrieving an image responsive to the user's image category selection from an associated image database, and displaying the retrieved image and a set of candidate color palettes to the user. The set of candidate color palettes includes a correct palette and at least one incorrect palette. The method further includes providing for a user to attempt to identify the correct palette by selecting at least one of the displayed candidate color palettes and, with a computer processor, generating a score based on the user's at least one selection and outputting the score. |
| US08369615B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for efficiently reducing the amount of image data
An apparatus includes: a division unit configured to divide image data into a plurality of blocks each being composed of a plurality of pixels; a detection unit configured to detect a most frequent color for each of the blocks; a calculation unit configured to calculate an occupancy rate of the most frequent color for each of the blocks; and a generation unit configured to generate data by changing between a block composed of at least a low-resolution pixel and a block composed of low- and high-resolution pixels superimposed with each other, based on the most frequent color occupancy rate. |
| US08369611B2 |
Compact handwriting recognition
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for constructing a compact handwriting character classifier. A precision constrained Gaussian model (PCGM) based handwriting classifier is trained by estimating parameters for the PCGM under minimum classification error (MCE) criterion, such as by using a computer-based processor. The estimated parameters of the trained PCGM classifier are compressed using split vector quantization (VQ) (e.g., and in some embodiments, scalar quantization) to compact the handwriting recognizer in computer-based memory. |
| US08369610B1 |
Photogrammetry engine for model construction
A system and methods for accessing 2D digital images and 3D geometric models over a network (preferably the Internet) and transforming and composing that media along with 2D digital image and 3D geometric model media, acquired by other means, into enhanced 2D image and 3D model representations for virtual reality visualization and simulation is disclosed. Digital images and models from a network and other sources are incorporated and manipulated through an interactive graphical user interface. A photogrammetric media processing engine automatically extracts virtual sensor (camera) and geometric models from imagery. Extracted information is used by a reconstruction processor to automatically and realistically compose images and models. A rendering system provides real-time visualization and simulation of the constructed media. A client-server processing model for deployment of the media processing engine system over a network is disclosed. |
| US08369604B2 |
Position detector, position detection method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A position detector, which detects the position of a mark formed on a substrate (W), comprises a creating unit (9), a search unit (13), and a correction unit (14). The creating unit (9) creates a template used for identifying a mark to be detected (WM) based on an image including the mark (WM). The search unit (13) searches an image by using the template created by the creating unit (9), and determines whether there is a pseudo pattern, other than the pattern of the mark (WM), whose degree of matching with the template is higher than a reference value. The correction unit (14) corrects the template based on the information of the pseudo pattern when it is determined that there is the pseudo pattern, and creates a corrected template whose degree of matching with the pseudo pattern is lower than the reference value. |
| US08369603B2 |
Method for inspecting measurement object
An inspection method for inspecting a device mounted on a substrate, includes generating a shape template of the device, acquiring height information of each pixel by projecting grating pattern light onto the substrate through a projecting section, generating a contrast map corresponding to the height information of each pixel, and comparing the contrast map with the shape template. Thus, a measurement object may be exactly extracted. |
| US08369600B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting irregularities in tissue microarrays
The present techniques provide systems and methods for registering images of tissue spots on a tissue microarray (TMA). In studies involving multiple biomarkers being studied on the same TMA, the TMA slide is removed from the microscope, stained, and then imaged, often multiple times. The present techniques relate to validation of the registration of the acquired images of the same TMA. An automatic approach to register the images and detect registration failures as provided herein may enhance the rapid analysis of the tissues. Artifacts such as tissue folding and tissue loss are also determined automatically. |
| US08369594B2 |
Dynamic motion contrast and transverse flow estimation using optical coherence tomography
The methods described herein are methods to ascertain motion contrast within optical coherence tomography data based upon phase variance. The phase variance contrast observes the nanometer scale motion of scatterers associated with Brownian motion and other non-flow motion. The inventive method of calculating motion contrast from the phase variance can differentiate regions of different mobility based on the motion contrast differences, and can use the phase information to characterize mobility properties of the scatterers. In flow regions, the inventive method for acquiring and analyzing motion contrast can identify the regions as well as characterize the motion. Furthermore, the inventive method can determine quantitative flow estimation, the index of refraction variations, and absorption variations within flow regions. |
| US08369591B2 |
Silhouette image acquisition
Systems and techniques to acquire image data. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: acquiring image data for a plurality of areas of a scan region. The technique may further include processing the image data to determine whether an area includes one or more desired features. The technique may further include designating an area as “interesting” if it includes a desired feature, and designating an area as non-interesting if it does not include the desired feature. The areas may be sub-divided one or more times, and subdivisions may be analyzed to determine if they include a desired feature. |
| US08369586B2 |
Digital image processing using face detection and skin tone information
A technique for processing a digital image uses face detection to achieve one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that corresponds to a face image within the digital image. A skin tone is detected for the face image by determining one or more default color or tonal values, or combinations thereof, for the group of pixels. Values of one or more parameters are adjusted for the group of pixels that correspond to the face image based on the detected skin tone. |
| US08369582B2 |
Automatic appeal measurement system
An appeal estimation system for estimating a personal appeal of a candidate individual to an observer including a digital image capture device and a soft-copy display. The system further includes a data processing system configured to implement the steps of designating a set of proxy individuals; providing one or more digital images for each proxy individual; determining personal appeal values of each proxy individual to the observer; capturing one or more digital images of the candidate individual using the digital image capture device; determining image similarity metrics between the digital images for the candidate individual and each proxy individual; determining similarity values between the candidate individual and each proxy individual responsive to the determined image similarity metrics; estimating the personal appeal of the candidate individual to the observer by combining the personal appeal values for the proxy individuals; and displaying an indication of the estimated personal appeal on the soft-copy display. |
| US08369581B2 |
Automatic appeal measurement method
A method for estimating a personal appeal of a candidate individual to an observer, comprising: designating a set of proxy individuals; providing one or more digital images for each proxy individual; determining personal appeal values of each proxy individual to the observer; providing one or more digital images for the candidate individual; determining image similarity metrics between the digital images for the candidate individual and the digital images for each proxy individual; determining similarity values between the candidate individual and each proxy individual responsive to the determined image similarity metrics; and estimating the personal appeal of the candidate individual to the observer by determining a weighted combination of the personal appeal values for the proxy individuals, wherein the weighted combination uses weighting coefficients that are determined responsive to the similarity values between the candidate individual and the corresponding proxy individual. |
| US08369580B2 |
Method for transforming a feature vector
The present invention relates to a method for transforming a feature vector comprising a first and a second feature represented by a first and a second feature value, respectively, into a feature code using an encoder, said feature code usable in an algorithm and having a predetermined number of bits, said method comprising the steps of determining for each of the first and the second features the performance as a function of the length of the feature code, and using the dependency between the performance and the feature code length for each of the individual features derived in the step of determining to find feature code lengths for the first and the second features in such a way that the sum of the bit length of the first and the second feature codes has a length equaling said predetermined bit length. An advantage with the present invention is that it solves the problem in the case of template protection systems which only accept binary templates and where the resulting classification quality of the biometric system to a very large extend depends on the quality of the binary strings. Another advantage with the present invention is that it also solves the problem of matching time in an identification setting because binary strings can easily be compared. The present invention also relates to a similar arrangement for transforming a feature vector into a feature code. |
| US08369577B2 |
Vehicle position recognition system
A vehicle position recognition system calculates an estimated position of a vehicle based on satellite positioning and dead reckoning navigation, and calculates a basic error range in which there is a possibility that the vehicle exists. The system calculates an estimated error amount regarding a directional error factor. The directional error factor is an error factor that tends to cause an error in a specific direction with respect to a vehicle traveling direction. The estimated error amount is an estimated amount of the error that is caused by the directional error factor. The system adjusts the basic error range based on (1) a direction in which the error tends to be caused by the directional error factor and (2) the estimated error amount. |
| US08369571B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus, image signal processing method, and program
An image signal processing apparatus includes a detecting unit configured to detect a motion vector of a tracking point provided in an object in a moving image, a computing unit configured to compute a reliability parameter representing the reliability of the detected motion vector, a determining unit configured to determine whether the detected motion vector is adopted by comparing the computed reliability parameter with a boundary, an accumulating unit configured to accumulate the reliability parameter, and a changing unit configured to change the boundary on the basis of the accumulated reliability parameters. |
| US08369566B2 |
Remote contactless stereoscopic mass estimation system
A contactless system and method for estimating the mass or weight of a target object is provided. The target object is imaged and a spatial representation of the target animal is derived from the images. A virtual spatial model is provided of a characteristic object of a class of object to which the target object belongs. The virtual spatial model is reshape to optimally fit the spatial representation of the individual animal. Finally, the mass or weight of the target object is estimated as a function of shape variables characterizing the reshaped virtual object. |
| US08369565B2 |
Information hiding with similar structures
In some aspects, message data is generated from a first representation of a message and a reference image. The message data is generated to hide the message such that generating a second representation of the message from the message data requires processing of a second image that is perceptually similar to the first image. In some examples, a degree to which the second representation of the message is perceptually similar to the first representation of the message is related to a degree to which the second image is perceptually similar to the first image. |
| US08369564B2 |
Automatic generation and use of region of interest and domain of definition functions
An automated method of generating sets of image processing instructions that identifies a region of picture elements for processing and a region of picture elements to be produced is described. The method receives a first set of image processing instructions for performing a transform operation, and, for the first set of image processing instructions, produces a second set of image processing instructions that identify a region of picture elements for processing from an input image and a third set of image processing instructions that identify a region of picture elements to be produced in an output image. The method associates the second and third sets of image processing instructions with the first set of image processing instructions, the association allowing the execution of the second and third sets of image processing instructions at run-time to facilitate the execution of the first set of image processing instructions. |
| US08369562B2 |
Encryption methods for patterned media watermarking
Watermarks for patterned magnetic media. The watermarks are used to demonstrate the unauthorized replication of a patterned magnetic media. The watermarks include a dibit, a pattern in an open region, shifting of data, shifting of a sync mark and large length scale perturbations. Also described are methods to determine if a watermark appears on a patterned media. |
| US08369559B2 |
Speaker assembly
A speaker assembly includes a base including two receiving holes, a cover mounted on a first surface the base, a speaker, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) attached to a second surface the base opposite to the first surface, and two springs received in the receiving holes. The cover includes a receiving space to receive the speaker. The speaker includes two first pads. The FPC includes two second pads. The springs electrically connect the first pads to the second pads. |
| US08369557B2 |
Earphone and headset
There is thus provided an earphone comprising a housing (20) for receiving an electroacoustic transducer, and an ear cushion unit (10) having an ear cushion material (11) and a first ring (1). The housing has a sealing ring (2) and a latching unit (21). The first ring (1) has a prestressing when it is placed on the sealing ring (2) and held by means of the latching unit (21). |
| US08369555B2 |
Piezoelectric microphones
Electronic devices and microphone devices are described. |
| US08369552B2 |
Microphone for a hearing aid
A microphone assembly having a housing, a transducer, and an electronic circuit. The housing has an opening, and the transducer is disposed within that opening. The electronic circuit covers the opening such that the transducer is surrounded by at least the electronic circuit and the housing. The electronic circuit includes a substrate and an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal into an amplified electrical signal which is coupled to a connection means. The connection means provides a direct electrical connection between the electronic circuit and a receiver. The amplifier is mounted on the substrate and disposed on a side of the substrate of the electronic circuit facing the transducer. The receiver is disposed on a side opposite the side and outside the housing. |
| US08369550B2 |
Artificial ear and method for detecting the direction of a sound source using the same
Disclosed herein are an artificial ear and a method for detecting the direction of a sound source using the same. The artificial ear includes a plurality of microphones; and one or more structures disposed between the plurality of microphones. In the artificial ear, the amplitudes of output signals respectively inputted to the plurality of microphones are designed to be different based on the direction of a sound source. The method for detecting the direction of a sound source includes receiving output signals with different amplitudes from a plurality of microphones; determining front-back discrimination of the sound source from a difference between the amplitudes of the output signals of the microphones; and determining an angle corresponding to the position of the sound source from a difference between delay times of the output signals of the microphones. |
| US08369548B2 |
Wireless headset device capable of providing balanced stereo and method thereof
A wireless earphone device capable of providing balanced stereo. The wireless headset includes a Bluetooth earphone device, an audio adaptor, and a stereo earphone device for giving balanced sounds on both left and right channels. When the Bluetooth earphone device and the stereo earphone device are connected with the audio adaptor respectively, an audio switching module of the Bluetooth earphone device determines to transmit stereo audio signal with first channel signal and second channel signal to the stereo earphone device through the audio adaptor. Otherwise, only one channel of the stereo audio signal is transmitted from the audio switching module to a mono speaker unit on the Bluetooth earphone device. |
| US08369544B2 |
Microphone component and a method for its manufacture
A microphone component that may be used in many types of enclosures for making contact with a living body for picking up body sounds. Piezoelectric transflexural diaphragm elements (3, 5, 6) are known; however, they are only useful as microphone elements when the manner of creating electrical contact does not influence their mechanical properties. A microphone component has been developed, which is both rugged and amenable to very inexpensive manufacture. This is obtained using a laminated construction in which a special layer is placed between the piezoelectric transflexural diaphragm element and the electrical interface element. |
| US08369543B2 |
Speaker device and speaker-excitation method
A speaker device includes an acoustic-vibration member, an actuator that is driven on the basis of a sound signal and that includes a displacement-output unit that can obtain the displacement corresponding to the sound signal, and a displacement-output-transfer member configured to connect the displacement-output unit to a point predetermined on a face of the acoustic-vibration member. A displacement output of the actuator is transferred to the predetermined point via the displacement-output-transfer member, and the acoustic-vibration member is excited in a face direction from the predetermined point according to the displacement output. |
| US08369542B2 |
Power control apparatus, speaker apparatus and power control method
The speaker apparatus according to the invention is arranged in a manner that when the magnitude of an audio signal Sin increases temporarily and so a consumption power increases, a DC-DC converter reduces an output voltage Vout to thereby increase an output current Iout and further discharges a capacitor to thereby increase a current supplied to an amplifier. Thus, a power of 2.5 W or more supplied from a USB connection terminal can be temporarily supplied to the amplifier. Further, since the change of the voltage difference between the both ends of the capacitor can be made large, an amount of the electric charges discharged from the capacitor can be made large and so the size of the capacitor can be reduced. |
| US08369537B2 |
Controlling reproduction of audio data
For controlling the acoustic reproduction of audio data containing audio elements that are periodically repeated, movement data regarding a movement process is detected. The movement process contains recurring events. Reproduction of the audio data is controlled using the movement data in such a way that at least within a certain period, one out of n audio elements that are periodically repeated is reproduced in synchrony with the moment one of the recurring events occurs (synchronization) or is reproduced temporally offset by a given amount of time from the moment one of the recurring events occurs (offset synchronization). The value n represents a positive integer. |
| US08369536B2 |
Sound system, sound reproducing apparatus, sound reproducing method, monitor with speakers, mobile phone with speakers
An apparatus for reproducing sound from original source signals has a control device, a first speaker, and a second speaker. The control device receives first and second original source signals, and controls magnitudes and phases of the received first and second original source signals so that a sound pressure level in a pre-determined zone is higher than a sound pressure level in a zone other than the pre-determined zone, and outputs first and second controlled source signals. The first speaker receives the first controlled source signal and reproduces sound. The second speaker receives the second controlled source signal and reproduces sound. The apparatus according provides a sound environment in which only the person using the sound system enjoys the sound. |
| US08369534B2 |
Mode switching noise cancellation for microphone-speaker combinations used in two way audio communications
An audio host device has an electrical interface having a speaker contact, a microphone contact, and a reference contact. The reference contact is shared by a microphone and a speaker. The reference contact is also directly coupled to a power return plane of the audio host device. A difference amplifier is provided, having a cold input and a hot input. The hot input is coupled to the microphone contact. A switched attenuator circuit is also provided that has first and second states. In the first state, the attenuator circuit couples a sense point of the reference contact to the cold input, while in the second state the cold input is isolated from the reference sense point. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08369533B2 |
Array speaker apparatus
An array speaker apparatus SParray includes a first radiation means for driving speaker units so that a first sound S1 of a main channel is radiated to a wall surface W1 on the left or right side of a listening position, and a second radiation means for driving the speaker units so that a second sound S2 the same as the first audio signal is radiated directly to the listening position. |
| US08369525B2 |
Dynamic password update for wireless encryption system
A method and system for dynamically changing password-keys in a secured wireless communication system includes initiating a password key change, generating a new password key, embedding the new password key and a password key indicator in a first message, encrypting the first message using an old password key, storing the new password key, sending the formatted encrypted first message over a wireless communication system, receiving a subsequent second message, and decrypting the subsequent second message using the new password key. |
| US08369517B2 |
Fast scalar multiplication for elliptic curve cryptosystems over prime fields
Fast scalar multiplication operations are disclosed for use in an elliptic curve cryptographic system The operations use binary representations of a secret key and points on an elliptic curve defined over a prime field expressed in a coordinate system (e.g., Jacobian coordinates). The operations can be based on a modified Montgomery ladder that uses modified Meloni addition formulas. The operations can be more efficient than a double-and-add operation, and can be more resistant to side-channel attacks by hackers. |
| US08369515B2 |
Cryptographic method of multilayer diffusion in multidimension
The invention provides a diffusion function working on a multidimensional diffusion-area (plaintext/ciphertext), in which a multidimensional medium is meanwhile overlapped to the diffusion-area; accordingly, repeating the diffusion function for at least one time thus brings about the multilayer effect. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in flow chart diagram form, comprising of: inputting a plaintext in encryption or a ciphertext in decryption 100; inputting a series of password data forward in encryption or backward in decryption 200; further, by the password data, converting the dimensions of the plaintext 300, and implementing with a diffusion function, repeated TE times in encryption, TD times in decryption 400; outputting the ciphertext in encryption or the plaintext in decryption 600 if completing all password data 500. |
| US08369514B2 |
Method for the secure determination of data
The aim of the embodiments is to provide a method for the secure processing of data, in which security is increased in relation to side channel attacks. To achieve this, operation codes for commanding co-processors are determined, for example for the bit-dependent transposition of register contents. The solution exploits the fact that as a result of the technical configuration for the co-processor, a shift of register contents, for example from register A to register B cannot be differentiated from the exterior from a shift from register A to register C. |
| US08369510B2 |
Method and apparatus for ringing
A method and apparatus is provided for ring-trip detection in a line card having an analog-to-digital converter for processing voice signals. The method includes receiving a ringing control signal, transmitting a ringing signal to a subscriber line in response to the ringing control signal, and receiving a portion of the ringing signal from the subscriber line. The method includes converting the portion of the ringing signal to a digital signal using the analog-to-digital converter, and providing a ring-trip indication in response to the digital signal. The apparatus includes first circuitry capable of processing a voice signal, the circuitry including a analog-to-digital converter for processing the voice signal. The apparatus includes a ringing generator, second circuitry, and ring-trip detection logic. The generator is capable providing a ringing signal to a subscriber line in response to receiving a ringing control signal. The second circuitry is capable of delivering the portion of the ringing signal to the analog-to-digital converter of the first circuitry, wherein the analog-to-digital converts the portion of the ringing signal to a digital signal. The ring-trip detection logic is capable of providing a ring-trip indication in response to the digital signal. |
| US08369504B2 |
Cross channel contact history management
Apparatus and methods for providing customer interaction information to a business channel. The apparatus and methods may involve receiving from a first business channel a first customer interaction data structure corresponding to a customer interaction, storing a data object corresponding to the first customer interaction data structure; and providing to a second business channel formatting information corresponding to the first customer interaction data structure. The first and second business channels may thus use independent data structures for storing their customer interaction information in a centralized database. The first and second data structures may view the other's data structures using formatting from the other channel. |
| US08369503B2 |
False answer supervision management system
A computer implemented method and system is provided for managing false answer supervision (FAS) in a telephony network. A call record recording multiple call events occurring at a terminal gateway is accessed. FAS events originating at the terminal gateway are detected. Suspect illegitimate call events are analyzed based on a combination of conditions. The suspect illegitimate call events are filtered for detecting events suspected of FAS. The FAS events are confirmed after discounting the suspected FAS events based on whether a proportion of the suspected FAS events is within a FAS threshold. A statistical inference of current behavior and past behavior of the terminal gateway is inferred. Threshold values are established for acceptable number of FAS events. A non-compliant behavior of the terminal gateway is inferred when the FAS events exceed the established threshold values. A service provider associated with the terminal gateway is notified for remedying the non-compliant behavior. |
| US08369501B2 |
System and method for providing caller information to a called party utilizing call forwarding
Embodiments of the invention comprise a device, system, and method of receiving a phone call to a non-Inward WATS phone number, such as a typical non-toll free phone number, forwarding the phone call to a carrier capable of reading ANI information associated with the call, and providing ANI information to the called party. The providing of ANI information may be by way of forwarding to a toll-free number of a provider and populating caller ID data with ANI information before forwarding to the called party, or by way of forwarding the call to a provider with the ANI information, whereby the provider forwards the call and information gleaned from the ANI information to the called party. |
| US08369496B2 |
System and method for managing abrupt contact disconnects
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for managing abrupt contact disconnects. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for managing abrupt customer call disconnects from an IVR system, dependent upon variations of call disconnect scenarios, the method comprising detecting an abrupt customer call disconnect; storing IVR options selected by customer before the abrupt customer call disconnect; sending an SMS/voice message notification to the customer; receiving customer call re-connection; determining, whether there is status information of an abnormally terminated call corresponding to the customer call re-connection; retrieving status information of the abnormally terminated call; connecting the IVR system to the customer; and providing IVR system options to the customer based upon the particular disconnect scenario. |
| US08369495B1 |
Intelligent interactive voice response system
An interactive voice response system takes into account current and/or historical call data in determining navigation logic for a specific call. |
| US08369494B2 |
Method and apparatus for selective silencing of telephone ringing
A system and method for a selective ring silencer that prevents people from having to listen to the telephone ring on and on with nuisance calls. The ringer silencer can be: (1) discretely constructed from a telephone, (2) part of a telecommunication device, or (3) part of a central telephone network construction. A receiver demodulates an incoming call. Control logic reads at least a portion of the called identification (CID) data and determines an action based on the reading. A switch in communication with the control logic is actuated to a first state that allows the communication data to be output from the ring silencer, and a second state that blocks the communication data from being output from the ring silencer to a user's communication device. The control logic blocks toll-free area codes originated calls from ringing a user's telephone, optionally forwarding the call to a voice mail module. |
| US08369492B2 |
Directory dialer name recognition
A method, apparatus, computer program product and service for directory dialer name recognition. The directory dialer has a directory of names and a first name grammar and a second name grammar representing phonetic baseforms of first names and second names respectively. The method includes: receiving voice data for a spoken name after requesting a user to speak the required name; extracting a set of phonetic baseforms for the voice data; and finding the best matches between the extracted set of phonetic baseforms voice data and any combination of the first name grammar and the second name grammar. The method can further include: checking the best match against the directory of names; if the best match does not exist in the directory, informing the user and prompting the next best match as an alternative; and if the best match does exist in the directory, forwarding the call to that best match. |
| US08369489B2 |
User interface that reflects social attributes in user notifications
A method (300) for providing an audio message (105). The method can include detecting at least one external parameter (125, 130, 135). Detecting the external parameter can include detecting a time, a location or a station identifier. Detecting the location can include receiving a signal from a network node (110) or a beacon (115), or receiving location information from a positioning system (240). In one arrangement, detecting the external parameter can include detecting a plurality of identifiers, such as a time, a location and/or a station identifier. The external parameter can be processed to identify at least one audio attribute (265) associated with a voice persona. An audio message then can be generated based, at least in part, on the audio attribute. Identifying the audio attribute can include identifying at least a second audio attribute associated with a background sound. |
| US08369488B2 |
Triggering a 911 voice call from a non-voice message
A voice based emergency call, such as a call to 911, is provided to a public safety answering point (PSAP) triggered from a non-voice based emergency call. When a non-voice based call is sent to a PSAP that does not accept non-voice based calls, upon determining that the PSAP can not handle non-voice based calls, the communication network is utilized to establish a voice based call with the PSAP. |
| US08369485B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to trigger preemptive maintenance in vectored digital subscriber line (DSL) systems
Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to trigger preemptive maintenance of vectored digital subscriber line (DSL) systems are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining a value representing crosstalk coupling between a first subscriber loop and a second subscriber loop, the first and second subscriber loops belonging to a vectored DSL group of subscriber loops, determining whether to automatically perform a diagnostic test on the first subscriber loop based on the value, submitting a trouble ticket for the first subscriber loop based on a result of the diagnostic tests, and generating a maintenance report for the vectored DSL group based on the value and the results. |
| US08369484B2 |
Methods and apparatus to test a subscriber line for a broadband access service
Methods and apparatus to test a subscriber line for a broadband access service are disclosed. An example network interface device (NID) comprises a tone generator to transmit a tone on a subscriber line to characterize the subscriber line while a DSL modem is providing a DSL service via the subscriber line, the tone having a frequency occurring within a range of frequencies in use by the DSL modem to provide the DSL service, and a pair of terminals to couple the DSL modem and the tone generator to the subscriber line. |
| US08369483B2 |
Multi-resolution X-ray image capture
Various methods and systems are provided for multi-resolution x-ray image capture. In one embodiment, a method includes repositioning an image capture assembly of an x-ray image capture apparatus from a first position to a second position, the first position corresponding to a first pixel density resolution and the second position corresponding to a second pixel density resolution; activating an x-ray source; and obtaining a digital x-ray image of a subject from an imaging sensor of the image capture assembly, the digital x-ray image having the second pixel density resolution. |
| US08369480B2 |
Dual isotope notch observer for isotope identification, assay and imaging with mono-energetic gamma-ray sources
A dual isotope notch observer for isotope identification, assay and imaging with mono-energetic gamma-ray sources includes a detector arrangement consists of three detectors downstream from the object under observation. The latter detector, which operates as a beam monitor, is an integrating detector that monitors the total beam power arriving at its surface. The first detector and the middle detector each include an integrating detector surrounding a foil. The foils of these two detectors are made of the same atomic material, but each foil is a different isotope, e.g., the first foil may comprise U235 and second foil may comprise U238. The integrating detectors surrounding these pieces of foil measure the total power scattered from the foil and can be similar in composition to the final beam monitor. Non-resonant photons will, after calibration, scatter equally from both foils. |
| US08369476B2 |
Clock generator and delta-sigma modulater thereof
A clock generator is illustrated. The clock generator mentioned above includes a multimodulus frequency divider and a delta-sigma modulator. The multimodulus frequency divider is archived by switching the phase thereof. The multimodulus frequency divider increases the operating frequency of the clock generator effectively, and has a characteristic with half period resolution for reducing the jitter of an output clock signal when its spectrum is spread. Besides, the delta-sigma modulator increases the accuracy of the triangle modulation and reduces error of quantization by adding a few components therein. Thus, the clock generator could be expanded to a programmable clock generator. |
| US08369469B1 |
Robust synchronization and detection mechanisms for OFDM WLAN systems
A method including: receiving, through a wireless channel, a plurality of modulated signals at a plurality of antennas, wherein each antenna receives a corresponding modulated signal; generating a plurality of autocorrelated signals by autocorrelating the plurality of modulated signals; determining whether a signal strength associated with each modulated signal is (i) below a threshold or (ii) above the threshold; for each modulated signal having a signal strength below the threshold, disabling the antenna that received the modulated signal having the signal strength below the threshold; combining the modulated signals having a signal strength above the threshold; generating weighted autocorrelated signals based on (i) the plurality of autocorrelated signals and (ii) the combined modulated signals; generating a combined weighted signal by summing the weighted autocorrelation signals; demodulating the combined weighted signal; and determining a state of the wireless channel based on the demodulation of the combined weighted signal. |
| US08369468B2 |
Tensor-based receiver for separating component signals in a composite signal
A receiver separates multiple component signals carried in a composite signal that have been spread over time and frequency. Multiple diversity branches receive the composite signal. A tensor generation circuit arranges samples of that signal along time, frequency, and diversity dimensions to obtain a composite signal tensor. A set of cascaded least squares estimators then separates the component signals by fitting a constrained tensor model of the composite signal to the composite signal tensor in an alternating least squares estimation process, alternating during any given iteration of the process between fitting different unfolded representations of the constrained tensor model to corresponding unfolded representations of the composite signal tensor. The tensor model models the composite signal as a linear combination of rank-one tensors associated with the component signals, and is constrained in the sense that each rank-one tensor remains constrained according to the spreading of its associated component signal over time. |
| US08369463B2 |
Receiver apparatus in multi-user communication system and control method thereof
A receiver apparatus in a multi-user communication system and a control method are provided. The receiver apparatus includes a multi-user detector for creating a soft decision value by using multiple received signals and priori information output from a prior iteration, and a channel decoder for performing local iterative decoding on the soft decision value created by the multi-user detector, and updating the soft decision value. The receiver apparatus also includes a global decoding controller for checking the soft decision value updated by the channel decoder, and controlling whether or not to perform global iterative decoding. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize a processing time delay and to reduce the complexity through an interference cancellation processing for multiple user signals and an iterative decoding processing, and also it is possible to minimize the decoding delays of user signals by processing soft decision values for multiple user signals as many as a predetermined number of decoding iterations before terminating. |
| US08369459B2 |
Diversity receivers and methods for relatively-delayed signals
Methods, software and apparatuses for decoding received delayed path signals are described. A receiver receives a signal via different paths with relative delay, e.g., on the same frequency channel. The signal is sampled at at least one sample per symbol. A channel estimator determines channel coefficients associated with the channel over which the signals were transmitted. A processor selects samples that include a dependence on a particular symbol being decoded and computes an error metric for each possible value of the particular symbol, for combinations of hypothesized future symbol values on which the selected samples depend, and for single values of previous symbols on which the selected samples depend. Error metrics calculated for each symbol are stored in memory. A soft symbol is generated based on said signal samples from the sampler, the channel coefficients and estimates of symbols computed. |
| US08369457B2 |
Demodulation apparatus, demodulation method, and electronic device
Disclosed herein is a demodulation apparatus including: an operation determination block configured to determine whether the demodulation apparatus operates as part of either a first device or a second device with which the demodulation apparatus communicates, the first device being configured to ASK-modulate and transmit data, the second device being configured to load-modulate and transmit data; and first and second demodulation control blocks. |
| US08369452B2 |
Majority detector apparatus, systems, and methods
Apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed, including, for example, a data receiver to receive a calibration voltage and a reference voltage to calibrate the data receiver. The output of the data receiver is provided to a first ripple counter that counts the outputs from the data receiver and provides an output count. The ripple counter may count either ones or zeros. A second ripple counter counts the number of a clock signals over the same period of time. The output count is either multiplied by two or the count of clock signals is divided by two. A ripple comparator may then compare the outputs and adjust the reference voltage based upon the comparison results. |
| US08369451B2 |
Method and apparatus for constant envelope modulation
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for modulating single carrier signals using constant envelope 2-CPM modulation and quasi-constant envelope filtered continuously rotated pseudo-PSK modulation in a wireless communication system. |
| US08369449B2 |
Method and system of diversity transmission of data employing M-point QAM modulation
A method (600) of communicating a plurality of data bits over L diversity channels uses a constellation set comprising a plurality (L) of M-point quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellations corresponding to the L diversity channels. The constellations do not exhibit overlapping data points, and provide full diversity. The method includes mapping (650) k*L data bits to L QAM transmission symbols in the L QAM constellation sets, and transmitting (660) the L QAM symbols where M=2k*L. Each of each of the k*L data bits is directly mapped into all of the L QAM symbols of the QAM constellation set, and for all combinations of k*L bits, changing a value of one of k*L data bits changes all of the L symbols. |
| US08369447B2 |
Predistortion with sectioned basis functions
A predistortion actuator is provided. The predistortion actuator includes a plurality of branches, each of which implements a basis function that acts on a digital input signal. For at least one of the branches, the respective basis function is a sectioned basis function, where each section of the sectioned basis function corresponds to a respective section of a range of at least one input signal characteristic associated with the digital input signal, such as a value range of a magnitude, a temporal characteristic, or a hybrid of the two. A power amplifier system including the predistortion actuator is also provided. Utilizing sectioned basis functions can potentially reduce the hardware resources necessary to realize the predistortion actuator relative to conventional global basis functions. In addition, signal conditioning during coefficient training can potentially be used to reduce the dynamic range of coefficients associated with each sectioned basis function. |
| US08369445B2 |
System and method for improved communication utilizing velocity related information
According to one embodiment, a method for communication includes receiving, by a receiver, a first modulated signal. The first modulated signal includes at least one error. The method also includes demodulating the first modulated signal. The demodulation includes compensating for the at least one error utilizing information related to a velocity of the receiver. |
| US08369444B2 |
Apparatus and method for beamforming in a multi-antenna system
An apparatus and method for beamforming in a multi-antenna system are provided. The method includes assuming at least one codeword comprised in a codebook as a precoding weight of a reference receive end and generating post-processing weights of at least two receive ends, confirming a codeword maximizing a sum rate using the post-processing weights, generating preceding weights of the receive ends using the codeword maximizing the sum rate, and precoding a transmit signal using the generated precoding weights and transmitting the precoded transmit signal to each receive end. |
| US08369442B2 |
Communicating a signal according to ASK modulation and PSK modulation
A transmitter modulator that is operable to modulate signals according to multiple modulation formats includes a first modulator, a second modulator, and a polarization beam combiner. The first modulator encodes a first signal according to a first modulation format. The second modulator encodes a second signal according to a second modulation format, the first signal orthogonally polarized with respect to the second signal. The polarization beam combiner combines the first signal and the second signal for transmission. |
| US08369438B2 |
Iterative tree search-based precoding technique for multiuser MIMO communication system
An iterative tree search-based preceding method for a multi-user Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) communication system includes determining a reference value of a cumulative branch metric of a candidate symbol, eliminating candidates having values that exceed the determined reference value of the cumulative branch metric of the candidate symbol, and registering values, which do not exceed the determined reference value of the cumulative branch metric of the candidate symbol, as entries, and selecting the least value from the values registered as the entries. Thereby, the method has low complexity and similar performance compared to an existing Sphere Encoding (SE) technique. |
| US08369437B2 |
Multiple input multiple output antenna system, signal transmission method, signal transmission apparatus, and computer program product for the multiple input multiple output antenna system
A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna system, a signal transmission method, a signal transmission apparatus and a computer program product for the MIMO antenna system are provided. The signal transmission method comprises the following steps of transmitting a signal with a first signal transmission mode and a first transmission power via a signal transmission channel; receiving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the signal; receiving an interference value of the signal transmission channel; obtaining a power weight value according to the interference value; determining a system threshold of the signal transmission channel to the SNR of the signal; determining a second signal transmission mode of the signal transmission channel based on the system threshold; and determining a second transmission power of the signal transmission channel according to the power weight value. |
| US08369428B2 |
Method of synchronizing multi-carrier systems and multi-carrier system
A method of synchronizing multi-carrier systems is provided, wherein the method comprises inserting a predefined frequency domain signal into a signal on a transmitter side of a multi-carrier system and multi-carrier modulating the signal. Furthermore, the method comprises transmitting the multi-carrier modulated signal via a carrier channel to a receiving side of the multi-carrier system, and synchronizing the multi-carrier modulated signal by using the predefined frequency domain signal portion of the multi-carrier modulated signal. |
| US08369425B2 |
Robust channel estimation in communication systems
An apparatus for archiving robust channel estimation in a communication system includes a training sequence generator to generate a training sequence. A formatter inserts the training sequence to a frame. A transmitting module is employed to transmit the frame. The training sequence generator further includes a symbol generator to generate a plurality of training symbols satisfying a predetermined constraint such that the training symbols are insensitive to synchronization error and a training sequence forming unit that forms the training sequence from the training symbols generated by the training symbol generator. |
| US08369423B2 |
Method and device for coding
The invention relates to a method for coding a sequence of images, comprising the following steps: determining, for the image data, the prediction image data from reference image data, calculating residual data from image data and prediction image data, quantizing the residual data with a quantization step, reconstructing the image data into reconstructed image data, filtering the reconstructed image data according to at least one filtering parameter with a view to their use as reference image data, coding the quantized residual data, selecting a function representing the variations of at least one filtering parameter according to a quantization step value of a set of at least two functions from a predetermined value representative of a filtering intensity, determining the value of at least one filtering parameter from the function selected and the quantization step. |
| US08369422B2 |
Methods and apparatus for artifact removal for bit depth scalability
Apparatus and methods are described for encoding and decoding image data for image blocks which form a picture by having a deblocking filter remove coding artifacts caused by local inverse tone mapping for intra-layer texture prediction for bit depth-scalability. A deblocking filter is applied at the enhancement layer for bit depth scalability. The deblocking filter is adjusted to remove coding artifacts caused by local inverse tone mapping for intra-layer texture prediction for the bit depth scalability. The boundary strength of the deblocking filter is adjusted based on a threshold that is based on a difference of inverse tone mapping parameters for the block and at least one adjacent block with respect to the block. |
| US08369418B2 |
Digital data receiver
To be able to combine audio quality with video quality, a digital data receiver (100) performs different processing depending on the type of those packets among TS packets, in which errors occur. To this end, the digital data receiver (100) includes: a PID filtering section (102) for identifying video packets and audio packets, a transport error indicator detecting section (104b) for determining whether a video packet is an error packet based on its header information, a video packet removing section (107b) for removing a video packet determined to be an error packet only when the video packet satisfies predetermined conditions, a transport error indicator detecting section (104c) for determining whether an audio packet is an error packet based on its header information, and an audio packet removing section (107c) for removing an audio packet determined to be an error packet. |
| US08369414B2 |
Image decoding method, image coding method, image decoding apparatus, and image coding apparatus
To provide an image decoding method allowing decoding of a multiview video even when no prefix NAL units are used. The image decoding method includes: parsing NAL units of a base view; decoding an image of the base view; parsing MVC extension parameters of a non-base view; searching whether or not prefix NAL units for a base view are present; either computing MVC extension parameters for the base view when no prefix NAL units are present or parsing the MVC extension parameters of the base view when prefix NAL units for the base view are present; and decoding the non-base view using the MVC extension parameters of the base view and the MVC extension parameters of the non-base view. |
| US08369413B2 |
Transport stream processing system and related method thereof
A transport stream processing system capable of recording and playing back a transport stream carrying a plurality of transport stream packets is provided, and includes: a first memory unit storing a plurality of sets of control words; a packet identifier filter acquiring a set of control words according to a packet identifier value of a transport stream packet and configuring an indicator to indicate whether the transport stream packet is for a recording or a playback operation; a second memory unit storing a plurality of data structures, wherein each data structure corresponds to an index number of each set of control words; and a processor determining whether the recording or playback operation for the transport stream packet is performed for the transport stream packet according to the indicator, retrieving a data structure according to the index number corresponding to the acquired set of control words and performing the operation accordingly. |
| US08369411B2 |
Intra-macroblock video processing
A system for processing sub-blocks of a macroblock of a video frame. In an example embodiment, the system includes a first module that is adapted to process each sub-block of the macroblock, wherein each sub-block is associated with a predetermined position in a first sequence. The processing of certain sub-blocks in the first sequence requires results of processing of one or more previously processed sub-blocks in the first sequence. A controller selectively enables the first module to process each sub-block of a second sequence that is altered from the first sequence so that the first module implements parallel or pipelined processing of certain sub-blocks of the macroblock. In a more specific embodiment each sub-block in the first sequence of sub-blocks is consecutively numbered 0-15 according to H.264 standards. |
| US08369410B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding motion vector
Provided are methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding a motion vector. The method of encoding the motion vector includes: selecting, as a mode of encoding information about a motion vector predictor of the current block, a first mode in which information indicating the motion vector predictor from among at least one motion vector predictor is encoded or a second mode in which information indicating generation of the motion vector predictor based on blocks or pixels included in a previously encoded area adjacent to the current block is encoded; determining the motion vector predictor of the current block according to the selected mode and encoding the information about the motion vector predictor of the current block; and encoding a difference vector between the motion vector of the current block and the motion vector predictor of the current block. |
| US08369406B2 |
Apparatus of predictive coding/decoding using view-temporal reference picture buffers and method using the same
Provided are an apparatus and method for predictive coding/decoding for improving a compression rate of multiview video using one or two additional reference frame buffers. The predictive encoding apparatus includes: a multiview reference picture providing unit for providing a reference picture for a predictive encoding according to temporal and spatial GOP structure information; a prediction unit for creating a vector by predicting which part of the reference picture inputted from the multiview reference picture providing unit is referred by a picture to currently encode; a transforming and quantizing unit for obtaining a difference signal between the predicted signal inputted from the prediction unit and a picture signal to currently encode, transforming the obtained difference signal, quantizing the transformed signal, and compressing the quantized signal; and an entropy encoding unit for encoding the quantized signal and the vectors according to a predetermined scheme and outputting the encoded signal. |
| US08369404B2 |
Moving image decoding device and moving image decoding method
Encoding and decoding are uniformly carried out for a plurality of chroma formats. Based on a control signal for providing a chroma format type of an input moving image signal, in the case of a chroma format of 4:2:0 or 4:2:2, a first intra prediction mode deciding unit and a first intra prediction image generation unit are applied to a luminance component of the input moving image signal, and a second intra prediction mode deciding unit and a second intra prediction image generation unit are applied to a chrominance component. In the case of a chroma format of 4:4:4, the first intra prediction mode deciding unit and the first intra prediction image generation unit are applied to all color components to carry out encoding, and a variable length encoding unit multiplexes the control signal as encoding data to be applied to a moving image sequence unit on a bit stream. |
| US08369400B2 |
Method for scalably encoding and decoding video signal
In one embodiment, decoding of a video signal includes predicting at least a portion of a current image in a current layer based on at least a portion of a base image in a base layer and shift information for samples in the predicted current image. |
| US08369398B2 |
Apparatus and method thereof for encoding/decoding video
An apparatus and method for encoding/decoding an input video complied with a fixed frame rate standard and adjusting bit-stream of an encoded/decoded video in real-time. The apparatus comprises a video encoder, a control circuit, an interface, and a buffer. The control circuit is used for monitoring the utility status of the buffer and thereby controlling the operation of the video encoder to achieve real-time adjustable time-varying throughput for various transmission environments. |
| US08369397B2 |
Method and device for coding a video content comprising a sequence of pictures and a logo
A method and device for coding a video content a having sequence of pictures and at least one logo is provided. The method includes coding the sequence of pictures by a first coding method, where this step generates coded data relating to the sequence of pictures. The logo is coded by a second coding method and additional information relating to the logo, the additional information including at least information relating to the positioning of the logo in the pictures of the sequence, where this step generates coded data relating to the logo. A single data stream is generated and separately includes the coded data relating to the logo and the coded data relating to the sequence of pictures. |
| US08369394B2 |
Systems and methods for loop length and bridged tap length determination of a transmission line
Through the use of a least squares minimization concept, the loop length, the number of bridged taps and length of the bridged taps on a transmission line can be determined from readily available modem data. In particular, the loop length, the number of bridge taps and the length of bridged taps can be estimated by comparing a measured frequency domain channel impulse response of the transmission line to a model of a loop that is comprised of multiple sections and multiple bridge taps. |
| US08369392B2 |
Cable modem
A cable modem includes a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) that is connected to a telephone. The cable modem can send a signal to the telephone through the SLIC, and detect signal reflection of the telephone in the SLIC. The cable modem measures frequencies of the signal reflection and the output of the telephone. The cable modem also compares the measured frequencies with corresponding thresholds and self-determines to be qualified or unqualified, based upon the comparisons. |
| US08369391B2 |
Method and arrangement in a digital subscriber line system
The present invention relates to arrangements and methods in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system.The basic idea of the present invention is to reserve a first part of an available frequency band exclusively for vectored DSL transmission and reception.The remaining part of the available frequency band can then be used either for only standard non-vectored transmission or for both for vectored DSL and for standard non-vectored DSL transmission. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to get the full benefit of vectored transmission, on at least the first part of the frequency band, even if the DSL vector system cannot handle all DSL modems. |
| US08369390B2 |
Multimode transceiver for use with multiple antennas and method for use therewith
A wireless transceiver includes a plurality of antennas. A plurality of signal recovery circuits generate a selected number of received signals from a first subset of the plurality of antennas, based on a control signal. A receiver section recovers an inbound data stream from the selected number of received signals. A transmitter module generates a transmit signal to a selected one of the plurality of antennas, based on the control signal. The intersection between the first subset of the plurality of antennas and the selected one of the plurality of antennas is the null set for each value of the control signal. The control signals can be generated in multiple different operational modes including, for instance, a cyclic modes and a fixed mode of operation. |
| US08369389B2 |
Methods and transceivers for channel classification
A transceiver used for an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system is provided, including: a signal processing device for receiving an OFDM symbol and processing the OFDM symbol to generate a processing signal according to the OFDM symbol, wherein the OFDM symbol having pilots which have been hierarchically modulated; a pilot signal analysis device for collecting the processing pilots of the processing signal and demodulating the processing pilots to generate a plurality of levels where one of the plurality of levels comprises a plurality of refinement bits; a degree difference analysis module for generating a plurality of degree differences according to the refinement bits and detecting channel classification according to the degree differences to transmit a channel classification signal; and a channel detection module for generating and transmitting a best modulation indication signal to another transceiver to adjust modulation scheme according to the channel classification signal. |
| US08369384B2 |
Method and system for processing signals utilizing a programmable interference suppression module
Aspects of a method and system for processing signals utilizing a programmable interference suppression module are provided. In this regard, a received signal may be iteratively processed to generate an interference suppressed representation of the received signal. The iterative processing may comprise a weighting iteration; an addback weighting and un-addback iteration, and an addback iteration. The weighting iteration may comprise generating one or more first estimate signals that estimate user signals present in the received signal. The addback, weighting, and un-addback iteration may comprise generating one or more incremental estimate signals based on the one or more first estimate signals and the one or more second estimate signals. The addback iteration may comprise generating an interference suppressed representation of the received signal based on at least the one or more second estimate signals. |
| US08369382B2 |
Radio communication device and constellation control method
A base station is provided for receiving an acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) signal, including a transmitting unit configured to transmit a control signal using one or a plurality of control channel elements (CCE(s)). The base station also includes a receiving unit configured to receive an ACK/NACK signal, the ACK/NACK signal being multiplied by an orthogonal sequence, by a sequence defined by a cyclic shift, and by either a first value or a second value, wherein the first value rotates a constellation of the ACK/NACK signal by 0 degrees and the second value rotates the constellation of the ACK/NACK signal by N degrees, which is different from 0 degrees. |
| US08369379B2 |
Packet synchronizing for communications over a wireless communication system
Synchronization methods and systems for communications over a multi-band system are presented. A synchronization technique for communications over a multi-band system includes receiving a packet of preamble symbols respectively transmitted over a sequence of frequency sub-bands according to one of a plurality of frequency hopping patterns, wherein the plurality of frequency hopping patterns are partitioned into a plurality of disjoint groups, each group having a different associated periodicity; computing, in parallel, respective autocorrelation values of the packet received in a selected frequency sub-band at a plurality of symbol delays; and selecting one of the plurality of groups of frequency hopping patterns based on the autocorrelation values at the plurality of symbol delays. |
| US08369378B2 |
Transmitting spread signal in communication system
A method for transmitting Acknowledgement/Negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) information in a communication system includes spreading first ACK/NACK information using an orthogonal sequence with a spreading factor of 2, spreading second ACK/NACK information using an orthogonal sequence with the spreading factor of 2, and coding the first and second spread ACK/NACK information on four available neighboring subcarriers of multiple antennas. |
| US08369376B2 |
Bit error rate reduction in chaotic communications
A system for chaotic sequence spread spectrum communications includes a transmitter (402) for transmitting information symbols using a chaotic sequence of chips generated at the transmitter, the information symbols having a duration of transmission based on a threshold symbol energy value and the chips. The system also includes a receiver (404) for extracting the information symbols from the transmitted signal using a chaotic sequence of chips generated at the receiver and the threshold symbol energy value. In the system, the chips generated at the transmitter and the receiver are identical and synchronized in time, where the duration of transmission of the information symbols in the carrier is a total duration of a selected number of the chips used for transmitting, and where the number of the chips is selected for the information symbols to provide a total chip energy greater than or equal to the threshold symbol energy value. |
| US08369372B1 |
Laser device
A laser device includes a substrate, a lower cladding layer on the substrate, an active layer on the lower cladding layer, an upper cladding layer on the active layer, and a second order diffraction grating in a layer above the active layer and having dimensions of at least 100 μm by 100 μm. The second order diffraction grating diffracts and directs light generated in the active layer in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper cladding layer. A laser device further includes a first reflective film on a first end face of a resonator, and a second reflective film on a second end face of the resonator, the second end face being located at the opposite end of the resonator to the first end face. |
| US08369370B2 |
Laser light source and method for producing a laser light source
A laser light source including a semiconductor layer sequence having an active region and a radiation coupling-out area having a first partial region and a second partial region different than the first partial region, and a filter structure. The active region generates, during operation, coherent first electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength range and incoherent second electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength range. The coherent first electromagnetic radiation is emitted by the first partial region along an emission direction, and the incoherent second electromagnetic radiation is emitted by the first and second partial regions. The second wavelength range includes the first wavelength range, and the filter structure at least partly attenuates the incoherent second electromagnetic radiation emitted by the active region along the emission direction. |
| US08369365B2 |
Network terminal and computer readable medium
A network terminal includes an operating system on which a plurality of user environments can run in parallel, a plurality of calling units corresponding to the plurality of user environments respectively, and a plurality of cooperative units corresponding to the plurality of user environments respectively. Priorities different from one another is assigned to the plurality of user environments respectively. Each calling unit is configured to convert a first telephone signal received from an interface and a second telephone signal received from an IP telephone terminal so that an IP telephone communication is performed between the interface device and the IP telephone terminal. Each cooperative unit is configured to communicate the interface with the corresponding calling unit in response to a calling request received from the IP telephone terminal. A cooperative unit corresponding to a user environment to which the highest priority among the plurality of user environments is assigned communicates the interface with the corresponding calling unit. |
| US08369364B2 |
Path multiplexing communication system, communication node, and communication method
A communication system including first, second, and third nodes interconnected via interconnect links, a primary path composed of an interconnect link between the first node and the third node, and a secondary path composed of an interconnect link between the first and second nodes and an interconnect link between the second and third nodes, wherein when the first node and the third node function as a transmitting node and a receiving node respectively, having a path multiplexing function to communicate with each other using bandwidths of a plurality of paths simultaneously, the first node transmits, to the second node, a path multiplexing request message for requesting communication with the third node, and when receiving the path multiplexing request message, the second node functions as a relay node and determines whether the primary path and the secondary path can be logically multiplexed by providing, to the first node, the bandwidth of the interconnect link between the second and third nodes, and if path multiplexing is possible, the second node returns a path multiplexing acknowledgement message to the first node, and the first node, in response to the path multiplexing acknowledgement message, multiplexes the primary and secondary paths to communicate with the third node. |
| US08369363B2 |
Wireless methods and devices employing plural-bit data derived from audio information
A portable wireless device includes a processor portion, which is adapted to process audio information in two different ways, for two different purposes. One is to help generate a signal that drives a speaker of the device, so that a user can listen thereto. Another is to process audio information to derive plural-bit data therefrom. The device can then take an action based on the derived plural-bit data. In one particular arrangement, the processor is configured as a steganographic decoder. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed, including image-based methods, and arrangements employing various types of fingerprinting. |
| US08369360B2 |
System information acquisition in multi-radio access technology system
According to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, there is a method, apparatus and computer program for composing at least one system information message instance for a first particular radio access technology system, and for transmitting the at least one message instance to at least one network node. In addition, the exemplary embodiments of the invention provide for receiving, decoding, and processing the received at least one message instance. Further, according to the exemplary embodiments each one of the at least one message instance includes a start field to indicate whether the message instance is a first instance of the at least one message instance, and a stop field to indicate whether the message instance is a last instance of the at least one message instance. |
| US08369356B2 |
Dynamic management of receiver resources
Techniques for dynamically managing receiver resources to achieve good latency and throughput performance are described. A receiver may have various types of receiver resources such as demod resources for demodulating packets, decode resources for decoding packets, packet processing resources, etc. These various types of receiver resources may be dynamically assigned to packets. In one design, receiver resource usage by each packet to be processed by the receiver may be estimated. The available receiver resources may be assigned to packets based on the estimated receiver resource usage by each packet and one or more assignment criteria such as priority, latency requirements, etc. The latency of each packet may be determined based on the receiver resource assignment. If the latency requirements of any packet are not met, then receiver processing may be skipped or deferred for one or more packets such that the latency requirements of each packet to be processed can be met. |
| US08369355B2 |
Communication control device, communication control method, program and communication system
There is provided a communication control device comprising: a wired connection unit that makes a wired connection with a mobile terminal; a setting unit that sets a frequency of a communication signal transmitted to or received from the mobile terminal through the wired connection unit; and a protocol conversion unit capable of converting a protocol of the communication signal from a mobile communication protocol to an IP (Internet Protocol). |
| US08369349B2 |
Network streaming over multiple physical interfaces using feedback information
The present disclosure is directed to using feedback information regarding a data stream being sent from a sending endpoint to a receiving endpoint. Both of the sending endpoint and the receiving endpoint each have multiple physical interfaces connecting the sending endpoint and the receiving endpoint to multiple networks, respectively, and the data stream is split into a series of data packets and sent over the multiple physical interfaces. Different portions of the data packets are sent over different ones physical interfaces based at least partially on a data capacity throughput for each of the multiple physical interfaces. Feedback information is gathered for each of the multiple physical interfaces. Feedback information gathered at the receiving endpoint is split and sent to the sending endpoint on one or more of the physical interfaces. Data packets are then reapportioned and sent over different ones of the physical interfaces based on the feedback information. |
| US08369340B2 |
Tracking fragmented data flows
A device may receive a fragment of a fragmented data unit, determine a flow identifier that identifies a data flow with which the fragment is associated, and create a flow entry, based on the flow identifier, to store information associated with the data flow. The device may also determine a fragment key associated with the fragment, store a pointer to the flow entry based on the fragment key, correlate the fragment and another fragment, associated with the data flow, based on the fragment key and the pointer to the flow entry, and accumulate statistics associated with the fragment and the other fragment after correlating the fragment and the other fragment. |
| US08369338B1 |
Region-associated ratings of wireless carriers
Disclosed are various embodiments for collecting and presenting region-associated ratings of wireless carriers. Customer ratings for a plurality of wireless carriers are collected in one or more computing devices. Each of the customer ratings is associated with a corresponding geographic location. A target geographic location is obtained from a client. A network page is generated including one or more maps showing a region encompassing the target geographic location. The maps indicate an aggregate customer rating for one or more of the wireless carriers for the region. The aggregate customer rating is determined based at least in part on a subset of the customer ratings that are associated with geographic locations that are encompassed by the region. |
| US08369331B2 |
Layer 1 frame construction
A layer 1 network frame is disclosed that includes data of a layer 2 frame. A header of the layer 1 frame header includes: a packet length field to indicate a size of a payload portion of the layer 1 frame, a priority field to indicate a priority of the layer 1 frame, a protocol field to identify a protocol of the data in the layer 2 frame, a frame mode field to indicate a correspondence between the layer 1 frame and the layer 2 frame included within the payload, a stuff field to indicate whether stuff data is contained in the layer 1 frame, and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field to indicate a CRC result. |
| US08369329B2 |
Dynamic hierarchical address resource management architecture, method and apparatus
A Dynamic Hierarchical Address Resource Management Architecture (DHARMA) coordinates a logical hierarchy of address spaces with a virtual topology of network elements using a manageable database environment. Address spaces are apportioned into hierarchical levels in accordance with a network policy. Network elements may be represented as objects, coupled via the logical address space. Both address space hierarchy definition and virtual topology modelling may occur independent from actual network deployment. As a result, multiple address space hierarchy definitions and virtual topologies can be pre-generated and stored for selective use during network deployment. With such an arrangement, a flexible addressing architecture is provided which may advantageously be used in any network that desires dynamic network configuration. The connection between the logical address hierarchy and the virtual network topology may advantageously be implemented through the use of a logical tag that links a virtual network element to a logical address hierarchy level. |
| US08369326B2 |
Multi-services application gateway
A gateway device is disclosed for deployment at user premises, which offers applications services similar to those of a server from the premises, albeit managed by a service management center via the network. For each application service, gateway programming provides application server communication with a client functionality of an endpoint device, for the respective service, communicated on top of network layer communications within the premises and through the wide area network. The application service logic in the gateway device also enforces authorization, authentication, configuration, or use of the service via the endpoint device. Management of the application service is responsive to communications with the service management center via the wide area network. A gateway device of this type, for example, may offer PC or TV type user interfaces. The gateway also may establish peer-to-peer communications with other similar devices. |
| US08369324B1 |
Variable compression queue
The disclosure is directed to an embodiment of a system that includes: (a) a queue to receive compressed blocks of data elements to be transmitted to a destination node and a variable compression module that, in response to an unacceptable connection status with the destination node, an unacceptable level of local processing resources, and/or an unacceptable level of local memory resources, changes a number of data elements in the block and/or increases a degree of compression. |
| US08369321B2 |
Apparatus and methods related to the packaging and cabling infrastructure of a distributed switch fabric
In some embodiments, a system includes a chassis having a group of horizontal slots in which a first group of line cards is disposed and a group of vertical slots in which a second group of line cards is disposed. Each port of a line card from the first group of line cards is operatively coupled to a different line card from the second group of line cards when the system is in a first configuration. A first set of ports and a second set of ports of a line card from the first group of line cards are operatively coupled to a first line card and a second line card from the second group of line cards, respectively, when the system is in a second configuration. |
| US08369318B2 |
Networking apparatus and telephony system
A networking apparatus including a PBX that relays between and manages IP and analog telephones that are assigned extension number information has: a VoIP conversion portion which converts an analog audio signal into an IP signal; an IP connection portion to which an IP telephone is connected; and an analog connection portion to which an analog telephone is connected. When a call originated from an IP or analog telephone is relayed and connected to an analog telephone, extension number information of the call originator is output to the analog telephone. |
| US08369316B2 |
Wireless emergency services protocols translator between ANSI-41 and VoIP emergency services protocols
A protocol converter or translator between ANSI-41 ORREQs and VoIP V2 messaging. The protocol converter may alternatively (or also) provide conversion between GMS MAP and VoIP V2 messaging. Interaction of VSPs with a Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) or a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) is permitted, as is interaction of wireless carriers with a Voice Positioning Center (VPC). In this way existing GMLCs or MPCs may be used to service VoIP 9-1-1 calls. Moreover, operators of Voice Positioning Centers (VPCs) who implement wireless offerings can re-use their existing VPCs to service wireless 9-1-1 calls. |
| US08369312B2 |
Method and system for retrieving log messages from customer premise equipment
An approach is provided for retrieving a system log. Packets that are destined for a predetermined network address and network port are detected and captured. The packets represent a log file corresponding to a customer premise equipment (CPE) for troubleshooting. A data file is generated to contain the log file, wherein the packets are discarded, by at a firewall, before reaching the predetermined network address and network port. |
| US08369307B2 |
Receiving apparatus, transmitting apparatus and communication method
Scheduler 304 performs scheduling such that the communication terminal apparatuses to transmit packets to are determined according to the order in CIR information output from demodulator 303, and determines the modulation schemes and coding rates of the packets. Command detector 305 detects an ARQ command transmitted from the communication terminal apparatus determined in scheduler 304, outputs an ACK/NACK signals to buffer 306, and outputs a SUSUPEND signal or a GIVEUP signal to scheduler 304. Scheduler 304 stops retransmission upon receiving a SUSPEND signal or a GIVEUP signal from command detector 305, and redoes the scheduling. Thus, it is possible to improve overall system throughput in a wireless communication system that performs packet transmission. |
| US08369306B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving data in a mobile communication system
A method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication system. The method generates a frame for mapping each of multiple communication service modes of a base station providing the multiple communication service modes to a user terminal, in units of subframes each having a time interval and a frequency band. The method includes estimating a communication service mode supporting an optimal service among the multiple communication service modes provided by the base station supporting the multiple communication service modes, and sending to the base station a random access message for access to the base station over a shared channel. |
| US08369305B2 |
Correlating multiple detections of wireless devices without a unique identifier
At a plurality of first devices, wireless transmissions are received at different locations in a region where multiple target devices may be emitting. Identifier data associated with reception of emissions from target devices at multiple first devices is generated. Similar identifier data associated with received emissions at multiple first devices are grouped together into a cluster record that potentially represents the same target device detected by multiple first devices. Data is stored that represents a plurality of cluster records from identifier data associated with received emissions made over time by multiple first devices. The cluster records are analyzed over time to correlate detections of target devices across multiple first devices. |
| US08369297B1 |
Synchronized determination of rate control among users in a wireless communication system
A method and system is disclosed for synchronization among access terminals of periodic computations of time-averaged measures of noise-indication messages received from the base station. An access terminal in a wireless communication system that includes a base station will set a reference time for synchronization with at least one other access terminal of periodic computations of time-averaged measures of noise-indication messages received from the base station. The access terminal will then synchronize a start time of periodic intervals for computing time-averaged measures of periodic noise-indication messages received from the base station with the reference time, and determine rates for transmission of data to the base station based at least on the time-averaged measures computed for the periodic intervals. The access terminal will the transmit data to the base station at the determined rates. |
| US08369291B2 |
Method for controlling communication with mobile stations within a network by implementing at least one functional entity in the network
A method for controlling the communication with mobile stations within a network, preferably a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) according to the IEEE802.11 standard, wherein the network comprises at least one access point through which the stations are associated with the network and wherein the stations can enter a power save mode is—with regard to a flexible utilization especially in large networks and with regard to a reduction of the required complexity of the access point of the network—characterized in that at least one functional entity is implemented in the network by which at least one part of the functionality required in power save mode is controlled. |
| US08369289B2 |
Reuse of training sequence between frequency-adjacent radio signals
Methods and apparatus for processing received signals in a multi-carrier system are disclosed. An exemplary method includes estimating one or more first propagation channel coefficients based on a training sequence in each of one or more first slots received over a first radio channel, equalizing signal samples from one or more second slots received over a second radio channel immediately frequency-adjacent to the first radio channel, using the first propagation channel coefficients, and demodulating user data bits from the equalized signal samples. In some embodiments, the training sequence is located at a fixed position in each of the one or more first slots and user data bits are demodulated from a directly corresponding position in each of the second slots. Improved data rates are thus achieved by constraining radio carriers in a multi-carrier system to frequency-adjacent channels and eliminating training symbols from one of the signals. |
| US08369288B2 |
Method and apparatus for bearer processing
A bearer processing method is disclosed. The method includes these steps: a system border node receives a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Context Request initiated by a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS); the system border node adjusts a Request Bearer Resource Allocation message of a system architecture evolution (SAE) system or the PDP Context Request of the UMTS according to the received PDP Context Request to map the Bearer Resource Allocation procedure of the SAE system and the Bearer Resource Allocation procedure of the UMTS. The present invention can map the Bearer Resource Allocation procedure of the SAE system and the Bearer Resource Allocation procedure of the UMTS. |
| US08369283B2 |
Method for reducing handover latency
The present invention relates to a handover procedure, and more particularly, to a method of reducing latency in performing handover using fast ranging. The present invention includes the steps of receiving a handover message including a specific ranging code and uplink resource information from a serving base station and transmitting the specific ranging code to a target base station using the uplink information. |
| US08369273B2 |
Method and apparatus for discriminating between control messages and speech payload
A base station detects the transition of a mobile station from a DTX mode to a continuous transmission mode. The base station schedules an uplink transmission by the mobile station during an uplink transmission period while the mobile station is in DTX mode and receives an uplink LLC PDU from said mobile station during the scheduled uplink transmission periods. The base station determines the operating mode of the mobile station based on the size of the received uplink LLC PDU. |
| US08369271B2 |
Method of configuring a cell of a wireless communication system for improved resource utilization
At least one base station of a wireless network adjusts its access area so as to drive at least one measure of utilization of a resource or resources of that cell toward, but not to exceed, a specified maximum level. The adjustment is dynamic in that it responds in real time to traffic fluctuations. The adjustment is autonomous in that it is not directed from outside the cell. The access area of the cell is determined by the received strength, at the respective users, of a beacon channel transmitted from the base station. In specific implementations, the access area may be adjusted by adjusting the effective signal transmit strength of the beacon signal, or by adjusting the tilt of the antenna that transmits to the cell. |
| US08369265B2 |
Remote call control for mobile telecommunication devices and services
System and methods for providing telecommunication functions on a mobile device are disclosed. An inbound call request is received, a call control interface is presented for a user to choose among a plurality of communication modes by which an inbound call is to be established. Call control data selecting a mode of communication is received through the call control interface. Communication is established according to the selected mode of communication. An outbound call request identifying a callee device is send from a mobile device through a packet network to a telecommunication service provider, and a call connection from the mobile device to the telecommunication service provider is established through the telecom network. The telecommunication service provider places a call to the callee device and combines the call connection from the mobile device to the connection to the callee device to establish a single joint call connection. |
| US08369257B2 |
Reliable and deterministic communication protocol
A reliable and deterministic video communication protocol is provided. In one aspect, a method of transmitting data, audio or video frames in a basic service set having a plurality of stations in a wireless local area network transmits a transmit opportunity information element to reserve a transmit opportunity time interval. The method further transmits the data, audio or video frames to a number of the stations in the basic service set during the reserved transmit opportunity time interval. In another aspect, a method of transmitting data, audio or video frames in a basic service set having a plurality of stations in a wireless local area network first transmits protection frames to reserve a time interval, then transmits frames during the reserved time interval or during a non-reserved time interval. In yet another aspect, a method of transmitting data, audio or video frames in a basic service set having a plurality of stations in a wireless local area network utilizes acknowledgement frames from the plurality of stations to acknowledge the transmission. A wireless communication device is also provided. |
| US08369256B2 |
Inactivity timer in a discontinuous reception configured system
Systems, methods and wireless devices are provided that utilize a timer to ensure a receiver of a wireless device is on to receive downlink transmissions. In the event the timer runs out without further resource allocation, the mobile device turns its radio off. If a further resource allocation occurs while the timer is running, the timer is restarted. |
| US08369253B2 |
Methods and apparatus to support voice solutions for data centric terminals
Methods and apparatus to support voice solutions for data centric terminals are described. An example method includes sending a combined registration request message for at least one evolved packet system service via a first radio access technology, receiving an EPS service registration accept message comprising an indicator that indicates that circuit switched fall back is supported, and when the user equipment has a voice centric setting, reselecting to a second radio access technology. |
| US08369252B2 |
Method and system for time division duplex hum noise cancellation
Methods and systems for TDD hum noise cancellation are disclosed and may include correlating a received audio signal to a time division duplexed (TDD) envelope signal, controlling a feedback signal based on the correlating, and cancelling a TDD noise signal via the feedback signal. The amplitude and delay of the feedback signal may be configured for controlling. A least mean square (LMS) filter may be utilized for the correlating and may include a finite impulse response filter. The TDD envelope signal may be generated on the chip or may be received from a source external to the chip. The feedback signal may be added to the received audio signal for the cancelling. |
| US08369248B2 |
Information transmitting and receiving system, information transmitting device, and information receiving device
An information transmitting and receiving system having an information transmitting device including: an information reading section; an information processing section which divides the information into a plurality of information segments, and gives an identifier uniquely to each divided information segment; and an information transmitting section which repeatedly transmits a bundle of identifiers in a first period of time, and an information receiving device including: an information receiving section which receives the identifiers; an information selecting section which selects an information segment desired to read; a display section which displays the information segment desired to read; and a display control section which controls the information display section such that if the information receiving section does not receive the identifier given to the information segment desired to read within a second period of time, stops displaying the information segment. |
| US08369239B2 |
Base station apparatus and method in mobile communication system
A base station apparatus includes a scheduler configured to schedule assignment of radio resources based on a scheduling coefficient for one or more user equipments, a control signal generation unit configured to generate a control signal including reporting indication information for indicating whether the user equipment is to report downlink channel state information and scheduling grant information for indicating the scheduled assignment of the radio resources and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the control signal in a downlink. A cumulative value is calculated for each of the user equipments. The reporting indication information transmitted to a user equipment, whose cumulative value reaches a predefined value, indicates that the user equipment is to report the downlink channel state information. The cumulative value is updated if the scheduling coefficient satisfies a predefined condition. |
| US08369238B2 |
Method, network, and computer product for flow based quality of service
A method, network, and computer program product are provided for traffic flow quality of service. A quality of service priority table is received for services defined by a user at the network, and the quality of service priority table includes quality of service levels for the services. Traffic flows are determined to correspond to packets being communicated over the network for the user. The traffic flows are mapped to services. The traffic flows are mapped to the quality of service levels for the services. The quality of service levels are assigned to the traffic flows as assigned quality of service levels corresponding to the services. Each of the traffic flows is routed over the network according to its assigned quality of service levels, respectively. |
| US08369236B2 |
Frequency division multiplex transmission device
A frequency multiplex transmission device configured to transmit and receive a frequency multiplex signal having a plurality of subcarriers, the frequency multiplex transmission device comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit the frequency multiplex signal by using a plurality of modulation methods; a receiver configured to receive a signal state to the frequency multiplex signal from an opposite station; and a controller configured to obtain a signal state to each of the subcarriers on the basis of the received signal state and a frequency characteristic of an antenna included in the transmitter, the controller being configured to control transmission on the basis of an obtained result. |
| US08369235B2 |
Method of exchanging messages and transmitting and receiving devices
A method of exchanging a round trip time between a transmitting device and a receiving device in a wireless network comprises receiving an echo request command from an audio video control (AVC) layer to a medium access control (MAC) layer, the echo request command including a first identifier for identifying the transmitting device, a second identifier for identifying the receiving device, and a third identifier; transferring a MAC message from the MAC layer to a physical layer, the MAC message including a message preamble, a message type, and the echo request command; transmitting a first physical layer data unit to the receiving device, the first physical layer data unit including at least one header, the MAC message, and audio/video (A/V) data; and receiving a second physical layer data unit from the receiving device, the second physical layer data unit including an echo report command in response to the echo request command, the echo report command including the third identifier. |
| US08369234B2 |
Method and mobile terminal for searching home network
A mobile terminal and a method for searching for a home network for the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes performing a full scan for searching for the home network at a certain time after roaming to a visited network, initializing a count of a number of times a timer has expired when the home network is not found, initiating the timer, updating the count when the timer expires, scanning frequencies in a frequency list when the count is less than a certain value, and scanning all frequencies around the mobile terminal when the count is equal to the certain value. |
| US08369232B2 |
Terminal device, system and method for measuring traffic based on user services
A terminal device includes a service type distinguishing module and a traffic measuring module. The service type distinguishing module is adapted to distinguish types of services accessed by the terminal device; the traffic measuring module is adapted to measure the traffic of each service type according to the service types distinguished by the service type distinguishing module. The present disclosure also discloses a system and method for measuring traffic based on user services. With the technical scheme of the disclosure, traffic of different service types can be measured respectively on a terminal device, so that the charging system is able to apply different charging policies to different service types. |
| US08369226B2 |
Method and device of processing a generic framing procedure frame
The present invention discloses a method of processing a generic framing procedure (GFP) frame, the method includes the steps of: processing the GFP frame by the compensating process of payload area descrambler error multiplication factor; and processing the GFP frame by the process of tHEC or/and eHEC single-bit error correction. According to the present invention, not only a tHEC or/and eHEC single-bit error can be corrected, but also the tHEC or/and eHEC additional single-bit error can also be corrected so that the equipment's dependability and capability of anti-interference are improved significantly. |
| US08369221B2 |
Efficient flow control in a radio network controller (RNC)
A mechanism is provided to resolve the Iub transport network congestion efficiently for HSDPA by dynamic adjustment of the transmit window of the RLC. The RLC protocol is extended with congestion control functionality. The Iub TN and Uu congestion detection method in the Node-B (120) signals the congestion to the RNC (110), and this congestion indication is used by RLC to react on the congestion situation. In the RNC (110), the transmission window of the RLC is adjusted to control the flow rate. When congestion is detected, the RLC transmission window size is decreased. When there is no congestion, then the RLC transmission window size is increased automatically. Different types of congestion are distinguished and are handled in different ways. Alternatively, congestion control is achieved without any modification in the RLC layer from the existing standard. Here, RLC STATUS PDUs are used to change the RLC transmission window size. |
| US08369220B1 |
Routing a flow of elastic traffic
To route a flow of elastic traffic, plural candidate paths are identified for the flow of elastic traffic. A particular path from among the plural candidate paths is selected to route the flow of elastic traffic according to criteria including numbers of flows on respective candidate paths and measured performances of the respective candidate paths. |
| US08369218B2 |
Zero-interrupt network tap
A network tap monitors network information flow over a particular connection. By duplicating the signal and diverting a copy, the information flow can be analyzed, both in real time and without interference through the monitoring process. When the power to the tap is either turned on or off, however, the change in impedance in the tap's circuit can create an interference spike in the connection that interrupts the information flow. By reducing or eliminating the impedance change in the tap circuitry, such disruptive interruptions can be eliminated. |
| US08369212B2 |
Network path validation based on user-specified criteria
A method of operating a network computer system to manage failover in the network computer system comprising communicating traffic via the plurality of network resources, and failing over from a primary pathway to a secondary pathway of the pathway plurality based on failure to receive the user-specified traffic defined by the failover criteria in the primary pathway in combination with availability of the user-specified traffic via the secondary pathway. |
| US08369210B2 |
Retry for telematics packet data connection failures in CDMA 1xRTT network
A technique and system are provided for executing retry procedures to resolve a packet connection failure during a CDMA 1xRTT packet session. In particular, the DTE is configured and controlled to retry based on either failure signals from the NAD or the Application Service Timer. Moreover, in one aspect, the DIE is configured and controlled to retry the packet connection selectively for traffic channel assignment failure, PPP connection failure, TCP/IP connection failure and Application service failure. In this way, the end user will experience a shorter service delivery time for packet-based telematics services. |
| US08369205B2 |
Determining information indicating a length of a part of a first cable
A device for determining an information indicating a length of a part of a first cable, the first cable connecting a first transceiver unit and a first subscriber device, wherein the part of the first cable extends from the first transceiver unit to a point of the first cable from where a second cable, which connects a second transceiver unit to a second subscriber device, joins the first cable to extend from the second transceiver unit to the second subscriber device, the device comprising an input to couple the device to the second cable, a first apparatus coupled to the input to measure a quiet line noise related to crosstalk from the first cable to the second cable, and a second apparatus to determine information indicating the length of the part of the first cable based on the quiet line noise. |
| US08369204B2 |
Method for high density data storage and imaging
An approach is presented for designing a polymeric layer for nanometer scale thermo-mechanical storage devices. Cross-linked polyimide oligomers are used as the recording layers in atomic force data storage device, giving significantly improved performance when compared to previously reported cross-linked and linear polymers. The cross-linking of the polyimide oligomers may be tuned to match thermal and force parameters required in read-write-erase cycles. Additionally, the cross-linked polyimide oligomers are suitable for use in nano-scale imaging. |
| US08369201B2 |
Optical pickup, optical drive apparatus, and light illumination method
There is provided an optical pickup including: an optical-system having an object-lens illuminating a first light for information recording or reproducing on a recording layer as a target and a second light on an optical-recording medium including a reference plane having a reflection-layer and the recording-layer at a layer position different from that of the reference-plane and on which information recording is performed through mark formation, and a focus-aligned-position-adjusting unit adjusting a focus-aligned position of the first light through the object-lens by changing collimation thereof incident to the object-lens; and a focusing-mechanism driving the object-lens in a focusing direction, wherein, when a depth of focus λ/NA2 defined by a wavelength λ of the first light and a numerical aperture NA of the object lens is set to α and the maximum-surface-blur range is denoted by D, the optical-system is designed so that a use magnification ratio β satisfies |β|≧√(D/α). |
| US08369198B2 |
System and method for printing visible image onto optical disc through tuning driving signal of optical pick-up unit
A system and method for printing a visible image onto an optical disc through tuning a driving signal of an optical pick-up unit are disclosed. The system includes a driving circuit, coupled to the optical pick-up unit, for providing a driving signal to drive the optical pick-up unit; and an adjusting circuit, coupled to the driving circuit, for controlling the driving circuit to adjust the driving signal according to a rotation source signal corresponding to a rotation of the optical disc. |
| US08369197B2 |
Information recording medium, information recording method, information recording apparatus, information reproducing method and information reproducing apparatus
If a defective cluster in a spare area is managed with a defect entry, the size of a DFL will increase as the size of the spare area increases with an increase in the number of recording layers stacked in a disc. An information recording medium according to the present invention has pointer information indicating the location of the next available cluster in each spare area, and restricts the direction in which the spare area is used. Also, a defect entry indicating a defective cluster in the spare area is registered with the DFL. Thus, even if the size of the spare area 15 increases, the size of the DFL 21 can be kept relatively small. Furthermore, even after physical reformatting is done, a defective cluster, if any, in the spare area 15 can still be recognized as a defect and the control operation can be performed so that a replacement cluster is not re-allocated to that defective cluster (i.e., the defective cluster is not used). |
| US08369196B1 |
BCA recording on optical recording medium
A burst cutting area of an optical recording disc includes a BCA mark comprising a plurality of pits over which a reflective layer is formed. The plurality of pits may be arrayed according to a pit pattern specifying a predetermined nominal positional relationship between adjacent pits. The pit pattern may comprise microstripes which include one pit per pit track and most adjacent pits in adjacent pit tracks. A direction between adjacent pits within each of the microstripes may correspond to a nominal microstripe direction which may form an angle with a pit track direction within a range of 45° to 135°. |
| US08369193B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus and manufacturing method of optical pickup apparatus
An optical-pickup apparatus includes: a first-objective lens; a second-objective lens; a lens holder including a first-lens barrel having the first-objective lens mounted on an end face thereof and a second-lens barrel having the second-objective lens mounted on an end face thereof; an actuator unit having the lens holder mounted thereon; and a housing having the actuator unit mounted thereon, the first and second objective lenses each being mounted on the lens holder such that a direction, in which wavefront of coma aberration on each lens face is most advanced in phase, is aligned with a radial direction of an information-recording medium, the actuator unit being mounted on the housing such that an optical axis of the first-objective lens is inclined in the radial direction at an inclination angle of the axis toward a recording surface of the medium required to cancel coma aberration of the first-objective lens to the surface. |
| US08369192B1 |
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head, head gimbal assembly and magnetic recording device
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head enables even steeper magnetization reversal between adjacent magnetic domains of a magnetic recording medium and satisfies the demand for high SN ratio and high recording density. The thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a pole that generates a writing magnetic field from an end surface that forms a part of an air bearing surface that opposes a magnetic recording medium, a waveguide through which light for exciting surface plasmon propagates, and a plasmon generator that couples to the light in a surface plasmon mode. The plasmon generator has a plane part and a projection part, the pole has a projection part opposing surface that opposes the projection part, and the distance between the projection part opposing surface and the projection part is 10-40 nm. |
| US08369191B2 |
Method for controlling the current of laser diode on thermally assisted magnetic recording head
A hard disk drive includes a recording medium and a thermally assisted type magnetic head. The controller determines one output current of a photodiode as a first saturated output current, the one output current being defined where temperature measured by a temperature sensor is a first temperature and where signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of the reproducing signal current of the reproducing element is saturated with respect to an increase in output current of the photodiode, and another output current of the photodiode as a second saturated output current, the another output current being defined where temperature measured by the temperature sensor is a second temperature, which is different from the first temperature, and where SNR of the reproducing signal current of the reproducing element is saturated with respect to an increase in the output current of the photodiode. A target saturated output current at operation temperature is estimated from operation temperature measured by the temperature sensor during the hard disk device operation, the first and second temperatures, and the first and second saturated output currents; and the driving current of the laser diode is controlled in order to obtain the estimated target saturated output current. |
| US08369188B2 |
Striking watch with an acoustic membrane
The striking watch (1) includes a watch case, which is formed of a middle part (4) and a back cover (5) removably secured to the middle part, and a crystal (2) that closes the case in a sealed manner. A watch movement (20) is held inside the watch case on a plate (14). The watch movement is provided with a striking mechanism able to be actuated at determined times to produce a sound. At least one acoustic membrane (10) is arranged between the back cover (5) which includes at least one lateral aperture (6) and the plate (14) of the watch movement. This acoustic membrane is made of amorphous metal or metallic glass to radiate the sound produced by the striking mechanism towards the exterior of the case. |
| US08369179B2 |
Semiconductor module including module control circuit and method for controlling the same
A module control circuit includes an input unit configured to receive a plurality of data signals from a plurality of data input/output pins and output an identification signal and an internal command signal. A latch unit is configured to latch the identification signal in accordance with a first enable signal to output a first group identification signal, latch the identification signal in accordance with a second enable signal to output a second group identification signal, and latch the internal command signal in accordance with the second enable signal to output a group command signal. A comparator is configured to compare the first group identification signal with the second group identification signal, and generate a selection signal. A multiplexer is configured to select one of the group command signal and a module command signal as an input command in response to the selection signal. |
| US08369178B2 |
System and method for managing self-refresh in a multi-rank memory
Multi-rank memories and methods for self-refreshing multi-rank memories are disclosed. One such multi-rank memory includes a plurality of ranks of memory and self-refresh logic coupled to the plurality of ranks of memory. The self-refresh logic is configured to refresh a first rank of memory in a self-refresh state in response to refreshing a second rank of memory not in a self-refresh state in response to receiving a non-self-refresh refresh command for the second rank of memory. |
| US08369173B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods for changing operating characteristics and semiconductor systems including the same
A method of changing a parameter in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes receiving and storing data in a storage region; and changing at least one between a DC characteristic and an AC timing characteristic of a parameter, used to access a non-volatile memory cell included in a memory core of the semiconductor device, according to the data stored in the storage. |
| US08369170B2 |
Temperature detector in an integrated circuit
A method for determining a temperature in a circuit comprises receiving a periodic signal. A frequency of the periodic signal is an increasing function of temperature. A number of oscillations of the periodic signal is determined during a time interval. A length of the time interval is an increasing function of temperature. The temperature is based on the determined number of oscillations. |
| US08369167B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of testing a sense amplifier of the same
A semiconductor device includes the following elements. A sense amplifier amplifies signal on a bit line. A column switch is between the bit line and a local input-output line. A sub-amplifier amplifies signal on the local input-output line. A write switch is between the local input-output line and a main input-output line. A write amplifier amplifies write data and supplies the amplified write data to the main input-output line when data write operation is performed. A test circuit activates the sense amplifier while the test circuit deactivating the sub-amplifier and the write amplifier when a data read operation is performed in test mode. The test circuit places the column switch and the write switch in conductive state. |
| US08369163B2 |
Memory device for reducing programming time
A non-volatile memory device includes: first and second planes each comprising a plurality of non-volatile memory cells; first and second buffer corresponding to the first and second planes, respectively; an input/output control unit configured to selectively control input/output paths of data stored in the first and second page buffers; a flash interface connected to the input/output control unit; and a host connected to the flash interface. |
| US08369162B2 |
Input-output line sense amplifier having adjustable output drive capability
An input-output line sense amplifier configured to drive input data signals over an input-output signal line to an output driver circuit, the input-output line sense amplifier having an output driver stage having a plurality of different programmable output drive capacities to tailor the output drive of the sense amplifier. |
| US08369159B2 |
Input/output circuit and method of semiconductor apparatus and system with the same
A system includes a controller which is capable of operating at one of a first speed and a second speed slower than the first speed; a semiconductor memory apparatus operating at the first speed; and an input/output device which is connected between the semiconductor memory apparatus and the controller, and configured to control input/output of signals between the controller and the semiconductor memory apparatus, wherein the input/output device operates in a normal mode which corresponds to the input/output of the signals between the controller operating at the first speed and the semiconductor memory apparatus and a test mode which corresponds to the input/output of the signals between the controller operating at the second speed and the semiconductor memory apparatus. |
| US08369155B2 |
Operating method in a non-volatile memory device
A method of verifying a non-volatile memory device to increase the read margin even though a negative verifying voltage is not applied is disclosed. The method of verifying a non-volatile memory device includes coupling a cell string to a bit line precharged to a high level through a sensing node, the cell string being provided between a common source line and the bit line; applying a verifying voltage to a plurality of word lines associated with the cell string; disconnecting the bit line from the sensing node; coupling the common source line to the cell string while the verifying voltage is applied to the word lines, wherein the common source line is applied with a bias voltage higher than a ground voltage; and coupling the bit line to the sensing node so as to detect a level of the bit line. |
| US08369152B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including charge accumulation layer
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, memory cells without a source region and a drain region, and a first insulating film. The memory cells are arranged adjacent to one another on the semiconductor substrate and include a first gate electrode including a charge accumulation layer. A current path functioning as a source region or a drain region of a selected memory cell is formed in the semiconductor substrate when a voltage is applied to the first gate electrode of one of unselected memory cells. The first insulating film is formed on the semiconductor substrate to fill a region between the first gate electrodes of the memory cells adjacent to each other. |
| US08369150B2 |
Relaxed metal pitch memory architectures
A relaxed metal pitch architecture may include a bit line and a first active area string and a second active area string. The bit line may be directly coupled to the first active area string and to the second active area string. The relaxed metal pitch architecture may be applied to a non-volatile memory structure. |
| US08369149B2 |
Multi-step channel boosting to reduce channel to floating gate coupling in memory
In a programming operation, selected storage elements which reach a lockout condition are subject to reduced channel boosting in a program portion of the next program-verify iteration, to reduce coupling effects on the storage elements which continue to be programmed. In subsequent program-verify iterations, the locked out storage elements are subject to full channel boosting. Or, the boosting can be stepped up over multiple program-verify iterations after lockout. The amount of channel boosting can be set by adjusting the timing of a channel pre-charge operation and by stepping up pass voltages which are applied to unselected word lines. The reduced channel boosting can be implemented for a range of program-verify iterations where the lockout condition is most likely to be first reached, for one or more target data states. |
| US08369148B2 |
Operation methods for memory cell and array thereof immune to punchthrough leakage
An integrated circuit includes a memory cell structure including a first cell and a second cell. The first cell includes a first storage structure and a first gate over a substrate. The first gate is over the first storage structure. The second cell includes a second storage structure and a second gate over the substrate. The second gate is over the second storage structure. The first gate is separated from the second gate. A first doped region is adjacent to the first cell and is coupled to a first source. A second doped region is configured within the substrate and adjacent to the second cell. The second doped region is coupled to a second source. At least one third doped region is between the first cell and the second cell, wherein the third doped region is floating. |
| US08369146B2 |
Block decoder of semiconductor memory device
A block decoder of a semiconductor memory device includes a control signal generation circuit configured to generate an initial control signal and a block selection control signal in response to memory block selection addresses, an output node control circuit configured to set up an initial voltage of an output node in response to the initial control signal, and a block selection signal generation circuit configured to generate a block selection signal by raising a potential of the output node in response to the block selection control signal and the initial voltage of the output node. |
| US08369139B2 |
Non-volatile memory with resistive access component
Some embodiments include apparatus and methods having a memory element configured to store information and an access component configured to allow conduction of current through the memory element when a first voltage difference in a first direction across the memory element and the access component exceeds a first voltage value and to prevent conduction of current through the memory element when a second voltage difference in a second direction across the memory element and the access component exceeds a second voltage value, wherein the access component includes a material excluding silicon. |
| US08369138B2 |
Semiconductor memory device for reading out data stored in memory
A semiconductor memory device measures a leakage current generated when a unit cell is accessed during a test process. The semiconductor memory device includes a unit cell configured to include a memory element, a word line configured to be coupled to one end of the unit cell, and a bit line configured to be coupled to the other end of the unit cell. In a normal operation, a current signal flows from the bit line to the word line through the unit cell such that data stored in the memory element is read. In a test operation, the word line is deactivated and a read operation is carried out such that data stored in the memory element is read. |
| US08369136B2 |
Resistive memory employing different pulse width signals for reading different memory cells
A semiconductor memory includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, a plurality of bit lines, each bit line connected to a corresponding column of the memory cells; a column selection circuit configured to select at least one bit line in response to a column select signal; and a read circuit configured to precharge the selected bit line in response to a precharge signal, to apply a read bias to the precharged bit line in response to a read bias provision signal, and to read data from the memory cells. A resistance level of each of the memory cells varies according to data stored therein, and the read circuit reads data from a first memory cell of the plurality of memory cells in response to the precharge signal having a first pulse width and reads data from a second memory cell of the plurality of memory cells in response to the precharge signal having a second pulse width. |
| US08369135B1 |
Memory circuit with crossover zones of reduced line width conductors
A memory circuit comprising a set of longitudinal conducting lines and a set of transverse conducting lines, wherein, each conducting line comprises alternating regions of reduced and increased line widths. The set of transverse conducting lines overlies the set of longitudinal conducting lines to define crossover zones wherein the reduced line width regions of the transverse conducting lines cross over the reduced line width regions of the longitudinal conducting lines. The circuit further comprises addressable magnetic storage elements, each disposed within a crossover zone between a longitudinal conducting line and a transverse conducting line thereof. The reduced line width regions improve magnetic flux efficiency in the magnetic storage elements and the increased line width regions lower the resistance in the conducting lines. |
| US08369133B2 |
Power gateable retention storage element
A method, electronic device, and system are provided in which data is stored in a gateable retention storage element. Also provided is a computer readable storage device encoded with data for adapting a manufacturing facility to create an apparatus which includes a silicon chip. The method includes storing a data value in a storage element, wherein the storage element is at least one of a flip-flop, a latch or a register. The method also includes placing the storage element in a low power state comprising removing one or more existing connections between the actual ground node and at least one other component in the storage element. The method also includes maintaining the data value in the storage element subsequent to placing the storage element into the low power state. The electronic device includes a storage component for storing a data value. The electronic device also includes a pair of cross-coupled inverter components communicatively coupled to the storage component, the pair of cross-coupled inverter components being adapted to maintain the data value stored by the storage component subsequent to placing the storage component into a low power state and being adapted to maintain a connection with an actual ground node subsequent to placing the storage component into the low power state. The system includes an array of storage elements adapted to store data. |
| US08369131B2 |
Bipolar resistive-switching memory with a single diode per memory cell
According to various embodiments, a resistive-switching memory element and memory element array that uses a bipolar switching includes a select element comprising only a single diode that is not a Zener diode. The resistive-switching memory elements described herein can switch even when a switching voltage less than the breakdown voltage of the diode is applied in the reverse-bias direction of the diode. The memory elements are able to switch during the very brief period when a transient pulse voltage is visible to the memory element, and therefore can use a single diode per memory cell. |
| US08369129B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with variable resistance element
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a variable resistance element configured to store data “0” and data “1” in accordance with a change in resistance value, a current generator configured to generate a reference current for determining data of the variable resistance element, and having an admittance middle between an admittance of a variable resistance element storing data “0” and an admittance of a variable resistance element storing data “1”, and a sense amplifier includes a first input terminal connected to the variable resistance element and a second input terminal connected to the current generator, and configured to compare currents of the first input terminal and the second input terminal. |
| US08369123B2 |
Stacked memory module and system
A three dimensional memory module and system are formed with at least one slave chip stacked over a master chip. Through semiconductor vias (TSVs) are formed through at least one of the master and slave chips. The master chip includes a memory core for increased capacity of the memory module/system. In addition, capacity organizations of the three dimensional memory module/system resulting in efficient wiring is disclosed for forming multiple memory banks, multiple bank groups, and/or multiple ranks of the three dimensional memory module/system. |
| US08369122B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus has a plurality of chips stacked therein. Read control signals for controlling read operations of the plurality of chips are synchronized with a reference clock such that the time taken from the application of a read command to the output of data for each of the plurality of chips is maintained substantially the same. |
| US08369119B2 |
Inverter drive power supply circuit for driving a plurality of inverter switching devices that form an inverter circuit
An inverter drive power supply circuit for driving a plurality of inverter switching devices that form an inverter circuit, includes a number N of transformers (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) adapted to a push-pull method, each having a first winding and a second winding for a primary winding and a first winding and a second winding for a secondary winding, and supplying an output voltage of the secondary winding to the inverter switching devices. |
| US08369116B2 |
Isolated DC-to-DC power converter topology
New utility of an existing class of DC galvanically isolated current sourcing circuit topologies for power conversion simultaneously allows improvement in its secondary circuit(s) to power conversion efficiency and reduction in working voltage magnitudes, or simply reduction in working voltage magnitudes, with resulting benefits for reduction in manufacturing cost, reduction in size and weight, and increase in market acceptance, or may simply allow secondary circuit(s) to enable easier provisioning of safety, improvement in reliability, or improvement in efficiency. The magnitude of DC output voltage is optimized at higher value for greater efficiency, while simultaneously optimizing the secondary circuit's working voltage maximum magnitude at a lower value for greater safety. The method requires full cycle current-compliant input impedance of the secondary power source whereby the secondary of the DC galvanically isolating device behaves in a mode of being a full cycle voltage-compliant current source. |
| US08369113B2 |
Power conditioning unit
A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals. |
| US08369111B2 |
Ultra low standby consumption in a high power power converter
A power converter with low power consumption during a standby operating condition. An example power controller includes a main converter coupled to a dc input of the power converter to control a transfer of energy from the dc input of the power converter to a main output of the power converter. A standby converter is also included and is coupled to the dc input of the power converter to control a transfer of energy from the dc input of the power converter to a standby output of the power converter during a standby operating condition of the power converter. A standby circuit is also included and is coupled to the dc input of the power converter and coupled to the main converter. The standby circuit decouples the main converter from the dc input of the power converter during the standby operating condition of the power converter. |
| US08369107B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method for manufacturing the same
An OLED display and a manufacturing method thereof. The OLED includes: a cover window; a guide frame disposed on the cover window; an adhesive layer disposed on the cover window, within the guide frame, and a display panel attached to the cover window, via the adhesive layer. |
| US08369105B2 |
Generic electromagnetically-countered systems
Various electromagnetically-countered systems are provided and include at least one wave source irradiating harmful electromagnetic waves and at least one counter unit emitting counter electromagnetic waves for countering the harmful waves. Various generic counter units of such systems and various mechanisms are provided to counter the harmful waves by the counter units by matching configurations of the counter units with those of the wave sources, matching shapes of such counter waves with shapes of the harmful waves, etc. Various methods are provided for countering the harmful waves with the counter waves by such source or wave matching. Various methods are also provided for the counter units as well as counter waves. Various processes are provided for providing such systems and counter units. Various electric and/or magnetic shields may be used alone or in conjunction with such counter units to minimize irradiation of the harmful waves from the system. |
| US08369097B2 |
Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a third housing between the first housing and the second housing, the third housing being rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing, and an antenna in the third housing. |
| US08369095B2 |
Protection circuit board for secondary battery and secondary battery using the protection circuit board
A protection circuit board for a secondary battery includes: a printed circuit board; a protection circuit attached to the printed circuit board and electrically connected thereto; a conducting pad electrically connected to a conducting pad of the protection circuit; a charging/discharging terminal electrically connected to the protection circuit and the conducting pad; a lead plate electrically connected to the conducting pad, the lead plate including at least one soldering hole arranged on a surface thereof to couple the lead plate to the conducting pad. |
| US08369094B2 |
Unibody latch for plug-in units
A latch for use with a plug-in unit may comprise a head, a rigid body, a pin, and a lever. The head may be configured to retain the plug-in unit within a chassis associated with a rack system. The rigid body may extend from the head and be configured to interface with a user's fingers. The pin may extend transversely from both sides of the head into a case associated with the plug-in unit and be configured so that the head and the rigid body rotate around the pin as a single body when the rigid body is pulled by the user's fingers. The lever may extend from the rigid body and include a detent configured to engage the chassis. The detent may be configured to restrict the head and the rigid body from rotating around the pin when the detent is engaged with the chassis. The lever may be operable to release the detent from the chassis. The head, the rigid body, the lever, and the detent are manufactured as a single unitary body. |
| US08369091B2 |
Interleaved, immersion-cooling apparatus and method for an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack
Cooling apparatus and method are provided for immersion-cooling of an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a sealed compartment about the electronic subsystem and a dielectric fluid disposed within the sealed compartment so that the electronic subsystem is immersed within the dielectric fluid. A liquid-cooled vapor condenser is provided which includes a plurality of thermally conductive condenser fins extending within the sealed compartment. The condenser fins facilitate cooling and condensing of dielectric fluid vapor generated within the sealed compartment. Within the sealed compartment, multiple thermally conductive condenser fins are interleaved with multiple electronic components immersed within the dielectric fluid to facilitate localized cooling and condensing of dielectric fluid vapor between the multiple electronic components. |
| US08369090B2 |
Cooled electronic system
A sealable module, cooled electronic system and method are described relating to cooling a heat generating electronic device. The sealable module is adapted to be filled with a first cooling liquid and a heat transfer device having a conduction surface defines a channel for receiving a second cooling liquid. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the conduction surface or housing is shaped in conformity with the shape of the electronic component. Control of the second cooling liquid is also described. Transferring heat between the second cooling liquid and a third cooling liquid features in embodiments. A method of filling a container with a cooling liquid is further detailed. |
| US08369088B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a first part, a second part, and a connecting mechanism configured to connect the first part with the second part. The connecting mechanism includes a connecting element installed on the first part, a movable element installed on the second part, and a drive element installed on the first part. The drive element is capable of moving the movable element from a first position of the second part to a second position of the second part. When the movable element is located in the first position, the movable element is latched by the connecting element. When the movable element is located in the second position, the movable element is unlatched by the connecting element. |
| US08369083B2 |
System and method for selectively engaging cooling fans within an electronic display
A system and method for cooling an electronic image assembly having a plurality of channels place behind the electronic image assembly. A first fan may be used to force cooling gas through a first grouping of channels while a second fan may be used to force cooling gas through a second grouping of channels. Temperature sensing devices may be positioned so as to measure the temperature of the first and second groupings of channels. The speeds of the first and second fans may be adjusted based on the temperature measurements of the channel groupings. Additional fans with additional temperature sensing devices may be used for further accuracy and control over the temperature gradients of the electronic image assembly. Manifolds may be used to distribute/collect cooling gas to/from the channels. |
| US08369081B2 |
Mounting mechanism for hard disk drives
A mounting mechanism for a plurality of hard disk drives is provided. The mounting mechanism includes a chassis, a cage slidably received in the chassis, and two latch members pivotably attached to opposite side plates of cage. Each of the latch members includes a hook. When the latch members are pivoted to locking positions, the hooks of the latch members engage with the chassis to prevent the cage from sliding out of the chassis. When the locking members are pivoted to unlocking positions, the hooks of the latch members disengage from the chassis, therefore, the cage can be withdrawn from the chassis. |
| US08369077B2 |
Mounting apparatus for data storage device
A mounting apparatus is provided to hold a data storage device including opposite sidewalls. The mounting apparatus includes a fixing board fixed to one of the sidewalls, an installing member, and a resilient member mounted to the installing member. A mounting portion extends from an end of the fixing board. The installing member defines a receiving space. The mounting portion is received in the receiving space, and slidably mounted to the installing member. The resilient member elastically resists against the mounting portion. |
| US08369074B2 |
Keyboard device for use with tablet personal computer
A keyboard device for use with a tablet personal computer includes a base body and an upper cover. The base body includes a handle and plural keys. The handle is integrally formed with the base body. The upper cover has a receptacle for accommodating the tablet personal computer. The upper cover is connected with the base body. In addition, the upper cover is rotatable with respect to the base body in order to open or close the upper cover of the keyboard device. When the upper cover of the keyboard device is opened, the tablet personal computer is stored within the receptacle, so that the user may input characters or symbols to the tablet personal computer by depressing the keys. Whereas, when the upper cover of the keyboard device is closed, the keyboard device may be carried by grasping the handle. |
| US08369072B1 |
Screen protector applicator
A screen protector applicator includes a cradle having a bottom surface, a plurality of upstanding peripheral walls and an open top in communication with an interior chamber. The interior chamber is dimensioned and configured to tightly conform to the periphery of both an adhesive screen protector and a corresponding portable electronic device, such as a wireless phone. The protector includes an earpiece slit adjacent a top edge and a control button aperture proximal a lower edge that respectively align with a protrusion and a mound on the bottom surface of the cradle. To apply the screen protector, a user positions the protector within the cradle such that the protrusion is seated in the slit and the mound is received within the aperture. A protective layer on the film is removed to expose an adhesive, and the electronic device is superimposed, face-down, on the anchored film to adhesively bond the device thereto. |
| US08369071B2 |
Portable terminal
A slide support mechanism included in a portable terminal includes: a first guide groove provided on a first housing side, and having a straight part parallel to the longitudinal direction of a display screen and an arc-shaped arc part continuous with one end of the straight part; and a first guide pin provided on a second housing side, and engaged with and held by the first guide groove in a slidable manner. Input parts which are covered by the second housing when the first guide pin is located at a cross-point between the straight part and the arc part are entirely or partially exposed in both cases of moving the first guide pin located at the cross-point between the straight part and the arc part along the straight part, and moving it along the arc part. |
| US08369068B2 |
Transfer switch enclosure
A transfer switch enclosure is provided for housing a transfer switch that selectively connects a load to either a utility electrical grid or a stand-by electrical generator. The utility connection includes a first switch selectively connecting utility power to a load. The transfer switch selectively connects the load to either the utility power or a secondary power source. The housing includes a divider panel, providing two separate chambers in the housing. The utility connection is mounted in one of the chambers and the transfer switch is mounted in the other of the chambers. The divider panel includes an opening to permit a pair of electrical conductors to pass therethrough for connecting the utility switch to the transfer switch. The housing further includes two door panels, each door panel covering one of the two chambers. Each door panel is independently operable and securable, controlling access to each of the two chambers. |
| US08369067B2 |
Electricity feeding control device
An electricity feeding control device is provided with an air hole (31c) which is formed by penetrating a part of a peripheral wall of a body (31) constituting a part of a housing case (3). The housing case (3) is provided in its inside with an inner pressure adjusting sheet (5), formed with a breathable and waterproof member, and arranged so as to cover the air hole (31c) from the inside of the housing case (3). The air hole (31c) comprises a long recess (31c2) formed in an outer surface of the body (31), a communicating hole (31c1) consecutively formed in one end of a longi-tudinal direction of the recess (31c2) and communicated with an inner surface of the body (31), and a shielding plate (33) attached in the outer surface of the body (31) so as to cover a region other than the other end of the longitudinal direction of the recess (31c2), in a region of an opening section (31c3) of the recess (31c2). That is, a channel of the air hole (31c), led from the inside to the outside of the housing case (3), is formed into a nonlinear shape. |
| US08369066B2 |
Lamellar stacked solid electrolytic capacitor
A lamellar stacked solid electrolytic capacitor includes a plurality of capacitor units, a substrate unit and a package unit. Each capacitor unit is composed of a negative foil, an isolation paper with conductive polymer substance, a positive foil, an isolation paper with conductive polymer substance and a negative foil that are stacked onto each other in sequence, the positive foils of the capacitor units are electrically connected to each other, the negative foils of the capacitor units are electrically connected to each other, and the positive foils and the negative foils are insulated from each other. The substrate unit has a positive guiding substrate electrically connected to the positive foils of the capacitor units and a negative guiding substrate electrically connected to the negative foils of the capacitor units. The package unit covers the capacitor units and one part of the substrate unit. |
| US08369063B2 |
Electronic selector switch for perforation
A circuit includes a line input for receiving a line power. The circuit further includes a line output for transmitting the line power. The circuit further includes a next-gun-detect output and a next-gun-detect input. The circuit further includes a first detonator connection and a second detonator connection, the second detonator connection being connected to a ground. The line input is coupled to the first detonator connection through a one-polarity-pass component that only allows power of a first polarity to pass. The line input is coupled to the first detonator connection through a detonate-enable switch circuit that is coupled to the next-gun-detect output and the line input. The detonate-enable switch passes power only if (a) the next-gun-detect output is not coupled to the next-gun-detect input and (b) power of a second polarity has previously been applied to the line input while the next-gun-detect output is not coupled to the next-gun-detect input. |
| US08369059B2 |
Method for disturbance current compensation for an electrical system, and disturbance current compensation device
An exemplary method is disclosed for disturbance current compensation for an electrical system by a disturbance current compensation device, which electrical system has a voltage source and a series circuit which is connected via a conductor in parallel with the voltage source. The series circuit has an inductance and a capacitance, with the inductance being connected in series with the capacitance via a conductor. To compensate for disturbance currents, the conductor for the connection of the voltage source to the series circuit of the inductance with the capacitance, and/or the conductor of the series circuit between the inductance and the capacitance, can be surrounded by a ring (e.g., a portion of the conductor can be substantially surrounded by the ring) which can be magnetized. The ring includes an air gap of the disturbance current compensation device. A compensation voltage can be applied by magnetization of the ring. The ring can be magnetized by a magnetization coil of the disturbance current compensation device. |
| US08369057B2 |
Remote locking roof access hatch
An electronically-activated roof access hatch is described that allows an operator to unlock the roof access hatch safely from the ground before ascending to the roof access hatch. The opening of the roof access hatch is controlled by a control panel that unlocks the roof access hatch and causes the roof access hatch to open. |
| US08369055B2 |
Method for setting free detection of out of step condition in electrical power system
A method of determining out of step condition and an instance of separation within electrical power system. The method does not require user settings and ensures reliable discrimination between recoverable power swing and pole slips that indicates non-recoverable power swing and the need for system separation. The method also allows tripping at a user selected system angle if desired. A calculated angle is used to determine the magnitude of the swing current to control the tripping at the desired angle θ when the system could be safely split after detection of out of step condition based on the criteria of this invention. |
| US08369054B2 |
NMOS-based feedback power-clamp for on-chip ESD protection
A power-to-ground clamp transistor provides electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. A filter capacitor and resistor generate a filter voltage that is buffered by three stages to drive the gate of the clamp transistor. The filter capacitor is about twenty times smaller than in a conventional clamp circuit. Feedback in the circuit keeps the clamp transistor turned on after the R-C time constant of the capacitor and resistor in the filer has elapsed, allowing for a smaller capacitor to turn on the clamp transistor longer. A sub-threshold-conducting transistor in the first stage conducts only a small sub-threshold current, which extends the discharge time of the first stage. The gate of the sub-threshold-conducting transistor is driven by feedback from the second stage. A feed-forward resistor has a high resistance value to slowly raise the voltage of the second stage from the filter voltage, and thus slowly raise the gate of the sub-threshold-conducting transistor. |
| US08369048B2 |
CPP-type thin film magnetic head provided with side shields including a pair of antimagnetically exchanged-coupled side shield magnetic layers
A thin film magnetic head includes a magnetoresistive (MR) stack disposed between first and second shield layers in a direction orthogonal to the film surface; a first exchange-coupling layer that is positioned between the MR stack and the first shield layer; a second exchange-coupling layer that is positioned between the MR stack and the second shield layer; a bias magnetic field application layer that is disposed at an opposite surface of the MR stack from an air bearing surface (ABS); and pair of side shield layers that are positioned at both sides of the MR stack with respect to a track width direction. Each of the side shield layers includes a pair of magnetic layers that are antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled through a side shield ruthenium layer. |
| US08369047B2 |
Magnetic head suspension and manufacturing method thereof with pair of piezoelectric adjusters
A flexure metal plate includes distal and proximal end side-center-support plate forming regions that are positioned on distal and proximal sides within an open section. To a distal end section of a supporting part that is positioned on a distal side of the open section, first and second-distal side-metal plates are fixed so as to be positioned on an outer side of the distal end side-center-support plate forming region in a width direction, and to a proximal end section of the supporting part that is positioned on a proximal side of the open section, first and second-proximal side-metal plates are fixed so as to be positioned on an outer side of the proximal end side-center-support plate forming region in the width direction. The first and second-distal side-metal plates form a distal end side-support plate in cooperation with the distal end side-center-support plate forming region. |
| US08369046B2 |
Disk drive suspension having a recess in a load beam or baseplate to contain damping material, and a lid portion for the recess formed by a plate-like constituent member of the suspension
In a disk drive suspension including a baseplate, a load beam, and a flexure, the suspension comprises a recess formed in one surface of the load beam relative to the thickness thereof, a damping material contained in the recess, and a lid portion superposed on the damping material so as to cover at least a part of the recess. The lid portion is formed of a part of a flexure. The flexure is an example of a suspension constituent member. |
| US08369045B1 |
Secure data storage
A hard disk drive includes a chassis which supports a “sealed” housing containing a data storage magnetic disk, and read/write heads and actuator. The housing also contains an erasure device which generates a magnetic or other field or emanation for erasing the disk, so that the erasing field or emanation need not penetrate the sealed housing to effectuate erasure. A backup power supply provides power to the erasing device so that erasure can occur even in the absence of external power. A bus- or network-actuated arrangement couples power to the erasure device so that many hard drives may be simultaneously erased. |
| US08369044B2 |
Disk drive with balance plug having longitudinal retainers
Described herein is a disk drive balance plug that includes a substantially cylindrical body defining a first end, a second end, a substantially cylindrical outer surface, and a plug central axis. The balance plug also preferably includes at least one protrusion extending along the cylindrical outer surface between the first and second ends in a direction substantially aligned with the plug central axis. |
| US08369043B2 |
Hard disk drive
A hard disk drive includes a base on which at least one disk recording and storing data is provided, a filter provided in an area around a corner of the base with a predetermined air flow space interposed between the corner and the filter to collect contaminant particles in air flowing due to rotation of the disk, and an air exhaust prevention unit provided in an area of the air flow space to prevent the air input to the air flow space through an inlet portion between the filter and a first corner side wall connected to the corner from being exhausted through an outlet portion between the filter and a second corner side wall connected to the corner without passing through the filter. The hard disk drive is manufactured in a simple method without changing the media of the filter and a contaminant particle collection effect is improved. |
| US08369042B2 |
Cartridge misinsertion preventing mechanism and magnetic tape library device cell
Provided are: a first entry preventing nail that interferes with a cartridge at a position closer to an insertion/extraction port than an insertion completed position of an insertion-side end face of the cartridge inserted first; a second entry preventing nail at a position with a space from the first entry preventing nail slightly longer than length of the cartridge, which allows entry of the cartridge and retreat of the first entry preventing nail at that position when a tapered face of the cartridge is at that position while preventing the entry of the cartridge and retreat of the first entry preventing nail at that position when the tapered face of the cartridge is not at that position; and a linkage module which allows advancing and retreating actions of the first and second entry preventing nails in a tradeoff relation. |
| US08369040B2 |
Storage control device and rotation speed control method for storage device
To provide a storage control device capable of changing the rotation speed of storage devices.A plurality of hard disk drives 1 is mounted in the device mounting unit 7. The rotation speed control unit 2 detects the mounting location of each hard disk drive 1, and determines the rotation speed in accordance with the location of each hard disk drive 1. The rotation speeds of adjacent hard disk drives 1 are different from each other. The rotation speed control unit 2 changes the rotation speed of each hard disk drive 1 to the determined rotation speed. |
| US08369039B2 |
Apparatus and method for reading data from a tape
An apparatus and method for writing data to be played back onto a tape is provided. Included is an acquisition unit for acquiring data to be written onto the tape, a writing unit for writing the data to the tape, and a determination unit for determining a data amount of a leading part of the data to be stored in a place separate from a place where the data is stored so that a part following the leading part is made ready to be played back before playback of the leading part ends, to reduce the time taken to read the data from the tape. Also included is an extraction unit for extracting the data and a storage unit for storing the leading part of the data. |
| US08369035B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting position of optical element
An apparatus for adjusting a location of an optical element includes: a first barrel having a hollow cylindrical shape; a second barrel having a hollow cylindrical shape to support the optical element and rotatably coupled to the first barrel; a distance maintaining unit installed between the first barrel and the second barrel in a first region of the first barrel and maintaining a distance between the first barrel and the second barrel in the first region when the second barrel rotates relative to the first barrel; and a guiding unit installed between the first barrel and the second barrel in a second region of the first barrel and guiding a movement of the second barrel to change a relative position of the second barrel with respect to the first barrel in the second region when the second barrel rotates relative to the first barrel. |
| US08369032B2 |
Compact imaging lens assembly
This invention provides a compact imaging lens assembly from an object side toward an image side in order including a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface with at least one of surfaces thereof being aspheric, a second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a concave image-side surface with at least one of surfaces thereof being aspheric. An aperture stop is positioned between the imaged object and the second lens element. There are two lens elements with refractive power in the compact imaging lens assembly. |
| US08369028B2 |
Imaging lens, imaging device, portable terminal, and method for manufacturing imaging lens
An imaging lens (LN) includes at least one lens block (BK), and an aperture stop (ape). The lens block (BK) includes parallel flat lens substrates (LS) formed of different materials, and a lens (L). In the imaging lens (LN), a first lens block (BK1) positioned closest to an object includes a first lens substrate (LS1) and a lens (L[LS1o], and a prescribed conditional expression is satisfied. |
| US08369026B2 |
Non-spherical lens module for easy manufactory
A manufacture method of a non-spherical lens module includes: firstly, forming a housing having a row of through holes running through a first surface and a second surface thereof; secondly, providing and filling liquid waveguide with the through holes and forming two convex portions at jointing positions of the through holes and said two surfaces respectively; lastly, cooling the liquid waveguide to form the waveguide in the through hole, cooling the two convex portions to form first and second lens portions. |
| US08369024B2 |
Lens driving device and electronic device
A lens driving device includes a movable system having a lens frame to which a lens is fixed, and a fixation system including a guide shaft inserted into a guide hole formed in the lens frame to allow the lens frame to advance and retract in an optical axis direction and a restricting member for restricting rotation of the lens frame about the guide shaft. A lead screw is rotatable with respect to the fixation system about its axis which extends substantially parallel to the guide shaft, and the lead screw is threadedly fitted to the movable system. A motor rotates the lead screw to allow the movable system to advance and retract along the lead screw. A biasing spring is arranged substantially parallel to the guide shaft and biases the lens frame in both the axial direction and a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. |
| US08369022B2 |
Variable magnification optical system, image pickup device and digital apparatus
A variable magnification optical system of the present invention and an image pickup device and a digital apparatus including this are provided with a four-component optical system of negative-negative-positive-negative arrangement, wherein a first lens group thereof includes only one negative lens as a lens having an optical power, and a third lens group thereof satisfies a conditional expression of 1.4<β3t/β3w<4 when β3t and β3w respectively denote image magnifications of the third lens group at a telephoto end and at a wide-angle end. The variable magnification optical system, the image pickup device and the digital apparatus having such a construction can be further downsized. |
| US08369017B2 |
Optical pulse shaping method and apparatus
The invention disclosed here teaches methods and apparatus for altering the temporal and spatial shape of an optical pulse. The methods correct for the spatial beam deformation caused by the intrinsic DC index gradient in a volume holographic chirped reflective grating (VHCRG).The first set of methods involves a mechanical mean of pre-deforming the VHCRG so that the combination of the deflection caused by the DC index gradient is compensated by the mechanical deformation of the VHCRG. The second set of methods involves compensating the angular deflection caused by the DC index gradient by retracing the diffracted beam back onto itself and by re-diffracting from the same VHCRG. Apparatus for temporally stretching, amplifying and temporally compressing light pulses are disclosed that rely on the methods above. |
| US08369016B2 |
Optical sheet
An optical sheet including a plurality of optical anisotropic films is provided. The optical anisotropic films of the optical sheet are alternately stacked on one another. Each optical anisotropic film has a plurality of main axis refractive indexes nx, ny and nz. The main axis refractive indexes nx and ny are in-plane main refractive indexes, and the main axis refractive index nz is a thickness-wise refractive index. The main axis refractive index nx is the minimum or the maximum among the main axis refractive indexes nx, ny and nz. Each optical anisotropic film has an optcial axis, and a direction of the optical axis is the same to a main axis direction of the main axis refractive index nx. The optical axes of the optical anisotropic films sequentially rotates along a predetermined in a thickness direction, and a totally rotation angle thereof is greater than or equal to 360 degrees. |
| US08369007B2 |
Filter for light receiving element, and light receiving device
A filter for a light receiving element, which can sufficiently eliminate disturbance due to sunlight and the like out of doors. The filter for a light receiving element according to one embodiment of the present invention is used for a light receiving element which receives signal light having a known spectral distribution. The filter for a light receiving element according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured so that when the energy density of the ambient light in the light receiving element is represented by N1 and the energy density of the signal light in the light receiving element is represented by N2, N1/(N2)2 is minimized under constraints. |
| US08369004B2 |
MOPA light source
The present invention relates to a MOPA light source capable of obtaining pulse output by wavelength-conversion of pulse light of fundamental light wave using a simple configuration, and suppressing optical output using a simple method when processing is not performed. The fundamental light wave outputted from a seed light source is amplified in an optical amplification fiber. The amplified fundamental light wave is inputted to one end of a passive optical fiber, and propagates in the passive optical fiber. In the passive optical fiber, stimulated Raman scattering occurs upon propagation of the fundamental light wave. The light of fundamental light wave and light of stimulated Raman-scattered components are outputted from the other end of the passive optical fiber. The light outputted from the passive optical fiber is collimated by a lens, and is then inputted to a branching filter. The light inputted to the branching filter is wavelength-separated into light of stimulated Raman-scattered components having wavelengths longer than that of the fundamental light wave, and light having wavelengths equal to or less than that of the fundamental light wave. |
| US08369002B2 |
Terahertz wave generating method and apparatus
First and second laser beams are incident on a difference frequency mixing unit, and the two laser beams overlap in the difference frequency mixing unit, thereby generating a terahertz wave whose frequency is a frequency difference between the two laser beams. Each laser beam has a spatial spread in a frequency gradient direction, and a spatial frequency distribution of each laser beam is a distribution in which a magnitude of a frequency gradually increases in the frequency gradient direction. A frequency difference between the two laser beams is equal in each position in an overlapping region of the two laser beams. A terahertz wave of a single frequency is generated from this overlapping region. By spatially shifting the first laser beam and the second laser beam with respect to each other in the frequency gradient direction, the frequency difference in the overlapping region is changed, which changes the single frequency. |
| US08368997B2 |
Electromechanical device with optical function separated from mechanical and electrical function
In certain embodiments, a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes a movable element over the substrate and an actuation electrode. The movable element includes an electrically conductive deformable layer and a reflective element mechanically coupled to the deformable layer. The reflective element includes a reflective surface. The actuation electrode is under at least a portion of the deformable layer and is disposed laterally from the reflective surface. The movable element is responsive to a voltage difference applied between the actuation electrode and the movable element by moving towards the actuation electrode. |
| US08368996B2 |
Tunable detection system
A tunable bandwidth selector is disclosed. The tunable bandwidth selector may include a plurality of spaced apart electron sheets which selectively separate a first bandwidth from an input spectrum. |
| US08368995B2 |
Method and system for hybrid integration of an opto-electronic integrated circuit
An opto-electronic integrated circuit (OEIC) includes an SOI substrate, a set of composite optical transmitters, a set of composite optical receivers, and control electronics disposed in the substrate and electrically coupled to the set of composite optical transmitters and receivers. Each of the composite optical transmitters includes a gain medium including a compound semiconductor material and an optical modulator. Each of the composite optical receivers includes a waveguide disposed in the SOI substrate, an optical detector bonded to the SOI substrate, and a bonding region disposed between the SOI substrate and the optical detector. The bonding region includes a metal-assisted bond at a first portion of the bonding region and a direct semiconductor-semiconductor bond at a second portion of the bonding region. The OEIC also includes control electronics disposed in the SOI substrate and electrically coupled to the set of composite optical transmitters and the set of composite optical receivers. |
| US08368994B2 |
Scanned, one-dimensional, phased-array display system
A scanned, one-dimensional, phased-array display system combines imaging optics on one axis with Fourier transform optics on another. The display offers the energy efficiency and fault tolerance of phase modulator-based displays, and the compactness, flexibility and speed of optical MEMS. Also described is a mechanism to introduce amplitude variations on the Fourier axis if needed to compensate for image artifacts. |
| US08368992B2 |
Electro-optical element including IMI coatings
An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack. The materials utilized to construct the insulator/metal/insulator stack are selected to optimize optical and physical properties of the electrochromic element such as reflectivity, color, electrical switch stability, and environmental durability. |
| US08368983B2 |
MEMS device with independent rotation in two axes of rotation
A MEMS arrangement is provided that has a top plane containing a rotatable element such as a mirror. There is a middle support frame plane, and a lower electrical substrate plane. The rotatable element is supported by a support frame formed in the middle support frame plane so as to be rotatable with respect to the frame in a first axis of rotation. The frame is mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to a second axis of rotation. Rotation in the first axis of rotation is substantially independent of rotation in the second axis of rotation. |
| US08368982B2 |
Scanning optical apparatus
A scanning optical apparatus includes a deflection element configured to deflect a laser beam emitted from a light source for scanning, a mirror member configured to directly reflect the laser beam deflected by the deflection element toward a surface to be scanned, and an optical box configured to house the deflection element and the mirror member. The optical box includes a bottom plate portion and a sidewall portion that encloses the bottom plate portion. The scanning optical apparatus further includes a plate-shaped connection portion configured to connect an opening surface of the optical box that faces the bottom plate portion from one side to the other side of the sidewall portion. The connection portion is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the mirror member in a direction orthogonal to the bottom plate portion. |
| US08368979B2 |
Image forming apparatus and computer readable medium for forming image
An image forming apparatus includes a tone correction storage unit that stores a plurality of tone correction charts for correcting tone of image data; a determination unit that determines characteristics of the image data; a selection unit that selects a tone correction chart suitable for the image data from the plurality of tone correction charts stored in the tone correction storage unit; a chart print unit that prints the tone correction chart selected by the selection unit on a sheet; a receiving unit that receives an adjustment value inputted based on the tone correction chart printed by the chart print unit; a tone correction unit that corrects tone of the image data based the adjustment value; and a print unit that prints out the image data after correcting tone of the image data. |
| US08368977B2 |
Method of creating 4x4 LUTs using a source and destination ICC profile
A 4×4 LUT comprises a K to K LUT merged with a CMYK to CMYK LUT with values ranging from [0, 0, 0, 0] to [0, 0, 0, 255], said 4×4 LUT written to a known file format. A method for creating 4×4 look up tables (LUTs) uses the source and destination ICC profiles. A K to K LUT is built, a CMYK to CMYK LUT is built, the K to K LUT is merged with the CMYK to CMYK LUT, and the resulting LUT is written to a known file format. Such a process is important since it solves the issue of preserving K in a CMYK to CMYK transform while adding the performance improvement of a 4×4 LUT. |
| US08368975B2 |
Image processing apparatus with improved image processing efficiency
A multifunctional printer comprises a CCD for reading an image on one side of a document, a CIS for reading an image on the other side of the document, an image processing unit for processing the image of the side read by the CCD or the CIS, and a determining unit (S12) for determining which of the images of the sides read by the CCD and the CIS is to be processed first by the image processing unit. |
| US08368965B2 |
Image cropping process
An image cropping process of a multifunction peripheral is provided. Firstly, a top edge endpoint of an object image is searched from a band image of an original image. Then, each band image of the original image is read to search the object endpoint coordinate of a to-be-printed object image zone. The object image zone is outputted to be printed. The image cropping process further provides a strategy for detecting spots in order to enhance the accuracy of searching the object image. |
| US08368963B2 |
Method for exposing a printing form and corresponding computer program product
A method for exposing a printing form includes the following steps: A matrix having device-dependent image information is provided on a computer for supplying data to a printing form exposer. The matrix having device-dependent image information is transformed in a matrix manipulation device into a corrected matrix having device-dependent image information. A printing form is exposed in the printing form exposer with the image information in accordance with the corrected matrix. Here, a first part of the transformation rule for producing the corrected matrix in a first zone of the matrix is defined as a function of the area coverage of the first zone, and a second part of the transformation rule for producing the corrected matrix in a second zone of the matrix, which is different from the first zone, is defined as a function of the area coverage of the second zone, the area coverage in the first zone and the area coverage in the second zone being different from each other. |
| US08368961B2 |
Image processing device and method for creating binary image data using a single set of dither matrices
An image processing device includes a storing unit and a creating unit. The storing unit stores a single set of line dither matrices. The single set of line dither matrices includes a first line dither matrix for first color, a second line dither matrix for second color, and a third line dither matrix for third color. Each of the first line dither matrix, the second line dither matrix, and the third line dither matrix includes threshold values that are arranged to make halftone dots grow linearly and including a plurality of n×n sub-matrices. N is set to an integer greater than 1. The first dither matrix has a first screen angle. The second dither matrix has a second screen angle that is different from the first screen angle. The third dither matrix has a third screen angle that is different from the first screen angle and the second screen angle. The creating unit is configured to create binary image data based on input image data using the single set of line dither matrices. A difference between the first screen angle and the second screen angle is set to either one of (π/2−arctan(1/n)) radians and (π/2+arctan(1/n)) radians. A difference between the first screen angle and the third screen angle is set to either one of (π/2−arctan(1/n)) radians and (π/2+arctan(1/n)) radians. |
| US08368960B2 |
Image processing apparatus, computer readable medium, and printing apparatus
An image processing apparatus is provided, the image processing apparatus including: an interpreting section that interprets instructions of a print control contained in print information, the instructions including a resolution instruction, a monochrome designation instruction indicating whether a monochrome designation is applied, and a page description language designation instruction; a selecting section that selects a binary-processing threshold matrix in response to at least the resolution instruction, the monochrome designation instruction, and the page description language designation instruction by any of ways including selecting and eliminating; and a binary-processing section that binary-processes a page description language contained in the print information by employing the binary-processing threshold matrix selected by the selecting section. |
| US08368950B2 |
Method of pre-processing data on a host machine for a host-based print system
The software on the host machine examines a pixel, either alone or in relation to adjacent pixels. Based on the image data contained in the pixel or group of pixels, a multi-bit value is generated that can be used by the printing device to easily reproduce the necessary detail of the original pixel. The multi-bit value also contains print engine control parameters to handle items such as toner miser mode, toner explosion, edge roll off, etc. The multi-bit value can be generated algorithmically by using a lookup table or by some combination of these methods. |
| US08368949B2 |
Hybrid printer and scan image copying method
When using image scanners to capture images of originals and using printers to print same, four-sided borderless copying is enabled such that margins do not appear on printouts. An image scanner might capture an image corresponding to scan region 263 which might be somewhat larger than original 262. Image processing circuitry might then enlarge an image corresponding to scan region 266 (arrow 279), converting it into enlarged image 271. Within enlarged image 271, the image of original 262 might have been enlarged so as to become image 273, which might be somewhat larger than printing paper 274. This enlarged original image 273 which would be present within enlarged image 271 might then be printed by a printer. |
| US08368943B2 |
Image creating apparatus and printing apparatus provided therewith
There is provided an image creating apparatus including: an inputting device for inputting creation data composed of input data and creation condition data; an image creating device for creating a two-dimensional code image based on the inputted creation data; and an informing device for informing of a print size of the created two-dimensional code image, wherein the image creating device creates the two-dimensional code image based on the creation data being inputted, in the process of inputting the creation data by the inputting device, and the informing device informs of the print size of the two-dimensional code image created by the image creating device based on the creation data being inputted. |
| US08368942B2 |
Image processing apparatus and its program and control method
An image processing apparatus has a multi-cropping function that automatically crops the scanned images of a plurality of original sheets placed on a platen of an image reading apparatus all at one pass. The desired number of cropped images is input by the user, and the number of cropped images detected when cropping the image of the original sheets placed on the platen, are compared. |
| US08368940B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for printing digital image, and computer product
Upon reception of information on a paper size, an index print command, and at least one piece of digital image data from an external device, a printing apparatus acquires an image layout mode corresponding to the paper size from an index layout information table, selects a tray of a paper feeding unit corresponding to the paper size, and outputs an index image including an image of the image data arranged on a sheet of paper, based in acquired image layout mode. |
| US08368938B2 |
Registering a plurality of tasks with respect to a document for processing
The present invention provides a user with information indicating an executable series of processing among the series of processing including a plurality of processes based on attribute information of acquired image data.An information processing apparatus (i.e., a MFP) of the present invention acquires scanned image data and acquires the execution condition of the series of processing corresponding to the attribute information of the acquired image data. The information processing apparatus acquires a series of processing corresponding to the execution condition of the acquired series of processing. The information processing apparatus displays information indicating the acquired series of processing on a screen. |
| US08368935B2 |
Providing access to images from hardcopy publications
A method, device, and system maintain a database of printed publications within a first computerized device. The printed publications each have one or more printable images. The first computerized device receives from a second computerized device (that is operatively connected to the first computerized device) a request for at least one of the printable images within a printed publication within the database. The request has an identifier of the printed publication and at least one page number of the printed publication. The first computerized device transmits display information to the second computerized device to cause the second computerized device to display one or more of the printable images appearing on the page number of the printed publication. The first computerized device receives an image selection from the second computerized device that identifies selected images from among the printable images displayed by the second computerized device. The first computerized device provides the selected images to the second computerized device, or to a printer or print shop. |
| US08368934B2 |
Image processing including registering image data
This invention provides an image processing system, which can suppress evidenced document registration by spoofing of a third party upon execution of registration processing of an evidenced document in a server, and a control method thereof. To accomplish this, in an image processing system of this invention, when the user registers an evidenced document in a server as image data, an MFP decides whether or not to register the evidenced document not only by authentication processing based on a user ID and password, but also by determination processing based on a work identifier used to identify a workflow. |
| US08368933B2 |
Image forming device configured to record print history in a server
An image forming device, comprising: an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording medium in accordance with a print command transmitted from an external device; a print history writing unit configured to record print history concerning image formation by the image formation unit in a server connected to the image forming device via a network; and a writing information transmission unit configured to transmit, to the external device, writing information including information indicating whether the print history writing unit has successfully recorded the print history in the server. |
| US08368930B2 |
Job execution system, image processing apparatus, job execution method and recording medium
A job execution system includes a terminal apparatus and an image processing apparatus. The terminal apparatus includes an accepter that accepts a value set by a user for one or more than one setting item to execute a job by the image processing apparatus and a transmitter that transmits the job including the accepted value, to the image processing apparatus. In the image processing apparatus, a judger judges whether or not there exists a setting item for which the value “to be specified” is set in advance, among those included in the job received by a receiver, to execute the job. And if it judged that there exists, a job executor puts on hold execution of the job and a display portion displays a setting screen that allows a user to specify a value for the setting item for which the value “to be specified” is set in advance. |
| US08368929B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and program
An information processing apparatus linked to a network includes a central processing unit CPU, a power management unit, a physical layer, a packet engine unit, a packet filter, and a transmission control unit. The packet engine unit transmits a packet to the network. The packet filter receives a packet from the network. The transmission control unit controls packet transmission. The power management unit supplies power to the physical layer, packet filter, and packet engine unit but not the CPU during a low-power mode. The packet engine unit includes an identification data generator, a message data generator, and a packet frame generator. The identification data generator generates identification data. The message data generator generates message data. The packet frame generator generates a packet by combining the identification data and message data. The transmission control unit transmits the packet periodically during the low-power mode. |
| US08368926B2 |
Reuse of document print attributes
An information processing apparatus includes a storing unit configured to store, in a storage device, print setting information including a hierarchical structure of a document and a print attribute associated with a hierarchical level of the document, and a setting unit configured to, when the print attribute in the print setting information stored in the storage device is applied to a selected document, compare a hierarchical structure of the selected document and the hierarchical structure of the print setting information and to set a print attribute to an appropriate hierarchical level of the selected document based on a comparison result and the print attribute of the print setting information. |
| US08368924B2 |
System and method for printing documents having a copy detection pattern
A method of printing a document includes generating commands in a computing device that include: (i) commands for printing based on document data, and (ii) an identification of a determined portion of the document data that is to be used in generating a printed copy detection pattern. The method further includes sending the printer control commands to an intermediate electronic device that stores a key, generating copy detection pattern data using the determined portion of the document data and the cryptographic key, and generating modified printer control commands that include commands for printing a first document portion based on the document data and a second document portion including the printed copy detection pattern based on the copy detection pattern data. Finally, the modified printer control commands are sent to a printing device. Also, a system is provided for implementing the method. |
| US08368922B2 |
Job processing system and method thereof and storage medium, and program
It is confirmed whether or not a job that instructs the execution of multiple processes using the XML language includes a process that cannot be executed by a job processing unit, and in the case where it has been confirmed that the job includes a process that cannot be executed by the job processing unit, the job processing unit is caused to execute a process that the job processing unit is capable of executing from among the multiple processes. Processes that cannot be executed by the job processing unit are ignored, cancelled, or processed according to a pre-set specification. |
| US08368921B2 |
JDF processing in a printing system
Print controllers and associated methods of processing JDF job tickets in a printing system are disclosed. A print controller in one embodiment includes a storage system that receives a printable file from a host system, and stores the printable file. The print controller further comprises a JDF interpreter that receives a Job Definition Format (JDF) job ticket that is associated with the printable file from the host system. The JDF interpreter parses the JDF job ticket to identify printing parameters defined for the printable file. The JDF interpreter then issues device control commands for the printing parameters in the JDF job ticket. Thus, JDF job ticket processing is performed in the printing system instead of in the host system. |
| US08368920B2 |
Image forming system, recording medium having image forming program recorded thereon and image forming apparatus for quickly avoiding duplication
An image forming system includes an information terminal and an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus stores a hash value of a file on which image forming operation is to be performed or has been performed. Upon a request to print a predetermined file at the information terminal, the information terminal generates a hash value of the predetermined file. The information terminal transmits print data and the hash value to the image forming apparatus only in the case where the information terminal determines that hash values stored by the image forming apparatus do not include the generated hash value. |
| US08368916B2 |
Data distribution processing system, data distribution processing method, and program for secure data transfer by splitting data, generating dummy data, and reconstructing data
A first copier acquires data and determines a plurality of recipients to deliver split data. A data splitter 308 splits data into a plurality of data blocks and a dummy data generator 315 generates dummy data. A data delivery unit 310 delivers the data blocks and dummy data to the plurality of recipients. At the same time, the data delivery unit 310 outputs restoration information including information about the recipients of the data. Based on the restoration information, a second copier collects the plurality of data blocks and the dummy data from the plurality of recipients and discards the dummy data, acquiring the plurality of data blocks. The second copier reconstructs a set of data from the plurality of data blocks. |
| US08368911B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling same, and information processing apparatus and method
Provided are an image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same, an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, and a program for implementing these methods, in which the fact that a setting is to be changed can be reported to a host apparatus through a simple arrangement. The image forming apparatus for attaining this object includes storage unit for storing the latest set value of the apparatus, transmitting unit for transmitting the latest set value, which has been stored in the storage unit, to the host apparatus in response to a request from the host apparatus, and updating unit for receiving a print setting from the host apparatus and updating the latest set value stored in the storage unit. |
| US08368908B2 |
Restriction of print job execution
The following processes are executed in order to restrict an execution of a job based on job data formed by using a driver other than a specified device driver. The device driver which formed the received job data is specified. Whether or not use of the device driver is permitted is discriminated. If it is decided that the use of the device driver is not permitted, the execution of the job based on the received job data is restricted. |
| US08368907B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming system
Interpret processing of received PDL data and determination whether a command includes group information are performed. CPUs that are available for processing are searched, and based on the group information and information about divided objects, to which CPU each processing of the divided objects is to be assigned is determined. The CPUs to which the processing is assigned convert the received data into intermediate data suitable for processing in a printing unit. The plurality of CPUs are instructed to perform image generation processing based on the generated intermediate data in parallel for each processing unit. |
| US08368906B2 |
Performing a virtual job using a plurality of mixed image processing apparatuses that can communicate each other
An image processing apparatus configured to acquire a content log of a job including image forming processing which is included in a virtual device that can cooperatively utilize functions of a plurality of image processing apparatuses, the image processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine, in performing a virtual job including image forming processing which is processed by cooperatively using the functions of the plurality of image processing apparatuses included in the virtual device, whether to acquire the content log on the image processing apparatus, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire the content log of the virtual job if the determination unit determines that the image processing apparatus is to acquire the content log, wherein the acquisition unit does not acquire the content log of the virtual job if the determination unit does not determine that the image processing apparatus is to acquire the content log. |
| US08368903B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a control section which detects an offset of a recording sheet being conveyed, the offset being in a main scanning direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the recording sheet; performs an offset regulation control which adjusts a main scanning direction image area signal in accordance with the offset; and forms a patch at a non-transfer area on an image carrier, wherein the control section performs a first control based on the offset of the recording sheet for the offset regulation control while a sub scanning direction image area signal is active for image forming on the recording sheet, and performs a second control for the offset regulation control while the image area signal in the sub scanning direction is inactive. |
| US08368899B2 |
Coiled evanescent optical sensor
An evanescent optical sensor is formed as a coil of either optical fiber or microfiber. By coiling the fiber/microfiber, the overall size of the sensor is significantly reduced when compared to “straight path” fiber sensors, yet exhibits a similar degree of sensitivity. An optical signal is coupled into a fiber coil that has been immersed in an ambient to be analyzed. The use of a coil configuration results in creating a plurality of whispering gallery modes (WGMs) that will propagate along the coil by reflecting from the surface of the curved fiber/microfiber forming the coil. The interference between these modes will be modified as a function of the properties of the ambient environment. Environmental changes cause variations in the optical length of the coil as “seen” by the various modes, and the interference of the modes is analyzed by studying the transmission spectrum at the output of the coil. |
| US08368897B2 |
Versatile surface plasmon resonance analyzer with an integral surface plasmon resonance enhanced fluorescence mode
An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance on a sensor surface has a polarized light source optically connected to the sensor surface by a plurality of optical elements, including in one embodiment an optical telescope that transfers light from a rotatable reflecting surface to the sensor surface. Selective positioning of a cylindrical lens into a first position within the path of light transforms collimated light to a rectangular wedge that is incident upon the sensor surface at numerous angles. In another embodiment, the light source is operated as a laser to excite fluorescence on the sensor surface and the fluorescence is selectively directed to a detector by appropriate optical elements positioned in specific configurations. |
| US08368895B2 |
Gas analysis arrangement
The present invention comprises a gas analysis arrangement (1), comprising a chamber (20) containing a sample of gas (“G”), light-emitting means (3), means (4) for receiving light that has been reflected through the chamber, and an electronic circuit (5) for calculation, adapted such that it is able by means of spectral analysis to analyze and determine the presence of a selected gas or mixture of gases present as a sample (“G”) of gas within the said chamber (20). The said chamber (20) offers one or several apertures for the passage of the sample of gas into and out of the said chamber. The said chamber (20) is assigned a somewhat curved shape, with at least one concave curved light-reflecting surface (30b) extending between the said light-emitting means (3) and the said light-receiving means (4). The said aperture (30) is located as a narrow continuous extent between the said light-emitting means (3) and the said light-receiving means (4) and that the said aperture (30) is assigned a size and longitudinal extent that offers rapid passive exchange of one sample (“G”) of gas within the chamber (20) for another sample of gas. |
| US08368894B2 |
Full-flow sensor for contamination in fluids
A sensing system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a fluid flow from a source and an outlet with for directing a fluid flow from the housing, wherein a longitudinal axis transverses a center of the inlet and the outlet; a flow conduit disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, the flow conduit having a cross-sectional area that is substantially the same as a cross-sectional area of the inlet and the outlet, wherein a first length of the flow conduit along a second axis, and wherein the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a light source for illuminating the fluid in the flow conduit along the first axis; and a sensor for detecting contaminants in the fluid. |
| US08368890B2 |
Polarization monitoring reticle design for high numerical aperture lithography systems
This invention relates to the manufacture of semiconductor substrates such as wafers and to a method for monitoring the state of polarization incident on a photomask in projection printing using a specially designed polarization monitoring reticle for high numerical aperture lithographic scanners. The reticle measures 25 locations across the slit and is designed for numerical apertures above 0.85. The monitors provide a large polarization dependent signal which is more sensitive to polarization. A double exposure method is also provided using two reticles where the first reticle contains the polarization monitors, clear field reference regions and low dose alignment marks. The second reticle contains the standard alignment marks and labels. For a single exposure method, a tri-PSF low dose alignment mark is used. The reticles also provide for electromagnetic bias wherein each edge is biased depending on that edge's etch depth. |
| US08368889B2 |
Compact snapshot polarimetry camera
An imaging polarimeter optics unit comprising: a first polarization-sensitive beam-splitter optic, a retarder, a second polarization-sensitive beam-splitter optic, and an analyzer, through which input light passes in sequence, wherein the retarder and polarization-sensitive beam-splitters cause the input light to have optical components that provide different information about the state of polarization of the input beam is provided. |
| US08368882B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting a signal and applying thermal energy to a signal transmission element
A signal detection system configured for detecting a signal emitted by the contents of a reaction receptacle is also configured to apply thermal energy to a portion of the reaction receptacle to affect a reaction occurring within the reaction receptacle. More particularly, a system for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the contents of a reaction receptacle includes a transmission element configured for transmitting electromagnetic radiation from the contents of the receptacle, a thermal element associated with the transmission element and configured to apply thermal energy to at least a portion of the receptacle, and a detector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the transmission element and to generate a signal corresponding to a characteristic of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector. |
| US08368881B2 |
Optical inspection system and method
An inspection system includes optics, an object support for mounting an object in a region of an object plane of the optics, a bright-field light source, and a dark-field light source. The inspection system also includes an image detector having a radiation sensitive substrate disposed in a region of an image plane of the optics and a beam dump. |
| US08368879B2 |
System and method for the ultrasonic detection of transparent window security features in bank notes
A system and method for automatically detecting the presence of a perforation, tear, or a transparent window security feature in a bank note. The system includes an optical detection device, and an ultrasonic detection device, and a conveyance device for transporting the bank note along a defined path proximate the detection devices. Each detection device comprises a plurality of optical transmitters and corresponding optical receivers that bracket the note path. A computing device is also provided to determine from the output of the optical detection device the presence of an optical abnormality in the bank note; to determine from the output of the ultrasonic detection device the presence of an ultrasonic abnormality in the bank note; and to determine the presence of a perforation, tear, or transparent window feature based upon the results of the optical abnormality determination or the ultrasonic abnormality determination. |
| US08368878B2 |
Method, apparatus, and article to facilitate evaluation of objects using electromagnetic energy
Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of goods and articles. Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of media, for example financial instruments, identity documents, legal documents, medical documents, financial transaction cards, and/or other media, fluids for example lubricants, fuels, coolants, or other materials that flow, and in machinery, for example vehicles, motors, generators, compressors, presses, drills and/or supply systems. Spectral information may be employed in identifying biological tissue and/or facilitating diagnosis based on biological tissue. |
| US08368873B2 |
Proximity to target detection system and method
There is provided a proximity to a target, detection system, including a laser transmitter for transmitting a beam of radiation at a predetermined wavelength temporal and spatial shape, towards a target from which the proximity is to be determined, a small dimensions body having an opening for admitting radiation reflected from the target, the body housing a receiver for receiving the reflected beam radiation from the target and directing it towards a detector in the body for producing a signal. The detector includes a detection logic circuit allowing detection of reflected radiation for producing an output signal when the body is at a predetermined range from the target and in consideration of the temporal or spatial relative strength of the signal produced by the detected radiation of the reflected beam. A method for detecting the proximity of a body to a radiation-reflecting surface of a target, is also provided. |
| US08368870B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus that can prevent disadvantages due to a leaked liquid is provided. The exposure apparatus includes: a substrate holder (PH) that includes a peripheral wall portion (33) and supporting portions (34) located on an inside of the peripheral wall portion (33) and that supports a substrate (P) with the supporting portions (34) by negatively pressurizing a space (31) surrounded by the peripheral wall portion (33); and a recovery mechanism that includes a collection inlets (61) provided on the inside of the peripheral wall portion (33) and a vacuum system (63) connected to the collection inlets (61), in which a liquid penetrated from an outer periphery of the substrate (P) is sucked and recovered, in the state with an upper surface (33A) of the peripheral wall portion (33) and a back surface (Pb) of the substrate (P) being spaced at a first distance. |
| US08368867B2 |
Liquid crystal spraying apparatus with ultrasonic converter within nozzle and method for manufacturing of liquid crystal display device using the same
A liquid crystal spraying apparatus is provided. In the apparatus, a liquid crystal vessel stores liquid crystal. A liquid crystal nozzle sprays the stored liquid crystal in the form of fine particles. A liquid crystal supplier supplies the stored liquid crystal to the liquid crystal nozzle. A gas supplier supplies gas causing the supplied liquid crystal to be sprayed in the form of fine particles. A gas tank supplies the gas to the gas supplier. |
| US08368866B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having heat generating electrode
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates, liquid crystal molecules positioned between the first and second substrates, a heat generating electrode for generating heat in response to a direct current being supplied to the heating electrode, and a backlight unit for irradiating light onto the first and second substrates. |
| US08368860B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel and a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel capable of reducing or eliminating metal erosion in an area in which a conductive dot is formed. In some embodiments, a display panel comprises a common electrode formed on an upper substrate, a first electrode formed on a lower substrate opposing the upper substrate and configured to receive a common voltage, a conductive dot formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate and positioned to supply the common electrode with the common voltage, an insulating layer having a contact hole exposing the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the insulating layer to connect the conductive dot and the first electrode, wherein a cross sectional area of the conductive dot between the upper substrate and the lower substrate is greater than a cross sectional area of an opening of the contact hole. |
| US08368855B2 |
Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device comprising an organic film and a reflection electrode having an embossed pattern
An LCD device adapted to implement a higher aperture ratio and to reduce its power consumption is disclosed. The LCD device includes: gate lines and data lines crossing each other to define pixel regions; a thin film transistor formed in each intersecting region of the gate lines and the data lines; a reflection electrode of plane shape, electrically connected to a drain electrode of the thin film transistor; a pixel electrode disposed in each of the pixel regions; and a common electrode having a slit structure, over the pixel electrode and the reflection electrode. |
| US08368851B2 |
Color filter for liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display device
Disclosed a color filter for a liquid crystal display device, which exhibits a color filter contrast of 9000 or more and includes a transparent substrate, and a plurality of color layers exhibiting different color from each other and formed on the transparent substrate, wherein each of the color layers is a cured film of a color resin composition containing a polymer composition obtained through a copolymerization of styrene and an unsaturated carboxylic acid-containing monomer, a content of the styrene in the polymer composition being confined to a range of not less than 75 mol. % and less than 95 mol. %, and a retardation in a thickness direction “Rth” of each of these color layers is confined within a range of 0 nm to −10 nm. |
| US08368849B2 |
Polarizing plate with built-in viewing angle compensation film and IPS-LCD comprising same
There is provided a polarizer integrally containing view angle compensating film used in an in-plane switching liquid crystal display (IPS-LCD) filled with liquid crystal (Δ∈>0) having positive dielectric anisotropy and an in-plane switching liquid crystal display comprising the same. More particularly, there is provided an integrated polarizer capable of being used to manufacture a thin polarizer and securing a good view angle by employing a view angle compensating film as a protective film of a polarizing film forming the polarizer and an IPS-LCD comprising the same. The integrated polarizer comprises a polarizing film; a protective film attached to one surface of the polarizing film; and a +A plate coated with a +C plate attached to the other surface of the polarizing film. The +C plate is coated in the form of liquid crystals. |
| US08368845B2 |
Electronic device with liquid crystal display
An electronic device, such as personal computer, incorporating a liquid crystal panel which uses LEDs as an illuminating light source for a liquid crystal panel to reduce power consumption and size of the electronic device. When 3-color LED lamps 13R, 13G, 13B of the LED light source 12 are lit, red, green and blue rays emitted from respective LED lamps enter the scatterplate 11 where they are scattered and mixed to produce white light LW which goes out from the entire surface of the scatterplate 11 to illuminate the entire rear surface of the transmission type liquid crystal panel 10. The white light LW that has entered the liquid crystal panel 10 is modulated according to the alignment of the liquid crystal material and passes through the color filters of the counter substrate. The user can view the transmitted light LT from the liquid crystal panel 10 as a color image. |
| US08368844B2 |
Area light source device and liquid crystal display device
An area light source device that is capable of more evenly emitting light and capable of enhancing the light emission luminance by exiting light of narrower directional characteristics. A light guide substrate includes a light introducing section and a light guide plate main body for exiting the light from a light exit surface. A number of diffusion patterns are formed at the light exit surface. A low refraction index layer is formed at the lower surface of the light guide plate main body, and a reflection layer is formed at the lower surface of the low refraction index layer. The point light source is arranged at a position facing the end face of the light introducing section. A tapered portion inclined to gradually increase the thickness of the light introducing section the farther away from the light source is arranged on the upper surface of the light introducing section. |
| US08368840B2 |
Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display having the same
A backlight assembly includes an optical member that diffuses light generated from lamps. The optical member includes first and second diffusion members that are designed to have light transmittance that complementarily vary according to areas. Thus, an optical member capable of supplying light having uniform brightness onto the whole display area of the LCD is easily designed. |
| US08368834B2 |
Display device with composite backlight module
The present invention discloses a display device comprising a bezel, a cell, at least one film, a light bar and a composite backlight module. The composite backlight module comprises a plurality of connecting structures coupled with the bezel for fixing and protecting the cell, a containing space for containing the cell and the film, and a light guide portion for guiding light emitted by the light bar to a light exit surface of the composite backlight module. The composite backlight module is made of a same material by injection molding. |
| US08368832B2 |
LCD panel and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and the method for manufacturing the same. A transparent electrode layer serving as a pixel electrode is laid out and simultaneously, a transparent electrode layer is laid out on top of a thin-film transistor (TFT) acting as a shift register. The transparent electrode layer can mask the influence of the common voltage of the common voltage electrode layer on the TFT. Therefore, the shift in the I-V characteristics of the TFT can be prevented due to the common voltage of the common voltage electrode layer. In this way, not only power consumption of the TFT in operation can be reduced to increase the life span of the TFT, but also power chips can be prevented from malfunctioning due to an overabundant flow of electric current which causes display abnormality. |
| US08368831B2 |
Oligosiloxane modified liquid crystal formulations and devices using same
A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or organic non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation is nano-phase segregated in the SmC* phase, has an I→SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., has a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, and has a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2, and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described. The device has a stable bookshelf geometry, bistable switching, and isothermal electric field alignment, a response time of less than 500 μs when switched between two stable states, and an electric drive field of less than about 30 V/μm. |
| US08368825B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus
A display device includes an anode electrode provided for each pixel, an opening insulation film which covers the periphery of the anode electrode and which defines an pixel opening, and a storage capacitor disposed below the anode electrode through a planarizing insulation film, having a function to store charge for driving a pixel, and including capacitor electrodes wider than the pixel opening. |
| US08368821B2 |
Base for display screen
This display screen turning apparatus (base for a display screen) includes a platelike base member so formed as to receive the load of a display body applied to a display screen support mechanism on a partial region and to warp in a direction opposite to the direction of deflection resulting from the load of the display body with a prescribed amount of warpage when not receiving the load of the display body, and the prescribed amount of warpage is so set that the surface of the base member is substantially flattened when the base member receives the load of the display body applied to the display screen support mechanism. |
| US08368819B2 |
Remote control system and method of television control
A remote control method controls a television (TV) set to perform functions using an electronic device. The method controls a camera connected with the electronic device to capture an image in front of the TV set when the TV set is turned on. The method analyzes the captured image to determine whether a hand image of a user exists in the captured image, and extracts the hand image from the captured image upon the condition that the hand image exists in the captured image to determine a hand sign of the user according to the extracted hand image. The method generates a remote control signal for controlling the TV set according to the determined hand sign, and controls the TV set to perform a function according to the remote control signal. |
| US08368812B2 |
PLL loop able to recover a synchronisation clock rhythm comprising a temporal discontinuity
The present invention relates to the domain of video equipment. It relates to a phase-locked loop able to recover the timing of a synchronization signal comprising a temporal discontinuity of amaximum amplitude equal to PCR_Modulus, the loop comprising: a sample comparator comparing the samples and the local samples of a synthesized signal, means for producing the synthesized signal from a corrected signal, a corrector receiving a comparison result delivered by the comparison means and delivering the corrected signal, According to the invention, the comparison means comprises the means to determine a difference in value between the local samples and the samples of the synchronization signal and in that the comparison result has a value that depends on the value ε and on the difference between the value ε and the value PCR_Modulus/2. |
| US08368811B2 |
Reproducing apparatus
According to the present invention, the sound quality of an apparatus having HDMI outputs exclusive for both of an audio signal and a video signal can be further improved. According to the present invention, even when the calculated value of CTS obtained using a first video clock signal Vc1 generated by a decoder 204 is other than an integer, a value of a second video clock signal Vc2 and an N value are set such that the calculated value of CTS obtained using the second video clock signal Vc2 is an integer. By using the value of second video clock signal Vc2 and the N value set in this manner, an audio reproducing apparatus 103 can generate an audio clock signal Ac having reduced jitter. |
| US08368810B2 |
Video processing apparatus and related method for de-interlacing
A video processing apparatus for de-interlacing includes a video decoder and a de-interlacing circuit. The video decoder decodes a video data stream to generate an interlaced video signal and transmits a first interlaced control signal. The de-interlacing circuit is coupled to the video decoder, and includes a detecting unit and an interlacing to progressive converting unit. The detecting unit generates a second interlaced control signal according to the interlaced video signal and the first interlaced control signal. The interlacing to progressive converting unit is coupled to the detecting unit for receiving the interlaced video signal as well as the second interlaced control signal and for converting the interlaced video signal into a first progressive video signal according to the second interlaced control signal. |
| US08368806B2 |
Camera body with mount to which lens is mountable
A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a capacitor, and a housing member. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The capacitor is disposed above the imaging element and more to the imaging element side than the body mount in a direction of the light passing through the lens unit. The housing member accommodates the imaging element and the capacitor. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the light receiving face, at least part of the capacitor is disposed within a region bounded by the outer edge of the body mount. |
| US08368805B2 |
User interface module for digital camera and digital camera including the same
A digital camera and a user interface module of the digital camera that includes: a front cover which includes a window onto which an image is projected; a touch panel which is disposed at the back of the front cover, and outputs an image on the window while detecting touch manipulations of a user; a button assembly which includes a button pattern that is externally exposed along with the front cover, and detects and converts manipulations of the button pattern into an electric signal; and a first wiring cable which collects and transmits a touch signal generated in the touch panel and a manipulation signal generated in the button assembly to the camera body. The user interface module may be assembled to the camera body as a unit module to form the camera and may have a single wire cable electrically connecting the user interface module to the camera body. |
| US08368798B2 |
Vibrating device and image equipment having the same
A dust-screening member is shaped like a plate as a whole. A vibrating member is adjacent to one side of the dust-screening member and arranged on the surface along the one side. A drive unit is configured to drive the vibrating member to produce a vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to the surface, on the surface, such that peak ridges of the vibration form a closed loop and an area including a center of the closed loop surrounded by a node area having almost no vibrational amplitude. When a length of a side in a dust-screening member virtual rectangle corresponding to a short side of a vibrating member virtual rectangle is assumed to be LFw, and a length of short side of the vibrating member virtual rectangle is assumed to be WE, WF/LFw has a dimension of 0.095 or greater and 0.105 or less. |
| US08368796B2 |
Camera system with side by side image display
A camera system has an imaging optical system, an imaging component, a liquid crystal monitor, an aperture setting component, and an image display controller. The liquid crystal monitor has a first display region and a second display region. The aperture setting component adjusts the aperture in a specific period so that the actual aperture value will be a preset value. The image display controller displays, in the first display region, a reference image acquired by the imaging component under conditions in which the aperture value is the preset value, and displays, in the second display region, a comparative image acquired by the imaging component at a different timing from that of the reference image. |
| US08368794B2 |
Display device and display method that determines intention or status of a user
The present invention provides a display apparatus and a display method for realizing control for display operations by a user precisely reflecting the user's status, i.e., the user's intentions, visual state and physical conditions. Worn as an eyeglass-like or head-mount wearable unit for example, the display apparatus of the present invention enables the user to recognize visibly various images on the display unit positioned in front of the user's eyes thereby providing the picked up images, reproduced images, and received images. As control for various display operations such as switching between the display state and the see-through state, display operation mode and selecting sources, the display apparatus of the present invention acquires information about either behavior or physical status of the user, and determines either intention or status of the user in accordance with the acquired information, thereby controlling the display operation appropriately on the basis of the determination result. |
| US08368790B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and imaging system
An image sensing apparatus comprises a pixel array; a readout unit; a first terminal; and a second terminal, wherein the readout unit including a column amplification unit, a holding unit, a first power supply line, and a second power supply line, and wherein the column amplification unit including a transistor having a gate electrode and back-gate electrode, the gate electrode receiving a signal read out from a pixel on each column of the pixel array, and the holding unit including a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode receiving a signal amplified by the column amplification unit, and wherein the first power supply line transfers the first power supply voltage to the back-gate electrode of the transistor, and the second power supply line transfers the second power supply voltage to the second electrode of the capacitor. |
| US08368789B2 |
Systems and methods to provide reference current with negative temperature coefficient
Systems and methods for providing one or more reference currents with respective negative temperature coefficients are provided. A first voltage is divided to provide a divided voltage, which is compared to a reference voltage (e.g., a bandgap reference voltage) to provide a control voltage. The first voltage and the one or more reference currents are based on the control voltage. |
| US08368788B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion layer, a MOS transistor circuit. The photoelectric conversion layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate. The MOS transistor circuit reads out a signal corresponding to charges generated in the photoelectric conversion layer and then collected, and that is formed in the semiconductor substrate, the charges having a given polarity. The MOS transistor circuit includes a charge accumulation portion, a reset transistor, and an output transistor. The charge accumulation portion is electrically connected with the photoelectric conversion layer. The reset transistor resets a potential of the charge accumulation portion to a reset potential. The output transistor outputs a signal corresponding to the potential of the charge accumulation portion. The reset transistor and the output transistor have carriers whose polarity is opposite to the given polarity. In the MOS transistor circuit, following formula (1) is satisfied: GND |
| US08368787B2 |
Image sensor, single-plate color image sensor, and electronic device
An image sensor includes an imaging area including a plurality of cells arrayed in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate, each of the cells including an avalanche photodiode, the avalanche photodiode including: an anode region buried in an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate; a cathode region buried in the upper portion of the semiconductor substrate separated from the anode region in a direction parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate; and an avalanche multiplication region defined between the anode and cathode regions, the avalanche multiplication region having an impurity concentration less than the anode and cathode regions; wherein depths of the anode and cathode regions from the surface of the semiconductor substrate are different from each other. |
| US08368786B2 |
Image pickup lens including at least one lens block wherein a lens portion or lens portions are formed on a lens substrate, image pickup device, digital apparatus and manufacturing method of image pickup lens
To provide an inexpensive image pickup lens ensuring mass productivity and preventing deterioration of images due to fluctuation of a paraxial image-point position caused by water absorption, image pickup device, digital apparatus, and a manufacturing method of the image pickup lens, the image pickup lens includes: at least one lens block including a lens substrate, and a lens portion or lens portions formed on at least one of an object-side surface or an image-side surface of the lens substrate. The lens portion is formed of an energy-curable resin material which is different from a material of the lens substrate. At least one lens portion has a dimension change rate caused by water absorption which is larger than a dimension change rate caused by water absorption of the lens substrate, and satisfies the predetermined expression about a change in refractive index the energy-curable resin material caused by water absorption. |
| US08368781B2 |
Imaging object
The present invention provides an imaging technology having high reproducibility of a document and making image correction possible, without being influenced by a way of placing the document or a position of a camera, and irrespective of paper color and despite of damage of a corner portion. By printing positioning symbols on document paper in advance when the document is photographed by a digital camera or a portable phone with a camera, such as a smart phone, and by processing the image based on these positioning symbols, image processing having high reproducibility of the document and making image correction (keystone correction) possible can be implemented irrespective of paper color and despite of damage of a corner portion. |
| US08368780B2 |
Determination of the fixed pattern noise during the operation of a camera
A fixed pattern noise of an image converter is automatically determined. A first optical image is converted using the image converter into digital image data, the light level of the first optical image is determined, the light level of the first optical image is compared with a threshold value, and the image converter characteristics of the image converter are reset to a dark image setting in such a way that the image data generated over the photosensitive imaging surface of the image converter at constant distribution of the determined light level include no component produced by the light level. Immediately thereafter, using the dark image setting previously set, a first dark image is recorded. |
| US08368773B1 |
Metadata-driven method and apparatus for automatically aligning distorted images
A method for aligning and unwarping distorted images in which lens profiles for a variety of lens and camera combinations are precomputed. Metadata stored with images is used to automatically determine if a set of component images include an excessive amount of distortion, and if so the metadata is used to determine an appropriate lens profile and initial unwarping function. The initial unwarping function is applied to the coordinates of feature points of the component images to generate substantially rectilinear feature points, which are used to estimate focal lengths, centers, and relative rotations for pairs of the images. A global nonlinear optimization is applied to the initial unwarping function(s) and the relative rotations to generate optimized unwarping functions and rotations for the component images. The optimized unwarping functions and rotations may be used to render a panoramic image. |
| US08368772B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus is disclosed. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, wherein a frame of an image is divided into 3 or more fields, the fields are output one by one, and each field contains full color information, a drive circuit for driving the imaging device at predetermined timing, a timing generating circuit for generating the timing, and a signal processing unit for processing an output of the imaging device to generate a brightness signal and a color signal. With the imaging apparatus, an image that is signal-processed only with a first field of the imaging frame is stored in addition to an ordinarily signal-processed image. |
| US08368771B2 |
Generating a synthesized image from a plurality of images
A plurality of images is captured, and a positional displacement between the images is determined. The images may be captured as still images or as moving images. Moving images may include, for example, images that are captured as part of the recording of a video or as live image data that is played back in real time. Different positional displacement techniques are be used to determine the positional displacement between the images, based on how the images are captured. For example, a first positional displacement technique may be used if the images are still images and a second positional displacement technique if the images are moving images. The images may then be synthesized images based on the determined positional displacement of the images to generate a synthesized image. The images may be synthesized using a weighted synthesis technique, a simple synthesis technique, or other appropriate synthesis technique. |
| US08368769B2 |
Imaging device and camera
A camera body includes an imaging unit, a reflecting mirror, a determination unit, and a mirror controller. The imaging unit is configured to convert the optical image into an image signal and acquires an image of the subject. The reflecting mirror has a first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and a second state of being outside the optical path. The mirror controller is configured to retract the reflecting mirror to outside the optical path of the optical system when the reflecting mirror is in the first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and a moving picture photography mode is selected, which is a mode for capturing moving pictures. |
| US08368766B2 |
Video stabilizing method and system using dual-camera system
The present invention discloses a video stabilizing method. The method may comprising the steps of: capturing a low-spatial-resolution image ILt by a first camera and a high-spatial-resolution image IHt by a second camera which is synchronous with the first camera for capturing an image of a moving target; determining a target region IL—tart including the moving target in the low-spatial-resolution image ILt , and obtaining an output image Ioutt of the high-spatial-resolution image IHt corresponding to the target region IL—tart; generating a registration model MLHt between the low-spatial-resolution image ILt and the high-spatial-resolution image IHt ; and inpainting the output image Ioutt based on the registration model MLHt and the high-spatial-resolution image IHt to complete the output image Ioutt. The present invention further discloses a video stabilizing system using a dual-camera system. |
| US08368765B2 |
Auto stabilization method and photographing apparatus using the same
An auto stabilization method and a photographing apparatus using the same are provided. The photographing apparatus having the auto stabilization function includes a voice coil motor actuator (VCMA) to move a photographing element. In the generation of hand tremor, the photographing apparatus controls compensating of the hand tremor. Because one or more dynamic characteristics according to a structure of the VCMA is considered, saturation or delay of displacement of the VCMA is avoided, and a clearer image is provided. |
| US08368763B1 |
Spectrum sensing engine
Systems, methods, and devices for reducing interference with digital television transmissions occurring over a bandwidth are disclosed. The digital television signal is correlated to a reference digital television field sync signal. A non-coherent correlation power measurement is determined based on the correlation of the received digital television signal to the reference digital television field sync signal. A plurality of maximum non-coherent correlation power measurements are determined over multiple field times. An energy estimate for the digital television transmission is determined based on the maximum non-coherent correlation power measurements. A transmit mask filter is generated based on the energy estimate. The transmit mask is applied to transmissions to reduce interference with detected digital television transmissions. |
| US08368760B1 |
System and method to generate and display target patterns
According to one embodiment, a target system includes a display module comprising a plurality of pixel elements operable to display target patterns. Each pixel element includes a display segment, a plurality of first charged pigments housed within the display segment each having a first charge, a plurality of second charged pigments housed within the display segment each having a second charge, wherein the first charge is opposite the second charge, and an electrical contact coupled to the display segment and operable to receive signals which cause an electric field to be present in the display segment. The system also includes at least one computer-readable tangible storage medium comprising executable code that, when executed by at least one processor, is operable to transmit signals to the display module that cause an electric field to be present in at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements. In addition, the system includes a heating element coupled to the display module and operable to emit an infrared pattern that is modified by the plurality of pixel elements. |
| US08368759B2 |
Landmark for position determination of mobile robot and apparatus and method using it
There are provided a landmark for recognizing a position of a mobile robot moving in an indoor space and an apparatus and method for recognizing the position of the mobile robot by using the landmark. The landmark includes a position recognition part formed of a mark in any position and at least two marks on an X axis and Y axis centered on the mark and further includes an area recognition part formed of a combination of a plurality of marks to distinguish an individual landmark from others. The apparatus may obtain an image of the landmark by an infrared camera, detect the marks forming the landmark, and detect precise position and area information of the mobile robot from the marks. |
| US08368748B2 |
Protector of handheld electronic devices
An improved protector allows the operation of camera buttons to operate at greater depths through use of a “see-saw” mechanism proximate the camera buttons. |
| US08368744B2 |
Image display apparatus, image processing device, and image processing method
According to one embodiment, an image display apparatus includes a rearranging module, a scaling module, a display, and a parallax controller. The rearranging module is configured to rearrange a plurality of first parallax image signals in series in accordance with colors of the first parallax image signals to generate a second parallax image signal. The scaling module is configured to scale the second parallax image signal in a horizontal direction to generate a third parallax image signal. The display is configured to display at least a part of the third parallax image signal. The parallax controller is configured to output light emitted from the display to a specific direction. |
| US08368743B2 |
Interface and circuit arrangement, in particular for holographic encoding units or holographic reproduction devices
The invention relates to an interface and circuit arrangement, in particular for transmitting digital image data to at least one holographic encoding unit (HEU), which generates complex hologram values from image data containing depth information and/or encodes the pixel values for controlling at least one light modulator element of a holographic reproduction device. The invention is characterized in that the interface transmits the depth map of the image data and the color map of said image data separately via transmission means (L1, L2) and communication protocols, said depth map comprising the depth information and the color map the color information of scanned images in an image sequence. |
| US08368741B2 |
Apparatus and system for improving image quality
A system and an apparatus for improving image quality of an object in video telephony are described. The apparatus comprises an image detection unit, an image alignment unit and an image fusion unit. A near infrared light source in the image detection unit illuminates the object, such that the object is front illuminated. An image sensor alongside the near infrared light source generates a near infrared image and a visible image. An image alignment unit aligns the near infrared image and the visible image. An image fusion unit fuses the aligned near infrared image and aligned visible image pair to form a composite image of the object. The composite image of the object has improved image quality, image detail, and a reduction in shadows. |
| US08368740B2 |
Meeting system including display device and data processing apparatus connected thereto, data processing apparatus connected to display device, data output method, and data output program
In order to prevent leakage of confidential data, a meeting system includes a MFP and a projector. The MFP includes a data obtaining portion to obtain data, a participant information obtaining portion to obtain user identification information as participant information, an access permission determination portion and an output permission determination portion to determine whether or not a user identified by the participant information can access the obtained data, to determine that the obtained data can be output if the determination result shows that all the meeting participants can access the obtained data, and to determine that the obtained data cannot be output if any one of the meeting participants cannot access the obtained data, and an output portion to output data on condition that it is determined by the output permission determination portion that data can be output. The display device displays an image based on the data output from the data processing apparatus. |
| US08368736B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes four light sources, a pre-deflector optical system, a polygon mirror, an optical scanning system, etc. The optical scanning system includes deflector-side scanning lenses made of glass, imaging-surface-side scanning lenses made of resin, polarized light splitters, and reflecting mirrors. The deflector-side scanning lenses, the imaging-surface-side scanning lenses, the polarized light splitters, and the reflecting mirrors are arranged in this order on an optical path of light going from the polygon mirror toward drum-shaped photosensitive elements. |
| US08368735B2 |
Light emitting array for printing or copying
A light emitting head for use in copiers or printers, the light emitting head having an illuminated length, e.g. a print width or copy width, and including a rigid carrier structure provided from a bulk material that spans at least the illuminated length of the head, the bulk material having a coefficient of thermal conduction larger than 100 W/mK and a coefficient of thermal expansion; a plurality of blocks of light elements arranged in a longitudinal array, the blocks having a coefficient of thermal expansion, each of the blocks of light elements having a first and a second surface, each of the blocks of light elements including a plurality of light-emitting elements exposed on a first surface on the block, the plurality of blocks being physically attached to the carrier structure by a conductive adhesive at substantially the second surfaces, and wherein the bulk material has a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs from the thermal expansion coefficient of the block material by a maximum of 5*10−6/K. |
| US08368734B2 |
Exposure device, image forming apparatus, exposure control method and computer-readable medium
An exposure device includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, a lighting driver, a first storage, a reader, a shading correction unit and a second storage. The lighting driver drives and lights up the light-emitting elements based on image data. The first storage stores light amount unevenness correction values of the respective light-emitting elements. The reader reads the light amount unevenness correction values stored in the first storage. The shading correction unit executes shading correction for the light amount unevenness correction values read by the reader. The second storage stores correction values obtained by having the shading correction unit to execute the shading correction for the light amount unevenness correction values. The lighting driver controls light power of the respective light-emitting elements based on the correction values stored in the second storage. |
| US08368733B2 |
Thermal head and printer
A thermal head includes a substrate main body including a flat plate-shaped support substrate and a flat plate-shaped upper substrate which are bonded to each other in a stacked state. A rectangular heating resistor is formed on a surface of the flat plate-shaped upper substrate. A bonding surface of the flat plate-shaped support substrate includes a concave portion that forms a cavity portion in a region opposed to the rectangular heating resistor and the concave portion includes a groove formed in an inner wall thereof and recessed along a depth direction of the concave portion within a range of a width of the rectangular heating resistor. The thermal head is capable of enhancing heat-insulating performance while maintaining mechanical strength of the upper substrate. |
| US08368731B2 |
Electrostatic imaging member and methods for using the same
Embodiments pertain to a novel imaging member, namely, an electrostatic latent image generating member, and methods for using the same, that can generate an electrostatic latent image digitally with fewer steps and without using a raster output scanner (ROS) or free charge carriers. Embodiments provide a novel way of generating an electrostatic latent image without the shortfalls suffered by current photoreceptors, such as for example, charge mobility issues, unstable cycling, surface wear, lateral charge migration and sensitivity to light shock. |
| US08368729B2 |
Display device
A direct-viewing type display device according to the present invention includes: at least one display panel having a display region and a frame region formed outside of the display region; and at least one Fresnel lens plate disposed on a viewer side of the at least one display panel with a predetermined interval therefrom. The Fresnel lens plate includes a Fresnel lens region at a position overlapping a region that contains a portion of the frame region of the display panel and a portion of a peripheral display region within the display region that adjoins the portion of the frame region along a first axis. A portion of display light exiting the portion of the peripheral display region is emitted from a region of the Fresnel lens region that overlaps a portion of the frame region, or a region outside the region, toward the viewer side. According to the present invention, there is provided a direct-viewing type display device in which a frame region of a display panel, or a joint in the case of tiling, is made unlikely to be seen, with a structure which is more simple and light-weighted than conventionally. |
| US08368726B2 |
Display apparatus and method of driving the same
Disclosed are a display apparatus and a method of driving the same. An image signal receiver sequentially outputs frames for image display. A local illumination calculation unit displays an image on a display unit based on the frames and calculates light emission amount of a light source provided for each section of a backlight unit. A frame interpolator generates sub-frames based on the frames and outputs the sub-frames and the frames. A pixel adjuster adjusts light transmittance of each pixel according to the brightness of each pixel and the amount of the light emitted from each section which is calculated by the local illumination calculation unit when the image is displayed based on the frames and the sub-frames sequentially output from a frame interpolator. Local illumination is realized without increasing the number of memory devices while a frame frequency is increased. |
| US08368723B1 |
User input combination of touch and user position
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing system presents graphical content on a display device. The computing system determines a change in distance between a user of the computing system and a camera by tracking a visible physical feature of the user through a series of images that are captured by the camera. The computing system determines that the user has physically contacted a user input device. The computing system modifies the graphical content to change (a) a level of detail of the graphical content based on the determined change in distance between the user and the camera, and (b) boundaries of a displayed region of the graphical content based on the determined physical contact with the user input device. The computing system presents the modified graphical content for display by the display device. |
| US08368721B2 |
Apparatus and method for on-field virtual reality simulation of US football and other sports
An apparatus and method are disclosed for simulating United States football and other sports that are held on a playing field. The user stands in an area that at least approximates an actual playing field, and an apparatus incorporated into a football helmet or other headgear worn by the user superimposes simulation images onto the field of view of the user, creating an illusion of simulated action taking place on the actual field where the user is standing. This makes the information and skills conveyed by the simulation directly relevant and immediately useful. Preferred embodiments track the location and orientation of the user and thereby allow the user to participate in the simulation. In another aspect, essentially the same apparatus and method are used to simulate driving or flying of vehicles without the need of an expensive mockup of the interior of the vehicle. |
| US08368719B2 |
Method and system for fast clipping of polygons
A method for rendering static graphics in a mobile device in applications such as map applications. Panning increments are received for panning a previously rendered frame to a panned frame. A rendering region is then determined based on the panning increment. A candidate polygon is then clipped to create clipped polygons contained within the rendering region. The clipped polygons can then be rendered, and a portion of the previously rendered frame can be copied, to provide the panned frame. |
| US08368714B2 |
Curved surface rendering system and method
A curved surface rendering method grids a curved surface to a plurality of triangles, and further divides the plurality of triangles to sub-triangles. Furthermore, the method determines surface triangles and inner triangles from all triangles of the curved surface, and displays the surface triangles on a display device. |
| US08368712B2 |
Mesh transfer in n-D space
Systems and methods are disclosed allowing data and other information from one model to be transferred to another model. A surface correspondence between meshes of the models can be created that provides a transfer or sharing of information to include all points of one mesh and all points of the other mesh. Additionally, a volume correspondence between the models can be created to transfer information found within corresponding volumes or other n-D spaces associated with the models. Mesh information and other data at, near, or otherwise within a volume or other n-D space associated with one model can be “pushed through” the volume correspondences to transfer the data to its designated location on, at, near, or otherwise within a corresponding volume or other n-D space associated with the other model. |
| US08368711B2 |
Methods and apparatus to provide dynamic messaging services
Methods and apparatus to provide dynamic messaging services are disclosed. One example method includes determining supported dimensions for display of information on a display screen, restricting the supported dimensions, wherein the restricted dimensions define a boundary between a first screen portion and a second screen portion, and displaying content of a first type on a first side of the boundary and displaying a content of a second type on a second side of the boundary. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08368707B2 |
Memory management based on automatic full-screen detection
A window surface associated with a first application is automatically detected as an exclusive window surface for a display. In response, the system automatically transitions to a full-screen mode in which a graphics processor flushes content to the display. The full-screen mode includes flipping between a front surface buffer and a back surface buffer associated with the first application. It is subsequently detected that the window surface associated with the first application is not an exclusive window surface for the display. In response, the system automatically transitions to a windowed mode in which the graphics processor flushes content to the display. In windowed mode, the system frame buffer is flushed to the display. The transition to windowed mode includes a minimum number of buffer content copy operations between the front surface buffer, the back surface buffer and the system frame buffer. |
| US08368706B2 |
Image processing device and method for pixel data conversion
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a scaling unit, a coefficient texture processing unit, and a pixel data converter. A first array is passed to the scaling unit. In the first array, a plurality of pieces of pixel data is arranged in a matrix pattern. The scaling unit copies the pixel data included in the first array a predetermined number of times in the horizontal direction of the first array to configure a second array. The coefficient texture processing unit repetitively performs a computation using a predetermined coefficient texture for every predetermined number of pieces of pixel data included in the second array. The pixel data converter converts the components of the predetermined number of pieces of pixel data obtained by the computation using the coefficient texture into a predetermined pattern for every piece of pixel data. Particularly, the pixel data converter adds the components located at specific positions among the predetermined number of pieces of pixel data for every piece of pixel data to convert the components into one component. |
| US08368702B2 |
Policy-based switching between graphics-processing units
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that configures a computer system to switch between graphics-processing units (GPUs). In one embodiment, the system drives a display using a first graphics-processing unit (GPU) in the computer system. Next, the system detects one or more events associated with one or more dependencies on a second GPU in the computer system. Finally, in response to the event, the system prepares to switch from the first GPU to the second GPU as a signal source for driving the display. |
| US08368701B2 |
Metaprocessor for GPU control and synchronization in a multiprocessor environment
Included are embodiments of systems and methods for processing metacommands. In at least one exemplary embodiment a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) includes a metaprocessor configured to process at least one context register, the metaprocessor including context management logic and a metaprocessor control register block coupled to the metaprocessor, the metaprocessor control register block configured to receive metaprocessor configuration data, the metaprocessor control register block further configured to define metacommand execution logic block behavior. Some embodiments include a Bus Interface Unit (BIU) configured to provide the access from a system processor to the metaprocessor and a GPU command stream processor configured to fetch a current context command stream and send commands for execution to a GPU pipeline and metaprocessor. |
| US08368699B2 |
Displaying bar charts with a fish-eye distortion effect
A system and a method are disclosed for visually displaying data points using charts on a display screen with limited display area. A fish-eye distortion region allows presentation of detailed information for some data points compared to other data points that are displayed. The chart can be moved relative to the distortion region thereby changing the data points displayed within the fish-eye that present additional information. The relative movement between the chart and the distortion region is triggered by different kinds of inputs from the user including, tilting of the device, swiping with a pointing device and selecting a particular data point. |
| US08368697B2 |
Providing an overview of a large event sample period that supports triage and navigation
A system and method for providing an overview of a plurality of tasks running on a target environment which includes the steps of receiving event data representing a plurality of events in the plurality of contexts over a monitoring period displaying a detailed graphical representation of the event data log using the event data, and displaying a schematic representation of the detailed graphical representation over the monitoring period using only a portion of the event data. The schematic representation is indicative of an activity density of the event data over the monitoring period. |
| US08368692B2 |
Clipping geometries in ray-casting
A computer implemented method for creating a depth range buffer for supporting clipping geometries for ray-casting includes inputting image data, establishing a depth range buffer for specifying a start and an end point of each ray, computing a near depth of the image data corresponding to the start point of each ray, computing a far depth of the image data corresponding to the end point of each ray, clipping the volume by restricting ray-casting within the start and end points of the depth range buffer, and rendering a portion of the image data corresponding to the visible depth range. |
| US08368691B2 |
Untransformed display lists in a tile based rendering system
A three-dimensional computer graphics rendering system allows a tile-based rendering system to operate with a reduced amount of storage required for tiled screen space geometry by using an untransformed display list to represent the screen's geometry. |
| US08368678B2 |
Pixel circuit, display apparatus, and pixel circuit drive control method
A pixel circuit including a light emitting element, a driving transistor, connected to the light emitting element, that applies a drive current to the light emitting element, a holding circuit connected to a gate terminal of the driving transistor, and a switching transistor connected between the holding circuit and a data line through which a data signal to be held by the holding circuit flows, in which the driving transistor and the switching transistor are inorganic oxide thin film transistors whose OFF-operation threshold voltage is a negative voltage, and the holding circuit includes a first capacitor element connected between the switching transistor and the gate terminal of the driving transistor, and a second capacitor element connected between a point located between the first capacitor element and the gate terminal of the driving transistor and a voltage source that supplies a negative voltage. |
| US08368675B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device comprising: a data driver supplying data signals to data output lines; a scan driver supplying scan signals sequentially to scan output lines; a light emitting control line driver supplying light emitting control signals to light emitting control output lines; and a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels connected to the output lines of each driver, at least one driver having a buffer circuit disposed at each output line. Each buffer circuit comprises a transistor having a gate layer, source and drain layers and a metal layer for shielding Electro-Static Discharge (ESD), wherein the metal layer is formed over the gate layer when the gate layer is overlapped by one of the source or a drain electrodes, or the metal layer is formed to not overlap the gate layer when the gate layer is not overlapped by the source or a drain electrodes. |
| US08368674B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device including thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same
An organic electroluminescent device including a driving element having a driving gate electrode connected to the switching element, the driving gate electrode formed uniformly on the substrate, a driving source electrode having a first driving source electrode along a first direction and a plurality of second driving source electrodes extending from the first driving source electrode along a second direction crossing the first direction, a driving drain electrode spaced apart from the driving source electrode, the driving drain electrode having a first driving drain electrode along the first direction and a plurality of second driving drain electrodes extending from the first driving drain electrode along the second direction, wherein the plurality of second driving source electrodes alternate with the plurality of second driving drain electrodes, wherein the driving source electrode and the driving drain electrode including an interval therebetween are facing the driving gate electrode. |
| US08368669B2 |
Position detecting device and computer including the same
A position detecting device is provided. The position detecting device includes a position pointer which transmits a position-pointing signal using a power supply stored in a rechargeable power storage unit, and a tablet which detects a position pointed to by the position pointer when receiving the position-pointing signal. The position pointer includes a coil, a charging circuit for charging the power storage unit, and a transmitter for transmitting the position-pointing signal. The tablet includes an excitation coil wound around a periphery of a position detecting area of the tablet, an excitation circuit for supplying an alternating voltage to the excitation coil, a position-pointing signal detector for detecting the position-pointing signal received from the position pointer, and an excitation controller for controlling a supply of the alternating voltage to the excitation coil based on the detected position-pointing signal. |
| US08368668B2 |
Displacement detection system of an optical touch panel and method thereof
At a first time, an image sensor captures a first image including images of an object. At a second time, the image sensor captures a second image including images of the object. A coordinate calculation device calculates a first coordinate of the object at the first time according to the first image, and a second coordinate of the object at the second time according to the second image. A coordinate correction device calculates a displacement between the first time and the second time according to the first coordinate and the second coordinate, and corrects an output coordinate of the object at the second time according to the displacement. |
| US08368667B2 |
Method for reducing latency when using multi-touch gesture on touchpad
A method for executing single and multi-touch gestures that will be immediately recognized by the touchpad without having to wait for any portion of the gesture to be performed, thereby eliminating latency that can be caused by the touchpad or touchscreen having to wait for a portion of the gesture to be performed. |
| US08368662B2 |
Actionable-object controller and data-entry attachment for touchscreen-based electronics
A touchscreen-controller and data-entry ensemble are attached conterminously or proximately to a touchscreen device. A touchscreen-controller attachment device has one or more input ends and one or more output ends. The input and output ends may be opposite ends of unitary elements and/or may be remote from one another and connected by wire or wirelessly. Each input end of a unitary conductive element is connected to a respective output end and the plurality of output ends, residing in an attachment base, are in a position of contact with or in close proximity to the soft buttons, keys or controller(s) of a touchscreen. The output ends thus activate the touchscreen when the input ends are manipulated. A base maintains the input and/or output ends in fixed position during use. Input and output elements can be spring-mounted. New controllers offer the user haptic ability. |
| US08368660B2 |
Capacitive touch system and sensing method for a capacitive touch system
A capacitive touch system includes a touch panel and two touch integrated circuits connected to the touch panel to scan thereto. The touch panel has a boundary trace connected to both of the two touch integrated circuits. When one of the two touch integrated circuits charges/discharges the boundary trace, the other touch integrated circuit does not charges/discharges the boundary trace. |
| US08368659B2 |
Method of generating key code in coordinate recognition device and video device controller using the same
A video device controller (101) and method for generating a key code enable key code generation by a single instance of manipulation of the controller by a user The video device controller (101) includes a touch pad (110) having a predetermined touch pattern; a coordinate recognition unit (120) for recognizing coordinate values corresponding to a touch trajectory executed with respect to the touch pad (110); a key signal input unit (130), having a plurality of keys, for generating a key signal according to a user selection, the plurality of keys including at least one hotkey corresponding to a set of video device functions; a system controller (140) for generating, in response to a user operation of the hotkey, an OSD command signal for displaying an OSD keypad having a set of menu items corresponding to the video device functions, the OSD keypad being configured according to the predetermined touch pattern, for calculating values of at least one of a direction, speed, and distance of the touch trajectory using the recognized coordinate values, and for outputting a movement command signal based on the calculated values and the key signal, the movement command signal shifting an object among the OSD menu items displayed on the video device; and a key code generator (150) for respectively generating a key code corresponding to the OSD command signal and a key code corresponding to the movement command signal. |
| US08368658B2 |
Automatic soft key adaptation with left-right hand edge sensing
Systems and methodologies for adapting input/output operation of an electronic device for left-handed and/or right-handed scenarios are provided herein. As described herein, sensors (e.g., capacitive, resistive, touch-sensitive, etc.) are applied to respective outer edges of a device to determine whether a device is in a user's left hand and/or right hand. Based on this determination, respective points along the sensors can be mapped to soft keys to automatically optimize input for left-handed and/or right-handed operation. As further described herein, points of contact with an input device such as a touch-screen can be corrected based on whether a user's left hand and/or right hand is holding an associated electronic device. For example, upon identifying contact between a touch-screen and a thumb of a hand being used to hold an associated device, the point of contact can be shifted to compensate for the angle of the thumb with respect to the touch-screen. |
| US08368654B2 |
Integrated touch sensor and solar assembly
Integrated touch sensor and solar panel configurations that may be used on portable devices, particularly handheld portable devices such as a media player or phone are disclosed. The integrated touch sensor array and solar cell stack-ups may include electrodes that are used both for collecting solar energy and for sensing on a touch sensor array. By integrating both the touch sensors and the solar cell layers into the same stack-up, surface area on the portable device may be conserved. In addition to being used for capacitive sensing, the integrated touch sensor and solar panel configurations may also be used for optical sensing. |
| US08368653B2 |
Methods of interfacing with multi-point input devices and multi-point input systems employing interfacing techniques
Methods and systems for interfacing with multi-point input devices employ various techniques for controlling displayed images, including 2D and 3D image translation, scale/zoom, rotation control and globe axis tilt control. Various techniques employ three or more simultaneous inputs, changes in characteristics of those inputs, and pressure sensing, among other things. |
| US08368651B2 |
Input device
An input device includes a case, a ball, a magnetic detecting element, a wiring board, and a rocking part. The ball is rotatably accommodated in the case, exposed from an opening of the case, and is embedded with a magnetic substance having a plurality of protrusions or with a plurality of magnets. In a case the magnetic substance is embedded in the ball, a magnet is placed where its magnetism affects the plurality of protrusions. The magnetic detecting element is disposed facing the ball with a certain gap. The switch is mounted on the wiring board. The rocking part is placed between the case and the switch, supporting the case in a swingable manner with respect to the switch. The switch is turned on and off corresponding to a rocking motion of the rocking part. The ball and the magnetic detecting element are attached to the rocking part so that the gap is kept constant with each other when the rocking part rocks. |
| US08368648B2 |
Portable interactive toy with radio frequency tracking device
A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console. |
| US08368646B2 |
User interface devices
A method and apparatus of user interface having multiple motion dots capable of detecting user inputs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user interface (“UI”) device includes a first motion dot and a second motion dot. The first motion dot is capable of attaching to a first finger and the second motion dot is configured to attach to a second finger. The first finger, in one example, is a thumb and the second finger is an index finger. The first motion dot includes multiple accelerometers used for identifying the physical location of the first motion dot. The second motion dot, which is logically coupled to the first motion dot via a wireless communications network, is capable of detecting a user input in response to a relative physical position between the first and the second motion dots. |
| US08368645B2 |
Cursor transitions
Responsive to a trigger event, a first cursor state having a first visual appearance is transitioned into a second cursor state having a second visual appearance. A transition type and transition time can be specified so that the transition can be visually perceived by a user. The cursor states can be associated with different cursor types and/or cursor schemes. |
| US08368643B2 |
Very small form factor consumer electronic product
A very small form factor consumer electronic product includes at least a single piece housing having an integral front and side walls that cooperate to form a cavity in cooperation with a front opening where an edge of the side walls define a rear opening and at least some of the edges have flanges. The consumer electronic product also includes an user input assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the front opening and a clip assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the rear opening and having an external user actionable clip, a plurality of internal hooking features, and a plurality of internal latching features. The clip assembly is secured by engaging at least some of the hooking features and the flanges on the edges of the housing and engaging the latching features and corresponding attachment features on the internal support plate. |
| US08368641B2 |
Tactile feedback man-machine interface device
A man-machine interface which provides tactile feedback to various sensing body parts is disclosed. The device employs one or more vibrotactile units, where each unit comprises a mass and a mass-moving actuator. As the mass is accelerated by the mass-moving actuator, the entire vibrotactile unit vibrates. Thus, the vibrotactile unit transmits a vibratory stimulus to the sensing body part to which it is affixed. The vibrotactile unit may be used in conjunction with a spatial placement sensing device which measures the spatial placement of a measured body part. A computing device uses the spatial placement of the measured body part to determine the desired vibratory stimulus to be provided by the vibrotactile unit. In this manner, the computing device may control the level of vibratory feedback perceived by the corresponding sensing body part in response to the motion of the measured body part. The sensing body part and the measured body part may be separate or the same body part. |
| US08368638B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for controlling back-light brightness
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display and method of preventing dazzling thereof, by which human eyes can be prevented from being fatigued by the intensity of radiation in a manner of detecting APL of an LCD TV and correcting brightness of a backlight. The present invention includes an APL detecting unit detecting APL of the liquid crystal display, a control unit increasing or decreasing a brightness of a backlight uniformly in inverse proportional to the APL value detected by the APL detecting unit, the control unit increasing the brightness of the backlight according to a decrement of the APL value by limiting the brightness of the backlight to a prescribed brightness for a preset reference section, and a backlight driving unit driving the backlight by controlling the brightness of the backlight under the control of the control unit. |
| US08368637B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method of thereof
A liquid crystal display and a method of driving the same capable of improving contrast properties by implementing a local dimming method and achieving the slimness of the liquid crystal display are provided. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel which displays a picture; a backlight unit including a light guide plate part in which first light guide channels of a first direction and second light guide channels of a second direction intersected with the first direction are formed, first light array for illuminating light to the first light guide channels, and second light array for illuminating light to the second light guide channels, respectively, wherein blocks are defined by the intersection of the first light guide channels and second light guide channels; and a dimming controller for analyzing an input picture to correspond to the blocks to obtain first dimming values for independently controlling luminances of light sources of the first light array, determining second dimming values for independently controlling luminances of light sources of the second light array based on the first dimming values, and adjusting the first and second dimming values so that a luminance difference between neighboring blocks caused by the first and second dimming values is decreased. |
| US08368634B2 |
Gate driver for partially driving a screen
Disclosed herein is a gate driver which is capable of partially driving a screen. The gate driver includes a first shift register for sequentially outputting n scan pulses (where n is a natural number larger than 2), and a second shift register for selecting p ones (where p is a natural number smaller than or equal to n) of the n scan pulses from the first shift register in response to an external output control signal and supplying the selected p scan pulses respectively to p gate lines of a liquid crystal panel. |
| US08368633B2 |
Pixel data preprocessing circuit and method
A pixel data preprocessing method includes the steps of: inputting a first frame data into a timing controller; performing a differential operation on the first frame data to generate a first frame differential data; writing the first frame differential data into a frame memory with the timing controller; reading a second frame differential data from the frame memory with the timing controller; performing an inverse differential operation on the second frame differential data to generate a second frame data; comparing the first frame data and the second frame data; and outputting a driving data with the timing controller according to a comparison result of comparing the first frame data and the second frame data. The present invention further provides a pixel data preprocessing circuit. |
| US08368621B2 |
Image display device
An image display device includes a plurality of pixels, and feeders that commonly supply power to the plurality of pixels. In this image display device, each of the pixels has a light-emitting portion that emits light by a current supplied to the light-emitting portion, a driver that controls light emission of the light-emitting portion, and a switching portion electrically connected to the driver. The parasitic capacitance of the switching portion is determined with respect to each one pixel or one group of pixels according to the voltage drop of said feeder. |
| US08368616B1 |
Automatic configuration of multiple monitor systems
Control of multiple display screens associated with a computer, wherein the auxiliary screen display content that depends on conditions of the computer. During some times the auxiliary screen displays content associated with the presently executing program, and during other times the auxiliary screen displays history information. The rules can be automatically changed or manually changed. |
| US08368609B2 |
Omnidirectional multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennas with polarization diversity
Exemplary embodiments are provided of omnidirectional MIMO antennas with polarization diversity. In one exemplary embodiment, an omnidirectional MIMO antenna generally includes an array of radiating antenna elements having a linear horizontal polarization and radiating omnidirectionally in azimuth. The antenna also includes at least one radiating antenna element having a linear vertical polarization and radiating omnidirectionally in azimuth. The vertically polarized radiating antenna is spaced-apart from the array. The antenna is operable for producing omnidirectional, vertically polarized coverage for at least one port, as well as omnidirectional, horizontally polarized coverage for at least one other port. |
| US08368608B2 |
Circularly polarized loop reflector antenna and associated methods
The antenna may include a planar reflector having a plurality of loop electrical conductors defining an array of parasitically drivable antenna elements, and a circularly polarized antenna feed spaced from the planar reflector to parasitically drive the array of parasitically drivable antenna elements and impart a traveling wave current distribution therein. The antenna may have properties that are hybrid between parabolic reflectors and driven arrays, providing a relatively compact circularly polarized antenna capable of having low wind load. Closed circuit or loop elements may provide increased gain over antennas using dipole turnstile reflector elements. |
| US08368607B2 |
Antenna assemblies with antenna elements and reflectors
According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of antenna assemblies. In one exemplary embodiment, an antenna assembly generally includes at least one antenna element having first and second electrical paths. The antenna assembly may also include at least one reflector element spaced-apart from the antenna element for reflecting electromagnetic waves generally towards the antenna element. |
| US08368603B2 |
Flexible antenna device
A housing of an antenna device is made of a flexible material and contains the FPC-type antenna therein. The antenna device may be mounted to a PCB assembly of an electronic device, either detachably or fixedly. The housing and the antenna may both be all made of a flexible material, or the housing may further use a base made of a rigid material to mount to the PCB assembly, while the antenna may also be hybrid circuit board. As the antenna device is moved out of the shielding area of a metal housing of the electronic device for use, the flexibility of the antenna device keeps the antenna device from cracking due to external force and increases the durability of the antenna device. |
| US08368601B2 |
Multiprotocol antenna structure and method for synthesizing a multiprotocol antenna pattern
Embodiments of a planar asymmetric antenna structure with shifted feed position for multi-protocol operations are disclosed The antenna structure includes two elliptically tapering right and left arms, each with a different radius, and an off-center feed point positioned between the right and left arms. One arm has a smaller elliptical tapering than the other arm and the feed point is positioned closer to one arm than the other arm. A method of synthesizing a multiprotocol antenna pattern is also disclosed. The method includes providing substantially equally surface currents on both arms of an antenna structure to generate a near-horizontal pattern in far-field at a lower frequency band, providing greater surface currents on the right arm to generate a far-field pattern with a large horizontal component at a higher frequency band, and providing greater surface currents on the left arm to generate an asymmetric far-field pattern at a middle frequency band. |
| US08368598B2 |
Multiband antenna
A multiband antenna used for a portable communication device includes a first antenna unit, a second antenna unit, a third antenna unit, and feed member. The first antenna unit, the second antenna unit and the third antenna unit are capable of receiving and/or sending wireless signals. The second antenna unit is connected to the first antenna unit, the third antenna unit is connected to the first antenna unit, and the feed member is electrically connected to the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit. The feed member receives wireless signals and transmits the wireless signals through the first antenna, the second antenna unit and the third antenna unit to generate corresponding current paths, and the first antenna unit is located between the second antenna unit and the third antenna unit to isolate the second antenna unit and the third antenna unit to avoid coupling interference of their resonant frequencies. |
| US08368597B2 |
Antenna pattern frame and method of manufacturing the same
An antenna pattern frame according to an aspect of the invention may include: a radiator having an antenna pattern portion transmitting and receiving a signal and a connection terminal portion allowing the signal to be transmitted to and received from a circuit board of an electronic device; a connection portion partially forming the radiator and connecting the antenna pattern portion and the connection terminal portion to be arranged in different planes; a radiator frame manufactured by injection molding on the radiator so that the antenna pattern portion may be provided on one side of the radiator frame and the connection terminal portion may be provided on the other side thereof, while the antenna pattern portion is embedded in the electronic device case; and a contact surface extension provided on the radiator to prevent the radiator from being loosened from the radiator frame during injection molding of the radiator frame, and increasing a contact area with respect to the radiator frame. |
| US08368593B2 |
Measurement of energy potential (signal-to-noise ratio) in digital global navigation satellite systems receivers
The energy potential of a receiver receiving signals from a navigation satellite is calculated according to an algorithm which is a function of an estimate of the mean and an estimate of the variance of a correlation signal. Improving the accuracy of measuring the energy potential may be achieved by improving the variance estimate. The variance estimate may be determined from measurements of the correlation signal over long time intervals during operation of the receiver. The variance estimate may also be determined during a calibration procedure, or by mathematical modeling of the receiver. |
| US08368590B2 |
GNSS signal processing methods and apparatus with candidate set selection
Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating parameters, i.e. ambiguities, derived from GNSS signals. Observations of GNSS signals are obtained from each of a plurality of GNSS satellites (120). The observations are fed to a filter having a state vector at least comprising a float ambiguity for each received frequency of the GNSS signals (140). The filter estimates float value for each float ambiguity of the state vector. Integer values are assigned to at least a subgroup of the estimated float values to define a plurality of integer ambiguity candidate sets (160). A first number of candidate sets is selected having a quality measure better than a first threshold, wherein the first threshold is determined based on a reference quality measure of a reference candidate set (180). A weighted average of the selected candidate sets is formed, each candidate set weighted in the weighted average based on its quality measure (200). Ambiguities of the weighted average can be used in subsequent operations to aid in determining a position of the receiver or can be used to prepare data, e.g., in a network processor that can be used to augment position information of a rover. |
| US08368589B2 |
Supporting a relative positioning
The invention relates to a method comprising receiving at least one set of data on satellite signals from at least one first GNSS receiver 22, each received set of data being associated to a particular instant of time. The method further comprises estimating data for at least one additional set of data associated to a respective additional instant of time based on the at least one received set of data. The method further comprises providing data from the at least one additional set of data in addition to data from the at least one received set of data for a determination of a position of at least one second GNSS receiver 12 relative to a position of the at least one first GNSS receiver 22. |
| US08368588B2 |
Method and apparatus for updating transformation information parameters used in global navigation satellite system
A method for updating a set of transformation information parameters used in a global navigation satellite system includes: obtaining at least one satellite navigation information for a satellite; and updating the set of transformation information parameters according to the obtained satellite navigation information. The method can extend the life time of the set of transformation information parameters, and used to generate better predictions of the satellite trajectory therefore the TTFF can be reduced while the positioning accuracy can also be improved. |
| US08368586B2 |
Person-borne improvised explosive device detection
A system includes a multi-system approach to detecting concealed weapons and person borne improvised explosive devices (PBIED). A first and second radar system operate at different center frequencies to provide, respectively, isolation of a target of interest from clutter and fine detail information on the target, such as whether the target is a living person, whether a concealed object may be present, material composition of the object, and shape, size, and position of the target relative to the system. Circular polarized radar beam may be used to distinguish a suspect object from within a crowd of people. Radar image of the object may be overlaid on visual image of a person carrying the object. Radar tracking of the object is coordinated with visual tracking of the target provided by a camera system, with visual display and tracking of the target overlaid with the radar information. |
| US08368581B2 |
Method for determining compound data of weather radars in an overlapping region of the monitoring regions of at least two weather radars
Method for determining combined data of weather radars (1) in an overlap region (2) of the observation regions of at least two weather radars (1), with polarimetric weather radars (1) being used as weather radars (1), and the measurements of the individual at least two polarimetric weather radars (1) being combined for measuring points in the overlap region (2), and the combined measuring points being used to carry out a radar echo classification. |